Quality time

After I posted last week about trying to eat right so I could get down to my comfy weight, a friend gave me an entire month's supply of Nutrisystem food.  This food had been in storage for "a while" but seeing as it is freeze dried I figured the shelf life would be pretty much indefinite.  I was wrong!  I spent all night Tuesday puking my guts out and Wednesday in bed recovering.  This scared me because I was hosting Thanksgiving.  I woke up Thursday feeling well enough to do what needed to be done.  Thank God!

I walked Boomer over to the junior high school in my neighborhood that morning and let him off leash in the field.  There is a track in the back and I decided I would try to run a lap.  I ended up running (I use that word very loosely, by the way) three laps and felt pretty good about it.

Sara came over early in the afternoon and we spent time together, preparing the Thanksgiving meal for my little family.  I try to show her something new to make every year so maybe when it's her turn to host a holiday meal, she will remember what to do.

Friday night Keith and I went to a movie.  We watched "Burlesque" with Christina and Cher.  Very entertaining movie! 

Saturday night Keith took Sara and I out to dinner.  After dinner, Sara had me hand address her wedding invitations.  She needs to get them out early because the wedding is in another country.  People need to plan.  I loved the time we had together, sitting at the table talking while I was doing this favor for her.  It brought back memories of she and I sitting at that same table, every afternoon together, working on her homework and talking about her day in school.  After the invitations were addressed, stuffed and stamped, I asked her to tell me about her engagement night.  I wanted to hear all about the moment Sterling proposed to her, how she reacted, what she felt, etc.  It was awesome to listen to her relive the evening and how excited she was to get home to tell me.  It also occurred to me how happy I am to "be present" during this very important time of her life.  For many years I was "absent" so to be able to experience everything right now, with a clear head, is a true blessing.

Sunday I got to spend some quality time with this awesome chick again.  She picked Boomer and I up at our house and drove us up to Oakland where we had a great time hiking.  I knew it was going to be wet so I decided to wear my waterproof hiking boots instead of my trail running shoes.  Probably not my best decision.  Right off the bat, my foot was hurting because my boots were too tight.  It was a fun time anyway!  Boomer had a blast in the cool weather and wet dirt.  He played with a few runners until I called him back and he came sprinting as fast as he could.  RBR was very patient and didn't rush me up or down the trails.  She just followed nicely behind me and made me laugh enough to forget about my uncomfortable shoes.  It's nice to know that even though I can't run right now, someone still enjoys my company enough to drive a total of 50+ miles to hike with me.  Although, as you can see, the park itself is well worth it.

Boomer with RBR

Yesterday morning I went for a nice long walk with a friend that moved away in March.  Bill was a Supervisor at REI in Fremont but moved to Montana to help open a new REI there.  This was his first trip out to the Bay Area since his move.  We spent about 90 minutes walking along the Alameda Creek Trail, catching up on our lives.  At one point, Boomer got out of our sight.  I *think* he followed a female runner down the trail.  This caused a little bit of anxiety for a few minutes as we each went separate directions calling out for him.  Eventually, he appeared on the trail, walking toward me with a "what are you yelling about?" kind of look.  Even though Bill and I have kept in touch via emails and texts often, it was great to have some time to visit.

Tonight I headed out in the cold to take Boomer and Bella for a walk.  I decided I was going to do the two mile loop around the neighborhood.  They were so excited to be out, they started pulling me right away.  I ran a little bit, just to keep up.  It felt pretty good so I KEPT ON RUNNING!!  I ran the entire two miles with the two dogs.  You all *have* to know how great that felt, right?  Tomorrow is two months since my surgery.  Two months!  And I ran two miles.  Yeah, I'm thrilled!


Until later.............

Change is coming

I feel frumpy.  I feel sluggish.  I feel like I look old.  Why?  Because I have continued to eat my candy and desserts while stopping any and all cardiovascular exercise over the last seven weeks.  Even though the scale only admits a two pound gain, my body feels like a ten pound gain.

What am I doing about it?

Last Monday I cleared out my pantry of all things bad for me.  Yes, the 90% off Halloween candy I had just purchased went to the break room at work.  The Girl Scout candies and nuts?  To the break room they went!  I started eating the way I'm supposed to eat, cooking my healthy meals, and saying no to sweets and "extras."  As many of you know, when I say I'm going to do something I do it.  I would like to lose a total of ten pounds.  In 2007 I lost 25 pounds on Nutrisystem and kept within five pounds of that weight for at least two years.  Over the last year I have slowly added a pound here and there.  Some have left, and some have remained.  I want to get back to that "net 25" pound loss.  So that's what I'm going to do.  It will get much easier when I can start doing classes at the gym and running also. 

I'm sure my "feeling frumpy" is mainly due to my limited footwear choices.  Some of you may think it would be fun to wear sandals everywhere you go but I'm not talking about sexy, strappy sandals.  I'm talking about these chunky Chaco sandals:

I miss wearing my cute shoes and being able to choose which ones would match the outfit I put on.  I just have to be patient and hang on a few more weeks until a regular shoe fits comfortably and doesn't irritate my incision. 

Alright.  Enough complaining.  Onto some good stuff. 

Last week I got to meet a Blogger friend face-to-face.  Lauren was in the Bay Area for business and asked if I could meet up with her for an early morning hike.  She was staying in Walnut Creek so I picked a park near her hotel.  Boomer and I hit the road at 5:30 a.m. for the hour drive north to meet Lauren at 6:30.  I had originally said to meet at Diablo Foothills Park but when I got there the gates were closed.  I went back down the road and saw a sign for Borges Ranch - 3/4 mile off the main road.  I sent Lauren a text and she found me.  We hiked around for a little over an hour.  I had never been to this park.  I thought it was beautiful and the views were awesome. 

She had to head up north for work so she didn't have a ton of time.  It was fun chatting with her and getting to know more about her.  My list of 20-something-year-old friends just keeps growing.  I love it!  Keeps me young, I think.  Lauren said she will be up in the Bay Area more often so hopefully next time I can take her running on the trails.

I was able to go for a 3.5 mile walk this morning along the Alameda Creek Trail.  But then I worked an eight hour shift and tonight my foot is swollen.  I probably should spread the time of my feet out a little bit more than that.  Live and learn.


Until later.............

So much stuff

Last week my work schedule had me all tied up.  It is lightening up now that I can work full days.  That doesn't quite make sense, does it.  I am now working less days, but longer hours.  I have a little more time to breathe.  I spent two days cross training in the winter sports and cycling departments at work.  One day I learned all about skis and snowboards and the next day I learned everything I need to know about bikes.  I got to test ride a few nice bikes too.  This really got me in the mood to ride!  I will be taking my bike in this week to change out the pedals (go back to my clips) and should be riding soon.

I received an email from Stacey Thursday asking me if I was free any time over the weekend.  We made arrangements for a "walk" and coffee Saturday morning.  She drove up to Fremont and I took her to Sunol where we hiked and talked for a little over two hours.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, the conversation was nothing but stimulating, and the park did not disappoint. 

After our hike I took her to my favorite deli in the Mission district of Fremont.  We had to end our visit shortly after lunch so I could go home and get ready for work.  Otherwise we probably would have ended up at a coffee shop where we'd *still* be sitting and chatting away. 

Sunday was spent with my daughter Sara, shopping for her wedding dress.  Believe it or not, she found THE ONE she saw on the designer's website six months ago that she really wanted.  She made an appointment at the only dress shop in the Bay Area that carried that particular one.  Prior to that appointment though, we went to a dress shop in Pleasanton that carried dresses by her designer and she tried on at least a dozen dresses, just in case THE ONE wasn't what she had been hoping.  It was a ton of fun and I took a bunch of pictures.  We ended up ordering her the dress from the cute little shop in Pleasanton.  Now she gets to wait until March to try it on in her size.

Sara has been engaged 10 days and she already has her wedding date/time booked, the announcements ordered and shipped, the invitations ordered, her bridesmaids dresses bought, my dress bought, and now her dress ordered.  I guess it pays to be a planner, eh?

Today I received a message from an out-of-state blogger friend.  She's in the area for one night and wants to meet up with me in the morning.  I'm thrilled I have the day off and Boomer and I get to meet her.  I'm going to a park I've never been to also.  I'll be sure to share photos afterwards.

Oh!  I went in for my final post-op appointment this morning.  I had x-rays taken and the doctor tells me my fracture is 90% healed.  Yippee!  He said I can start going for longer walks.  (He never asked how much I'm walking now so I didn't tell him.)  He also said I shouldn't "jump or run" for another four weeks.  I don't know about that.  We (I) will have to see how I'm feeling in two weeks. 


Until later.............

Good news all around

I couldn't stand it any longer.  It had been five weeks without any single track under my feet.  Friday, the dry spell came to an end.  I took Boomer to Garin to tackle my favorite 3.25 mile loop.  I originally thought I would stay on the fire road, just do an out and back to Jordan Pond.  Once I got to the pond however, the single track was right there, tempting me.......



We went onto Dry Creek Trail and completed the loop.  I just couldn't help myself.  Here is some of the beauty I've been missing so much.

You understand completely, don't you?

Last week was such a busy week.  It started with Halloween, then the Giants winning the World Series.  Tuesday was election day and Wednesday was Sara's birthday.

My little girl is now 24.  So hard to believe!

We spent the day together in Danville.  We had lunch outside on the patio at a very nice little restaurant and then went to Pinky's where Sara got a pedicure and I got a manicure.  In the evening we got together with my family for dinner.

Sterling and Sara

Friday night, Sterling took Sara to her favorite restaurant in Capitola to celebrate her birthday.  While they were there, he offered her THIS:


She said YES!

I worked that night and didn't get home until 10:00 but they were waiting for me to get home so they could share the good news.  I'm so happy for her and to have Sterling join our little family.  They have been together over five years so we all figured they were going to get married.  It's so exciting to know they ARE now!  They're planning on June in Jamaica.  She has spent all weekend visiting family members and telling them.  When she and I went to church this morning, she barely had a voice left.  It's great to see her so happy.

So, that's my good news - I'm back on single track trails and Sara is engaged.  Woohoo!


Until later.............

One month later

I know, must I ALWAYS start my blog postings off with a picture of my foot post-op?  This will probably be the last one for a while, so enjoy!  Here it is, one month after surgery:

As of today, I am quite happy with my results.  In my opinion, I'm walking pretty normal.  I don't think a stranger on the street would think I have anything going on at all.

Friday I went to Garin and walked for 90 minutes.  There is a portion that is mostly flat and is close to 3 miles round trip.  It was awesome to be back in my park with my boy!  I think he felt the same way. 

Sunday, Keith and I went to Sunol Regional Wilderness Park.  The hike up to Little Yosemite is gravel, but some people would consider it a little bit of a climb.  If I was out there trail running, I would consider it runnable.  A friend posted some pictures from Sunol on Facebook and it really made me miss it.  I thought about it for a night and by Sunday I had made up my mind that I was going to try to do this walk.  I'm happy to say I made it.  I used to know how far it was up and back but I forget exactly what it is now.  I believe it's right over 3 miles.  Whatever, it doesn't matter that much.  All I know is I was out on a gorgeous day, in a wonderful park, with two of my favorite boys.  I was happy.  Elated, even!

Little Yosemite

October 31 - shorts and a tank top! 

All of this, FOUR WEEKS after surgery.  I am in shock.  The day before I was supposed to put weight on my foot, I thought there was no way in hell that was going to happen.  It did!  The day before I was supposed to take off my surgical shoe and put on a regular shoe, I thought there was no way I was going to be able to do that.  I did!  And now I am walking 3 miles, working 4 hour shifts, swimming (if I want to), doing Pilates.  Even as I type this, I shake my head.  It's just unbelievable to me. 

I have learned over the last month just how much of a fighter I am.  And how determined I was to get up and move as soon as I could.  I took every little improvement and built on it.  I looked at every accomplishment as a big one.  It wasn't always easy and sometimes it was painful.  But I did it, and I'm walking well, ONE MONTH LATER!!

I'm thinking I can see some single track trails in my not-too-distant future!  That my friends, is an awesome sight.

Until later.............

Moving right along

Boy oh boy, where do I start?

How about a photo of how my foot looks this morning!!  I'm not a "feet person" at all, so if you get offended by pictures of feet, I understand and apologize. 

Hard to believe, during recovery from surgery, that I've been so busy.

I went back to work yesterday.  I was very excited about that.  I worked a four hour shift, which was just enough.  I will continue to work shifts no longer than 4.5 hours for the next couple of weeks.  It was great to see some co-workers and help customers out.  I'm glad I talked the doctor out of staying out for SIX weeks. 

I've been going to Pilates twice a week since my second week of recovery.  Yesterday I was finally able to do 100% of the class.  I've also been working my upper body and abs a couple times a week, in the evening.  I would like to go to yoga but I think that would be difficult considering I can't bend my big toe yet.

Early last week I took Boomer to our new dog park a few days.  The 25 or 30 minute walks around the neighborhood were okay for a little bit but what the boy really needed was some off leash time.  He's doesn't really play with other dogs that much so we mainly walked laps around the park.  What he really likes is to play kickball with tennis balls.  He lays (or crouches) next to it, I kick it, and he runs as fast as he can to where it stops.  I walk over and do it all over again.  He can do that all day, and all the sprinting wears him out.

Friday I met Leanne and her two doggies at the Alameda Creek Trail for a walk.  That was the first day I could wear a regular shoe.  We walked for about an hour and got rained on toward the end.  I know we didn't get very far because I had to walk so slow but I was SO happy to be outside, walking freely, chatting with a friend and watching the dogs run around with each other. 

Saturday I drove to San Francisco to volunteer at this PCTR event.  I have worked it the past two years.  I always help with check-in and work the aid station for a few hours.  Every year, I find it less and less crazy that these people run circles around Crissy Field for 12 or 24 hours.  It almost seems normal to me now.  This year it was cold, rainy and windy for most of the event.  The winner of the 24-hour event completed 104 laps (each lap is 1.04 mi.).

Shirtless runners get a spot on my blog

So do adorable little girls, dressed appropriately 

This Marine carried this flag the entire time.  Her goal was 80 laps in 24 hours.

I took Boomer to the Alameda Creek Trail again on Monday for a 60-minute walk.  We got further this time, probably between 1.5 and 1.75 mi.  I'm not wearing running shoes, they're still too snug on my foot, so I'm wearing open toe sandals.  The only other dog we saw on the trail happened to step on my right foot!  Yes, it hurt!  A lot.  I put this picture only because I think Boomer looks hilarious. 

Yesterday after Pilates I went swimming.  I dug out my suit, cap, goggles, ear plugs and went over to the pool.  I have not been in the water since my triathlon, which was September, 2009.  Isn't that horrible?  Last summer I was swimming quite a bit and I liked it.  I sprained my ankle in July so was unable to run.  I would go to the pool and swim a mile a few days a week.  Then the triathlon came and I hated the swim portion, in open water.  I was so discouraged at my performance that I never wanted to swim after that.  Since I am not able to do any type of cardio right now, other than swimming, I took the plunge.  Ha ha!  I stayed in for 35 minutes or so, completing half a mile.  It was nice to get my heart rate up a bit but I found it extremely boring.  I have four more pre-paid passes so I will probably go once a week until I can start cycling and/or running. 

Tonight Sara and Sterling will be coming over for dinner, to carve pumpkins, and roast pumpkin seeds.  It's a tradition we do every year and I'm happy Sara looks forward to it as much as I do.  The guys?  Probably not so much.  At least tonight we get to watch the Giants in the World Series while we cook and carve. 

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

GO GIANTS!

Until later.............

Making progress

Day by day, my foot gets better.  Little improvements are noticeable every day.  I am trying to stay optimistic about my recovery but it seems like time is just dragging.  I feel pretty good about what I am able to do today and then I think how long I have to wait to run and I get frustrated.  I don't see how I can wait another six to eight weeks.  Seriously, I don't see that happening. 

Sara and I went to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Saturday.  We left here at 7:00 a.m. to beat the traffic going over Hwy 92.  We were able to get there and find a parking lot just two blocks away.  We enjoyed a cup of coffee and some pumpkin bread while we waited for the booths to open up.  We walked around for a couple of hours before driving to a pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins.

Yesterday I went for two 25-minute walks with Boomer.  I had to take a tiny break half way through each walk.  It might get easier once I can wear a different shoe.  This surgical one SUCKS!  It is hard and flat, not flexible at all.  When I walk I can't go heal to toe very easily.  I get to put on a sandal or running shoe Friday.  That will be interesting.  I also started driving yesterday.  I drove to the grocery store (two blocks away) to do a little necessary shopping.  I caught up on laundry and made dinner too. 

This morning I went to Pilates.  Then tonight, I went back to the gym and used the machines for an upper body and ab workout while Keith and the girls did a class.  It is nice that I can still do some things for my body. 

I am constantly trying to bend my toe, as I sit.  Sometimes I think I'm really bending it a lot and I look down and see I'm not moving it at all.  :(  It's a very strange sensation.  The incision feels tight and dry.  I called and left a message for my doctor yesterday, asking him when I could put lotion on it and he said in a week.  For some reason, I believe it will heal better if it stays soft.  I could be wrong.  I can remove the little piece of tape tomorrow.

I got some good news from my doctor:  I can swim in 5 days!!!  I'm going crazy without getting my heart rate up and breaking a sweat.  I thought a rowing machine would be a good idea but evidently that even uses the foot too much.  I believe a punching bag would do the trick but I don't know anybody that has one.  So, swimming will have to do for now.

I went to REI Sunday to do a little shopping and received warm hugs from everyone.  I am back on the schedule starting Tuesday.  I am looking forward to being back at work and seeing everyone on a regular basis again.  We are like a little family there and I miss them. 

So, maybe it's not a lot of progress.  Or maybe it is and I don't realize it.  But I do know it's the best I can do for now.

Until later.............