Change Your Shoes, Change Your Life!

Yup, it's back to ASICS for me!

Now, I'm not (fully) attributing my injury to my trail of the the NIKE Structure Triax 11, but since my hamstring pain did significantly worsen about a week and a half after wearing the new shoes, well, I thought it smart to see if going back to my ol' trainers might help. I obviously now know that there's no muscle tear and no serious damage to my lower back, hips or the hamstring itself. And so, it's shooting in the dark to see what works... and I'm just hoping and praying to hit the target!



The pain is still there (walking, sitting, you name it) even though it's now on six weeks of no running. I'm crawling out of my skin to get back on the road! I did sneak out this past weekend for a slooooowwww 30min run and it hurt, but I managed.



To re-cap my progress (or lack there of) with this injury, after getting clean MRI results at the beginning of April, I was referred to a Exercise kinesiologist who studies Chiropractic Medicine, however he did not take my insurance. I called back to my Doctor to see if he could recommend someone else, but I didn't hear back for a week. So, in the meantime, I scheduled and appt with a chiropractor I had gone to back in Fall 2006. Tonight will be my second visit to that Chiropractor and I'm hoping this helps! My Doctor's office did finally get back to me with another name, but it was for a Physical Therapist. I'm not sure what direction to go in.. so I haven't called that office just yet.

As far as my own prognosis, I really am starting to think it's my sciatic nerve and I've noticed that it hurts more then I wear flat shoes. Does that make any sense to anyone out there? I'm sort of in a catch 22 though considering my leg hurts less when I wear a slight heel, but my sesamoid bones get irritated when I'm in heels. go figure!



Well, either way, I need to be back out on the road in two weeks. I signed up for the NIKE NYC Half Marathon and I DON'T want to sit this one out! .. I also can't settle for racing it half assed! So, we'll see!

Oh, the Places You'll Go...

Fellow Blogger Ryan has unleashed yet another fantastic online networking idea to help strengthen our runner/blogger community called, RunYourCity.com. Ryan's site offers great information and blog rolls which are broken down by city. This site seems to have great potential for being a powerful centralized area to share resources, information and advice within your city (and can be a valuable resource for traveling runners as well!).

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Great Job, Ryan! This is a fantastic idea and I'm excited to see where your site will go...

now, just put me on that blog roll! :)

Good Luck!!

Plastic Not So Fantastic!

As I reached up to open the microwave this morning, one of my coworkers frantically approached me and said, "please don't tell me you're putting a plastic container in the microwave". I actually wasn't but this sparked a 10min conversation (or preach session) about plastics and how horrible they are for you. Now, this subject has been getting much necessary attention over the past few months, but it wasn't until today that I decided (as a frequent water bottle user) that I should seriously read up on it.

The New York Times ran this article on April 16th, Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’ which directly focuses on Bisphenol-A (or BPA), the potentially toxic culprit found in such popular water bottles as Nalgene, as producing potentially serious health effects to the hormonal system. Two days later a follow up story ran, Bottle Maker to Stop Using Plastic Linked to Health Concerns which focused on the Nalgene Outdoor Products (manufacture of the popular "Nalgene" bottle), a Rochester based company and their decision to stop using BPA due to rising concerns over potential associated health risks. The article also adds that results of animal testing showed limited evidence of BPA producing urinary tract problems and resulting in the development of precancerous tumors (although the evidence was labled as "limited").

Time Magazine also ran the article, Freshen Up You Drink on this subject last month which highlighted the potential problems associated with re-using your plastic water bottles. It offers a chart which evaluates the make up of the most popular brands of plastic water bottles, shoes the "potential problems" and then give a suggestion on whether or not reuse of each specific water bottle is recommended.

Well, we all know how the media loves to jump on issues such as this,which in turn, sends the consumer market into a state of frenzied panic! Not to dismiss the serious nature of the fact that we may be all putting ourselves at risk by continuing to use products which put us in direct contact with BPH and PolyCarbonate, but I think we need to do our best to get all the facts and make the best (and sound) decision for our own health. I am partial to my purple Nalgene bottle, but I'm also quite fond of normal hormonal levels (anyone else with me?). I'll surely be paying close attention to this topic as it continues to develop.. and in the mean time I'll be in the market for a Stainless Steel water bottle, that is until they come back and tell us something negative about steel... for now, it's the best option.

In the meantime, read up my former plastic water bottle toting friends! And remember,

BPA Plastic is Whack-tastic!

Get Pumped for Boston 2008!!!

I can't make it up to Boston this weekend, but best of luck to all of our Boston 2008 competitors this weekend!! Rock it out!! :)

Here's a short course preview to get you psyched for the big event:

The 10 Types of Runners

I happened upon this article yesterday from Active.com titled, The 10 types of Runners
By Roman Mica, Everyman Triathlon

You should really read the entire article, but here's the abbreviated version (below)

But the real question is, what type of runner are you?

1) The Frightened Dog Swatter
For some unknown reason the frightened dog swatter usually happens to be a woman who runs as if she were under deadly attack by a hell bent pack of tiny snarling Paris Hilton purse dogs....
(read more)

2) The Human Cybertron
Typically the Human Cybertron runs with every possible electronic aid known to man sprouting from every orifice in their sweaty body. I'm amazed that they can even ponder so much data, with so much entertainment plugged into their ears on such a short run. I mean how much distance, speed, altitude, pace, heart rate, calorie, trajectory, target zone, sweat rate, and MP3 data can a person process in a few short hours? ... (read more)

3) The Loud Runner
The Loud Runner is normally a man somewhere between middle age and golden age who's decided that his run will shake the very ground he runs upon.
This man must be a titan of industry because his only goal on the run is to subjugate the very road to his enormous will, and he will do so by pounding it into submission with every step he takes.In order to do this he must spring straight into the air like a started cat and pounce on the earth with every ounce of his weight leaving nothing behind but enormous running shoe prints in the crushed and subjected pavement....(read more)

4) The Desalination Machine
I am most amazed by the Desalination Machine who usually tends to be a woman somewhere between middle age and golden age who has in her lifetime somehow developed the "believe it or not" ability to not sweat. In fact not only does she not sweat, but she's so put together with full make-up and hair that often after the race she'll jump into a cocktail dress and waiting limo to attend this or that red carpet event...(read more)

5) The Salination Machine
Unlike the desalination machine, this slightly portly gentleman started sweating at the pre-race pasta dinner. By the time the race cannon sounds he's already lost 5 pounds of water weight and created enough salt for the Osmond family Thanksgiving dinner.
Runners beware! If he decides to shake it up a little, you'll know what's it is like to be next to a very salty, very big, and very wet shaggy dog....(read more)

6) The High Five Twister
For some unknown reason to me, the High Five Twister is usually a cute and youngish female runner who looks like she wants to high five every other runner that passes her. Typically her elbows are at about (let's call it ear level) and she twists her body 180 degrees with every step she takes. Honestly, it hurts just to watch the High Five Twister run. But not her. Even though she contorts her spine into the begins of a DNA double helix strand, you'd never know it by the huge smile on her face...(read more)

7) The Stink Bomber
Sometimes the pre-race morning meal does not agree with the body in motion. I'm sure in the heat of battle we've all squeezed out a little "poot". But not the Stink Bomber. This guy started farting at the age of one has has since gone to graduate school in the fine art of flatulence.
He's a running toxic obstacle to be avoided at all cost. But the problem is that on the typical crowded marathon course you don't know who he is until it is way too late. By the time you are even aware of the danger, you have been skunked and often you can't even tell who "did it."
Even when you can tell who "did it", you are too focused on trying to just cross the finish line.
Beware: The Stink Bomber is well aware of this fact and he'll use it to spread even more stink bombs along the entire course....(read more)

8) The NBA Pro
Every-so-often a runner is born, and at a tragic and early age his brain gets frazzled, usually by a direct hit to head from a misguided basketball, into making him believe that he is in fact not a runner, but an NBA Pro. Fortunately, these guys, and sometimes even gals, are easy to spot by their uniforms. They tend to favor wearing the full NBA gear over their running gear. Because of this early and tragic childhood accident, they always wear the long basketball shorts over their running shorts....(read more)

9) Doctor 90210
Doctor 90210 is almost always a women of that certain age (read well above 30) who has the slender hips of a 15-year-old (I suspect from all of that running) but the enhanced big boobs of a Hollywood Starlet wanna-be....(read more)

10) The Gazelle and the Sloth
These two animals are almost never seen together in the wild, but you'll see them at every marathon, in every city of the world. Somehow they strangely compliment each other. They are the yin and yang of the running world. The Gazelle boldly bounds straight up into the air with every springy step. Image Micheal Jordon on cocaine, steroids and with a bee in his shorts.
The Sloth shuffles along lifting his or her feet about an ant's toenail length above the ground.
And here's where the most incredible miracle of all marathons takes place. Some call it divine intervention and see God's wry sense of humor, while others point to the shadow of Darwin and millennium of evolution at play. But this does not take away in the slightest from the Miracle of the Marathon: as both the Gazelle and the Sloth cross the finish line in the exact same time.

** Remember, read the entire article for the longer descriptions before you make your decision! :)

Have a spectacular weekend!!!

with love,
A High Five Twister

Road Warrior

Last night was a beautiful night in New York! Mild temperature, clear skies, and a gorgeous sunset! It was the kind of night that you just wouldn't want to waste sitting home say looking at endless wedding websites (barf!) or watching another episode of Anthony Bourdain.

After getting home at a decent hour (for once), I decided to quickly strap on my new cycling gloves and my trusty helmet and take my new bike for a serious spin around the city. As I started out, this man at the end of my block shouted out (in all of his Brooklyn stereotypical presence), "It's a great night for a ride!". My obvious reply, "It sure is!", and with that, I took off north towards the Brooklyn Bridge. My ride took me over the bridge, through Chinatown, and up the path on the east river park with my original intentions being to turn around at the Williamsburgh Bridge. But I was having too much fun to turn back at that point, so I headed up further to 23rd street and went cross-town. As I was weaving through traffic and between massive potholes, getting my bad ass fix for the day, I suddenly thought, how friggin' cool is this!?! It's just so great to be finally back seeing New York like everyone ought to, but so few actually do. I felt one of those spectacular rushes that I would get on my "I love New York" runs (although seriously missing my "I love NYC" running buddy)! :)


So, I finshed the last leg of my ride by heading south on the west side highway and then around the tip (west to east) and back up and over the Brooklyn Bridge. The ride was simply fantastic!

Click the pic below to see my ride..

"No Gross Abnormalities"

Prognosis: "No Gross Abnormalities"

..NOPE!, only pretty ones! :)

Today my doctor called me with the results of my MRIs and everything came back fine, which at this point is both a blessing and a curse. My doctor said that he didn't even see a tear in the hamstring or scare tissue, which is seriously relieving and very disturbing. I'm starting to feel like one of those sad people you see on TV who are suffering from unexplained psychosomatic pain or something. Seriously, what could this be?

My doctor referred me to an exercise kinesiologist in the city who also studies chiropractic medicine. He thinks it might be pain resulting from the way I'm walking/running/moving in general. It's just so interesting to me since the pain hasn't really subsided over the past few weeks that I've been trying to rest it. This whole thing is so super frustrating and makes me just want to head out for a run tonight... pain or no pain! How can everything look normal when I'm in so much pain just walking or sitting?? It really just doesn't make sense.

And so this pathetic saga continues...

Brooklyn Biathlon

I swung by the Brookyn Biathlon yesterday morning in Prospect Park to observe the transition and to check out the performances of some of Coach Cane's crew. Here are the results of some of the City Coach athletes from his blog. As you can see there were quite a few strong performances!

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And my fellow blogger friend scarinzic had a solid opener of the season as well!

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Great Job Everyone!

Five simple (and silly) things I learned about multi-sport transitioning...

1. Experienced bi/tri athletes do not re-tie their shoes and simply slip on their racing shoes and take off ...which makes perfect sense.

2. The area between the "dismount" and the transition section can sometimes leave you running 20-30feet in your socks or cycling shoes. I was wondering how that was going to work.

3. Transitioning is probably much smoother if you do the same thing every time, as in developing your own routine and sticking to it (which will probably help you also avoid #5). It looked like a lot of people had their own unique plan of attack for this process.

4. The size/shape of the bi/tri athlete means nothing about whether or not they are good or not (where as in running, this isn't as often the case). There were some "larger" people out there whooping more "fit" people on the bike. I wonder if that one man's stomach was actually one round muscle and not a beer belly??? ... because he was flying!! :)

5. There really are goobers who run out of the transition area with their helmets still strapped to their heads! Coach Cane wasn't kidding, it does happen! :)

Do or Die!

(click the pic for a larger view)

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Do it up BridgeRunners style on Saturday April 12th and RUN FOR HAROLD to support the Harold Hunter Foundation!

Check the BRIDGE RUNNERS website for more information on the distances and the THREE different start times for each distance.

I'm so sad I have to sit this one out, but I can't wait to hear from all of you about how much fun you had! The Bridge Runner events never fail to please! But remember, just because I can't make this event, doesn't mean my legend won't live on... I can't be held down for long!! muah!

Have a fantastic run!!

Mind Over Matter!

Do you believe in positive imagery/positive thinking as a way to accomplish your goals? How about a holistic approach of the mental and the physical coming together and working as one towards a goal? …And not just any goal, but an athletic goal? Say you're in the best shape of your life and running Boston in less than two weeks and your goal is to PR by 15mins!!! Will thinking about it and imagining yourself doing it (combined with your physical preparation) help you do it?

Positive thinking and the use of positive imagery in all aspects of life has been a thought that's been buzzing around in my head over the past few weeks. "If you dream it, it will come!"

On the verge of a breakdown yesterday, I refused to let my little financial "glitch" rain on my birthday parade. And to my surprise (and result of positive thought and a bit of persistence) a lovely assistant in my Doctor's office went above and beyond to help me out. She called a friend in another MRI lab who in turn called my insurance and seemed to have worked out "a deal". Golden!, I thought. I'll take it! They said they'd call me with the specs today before my 2:30pm appt. So, I was wrapping a few things up this afternoon getting ready to head out to my appt., but I still hadn't heard from them. I decided to call and confirm that they had reached my health insurance and had solidified exactly what they would be covering for this procedure. To my surprise, they told me that my insurance was going to cover it 100%! I told the stranger on the other end of the line that I was going to cry. I don't think he knew what to say, judging by the lack of response. lol!

Now, being a bit of a skeptic, if I get a bill a few months down the road I really won't be surprised. But for now, it seems as though I won't have to cover it. I just can't help but be marveled about how I got to this point.

Coincidentally, on my way out the door this afternoon, my office aide handed me a book and told me to read it on my way to my appt. The book was Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Dr. Jon Sarno. Now, I don't suffer from chronic back pain and in fact, my back rarely bothers me, but I thought I would give it a few minutes on my quick subway ride up to 23rd street. I don't really know enough about this subject to really get into it and I only made past the intro and up to page 5 on my short trip, but I have to say, I sort of started to buy into it. Basically, as the book review states, "After identifying stress and other psychological factors in back pain, he (Dr. Sarno) demonstrates how many of his patients have then gone on to heal themselves without exercise or other physical therapy. With case histories and the results of in-depth mind-body research, Dr. Sarno describes how patients recognize the emotional roots of their TMS and sever the connections between mental and physical pain."

Even though Dr. Sarno recognizes the need for more standard or "western" approaches for certain illnesses, I still imagine that many Doctors practicing proabably think this guy is a total quack. But his ideas remain interesting at the very least. I do firmly believe that in many cases the idea of mind over matter can prove to have very positive results. High levels of stress and tension in our lives can extremely negative effects on our bodies, which can result in all sorts of physical illnesses/ailments. Further, as athletes, many of us have also experienced a major difference in performance as result from stress or tension in other parts of our lives (even if we are at a peak level of fitness). So, the effect of the mental on the physical and the physical on the mental are very apparent.

Anyway, I don't want to go too far off track here, but I just think this whole idea of mind over matter is something that everyone should give a bit of thought to. I mean, maybe Stewart Smally was really on to something! In all seriousness, I think a positive outlook and working on eliminating stress from our lives really does produce a happier and healthier outcome. And as ridiculous as it sounds, in many cases staying positive takes constant practice... and seemingly more work than just giving in to a negative pattern of thinking.

So, on a final note, just remember your daily affirmation...

YOU'RE GOOD ENOUGH
YOU'RE SMART ENOUGH
...AND DOGGONE IT IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH, YOU'LL FREAKIN' GET IT! :)

Good luck and stay positive! :)

(MRI) - My Ridiculous (health) Insurance!!

So, here I am in my naive little world complaining the other week about having to pay money for a doctor's visit where I didn't learn anything new about this chronic hamstring issue. I've missed days, I mean weeks, of running and am still in pain just walking around... and on top of all of this I just found out that my MRIs (yes, two) are going to coast me $500 out of pocket. Seriously?!?! Not to mention the woman I dealt with at United Health Care, wasn't the most pleasant and caring person in the world!!


I do not want to turn this post into a b*t@h fest and I had plans of writing something fun and uplifting in celebration of today, my 28th birthday!! I wanted to write about how I woke up to a great gift from my roommate and to several fantastic texts, e-mails and messages from my friends, family and fiancé. I wanted to write about how I bought a birthday gift for myself, a beautiful brand new road bike (with Coach Cane's help) and how excited I am about it. But instead, I'm holding back tears regarding this health insurance issue and thinking that life is just sometimes unfair. Ironically, I've spent the last week and a half consoling countless friends, family members and students (at work) who were on the edge of complete breakdowns. The amount of people crying to me has been borderline absurd! (Must be something in the air??) And now, I'm sitting here fighting it.. wishing someone would come around the corner with a violin because at least that would be really really funny!

I am fully aware that there are bigger issues out there and this is seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but either way, I'd just rather not have to deal with things like this. But I suppose, such is life... and you just have to keep rollin' on.

So, if anyone out there really wants to make me happy this birthday ...just send me a new left leg so I can just forget about dumping all this money into fixing a mysterious problem and can just get back out there on the road! I miss running! ...But yes, I will "make lemonade" with the 500 lemons I've been dealt... and I'll get on a cycling/swimming schedule, but it's just been difficult to do with everything that's been going on.

Tonight: A pool workout.. . YES, it's can be a "Wet and Wild Wednesday" today .. and then celebratory birthday drinks and some sweet potato fries at pommes frites!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Great job to Coach Cane's Killers for winning the RUNNYC Nike+ Challenge!! Unfortunatly I had to punk out of this one considering my current hamstring issue, but the competition was fierce and the energy of everyone involved was impressive. Great Job to everyone who was involved!

Make sure to check out RUNNYC's April Calendar!!

The Women's Olympic Marathon Trials

Here's a little more info on the Women's Olympic Trials from an Active. com article, Boston to Beijing: The 2008 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials .

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I was shocked to read that Joan Samuelson is scheduled to run this year. I mean 50yrs old and she's still got it!! ... and predicted to turn out quite a solid performace to boot! Simply amazing!!

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I'm still not sure if I'll be able to swing the trip up in two weeks, but I'm trying to figure out a way to make it happen!

Philly Runner with a Mission!

Fellow Philly Chick, Anne Mahlum seems to have her heart, mind and feet moving in the right direction.

Anne recently launched a program called "Back on My Feet" to engaged homeless men and women in running as a way to get them active and litteraly back on their feet. This program has already proven to be a success. As the CNN article, Runner gets homeless on right track states, "The first day, Mahlum led nine shelter residents in a mile-long run. Today, Back on My Feet has teams in three Philadelphia shelters, including 54 homeless members and more than 250 volunteers. The group has logged more than 5,000 miles."

The article quotes Anne as stating, "Running really is a metaphor for life" and that "You just have to take it one step at a time." Well, Anne, I couldn't agree with you more. One step at a time, one day at a time, one race at a time... through the ups and the downs, you just keep charging ahead! Running can be great therapy no matter how big or small your issues may seem. I firmly believe that the dedication and support of running and being a part of a running network can help you get through the most difficult of times.

This is a fantastic idea which hopefully continues to inspire and motivate for miles and miles!

BOSTON 2008!

It's taper time for all you Boston 2008 participants out there and here's a little preview courtesy of Bart Yasso and Runners World to help get your psyched for the big day (as if you aren't already psyched enough!!). I must warn you though, Bart seems a little confused in the video and although he mentions that the Boston Marathon is "this weekend", this is definitely a preview for the 2008 Boston Marathon which is not until Marathon Monday April 21, 2008. Maybe this was just an editing snafu!!

And the only other comment I have is that the footage of "runners village" in Hopkinton must have been taken at the 2007 marathon since it looks like a rainy sloppy mess. Let's hope the weather is not like this come this Marathon Monday!! My experience of runners village was much more enjoyable.. and dryer! It's always best to prepare for the worst but hope the best. Here's hoping for unbelievably perfect running weather in Boston come April 21st!

So, is anyone out there thinking of heading up to watch the woman's trails? I'm contemplating braving a trip on the fung wah to go catch this event. It's sure to be one exciting race!

What's up, Doc?

I left the doctor's office last night feeling completely drained and defeated. I didn't expect and instant cure, but I was still hoping to maybe hear something promising or even something new about my injury.

First of all, does anyone else find something majorly wrong with the medical history sheets you have to complete as a new patient? I believe there was actually a question on the sheet last night that asked, "have you ever had a medical illness" and "If so, please list all and date below". As if everyone carries around their complete medical history in their pocket! Well, I left it blank and figured that if there was something relevant to my current issue, I would have listed it. I mean, what a ridiculously general question ...completely not worth my time.


So, I finally get in with the doc and a few pushes & pulls on my left leg and about a dozen "does this hurt", "ok, does this hurt", "ok, well, does this hurt" 's later ...and what was the outcome? Well, it was a prescription for an MRI and a "hmmm, four years is a long time to have been dealing with hamstring pain!". It couldn't have been more than an 8min evaluation and the response was, "get an MRI and then we'll see what's going on". And the question of "should I be running on it?" was met with a "well, I guess you could, but just don't go fast". Well geeez, thanks! ...and here's your $30 co-pay! woohoo! Ugh.. sorry, I'll cut the sarcasm.

Doc did also gave me a referral for more PT but with no specific diagnosis, I'd be doing the same things I was doing back in January/February when I was going. I loved my PT, but the treatment didn't seem to be helping anything. I think I'll wait until I get the MRI results before I resume PT.

So overwhelmed by frustration and self loathing after two weeks of drastically cutting my running back and zero pain relief, I decided to just walk it out. I walked about 6miles last night and that even made my leg hurt. grrr... I knew I had to get an MRI to determine what's going on and I also know I should have done this awhile ago. But honestly, it's just easier to be frustrated with the doctor then it is to be with myself. And really, there's no one else to blame but myself. I mean, I knew I had an issue with my hamstring and what did I do??? Well, I signed up for a kickboxing class. If that's not wicked smaaaat, I don't know what is!

Okay, okay, no more sarcasm.. promise! I'll try to stay positive!

My MRI is scheduled for early next week and they're checking my back, hips and hamstring. He wants to rule out a herniated disk or any issues in my hips. Considering my father had a herniated disk as well as two hip replacements before the age of 50, I think it would be important to rule this out as well. So, for now, more pool running and cycling for moi.

My spring racing plans are also foiled by all of this. I'm no longer participating in the Brooklyn Biathlon and the Broad Street Run is questionable. I'm just pushing everything back until I can get this figured out. I'd be incredibly sad if I have to sit Broad Street out since I've been wanting to do it for years. But I'm not racing it, if I can't race it right. I just won't do it!