Weekly Run Down: A few days with mom and some running injuries

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What is the weather like where you live?  For us in the Chicago area it was another hot week.  It cooled down a bit on Thursday because it rained but then midday it was hot again.  Then Friday and Saturday were just brutal HOT.  It is summer after all.  🙂

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My mom came home with me on Sunday because she had a doctor appointment on Monday and an eye doctor appointment on Tuesday.  Both doctors are close to where I live so it made sense to have her stay with me.

Monday morning I ran 4 miles.  I accidentally stopped and saved my run at .39 of a mile and didn’t realize it will about 1/2 mile later.  I am not sure how that happened.  I did keep running to complete my run.

At the doctor’s office we found out there were some changes to her medical benefits and therefore could not see her doctor.  Somehow her current doctor is not in the network and she was assigned to a different one located downtown.  Anyway, since it was early and we were still hungry, we went to eat breakfast.

I was told to call County Care and have them switch her back to her current doctor.  I didn’t call and instead went back and forth via email and some phone calls to another clinic where I was told that her doctor is in the network.  I also found out that County Care does not pay for medical appointments.  Medicare pays for those appointments.  Finally I was on the phone with someone from the clinic and County Care and I think we got it straightened out.  She has an appointment on Wednesday.  Cross your fingers we are not turned away again.

On Tuesday we went to the eye doctor.  My mother had cataract surgery 5 years ago.  She has some trouble seeing clearly with her right eye.  The doctor said there is a wrinkle (?) in her right lens and a minor laser procedure can fix it.  We scheduled an appointment for next Friday.  Later that evening my cousin invited us to his house for enchiladas. 

Wednesday morning I ran 5 miles.  It was warm but not too bad.  It helped that it was cloudy.  Later on I took Lola to the vet for her yearly checkup.  She is healthy but has lost some weight compared to last year.  It was just a few ounces and was told to take her back in 6 months.  Not sure how she lost weight since my sister and I always make sure she is fed.  I hope it isn’t anything serious.  Obviously she does not like going to the vet and as soon as we got home, she hid under the bed and was there for the rest of the day..until dinner time.  🙂

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Oh, and my mother made enchiladas again.  🙂  That evening I took her home.  I am glad she stayed with me.  It was a change for her and it gave my sister a break too.

It rained all morning on Thursday.  I must have been really tired because I slept in a bit and felt really good.  No running for me because I met a coworker for breakfast.  Her mom had been in the hospital and nursing facility since February and came home about a week ago.  

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It cleared up in the afternoon and it was hot again.  I knew I still had to run and waited till after 8 to go outside.  It was like an oven.  I managed 1.5 miles.  I wore my Koala Clip and was very happy with it.  I did notice that my phone did get a little wet.  Perhaps I didn’t close it correctly?  Who knows but I still liked it and best of all there was no bouncing and  it did not move.

I also went to the doctor to have him check out my left knee and foot.  The bottom of my left foot started bothering me during the Missoula Half Marathon.  Then again last weekend when I tried to run 10 miles.  I suspected it was plantar fasciitis (thanks Google) but still wanted to be sure.  The doctor did say it was plantar fasciitis, along with knee bursitis and patellar maltracking (my kneecap moves a bit and makes a clicking and scraping sound when I bend my knee).  My knee does not hurt..just my foot.  He gave me some exercises to do and a prescription for physical therapy (along with a recommendation for a gait analysis).  He also told me to wear a knee support brace, but only when I run, and reminded me to stretch and foam roll.  I thought for sure he was going to tell me to stop running.  🙂

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When I suspected that I had plantar fasciitis, I bought these massage rollers from Amazon.  Wow, they’re amazing!!!

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On Friday I meet a few BibRave Pros at the RnR Chicago.  I got excited when I saw Kathrine Switzer and one of my favorite Brooks shoes.

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Then I meet the Pros for dinner at City Winery West Loop.

Saturday evening I decided not to run the half marathon.  I went back and forth with my coach about my knee and foot.  She advised me to take a few days off from running and instead to focus on cross training activities.  I am to let her know Monday afternoon how my foot feels.  Let’s hope I can get back to running soon.

Have you ever had plantar fasciitis?  Suggestions on how to treat it?

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Random Thoughts Thursday 81

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Tell me what you bought on Amazon Prime Days!

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 • Anyone else likes Portillo’s?  The closest one is about 5 miles away (definitely not far).  I love their french fries.  My regular order is a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and large fries.  Yummy! 

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• This is why I trip and fall.  Haha!  I must be extra careful.  The last time I fell was last month.

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• This made made me laugh!  Lola is never starved so I don’t know why she is waiting for her food.  No, she doesn’t eat at the table.

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• Bought this book for my students.  Part of me cannot wait to read it to them but I am very happy to be on summer break.

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Tuesday Topics: Great new running products that I’ve tried this year

Happy Tuesday!  How is everyone doing?  How many days till fall?  Please bring me some cooler weather.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s a great new running product that you’ve tried this year?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

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I haven’t tried anything new this year but am very excited to try two new products on Sunday for my race.  I know, I know, I am not supposed to try anything new on race day.  It is going to be HOT on Sunday so I am planning to do this race as a training run.  No pressure.  I like it!  🙂

BibBoardsI always use my Fitletic belt in a race.  It has pockets to hold my ID and gel.  It also has toggles for my bib.  I first heard about BibBoards as a BibRave Pro but was not interested in trying them out.  Now a few months later I am interested.  There is a great sale going on right now and I purchased two sets for $8.99 each (regular price is $16.99).  How do these work?  BibBoards are bib fasteners.  “BibBoards have a flat smooth surface that will not chafe.  A second piece works by pushing part of the garment into a recess, providing a secure fit.  When the event is over, they pop off.  BibBoards can be reused, and their special shape holds down a bib MORE secure than without the fuss or holes.” (Source: https://bibboards.com/)  The nice thing about these is that you don’t need safety pins hence no holes in your race shirt.  There are so many different and fun designs to pick from.  I had a hard time deciding but ended up buying the two below.

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Koala ClipAnother new item I am excited to try out is the Koala Clip.  It is a pouch that holds your phone, keys, ID, etc.  It has a magnetic clip that you clip inside your sports bra.  The Koala Clip does not chafe nor does it bounce.   It also keeps the items inside dry so no worries if you get wet.  I’ve heard so many great things about it and cannot wait to get it.  I ordered it Sunday night, was shipped on Monday and should get it on Thursday.   The blue one is the one I ordered.  Check out the video to learn more about it!

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Have you tried any of these products?  Thoughts?

Tuesday Topics

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Weekly Run Down: HOT in Chicago and another StepBet Challenge

Weekly Mileage-17.jpgThis week was another HOT one.  It seems like the AC has been working nonstop all day this week.  Check out the forecast for this week.  I am running a half marathon next Sunday.

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I decided to do another StepBet Challenge.  The first one I did was in the winter (at least it wasn’t that cold and I could walk outside).  You can read about it HERE.  My active and power goals are 1,000 fewer steps than the last one.  Definitely not complaining.  This week is a warm up week so I will not be eliminated if I don’t meet my goals this week.  Next week is when the fun part begins!

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Monday’s 5 miles felt glorious.  The weather was in the 60s.  Sometimes I match and sometimes I don’t.  🙂  Later on that day I took my mother to the nephrologist.  Her appointment was at 2:15 and we saw the doctor an hour later.  We were there for about 15 minutes and the doctor told us we need to go back again next month.  I am happy I can take her to doctor appointments this summer since I am off.  Once I am back at work it will be a bit more difficult but I am sure I will manage.

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Tuesday was 4 miles.  I was planning to run in the morning but that didn’t happen.  I went out in the evening instead.  It’s been a while since I’ve run in the evening.  It was glorious!

My next run wasn’t till Friday.  Well, that actually did not happen.  I had to run 5 miles and I started off too late.  I figured if I take it slow then it would be OK.  Nope.  I should have known better.  The sun felt like a furnace and I had to stop at mile 1.11.  I decided to try again that evening since I had an appointment at 7:30pm to see a house (about 2 miles away).  The plan was to run there, see the house, and then run back home.  That would make it a little over 5 miles for the day.  Why is it that when you have the “perfect” plan it never goes that way?  My realtor texted me about 3:00 asking if I could go earlier?  Umm, sure, but I knew I couldn’t run there.

I saw the house, liked it a lot, and told my agent I wanted to make an offer.  He then told me that the seller wanted to accept one by 8pm that evening.  I did a few errands (Target, Sam’s Club, and Walmart) before going home.  He then suggested an offer price to make.  It was way over what I was planning to spend.  I told him the maximum amount I was willing to offer and went to bed.  The next day he told me there was a chance that the buyer would consider the price I was willing to offer.  He then told me that the seller also wanted to know if “their buyer was willing to sign the as-is rider plus the rider “waiving the right to a home inspection” section.”  I said “No, thank you”.  No inspection?  Definitely not a good sign.  I guess that house wasn’t meant to be for me.

Well my running on Saturday did not go well.  I had to run 10 miles and met some friends at Waterfall Glen.  Maybe I should stop going there because the last time I was there, my run didn’t go well either.  🙂  I ran 5 miles and turned around but then the heel on my left foot was hurting a lot.  I stopped running at mile 7.37 and walked the rest back to my car.  At home I used a tennis ball to massage my foot and it felt so much better.

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Saturday afternoon I to a party to celebrate my nephew’s daughter’s baptism.  It was a lot of fun and I got home late.  Well, that made it difficult to get up early in the morning for a run.  Running and a late party equals to sleeping in the next day.  🙂  I have another party to go to later on today which I am excited about.  I love these parties with my cousins.  We eat, talk, and laugh!!

I have a doctor appointment on the 25th (I thought it was this Thursday) and I will ask him about my foot and my left knee.  He is the one I saw when I got a muscle strain in my left calf muscle.  My knee makes a clicking/popping sound every time I bend it.  It doesn’t hurt but the sound worries me.

Linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Random Thoughts Thursday 80

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Thanks to Facebook for the reminders.  This was one of the best vacations ever.  I was away for 3 weeks and spent 1 week in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru.

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 • On Monday I took my mom to the doctor.  While in the elevator I was reminded again of some important people.  It was actually very helpful.  When we were done, I knew my car was in the Eleanor Roosevelt floor.  🙂

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• Excited to try these for my next race.  I am a big fan of my Fitletic Running Belt but want to use something different for my next race next weekend.  Have you used them?

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• My niece, my brother’s daughter, had a baby girl yesterday.  Another baby in the family!  She doesn’t have a name yet, but cannot wait to meet here.

• With so many back to school sales going on now, it is tempting to buy all of the things.  Saw this on Facebook.  I am not a new teacher but it is so true.  Need to remember that the next time I go to Target or Michaels.Teachers save money.jpg