Three Things Thursday

1. First I want to start this post with something women runners can appreciate. Join me and my fellow running pals in backing this product. It's a GPS sports watch for women (and men!) that has safety features that no other running/sports watch has. You have 15 days to make a pledge, become a backer and help get the ball rolling for this product to be available for us. For more info you can  visit the website  and also view a video.  I've been trying all evening to come up with the right words for this product but the video and sight says it all. It would be awesome if they get the backing they need to get the BIA on the market for runners/cyclist and other athletes. Please consider making a pledge!

2. Today was my last PT appointment (for now). It went ok. I had made so much progress prior to my arthrogram that it's just discouraging going into these last two appointments this week and barely making any progress. Today I kind of just sucked it up and embraced the pain during my appointment. I know I'm tough, I kept telling my PT that it sucked having to be so tough while it was painful but I just really wanted to have some improvement at this point. I also told him that the worst thing the other doc could tell me would be to stop running. He said, "Well that is exactly what he will say." But you know what, I'm running now and it's mostly pain free. And my PT knows this. He hasn't told me not to. In fact he told me to lift weights (a LOT), run when I can and to just keep doing my exercises. He knows I'm going on vacation next week but told me if I have any issues while working out/running on vacation to give him a call and he will give me some things to do and maybe get me in there before I see the other doctor. I'll take today's little bit of progress after such a huge set back.

3. It's not very blog worthy but I am happy to at least report that I am starting this vacation 5 lbs lighter than last year at this same time. 5 lbs in a year doesn't sound like a great deal BUT what IS a great deal is the difference in my body's measurements.  I won't bore you with all those measurements but this time last year I was still in a L shirt and 12/14 bottoms mostly. I'm now a solid M (despite what my lil brain tries to tell me) and a 8/10 bottom. That is success worth being proud of no matter what the pesky scale tells me. :) And while I will be on vacation I will NOT go completely off my healthy eating schedule but I will not deprive myself of the treats I love while on vacation. I'm headed to the beach for a week of sun, fun and relaxation!

WW- Liquid Awesome

[caption id="attachment_1446" align="aligncenter" width="142"] I like to say that's not sweat I'm covered in but liquid awesome! Results of a hot evening run! [/caption]

Tuesday Randoms

~ Is it hot where you are? If not, consider yourself lucky! However, in looking at a map of the US on the weather report this morning it looks like we are all dealing with hot temps. Has this made an impact on your running like it has mine? Ugh. I ran w/the TinRoof crew last night and my pal M. It was brutal. I struggled, a lot. We kept a speedy enough running pace and even with all the walk breaks I needed (due to the heat and my hip) we still averaged a 10 min mile. Not bad. However, I know it would have been such a better run if the heat had not played a role and if I was 100% healthy. 3.1 miles done though!

~ I'm looking very forward to my PT session today. My hip feels tons better but I still have a bit of tightness in my hamstring and back. Hoping that now that the severe joint pain is better I am able to accomplish more today. I feel like I can so fingers crossed that feeling goes with me into my session. I'm also hoping he has been able to view my results and has a plan of attack that will be positive. I only have the 2 sessions this week then vacation next week before seeing the new Dr. I'm hoping these 2 sessions and a week of vacation will be a good thing!

~ Speaking of vacation.. I think I did mention that. I leave this weekend for a week long stay at the beach. I don't usually worry about my vacations as I have been on this whole weight loss/fitness journey long enough to know that just because it's a vacation doesn't mean it is a free pass to only sit on my butt and be lazy or to make poor eating choices. Lucky for me (and my family) we stay in places with full kitchens. One of the first stops we make upon arrival at our destination is the grocery store to stock up on healthy food that we have carefully planned out via our weekly menu/grocery list. I also make a plan ahead of time as to how I will remain active while on vacation. We usually scope out a place that has a gym or at least check to see if one is available before we leave so we can pack accordingly. If you are looking for tips on how to survive a vacation away without coming home a few pounds heavier check out FUDiet.com for tips on Travel and Weight Gain. You can be a vacation success.

~ Some giveaways you should check out...
Too Tall Fritz Fave Training Items Giveaway
Mommy Run Fast's Big Book of Marathon Training Giveaway

~ That's all for now folks! Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Welcome to Summer Virtual Race

Being on the injured list has knocked me completely off my summer racing schedule. Thankfully I was still able to join Running, Loving, Living for the Welcome to Summer Virtual 5k/10k race. I signed up for the 10k. I would have loved to be able to complete this outdoors but with how my recovery has gone the easiest running for me right now is the treadmill, set to a decline! It's less impact on my hip but I will take it for now if it means being able to run. I've not tried any distances longer than my 7 miler last weekend, which was outside, since my procedure a week ago. I knew the 10k would be a bit of a lofty goal as I hopped on the treadmill Saturday morning but told myself if at the 5k point I didn't feel like I could run anymore I would stop and sign up for the 5k instead.

My run went well from the beginning. I set the treadmill to 6.3mph and -2.0 on the decline. This little bit of downhill running would be great training for my half marathon in July (or so I am telling myself). I had a good run going on with the treadmill and at 5k I needed the bathroom. I took that time to stretch and roll things out just a bit before finishing up the next 5k portion of my 10k run. I felt mostly fine. NO real hip pain but the issues with my back and hamstring that were a result of the procedure. After the last 5k I did about 15 minutes of foam rolling and stretching things back out. This felt really good!

I finished the 10k in 58:38. I can't say I would have accomplished the same outside on my regular route though unless I was 100% healthy. Regardless, it felt good to run.

I was glad to be able to run inside in the a/c since the temps were already close to mid 80s and it was so humid out. Summer is definitely here in East Tennessee! How have you acclimated to the heat with your runs? Are you getting plenty of hydration well in advance before you set out to run?

Results

Today was my follow up with my orthopedic dr to get results from Monday's MRI/arthrogram. There's not a whole lot to say except what the dr told me.

I do, in fact, have a couple of "subtle" tears in the left hip labral as well as a cyst on my left femur. He said that the cyst isn't of much concern but that it could be causing some hip impingement. He also told me that he isn't a hip specialist and referred me to his partner who is. I see him on July 9th (post vacation). He will be able to tell me his thoughts regarding surgery and other options. The dr today did tell me that these things don't normally just heal and go away on their own but that at this point it didn't look like surgery needed to be done.

What does all this mean? I honestly do not know.
I have 2 more physical therapy sessions next week and I am looking forward to those. I am also looking forward to hearing my PT's thoughts on this. He suspected a tear in the first place and has done a lot of work with me to make the progress that I had made before Monday. My appoint with the PT Monday had to be cancelled due to the pain I was in. I knew I couldn't bear being touched when I didn't even want anyone speaking to me all day. haha. Yesterday's appointment was basically a bust too. The procedure on Monday just jacked my whole left side up so bad.

I had made real progress before Monday in PT. For instance, I was able to barely bend my left leg up towards my chest to 90 degrees when I first saw the PT. 4 weeks later I was able to almost bend and touch my chest with my left knee. Yesterday I was back to barely 90 degree. Major set back. After a few minutes trying to work on my left hip flexor the PT decided to just help me with the back issue. So we did stim and ultrasound to work out the newly extra tight middle back muscles.

All that to say, I really am not sure. I have logged a total of 6 running miles this week. As long as I am running there is minimal to know pain. When I stop running it hurts. This is new this week as before with the PT and adding running I felt fine as long as I took it slow and didn't over do things. Since the procedure on Monday we have a very different story. I have barely been able to move since then so adding any running at all is slow and painful. Basically at this point I just want to be well enough to have a successful half marathon in July and in October.

I just want to be a happy, healthy distance runner. I'm going to take every step possible to get back to that girl.

The Procedure from Hell-O!

Monday morning I was scheduled to have an MRI. Not just your ordinary MRI though. My particular MRI of my hip would also include an arthrogram procedure. I did some Google searching prior to my test just to kind of prepare myself for what would take place. Normally I would not get so worked up over an MRI. I don't like tight spaces or loud noises but I'd been through the process of an MRI several times before and knew what part of that to expect. Even after doing some Google searches and finding videos such as this and descriptions of the procedure such as this I still was not overly thrilled with the procedure or even sure of what exactly to expect. I guess I was in a bit of denial because maybe they weren't actually going to do this particular procedure on me after all.

Boy was I ever wrong. They did it.

I could not ever get anyone (dr's offices, PT) to tell me for sure what was to be expected. Just an MRI, easy. You'll do fine. That's all I heard. No one ever said, "Yeah, they're going to be putting a huge a$$ needled into your thigh and move it all the way to your hip joint." I even asked at the radiology department the day of my procedure when I was checking in if it would be a typical IV in the arm to inject the dye or my hip. The lady either didn't understand my question or knew I might run (haha) the other direction and out the door.

I admit to being a huge wuss when it comes to needles. I hate them. I don't like IVs or blood draws but I really do not like needles of the larger scale. Especially those that will be put so deep into my body!

Once I was changed out of my shorts and tee shirt (don't think I didn't go dressed like the runner I am!) and into the lovely paper shorts w/the lovely tape opening in the back I was sent to another holding room where I paced the floor and chewed off the remaining 3 fingernails I had. The sweet lady, her name now escapes me, came back to get me and led me to the x-ray room. This is where most of the panic went down.

She proceeded to have me sign some papers and let me know the risks of the procedure. 1. infection and 2. wait, was there a two? I couldn't tell you because I vaguely remember even signing my life away as the mere sight of needles and her explanation of the procedure made me light headed and dizzy. No, they hadn't even started the procedure yet. I was still standing. But not for long. Before she could even finish explaining things to me I begged to lay down.

Once I was on the "bed" she put a large pillow under my knees. She went on to explain that the lovely turqoise swab she was putting on my left hip was anestheptic cleanser and couldn't be washed off until after 24 hours following the procedure. Ok. Then she kept telling me their step by step run down of things. That's when I got that feeling in the pit of my stomach. By this point I was crying like the big baby I am and she offered to bring me a wet cloth for my forehead. I think I used it on my entire face. To wipe the tears, to cover my eyes, to protect me from the horrible abuse they were about to put me through.

Dr. Cotton (ironic name, huh) came in and began to explain to me further what his steps would be. I wanted to joke with him about his name meaning he was going to be extra gentle with me but figured he had heard that garbage a million times. I say a million because the lady and dr. both assured me he had performed this procedure millions of times, thousands daily. I call BS on that part but whatever. Just do it and get on with it, please!

I was on a bed, paper shorts down on the left side, an X-ray thing above me (thank you Dr for wanting to make sure you were hitting all the right stuff) and then that's when the ringing in my ears started. Crap. I was going to be sick or die. I feel sick and dead just talking about it still. This stuff really creeps me out. I would never survive in the medical field!

The needle to numb me went in. It felt like a mere prick and was fine. The next part is what would be the hell. Large long needle with a butt load of dye in it would now go through my thigh all the way down down down, down some more, wait not deep enough... ahh yes, there into my hip joint. I had to move my legs/feet in then out then in and out again. This was hard having one numb leg with a needle IN it!

I won't say that I felt this happening other than pressure. Lots of pressure. And thankfully 15 minutes or so later that part of the procedure was over. I begged to lay for a few minutes which ended up being only about 15 seconds before I was whisked off that table and into a wheel chair. And within seconds I knew I was going to toss breakfast. And I did. Which was a major bummer because breakfast was good!

Anyway, I'll spare anymore of those details.
I had already been informed that the actual MRI would take around 40 minutes. I wasn't overly nervous about that but wanted to make sure my entire head wouldn't be in the long white tube. It was not. They just occasionally moved me in/out every 15 mins about an inch or so. Not so bad. I even napped during all that.

What I was not entirely prepared for was the after. No one told me that I would be in so much pain (even days later). I rode in the car on my back all the way home, went straight to the couch where I napped for an hour or so. We then went to lunch where I thought I would be able to get up and go in with my family. Not so much. Every time I stood up I was dizzy and knew I was close to passing out. Not a fun day.

I had big plans of taking my daughter swimming at the pool that day since I had taken a vaca day from work. She was not a happy camper knowing that Mom would be planted to the couch all day long.

Around 2 pm the numbing meds wore completely off and I was in a whole other realm of hell on earth than I had ever been in. I had to get my husband to call the dr's office for me to ask if the pain was normal and what I could take for it. They said they'd call me in some pain meds but never did. I immediately cancelled my PT session for the day because the last thing I wanted was to be touched. Heck, I didn't want to be spoken to.I was miserable. I wanted death and fast! Or something.

My PT has told me that it's good to get the procedure so that next time they have to do one they'll be able to compare the two. Let me tell you, God and anyone else this right now... I will NEVER have that procedure ever again. IF and that is a HUGE IF I do ever find myself being told it is necessary then let me tell you, I will be knocked completely out and better wake up with an IV drip of morphine.

Just say no to arthrogram.

Wordless Wednesday

[caption id="attachment_1432" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Post run planking![/caption]
in celebration of Plank-a-Day's 1 year birthday we followed our Wednesday night run with a plank. thanks, L for the picture as proof!