Watch Where You're Running

Ouch.

Why Not to Go to a Foot Doctor

Well, let me re-phrase that....why not to go to MY foot doctor:

I went in for my check up with the podiatrist two days ago. It had been about a month since I'd seen him, and about 2 weeks since I started wearing the orthotic inserts.

I'm not sure what I expected from this visit, but it certainly felt like a waste of my time. The entire visit took about 5 minutes.

The doctor never looked at my foot. He never touched my foot. He basically asked one question --"how is your foot feeling?" And I rambled on for about 5 minuntes, then he said "well, sounds like you're on the right track, let us know if anything changes."

We could have had that conversation over the phone, and I could have saved the $25 co-pay. Frustrating.


Running Update
I have run 3 times this week, nothing too fast or two far. Just my normal 3 mile route. The foot is doing okay, but I'm being very careful with my foot plant, and paying attention to any sign of arch weakness during my runs.

During this morning's run, I felt like the neighbors were all out to get me.

You know how sometimes you run down a long dark neighborhood street and a car will back out of their driveway just as you get to them? Well, that happened about 5 times this morning. Seriously. I am never sure if they can see me and have to take evasive action.

It's Official -- I'm Out of Shape!

I had my first "real" run in probably 4 months this week. It was my normal 3-mile route, which I usually cover in about 29 minutes. This week it took me 34 minutes. Yep, I'm out of shape. I feel like I am starting running again. I guess that's what 4 months of laziness will do to you. I was sucking wind, and I had terrible side and lower back cramps. I took multiple walk breaks to get through the run. It wasn't pretty, but at least I got it done. The one piece of good news is that my foot seemed to do just fine with the new inserts.

I know that I should have been keeping my conditioning up while I couldn't run --you know, strength training, aerobic activity, flexibility, etc---but the truth is, I just haven't mentally been in the mood for exercise. And not just because of my injury, either.... the weather here has been depressing, and it's been hard to get motivated to do any type of fitness.

I am hopeful that this "first run" will get me kick started mentally to get back into it again. I feel like it will. And, it won't hurt if the sun comes out this week either.

Side Note: My K-State Wildcats are in the Sweet Sixteen! Go Cats! Mel, sorry about your Zags.

Saucony shoe giveaway here.

March Madness!

(My buddy and I with Wille the Wildcat)

Today is the first day of spring, and the end of my kids' spring break, but it snowed 3-4 inches. How is that for March madness???

I was able to go to Oklahoma City with a buddy of mine to see K-State play in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Our seats were about 4-5 rows up from the court behind the basket, and I'm pretty sure we were on TV a few times. We saw the double overtime game between Florida and BYU, the last second shot win by Northern Iowa over UNLV, the K-State-North Texas game, and about half of the KU-Lehigh game.

We had a blast cheering on Kansas State, and they won easily. We take on BYU this evening for a spot in the sweet sixteen. There have been a lot of really good games so far in the NCAA Tournament, and many upsets, including Northern Iowa knocking off top seeded Kansas. Even though that loss messed up my bracket, I'm not heart broken, I'm a K-State fan, not a KU fan.

Go State!

How to Catch a Leprechaun

This is a Leprechaun Trap. My 1st grade son made it just before spring break. It's a kleenex box with a ladder where the leprechaun can climb up, and fall into the hole. There are gold coins at the top to attract them, and the sign says do NOT enter, because leprechauns always do the opposite of whatever you say. This was totally my son's idea. Iit's fun having a 7 year old.

Happy St Patricks Day everyone.

Running Again

I did a test run over the weekend. It was my first run in about 2 months, and I wanted to test out my new custom orthotics to see how the foot held up.

One thing about orthotics. They are really hard plastic. For some reason I thought they would be softer, but they weren't.

I started running, went about 100 yards, and the hard plastic was really bugging me. Then I got and idea. What if I put my shoe insert (soft padding) over the custom orthotic? So, I stopped and did that, then walked around a little and immediately I could tell it felt better. So, I did a short run, just a one mile loop, and the foot felt great. I could tell that my conditioning has taken a hit though, and I need to work on getting back into shape. At least I can run again--woo-hoo.

Shhhh......RAK #6

"You've just been gifted with a random act of kindness. It's amazing how much a small act of kindness from a stranger can bring more sunshine into your day, isn't it? Kindness...pass it on."

The picture is blurry, but these are cards that my kids helped me make about a month ago. I have been leaving little gifts for my co-workers periodically, with this card attached. My co-workers have no idea who is doing it. I actually read this idea on someone else's blog awhile back, and decided to steal it.

Today's RAK was in the form of a pack of Rolo's. (remember the jingle "roll a Rolo, to your pal?)
Other RAK's have included a bottle of water, a journal, and a Snickers. Just small little items usually, randomly placed. Some of the items have been re-gifted, in the spirit of the note. I have heard some co-workers talking about who they think is doing this. No one suspects me so far, so don't tell.

Kindness, pass it on.

Hello, and Custom Shoe Inserts

Hello blogosphere....first off, I am waaaaaay behind on blogging, as well as reading other people's blogs. I have a lot of catching up to do. I was in sunny California for a week and have been busy lately, but mainly I haven't been blogging because I haven't been running. Hopefully that will change soon.

I got my custom shoe inserts about a week ago, and have been wearing them constantly. Maybe it's psychological, but my foot feels stronger. I feel like I am almost ready to do a test run. Maybe this weekend I'll finally be able to get a run in. I am definitely getting antsy to run. It's been depressing not being able to run, and I think I have about 5-10 pounds that I have gained in the last few months that I need to work off.

I was very skeptical that these shoe inserts would work, and even though they still feel kind of weird and bulky in my shoe, so far my foot feels stronger, so maybe they will work. Time will tell.