Foot injuries and internal struggles

I have not been running. It makes me sad. I hurt my foot during the half marathon, later figured out that it was the shoes.
Then couple weeks ago, I went running, and somehow hurt my foot. I must have been running funny or something. I still can't figure it out. I even had to go to the doctor's because I could barely walk on it.

This makes me sad since I can't run... it really just dampened my mood.
Maybe that's why I haven't been posting? I have been busy with work, really busy.... then studying for licensing exams. Why did I pick a degree that I have to take more exams after college?
But I also have some internal struggles that I have been fighting with.

I have low thyroid count, borderline. So I'm always fatigue... and sometime that really puts you in a bluesy mood. It took awhile for me to really say, 'Hey, I need to see the doctor'. S had to mention it in a way that I wouldn't bite his head off! But he did, and I finally went to the see doctor about three months ago.

I've been going through some mild depression. It's not too serious, I've been taking some meds to see what works for me. Basically I am a science project. haha.
I thought running would help with putting me in a better mood, but it hasn't helped... at least not enough to make a difference.

You know how there are those 'emo' days when you're a teenager? I almost feel like that, but I don't have time to feel like that. When you're a teenager, everything is a big deal, and you get moody real fast. Well, for me, not everything is a big deal, if something doesn't work out. ok, I can handle it (i think!)... but I really unmotivated to do anything. Sometimes, even my hobby doesn't seem to put me in a better mood. I'm so ho-hum. just in a weird funk. I would sometimes cry myself to sleep, and sometimes when I'm really overwhelmed with life - I would cry at my desk at work for no reason at all (and then just avoid anyone that walks by)... I just go in a shut down mode where nothing I do would make me happy. Granted, I have a wonderful family, I do think of that, and think how fortunate I am... but there is just that trigger that I can't turn on to where I feel good about myself.

So, my doctor put me on some anti-depression pills, which is fine... it's been about 3 or so months, I'm still tired, I will say that my mood is better, but I don't feel like myself yet. So, we're still trying to figure everything out.

Maybe this is my break from the pressure? It's just an internal struggle that I need to overcome. I really hope I'm not the only one like this, and I know I'm not... but I just don't know who to talk to... or who sometimes I can relate to.

hey, thanks for listening to me. I really appreciate it.

Review - Rock My Run

As you know, I run. I'm not good at anything else. The hand-eye coordination is not so good. haha

So, I like listening to my music as I run. Before my half marathon, I found Rock My Run.  I downloaded Sweat, and added some other music to my playlist for the half marathon.
Since I'm training for another half-marathon end of this month, I need more music! I just purchased Bringing Sexy Back, which I really enjoy right now. I enjoy pop music. It's true, my high school love was *NSYNC.

picture source

It's easy to use. You get 1 free credit every month, and they expire one year after you receive it. You can wait until it fills up or you can use it as soon as you get it. All mixes have different amount of credits.
30 minutes is 1 credit
60 minutes is 2 credits
90 minutes is 3 credits

I really like the fact that they do it for (almost) free. I did purchase 5 credits so I could download more mixes!
Just to let you know, when you purchase a remix with your credit, you can download it more than once. This way, you can download it on your mp3 player, your computer, phone, etc.

Let me know what you think!




I was not paid or compensated for this review. This review is completely my own opinion, good and/or bad.
If you had a different opinion, please feel free to comment on the post.

My First Half-Marathon

I met one of my goals. I ran survived a half-marathon last Saturday called Rock the Parkway.

I have been training for this run for a while now. I definitely didn't run as much as I should some weeks. Couple weeks I got sick, I didn't run then either.

About two weeks before the race, I started to really step it up. I had to get new shoes too because I was getting bad shin splints! Two weeks before the race is too late to train for a half-marathon. I could run about 5 – 6 miles, but I’m not even half way there yet! The Sunday before the race, I ran up to 8 miles, not as long as I’d like, but the batteries on my phone were dying. I use my phone as my mp3 and gps system. I probably could have ran longer and just did without the mp3, but I always like to have a charged phone with me when I go out running for emergencies.

I got some tips from my friend Jason who is a marathon runner and triathloner (is that even a word? I’m using it now!). I stayed close to my pacer. My goal was to run 2:30, but I would be happy with 2:40 too.

The morning of the race, I parked a bit aways from the start line. If you know me, I will talk to just about anybody. I talked to a girl that was walking behind me, and this wasn’t her first half-marathon, like me. She gave me a recommendation to stop at every aid station, and alternate water and Gatorade and to stay close to the pacer.

If I was going to be running for over two hours, I had better take a quick potty break! I stood in line at the port-a-potties, and there was a lady that was about in her 70’s. She was so cute! We chatted for a little bit, she said that this was the easy half-marathon, start with uphill half way through, and downhill the rest of the way. That’s good, right? Work hard half way, and when you’re tired… let gravity help you.

I got with the running crowd and found the pace that I want to be in. I stood pretty close to my 2:30 pacer. The horn went off, and we started walking to the start line. As we were running, I was feeling pretty good. It wasn’t too bad, just stuck it out with the pacer. I thought I could totally do this, nothing to it, right?

A bit after mile 8, I was getting pretty tired. I was in front of the pace group, but I couldn’t anymore. I was getting tired. I’m not sure if I pushed myself too hard in the beginning, but it didn’t feel like I did. I got to the back of the group. I ran with a co-worker (who was also doing this race) the rest of the way to the finish line.

Many times I thought of what the 70 year old lady said about the rest was downhill. I had no idea what she was talking about! The race was a loop, but the whole time felt like uphill or no hill. It definitely felt like the downhill started at mile 13!

I definitely survived! It was not easy, but it was worth it. There were times when I wanted to just walk, but my co-worker was like, “come on Nicole!” This was her first half-marathon too. She really kept me motivated. My left pinky toe started to hurt around mile 11. It still hurts as of today, which I'm going to see a chiropractor later today for it.

The boys didn’t come because I know they can’t sit still for 2:30 hours. They also had music class, so S took them to that. By the time I was done with my run, they had just finished class.

All I wanted to do when I got home was take a nap! When the boys went down for their afternoon nap, I went and took an Epsom salt bath, and then a nice little nap! The Epsom salt bath really helped! My muscle pains were not as bad as they were when I came home.

You're probably asking, Are you going to do another half-marathon?

There were times during the race where I was thinking to myself, “Why did I even sign up for this?” “This is torture!”

Then after the race, the only thing on my mind was how tired I was.

And now, I have decided to sign up for another half-marathon in May. So yes, I am going to be doing another half-marathon.

I put this whole running race thing like child birthing. You ask yourself during the process and the pain on why you do this to yourself and how you’ll never do it again! … Then what happens?! You have another and another and another. Lol

Here is a picture of me running. It looks like I have a smile on my face, doesn’t it?

I am probably thinking "Downhill! Where have you been this whole time?!" 

Oh yes, I forgot to mention my results!  2:31:28 - I didn't make it at 2:30, but i think 2:31 is close enough for me. I'm happy with it.

First 10k

I completed my first goal for 2012.

I ran my first 10k on Sunday at the TLC Groundhog Run.  FYI: 10 k = 6.2 miles

A picture of me and the groundhog :)

It was held in the caves, there are businesses in these caves. It's neat. the temperature is controlled.

I definitely didn't train as much as I wanted to. I only ran 4 some miles, but not more than that.  I actually really wanted to run 5 miles before the race. But... life happens, weather doesn't work out, I get lazy, or I rather eat some ice cream than go running.

I just thought I could "coast" the rest of the way after the 4 miles.

At the race, super crowded! It was sold out! I convinced Steve and the kids to come. The kids didn't have much of a say, but I'm sure they were thrilled to sit in a stroller for an hour in a crowded space!

My run started out slow, I wanted to pace myself. I thought things were going well. I had my headphones on with my favorite pop music. I didn't push myself too much, like I would for 5ks. Around 3 miles, I ran over some water, and splattered it on the back of my legs. I don't like things on me when I run, I don't even like the ear buds, but I keep them in to keep myself motivated with music. So, all I could think about was this water that splashed on me and where the water have been, who has run over it with their shoes, am I going to have water marks on my pants, etc... useless thoughts, but I think it kept my mind off of being tired.
As I got to 4 miles, I was thinking, oh, this isn't too bad. I'm surviving, I just need to "coast". 
I think at 5 miles, they didn't have a marker (or at least I didn't see it) I was thinking, This is IT!!! Speed like the wind!!! It's your last mile and .2!!! Don't give up Nicole!
At 5.5 miles (I think), OMG, is this over yet!? I think I walk faster than my limpy hands and arms slow semi-jog.
6 miles, When is this mile ever going to end?! Am I just continuously running and the miles are getting longer?!
6.1 miles... The light at the end of the tunnel is coming! I can hear the crowd... I can do this... I can do this...


I sprinted the last bit so I can make it to the finish line! ... I was so glad it was over, but when it was over... I was thinking, that wasn't too bad, right?  hahaha.
 

Met half of my goals. I did run the whole way, but I did not run it in an hour or less.
My results: 1:04:41

I survived... and now.... on to the half-marathon training!!!

Happy Friday

1. Ran the Jingle Bell 5k Run for Arthritis. I didn't do as well as I hoped (30:36). It was only 3 seconds better than the Gobbler Run (30:39). This was my first underground run. It was in the Meritex caves in Lenexa. I heard it was a pretty good run, but I had a really hard time. All I could smell was fumes, not sure if it was paint or exhaust. I don't think I'm going to do this run again.  But good news is that I took a picture with Santa! :)

2.  S and I made cookies for our neighbors again this year. This year's repeat is the Lemon Ricotta Cookies. This was apparently the favorite. We also made Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies, and Sour Cream Cinnamon Cookies.  I apologize that the pictures do not look the best. Daylight is difficult to come by.

3. Stroud's! We went there for lunch. Took a few people from work. and it was delicious!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Daycare Holiday Program. D, along with all the preschool kids, presented their Holiday Program. It was so fun. All the kids did so well! And they're just so cute!
Do you know a parent that is always in everyone's picture or video? Well, this mom was standing in the middle of the seats... So, she's in every one of our photos. I know she's all excited for her kid, but... a bummer for all the other parents.

5. 10k. It's official, I signed up to do a 10k (6.2 miles). Training, here I come!

Happy Friday

Since I didn't do Happy Friday last week.... ... being a holiday week and all [my excuse].

1. I ran the Gobbler 5k Sunday, Nov. 20th. I did it in 30:39. I felt like I could have done better. They had all marathon, half-marathon, and 5k people run together. ... everyone split off to their respectable run when it came time. I felt like I could have done better because I had to run around a lot of walkers that were at the front of the run.  Oh well, in the end, ... I did better than my previous 5k (Girls on the Run 30:51).
It was a really cold morning too! It was 27 degrees when I got to the location, and it was 31 degrees when I left.... But I have to say, I enjoyed the cold run better.

2. Thanksgiving. Even though Holidays are also so hectic... this Thanksgiving turned out really well. The boys slept in (yay), and both our families came. We had a great time together. So thankful for everyone in our lives. See below for our collection of family pictures. I don't think there is a 'perfect' one.

3. When I went to pick up the kids last Tuesday, the director of the school wanted to let me know that the head teacher for D (Child #1) was impressed with his math skills. D being only 1.5 months shy of being three years old was doing things that they would expect a 4 or 5 year old to do. I am so very proud of him.

4. S and I got to see his dad in the Messiah last night at the new Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts. Well, kind of. It was a dress rehearsal. It was still pretty awesome.

5. I had lunch with an old co-worker, Erin. I haven't seen her for awhile. So, I thought we should get lunch! It was such a delight!

susan g. komen - race for the cure

On August 12th, I attended the 5k run in downtown kansas city for susan g. komen's race for the cure. ohmygoodness, last year, it was much easier. It was either or both because I was more prepared (because i ran everyday) last year or because it was much, much hotter this year! ... I have a couple more 5k runs I will be attending in September, which i am hoping it will be better... at least, it'll be much cooler!

Also, I have decided to close the store for a little bit to make sure that i have enough bags to sell at Old Settler's. But of course, I'll still take custom orders. Old settler's is in 2 weeks! I can't wait!!!!