Crazy/Stressfull Week

It has been a crazy week.  We are trying to get our crops in and it keeps raining.   Needless to say it can get a little stressful around our place, this time of year.   I don't handle stress very well.  The first thing I want to do is eat. I know I need to replace that thought with go workout, clean house anything but food.  That seems to be easier said than done.  I missed my workout this morning, because I had to be around to make sure the guys got moved to what ever field was next to plant.  I know it will be over soon. But I really hate missing a workout when I have a race coming up.


The other thing I have been dealing with since last weekend is an ankle problem.  I got 28 miles in last week with my vff's. On the last  two runs I noticed my ankle was hurting when I plant my  right foot and pushed off   when I'm running.    On Monday I thought I would try running in my running shoes to see if that made a difference.  It still was hurting. On Tuesday I thought I would try running in my vff's for 3 miles.   Starting out it was hurting quite a bit, by 2 miles it still was hurting but not as bad.  I was able to get the 3 miles in.


 I didn't have time to ice my foot before I  went to work on Tuesday.  My foot was bothering  me the whole day.  Finally when I got home I got some ice on it.   The ice  helped relieve some of the pain.  I know I sound like a broken record, but I have a 20k on June 4.    I was so hoping on running that race in my vff's.  Right now I'm not running at all due to the pain. 

 I got on the Internet to see what it might be.   My pain is right around the back of my right ankle bone.  It looks to me like it could be a peroneal tendon strain.  I think I might of  over did it in my vff's.   "SHIT"  pardon my french. I only have 2 1/2 weeks to get this ankle better before my race June 4.  The Internet said to rest it and do some strenghting  exercise for the tendon.   So  my workouts consist of  the elliptical and weight training along with some strenghting exercises for my ankle.


Their is still time to enter my Bondi Band giveaway HERE.



                       Do you use  food as your stress reliever?

Bondi Band Review/Giveaway

Last year I was doing quite a few races, plus running my first marathon.  I decided not to wear my glasses when I ran, because  sweat would be running down my face and in my eyes.  It was  hard wiping sweat from my eyes with glasses on while  running.   I  literally carried a viva paper towel with me on every run.  I kept it just where  my momma  use to keep  her Kleenex,  in my  bra or up the sleeve of my shirt. 

In January I bought a Garmin.  After my first run with my new Garmin  I realized I couldn't read  the display fields unless I had my  glasses on. 

 BUMMER

I had been reading a lot of reviews on Bondi Bands.  To be honest I was pretty skeptical.   On hot humid days,  even with a headband I had sweat running down my face  an into my eyes.   I hate  getting  sweat in my eyes, because it  has a  tendency to burn. 

I decided to  order a couple  Bondi Bands to see if they really were everything my fellow bloggers said they were.   I ordered the RUN HAPPY   (heavy sweat wicking )  and one of the Lycra (light sweat wicking)

 

                                 





I tried them out on a couple of long runs and  warmer weather.  I would have to agree with my fellow bloggers.  I was amazed how well the  Bondi Band collected the sweat.  I had no problem with sweat running  down my face or in my  eyes. 

A little bit about Bondi Bands

The simple premise of Bondi Bands is to offer comfy, colorful, and creative headbands to fit every lifestyle and personality.
 By using stretchy and breathable material, we allow Bondi Bands to fit virtually every head size comfortably and fashionably.
 Each year they donate 10% of our pretax profits to charity. For 2011 we have chosen the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.   Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute. It is a major affiliate of Harvard Medical School and is located in Boston, Massachusetts.


Bondi Bands offer  alot more than just headbands. They have wicking  towels, hats ponytail hats, neck gators, swim caps, buddies ( bandanna for your pet), wraps and also will do  custom orders.


Ways to wear the Bondi Bands
1. Put headband on and pull out hair from back

2. Pull up from top of fabric, until above eyebrows and over ears

3. Fold back of headband under, and leave the front flat

4. Relax and look cool caring for your Bondi Band

Caring for your Bondi Band
Light wicking material:  Hand wash/hang dry
Heavy wicking material:  washer/dryer
no fabric softener

Rebecca from Bondi Band sent me  the Paintball  Bondi Band to giveaway with my review.

Having trouble with sweat running down your face checkout Bondi Bands HERE.   After you have tried a Bondi Band headband, you will wonder why you waited so long to get one.

Online coupon codes Buy 3 Get 1 FREE Code- ONE or FIVE for $25 Code- FIVE

Rules for Giveaway

(MANDATORY) Become a follower of my blog, if not already.  Let me know in  a comment.  1 entry

"Like"  Bondi Bands on Facebook (Here) and let them know I sent you. 1 entry

Facebook, Blog, Twitter etc. about Bondi Band giveaway. 1 entry for each

Go to Bondi Band website (Here) and tell me which headband you like. 1 entry

The winner will be chosen by Random.org on  May 29th.

Darn water bottles,VFF'S, Happy Mother's Day

                                 I want to wish  all the  MOM'S,  A  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

What a great way to start  my Mother's Day.    Got up at 5.30 to get ready to meet T at the gym, so we could get our long run in this week.  We drove the route and dropped off our water bottles, so we would have something to drink on our run. As we are dropping off our bottles we are talking and not paying much attention to where we are dropping them off at.

As we are coming up to our first water stop, we  were able to find them pretty easily.  We continued  on our run and  as we are getting closer to the next water stop, we can't seem to remember where we put them. I thought is was close to a road sign.  So here we are looking for our stupid water bottles. I couldn't believe that we couldn't  see those  bottles, but in the  grass it was not  easy to see them.    We get to our last water stop before the turn around.   I thought we put it at one sign and T thought we put it at another.  We missed that one the first time  around as we went by.  We were hoping to  catch it on the way back.  On the way back we are looking for those water bottles.  We literary had to stop and search  the side of the road, we couldn't find them.   We did not give up tho.  Finally we  found them by a sign.   LESSON LEARNED. Put water bottles closer to the road.   You would think we would remember that  from last year.


Today, was the longest run that  I have done  in my vff's, which was 12.4 miles.  At mile 5 the inside of my right thigh felt like something had gotten strained.   I just kept trying to run threw it.  By mile10  the balls of my feet were  feeling sore and tired.  I just kept going , because I didn't want T to have to stop because of me. In the end Got're done. Yahoo

Dam to Dam 20K is in 26 days.   COUNTDOWN TIME

 I went  home and iced my inter thigh and my feet.  I have been using the foam roller on them. You are probably thinking how am I doing that?  It has been working really well, especially for the balls and arches of my feet.  Here is a picture.  I'm holding on to my washer, in order to keep my balance.

 

                           Have you ever used a foam roller on your feet?

                         How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

Darn Achilles Tendon

Monday I was able to get in 10 miles before work.  I ran 8 with my running partner and the last two by myself.  I was not to happy that the weather was in the 30's when I got out of bed.  I really did not want to do this  run  in my vff's with socks.  I have found that when I wear my socks with my vff's the balls of my feet hurt during and after my run.  I'm  not sure if that  is due to the  friction from the socks and shoes  together.  I am still trying to figure it all out as I go.   The one thing I do  know is  that when I run in my  vff's only, the balls of my feet don't hurt much at all. 

Just when I think I'm doing great, something else happens.   My plan this morning was to get up early  and get to the gym and do some strength training and elliptical.  Hoping to give my feet a rest day, before I hit the pavement tomorrow. 


Holy Moly, when I got out of bed this morning and stepped on my left foot my Achilles tendon and  the tissue on both sides  hurt like heck. As I'm  trying to  get ready I was limping like crazy it hurt so bad. 

I figured I had only two options.

1. Go to  the gym and try to work threw it.
                                 or
2. Ice my Achilles tendon and take today off and give my tendon some rest.

I opted for option 2, icing and rest. By the time I was ready for  work this morning it was feeling pretty good. My  goodnesss, I was sure  hoping that would help.  I really need to get some more miles in  this week so I can stay on my training schedule. 




I went to the Internet to see if this was common with barefoot running and what I could do to make it feel better.  This is from a article a lady wrote, when she was having issue's with her Achilles tendon while running barefoot.  A few things that she did.

1. I listen to my body. I’ve backed off the mileage and I listen to what my tendons will give me each run. If they are sore, I stop.

2. Arnica massage tendons to get rid of scar tissue. Scar tissue presents itself as small bumps on top of the tendon. This is what makes your tendon feel sore.

    Arnica - is infused  into almond oil and vitamin E oil, scented with spruce essential oils.

    Arnica usage- For bruises, swellings, joint pain, inflammation, or sore muscles.

3. Eccentric Calf stretches.

4. Massage calves to loosen any tightness. Looser calves help the tendons to stretch!

We all know that when you have some form of injury, you will try anything to get  better.

  This cartoon says it all

    I know their are several people transitioning to barefoot or minimalist shoes.

                                          What issues are you having  with your transitioning.

                          

                                            Do you find it hard taking the  transition slowly?

Book Review- The Lean Belly Prescription

A couple of weeks ago I was the lucky winner of the book The Lean Belly Prescription. I won it from  Amanda @ Running to the Finish





The book was written by Travis Stork, M.D.  He is the host of  the television's show The Doctors and a faculty physician in the Emergency Department at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

The Lean Belly Prescription is his 911 response: to blast belly fat-stat!  Dr. Travis's super-easy, super-effective PICK 3 TO LEAN plan will arm you with simple strategies that will help you lose weight fast, safely and forever, by making easy lifestyle choices that will transform you life--- for the better.

• You'll drop unwanted pounds! Up to 15 pounds of belly fat gone in just 4 weeks.
• You'll eat the food you love! Dr. Travis PICK 3 TO LEAN plan lets you design your own diet around your favorite meals and snacks.
• You'll win the battle against America's greatest health threats! By sculpting a lean, flat belly, you'll counteract heart disease, protect against stroke, and even begin to reverse diabetes.
• You'll add active, healthy years to your life! As much as a decade more of good health to play with the kids ( and grand kids), travel, and watch 3,000 more sunsets and 3,001 more sunrises.

 This book is a fast read. I couldn't put it down.  What I took away from this book was that we need to get back to eating regular food not all this fat free stuff.  It is good to start your day off with 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 1 slice of whole wheat toast.   The fat content will hold you off a little longer till lunch than eating a bowl of cereal or bagel.  That fat is more satisfying.  

So if you are looking for a good book to read I suggest The Lean Belly Prescription.   Plus, you got to love Travis from the Doctor's.     He has such a pretty smile.

My workout has  been going really well.

Apr 25 — May 01
 04/25: Ran 6.32 mi    1.03
04/26: Ran 3 mi  29.00
 04/27: Ran 6.19 mi   1.01
04/28: Ran 9.72 mi   1.37
05/01: Ran 3 mi  27.52

I took a couple days off from running due to the  balls of  my feet hurting a little bit.  Today's workout on the treadmill went real good.  So far my feet are feeling good. 

Hoping next is a good week. We are in the mist of planting which  makes it harder  for me to get out in the mornings for my run.  I  know I could do it later in the evening when my son gets out of school, and comes home and relieves me from the tractor.  But like I have said before, if I don't get it done in the morning it probably not going to  happen.   I have no energy to do any thing at night.  I love running on a empty stomach.   Congrats to all the racers this weekend, can't wait to hear how all the races went.


                                             How has your running been going?

                                          Have you read any good books lately?

A little faster

Yesterday  I was able to catch up with my running partner for an early morning run.  We had so much to catch up on.  I had my vff's on and I new I would be running a little faster than,  I normally  do by myself.  I was anxious to see how my feet would feel when I upped the speed a little bit. They  were feeling a little sore right after the run, but by lunch time they  were feeling great.  

Chief
Mile 1- 10.22                           Mile 4- 10.11
Mile 2- 10.23                           Mile 5- 9.58
Mile 3- 10.01                           Mile 6- 9.44


This morning I wasn't planning  on  running. I was going to give my  feet a little rest, but after my workout with my guy Bob Harper, I was feeling like a little run.  So I  decided to do 3 miles on the treadmill and see if I could speed it up again. I wanted to see how my feet were going to feel after my faster pace yesterday.  Believe it or not my feet were feeling great.   Today started  with 6.0 and continued to go up and down from there. The last half mile kept it  between 7.5 and 7.8  I was tired but it sure felt good. My hamstring and hip are still feeling good.  Got  my 3 miles done in 29 minutes.  Which put my pace at 9.39.

Every time I run with my vff's I'm amazed at how I feel during and after my run.   When I first started running in the vff's my calves were killing me.   When I did my first  6 miles I could barely walk afterwards, my calves hurt so darn bad.  My go to people that I emailed about  running in vff's and questions I had were Angie @ Barefoot Angie Bee and Neil @Because all the cool kids are doing it.   I learned  a lot from them.  It is normal to have some calf soreness, but not to the point where you can barely walk.   For me  I needed to  bend at the knees and  relax my legs. I was amazed how that helped with my calf soreness and it made for a much easier run.   

Feeling it today in my vff's

Since my long run did  not  go so  well yesterday. I'm looking to redeem myself.

 
Weather permitting I was going on another long run, but this time it was going to be in my vff's.  Cold toes or not.   I got all my stuff on and headed to town. I'm thinking I'll do at  least 9 miles in my vff's.  My thoughts were just to take it slow and easy.  To see how my feet were going to feel today.


 The  1st mile I was feeling pretty good, so much easier then yesterdays run  in my running shoes. At mile 3 I'm checking myself to see how my legs  and feet are  feeling.  My  legs are still feeling pretty relaxed and no  pain in my feet.. ( I wish I felt this good every time I ran).  For the first time since last October I was starting to get into a rhythm and it  was feeling  pretty good. I can't say  that I have had much rhythm, due to the lack of running  long distance.  By the time I reached 9 miles, I was already thinking I should push  it to 10.  Yahoo, 10  miles in my vff's.  That is  my  longest run in them so far. 


I'm running   Dam to Dam  in June and it is a  20k.  I've been playing with  what shoes I should wear for a while now..  My running shoes vs  vff's. After today's run I'm looking at running the whole 12.4 miles in my vff's.  So  I better get down to business and keep on pushing it.  I have  2.4 more miles to push it.

I know how I think, so when the race  gets here I  will  probably be second guessing myself.  Can I really run 12.4 miles in my vff's.  I know it is a mental game I  play with myself.  I just hope I don't have a panic attack at the starting line, because I'm stressing out about running Dam to Dam in vff's.

My Chief

Mile 1- 11.10                   Mile 6- 11.07
Mile 2-10.56                    Mile 7- 11.16
Mile 3- 10.50                   Mile 8- 11.10
Mile 4-10.50                    Mile 9-11.25
Mile 5-11.46                    Mile 10- 10.52