On Sunday my plan was to go to Crested Butte with the family. Mikayla and Joe would go skiing while Lily and I hung out with a friend. Then on the way home, I would ride my bike while everyone else drove home. Crested Butte is about 30 miles from Gunnison and sits at 8800 feet. This means I would go down to Gunnison which sits at 7700 feet.
I was worried a little bit about the wind as I started out especially when it almost knocked me down but I kept with it hoping and hoping that it would stop. Finally after 11 miles of fighting the wind and fighting to stay on my bike I had Joe stop and I hoped in the truck. As we started heading home we passed a guy on his bike but he was going to Crested Butte so the wind was pushing him instead of going against him. Maybe next time I will ride from Gunnison to Crested Butte instead.
March 23, 2009
March 20, 2009
Back to Running - Maybe
As you know my back caused me to stop running for a little while. About two weeks ago I ran into a local Naturopatic Doctor at the local rec center. Our kids were playing together and we started talking. I asked her if she was good at dealing with backs and told her what I had been dealing with. She automatically said it must be the iliacus psoas.
This ligament runs from deep in your hips around the outside to your lower back. I decided to go in and see her. (I would love to her see all of the time but in Colorado Naturopatic Doctor's are not licensed and therefore not covered by health insurance). I visited with her for about 45 minutes and boy was it painful! By pushing, massaging and moving my legs she showed me that the psoas was what was causing all of my pain. She gave me some stretches to do and said to try and get a massage to help.
She also said to lay off the running for about two weeks and then start slow to see how it goes with lots of stretching before and after I run. Also, I carry the girls on my left side, creating a shelf on my hip. After doing that for over 3 years I have shortened that ligament but when I run I try and focus on really good posture and make sure the left and right side on even - you can see where this is going. The right side has a longer ligament than the left side which has also led to my back pain. Now when I carry Lily I try to either carry her right in front or on the other side, which is really hard since I am right handed.
Today my plan at lunch was to go swimming. I rode my bike to the pool during my lunch break only to find out that it was closed! I quickly rode back to work trying to decided it I wanted to go for a bike ride (not really) or try a run. I decided that I wanted to run. I walked for the first 5 minutes and then stopped to stretch, then I took off running. I was going to run slower than I did but I was having so much fun and loving it. I ran 2.14 miles in 20 minutes for a pace of 9:22 per mile! It was great. After I finished running I walked around for a couple of minutes and then I sat down and stretch for about 8 minutes or so.
I know that my back could start bothering me any minute now but something else I have noticed is that it no longer hurts when I wake up in the morning. I am going to stretch some more at work so my muscles don't tighten up from sitting at my desk all afternoon. If I still feel good for the next week I think I will run 2 or 3 miles every other day. If that goes good I plan on running more starting the first week in April.
This ligament runs from deep in your hips around the outside to your lower back. I decided to go in and see her. (I would love to her see all of the time but in Colorado Naturopatic Doctor's are not licensed and therefore not covered by health insurance). I visited with her for about 45 minutes and boy was it painful! By pushing, massaging and moving my legs she showed me that the psoas was what was causing all of my pain. She gave me some stretches to do and said to try and get a massage to help.
She also said to lay off the running for about two weeks and then start slow to see how it goes with lots of stretching before and after I run. Also, I carry the girls on my left side, creating a shelf on my hip. After doing that for over 3 years I have shortened that ligament but when I run I try and focus on really good posture and make sure the left and right side on even - you can see where this is going. The right side has a longer ligament than the left side which has also led to my back pain. Now when I carry Lily I try to either carry her right in front or on the other side, which is really hard since I am right handed.
Today my plan at lunch was to go swimming. I rode my bike to the pool during my lunch break only to find out that it was closed! I quickly rode back to work trying to decided it I wanted to go for a bike ride (not really) or try a run. I decided that I wanted to run. I walked for the first 5 minutes and then stopped to stretch, then I took off running. I was going to run slower than I did but I was having so much fun and loving it. I ran 2.14 miles in 20 minutes for a pace of 9:22 per mile! It was great. After I finished running I walked around for a couple of minutes and then I sat down and stretch for about 8 minutes or so.
I know that my back could start bothering me any minute now but something else I have noticed is that it no longer hurts when I wake up in the morning. I am going to stretch some more at work so my muscles don't tighten up from sitting at my desk all afternoon. If I still feel good for the next week I think I will run 2 or 3 miles every other day. If that goes good I plan on running more starting the first week in April.
March 13, 2009
Pictures
I have not posted any pictures of the girls in forever. I am actually suprised that my mom has not said anything to me about this. Here is a hodge podge of pictures.
Bath time with Lily! Mikayla has lots of fun taking baths with Lily.
About 2 or 3 weeks ago we headed out to Hartman Rocks for some family fun. I had Lily in the backpack and Joe pulled Mikayla on the sled. We headed out their again today but there was a lot less snow. Joe and Mikayla were still able to get in some great sledding.
We have taken Mikayla skiing a couple of times this year. Last time we forgot to get any pictures of her actually skiing!
As bad as they are Lily LOVES Spaghetti Os!
Bath time with Lily! Mikayla has lots of fun taking baths with Lily.
About 2 or 3 weeks ago we headed out to Hartman Rocks for some family fun. I had Lily in the backpack and Joe pulled Mikayla on the sled. We headed out their again today but there was a lot less snow. Joe and Mikayla were still able to get in some great sledding.
We have taken Mikayla skiing a couple of times this year. Last time we forgot to get any pictures of her actually skiing!
As bad as they are Lily LOVES Spaghetti Os!
March 10, 2009
Scrubbing Bubbles
About a year ago I signed up to be a Bzz Agent. A bzz agent receives products for either free or a reduced price. When I sign up for a campaign I receive either the product or coupons for the product and information. My job is to try the product and spread the word. I send emails to the Bzz regarding who I have contacted and what they thought about the product. This is actually the first time I have blogged about the product.
I was recently sent some products from Scrubbing Bubbles. I received the Automatic Shower Cleaner, Toilet Cleaning Gel with Wand and Flushable Bathroom Wipes.
I have used the Automatic Shower Cleaner before and the one thing I noticed was that I still felt the need to clean the shower once a week. It was nice, in that I felt like it was getting cleaned everyday when all I did was push the button. But once a week I was still cleaning the shower to get the soap rings from the bottles or dust or dirt. This time I was excited to give it another try because they have improved the formula. The problem this time was that it would not fit on our shower head. We have a shower head that you can pull down, move around, bathe the dogs with, etc... The Automatic Shower Cleaner would not stay put. I did put the Shower Cleaner in the girls bathroom but since Joe is responsible for bathing the girls it does not get used as often as it should.
The next product I tried was the Toilet Cleaning Gel. I love this product. I scrub the toilet a lot less often and it stays clean all week long and then some. I would definitely buy this product again and again.
Finally, the Flushable Bathroom Wipes. I received one trial wipe and loved it so much I went out and bought a full bottle. Then I did not like them. It took multiple wipes to clean the bathroom and they always fell apart in less than 1 minute of use. The wipes are made to flush down the toilet but I was using so many to clean one bathroom I would have been flushing the toilet every minute or so and I did not want to waste the water.
If anyone wants to try the Automatic Shower Cleaner I have 5 coupons to offer. Each coupon is $5.00 off the starter kit. I also have 1 coupon for the Toilet Cleaning Gel. This coupon is $1.00 off. If you would like a coupon please leave me a comment. First come, first serve.
I was recently sent some products from Scrubbing Bubbles. I received the Automatic Shower Cleaner, Toilet Cleaning Gel with Wand and Flushable Bathroom Wipes.
I have used the Automatic Shower Cleaner before and the one thing I noticed was that I still felt the need to clean the shower once a week. It was nice, in that I felt like it was getting cleaned everyday when all I did was push the button. But once a week I was still cleaning the shower to get the soap rings from the bottles or dust or dirt. This time I was excited to give it another try because they have improved the formula. The problem this time was that it would not fit on our shower head. We have a shower head that you can pull down, move around, bathe the dogs with, etc... The Automatic Shower Cleaner would not stay put. I did put the Shower Cleaner in the girls bathroom but since Joe is responsible for bathing the girls it does not get used as often as it should.
The next product I tried was the Toilet Cleaning Gel. I love this product. I scrub the toilet a lot less often and it stays clean all week long and then some. I would definitely buy this product again and again.
Finally, the Flushable Bathroom Wipes. I received one trial wipe and loved it so much I went out and bought a full bottle. Then I did not like them. It took multiple wipes to clean the bathroom and they always fell apart in less than 1 minute of use. The wipes are made to flush down the toilet but I was using so many to clean one bathroom I would have been flushing the toilet every minute or so and I did not want to waste the water.
If anyone wants to try the Automatic Shower Cleaner I have 5 coupons to offer. Each coupon is $5.00 off the starter kit. I also have 1 coupon for the Toilet Cleaning Gel. This coupon is $1.00 off. If you would like a coupon please leave me a comment. First come, first serve.
March 9, 2009
New Job
I started my new job today and it went great. I think I am really going to enjoy the people I am working with. This is also the first time I have turned a job into a career. It is the first time that I have done what I am doing now before. I don't have to be trained from the beginning. This was really nice today because after a bit of training office polices and how they do things I was ready to go.
March 5, 2009
New Job!!
As soon as I got laid off I called the attorney who left the law firm that I was working with and let him know that I needed a job now. After 6 weeks of bugging him and his new firm getting things together they called the other day and hired me! I start on Monday and of course next week is Spring Break and also the only week in the whole year that I don't have daycare. I have been busy trying to get someone and I might have that worked out. The pay is a little bit less but since they pay better with insurance I am only taking a pay cut of about $200 per month.
I have enjoyed my time off with the girls but I really need the 1 - money and 2 - adult interaction. I am excited to be heading back to work. I have also enjoyed subbing but since I am in and out of the building you don't have a lot of time to develop relationships with the other teachers as I would if I was a full time teacher.
Wish me luck in finding a great babysitter for next week and that will keep the girls super busy.
I have enjoyed my time off with the girls but I really need the 1 - money and 2 - adult interaction. I am excited to be heading back to work. I have also enjoyed subbing but since I am in and out of the building you don't have a lot of time to develop relationships with the other teachers as I would if I was a full time teacher.
Wish me luck in finding a great babysitter for next week and that will keep the girls super busy.
March 2, 2009
No More Marathon - At Least For Now
Every since I ran 10 miles back on February 1st I have been dealing with a lot of lower back pain. I bought new shoes and I have been focused on strengthening my back but the pain is still there - even on normal day to day activities. Two weeks ago I did do some fast short training runs (4 or 5 miles) and in general I felt great while running but the back would flare up later that day. Then last Thursday I started out for a long run but I had to stop after 2 miles because my back started hurting again.
So for now I have stopped running and training for my marathon. I am going to take the next 4 weeks off from running all together and then starting on April 1 I will start doing slow, short, easy runs for the next two weeks. If that goes good with no back pain I plan on training again in mid April.
Don't worry, I have just decided to stop running. For the next 6 weeks I plan on lifting weights at the local gym, walking, biking and swimming. This morning I week to the gym for a weight workout and I also plan on walking for at least 60 minutes tonight after the girls are in bed.
I do have some races I want to compete in - the 1/3 Marathon from Gothic to Crested Butte on July 4th. Then I will have to decide between one of these. The Imogene Pass Run sounds like a fun, but really hard trail run on September 12th - 17.1 mile race that starts in Ouray, Colorado at 7810 feet to Imogene Pass at 13,210 in 10 miles and then down to Telluride, Colorado at 8820 feet. The other one is the MountainAir Marathon on September 13th. This is a point to point race starting in Crested Butte and running down to Gunnison. The really nice thing about this race is that it is local and I won't have to travel anywhere but the bad thing is that it is all highway running.
So for now I have stopped running and training for my marathon. I am going to take the next 4 weeks off from running all together and then starting on April 1 I will start doing slow, short, easy runs for the next two weeks. If that goes good with no back pain I plan on training again in mid April.
Don't worry, I have just decided to stop running. For the next 6 weeks I plan on lifting weights at the local gym, walking, biking and swimming. This morning I week to the gym for a weight workout and I also plan on walking for at least 60 minutes tonight after the girls are in bed.
I do have some races I want to compete in - the 1/3 Marathon from Gothic to Crested Butte on July 4th. Then I will have to decide between one of these. The Imogene Pass Run sounds like a fun, but really hard trail run on September 12th - 17.1 mile race that starts in Ouray, Colorado at 7810 feet to Imogene Pass at 13,210 in 10 miles and then down to Telluride, Colorado at 8820 feet. The other one is the MountainAir Marathon on September 13th. This is a point to point race starting in Crested Butte and running down to Gunnison. The really nice thing about this race is that it is local and I won't have to travel anywhere but the bad thing is that it is all highway running.
March 1, 2009
Yankee Candles
I absolutely love Yankee Candles. It is a good thing that the closest Yankee Candle Store is at least 3 hours away because if it was closer I would be spending way too much money there. In general I love all candles that smell like flowers, Gardenia and Lily of the Valley are my absolute favorite (and no I did not name Lily for the Lily Candle!)I have always been a candle nut. As a highschooler I would place at least 4 or 5 in my bedroom and burn them all at the same time. I love candles, the smell, the flame - everything. I still have candles in every room in our house but I don't burn them as much because I don't have nice ones and Lily gets into the ones that are lower.
This is my last post on my absolute favorite things. I am sure that I have more but these were the ones that I really like. What are some of your absolute favorite things?
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