Finding Nemo

My first memories of swimming were in the municipal pools in Irving, Texas.  I remember my grandma teaching me how to dive into the water.   I don't think I ever had swim lessons, for we were too poor for that.   So my knowledge of swimming consisted of doing cannon balls, singing under water, and trying to hold my breath from one end of the pool to the other.  

Swimming
So as I mentioned earlier in the blog, swimming kicked my ass. I have now been going for a month and it's still kicking my ass, only a little less.  With no formal training in proper swimming technique, I have my work cut out for me.  I have spent Friday nights glued to YouTube videos on Freestyle swimming techniques.  I go to the pool the next day and practice those.   I swim the length of the pool, proud that I am doing better, but still out of breath and panting.   I envy the other swimmers that can swim a length, do the fancy underwater turn, and swim another length and do the fancy turn...repeat 30 times.

I swim, pant, swim, pant.  

But lately I have gotten to swim, swim, pant.  And my form is getting better.  And my legs, back, arms, and stomach are all stronger.  And I've lost more weight.  All of which is forward movement!  

Me at the pool.

My goal is to do a Sprint Triathlon next spring.  This usually consist of a 1/2 mile swim.  I have done the calculations and for the pool you see behind me in the picture, I have to swim back and forth 32 times to reach that distance.  32 TIMES.   I got some work to do, but I'm excited for the challenge.

My new swimming Goddess = Karlyn Pipes-Neilson.  I wish to, one day, swim like her.  I'm pretty sure she's actually a fish in human clothing.

Here's the links to her videos that I have found very helpful:

Technique 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTQpF_mmg44

Technique 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsgZX2oD9CY

Technique 3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZO738a8WQw

Technique 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPMFxYDPkqs

Technique 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUWAZo-03u0


Bathing Suit
I will make it know that I finally don't feel terribly self conscious in a bathing suit.  I just swam laps or aqua jogged (I'll post later on this) for an hour. And anyone that was in the pool with me would know that I am working on losing these rolls under the suit.

Pool House Nudity
Ok, so swimming has it's hazards.  Chlorine hair, water in your ears, etc.  But the one I find most alarming is public nudity in the gym locker room.  Though I may be comfortable in my bathing suit, you will NEVER see me naked in the locker room.  I grew up WAY to modest for such things.  Other people's nudity doesn't really bother me, but having to pretend that everything is cool and that I am ok with their NAKEDNESS, while holding a conversation with them is something that I haven't gotten used to yet.   I think it may be less awkward for everyone if I was naked too, but that's not gonna happen. 



Dr. Downer, the Goddess Healer, and a Diagnosis

So if anyone has been wondering, yes, I am still here.  Remiss in my blogging, for sure, but in my journey, no.

However, I still can't run.

After the chiropractor visit not working out, I hobbled around for another several days before I gave in and made a Podiatrist appointment.    A week later, I find out that I indeed have a bone spur from chronic plantar fasciitis in my left foot.  He gives me an orthotic and some stretching exercise to do and sends me on my way with a "come back in 3 weeks."  The topper?  He tells me that anyone close to 40 years old should not run and that I should find another fitness activity to pursue. 

Ummmm. No.

So I scoured the internet for alternative methods of healing for this darn plantar fascia and have some success with feeling better.  I also wore the orthotic for one half day, but after experiencing knee and hip pain from them (which I normally don't have), they came out of my shoes for good.  

My stupid orthotics.  I really love the "custom" touches.

Fast forward another week and an attempt to test a tiny amount of running, on the soft grass, at the park with my dog.  OUCH!   It's been almost a month and a half since I have been able to run and my foot STILL hurts.  I limped home.

I've had it!   I made an appointment at the local Sports Medicine Center and 3 days later met with my new found Goddess.  Dr. Schafer is the shanizzle.   She rolled her eyes at what the other doctor said  and proceeded to perform all kinds of fancy examine activities.   Ruling:  lots of stuff wrong with the foot.  Sure there's the pesky plantar fascia, but also the Achilles tendon bone spur and a possible stress fracture, weak muscles and several tendon-itis'.

But get this.  The injury came probably not from running, but from a marathon dance session at a work function, all done barefoot.   Oops.   The hazards of liquid courage (vodka) and a love of dance.

I seriously don't drink a lot, but a week long business trip warrants some stress relief.  

Up next, an MRI and then hopefully and finally, some healing advice.

But still no running.   For now.

Mini Donuts

Screw you mini powdered donuts.  I have been craving you for weeks. 

Tonight you won and you have left your trail of powdered goodness all down my tie die shirt.

Tomorrow I shall invest time in researching what an athlete eats.  I'm pretty sure mini donuts don't make the list.



Darn.  I just ate mine right out of the package.  These are way cooler.
(thanks Google images for the pic)
 

 

Whining and New Horizons

The visit to the Chiropractor went well and she did all kinds of adjusting me.  She even adjusted my ribs so I could breath better while running.  I thought that was cool as shit.   She wanted me to do a test run before the 10K.  So I did.   3 miles of hoping that I wouldn't feel any pain.  3 miles of denying that it still hurts.  3 miles of knowing that I won't be running that 10K this weekend.   My dashed hopes were only made worse by the aching I had all over my body from the adjustments and a night of my dog having explosive diarrhea.   Tired and frustrated, I looked anywhere I could for encouragement.   Again, I turned to the goddess that is Meredith Atwood of SwimBikeMom.com.   I read her blog because she is human and funny and has been down this road too.  I know my injury is nothing compared to what it could be, but I need to make a plan. A plan to keep this body moving and getting stronger until my foot is better.  So while digging through Meredith's blog, I find her poster section.  Little gems of encouragement and wisdom. 

I chose this one, because with the injury, I have to look at starting something new.  Like swimming.  Like biking.  Like getting into a bathing suit.  Doing new shit that involves this fat girl going into a new fitness establishment scares the crap out of me.  I have to build the courage for several days.  I know it's stupid really. But, I have to remember that this is the new adventurous me.  I HAVE to do this.  So I went to the local pool and fitness center.   I walked in like I had been there a million times, paid the man, and quickly looked like a dork because I couldn't get the spin bike seat to adjust. 
 
Swimming kicked my ass.  I have been running for 4.5 months and strength training along side it.  But swimming uses EVERYTHING.  I was out of breath and weak after one "fast" freestyle stroke down the lane.   But you know what?  I kinda loved it.  So I kept on for 45 more minutes.  Note to self:  cutsy bathing suites are not meant for lap swimming.  Must get a swimsuit that will keep my boobs in.  No one wants to see that, really.

Running is amazing, but how much more amazing would it be to run, swim and bike?! 

Dare I say that a triathlon is in my future?  Possibly.  Probably.  Why the hell not?  

Who knew that a messed up plantar fascia could lead me to an even bigger badass dream?






 



Desktop Motivation

Obsession Confession....

I have been frustrated this week due to a foot injury.  I sidelined myself in hopes of recovering in time for the 10K race I was supposed to run this weekend.   It looks like I won't be running it.  I haven't given up complete hope.  I have argued this out in my head all week long. 

"It's going to be ok and it'll be ready for Saturday."  Repeat 5 times.

"I can't even walk without it hurting, I'm so stupid for thinking I'll be able to run Saturday"

"You got this.  It's doesn't hurt as bad when I'm running.  You can push past the pain. Just go for it!" Repeat 10 times.

"If I go for it then I might finish the race, but I'll be a hobbled by pain two hours later."

"No! I'm not obsessing about this!!!" - She says to her wife who's giving her that "Um, yes you are." look.

"I've got a stress fracture (did I mention I'm wee bit of a hypochondriac) and it's going to take months to heal and I'll get fatter and turn lazy and people will hate me and I'll let everyone down....AHHHHHHHHHH."  (throws self to floor)

There.  It's out.  I'm ok. 

A visit to the Chiropractor tomorrow, I hope, will shed some light on all this and I'll be able to make a plan of attack.  I have a couple of weeks to play with before I start my half marathon training, so I just need to be patient.  I hate patient.  I'm a Virgo.  It's all or nothing, baby.

I love traditional tattoo art and hope to cover my one day skinny arms with them.
 

In the meantime, I am going to obsessively read this new wonderful blog I am in love with and follow all her successes until I have a 10K under my belt. 

http://www.swimbikemom.com/

Weird Things That Get Sore

A short list of the weird places (at least I thought so anyway) that got or get sore:

1. My neck.  You don't use your neck to run, right?  Well, apparently ya do, 'cuz it gets sore. This was definitely a problem when I first started running. I feel this is especially true for heavy runners.  I could feel that my arms and shoulders seemed to carry the weight of all my weight.   The tight muscles would give me a headache.  Stretching those muscles helped a ton, as did being mindful to relax them during running.  

2. F.U.P.  Yes, I went there (Google it if you know not of what I speak).  The very tippy end of my rectus abdominis was sore every time I ran for the first month or so.  Follow the bouncing belly!

3. Ok, so I wasn't sore here, but my hands were one of the first places that started to lose weight.  Weird huh?

4. Toenails. The rubbing of toes nail against the top of my shoes made them ache sometimes. My shoes aren't too small, it just happens when you are going down hills, etc.   Keeping the nails clipped short helps.  I am proudly awaiting my first blackened toe nail which I have heard distance runners get.  So far, no luck.

All the rest of the sore places are to be expected:  feet, ankles, knees, everything....