I had to rush home last week to be with my family. My younger sister is going through her second fight with a serious eating disorder and was admitted to the hospital last week. I went home to spend time with her, and to give support to my parents. It is so hard to be away from family at times like these, but I also consider myself lucky that I am just a few hours away and have the means to get home when necessary. It was a rough week emotionally for everyone, but things are looking up.
While in the hospital, my sister was 're-diagnosed'. What they originally had thought was anorexia, and had treated as such in her first battle two years ago, they now believe is a phobia. The doctors believe she has a phobia of throwing up, which manifests itself as a fear or eating/food. Needless to say, the treatment for this is VERY different for the treatment of a serious eating disorder, and my family is in the midst of trying to figure out the best course of treatment. Luckily, my sister was allowed to go home last night after a week in the hospital.
While home I had some long and intense conversations with my mother about the situation. I have a very interesting relationship with my sister, as i am 10 years older, and in some ways am more of a parental figure in her life. However, I 100% admit that I can in no way understand the range of emotions my parents are going through right now. The situation just leaves everyone feeling so powerless and wondering what went 'wrong' and how it can be 'fixed.' But when all is said and done, I just have to remember how incredibly lucky we all are to have a family that is so incredibly close, loving and caring. My sister could not be in better hands, even though it is painful to have to be away from her and my entire family during this time.
*****************************
While home, I was able to go on a great run and really clear my head. It confirmed how much I rely on exercise as a release and crutch to help me through difficult times, and made me realize how lucky I am to have bounced back from my injury so quickly. There are times when I am frustrated that my 'long' run is only 5 miles at this point in the season, but all things considered, I am blessed to be running at all and not still be injured, or have pins in my femur.
I was also able to push the pace on this run just a bit, and it felt AMAZING. It is a 1.4 mile out and back on a rolling, hilly hiker/bike trail, and I went out in about 15 minutes, and came back around 11 minutes. My legs felt strong, and my lungs were screaming but I was loving every second of it.
I also did a 5 mile run Saturday back in Central Park that felt great- no pain at all.
I will be incorporating strides 1/week from now until my sprint triathlon I have planned in June, just to get my legs ready for race day effort. I am sure multiple posts will follow over-analyzing if/how I should 'race' this tri, so no need to start worrying about it yet.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
5 Boro Bike Tour
On Sunday, I rode in the 5 Boro Bike Tour, which is a 40ish mile traffic free ride through the streets of all 5 boros of New York City. This is the second time I have done this ride, and I was just as impressed this year.
My father was supposed to come up and ride with me, along with an uncle, and my father's oldest and dearest friend, but due to some medical issues my younger sister is having my dad was not able to come. I ended up riding with my dad's friend, who does some serious rode biking in Orange County, and had just a fabulous time. In the areas where it was open enough (the ride has over 30,000 people!), we pushed the pace and I felt like I got a good steady ride out of it. All totaled, I rode 50 miles. Longest ride since the injury, all pain free.
Had planned to bring my camera but there was a threat of rain so I didn't want to run the risk- of course it ended up being 70 and perfectly clear. Oh well, planning on bringing my camera on the long ride out to Nyack this weekend.
My father was supposed to come up and ride with me, along with an uncle, and my father's oldest and dearest friend, but due to some medical issues my younger sister is having my dad was not able to come. I ended up riding with my dad's friend, who does some serious rode biking in Orange County, and had just a fabulous time. In the areas where it was open enough (the ride has over 30,000 people!), we pushed the pace and I felt like I got a good steady ride out of it. All totaled, I rode 50 miles. Longest ride since the injury, all pain free.
Had planned to bring my camera but there was a threat of rain so I didn't want to run the risk- of course it ended up being 70 and perfectly clear. Oh well, planning on bringing my camera on the long ride out to Nyack this weekend.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Basement Circuit
After a 2 mile brisk walk on the treadmill, I just did the following 15-minute circuit in my parent's basement:
3 times through:
1 minute jumping jacks
1 minute assisted push ups
1 minute squats
1 minute tricep extensions (book weighted)
1 minute abs
...all I have to say is, 1 minute of jumping jacks is hard!
3 times through:
1 minute jumping jacks
1 minute assisted push ups
1 minute squats
1 minute tricep extensions (book weighted)
1 minute abs
...all I have to say is, 1 minute of jumping jacks is hard!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
New Doctor...!
Finally, after 2 years in NYC, I have just made an appointment with a new Primary Care doctor that I am really excited about.
When I moved to the city, I chose the cheapest health insurance option my company offered- I am not a person who sees any type of doctor on a regular basis, takes medication on a daily basis, or has general health issues that need a lot of attention. However, most people in my company are not in the plan, so I had a difficult time getting recommendations for a GP and a OB/GYN. I had great luck searching online and finding an OB/GYN that I am very happy with, but the GP practice that I chose based on location (closest to work) has not worked out.
I won't name names, but it just isn't for me. It's a HUGE (hospital based) practice, and a teaching practice (affiliated with a great medical school). In theory this is great, and as someone in a health-related profession, I did not find a problem with this. However, little administrative things have bothered me with the practice, and today I had enough. Waiting on hold for OVER AN HOUR, simply to talk to someone about a referral is just silly. I wasn't even trying to make an appointment. The practice has also messed up referrals in the past, and today I finally decided that it was time to do some research and switch doctors.
Purely based on luck of the google gods, I have found an integrative medicine center that I cannot find one negative review about. AND they take my insurance (not many private places take my insurance, as it is the cheap-o option). In addition to internal medicine, they offer an array of services that is ALL integrated into a 'care plan', even if it is just preventive medicine. This includes: accupunture, chiropractors, a full service rehab center, women's health, and the list goes on and on.
Of course, I have to wait and see how it goes, but it's the first doctor's appointment in a while that I can say that I am actaully excited for...
When I moved to the city, I chose the cheapest health insurance option my company offered- I am not a person who sees any type of doctor on a regular basis, takes medication on a daily basis, or has general health issues that need a lot of attention. However, most people in my company are not in the plan, so I had a difficult time getting recommendations for a GP and a OB/GYN. I had great luck searching online and finding an OB/GYN that I am very happy with, but the GP practice that I chose based on location (closest to work) has not worked out.
I won't name names, but it just isn't for me. It's a HUGE (hospital based) practice, and a teaching practice (affiliated with a great medical school). In theory this is great, and as someone in a health-related profession, I did not find a problem with this. However, little administrative things have bothered me with the practice, and today I had enough. Waiting on hold for OVER AN HOUR, simply to talk to someone about a referral is just silly. I wasn't even trying to make an appointment. The practice has also messed up referrals in the past, and today I finally decided that it was time to do some research and switch doctors.
Purely based on luck of the google gods, I have found an integrative medicine center that I cannot find one negative review about. AND they take my insurance (not many private places take my insurance, as it is the cheap-o option). In addition to internal medicine, they offer an array of services that is ALL integrated into a 'care plan', even if it is just preventive medicine. This includes: accupunture, chiropractors, a full service rehab center, women's health, and the list goes on and on.
Of course, I have to wait and see how it goes, but it's the first doctor's appointment in a while that I can say that I am actaully excited for...
Sore vs. Pain
It has been rainy and miserable in NYC the past few days. And my leg has been bothering me. I say 'bothering' because I don't really know how to classify the feeling. It is definitely 'sore. However, it is not the 'pain' that I felt when I was figuring out my injury. It doesn't really hurt to walk, and it doesn't hurt at all to lift the leg, which was the main disability before.
However, it worries me. How to proceed? I took 4 days off running last week, only ran 7 miles total. The week before I did 13. Perhaps that was too much, too soon?
I ran three miles on the treadmill last night, and once I was warmed up, the soreness went away.
Ugh, I don't know what to do.
However, it worries me. How to proceed? I took 4 days off running last week, only ran 7 miles total. The week before I did 13. Perhaps that was too much, too soon?
I ran three miles on the treadmill last night, and once I was warmed up, the soreness went away.
Ugh, I don't know what to do.
Monday, April 28, 2008
RE: Anonymous Comments
I got a comment last night about my Obama post. It was by an anonymous poster (big surprise), questioning my support of Obama. I chose to reject this comment, but right away I regretted doing this. I have tried to publish it, but is seems that I cannot.
All I have to say, and I said it my original post, is that the beauty of our country and our system is that we are all allowed to have our own opinions and views. The anonymous poster is allowed to question my support, and I should not have rejected the comment. If it had not been anonymous, I would not have.
...And if the commenter is still lurking, the response is a resounding YES. I am still in full support of Obama. There is controversy and misunderstanding surrounding the past and present of all the candidates, and I have taken them into consideration in my support, but have taken them in context, not in the light that may be painted by the media, or by another candidate.
All I have to say, and I said it my original post, is that the beauty of our country and our system is that we are all allowed to have our own opinions and views. The anonymous poster is allowed to question my support, and I should not have rejected the comment. If it had not been anonymous, I would not have.
...And if the commenter is still lurking, the response is a resounding YES. I am still in full support of Obama. There is controversy and misunderstanding surrounding the past and present of all the candidates, and I have taken them into consideration in my support, but have taken them in context, not in the light that may be painted by the media, or by another candidate.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
...and on the 7th day...
...I rest.
I am in DC for a work meeting and honestly, didn't feel like packing running shoes/work out clothes, even though I love the trails and sights of running in DC. I will be spending the weekend with my family, going to a bridal shower, going to the Nationals baseball game on Friday night with my dad and bro, and I just couldn't be bothered.
OK- full disclosure: I ran 3.2 Monday and 4 Wednesday this week, and at the end of both runs my hip was nagging a bit. Nagging in a way that is different that is being sore, but not nagging PAIN, per say. I am going to give it a few good days of rest and hope that all is well on Sunday when I get back to NY.
I am not freaking out about it.
I did bring my bathing suit, and MAY get up in the morning and go to Masters at the pool I used to train at in high school, give my old club coaches a heart attack to see me at 6:30am, but I am really only going to go if I wake up w/o my alarm. I don't need to set alarm to get me to the pool for parents that I have known since I was 10 kick my butt in the pool.
It's good to be home. I have not seen my family since being back from my trip and I am looking forward to the weekend.
I am in DC for a work meeting and honestly, didn't feel like packing running shoes/work out clothes, even though I love the trails and sights of running in DC. I will be spending the weekend with my family, going to a bridal shower, going to the Nationals baseball game on Friday night with my dad and bro, and I just couldn't be bothered.
OK- full disclosure: I ran 3.2 Monday and 4 Wednesday this week, and at the end of both runs my hip was nagging a bit. Nagging in a way that is different that is being sore, but not nagging PAIN, per say. I am going to give it a few good days of rest and hope that all is well on Sunday when I get back to NY.
I am not freaking out about it.
I did bring my bathing suit, and MAY get up in the morning and go to Masters at the pool I used to train at in high school, give my old club coaches a heart attack to see me at 6:30am, but I am really only going to go if I wake up w/o my alarm. I don't need to set alarm to get me to the pool for parents that I have known since I was 10 kick my butt in the pool.
It's good to be home. I have not seen my family since being back from my trip and I am looking forward to the weekend.
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