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!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
100's on the 1:20
Tonight at swim, we did 5x100 on the 1:20. We had already completed 5X200 on 2:50, descend 1-3, then holding 4 and 5. I was actually excited for the 100's, as I think any set on the 1:20 is a really good way for me to gauge my swimming fitness. I can hold a set on 1:25 and 1:30 pretty consistently, regardless of how much swimming I have been doing. But a set on 1:20 is a challenge for me, unless I have been putting the effort in at the pool.
Tonight the 5 100's went something like: 1:16, 1:18, 1:18, 1:19, (slow)
So I made 3 with a few seconds to recover, hardly made the 4th, and the 5th was slow and painful. Although it was a hard set, and I was disappointed not to make them all, I actually am quite happy with the outcome. I think that with just a few more weeks of work, I could push myself on this set, rather than simply have a goal to 'make it'. It is nice to know, that even if running is going to take longer to get back, swimming is like a good old friend for me, something that will always be there, even if I neglect it for awhile :)
The group I swim with on Sunday nights has really stepped up in terms of people who attend and their talent over the past year, and I am really excited and motivated to get back into the kind of shape to be able to keep up with the fast boys :)
I also did my 'long' run of the week this morning- up to about 5.25. Did bits of the bridle path in Central Park, and part on the main road. It went OK- no pain in the hip. My back/legs were a bit sore after a heavy week of working out, but nothing too bad.
I do have to admit that I need to be smarter with my nutrition on the weekends. It is a fine balance between trying to lose a few pounds and eating enough to support a 3 hour ride, long run, and hard swim in the span of 48 hours. I don't think
I ate enough to recover from the bike yesterday, and went into the run this morning at a deceit, and only had a yogurt before running. I felt bad on the run in terms of nutrition, and had to stop to get a Gatorade during the run.
All in all, I think this week taught me some good lessons as I made some good strides back to a level of fitness that I am happy with:
1. Strength training- Need to know my limits. Lifted too heavy/used too much weight on Tuesday in the strength class and my quads were recovering all week. Every little bit is going to help in terms of strength as I move forward in recovery, and I don't need to be lifting HEAVY, just CONSISTENTLY!
2. Nutrition- Need to be careful to be fueling properly and enough, even in the attempt to drop some weight.
Tonight the 5 100's went something like: 1:16, 1:18, 1:18, 1:19, (slow)
So I made 3 with a few seconds to recover, hardly made the 4th, and the 5th was slow and painful. Although it was a hard set, and I was disappointed not to make them all, I actually am quite happy with the outcome. I think that with just a few more weeks of work, I could push myself on this set, rather than simply have a goal to 'make it'. It is nice to know, that even if running is going to take longer to get back, swimming is like a good old friend for me, something that will always be there, even if I neglect it for awhile :)
The group I swim with on Sunday nights has really stepped up in terms of people who attend and their talent over the past year, and I am really excited and motivated to get back into the kind of shape to be able to keep up with the fast boys :)
I also did my 'long' run of the week this morning- up to about 5.25. Did bits of the bridle path in Central Park, and part on the main road. It went OK- no pain in the hip. My back/legs were a bit sore after a heavy week of working out, but nothing too bad.
I do have to admit that I need to be smarter with my nutrition on the weekends. It is a fine balance between trying to lose a few pounds and eating enough to support a 3 hour ride, long run, and hard swim in the span of 48 hours. I don't think
I ate enough to recover from the bike yesterday, and went into the run this morning at a deceit, and only had a yogurt before running. I felt bad on the run in terms of nutrition, and had to stop to get a Gatorade during the run.
All in all, I think this week taught me some good lessons as I made some good strides back to a level of fitness that I am happy with:
1. Strength training- Need to know my limits. Lifted too heavy/used too much weight on Tuesday in the strength class and my quads were recovering all week. Every little bit is going to help in terms of strength as I move forward in recovery, and I don't need to be lifting HEAVY, just CONSISTENTLY!
2. Nutrition- Need to be careful to be fueling properly and enough, even in the attempt to drop some weight.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
First Brick of the Season.
2.5 mile run, 1600 swim, 2.5 mile run. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
Not sure why I thought this was a good idea, as my longest run since being back was 4.5 I think I justified in my mind as two separate runs, as it would be broken up by a swim. Also not sure why I thought this was a good idea after a majorly hard (and great) BOSU strength class last night. I swear we did 100+ one leg lunges on the BOSU during the class. Needless to say I am walking a bit gingerly this morning (b/c of muscle soreness! NOT leg pain!).
But I guess I thought it was a good idea...well, no, I'm not sure why :)
A friend who is a coach for Team in Training does this little run-swim-run every week, as she coaches at the pool. So she runs, swims, coaches, then runs home. The run is quick, just up Riverside Drive, to an amazing athletic facility, Riverbank State Park, that has basically been built on top of the Hudson River.
I think most people even in NYC don't realize what an amazing resource this facility is (at least for those us on the Upper West Side). The pool is set up long course in the mornings, but also has open swim every evening for only $2, and it's a really nice pool.
So anyway, my friend is always inviting me, and I think the spring weather, the desire to be outside, and the fact that I decided for no reason not to ride this morning, made me think it was a good idea. The run up was fine, I felt like I was swimming in mud b/c my arms and legs were so tired from last night, but the run home was baddddd. Not painful-bad, just crampy, slow, tired, blah.
Don't get me wrong- it didn't hurt at all. My hip feels fine. I just think I am walking a very fine line between getting back into shape and doing too much, too soon- not just with the running, but with the overall training. I need to be aware of how my body feels, take recovery days and just swim or do yoga ONLY at least once a week. Keep the streak alive, but let my body rest a bit.
Also, I have written out a calendar with my long run lengths, starting at 3 a few weeks ago, and working my way up through the summer. I am really going to try to stick to this. I have figured that even if I only add 1 mile every weekend, and include a few weekends of recovery, that still gets me to 13 miles by mid summer. I just need to be patient.
Oh and BIG NEWS- I got my very own office today!! That's right, no more cubicle for this girl :) And although I did not get an office with a window (can't be greedy here, all the offices with windows in our building have amazing views of the East River), this does mean that I will finally be able to turn the sound up on my computer, listen to music during the day, and get away from the guy who sits next to me who burps all day long...So very exciting! ha
Not sure why I thought this was a good idea, as my longest run since being back was 4.5 I think I justified in my mind as two separate runs, as it would be broken up by a swim. Also not sure why I thought this was a good idea after a majorly hard (and great) BOSU strength class last night. I swear we did 100+ one leg lunges on the BOSU during the class. Needless to say I am walking a bit gingerly this morning (b/c of muscle soreness! NOT leg pain!).
But I guess I thought it was a good idea...well, no, I'm not sure why :)
A friend who is a coach for Team in Training does this little run-swim-run every week, as she coaches at the pool. So she runs, swims, coaches, then runs home. The run is quick, just up Riverside Drive, to an amazing athletic facility, Riverbank State Park, that has basically been built on top of the Hudson River.
I think most people even in NYC don't realize what an amazing resource this facility is (at least for those us on the Upper West Side). The pool is set up long course in the mornings, but also has open swim every evening for only $2, and it's a really nice pool.
So anyway, my friend is always inviting me, and I think the spring weather, the desire to be outside, and the fact that I decided for no reason not to ride this morning, made me think it was a good idea. The run up was fine, I felt like I was swimming in mud b/c my arms and legs were so tired from last night, but the run home was baddddd. Not painful-bad, just crampy, slow, tired, blah.
Don't get me wrong- it didn't hurt at all. My hip feels fine. I just think I am walking a very fine line between getting back into shape and doing too much, too soon- not just with the running, but with the overall training. I need to be aware of how my body feels, take recovery days and just swim or do yoga ONLY at least once a week. Keep the streak alive, but let my body rest a bit.
Also, I have written out a calendar with my long run lengths, starting at 3 a few weeks ago, and working my way up through the summer. I am really going to try to stick to this. I have figured that even if I only add 1 mile every weekend, and include a few weekends of recovery, that still gets me to 13 miles by mid summer. I just need to be patient.
Oh and BIG NEWS- I got my very own office today!! That's right, no more cubicle for this girl :) And although I did not get an office with a window (can't be greedy here, all the offices with windows in our building have amazing views of the East River), this does mean that I will finally be able to turn the sound up on my computer, listen to music during the day, and get away from the guy who sits next to me who burps all day long...So very exciting! ha
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