Many people say, "No pain, no gain," when it comes to exercise. In a lot of senses this is true. But is it always true? The answer is a big No! About a month ago, I was running up a hill, while one of my feet landed on a large rock. I wasn't expecting it, so when I leaped off the rock to go forward, I felt pain shooting through my foot. I was annoyed at myself. I should have been paying more attention. But I didn't worry too much about it, and figured it would go away before morning.
I didn't go away by morning. In fact, a dull to aching pain continued with me for the next couple weeks. The pain mostly resided in the upper half of that foot. Interestingly, though, it usually started out sore, and eased away as I ran. (The pain magically reappeared after I was home). I've fallen in love with running these past several months, and I wasn't about to let a little pain keep me from tearing up the dirt with my fivefingers. Sunday's run, however, was different.
I had taken a couple days off, due to increasing pain in that foot. I figured the break had done it good, and set out Sunday afternoon for a long run. The pain seemed to be greater than usual when I began, but I set my worries aside, assuming it would subside as usual. I chose to do a loop involving a big hill, 1 mile of up. The motion of going up must have done that foot in, because by the time I had made it a mile past the hill my foot was aching in pain. I contemplated if I could make it home with the pain the way it was, and concluded that it was ridiculous and impossible. I slowed to a walk. A little ways of walking later, I tried to run again to see if it was better. I almost yelled out in pain. Clearly, I was walking home.
Now I was angry at myself for not bringing my phone. It was a hot day, and the last leg of my loop involved a mile down route 7. Running that part doesn't take very long, but walking was another story. Despite my hopes of one of relatives happening by to pick me up, I winced the whole way home, feeling like an idiot. My naiveté again got the best of my as I hoped the pain would go away after a good nights sleep. I didn't, and so I succumbed to the notion that its going to be a while before its safe for me to run again. After a few days of taking it easy with no exercise, I got back out there today, this time wheels.
I have a practically brand new mountain bike, that I've had for several years now. I really haven't used it that much. After going on it a couple of days last year, I had pretty much decided that I didn't enjoy biking, as it killed my legs. Running all year so far, though, has redefined the strength in my legs. I decided I'd give it a try, since it wouldn't put nearly as much strain on my foot. I discovered it didn't bother my foot, wasn't nearly as hot as running in the afternoon, and was actually pretty fun. I love to cover distance on my runs, which is a lot more doable on a bike. I only did a 5 mile loop to start, but I think I'll quickly be adding to that total. My legs handled the hills pretty well, so I'm looking forward to getting better at a sport I have previously only done for leisure.
The moral of this story: Listen to your body. Pain that goes away after a day or two is probably nothing to worry about. But consistent pain means there is something more going on. There is more to gain sometimes from avoiding excess pain.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
No Pain, No Gain?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Biker Chic
After talking on the phone with a friend last night, about the things that have gone on in my life recently, it occurred to me that I left out a very interesting piece of new information from my life. Ladies and gentlemen, I now have my........motorcycle permit! I've been a biker girl for a while now, riding with Adam on our Harley or the various dirt bikes he's had over the years. He's been working on me for quite some time to get my permit, and for a long time I just wasn't interested, save for my experience with the 2 little dirt bikes I had a few years ago. The dirt bike Adam currently has, a Yamaha TW 200, happens to be the perfect size for me. Adam finally convinced me to try it out. Since I still had a good idea of how to ride from my own dirt-biking days, I hopped on, realized it really was my size, and rode it around the yard. I was sold. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to ride. The main reason I sold my last dirt bike was because I couldn't ride it even on the dirt roads without a permit, so there just didn't seem to be a point to it.
So I took the plunge; spent a morning reading through the online DMV motorcycle manual, and went in to take the test. For a Suma Cum Laude Bachelor's graduate, you wouldn't have known it that day. For a 25 question test, I had to get 20 right to pass, and thats what I got. I blame it on lack of understanding the questions. Oh well.
So far I've ridden a few times since getting my permit. I quickly realized my biggest challenges were starting smoothly and being comfortable leaning and weaving. I worked on that last night. Adam hopped on his Dad's TW, I on his, and off we went. He had me practice weaving around our pear trees. He originally wanted me to weave around the blueberry bushes, but since he could barely do it, I didn't feel too bad that I couldn't. I was happy to find that I felt a lot more comfortable by the end of the practice session. We then rode around the block, passing neighbors who looked on in wonder. It was a good ride. I think I'm slowly breaking Adam's fear that I'll be a poky motorcycle rider like I am on the snowmobile. I made it over 40 on the backroads. I'd say thats about as fast as I'll venture on dirt though. All in all it was a good experience. The best part about it is getting to ride with Adam. Its fun to be in control of my own bike, the leans, the speed. I'm still cautious, but am getting more comfortable.
The permit either has to be renewed or I have to take the skill test within 120 days. My goal is to practice enough so that I can take the skill test by my birthday, since I have to renew my license then anyway. I was planning on riding after Adam got home, but I think the rain is going to prevent that. There's always tomorrow..... Until more from this biker chic.... :)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Recovered Photos
Life Gets Busy Sometimes
I really do want to be better about keeping my blog active with what is going on in my life. I guess its easier to let things get going to fast during the summer, because there's simply so much going on. With starting my new job, I actually do have more time, because I'm only working part time, which means I get out at 2:00. This is great in a lot of ways, because it allows me time to run (when its not swelteryly hot as it has been lately), grocery shop, clean house, and do many other things that need doing. Surprisingly, though, I just haven't spent much of that time on the ipad or computer lately. I guess I've been embracing summer and being active doing other things. The blueberry bushes around here are loaded, so I have been picking at Gail's quite a bit. Right now I think we have around 12 or 15 quarts in the freezer. Yay for blueberry muffins and pancakes this winter! Our garden is picking up as well, so before long I'll be spending all of my free time at Gail's in the hot kitchen, canning away our food for the winter. With all of the stuff we canned last year, we are down to only a few jars left of each type: greens, beans, tomatoes, stew/soup, and applesauce. We're going to attempt brine pickles again this year, this time a simple recipe. Just salt, dill, and garlic. We're attempting to rise to the glory of a local pickler (Joneski's), not sure about the spelling on that. They have the best brine pickles, and probably the only ones, I've ever had. One of the great things about working in a kitchen is that I can take home any of the big jars/jugs we use. So I've been stocking up.
As for the new job, its been going really well. I am working hard at learning peoples' names, and I have the hang of my duties pretty well. I still learn new things here and there, but the gist of what I do is in my head. The people I work with are really great, as is the environment, with the exception of the temperature in the kitchen. There's a long running debate on whether they installed air ducts in the kitchen or not, since the building was renovated only 2 years ago. Maggie (the cook/my supervisor) says there are ducts, but they only accounted for the square feet of the room, instead of what is in it (ie ovens, range, refrigerators blowing out heat, dishwasher, and sweaty cooks!). I'll keep the plumbing group that services BPI unnamed, as I know Dad and I would have taken this into consideration if we were doing the job. ;) Not that we do air conditioning. I'm just saying....
On a different note, I've been suffering a little of the "boonie location loneliness" syndrome. It comes from living in a small town, away from many of the friends I've grown to care about through the years. Not only do I live far away from a lot of my friends, I'm also a terrible communicator. I guess I can't be too bad, though, because most of my friends are too! ha! I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite in expecting people to call me on occasion when I rarely pick up the phone to do the same. Selfishness I suppose, or sitting on my pity pot feeling like everyone else has a best girlfriend but me. Thats why I reiterated my feelings about my Mom on her birthday card last night. She's always been my best girlfriend. No matter who came, went, and moved away in my life, she has always been there. Always listened. Always cared. Always been available to hang out, something thats just not possible with many of my friends. And you know what, because she's my Mom, I actually do pick up the phone to call her, a lot actually. She's one of the few people I get over my phone phobia for. And yes, it is a phobia to some extent, because i'd much rather be on the computer than phone. Its easier, especially for an introvert like me. But you know what? Sometimes Facebook doesn't cut it. Its nice to talk to someone. Hear their voice, stories, and know that they care. I guess I just get lonely sometimes, feeling like we'll never be close to friends our age we can call and hang out with whenever. Especially couples our age.... I just got wind of a potential plan of one of our friends to move back to where their parents live after finishing school. I was naively hoping we could lure them into moving here, which would have been really awesome in a lot of ways. Shopping girlfriends meet motorcycle guy friends. :) If you guys read my blog, you know who you are... I can't judge though. I know I'd do the same thing. Wait, we did! To be honest, family has always been most important in both Adam and my life. Family always came before friends. Maybe because we're only children. Maybe just because of our relationships with them. But to some it all up, I'd rather be close and have great relationships with my family than live close to all of the friends in the world. So now I get off my pitt pot. :) I guess this has gotten long enough. I'll follow this post up with some old pictures i found. :) Peace out all.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
New Job and Anniversary
Its been a lot longer than I was planning on for an update, but thats how things go in summertime when things are busy. I finished off a nice leisurely week with family on Sunday, something I was really happy to have before starting my new job. Uncle Jerry was up from Florida, so we got to do a lot of family get togethers, including seeing my grandmother home from the Bennington Health and Rehab, after a partial hip replacement and 2 weeks of recover. She did amazingly well, and is now at home. Grampy had handrails put on their front steps to make it easier for her to get up and down, and her bed was moved into the dining room, until they decide for sure what she wants to do in the long term.
Sunday night found me reading through the pages of Bennington Project Independence's handbook, and filling out the necessary paperwork. Monday was the big day. I wasn't quite sure what to wear, but figured that jeans and a plane t-shirt were probably ok for being in the kitchen. I was right, and also found out that I get to continue making use of my hat collection, because it was either that or a hair net. Easy decision. Today it was a green Harley Davidson hat, to complement my watermelon-colored shirt. :) Yes, I enjoy fun colors.
I have to say I've learned a lot in the past couple days. Yesterday was busy, but that isn't going to change. A lot of instructions. A lot to remember. I wear an apron, hat, prep food, cleanup, serve food, do dishes, and put them away after. For the second day, I've learned to do all that fairly well. I'm still learning where all of the dishes and utensils go, but have a pretty good handle on that also. One of the things I do each day is prepare the specialty meals for people. A few participants are on partial ground diets, a few others on full grounds, and one is on a puree. There are also several diabetics, a few vegetarians, and a few that don't eat dairy. It makes for challenging planning. Right now I follow orders from the cook as to what to make for these patients, but as time goes on, she'll want more advice from me, and help with the planning. This is right up my nutrition alley. One of the interesting things I learned yesterday was that Maggie (my supervisor/the cook) told me she hired me because she wants someone to be able to take over for her so she can retire. She states she is too old to do this anymore. Thats an interesting prospect. Ashley: Cook/Nutrition Coordinator. Thats not to say that I want to do that for the rest of my life, but I'm going to need to work for several years before I can afford to go on, finish the classes I need to get my degree CADE accredited, and do the RD internship. Thats one of my big goals, but since it will require me doing school full time, money needs to be saved ahead of time.
I was happy to hear today that I am doing very well so far, including being quick, efficient, and having a good memory. Learning all of the names of staff and participants will take a while, but I'm trying. I was also given a key "faab," (not sure if that is how to spell it), to access the kitchen door without entering the passcode every time. It truly is an amazing facility. I guess it should be since its only 2 years old, but it was also designed really well. The lights turn on when they sense someone is in the room, and turnoff likewise. They recycle, have a garden, and are otherwise very "green." The staff is extremely nice/pleasant, and I'm doing my best to learn my job and do it well. All in all its been a great experience the past 2 days.
All of these positives do not lessen my sadness over missing my Dad and getting to work with him. Being able to see my parents every day is something I was able to take advantage of, but now I truly realize how blessed I was. I will forever treasure those years of working for Dad, as it allowed me precious time, good experience, and wonderful memories that I won't forget. We still have our Wednesday nights with them, but it won't stop me from missing them during the day. I love you Daddy!
For now thats all.