Sunday, January 16, 2011

Synching Our Cycles

See that little cabin in the middle of the picture? That’s where I slept last night with eleven other women. It did not suck. Estrogen was in abundance. I could feel our menstrual cycles synching up with each passing moment.

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The drive up was long and after a stop at Costco to sample a disgusting mix of protein bars, chicken noodle soup and Brie, I had the worst gas. Poor Erika had her head hanging out the window for the better part of the drive. And, she didn’t even yell at me. In fact she shared a bed with me last night and we spooned.

The group of 12 started out with a snowshoe/cross country skiing adventure. My hip was having a fit, but I smacked it around a bit.

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Don’t be jealous of my blue ski pants. They are hand me downs from 1995. I like to save a buck where I can. I will run “the Boston” in them.

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Me doing the famed ski shot. I am going to confess. The ski shots never really happened. We are all 40 something lame asses with no alcohol tolerances. By 10pm everyone was dehydrated and reaching for the Motrin. This is me in the morning drinking water. It was all for the photo op.

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A bit windy when we left:

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Getting out of town was good for me. This was a really upbeat and positive group of women. I have been in a funk since my less than stellar running week and my doomsday meeting with the PT on Tuesday. I tried to run my 8 minutes on Friday and couldn’t. It just hurt too bad. I stopped, and went home, head down, defeated.

The good news is it didn’t hurt where the fracture was. The pain was more in the outside of my hip. But, it was that type of pain where you knew you had to be smart and back off.

I think re-introducing running and my PT exercises got everything all flared up and irritated. I tend to be a very all or nothing person. I get easily discouraged. When something goes wrong or not as planned, I go to the worst place scenario. I keep reminding myself that my body is trying to heal and I need to be patient. And smart.

I got such a cool comment last week that said,

I have this Russian friend who is dying. Really- not going to make it.  Don’t let that bum you out; it’s just a fact. She is the strongest and most determined kicking-asses (not just one ass, many “asses”) person I will ever know. She is also trained in sports therapy, and has worked with everyone from the Chicago Bulls, Cirque du Soleil, and USSR cycling teams when she lived there. I read your post, and even though she’s feeling really really bad, I called her to see what she had to say about your healing--the call made her day! She said A LOT, but, in summary she said EAT FOR YOUR BONES. Eat for healing: plant-based proteins, food-based anti-inflammatory (berries, fresh basil, omega-3), vitamins & minerals. She also said to apply indirect “vibration” in the area of injury 3x per day with a back massager or something, for about 3-5 minutes. This, I can say from experience, totally helps!! You better listen to her advice, because if you don’t, this crazy Russian woman will haunt your ass. She also said red wine helps : )

Vibration! I love vibration. What girl doesn’t? And because I seriously do not want to be haunted by this crazy Russian, I bought a hand held massager at Walgreen’s yesterday for $4.99 (because I would never already have something that vibrated in a drawer somewhere). It is top of the line. 11 a.m. and I could be found, pants down, lying on the floor massaging my hip. Ken called in the neighbors and postman to take a look.

I also love the info on the plant based proteins (soy, beans, nuts, lentils) and food-based anti-inflammatories (spinach, broccoli, blueberries, chickpeas, buckwheat noodles, etc). I’ll post more on that later.

Not to mention that fact that when you are reminded that someone is dying, you tend to back off of your self-involvement. Really, my stress fracture is just not the significant in the grand scheme.

What’d you do this weekend?

Trying anything just to get better,

SUAR

45 comments:

  1. you see, red wine does cure all. Blues, stress, and antioxidants! hehe.
    I love that comment.
    LC

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  2. So envious of your awesome night out! And I'd listen to the Russian lady…them's some smart words there. Enjoy your good vibrations!

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  3. First, I would be totally jealous of your getaway if I were a skier, but since I'm not I'm only mildly jealous. Second, let us know if the vibration works - not that I have any interest in vibration other than its medicinal properties!!!

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  4. I'm so glad I have found your blog. I got here by some rabbit trail a week or so ago (one blog comment leads to another blog who has you on their blog roll or something like that). Your writing really resonates with me. Thanks for being real.

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  5. Looks like a fun girls trip! I need one of those!
    Vibrations are good, they make everything feel better!
    Looking foward to the post about plant based proteins and food based anti-inflammitories!

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  6. My long run breakfast of a bagel and banana is now tainted.
    What a great get together...

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  7. Looks like you had a great time and got some good advice. Perspective is important. I believe that you will run Boston because you are a positive hard working person. But if you can't race it this time, there will be another. Hoping you heal fast!

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  8. What an awesome letter that was! Great reminder and great tips as well! Your cabin adventure looks fun. :) I did eat a banana...with pb on the tip though, not quite as fun as frosting!

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  9. Darn it no bananas here. Or vibrations, unless you count the root canal. I officially boarded the Chicago Bears fair weather fan bus!

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  10. Looks like you had a FUN weekend, even if there were no ski shots ...

    About your hip - don't get discouraged! You know you will be at "the Boston". Even if you have to walk the 26.2 .. you will complete it. Sounds like great advice from the Russian lady too!

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  11. I watched the damn Seahawks get killed in football.

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  12. i would like to meet this russian, she sounds smart and inspirational

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  13. You had me at Red Tail Ranch, but the cake finished me. Excellent post!

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  14. Who doesn't want to laugh at this repeatedly:
    a back massager or something

    OR SOMETHING.....LOL!!!!! Like what? Ken using a wooden spoon and tapping quickly? LOL.....I am in stitches right now.....that is hilarious.

    And yes, listen to the Russian Lady....you don't want any bad ju-ju going your way.

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  15. I ate my morning banana, as usual - fueled my DU yesterday...but I stil didn't win, darnit! Probably needed some cake with that. The girls' weekends sounds like the best antidote for the suar blues - hope you're feeling better. And thanking god they tore down the Shell gas station near my house and builing a Walgreens - I got a spare 5 bucks, too!

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  16. The pictures are awesome! What a fun weekend :)

    I like the reminder that sometimes our problems really aren't that big.

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  17. Hang in there. First time back is hard. So is the second. But it will come around.
    This weekend? Swam 4.5 hrs with some of it getting recorded on video. Rode 3 hrs on the trainer. Chatted with friends new and old. Life is good.

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  18. I just can't believe you weren't responsible for the cake decor....

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  19. Glad you had fun! Those moments of perspective are awesome in a very strange way :)
    I believe that garlic and ginger are both noninflammatories as well.

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  20. What a cool comment! It sounds like a fun weekend- hope the good vibes continue all week :)

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  21. You nee to get some serious moisturizer and a good hair conditioner too! You look so OLD!!!!

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  22. only you SUAR, only you. that bananna cake iS SICK! :)

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  23. Eh, ignore the stupid commentary from the peanut gallery, you look gorgeous, healthy and young Beth... since you asked there were no bananas, red wine OR vibrators in my weekend. Suddenly I feel ripped off.

    Glad you had a such a good time and love the comment you posted.

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  24. Anonymous, if you're going to make nasty comments at least have the decency (and guts)to use your name.

    SUAR you look great, glad you had a nice weekend with the girls to cheer you up. Love that banana cake!

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  25. I love the pics! I miss the snow so much!
    I am a Canadian "lost" in southern California..
    this weekend I ran my first double digit run ever: 10 miles!

    my 6 yrs old son asked me what kind of cake is that? why did they put a banana like that on it?
    I am looking for an answer as I type this!

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  26. Love the pics!! I can only imagine how much you all laughed!

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  27. Celebrated my daughters 3rd birthday. The rest is gravy! Best to you! Ps... Your hair looks just fine :) !!

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  28. Going on for 3 months out injured for me too (knee!) so got back into the DIY. Gave my 3 kids a hammer each and pointed them to the wall that needs to come down.....kept them occupied for ages!!

    Sending positive thoughts for recovery from the uk!!

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  29. No cake here, but I did get in an entire pint of ben and jerry's S'mores ice cream, guilt free after my 4 mile run/35 mile ride! Take care of that hip... Just Shut Up and Vibrate! @anonymous Whatever- her hair looks great!

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  30. sounds like a great wknd with friends!! hope it lifted your spirits a bit.

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  31. I seem to recall pictures of wine or other frosty drinks at a similar event. WTF?

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  32. Looks like an awesome weekend! I was cracking up at this post. I would listen to the crazy Russian woman too, if I were you.

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  33. I did my very first 10 mile run this weekend! In the last year I lost 30 lbs and never thought I'd be here. In 4 weeks I will be done with my first half marathon!

    ....ps. my hip has been bothering me too. I am very smartly ignoring it. Against hubby's orders.

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  34. I am SO thrilled I found your post!..Just want to tell you this. I had two knee surgeries (each knee) two different surgeons, and each one said that I should not run anymore.(Knees worn down from years of long distance running). When I did try to go back to running, I did much the same as you, 10 minutes, which was NOTHING compared to what I used to do. ...OK LONG story short, took up biking, and then swimming (and I SUCKED at swimming when I first started) That was a year and a half ago. When I returned again to running, I walked ONE minute, and jogged SO slow, one minute. Seriously! I did that every third day for a week and then every two days the next week, but kept adding minutes..walk one jog one, walk one jog two, you get the picture. I am running 6 miles (no walking) knees are fine, and yesterday I did my first mile swim! You'll get there I know it, but maybe 8 minutes was pushing it a little too much at first.

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  35. Hung with the kids and hubby and LOVED it, dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, dirt, dust and some sun shine! Even got a run & yoga in on Sunday along with some church!!

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  36. I thought from the title of your post that you went bike riding with friends. I was very confused at first. It's that kind of morning.

    This weekend I went on a six mile hike one day, and danced my tail off at a friend's wedding the next. Not your conventional form of exercise, but I think it counts.

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  37. "Not to mention that fact that when you are reminded that someone is dying, you tend to back off of your self-involvement. Really, my stress fracture is just not that significant in the grand scheme."

    I completely relate. I read Matt Long's book in one sitting last week, and doing so encouraged me to cancel my pity party plans. It's SO hard to be injured and to not do the thing you love. But sometimes it's good to get a kick in the butt in the form of a reminder that other people have it so much worse than you do.

    Good luck with the vibrator! I mean...vibrating massager! ;)

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  38. love it! good thing you don't have a broken pelvis :)

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  39. Here's a summary of my reaction to your post: smile, smile, nod, nod, laugh (the farting post Costco got me), smile . . .WAY TOUCHED that my friend's advice made your post . . *sigh* . .. the a comment from my 7 yr old son . . "drinking off the ski is SO COOL!! Is she drinking vodka like you mommy??"

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  40. Found your blog through the Athleta featured athletes of the year - all the women featured were inspiring. Signed up to receive your blog and love what I am reading. Dealing with my own knee problems that is limiting my cycling. A friend of mine discovered running and was on target for his first marathon last year then was sidelined by an injury just a few weeks before the event. He spent the better part of last year recovering then last fall started training for another target marathon - he just completed it last weekend 6 minutes shy of qualifying for Boston. Qualifying was not the goal but it inspired him to want to try next time. Best of luck to you in mending your injury. I look forward to reading more.

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