Walking With Nora

Yesterday was the big day. Well, I guess big when you’re someone who went from panting after running one mile to feeling mildly winded after running nine. From someone who owned crappy running shoes to heading out to Fleet Feet to get fitted, buying the fancy wicking exercise clothes, a hydration belt, goos and beans to stay energized.

Good News: No stress fracture. My shock absorption in my left knee is “beautiful,” and I have great tendons and ligaments.

The Not So Great News: I have patellafemoral malalignment and maltracking with some sublaxation. In normal English this means that my knee cap is off kilter to the tune of 25 degrees, causing it to pull the tendons more than it should, over work itself and creating friction against my thigh bone. Lovely, right? While I’m ecstatic this is not a stress fracture, from what the doc can tell this is not an injury I sustained from running but just how I’m built. He said a lot of people have it, they just don’t run upwards of 15 miles a week or 9 miles at a time so they don’t know it’s there.

What’s next? Physical therapy to make the area stronger which may (or may not) help to push my knee cap back to front and center, or at least take the angulation degree down and the friction slightly less painful. If that goes well, I can keep doing my PT exercises and with permission from the PT resume a normal exercise program. I will be able to run again but no more than 6 mile races to keep from aggravating the patellofemoral situation I’ve got going on or advance early onset arthritis.

As to the race in May, the doc says it’s up to me. Ultimately I can do it, it’s just a question of pain tolerance/being aware that I’ll piss my knee off in the process. I’m probably going to be the stubborn Italian woman that I am and go out for a run this weekend, just to see how it feels.  In the off chance the PT doesn’t go well and my symptoms don’t lessen, then surgery is an option but one I’m pushing to the back of mind.

What got me through the day: YOU. All of you. The texts, tweets, emails, BBMs, phone calls, and support. Of course being able to get a huge hug from my dad when I got home as I collasped into a fit of tears of frustration helped. As did receiving a text from my awesome Uncle (that’s you, Uncle B!). Not to mention hanging out with 10,000 of my closest friends at the Jimmy Buffet concert last night, sipping on rum punch and dancing on the lawn with one of my dear friends and her family, singing “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” at the top of our lungs. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Another month in 2010 has flown by and so it’s time for another installment of my monthly obsessions.

* Yard work. Yes, that’s right, I said yard work. I love mowing the lawn, seeing the neat little rows, the instant gratification of a job well done and having the satisfaction of having one of the prettiest lawns on the cul-de-sac if only for a few days before the rains causes it to grow an inch over night. I’ve also become a fan of pulling weeds, trimming trees and general sprucing up around my parents yard. Results you can see are fabulous and it’s a bit of a cardio/arm workout too.

* Sundays. You’d think that I’d love Fridays but lately, Sundays are my favorite. They mean a day without any school work (I work like a maniac all week to ensure my Sundays are free), leisurely naps, watching a movie, family dinner and 24 hours to let my brain detox from the incessant finance quizzes, problems, econ case studies and charts.

* Being Single. Yup, I said it. It rocks. I don’t have to shave my legs if I don’t want to. No one asks me where I’m going or what I’m doing. I don’t have to worry about wearing make-up or dressing up; instead I dress to make me happy and in the process I like to think I’m finding my own (new) style. I have my family all to myself on holidays and don’t have to dash off early to get to another family celebration. I’m refocusing on my goals: school, work, health, buying a house and couldn’t be a happier about it.  I’m taking time to just be me, no boys added.

* Not Reading. I know, such a change for me, right? School sadly infiltrates all areas of my life so sometimes the last thing I want to do is read a book for fun. Instead I’ve been listening to the radio (indie station, usually), popping in new CDs on my way to work, and getting my daily dose of reading through my mom who shares tidbits of things from Vogue & the New Yorker, while my dad shares our daily horoscopes and the big news with us at the dinner table.

* Planning mini-vacations. Working for a small company makes it challenging to take off a week at a time so I’m learning to plan around vacations we already get. Memorial Day weekend, assuming the knee news is good, I’ll be in Chicago for four days. In July, I’m spending an extra weekend in Washington DC before my mandatory work conference. August will be a trip up north just for fun and then hopefully a trip to see my faux-niece this Labor Day weekend.

Giveaways. I have a few ideas for a giveaway or two coming up in May, so in the meantime, go check out Lauren’s awesome giveaway to celebrate her blogaversary!

Any new current obsessions for you this month?

(all photos courtesy of weheartit; click on photo to view source)

… driving with the radio turned down, the rain slapping the windshield, is a rather calm way to start the work day.

… allowing yourself a tiny bite of a doughnut is completely acceptable after a week of early alarms and chaotic meetings.

… there’s still nothing quite like the accomplishment felt after a long week of work, the many to-dos crossed off the list, a sigh of relief as you exit the building.

… sometimes you have to give into your junk food cravings. Bonus if it’s all something you can make/bake at home.

… laying in bed for an extra hour on a rainy Saturday morning watching mindless ABC Family movies is blissful.

… returning to your favorite breakfast place is always a good idea.

… jumping out of the comfort zone and trying on 1940s style sundresses in bright colors will be one of the best decisions made in awhile.

… writing econ papers is better after several hours of procrastination, a dog at your feet, and a thunderstorm out the window.

… nothing beats Mexican food and a movie on a Saturday night.

… Saturday Night Live isn’t nearly as good as it used to be.

… I’m a chronic over-scheduler. My weekends need less activity, more free time.

… seeing other people run is a stab to the heart right now; the body is craving the open road and the running shoes. Thank goodness for common sense.

… there’s no place quite like bed, Boston Legal in the DVD player, schoolbooks packed away and a book by your side.

Random Side Note: Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support on last Friday’s post. I will definitely be exploring alternative racing options as well as new workouts after getting the final MRI results and discussing all possibilities with my doctor to make sure it’s a-ok.

“Take a knee,” they said.

We obliged. In our track uniforms, sweaty and gross, red track gravel sticking to our knees, we listened as our coaches praised us, inspired us, patted us on the backs.

I fell in love with running my freshman year in high school: the combination of a free mind and toned body had me hooked. I ran the 400 and 800 meter “dashes,” sometimes as relays, other times just solo. My best time was a 2:05. I nearly passed out afterwards but it felt good. Ever since then, I’ve considered myself a “runner.”

Running has gotten me over break-ups, through craptastic days at the office, served as the perfect way to end a great day and above all, it’s made me healthy and kept me motivated.

When Nilsa suggested I train for the 10 mile race taking place over Memorial Day weekend, it was a no-brainer to say yes. I’ve done 5ks, I’ve run upwards of six or seven miles just for fun, so a race? I was so in. She was a dear and sent me a training plan, tons of advice, and we communicate regularly about our runs and how our bodies are feeling.

About two weeks ago, 48 hours after my first real long run, 9 miles, I woke up with knee pain and swelling. I iced it. Took Aleve. Hobbled around. Wore flat shoes. Kept an eye on it. Called the doc who advised me to use more ice and pain meds. I ran a few miles here and there after about seven days of rest and each time I was slow, my knee shot pain through my body and I felt like I wasn’t fully extending my leg.

Eyes filled with tears of frustration and pain, I’d limp home, tear off the knee brace, go back to ice and meds. Realizing that this is no way for a runner to live, especially one who is fortunate enough to have decent health care, I caved and called an Orthopedic Sports Medicine doctor.

The appointment was yesterday. After donning short scrubs (literally, they were shorts made out of scrub material), having 8 X-Rays taken in the matter of five minutes, I met the doctor and his very handsome (and very married, sadly), assistant. The results? Inconclusive but they are leaning towards a stress fracture in my left knee and in the right knee, I have, as the doctor politely said, “spacing issues with my bones,” meaning my cartilage is wearing down and my bones are a bit closer together than he would like them to be at age 26.

I go back on Monday for an MRI and then Thursday for the offical results and diagnosis.

I still haven’t made sense of what all of this means for me yet. The doc says there’s a really strong chance I won’t be able to complete my training for the race coming up in five weeks. That maybe I can run a race in the fall but that if I do, he recommends it be less than 10 miles to keep the training light to reduce the wear and tear on my right knee. (If you get close to my right knee, you can hear the sound of the cartilage as it moves. It’s called “Rice Krispie,” knee because of the literal crackle, snaps, and pops. Gross, right?) Half marathons and full marathons are pretty much not an option.  

I know that I’m doing what I need to do to preserve my body and keep from having a knee replacement at age 40. Arthritis runs in the family so I need to take precautions.

At the same time, I’m falling apart inside. I want to run this race and be able to run others. I don’t want to worry what the exercise I love and crave is doing to my body. I know there are worse things that could happen to my body, but for now, I’m disappointed. Stressed. Concerned. Now is the time I’d normally go for a run to clear my mind.

Thanks to random.org for generating the numbers:

1- Lisa, from Lisa’s Yarns
11- Nilsa, from SoMi Speaks
22, Kathleen, from Kapachino,t he Life and Times of a Nurse and Wife
32- Tabitha from Probably Tabitha
35-Mindy, from M^2 (MSquared)

Thanks to everyone who entered and sharing your favorite workouts with us (and for introducing me to some new ideas).
Top workouts from my readers include: running, biking, P90X, The 30-day Shred, and Zumba. 

Winners: if I don’t already have your address, please email me at nora(dot)laylou(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll get your prize out to you!

Stay tuned for another giveaway in May!

That’s right, folks. Time for another round of Nora’s Confessions.

* I have no idea who Justin Bieber is. I know he trends on Twitter everyday, is in a movie on Nickelodeon but I have no idea what he looks like or what he does to garner so much attention.

* When Glee premiered on Tuesday night I literally had butterflies in my stomach. You know, the kind you got on Christmas Eve when you were five years old?

* I never skipped class in high school, until one day… and then I did. When I got home early that day my parents were home. So much for getting away with it.

* While we are on the topic of high school, my final senior semester, AP English: I cheated on a vocab quiz. Twice. With the hot guy who sat in front of me.

* I’ve never watched an episode of American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. I did, however, waste 30 minutes of my life the other day watching “Jerseylicious.”

* Once upon a time, I actually *liked* Jon & Kate Plus Eight (like when the show first started).

* My Google Reader is out of control. We are talking close to 500 unread items.

* Yesterday was the first time since I’ve had/owned a car that I changed my wiper blades by myself.

Anything you’d like to confess or share today?

(Forgive the “bullet” type posts, friends. I’m smackdab in the middle of midterms and my brain can’t process complete sentences, much less paragraphs lately. Side Note: Don’t forget to enter my Dove Visibly Smooth Deodorant Giveaway! Only two more days left to enter.)

I wish…

via

… that bad things didn’t happen (or threaten to happen) to amazing, beautiful people.

… I could find a real Adam Braverman.

… things like teleportation really existed because I can’t handle not living close to my far-away best friends much longer.

… my left knee would stop misbehaving. I have a race to run in May and it’s full cooperation is greatly appreciated.

… that I didn’t care so much about grades. Once a perfectionist, always a perfectionist?

via

… BelleRenee a Happy Birthday today.

… I wouldn’t get teary-eyed every single time I see a rabbit, squirrel, goose or other furry animal dead on the side of the road. Or that people would slow down a little bit and be more aware of their surroundings.

… that texting/reading emails/writing emails while driving was completely illegal in Missouri. So dangerous. If I see you doing it, I shake my fist at you.  

… May 14th would hurry up. (Okay, and May 21st and 28th too!)

… the pollen that is covering every nook, cranny and crevice of StL would magically disappear. The whole stoner eyes-swollen nose-raspy breath thing is getting really old.

… many prayers for several of my blog lovelies and real life friends going through some rough times.

via

… that chocolate and massages came standard at a full-time job.

What do you wish for today?

About a month ago, Dove approached me and offered me an opportunity to host a workout party for me and 10 friends to help promote their Dove Visibly Smooth Clinical Protection Deodorant.

It was a no-brainer to say yes because:

A) I love to try new workouts
B) They gave each of us moisture-wicking workout tops & Dove Visbily Smooth Deodorant in Wild Rose
and C) I love an excuse to get together with the girls

Let me start by saying this: Jillian Michaels has nothing on the workout you’ll receive at the Boxing Gym. NOTHING.

So today, we (me, Darling, Liz, Rebekah, Jennifer, Jen, Jen, KH, Linda and Angela) all met at The Boxing Gym, not quite sure what to expect. All of us are working on various weight loss goals so we’re training for runs, losing weight, taking spin classes, meeting with trainers, so we figured it wouldn’t be too intense. We were wrong.

Jim, our trainer, promised us that he would “kill us,” by the time we were done with the workout. He wasn’t kidding. Good thing he was hot, otherwise we probably would have punched him and walked out. (Okay, not really, but he was tough.)

Our Trainer, Jim

45 minutes of jumping jacks, punching, kicks, crosses, jabs, squats, sit-ups, sit-ups while punching, punching while squating, jumping jacks then punching, and a variety of other combinations I’m sure I’m forgetting. The class ended with planks, side planks and fancy up and down planks. See for yourself:

(Filmed with a Flip Video Camera, courtesy of Dove. Director’s Debut by Rebekah)

I am so very glad that I used the  new Dove Deodorant which boasts “clinical protection,”  this morning, and let me just say that while I was dripping sweat from my face, my armpits were dry. Seriously. And they didn’t even stink when I was done. (TMI? I hope not.) Double bonus: the scent of the deodorant isn’t crazy strong. Oh, and a triple bonus, if that’s possible: the deodorant goes on smooth, doesn’t stain the clothes and helps to reduce the appearance of hair overtime. Another TMI: I’m Italian. I have dark hair. I have to shave everyday. If something can help minimize the appearance of my hair, I’m so in.

Darling, me, KH & One of the Jens Post Workout

I’m also incredibly glad I donned the moisture wicking tank from Dove because maybe, just maybe, the super cute trainer didn’t realize he was totally kicking my ass. (I’m sure the plan didn’t work, but it was worth a shot.) Both workout top and deodorant are now on my list of things I *must* take to the 10 mile race coming up over Memorial Day weekend.

We all left the party invigorated and full of energy, many of us contemplating joining this gym or at the very least adding this boxing workout to our regimes once a week, which, we all noted, we’d definitely make sure to use our new deodorant.

Contest ends Friday April 16th at midnight. Winners will be posted on this blog & contacted via email to obtain their mailing information.

* Disclosure: Dove paid for the workout event and provided  workout tops and deodorant for all guests in attendance. I also received a Flip Video Camera for being the party host. I was not paid for this review or giveaway; all opinions and commentary are my own.

It’s been a bit of a whacky week across the board; maybe it’s residual full moon/tide crap, or maybe everyone just needs a week long siesta on the French Riveria or Italian Wine Country. Whatever it is, times like these I wish I could fly around the country to dole out hugs to friends and family and, okay, maybe wine and cupcakes too.

Since I can’t be everywhere I wish to be: in Florida with my childhood BFF who is about to give birth to her first child; my cousin who is engaged and planning her wedding; my friends going through break-ups and heartaches; having a beer with my brother; supporting friends who have men and women overseas. Since I can’t be there, maybe you can. Hug someone close to you today: friend or family, crush or boyfriend, dog or cat. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make someone’s day.

Let’s make today Free Hug Friday.

This past weekend I…

… enjoyed a leisurely Friday with the family full of Italian food and gelato, laughs and good debates.

… daydreamed about buying my own townhome with a backyard for Jack and a porch on the second floor overlooking a garden.

… ran 8.75 miles, without stopping, as part of my training for the upcoming Soldiers Field 10  miler in about seven weeks.

… felt surprisingly awesome after running the aforementioned miles.

… rummaged around my closet for clothes that aren’t too big for me, found nothing so went for a “bohemian” look on Easter Sunday in a flowy dress and curly hair.

… decided that it’s time to go shopping due to the fact I look like a bag lady in my clothes these days. (Thank you running.)

… baked a smore brownie pie and spinach lasagna roll-ups as part of Easter Brunch.

… listened to the laughs and giggles of the neighbors who were in hot pursuit of plastic Easter eggs filled with money.

… ignored school work for 36 hours without feeling the least bit guilty.

… reconnected with an old friend with a few glasses of wine, a whole lot of laughs and promises to meet again soon.

… lazed around with Jack, listening to the wind roll through my windows, the birds fluttering about as they make their nests and having a moment of zen.

photo sources:
garden, eggs, wine