A bit of everything

After my race on Sunday I felt great. I was bothered about my knee though. Went to my doc on Monday, he said it was a bit of overuse and did some laser. But then on Tuesday I went to a very good physiotherapist (sp???) in Sabadell, near Barcelona. He works with the Futbol Club Barcelona (Barça) doctors and is very good. He's been in the sport's injuries "business" for 35 years and knows what he's talking about. So I left work at 1 and headed to Sabadell. Got there, took me ages to park but finally managed, got there and waited patientlly while I read "Magical Running", what a great book! I read more of it once sat on the "bed" but waiting for him to see me.

In the end he comes and asks what the problem is. Before I can say anything, he says "too much calf". I tell him about how I started running 4 and 1/2 years ago and how it all went and what I've been told and all the tests I've been through and all I've done. I also told him I was told my achylles tendon was too short but he said, it's not that, he said my calf muscle is huge and the tendon can't cope with all that muscle... finally someone that agrees that my calves are huge (and horrible, although he didn't say that, LOL). I've always hated my legs, they look ugly and big. I've always "blamed" mom for taking me to ballet lessons when I was little but I guess it's my build, full stop. He also said that if I was a weight "thrower" or a speed runner I'd be good but doing long distance makes my muscles tight. To make a long story short, it seem like my very first diagnose was good: shin splints, yes, as simple (or not) as that, and they've been piling up over the years and now I have lots of liquid in there and we need to realease it. He did a sort of massage on the tibial bone... OMG... I saw new galaxies and planets... it was soooooooooooooo painful! He said I have to do this myself every day... geez... I must apply cold gel and press my thumb upwards along the bone to undo all the knots that are there. My legs are still so sore today (to the touch) where he pressed... oh my! He said to stretch my tibials a lot and my knees, I'm to use warming up gel before running, apply this special tape on my shins, then apply ice right upon finishing my run and then apply the cold gel and pressure on the bone to untangle what's tangled up! He never said anything about rest or stoping. He was soooo cool!

So, I went to the bike path today. I did a short run. The temperature was great, even hot I'd say! And I had no pain, no bothers... it was great! Hoping to go to Banyoles tomorrow and I'm planning on doing 2 laps around the lake. That's about 12,5km. Hopefully I can do it!

So, all good news I think. Also, I am eager to do my first half... possible dates are: Feb 6th, I'm already signed up but Paula's competing that day and might not be able to do it. Feb. 13th, a flat half near Barcelona (on the other side of me), March 20th, another flat half near Barcelona (on the side closer to me) and then first or second Sunday in May the half in Girona. After my exams on Dec. 12th my PT said we'll start upping mileage to see how I do. I'm so excited! I work so much better with a goal ahead... I just follow the carrot!!

1:08:33

This photo appeared on the main sport's paper here in Catalunya. OMG... on the digital edition, in a 40 photo album, this was number 2... not my best shot by any means, but way too cool! My partner is my beloved Maria!

87th edition of the Jean Bouin, a 10K race in Barcelona, this am. A lovely day with lovely crispy air and 10,250 runners! My watch said 1:08:37 but the official results say 1:08:33, so... I take it! After all I was wearing a timing chip and I guess that's the result that counts :P

It was great. I was lucky enough to meet Maria, a friend, and we run together... needless to say, running with someone is such a pleasure! She "pushed" me and we had a great time!

My knee's been bothering me since Tuesday with a "knicknack" and I'm going to the doc's again tomorrow... no pain while I run but bothering while I'm still, so I better have it seen to!

So, another race under my belt... getting closer to my half!

Banyoles again :D

It was a hard day at work today where lots of "harsh" feelings came out. We talked about it and it was good as we downloaded some stress which is always nice!

I left at 1, I went to pay for Paula's new leotards that I got on Friday and didn't pay (visa machine wasn't working) and then came home, got changed and headed for Banyoles to go around the lake. It was another perfect day for running. Sunny, crispy, beautiful! I run in the opposite direction today and decided the other way is much better. Did the full loop and felt great. Was 12 seconds per km faster today than yesterday. Think I'll rest tomorrow and then go out again on Thursday, we'll see. Friday will be tricky day as I have a dinner in the evening and a psycho appt at midday but will try to go after the psycho at the bike path and think the appt and the run will be the perfect combination! If I'm up for it I'll go tomorrow again, if not, I'll allow my body a day's rest (which ain't that bad after all) and resume on Thursday, we'll see!

2 days in a row... happy about it and feeling great! Slow but good, at least I'm out there!

Running under the rain!

So I went running today. It was raining, yet it didn't stop me. The truth is that I've been somewhat stressed due to some stuff that's going on at work and I really needed to get out there. It was awesome. Since it was raining, there was noone about, it was just lovely! I run very very slow but I got out there and run for 34 minutes plus some others of warmup and cooldown!

Might go to Banyoles tomorrow (might be very muddy...) or back to the bike path where I run today. I need to get studying too. I didn't take part time with all it means not to study but the truth is that being able to go running at midday is a privilege!

My pace today was very very very very slow, I think the slowest ever... don't know what'll happen on Sunday at the race... maybe I'll repeat what I did last year: last, but as long as I can run it, who cares how long it takes?

I'm determined to run a half in Feb. We'll see what happens!

Ok, here it goes...

After thinking about it for ages and really wanting to do it and after reading a few stories of regular people , people just like me (and you ;) I guess...) I want to go for it. I want to make it for Barcelona 2012, that is the Barcelona marathon in 2012 held the first weekend in March. So there... I said it. I had it in mind. Don't know if I ever stated it in writing but here I go. If I want it I've got to fight it. Noone's going to give it to me. If one want something, it won't be easy, it won't be "free", so there... I am signed up for a half on Feb. 6th but as I have stated some other time, it might be the date of Paula's first competiton of the season (don't know if it'll be Feb. 5th or 6th and where. We'll find out for sure, I think, on Monday Nov. 29th). If it is held where I run, no problem but it'd be too much of a coincidence. If not, there's another one on Feb. 13th, the following weekend, so I better get going. I'm late in training already so... here I go... I will lose weight along with it, slowly but surely and will run a half and in 16 months I hope to run Barcelona and then my dream, my biggest dream of all... NY in 2013 (I was no in the raffle this year, will be no I guess this year and next, so it's a yes for 2013!!!)

So Jacky... mothering, working, studying and training... I can do it with organization. I can, I can, I can!!!!

87th Jean Bouin!

That's happening next Sunday, November 21st (www.jeanbouin.cat) That was my very first 10K race after being sidelined for 3 years and after only having started running 3 months before that. It was a great day! So, lots of memories for me on Sunday of how far I've come and how far I've got to go. I know I won't do too well but I'm doing it no matter what. My brother wants to try to run under 49', we'll see. He can surely do it!

No running today, lots of walking yesterday, park in the am with the kids today and afternoon at home. It's dark at like 5:30 and it doesn't feel like getting out there at all! We've realized we can't let Pol take 3+ hour naps, so as of next weekend, if he sleeps less we can go out before dark and since we'll be out already it won't be as hard and we can use all afternoon too :P

Off to the doc tomorrow (for my leg, what kept me away from running for 3 years) for a checkup (we do them every 2-3 months) and it comes in perfect as my back is warning me...

Will run (if no other obstacles) at midday tomorrow, woohoo!!!

Sigh

Ok, the time has come. It's got to stop. I need to do things right. I have to lower my anxiety levels and running is a natural remedy for that. I have to control my eating and running is great for that. I need to focus and running is great for that. I need to find time but the day only has 24 hours. Conclusion: ORGANIZATION is the key. I can do it. I want to do it. I need to do it... JUST DO IT JACKY, JUST DO IT!!!

Running in Banyoles!

At last! I was able to go for a run and it felt awesome! I've started to work part time until the end of november so after work, at 1, I headed to Banyoles, a 20-25 minute drive and run around the lake. It's a 6.2k loop sorrounded by nature. It was lovely! I got there at 2, the light was great! I started off by walking to warm up and then started running or rather trotting. It was a very slow run but it was a run. The place is sooooo beautiful! Hardly anyone around and the views were breath taking... I loved it! Temperature was ideal too on Friday! I must take my camera along next time,too many beautiful spots around that need to be pictured!

So, I am taking part time to study and so far I haven't opened a book, I better get going. I have a doc appt on Monday at 4 with a 30 minute commute. Will see my doc (general) also one day at lunch time and have a psychologist appt on Friday at 2.

Next race on Sunday the 21st. I will be slow, very slow, but better slow than nothing! I need to get going again and stop eating to stop gaining so I can go faster!

I want, I need, I must...

CONTROL!!!! Please, please, please! I need to have control over my actions, I need to decrease my anxiety levels, I WANT to control my eating. I must lose weight, I want to lose weight, I have to lose weight... oh... why is it so difficult? Why can't I be normal????

Running in the dark

After an exhausting week (I wonder how much of that is due to daylight savings...) I went for a run last night. My friend Xavi, whom I send my love and courage as he is injured and suffering, told me to just get out no matter how tired I was and I'd feel better. So I followed his advice and it was great. He said, go out and forget about the pace. Sure enough... I got out there and just run for the sake of it. I got home feeling sooooooooooo alive... I loved it! It is dark at 6pm so I always run in the dark but the temperature's just perfect for running! I love that! I heard on the news that with this daylight saving business each family saves (family, not person) 10€ per year... give me a break! Do we have to go through all this hassle for 10 flipping euros a year per family? Come on... I skip buying fish one day and I save them 10 euros and less problems... amazing what we go through just because "they" make us... argh!

As of next Tuesday I am doing part time. I will work 9-1 until Nov. 30th. I am taking the time to study as I have exams the first week in December but... I will take the time and go running in day light the days I have training. I will go straight at 1 after leaving work so I will have lots of energy when I get back home and will be nice and fresh to study! Woohoo! I will get less money but being on my own for 4 hours before I pick the kids up and such is going to be great. I'll study, of course, but I will also train the days I have training and even if it's only for 3 weeks, I'll be able to do so during the day when I can see where I go and where I want!!!!

This am we've gone to the fair. Last day tomorrow and we still hadn't been :P My sis calls in the am that she wants to come to the city to go to the mall. I say we're going to the fair, why don't you come? She said yes and we've had a whale of a time! Got to the fair at 11 and left at 2. The kids had such a great time! Met lots of kids we knew too! My sis took my kids to the mall with her. I came home, fed Pol his lunch and left him with dad. We had lunch and the mall and did some shopping. Got home after 6 :P What a lovely day... we just played it by ear and it turned out awesome! Got some pyjamas for me, a notebook for Paula, a new purse for me (mine was broken) and my sis got all she wanted and a bit more! Paula was great, so good and well behaved! Jan was ok but could have been better and Harry was a bit more "out" but all in all they weren't bad at all... taking kids shopping is so unfair... they couldn't care less. Paula loved it as she was in the changing room with Lisa all the time feeling special but the boys really "hated" it, they got bored.

Anyway, all in all, a wonderful day. We've got to do it more often. Getting together that is... no need to go to the fair or shopping. Being together is all they want really :D

Port Aventura (last :D)

And just 2 more... they get along so well, I just love the way they love and admire each other!

Port Aventura (III)

I have so many pics, and would post them all, but I can't. I just love my kids. They're my main source of inspiration and motivation!

Port Aventura (II)

Yet, a few more pics!

Port Aventura (I)

A few pics from our day in Port Aventura. The kids loved it! They were so good at posing! Amazing!

Birthday boy!

Here's my baby on his 2nd birthday!

Pol's 2nd Birthday!

A few pics of Pol's birthday celebration! He loved his "Elmo", what a success. He takes it all over! Paula and Jan were so happy and proud of their brother... priceless! The photos were taken in the am, just upon waking up, thus their faces and hair-do's, LOL!

32 Cros de Sants

I managed to get another run in on Wednesday before a meeting we had (a family course I'm taking). It was great... I relax so much when I can run... I love it! When I finished, my foot was very sore. I looked the blister with pus was filled with blood too... went to the ER after the meeting and the nice (NOT) doctor told me that was no emergency to go home and have my doc see me the next day. I could NOT put my foot on the floor, it was sooooooooooo painful, it was 1am too... I don't go to the ER at 1am (or ever) because I like going... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Anyway, had a chyropodist (sp?) appt on Thursday and she was great. She popped that blister plus another big one I had and I could walk no problem. She said to go to the skin doc as I have flesh under the blisters and not skin as I should have. She gave me a cream with antibiotic, cortisone and anti-fungic (I might have invented that word in English...) and so far it's working great!

And then... we went to Port Aventura on Friday and had a blast. So nice! And... it was Pol's birthday on Saturday! My baby's 2 already! We had lunch with a bunch of friends from Jan's daycare. We still meet 3 years after "graduating" from daycare! We had a surprise cake and candles for Pol, it was very nice!

And yesterday... I run the 32 Cros de Sants in Barcelona! A tough race as it had lots of hills, but nice, very nice! It poured down on us, only for a minute, but POURING, before the start. I was soaked through, so I run in wet shoes and socks and everything else!!!! Objective was finishing under 1:20 as I had been stopped for so long with the dyshidrosis. I finished in 1:09:55 so happy with it, but all in all, happy to be able to run the full race and finish!

Over to Figueres in the afternoon for a chestnut party at a friend's house. It was a lovely afternoon. A little hectic with so many kids but they had lots of fun and to me, that's a 100% success!!!!

Hoping to just stay home today and relax after all these wild days. Back to work tomorrow!