Genetics

Aren't genetics great?

This morning I endured my first colonoscopy AND endoscopy at the grand old age of 27.

Thanks, genetics! I couldn't have done it without you.

And the results? Prove to be true... turns out I have a few lovely things passed down from my dad, one of them being colitis. Luckily, it appears I have a mild form where his is much worse. Hopefully through proper diet, it doesn't get worse. They biopsied a few things in my stomach and colon, so in two weeks I will know more. This seems to be something that is fairly common these days. I think it's due to the food we eat and how it's treated today, but I guess we will never know the answer.

Sigh...

Newest Addiction

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays and for most of us, it's back to the grind tomorrow. I can't believe how fast the holidays flew by, especially that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I've spent this last week fully submerged in Yoga! About 5 minutes up the street is a Bikram Yoga. I've attended everyday this week and can honestly say I can notice a major difference. Aches and pains I had are no longer there... my flexibility has greatly increased... and it just feels good to sweat out things for 90 minutes in a 110 degree room!

Along with yoga, I've started rehydrating with a product called ZICO. Anyone ever heard of it? It's pure coconut water. It has the ability to benefit your muscle performance, heart health, stress reduction, mental acuity, kidney cleansing, natural hang-over cure (ding, ding ding...!) good for skin, hair and nail health and claims to have five essential electrolytes that your body needs to keep nerves firing, muscles moving and help manage stress. It also has MORE potassium than a banana to prevent cramping and promote recovery. Amazing! I've tried the natural and mango. Both are great. I just ordered a box for the house. I want to see what it does for running and training. Oh, I forgot to mention 11 ounces only has 60 calories. That's not bad...

Next week I'm headed to Florida... well.. not next week - on Friday!!! This year I'm running Goofy's Race and a Half Marathon. We will arrive Friday morning, pick up everything I need and head to the hotel. Saturday morning I'll run the half marathon and Sunday I'll be running the full marathon. Somewhere in there we'll hopefully meet up with Laura and enjoy the nice warm sun. I can't believe race weekend is practically here! I registered for this a year ago!!! 39.3 miles. CRAZY!

As 2009 comes to a close

What a year!

There have certainly been some major ups and downs this year, but when I look back on them, they have all made me a better person.

I definitely went through a slump with training, but have picked it back up x10! I've started building a training plan for Eagleman 70.3 in June and am getting really excited. I think what excites me the most is being able to dedicate as much time as possible because it's just me. I don't have a significant other to split my time up with, or anyone to report to at my house. It's just me. And for the first time in my life, this is a huge positive. I think I'm going to learn the most about myself in the next 6 months. I can't wait.

We just had a HUGE snow here in Baltimore and I can't even remember the last time this much was dumped on us. Us teachers all have our fingers crossed for a day off tomorrow. It would be great. Being trapped in my house yesterday and today have been the most well needed days off from the real world, it couldn't have come at a better time. I've cooked, cleaned, put in 30 miles a day on my bike in the trainer, shoveled, dug my car out, listened to music and just laid around. Perfect.

Christmas is this week and for all those out there that celebrate - Merry Christmas! For my Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah.

I believe I'm going to watch Life is Beautiful now.

Photo of the Week

I've decided I'm getting back into Photography. To encourage myself, I'm going to post a "photo of the week" each week. This week, my subject is Oliver. This photo was taken in the dark, with a digital SLR camera. The flash was bounced off the ceiling.

The power of words.

It's amazing how words can affect your entire day.

One of my students has had a life I can't even begin to imagine. He's in a safe space now, but struggles with flashbacks and other behavioral issues. After having a rough bus ride in, the morning continued to be hard. When he finally was consequenced with going to a quiet environment within the building for a few periods, he was not a happy person.

After yelling he didn't do anything wrong, he came within 5 inches of my face and screamed "I hate you!" then pulled his glasses off and crushed them into the carpet. I could feel my heart just sink. It was a personal attack against my soul. I was crushed, but had to maintain a flat affect the entire time and not show it.

I adore this kid. I love him to pieces and try to do what I can daily to help him battle what he emotionally deals with. So do the staff in my classroom. But to replay the scene in my head over and over again, just makes me sad. Another day in the life of Post Traumatic Stress.

KT review

Alright... here it goes. 10 miles. ZERO pain! It worked! I can't believe it. Attached is a photo of how I taped it. I found it on YouTube. I couldn't believe how it eliminated my pain. After I taped it, I could tell it was doing something. I felt slight warmth on the area right on the side of my knee cap. This is where the tape was stretched to create blood flow in the area.


PS - I did have running shorts on!! = )

KT tape

Tomorrow I'm going to try something new. KT tape for my IT band flare up. Should be an interesting experiment....

I've also started my Runner's Core Routine workout again. Hopefully that'll help with my hip strength and IT band strength.

Review to be posted soon!