1066.2 Miles

(10.1 bike)

We have reached North Updeep where there are stony beaches on the eastern shore. Many shoals are keeping us cautious as we go.

Last week pretty much bombed in terms of cardio. At the beginning of the week it was simply because the schools were out on spring break and I had the daycare kids here. Their mother let me know that they would be spending the night at their cousin's house and wouldn't be here on Thursday. I was pretty happy that I'd be able to get on the treadmill that day.

Instead I stepped on a roofing nail in the back yard and punctured my foot deeply enough to soak a quarter-sized section of my sock with blood before I got it off of my foot. Luckily, my last tetanus shot was in 2010. But it meant that I'd not be running that day.

Even though the skin has sealed up and there is no sign of anything major, today there is still pain when I step down. So I got on the bike and realized I pedal more with the ball of my foot than I thought. Still, it felt good to get a little sweaty. And I got a little cardio-knitting done, too.

Movements

It's been over a week since I've written, but it feels like only a couple days. Over the past week I've had sore muscles, bruises, a minor cough, and one pulled muscle. All in all, not a bad week considering how many people are dealing with the flu and other issues.

I added a new set of exercises to my routine and I think I'm starting to see a difference. These exercises focus on the lower abdominal region and I'm a little surprised at the soreness they created. It only adds a couple minutes to the strength-training portion of my workout, but added a significant amount of ache. That's a good thing, right?

I've also been hooping since that doesn't have any impact on my legs (but it does make my hips and stomach a bit sore). I figure any movement is good movement.

The bruise on my lower leg is finally starting to dissipate. This one has kept me off the treadmill and bike. Each time I'd run there was a jarring pain along the front of my shin. Each forward pedal there was a pulling pain in the same place. I took that to mean that using the machines wasn't a good idea for now. There isn't any extra pain while doing squats or lunges (makes no sense to me), so that is what I've focused on. Next week I will try the treadmill for walking for a day or two and see what happens.

For now, I'm doing what I can to make sure I heal quickly and without further injury. And I'm looking forward to spring.

Dry socket...

I was starting to get excited about restarting the C25K program this week, but instead will be avoiding anything that will jar my body. Why? When I woke last night (a few times) I was in extreme pain from a tooth extraction. This really surprised me since the tooth had already had a root canal several years ago. The reason for the extraction was simply because I had broken it and there wasn't really enough left to repair. All was going fine until the wee hours of the morning.

A dry socket really doesn't make a lot of sense for me since I don't usually use straws or smoke or any of the several activities that increase your chance for one. Oh well, I know how to take care of it, even without returning to the dentist.

Even so, this diminishes the things I can do physically. Yoga? Nope, the downward position of my head increases the throbbing. Running? No way. Ah, but I can still ride the bike and I can still belly dance. And chains. It looks like it will be a productive week after all.

869.1 Miles

(1.7 treadmill)

Still traveling to Lothlorien.

Today was a bit of an odd day. My emotions were all over the place with all that was going on and it was hard to focus on things. Still, I got on the treadmill before I needed to leave the house and felt a little better afterward. I also walked outdoors, but I didn't thing to record that one. No problem.

Today was also a refocusing on strength training. Last week was challenging for me since there were several areas of my body that were in pain. I'm not sure, but I think my elbow issue is more of a tendon thing instead of a muscle thing. One more thing to set an appointment for. Still, I'd rather know that it's just something that can be taken care of simply instead of putting it off until it's something big.

It feels strange not to have anything posted since last week. Almost as if I'm letting myself down. I'm not going to be too harsh on myself, but I will certainly be striding forward.

867.4 Miles

(1.1 walking)

We are still traveling to Lothlorien. 

Boy, this seems so much slower with a treadmill! Yes, yes, I know I'm "only" walking instead of biking and walking is slower, but still. Anyway, I feel it differently when I walk and I really do think it's making a bigger impact physically.

Today I walked slower than usual. Mainly that's because I stubbed my pinky toe on a bathroom wall over the weekend (yes, I know that corner's been there for the last couple of years, but it jumped out at me, I swear!) I'm just happy it isn't broken.

I also did the chains today and I think I was sweating more from that than the walking. Oh well, it's all toward a great cause, right?

On the food subject... I was craving bread so very much yesterday and today. I know it's more the sugar (simple carbs) than anything, but I could almost taste the chunks of bread being dipped into a thick  au jus sauce. Kind of pathetic,  in a way. I do hope tomorrow is different.

I wonder if the picture would be better by turning the treadmill around.