Forgot something

Check it out - Montana's new 100 miler!

http://swancrest100.com/

No, Mom, I'm not going to run it.

Play Day!

Not much of a blogger these days. Way too much going on. After Wisconsin, I spent the weekend in Kalispell catching up with old friends. I did get in some running time, and there are photos somewhere...

Today, I ventured out for a long hike/run in hope of warm weather. Before my January injury, I had bought a new 70 oz. Camelbak bladder to replace the Nathan bladders that ALWAYS leaked. I just followed the 12k course of Don't Fence Me In for about 6 miles. My ankle did hurt today, and I'm wondering if it isn't my shoes. Although the Cascadia's feel like slippers, they might not have enough stability for me. It was a perfect trail running day, cool with little wind, and very few people.

On the way up to Rodney Ridge

Trying to run up (not sure which trail)

Lone biker speeding away from me

Finally, running again! Notice no leaking from the pack.

On the way to Waterline Trail

SpringtimeWish I'd had the camera ready. That's a kid on a skateboard being chased by a car.

Contemplating which way to go on Waterline

Rest break on Rodney Ridge

Davis Gulch road with DeFord Trail running alongside it

End of Rodney Ridge - legs were tired and it was rocky, so I slowed down. Didn't want to roll the ankle yet again.

Congrats Danni on finishing Diablo 50!

Be sure to sign up for Prickly Pear Don't Fence Me In on May 9th. There's 30k, 12k, 5k run, 5k dog walk options. Or, make a donation to support our local trail system!

I miss her so much!

I am thankful for this week with my niece...

Reading to ElmoSinging the ABC's

Reading the paper

I want the bright red crab sandbox!

Jack, my running partner for the week

The weather in Wisconsin cooperated a couple days - meaning no ferocious wind and lots of sunshine. Wearing Jack out so he would sleep through the night (and not wake D) was a great motivator. I ran 4 out of the 7 days. The crawling around on the floor with D must have stretched out the ligaments, because I was able to run 4 miles on a mix of pavement and trail the last day of my visit without any pain.

My heart is breaking a little though. Despite the lack of sleep, I enjoyed every moment with this little being. She is funny, smart, sweet and fun. I hope I can see her again very soon!

Spring Break Fun

This week, I'm playing nanny for my 17 month old niece (pictures to come when I get home). I have a much deeper appreciation for moms all over the world. D is on the move constantly. She's also very smart, and wanting to learn everything at once. For example, she was a bit freaked out by sun reflections until we showed her how the sun hits my watch to make the reflections. Now, she likes to find the sun, the watch, and will move it around to create the reflections. She's learning to say my name - "Iri." We've made trips to the library, grocery store, Wal-Mart, and hoping the wind dies down enough to go for a walk. Add in a basset hound and a lab and you've got CHAOS. But, fun chaos. Now, if someone could only teach me an easy way to work the dang car seat. 

Jack, the lab, has definitely helped me work the ankle. We go on 2-3 walks a day. There's a nice dirt walking path that we tried to run yesterday. I was slow, but managed 1.6 miles. There is no pain while running, but my achilles tendon is very sore afterwards. I still can't run uphill and not sure what's going on there. Hopefully, the doc can help me figure out the rest as we go.

Last, I finally know what a deer tick looks like. Absolutely gross and not something I wanted to learn more about. Welcome to Wisconsin!

The Big Moment

I RAN TODAY! Well, it was more like a shuffle at a 13 minute per mile pace on the treadmill. I didn't plan to do it. In fact, it was scary thinking about even trying in case it still hurt and I'd feel discouraged. The surgeon said I would just know when the time was right to try and I guess I did. It felt a little sneaky, like I was cheating or something. BUT - it happened and it felt dang good. Other than my achilles feeling a bit tight, there was ABSOLUTELY NO PAIN. (That's for my mom). For the other worrywarts out there, do not reprimand. The actual running time was probably 8-10 minutes out of 30 because I did intervals; power walking at an incline the rest of the time. I finished up with 25 minutes on the elliptical and some weight training. My plan is to build up very slowly, going back to that first walk/run plan that got me started oh so long ago. Happy, happy me!

Road Trip

These photos are from our last trip to Bozeman. We stopped at Missouri Headwaters State Park in my quest to see all of Montana's parks. The views from the trail were amazing. Plus, I got a chance to test out the ankle by hiking some hills. Can someone please instruct me on the proper computer settings so that people can click on the pictures to make them bigger?

I am now the proud owner of a gym membership. Me. The one who had a 10 punch card and used one visit in a year. Even though the doc said I could be running fairly soon (I'm up to 2 cups in the 8 cup challenge! See the last post.), I need to do the rehab work. After using up my free passes to every gym in town, Steve and I finally signed up.

The things I like about this particular place is the women's only center, which has a lot of cardio equipment and a strength circuit, the cheapest price for two people, the status drop option so I don't have to pay during the summer months, a pool (for when I get the courage up to try swimming), easy starting point for great running routes, and truly good customer service. The membership lady came in on her day off to sign me up since we couldn't coordinate our schedules. Nice.

The gym makes it easy to switch things up during rehab so I don't get bored. I'm rotating between the recumbent bike, elliptical, treadmill and strength training. After today's workout of 30 minutes on the bike, weights, and 15 minutes power hiking - I set the incline at 8 -I slathered on the sunscreen and ventured outside for my first trail adventure in several weeks.

In the picture below, you'll see what I'm calling my "rehab trail." It's fairly flat with some rolling hill sections. One of the goals, in addition to strengthening the ankle, is to get out and move it as much as possible. The longer one waits, the harder it is to regain flexibility and complete range of motion. The trail is a good place because the uneven ground re-develops the brain/body signaling system. It also challenges all of the foot, ankle, leg muscles to increase stability.


It was a beautiful day, 52 degrees and sunny. It was quiet and peaceful with only the sounds of snow melt dripping from the trees, the scrunch of snow underfoot, the birds, the wind. I was just so happy to be outside. It took me awhile, but I completed two miles. No pain, but the small, short downhills were a little tricky. Each time I encountered one I had to stop, evaluate and figure out the safest way down. It was probably quite funny to watch as I was so focused and slow. Most amazing to me was how I had forgotten such dramatic surroundings. Everything was so big. The sky, the hills, the trees, the sunshine. I got a little dizzy just taking it all in.

I took the picture above because it was great seeing it almost snow free.

My feet resting during the hike back. Notice my step down safety brace. Not nearly as ugly as the boot!