I just checked out my last blog post and I haven't written a thing since April.  Wow.  I have hardly missed my blog.  So many things happening and so little time to even write a quick note.  I wrote in my last blog about my injured toe and the troubles it has caused me.  I have exhausted all the treatments and now I am left with a big toe that is getting stiffer and stiffer.  My friend, who just happens to be an Orthopedist, says that maybe my toe is started to fuse on it's own.  I can live with that as long as a fused toe doesn't hurt!  We will see.  This summer has been busy with lots of fun runs and hikes in the mountains.  My friends and I traversed Zion National Park in April and had a blast.  I ran Silver State 50 miler in May and managed to dehydrate myself right into the hospital.   I ran in Emigrant Wilderness at Kennedy Meadows twice and enjoyed doing Safety Patrol at Western States 100.  Last month I ran The Tahoe Rim Trail 100 and managed to slowly cross the finish line good for a Silver buckle.  Thanks to Marc Dube for helping me finish under 30 hours.  All in all, my toe is handling the stress I have put it under.  It is painful, but not unbearable anymore.  That makes my heart happy.  In September, I will run The Bear 100.  I am getting excited for that adventure.

I don't know about you, but I have found Facebook to be all consuming.  I think I am addicted.  Ouch! I hate to even admit it here on this social media.  Let's see, Facebook or my Blog?  Such hard decisions to make at this bedtime hour.  Happy dreams!

Happy Wednesday

Wow, yesterday was a whirlwind.  I started my day out with a nice 45 minute swim and enjoyed a long hot shower at the gym.  It was heavenly! lol.  I went to see a Doctor in Corte Madera who originally made my orthotics, and he made some adjustments to them and gave me hope for running in my future.  Apparently, he saw 3 patients just last week with some of the same issues I am having.  I was glad to hear  that I am not the only one.  I left his office and immediately went to a few stores and bought a nice Northface jacket and a running skirt and a pair of running shorts.  I think I feel better now!  Shopping always does that for me.  The problem is that I have nothing to wear except for running stuff!  I use to have a magnet on my refrigerator that says, "I feel like such a failure. I have been shopping for over 20 years and I still don't have anything to wear".  Hilarious, but true.

  Today, after work, I am going to try out my new refurbished orthotics and see how my toe does.  I am hopeful and hesitant at the same time.  Have a great Wednesday and make it a healthy one!

Falling apart

This was a beautiful weekend here in Sonoma County.  The sky was so blue and the air was warm.  It was the kind of weekend that made you dream of summer.  Spaghetti strap tops and shorts and flip-flops.  I even saw some people laying beside the pool when I was swimming this morning.

 Matt and I took Jada out for a long hike in the hills and she loved jumping in and out of the creek and chasing sticks as they rushed down the swirling streams.  A great weekend!

 Running has completely sucked for the last month.  One injury after another.  Frankly, it is really starting to get me down.  I just don't get it.  Right now I am dealing with a big toe problem.  It really came to a head two weeks ago after finishing a 27 mile training run.  It seems that I have arthritis in my toe and some bone spurs to boot!  I am unable to push off without tremendous pain.  I have tried having Rooster Comb injected into my toe and using strong anti-inflammatory meds. I have stopped running for 2 weeks and have gotten back into the pool.  I am trying to form a relationship with lap swimming so I feel like I am doing something to keep in some sort of shape.  Swimming just doesn't do  it, though.  It is so boring.  Yawn......I do keep checking my arms to see if I can see any definition because this swimming thing has got to be doing something!

 Yesterday was Lake Sonoma 50 mile, I was a DNS there.  (did not start).  That sucked.  Today, I went out for a 30 minute slow run, toe taped and fingers crossed, and I am feeling hopeful.  That is all I am going to say.  Tuesday, I see another Doctor for a 2nd opinion and a MRI on Thursday.  How much fun can a girl have in a week?

Next Friday, I am going to Zion to traverse the park with several of my running friends.  It will be about 50 miles of running fun.  I am going even if I have to crawl.  I have wanted to do this for a few years and I am not going to let this injury stop me.  I figure that I can go as slow as I need to go.  It is not a race so the pace will be comfortable.  I am really excited to do this.  So..... that is what has been happening in my world.  Happy Monday everyone.

Remember Me??

Hello readers.  Do I have any, anymore?  It's been forever since I have updated my blog. Something called life has taken me and kept me quite busy.  When I am not feeling creative, my blog goes dead.

 A lot has happened since I last blogged.  A few injuries here and there, a couple of races, and a whole lot of nothing. I have been battling a performis issue and a big toe problem.  Both of these injuries have kept me from running.  When I have run, it is labored and unsettling.  It seems when you have one injury, it creates another. This video has really helped me.  Check it out. With some serious stretching and a little chiropractic work, I can feel that I am doing better.  I have started a series of five shots of "Rooster Comb" injections into my big toe and I can see improvement there too.  I have a bunion that is filled with arthritis and it is so painful, especially when I run.  I hope these injections will help stave off surgery for awhile.  A long while.
  Yesterday, I bought two new pairs of running shoes.  When I was sponsored by Montrail, I wore their shoes religiously.  It has been a few years now since I have even tried a pair on.   I decided to try the Montrail Mountain Masochist for the first time. After reading about them  I decided to try them out  yesterday on my 12 miler and I liked them.  My foot seems to sit a little high in them, but they were comfortable.  The other shoe I bought was the Asics 2170.  I have loved the Asics trabucho but they seem to have changed their sizing and I have run out of patience trying to get the right fit.  I hate trying a new shoe out when the Asics Trabucho is so perfect for me but it is time. I am going to take them for a spin this morning.
  The weather has been amazing this year.  We have had only a few days of rain and lot's of sunshine.  Of course I love it, but it is so weird.  Usually, we would be having rain, rain, rain.  I'll take the good weather while it's here.

  Last Sunday I ran up on the Western States trail.  We ran from Michigan Bluff up to a little ways past Last Chance.  Almost no snow and beautiful weather.  Go figure.  I love that trail.  

The new water bottle holder for runners! Start 2012 right!