Worst .... Haircut ...... Ever

Well, today I got the bright idea to go get my hair cut. This seemed simple enough but apparently somewhere between what I asked for and what I got ended in disaster. When I got home I had a shower and attempted to make salvage some sort of style.I think I did ok, but there's barely any angle and it's so short! Here's a picture, but believe me it doesn't do justice to how bad it was when I left the salon.

After the hair cut I was really upset but I continued on to Wal-Mart to get workout pants. Although I found a pair that fit I was quite upset about the size. So that added fuel to my already roaring fire of emotional turmoil. But, it is just hair and if I work hard the weight will come off.

I've got a new buddy to help me along the way. My friend Helen is joining me for my walks. Tonight we went 2.5 miles (3.3 km). I think it took us about 40 minutes. All in all I feel better about everything now (though I still want to put a bag over my hair).

I'm off to bed! Good Night All!

Toes

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So, last night I'm getting my kids ready for bed and throwing all the dirty clothes in the laundry room. I went to turn around and leave the kids bathroom when I caught my pinky toe on the bathroom door. After the initial blinding pain was over and I'd managed to sit down I looked at my toe. I then looked at my other toe to compare because the one I stubbed on the door looked funny.

Then I got creeped out because I was sure the toe was broken - my pinky toe was pointing in a way it shouldn't. As I tried NOT to look at my toe and tried to "walk it off" I realized this was more painful than the other times I've severely bruised my stupid pinky toe.

I had my son go get the phone so I could call my husband - poor guy rarely goes out and I call him home. Then I proceeded to put the boys to bed while hoping on one foot. Crawled up two flights of stairs and put Riley to bed too. Luckily they all went down without a fuss. Ben stopped at his parents and picked up his mom. My mother in law Kathy took me to emerg while Ben stayed home with the kids.

I hopped into the emerg and eventually ended up in a wheel chair because according to the nurse "X-Ray is too many hops". We waited a lot which I expected since a broken toe isn't really an emergency. Eventually we saw the doc and she showed me my X-Ray. My toe was dislocated with a possible fracture. So, she proceeds to tell me there are two ways of doing this. One is to have two needles stuck into my foot to numb the area first. The other is grin and bear it while she pops it back in place. I'm like let's just get it done and over with. (The idea of the needles creeped me out.)

So, doc takes me into an observation room and tells me to hold onto something and proceeds to pop my toe back in place and then tape them up. Then it was back to X-Ray to make sure it was back in place and straight.

Sure enough everything is back in place and I got to see the X-Ray to prove it. Also, since this one shows another angle we see that my toe is in fact broken, but not badly. Treatment is the same either way. Keep the toe taped up and it should heal in 3-4 weeks.

Kathy went to get the car and here was the real test...putting pressure on it for the first time since it was popped back in place and tapped. What's this? I CAN WALK! The poor guy with the leg in a brace must have thought I was crazy! In total we were only at the hospital for 3 hours which considering my toe is now in the right place and I can walk isn't too bad! It doesn't even hurt too badly today.

I have not yet tried to put shoes on, but I'm working from home Monday - Thursday so I think I'll wait until I absolutely have to! Looks like I'm going to have to wait on running for a bit.

New Shoes!

Well, I bought new shoes from The Running Room. The staff was so helpful and didn't make me feel like I don't belong. It also didn't take me very long! I went on my 30 minute lunch break. I tried on 4 pairs of shoes, and ended up with Brooks Trance 8. I've got 30 days to try my new shoes as long as I don't wear them outside. So, I paid for a month at Walter Baker to use the treadmill and work in my new shoes.

I went to the gym last night after dinner to do Day 4 from my 3 week guide. I was not able to run for 2 minutes, but I was able to follow day 2 with the 1/1 for 10. So I ran for 5 minutes! They suggest if you can run for 2 minutes to try running at a slower pace, so I'll give that a try today.

The new shoes are a lot better than I've previously had. I think I still have to get used to them and to find the right tightness of the laces. Overall they're the best fit I've probably ever had in a running shoe! I finally let go of my shoe cheapness and went with the best fit. I admit it hurt a lot to pay $180 for a pair of shoes! If I really want to give running my best shot, get in shape and lose weight I've got to invest in a decent pair of shoes. It's easy to not work hard if your feet hurt.

Excerpt from 3 Weeks to a 30-Minute Running Habit
Today's run: Warm up with a 5-10 minute walk. Run 2/1 x5. Then, run 1/1 x5. (Run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute for 5 times for a total of 15 minutes. Keep running, but change to running 1 minute, walking 1 minute for another 5 more times. Your overall total time for the run, not counting your warm-up and cool-down is 25 minutes.) Cool down with a 5-10 minute walk. Don't worry if running two minutes at a time feels difficult. It will get easier! You just need to stick with it.

Trackname: Day 4
Date: Friday Mar. 19, 2010 19:16 pm
Distance: 2.98 mi
Duration: 00:30:17 Exercise Type: Running

Dignity

I'd like to talk to you about something a little different today. I know the bible says to give in secret, but I want to share something with you.

There is a woman who sits on Metcalfe St in Ottawa. Her name is Mo. She's not homeless per se, but her life is on the streets. I can't explain why, but I feel drawn to her. I used to walk by her everyday when I worked at on Elgin St and I started bringing her coffee and a muffin or bagel. I've stopped to have real conversations with her.

I haven't been by to see her in a long time, between running late and working from home, but I think of her often. This morning I was early for work and went to see her. She still remembers me and even though I can smell the booze on her breath, I care.

We talked this morning, she's sick again. You see a lot of people walk by her and ignore her. People with a cold or the flu walk by her and cough on her. How hard is it to turn your head toward the street instead of the woman sitting on the sidewalk?

I've sat with her, I've hugged her when she cried and I still can't explain why she touches me so. I have to hope that it's some sort of call from God and have faith that I'm making some sort of small difference in her life, even if it's not often.

I admit I don't feel the same about every person I see on the street and maybe I should. I do try to acknowledge their existence. I remember we had a speaker at our church who said even if you can't give them money just give them the dignity of looking them in the eye. I've kept that with me and I try to at least smile and say hello.

Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Psalm 86:1-3

Rest Day

Image by lululemon athletica via Flickr

Today is a rest day! WOOT! See you tomorrow.

Excerpt from 3 Weeks to a 30-Minute Running Habit
Congratulations! You completed your first two runs and you've reached your first rest day. That's right, you're not running today. Give yourself a well-deserved break from exercise. Or, if you have the energy and the motivation, do some cross-training. Go for a hike, ride a bike, or take a yoga class. But whatever you do, make sure you take it easy. Rest days are important to give your running muscles a break and help prevent injury.

Day 2 - Completed

Good evening! Well, I didn't think I'd make it. Every time I decided that's it I'm going to go I procrastinated or something came up with the kids. Finally, Ben all but kicked me out of the house and told me to just go. So, I did and I feel so much better too! I was all grumpy before I went but now I feel great.

I ran for about 6 minutes total because my shins and feet were hurting badly. I`m going to have a look at New Balance this weekend to see if I can pick up a new pair of runners. I went to the New Balance website and did their Total Fit Test. I think I found a pair of shoes.The price is right and their pretty!!

Day 2: Here's your workout for today: Start with a 5-10 minute warm-up walk. Run 1/1 x 10. (Run 1 minute, walk 1 minute, ten times, for a total of 20 minutes.) Finish with a 5-10 minute cool-down walk. This is the same workout you did yesterday, so you can definitely do it!

Trackname:
Date:	Wednesday Mar. 17, 2010 18:58 pm
Distance:	1.92 mi
Duration:	00:30:32
Exercise Type:	Running

Day 1 - Completed!

Completed Day 1: Let's Get Started

Today's run: Start with a 5-10 minute warm-up walk. Run 1/1 x 10. (Run 1 minute, walk 1 minute, ten times, for a total of 20 minutes.) Finish up with a 5-10 minute cool-down walk. Remember to take it easy and don't worry about your pace at all.

Okay, so in reality I walked for 10, ran 1 minute, walked 1 minute for 10 minutes and then walked for the rest which ended up being another 17 minutes. My lower back really hurt, but I endured. I'm sure tomorrow I'll be able to do a little more. For now I'm just excited that I set out to get out there and I actually did it!

Trackname:	Day 1
Date:	Tuesday Mar. 16, 2010 15:46 pm
Distance:	2.4 mi
Duration:	00:37:29
Exercise Type:	Walking (with a little running)

Spring has Sprung!

Hello Spring! How I've missed you!

Isn't it wonderful? The days are brighter, the weather is warmer, the snow is almost gone and it hasn't even been slushy! Can you believe it's already the middle of March?! It feels like waking up from the darkness of despair and coming out into the light of life!

With the nice weather comes the urge to get out and get some exercise. Last night we all went for a walk after

dinner. It wasn't a very fast walk or very far but it was nice to be outside and spend time together as a family.

This weekend was super productive, I realize now I must have been spring cleaning without meaning to. We've had a lot of trouble getting Riley to sleep over the past month. Seems to be since she got sick in February first with the flu then with a cold. It got to the point even if she woke in the middle of the night she refused to go back to bed.

Friday night was bad, I thought I'd finally worked out a new routine with her, but she woke at 3 am and started freaking out when I wanted her to go back to sleep. It was then I realized the real problem and that's the neighbors. They're young and were having a party. It wasn't a loud party by any real standards, but Riley's room is right above the front door. So, Saturday I set out to switch Riley's room with my office and she's slept well ever since! She loves her new room and even plays in it. In the process I organized my office which in itself is HUGE!

Well, as you know it's March. October is only 7 months away. That means I've got 7 months to get in shape for the CIBC Run for the Cure 2010! Check out my donation page. I'm not sure when they switch everything over to a new year, but I'm already preparing. So, to get started I'm going to follow an About.com program 3 Weeks to a 30-Minute Running Habit.

Day 1: Let's Get Started

Today's run: Start with a 5-10 minute warm-up walk. Run 1/1 x 10. (Run 1 minute, walk 1 minute, ten times, for a total of 20 minutes.) Finish up with a 5-10 minute cool-down walk. Remember to take it easy and don't worry about your pace at all.

I'll let you know how it goes!