First let me apologize to the Maddens. I believe that I never responded either way to their offer to host a gathering at their house. That was truly inconsiderate of me. I am doing sit ups right now as punishment.
Work has been pretty crazy as my clients are trying to get things resolved by year end. Since September, we have added four associates to the firm and I have been running around dealing with stuff. I do see a light at the end of the tunnel (ie, December 31st).
I hope that you all have been able to continue your workouts as I think I left mine in Toronto (or Houston). Having signed up for Philly and Nations, I realize that by January I better start getting in gear or I will drown in a river.
Here is a picture of the girls for Christmas...I am off to Houston again for hopefully my last trip of the year. Oh wait, I may have to be in Kansas City for a meeting...ugh...
Merry Christmas!
10 comments:
Hi Chuck - The girls look absolutely precious in their Christmas dresses.
To ALL: Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Maybe when the new year comes we can all get back to the business of triathlons. Until then, Bernadette and I understand all the family distractions, we too are guilty of the recent scheduling confusion. Bernadette's shoulder surgery will be tomorrow morning. I am taking the day off to be with her then take her home to rest. See you all soon. God Bless.
Chuck - great picture! Your girls are adorable! Good luck with the traveling.
Bernadette - I hope your surgery goes well and that you have a speedy recovery!
To all - happy holidays! I wish everyone some rest and relaxation this Christmas! No one gets enough of it anymore...
As far as races go, mine are on hold. I'm not sure how much of this I've shared on the blog, but I'll fill you all in now. It seems that I've developed achilles tendonitis and more often than not, I can't even walk because of the pain. Luckily it doesn't last long. However, it is accompanied by lower back pain. So, while I was at this breakfast with santa, a woman started telling me about this guy who had the same symptoms as me...knee pain, was a runner, orthopedic doc said nothing was wrong, and he even had surgery and they cleaned up his knee but found nothing wrong. Turned out it was his lower back.
All this led me to talk to this guy...who happens to be a chiropractor. All this time I thought it was my knee...until I talked to him and then went in and saw my X-rays. The problem is that my right hip is lower than my left, effectively smashing everything in my right leg which then causes my left to compensate. My spine is twisted at the bottom, too. I'm not sure what happened first (the old chicken or the egg scenario) but regardless, I'm trying to get it fixed. The chiropractor was my last resort after the orthopedic doc said there was nothing wrong with my knee.
The chiropractor is going to first work on straightening my spine and getting my hips back in line. Then we'll do physical therapy to strengthen the areas that were weakened by compensating all this time. Then we'll work on my gait and undoing the bad habits I've created because of my hip. (Which you've all witnessed and commented on, thank you!)
After three sessions, I'm pretty sore. He said my progress is good, though...better than he expected after just 3 visits. Doctors orders are to see him 3 times a week and maybe after 8 weeks I'll be where I need to be. If I went less it would take longer but that is an option, too.
After 8 weeks, we'll see about my race plans. At this point, I have no plans to take the whole season off, but I need to undo all the damage I've done over the last two+ years. I'm not going to sign up for Philly until I know my body can handle it again. Right now I feel like a puppet on strings and my legs go wherever they want, whenever they want. So, we'll see! If I don't do Philly then I'll definitely be there to either volunteer or cheer people on!
Phew! Sorry - that was long! It makes up for not being on the blog for awhile!
Again - happy holidays! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Chuck: Very adorable photo!! Hopefully you will be in a single zip code for a while. =)
Madden Clan: Glad to hear that the surgery went well Ms.Bernadette... I am confident your recovery will rock... especially with Dave taking care of you!
Beth: UGH! That sounds horrible... but at least you now have an answer and things can get better. Time and patience... which I like better than slow and steady! =)
Michealle: It's almost time for our date with Mickey and Crew... here's hoping the Magic Kingdom is magical on my bad knee.
GOOD NEWS... my meniscus is not torn... just badly inflamed etc because apparently I have Plica Syndrome... which is some weird horrible swelling/jacked up part of knee that not everyone even has (LUCKY ME... I got them and they are ANGRY with me).... soooo, the first attack is using an ultrasound to inject the plica and hopefully make them happy again... if that doesn't work... they will cut them out. The good news is that the shot should lessen the pain a little... hopefully enough for 26.2!! We'll see!!!
HAPPY, MERRY, eat lots of yummy food and enjoy time with friends, family etc.
See you in 2009!!
All,
Have great holidays! I'm going to NYC for no particular reason other than to get out of the house. I'm looking forward to running around up there for a few days.
Beth, Shannon and Bernadette: Heal up, girls! You don't deserve to be injured. Take it slow and get nurtured.
Last weekend my "long" run was 11.5 miles, the longest I've ever run. Went home and eased into a cold water bath - and lasted until it started to hurt, which was about 15 seconds. I swear it helped, though.
Can't wait to get planning for next season!
Hi ALL - Bernadette's shoulder injury was more extensive then originally thought and therefore required more cutting and stitching. She is resting at home floating above the sheets on oxicoden, but still in pain.
Beth - I hope all of your problems get improved. Shannon is right that at least you now know what needs to be fixed. Get well quickly.
Shannon - Good luck with the Mickey Run and I am glad to hear that your knee is not soooo bad.
Michealle - enjoy the big city. Good luck with the Mickey Run. The cold baths helped me but I was able to stay in for 15 minutes. I get into the tub first then turn on the cold water, the cold creeps up on you instead of the big shock.
Chuck - Merry Christmas with the family and those cute little girls, these are the precious years, that will quickly fade into memories.
We are all sounding like a bunch of old people. That is my excuss but what is everyone else's?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL. See you all soon.
Hi all, Merry Christmas. Sharp pain has faded into throbbing pain that never wants to go away, Doing things one handed is awkward. I had to listen to a teleconference at home the other day and it was hard to tske notes, only could wirte about 3 inches on the paper. Also having a little trouble reading what I wrote, guess I shouldn't have taken the percocet so close to the meeting, who Hope some one at work listened in also. Not sure about me race schedule this summer. Have to wait until i see the Doctor, do PT etc before i make any decisions. Have some great photo's of my shoulder if any one is interested.
Shannon, Glad to hear about knee, good luck in Disney, hope the pica's go away.
Beth, now you know what's wrong you can fix it. good luck with pt
shelly, stay healthy and god luck in disney
chuck, love the picture. they are so cute
sorry no capitals in the last part of the note. i was trying two handed typing but it hurt too much to continue, capitals one handed are really hard
MERRY CGRISTMAS
Hotel for Nation's Tri: www.stateplaza.com. The rooms are $109 + tax, have two queen beds and a kitchen. I stayed there last year when I went down to volunteer, and there was plenty of room for the bike. The rooms were formerly small apartments, hence the kitchen.
The location is a short bike ride from transition.
Of course, there's always Chez Shannon.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Happy Almost New Year! Just wanted to let everyone know that I will not, due to schedule conflicts, be hosting a Rose Bowl/Penn State celebration on Thursday. Sorry!
Hang in there Bernadette. I always found that a couple shots of tequila always make the aches and pains go away (for short term relief only).
Thanks Chuck. Happy New Year to all
Hey Chuck - I'm glad I checked the blog. Now I don't have to worry about doing anything on Jan. 1st except nurse a hangover.
We all sound old, don't we? I started rehab yesterday and it seemed so absurd that I had to bounce on a ball for 60 seconds and count that as rehab! The chiropractor must be doing something, though. Walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes on Sunday killed my lower back! Everything is going to be sore for awhile but hopefully these 8 weeks will be worth it. I put my other gym membership on "freeze" status for three months. I'll get back to the pool in April. That should be enough time. I don't think I'm doing the Philly Olympic Tri this year. I'll be there to support everyone else, though!
Bernadette - good luck with PT! Shelly & Shannon - have a great race in Disney! Take pics!
Happy New Year!
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