The Good, The Bad & Well....

There ain't no ugly around here!  haha  I've been gone from this blog for awhile.  Not much to write about on my running blog when I'm NOT running!  I wanted to give those that care (all two of you, well, that might be pushin' it) an update.

Today was full of highs and lows.  I think I'll start with the lows.  I went back to the doctor today for my one month check up following the needling procedure.  I've had increased pain since the procedure and have had to take recovery pretty slow.  So my prognosis wasn't good.  The doc said 80% of people with Achilles problems get back on their feet after 6-8 weeks of rest, ice, etc.  The other 20%, are like me.  Tendons just don't heal and it takes FOREVER to get better.  How lucky am I?!  I relayed my frustrations to him and he was empathetic.  He said we just have to keep on the same path and hope that it gets better with time.  The next aggressive procedure would be taking my own blood, spinning it out to just platelets and injecting them directly into the tendon.  It's a new procedure that most insurance companies don't cover.  He charges $600 to have it done.  So I'm gonna stay with my physical therapy program and keep my fingers crossed.  He did have the athletic trainer make a pad for the back of my heal.  My shoes tend to rub on my tendon and cause more pain throughout the day.  I'm hoping that will quit exacerbating the pain and increase the healing process.

I did ask him if I could participate in a mud run that I entered months ago.  He said YES!  He warned me that I would hurt afterwards but I should go have some fun.  I think he could really tell that I'm about to lose it.  He told me to get a pair of soccer cleats and wear clothes that I don't mind throwing away.  Of course, I went straight to Academy and bought those cleats.  They had some on clearance for $9.98!

So the mud run decision was a positive but so was this...

I reached my goal weight today!!!!  Yep, I'm down to 135 and couldn't feel better.  I started back to the gym last week.  Spend the majority of my time lifting weights.  I do some on the elliptical machine too.  I really want to get toned.

The husband just HAD to take my picture this morning before I left for the doctor.  I was going to the gym afterwards.  I don't usually wear this outfit to town.

The husband was telling my how to pose.  Which hand to put where and which foot to put in front.  It was pretty funny.

Hope all you're running/weight loss/healthy eating goals are going well!  Until next time, peace out!

An Answer to Your Question...

I got a question about how much weight I lost.  Navy Wife was very sweet and said I didn't have to answer.  But really, I'm an open book.  It doesn't bother me.  So first let me say I am 5'7".  Now let's get to the numbers!

So in late December, when I decided to start running again, I weighed 164 lbs.  I couldn't even find a picture of me during that time.  Guess I made a point not to have it taken!

The "heavier" picture in the last post was on February 20th.  I was down a few pounds to 157.6 lbs.

Then on June 3rd, I started My Fitness Pal and counting calories.  At that time, I was 153.6 lbs.  I had been running but was having no luck with losing.  I mean from February to June, I only lost FOUR pounds!

The "skinnier" picture is me at 138 lbs.  My goal is 135.

So what does that translate into clothing sizes.  Well, I went from a size tight 10 to a perfect 4!

**Achilles news....I went back to physical therapy yesterday.  We started back at square one.  I'm still very stiff and sore from the procedure.  They added ultrasound to my treatment yesterday.  Go back in the morning.  Fingers crossed and prayers that this is going to work.**

Before and After

I have almost reached my weight loss goals.  Wanted to show some before and after pics.

This picture was taken at the end of February.  I had been trying to lose some weight since the last of December.  It wasn't going very well.

Ugh, I hate looking at this picture.



Well, early June, I started on My Fitness Pal.  The results speak for themselves.  It's all been about my eating cause I've not been able to run.  Here I am this morning before work...




A male coworker asked me where my butt went today!  And my husband said I was "super model pretty".  Doesn't that make a girl feel good!

I know I feel a lot better about my image. This is the body that matches the picture in my head.  Now I just need to tone it up and get back to running!

Keep up the hard work!

Still Fighting

I've been slacking on my running blog.  I guess it's because I'M NOT RUNNING!  Achilles is still messed up.  I had a needling procedure done two weeks ago.  Was then placed in a walking boot.

I'm still pretty tender and stiff.  Doctor told me yesterday we will go back to physical therapy and try to progress the healing from here.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I've contacted both marathon race organizers I entered for Dec and January.  They were very understanding and graciously let me change my entries to the half marathon.  I hope to be able to at least do the 13 miles by then.  I figure I can walk/run and get them completed.  No PRs gonna be accomplished, that's for sure!  Then hopefully, I can get back to the marathon training and start this goal over.

My weight loss is still in full force even though my working out has been lacking non-existent.  Counting calories works miracles.  I'm 3 lbs from my goal weight.  I'm hoping to start hitting the gym to do some strength training during the week.  I need to tone up plus it'll help once I do get to run again.

Hope all is well with y'all and your fitness endeavors.

Frustrated Runner, That Be Me!

Monday, I reached my limit.  I couldn't twiddle my thumbs anymore.  I had my follow-up doctor's appointment set for Tuesday and I wanted to provide him with valid information.  So I got back on the treadmill.  This time I walked 1/2 mile, ran 1/2 mile, walked 1/2 mile, ran 1/2 mile, etc. for 2 1/2 miles.  Achilles felt fine walking, hurt running.  But it was bearable.  Then it hit me, I could do this for an entire marathon!  I was completing a mile in 12:50.  That wouldn't be a great marathon time by any means but still under time limits.

Oh, my physical therapist told me I needed arch supports in my running shoes to keep from pronating so much.  I knew I had gotten really bad about rolling my feet in when I ran.  So I went to Academy to pick up insoles and new shoes.  I figured I may have already ruined the pair I had been wearing since January.  Didn't want to take any chances.  Plus who doesn't love new running shoes!

Saw my doctor Tuesday.  I think he hates to open the room door and see me sitting there.  He asked if I was improving.  I told him apparently NOT since it still hurt when I ran even though I've been off of it for a month.  He told me I could continue PT and see what happens or take a more aggressive approach.  He said most runners get very frustrated and want to go to the next option.  HELLO, FRUSTRATED RUNNER HERE!

So my next step is this....dry needling.  Basically, he's going to go in with a needle, poke the tendon to make it bleed thus accelerate the healing process.  The tendon does not have much blood flow so that's why it takes so long to heal.  This will hopefully speed up the process by making blood go to the region.  Sounds like loads of fun, huh!

I asked him what the odds were that this would work.  He said most people see an 80% improvement!  Fingers crossed I'm like most people.  I scheduled the procedure for next Friday.  He said it's best to do it before a weekend so you can lay around for a few days afterward.  Then I will start PT two weeks following that.

On a racing note, I contacted the marathon I entered in December.  Asked to transfer my registration from the marathon to the half marathon.  They said that would be fine.  I figure I will be more likely to complete that than the full.  I hope!

I've Been a Bad Girl

Tomorrow is my last day of therapy.  Next Tuesday is my follow-up doctor's appointment.  So my reasoning says I need to do some running to see how things are progressing.  Right?  That's sounds logical, doesn't it?  Therapy has been difficult for me.  At the beginning of every session, my girl asks how my achilles feels.  And of course I tell her fine.  Then add, but I'm not running so it should feel fine.  I mean really, how is it suppose to feel when you're not doing the one thing that aggravates it!  I told the Husband last weekend I don't think it's better.  It just doesn't hurt because I'm not running.  I know the minute I start running again, the pain will return.

I wanted to be able to tell my therapist and doctor the facts so I decided I would give it a short jog today.  I have been good the entire time and did what I was told.  But I think they need this information to see how I'm doing.  You know what I found out....when I got to about a mile, the pain started.  Only slight twings but still it was coming on.  I decided to walk from that point further.  I was right.

So now where do I go from here?  As I was running, I thought maybe I could do the Jeff Galloway run/walk program for the marathon.  That could possibly help out.  Maybe?  I found a marathon in January that I REALLY want to do.  I AM going to do it.  I'll pass up the one in December but my heart is set on the one in January.

Gonna talk to the therapist tomorrow and see what the doctor has to say on Tuesday.  I really don't see much coming out of either one. :o(

Her Royal Rudeness

My morning started off great.  I got ready for work.  Was able to fit into my old clothes that have just been hanging in my closet.  It's like I have a whole new wardrobe.  The husband told me how pretty I looked.  I thought I was rockin' it!

Then I go to work.  Walk into my office and the first thing my coworker says to me is this...

Coworker: "I see you're still trying to squeeze in your size 4s."

Me: "Squeeze?  No, they fit.  And look, it (the skirt) is loose around the waist." (I pull my waistband out and show her.)

Coworker: "Well, your waist might be small enough for it, but your thighs aren't."

Seriously, why are people rude?  I was stunned my her comments.  I think I know the reasons behind this coworker's nastiness (she has weight loss issues) but really, there was no need for her to lash out at me.

To be fair, I took a picture when I got home from work to show you exactly what I look like.

So are my thighs too big for this skirt?  You can be honest, just not rude.