Moving!

It's been a crazy couple months.  I received a job offer I couldn't refuse in Minnesota, so that turned Chris and my world upside down quite a bit!  It was a great opportunity for me to do what I love and the area is BEAUTIFUL!  The bluffs and river are scenic and the city of about 30,000 offers enough for us to do but is still small enough to not be too chaotic.  It's great to be able to get everywhere in 5 minutes too!  There are trails around the lake, other hiking trails, a YMCA, running clubs and all sorts of activities that we can do to help maintain a healthy lifestyle!  There's even a triathlon right here in June!  Here's a few photos of the area....enjoy!

Ann

Update!

It's been a while and we apologize for that!  Things have been crazy!!!  Work has been nuts and Ann quit her job this June so things are a little up in the air.  We led a school group on a 9 day trip to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Lichtenstein in early April which was the highlight of the year for us ( look for a separate post soon!) and then we had to deal with the never ending winter and shingling my roof. I'm still nursing my herniated disc although I believe I'm on the positive end of things now.  I had a follow up MRI in July that showed the main disc problem (L5/S1) was almost all healed with only a slight protrusion remaining and is slightly touching the nerve on occasion.  I still have a few slight bulges in the lumbar area also.  It seems like it's taken forever to get through this considering I injured it last October.  The plan going forward is an "overall" approach with inversion table daily, continued McKenzie exercises, yoga, planks, and other related core exercises and stretches.  My "hope" is to be able to start light training in a couple months leading to a full on program come the first of the year.  After taking a year off from triathlons and basically exercise in general it's been hard keeping the weight off but I've done it.  The downside is my fat % has gone up a little.  I also didn't have a release for stress this year so that's played havoc on me.  I'm trying to look at the big picture and thinking towards my goal of a Half Iron distance race next summer.

Chris

 

New running shoes!

I needed a new pair of running shoes so I thought I would give the Hoka's a try since Chris loves his soooo much!  Got a great deal on them since they were last years model.  Also ordered some "Speed Laces" with Zero Friction guides.  Now we just need some better weather!

Ann

New Personal Record on leg press!

What started out as a slow workout ended awesome with me hitting the 700 pound mark on leg press for 6 reps!  So stoked!

Ann

Rehabbing herniated disc-Update

Well, I'm about 11 weeks post herniated disc, L5/S1. Didn't have much relief until I received an epidural 5 weeks ago. Shooting pain down the leg and calf almost gone but my back and hip still get sore. Since the shot and initial improvement following it I have seen a little improvement but nothing earth shattering. Slightly concerned that I'm approaching the 3 month mark and don't feel anywhere near healed. Haven't been able to do much other than light walking on the treadmill and some swimming with a swim buoy between the legs. Hoping this doesn't drag out 4, 5, 6 months and they say "let's operate". It would end my season. As it is I wanted to do a 70.3 and thinking that may be a long shot at this moment since I would need to start training around mid Feb or by the first of March. Trying to keep perspective of things saying to myself it's ok if I have to stick to sprints or maybe a late season Oly vs. not doing anything this year. Also doing some hanging on the inversion table to see if that helps!

Pesto Calzone!

Pesto calzone! Thin artisan crust. Inside is onion, tomato, garlic, feta cheese, parmesan, basil, and a little olive oil. on top of crust sprinkle a little Sun Dried Tomato Mrs. Dash and mozzarella then bake at 400 for 22 min.  Yum!

Rehabing my Herniated Disc

Well, I'm about 6 weeks into my herniated disc problem.  The disc is pressing on the nerve root coming out of my spine at L5/S1 that goes to the left side.  My back hip area was hurting pretty good and after 2 rounds of predizone I honestly didn't see much difference.  I have been doing cobra stretches which haven't helped much but I'm told they work to compress the disc back into the spine over time.  Instead of prednizone which caused me some sleepless nights and irratibility I opted for a heavy round of Advil which seemed to work as well, if not a little better than the predizone.  This past Tuesday I went in for an epidural shot of cortizone in my back.  I will tell everyone right here and now that when it comes to needles I am a wuss!  I was a little scared to do this but the doctors gave some IV to sedate me a little and before I knew it I was done!  Over the past couple days my back has felt a little achy like when you do too much yard work but the nerve issue into my butt and leg is almost gone.  I still get a numb feeling in my toe which I'm told is not a good thing.  They want the numbness and pain to be moving up towards my back and out of my leg.  Stay tuned.......

Chris