Tuesday, The last day of JUNE!

Just wanted to wish you a happy last day of the month. Work gets busy for me at the end of the month. Didn't know if you experienced the same. Todd, hope your program you did this weekend is a great success! Sarah, I hope you have a great week... as you both ramp up towards the holiday weekend! Have fun!!!

Todd, I just read your comment. I think the icing and the NSAIDs will help. Glad you saw a DR for an Xray to check for traumatic injury. I think though, based on personal experience, and what you're describing, it sounds like overuse injury. Resting and once healed up strength exercises are the best things you can do. I'm glad you're getting it checked out to make sure you didn't tear anything, and to double check for a trauma injury. I'm hoping you're okay. Keep me posted on your recovery process!

Cute stuff for baby!

Derek and I were shopping at Marshalls for running gear and he found these adorable baby outfits, including babycroc shoes and he just had to buy them for our niece! SOO CUTE! I'm not sure if they'll fit her, but we included the tags and the receipt in case it doesn't. (We got 12 month sized stuff.) Derek got really excited when he picked them out, and hopes that they'll fit! Anywho, I dropped them in the mail today... so you should get by the weekend or next week!
Marshall's has some screaming deals! I love it! They don't always have items that fit in my size, but I was super stoked when I got a $30 pair of shorts (I know that is how much they cost because I had bought a pair full price at a running store) for $12! The deals rock! I hope you have one nearby!

Saturday Picnic

We went to Sarah's work picnic today. Last night we went to sushi with Curtis and Sara. I won't be up too much longer today because I have to go to work tomorrow at 3:30 am - 8:00am. My big project I was working on launches this weekend.

Friday Fun!

I hope you guys have fun this weekend! Do something cool. I'm broke now because of all the auto bills, rent, and other life expenses... so I hope you both live it up for me!!!

Knee Pain ?

First you should figure out exactly where your pain is so that you can figure out what to do to remedy the situation. Here is how to figure out if you have an ITBAND sitch or Runner's knee. Dad had the ITBand issue (as did I at one time) and Derek has runner's knee... http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_5/194.shtml

exercises to help...

http://www.mhc.uiuc.edu/Handouts/overusekneeinjuries/overusekneeinjuries.htm

patellar sublux?

http://www.ehow.com/how_2144128_deal-patellar-subluxation.html

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_subluxin_rex.htm

Most all of the running injuries, basically require the same treatment. RICEM. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate, and my favorite add-on MEDICATE. If you aren't planning on resting though, don't use heat treatment, it will only make the inflammation and pain WORSE.

In my oppinion the two that will help you the most...

*Ice after every run for 10-15 minutes. (you can elevate while you do this as it is tough to apply ice walking around..)

*MEDICATION, NSAIDS! 1-2 tablets every 3-4 hours for 7-10 days. This should reduce the inflammation and swelling.. and help also relieve the pain because the joints won't be inflamed.

Best wishes skinny minnie!

And the best theraputic exercise you can do is stand on one foot, and with the other leg, toe pointed, kick it out, and in, in a complete circle, like you are making a clock... there should be 5 kick out and backs. This will work the stabalizing muscles in the leg and hips. And repeat with the other leg. Do this entire routine on each leg 4-5 times.

other helpful exercises, there is a picture on this link which is helpful...

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_knee-ili_rex.htm

training for a 5k

So, I've been running everyday as well as lifting free weights and doing situps. Hopefully I'll be ready in 2.5 weeks for a 3 mile run... The plus side to all of this is that I'm losing weight, although I doubt I'll ever look like the above picture again.

Happy Father's Day Todd!

Happy Father's day! I hope it was fantastic! What did you guys do? I'm so excited about coming in for Ellie's first birthday! It will be soo much fun! She is growing so fast! Exciting stuff! 10 weeks!

NEW ELLIE PICS

OMG SHE IS THE CUTEST BABY IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love my niece!

Let's get physical, physical!

Whoever thought a song about making out would be a workout anthem? You know?!?!

I'm really thrilled about your run yesterday! That is exciting! You'll find that you'll improve exponentially in the beginning. Also the elyptical will really help because it is very low impact, and great for the joints!

I gave you a breakdown of the pace for different finish times. So if your goal is to finish in 30 minutes - you'll actually be faster than 10 min/mile since a 5k is longer than 3 miles. I'm excited for you! Keep me posted on your training!

Run - Walk Paths

Hey, sent you an email with run/ walk paths in your hood. The Ramona Loop is 1 1/2 miles.

The emerald out and back is 2 miles. The horseshoe out and back is 3 miles total. I hope this helps you with your 5k training. I ran past that and it is pretty hilly, but also has a nice sidewalk, so it is pedestrian friendly... so if you were wanting to trek further out, it is still sidewalked and nice. If not, no biggy.

I hope you and Sarah have fun this weekend!!!

5k All-Star run

So, Mom, Dad, and I are all going to "run" in the All-Star 5k on July 12th. Its sad that I know both of my parents are in better shape than me... although granted I was probably only in better shape than my mother for a few brief moments of my life.

My mother bought me weights for my birthday to start getting some upper body strength, and last night I bought an elliptical off of craigslist for some low impact training to prepare for the 5k. heck if I happen to lose a few pounds I wouldn't mind that either.

This weekend I plan on going out and purchasing some running shoes and some workout/running clothes. I'll never run a marathon (because thats crazy), but I might start doing some more of these types of things with my parents. I might even get back into biking some day, I used to love that... you know, before I got hit by that car.

Monday morning is here again!

Good morning! I hope you are having a fantastic day. Mine started off a little rough. My badge expired at work (as I am still on contract status, and my contract is at will for my employer) so they set random expiration dates for my badge. I had to wait until someone could be notified to let me in. It is somewhat frustrating to say the least. But I hope it was resolved. So no complaints here.

Mom says Britt's party was nice. Though she didn't get to see much of her, Greg or his family. I guess it was open house style and HUGE. I'm sure she's exhausted from all the driving, but I know she is glad she got to see everyone.

This weekend is father's day. You gonna do anything cool? I think a BBQ would be a lot of fun. But that is just because I like BBQ's and nice weather. I hope that you spend some time w/ the folks, and do something extra awesome since you're a daddy now!

Ellie is so blonde!

She is sooo adorable. I love looking at photos of little Ellie, and seeing all her new outfits! Her hair is coming in so fair and blonde! Gosh, she is really taking after Sarah's side. She looks so much like her mommy and maternal grandmother it is insane! She does remind me of daddy with her blonde blonde hair... but then again, Sarah was a blonde too.

NEW PICTURES! YAY!

YOU MADE MY MORNING! I love naked Ellie! She's soo cute. I don't know why but her crying w/ the toy is pretty cute too! You just want to squeeze her!!!

HOW MANY TEETH DOES SHE HAVE! She's getting a complete smile!

What a beautiful weekend in Arizona. Quite gorgeous really for June. It was in the 80's for most of the weekend, and didn't hit the 90's until 3-4 PM. Derek and I didn't really do much but enjoyed ourselves and the gorgeous weather. I wish it was like that all the time. I'd never move! Ah... but it won't last for too long. We're just enjoying it while we can. This weekend was productive and alcohol free. Though it was perfect weather to belly up to an outdoor bar and enjoy the afternoon... it was even better for running!!! This picture was taken of the flowers by our pool.. pretty huh?

Anywho... just looking for the pics of Ellie to be posted. She's so beautiful! Anywho, miss you both!

So you think you can dance?

So what do you think of the top 20? I'm not sure. It didn't seem like they really picked the best dancers, but picked for what they think will capture the most viewers and make for an interesting group of individuals. I'm happy Brandon made it, but was really irritated that Mia and lilC? basically ripped on not liking him as a person when they don't even know him. It really was uncalled for in my opinion. I like him, and I think HE CAN dance - and didn't think they were making him eat humble pie, but she's all like... look at me, I have emmy's blah blah blah. I'm starting to really think she SUCKS. So we'll see if I like the season....

Happy Thursday! The weekend is coming, any sweet plans in the works? Just 2 more weeks til father's day. That is pretty cool. Derek and I don't have anything planned. I think we'll just relax. We've had a rather expensive couple of months, and they've been exhausting... so I think we'll just be laying low, working off the fat, and taking it easy! I hope you both enjoy yourselves.

You watching so you think you can dance? I am... so far the judges are really snarky, esp Mia Michaels. She is downright nasty at times. I hope the guy that didn't make it last year makes it top 20 this year. He is talented and did this awesome floor crawl move, and I'd LOVE to see that again.

9 months!

Wow, time sure flies with little Ellie around! She is such a doll! I mailed a package to mom and dad's (nigel brought their medals out here, so I mailed this dress i got for Ellie along with the medals to our folks house.) I was just shopping at Walmart and found it and just thought it was ADORABLE! I just couldn't resist! Derek and I were shopping for carpets for the floors, and I saw it and had to get it!!! I hope it fits her and isn't too small. I tried to get it big like you asked.. 12 months, right?

Anywho- you said she was a trooper about the finger prick... does that mean she didnt cry?!? That is amazing! i haven't seen any new pics on Ellie's shutterfly in awhile. (It seems all Derek and I do are take pictures to post on my blog and email to our folks... Derek has a blog now... http://www.tisfortriathlete.blogspot.com/ I think he plans to use it mostly to track his triathlon training, but I wanted to pass along the info.)

I miss you both lots! Did you take any pics from the winery on Saturday? If you did I'd love to see!

9 Months Old

Ellie is now 9 months (as of last Friday).

She had her 9 month check-up at the Doctor on Monday. She had to get her finger pricked which caused her to bleed a lot. She was a champ about it though.

Vegas was fun.

What a whirlwind of a trip. Since Friday was basically the only time to ourselves, we didn't get to do much. Friday night, Matt was wanting to walk around to scout out proposal places, as he didn't get around to it earlier, he was lounging poolside...Saturday was 100% what Matt and Sarah wanted to do, and that night was the proposal. So it was pretty busy, and chaotic. Sunday of course was met w/another 6 hr drive... so we just are pooped. The next time we head back, I think we want to make it a little easier w/o someone's engagement tied in. It was cool to be apart of...but actually made it rather stressful for us too. So since we left right after the proposal happened it was all the anxiety and tension around the proposal... but not a lot of the partying afterwards. It was fun, but I think Chaotic is the best way to describe the trip. It is nice to be back, and try to calm things down a bit though. I could use a vacation from all the recent visits! HAH! How was the winery... take any cool pics? I love the wineries... I'm sure you both had a blast...did you head to Hermin or Augusta????