Friday Mishmash

Thanks for the comments on my race outfit post - I've ordered the Team Sparkle skirt in turquoise, in two sizes.  Even though they had measurements that correspond to their sizing chart, I couldn't commit to a particular size, so I'll try both on and return the one that doesn't fit.  Hate having to pay for shipping for the return, but I wanted to play it safe.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this?  I bought a blue sparkly Sweaty Band last night, and I was reminded that I need earrings to complete the ensemble, so I pulled out the little amethyst earrings that I wore for all of my races in 2010:

 

These belonged to my Grandmother - she had a very gung ho attitude about life, and I like wearing something of hers when I race.

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Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my ankle surgery.  While my ankle doesn't feel 100% perfect, it is so much better than before the surgery, and I'm glad I had it done.  Also?  I'm very happy to be able to run again - but you probably knew that, right?

Speaking of ankle pain - yes, it does still hurt sometimes.  Running doesn't usually bother it, unless I happen to step on an uneven part of a sidewalk with my right foot...then, I get quite the zinger of pain shooting straight to my ankle.  And while running is OK, jumping on it (like doing jumping jacks, jump rope, or burpees) instantly hurts.  So no jumping for me (Awww, no more burpees, ever?  I can live with that!).

Unfortunately, along with the remainders of my right ankle pain, I also have left foot pain, in the form of my arch, which I'm guessing is tendonitis, and the bony part of the top of my left foot, which Dr. Google tells me is a bone spur.  Treatment for that looks to be surgery where the spur is either chipped off or ground down, and honestly, it hurts me enough that I'm going to visit my orthopedist and discuss taking care of it - but not until next summer, probably, as I want to be able to finish racing season this spring.  In the meantime, I've been throwing everything I can at it to help relieve the pain - ice, Motrin, and for the last week or so, some topical pain relief ointments.  I was very skeptical about these, but honestly, I think they do help - my foot will be aching, and within a few minutes after putting the ointment on, I don't notice the pain.  At this point, even if it's somewhat of a placebo, I'll gladly take it!

My running buddy Erica brought me the Doctor Hoy's and the Topricin, and I ordered the Penetrex after hearing Helen talk about it.  I haven't used the Doctor Hoy's yet, but the others seem to be helping - hurray for that!

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Paco diet update:  I swear that dog is messing with me.  Now that I've cut his food back quite a bit, he's not even finishing what I give him!  Hunger strike?  I wonder...

Why wud I mess wif you?  Not liek you starving me or anyting...

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Longtime commenter Chrissy asked me last week how my parents and kids are doing - thanks for the interest, Chrissy!  My mom has started learning how to play the ukelele, under the guise of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" - my dad has been playing regularly ever since they went to Hawaii in 2010 - he bought a ukelele there, and then joined a uke group in their town.  That group is going to Hawaii in January to participate in a week-long ukelele camp, so mom figured she might as well play, too.  One of these days we'll have a Partridge family-style band jam session - Sam plays the trumpet, Max can do a little keyboard, and I've got something up my sleeve as well.

Sam is doing great - he's traveled quite a bit for his job and even went to Winnipeg, Canada recently.  He's going to do a guest post for me around Thanksgiving with an update on some major changes that he's been working on.  Max is in his last year of college (yes, we all are doing a happy dance about that!) and is on track to graduate in May with a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Computer Science.  I asked him if they were going to give him two diplomas and he said yes...that's twice the framing fun for me, but I don't mind.  We are looking forward to having both the kids come home for a few days around Thanksgiving next month!

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Tomorrow we have another 9 mile run on tap, but it's supposed to be sunny and dry.  Nice.  Then, because we are nothing if not crazy committed, we're going to the kickoff event for the Armadillo Dash, where we'll sign up for another half marathon - this one will be on March 3, 2013.

Have a great weekend!