How to stay sane, while unable to run

Since the year has started, I have realized the world isn't going to end if I don't get a good run in. Or a workout, for that matter. I spent most of January having A.R.T. to help me get to the start AND finish of the ING Miami marathon.


The ART helped, and I may have been able to run the full, but not without severely injuring something. At the start of the race, I knew I wasn't going to be able to run the full marathon, pain free. So I took it easy on the half.


I took a little time off and still didn't feel 100% healed and figured complete rest from running was best. This was difficult because I manage anxiety with running. Add to that being diagnosed with a chronic illness, and it's not a good combo. I went out for a few slow runs in February, only to realize by late February, that my IT band was completely healed.


Still, after going almost 2 months with little running, I was kind of enjoying the time off. Sometimes, you have to embrace the trials you are going through. I knew by this time, that the world wasn't going to end if I didn't run. Even though I felt my fitness slipping, it was ok. I could still lift weights.


Now, I am home recovering from surgery and unable to workout for a few weeks. This is how I will keep my sanity:

Read.

Reading has been something I have loved to do, but don't make the time for it.

I caved and read the Hunger Games. Reading is good, especially for us moms, it helps you feel like you are carving out time for yourself.

Organize.

I am not a surface cleaner.

I like to know things are organized in each drawer.

Unfortunately, being a mom of 3 doesn't allow for much time to organize.
I will use this time to tackle a few projects at home.

Plan gatherings.

Easter is coming. My oldest is graduating.
These are things that require planning.
I will use Pinterest to get some ideas for new recipes and party ideas.


Get new workouts.
My workouts have been pretty much the same for much longer than I'm willing to admit.
I plan on fining some good workouts and making them my own with some tweaking.
Then I will post on here and maybe on Pinterest too.


Make some meal plans.
Having to get out of the house by 5:15 with everybody fed isn't an easy task.
Having a month's worth of meal plans for those busy weeks will save time.
And I will share on here.


Try new recipes.
I am a creature of habit and eat the same foods over and over.
I plan on incorporating some new foods into our routine.
Of course, I will share those on here.

Turkey-veggie meatloaf.

Have you ever been sidelined with an injury? Or have you had surgery and had to be out for a few weeks?

How did you manage to keep your sanity? 

First quarter of 2012

It's hard to believe we are almost a quarter into the new year. My blogging has been less than consistent and well, I will have to work on that. Being that this year has been about trying to achieve balance, blogging is low on my list of priorities. That will change once I can keep my head above water. So far, this is what has happened this year:

I got injured before the Miami Marathon. Tried out Active Release Therapy for the first time and am a believer. Also received my first "cupping" treatment.

Managed to still run the half "for fun", meaning, not race it.

After having some health problems, and much testing, I was diagnosed with gastroparesis. Only to find out a month later I was misdiagnosed.

Celebrated my baby girl's birthday. She turned 18! Isn't she gorgeous?

Celebrated my birthday, the day after. Still thinking I had gastroparesis.

Ran a 5k with my sister. (Only to visit the ER later that night.)

Visited the ER a total of 54 times. Okay, not that much, but it felt like it. Found out later the pain was from gallbladder attacks. The gallbladder is a pesky little thing. No pictures from the ER. I will spare you that.

Hosted a 10 week bible study at my house on Monday nights.

Went to games Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights. Saturday games and practice. Sunday church, practice and family dinners. This means going to practice in church clothes, after inhaling Pita Pit on the way.

See Pita Pit cup in left hand.

This is her 4th year playing Lacrosse. She has the pink net.

<3 They are having so much fun.

Had my gallbladder removed yesterday, and was home by last night. The fact that I am able to type without falling asleep is beyond me. I am sore, but it's tolerable with pain meds.


And all this while still managing to Eat Clean, ahem, minus those darn peanut butter eggs! Just when those evil girl scout cookies are gone, the Easter candy arrives!

My sister's first 5k

I will tell you that I am not a big fan of 5k's. When you race them, they are hard! I like the laid-back feeling of longer races. Plus, normally Saturdays are my long-run days and I can't waste a long-run day on a 5k!

A few weeks ago was an exception. My sister was running her first 5k.  told her I was going to wear camo, combat boots and something about a megaphone? I was only kidding. We ran/walked and it was fun!

It was a muggy day and a friend and I car-pooled the 45 minute drive to the race. We did a mile warm-up. My IT band was still healing and it felt good.

Here we are finishing the race.

Melissa and I

My sister and I.

The whole gang.

How do you feel about 5k's?


Do you run races with family members?

A second opinion

What a crazy past few weeks! I went to a new specialist a week ago and he told me I DO NOT have gastroparesis! He thinks the pain I've been having is from my gall bladder. The other doctor was so quick to diagnose me and the test that was used indicated that indeed, my stomach is slow to empty, however, it's not bad enough to be classified as GP.

Thank you Jesus!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. It's been an emotional roller coaster. I didn't eat any fruit, except for bananas for a MONTH! I was terrified to eat anything that wasn't GP friendly.

On another note, it's made me pray for people DAILY that deal with this illness. Just because I don't have it doesn't mean I will forget about it, and the people that suffer with it. I learned that it very well could be me. We are not immune to anything and there are no guarantees in life.

I have some catching up to do (blog-wise), as I am not home most weeknights and most of the weekend. Gotta love having all three kids in sports!!