Injuries

I've been running my entire life.  It was only until I stopped HAVING to run, that I really learned to enjoy it.  I'm not good at it, but I love it.  Nothing like heading outside for a run underneath a cloudless sky.  Unfortunately, the amount of training I've endured while growing up and not taking care of my injury(specifically shin splints), has made working out difficult.  Nothing is more annoying than doing a workout and having a constant pain. 

I have suffered from shin splints for years.  Eventually they got so bad (I was young and didn't care about my body) that my shin splints turned to stress fractures.  So what did I do?  I taped them every soccer practice and every game, which was often.  5-6 times a week.  Oh....and I didn't ice, rest, soak, stretch, hydrate, etc.   I eventually had to go to physio, who told me to purchase orthotics.  What a waste of $450.   They were bullshit and just made buying shoes more difficult. 

Once my soccer career ended, I continued to run.  My shin splints made it difficult, but I continued to try new things in order to figure out a way to live through the pain.  I live in Streetsville and there are so many amazing shops right on the strip.  I decided to check out a store called Du Tri and Run and met owner, Steven Keating.  Ask that man anything and he'll have the answer.  I've been going to him for at least 5 years now.  One of the first things he did for me was fix my biggest problem with my shins.  My shoes.  He let me try a few pairs to make sure I got the right shoe for my foot structure based on how I ran.  I can't even begin to tell you the difference I felt while running!  Then there was stretching - I continue to get lectured on stretching.  "Your SI Joints are tight.......stretch your soleus, it will help loosen your calf......your IT Band is stiff.....etc."  I hate stretching.  It is the reason I don't do Yoga.  But holy hell is it ever important.  I'm still not doing it EVERY day, but I make a point of ensuring I do it at least 3 times a week.  And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate people!!!!  You should be going to do your workouts or runs hydrated!!! 

Starting back at CrossFit (while still running) has brought back those annoying shin pains.  Even with the right shoes, the right form, loads of water and eating healthy.  I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the enormous (okay.....maybe not enormous but let me feel huge for a moment) amount of weight lifting........or 20" box jumps.....or 400m sprints (times 2, or 3.....okay 4)......or 100 Double Unders......nothing to do with those at all.  But whatever the cause, I still need to push through and find a solution to prevent or manage this pain.  I have never stopped running because of it and I sure as hell am not going to stop CrossFit because of it.  I've already started the icing, the soaking, the stretching.  So a few days ago, I went for a walk to my Coach's store and picked up a pair of "Zoot" Compression Sleeves, specifically for "perfomance" and not "recovery.'

The idea of Compression Sleeves/Socks are to improve circulation by accelerating blood flow back to your heart (bringing in more oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide), having better muscle performance by compressing muscles close to your body, minimizing muscle vibration so your muslces have less fatigue (the more your muslces move/vibrate, the more energy you're using) and allowing for faster recovery by reducing swelling and lactic acid.  Those interested in purchasing said compression sleeves/socks - research your product.  mmHg is the unit of measurement for compression garments (millimetre of mercury).  The higher the mmHg, the better the compression garment.  Medical-Grade compression garments (typically used by those suffering from Diabetes) are +40 mmHg.  The compression sleeves I purchased from Steven at Du Tri and Run are +8-16 mmHg.  As for Zoot, I have several running pieces and absolutely love the product so I'm confident I will be thrilled with my new purchase. 

Update: I've used these sleeves at least 7 times now and they are AMAZING!  I don't go on a run or to Crossfit without them now.  Best money I have ever spent!  (Okay...lets be honest.  My high heels are probably the best money spent.....)  My shins have not hurt, my calves/soleus don't feel so tight and I was told they look cool by one of my Trainers.  Bonus.  ;)  These are HIGHLY recommended. 

Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live.

Osu

When I was 19, I met a man.  My boss.  My good friend.  My mentor - Peter R. 

You know when you meet someone and they have really great energy?  There isn't any difficulty finding stuff to talk about, there is no tension, you want to hear everything they have to say?  That is Peter.  He is very wise (although he will quickly disagree) and always seems to put everything (good or bad) into perspective.  He is the type of person you always want to be around.  He is positive, hilarious, encouraging, supportive and makes you think you can do things you never thought possible.  I was so influenced by him that within the first couple of months knowing him, he taught me about stocks and suggested I look into it.  So, I opened a TD Waterhouse account, bought my first stock and made $1,400.  Not a bad start to our friendship. 

Then there was the influence on my personal life.  He taught me about friendship.  Patience.  Determination.  He taught me to always laugh (especially at yourself) and I try to maintain that even when shit hits the fan.  If things are falling apart and you can laugh about it or at least know it'll give you a good chuckle down the road, you are going to get through it.  We always get through it. 

Peter studies Karate and has such a love and respect for it.  He is so determined.  (His Bruce Lee nunchucks are quite hilarious but he actually knows how to use them - impressive).  He has shared many stories and many lessons.  This one particularly struck a cord with me.  He sent me an e-mail recently referring to "Osu."  (Pronounced oo-s)  Osu is a combination of the words: Oshi which means "Push", and Shinobu which means "to Endure".  It means patience, determiniation, appreciation, respect and perseverance.  You push yourself until you think you've reached your limit.  First, your body wants to stop, but your mind keeps pushing you.  Then, your mind wants to stop, but your spirit keeps you going.  You endure the pain.  You persevere.  That is Osu.

We all know how demanding CrossFit is.  I'm sure at some point or another, we've wanted to bail during a WOD or think we cannot complete those last 3 Thrusters (oh how I loathe you!!!!) or just flat out avoid going.  But when we are all working our asses off in that box, getting yelled at by our Trainers, enduring the pain, we share 1 main thing.  We share Osu.  We are determined.  We endure the pain.  We persevere.  With those things, comes great physical, mental, spiritual and emotional gains.  Tonight, I will crave this pain.  Pain is temporary.  I will think Osu.

Nearly 10 years later, Peter is still my good friend.  My mentor.  I have an enormous amount of love and respect for him and I continue to learn from his stories and lessons.  Osu.

Meet Your Meat - PETA

This video is disturbing.  I had a physical reaction to it and absolutely bawled my eyes out.  I am not a vegetarian, nor will I become one however, I will be making a VERY conscious decision of how and where I purchase my meat.  

First Blog, First Post!

I've dreamt, I've thought, I've feared and now......I've conquered.  I've posted! 

For those who care, or have stumbled upon, or are actually following, welcome to my blog!

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” - Lance Armstrong

That quote seems fitting for me right now.  I've returned to CrossFit (after a 4 month hiatus; and only starting in October 2010) and completed my first WOD last night.  Although I've maintained my running on a fairly regular basis, nothing prepares you for the burn.....the pain.....the nausea.....the exhaustion....and the days following of very....and I mean VERY slow moving motions (remember when you were a kid, and you would use 2 feet to walk down the stairs?  Ya.  Welcome back.)......of CrossFit.  There is that fear of seeing the next days WOD and that love you have when it's finally over.  I've grown up an athlete and always lived a very active lifestyle.  You think you're Fit.  Then you join CrossFit.

The Paleo Lifestyle is not just a choice for me.  I was diagnosed with Celiac (with that comes IBS and lactose intolerance) 6 years ago and recently developed an intolerance to corn, rice and potatoes (starch).  Those of you familiar with gluten free products know that they mainly contain RICE and/or CORN (ie. rice pasta, corn pasta, muffins, cakes, pizza, crackers, cookies, breads, do I dare go on? etc.) or another form of starch.  This new intolerance wiped my "gluten free" shopping right off my list.  My moms incredible holiday gravy that was already modified to a gluten free gravy made with corn starch was now, completely off my list.  Devastation.  No.....mashed potatoes....OMG!  No mashed potatoes AND no gravy!?!?!?!  Thankfully, with loads of research, reading, the help of good friend "GuRob" (Guru Rob) and the support of my amazing boyfriend Ken, there is a light at the end of this tunnel.  The light is "Paleo" and the tunnel is my challenge.  It's just......how the "F" do I get there.....

Running is my Zen place.  It's where I don't think.....and if you know me, I think a lot (usually not before I speak, though).  After my 18 years plus of soccer ended, I continued to run.  I HATED running during training but this time, I did it for pure enjoyment.  It helped with my stress; I'm a worry wart.  As Van Wilder once said, "worrying is like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere."  Tell that to a worry wart.....they'll worry about worrying and it not getting you anywhere.  Running is where your thoughts are left behind.  It makes you hard.  It makes you determined.  Running is your sports punishment.

I don't have a plan with this Blog.  For The Love of WOD is the love of CrossFit (although I haven't been at it long, it's easy to see the love for the sport, the people, their dedication and support).  The love of Running.  The love of Nutrition and Food.  The love of sharing recipes, ideas, knowledge, stories, etc,.  Do I cook with EVOO or not?  Do I use butter or margarine....oh, I use coconut oil!?  What is the difference between grass fed and grain fed cattle?  Why is coconut milk okay (another "think before you speak" moment)!?!?  Are you sure that amount of eggs are good for you!?!?!  What about high cholesterol!?  Saturated fats?!? 

This is about the LOVE for your BODY.  What you do with it and what you put in it is all up to you.  And the many learnings begin......

Its now time to attempt getting off my ass.  Several attempts.  Because I am THAT sore.  From 1 WOD.  I must remind myself....."Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”