I got to see my skeleton today.. Did YOU do anything that exciting?


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You only get to see the top of the machine
because my phone lost the bottom somehow



So, today I had a bone scan done - it was a pretty cool experience.  I had to go in at 8:30 am, and they gave me a shot of radioactive material (my son is going to be so jealous.)  They then did the scan and at that point they could look at the blood flow.    They had me lay on the little bench, and then they set up the machine just over my shins/knees and took the scans.  Then they told me to go away for a couple of hours.



The screen on the right is where the pictures appeared



Back to work, then back to the hospital at 11:30.  After the required thirty minutes spent sitting in the waiting room (doesn't it always seem mandatory to you?) in we went for the actual bone scan.  Now this time, they actually did a full body scan.  It started over my head with it almost touching the tip of my nose.  For the next 25 minutes it worked its way down my body slower than a Caterpillar could crawl.  I could see the monitor (its blank in the picture, I know -bad timing - but they took my phone away for the full scan) as my skeleton slowly appeared on it.

Now to me it was just a cool skeleton shot - but the tech was able to look at it and let me know that I had pain in my knees - both left and right.  He also asked me what sort of trauma had occurred to my left arm (I don't recall any to be honest, but with an older brother and sister?  Probably..) 



They taped my VFFs together to help keep my legs still.

The guy who ran the machine was also a runner (though to be fair, he prefers biking -so his tastes could be questionable) who owned VFFs.  It suprised the first tech that helped me that not only did I have bizarre toe-shoes, but that his coworker did too - and apparently had worn them to work before!
We discussed shoes - he told me he had seen people come in that were wearing VFFs and switched back with shin splints (both the actual medical issue with the shin bones, and just muscular) from switching BACK to normal shoes. Moving back to the lifted heel and a more heel-strike style of running seems to help cause aggravation of the shin muscles.

The tech also explained how the bone scan works - the radiation they had injected me with gave off gamma radiation. This radiation hit the salt crystals that were in the flat thingies (you can see them on either side of my VFFs in the third picture).  That is what gave them the "picture" - just like a time release photo shot.  He told me that a stress fracture (such as the one he himself had in his thigh bone [though he used fancy medical terminology.. the show off...] shows up as a bright white compared to the greys of the normal imaging.  He explained this to me and showed me the monitor. Now let me be clear - he did NOT diagnose me, or tell me if I had a stress fracture or not.  He wasn't a doctor and could not do that.  But after explaining to me that a stress fracture would show up white - he pointed to the screen for me to look at.

I didn't see any white. :)

Marine Corps Marathon... 2012.

So, after speaking with a a bunch of people over the weekend, I think I have decided I am going to defer my running of the Marine Corps. Marathon.  I have just had too many injuries/illnesses and set backs this year.  I seriously can't tell you how bummed I am -  But I do want my first marathon to be fun. I run because I enjoy it, and while I think I could finish the MCM - I suspect that the majority of it wouldn't be fun.  We will still be going down to Washington that weekend - as the Hotel Reservations are "non-refundable."  The kids,wife and I will have a good time at the Museums and Monuments.  Plus by getting to see the lay-out of how they do things - will let us plan for next year.

So, For next year I am planning on doing the MCM, But I think I might do the Wine Glass Marathon as well. Its a local one that is the first week of October, giving 3-4 weeks between the two of them.  I also want to find a spring/summer Marathon (The Bluenose International is on my Birthday Weekend - May 20th) - as it is going to drive me nuts that I didn't run the one I had planned.  In fact, it will do so until I actually complete a marathon (Silly, I know.)  Anyone have any good suggestions for the East coast?  I am also thinking I need to look at the running calendar for 2012- I am also going to set a goal of at least one race a month.  Also accepting suggestions here!

But on a good note - I see this as a great opportunity to "Start Over."  I am going to begin running again, as a non-runner.  I am going to do short distances and slowly build everything up. I am tired of being injured and un-able to run and I think that starting from scratch - and building everything back up - may help.

This weekend - no running per the doctor's orders. I get the bone scan done on my leg tomorrow. It isn't a sharp pain anymore, but there is still a dull ache going on.  I am looking forward to seeing what is happening - as then I can plan out my "do over."


Running Diva Mom - Picture from the SHAPE Contest Website.

 On an even happier note - one of the blogs I read has been nominated for a "Top 20 Blogs for Fitness Junkies" -  Please consider stopping by and voting for "Running Diva Mom" -- here is the Link for the Voting.  You might also want to consider clicking on the "Running Diva Mom" and reading the blog - as it's a pretty good read!

Shin Splints HURT!!!!! Seriously, is 24 pain-free days to much to ask for?

I have to admit, I am growing progressively less amused with the idea of ankle pain.    My calves seem to be doing GREAT!!! I did 3.5 miles yesterday with a "Faster-than-marathon" pace - and they felt AWESOME!!! In fact, my whole body felt great - EXCEPT for my shins on my left leg.  I have one place on the inside of my leg (Front/inside) that is quite painful.  There was a matching pain on the outside - but the inside one was definitely worse.  I cut my run short from what I had planned (it was going to be a mid-week longer run) due to this.  The last half mile or so was REALLY painful.

I got home and iced it, and spent the night massaging it (or as close as I could) while taking Advil and after a short period I was walking on it ok, with just a slight twinge. It gave me great hope!

This morning I was walking with a noticeable limp and significant pain. I have KT Tape'd it (though this doesn't seem as effective on shin splints as it is on a sore calf), and took Advil. I woke up too late to ice it sot hat will have to wait until tonight.  I am thinking tonight will be a bike ride or a swim for my work out, and possibly friday as well. 

I hate how negative my blog has become, but it has become a frustrating game of "what can I hurt now?"    I know that I am physically capable of doing the Marine Corps Marathon, and enjoying it - If my left leg will let me.  This is a goal I have had since I was 16, 20 years ago. I 'd really like to see a check on that bucket list!

Less than 24 more days.. Is that really to much to ask for?

Running.. it isn't enough..

So, I have been running lately - but I don't htink that is quite enough to really prepare myself for the marathon.  So here are some other things I have been contemplating:

Dieting - It is easier to move a lighter weight, then a heavier weight (see what public schools taught me?)  So, I have started using "calorie counter" on my phone to track what I eat.  This way I can try and get rid of the spare tire I have been working on.. After all, spare tires are for cars and bikes - not runners.

Core Strength - Well, like most people - I hate situps and pushups.  But they are two great methods for working on core strength so I am beginning to implement them into my daily routine.  I have tried the "hundredpushups.com" and "twohundredsitups.com" challenges in the past - but never finished them.  I think it is time to revisit this. 

Other workouts - I won't join a gym at this time - because I don't think I will go.  When I can consistently get up and run at 5am every morning (or 3-4 times a week), I will revist the idea.  But, we do have EA Active 2 for the PS3.  Suprisingly this does a great workout - including core as well as various muscle groups.  This is going to become my non-running day workout.

Overall, I hope that the marathon preparations will not just let me run 26.2 miles - but will put me in fantastic shape!