Virtual Running Buddies August 2012

[VictoriaL]

Welcome to the new month! I will say what I am sure a lot of you are thinking-- "August already???".

To recap the last couple of days of July:

Heather tried running on a track and unfortunately her leg began to bother her on the second lap. Walking seems to be fine, it's just the running action... )How was the doctor appointment?) And she and her family went to the zoo and saw baby animals-- cheetahs!

Les has gone out for both an 18-miler and a 10k in the past couple of days in prep for the Richmond Marathon in November.

Nat has been active with walking, spinning, weights, and dance class w/ Mr J. Seriously, can anyone take a photo of the dance class???

The rain predicted for yesterday never did arrive, even though I heard some nasty thunder, so I spent way too much time outside taking care of the garden and flower beds. It's a jungle out there! I guess that 4" of rain (while we were away) and high temps/ humidity will do that... I was so tired (hey, I've just come off of 2 weeks of r&r!) that I went to bed at 9!

Today I did some much-needed yoga and then went outside but only worked there for less than 2 hours. I just finished a weight session, and plan to go for a run tomorrow morning. Yesterday's run was quite nasty, I didn't realize that 12" of sopping-wet grass would be such a drag! Tomorrow it should be only about 3" of sopping-wet grass...

Oh, and I just re-read the posts by Les and Nat concerning a VRB gathering and that I really am not expected to keep up (*whew!*), so now I would like to add my participation to an anticipated spring 2013 date (if no 5- or 10-k can be located along with a longer race, I will gladly do my own thing then be at the finish line with cheers and cookies!).

[Natasha]

Yay Vicci! You'd come out to a VRB event!!! I'm coming just to sample your cookies, based on some of the delicacies I've seen you post on your blog!

And thanks for starting the August thread. I can't believe you *only* did less than hours of gardening, plus yoga and weights. What a slouch

I will get a photo of our dance class members next week, but it won't be of us dancing Sorry!

Well, I pulled something in my leg yesterday - completely freak thing, not something I did while exercising. So I'm scheduled for a massage and adjustment and gentle stretches Had a long bath too to work it out.

Looking forward to hearing how Heather is doing.

Hope everyone else is doing well and has a fine beginning to the month.

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for starting Vicci - I'm glad that you got the jungle knocked down a little. 4" of rain in 2 weeks - that's a nice amount of rain and I can imagine how long your grass was. I'll do my best to find a race where there are plenty of options.

It was pretty nice today and I've kicked off August with a run. About 6 miles after work that felt pretty good, even if it was a bit warm.

Time to do a little work before trying to get to bed relatively early today.

Les

[Natasha]

Hey Les! We were co-posting. Good job on the 6 miler. Don't work too late.

[hrk]

August- oh my where did summer go?

Les- Great job on the runs. We will be down in Richmond the 15th of September, the whole family is doing the color run that day.

Nat- Hope the leg feels better, take it easy. So fun that you are finding all kinds of active things to do with Mr J.

Vicci- Dh always moans about how much the grass grows while we are on vacation. We picked three huge red peppers from the garden yesterday, we took your advice and planted the plants really close together and it seems to have paid off. Now if we could just get the squirrels to stop eating our green tomatoes.

Well the dr wasn't the best. I have a black line on my xray which indicates that the fracture isn't healing properly. Not the best news. So we are getting a little more aggressive. I am supposed to be getting a bone stimulator, which while it is controversial as to whether it helps can't hurt. I am starting physical therapy to help build up the muscle again and I have to bike, deep water run or do an elliptical at least every other day for 30 minutes to help increase both conditioning and blood flow to the area. I try running in another month, but in the meantime I am also to try fast walking.
While I am not happy about the overall, I am at least glad that I am not back in the boot or crutches as we leave for Maine next week and I would hate to not be able to hike or bike while we are there. So it is not all bad.
Hope everyone else is good.
Heather

[VictoriaL]

Nat, no no no, I didn't request a picture of the members of your class, I want a photo of you and Mr. J boppin' along and doing your dance thing!
Don't you just hate those "completely freak" injuries? I hope that the massage and adjustment was able to take care of it.

Les, nice on the h&h 6-miler. It must be so nasty down there, I really miss the cooler temps of Rockport (which is running 10-12 degrees below what we have here. *sigh*).

I'm so sorry that your leg isn't healing quickly and completely Heather. I know that you'll follow the recommended strengthing/ conditioning treatments, and hope that it works. You're right, at least no boot, no crutches, and you can hike and bike in Maine next week. Something to be thankful for!
You know, I didn't follow my own advice about planting the peppers close together. Some days I really think that my brain function will never improve! The peppers are doing well enough, as are the tomatoes and summer squash, but the cucumbers are the best I've ever grown and quite prolific.

No run this morning. I had a very restless night, and we got a call at 6:30 this morning that a freight truck would be delivering DH's new "toy"* within an hour, so I went with a long yoga. We are going to the lake house for a couple of days this afternoon and I'll get in a run while there.

*- a brush mower so he can keep my running trails in tip-top shape! He is tired of doing it manually.

Any fun weekend plans out there???

[Natasha]

Hi all! I should be tidying up the house but no, I'm surfing and posting

Vicci, thanks for the good thoughts. I've got a massage booked for this afternoon and an adjustment for tomorrow.

Hilarious about your DH's new toy. Now, is that really a toy for him, or for you? What an awesome DH to tend your running trails!

And there are NO photos of me dancing with Mr. J. Maybe I'll get DH to take one of us dancing at home. MAYBE.

Your garden sounds amazing! Wish I were nearby to help you with some of that cucumber.

I watched some rowing and track cycling today and some of the cycling time trial yesterday. I read a short article about Kristin Armstrong, too. I was especially interested to hear about her return to competition after having her son. I am always interested in hearing about how athletes fare and adjust after having kids It's a subject that speaks to me for obvious reasons! You CAN be fit and competitive after having kids!

I also packed up Mr. J and the pup and took them to the pup's routine vet appointment. The vet is a very cool person and a former Olympian so we had a good chat about the Olympics.

OK, time to get on to tidying up and maybe also make a peach upside-down cake (I loooove that cake and have to make it at least once each peach season). Dinner guest tonight - fun!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Natasha

[hrk]

Nat- could you link me to the recipe you use, I would love to try a peach cake.
Vicci- it is funny how veggies are hit and miss some years. We are trying for acorn squash and some pumpkins this year, we shall see.
Had my intake appointment with PT today and she told me she could feel swelling at the injury site, so I guess pain is to be expected. She said I don't have a lot of flexibility in my feet which could contribute to my running issues as well so we are going to work on that in addition to strength.
Got a new toy today, we have been wanting to add an elliptical to our home gym and this was the impetus to do it, and it came today. So I did ten minutes on it with no issues tonight, so at least I can do something to start back on the right track and it is a little more accessible than trying to get to the pool.
No big plans for the weekend, just getting ready for our trip. Got a new rack for our bikes so we have to put that together and get it all settled. Ds has a birthday party, and dinner on Sunday with some friends.
Happy weekend
Heather

[Natasha]

Hi Heather,

Thanks for the update. It's good that you have some more info and a plan. Hopefully that makes you feel a bit better. Good luck with it and please check in and let us know how things are going!

Nice about the elliptical too. Our home gym has been such a blessing over the years.

Here's the peach cake recipe (below). Enjoy! As it turned out our dinner guest brought some amazing fruit & cream tarts from the grocery store just down the street. I had been resisting trying them and was right to - I'm worried I now have a new weakness that's very easy to give in to Anyway, we didn't eat the cake but I'm sure we will tomorrow!

Hi to everyone else! Time to watch some more swimming.


Peach Upside-Down Cake
Rose Murray, Hungry for Comfort (Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2003), p. 119

Makes about 6 servings

From the cookbook: "My husband is not much of a cake fan, but this is one he adores, and he would be very disappointed indeed to see a peach season slip by without having it at least once. It is best served warm with sweetened whipped cream, to which I often add a splash of kirsch."

3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 ripe peaches
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp each vanilla and almond extract
1 1/4 cups cake and pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 cup milk
additional granulated sugar (optional)

1. Place the 3 tbsp butter and the brown sugar in a deep 9-in. (1.5L) round cake pan and set it in the oven while you are preheating it to 350F. As soon as the butter melts, remove the pan and stir well, spreading the mixture evenly in the bottom.

2. Meanwhile, blanch the peaches, slip off the skins, halve, remove the pits, and cut into 1-in. slices. Arrange slices, rounded side down, very close together in circles in the prepared pan. [Note: I usually use a deep 8-inch pan so find that 4-5 peaches is sometimes all I can use, depending on the size of the peaches. I keep all the other proportions the same.]

3. In a large bowl, cream together the remaining butter and the granulated sugar. Stir in egg, and the extracts, beating until well combined. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the milk into butter mixture. Repeat, ending with remaining flour mixture. Spoon evenly over peaches and smooth the top.

4. Bake in 350F oven for 55 to 60 minutes [Note: I think I've always found that it takes less time - start checking at 40 minutes] or until well browned and cake springs back when lightly touched. Let cool in pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges and invert onto a plate. Or, if you wish, rather than a plate, set a rack and a baking sheet over the cake and invert it onto them. Optional step: Sprinkle peaches with granulated sugar and set under a preheated broiler for about 5 minutes or until the sugar is melted and the peaches are slightly browned.

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

What a race. Just watched Mo Farah take the men's 10k with Galen Rupp right behind him. An amazing race and they were flying.

Heather - I'm sorry about your leg. It's funny how mechanics and physiology have a lot to do with injuries. I hope your PT helps things get better and I hope you have a good and restful time in Maine. Enjoy your new eliptical.
Vicci - I like the sound off DH's new toy. I must have missed the pepper planting recommendations - I assume you were recommending planting the same kinds of peppers close together, not like the problem my friend had a few years ago planting a hot pepper and a bell pepper close together and ended up with no bell peppers.
Nat - I hope you bounce back from the freak injury. I bet you and Mr. J have fun in the dance class - I know how much fun he had dancing with you at home.

I didn't have a "workout" of the running of gym kind yesterday but I did dig 2 boxwood stumps out of the flower bed and ripped a bunch of ivy off the trunk of two of our pine trees.

It was a little bit warmer this morning for our run, ~80 (as opposed to the chilly 75 lest week). We picked up 10 miles on the trail and had a decent turn out. I napped this afternoon after mowing the lawn (I can't believe how much the grass grows in 8 days).

Check you all later and happy trails,
Les

[VictoriaL]

Heather, how fun about the new piece of equipment! And you can "run" on it without the jarring motion to annoy your leg (plus a nice option during those nasty cold winter months). Have fun putting the bike rack together (is that your, or DH's, job?) and getting ready for your vacation. And remember to do those PT exercises!

And how is your leg feeling, Nat? And I also wish you were nearby to share the garden bounty-- the season is just too short! Did your vet give the pup a clean bill of health? Spooky is due for a visit in the fall, but he does not like it at all. I do think that dogs tolerate the vet much better than cats do.

The peach upside-down cake looks similar to the version I've been making since college. It is so awesome, especially when warm from the over with ice cream... mmmm!

Les, as I recall boxwood can have a pretty extensive root system so you definitely got a workout in. And I'm glad that the weather was a bit nicer for running this Saturday. And then you mowed! A nap was very much deserved.

I usually plant my sweet peppers on the other side of the garden than the hot peppers but this year, well, I forgot. I blame it all on those contractor issues! But both kinds, even though they weren't planted close, are doing well enough. I guess all of this rain, and high heat, has helped too.

Nice time at the lake. I got in 4 miles on Friday morning. Pretty gross experience when, just as I realized that there was a nasty smell in the area, I turned a corner and saw vultures feasting on something large. Horrible looking birds, and some even turned and stared at me! I turned around and practically flew back to the crossroad... but the rest of the run was uneventful. Happily.

Today was yoga and weights, outside on the patio. I didn't even need soothing music for the yoga, the splashing waves and chirping birds were all that was necessary. And tonight, back at the farm, I'm listening to crickets and the resident green frog. Very calming.

You know, I wish that I could remember to watch at least an Olympic event or two. I don't watch much tv, especially in the summer, so even thinking to watch it is just not on my mind!

[VictoriaL]

back to back posts!

I went out early this morning for warm and humid (98%!) run through the trails. I felt as though I was running through... soup? A thick oyster stew?? Whatever, it was pretty soggy and a mere .2 miles from home the skies opened to drench me. But I logged 4 miles and I've been doing computer work today.

Hope that you all are having better weather and more exciting activities than I!!!

[Natasha]

Heather, what's the color run? I'm sorry the doctor's visit wasn't more encouraging but you have a good plan going forward and I'm impressed that you continue to be so positive. That will help The change of scene should help too. Enjoy Maine! You seem to have great summers - Caribbean, Maine...

Les, sounds like you had a good run the other day, as well as the yard work.

Vicci, ick about the vulture. You're getting in some mighty fine runs these days. Very nice! Yes, isn't that peach cake so good? I've never had it with ice cream but have with cream or whipped cream. Mmm. Debating whether to make it again or do the peach sour cream pie I haven't made for years, or make a peach-blueberry pie from a new-to-me recipe.

The massage and especially the adjustment really helped. Thank you all for asking. I have now done three spins, taking it a bit harder each time, and today also ran a whole mile. I thought of you, Heather, as I did the run, as I had a bit of trepidation as I warmed up. Even after 13 years of distance running (with breaks) I'm still cautious when starting again after a setback. Fortunately it felt great and I didn't want to stop. I will stretch well and carefully and see how it all feels tomorrow. That will be a truer test.

It's a long weekend for us which is fantastic. We have been socializing, barbecuing, eating, and just chilling. Soon I'm going to have a special guest come over. She's from the CLBB

Where's everyone else: MinEaston, Cheryl (haven't seen you in ages!), Susan (ditto), Robyn, Carrie...

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

Nat - I'm glad you got a mile in following your setback. I'm glad it looks like you'll be back in battery soon. Is the CLBB friend coming by someone I've met? I'll "steal" Heather's response - the color run is a 5k where they throw colored cornstarch at the 1k marks, magenta, blue, yellow, green, and purple (not in that order). At the 1k marks there are "lanes" with more color in the outer lanes and less color in the middle of the mark.
Vicci - I'm not a huge fan of vultures but they have a purpose. I almost rear-ended a vulture when I was driving. I hope that your weather has been getting better.

It was a weird day here - there was sporadic rain of biblical proportions. Some places got 2.5"+ in 2 hours and others got very little.

It was drizzling when I got home and I was able to pick up a nice 7.1 miler. Yucky because of the humidity but cooler (relatively speaking - only ~78).

Tomorrow is the National Night Out so I'll be busy in the evening but I hope to swing something in the afternoon.

Happy trails all,
Les

[Natasha]

Hi Les,

Yes, it was foodfiend (so someone you have met) I had a very nice time.

Enjoy National Night Out and thanks for the explanation of the color run. Sounds neat!

Got in a spin this morning but kept it short as I'll be heading out shortly for the last mom 'n' baby dance class. Need to stretch fore (post-spin stretch) and aft (post-class stretch).

Hi to everyone else!
Natasha

[VictoriaL]

Nat, I'm glad that your leg is feeling better. Are you able to try a longer run today, or did the spin and dance class take care of your available exercise time for the day? And why the last dance class? Baby adding more weight with each session???

Isn't it interesting about BBers getting together? Your guest has met the BB member whom I met IRL several years ago (from Montreal), yet we have yet to meet. Hopefully someday soon!

Les, yes, vultures do have a place, but when I come upon them unexpectedly "doing their carrion thing", I wish that the place weren't so immediate to me.
Those rain storms can be unpredictable, can't they? We had a nice steady rain for several hours on Sunday, yet 8 miles north they received 1-1/2" in a half hour and there was flooding.
What are you doing for National Night Out?

I went out for a planned 4 miler today, but many things made it shorter. The grass on the trails is high again, and was sopping wet, so the whole run felt a bit "sloggy". And my shoelaces kept untying until I finally stopped and tied both sets in many knots. And I woke up in a bit of a bad mood this morning, so my heart really wasn't in the whole thing. And I ran out of my planned time, so I had to get back home and make breakfast so DH could leave for a meeting. As a result, a little over 3.5 miles. Not bad, but I look forward to another run, on pavement, on Thursday.

DH and I are leaving for the lake house today. The garden and flower beds have been thoroughly watered, and they're all established, and it's too hot to work indoors, so why stay here and sweat?!?!

[Natasha]

Vicci,

"Sloggy" - great word.

Good job on the run despite all the things that threatened to get in the way!

Enjoy the lake house

I didn't like this dance session as much as the last one plus yes, Mr. J is getting pretty big. Not so much heavy as bulky for me. He's not light either, though ... he's almost 1/6 my body weight already!

No more workout today because I don't want to overdo it and chances are I'll take a pretty long walk this afternoon, as I do most afternoons with J. He likes the fresh air and scenery and usually ends up having a relaxing little catnap to tide him over between noon nap and bedtime.

And yes, hopefully we will meet someday soon!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Nat

[hrk]

Happy hump day everyone

Nat- Babies get big fast don't they. I have been scrapbooking baby pictures of my 6 yo DS recently and I marvel at how much he has grown. The peach cake was fantastic, thanks for the recipe. The cake was so light and really let the peaches shine. Les explained the Color Run perfectly- my boys are so excited to get "colored"

Vicci- It sounds like your garden is coming along nicely and that your runs have been going well for the most part. How nice to have a place to escape to that is near the water.

Les- Taking out tree stumps is no small feat, so I would certainly count that as exercise. Hope the National Night Out went well.

Well started PT yesterday. They are working on the strength in my leg, but also they say my ankles are very tight so I have less range with which to land and push off when I run, so they are working on that as well. I also was approved for a bone stimulator, so I got that all set up yesterday. I guess we are hitting this with everything we can right now. Hope is helps.

Heather

[Leslie Ferguson]

National Night Out was fun, although we had a thunderstorm/squall line roll through the area. We didn't do too much here, there was a little community event at the Fire Department with a few organizations there; BP screening, voter registration, the historical society, and grill fare. I bailed a little early as I'm not a huge fan of hamburgers and hot dogs (when I have no control over what goes into them).

Sorry you didn't have a good run Vicci but I understand the issues with trying to juggle so many balls. As you say, why work inside on the hot farm when you can go to the cooled lake house. Enjoy your time there.

Heather - Ask your PT about "alphabet drawing" (my term) for ankle flexibility. They had me do that years ago to help improve range of motion in my ankles - it's simple, write the letters of the alphabet in the air (cursive is best) with the toes - that will help loosen up your ankles.

Nat - How's your injury holding out? I bet you and foodfiend had a good time together.

I ran yesterday after work. Nothing to shout about but still 4 miles in the books. I ended up finding out something new...

Another thing I hate about getting older is the occurrence of new allergies. This time, get this, I find I am now allergic to POISON IVY. I know this because there was poison ivy mixed in with the English Ivy growing on my pine trees that I ripped off last week. How do I know? Because I have the most intense rash on most of my left forearm and a couple spots on my right forearm. Just think - I've got a couple more days before the itching becomes most intense... o goody.

Something in the offing tonight before choir practice so back to work.

Les

[Natasha]

Oh, Les... poison ivy?! How uncomfortable that must be. Hang in there.

Vicci, hope you are enjoying the lake house.

Heather, sounds like you have a plan. I second Les' recommendation of the alphabet exercise and also would recommend stretching and working out your calves since they are so close. Plus your pelvis since as I learned almost everything stems from the pelvis even if it manifests somewhere else!

I can imagine how weird baby pictures must be when your DS is 6. He must look so tiny in the photos! When I see newborns now they seem so wee already!

Did a 4k run yesterday and a very mediocre ride today, followed by a good set of core. I'll try to run again tomorrow.

Did you guys see the 47-year-old Italian kayaker? My new hero!

Hope everyone else is doing well too, and gearing up for a fine weekend.

Natasha

[VictoriaL]

Heather, I second the advice about using your feet to "draw" the alphabet. Les told me about this a few years back when I broke my ankle and it helped my recovery and added even more flexibility than I had before the accident. In fact, I often, while sitting and watching tv or reading, will do this with both feet... heck, it can't hurt!

Les isn't almost everyone sensitive to poison ivy/ oak/ sumac? I don't know if you can blame this one on age! It's horrid, and I am so sorry that you are going through it. Be sure to take an antihistamine (benedryl or the like) because it really helps, and also something topical to alleviate the itch and help to dry up the blisters. Ow. I'm having flashbacks (and it's not at all a pleasant memory!).
Also, in the future, if you find that you may have brushed against the stuff, alcohol will break the "bond" that the oil sets to your skin if you apply it within a half hour or so after exposure. Rubbing alcohol or even beer will do it!

Nat, how long of a core session do you do? I think that I may have to ramp mine up a bit, but am not looking forward to it.

We had friends over to the lake house yesterday for some boating and swimming and dinner and as a result I didn't get up and out early this morning. 11:30am is way too late to go out for a run in August! I came close to giving up after about 2 miles, the heat and humidity and hills just about did me in, but I pushed and finished 4 miles. Then I got home, changed into my swim suit, and jumped into the lake-- what a nice thing to have available after a hot and sweaty run!

We return to the farm tomorrow and it's supposed to get significantly cooler and rainy so that will be a welcome change.

[Leslie Ferguson]

You only know the part of it too. While I'm not blaming on age I was more commenting on this being the first time ever to have a reaction. As I understand it, some people (me for one) aren't always sensitive to poison ivy/oak/sumac; but once you are, you are. I was rooting around the tree in the past w/o issue.

And to make matters worse, I wore shorts this evening that obviously (after the fact) had poison ivy oil on them because... I have 5 or more more spots on my legs. I'm busy with caladryl clear on all the spots and it helps a lot. I just can't wait to have this stuff go away. Oy vey!.

Happy trails,
Les

[VictoriaL]

And an especially terrible time to have a poison ivy reaction when it's so hot and humid! Poor Les... That p.i. may not have been intertwined with the ivy the last time you tried to clear the tree-- it spreads quickly and grows even faster. I had never even noticed the stuff before, then Jack and I cleared some vines and weeds from the lake house lot when trying to decide where to locate the driveway. Quite the nasty spring I had! Since then, I have been as vigilant as possible about spraying it with roundup every time I see a hint of those three leaves...
I hope that it turns out to be mild and goes away very quickly.

A nice, long yoga session this morning at the lake house, and a lovely surprise when we returned to the farm-- a cold front went through the area and it's 69 degrees now. Ahhhhhhh!

Any plans for the weekend? We are going to a party Saturday night, I'm hoping to get out for a run tomorrow morning.

[Leslie Ferguson]

You aren't kidding Vicci - this isn't a great time to have p.i. I bet 69 degrees felt heavenly. Good for you on your long yoga session.

It was an interesting morning's run. We did a group run and started at 5 am again (anything more than 12-14 miles starts at 5 am). It wasn't as nice as it was 2 weeks ago at 5 am. It was 79 degrees when I drove down to the waterfront. We had 18-20 on the schedule and I took the higher end of that (and then some) coming in with ~21.25 miles. Yucky!

Interesting though, when I was running, the p.i. actually was oozing more than it had in the past. There is almost no puss on the original rash. I love that fact that my arms are getting closer to being cleared soon.

Nap time... see you all later,
Les

[Natasha]

Les, 21 plus miles - nice! You certainly deserved that nap. Good luck with the poison ivy clearing up soon.

Vicci, we also had a temporary cool bout and it was so strange. I wore jeans for the first time in months! But by the afternoon I was sweltering and had to change. Good going on your run despite the heat, and on the yoga session.

Core: I do about 10-15 minutes usually. Even 5 if that's all I have. I do various exercises I've picked up here and there, including from P90X AbRipperX, which is a great workout. I find it discouraging to pick it up again after a break but also find that generally the strength comes back quickly and the exercises become, um, actually a bit fun (in a weird way)

Got in a 6k run yesterday and a long walk. Today I did about 45 minutes on the bike while watching the Olympics. Almost over... sad. But only a week until the Vuelta a Espana starts.

Take care, everyone,
Natasha

[VictoriaL]

Really, Les, over 21 miles in that h&h??? The marathon in Richmond in November will be a piece o' cake!

I've contacted a little "sympathy p.i.", I believe. Haven't had any in years, but there's a path across my wrist where a vine must have brushed (although I don't remember seeing any where I was working the other day). Fortunately it's not nearly as bad as previous episodes (nickel- and quarter-sized blisters which had to be covered in gauze because of the oozing, and that in 90-degree temps), but it still is annoying. I'm glad that yours is drying up a bit.

Nat, I've been doing about 10 minutes of core 2-3 times per week, and am hoping to up that to every other day as much as I can (they're mostly yoga positions like boat pose-- P90X AbRipperX sounds rather frightening!)
Isn't the cool weather nice?

Since DH had plans today and the weather was not hot, I decided to take some time and go out for a longer run. Unfortunately, the wooded paths were filled with tree branches and other debris, so I spent some time clearing them off a bit (so DH can soon use his new "toy" to maintain that area). All told, I finished a bit over 5 miles although it took longer than I would have liked.

[Natasha]

Vicci, way to go on another 5-mile plus run. Sorry to hear about the sympathy p.i. How is it now?

How about you and your p.i., Les?

Quick hola to everyone today. Ran 12k on Sunday, had a good spin yesterday, and today ran about half an hour. Long walks too as I do most days. Still stretching a lot and icing one spot.

My mom is over since yesterday which is nice. We had a great time yesterday afternoon. My sister was here too and Mr. J was hamming it up and loving making everyone laugh.

How's everyone else doing? Heather, what's the latest with the PT? How are Cheryl, Susan, Robyn, MinEaston, Carrie, and everyone else?

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

The report from p.i. part I is I've moved up in the world; if you could call it that. I'm now on a 12 day regimen of PredinSONE - I buckled yesterday as the rash continued to spread across my upper body and went to the doctor to get something so I didn't become a skin-less Les.

An unexpected turn and something I'm a little p.o.'d about - I was using Caladryl and on occasion taking benadryl for itching then my arm (where most of the initial rash is) started to retain fluid. Low and behold - one shouldn't take both medications together because benadryl might enhance or increase the possibility of a side-effect of the caladryl (like swelling). Doesn't say that on either label and I had to dig around on the web to find out that little tidbit of information. :mad: Stand by FDA and Pfizer for a nasty note.

Thankfully, the pred seems to be working slowly - 10 of 48 pills down. One can hope things get better soon.

Thanks for the sympathy p.i. Vicci. You didn't have to do that just for me.

Happy trails,
Les

[VictoriaL]

Nat, I'm sorry to hear that one spot is still bothering you. Keep stretching-- with all the activities that you do, that measly little pain doesn't stand a chance!
It's so nice that Mr. J has his grandmother and aunt to amuse. And it's just beginning, you know.

Oh shoot, Les, the nasty p.i. didn't just dry up and go away. Although I have used Benedryl when I was unfortunate enough to contract it, Caladryl wasn't. I think that I made a paste of baking soda and water to ease the itching, but it looked pretty strange (which didn't matter, I retreated into my shell until the ugliness was over...).
Prednisone. The wonder drug! Really, it is if taken very occasionally. You're probably feeling better already.

My p.i. consists of about 8 little blisters in a perfectly straight line across my inner wrist. As long as I leave it alone, it's okay (and, obviously, no wearing bracelets on that arm!).

I was up and out early this morning and finished 3.5 miles in my allotted time (a busy day, I had somewhat of a tight schedule). We leave for the lake again tomorrow, helping friends with their boat on Thursday, so I plan to get at least one run (sans vultures) in while there.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Good to get your run in this morning and still get all the rest of your things done. Sorry that you have p.i. and I hope that it stays at 8 blisters. One of the things I read about Caladryl in some other literature is that many people are sensitive to Caladryl. Enjoy your run at the lake tomorrow and I hope you don't have a vulture run.

I'll tell you - the wonder drug (my great grandmother was right too) is calamine lotion. Oh my! Smeared that stuff on (now I have war paint on my body) but immediately after putting it on the itch went away and the weeping blisters dried up. The low level home health guide said "stick with calamine lotion, it's the best thing and few people have issues with it." I'm buying stock.

Got a short ride in this evening - 8 miles whipping around the neighborhood. The riding pants were a little problematic with the p.i. but this too shall pass.

Happy trails and happy hump-of-the-month (almost),
Les