PDH

What is PDH, you ask? Pretty. Damn. Happy.

Here are some MK running updates:

Last weekend, I ran my first run without pain. It was 3.5 miles on the treadmill with Joe sitting and watching in a folding chair in my basement. I was ecstatic. And he's an amazing boyfriend.

Like a race spectator, except not.

Tuesday before leaving for my family vacation, I ran 6 miles outside. Now folks, this is the farthest I've run since my BQ in January. And once again, it was WITHOUT PAIN! I don't know what felt better - crossing that finish line or finishing this run... (okay, you caught me, it was crossing that finish line [honest blog]).

After the endorphins wore off, the over-analyzing set in. I had taken Ibuprofen that morning prior to running. I was EXTREMELY concerned that those pills were the reason I felt no pain - not because I was actually healing. Trust me, I know the issues that arise with taking anti-inflammatory meds before working out, including blocking important pain receptors needed to know if you're injured and to warn you to stop. Silly MK.

Well anyway, I decided I was going to run again on Friday and make SURE I did not take any drugs.

Enter second concern: upping distance.

Do I want to run 14 miles right this very minute as I'm typing this? Yes.

Do I need to realize I haven't run these ANY distances in months thanks to nerves, hips, and IT bands, and do I need to increase my mileage slowly? Yes and yes.

Enter third concern: speed.

So, humble brag, I'm thrilled with my speed. Thrilled. I've apparently not lost that much, and even with the addition of summer heat, I'm performing really well. Hmm, okay MK, the reason you got hurt in the first place was because of your tight IT band from always wanting each run to be faster, faster, faster. Cool it on caring about the speed.

Subtract concerns two and three.

Friday came around, and I was nervous as hell. I went out...

...and ran without meds and without pain.

4.15 miles for the 4th of July weekend of 2015 (ha, get it!?)

I'm PDH x 19,020,238,230. And the praise goes to God.

Tell me about your return from an injury!

Two for the Price of One

I had two topics in mind that I wanted to discuss this week, and both have enough weight to them that they could be their own blog posts... but I got antsy, so here's a BOGO deal from me. You're welcome.

First up - vacations and exercise.

Like many of you, I'm traveling for the 4th of July holiday. I'll be hanging out with my family (parents, grandma, cousins, aunts, etc.) for about a week, starting tonight. While I'm basically already on an extended vacation until graduate school begins in August, I'm still excited for a week of tanning, relaxing, drinking, swimming, and being with family in a new location.

However...

You can feel the "but..." creeping up behind you...

This means no accessible gym. No machines. No weights. And all around more difficultly in fitting in exercise.

There was once a time in my life where this would be a SERIOUS problem. While it still causes me discomfort and a little anxiety, I'm much better about going with the lack-of-routine flow. I know I can fit in makeshift circuits when I don't have equipment (like the one here), but sometimes I'm left feeling like I sort of half-assed my workout.

It's so much more important to spend time with your loved ones than obsessing about your fitness. Trust me, I've returned from vacations in a cloud of regret, wishing I had spent thirty minutes laughing and playing cards with my aunts rather than huffing and puffing about "feeling lazy." 

Maybe this is extreme, but think about it - when you die, do you want your tombstone to read "Great Daughter" or "Great Legs?"

Next up - relationship with God.

As I've briefly mentioned, I have a Bible that's sectioned to take you through it in two years. I just finished.

Throughout the whole thing, my daily reading reminded me about His love for us. It reminded me to pray, to always think about Him, to thank Him, and to consider what really matters. I had this thought that as soon as I finished, I'd be struck with such knowledge, such Biblical wisdom, that I would do what was right more often than not, pray hourly, and show my love to others on a much greater scale.

Yeah, not quite.

Actually, the opposite has happened. As soon as I closed Revelation, it's like I closed my relationship with God. My daily reading was my meditation, my habit-former, and in its absence, I've forgotten all that I've learned. Horrible, but honest.

Don't worry, guys - I plan on starting a new devotion program in order to keep up this relationship. I could tell that I was so much happier when I was talking with Him constantly and when I was loving others the way He loves me. I hate that I've forgotten, but I'm grateful that He's reminded me.

How do you deal with traveling and exercising?
For those of you who are religious, do you ever push God aside?

A Team Sport

As I'm sure you know, the horse American Pharoah won the Triple Crown on Saturday evening - a title not bestowed for 37 years.

As I'm sure you know, the jockey Victor Espinoza won the Triple Crown on Saturday evening - a title not bestowed for 37 years.

As I'm sure you know, the trainer Bob Baffert won the Triple Crown on Saturday evening - a title not bestowed for 37 years.

As I'm sure you know, the owner Ahmed Zayat won the Triple Crown on Saturday evening - a title not bestowed for 37 years.

... And I think you know where I'm going with this.

Many people shared in the victory on Saturday - a team, if you will. One could not have done it without the others. Unfortunately, I found myself stuck in the "well, who is the real winner?" cycle after the three minute race, but fortunately, I was able to pull myself out. They are all winners. It was a team effort.

Giphy/Tumblr

I think in a lot of cases, our accomplishments are team efforts. I know for a fact I could not have completed and succeeded in all of the races I've run without the support of my family and friends, without the guidance of online training resources, or without God's power and mercy. I could not have graduated college without superb professors or aid - both financially and emotionally - from my parents.

I like to think of myself as self-sufficient, but then I laugh. I can't even do my own taxes.

We were made to be in a community together. Just like American Pharoah could not have won without a rider who could not have ridden without the horse being taught by a trainer who could not have worked without being employed by an owner who could not have owned anything without a horse, we all count on someone for something. Bit of a run-on sentence, but whatever.

One final comment: The longest horse race in the triple crown is a mile and a half. When are they going to run 26.2?

Kitchen Triumphs

The day I had my woe-is-me moment, I opened one of the coolest books ever and read the following:

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:10-11

I needed that.

Anywho. Onto the kitchen!

Many of you have been posting about your June goals, and it reminded me that I had a summer goal myself regarding the poaching of pre-birds.

Well, I did it!

I'll spare you the details, considering you all probably know how this is done. I'm a late bloomer.

The stringy whites separated themselves... beginner's luck?

I let the egg sit for about three and a half minutes before scooping it out.

See!? It's own separation. Such a smart egg.

And the finished product:

Sandwich thin, spinach, and of course, Sriracha.

And another culinary concoction - black bean burgers! Doing my best on this pescetarian thing!

Ingredients:
1 can of black beans
1 egg
A sufficient amount of crackers (I used 34 baby saltines)
Garlic powder
NOT PICTURED: Tabasco 

Pulse the crackers in a food processor or blender, and then separately pulse the beans until gooey (but not like a sauce). Combine the crackers, beans, egg, garlic powder, and Tabasco, and mix.

Mmmm. Yum.

Form into patties! Mine made three. They were also very slimy and slippery (probably could have used more crackers, but they turned out amazing, so I'm not complaining).

I let these puppies go for about three minutes on each side, then I stood them up to get around the edges.

Nom nom nom.

I prefer salads to sandwiches, so a salad it was!

The insides were still soft, but it held together nicely. I was very pleased.

What's your favorite thing to cook?

The "Good Thing My Dad Drove" Workout + Mild Displeasure

Yesterday I went up to visit my advisor at the school I'll be attending in the fall to PICK OUT MY CLASSES a;ldkfj;lkdasjflkjl. I'm just a little excited for August.

Good thing my dad drove, considering I still couldn't lift my arms from the workout I did on Saturday:

5 sets of tricep overhead extensions with dumbbells
5 sets of chest presses with dumbbells
5 sets of tricep dips
5 sets of stability ball push ups
5 sets of tricep cable push downs
5 sets of reps on the hip abductor
5 sets of reps on the hip adductor
2 x 1:00 minute Russian twists with a medicine ball

OH, AND NOT TO MENTION ALL MY PT "HOMEWORK:"

Clam shells
Resistance band walking
Planks on planks on planks
Donkey kicks
One legged clock squats - which are the coolest, shakiest things ever, and you can see a demo below!

Here's the section you can choose to skip if you'd like. I just need to rant.

I'm mad. MAD. PISSED. ANGRY. UPSET. And then I'm sad.

I have to continue physical therapy. I tried running over the weekend, just a little over two miles split with walking, and my right hip protested hard.

So yeah, I'm mad, and this is my blog, so here's my pity party.

A little humor from theBERRY before hashing it out.

I have struggled for months now to heal and get back to running. My original injury is virtually gone, but this stupid other side reared its ugly head. I feel like I am never going to even be able to run two miles without pain let alone Boston in 2016. It hurts to walk sometimes. I can't elliptical. Biking makes it tight. I thought I was out of this dark, running-less tunnel in early May until my other leg decided to become dead weight. I see no exit; I see no relief.

It makes me want to cry constantly. I have flashbacks to days when I'd crank out 13 miles before most of my friends were awake. I miss the feeling of empowerment. I miss the mind games played during hours on pavement. It also makes me want to never open my laptop... seeing all of the bloggers out there posting about their happy runs and training schedules and race excitement. Misery loves company, and none of you are my allies.

theBERRY

I have been praying constantly. I've also been yelling and cursing at God, asking Him why He's doing this to me. (Real mature, yeah). I can't STAND that He's not working on MY schedule.

I'm also humbled big time. And maybe that was the point of this whole thing... but then it's like, "Okay, got it now, HEAL ME, PLEASE."

Am I selfish? Yes. But am I honest? Yes.

I just miss running a lot.

Giphy

Bon Voyage!

Wish me luck!

Yesterday was my last day at my job and my last day in DC. Today I'll wait for the rush hour traffic to die down before making my drive south.

Oh, theBERRY, always giving me those giggles.

Yesterday was also my last physical therapy appointment, and now we wait to see if my new hip issue lessens without professional help... else, I start up another PT regimen.

Electrotherapy at its finest.

I am so incredibly hopeful that this new adventure brings about the happiest of happenings.

I hope I:

• Return to running (!!!)
• Continue to foam roll and stretch
• Get better at yoga

But I also hope I:

• Remember all that I've learned here
• Treat people nicely - I don't know their battles - I'm looking at you, crazy, screaming Metro passenger
• Branch out and try new things

I'm considering my trek a "drive of faith."  I'm not completely ready to depart, but I need to trust the timing of my life (another one of my favorites sayings). I left PT with a new injury that's not totally resolved. I am leaving DC without saying good bye to some folks. I didn't go to the top of the Washington Monument, I never toured the White House, and I didn't even see a celebrity... I know, my life is in shambles.

I am putting all of my trust into God. I am trusting Him to return me to the sport I love without my hand-holding therapist. I am trusting Him that the relationships built here will always be sources of fond memories. And I'm trusting Him that this path I'm forging now is where I need to be in this moment.

What are you dealing with on your "drive of faith?"

Gee, thanks a lot... But really. Thanks.

It all comes back to Him.

But first! A look into what I like to call "getting your money's worth."

This morning after an intense Bikram sweat sesh, I dripped my way to the nearest Starbucks for some refreshment. Raise your virtual hand if you are familiar with the Protein Bistro Box. If so, you know that contrary to the picture on the website, the peanut butter comes in a baggie.

Normal people may squeeze what they can from a delicate little corner hole.

NOT I. Exhibit A:

Between this and my poached egg eating habits, I don't know what's more embarrassing awesome.

Hokay, let's get to it.

God. He's pretty cool, and He doesn't hesitate to tell you what's what. A few days ago, I told you all about how I really hope my hip issue goes away now that my IT band is feeling better. It's not (well, it might be, and I might just be feeling post-foam rolling soreness, but that's besides the point).

"Proof of Foam Roll," circa 2015

I'm a sucker for signs, and I truly believe God speaks to us all - we just have to listen and be open to what He has to say. Last night, I was playing around online - whaaa? a blogger online? UNHEARD OF! - when my Facebook feed refreshed, and a friend had posted a lengthy status about why we experience weakness and suffering.

My dears, allow me to point you to 2 Corinthians:

"...but about myself, I will not boast, except about my weaknesses [...] Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me [...] to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong."

We are nothing without Him. He gives us our abilities, and He can take them away. We are given sufferings to remind us that we need Him; we need to call upon Him and trust Him. We cannot get cocky with our accomplishments or "personal" achievements, because they all come back to Him. We are not self-sufficient (as much as we'd like to believe so).

Lord, thank You for the gentle reminder that I need You always.

No questions for this one. Just reflect, and happy Monday.