Standing Straight (or not so much...)

Well, the results are in! I went for my follow up appointment with the chiropractor on Monday. Evidently, the reason that I have the left hip (and possibly even the left foot) pain is because of the way my spine is shaped, and therefore gravity is pushing down on the nerves.

We all have curvature of our spines normally. This curvature helps our bodies with shock absorption when walking, exercising, and even standing (gravity). My neck curve is not great. In fact, it's past STRAIGHT (which would be bad enough) and it's curved the opposite way. So all the nerve roots that come out of my cervical vertebrae (the ones closest to my head) aren't able to function at 100%. I also have the beginning of arthritis of the spine, which, according to Dr. Jeff, can be helped and isn't the end of the world-- we just really don't want it to get any worse! When I looked at the X-ray of my spine from the front views, that's when I really saw how I can have pain because my spine is misaligned. It's slightly s-shaped instead of being straight up and down-- not as severe as scoliosis, obviously. So gravity pulls from my right shoulder across the body to my left hip, instead of an even distribution. The reason I had pain in my foot after 8 miles is because my body couldn't take the constant pounding on that side. And when I got to 13 miles, the hip couldn't cushion the blows either.

I asked Dr. Jeff how much of this has to do with my weight. He said some, but not as much as you might think. This has to do with the spinal structures. So yes, extra body weight means extra pull. But if I weighed 99 pounds and had the same X-rays, it's likely I would have the same problems. Also, the inserts that the podiatrist gave me are really only adding a little extra arch support, which I can do with a different pair of sneakers, so they aren't really helping with much. So far, the new shoes that I have for walking have been fine, so we'll see. I have learned my lesson, and will be going back to my friends at the Running Place to re-evaluate everything in another few months, once we start log in some serious miles.

I have had 2 adjustments already. The first one was strange. It didn't hurt at all! First he had me lay on my right side and he tried to adjust my lower back. There was no crack or pop or anything, and I didn't feel all that different. Then he did my upper neck-- that was LOUD! Afterwards I felt a little lightheaded, which Dr. Jeff said was normal. I guess when you release the pressure on nerves that have been compressed, and they are finally able to send more signals to your brain--- well, it's like fireworks with all your synapses firing. I went again for a second adjustment, and this time, I was lying on my stomach and he did something to my lower back. That time, I felt a small pop and it felt like something had released the tension there. He also did an adjustment of my back (shoulder blades) area that had another dramatic snapping noise, and again, it felt like some of the overall pressure was released.

Dr. Jeff was also able to help my feet. I sprained my right ankle about 3 years ago, and it just hasn't been the same since. He said that some of the bones and ligaments were out of alignment, so he readjusted that. He also adjusted the bones in my left foot, especially where my bunion is. The bunion felt better instantly, and it hasn't hurt all day!

Dan and I have our first recruitment meeting for TNT tonight. We'll join Robyn and Jerry at the Running Place to share our experiences with prospective teammates. I can't wait to show off my medal and my race shirt again! Kick off is coming up in the beginning of August, and then we start our training on August 11th. I have been taking it easy with training. I am hoping next week to start a little more regularly. It was funny to look at the training schedule, and see 1 to 2 mile for the first couple of practices. I never thought I would get to the point when I felt like that wasn't alot!

Thanks for checking in here at our blog. We'll begin our fundraising for the Winter Marathon soon. Dan is going to help me tweak the website, so you may see some changes over the next few weeks. GO TEAM!

~Sara

Back Cracker

I went to my first visit with the Chiropractor yesterday. It was kind of cool, actually. I met with Dr. Jeff Chamberlain in West Chester (www.chamberlainchiropractic.com) , and had a very thorough assessment (and coming from a Nurse Practitioner, this is a high compliment), as well as x-rays. I really hope that he is able to help me with my hip pain. He has to look over my films and get a plan together, and then I will go back on Monday to hear if he can help me, and how. So no snap-crackle-pop adjustments or anything yet...

But here are a few things I have learned about my spine already:

* Evidently, my neck vertebrae are "a mess" (his term, not mine).

* I weigh 9 pounds more on the right side of my body than the left (I literally had to stand on two scales at the same time, and they look at the difference-- one scale is usually enough to put me into a tailspin, so I was FREAKING OUT when I learned there would be two at once. Dr. Jeff kept telling me to concentrate on standing still, but since I was so freaked out, this was a little easier said than done).

* The weight of a dime on a nerve can decrease it's ability by 60% (little Trivial Pursuit tidbit for you).

* There may be a connection between fertility and chiropractic. I thought this was particularly interesting, on a personal and professional level. It makes sense to me , though. Since all the nerves in our bodies start in the spinal cord, if the spine is "out of whack" (another stellar medical term) and the nerves aren't able to function the way that they should, the organs they enervate may be affected. There was a study in which 15 women with histories of various infertility issues received chiropractic care, and 14 of them got pregnant. I don't know what real scientific proof this offers, but it does, at the very least, raise an interesting theory about a link between the two. And, at this point, we'll take all the help we can get!

I'll update on Monday and let you all know what the verdict is... I hope this helps! I haven't been able to start training yet, and I am getting anxious to GET GOING (ha)!

~Sara

Old Home Week

Last night, Dan and I went to Kildaire's in King of Prussia for our Summer TNT Reunion. We got to catch up with our teammates and coaches from San Diego, as well as those team members that went to Anchorage, AK, for the Mayor's Midnight Run Marathon on June 23.

Hearing about the Alaska trip was great! Evidently, there was a moose hanging out by the side of the race course at mile 3. A real moose! That must have been so neat! Our teammate Lucretia also said that the daylight was hard to get used to. Since it's summer, the sun doesn't set. There is a "dusk" at around 1:30am, but it only lasts for an hour or so. She said the good part about the hotel was that the curtains were really thick, so when they were closed it was pitch black in the room.

We are preparing for our Recruitment Meetings for the Winter Season. As mentors, we will attend 2 meetings along with coaches and admin. staff. The big season kickoff party is in the beginning of August. Then, on August 11, we have our first group practice, and start our training all over again!

I think I mentioned this before, but I am going to try to do a walk/run training program this time. I would walk for 4 mins. and run for 2 mins. (for example) for the entire 13 miles. This will increase my speed, and hopefully allow me to keep a faster pace. I told Jerry about my plans, and he gave me a sort of incredulous look. I was a little bit mad at him-- where's the faith, Jer? I am going to go out and kick some mouse-butt in January!

I really feel like I would have had a stronger finish time if it hadn't been for the hip pain I had during the race. I have an appointment at the chiropractor next week, to see if they can help me. I have been sort of scared to start training again. I went out once a few days after the marathon, and as soon as I picked up any sort of speed, I had the same pinch. Then, I have the pain at random times (and not even every day): when I am walking to the train from work, when I am standing at work. At one point, I went to sit at my desk at work, and I thought my whole leg was going to go out from under me. It was so painful, my eyes watered.

I went to The Running Place-- a quick shout out to Joan, Pattie, and all our friends over there who evidently read this blog and POST IT ON A BULLETIN BOARD (I'm a little embarrassed, but a little flattered at the same time!)-- and got a different type of sneakers. The new ones are more stable, so hopefully that will help overall. I really notice a difference already, with the light walking that I do. The old shoes, I realize now, sort of let my feet slide around more--it's kind of hard to explain. But so far, so good with the new ones. The real test will be when I start actual training again, and when I learn how to run without having to call 9-1-1!

I have stopped using the inserts for my shoes. I was afraid that, even though the foot pain went away, that they caused the hip pain. I have called the podiatrist's office four times, and have not gotten a response. I guess I could make an appointment, but under principle, I refuse to pay a copay to someone who won't even return a stupid phone call. I'll be able to discuss the whole thing with the chiropractor next week, and I am hoping he can help me across the finish line, one adjustment at a time (heehee).

I plan to keep posting as we get into our new season, so I hope that you'll continue to read about my adventures! Thanks for checking in!

~Sara

Proof Positive

2 posts in one day??? I must be making up for my chronic lack of posting! Here are some more pictures (Thanks Robyn!) from San Diego. Now I can actually prove I finished the race-- I am sure some of you were beginning to wonder since AIS had no pictures of me because obviously I wasn't out there long enough (ha!), I have no official time because they pulled up the mats, and I have Cheryl's medal because they ran out... so here you go!

Here's Dan and Karen at mile 4ish:
Me at the same spot (look, there are actually people BEHIND me):This is me coming up to the finish line, bawling my little eyes out:Jerry, Linda "Me Too" Hagarty, Randee, Me, Robyn, Cheryl, & LeeAnn right after I finished (I literally have no recollection of this picture being taken):Me and my very favorite coach ever, Jerry, winding down at the Shouthouse Piano Bar:Robyn and me at the Shouthouse (already looking a little tipsy, no?):Me and my very favorite husband ever, Dan (yup, a smidge tipsy here):
Me, Dan, Linda & Jerry in front of the Hotel Del Coronado:

Me, Dan, Robyn & Jerry in the same spot:Dan, me, Linda & Robyn having drinks on the porch of the Hotel Del (we could get used to this!):



Okay, there you go... unless anyone comes up with some photos I haven't seen yet, I think that's the last of them! Don't blame me~ you asked for it!

~Sara

An Exercise in Ridiculousness

A certain running shoe company (which shall remain nameless lest we give them even MORE press) recently began an ad campain entitled "We are not Joggers". If you Google it, you will find an 11 page internet spread claiming that those of us who run a little slower are "half-assing it", and are not "real runners". I just got done writing a very strongly worded letter to the company (a la Marmie from Little Women when Amy gets the switch for taking limes to school). I ran into a similar attitude when I first told people I was going to do the Marathon: "You're doing a marathon??", they said, incredulously. "Yes, I'm doing a marathon." "Wait you're RUNNING a marathon?" "No, I'm walking." "Oh, well, okay then." As if the fact that I was walking makes any difference. When's the last time they did ANY sort of activity for 4 hours at a stretch??

The one thing I have learned from this training adventure is that it doesn't matter how fast or slow you go, just that you show up and do it. Thirteen point one miles is still thirteen point one miles, whether it takes you 2 hours or 4. Your shoes are still worn, your feet still hurt, and your spirits soar just as much as anyone else.

So boo-hiss to that running company, from which I will NEVER purchase any products. They say that when you have a bad experience with something, you are likely to tell 10 people. Well, I just told the entire internet. So there.

~Sara

Addendum: In the same vein, kudos to Reebok, who are marketing a brilliant strategy of late:

So I'll echo the words of the great John Bingham, "The Penguin", and my new idol: "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is I had the courage to start."