Crescent City Classic 2011 - I DID IT!!!

I DID IT! I participated in the Crescent City Classic 10K walk/run for the first time ever! My brother had been harrassing me for the past few years to share this experience with him. He had run it several times before. So, this year, I caved...I gave in and agreed to do this with him.
On Saturday morning I woke up early (5 a.m.) to hitch a ride with my sister who was supposed to be picking up myself and my step mom. At 5:30 she still hadn't arrived and I was beginning to think she'd forgotten me. So, I called her cell phone which she sleepily answered right away. She apparently had overslept and was quite upset with herself.

At 6 a.m. she FINALLY arrived and we were on our way. The plan was to meet my brother and then ride down to New Orleans with him. We got to N.O. at apx 8 a.m. The race was to start at 8:30. After parking, we huffed and puffed (endured a brisk walk for 1/2 a mile) our way through the 85% humidity to get to the start line.

We were there just long enough for a quick picture before the US Marine Color Guard posted the colors and fired the cannon signaling that the race was now on.

I began walking and promptly was bombarded from behind by many runner all itching to get first place or at least make better time than they did last year. It was unreal!! At a quarter mile, I saw my sister standing on the sidewalk patiently waiting for me to catch up to her. (She walks really fast! Either that or her legs are longer than mine.) She went on ahead and I started walking faster trying to keep up. Then it dawned on me that this was a 10K (6.2 miles) race. There was no way I could walk at that pace for that distance. So, I just decided to plug in my MP3 player with my Couch to 5K tunes on it (complete with a walk/run prompt). I figured I'd be better off by tuning out everthing around me as I attempted this first time feat.

Another quarter mile (and my 2nd 60 second run), I saw my sister again standing on the sidewalk. As I jogged past, I told her to "Jump in!" .... which she did. She took three steps and made a face plant right there on Poydras Avenue, badly injuring both of her knees. A lady stopped mid jog to help me and my sister hobble to the side of the road while the sea of athletes all passed us by.

We were only a few steps away from a police officer who offered to contact EMS, but stated that they could take a while getting to us. Sis decided that it wasn't an emergency, she just needed a first aid kit and a few moments to regather herself and then she would continue on. Would you believe this police officer did NOT have a first aid kit!? A kindly restaurant manager who was standing by watching the runners, entered his restaurant and returned with a dry towel, wet towel, ice packs, and bandaids in order to help patch up my sister. She then told me she was fine and waved me off to continue the endeavor alone. She said she'd catch up later.

And so I go, putting my earphones in once again to pick up where I left off. I kept running/walking along the way, in as much shade as I could find and was surprised .... I mean, REALLY SURPRISED! to find myself a short time later looking at the 5K mark painted on the pavement. I thought to myself, "I DID IT! And I feel REALLY good!!! This ain't so bad after all!" followed by, "Oh wait a minute. This is a 10K - I'm only halfway there!".

My sister did catch up to me a short time later and we spent the rest of the race fighting my "Defeatist Attitude" (as my brother called it). Two and a half hours later, I finished the Crescent City Classic! I was weak from having no breakfast and my feet (especially the top of my left foot) was killing me to the point that I was limping.

I'm pretty sure my stride was off a bit so that was why my foot hurt. I have been inspired, though, to get back to my Couch to 5K interval training program and then move on to the Bridge to 10K training program. I plan to RUN the 10K next year and shave off 1.5 hours! Meanwhile, I relish the fact that I DID IT!!!

Here I stand at the Crescent City Classic finish line with my time posted above my head.  I know, it's not a flattering picture but then again, who looks pretty immediately after a 6.2 mile run?

Clark Creek & Port Hudson

A few weeks ago, my little ones stayed at a friends house for some swimming fun. Therefore, DH and I (along with DQ and The Teen) decided to get out and enjoy some nature like we used to do a long time ago. We chose to visit the Clark Creek area just over the Louisiana/Mississippi border northeast of St. Francisville. This is a beautiful little area that I advise you hike in when the weather gets a little cooler.

It's more than 2000 acres of natural beauty that boasts nearly 40 waterfalls that range from 10 feet to 25 feet in height! If you stay on the established trails you'll only get to see 6 - 8 of these waterfalls. All along the trails you will see a mixed hardwood and pine forest with beech and magnolia trees throughout. As you stroll, hike, or huff/puff along you might also see birds, snakes (some poisonous!), a snail or two, and maybe, just MAYBE a black bear since this area provide excellent habitat for it.

If you plan to hike this area, go at your own risk. It's a pretty strenuous workout. It's also located in a remote area so any medical assistance is quite a distance away. However, across the street from the parking lot there is a home on a bluff where a man has a 6 wheel ATV for emergency recoveries.

There is no drinking or potable water avialable at Clark Creek so be sure to pack a cooler full of iced water. Take a few bottles down into the trail with you.

As you approach the parking area you will prob'ly see the greeting crew as shown in the photo below.

Stop in the pond store to pick up a trail map. Be sure to take a peek at the original cash register that the store aquire in 1903. The owner has the original box it was delivered in sitting up on a top shelf behind her. Ask her to point it out to you. Also, peek at the doll house in the store.

Once you get on the trail, there is a bluff where most vistors carve their names as my hubby is doing here.

Here is the first waterfall of the Clark Creek area. Isn't it pretty?
DQ and The Teen slowly approach an ambush! DH is such a kid!

They have no idea what they're about to walk into.

The 2nd waterfall. You can actually hike right down the stream from waterfall #1 to this one. Just don't go OVER it!

Time for the long climb out of here!

And the MANY stairs!

On the way back out past the old store, you will see these 2 little cabins on your right. They can be rented on a nightly basis. For more info, talk to the lady in the store.

Leaving the Clark Creek area and heading south we found a historical marker in front of someone's house. Seems that Oliver Pollock was an Irish merchant in Spanish N.O. he also served in that city as a Commercial Agent for the Continental Congress & helped finance the American Revolution with his fortune. He died at Pinckneyville, MS in 1832 and is buried here.

Continuing our southerly trek, we decided to stop at Port Hudson for a visit and lunch. The Teen looks real excited huh!?

I wondered what the inside of a cannon looked like and since I couldn't see all the way down into it, I just stuck my camera in the end of it and turned the flash on. Looks like a cannon.

Aaaannnnd, this concludes our Field Trip to Clark Creek and Port Hudson. Next time I'm taking geocache coordinates to hunt for a different kind of treasure! There's a bunch of them at Clark Creek and 2 at Port Hudson. I WILL find them!!!

The Shower Blowout Saga

I didn't wake up until 10 a.m. this morning. Sleeping in is nice but can be painful if you lay there too long. Especially after you've entered the 4th decade of your life.

The first thing I did was use the restroom, drink some water, and get dressed. Then I got my bicycle and set out for a ride. Here in South Louisiana at 10 a.m. on the first day of July, it's pretty hot. As I type this only 2 hours later, the current temperature outside is 93F. The high today is predicted to be 97F.

Anyway, as I rode, my first thought was, "Hey, this is pretty nice today. Not too hot....the birds are singing....I feel good!" When I got to the 1.5 mile mark, I noticed a rhythmic Thlap, Thlap, Thlap, on my front tire. Paying closer attention to it, I also noticed a small knot in the middle of the tire. Stopping the bike to closer examine the issue, I noticed the outer tire had a cut and the inner tube was protruding through it.

I got back on the bike and rode a couple of more Thlap Thalps. I don't know what I was thinking. Anyway, that exposed inner tube just couldn't compete with the hot asphalt so it exploded.

Oh, well, I'll just walk back to the house and push my bicycle. During the walk back to the house, I was sweating so hard! It was dripping into my eyes and stinging. I began thinking about a nice long shower when I got back home. I walked my bike up to my dad's house with hopes that he'd be able to repair it when he got a chance. He noticed how red my face was (it gets REALLY red when I exercise) and commented that I looked bit hot. I said, "Yeah, I'm looking forward to a shower."

He responded, "Oh, you can't take a shower!"

I looked at him like he was crazy. I said, "Annnnd why not?"

Then he proceeds to tell me that while he was working around the house today, he ruptured the water main. See, out here in the country, we have a water well. Dad has run all the water lines to the house, the chicken coop, the dog pen, the garden, etc. But today, he has another project going on and when he drove a stake into the ground to mark the territory of the project, he hit the main line.

Yay. Can you just hear the sarcasm there? Yay

So, I sit here now, cooling off in the A/C at least, typing my blog, until the line is repaired and water is restored. THEN I'll go take that shower and wash all the dried sweat off of me.

Pre Diabetes/Insulin Resistance

On Friday, June 26, 2009, I met with my doctor to discuss some blood test results. I was told that I am (along with 57% of Americans) pre-diabetic or Insulin Resistant. I have not yet developed full blown diabetes, but this is why my doctor wanted to consult with me. He wants to prevent me from developing the disease. He believes that we can head it off with lifestyle change, better food choices, regular exercise, and substantial weight loss.

And so, I embark on this journey. I have started an online food diary and exercise journal to keep track of what I'm doing to my body. The links to these along with printouts will be given to my doctor.

On Saturday, I began watching my carb limits. The doctor wants me to have 10 or less carbs per meal. This is a difficult task! On Monday, I began the South Beach diet program with the doctor's blessing. Phase One of this program requires that I eat only high protein foods. No sugars, Grains, or Fruit allowed for 2 weeks!!! This is along with drinking a lot of water and 30 minutes of exercise a day.

By the way, the doc said that when I do exercise, he wants me huffing and puffing for 30 solid minutes. If I can talk during my 30 minutes, I'm not working hard enough. My challenge right now is to find a comfortable level to keep steady before having a heart attack or something during my exercise session.

Okay, I'll sign off for now but not before saying that I am excitedly pleased to report a weight loss of 7 lbs since my doctor's visit on Friday just 5 days ago!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

If you would like to see what I'm eating, click here.

Dance Recital Mishaps

My girls had their dance recital yesterday afternoon. It was Little Bird's Third and Kangaroo's First recital! They love to dance and when I tell you that they LOVE to dance, I mean, they LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEE to dance! It's gotten to the point that when they misbehave, I tell them we won't go to dance class. They quickly straighten up at that!

Yesterday was a pretty uneventful afternoon, well, except for the rain. We got backstage and dressed in their tap costumes for their first dance of the evening. They did great! Watch the Video to see them dance to Crocodile Rock! Watch Kangaroo as she attempts to do what the other girls are doing. Little Bird just does her own thing. LOL They're too funny!

At intermission, I was "paged" to come backstage. My Little Bird was crying and had mussed up all her theatre makeup. She was having a dramatic reaction to the fact that the other little girls didn't want to play "I Spy" with her. I calmed her down and proceeded to repair the make up damage when I heard what sounded like running water. I thought to myself, "Uh Oh, someone spilled a bottle of water!". At the same time, it was announced that my girls were lining up for their ballet performance. I'm putting the finishing touches on Little Bird when Kangaroo comes to me, walking like a cowboy with bowlegs, and announces that she had a tee tee accident......while wearing her ballet costume!

Thankfully, another mom had an extra pair of matching tights!!! Little Bird got in line while Kangaroo and I made a run for the restroom to get cleaned up and changed. We got backstage just in the nick of time for her catch up with the other girls before going on stage for their "Pure Imagination" ballet dance number.

All I can say, is THANK GOD she didn't have her accident while ON STAGE!!!

After the Finale, I went back stage again to gather up their things and exit with the rest of the crowd. We met Daddy in the hallway where he presented our angels with a bouquet of flowers.....EACH! They were thrilled to receive their very own flowers and while riding on the way home they carefully examined each and every blossom. Half of the flowers survived the ride (the other half are in the back floor board of the suburban) and are currently residing in a table top vase on the kitchen counter.

All in all, it was a great afternoon with my dancing angel babies!

Will post pics and dance videos soon.

Dancing Queens

Puddle Jumping Fun

I had recently purchased some little pink camo rubber boots for my girls. They were so excited about their new boots that they wanted to wear them to the park to play! I told them they are to be used when it’s raining. Well, the Lord provided! So, today, we enjoyed playing in a light rain with no lightning or thunder. They had lots of fun!

Puddle Jumping is so much fun!

Training Pain Update

Just a quick update. Last night I purchased an ankle stabilizer. This morning I put it on first thing and took 600 mg of Ibuprofen. I called my general practicioner and made an appointment for this afternoon. I called the G.P. because he would have to do a referral to the orthopedic specialist. Then I sat on my rear with my foot propped up until time for my appointment.

By appointment time, there was no pain at all. The doc put the foot and ankle through some range of motion stuff. He felt the ankle at the same time. There was no grinding or popping going on at all.

Finally, he told me to keep up with the 600 mg ibuprofen twice a day for the next few days. He also told me to resume my walks with the stabilizer for a few days but only for a mile. If no pain, then remove the stabilizer and try to lengthen my walk and see what happens. If the pain returns, I'm supposed to stop activity, ice the ankle, and call him immediately. I'm guessing that at that point (if it comes to that) he'll refer me to the orthopedic doctor.

I certainly hope his recommendations work.

Training Pain

If I haven't mentioned it before, my brother has asked me to accompany him on the Crescent City Classic 5k. I'm not an athlete by any means but I figured that if I can walk a mile or two right now, then surely I can do a 5k in a month. So, I've been out walking every day this week.

Walking is great exercise but I'm not enjoying it so much right now. It seems that I have developed a problem. First of all, after each walk, my left ankle is throbbing and swollen. Immediately after I get home, I have to get off my feet, prop them up, and place ice bags on each ankle for a few minutes. After icing, the pain subsides and I'm okay but not great.

Yesterday I did 3 miles. Halfway through, the throbbing pain returned. By the time I ended the walk and was at home, I was limping. I came in and did the ice, remaining off my feet the rest of the evening. When I woke up this morning and got out of bed....OUCH!!!...Now I'm limping again and dreading today's walk.

I think I've developed tendonitis but I'm not sure. Also, while walking, I can feel the ankle pop and grind. Most likely an arthritic symptom.

This has happened before and I thought it was just my shoes. So I bought more and then didn't do any walking for over a year resulting in my sedentary lifestyle. I would love to do more exercise and/or walking but I certainly would like for it to be painless....well, painless beyond the normal pain, if you know what I mean.

Does anyone out in bloggy land have any suggestions?!!!???? Help!!!