Thank you all

Guys, I really didn't expect more than a comment or two when I was complaining about my injury a few days ago. I am so grateful for the encouraging words from many of you! One thing you have to say about the running community: it is supportive.
So. thank you for being so kind and offering so much comfort and understanding.


Thank you also for the congratulations on our anniversary! We went out to Emeril's for dinner, followed by a glass of wine at Tommy's Wine Bar across the street. I bought a dress and shoes for the occasion simply because I had two meetings in Metairie right by the mall and I had about 45 minutes to kill between meetings. But I ended up with a cute lace dress and strappy shoes with chunky heels. I'd show you the heels but we still haven't figured out our camera timer, so they didn't quite make the picture. The dress is a plain shift with black peter pan collar, and the cutest part is that it zips down the back with a panel of black fabric and a chunky gold zipper. Darling.

For dinner I had veal with succotash and we split a steamed muscles appetizer with coconut milk and ginger. Both were delicious. David had maple-lacquered duck, which I've had before at Emeril's NOLA.

This was our first time at Emeril's flagship restaurant; we usually go to Emeril's NOLA on our anniversary because we ate dinner there on our wedding day. The food is delicious at both restaurants, but I think I like the atmosphere better at NOLA. Lots of tourists end up in Emeril's, so you have a lot of in and out and people in ball caps and sweaty kids with families - and it seemed more crowded to me; there wasn't an empty table last night but I don't remember NOLA ever being completely packed.

As far as the injury goes, something interesting happened late Friday night. My doctor actually called me from his cell phone as he was waiting for a plane. He'd had a busy day trying to get all his patients out before he left for vacation, so he called to touch base after leaving. The gist of the message was to stop all PT that stretched the offending tendons or used a resistance band, no running, take NSAIDS, and "hang tight". I'm sure he meant hang LOOSE. Right?

Anyway, it was nice of him to call. He's a young doc and apparently hasn't lost his soul yet.

Five years

Five years ago today I was up early, getting ready for my 10 am wedding to my best friend! We were
casual about our wedding: morning ceremony, unmatched bridesmaid dresses, jazz brunch after.

No dancing. No bouquet toss. No garter. No traditions.

We just wanted to enjoy a celebration with our friends, and that's what we did - over lox bagels and bloody marys.
We've kept our marriage like that, too. For two type-A personalities with a little OCD and a little perfectionism, that's not easy: but we don't take things too seriously and always laugh at ourselves. It sounds unrealistic, but we've never had a major fight: we settle our little arguments quickly and don't keep hard feelings. Every day we go closer and every day we love our life more!

I can't believe it's been five years already. We still feel like newlyweds!

Injury status: It hurts and I hate the world

Way back 100 years ago I got injured. It was mild: very, very mild. It was just a sort of achy feeling in the hip and groin after a long run. I ignored it for months and ran five marathons on it. But it didn't go away, so I went to a doctor.
It was a 1 on the pain scale.
He said it was osteitis pubis, and prescribed PT.
The PT said I was strong and healthy and should be better in a matter of weeks.
I wasn't. I got worse.

It was a 2 on the pain scale.
I went to another doctor. He wanted an Xray.
He said I had amazing bones, I just needed a little steroid.
He told me after the steroid I'd be better in a matter of weeks.
I wasn't. All my hair fell out, I gained some 5 lbs, and my face broke out. Frickin' steroids.

It was a 3 on the pain scale now, with less pain in the bone and more pain in the tendons.
I called my doctor back and he said I needed another steroid shot and try running more, maybe I was just stiff and out of shape.

Now it's a 4 on the pain scale at rest, a 3 while running, and a 5 after running. My tendons are screaming. My hamstrings are tight. My quads are bearing the entire force. My bones feel better, but my tendons are yanking on them. Was I misdiagnosed? Was the problem tendons, not bone? Was the osteitis just a result of tendinopathy? If it's an inflammatory process, why does ice make it worse and meloxicam have no effect? If it's tendinosis, why are we messing with steroids anyway?

So, thanks to my appalling work schedule (don't even ask, I've been on so many business trips lately I forgot I was a pharmacist), I can't even go in for follow up for another two weeks. I've run a little, but the pain is clearly worse than before I got the steroid injection and took another break from running! Insane!

The inability to run coupled with the psychosis* that accompanies steroids has made me a mean and horrible angry person, which coincides with my teaching several classes. I actually told a medical resident to shut up and get over himself if he wanted to learn anything. Not exactly making friends here. I can't wait to get over this injury and remember what it feels like to run without pain!

Until then I might be kind of quiet over here. No one wants to read a blog about a slow runner whining about an injury. So until I have something nice to say it might just be the occasional post about the banana jam I made (I did) or the art opening I attended. Sorry folks.

*Psychosis is a real side effect of steroids but I'm just being dramatic here.

The funniest thing I've ever seen while running.

I was running in the park when I saw the funniest thing I've ever seen on a run.

From here. 

Two girls were running toward me when, out of the blue, a squirrel fell out of the tall oak tree above our heads and slammed into the ground just inches from the runners.
BAM! It made a sickening thudding sound! Yet it rolled right over and scampered right at the girls, who were screaming their fool heads off.
I just about died laughing. I've never seen a squirrel fall out of a tree before, let alone from a great height and onto a paved path. It was so unexpected.
What's the funniest thing you've ever seen running?

Paint Party!

Have you ever been to one of those places where you're walked though a painting? You bring your own wine and food and the artists guide you through painting a pre-determined piece of art. Like Corks 'n Canvas, our local place.
I love the idea, except for the step by step instruction. That's kind of a cop-out. But I guess it's necessary given the many different levels of ability who may walk through the door. I, however, used a different strategy for this weekend's paint party: you mimic my painting, I occasionally yell at you and paint over your work.
The night before the party I painted a pretty easy painting and took pictures step by step.
1. First, sketch in pencil.

 2. Then I made a painting guide, illustrating positioning and shapes.

 3. I started with the pelican, painting a simple black oval with a gray diamond for a wing. I highlighted the feathers with white, added legs, and painted in the neck and head. I left the beak sketchy.

I know this is a very over-simplified bird, but I wanted everyone to be able to paint it, and wildlife can be daunting. 

 4. The posts are simply strips of gray-brown, going from very dark shadow on the left to almost white on the right. I squiggled a dark, messy shoreline.

 5. The marsh is varying colors of green in short, downward brush strokes. No mixing.

6. I left some areas a very light white-blue, like water peeking through the grasses.

7. You can use the same color for the water in front and in back, but up close you should just use wide side-to-side strokes without mixing the color much. It should be smoother where it is farther away. Notice that the water is slightly darker the further you go. 

8. The sky is the same tint but a lighter shade and is smooth strokes. The marshy area is finished with brown brush and grass created by using an almost dry brush with some brown paint. I used the same technique to paint the reflection of the shoreline.

9. The last detail is the pelican's beak: if the orange-brown paint is too translucent, paint the beak white first, then orange over that. Add a touch of yellow to his head and add shading or outlining as needed to make him stand out.

Everyone added her own style!

Miriam's sea was stormy

Most of us...three of the group had already left when we took this shot

And of course, all that painting was accompanied by good food and wine! We had so much fun I'll definitely be repeating this party!

Picking that goal race

With high hopes for eventual healing, I'm tentatively planning my fall and winter racing. I'm picking out my goal race for this year. Like last year, I'm thinking it might end up being The Louisiana Marathon. I'm registered for the race already, but it might end up being more a training run if I take too long to heal. So I have to consider selecting back up goal races, too.
When picking a goal race there are a few things that I prioritize:
1. Time of year. This is crucial to me in my climate: an early fall race will never be successful for me, because the summer heat will prevent any effective speedwork. Likewise, a cold-weather runner might have trouble training through the winter.
2. Location. For me, a goal race should be in my area. I don't want to add the stress of travel to a race situation. Don't get me wrong, I love destination races: I just don't want a flight debacle ending in a hungry, dehydrated late night the evening before. I also like the conveniences of home: picking out your gels race morning or throwing your favorite shorts in the wash if you realize the night before that they're not clean.
3. Race history. How have past years gone? Was there some kind of RnR Vegas night marathon disaster? Was it a small, slow field? Did they run out of water? Did a train cross in the middle of the race? Inaugural events are always a big risk: I don't like to run them, but I did last January at the Louisiana Marathon; other factors plus knowledge of the race director's résumé made me choose the race anyway.
4. Course. I like interesting courses, but of course I also take into account terrain. Since I train in a totally flat area, running a hilly race is setting myself up for failure (although I did ok in both Boston and Publix - hilly and hot courses both times. No PRs, but I did better than I thought I would). I just think you should run a race on a terrain you train on: so if you live in a hilly area, don't do a totally flat race. Stick with what you have practiced. For me, that's pretty flat courses: no rollers, no dramatic downhills, not Big Sur climbs.
5. Runners' reviews. I check out marathonguide.com; I don't know if similar resources exist for other distances. I do take these reviews with a grain of salt, however, as it seems like people who had a good race give rave reviews and people who didn't do well complain about choice of electrolyte drink, host hotel, and size of the medal. But reviews are a good source for comments like, "Course was poorly marked," "Not enough port-o-potties", or "Whole city comes out to spectate". You won't get that from the race website.

These are the top criteria to me, but you might have other criteria you use: like, will my training partners be running this race? How much does it cost? Is there a back-up race in one or two weeks? Is this a bad time of year for my job/kids school/husband's band? Will I be able to get off work? How much will airfare cost at the time? Do they serve gatorade or powerade? etc.

What's on your race criteria list?

The jewelry and clothing of the season

Sometimes I get a few pieces of clothing or jewelry that I find myself reaching for over and over again. Then I rotate my closet and that solves that problem. No, I'm kidding - these are actually just really great pieces for the summer.

First off I have these amazing wedges. The pewter snakeskin is basically a neutral and so much more unique than silver or gold, and the thick straps provide a comfortable fit that doesn't cut or blister. And the hot pink lining that peeps out is just enough color! I wore these with white cigarette slacks and a deep indigo top for a gallery opening.

Next up are these lightweight enamel earrings in a summery sunburst pattern and warm colors. These are the posts I bought with my sister, and I've been loving them with a plain white T-shirt and scarf, a casual black dress, and a crisp brown blazer with rolled up sleeves.
When I wear post earrings at work, they have to be very light (these are, thanks to a thin hammered back) and can't have long posts in the back - otherwise I'd stab myself every time I pick up the phone. This pair fits the bill.

I had to replace my standard maxi-dress this summer. I think a maxi dress is a summer staple, especially a knit dress in a solid color. It's great to throw on in hot weather and if you forgot to shave, no biggie. I wore my old dress to death, plus it was a little low cut for me.
My new dress is actually from Kmart and was a $14 sale. Good thing, because it was a good 6 inches too short. I added 7 inches for good measure by cutting off the hem of my old dress and adding it on. So now I have a deep navy dress with a purple-navy stripe...but at least it's long enough! I love the crocheted lace back and the covered-up top.

Actually this dress required so much altering I might as well have sewn the whole thing: I had to alter the armholes, the neckline, and the straps in addition to adding the bottom flounce. I actually thought about sewing a dress, but I wanted a knit dress and I don't have the necessary serger.

I felt so bad about buying this hammered metal bracelet - not because it was expensive (it was a trade item from Buffalo Clothing Exchange, so it was actually free!) but because I didn't know David had just ordered me another silver cuff bracelet as a surprise gift! But the two styles are totally different, and I've been wearing both a lot. David's gift is a lot dressier, but I've worn both with casual outfits, too.

So there's my summer wardrobe, more or less. What have you been wearing this summer?