Maggie or 2018 Honda Civic?

1. Sporty.

2. Greyish silver.

3. Eco-conscious to an extent.

4. Messed up wiring.

5. Not that old.

6. Low to the ground.

7. Fuel efficient. 

8. In need of a shower.

9. Seat covered in dog hair.

Maggie: 2, 3, 4, 5(!), 6?, 8, 9

2018 Honda Civic: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Biking tonight was a little painful, but we'll chalk that up to a lack of sleep, it being windy, my being on my heavier bike, and having an injection today into my hip joint for a very targeted MRI. I'm most definitely NOT doing the half-marathon this weekend, but will keep trying biking. I'm scheduled for PT and am optimistic. https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/GoMaggieGo-2023

(T)h(r)ill Seeker

So, yeah, it is appearing more and more UNlikely (but never say never!) that I will be capable of running the half-marathon in two weeks. If I can't, I am sort of considering trying to solve my hip issues very diligently so I can run a 10-miler in the fall. (I have found an amazing stretch!) Since people donated to the MS Society in support of my running goal, I would like to deliver. But maybe I'm  not supposed to be more than a casual runner and should try to do something ambitious on my bike. (Hmm.)

This running respite has allowed me to focus a bit more on cycling, which is good, since our June Belgium trip will involve a hilly, 7-day ride and I haven't ridden hardly at all this season.

After my San Diego meeting ended, I had a free afternoon and didn't want to sit in my hotel room, despite its amazing view.

So I rented a bike, wearing sweat-inducing jeans and a backpack, and did this ride after being talked out of riding to and through Coronado Island. I found some hills (with very respectful cars) in Balboa Park before riding in the most industrial, trafficky "bike lane," which had a fair amount of debris. The cars were very respectful there, too (except for one bus), which is evident by the fact that I'm still alive. On the way back from the southernmost point where I took the photo of the water, the bike lane evaporated and I had to ride the bike as fast as I possibly could because I was taking the full lane and it was rush hour. The bike's front brakes were slightly on for most of the ride, the right pedal had a concerning "gonna fall off?" squeak, and my handlebars were slightly twisted off center. It was still a great ride though. I was tired and had a delicious dinner.

I got home mid-afternoon on Thursday and, that night, did the women's ride that I started doing last summer, led by the super encouraging, super optimistic, super friendly Laura. 

I'm not sure when she took that photo of me riding, but despite my goofy mouth, I like it. I like seeing my form is pretty decent after I got my bike re-fit last summer. 

I was very focused on self-care this weekend, but did go out for a ride after the rain stopped today. I tried to find hills on a short 25-miler. The first climb was on Highway 13 to Cherokee Park (are they renaming that?) in West (?) Saint Paul. Highway 13 felt a lot harder than it looks on that elevation chart. You can't tell from the map, but I went down Ohio Street, turned around, and went up and down Ohio Street again. I then skipped the gentle grade of the MRT from Lilydale to Mendota and went up the big hill that probably has twice the elevation of the gradual uphill trail. Some decent hills without going far. Good thing I did a bunch of hill training in 2019 and know where they are hidden for future rides.

When I was at my meeting in San Diego, I gave out these cute animal affirmation cards. 

I highly recommend them. There were only about 5 dumb ones in the box of 50 and they will totally make you (or others) smile. I credit them for enabling me to just regroup a bit this weekend before I leave town again to help my mom for her knee surgery.

Here's hoping my hip mobility improves so that I can walk her dog without too much pain. Ideally zero! 

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/GoMaggieGo-2023

Stumbling Block

Well... I've been saying some core work is needed, and was sort of doing it. And then I got busy with running and work and I fell back into my bad habits. Now I am paying, as I sit, sit, sit on an airplane. 

About 10 days ago, I ran 10 miles. Yay me! Longest ever! Later that night, I was sore (and my watch pointed out that my heart rate was all wonky). The next day I was a little sore. Then the next day, I ran 3 miles and it felt okay. And then I ran 6 the next day and I was a little sore in my hip. Then I worked a bunch the next day, which involved a lot of sitting, and was very sore in my hip. Then I ran 4 miles and could not walk the next day. Then I felt okay and ran 5 of the scheduled 6 miles and had to stop. Since then, walking is a chore and I have to pick up my left leg to move it sometimes, including when sleeping. 

Today Haley stopped suddenly in front of me and there was a very painful shooting pain in my hip. (That's redundant.)

So, I haven't run in 4 days but have done some outdoor and indoor biking, which felt good, and I did a hip mobility class and spent some quality time with Jane the chiropractor. I now am on a plane and am taking a break from working to read a book a cyclist recommended with hip exercises for runners, as everything gets very stuck in place with each state we fly over. We'll see how this plays out. 

I want to get better enough to run the half-marathon for which I have been training. I want to have better strength and flexibility in all the parts. I don't want to be a runner, but wouldn't mind running 4 miles every so often.

I packed my big suitcase so I could bring my small foam roller. I packed running clothes but don't know if I'll be able to use them. 

This is a poorly written post but I'm kind of uncomfortable and discouraged! 

Because my biking plans are weird this year, I was using this run as my replacement for my BikeMS fundraising efforts. I have a tiny glimmer into what it could be like to have a uncooperative body. It is nothing like MS to be sure, but it does help me appreciate all we've been doing to raise money for research and services that can keep people moving and living their best lives. 

Fingers crossed that things improve! 

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/GoMaggieGo-2023