A (self) Diagnosis

I have Runner's Knee.  At least that's what I've gathered from good ole Dr. Google.  No, I have not yet returned to see the fabulous Dr. H or my amazing one-time physiotherapist from the post-half marathon incident.  However, after reading the location and type of pain (around the knee and a feeling of rubbing against bone), what aggrivates it most (downhill or down stairs), and checking out the recommended exercises to help alleviate some of the pain (exactly why the physio had told me to do), I think I can safely say that yes, I do indeed have Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - Runner's Knee.

What prompted this sudden self-diagnosis?  I ran again.  This morning.  Before work.  I had an overwhelming desire to hop on the treadmill while watching the news and I had every intention of just walking.  I figured I'd get a half hour in before work and then a half hour when I got home this evening.  Well, my inner Iron(wo)Man took control and started running.  I told myself that I'd stop if I had any pronounced problems.  A slight twinge during the second interval but I decided to try increasing the incline - it helped.  Although I did notice a miniscule amount of discomfort when it was time to walk.  Thirty minutes later, I was sweaty but not sore and hopped off.  I made sure to stretch and did one set of the physio leg lifts.  No pain.  At work, I only noticed a little stiffness after I'd been sitting at my desk for an extended period of time but overall pretty good.  My plan to bring my beanbag to the office in order to ice my knee on and off throughout the day fell through because I forgot it st home.  Ah well.  All this worrying about whether or not the pain would return spurred me towards the internets and....tada.  Instant self-diagnosis.  I don't recommend self-diagnosis for most health concerns but considering I'd already seen someone about this problem, and having various websites confirm my suspicions, I think its safe to assume I'm correct.  The exercises were the kicker (no pun intended).  As soon as I saw what was recommended, I knew it. 

So, it is with renewed passion that I will strengthen my weak quads, trying to relax my tight calves (thanks to my stupid plantaar fasciitis), and icing after ever run/walk.  To be honest, I feel a tad bit relieved that its what I thought it would be (my old injury) and not something new.  Its not running that's the problem; its my muscles.  And its not a death knell for my running future; its merely a bump in the road that I have to constantly and consistently be conscious of.  Oh yeah, and avoid hills.  If only I had known that before attempting what has to be one of the hilliest half marathons ever.

137. A Caribbean Mystery (Agatha Christie)

“Would you like to see a picture of a murderer" Jane Marple is asked by a fellow guest whilst on a luxurious holiday in the Caribbean. Just as he’s about to show the picture to her, he looks over her shoulder, appears startled, and changes the subject. The next morning, a servant finds him dead in his room having died of apparent heart failure. When doubts begin to emerge about the man’s cause of death, Ms. Marple has to unravel the mystery and discover who amongst them the killer is before someone else is murdered in this tropical paradise.



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When I bought my Kobo, my coworker had given me a disk full of eBooks and I think they included every book Christie ever wrote. While I’ve loved watching as many television and movie versions of her stories as I can, I really wanted to dive into the books, preferably a mystery I’d not experienced before. One of the first that appeared in my library? A Caribbean Mystery. I whipped through this book in two days and was left wondering why I’d never bothered to read her work before!

My earliest memory of Agatha Christies’ work was from the sixth grade. Mr. Wrigley, our English teacher, brought in a VHS copy of Death on the Nile for us to watch one day. Why? I’m not entirely sure as we weren’t studying any of her books – I think it may have been the end of the school year and he did it as a treat. Regardless of the reason, I was hooked. My dad was the one who introduced me to the joys of a good mystery early on in life and its continued for almost 40 years (yes, I’m getting old). I’m a bit ashamed to admit however that although I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie, until last week I’d never read one of her novels.

Now, I'm planning on working my through her novels and savouring the thrill and excitement of each mystery.  Do you have a favourite Agatha Christie mystery?

136. Drop Dead Healthy (A.J.Jacobs)

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I have a love/hate relationship with A.J. Jacobs.  All his books have been entertaining, informative, and funny.  However, because they tend to cover a wide array of subjects within a larger topic (reading the entire encyclopaedia, living the Bible, or turning your life into a series of experiments), he doesn't devout a lot of time to any one particular item.  Having said that, it doesn't stop me from reading each new book he writes.

His latest venture was a quest for "bodily perfection", to become the healthiest man alive:  Drop Dead Healthy. From the author's website:

"...the intrepid Esquire editor-at-large explores every aspect of the body—from biceps to the brain, from testosterone to toenails—to get into shape. A self-described “mushy, easily-winded, moderately sickly blob” Jacobs, at the urging of his family, vowed to retool every part of his long-neglected body. The task was massive.  He assembled a team of expert medical advisers, a group that included A-list doctors, researchers, nutritionists and trainers. He pledged to disentangle medical myths from reality. He listened to his sage, 96 year-old grandfather’s advice, as well as the chiding of his hippy aunt, Marti. He made a 53-page list of things to do to improve his health. It includes everything from the traditional—“eat leafy green vegetables” and “lift weights”—to the unusual—“win an Academy Award” (Oscar winners live three years long than non-Oscar winners) and hum to prevent sinus infections. Then, over the course of two years, he subjected himself to a grueling but entertaining regimen of exercise, diets and experiments that yielded surprising insights—and tested the patience of his wife, Julie."

Drop Dead Healthy is funny, informative and touching; filled with wonderful anecdotes as Jacobs works on all aspects of his health, from assholes to elbows and everything in between.  However, no matter how healthy we are, he realizes in the end that the outcome is always the same and that the journey to becoming the "healthiest man alive" might not be worth it if you miss out on what life has to offer you along the way.

Distracted Eating

I’m a distracted eater. For most of my at-home meals, you’ll find me propped up in my favourite chair watching whatever happens to be on TV at that particular moment. I’ve been doing it ever since I moved out on my own. Definitely not the recommended way to partake of a meal. You see, being distracted while I eat more often than not results in eating far more than I should. Not to mention eating far too fast. Without focusing on what I’m eating and savouring the food, I just shovel it in and before I know it, I’ve wolfed down an entire plate of food in five minutes. After a lifetime of distracted eating, it’s no wonder I’m more than a few pounds heavier than I should be. And it is by no means restricted to meals at home. At work, I usually eat at my desk while playing a game or watching videos. At the movies, the popcorn disappears before my movie’s half over. My waistline is not happy.

Experts have, for years, been telling us to turn off the TV/computer when we eat and, ideally, sitting down to a meal with family. Problem number 1: mom and I eat different meals at different times. It’s rare we eat “together” since our schedules are reversed (she works nights). Usually, we only “break bread” together when we’re dining out or when I make a nice Sunday dinner. However, there are still a few things I can do to slow down and enjoy what I’m eating.

Just a Sliver of Sunlight

Today, I began another little experiment (in addition to the slow and easy treadmill walking while watching mindless television). Rather than sitting in a comfy easy chair while staring at the television or playing on my laptop, I sat in the kitchen to eat my breakfast. In front of me, I propped up Hrothgar and read while eating. I didn’t lengthen my breakfast time a whole lot but I found myself absorbed in what I was reading and having to remind myself to continue eating that homemade egg muffin sandwich I was holding onto. Meal 1: minor improvement. 

Lunchtime! A couple of times each week, I try to have lunch with a couple of my coworkers. One has an office with a large window (great view!) and a table just big enough for the three of us so we pretend we’re at a little bistro as we chat and eat. Yes, we are that dorky. Anyways, they both had plans today so I was left on my own but didn’t want to sit at my desk and eventually get sucked into playing online crib or have someone assume I want to do actual work. So I headed over to our usual table, whipped out my lunch, turned on Hrothgar and settled in. My usual five minutes needed to consume a meal turned into approximately 25! Once again, more engrossed in reading than in eating. This never happened with an actual book…* Big thanks to Heather who posted this photo on Flickr which inspired me to eat and read. I think I need to “fancy up” my dining room table to make it more inviting. 

* Yes, I’ve become a superconvert to eReading. Using my beloved Kobo, Hrothgar, I read faster and more often than I used to. Now if only I could take him into the tub without the risk of dropping him…

Ooops I did it again!

It happened again. The knee. I rested Thursday. Walked Friday. Rested Saturday. Walked Sunday. Ran Monday. Legs felt good during the run; I alternated my speed; I stretched. Felt great all day – no pain. This morning I woke up, took a couple of steps towards my bedroom door and … ouch.  Same pain.  Same knee.  It went away as quickly as it happened but still worrisome nonetheless. Running, for now, is on hold indefinitely. To be honest, it makes me very sad. I love that I’ve been able to run, even for a minute or two. Sure, I envisioned myself running 5Ks and half marathons in the future but that’s not what I was focusing on. I was content with the knowledge that I was (finally!) doing something I never thought I would and I felt great – physically, emotionally and mentally. Now, the prospect of running doing more harm than good worries me. For now, I’m going to rest. No running for at least a week (that’s going to be tough) but walking is OK (see below). I’m also going to start doing the exercises my physiotherapist gave me to do after the half marathon. I probably should have been doing these for the past few years but … well, you know. I’m lazy like that. We’ll see what happens in a week. So, walking it is for the next while. As I mentioned previously, after all this running, it’s as though my body really missed walking.

Lately, I’ve been noticing that I sit a lot. I mean a WHOLE lot. Not only do I have a desk job where I’m tied to a computer for almost eight hours a day but when I’m at home (and not working out), I’m sitting in front of the television, or in front of my laptop, or*cringe* both. Other than making dinner and going to the bathroom, in my comfy chair is pretty much where you’ll find me. That’s not good. The human body really isn’t designed to sit for such long periods of time. One of the senior staff in my office has an adjustable desk, one that she can either sit or stand at and work. Do you know how jealous of her desk I am? Not because I feel my waistline spreading with each passing day but because my body doesn’t want to sit. I want to stand. I’m a lowly admin so I won’t be getting one of those types of desk but the fact that I long to stand while doing my job tells me I’m spending too much time on my keester. 

I’ve started reading yet another of A.J. Jacob’s books, Drop Dead Healthy. Amongst all the little tidbits of information and anecdotes of his quest to become healthy, he talks about standing vs. sitting. The research says standing/walking good; sitting bad. So, he rigged up a treadmill-desk combo. While there’s no way I’m ever going to do this (or will my office agree to it), I’m taking the theory of his experiment (he wrote most of the book while walking) and doing my own experiment. My treadmill is in my bedroom, where I spend 90% of my home time, and it’s aimed directly at my television. Rather than sitting on my butt while watching television, I’m going to hop on the treadmill. Now, this is completely different than the power walking/running. That’s actual “working out”. No, this will be slow and steady bits of walking – no sweating involved. May sound a little odd and out there I know but I need to get off my butt. This way I still get to watch TV (I know, I should cut back…). 

More walking stuff (I can tell you’re riveted!). On Facebook, I recommended the HBO documentary series “The Weight of the Nation”. I’m now officially recommending it here. Don’t worry; you don’t have to subscribe to HBO to watch it. All four parts are available to view for free on YouTube. The series doesn’t just look at obesity or weight loss although these two topics take up the majority of the series; it also looks at the lack of green space for kids to play, the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, how we grow food, agribusiness, etc. It’s all encompassing. One of my favourite parts was from episode two. Right near the end, they interviewed two close friends, Elana and Rhonda, who have each lost – and kept off! – over 100 pounds each.** I would have loved for the documentary to spend more time with them, hearing their story and sharing what they learned. Two of the things that worked for them: walking and food tracking. It also helped that they had each other to lean on when things were rough. While their food tracking was very detailed (calorie counting, fat grams, etc), I’m taking their lead and starting to journal once more but mine won’t be quite as detailed. I also loved the joy they shared recalling walking nine miles together the year before. I don’t see nine miles anytime in my near future but it’s inspiring. Remember earlier this year when I said I don’t want to be skinny? Well, that still holds true but I want to be healthy. Carrying all my excess around my midsection, and given my family history of heart trouble, I can’t sit idly by anymore. When I lost almost 20 lbs last year, a large part of it was tracking what I was eating in a notebook. Doesn’t sound like much but honestly, when I stopped, that’s when things started to slowly creep back on again so, back to what worked.

On a side note, I was happy to see that Elana and Rhonda were going to be guests on The View this past Monday.  Normally, not a show I watch but it was all about the documentary and two people I really enjoyed learning about so I figured why not.  Within the first minute of their first interview, hosts were interrupting their guests (all of them!), talking over one another and being downright rude and childish.  Prime example of why I don't watch this kind of crap.  And their "interview" of the two friends?  They merely wanted soundbites and quick answers on how to lose weight.  Sorry ladies of The View, you can't lose weight or live a healthy life in soundbites.

I've found myself censoring what I write lately a little bit.  I haven't wanted to inundate my longtime readers with posts about fat, body image issues, and workout schedules - I noticed a definite drop in comments since I started blogging about running.  And to be fair, I wasn't sure that I wanted to delve into that aspect of my life so publicly.  However, I know that I need somewhere to talk about what I'm feeling, my struggles with staying on track, and keeping focused.  And since the purpose of this blog was to be a personal journal of sorts, it seems appropriate that I'd do so here.  I should be writing as if no one was reading my words if I want to be truly honest with myself.  While the posts I'll write about my weightloss struggle and exercise may not appeal to some of my regular readers, I'll still be writing about all the other things you've come to expect and enjoy.  Stay tuned.

135. Lord of the Flies (William Golding)

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Its been a busy weekend for reading!

William Golding's masterpiece, Lord of the Flies, is one of my all-time favourite books.  I first read it in high school and fell in love with it immediately.  During my university years, I re-read it for pleasure.  The arrival of Hrothgar and a long, holiday weekend seemed like the perfect reason to read it once again.

A group of school boys are stranded on a deserted island after the plane is hot down.  The boys elect a leader and try to set down rules to govern themselves until they are rescued but their mini society quickly devolves into savagery.  A few try to maintain some semblance of civilaztion but they are outnumbered by the new, primitive tribe and the results are disastrous.

The plot is fairly simple but Golding tells the tale incredibly well.  It is a great examination of our basic human nature, the "common good" versus the desire for power, and group/crowd mentality.  Its deep baby, real deep but without the reader being slapped in the face with it.  Golding is good.  If you haven't read Lord of the Flies, why not?!  I think this is definately a MUST read book for everyone. 

There have been two movie versions made of Lord of the Flies - one in 1963 and another in 1990.  I can't remember the original but I do remember watching the second version and thinking I preferred the 1963 version (which we watched in school).  I recommend seeing both and deciding for yourself.  Either way, you're not likely to be disappointed - but read the book first.  Its in a league of its own.

134. Kings and Queens: A Very Peculiar History (Antony Mason)

Antony Mason's Kings and Queens: A Very Peculiar History was the very first eBook I read.  Its a good thing I'm not going to base my future Kobo reading on this one book;  if I did, I'd quit using Hrothgar right now.  The book itself isn't necessarily bad per se, but its clearly designed for readers with little or no knowledge of British royal history or, more likely, aimed at a MUCH younger audience.  Simply written with only the barest of details (dates ruled, who they married, and a paragraph or two on some minor event during their reign), this is hardly a book worth reading if your over the age of 10.

When I ordered the book, I didn't bother checking it out on any other websites other than KoboBoooks.  Heck, this was right up my alley - bizarre (sorry, "peculiar) stories about medieval rulers?  Sign me up!  However, the title and the info provided by Kobo doesn't indicate that it is just about British monarchs.  Not that that would have necessarily stopped me; British royal history is quite quirky at times.  What I wasn't prepared for?  The actual lack of any really bizarre or peculiar tidbits to keep me interested. 

Amazon's description wouldn't have helped much either:
Which king's guards massacred a group of his supporters by mistake? Who had an oversized tongue and had to slobber when they ate food? Who was so large when they died that they had to be buried in a square coffin? Who survived seven assassination attempts? As you can tell from the bizarre questions above, it wasn't all thrones and sceptres for British kings and queens. Some of them were completely batty, and others were downright vicious. On the other hand, some monarchs were an icon to the people and represented the power and importance of Britain and England. 'Kings & Queens, A Very Peculiar History' explores some of the most marvellous monarchs to have ruled Britain and ekes out their bizarre habits and idiosyncracies, featuring quirky stories and fascinating facts and lists.

It too wouldn't have dissuaded me - it sounds fascinating - although the Amazon cover and the number of pages may have.  Sheesh.  I wouldn't be quite so annoyed if I hadn't paid for the book but I did and now I feel as though I've been swindled out of $7.44.  To top it off, Kobo sent me a 20% off coupon after I'd already bought it.  Grrrrrr.  Well, at least now I'll do more research before I buy my next eBook. 

What was the first eBook you read?

Hrothgar's Hammer Smashed My Knees

Hrothgar has settled in quite nicely in a very short amount of time.  He loves being carried around in my bag, neslted next to my wallet and my ever-present package of tissues.  I had him propped up on my desk at work yesterday where he was seen by a coworker (I was teased mercilessly for naming my Kobo).  Being a technology nerd, he instantly asked to test him out.  Rather than using his finger on the touch screen though, he pulled out a touch stylus he uses for his iPad and began scrolling through various screens.  I stared in awe and wonder.

MUST.  HAVE.  ONE.

I tried out the stylus and instantly fell in love with it.  So, of course, I went out and bought what I now call Hrothgar's Hammer.  Yeah, I'm a dork.  You're JUST figuring that out??? Sheesh.  Let me tell you, it makes a huge difference.  No smudgy fingerprints upon the screen, no pressing the wrong spot due to a lack of petite digits.  I LOVE it.

Taste the Rainbow

I'm spending this May long weekend (two-four!) resting up and planting our balcony garden  with mom.  Resting as in no running.  At all.  Hard to imagine after how eager and enthusiastic I've been these past few months.  You see, I ran on Wednesday night and all seemed well.  I upped my speed a bit and while it was tough, I still managed 2 miles and felt fantastic.  Stretched as usual afterwards and went to bed early.  When I awoke on Thursday, I took two steps before stopping with a cautious "OW".  Seems I overdid it.  Just a smidge.

All day long, I tried alternating heat and ice on my legs and lower back - everything from kneecaps to the arch in my back was hurting - but its a bit difficult to do in a busy office.  I managed a walk on Friday afternoon but things still weren't quite right.  Even today, walking back from the local mall which isn't that far, I could feel things in and around my knees giving me attitude.  Grrrrrrrr.  Its not completely unexpected.  I've had problems with my knees since I hurt them back in my university days.  It was nothing major but I pulled the muscles quite badly and if I don't watch it, it can flare up at the smallest provocation.  Its the reason I didn't finish that damned half marathon that will haunt me until I evenutally conquer it ... 

Anyways, I'm not completely sure what this is going to mean for my running future.  I don't want to quit.  I really am enjoying myself but I don't want to damage my knees irreversibly.  However, I have to be able to say enough is enough and know when to say its over.  To top it off, when I walked on Friday, I felt really good; almost as though I was doing something I hadn't been allowed to do for a long time and I enjoyed it far more than I imagined.  Sigh.  Whatever is a girl to do?  Well, for now, this girl is going to rest today, try to walk again on Sunday, try to rest on Monday and then hopefully attempt running again on Tuesday.  If there are any problems on that attempt, I'll stop and see about going to see my physical therapist again.  And if I have to see him, I'm guessing I might have to stop.  But for now, I'm holding out hope! 

I give you... Hrothgar

There's a new member of my family - his name is Hrothgar.  Hrothgar king of the eReaders. 

Yes, I named my Kobo Touch.  I'm not really sure why but I had this overwhelming desire to name him (yes, its a him) as soon as I decided on which one I was going to purchase.  Originally, I was getting a Germanic vibe from the box and struggled to choose just the right name.  There were many choices - Dieter, Gunther, Heinz, Otto.  Nothing seemed quite right though.  And then, while reading Lord of the Flies (again), it hit me.  He's not German; he's a Norseman.

Why did that particular bit of info hit me while reading Lord of the Flies?  No clue but it did.  My first thought was to call him Thorfinn BookSplitter, an homage to my favourite character from Eric the Viking but it didn't quite roll off the tongue.  So, Hrothgar he became.  Hrothgar, King of the e-Readers.

I'm very happy I went with the Kobo.  It was incredibly easy to set up and use (despite the phone calls and emails to my buddy Terri with a few silly questions).  I was able to download free books from the Kobo website with a mere click or two of the mouse, and the disc full of e-books she gave me earlier this week were dropped onto the reader quicker than a beserker plowing through a group of unarmed villagers.  I know that many of you recommended the Kindle.  Interestingly enough,  it was all my UK friends that did so.  My Canadian friends and family all recommended the Kobo.  While I'm sure they're both quite similar and equally easy to use, the big kicker was the ability to borrow e-books from my local library.  The Kindle?  Can't do it.  The Kobo?  Easy peasy.  SOLD!

Mom even gave it a try after I had set it up and found it easy to use.  I'm going to let her use it on her own for a while this weekend and see what she thinks.  If it works out, she might just get one for Christmas...

Lots of people name their cars, but does anyone else out there name their electronic devices (smartphone, e-reader, iPad, etc)?

Slow Sleepy Sunday

I'm putting up with this today because it's Mother's day and you feed me.

What do you mean you didn't bring us treats?

Mums for my Mom