RunninTeach
Cathlete
Good morning, cheetahs! 
Wendy—Back of knee/calf pain?—I looked it up in the Trigger Point book…Could be you have a trigger point in the popliteus muscle…this would be just below the knee crease between the two heads of the gastroc…It says to try massaging this area (not too hard) using your thumbs or the fingers of both hands *before* you stretch. Here is a link to that page:
http://books.google.com/books?id=IYqqY5Ae_VoC&pg=PA216&lpg=PA216&dq=popliteus+trigger+point&source=web&ots=wOehWvAzC6&sig=_qP2QQKOPXLCB6bMii0q3w977gA&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA216,M1
And another source that might be of interest:
http://www.rocklandroadrunners.org/articles/JPKknees.html
You know, another perspective on the marathon…if you don’t enjoy this kind of training on some level, then maybe it’s just not for you—at this particular time or even ever—and either way, that is perfectly fine. Waiting to see how you feel after LBI makes sense. We all know how a great race can fuel the hunger. But the bottom line, IMO, is when you register for something like this, there has to be no doubt in your mind that you WANT to do it. If that’s not March ’09, that's OK 'cause there will be plenty of other opportunities. The NJ Marathon is May 3rd. Lots of choices in the fall: Rochester, AC, Marine Corps., NYC, Philly. I'm a believer that if and when the fire is there, you'll know.
I just make jokes about being like an ol’ granny. J But I’ve always been one who needs a good amount of zzzz’s. I *do* miss my heels, though.
I used to organize an annual bus trip to NYC at my old school. That was always fun. Haven’t been up to see a show in a couple of years, but sure, I would be game for a visit. I love the city. Lots of good eats in Little Italy—enjoy!
Wendi—you sound GREAT for somebody who’s going through MAJOR crunch time. I can just imagine how exhausted you must be. When is your break? Soon, I hope. Big, big congrats on the awesome showing for Monkey, and for placing third in the final amongst stiff competition. I checked out the photos—wow! He looks so powerful and majestic. Very, very striking! I can see why he garners so much attention...What, being in school for 10 years doesn’t appeal to you? *lol* I only asked because I got the sense that that is a passion for you…Ha, yes, I’m the one with the squawkin’ body parts—if it ain’t the brain, it’s the achilles. If ain’t the achilles, it’s the hamstring. Ain’t the hamstring, it’s the feet. Good Lord. *lol*
I was browsing through a Brookstone catalog the other night, trying to think of a good unisex gift for the family Christmas swap, when I came across a new exercise gadget that reminded me of you. (Made me chuckle, too.) Something tells me the uGallop won’t be YOUR list this year. Or ever:
Christine—funny, I always thought stitches came from breathing issues, and my breathing and pace are the same as always (panting and SLOW! Ha ha), but now that you mention it—yes, I did run probably too soon after eating both times. And that would explain why my stomach was actin’ funky, too. Hope the rain holds off for the Walk n’ Wag! Re: the debate…I have to say, for me, Palin is someone more cringe-worthy than Denise. Aside from not being able to follow her train of thought much of the time, her relaxed speech patterns drive me absolutely nuts! As an English teacher, I know I run the risk of sounding like the uptight grammar police, but I’m sorry, leaders on the national stage should lose the downhome slang and twang, IMO, and enunciate, for Pete’s sake!
Judy—Oh, I worked late by choice! J No complaints. Getting rid of the brownies was probably a good idea.
Carole—That is great that John is keeping a sense of humor. It must run in the family!...Oh boy, your mom is getting some entertainment, too…A nice, cozy fire on a rainy day sounds perfect…I’ll have to check out that movie. Sounds like fun…If I read correctly, what happens when the no-headphones rule is enforced is that the runner is DQ’d. Guess that means a whole lot to the elite or those wanting to BQ. For people like me, DQ just means Dairy Queen afterward. *lol*
Linda—Glad you were able to get past the Denise part and enjoy the pilates. I'm sure her workouts are not a joke; she's just the one instructor I don't much care for...Yes, I found it odd to be dealing with sidestitches as I only have one pace: SLOW! *lol* I hadn’t heard of the More Marathon. Interesting that it is women only.
Shelly—I’m glad you’re enjoying the new job. There’s a sense of peace that comes through in your posts now that the Philly chaos is behind you…As mentioned to Judy, working late was by my own choice. No issues with that. J
Karen—glad you had a good long run. Longwood is beautiful—enjoy.
Jackie—How cold are the early Dec. temps for you usually? The one pair of flats (Kenneth Cole Reaction) is pretty cute. I bought them in brown.
The “grandma” ones (Privo) look like slippers.
Posh—check out the Chicago Marathon course (in high speed): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfc6nZkIEQg
Well, yesterday at school, I received quite a surprise. The social studies teacher on my team arranged for a "guest speaker" to talk to the kids about the upcoming election during 7th period in the large group instruction room. Or so I thought. My class was the last to arrive, and when I got there it was a huge pep rally—for me! The kids were chanting and clapping and screaming. I felt like some kind of rock star. It was unreal! Now I get very embarrassed being the center of attention like that, but I was so touched by the support, I just can't even put it into words. The tables were decorated in yellow—there were two cakes, pretzels, and refreshments, and they'd made a huge poster with messages of good luck. They're too funny, telling me to "win it" and "beat Lance." My "class clown" wrote: "Don't think of me while you're running, or you'll laugh." Another girl wrote: "Don't pass out." I'm smiling, but as I'm typing this, my eyes are filling up and now tears are rolling down because I just can't get over what an amazing job I have, teaching and working with people whose hearts are so wide open that they would do this for someone. On today's run, I'll be thinking of how very fortunate I am.
Enjoy your Saturday!
Wendy—Back of knee/calf pain?—I looked it up in the Trigger Point book…Could be you have a trigger point in the popliteus muscle…this would be just below the knee crease between the two heads of the gastroc…It says to try massaging this area (not too hard) using your thumbs or the fingers of both hands *before* you stretch. Here is a link to that page:
http://books.google.com/books?id=IYqqY5Ae_VoC&pg=PA216&lpg=PA216&dq=popliteus+trigger+point&source=web&ots=wOehWvAzC6&sig=_qP2QQKOPXLCB6bMii0q3w977gA&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA216,M1
And another source that might be of interest:
http://www.rocklandroadrunners.org/articles/JPKknees.html
You know, another perspective on the marathon…if you don’t enjoy this kind of training on some level, then maybe it’s just not for you—at this particular time or even ever—and either way, that is perfectly fine. Waiting to see how you feel after LBI makes sense. We all know how a great race can fuel the hunger. But the bottom line, IMO, is when you register for something like this, there has to be no doubt in your mind that you WANT to do it. If that’s not March ’09, that's OK 'cause there will be plenty of other opportunities. The NJ Marathon is May 3rd. Lots of choices in the fall: Rochester, AC, Marine Corps., NYC, Philly. I'm a believer that if and when the fire is there, you'll know.
I just make jokes about being like an ol’ granny. J But I’ve always been one who needs a good amount of zzzz’s. I *do* miss my heels, though.
I used to organize an annual bus trip to NYC at my old school. That was always fun. Haven’t been up to see a show in a couple of years, but sure, I would be game for a visit. I love the city. Lots of good eats in Little Italy—enjoy!
Wendi—you sound GREAT for somebody who’s going through MAJOR crunch time. I can just imagine how exhausted you must be. When is your break? Soon, I hope. Big, big congrats on the awesome showing for Monkey, and for placing third in the final amongst stiff competition. I checked out the photos—wow! He looks so powerful and majestic. Very, very striking! I can see why he garners so much attention...What, being in school for 10 years doesn’t appeal to you?
*lol* I only asked because I got the sense that that is a passion for you…Ha, yes, I’m the one with the squawkin’ body parts—if it ain’t the brain, it’s the achilles. If ain’t the achilles, it’s the hamstring. Ain’t the hamstring, it’s the feet. Good Lord. *lol* I was browsing through a Brookstone catalog the other night, trying to think of a good unisex gift for the family Christmas swap, when I came across a new exercise gadget that reminded me of you. (Made me chuckle, too.) Something tells me the uGallop won’t be YOUR list this year. Or ever:
Christine—funny, I always thought stitches came from breathing issues, and my breathing and pace are the same as always (panting and SLOW! Ha ha), but now that you mention it—yes, I did run probably too soon after eating both times. And that would explain why my stomach was actin’ funky, too. Hope the rain holds off for the Walk n’ Wag! Re: the debate…I have to say, for me, Palin is someone more cringe-worthy than Denise. Aside from not being able to follow her train of thought much of the time, her relaxed speech patterns drive me absolutely nuts! As an English teacher, I know I run the risk of sounding like the uptight grammar police, but I’m sorry, leaders on the national stage should lose the downhome slang and twang, IMO, and enunciate, for Pete’s sake!
Judy—Oh, I worked late by choice! J No complaints. Getting rid of the brownies was probably a good idea.
Carole—That is great that John is keeping a sense of humor. It must run in the family!...Oh boy, your mom is getting some entertainment, too…A nice, cozy fire on a rainy day sounds perfect…I’ll have to check out that movie. Sounds like fun…If I read correctly, what happens when the no-headphones rule is enforced is that the runner is DQ’d. Guess that means a whole lot to the elite or those wanting to BQ. For people like me, DQ just means Dairy Queen afterward. *lol*
Linda—Glad you were able to get past the Denise part and enjoy the pilates. I'm sure her workouts are not a joke; she's just the one instructor I don't much care for...Yes, I found it odd to be dealing with sidestitches as I only have one pace: SLOW! *lol* I hadn’t heard of the More Marathon. Interesting that it is women only.
Shelly—I’m glad you’re enjoying the new job. There’s a sense of peace that comes through in your posts now that the Philly chaos is behind you…As mentioned to Judy, working late was by my own choice. No issues with that. J
Karen—glad you had a good long run. Longwood is beautiful—enjoy.
Jackie—How cold are the early Dec. temps for you usually? The one pair of flats (Kenneth Cole Reaction) is pretty cute. I bought them in brown.
The “grandma” ones (Privo) look like slippers.
Posh—check out the Chicago Marathon course (in high speed): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfc6nZkIEQg
Well, yesterday at school, I received quite a surprise. The social studies teacher on my team arranged for a "guest speaker" to talk to the kids about the upcoming election during 7th period in the large group instruction room. Or so I thought. My class was the last to arrive, and when I got there it was a huge pep rally—for me! The kids were chanting and clapping and screaming. I felt like some kind of rock star. It was unreal! Now I get very embarrassed being the center of attention like that, but I was so touched by the support, I just can't even put it into words. The tables were decorated in yellow—there were two cakes, pretzels, and refreshments, and they'd made a huge poster with messages of good luck. They're too funny, telling me to "win it" and "beat Lance." My "class clown" wrote: "Don't think of me while you're running, or you'll laugh." Another girl wrote: "Don't pass out." I'm smiling, but as I'm typing this, my eyes are filling up and now tears are rolling down because I just can't get over what an amazing job I have, teaching and working with people whose hearts are so wide open that they would do this for someone. On today's run, I'll be thinking of how very fortunate I am.
Enjoy your Saturday!
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