What are you listening to?

HI, GUYS!  Are you ready for 10 random things that I've been thinking about as of late? 

Good.  Herewego.:)

1.  So, I'm officially obsessed with story/fiction Podcasts.  There is something so romantic (like old-timey) about listening to stories, like how we used to with radios (think "War of the Worlds").  Do you listen to any Podcasts like these?  I've listening to "Limetown", and just started with this one (it started in 2009, for crying out loud!).

2.  Here's how my day started:  45 sleepy minutes on the trainer.  Do you like to train in the morning, or in the afternoon?  Both?  You animal.:)

3.  I was out the door by 6:50am, and after yesterday's fiasco 

()

I was excited to see traffic moving like a boss.

4.  LOOK AT HOW EXCITED I AM TO EAT!(One pouch of Trader Joe's Apple Cinnamon oatmeal, 1 TBSP Coconut Cashew butter, 1/2 TBSP Chia seeds)

I<3 you, oatmeal.

5.  I saw PT Ed last night, and it went REALLY well.

I GOT TO RUN FOR A MINUTE.:)  Ed gave me more exercises to do, then checked my running gait/biomechanics.  He said that I have great form (!!!!!!!), with a couple of things to work on when I get back to regularly running (i.e. turnover).

(Source)

And speaking of which, it's going to be pretty tough when I get back to running.  I basically have to start over.  All over.  As in, when I first started running in 2008.  But I'm viewing this as a "I wish that I knew what I know now" situation.  I'm not 100% newb like I was nine years ago, and that'll make running life a little easier.

6.   And for real, on that note, life (in general) would be way more simple if we all took this picture seriously.  

7.  Back to food:  Ever get really proud of yourself over a great food idea?  Yes.  Me.  Always.

8.  Ummmm, I let this happen yesterday.

(Turn down the volume -- I got really loud with all of the excitement, lol)

9.  I'm SUPER EXCITED BECAUSE I GET TO SEE MY SUZ tomorrow night!  She has such a beautiful soul, has a wonderful talent for encouraging and lifting other up, is a fantastic athlete and trainer, and is extremely dedicated to the art of food porn:

10.  This weekend is mine and Sophia's FRIEND-IVERSARY!  We're celebrating, BIG TIME.

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RECAP QUESTIONS:

What Podcasts are you listening to?


Latest food hack that you're especially proud of?


What was the last fun thing you celebrated?

I have no idea what I'm doing.

Well, it's been a while since I checked in to you.  I think the best way to ease back in here is to think out loud...

1.  Here's a short recap:  My foot is getting better and better each day.

2.  After several PT sessions with Ed, and doing the homework he's given me, we've narrowed down the cause of my foot injury (well...several causes).  Believe it or not, just about everything was going wrong in my foot, ankle, and calf.  I have definitely had crippling plantar fasciitis in my right foot from my calf being REALLY tight; this was a huge contributor to the issues in my left foot.

3.  UPDATE:  I have a new acupuncturist, Eric.  Ed set me up with this guy, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome of our first session.  I'm pretty stoked that all of the people in charge of helping me get back to running are on the same page when it comes to finding the SOURCE of the issue!  I do NOT like the idea of having to use orthotics for long periods of time, same with braces or any sort of crutch.  We all seem to be like-minded when it comes to fixing what the root cause(s) is(are), instead of treating the pain or discomfort.<3

Chicago friends:  this is a WONDERFUL practice!  They're located in (or as near as my four-year Chicago resident brain can tell) Andersonville.  Eric is a VERY talented healer -- he's one of those people you know is listening to every word you're saying.  That's extremely comforting when it comes to injury.  I'm very thankful that it didn't take too long to find these professionals!

****CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SCROLL IF YOU DO NOT LIKE NEEDLES!****
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I got electroacupuncture for the first time!  It was pretty cool.  I'll go over the benefits of it in another post soon.:)  Until then, feel free to oddly gaze at my calf with several pointy things in it.

4.  I've been cycling, swimming, and doing Yoga.  Maybe not as consistently as I should be, but I'm doing it.  It's kind of a bummer to me, even though I love doing the other sports; nothing can give me what running has, can, or will.

5.  I know that so many of you can relate with me here ----> I feel overwhelmed.  By SO many things.  Work, home life, friendships, or just trying to sit and do nothing -- overwhelming.  All of it.  I feel like I can't pay attention to anything for longer than ten seconds, like I have a million ideas pop up into my head, and there they stay.  I never seem to be DONE with something.

6.  And on that note, I started reading this book yesterday, and am happy to report that I'm carrying through with the tools they provide.  "Declutter" is my new favorite word in which I'll laterally use across the mess that is my life.

7.  *sigh* so here I am, being patient, trying my best to become more focused, healing, treating, and feeling lost as can be.  But I know it will be okay soon!  Because...

8.  PT Ed gave me new progressions to work on last night.  If I can perform these running progression moves without any pain or discomfort, then I begin a running program.  It might take a couple more weeks, but Ed wants to make sure that I do these simple movements before putting it all together for extended lengths of time (i.e. RUNNING).

9.  So I have hope.  So much hope that I feel like I'm going to burst.

10.  I'm also a little afraid.  I think that as I build up my confidence through the progression exercises, that that fear will die down a bit.:)

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Sooooo anyway, how are you?:)