On the Horizon

I hope you all had a nice Halloween yesterday!  Can you believe it's already November 1st!  Where did this year go?

First of all, I'm giving a shout out to my poor friends in the East who had SNOW!  Ahhhhh!!!!!   That word should never come in October!  Ever!  I'm just glad it didn't come here!  I'm not ready for it. 

Well, I'm going to be a busy girl!  All fun stuff, of course! I have scheduled 3 short runs this month and I'm going on vacation next week (much needed!!).

First, let me tell you on the happenings with my ankle.  I cut it off.  Yup.  That solved the problem.  No really, I went to a free screening with a physical therapist that I have access to through my run group.  After several exercises, she told me that I have incredibly flexible ankles and feet.  I do remember my podiatrist telling me once that I have really flexible toes (the best he's ever seen!  Whatever that means) and asked if I was a dancer.  Uh, can I get a "hell no!"  Definitely not a dancer!

So I have really flexible ankles.  She said it almost appears that I have absolutely no ligaments in my ankle with how far they bend, but of course, I do have ligaments.  Well, as much as you think flexibility is a good thing, apparently too much flexibility in your ankles in a bad thing.  You are more prone to injuries because your ankles are weaker.  And actually, the ankle that hurts was one that I injured at college dancing drunk on tables in a parking garage due to uneven pavement. 

But I've laid off of running for 2 weeks hoping to see an improvement.  I think it did help but I still feel the injury.  The therapist said as long as the pain stays low (level 3 or less out of 10), she said I should be fine to run.  I did a short 2 mile treadmill run after my personal training yesterday. 

I'm almost a little afraid to run though.  I was really nervous the first mile of my run yesterday.  I think I just need to get back on that horse.  After all, I signed up for a 5k this weekend.

After much peer pressure from a friend and my old trainer, I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 5k in Chicago this Saturday.  I mean, the name says it all!  Chocolate!  A girls best friend!  That and diamonds.  lol

I did the Hot Chocolate last year but it was the 15k that they have.  I did not sign up for the 15k this year.  Too much for me right now.  Needless to say, you get chocolate in your goodie bag, chocolate after the run (fondue) and hot chocolate.  It was so cold last year that I actually ended up getting sick from the run!  I think it's going to be about 20 degrees warmer this year.

Next week, I'm going on vacation!  A cruise!  I've never been on a cruise and I'm super excited!  It's out of Long Beach and goes to Catalina and Ensenada.  A friend invited me.  They are going because of a family wedding and he has to pay for 2 tickets regardless of whether he brings someone or not, so I was the lucky invitee!  I know him and his sister (I've been friends with them since I was in 6th or 7th grade) so at least I know a few people there.  I will definitely post on how the cruise goes!

So I have the hot chocolate run before I leave, and I have a turkey trot run, the Sunday after I get back!  No room for the lazy!  Actually, the cruise ship has a gym and I'm crazy enough to use it.  I do work out on vacation! 

Then I have another turkey trot (4 miles) on Thanksgiving morning.  Is it just me or is the best time for a run Thanksgiving morning!  You know you will eat a lot of food that day no matter how hard you try not to.  I love running on Thanksgiving morning!

So, that's my November happenings in a nutshell!  Let's just hope the weather stays decent and that horrible 4 letter S word stays away until at least December!