So, it has been absolutely forever since I've updated. Over two months! I'll give you the long overdue backstory. For some helpful background information, I'll have you know that I have an unusually high tolerance for pain (of some sorts), and while I run at a ridiculously slow pace, I can run forever, even if I'm hurting all over. I've run several marathons without hardly training and have managed to finish, and yes, even sprint to the finish.
At any rate, a little bit after the Christmas holidays, my legs started bothering me. At one point, I tried going for a run with Eugene, and I had to stop about 30 feet from our driveway because the pain in my legs was so severe. My legs even hurt during yoga. Since the pain was centralized, I was sure that I had a stress fracture. Even though I am usually loathe to go to the doctor, I went because I figured that I should go, because I wanted to be able to get back to my regular running regimen as soon as possible. I went, and was told to get a bone scan to verify that I had a stress fracture.
Now, for that part about the "glow." Getting a bone scan is surprisingly relaxing, yet disturbing all at the same time. In order for the scanning equipment to get an accurate picture of the bones, I was injected with radioactive isotopes, yes, radioactive isotopes. There were signs all over the scanning room warning that anyone who is pregnant, remotely could become pregnant, or has ever even thought about getting pregnant even for a millisecond, should not have the scan done. I forged on nonetheless, and had the scan done. I got to lay on a table for awhile, and took a little nap.
The result? Several radioactive isotopes and $250 later, I verified that I, in fact, did not have a stress fracture, but shin splints. And on top of that, the leg that was bothering me was apparently in better shape than the leg that wasn't bothering me.
Stay tuned for scintillating stories of my rehabilitation....
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
At last... running with cordless headphones.
This past weekend, I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went for my first long spring run (10 miler). I don't mind running in the cold, but it is rather hazardous to try and run on the roads here in Maryland with all the snow, ice, and salt we've been having lately.
More importantly, it was a great chance to try out all the new running gadgets I had gotten for Christmas. I have used them sporadically over the last few months, but this was the first extended run I did using all my new toys.
I hate running with headphone cords... they are either too long, too short, they get in the way or they keep hitting your body as you run. Also, there is the whole issue of where you wear your music player (in my case, an iPod Nano). When bluetooth running headphones first came onto the market a few years ago, I looked into them but was scared off by the ridicously high price. Last year though, the prices had dropped into a reasonable range, and I decided to ask for one for Christmas.
The Motorola MOTOROKRS9, in conjuction with the Motorola DC650 Bluetooth adapter for iPod, lets me run with my headphones cord free. They fit reasonably well around my ears (they wrap behind your head) and they are not that heavy. It has a sturdy rubber coating, including a removable flap that protects the micro USB charging port. What remains to be seen is what effect long term and repeated sweat will have on it.
One interesting thing about the S9 is that it will also work as a headset for your Bluetooth phone. As I like to run with my phone on long distance days, I was pleasantly surprised to have my music stop one time and ring to announce an incoming call. Which is great, because I never ever feel or hear my phone ringing or vibrating when I'm running.
As for the DC650, it's easy to install. Actually, all you do is start the song on your iPod, press pause, insert the adapter into your iPod charging port (the iPod actually powers the adapter, so you will definitely see reduced battery performance) and voila, music will start playing on your headphones, cord free! (Of course, remember to turn your headphones on).
Speaking of running with music, for years I avoided running with any type of walkman or MP3 because I tended to start running in time with the beat - and generally it was hard to find a successive playlist of songs that kept you at a steady rythm. A few years ago I disovered this podcast on iTunes called Podrunner, and it has completely changed the way I work out with music. It's run by DJ Steve Boyett, and he has free music mixes (mainly techno, but with the occasional vocal mix thrown in) and the music is set in ranges all the way from 130-180 RPM (he also has gradual increase mixes as well as interval mixes). I find that my comfortable running range is between 143-148 BPM. I encourage you to visit, and if you like what you see, to donate to DJ SteveBoy as he provides these mixes for free.
More importantly, it was a great chance to try out all the new running gadgets I had gotten for Christmas. I have used them sporadically over the last few months, but this was the first extended run I did using all my new toys.
I hate running with headphone cords... they are either too long, too short, they get in the way or they keep hitting your body as you run. Also, there is the whole issue of where you wear your music player (in my case, an iPod Nano). When bluetooth running headphones first came onto the market a few years ago, I looked into them but was scared off by the ridicously high price. Last year though, the prices had dropped into a reasonable range, and I decided to ask for one for Christmas.
The Motorola MOTOROKRS9, in conjuction with the Motorola DC650 Bluetooth adapter for iPod, lets me run with my headphones cord free. They fit reasonably well around my ears (they wrap behind your head) and they are not that heavy. It has a sturdy rubber coating, including a removable flap that protects the micro USB charging port. What remains to be seen is what effect long term and repeated sweat will have on it.
One interesting thing about the S9 is that it will also work as a headset for your Bluetooth phone. As I like to run with my phone on long distance days, I was pleasantly surprised to have my music stop one time and ring to announce an incoming call. Which is great, because I never ever feel or hear my phone ringing or vibrating when I'm running.As for the DC650, it's easy to install. Actually, all you do is start the song on your iPod, press pause, insert the adapter into your iPod charging port (the iPod actually powers the adapter, so you will definitely see reduced battery performance) and voila, music will start playing on your headphones, cord free! (Of course, remember to turn your headphones on).
Speaking of running with music, for years I avoided running with any type of walkman or MP3 because I tended to start running in time with the beat - and generally it was hard to find a successive playlist of songs that kept you at a steady rythm. A few years ago I disovered this podcast on iTunes called Podrunner, and it has completely changed the way I work out with music. It's run by DJ Steve Boyett, and he has free music mixes (mainly techno, but with the occasional vocal mix thrown in) and the music is set in ranges all the way from 130-180 RPM (he also has gradual increase mixes as well as interval mixes). I find that my comfortable running range is between 143-148 BPM. I encourage you to visit, and if you like what you see, to donate to DJ SteveBoy as he provides these mixes for free.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Hey, where's the hair dryer? How to remove tape and stickers...
When it comes to pulling down removing something sticky, a hair dryer can be your best friend.
Back when I was on sea duty I had this CO who specifically ordered the crew not to tape signs up around the ship. His rationale was the tape emulsified into the paint, and when you eventually took the sign down it would rip some paint along with it – what I call the “surface lifting” effect. This is pretty much the case with any type of sticker, tape, or backing that you find around your house, and if you are into home improvement like me you will eventually find a need to remove it from a surface without leaving a big mark.
When you are painting, painter’s tape is usually easy to remove. However, if you read the fine print on the label, it says you should only leave the tape up for a maximum of 14 days, otherwise you may get that surface lifting effect. Or like the time we were redoing our kitchen cabinets and drawers were lined with this really old, dirty, and nasty contact paper. Or perhaps when you are trying to ship something in an old box, but it already has a shipping label on it that will surely tear off a big chunk of paper if you remove it. Or if you are a parent (which we are not, but we have lots of little nieces and nephews) and you end up with stickers on your walls & floors.
I learned a long time that a hair dryer comes in especially handy in these situations. Run the dryer at high heat over the surface of the sticker/tape/backing for about a minute and then carefully peel from one side. The hot air will heat up the glue and let you pull up the material without “lifting” the other side.
Of course, you just need to remember to put it back when you're done. Otherwise you have to explain to your wife why her hair dryer is in the garage.
Back when I was on sea duty I had this CO who specifically ordered the crew not to tape signs up around the ship. His rationale was the tape emulsified into the paint, and when you eventually took the sign down it would rip some paint along with it – what I call the “surface lifting” effect. This is pretty much the case with any type of sticker, tape, or backing that you find around your house, and if you are into home improvement like me you will eventually find a need to remove it from a surface without leaving a big mark.
When you are painting, painter’s tape is usually easy to remove. However, if you read the fine print on the label, it says you should only leave the tape up for a maximum of 14 days, otherwise you may get that surface lifting effect. Or like the time we were redoing our kitchen cabinets and drawers were lined with this really old, dirty, and nasty contact paper. Or perhaps when you are trying to ship something in an old box, but it already has a shipping label on it that will surely tear off a big chunk of paper if you remove it. Or if you are a parent (which we are not, but we have lots of little nieces and nephews) and you end up with stickers on your walls & floors.
I learned a long time that a hair dryer comes in especially handy in these situations. Run the dryer at high heat over the surface of the sticker/tape/backing for about a minute and then carefully peel from one side. The hot air will heat up the glue and let you pull up the material without “lifting” the other side.
Of course, you just need to remember to put it back when you're done. Otherwise you have to explain to your wife why her hair dryer is in the garage.
Removing a shipping label
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