Yet Again

I am officially back in training. I think I've finally gotten all that ailed me under control as I've been logging miles pretty damn consistently in June (in fact this month has been my best month running in the last year - more on that in a post in a few days).

So, what is it I'm training for? The Grand Rapids Half Marathon, Oct 18. I've had great success with this race in the past, and it can't be beat sleeping in your own bed the night before a race. Word has it they are changing the course this year as well, so I'm pretty excited. Plus it fits nicely into the work schedule and the grand running plan (also more on that in a few days).

This time around I'm following this plan from Brad Hudson's book:

I've got my fingers crossed that this summer is going to be a good one as far as running and everything else goes.

The Green Monster

Doesn't that just look yummy? What is it you ask? It's a green smoothie, aka a green monster.

What's in it? Standard smoothie fare: fruit such as pineapple, banana, strawberry, and/or blueberries. Soy milk (or regular moo-milk if you like), maybe some peanut or almond butter, and some sugar.

What makes it green? Spinach. Or Kale, or chard, but spinach is the best.

I know, I know you're probably thinking: WTF? You drink that? We do, and in fact they've become a morning staple. They don't taste any different than a regular smoothie, provide just about your daily recommendation of fruits and veggies and seem to stick with ya in a good way. Just another way to eat a little cleaner and put all the yummy greens from our CSA to a good use.

New Addition

On Friday, June 5, 2009, I bid farewell to a constant in my life. I mentioned here that I gave my Saturn to my niece as a graduation gift and with that gift I gave her the only car I've ever owned - bought it right after I finished grad school and it's been with me the last 12 years. Those 12 years included a cross country move (me, Tonya, our cat, and enough stuff to make it a few months) that provided good memories and some really good stories. It had license plates from Tennessee, Oregon, and Michigan and now it's probably in the hands of it's last driver - I'm thinking she'll get at least 5-6 more good years out of it.

So that left us with the dilemma of what to replace it with....'cause as much as we'd like to, us being a one car family isn't quite as easy as it sounds on paper.

Drum roll please.....here it is:

yep, a 2009 Ford Escape, so I guess that officially makes us a Ford family considering we already have the Explorer.

Not That Long Left

21 days until the PNW...and yes, the excitement is starting to build!

Weekend Recap

1. I forgot how much it sucks to spend 5.5 hours in a car driving to Ohio by yourself.

2. I forgot just how cramped my Saturn was.

3. I got to make my niece very, very, very happy.

4. Spent some time with my parents - always a plus.

5. I got to see some people from high school that I haven't seen in a long time. Fun time.

6. T and I are a one car family for awhile.

There ya go, that was the weekend in a nutshell. Bottom line is this: we sold my Saturn to my sister and then proceeded to give it to my niece, who is starting college in the fall - man, do I feel old now. The look of surprise/joy/freedom on her face Friday when she opened the box with the keys in it was phenomenal and worth every minute of the boring, uncomfortable drive on Thursday afternoon.

Road Trip!!!!

Heading to Cincinnati in about an hour.  Get to see all the family while helping my niece celebrate her high school graduation.

Then we get to hang out with some people from high school (most of which I haven't seen in oh, 8-18 years) which could go either way.  No, it will be a fun time.

Okay...the road is calling.  Check back in on Monday or Tuesday.

Not All Fun and Games

Erin - just so you don't feel bad, I'm also currently making my way through these:

The Association of Scapular Kinematics and Glenohumeral Joint Pathologies, JOSPT

Current Concepts in the Scientific and Clinical Rationale Behind Exercises for the Glenohumeral and Scapulothoracic Musculature, JOSPT

Acute Management of the Cervical Spine-Injured Athlete, JAT (the newly updated NATA position statement)

Clinical Examination of the Hip Joint in Athletes, Journal of Sport Rehab

Hip-Muscle Activation During the Lunge, Single-Leg Squat, and Step-Up-and-Over Exercises, Journal of Sport Rehab

Ballistic Abdominal Exercises:  Muscle Activation Patterns During Three Activities Along the Stability/Mobility Continuum, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research