Mel On...Well Crap (yet another doctor visit)

My knee has been burning pretty badly since my last three mile run walk on Sunday.  I expected it to bother me a bit but I didn't expect the tingling in my left shin (which has been constant for a while now) to also head up into my left breastbone and now my left elbow.

The tingling in my breastbone was off and on for a little over two days, then last night I started having troubles with my arm. (It feels like you laid on it wrong and you should just be able to straighten it out and it will go away but it doesn't go away).  It was hard for me to fall asleep and then when I woke up this morning all three were constant and have been constant all day.

It freaked me out enough to go to the ER (especially when you Google tingling on one side of your body) and the doctor wanted to send me up to a neurologist for a MRI of my spine...BUT we are leaving in six days...so he gave me Naproxen and told me to make an appointment in VA as soon as we in-process because I really do need it checked out.

I've had quite the luck here with MRI's...anyway, he doesn't believe that the pain in my knee has anything to do with my actual knee but inflammation of some sort in my spine.  I guess we shall - again - wait and see.... #funtimes

Mel On...Sole Sisters

Well, yesterday was it.  My last official "run" with my running group...

and when I mean "run" I mean walk because I had to W-A-L-K my last "run" due to this darn knee!

Mel On...Knee Update (No news is...well, no news...)

82.  It's been 82 days since my last race and my last real run. Eighty-two.  

I apologize for not updating sooner and I want to sincerely thank all those who have asked me where I have been and encouraged me to keep writing - even though there is nothing really to write about at the moment!

So here it is...my little update...

Mel On...Strong Knee, Weak Everything Else??

Well, I just got back from another visit with my primary doctor today.  Still no official diagnosis on my knee pain but between the two base doctors I have seen and my physical therapist we have discussed everything from the meniscus, ACL, and IT band to runner's knee, Baker's cysts, angry hamstrings, and inflammation, etc.

I did have several x-rays done this morning and the initial review was great.  The guy said my knee bones looked flippin' fantastic so now it's down to issues with the muscles/tendons/ligaments.  AGH! Not that a bone injury would have been good news, it's just that I feel like I won't ever get an answer as to WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY KNEE.

Mel On...Rock'N'Roll Madrid Half Marathon

After getting over my pity party the other day and finally being able to stomach something besides bananas and chamomile tea, we left for Madrid on Friday.  I still wasn't feeling 100% but the excitement of traveling to a new place, the whole race atmosphere (and maybe a few pitchers of Sangria), finally qualifying for my World Rocker Medal, and my husband convincing me (in his own loving way) to "put my big girl panties on," I snapped out of it!

Mel On...Pity Party for One

Well, I still haven't been able to get myself out of this "funk" I've been having.  I have a lot going on behind-the-scenes and I think it's starting to really affect me. Our veterinarian recommended we put our 9 yr-old dog down soon.  I always feel so weird calling her our "dog."  She has always been way more than that.  She is our friend, our girl, our Sadie. I know it's the best thing for her but it still sucks a fat one knowing that we have to make that call, to set a date...it breaks my heart even thinking about it.

Mel On....Running Happy (and then completely slacking)

We just got back from a week long trip to Pula over Spring Break and I totally fell off my little training bandwagon.  Probably not a good thing to do two weeks before a race I am hoping to PR for...neither were those three bottles of wine I also consumed during that trip...

BUT, I did do one run while we were there. Just an easy 3 miler along the coast of Croatia...no biggie...

Talk about #RUNHAPPY.  I only thought the fields in my village were my "happy place."  THIS.  This is my happy place!

Mel On...Strong Butt, Weak Hamstrings

That is basically what my physical therapist told me today.  (Yes, mother...I finally kept an appointment for my knee).  He warned me that I could be angering my meniscus and that I still have some swelling but the good news was that we weren't at a damage control stage yet.  He wants to work on more preventative/strengthening measures (to include R-E-S-T) but, he did give me the go ahead to continue training for Madrid (like that was going to stop me).

Mel On...Official Times and Photos (9th Deutsche Weinstrasse Half Marathon)

I am so glad I was able to run Weinstrasse before we left Germany!  (You can read more about the race here).  I am even happier that I was able have my family and BFF's cheering for me (and running with me) along the way!  

Mel On...Plans Change and PRs Happen! (9th Deutsche Weinstrasse Half Marathon)

Last night I was too excited to sleep!  We had a hectic, early morning (thanks time change) but we made it to our meet up point somewhat on time and caravanned to one of the designated parking lots outside of Bockenheim, Germany for shuttle pick up to the 9th Deutsche Weinstrasse Half Marathon!

Mel On...RACE NIGHT!

Tomorrow morning we are heading down the German wine road for another half marathon! Hello, Deutsche Weinstrasse! This race only happens every other year so I am super stoked I get to run this one before we leave.  SUPER STOKED!

I didn't think I would be this excited but I should know better by now. There is something about the night before and the morning of a race that is just, well, exciting!  It's like Christmas...you don't know what you are going to get.  It could be a PR!  The stars could align and tomorrow could be your day...or, the weather can go to crap, your Ipod could die, and you could DNR...anything could happen!

Mel On...Didn't See That One Coming

This week has been a little hectic.  We've had craziness going on on the home front and a lot of things have been weighing on my little old mind.  I was reviewing my training logs and this past month was nothing but 7's and 8's on my "head" and "heart" scale.  "Legs" and "lungs" were ranging from 7's to 9's (minus the pain in my left leg, THAT is still happening).  I just haven't been feeling into it and I have gotten myself into a little funk.  

Well, well, well....what better to get out of a funk than to a) hit autopilot on a 10 mile solo run b) buy new running shoes, c) hit up a new trail with an old friend, and d) treat yourself to some FemFusion Fitness and then a lady's lunch!

Mel On...New Shoes (new very bright blue shoes)

Well, I finally broke down and got me some new running shoes.  Let's just say you will be hard-pressed not to see me coming in these bad boys...man, are they blue!

They are also 10x more comfortable than my old running shoes and are way less "restricting."  I've had a hard time with running shoes.  The very first pair I bought were Asics but they made me feel like my feet were lopsided when I ran and I couldn't go very far in them without something hurting (but, then again, I was just starting out running and EVERYTHING hurt).  I tried a new pair of Asics but I was still having problems with them and was now having hip pain.

Mel On...Runner's World Just Gets Me (Chicken-Quinoa Soup)

If I haven't said it before, I will say it now....I LOVE MY RUNNER'S WORLD COOKBOOK.  Like, for realz.

Yesterday was kinda icky and what is more comforting on a rainy, cold day than a big bowl of scrumptious soup after a lonely 10-miler?  Not much, my friends...not much...

Mel On...(Another) Friday Night Wine Run

It's 4:28 p.m. I'm pacing in front of my window.  I have a 4:30 p.m. group run. WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?!  He pulls in and I quickly kiss him goodbye as I strap on my watch and head out the door...didn't care it was upper 40's, didn't care it was rainy, didn't care there were 18 mph winds, didn't care about the fog or the fact that it was going to be dark by the time I got home.  Didn't care.  All I cared about was getting to my group run...I JUST WANTED TO RUN!

Mel On...I Guess It's P.T. for M.E.

Well, well, well....I guess I owe you $5.  I went to the doctor the other day and was referred to Physical Therapy for the pain in the back of my knee. My first appointment is in two weeks...

(Actually, I had to strong-arm a referral out of the man because he did try to recommend the whole pop and Motrin and wait three weeks deal so we will call this one even).  

Mel On...The Breakdown Before the Break-Through (hopefully)

Ok, not going to lie, last week was rough.  I just felt completely BLAH, my kids were sick, I was dodging it back and forth all week, my head wasn't in the game, I ate like crap, didn't have the energy to exercise, it was just rough.

I went from 4-hrs of cross-training and a 28-mile week to a 2-hr of cross-training and a .5-mile week!  It really hit my conscience and I honestly think the lack of exercise coupled with a week of crappy eating is what made me feel so blah...anyway...this week I AM IN IT TO WIN IT!

Mel On...A Maddy Run

My little girl loves going on runs with me (and by running I mean me pushing her 40 lb body in what feels like an 80 lb stroller).  Every time I go out the door, "Mommy, can I go with you?!"  I love taking her but it is KILLER trying to get around the hills in our village with that darn stroller.  SOOOOO...I kicked her out of it.

Not really, not really...but really. 

Mel On...The Trail Less Traveled

Went on another trail run with Sarah today!  We started off going through the trails near my daughter's school...then decided to "veer off the beaten path."  Adventerous, we are.

The weather was perfect this morning, in the mid-40's and sunny.  Unfortunately though, neither of us were "feeling" it.  We kept it at a nice, easy, conversational pace with no other expectations than running about 7 miles...good thing because we had to walk, leap, and crawl for part of our "run!"

Mel On...Um...YUM! (Spicy Sausage Mushroom Soup)

My husband surprised me with The Runner's World Cookbook last month (he loves me!) so I've been trying new recipes out the past few weeks!  One of my FAVS is this Spicy Sausage Mushroom Soup recipe:

Mel On...3rd Annual Cuddeback Memorial 5K

Today was the 3rd Annual A1C Zachary Cuddeback Memorial 5K.  This is the second year I have ran this race and it just keeps getting better!  There were hundreds of runners, supporters, and volunteers who came out to remember the life of a fallen Airman and raise money for an amazing cause!

A1C Zachary Cuddeback was an outstanding invidiual who was tragically taken from us on March 2, 2011 at Frankfurt International Airport, Germany by a misguided individual targeting the United States military.  A1C Cuddeback was one of the two Airmen who lost their lives during the shooting, while two additional Airmen were critically injured and had to undergo numerous surgeries to recover from the incident.  A1C Cuddeback served as a vehicle operator/ dispatcher for the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron (VRS) for over a year and was an integral part of the VRS family.  He is survived by his mother, father, and brother in America. -- 86th VRS

Mel On..."Fun" Run (okay, okay, okay)

Yesterday's new trail run was awesome! Also awesome, today's "fun run" with Bri!  I've been looking forward to this "run" all week (a run incorporating sprints, hill work, and calisthenics).......okay, okay, so it doesn't sound that fun when you get down to it...and a couple times during it I honestly thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest...but it really was fun!

Mel On...New Trail, New Trail!

I really enjoyed exploring a new trail today with my friend, Sarah!  I have been wanted to go down this trail for about a year now but was always too scared to go by myself.  I knew where it was and kinda where it ended but had no clue where to go once I was on it.  Thankfully, Sarah had run this several times before so she knew a few loops to try and we even got a little brave and went our own way a couple times.

It turns out it hooks into my favorite loop near my village!  You can also get to several other trails from there too...I can't tell you how much this excites me!!!  Here are some pics from our run (come on, you know I had to take pictures).

Mel On...10-Miler (including HILLS)

I started today off without a game plan.  I just knew I wanted to run 10 miles and include some hill work but that is about it.  The weather was absolutely GORGEOUS and I couldn't wait to get out there!

Since I wasn't sure what route I wanted to take I thought I'd just let "the route take me."  I ended up going up "THE HILL" and doing a 2-mile loop (uphill 1 mile, downhill 1 mile).  Seeing as how I rock on the downhill (key word: downhill), I thought I would go back up one more time...

Mel On...Recovery Run

We got back from Nice last night and I thought the best way to stretch these stiff legs out was to go on a nice little recovery run with some friends of mine this afternoon!

I will never get tired of this view!

The weather was perfect and I really enjoyed the nice 5 mile jog/walk with my friend, Maria, who was going on her first run since taking a year off to have a baby...and she ran 3 miles without stopping her first go-around!  Rockstar!

Mel On...Rock-n-Roll Nice (Official Photos)

"If you never have a 'bad' day, you're probably doing something wrong; if you never have a 'good' day, you're definitely doing something wrong." ~ Mark Remy

Mel On...Rock-n-Roll 10 Miles du Carnaval

Well...that was amazing!  I came no where near my time goal but after last night that flew out the window anyway!

I did okay the first couple miles with the adrenaline pumping (around a 9:20 pace), which was faster than what I was aiming for, however, each step felt like I was raking my feet along hot coals they burned so bad! That, coupled with the fact I only had four hours sleep, my legs were still sore from yesterday, and my bag ripped on the way to the race and MY CAMERA BROKE before I could take a single photo, really did not make for a happy Melanie.

Mel On...NICE!

Hey, here's an idea...it's probably not smart to walk 7 miles, hike up a waterfall, go to a late-night light parade, get lost, and not go to bed before midnight on the eve of a 10 mile race...just saying.

But the good news is that we found the expo, I was able to pick up my bib and race pack, and we got to see some really cool things and make some awesome memories.  I can probably forget my time goal (1:45) tomorrow but at least I know I will PR since it's my first 16K!

Mel On...Tapering for Nice (and, of course, getting sick)

WHY?!  WHY is it that every time I begin to taper for a race I always seem to get sick? And, I'm not talking my "Sunday Sick" but congested, can't breathe, no appetite, exhausted, crabby sick.  Every.  Time.  

It's like I can almost pencil it in on my training calendar because I know 90% of the time it is going to (or has) happened.  I know I put a lot of stress on my body, but come on, you would think it would be happy with me for relaxing it a bit!

Anyway, so here I am packed and ready to go.  I take a photo and send it to my friend, Billy, to make sure I'm not forgetting anything important (and 9 times out of 10 I am!).  I also tend to freak out a bit and pack and re-pack everything a gazillion times so if I have photographic evidence of everything I put in my suitcase I'm less likely to spaz out about it...but not entirely...

Mel On...Run Quickly and Carry a Big Stick

So, you know how I take like a gazillion pictures when I run new trails (scratch that...on pretty much any trail I run)?  WELL....it turns out that my obsessiveness pays off because those pictures got me home yesterday when I got "misdirected" exploring a new trail!

I knew it was bound to happen...I've been getting a little too brave for my britches here lately and I have zero navigational skills so I should have known not to go down this trail.  But, curiosity got the best of me and, well, I went...

Mel On...Training Update (and another new trail!)

Last week was a very rough week for me.  My body and I have not been the best of friends here lately and I think it's because I've been pretty mean to the ole' gal.  The past month I've been doing anywhere from 15-18 miles a week plus 4-5 hrs. of cross-training. Last week I put in 21 miles and 6.5 hrs of cross-training and slipped on a trail and busted up my right side/hip.  Needless to say, my body noticed...

I've been trying to be "nicer" (i.e., getting more rest, stretching/foam rolling more, doing some yoga/deep breathing routines, visiting the aqua-massager, etc.) but it would just be easier if my body just did what I wanted without talking back.  Seriously, she's a B.

Mel On...Running and Coping

This has been a very hard week for me.  My aunt passed away on Monday, my birthday. She was an amazing woman. Always smiling, ready to talk, lend a hand, tell a story...I could go on forever.  I love her sooo much and it hurts sooo bad to know that she is not here anymore.

Her funeral was yesterday.  I planned to go on a run in her honor but I couldn't pull myself off the couch.  It hurt too bad.  It was rainy and cold, a perfect match to my mood.  I just couldn't do it.

I woke up today and the sun was shining and I couldn't sit any longer. I laced up my shoes and ran.  I didn't know how far or how long I was going for, I just knew I had to run. I just wanted my body to hurt for a reason other than sadness. So, I ran.  I ran and I cried and I ran some more and cried some more.  A vicious cycle.  I went until I couldn't run anymore and I had no tears left.  

Mel On...Hitting Autopilot (then getting my butt-kicked)

Today I planned on doing an easy 4 mile jog (around a 12:00 min. mile) around the new trail I found last week.  I can leave from the parking lot of the MMA gym and run for about an hour before I have to be back for kickboxing.  I love doing this because I can get in a quick solo run without being worried about having the traffic lights and intersections affect my run time.  Easy peasy miles...I like it.

I don't know what happened today, it was one of those runs that you don't plan on being awesome but it totally turned out that way!  The weather was almost perfect (upper 30's, chilly but not too cold -- which is really rare for this time of year here) with a fine mist blowing just enough to dampen your face.  Something about the combination of seeing the sunrise, breathing in the fresh air, and that cool mist just makes you feel so....so alive.    I love it!

Mel On...Meg's Miles

This was supposed to be a rest weekend; however, when a fellow runner shared with me this Facebook campaign, I knew I had to get some miles in for Meg.

Mel On...Friday Night Wine Run!

Soooooo.....when I talked my friend, Sarah, into doing today's "wine run" I sold it as a quick 5 mile run from my house for some yummy wine and dinner (I may or may not have forgotten to include the distance from my house to the actual loop we were leaving from...and the fact we were running with a 40 lb kid in a stroller).

When I actually realized we had to include the distance from my house into the run, I was CERTAIN it was maybe 1.5 to 2 miles....yeah right!

Mel On...This Week's Deep Water Running Class

Today is THURSDAY!  I love Thursdays because Thursdays mean hiking or deep water running with my girl, Bri.  Since we did hiking last week we really didn't want to miss deep water running today.  The class was super-packed (I'm assuming because it was the first class of the new year everyone was hitting the gym to knock off their resolutions), which is great...but a little annoying when we kept bumping into people trying to balance on a noodle....

Hopefully, they will open up some more lanes next week if the class is going to continue to grow.  If you can't make it to a class or don't have one in your area...or don't want to be knocked off your noodle... I am posting the workout below!

Mel On...Recipes for Runners (Moroccan Chicken Salad)

OMG!  You all know I love me some food.  I especially love me a good salad.  So, when I saw this recipe from FemFusion Fitness I knew I had to try it!

Brianne Grogan's Moroccan Chicken Salad
Photo courtesy of FemFusion Fitness

And let me tell you...it was amazeballs!  Hands down the best salad I have ever eaten in my entire life.  There are sooooo many yummy things going on in this salad.  Every single bite is like Christmas because you don't know which flavors you are going to get, but all the flavors work so magically well together, and OH MY GOODNESS it is GOOD!

Mel On..."The Loop"

I ran "the loop" today for the first time since Athens.  It's just a 5 mile loop in a nearby village, nothing spectacular about it...other than the fact that I have HOURS upon HOURS upon HOURS of run time on that thing!

(...ummmm, and it's gorgeous!)

Mel On..."People of Walmart" Fun Run

This has been a pretty awesome training week!  My mind was going a little crazy from the unexpected (but much needed) hiatus I took and I was really excited to get back out there...

It started with my favorite route around our village, then I explored some new trails, got my butt kicked in kick-boxing, sneaked in some Quick Core, survived an Amanda workout, went on a cross-training hike, attacked some hills, got my weekly dose of FemFusion, busted out some sprints on the track, and ended it with a hilarious, early-morning 5K!  Whew.  I am REALLY ENJOYING my rest day today!

The 5K was awesome!  It was put together by a wonderful chick in our running group (shout out to my ladies!) and involved dressing up like "People of Walmart!"  I haven't been that excited to be up at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday in a long time!

Mel On...Home Workouts (Quick Core!)

Every now and then my schedule gets jammed and I have to (or in this case, want to) cram a workout in at home.  I have a love/hate relationship with this.  I LOVE that it is convenient...I can do it in any weather and at any time of the day...yadda, yadda, yadda...

However, I hate that I can't ever seem to give them my 100% undivided attention or effort.  I am either surrounded by my wonderful children who need constant refereeing...or a snack...or the t.v. turned on...or they want to play with my phone...or sit on my back when I'm trying to bend my body into a downward dog...

Mel On...This Week's Cross-Training Hike

I LOVE Thursdays!  Thursdays are cross-training days and I either hike or go deep water running with my buddy, Bri.  Today we had our eyes on a group hike in a nearby village but the time-frame on this one would have been cutting it really close to school pick-up time...soooo, we improvised and did a shorter "hike" in our own backyard!

Mel On...Solo Runs

Yesterday I had about an hour before kickboxing class so I decided to go on a quick, easy 4 miler to explore more in-depth a trail I found a few weeks ago...

Mel On...First Run of the Year!

Okay, so I got off to a little later start on the running thing than I intended to this year but with the kids back in school today there were no excuses!  No excuses, Mel...

I couldn't wait to get out there this morning!  Mondays are my long run days with my friend, Bri, so not only do I look forward to the run...I look forward to the company as well!

Mel On..."Quick Core Workouts"

Soooooo.....you all know how I love me some FemFusion Fitness.  (I think you can search for "Fem Fusion" on my blog and find a gazillion posts!).  I seriously cannot say enough good things about the classes, videos, instructors, and the simple "lifestyle" of FemFusion --  eat clean and move every day.

Speaking of videos.....

Mel On...I'm Baaaaaack! (New Year, New Goals)

Hi, guys!  After an apparently much-needed doctor-ordered hiatus, a couple-quick vacations, and the holidays, I am ready to start running again.  READ-DY.

To say I am excited is an understatement!  Things were pretty bleh earlier this month.  I underestimated the stress I was putting on my body and overestimated my ability to recover from it.  Lesson learned.