Monday Musings: Forced Rest, #IceBucketChallenge, A Wedding & Beer
/Mondays can be seen in one of two ways: the start to a week of endless possibilities or the worst thing in the world as the opening to the work week.
Let's make this Monday our b&%ch! ;)
I love using Monday as a time to reassess the previous week and come up with a game plan for the next seven days. But also to celebrate the good times. :)
This past week was full of ups and downs.
Let's get the downs out of the way ... quad injury! :(
On Thursday morning I received a shooting pain through my right quad. It was scary and was paralyzing (mainly from fear). The pain happened while I was stepping out of my house on the front steps. I am very lucky that the wife was there to calm me down and help me get past that first step.
After talking with my doctor/PT friends, it was dictated to take rest days. Eek! No I didn't want to especially with a sprint tri on Sunday. Well I listened to their advice.
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Since then it has been a steady stream of icing, foam rolling, Zensah compression shorts, stretching and adhering to doctor's orders. It has been tough. Taking a DNS (Did Not Start) at the tri was frustrating, upsetting and difficult, but I know I need to be 100% for the Half Ironman on September 7 and a race now isn't worth risking that.
Ace Bandages + Compression Shorts = One Sexy Look
Thankfully each day the quads seem a little better and I am hoping I am on the upswing.
Now while I am having a hard time with the rest, I think the pups are really enjoying it.
Once again my nurse Laney sleeping on the job.
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Now it was a tough eating weekend wise. I let some emotional eating in after the unexpected gain on the scale Friday. But really I had some cravings and I filled them. But my stomach let me know that I filled too many at one time. It was a little gut check that I needed. I was right back on track today and feeling good and more in control.
Go me!
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On Friday, I was challenged by my cousin Jen to take part in the #IceBucketChallenge to raise awareness for ALS. Luckily I had an ice bath on the agenda any way so it was a good segway. :P
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As we know I have been keeping my craft beer drinking to the weekends the past couple of months so let me share the finds from this past weekend...
Lefty's Brewing Company out of Greenfield, MA
The wife and I obviously love Slumbrew, which is out of my hometown, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the latest brew... and it was worth the wait! Delicious and how could you not enjoy it with the description:
Fresh air and the aromatic essence of Calypso, Ella and Pacific Jade hops fill the air and lighten our hearts while this golden ale lightens our mood.
Somerville's own Slumbrew Island Day
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The highlight of the week was my uncle's wedding in Western Mass. I even got to show the wife some of my favorite spots in Hampden, MA, including this lunch spot from my childhood. Mmmm french fries!
It was a gorgeous day Saturday for a beautiful wedding.
I was also able to spend the day with my Gramma, my Stroke Hero. She is the reason I am part of Tedy's Team and raise the money to #FightStroke! :)
It was a great day with family ... and I don't think anyone figured out that I was wearing compression shorts and ACE bandages under my dress. ;)
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I would LOOOOVVEEE your daily vote in the following two Got Chocolate Milk contests… each ends on August 15!
Chocolate Milk Contest
^I have finally broken in to the Top Three!!! 1st prize is valued just over $5k, 2nd prize just under $1,900 and 3rd prize around $775. Holy cow they are sweet.
and
Team Chocolate Milk
^The prize? $500 in sponsorship money, which I will use to fund my first Ragnar Relay experience, new training gear and free race entries. Each time you vote $1 is donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation. How awesome is that?
Thank you all so much!!!
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What did you learn from this past week?
