Thursday, October 29, 2015

Five Runfessions (October)


Hooray it's Friday and also the last one of the month.  I'm linking up for Marcia's Runfessions and the DC Trifecta's Friday Five (where it's free topic day).  

Due to a foot injury, it's been over a month since I've run one step, actually 33 days to be exact (nooooo...I'm not counting).  So I must runfess, I have no runfessions.  But other 'fessions, why yes I sure do.

I foodfess...

I had to take an unplanned road trip recently.  It was a long day.  On the way home, I stopped for a treat.  And yes, I always reward myself after an unpleasant task.  This shortbread cookie was the best thing I've put in my mouth in a long time.  Did I feel guilty?  No!  But now I'm in big trouble.  I know where it lives.  I expect it will soon morph into a Christmas ornament, followed by a Valentine heart, then an Easter egg and so on.  Basically, it will always live there.



I swimfess...

I'm always anxious on my way to the pool.  I worry it will be crowded and I'll have to share a lane with a real swimmer.  A swim team practices some mornings.  I thought surely I'd have to give up my lane for them.  But their coach has them double and triple up, so I'm lucky.  I feel bad though, like I'm undeserving of that big old lane all to myself.   

{By the way, it's impossible at our house to say "big" without adding "old" to it.  Big old dog.  Big old burger.  Big old fart.  See what I mean?}



I swimfess... 


I consider myself the queen of old lady ingenuity.  Knowing I could not get through pool running without music, I first tried clipping my iPod shuffle to a hat.  No good.  The cord was a problem.  The next time, I tried clipping it to a stretchy hair band and wrapping the cord around my ponytail.  It worked like a charm!  The older you get, the less you care what other people think.   I mean seriously here, I.am.running.in.a.pool.


I cyclefess...

The other day on a long bike ride, I decided to remove my Fitbit from my wrist and attach it to my shoe.  I was curious if it would clock my pedal strokes.  It did!  But it also erroneously earned me the Rollercoaster badge.  Up and down, up and down, up and down.  Yep, that's about right.  Oops.




I cyclefess...

Cycling in the dark initially felt freaky.  I decided to use two headlights on my bike; one directional and one spread out.  I also use two different red taillights; one flashing and one LED chaser.  I'm pretty sure I'm visible.  In fact, I sense I look like some mis-shot firework dud burning and sputtering down the road! 


Got any 'fessions you need to get off your chest?



I'm linking up with Marcia today from Marcia's Healthy Slice

Please stop by and join in with your Runfessions!



 

I'm also linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta.
I'm sure there will be many interesting topics for free day Friday Five.



Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,
Mar from Mar on the Run!.








Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Perspective by the Foot


October 28, 2015

Dear Left Foot:

I know I was due for a little perspective.  After all, I'd gotten too focused on the small things again, too narrow.  I'm aware that I tend to get into occasional slumps where I need an It's A Wonderful Life kind of moment.  You know, just a little "aha" to remind me what is truly important and all the wonderful things I have to appreciate. 

I actually look forward to those "aha" moments appearing in my life.  They give me that big picture perspective that we all should be focusing on.  But you, my friend, were certainly not the "aha" I expected or wanted to receive.

Here I am contending with you and your ridiculous metatarsal stress fracture.  Why do you have to be so aggravating?  From your perspective, I guess you think I should have run less and gotten more rest.  Did you need more cross training?  Or perhaps...simply a different shoe?  Honestly, I haven't quite yet figured out what lesson you are trying to teach me.  But please know, I am listening.

Surely you realize you can't keep me down.  My perspective dutifully changed, but so did my training routine.  Do you prefer biking 70 miles a week?  Do you like getting up at 4:45 for pool running?  I must tell you the real swimmers think we are quite nutty.  I need you to hurry up and heal so we can get back to running.  There are fantastic new adventures to be had.  I'll give you more TLC.  Pedicures?  Massages?  You bet!

Let me remind you our next marathon is scheduled in January.  We've already paid.  Let's not waste our money again.  And, you can't fool me.  I know you want to go to Disney, home to those beautiful glass slippers!  Just think, from everyone's perspective we would then be a marathoner.  Wouldn't that be the coolest thing ever?  Come on!  At least give it some consideration. 


Respectfully Yours,
HoHo

What would your letter say?


I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.

Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers.  It's fun!








Sunday, October 25, 2015

Changing Lanes (WW # 12)



Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.    Rule Change:  You can now link beginning at 6 pm (CT) on Sunday evenings!


On Monday and Tuesday I did absolutely nothing active.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  Sometimes, you just gotta!  Plus, it was just too dang cold for early morning biking. 

Wednesday, off to the gym I limped.  Thank goodness for heated pools.  It was 5:18 a.m. when I jumped in and ran for 80 minutes.  Thanks again to Karen from Running Over The Hill for sending me her pool watch and HR monitor.  I was very touched by this.  I'm deeming it The Sisterhood Of The Traveling HR Monitor.

This LANE makes a pretty picture.

It was a huge help to watch my HR and not let it slip below a certain level.  It averaged 130 and peaked at 141.  "Experts" say because of water resistance, and other scientific blah blah blah technicalities, it is impossible to achieve your normal running HR.  It will likely average 15 points lower.  Good to know!

Thursday, I biked for 14 dark early miles.  My lungs were so sore from the previous day's pool running (or possibly from inhalation of chlorine fumes?).  My upper quads were sore as well.  Hmm....that pool running is something else!  I was absolutely dragging by the end of the day.  {Just point me to the bed!}

I find the awkward curve in the middle of this LANE to be very symbolic!

Saturday was another bike day.  I slept in and it was very warm when I finally got my rear in gear.  Is it August again?  I rode 21.5 miles and my average heart rate was 155.  I know I've talked a lot about HR, but it's the only way to know I'm getting a quality workout.   Saturday afternoon we had a house full of people glued to a nail biter of a football game.  Whew!  Roll Tide.

Sunday I originally planned to return to the pool.  However, when I checked the upcoming week's weather, I saw it may be rainy for several days.  Knowing I would not ride in the rain, I opted for the bike again and saved the pool for a rainy day.  I logged another 32.5 miles at a slightly lower intensity than the day before.


I finally found a tree changing color!

For Sunday's supper, I tried a quiche recipe from Karen at French Inspiration.  I added 1 cup of diced ham (got to feed a house full of men!) and served it with steamed broccoli, chick peas and red grapes.  This recipe is very easy and definitely a keeper.  A funny: I once worked with a lady who pronounced it "key-shee".

In summary, I rode my bike 3 times for a total of 69 miles and pool ran once for 80 minutes.  Being honest, I was exhausted all week.  Sometimes I feel I'm working harder than I did during marathon trainingAnd I'll go ahead and admit beyond irritable most days too.  Patience is not my strong suit and I'm ready for this foot injury to be over.

And that's a wrap.

Do you like quiche?

Do you ever feel like you are overdoing it?


Friday, October 23, 2015

5 Bloggers to Thank

So many wonderful people have reached out to me during my foot injury.  I could really write a book about the incredible support I've received so far.  Today I thought I would spotlight five awesome ladies, after all it is time for the Friday Five (HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY!), and how they have helped me get through this.



So many have kept me from feeling like an occupant in this nutty car!

1)  Karen @ RunningOverTheHill has been so thoughtful.  She reached out to me outside the blog, sent me her phone number in case I needed support (and I did!) and in a I-won't-take-no-for-an-answer way, sent me her heart rate monitor to use in the pool.  She made sure to check on me over "that weekend" too.  Thank you Karen, you are one awesome lady. 

2)  Marcia @ MarciasHealthySlice suggested I immediately start pool running.  She was gracious enough to chat with me back and forth about how to successfully do this, as this was something totally out of my comfort zone.  She also sent me a link to a Pool Running post she wrote while injured in 2010.  Marcia has been a wonderful wealth of been-there-done-that information.   Thank you Marcia, you've been very kind.

3)  Before I made my injury public, I decided I would replace my old mountain bike.  I reached out to Kelli @ DestinationAwesome for advice on purchasing a new bike.  Kelli took the time to first ask me some questions on how I intended to use the bike and then proceeded to detail certain bike components she thought were important for me.  She also suggested things for me to ask the sales reps.  Thank you Kelli, I appreciate the time you took to help me!

4)  I want to thank each and every person who has left me words of encouragement.  I can't tell you how much it helps!  I remember one particular blogger said just the right thing when I needed it.  On a day I was feeling particularly blue but trying to put on that happy face, Pam @ WeRunDisney said something that resonated with me.  Thank you Pam for telling me exactly what I needed to hear!

5)  Some local running friends who don't normally comment, sent me the sweetest emails and texts too.  And of course there is my buddy and Weekly Wrap cohort Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin whose daily friendship, support, and encouragement I couldn't live without.  Thank you Tricia, you are the bomb!

I am still recovering and will continue to need support from this wonderful running tribe.  And by the way, if you are reading this I consider you a member!  My purpose here was not to exclude anyone (like I said - I could write a book) but more as a life lesson for me.  To remember to reach out to people!  Go the extra distance.  Just say something ...anything.  It matters.  And it helps, more than anyone can communicate back to you.



I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta.
Please visit their blogs and other participating bloggers!


Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,
Mar from Mar on the Run!.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Inspiring Others

I've made no my secret that my sister was a huge influence in getting me to run.  I was working for a company who provided free gym membership if you went a minimum number of times per month.  For several years, I had been doing the weight training circuit and using the elliptical machine.  I was so bored! 

Around this time, my sister was working for a firm whose partners were very active and sponsored local races.  She had started running on the roads around her rural home. "You should try it!", she'd say.  My response?  "I can't run!"

Fantasy in Lights 10k 2011



I continued to dutifully go to the Y and meet my monthly requirement.  I began noticing a young woman who would come and use the treadmill.  She would run the whole time I was there, without pause.  Wow, I thought.  Occasionally there was another young man who would do the same, but while wearing one of those reflective aluminum heat suits.  Double Wow. 

I started thinking...if my sister can run, why can't I?  I became determined.  In the Winter of 2008, I stepped up on a treadmill, while the Y was cavernously empty, and gave it a whirl. 

Sole Sister 7 Mile Run 2015

Other than planting the running seed with our oldest son, have I inspired anyone else to run?  Not that I know of.  But, the takeaway here is -- you never know who is watching.  Just as my sister watched the people at her firm, just as I watched her and the strangers at the Y.  Others are watching.  "Honey, there's that crazy lady running in the park again!"  So, maybe I have.

Here's another somewhat relative point.  The name of my blog comes from something my grandson said when he could barely talk.  He would see me in running clothes and would ask "HoHo Runs?".  He was asking for clarification -- HoHo runs too just like my Dad?  Later it changed to HoHo Runs!  No questions asked.  He is watching.   



I'm joining Marcia, Erika and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run!
Please visit these awesome ladies and join in on the fun.


Sunday, October 18, 2015

My New Normal (WW # 11)



Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.    Rule Change:  You can now link beginning at 6 pm (CT) on Sunday evenings!


After several days of honky-tonking and sightseeing in Nashville, we spent Monday in Lynchburg, Tennessee. I highly recommend the Jack Daniel's distillery tour even in you don't drink.  We also enjoyed shopping and eating in the quaint town square.  We had the best red beans and rice and BBQ pizza at the BBQ Caboose.  In town you could find just about anything flavored with Jack, including ice cream.  But, you can't buy the product.  It's a dry county.  Oh, the irony.


This is Jack on the Rocks.   Seriously!  It's what the plaque said.


Just a random Fall picture.
After resting Tuesday, it was back to my new normal hurt-foot training routine.  I rode my bike 12 miles Wednesday morning.  My heart rate averaged a much higher 136. Although thrilled, I found it odd because I didn't push any harder than last week.

Thursday was pool day.  Last week after pool running for an hour, I felt I didn't get the best workout.  I wrote my blog post early since we were leaving town.  I must tell you my lungs were seriously sore for 2 days.  My opinion definitely changed.  This time, I hit the water at 5:21 a.m. for 70 minutes.  This blind old bat appreciates the huge digital clocks they have on every wall. 



I drove PoPo's truck to work as he was having tires put on my car.  I kept smelling bleach and thought, "What has he been cleaning now?"  You see, he loves using Tilex!  I do not.  (He wipes behind me every time I take a step on our boat's white floor.)  I finally realized it was coming from my own skin.  Even after showering, I smelled strongly of chlorine all day.  Eua de Tilex!
 
Me...and my jowls.
Saturday I biked 15 miles.  It was beautiful but windy.  There were hills and I pushed hard.  At times I gasped for air.  My average heart rate?  97 -- NO WAY!  Finally, it dawned on me that excessive vibration could be making my Fitbit HR info inaccurate.  It is erroneously recording a lot of steps too. 

I road tested bike shorts by Nishiki.  I like that their padding tapers down the inside of the legs instead of just stopping.  Those of you who worried about my Spiderman helmet should be happy that I now own a big girl one.  The rest of the day was spent off of my feet and watching football.  Roll Tide!

On Sunday, I took my bike to a Shakespearean style park for a change of scenery.  I dutifully wore my Garmin's chest strap monitor to test my Fitbit theory and rode 26 miles.  It was irritatingly windy!  My HR was 140 per Garmin (actually higher because I forgot to stop it!) and 107 per Fitbit.  I proved that theory!  After grocery shopping on the way home, again I stayed off of my feet the remainder of the day.


A beautiful park, but the pavement was awful.



In summary, I rode 53 miles and pool ran for 70 minutes.  This is my new normal for probably another month or so.  I should probably increase one of my activities each week just as I would a long run.  I'm debating over how to do that.  I do expect to start pool running twice a week, especially if the mornings get too cool for a dark bike ride. 

And that's a wrap!


Has anyone else been to Nashville or Lynchburg?
How was your week?  I want to hear about it!


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Sanity and Injury

FIVE WAYS OF COPING WITH INJURY


1)  THROW THE PITY PARTY


I got completely through marathon training and was at the end of taper week #1 when my foot injury occurred.  The goal of running my first marathon quickly died.   I had just spent the entire summer training in oppressive humidity and heat.  And for what?
 
I sadly mourned the loss of my monumental Chicago marathon goal.  There simply wasn't a switch to flip in my brain to suddenly make me feel wonderful.  

Throw the party!  Yes, even if it's an extravagant gala that lasts a whole week.  Then put it behind you and concentrate your energy on moving forward.  And please, reach out to others for support!



2)   DO WHATEVER YOU CAN

Find things you can do to stay active, even if it is out of your comfort zone.  For me, it is cycling -- which I've used during prior injuries -- and pool running (new and waaayyy out of the zone here).  I took a long overdue opportunity to upgrade my bike.  Make a plan.  Set goals.  One of mine is slowly increasing my pool running time each week.  Mark your training days on your calendar and stick to it.  Focus on your plan and achieving your goals as if you were training for something important!   





3)  GET PLENTY OF SLEEP AND REST

This one is a struggle, but I try.  I purposefully limit my steps each day to help my foot heal.  I get in my bed earlier and snuggle with my dogs to watch TV too, even if I don't fall asleep any quicker.  Ask for help.  My kids and husband have done grocery shopping and other chores for me.  Maybe I should limp around a little longer...



4)  FOCUS ON NUTRITION

Our bodies need proper nutrition to heal quickly and properly.  Don't sit around eating Oreos...well not for very long anyway.  (I confess I had a few too many peanut M&Ms.)  Adequate protein, calcium and vitamin D are essential.  Read your food labels.  Remember your body needs extra calories for healing purposes.  This is not the time to diet or skimp on calories.  

TruMoo low sugar chocolate milk has always been a favorite.  But look at what I found this week in individual serving boxes.  Vanilla!  It tastes like my Mother's homemade ice cream before freezing it while still warm and on the stove. So yummy and comforting too.



5)  DON'T START BACK TOO SOON

In 2011, I had an ankle stress fracture.  I waited X amount of weeks as directed by the orthopedist before trying to run.  After a few tries, it didn't feel right.  I took another month off and was then able to run without pain.  Listen to your body.  If you start back too soon, the insanity will only begin again.  This time I may just wait a couple of extra weeks for good measure, or for the general bad-assery that I can make myself do that.



How do you stay sane while injured?
I'd love to hear from you!


I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta.
Please visit their blogs and other participating bloggers!


Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,
Mar from Mar on the Run!.






Sunday, October 11, 2015

Plan B (WW # 10)



Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.    Rule Change:  You can now link beginning at 6 pm (CT) on Sunday evenings!



Life with injury requires a Plan B, and possibly a C and D.  Tuesday I rode my new bike for 12.5 miles in the early morning wee hours.  Riding in the dark is a new experience for me.  I put a bright white light on the front and a red flashing band on the back and off I went.  It's funny, the light shines through the front cables and casts a shadow on the road that looks like a huge bug with giant antennas.  So I'm now thinking about Bugs as a bike name.  I cut over to the rural road behind my neighborhood.  Some places are a little darker than others but I am very familiar with this road and felt comfortable.
 
Don't even think about it!

I think I saw two cars the entire time.  I expected to see a deer, but the only animal I saw was a black cat who started across the road in front of me.  Oh, no no kitty.  Do not dare cross the path of this wild, injured woman!  Kitty changed his mind. 

My heart rate feels like it's at its peak on a bike.  But when I check, it's always so much lower than my easy running HR (105 vs.150).  I don't get it.  My average speed was 14.15 mph.  I need to work on that.  That does include some super slow U-turns and traffic checking stops, however.

Chocolate Cures Everything

Wednesday was not a good day.  The reality of not getting to run my first marathon really hit home.  I couldn't get a grip on my emotions, all the way to bedtime. 

Thursday morning I rode again for 14.75 miles.  I was treated to a beautiful orange sunrise glow about 45 minutes in.   My average speed was 14.00 mph and I still could not get my heart rate where it needs to be.  I spent too much time in fat burning zone.  

When I came home Thursday evening, my kids surprised me with flowers and candy to cheer me up.  Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?  It made me want to cry...again.


I was off work Friday as I was supposed to be on a flight to Chicago {cue pitiful wailing in the background}.   In an effort to maintain some fitness, and on the sage advice of my friend MarciaI got in my car and drove to the Y for pool running.  I can't tell you how out of my comfort zone I was!  After getting over the initial I-feel-so-silly-doing-this, I ran non-stop for 60 minutes.  Actually, I think I'd use the word jog.   I couldn't seem to get my heart rate up with this either.  The experience wasn't as bad as I had predetermined it would be.  But, I will have to work harder to get a quality workout.

Well, as you are reading this we are headed home from parts unknown, or possibly still away because Monday is a holiday!  Obviously, I needed a major distraction this weekend.  Since PoPo had already taken off to accompany me to Chicago, we decided to travel...somewhere...anywhere.


And that's a wrap!



Has anyone else tried pool running?
Do you (would you) ride your bike in the dark?

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

I Am Tenacious

I don't give up easily.  In fact, I'm a little on the obsessive side.  And yes, that's probably putting it mildly.  I just don't tend to let things, or more specifically -- ideas, go away.

If you haven't already heard, I'm currently sidetracked by an injury.  I got incredibly close to running my first marathon.  But, I failed during the final stage.  I have been knocked down.  Have I given up?  Oh, no no no  --  quite the contrary.  In fact, once I'm over this initial shock and disappointment, I suspect I'll do what I've always done.  I'll use it as fuel. 

You see, I don't like being directed by anyone or anything that I can't do something.  It will be important to prove (even if it's just to myself) that I can do whatever I choose.  However, it will require a good deal of patience on my part.  But I am persistent, unshakable, tough, resilient and tenacious.


If you get up one more time than you fall, you have made it through.
 
-- Chinese Proverb




Like this palm tree battered 
by the elements,
I may bend, 
but I will not break.

I will stand, I will grow, I will thrive.

I will heal.

I will run.


I am tenacious.


Are you?


I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.

Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers.  It's fun!




Sunday, October 4, 2015

Metatarsal Mania (WW # 9)






Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This weekly linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  Please tell us how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.    Rule Change:  You can now link beginning at 6 pm (CT) on Sunday evenings!



So here it goes -- the post I really didn't want to write.  Basically, my worst fear about training for a marathon has come to pass.  INJURY.  And just two weeks before the race, during taper no less.  I have a stress fracture on the top of my left foot in the 3rd metatarsal bone.  I have no pain until I place my foot down to walk and make it bear weight. 

The harsh, cold, light-bulb glaring truth of it is...I failed at training for my first marathon.  My emotions are raw and painful still, as anyone who has been injured can understand.  Suffice it to say it has been one incredibly tough week.  I expect this last week leading up to Chicago will probably be just as hard.  I sincerely wish those of you running Chicago the best of luck!  Please, do me a tiny favor and think of me in mile 23. 

The what ifs and why mes are making me crazy.  It is imperative that I get out of that negative head space.  I keep reminding myself that I've completed 35 half marathons (and hundreds of other races) since my last stress fracture more than 4 1/2 years ago, which was in my ankle. 

Bodies do heal.       Life will go on.

On a more positive note, I've been wanting a new bike for a while.  I put it off during the summer as my training seemed pretty full with 4 running days and 1 water skiing day.  This week seemed like the perfect time to shop.  It is something I enjoy and can do while my foot heals.   So I'm saying goodbye to my 15 year old K-Mart Special Catapult mountain bike...

Goodbye, Bertha!

and saying hello to Sanity or Clarity or perhaps Hope (Metatarsal just seems too cruel).

Isn't she pretty?


Kelli @ Destination Awesome gave me some wonderful pointers about what to look for and ask while bike shopping.  In the end, it boiled down to feel.   I tested 7 bikes in my price range and ones that met my basic requirements.  Although I didn't care about a women's specific bike, the Trek Lexa SL ended up feeling best. This is not the top end model.  I just couldn't justify that kind of money as a recreational rider.  Kelli, I appreciate your time!  (I so wanted Shimaro 105 components -- but what a jump in price!)

Other than test riding bikes, my only activity this week was my inaugural Sanity ride.  I rode over 21 miles in Sunday's windy, overcast cool weather.  Our weather has been gloomy and rainy all week which honestly matched my disposition.   It felt great to be outside and get my heart rate up.  It averaged 119 on my 100 minute ride.  I played around a lot with the shifters just trying to get used to them and the overall feel of the bike.  I'll work on speed as I go along.

Admittedly, I had been riding Bertha without a helmet.  {Eek -- I know, I know!}  But I knew Clarity would be faster so I scrounged around for a helmet and could only find this one...  

Oh, yes...I sure did.

Yes, I rode my brand new sporty road bike with a Spiderman helmet complete with a large BASS fishing sticker plastered squarely on top.  Boys...

Best case, my foot heals in 6 weeks (only 5 more to go!  whoot)   I'm not walking much, as evidenced by my Fitbit numbers.  I'm wearing a running shoe, which I must say is so not fashionable with work attire.  Like.I.Care.  The doc said a stiff running shoe was as good as one of those stupid boots, which I have a variety of in my closet.  

I hope to ride Hope (look a funny!) 3-4 times a week to help maintain some level of fitness.  That will require riding in the early morning dark, which I've never done.  I may even go to the gym with PoPo and sons.  Oh my, can you believe I just said that? 


I haven't decided on my bike's name.  Any suggestions?