Evening!  BLETCH, I went on the most MISERABLE 8.0 mile run today.  I usually try to be SO positive and enjoy running, but its was seriously torturous today.

 

Maybe my run was so rough because I ate two Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Oreos before I left?

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Thankfully, the cookie stash is now gone (I turned Future Hus loose on the remainder).

 

Since I was going on a long run (defined as more than 7.0 miles in my mind), I packed a pre-mid snack.  Introducing…. Clif Shot Bloks!

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According to the Clif website, "Clif Shot Bloks chews are a semi-solid, easily chewable source of carbohydrates—your body’s preferred source of fuel during activity…. The Margarita flavor has three times the amount of sodium than the other flavors. Sodium depletion via sweat is the primary reason for muscle cramping in athletes. By adding more sodium we’re bringing carbohydrates, electrolytes, and higher levels of sodium together into one easy-to-ingest solution."

 

Each blok has 35 calories.  I packed three in my CamelBak, but I only ate two at mile 4.0.  The Margarita flavor was really yummy!

 

Here are my statistics:

 

  • Duration:  1 hour, 21 minutes (8.0 miles)
  • Average Heart Rate: 154
  • Maximum Heart Rate: 183
  • Calories Burned: 645

 

As I mentioned, my run was super sucky.  I just DID NOT want to be running today…. which is exactly why I prefer to be outside than on a treadmill.  I was ready to quit at mile 4.0, but I still had to run allllll thhhhhe wayyyyy home. 🙂

 

I felt like of light headed and icky towards the end, so I immediately slammed a cup of skim milk and 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light .

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After a shower, I still felt sooo lightheaded and decided I needed a massive dose of calories.  I inhaled 3/4 cup yogurt and 1 cup of Grape Nuts (about 500 calories total).

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Following this massive snack, Future Husband asked to practice acupuncture and cupping on me.

 

Cupping refers to an ancient Chinese practice in which a glass cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (by lighting an alcohol-soaked cotton ball on fire and suctioning out air), so that the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup. The cup may be moved while the suction of skin is active, causing a regional pulling of the skin and muscle (the technique is called gliding cupping).  Cupping is applied by acupuncturists to certain acupuncture points, as well as to regions of the body that are affected by pain (where the pain is deeper than the tissues to be pulled).

 

Warning:  kind of gross!

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Cupping feels sooooo good.  Like an inside-out massage.  It doesn’t hurt, but the result is bruised skin (like a hickey).  The bruising lasts four or five days.

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Sexy, huh? 🙂

 

After acupuncture and cupping, I made a quickie sammie using Sabra hummus.

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Spinach + hummus + whole wheat bread = simple perfection!

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And a plum on the side.

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With a cup of OJ (I feel like I’m lacking on the fruits and veggies).

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Time to select songs for the ceremony and reception! 🙂 Have a great night!

 

Have you ever tried any alternative medicine techniques?  Do tell!

{ 31 comments }

 

  • VeggieGirl November 23, 2008, 7:37 pm

    Ahh, hang in there with the running!!

    EEEEEK none of that cupping for me!!

    Have a great evening, Caitlin!! 🙂

  • Erica November 23, 2008, 7:40 pm

    I have that flavor shot bloks and haven’t tried it! Maybe tomorrow 😉 That cupping looks nuts! How cool and fun that you get to try all of the different methods! Sorry the run was no fun!

  • Erin November 23, 2008, 7:42 pm

    Wow, I have never heard of cupping.

    My bf is in chiro school right now, so I’m reaping the benefits of his practice!

  • emily November 23, 2008, 7:47 pm

    hehe, i’ve never tried it but I will alway remember the one picture of gweneth paltrow at some awards show where she has huge “cupping spots” on display in her backless dress!

  • Caitlin (see bride run) November 23, 2008, 7:48 pm

    emily – thats why future husband and i call it “celebrity cupping”!!!

  • chasedaylight November 23, 2008, 7:48 pm

    Oo, I have never tried cupping before but I definitely would be willing to! I HAVE gone the acupuncture route before when I had an injured shoulder and it worked marvelously! I wish I could afford to do it all of the time!!

  • carolinebee November 23, 2008, 7:55 pm

    That is so crazy, but cool! Thanks for sharing, have fun song-choosing!

  • Justine November 23, 2008, 7:56 pm

    Sorry your run didn’t go so well 🙁 At least you got it in, though!

    That cupping looks interesting…never seen that before! Just be sure you don’t wear any tank tops for the next few days…people may wonder what’s on your back!

    I think that’s so cool that FH gets to try out these new techniques on you. My boyfriend will be going to physical therapy school next year and I’m hoping he can learn some stuff to benefit me as well! 🙂

    I remember you posting about a while back about not being sure which song you and FH would do your first dance to and were trying to decide between two songs…did you ever decide?

  • Laura November 23, 2008, 7:59 pm

    I’ve never tried alternative medicine. If I ever get sick or need treatment for anything, I’d be more than willing to see what kind of treatments are out there.

    I also heard about cupping for the first time when Gweneth Paltrow had the marks on her back.

  • Oh She Glows November 23, 2008, 7:59 pm

    Yikes that cupping looks scary! I think I am too much of a wimp to try something like that, lol.

    Sorry to hear your run was sucky- it happens to all of us though at one time or another. Good for you for sticking it out.

    Did you find those Cliff blocks helped at all?

  • Krista November 23, 2008, 8:10 pm

    Sorry to hear you had a bad run!

    That Chinese cupping look very interesting….and painful!!

  • Anonymous November 23, 2008, 8:20 pm

    Cool! I want to try cupping!! I know you said a week or 2 ago that you were going to try and lose a few pounds to avoid getting alterations on your dress … but it seems like you are eating more since you decided that!! Or more treats, anyway!! Is it just me, or are you eating more treats than usual?

  • Sharney November 23, 2008, 8:23 pm

    Hi Caitlin,
    That cupping looks so cool! I want to try that sometime! You are so lucky to have all these cool procedures performed on you 🙂

    Don't get discouraged about your run. It happens to ALL of us at one time or another. That was awesome that you continued even though your heart wasn't in it. That just goes to show how mentally strong you are and how devoted you are to your running. Just remember, it's the bad runs that make you stronger. It's always easy to run when you feel like it, but it is much harder when you don't feel like it. You're awesome & you rock!

  • Nellie November 23, 2008, 8:25 pm

    mmmm TJ’s candy cane oreos!!!

    Sorry the run wasn’t good, just think of how great your next run will be now!

    I’ve heard a lot of great things about cupping, I think I’m just too big of a whimp.

  • MyThy November 23, 2008, 8:30 pm

    Hi Caitlin, food blog lurker here…=) Cupping doesn’t hurt as much as “coining”. My dad prefers cupping while my mom prefers the coining method to ward of “sickness.” For coining, all you need is some Tiger Balm (or any chinese ointment) and a nickel or quarter. I’m sure FH know’s all about it!

    Sorry about your long run. I think we all have those off days where we beat ourselves down mentally sometimes. I know I feel like that on days when I debate doing my scheduled long run, or studying for exams!

  • Amy November 23, 2008, 8:32 pm

    For a while I was having really bad stomach pain and tried pretty much everything – including acupuncture. It really did work well for a while and then one of my acupuncturists (I was at a teaching school in SF) recommended a book about the elimination diet which ultimately cleared things up.

    I love all those alternative treatments but I haven’t tried cuppiing yet.

  • Katie November 23, 2008, 8:32 pm

    That’s so interesting! I’ve always wanted to try acupuncture, but have been a little nervous and, most importantly, never been presented with the opportunity!

    Congrats on your long run!

  • Anonymous November 23, 2008, 8:32 pm

    sabra hummus!! omg is the best my favorite is jalapeno yum!
    wow i have never tried cupping or something like that just acupunture for losing weight but it didn’t help that much.

    anna

  • Simple and Divine November 23, 2008, 8:33 pm

    Sorry about the run! I’M IN LOVE WITH ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE!!
    And would LOOOVE to try the “Cupping”! Does future Huz know any goodies in the Philadelphia area?

    [PS] My mom said whenever you want to call her, she’d love to help you! =]

  • Meg November 23, 2008, 8:33 pm

    I have heard of cupping, but never tried it myself.

    I love CranialSacral therapy and Reiki!

  • Anonymous November 23, 2008, 8:39 pm

    in response to Anon’s comment about you eating more, I don’t think you eat enough sometimes for all the exercise you get! they must be crazy! Caitlin, your food choices always look so yummy! don’t worry about the run today, it happens to me all of the time! take care
    Mel

  • Mica November 23, 2008, 9:44 pm

    I’m sorry your run was sucky, but I’m impressed that you persevered!

    I didn’t realize that cupping had a bruising after-effect, interesting! I might try it some time, but I’d like to get a normal massage first.

  • Caitlin (see bride run) November 23, 2008, 9:45 pm

    justine – we are trying to figure that out RIGHT NOW!! we actually just danced to both songs in our living room. it was a disaster!

    oh she glows – they worked as well as any other of my post run snacks (normally jelly beans or gummi bears).

    anon – i’ve lost 1.5 lbs since i started trying to fit into my dress! however, at this rate (with the holidays + bach party), i doubt i’m going to “make weight.” i have decided to NOT talk about my weight as much on the blog (due to the eating disorder discussion) but i’ll let you know whether or not i have to get the dress altered in two weeks!

    sharon – you are always so motivating.

  • Caitlin (see bride run) November 23, 2008, 9:47 pm

    mythy- i havent heard of that but i’ll ask FH! sounds good! i love tiger balm!

    amy – glad acunpuncture worked for you!!

    simple and divine – i keep forgetting!! thanks for reminder!

    mel – haha thanks 🙂

  • Shannon November 23, 2008, 10:27 pm

    I would love to try cupping! I could tell everyone I have a giant pet octopus to explain the bruises 😉
    You must be so proud of yourself for persevering through your run!

  • Lara November 24, 2008, 12:17 am

    The fact that you can run 8 miles at all makes you a rockstar in my book! I learned about cupping in a biology class I took and I always think of Gwyneth Paltrow when I see it, too!
    Can I ask where you found your heart dishes? LOVE THEM!

  • Sharon November 24, 2008, 12:20 am

    I’ve had Gua Sha done ever since I was little whenever I was sick.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gua_Sha

  • Marlow November 24, 2008, 5:20 am

    I love Shot Blocks! They save me when I bike to work in the morning!

  • Andrea (Off Her Cork) November 24, 2008, 6:26 am

    Not on me, only because I haven’t needed it yet. But my cat used to get acupuncture to help settle her tummy. 🙂

  • Rose November 24, 2008, 7:32 am

    Did the Clif Shot Blocks seem to have any effect on your run? Just curious.

  • lauren November 24, 2008, 11:02 am

    sorry about the run, but we all have them – no worries! i love the clif chot bloks for my long runs!

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