A Power Outrage and a 5K Run

on June 17, 2009
in All Posts

Good morning! Sorry for my lack of posting last night.  Orlando got hit by a killer storm (one of the worst non-hurricane storms I’ve ever seen) and we lost power for 5 hours!

 

Driving home from work was very creepy.  My apartment complex was totally black:

CIMG6169
I was disappointed because my physical therapist has prescribed a run with the athletic tape on my knees, and because of the storm I didn’t get to go last night.

 

For brevity’s sake, here’s a list of my mid-afternoon snacks and dinner from yesterday:

 

  • Cherries
  • Cereal
  • A PB Sammie
  • Another slice of PB bread (all I could make with the power out!)

 

I woke up this AM at 5:00 because I needed to do some work on our supplement website. 

 

I’m really NOT pleased with how my eating has been since I started working my two jobs.  I’m great at time management, but my meal-planning ability is really sucking and I feel like I’m relying too much on carbs (bread, cereal, and granola) and not getting enough veggies in.   I certainly haven’t gained weight–in fact, I’ve lost a few pounds–but I just feel a general decrease in energy and my skin is starting to look a little sallow again.  

 

I had breakfast around 5:30.

CIMG6174

Anyway, that’s why I just had a simple bowl of banana oatmeal, almonds, and flax this morning.  I need to get back to the basics!

 

Around 6:30 AM, I stopped working and did my physical therapy strength moves and stretches (I’ll share them soon, I promise).

 

And then…. I left for my RUN!! 🙂 Yay!  I was so excited to be running outside.  And I was very curious to try out my athletic knee tape!

CIMG6140

I am so used to my big, black knee sleeves that looking down and seeing my actual leg was SO weird.  Now, I was taped up yesterday morning and the tape held up all through the day + night (I didn’t shower with the tape on, but I think it would’ve held up).  Athletic tape is STRONGER than duct tape, I swear.  This stuff did not budge all day!  It definitely felt more secure than my knee sleeves and I ran PAIN FREE!

 

I did a 5K loop around my neighborhood.  This is the furthest I’ve run since April 11!   It was a GREAT run — nice and quiet outside. 

 

Here’s my statistics:

 

  • Duration: 31 minutes
  • Distance: 5K (3.1 miles)
  • Calories Burned (Estimate):  240

 

I’m happy to report that I did not lose much of my cardio base during the last two months!  I have cycling to thank for that.  Most of my training 5K runs took me around 29 – 31 minutes; however, I used to be able to run a 23-minute 5K RACE and I don’t think I could’ve possibly gone faster today.  So, I maintained my base, but not my speed.  Something to work on!

 

I came home and did my "knee maintenance" routine prescribed by my doctor and physical therapist:

 

  • More stretches
  • 600 milligrams Ibuprofen
  • Ice

 

I think the knee tape was wonderful, but I won’t really know for another 12 or so hours (which is when my knee pain typically sets in).  I took the tape off in the shower because its kind of uncomfortable and my skin was itching.

 

I drank a Chocolate Amazing Grass with almond breeze after my shower:

CIMG6180

Off to work I go!

{ 39 comments }

 

  • recipesforcreativity June 17, 2009, 5:06 am

    I hate it when the power's out, especially when driving and there are no stop lights!

    Yay for your run today!

  • Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) June 17, 2009, 5:10 am

    Ugh…hate power outages!

    So glad you were able to fit in a run though! That's a *great* running time considering you haven't been able to run lately. 😀

  • Dori June 17, 2009, 5:13 am

    Yes tape gets itchy after awhile! I wear mine differently since I have pes anserine bursitis so it's more on the inner part of my knee. I wear my tape vertically on that side.

    You're so great doing everything PT told you to. I definitely get lazy with that.

  • Casey @ Double Scooped June 17, 2009, 5:36 am

    Congrats on the run! It probably felt amazing!

    I kinda like power outages/crazy storms – unless they're really serious it's almost kind of cool to "rough" it and light a bunch of candles. 🙂

  • Meganerd June 17, 2009, 5:40 am

    aaah… I wonder if my apartment got a power outage too since they are so close! That really stinks 🙁

    Great job on the run! Still on for 2.5 miles on Friday? I'm pumped! lol

  • Bec June 17, 2009, 5:42 am

    I know what you mean during exams I tend to eat crapy carbs and PB all day long and loose a few lbs but you can tell my skin is crying out for veggies! I can never keep athletic tape on for the full 3 days, it starts to drive me nuts and I have to take it off.

  • Anna June 17, 2009, 5:48 am

    Lovely run! It is weird that I kind of like power outages? It's like a mandated break.
    PS check out my giveaway!

  • Brandi June 17, 2009, 5:56 am

    glad you got your power back – that's always so creepy.

    yay for a good run!!! That's awesome 🙂

  • Sam June 17, 2009, 6:00 am

    Considering how hard you're working, I think it's really admirable how you're still managing to eat healthily and keep the exercise up – you could definitely be doing a lot worse! I've been doing a lot of overtime over the last couple of weeks, and it's thrown my eating schedule right off – I'm eating breakfast earlier and dinner later, which means I'm getting much more hungry and eating more during the day. But I guess that's normal?

    http://www.smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com

  • Stacey June 17, 2009, 6:01 am

    Whoa, that is a really black picture! I would be really scared!

    Charlotte got some thunder and lightening, and a tornado warning, but luckily no power outages! I'm so glad you had a good run and yay for being able to do three miles!

    have a good day 🙂

  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health June 17, 2009, 6:24 am

    Congrats on the run!

    It's freaky seeing everything so black!!

    Have a great day!

  • Rose June 17, 2009, 6:29 am

    Great job on the run! I bet you felt really good after.

    I am amazed by how much you accomplish before going to work!

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) June 17, 2009, 6:30 am

    Hooray! It must have been very excited to run without pain!

  • Fitzalan June 17, 2009, 6:36 am

    I was working 2 jobs shortly after moving to DC and my eats were TERRIBLE. I lived off of frozen Kashi and/or Annie's meals. I may sneak in a piece of fruit, maybe not. It is just so difficult when you have so little time to plan, pack and eat.

    And all those pt stretches is going to start to feel like you have a 3rd job but they help!

    Happiness Awaits

  • tfh June 17, 2009, 6:41 am

    Hooray for no knee pain! Let's hope it stays that way. The supplement website looks REALLY great, btw.

  • Carolina John June 17, 2009, 6:41 am

    I'm still amazed by your metric century ride. I'm thinking about doing one at the end of july, but it includes climbing the highest mountain in SC that has always intimidated me.

    oh, and i'm curious (no pressure). Now that your knee diagnosis has changed and running feels better again, are you considering thinking about a full marathon? just curious.

  • Ryan (Chase Daylight) June 17, 2009, 6:42 am

    Wasn't that storm CRAZY??! Evan and I were eating dinner when the power went out and we could not believe the lightning that was flashing every 2 seconds! Glad you got power back though. Ours came back around 9:30 but went out again around 5 AM. Yikes!

  • Cassie June 17, 2009, 6:47 am

    I've never commented before, but I've been reading for months and I just had to comment on the taping.

    I was born with a joint disorder that causes my joints to dislocate which then causes excrutiating pain , and I've had many wrong diagnoses from many orthopedic doctors. I've done knee taping twice to prevent my knees from dislocating, and both times I fainted after walking with my knees taped. I'm so amazed at your ability to run with them on and I'm glad it's working for you!

    It's really inspiring to read about how you're not letting your knee problems get you down or prevent you from living your life to it's fullest. I often feel down on myself because I never know when my knees may dislocate or my shoulder may give out or may hip may ache so bad I cry. You are extremely inspiring for me, and I'm trying, thanks to your story, to be thankful for the things I can do. Thank you for writing about it!

  • The Shabby Princess June 17, 2009, 6:50 am

    So glad your run went well!!!

    We lost power last week–all night!! I had dry cereal and chocolate for dinner. Awful, I know, but, I didn't want to open my fridge and spoil everything.

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 17, 2009, 6:51 am

    cassie – you are so sweet. remember to just do the best YOU can do with your injury. that's all that matters!!

    carolina john – running a marathon is my dream. i do want to run a marathon one day and i am eyeing on in february. however, marathon training is a big time commitment and im not sure i have the time. and i want to make sure my knees are cool. 🙂

  • Danielle June 17, 2009, 6:57 am

    I hate losing power, I always forget and try to switch on lights or use something that obviously wouldn't work.

    Great job with the run!

  • Leslie June 17, 2009, 7:03 am

    Yay for your first run!

    One thing I've noticed you doing is depending more on Amazing Grass and less on Green Monsters. Is that for convenience or preference? You taught me GM's are a great way to get in 2 cups of leafy greens (and a banana).

    Maybe if you prep a bunch of veggies on the weekend and have them in the fridge to include in meals and snacks?

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 17, 2009, 7:05 am

    leslie – def convienance and i need to get back in the GM habit. it's just so much easier to shake up amazing grass than blend a GM. LOL. i need to get over it. GMs are better!

  • Low June 17, 2009, 7:10 am

    I really want to move to Florida in the next two years, but I'll be so scared when storms like that happen. Yikes!

    So glad your run went well!

  • Christina June 17, 2009, 7:13 am

    I'm so happy you were able to run! I'm actually a bit jealous since I'm injured now lol.

    For meal planning, maybe you should try to make a lot of leftovers when you do have time to cook and freeze them. They'll be like healthy tv dinners!

  • Emily June 17, 2009, 7:24 am

    This may sound a little crazy, but have you tried meal planning? I'm a college student and time is a treasure! Meal planning has made it easy for me to have a well balance meal instead of running to a fast food joint (which I know you wouldn't do, but still!). It has also helped me budget wise because prior to meal planning I would go into the grocery store and get stuff I thought I needed but never used. By the end of the week I would have a ton of stuff that went bad that I would just throw out.

    Just a thought!

  • Priyanka loves food June 17, 2009, 7:27 am

    Hate power outages!!

    So glad that you had a great run!

  • Island Girl Eats June 17, 2009, 7:29 am

    I bet you had the biggest SMILE on your face while you were running! I am glad to hear that it went well for you.

  • K from ksgoodeats June 17, 2009, 7:32 am

    It's always so eerie when the neighborhood is pitch black! I get a little freaked out!

  • Jenny June 17, 2009, 7:43 am

    ackkkk i hate when the power goes out.. I am so whimpy!

    goood luck with your run today, girl!

  • Oh She Glows June 17, 2009, 8:11 am

    Oh WOW that is so great!!! 🙂

    I'm so happy for you hun…running again!

    Where can I get some athletic tape? I'd love to learn how to do it myself.

  • Matt June 17, 2009, 8:42 am

    Glad you are running again!

  • Wes June 17, 2009, 8:48 am

    Sweet! I don't know much about knee pain, never having had any, but I've read alot that much of it is caused by muscle imbalances. Looks to me like you are doing all the right things and ya just gotta keep working at it until you get it right!!

    I suspect those 23 minute 5Ks are not far down the road… 🙂

  • Julia June 17, 2009, 9:11 am

    Once, I was 5 minutes away from finishing cooking my rice when the power went out, and I had to eat slightly crunchy rice for dinner by candlelight, by myself… haha, power outages are no fun!

    I'm super glad you were able to run pain free!
    Oh and I added you to my blogroll if that is ok 🙂

  • Orla June 17, 2009, 11:00 am

    I know this is probably an extremely dorky comment, but I just wanted to say that I think your positivity is SO commendable. I've been reading your blog for ages, and I love how you never let things get you down. If I had to get up at 5am, I'd bitch and whine to anybody who would listen about it, but you just get on with it, and I really love that about you/ your blog! You've inpsired at least one person (me!!) to stop being such a moany cow 😀

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 17, 2009, 11:01 am

    orla – its an extremely nice comment 🙂 thanks. i just have found that complaining only makes me feel worse! of course i still do it sometimes, but i try not to…. could be worse, right! 🙂

  • Rebeca @All Vegged Out June 17, 2009, 11:03 am

    Yay! I'm glad you finally got a good pain free run in!

  • kailey June 17, 2009, 1:24 pm

    that is so exciting that you kept your running base!! Your level of fitness is amazing!

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now June 17, 2009, 3:11 pm

    That's so exciting that you got a nice pain-free run in! Good for you!!

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