Day Three

Of the worst headache known to man.

I told you how my jaw was out of alignment. I went to the Doctor on Friday and was told it wasn't displaced probably just some swelling. She prescribed prescription strength Naproxin and recommended ice packs. In two words: NOT HELPING.

I'm not a Doctor but I watch A LOT of them on TV. Seriously, I was a huge ER fan in it's hey-day. I don't miss Grey's Anatomy. I even occasionally watch House. Between that and my unlimited access to the internet I have diagnosed myself with a Temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw.

Common symptoms of TMD include (I've bolded my issues):
Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak or open your mouth wide
Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
Jaws that get "stuck" or "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain)
A tired feeling in the face
Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
Swelling on the side of the face
Other common symptoms include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches and hearing problems.

So tomorrow I'm making an appointment with my dentist.

For now though, I need to get out of this house! I hurt but I am BORED!!!!!

Thursday Thirteen

1. I’m going to VEGAS BABY!!! OK, not until April 9th but still! Girl’s Weekend with my BFF, her cool sister, and another friend. None of us are gamblers so it will be a weekend filled with food, drinks, shopping, and shows.



2. I’m getting a flu shot today for the first time since 1998. It’s free and I’m a sucker for free.

3. Speaking of suckers, I hope they give me a lollipop when they’re done shooting me (or at least a sticker).

4. I’m transitioning back to training with Team Z. Perfect timing since they are on transition for the next two weeks. This week’s exercise consists of a total of 50 minutes of running and 90 minutes of biking (and two swims that I skipped –still working on the 5am motivation).

5. REPLY ALL should be outlawed!!!!!

6. I’m on a serious reading kick - not reading serious books just A LOT of reading. And I’m capable of reading multiple books at one time so right now I’m reading Jody Picoult’s Handle with Care (my 4th book of hers this year), Vince Flynn’s Memorial Day (6th book of his this year), Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta, a chic-lit that I can’t remember the name of, and a business book.

7. I just entered a chili contest for TOMORROW. Guess I should find a recipe!


8. In addition to the chili contest they are having an office decoration contest with your favorite team memorabilia. I think they mean football team but I’m thinking of covering my cubicle with all of my Team Z stuff. It is the best team ever and they NEVER lose!!!

9. The grocery store near my house that it would be CUTE to have mini shopping carts for the kids. GREAT IDEA! Nothing says positive shopping experience like being stuck behind a toddling rug-rat in an already crowded aisle while the parent follows behind with the blissful "my child is so adorable" look on their face.

10. I’m going to a Wine and Food Pairing Dinner on 21 October. Check out the link to see the menu! Sounds De-Lish!

11. Remember last week when the F-ing Economy was ruining my plans?! Well, I'm looking into other options so hopefully this will still work out. And don't worry, whether I'm financially a part of it or not, when the time is right you will hear ALL about it!

12. My jaw is out of alignment so I'm living with grinding/popping when I open my mouth, inability to yawn (it hurts), pain when chewing and a constant headache. I can't go to the doctor until next week though.

13. Is there a nice way of telling someone you think they're full of sh!t - or do you just continue to smile and nod along with their BS stories?!

What Goes Up Must Come Down

But WHY did it have to be so steep and rocky?!

On Sunday Dude and I went hiking the White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run in Shenandoah. This is a 7.9 mile hike described as 4 out of 5 stars in difficulty. And it deseved every one of those stars. Here's the map, and the elevation profile:




We parked at the marked parking lot and headed to the right. It was a steady very manageable uphill with beautiful waterfalls to look at. About an hour in we stopped and had lunch. All very relaxing. We got to the spot just above the 3rd camara (where the trail splits to the yellow trail) in about 1 1/2 hours (including lunch). We thought it would take longer to get there so we looked at our topo map (this nicely labled map was safe in the car) and decided the fire trail was a short cut and OBVIOUSLY we should continue up the mountain. Here's what we did - instead of cutting across the mountain, we did the added pink line until it reconnected then followed the trail to the steep downhill (part of map with one camara).



The added pink part wasn't too bad. More pretty waterfalls, we saw a family of deer. Again, steady uphill or traversing the mountain. We came out on Skyline Drive and had to walk along the road a bit until we got back to the original trail. Then the hell began.

To those of you new to reading topo maps, where it gets to be a dark green color, that's the topo lines VERY close together which means STEEP. DOWNHILL. ON NARROW PATHS. WITH BOULDERS, ROOTS, LEAVES, and GRAVEL.

I'm sure there was pretty scenary but I was too busy tripping over roots and rocks and trying to watch every step I took. Did I mention we are now about 4 hours into the hike (when we thought we should be finishing)? I was out of water and didn't want to drink all of Dude's so I soldiered on. Downhills are worse on the knees so my tendon was screaming and poor Dude was practically dragging his bum leg down the mountain.

After 6 1/2 hours we finally made it back to the car. Tired, hungry, and a little scratched up.

All in all, a great day hiking! But two days later I'm more sore then after running a marathon, which by the way, took less time.

I'd do this hike again with some changes: I'd start by going left and climbing the steep part with fresh legs. I'd have a bigger Camelback. But most importantly, I'd follow the trail.

Thursday Thirteen - Summary by Number

***DISCLAIMER - this was finished yesterday I just never got on a computer last night***


1. It's the best time of the year - fall - I want to build a bonfire, drink apple cider, make recipes with pumpkin in it, and wear orange. Not necessarily at the same time.

2. But I'm going to miss wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts.

3. A co-worker who does Iron-Distance races just came by for the first time since July and I got to re-live the day I became an IRONMAN!

4. I have been planning on doing something huge in a couple months. By huge I mean GI-NORMOUS. I was so EXCITED about being a part of it but as I look at my finances I don't think I can swing it right now. I'm very disappointed and am cursing this F-ing economy. Seriously, I'm down about a 1/3 of what I had when I got divorced and it's not like I've stopped investing. F-ing Economy!

5. My first race in 2010 will be the Shamrock Half Marathon. I debated between the half and the full but awhile back I said only one marathon next year. I'd like to try to get into the one in Bordeaux. If not, there's always Marine Corp.

6. Follow up to the YOU did an Ironman story. I was at that same store over the weekend putting groceries in the back of my SUV. Guy walking by says "Did your husband do an Ironman"? After he recovered from me knocking his ass out (not really) I said NO-I DID. At least he was smart enough to respond with a "wow, that's really cool".

7. Speaking of husbands - lately I've been bombarded with the "when are you and Dude going to get married" from family, friends, co-workers, ex-coworkers and even the lady that waxes my brows. BELIEVE ME when I say I am PERFECTLY HAPPY with the way things are!!! No need for the sympathetic look!!! Seriously, why can't people accept that marriage is not a requirement in every relationship?! I'm living proof that the paperwork doesn't guarantee diddly!

8. Every time I think about #4 I get depressed (and pissed)! F-ing Economy!

9. Dilemma, dilemma. I really want to do an IRONMAN sanctioned 70.3 event next year so I was planning on the Orlando race (opportunity to see Mom and Friends) which is in mid-May. But now Mooseman (I love this venue) is a MDOT event and it's the 1st weekend in June so it's one or the other.

10. If I was still training for Marine Corp this weekend would be my 20 mile weekend. Instead I might run for an hour or so on Saturday then Dude and I are going hiking on Sunday. I love the off-season!

11. I had a dream last night that Dude was a jerk in. I woke up mad (really, really mad) at him and gave him the cold shoulder in the morning (I don't think he noticed in his sleepy haze). It has me thinking - does anyone else do this? Take their dreams out on the person (people) in the dream?

12. I mentioned I'm not talking to one of my sisters right now but she's the one I use to talk to when I was stuck in traffic so I'm kind of punishing myself. She called me last night and I ignored her call...

and now I feel guilty.

13. I can't believe that with this post I have over 100 posts. Can't believe I've stuck with and and can't believe others actually read it!

Still Alive, Just Blah

Well, I'll be brief since there's not much to report.

Last time I checked in it was all about the 10K. And that ends the exercise report.

My groove has been missing since I deferred the marathon. I am still finalizing my 2010 schedule. Currently I'm looking at The Shamrock Marathon or 1/2 Marathon in March, something in April, Florida HALF-Ironman in May, at least one race in the summer, and the Marathon Du Medoc in Bordeaux, France in Sep (there's wine at the rest stops - almost a guaranteed Personal Worst but also guaranteed to be a blast). If I can't get into the French race, I'll do another Half in Sep and Marine Corp in October.

Other catching up - while home I got to visit with my high school buds. I had a blast and it gave me opportunity to once again be thankful for all the good in my life. I have friends taking care of their elderly parents, going through divorce/separations/break-ups, lingering illness, surgeries, job loss, deployments to Iraq, etc. The silver lining is they are all taking it in stride. Seems the common theme is "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Then add vodka."

On the family front, there's some old drama that I have just become privy to and it's really pissed me off. I'm very angry with my sister but she doesn't know it (because I'm passive-aggressive). We'll see how long until she notices that I haven't called.

Other then that, still uber-happy with Dude. Still looking for motivation to exercise. Still trying to lose weight (haven't exercised since the 10K and dropped 1 pound but I'm still above Ironman weight). Still working my way through 101 in 1001.

All in all, life is good, just uneventful.

If only I won Fool's giveaway!