I ran a 1/2 mile today!

I never thought I would be so excited by a 1/2 mile...but when you are injured, it's baby steps coming back!

I had a great PT appointment.  My therapist took the time to really figure out what the issue is and to understand my goals.  Turns out nothing was actually torn...it was just strained from my hip turning inwards, weak hammies + glutes, and my foot turning outward.  The knee was (literally and figuratively) caught in the middle.  Consider wringing out a wet towel....the knee was in the middle of two things going in opposite directions.  Make sense?

I have a whole bunch of exercises and stretches to do.  I'm going to be such a good patient to get me back out there.  I can run 1 mile tomorrow and 2 on Sunday if I'm pain free.

Off to do my lunges....

good news and bad news...

The good news is that it is not a tendon tear. I'm starting to feel better so likely it was only a strain.

The bad news is PT starts on Thursday.  The therapist seems really cool and understands my goal is to get back out running ASAP. 

Not so happy.

I have not run in 1 week. Do you have any idea what this is doing to me? I'm grumpy, miserable and sad. I was doing so well on my training program. Actually, my training hadn't even kicked off yet. I was up to 12 miles pre-training program kick off. And now I likely have a tendon tear.  Lovely.  Just freakin' lovely.

So, here's what I have been doing...riding a stationary bike, icing, arms + abs, icing, yoga, icing, leg exercises in the pool, icing, foam rolling, (get the idea)?  Lots of strength and stretching exercises for the muscles around the knee to help that baby heal.  The bad part about all the icing is that I usually have a glass of wine to help improve my "not so happy" mindset right now.  The other thing that sucks is without the high calorie burn runs my body is used to, I have had to be so on point with my diet.  No cheating because I ran 8 miles in the AM.  Talk about a double dose of unhappiness.  No running and No chocolate???

On a positive note, I have figured out that if I climb the stairs on my tip toes (on the right side), I can avoid knee pain.  I have not figured out a technique for coming down the stairs pain free. 

Still in pain. Still not running.

I'm so not happy..this knee thing sucks! I haven't run since Saturday. I'm miserable. I've been a good patient...icing, taping, stretching, resting. I just wish I could do steps without pain.

At what point do I go see an orthopedist?

My Fourth Father's day without him...

Today is a hard day.  I will try to stay upbeat and happy for my husband (I don't want to be a downer on his special day) and for the kids.  

My Dad was strong, humble, quiet, smart, and loving.  He taught me how to fish, how to drive, and constantly reinforced key qualities like respect and discipline.  My parents inspired a work ethic in me that continues to be a driving force in my life.  Neither my Mom or Dad went to college.  They wanted better for their two girls and instilled values and morals in both of us that serve us well.  My sister earned her Ph.D. and I have a Masters degree and two undergraduate degrees. Both my sister and I graduated summa cum laude.

My Dad loved coffee, country music, camping, hunting, fishing, crosswords, and most of all, his family.  I will forever treasure all of our wonderful family memories.  He was a wonderful Pop Pop to my kids.

If he only knew that I started a whole company in his honor and memory.  Talk about leaving a legacy...

Lighting my candle in celebration and remembrance...

Uh oh...knee pain!

I had to cut my 12 mile run short today.  I made it 7.2. 

Around mile 7, when my right foot landed, it felt like my knee locked.   I was cruising along just fine, then the knee locked, and I felt pain behind the knee cap. I walked for a while.  I was able to run again, but the pain got pretty bad so I walked the rest of the way back.

This happened to me last week while I was out with my husband on a 4 mile run.  I walked it off with him and we finished strong.  There was no strong finish today.  It hurts to go up and down steps.  Walking is OK.  It does not hurt just to swing the knee while sitting.

Runners...what's your prognosis?  I iced it after the run.  I'm supposed to do a 5K on Wednesday night.

My drama queen...at it again!

She has had quite an exciting 3 days in a row....first, she gets the role in a movie on Saturday. Second, she nails her part in the play on Sunday. She rocked the roll of "Peggy Pleasant" in Ella at the Painted Bride Theater in Philadelphia. Solos were AWESOME (see photos below)!

Third, she ties with her good friend (and our neighbor) as top girl in the 4th grade for math. Funny thing is her Mom and I were sitting together in the back.  We couldn't believe it when they announced the girls had tied. They hang together often...and no, they don't practice math during their sleepovers! :)

Thanks for making me one proud Mommy, sweetie!

 And, here she is with her friend and her Math Teacher:

Mom's proud!

Yesterday, we were notified that ARL was cast in a movie!! It's a "short" about terrorism in a post 9/11 world. She will play the role of Madeline, a first grader, who finds a bomb in her classroom. Her teacher is Muslim and is the target. Before 9/11, the teacher had won awards for teaching and was quite loved by students and parents alike; after 9/11 the principal receives many calls from angry parents who want him fired.  He becomes the target simply because he is Muslim.

Shooting takes place in Philadelphia! This is ARL's first paid role! Being so small really helped her land the part. She is the size of a first grader but has no problem memorizing lines and acting.

So proud of you baby...I always knew you were a drama queen!

Logging the wet miles

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then the chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 78F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

For once, the weather man had it right.  I clearly should've taken his warning more seriously before starting out on my 12 mile run this morning.  

I wish I had a camera to show you what I ran in and what I looked like when I finished.  Sadly, I only got 6 miles in.  This is two weeks in a row where I missed my long run (remember I was sick last weekend).  

I am wondering when the wrinkles will disappear from my poor feet.  The sloshing of the shoes was just not pleasant.  Another annoyance was the stinging eyes.  The rain, mixed with sweat, really stung.  Of course, the dripping, heavy clothes were no fun either.

What's your worst annoyance when you run in rain?

Still smiling!

As if the weekend festivities were not enough for me, the first few days of this week have been pretty over the top.

• First...Nydia Han (bless her heart) wrote on Facebook about my candles and our family visit
• Second, I got even more press for the candles this week in a newsletter on grieving (Heartache to Healing)
• Third, my little girl nailed her performance of Peggy Pleasant in "Ella" tonight.  We found out on Monday she was picked to perform her role in Ella in Philadelphia at the Painted Bride Theater.  This is the second semester in a row that she was picked to be the lead of her role!  So proud!!

Feel free to check out my website or my facebook page to keep up on all the latest candle news. 

Awesome weekend...Part 2!

As if Saturday's phenomenal dinner party wasn't enough, Sunday was another GREAT day!

I met Nydia Han (Consumer Reporter and Weekend Anchor, Channel 6 news) at a fundraiser event for Lung Cancer.  She lost her Mom around the same time I lost my Dad.  She's the sweetest little thing (and I mean little) you'll ever meet.  She was so incredibly kind and genuine.  She invited our family down to tour the news station and to watch her anchor the news.  It was incredible.  Here are some of my favorite pictures:

The kids with Chris Sowers the weather man:

We had so much fun playing around on the green screen.  Check out my daughter's scarf and see how it just disappears!  It's like she wasn't even wearing it.  I also love how the writing "overwrites" my Mom's green checked top.

I told you Nydia is little!!  I'm 5'3" and I look like a GIANT next to her.  Don't let her small size fool you...she has a big heart!  Thank you NYDIA for an incredible day we will never forget!

One Incredible dinner...

Last night we took my in-laws to Talula's Table to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.  Talula's is an incredibly popular farmhouse style restaurant.  This means that there is one table that seats 8-12 people.  The restaurant is yours from 7-11pm.  The menu is fixed and includes 8 amazing courses for a fixed price of $130 per person (including gratuity, corkage, etc.).

I've done blog posts before journeying through my dining experiences.  Last night's meal was unbelievable.  But first, let's start with a toast to the happy couple that produced my wonderful husband!

So, grab your phone, call one year in advance to the day at 7 am exactly and make your reservation.  Start assembling your crew of 8-10 friends to join you.  Here's our happy group:

Let the eating begin:


Fava Bean Custard, Lousiana Crawfish, Local Watercress, and Sauce Nantua

Spring Potato Soup, Abalone Frites, Wild Fennel, and Green Garlic Toast

Morel Risotto, Sweet Peas, Charred Ramps, and Fresh Pennsylvania Goat Cheese

King Salmon, Petite Rye Kugel, Smoked Sour Cream and Pickled Egg

Roasted Boar Loin, Rhubarb Glaze, Asparagus and Bacon Lardons

Lamb Baklava, Swarmbustin Honey Glazed Turnips and Gold Beets and Nettle Puree

Spring Picnic....Artisan Cheese Collection, Candied Nuts, Berries, Talula's Sausage and Mustard

Steamed Lemon Pudding Cake, Rhubarb Sorbet, and Lavender Anglaise

Yes...we ate it all.  The portion sizes were great so you did not walk away feeling stuffed.  And finally, me and my happy hubby!

Taking it easy

Why am I so hard on myself? So demanding, so driven?

On Thursday, I started feeling tired and run down. My throat hurt. It hurt to talk and swallow and I was miserable.  I cannot (and I repeat cannot) be sick this weekend.  We have some incredible plans (which I will fill you all in later on). 

So, I took the day off yesterday.  I got up with my daughter and helped her with her hair (she was dressing up for the PA living history museum at school).  After the kids left, I went back to bed.  HUH?  Sleeping at 8:30 am?  What?  I slept till about 10am.  After that, I puttered around and did some work (of course...I can't totally take the day off).  I faithfully took my Tylenol every four hours and sucked down numerous cough drops.  Around 2:30, something strange happened.  I fell asleep AGAIN.  I woke up just before 4. 

I woke up this morning with a mildly sore throat, but definitely better.  I cannot be sick for tonight and tomorrow.  I will keep repeating this to myself all day and will myself back to health. 

I am bummed that I missed my 5 miler on Thursday and am missing my 12 miler today.  This will be a crappy week in the running log.  Thankfully, I am far enough out from the marathon and have a strong base built up that I will allow myself to skip these runs.  Now, I just need to stop stressing about my low mileage week.

Eternal Memory Candles have arrived!

400 candles arrived today! I am so excited. 

2 1/2 years ago I had this crazy idea for a memorial candle.  Today, my business is a reality!


Order yours online at www.eternalmemorycandle.com.  Light yours in celebration and remembrance of someone special!  Or, purchase one as gift for a special friend!