IT Band Injury

I have IT Band issues when I over train and from lack of stretching. I need to make stretching just as important as every other part of my training or I am going to continue to have injuries.
I was doing some research for allison1080 and came across some good information that I wanted to share with everyone.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome -

The dull ache initially starts in the beginning of my run and last the entire run. The pain goes away after I am done running. If I continue to run and don't take time off the pain is severe and prevents me from running. At that point downhills and uneven surfaces are the worst.
The IT band tenderness or inflammation is caused by form being off, lack of stretching worn shoes, excessive hill running, uneven surfaces, and/or overtraining.















There is a lot of information out there on self-treatment and medical treatment. My advice would be to stop running if it is severe pain or even mild. There are many times that I don't stop training even when it is mild and it becomes a bigger problem in the end.
I take IBU, ice my knee, use tiger blam cream, stretch, yoga, roll out on foam roller or straight PVC pipe. I am one to give advice on this and need to take it in myself. I am not perfect by all means, but please don't make the same mistakes I have made. It can be painful and takes longer to recover. I can say from personal experience it is so hard to stop running especially in the middle of my training. I have to remind myself that I can still swim and bike.. It is soooo important to take time off when IT Band pain starts to occur! I can't stress it enough!!!
Ice religiously..... stretch stretch stretch.... take something for inflammation.... AND DONT RUN

Who or what inspires you?

I run in honor of Savannah Lee Campbell. Savannah was only 9 years old and had Malignant Brain Tumor.
I met Savannah through her older brother James. James and I were good friends. I knew right away that their family were brave and strong. After meeting and getting to know Savannah she became my inspiration and hope. This young girl knew exactly what was going on with her and stayed strong.
She was a bright young girl who was a fighter. Just a few days ago this little girl passed away. I still will continue to run in honor of her! God bless her and her family.
I share this with you guys to remind you of who or what that inspires you in your life today. I will never forget the impact Savannah and her family had on me.
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same."
Below are two pictures. These pictures were taken back in 2008 of Savannah and I.





























She is adorable and a girl I will remember forever. I hope you have something or someone who inspires you in your life too :)

Recipe # 3

Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Yummy... Delicious!

Ingredients:
3 bananas (not ripe, best if 4-5 days old)
2 cups of whole oats
1 cup of cranberries or dates (no pits)
1/3 cup oil
1 tbsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and let it sit for 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

This is a great recipe for those who crave sweets... I sure do and there is no better cookie than this. It hits the spot every time for me! Let me know what you think if you try them out! Enjoy :)

Recipe # 2

Stir Fry!!

Ingredients: (FYI, everything is from Trader Joes)
3 large pieces of chicken
1 bag of broccoli (already sliced)
1/2 bag of carrots (already shredded)
1 bag of stir fry vegetables (use whatever you prefer)
3/4 (of jar) General Tsao stir fry sauce
chili flakes to taste
sea salt and black peppercorns to taste
Brown or white rice (whatever you prefer)

Preparation:
Slice chicken into long strips. Put olive oil in the bottom of a big frying pan, then place chicken in pan. Turn the burner on medium heat (which on mine is a 5 or 5 1/2). Cook the chicken until it is done and then drain some of the juice out of the pan (not all of it because then it will dry the chicken out). I coat the top of the chicken with chili flakes, sea salt and black peppercorns. Then I throw in the stir fry vegetables, broccoli and carrots. I mix it all up and let it cook until the vegetables and soft but not mushy. I then add General Tsao stir fry sauce to it and let it simmer for about 5 minutes or so. I Buy the frozen rice that cooks in 3 minutes, so if you don't make sure to cook the rice way before you start the stir fry.. You know those rice cookers can take forever!! :)) After it' all done I place the rice in the bottom of the bowl and the stir fry on top.

I hope you guys enjoy like we did! I have many other recipes, so if your craving something or need ideas please twitter or facebook me. I would love to give you ideas. :))

Beals Point Trail Run Race

I ran the Folsom Lake Trail Run Series today and the race went better than what I anticipated. I have been slacking on my training and didn't think that I was honestly going to be able to finish 11.5 miles.
This morning I woke up at 6am and it took me 30 minutes to get out of bed...that's what happens when I go to bed too late! So I got out of bed around 6:30 and got ready. My pre-race meal was 1/2 cup of oat meal with 1/2 cup of soy milk. Then I added a handful of mixed raisins and a spoon full of Nuttzo .
So i get to the race and I am on the volunteer staff to help with set up and take down. I get there about 7:15am and let me tell you it was cold! However, I was prepared and wore tons of layers to solve that problem.
After helping with set up, registration and anything else that was asked of me it was about time to start. Now it's 9am and for some reason I am a little nervous. I was more nervous for this race than I was for my marathon I did back in 2008 (kinda odd).
Off we go and the race began! We go around the first corner and I was surprised to see my boyfriend Mark there! He came out to support and cheer me on! How awesome is that :) Super stocked to see him!
I started off with a moderate pace, so I didn't burn myself out. For those who were running the long course we had to follow the pink, orange and blue ribbon and then reverse on the way back! That was simple and from what I heard no one go lost this time.
I was about three miles into the race and the course veers to the left up these hills which are known as the three bitches! At that point my mind was telling me walk up them, but I had to remind myself I have been here before! Almost everyone walks them and I told myself run up these hills. I get to the top and I am out of breath!! :)) LOL lucky me and I look ahead and it's all down hill for about 1/2 mile.
Everything was going well and I hit the turn around mark... I started to notice at mile 7 that I was compensating my right ankle with my left leg. My left calf muscle was starting to get sore. At this point I had to start telling myself "right leg" "right leg" over and over again. The problem was not pain related it was the fact that my mind has been used to compensating for my ankle. Once I started doing that I notice how I began to use my right leg.... Amazing how powerful the mind is in any sport you do.
When I was about 1 mile away from the finish line I started to pick up my pace. Once I could see the finish line I gave it all I got. I finished the 11.5 miles in 1:45, which was better than I thought I would do. I felt accomplished and proud that I did it!! Immediately after I finished the race my boyfriend Mark had an recovery drink ready for me! Thanks babe I really needed that :))
Overall the race went well! I did not have any other issues other than over compensating for my right ankle. I was supper stocked that I finished it and did not have side aches or pain. Hope the rest of my races are like this.. Ha ha ha only if.. they are all so different!
Good luck on your running adventures and remember you can do anything that you put your mind to!

New Hairdo

Today, I went and got hair extensions and I am so impressed with the way they turned out... Now, if you read back in my blog I got my hair fried about 3 months ago.... I have been trying to let it grow, but honestly she F***** it up and every hair dresser says they have not seen it this bad!
So.... I have posted the before and after pictures to give a visual of what I am talking about!















Before.....















After....















....Keep in mind these pictures are taken after weights and yoga today... :)))
I am glad I finally feel like I have hair on my head. LOL I never realized how much my hair meant to me until this happened. It is so true that you never realize how much someone or something means to you until it's gone.
My hair stylist Courtney from San Fransisco Street Salon and Spa has made me feel like a million bucks again! Courtney told me that I will not see or feel any results with my hair repairing for at least a year... if that puts it into perspective for you! I keep trying anything from protein treatments... to hair products... but it is just going to take time!
This is a point where I am learning patients because I have no choice. So here is my new look for now and who knows when it will change! :)))

Ist Soccer Game

I decided yesterday that I was going to join the soccer team that I have been on for the past four years again. I play with a coed soccer team in Elk Grove called "Last Call". I was a little skeptical to play because about a year ago i underwent surgery on my tendon and was nervous to play soccer again due to the impact.
Soccer is my place to shine.... if you know what I mean. I am so carefree and sometimes feel like it's my turn to be in the spot light! Now, I am not saying that in a conceded way and I am sure you have something similar to what I am talking about. Soccer is my passion and has been part of my life since I was five years old.
Anyways, about the game now.. LOL I started and didn't stop the entire time! In the beginning it took my lungs a little to warm up due to the cold weather. I play right defense, which I absolutely love! Lot's of us were sliding all over the field because it was really muddy. I was pretty impressed with how well I played giving the fact I have taken a year off because of my surgery. My team did not sub me out the entire game, which is sweet because I love being in the entire time!
Overall, we had a great game! We did not win the game. I forget what the score was.. I think we lost by 2 points! Next Sunday I will have to take some pictures...
Hope you enjoyed! :)