No, that’s not some sort of sexual euphemism. That’s how Beer Geek started his day – by finding a snake in the shower. We were all thankful it was him and not me (even though it was apparently quite small.) I would have screamed like a girl and made Jones or Shoo deal with it. What? There have to be SOME benefits to having only boys…
And so begins my usual Monday Miscellany…
9/11
I tried to write a deep post about 9/11, but realized my emotions were all over the place. I was 36 weeks pregnant with Jones at the time, I worked for an organization whose NY office was housed in 7 World Trade (the building that fell with no casualties), I live a few miles from the Pentagon, my husband was on a work trip in the middle of the country when it happened. As I sat here yesterday, listening to various aircraft going over my house, I was unable to wrap my head around my feelings. So, I opted for a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives then and for those who continue to fight for our freedoms.
Biking
On the lighter side of things, we did a practice bike yesterday with the boys. Today we will do our bike commute to school. Wish me luck. It’s a bit like trying to herd cats and our streets have a fair amount of traffic.
Speaking of bikes, I have a ton of questions. Any locals able to recommend a great bike shop to work with? I’ve not been impressed with the ones near my house as they pretty much won’t give me the time of day. Beer Geek rode to Mad Fox and back yesterday while I took the boys to Sunday school. I think he needs a real bike (he and I both have hand me down, not in great shape bikes.) I’d like one as well, but need to see if I continue riding once I can run again. Also, is there such a thing as a helmet I can put a pony tail in?
Running
I bought some KT tape last week and tried that out yesterday. The jury is still out on what it did for my run (all one mile of it), but I can tell a difference when I’m walking. I wore it overnight and for the first time in what feels like forever, I woke up without my ankle being stiff and sore. Hmm…
I also plan to make an appointment with a chiro ASAP. Several of my running friends swear by the same guy, so I want to see what he has to say.
Speaking of running, I did run one mile yesterday. It was mostly pain free, but my achilles was tender afterwards. I returned to my “roots” and ran in my Mizuno Wave Riders, which were what I wore for my entire training for MCM with zero injuries. Not sure if that’s the answer, but they felt good yesterday.
And is it considered a brick if the bike and the run are three hours apart? LOL
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
And the winner of the YMX giveaway is…
The Jesse! Check out her blog when you get a chance. (And Jesse, shoot me an email at mom2shoo at gmail.com so I can get the shirt sent to you.)
Next giveaway coming up tomorrow – socks!!
Now I need to make some lunches, get the bikes out of the garage, and wake up some little boys….
I have been havig alot of problem with the ball of my left foot. Right where the metaltarsals are. I bought a pair of Saucony Kinvara 2, it just made it worst. I decide to just go back and get a regular running shoe like I wore for my first marathon. I ended up with the Brooks Ravenna 2. I have only ran twice in them. I am still feeling the a little discomfort but it is not as bad as it was in the Kinvara 2. For myself I come to realize miminalist shoe or bf running maybe is just not for me and my feet. I never had any injuries before I started trying to transition to bf. That is just my opinion. Good Luck on what ever you decide. It is hard to figure it all out sometimes. Especially when all you want to do is run injury free.
Where have you tried to go for bike shops? I have had pretty good luck at Contes (now Freshbikes) on Wilson Blvd in Ballston, but they are a little more focused on racing than on casual riding. Maybe Spokes on Quaker Lane? I went in there when I was bike shopping and they were nice to me. I can definitely recommend The Bike Lane but they are in Springfield and Reston and I know that is a hike for Arlingtonians like you. REI _can_ be good too, if you get the right sales person, but it is a crapshoot. I can't recommend (or not recommend) their house brand of bikes (Novara) as I have never ridden one, but they sell other brands too. Can't help you with the ponytail & helmet, except that I usually wear the tail really low and then also wear a thin cloth headband to keep the wispies back. For a chiropractor, I don't know where you are going, but I recommend NOVA pain and rehab in Clarendon – Dr Dispenza or Moses. It is like chiropractor/ sports medicine and they are awesome – they got me and my teammates back on the rugby field through lots of painful injuries.
Ugh. Some bike shops are horrible if they don't deem you to be a 'serious cyclist'Do you have a performance bike shop/store nearby? They are usually pretty good and its a national 'chain'
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A snake? I would have crapped my pants.KT Tape is the best thing ever. Works miracles on my shoulder.
conte's is BOO SAUCE. go to spokes etc, there's one on quaker lane, they are AMAZING. tell them katie sent you, i'm in there basically every day. 🙂
I would have been screaming so loud I would have woken up the whole neighborhood.And I love KT tape too!
Oh, and we bought my hubby's bike online after checking out bikes at local shops so we knew exactly what worked best. We got a nicer bike for a lot less!http://www.bikesdirect.com/
YAY The Jess!And I give KT Tape two big thumbs up. way up.
I bought my first *grown up bike* at Bike Club on North Washington in FCC (by Elevation Burger). They were awesome! I didn't feel like they were condescending or tried to push me into more than I needed. They also take trade in. It is a quirky place to say the least, and don't try to go on a Saturday. And they sold me a helmet that reasonably accommodates my ponytail. In fact, the sales guy pointed this feature out to me…
OMG a snake in the shower?!? I would have freaked out. I am terrified of snacks! I've seen two on recent training runs this year. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!I'm so excited I won! Yay, I'm going to email you right now :)I have used KT tape a couple of times on my left shin but both times it started to come off. I never really read the instructions where it said to use rubbing alchol so I need to try it again … most likely this weekend on my 16 miler.
I'm glad you tried the tape, keep wearing it, seriously!!! : )
hahaha. a helmet for a ponytail. such a girl ;)(i mean that in a good way, of course! hey i'm a girl too haha)umm i am glad it wasn't you who showered first! i would never shower again if i was the one to find it… seriously. tonight i opened the fridge and saw a spider so… guess who's on a diet now?!?
Yay to the winner! Um, but a snake? In the Shower? I wouldn't have any of it either! Wonder how it got there?
Okay, I can't get past the snake in the shower. How did it get there? I would have died. Let me repeat. I would have died. Are you moving to a new house? That would be my first thought. I would want to know my boys brought it in because I could accept no other explanation.How much do you like biking? I have managed to fit it in a ton even though I am running because I LOVE It. It is where I get my joy.
I love that you are bike commuting the boys to school!! I've bought two bikes from Revolution Cycles and they have treated me really well there. I also hear good things about Spokes in Alexandria. Good luck!
Oh how I would love a ponytail helmet! I hate having to wear it low. Let me know if you figure that one out.