Trying New Things

When was the last time you tried something you haven't tried before? I tend to get in a rut with my exercise, cooking, and habits. But I tried three new things recently, and I'm glad I did.

Acupuncture. Three months of Physical Therapy and back strengthening exercises hasn't fixed me. So, I'm trying a new approach.

On my first visit, my acupuncturist stuck many tiny needles in my back. "Drink lots of water. And don't apply lotion for twenty-four hours, your Qi might still be leaving your body."

Yesterday, she focused on a treatment to balance the two sides of my body. This time I got a few tiny needles in my feet and wrist. She lit sandalwood sticks and waved them over each finger and toe and I had to tell her when my Qi got hot.

So far, I'm seeing positive results. I feel better overall, in subtle ways. The tingling, while not completely gone, has diminished. I can sit and sleep more comfortably. I don't feel the overwhelming urge to stretch my piriformis constantly.

Roasted Broccoli. How have I never tried this before? Toss broccoli with canola or olive oil and a little coarse kosher salt. Roast in oven at 425 or 450 until the broccoli begins to brown, turning after about 5 minutes. The timing will depend on how large you cut them. I chopped each floret in half so they could lay flat on one side, but left them in fairly large chunks. Oh the flavor! Even if you're not usually a broccoli fan, I implore you to make this. It's an entirely different kind of flavor.

Burgers with Bulgur. I admit, I was dubious about adding soaked bulgur to high quality ground beef. But this was a winner. Not only was it wonderfully moist, the seasoning was spot on. Now, I've never had trouble tucking away a burger. But the icing on the cake, so to speak, was that this one was a bit less heavy. In a very good way. Click here for the recipe.

Here's to trying new things. Happy running and good eating!

In Memory of Mike Broderick

Calm and ready to run just before MMT 100 Miler, 2007

He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us,
more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
                                                                               ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Still smiling at mile 48 of MMT100, 2007

Laughing as I BodyGlide his nipples at 211, MMT100, 2007

 

Grinning at Habron Gap, Mile 25 of MMT100, 2009

Running through the mist at Big Schloss 50K, 2009

MCM Tweetup

Although I had to defer my entry to next year, I wanted to meet all the Twitter folks who were coming to DC to run the Marine Corps Marathon. It was more fun than I could have imagined! What a great bunch!

@rshill37, @tinyjenna, @ultrarunnergirl, @BklynRunner, Tall Boy, @BeeZales

Tall Boy, @pigtailsflying, @BklynRunner, @ultrarunnergirl, @BeeZales,
@JoePennella, @rshill37, @MsV1959, @tinyjenna, @Scis30

The irrepressible @MsV1959 in her Punk Rock Racing tee

@Jennoveau, @scis30, @pigtailsflying, @JoePennella

Tall Boy, @tinyjenna, @MsV1959 behind @BeeZales, @rshill37, @BklynRunner

@ultrarunnergirl, @EvaTEsq, @Scis30 in the background

@BeeZales, @Scis30, @JoePennella, @rshill37

@BklynRunner, @ultrarunnergirl, @rshill37

@EvaTEsq and @MKSINMD

@BkylnRunner, @MKSINMD, @sarahthequeen1, @southbaygirl

@sarahstanley, @JoePennella, @pigtailsflying

Ashley, @MKSINMD, @sarahthequeen1

@EvaTEsq and @pigtailsflying chat

@operationjack and @RussianBear

@EdMarathon, @rundigger (he's TALL!), and @EvaTEsq

@BkylnRunner, @DeeFSU, @nycbklyngirl, @zenrunner

@EvaTEsq, @MKSINMD, @readwriterun

@runnerchick28 and @rundigger

@readwriterun and @rundigger (@RussianBear in back)

@rundigger and @ultrarunnergirl

@nycbklyngirl, @JenZenator and @MKSINMD

@RussianBear, @operationjack, @merrymishaps, @southbaygirl

@merrymishaps and @deeFSU

@MKSINMD and @SpeedySasquatch in front.
@edmarathon and @EvaTEsq in back.

@SpeedySasquatch and @runnerchick28

@MKSINMD, @SpeedySasquatch, @MsV1959, @runnerchick28

@RussianBear, @operationjack, @merrymishaps, @zenrunner, @JenZenator

@JenZenator, @edmarathon, @nycbklyngirl, @SpeedySasquatch

@tacair and @MsV1959

Marathon-ready feet!

@runnerchick28 and @tacair

@ultrarunnergirl hawking the delicious chocolate reGen recovery drink.
Thanks reGen for letting us converge on your Expo booth for our Tweetup!

@MsV1959 chats up some Marines

@MsV1959 gets interviewed by Fox News!
@nycbklyngirl and @SpeedySasquatch look on