Boise Famous Taters Run

Last year when I first ran with my friend Susan's sister and met her mom, I was invited to the Idaho potato run.  I couldn't do it last May, but this May I put it on the calendar and I was determined to go even if I didn't run.  What can I say, Paul and Susan are a blast to hang out with and what is wrong with a mini vaca?? 

Luckily I felt my foot was well enough to weather a 5K and so I signed up.  The 5 K started 3 hours after the half and full marathons.  Paul was running his first half marathon. 



So we headed over there to cheer him in before our race.

The weather was amazing! 

This guy even stopped by during his obviously serious fishing expedition.  Either that or he confused fishing with racing?

Ain't nothin but a thing.

Slaughtered my PR.  He's always been a much faster runner then I am.  This was his first and in his words, "It wasn't that hard".

The secret is out.  Once your in the zone over 3 miles, 13 isn't too hard.  Although it's a lot harder for me then it is for him.  Not a sip of water or an energy....shithead.

Then it was the girls turn.  You would think that we planned our ensemble's. We didn't at all but we all wore pink tops (well, mine was more salmon), black bottoms and shoes with pink on them.  That is some great taste in running outfits. 

Paul has some pics of Suze and I running in, so I'll post those later. 

I did catch Lesa.  She has just started the addiction called running and did AWESOME!

I love it when races have the computers so you can tell what's up after you finish.  I thought I did excellent for my first race back.  The first of the race was a cluster of what feels like a million people trying to squeeze through a 2 foot space.  I kept my HR between 158-160 and was able to just run at a relaxing pace no problem. 

I wish it would have quenched my thirst for running, but it only made it worse.  I'm off my foot for a few days to see how it does, but it is a little sore.

After racing, Susan and Lesa have Mimosa's to celebrate!  BOOM!  It's a win win situation and they were delicious.  We all showered, I napped and then we hit the big town of Boise.  If you are ever in Boise, go to Rick's Press Box. 

It's actually in Meridian and the guy from "Diners, Drive ins and Dives" has been there.  The food is amazing, presentation beautiful and the prices are reasonable. 

Paul and I

Is this bottle wine? water?  WHAT? 

They give you a sharpie at the end of the meal and you can sign the wall.

Lesa

Tim

Paul

Braggin

I went high.  Of course I put, BOOM!

Thanks so much to Lesa and Tim.  Next time I'll be better at pictures and have a decent pic of them both.  Tim was the best support guy, driving us around to the starts, taking pictures and holding our stuff.  They were such wonderful hosts and I feel like I could stay there for weeks!  Such a beautiful home and good food.  The cookies were crazy good and I ate like a naughty sugar garbage gut eater for 2 days.  I couldn't help it.  COOKIES!

THANK YOU Paul and Susan for hauling me up there and letting me be your 3rd/5th wheel.  It was a blast!

Looking at the race maps, I really want to do the half marathon next year.    Such a beautiful area to run and a well managed race.  The best is being able to go up with my friends and see my new friends and get first class accomodations!

Do you feel like the experience is a lot more fun then the race when your with friends?

Blog on.............

It comes with responsibility

This job of mine....

When I work in the ICU I have a lot of responsibility, but I also have a lot of wonderful co-workers and doctors to back me up.  I never really have to make the big decisions, at least not for long. (Grab the code cart, call the doctor, start compressions....)

Things have changed. 

I have been working as a flight nurse for over 18 months now.  The amount of information we need to absorb and comprehend is overwhelming at times.  The learning curve is steep.  I have studied almost every shift I've worked since I started.  Reviewing and memorizing..what to do for what and when.  Protocols.  Protocols.  Protocols.

Good nursing does not come from just being book smart. Learning from experiences and continuing to learn helps, but the ability to look at a patient, gather the information and realize you are about to have a really BAD day or a really good day is essential.   Protocols cover a lot of subjects and situations but they are there to guide us.  I've become a lot more comfortable with fixed wing flights but if you have been following me you know that I've been flying more rotor wing and have actually had a few flights.

How I feel after a successful transport of a super sick patient.

Boom.

When a scene call comes in we have less then 5 minutes to get to the helicopter and get going.  Sounds easy, but it's not like jumping into a car.  We have things to unplug, sometimes we need to fuel and sometimes just getting my helmet and seat belt on is my own personal challenge.  Then there is safety safety safety.  Thank god.  

I've changed some details of this story, but the feelings are the same.

I was just sprawled out in the chair playing some search and find game on my iPad.  We were 10 hours into a 12 hour shift and NOTHING had happened yet.  I was prepared enough to be in full uniform with my meds on me, but that's about it.  The radio went off and the pilot turned to me and said, "That's us" and boom..out the door.  

The scene was only a few minutes away.  "Head in the game, head in the game" was going through my mind.  Safety, watching out, helping to land.  They all kept my mind busy but my stomach was turning and my butt cheeks were clinched TIGHT!  What was I walking into???  Who's idea was this for me to be a flight nurse???  This is not a drill!!  

The scene was remote.  The patient was already in the ambulance.  We landed and the medic and I jumped out after the all clear from the pilot and ran to the ambulance.  (Rotor still going)  Right here is where the bad ass fun stops and everything gets real....real fast! I was shaking like crazy.  I was trying to pull up medications, doing math in my head, running through the protocols.  I had been in this sort of situation before in the SICU and the ER, but you take it out of the hospital and take away the doctor and it's a whole new ball game. Add the fact that it's you and your medic making decisions...wow. 

My medic was awesome!  He had more experience with scene calls and took the lead.  I performed my first intubation and once I did that my head cleared, I stopped shaking a little and I think I was actually able to think and ask questions. 

The question I get most is how do medical people do this sort of thing?  If we do something wrong someone could die!  Although medicine is hardly that black and white I am pretty sure that most of us block out the emotional human portion for a while as we go through all the information and experience in our heads to do the very best to give that patient a chance.  Think!  Think!  Think!  

After about 30 minutes of interventions it was pretty obvious that no matter what magical medical thing we could come up with this patient was not going to make it.  Discussion with the team working with us, with our medical control and the patient was pronounced.  We all agreed.   We were done.

I took this picture after we were back in the helicopter and our pilot was getting ready for flight.  It was getting dark and the lights on the ambulance were still going.  I was still surging with adrenaline, but I felt sad.  

In my heart we always saved the day.   Even looking at this picture all those feelings came back to me.  I knew that someone had died and not even the patients family knew.  They were going to be absolutely heartbroken!  They were about to have the worst night ever. 

I felt like we did everything we could.  No matter how wonderful medicine is, it can't fix some things.  This could not be fixed.  I absolutely love my job but it doesn't come without great responsibility and accountability. 

After charting, talking to my medic, talking to the oncoming RN and starting my drive home..I started to cry.   I was so sad for the family.  I was exhausted over using so much adrenalin and I was tired.  Then I was even more sad for the family and for the patient.  

I know that life can be taken away at any time.  I stopped worrying too much about my kids long ago.  I knew that they were adults and could do what they wanted.  I figured that I would worry when there was something to worry about.  But in the few days following this flight I called each one just to make sure they knew how much I loved them.  

Because sometimes that's the last thing you get.  

Blog on...............

Running! Race!

My running rehab is going fabulously! 
I have had to adjust the schedule to fit when I work but I'm able to keep right on schedule.  I've also managed to get my cross training classes done too!

If you have ever taken a Barr class you know it can actually be spelled....PAIN.  Awesome pain!

My last run was outside in Rock Springs during my time off.  The run felt easy and quite effortless.  I am trying very hard to use the principles I've learned from the book Chi Running.  It is definitely a work in process but I'm amazed how easy it makes running feel.  I am a little out of sorts with my running stuff and I took pants that didn't have pockets and didn't have any way to carry anything.  I headed out the door with my keys in one hand and a couple of pieces of gum in the other.  My Shaka Laka was tucked safely in my running bra.  Just as I was turning the corner and my Garmin kicked in I realized that I forgot my music.  No problem, I just ran without music.  It was pretty good.  I know it was a short run, but without anything but my Garmin I felt lighter and stronger.  I'm sure it's all in my head, but that's good enough for me!

I'm pretty sure treadmills are the devil.

Last week I went to the local gym in Rock Springs to get my run on.  It was too dark to run outside and I wanted to stay close since I was still on duty.  I picked the treadmill that looked the best (They all looked slightly sketchy) and started my run.  I learned 2 things very quickly.

1.  Running form suffers on the treadmill

2.  This treadmill was possessed and it was trying to electrocute me.  

Every time I touched the thing it shocked me and if I got close to the front the hair on my arms would stand up.  I considered changing treadmills for a moment and then decided to just finish off.  I only had to run a total of 20 minutes, and I survived. 

I've been wanting to do this race for about 6 months.

Yep, it's an Idaho Potato run.  I will not be running the Marathon, of course, but I am signed up for the 5K.  It's in Boise, Idaho and I'm going with my buddies Paul and Susan and staying with Susan's sister Lesa.  I love hanging with these great folks and I'm excited that they are inviting me.  I'm registered and ready to go!!  A weekend away, lots of laughs, great friends and a little run should be just the feel good ticket I need right now.  It will work perfectly with my training too.  I will not be doing it for time but this new form running has me going a little faster then usual.  Foot safety is the priority...oh and fun.   Lots of fun.

Crack of Dawn last year.  (I really want to do this one again...Paul?  Suze?)

I can't even remember what race this was.  Cookie Chaser 2012?

That is Susan's sister there with us.  

Last year in the heat of the WestFest.

Yeah for getting back to running and super YEAH for getting to race again.  It's my favorite thing to do, especially with wonderful friends!

When you run a race with friends do you stay together?

For the most part I don't and neither do my friends.  We are all at different speeds and methods.  But it's great to start together and celebrate after!

Blog on................

Salt Lake City from the top

For all the work I put into being a flight nurse I get about 10 minutes a month of pure excitement and thrill that pretty much follows me through to the next time.  This last week had at least 3 or 4 so I'm pretty sure I'm done for a while.

Hard to tell but that is my left leg and you can see my foot in the red.  There is a black sun cover over my lower legs.  This is how cool SHOTGUN is in the EC-145.  Airmed's new helicopter.  It took me 4 months to finally get a flight in it and in one week I flew a lot!

That half circle building is the Salt Lake City Library.

The building being built is a new building for the Salt Lake City Police department.

On the left is the Gallivan Center (Utah's first outdoor mall) and the big building on the right is the Delta Center or whatever it's called now.  It's where the Utah Jazz plays.

CORRECTION:  It's the Gateway Mall.  Thanks Susan for the correction! I really don't spend much time downtown.

Looking up State street to the Utah State Capital

Salt Lake International Airport

The University of Utah's Rice Eccles stadium.  They are cleaning up from the Motor Cross.

We had a long ride to the west desert.  Despite what you would think, after about 30 minutes in a vibrating helicopter, strapped in not so comfortable seats and a sweaty helmet on, it can get uncomfortable.  I am not complaining!

I-80 and lots of salt.

Beautiful day, blue skies, fluffy clouds.  

Cool mountain range somewhere in the large Great Salt Lake.

A beautiful picture of the Great Salt Lake.  Almost impossible to appreciate how big it is unless your flying over it.  A lake I grew up next too and it still a huge mystery.

SELFY!

Love it!

Cool pilot in the background.  I tried to blur him out a little because I didn't ask him if I could post a picture of him.  But let's be realistic.  How hard would it be to figure out who it is?  Let's just say this.  He is awesome and I love working with him.  I feel safe, he's got a great sense of humor and he's one of those awesome co-workers that doesn't make you feel silly for asking questions - which I do, because he's really smart.

Running Plan

Before I could run, my podiatrist asked me to work up to a 1 mile brisk walk.  I completed that last Friday.  For weeks I've been considering how best to get back to running.  I considered a beginners runner plan but felt that it would be so slow!  I know slow is good, but my body knows how to run.  I have been working out a lot and even completed a TRX (suspension training) class without pain on Saturday.  I kept looking around and found this on Pete Pfitzinger web site.


Seven-Week Schedule for Returning from Injury

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Walk 10 min, Run 5 min, Walk 5 min, Run 5 min	Run in water or other training	Run in water or other training	Walk 5 min,Run 5 min,Walk 5 min,Run 5 min,Walk 5 min,Run 5 min	Run in water or other training	Run in water or other training	Walk 3 min, Run 7 min, Walk 3 min, Run 7 min, Walk 3 min, Run 7 min
2	Run in water or other training	Walk 2 min, Run 8 min, Walk 2 min, Run 8 min, Walk 2 min, Run 8 min	Run in water or other training	Run 10 min, Walk 2 min,Run 10 min, Walk 2 min,Run 10 min	Run in water or other training	Run 12 min, Walk 2 min, Run 12 min, Walk 2 min, Run 10 min	Run in water or other training
3	Run 15 min, Walk 2 min, Run 15 min	Run in water or other training	Run 20 min, Walk 2 min, Run 10 min	Run in water or other training	Run 25 min	Run in water or other training	Run 30 min
4	Run in water or other training	Run 25 min	Run 30 min	Run in water or other training	Run 25 min	Run 35 min	Run in water or other training
5	Run 30 min	Run 35 min	Run in water or other training	Run 30 min plus 6 x 100 meter stridouts	Run 30 min	Run 40 min	Run in water or other training
6	Tempo Run (15 min warm-up, 15 min @ 15 km race pace)	Run 30 min	Run 45 min	Run in water or other training	Run 40 min plus 6 x 100 meter strideouts	Run 30 min	Run 50 min
7	Run in water or other training	Run 35 min	Tempo Run (15 min warm-up, 20 min @ 15 km race pace)	Run 35 min	Run in water or other training	Run 40 min plus 6 x 100 meter strideouts	Run 55 min

I also found this same plan on the Runners Addicts website with some other great hints.  I have no access to run in water so I will fill that with Pilates  TRX, Eliptical, etc.  I will also be sure to take one full day off.  I am not sure when this was written, but I'm a huge believer in the rest day!   I entered all the run days in my calendar and today was my first day!!  

WOOP!

But first, I have a little pain on the outside of my foot where it's all bony.  My podiatrist suggested that I mold my inserts with the area that hurts padded up so there is a little room there.  This was pain I had before surgery that we both knew wouldn't be affected much by the surgery.

I know, my floor is dirty.  It isn't now!

I have three sets of inserts.  My work inserts, which are made to keep the foot warm too, my first inserts and the inserts I bought before surgery.

I wrote about them HERE.

For the most part I think they are awesome so I haven't tried putting them in the oven and shaping them but decided to follow the podiatrists advice before running. 

I have really long bony feet.  There is where I put 2 moleskins and bandaids to build up the "hot spot".  Then I put the inserts in the oven and watched closely for up to 3 minutes.  When a little indicator turns black OR in 3 minutes, I took them out and stuck them in my shoes.  

I know, HOT!  Boots and jammies!

I then had to tie them (or at least tighten the laces) and stand with my knees bent and weight evenly distributed for 2 minutes.  Times that by 3 pairs of inserts and I had breakfast made before I was done.  It was super easy!

It was also a beautiful day!

I went to my favorite park and spend half my walk/run on the grass or wood chip path and the other half on the pavement.  I'm a little nervous about a weak ankle from all the das boot wearing time. 

It was awesome!  I concentrated on running with a Chi form.

I found myself running a little fast so I tried to keep it slow while maintaining good form.  I'm guessing of course since I can't see myself run.  I had downloaded songs that were about 180 beats per minute or 88-90.  That way I could work on a high foot turnover. 

LATER

No plantar fasciitis pain at all!  I took an ibuprofen and iced/elevated, just in case.  I've cleaned, made dinner, took a shower and I still feel great!  Good sign, eh?  It's like magic for me.  

What sort of form do you try to maintain while your running?

Blog on................

Most Excellent

Yesterday I was able to pick up an OT Rotor shift.  

We sat around and I did some studying and I was chillaxin on the recliner when BOOM...we got a scene call!  

The entire way there and while trying to land my heart was racing!  I really wanted this but I was so nervous.  My medic was great and I had prepared myself for this day for months.  Luckily while in the helicopter I have to concentrate on looking out, safety and landing, so I didn't have time to get too scared.

Well the call happened and I was able to use some skills that I had been practicing and studying but had never used in that setting.  

Picture of the GlideScope that morning during our morning equipment check. It is a visual laryngoscope so we see on the screen where to put the breathing tube instead of cranking the mouth open and trying to look inside.   I went through our scene bag just to make sure I knew where stuff was.

The pilot took this picture while we were working on the patient.

We finished the call and I think we did pretty darn great.

When I got home late, not even a dog met me at the door. I found them downstairs sleeping with Daniel.  Even when I went down there and kissed Daniel good night they stayed there.  

Needless to say all that adrenaline took it's toll on me the next day. 

Exhausted.  

I still managed to get up and get going.   It was my last day in the gym walking on the treadmill.  I walked a very brisk 1 mile with no pain!  Yippee!

After I went to REI (sports store) and found a new flavor of NUUN.

Watermelon.  NUM!

One of my pilates teachers showed my some band exercises I could do with my foot and I've been trying to do them every day to get my foot and ankle strong. I really like working out with.

I am giving my foot every chance to get me running again.

I've come up with a running plan and hope that I will be running an hour within 5-6 weeks.   

Maybe this will even becoming a REAL running blog again!

Do you like working out with bands?

How do you find your best training or rehab plans?

Blog on............