When I told my knee surgeon I was a triathlete, his reaction and our subsequent discussion made it clear he assumed I was an Ironman. I’m not. I did complete a 70.3 (half Ironman) in 2011, but I actually prefer sprint distances. We agreed that I should stick to sprint triathlons and 10ks, but I had no idea what the training would look like.
Turns out, it looks like moderation.
I walk a lot. In addition to my daily walks, I run two days a week. The actual running portion lasts about 20-30 minutes, depending on the day. I warm up with a walk, do 5 minutes of easy running, walk again briefly, then do my run plan (which includes recovery walks), and finish with a cool-down walk. That daily mile, combined with all the other walking, is building the physiological foundation I need to run my 10ks and feel successful. The biking and swimming also contribute to my overall fitness.
But the key is, I’m running and getting better.
I’m finding that I like this approach better. It’s much easier on my joints, both human and bionic. I’m adapting positively, getting faster, fitter, and able to run more in the allotted time. These days, my “long run” is actually a long, brisk walk.
Definitions certainly change as we progress in life. I’m still a runner, just very different from my pre-bionic knees days. I’m grateful to be re-learning this, grateful to be running, and grateful for pain-free movement. Looking back, I actually did my best when I only ran two days a week AND my long run was a walk. That’s when I went sub 1:30 on a Sprint triathlon (a milestone for me).
I’ve got my last 10k of this winter/spring season on March 15. I’m planning on taking at least another 5 minutes off my time. Instead of running 1 mile then walking, I’m going to aim for 1.5 miles, then a shorter walk break. I’m excited to see what I can do!
I’m on my third book of 2025: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. I was chatting w seester last month, and she mentioned finishing it recently, and beginning Robin Wall Kimmerer‘s 2nd book. Thought it sounded interesting, so here we are!
This book that has deeply resonated with me, especially in our current political climate. It’s not simply about plants; it’s about living in harmony and gratitude. Two chapters, in particular, “Allegiance to Gratitude” and “The Honorable Harvest,” struck me as both wise and relevant to the values we seem to have drifted from.
The author also narrates this book – a wonderful peek into indigenous life, with a gentle voice, caring, nurturing, like the subject of this book.
Track has started! Finally! I feel more settled. I like this routine better. More time for day time things, like office work.
I’m excited to share that I’m now offering visceral manipulation (VM) sessions!
If you’d like to add VM to an existing session, I can incorporate either a 5-ish-minute protocol (sphincters) or a 15-to-30-minute protocol. My class instructor recommended focusing on one organ per week to develop proficiency, so this week’s focus is the stomach (2/10) and next week’s is the duodenum (2/17). I was fortunate to experience next week’s organ firsthand as the class guinea pig, and it was truly profound. I believe anyone who has been in an auto accident could benefit greatly from having the duodenum worked.
For a 1-hour appointment, we’ll begin with the “organ of the week” and then, time permitting, address what your body indicates through listening techniques. A 30-minute appointment will likely focus solely on the organ of the day. As a special offer for your first visceral-only session, I’m offering a 33% discount with the coupon code VC14N6RO43 (copy paste it in!).
VM addresses both the mobility and motility of the viscera. While similar in concept to craniosacral therapy, VM utilizes a deeper touch.
To ensure your comfort and allow for optimal results during your session, please follow these guidelines:
- Avoid applying lotion to your skin beforehand.
- Wear loose-fitting pants (no jeans) and a shirt that can be easily lifted or removed.
- For women, a sports bra may be more comfortable than a traditional bra.
Please note that I will need to access the mid-to-lower rib area during the session.
This first list below are conditions to where I am limited to doing motility & sphincters only:
- an acute flare up of an inflammatory process (RA, colitis, fever)
- abdominal aneurysm
- bleeding ulcer
- thrombosis
- hemorrhage or fracture
- transplanted organ
- bariatric surgeries
- List from Barral Institute VM1 manual, pg 22
If you have any of this 2nd list, I will work more lightly, and may need medical clearance:
- diabetes
- if taking anticoagulants or cortisone
- within first 6 weeks post radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- varicosities
- foreign body (IUD, pacemaker, stints, mesh, ports, GI tubes)
- autoimmune disorders
- babies
- menstruation
- pregnancy
- List from Barral Institute VM1 manual, pg 22
- gall stones
- ovarian cyst
- post-surgery/trauma
When you sign up for your guinea pig session, you’ll need to confirm if you have any of these.
In upcoming Hello Sunshines, I’ll be educating you on the impact of working on each organ. It’s truly fascinating.
Life is getting a little easier now that track has started – it’s later than the off season run coaching I just finished, so I can get more done. If I have a track meet on Saturday, I won’t have office hours on the following Monday.
Austin Openings:
- Wed, 2/19, 445p (30 min only)
- Mon, 3/10, 345p
- Mon, 3/24, 345p
Please reach out directly for Monday appointments, or to get on the Austin wait list.
The plants will hopefully be out on the driveway getting beautiful after this week. The house will be much easier to spot then. Which reminds me I need to bring them all back in tomorrow.
Taylor openings thru end of month:
- Thurs, 2/20 @ 1215p
- Fri, 2/21, 11a & 215p
- Tues, 2/25, 12n ,115p, & 430p
- Thurs, 2/27, 3p
These are also the openings for Guinea Pig visceral manipulation!
