Sometimes I can go weeks without accidentally injuring myself. However, some weeks are ripe for encounters with walls, sharp objects, pointy corners, objects on the floor, signposts, lamp standards, slippery patches of leaves or snow, curbs and stairs.

One of my favourite moments occurred a decade ago. I was walking up the stairs at college and I tripped. Tripping up stairs is a fine art, let me tell ya. The best part about that trip was that I spilt hot chocolate all over my face and hair in the process. My face and hair took the brunt of the lukewarm hot chocolate and nary a drop landed on the stairs.

The force of the trip sent the liquid upwards where it appeared to almost hover mid-air as a giant mass of chocolaty goodness – then, feeling the pull of gravity, it landed on my face and hair.

Klutz Summary for the Week of November 22 – 28, 2009:

• There is a nebulous black and blue bruise on my outer left thigh. This bruise is a mystery to me, though I vaguely recall crashing into one of the arms of the couch on Sunday morning.

• Late Monday afternoon I incurred fishnet burns on my knees. I will leave it up to your imagination to figure out how I got those fishnet burns. For those of you who have never seen a fishnet burn, I’ve included an image of one from years ago.

• Late Tuesday night I became entangled in a blanket on the couch. My struggle to untangle myself resulted in my right foot sliding under the sofa cushion. A firm downward yank removed my foot from its lodging, but in the process, I stabbed the top of my foot on a sharp corner on the base of my coffee table. The bruise is a dark purple isosceles triangle and only hurts if I poke it deeply in the centre. I don’t mind. It’s sort of pretty, though it’s ugly green sister is expected in a few days.
• Stabbing my foot on the coffee table hurt a lot. I fell off the couch because of the pain. That pain was immediately superseded by the pain in my upper right arm because I rammed my bicep into the sharp corner of the top of the coffee table – right in that spot in the middle of the arm that’s home to a big bundle of nerves. I saw spots and whimpered on the floor for a good thirty seconds. Surprisingly, there is no bruise. There is, however, a small gash. I’m hoping this turns into a lovely little battle scar.
• Early Wednesday evening, whilst walking out of the solarium (which is home to my office) I clocked my head on the wall. I don’t know this happened. I think the wall moved. The bump is hidden by my hair and not noticeable. The only casualty is an off kilter mirror.
• Thursday was uneventful.
• Mid Friday afternoon, I decided to make bacon and parsnip soup. Wielding a very sharp vegetable peeler to use on the parsnips, I peeled a very fine layer of skin and flesh off the knuckle of my left thumb with one exuberant stroke. The wound stings and reminds me of those very thin slices of human brain you often see in medical slides.
• Early Saturday afternoon, I organized my walk-in closet. This was long overdue. Propped in the back I found a long wooden dowel that I used as a curtain rod in my previous home. Having no need for this thick, round, long piece of wood, I decided the best place for it would be in my storage locker. My arms piled high with Rubbermaid containers and the wooden dowel perched precariously on top, I ventured downstairs via the elevator. I tripped as I exited the elevator. The wooden dowel rolled off the top of the containers, bounced onto the floor, and rolled away, but not before I somehow stabbed myself in the crotch as it bounced. There is no bruising, though my vagina is tender.

A misfired firework during Etna’s Light-up Night injured nine onlookers last night.  The fireworks display, by Zambelli Fireworks, was in progress when a fireworks tube fell over, firing the fireworks into the crowd.  Six to eight fireworks were launched into the crowd.  Reports indicate that the injuries were split between burn injuries and injuries sustained in the panic that followed the incident.

Because of the inherently dangerous nature of fireworks displays, those launching fireworks must demonstrate extreme care to avoid injuries such as those sustained in this accident.  For more information on accidents and injuries, please visit my Beaver County Accident Attorney website.

For more information on this incident, please visit the Post Gazette.

Close your eyes. Imagine the cool rush of alpine air flooding your lungs as you take a deep breath. There’s not a cloud in the sky the morning after two feet of fresh power fell the night before. The anticipation in your body to hit the slopes can be felt as pins and needles crawling over your skin.

Getting off the lift for the first run of the day is like getting off the bus to go home on the last day of school, every flake is another great experience waiting to happen. Your legs feel full of energy, and your turns are as smooth as butter.

Then. Ice patch. Then. YARD SALE.

Studies and statistics exist stating the number of  serious ski injuries per 1000 skier visits is roughly 2-4 (in the USA).  Sure, these rates seem pretty low, especially compared to other sports, but considering over 50 million visits are made to ski/snowboard resorts each year thats between 100,000 and 200,000 major injuries each year. These major injuries primarily include head injuries, fractures, ACL/MCL tears, joint dislocations, and death.

This being said, I must share with you some pointers on “the art” of falling that I came across recently:

(Via jointhealing.com and ifyouski.com)

So, tis the season for outdoor winter sports and all their concomitant injuries. Let’s make sure that the snow is the only thing that is seriously falling this Winter.

3016701    การบาดเจ็บกับการกีฬา    Sprots Injury

อุบัติภยันตรายจากการกีฬา การป้องกันการบาดเจ็บจากกีฬาประเภทต่างๆ แนวทางการวินิจฉัยและหลักการรักษาเบื้องต้น

(Sports and associated injury occurring while performing sport activities. Prevention of injury in any kinds of sports, the ways to diagnose and primary treatment.)

(3016701 จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)

Quite the come on Sharks performance in their 5-4 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers. After the 7-2 debacle last game against Chicago, I expected a bit more effort tonight, but alas, this is San Jose. Effort is harder to come by than a 2012 convention at your local church.

Patrick Marleau scored a hat trick with Joe Thornton as the set-up man on all 3. And every goal of Patty’s looked similar. All involved Joe being at or behind the goal line and throwing the puck to Patty in front of the net. Easy pickings for Marleau, who also tallied an assist later for a four-point night.

Ryane Clowe was the other goal scorer. He and Joe Pavelski camped out in front of the net, and Clowe pocketed the rebound.

Not many Sharks showed up tonight, unfortunately. And since all my angry emotions are drained from the Chicago game, I won’t be going off on them as much.

Please tell me why you wouldn’t play as hard as you could after a crappy performance. Your manhood was tested and you come back tonight with another ball-less act. You’re making a joke of yourselves. This should have been a blowout. Edmonton is destined for the NHL cellar and you guys needed a shootout to beat them? Really now?

I’ve avoided the Todd McClellan criticism, but this goes on him. I still don’t know what he’s like in the locker room, but if he doesn’t yell, that needs to change. This was inexcusable.

Joe Pavelski fights for position (From SJSHARKS.com)

OK, I’m really tired of talking about defensive letdowns but tonight it was as blatant as ever. One Edmonton goal came when Dan Boyle tried to bring the puck into the Oilers’ zone and was pickpocketed. A breakaway later, the Oilers were on the board. Another time, Jason Demers attempted a stretch pass, which was promptly intercepted. An offensive breakout later, another Oiler goal.

I guess I should just accept these kinds of things because that’s what Boyle and Demers do — try to create offense — but it’s just so annoying seeing it EVERY SINGLE GAME.

Tell Me Why

Kent Huskins and Derek Joslin were on the ice in overtime for a 3 on 3 situation. For the love of all that is holy, give me one good reason why those two have any business being out there.

Other Notes

Hit-O-Meter: SJ 16  EDM 22; Douglas Murray and Ryane Clowe led with 3 each.

Torrey Mitchell returned to the lineup for the first time this millenium; however, we didn’t get to see much from him. He accumulated 6:25 of ice time with one shot.

The Sharks play Vancouver on Sunday.

–Ray

Running is a great exercise but it can really take a toll on the body. Chi running is a new way to approach running that will reduce the chance of injury and help you to get the health benefits without the risk.

65% of runners experience injury and most will have to stop due to injury. With chi running you will learn how to run and prevent yourself from being injured. You will get the techniques your run enjoyable again.

Hot New Exercise

Chi running is a whole new exercise. You will learn a new technique that will allow you to become more aware of your body when you run.

Chi running combines the ideas behind exercises like Tai Chi, yoga and pilates. You will use the idea of focusing on the body to make your running-style more fluid and natural.

You will be taught how to listen to your body and how to use the natural alignment and movement of your body to be able to run without pain or injury. The technique will open a whole new world to you when it comes to how you think about exercising your body.

In The Form

Chi running is all about form. You will learn the right way to hold your body and to use your legs. You will learn how to keep your body aligned and work with good posture to produce a form that will allow you to prevent injury when you run.

The biggest advantage of chi running is being able to use your mind to guide your run. You will have an awareness that will turn it into a leisure activity instead of a hard exercise.

Prevention

Chi running will prevent injuries and help you deal with current injuries. You will learn what you have been doing wrong and how to correct it.

There three main points of concentration. You will learn about overall posture and the form and function of the lower and upper legs. These three points come together to give you the ultimate control over your body and help you to prevent running-related injuries.

This style of run also allows you to be in control. Many times when a person runs they simply let their body guide them. This type of approach is the old way and it is why people get hurt. Chi running, on the other hand, introduces a new idea that puts you in control over your body and allows you to guide your body to free flowing, injury free movement.

Recommend : shoes for cheaps

Karen Lindenberg, a 6 year veteran of teaching yoga, sat down with me to answer some questions about:

• the biggest myths about yoga
• the biggest fears about chiropractic
• & why she can relax in my hands.

Karen is owner of Phyzz Yoga-a mobile yoga practice that seeks to help bring exercise and balance into the workplace.  She does everything from private sessions, to working with mid-sized organizations and a “moral budget” to integrating yoga into large corporations.  I had a blast with her learning more about her outlook on yoga and the chiropractic profession.

Q:  How long have you been teaching yoga?

A: About 6 years.  Phyzz Yoga has been around for about 1.5 years but has been around in slightly other business names/forms for about 5 years.

Q:  What is a myth about yoga that you would like to expose?

A:  It’s a two-part myth.  People think that they can’t hurt themselves in yoga but they can.  The second part of the problem is that then yoga itself gets blamed for the injury when it’s either the person pushing themselves harder than they should or they aren’t getting safe and observant instruction.

Me: On a personal note, I injured myself in yoga.  I decided to go back to classes a little too soon after a whiplash injury.  I tried to jump right back in to the level I was doing 2 months and pre-injury and I was definitely more than exercise-sore!  After ice, massage and baby-stepping it back in I was able to get back to my normal level but I definitely taught myself a lesson.  (yeah, I’ve heard that doctors make the worst patients)

Q:  What made you try chiropractic and when was the first time you went?

A:  Around 1997 I had neck pain and shoulder tension in San Francisco.

Q:  What was your greatest fear about chiropractic?

A:  I was mostly scared about the neck popping/adjusting.  I’m afraid of the idea of getting something permanently strained or having my head snapped off!  I still have a hard time relaxing fully when I get my neck adjusted.  It helps that you do muscle work first and let me take time to loosen up.

Me: Hahaha!  Yep.  I hear that a lot.  Something about self-preservation and Steven Segal movies makes most people a little bit leary.  I myself am horrible at “muscle guarding” when I first get adjusted by someone.  I’ve been adjusted too hard before so I get nervous, but I also get great relief from neck pain when I get adjusted.  All I can say is that this is why I take the gentle approach and I never force anything that isn’t cooperative.

Q:  What is a myth about chiropractic that you have heard but no longer believe in?

A:  I’ve heard people say that once you walk out of a chiropractic office you become unadjusted and everything is undone.  It doesn’t feel that way and I really don’t believe in that now.

Q: What are the fears or things people say about chiropractic that make it difficult to convince them to try it out?

A: Lots of people think that all chiropractors are hacks or quacks.  And there are definitely a few that I’ve been to that would give me that outlook but not everyone is that way.

Q: Tell me about a bad experience you’ve had with chiropractic.

A: In 1998 I woke up with an extreme back spasm and pain and could barely move.  I went to a chiropractor.  He basically put light pressure on my stomach and said he was doing energetic work.  It didn’t help at all and I knew from previous experience that other types of chiropractic would have helped me.

Me: I have definitely heard similar stories and I guess it works for some people because there are people still in practice doing that type of work, but it’s not hands-on enough for me.  I’d say that I have also heard the opposite where a chiropractor just “jumps” on a patient and forces through spasm which is just as unhelpful and possibly dangerous.

Q:  How many chiropractors have you seen overall?

A: I’ve seen 8 or 9.

Q: What would you say is different about my style of treatment?

A: I would say it feels like you are spending quality time to relax the muscles and open up the tightness before you adjust anything.  It feels like a treatment versus a “pop” session.  You are definitely a balanced practitioner and I would say that your term “spa chiropractic” is accurate.

Q: What makes me different as a doctor?

A: You are young and can relate to a different lifestyle.  And being a female is unusual for chiropractic doctors.  I’ve only seen 2 or 3 women chiropractors.

You can visit Karen’s site at www.phyzzyoga.com to learn more about her practice and pricing.  I have to give her a plug and say that I LOVE private sessions with Karen because she can take the time to correct anything I do wrong and it becomes almost like physical therapy when she helps stretch me into a more balanced position!  I look forward to the day insurance companies let me prescribe yoga as a medical treatment.  Karen will be first on my list!!

It was the perfect couch for making forts with cushions and blankets. A favoite activity for my younger brother and I. The navy velvet-like couch had 4 plush cushions that we often used to construct the walls of our forts.

This particular day, tired of fort-making, I stacked the cushions on top of one another, 4 high, like a tower. Then I instructed my little brother to climb on top. Dangerous? No way. You’re supposed to do the standard sibling test before attemping such feats yourself.

As he perched on top, the cushion tower swayed from side to side and with one lean to far to the right, they toppled over toward the cushionless couch, brother falling last. The fall left a nasty gash on his forehead from the base of the couch where the cushion should have been.

My mom’s insticts kicked in as she found a clean white rag in the basement, tied it around my brother’s head, shoved us both in the car and flew off to the emergency room–on a weekend with my dad out of town. Once at the hospital, I was so guilt-filled, I could not come into the hospital. I sat in the car, waiting, feeling like a horrible big sister.

He came back with several stitches, and I never used my brother as a guinea pig again.

Mark 11:28-33
“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’…” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

For a man who was going to be betrayed, the kind of things Jesus did at the end seemed insane. Entering on a donkey and getting praise from the lips of common folk certainly did not sit well with those in authority there. Adding insult to injury was when Jesus entered the temple courts and threw all the sellers out and overturned the tables of the money changers. These were people who managed to work their way into the temple courts through befriending the Pharisees and they charged exorbitant rates for sacrifices and money changing because they had exclusive dominion in that place and worshippers had no choice but to buy from them. Worse than all of this was that Jesus sat and taught the people who came into the temple courts about what God wanted for their lives and this shook the very foundation of the faith at that time.

It is clear from the passage above that Jesus was not going to be ‘Shooed’ away and if these temple priests wanted him out, they would have to come up with something more than accusations. The only option they had then was to make falsified charges and take his life which was certainly what Jesus came for. He came to die for sinners and to give us hope of eternity with him through his resurrection. Are you willing to put your trust in Jesus who fought the world to clarify the truth to save us? Are you willing to stand up against the powers of this world and evil to proclaim his name above every other name? Lets not be caught sleeping when he come again. Lets rise us and share the gospel with the lost sheep and help them find their shepherd, Jesus Christ.

In His Loving Service,
Vineet

Fields of Harvest

Milan Lucic is out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain, maybe less according to Peter Chiarelli.

From Joe Haggerty’s twitter.

HackswithHaggs Left high ankle sprain for Lucic…out for a month. #bruins #NHL

Bob McKenzie from TSN had originally said on twitter:

Initial word on Milan Lucic’s knee injury is not too serious and may not even miss a game.

So much for a ‘press conference’.  As much as it sucks now, Lucic missing a month is perhaps as good as we could have hoped for.  The injury (video) looked like it could have been torn ligaments in his knee and could have been a season-ender.  You got to feel bad for Looch though, he had only played in four game since coming back from a broken finger before this recent ankle injury.  In that short span he managed to score two goals and was a force on the ice.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Bruins rebound, once again, from losing Lucic.  The good thing is that they have Marc Savard in the lineup so the loss of Looch won’t be felt as severely as the first go-around.  On the other hand, the Bruins played some of their best hockey upon Lucic’s return, two wins were without Savard.

The Bruins should be better suited to survive without Lucic this time around, but will still be below top form.

In a press conference held today, GM Peter Chiarelli announced that Milan Lucic could miss up to four weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Yet another injury to the Bruins, as this is Lucic’s second time getting bit by the injury bug. Expect Vladimir Sobotka to be inserted into the lineup in Lucic’s absence.

Watch last week’s show whenever it suits you at http://www.AustraliaLiveTV.com/InsidetheGame.

Guests included:

• Pat Tilden a Referee Manager for the NBL and the WNBL who spoke to the boys about how they put the referees through fitness tests to ensure they are at a level to be able to referee the matches.

• Dr Creig Christensen and Damien Maynard from the Fast Twitch Training Centres joined the boys on set to talk about their style of training athletes.

Regular Features included:

• All thats happening in the NBL

• Injury Bug report from the  NBL

• KB and Marzys’ tips for the NBL and WNBL

• WNBL Round 7 results and Round 8 fixtures

• Scoozi Cafes’ Player Spotlight Ashley Arnott

• Mail Time

• Last Second Shots

I had actually been planning to upload some nice pics of art shows and people riding fixed gear over the weekend as I’ve been a little slack on blogging lately, so on Friday when Danny – my partner in crime/road trips/drinking coffee/slacking off and going for a bike ride suggested we work on our respective blogs at his place after a quick peddle around town and a spot of lunch I was never going to stay at home, was I.  Though, if I had a crystal ball……..

Just around the corner from Chez Hughes, the road outside Dance City is covered in the smoothest tarmac in Newcastle and when it’s been raining it’s like skidding down a hill made from butter with a hot knife for a back tyre, seriously it’s absolutely perfect for fixed gear skids (I expect to see more of you there from now on).  So after about 10 runs down this I decided to start jumping down the steps outside Barn Asia to save my back tyre a little, and this was my undoing.  Now I could lie and say I was going big and  dropping the sets of 6&7 steps but it wouldn’t be a good idea as my Karma is pretty bad already it seems.  Nope it was just the sets of 2/3 steps but on a fixie I don’t think that’s too embarrassing (hopefully).

1st run – nice and smoove.

2nd run – and the ground came up towards my face very quickly.

Over the bars onto the ground, with the bike following closely behind due to being still strapped in, landing like a sack of spuds dropped from a ladder entirely onto my elbow.  Not my finest moment in life, but   I didnt cry or puke (until the next morning with a hangover anyway). Why do things by half, when you can break them into 3 pieces just like my collarbone.

If you also fancy going and breaking your collarbone my top tip would be NOT to wear 3 layers of clothing that all have to come off over your head – painfully!!!

Aside from my huge appreciation of the NHS staff who knocked me out, cut me open, fixed me, gave me pain killers, knocked me out again, cut me open again, fixed me some more, gave me more painkillers, I’d just like to give massive thanks to Danny for taking me to A&E (and for the poppets while we were there), and to Stella for taking me back the next morning to meet the man who would slice me open and waiting around for several hours early doors on a Saturday, and finally to Chris for picking me up at 7am from home on a Sunday to take me back to the NGH for my 3rd visit in 3 days.

Health Care is changing.  Cost of services are going up as the tests and treatments are becoming more elaborate, technical, and expensive.  Insurance companies are requiring additional justification for services rendered and reimbursement denials are more common.  Most people have large deductibles and co-pays for single visits (up to 75$ or more).  However, one thing that has become common knowledge is that if people are not physically active, they will have a significant increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, or bone/joint related diseases.  The general population understands this but, people are still getting lost in the system (not getting better, getting frustrated, and returning in 6 months for the same problem).  The answer to this problem is bridging the gap between health care, wellness, and fitness. 

Due to the rise in health care costs, there is an incentive and desire for longevity around the treatments that patients are seeking.  Some people are doing personal training, massage therapy, tai chi, or other forms of cash based programs.  Some are going out on their own in the gym, hiking trail, or pool.    Many are successful with an independent fitness and prevention program, but some people really do need guidance, technical assessment, manual treatment, and correspondence with their health care provider.   When a client is referred for rehabilitation (due to a functional limitation), they follow with a series of visits to progressively improve their ailment.  Once that patient has become independent with the management of their ailment or they have returned to being able to care for themselves, the medical necessity ends.

After 1-2 months of Physical Therapy, most people still have large deficits due to long standing pre-existing weakness, general de-conditioning, or lack of time / motivation to continue their program.  Insurance does not pay for lack of follow through.  Lack of improvement beyond 2-3 visits will typically necessitate denial of services the insurance company.  Most patients form a  bond with their Physical Therapist and want to continue therapy.  WHY NOT?  By offering a cash based program at the same facility at the price that is generally less than the cost of one co-pay (10-20$/class), patients can continue doing wellness classes.  In addition it is more personal and motivational working with the same Physical Therapist and facility that got you through the initial injury recovery process (such as a total knee replacement).

We can take it a step further by bridging the gap between cashed based wellness classes and performance enhancement.  That same client who has recovered from his total knee replacement and has attended a general conditioning class for seniors (cash pay) for 2 months thinks he is ready to resume golf.  Medicare does not not identify golf as an essential functional activity and will deny any services that attempt to use it as justification for continuing treatment.  Why not get an assessment, video analysis of the golf swing, and online home exercise program by the same Physical Therapist that treated you 2 weeks after your knee replacement?  This program is much more expensive than the wellness classes but that one visit will get you on track to enhancing your golf game, injury free.  This same model can be used for the triathlete recovering from Achilles tendonitis or the office employee with neck pain who wants to lose 20 lb.

Bridging the Gap between all levels of physical health care will be the only option in the next couple of years.  Currently, patients are being lost in the system due to lack of follow through, compliance of rehabilitation, and insurance coverage limitations.  Patients will be required to care for themselves regardless of their ability to remember exercises, motivation levels, or recovery time.  The Physical Therapist can act as a resource and coach through the entire process.  This movement towards a “Wellness Model” is being introduced an utilized in many clinics.  Ideally “Wellness Facilities” will become commonplace in Physical Therapy and Fitness practice for better outcomes with all levels of wellness.  I hope that eventually insurance companies will see the lasting benefits of a structured prevention program and include “Wellness Club” memberships in their health care plans.

  Yesterday was my second follow-up appointment with my podiatrist.  It was a good appointment, but I should explain my Physical Therapy appointment first. 

  Therapy was at 8 AM.  I got there about 40 minutes early, so I hit the cross-trainer for some cardio first.  I ended up going 20 minutes at 190 strides per minute.  It was far from easy, but I really needed to push myself.  My ankle hurt, but not too much.  The range of motion on the cross trainer isn’t that large.  I then proceeded to do all of my leg work.  I did the leg press, toe raise, and “running” exercises on the reformer.  I also did lunges, squats, and step ups on the evil bosu.  Then a few other balance and proprioception exercises.

  Jamie, my therapist, also wanted to work on my stairs.  See, I can’t go down them very well.  I typically point my toe and land on the ball of my foot when coming down stairs.  I explained to her that the inside of my ankle hurts when I do that.  Honestly, I thought it was my deltoid.  After some discussion and prodding, we located the source of the pain.  It wasn’t the deltoid, it was the posterior tibial tendon.  I had tendonitis.  I had all of the classic symptoms: pain on the medial side of the foot, fatigue after minimal activity, and pain when rising on the ball of the foot.  Jamie wrote a quick note to my doc and I took it to him.

  So, at the doc’s I handed him the note.  He read it and said that he figured that’s what I had.  He said that dealing with this injury is like peeling an onion.  Last time we treated the joint line of my ankle, as that was the most painful at the time.  Yesterday, he gave me another shot to address the tendonitis.  He gave it to me under ultrasound and did a great job.  He hit the trigger point of the tendon exactly, as my the tendon fired almost immediately upon the injection of the med.

  Today, my ankle feels about 80%.  It’s not perfect, but it’s to the point were I can work on range of motion and flexibility much easier.  I’ve very happy about that, although I think I’ll need another shot in a couple of weeks just to make it 100%. 

  I’m sad to say that I’ll be missing the 100th running of the Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day Race tomorrow.  I was really looking forward to running it, but my ankle is nowhere near ready to run.

According to TSN, Tim Thomas, who has been battling a “minor” injury, actually has a broken hand. The Bruins are saying the injury is not considered serious and his status is day-to-day.

Are you driving to your Thanksgiving dinner this weekend? Beware that your risk while rolling down the highway may be higher or lower depending on the state in which you are traveling. When it comes to dying in a car accident, some states are more deadly than others, and the ones at the top may surprise you. See the chart, Car Occupant Fatalities by State, 2006, below:

I’ll say it again: cortisone is a fucking miracle drug. 48 hours after the shot into my tendon and the problem is all but gone.

I did my penultimate marathon-y run on the track yesterday: 12 miles with 9 at a few heatbeats below marathon effort. My heart rate during the warmup miles was just way too high — low 70%s for 10:00+ minute miles. Something was off. I suspect it was a combination of lousy night’s sleep, monthly hormonal shenanigans and possibly the effect of being on heavy duty NSAIDs for the past week. Not surprisingly, my speed for the higher effort miles wasn’t anything to write home about either.

I’m not allowing that performance to rattle me. I do know that it’s been very easy for me to run at 85-86% effort for long periods of time (up to 2 hours) and finish up with plenty of energy left over. So I’m confident in my endurance and feel that if I hit things on the right day, my speed will be respectable. I’ve been off the NSAIDs for 24 hours and this morning’s recovery run seem to indicate that things are getting sorted out with regard to energy output vs. speed. I’ve got a little bit of speedwork on Friday, so that should be another checkpoint.

I have a goal time for the race, but I’m not going to share it this time around. There are so many variables and my goals for this race aren’t so much about seeing a particular time on the clock as they are about running at the appropriate effort and managing my energy output. A negative split would be a bonus.

I’ve raced five marathons and four of them have been mediocre to disastrous. What I want most next week is to run a solid, consistent pace — without spending the last 30-45 minutes of the race feeling like I want to die.