Ellipti-Going, Going, Gone!

Ellipti-Go. Ellipti-Go where? With whom? When? How? Most importantly, why?

Say what?

If you live in Santa Barbara, you have most likely witnessed one of our city's top runners cruising around town on a strange new contraption. Rusty, Joe, Drea... all of them have taken this new toy out for a spin up Old San Marcos. And when I say spin, I mean a push-as-hard-as-they-can-until-they-can't-push-harder-then-do-it-all-over-again-spin.

So what is this machine? Why would some of the most respected runners in Santa Barbara be wasting their mileage on it? It looks like an elliptical machine, but isn't that why we run: so we can stay out of the gym and off of man-made devices?

Yes, but runners also know the importance of cross-training to help prevent injuries. And what about when you do get injured or your joints are giving you pain? Do you trudge to the gym and spend three brutal hours in an air conditioned room that wreaks of sweat when you really wish you were outdoors hitting the streets and soaking up the vitamin D?

Ellipti-Go: "The Ultimate Cross-Trainer for Runners". Competitive runners, weekend warriors, injured athletes... this is the machine for every single one of them. It allows the runner to work the same aerobic systems he or she would normally condition while alleviating the impact training has on the body.

The Ellipti-Go is for anyone who wants a great challenge or who is rehabbing from an injury. There are even Ellipti-Go races! Check out our friend Drea's blog about the Ellipti-Go event she just competed in over in Colorado! After you finish the blog, check out Rusty's cameo on the Ellipti-Go video!!

Drea's blog:  http://www.twomotivate.com/2013/07/25/elliptigo-double-2013/

Ellipti-Go video:

You're Invited!

"Talking to you is like being at a slumber party," my friend said as our conversation neared its end. I couldn't help but laugh. "Seriously! You live such an incredible life! You are constantly pursuing things you are passionate about and you make every task an adventure!"

If I had a theme song that played every time I entered a room, it would be the Indiana Jones theme song because I love adventure. I firmly believe that every day, even the ones filled with mundane errands and uncomfortable situations, should be exciting, memorable and filled with new lessons. Some people get so caught up in each task that they forget to have fun and focus on the simple pleasures of life.

Five of my simplest pleasures in life are as follows: Flannel, a great cup of coffee, conquering a new challenge, being outdoors and staying healthy and active. So what makes me tick while climbing a rock face, training for an Ironman or running up an undiscovered trail? It's a drive to do better, push harder, go further; a desire to discover what I am capable of and inspire others to conquer their goals as well.

So pack your love of adventure, your competitive spirit, your optimistic outlook on life and your favorite flannel shirt because those are the key things that make me tick in this slumber party I call life.

Shake It Like A Bad Girl Down In Haarlem

Patience.

The word I keep being reminded by all athletes I run into.

"I know you want to push, Ashlee, but you must have patience."

The moment I got my walking boot off last week, I wanted to run and jump and climb and frolic.

But none of those things were truly options. Even putting a walking shoe on and standing caused a painful sensation to overwhelm the top of my foot. It feels as if someone is taking each bone and peeling it away from the others. My foot is flat with very little arch. Even my massage therapist looked at it in disgust and remarked that it no longer looked like a foot.

I have a noticeable limp that only gets worse the longer I am on my feet. Sometimes I just want to burst into tears of frustration, pain and defeat.

Defeat.

I've never given into that word before, never believed it was a true word, but the more I try to walk, the more I am ready to accept it. It is really difficult to label yourself as an athlete then find yourself working up a sweat just walking out to the end of the driveway and back. 

My physical therapist, Jason, is even more anxious than I am to get me walking and moving normally. His eyes light up every time I walk into the office because he knows he will get to talk about Pearl Jam and racing. We play around and have a great time when I'm there, testing my balance and seeing of what I am now capable. All the therapists get excited when I come in. Rich pulls out phrases like, "Shake it like a bad girl down in Haarlem" and Greg always wants to come over to see if my degree of flexion has increased.

My favorite memory so far is when Jason had me balancing on a Bosu ball and he tossed a little inflatable ball toward me. Rich dove in the way and blocked the shot (from his days as a soccer goalie). He landed in a squat, turned toward me and wiggled his finger. "No, no, no. Not in my house," he said in his deepest, raspiest voice. Oh, the joy of PT. It truly is the highlight of my day.

But patience. They all have to remind me (and themselves) that.

But I guarantee you, even though patience may feel like defeat sometimes, I know one day I will conquer this battle and walk like a normal person again. Fingers crossed I will run again! Keep saying your prayers!

Vegan Music

At my parents' house, on top of my very tall bookshelf, lies a wooden box that my grandfather made for me. On the bottom, he hand-carved a letter from him and my grandma before they passed away. This is one of the three possessions I would save first if their was fire that threatened the house (which happens almost every summer).

In high school, I was completely in love with music. Play any song, I knew it. In my spare time (when I wasn't playing sports or editing the yearbook or studying or planning school dances), I was researching upcoming bands, listening to EPs and attending punk rock concerts. Music was my life.

Naturally, I thought music was probably one of the top three most important things to save in the case of a fire when I was in high school, so I placed quite a few albums and mixed CDs in my grandfather's box so that these two things would be saved should evacuation be necessary.

It has been 7 years since I moved out of my parents' house. During those seven years, I have accumulated over 13,000 songs; this is what happens when  you become a group fitness instructor and have to buy music you love as well as music your class will love. My first week back at home, my mom suggested I go through my old CDs and throw out the ones I no longer wanted. Knowing I would be stuck in bed for a couple of months and once I started, I wouldn't want to stop, I postponed the chore.

Four days ago, I finally opened up that box and pulled out the other 5 boxes of albums and began uploading, deleting, labeling and giving away old music. Three days have past. Three days. The first day, I woke up at 9AM and began. I did not take a break until 5AM the next morning. Yes, 20 hours of listening to music with no break. The next day was a little better. I cut down the 20 hours to 13 hours of sorting. The next day, I went to Portland for a wedding, so I only did 5 hours worth of work. Today, I am still trying to finish my task. It is ridiculous!!! Piles and piles. Boxes upon boxes. Dad told me CDs you burn personally only last for 3 years. Mine have lasted over 10 years now. I am so ready to be done.

I have to admit, it has been fun to find songs I had forgotten about, bands I haven't listened to since middle school and entire albums I had never taken out of their wrapping (hello, Pink Floyd).

And while I was sorting through music, what was I eating, you ask? No, you probably didn't ask, but I will tell you anyway. Since July 1, I have taken up the vegan lifestyle again. It's only been a week, yet I have lost over 2 pounds, which isn't bad. And I haven't craved any meat or sweets, which has been fantastic, especially since my body does not need those things right now. Go veggies!

Moral of the story: If you are looking for new music, ask me. I'm positive I'll have something you'll enjoy.

Also, I've found a lot of cycle CDs and I CANNOT WAIT to get back to torturing all y'all on the bike! I'm going to start designing new workouts with all this music. Get ready for a lot of time out of the saddle in zone 5!!!

Goodbye, Santa Barbara! See Ya Never!

Last week, Daddy woke up with excruciating pain in his neck. He never complains, but you can see how badly he is hurting by the way he holds his head in his shoulders, making his neck disappear, almost like the character of Gru in Despicable Me. We took him to the doctor only to discover what we already knew: He had herniated another disc and needs surgery.

We postponed the surgery so my mom and I could make our voyage down to Santa Barbara in order to pack up my belongings, meet with my lawyer and attend my best friend's wedding. Just prior to the trip, my doctor had removed my cast, which was beginning to feel like a permanent part of my body. My bed had also become like a new growth to my body, so having the cast removed and being placed in a walking boot was a HUGE relief. I still could only spend 5-10 minutes on my feet, but at least I was in a vertical position!
 

The morning we were supposed to leave for SB, my dad is sitting in the kitchen researching something online. I am in the kitchen cooking him food for the week and my mom is fussing around the house trying to get everything packed and ready to go. I remember teasing my dad about not throwing too many pillows at the cat (especially since a week before when we finished lunch in town, he stood up and exclaimed, "Hurry! Let's get home so we can throw more pillows at the cat!"). After I finished my sentence, my mom's phone rings and my sister is on the line. She wants to know if she should take work off and come down to California with us. My mom assures Kaylee that missing work is not an option, but while she is talking, something in my dad's head clicks. She hangs up the phone and my dad announces, "I'm going to come with you."

Food I made for Dad while we were away. It's still in the fridge...

An hour later, the three of us are getting into the family Suburban and making our trek down to my home.

The trip was rushed. I didn't get to see nearly as many people as I wanted to see, but I was able to attend my best guy friend's wedding, which was stunning. While home, I saw almost all of my roommates who have lived in that apartment: Sophia, Mavel (and her new baby!), Amy and Dana. I wanted to go by the gyms and the shoe store, but trying to hobble around in a boot is not easy plus I didn't have a ride most of the time. Still, being in the area just felt like home. I'm going to miss that apartment so much!

So weird to leave

 

 

Me with Baby Asher

Marie was by far the most beautiful bride I have ever seen

Fifty boxes of junk later, I realized I tend to use half a lotion bottle before opening a new one. I also keep every letter ever written to me. My bookshelves are filled with issues of Runner's World and books from my college days. Two shoe boxes are overflowing with flashcards from anatomy, human physiology and biomechanics classes. I have a problem with hanging onto absolutely everything.

Things you find when you're moving.  Hahahaha

Somehow, my parents were able to get everything loaded and put away. I was so blessed by their willingness to deep clean my apartment, always a smile plastered to their faces. They never complained, never became impatient. I have been so blessed by them for everything they have done for me, especially since I was hit by the car.

Three of my favorites in SB: Backyard Bowls

Jeannines

Los Agaves

We headed back up the coast after spending three days packing and cleaning in the heat. Along the way, I was able to see two of my cousins as well as one of my dearest friends. Annie was in San Lois Obispo, Renee in San Francisco and Jack in Redding. We drove the coast up and I was able to see Big Sur and Santa Cruz for the first time. I even saw the apartment complex my parents first lived in as a married couple! So cool! It was 117 degrees while we were on the road, so I was grateful for the air conditioning.

My cousin Annie

Elephant Seals!

Coolest car ever

My owl got to travel with us

Love seeing Jack!

Chocolate milk: Not just for kids

Yesterday was my first day walking without my boot. I have pitted edema, so it is difficult to get my foot in a shoe and it sort of hangs over the edge. The walking is clumsy and uncoordinated. I have a slight limp and a bit of pain, but I am walking, which is a huge miracle! My physical therapist was beaming when he saw me yesterday. He was so excited to get me moving and strengthening the tendon.

I truly have been blessed by everyone I have come across during this process. I still receive letters and e-mails from my class participants at Killer B and the YMCA. Thank you for your well wishes! My friends in Santa Barbara have been so intentional about staying in contact and I appreciate that so much. My lawyer has been absolutely wonderful and totally on top of things, which is good because I have no idea what I'm doing. My family has been entirely selfless and have sacrificed so much for me: money, plans, dreams, time... I cannot even find the words to thank them. My extended family has been wonderful as well. Twenty-six fantastic cousins who all check in on me regularly, grandparents who send me books and text me to see how I am and aunts and uncles who are just incredible. My physical therapist is awesome, always excited to try to push me a little bit further and improve the strength of the tendon. It's cool to have someone be as excited as you are about the small movements and improvements. Lastly, my friends here in Oregon. There aren't many left, but the ones who are here have been so good about coming out of their way to entertain me, even when it meant we were sitting in bed talking about childhood memories or watching a movie.

I do plan to return to Santa Barbara after I can teach and train again, but I can honestly say I miss it. Santa Barbara has become my home and the people there are family to me. I can't wait to be back.