Snap Crackle Pop

Those aren't the sounds one wants to hear while at the gym, but for me they were a welcome (though unfortunate) product or recovering from my fractured shoulder.

Each day (preferably twice a day) I'm supposed to do a series of exercises to help increase my mobility. I'm far from perfect in keeping this schedule, but I'm pretty good and work very hard to really push my shoulder through its paces.

I made another breakthrough recently during my regular routine. I have been pushing hard to move my shoulder so that I can lift it over and past my head. With assistance and a crack...I finally did it. It sounded awful at the time, but I do feel a bit more mobility. The bummer is that it's wickedly sore.

I'm visiting the ortho next week and look forward to hearing his view.
~ Pauline J. Hutcherson

These Guns Are Loaded

I ended 2011 with a morning bootcamp workout with the hipAHAs. Yay!!!!!

We hooked up at The Park for some running and strength training (push-ups, core and mega legs).

Felt good to be out there pushing it again. Unfortunately my should did limit some of my range, but something is always better than nothing.

Now that's the way to close out the year and get pumped for 2012.
~ Pauline J. Hutcherson

Hair of the Dog

I decided to shake off 2011 and start the year off right by logging my first race of the year in Bethany Beach at their inaugural Hair of the Dog 5k/10k race. The Seashore Striders Running Club organized the race and did a fantastic job --- nice route, lots of volunteers and a very nice vibe.

With 600 other runners we enjoyed the unseasonably warm temps and headed out at 9:30 am.

I started out at the back of the pack and decided to just run --- without a goal or a watch. I just ran for fun. I did cheat and wear my iPod to keep me company since the route was unfamiliar and the race was smaller.

In short order I found a rhythm and a guy who I paced behind for nearly 5 miles. Always nice to find someone to trail behind.

Surprisingly I ended up PR-ing my 10k. Wicked! I finished in 1:03 --- that's a 10:08 minute mile pace. Not bad for not having a clue how I was doing throughout the run. Of course now I'm a little bummed that I slowed at the water stops. If I had kept chugging I probably would have gone sub-10. Now THAT would have been wicked.

Here's to a healthy and strong 2012!
~ Pauline J. Hutcherson