For my third (and last!!!) clinical, I am working 40 hours a week at Banner Desert hospital in the inpatient therapy services. Basically we treat people after they get surgery. It usually involves simply getting them out of bed and getting them mobile again. It is the PT's responsibility to decide where they should go after the hospital. Based on our recommendations, they either go home or to an inpatient rehab facility.
It's been a week and a half and so far I really like it. I like that the patients are all always different every day. It's rare for people to stay longer than three or four days. Each day is a different experience, and I think that's where I get bored in outpatient therapy. I've never been one for the same routine day after day, and seeing the same patients day in and day out got almost annoying. It's like every Monday or Thursday or whatever I would wake up and be like, oh great, I've got to deal with so-and-so today.
The great thing about inpatient is that if I get a difficult patient, I know they won't be my patient for more than three or four days. So it makes dealing with them a little bit easier. Also another great thing is getting to work in a hospital! The cafeteria is really all I care about. They have an amazing salad bar that I could eat at every single day and be happy. Which so far, I have. Haha. And something about being a Banner "employee" makes me feel proud of myself, and I am finally starting to feel like an adult. Hahaha! I'm thinking its about 5 or 6 years coming...
Anyway, this clinical is my favorite by far but the only downside is that I have to work two weekends while I am there :( I've never worked a Sunday in my life so it should be an interesting experience. Luckily I get two days off this week and two days off next week for working the weekend. Holla!
On another note, I am still working on my fitness goals but so far I've gotten a big fat F. At the end of the day my feet hurt so bad from being on my feet all day that the last thing I want to do is go to the gym or go running. I need to figure out some way around that... Maybe spend two hours at the gym on my days off? Haha!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Ragnar Del Sol 2013
So I haven't done a Ragnar since 2011. And I've really missed it! Now I remember why I describe it as my "favorite weekend ever"!!!
So this time around, we had a mixed (men and women) group of all YSA people. It was awesome! Since some us had faster paces, they put our start time at 11 am. This kind of switched up the roles of van 1 and van 2. Van 2 usually runs in the middle of the night and during the warmer parts of the day. Well this time, van 1 got to be the lucky ones to run in the middle of the night, which was awesome for me because I was in van 2! Anyway...
Van 2 wasn't supposed to start until around 4:30 on Friday afternoon. So I worked that morning, then my other Van 2 pals met at my house and we set off. We had to pick up Kaley in Phoenix and didn't really account for traffic, which made us about 20 minutes late to exchange 6, where we were to meet van 1 and start our first legs. It wasn't too bad though, since we had one of our runners from van 1 start my first leg for me (I was runner 7, so the first runner in van 2). My van had to do our safety training and checking in and all. So we caught up to our other runner three miles into my first leg, I jumped out of the car and quickly switched spots with him. Then I was FINALLY off on my first run! It was a pretty cool leg, there was no van support so I was on my own. It was a lot of rolly polly hills which made it more interesting. I finished up the leg (about 4.5 miles) and passed on the slap bracelet "baton" to Naomi who promptly ran in the wrong direction. Haha! Everyone who was standing at the exchange was cracking up.
So we each ran our legs in turn in our van. Runner 9, Davin, ran the longest leg of all the Ragnar races! He ran a 13.5 mile leg right off the bat. He even got a special medal! And not only that but he totally rocked it. Did it in 1:45. Totes legit.
Anyway, Kaley was runner 12 so she ran it in to the next major exchange at a high school in Anthem. We then drove to exchange 18 to take a well-deserved nap and clean up a bit. The nap on the gym floor of the anthem community center was one of the best I've ever had. Haha!
Runner 1 was due to come in around 4:45, and so I was getting ready when all of a sudden Holden came jogging up to our car and was like, I've been at the exchange for like 5 minutes already! So I grabbed the slap bracelet from him and started my second leg. I had my music on for the first mile (of only 4ish) but the night was so quiet, clear and beautiful with an almost full moon that I turned off my music and ran in silence. It was so peaceful and one of the best runs I've had in a long time. How often do I get to run at 4:30 in the morning on an awesome trail and feel totally safe? Haha. It was great.
So van 2 finished up all of our second legs in the freezing cold morning. We headed to Fountain Hills high school to await Van 1 as they finished their third and last legs. We took another epic nap (on another gym floor) and then I waited nervously for them to finish their legs. Nervously, because my last leg was 3.5 miles of Fountain Hills. I haven't ran hills in months and so I was worried I'd have to walk some if it.
To my surprise, I totally and completely rocked it. The first mile was so tough, and I did walk a little bit of it, but sometime in there I got this crazy second wind and just cruised up those long and steep hills. I finished happy and smiling, mostly because I was so excited I was done. Haha!!
So van 2 went through all of our legs, and when we sent off Kaley for her (and the very) last run, we drove ahead to the big finish line. Kaley came sprinting across the pedestrian bridge near Tempe Town Lake and then we all ran across the finish line together! It was awesome, and a great finish to an amazing two days.
Our official time was 30:51:51, which is actually really good! We all had a blast and are already planning for next year. Also this fall, Ragnar is starting a trail racing series and they are doing one the McDowell mountains. You better believe we are putting teams together!! Since they are only 8 person teams instead of 12, we have enough interested people for 2 teams. Anyway, that's on the schedule for October and I cannot wait.
I'm also planning in doing another full in September. Whaaaaat?! Big Cottonwood, to be exact :) be prepared for updates on that one!
So this time around, we had a mixed (men and women) group of all YSA people. It was awesome! Since some us had faster paces, they put our start time at 11 am. This kind of switched up the roles of van 1 and van 2. Van 2 usually runs in the middle of the night and during the warmer parts of the day. Well this time, van 1 got to be the lucky ones to run in the middle of the night, which was awesome for me because I was in van 2! Anyway...
Van 2 wasn't supposed to start until around 4:30 on Friday afternoon. So I worked that morning, then my other Van 2 pals met at my house and we set off. We had to pick up Kaley in Phoenix and didn't really account for traffic, which made us about 20 minutes late to exchange 6, where we were to meet van 1 and start our first legs. It wasn't too bad though, since we had one of our runners from van 1 start my first leg for me (I was runner 7, so the first runner in van 2). My van had to do our safety training and checking in and all. So we caught up to our other runner three miles into my first leg, I jumped out of the car and quickly switched spots with him. Then I was FINALLY off on my first run! It was a pretty cool leg, there was no van support so I was on my own. It was a lot of rolly polly hills which made it more interesting. I finished up the leg (about 4.5 miles) and passed on the slap bracelet "baton" to Naomi who promptly ran in the wrong direction. Haha! Everyone who was standing at the exchange was cracking up.
So we each ran our legs in turn in our van. Runner 9, Davin, ran the longest leg of all the Ragnar races! He ran a 13.5 mile leg right off the bat. He even got a special medal! And not only that but he totally rocked it. Did it in 1:45. Totes legit.
Anyway, Kaley was runner 12 so she ran it in to the next major exchange at a high school in Anthem. We then drove to exchange 18 to take a well-deserved nap and clean up a bit. The nap on the gym floor of the anthem community center was one of the best I've ever had. Haha!
Runner 1 was due to come in around 4:45, and so I was getting ready when all of a sudden Holden came jogging up to our car and was like, I've been at the exchange for like 5 minutes already! So I grabbed the slap bracelet from him and started my second leg. I had my music on for the first mile (of only 4ish) but the night was so quiet, clear and beautiful with an almost full moon that I turned off my music and ran in silence. It was so peaceful and one of the best runs I've had in a long time. How often do I get to run at 4:30 in the morning on an awesome trail and feel totally safe? Haha. It was great.
So van 2 finished up all of our second legs in the freezing cold morning. We headed to Fountain Hills high school to await Van 1 as they finished their third and last legs. We took another epic nap (on another gym floor) and then I waited nervously for them to finish their legs. Nervously, because my last leg was 3.5 miles of Fountain Hills. I haven't ran hills in months and so I was worried I'd have to walk some if it.
To my surprise, I totally and completely rocked it. The first mile was so tough, and I did walk a little bit of it, but sometime in there I got this crazy second wind and just cruised up those long and steep hills. I finished happy and smiling, mostly because I was so excited I was done. Haha!!
So van 2 went through all of our legs, and when we sent off Kaley for her (and the very) last run, we drove ahead to the big finish line. Kaley came sprinting across the pedestrian bridge near Tempe Town Lake and then we all ran across the finish line together! It was awesome, and a great finish to an amazing two days.
Our official time was 30:51:51, which is actually really good! We all had a blast and are already planning for next year. Also this fall, Ragnar is starting a trail racing series and they are doing one the McDowell mountains. You better believe we are putting teams together!! Since they are only 8 person teams instead of 12, we have enough interested people for 2 teams. Anyway, that's on the schedule for October and I cannot wait.
I'm also planning in doing another full in September. Whaaaaat?! Big Cottonwood, to be exact :) be prepared for updates on that one!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Fat Tuesday
So obviously I don't celebrate Mardi Gras but I most definitely celebrated the day called "Fat Tuesday" even though I have no idea what the real thing is about... ANYWAY today was one of those days where I came to the realization that over the last several weeks, my diet has taken the road straight to H E double hockey sticks. I could barely run two miles because I am definitely not fueling my body correctly! And not being able to run two miles is a super bad thing because I have Ragnar next weekend. Gulp. I am prepared to suffer and at least I can acknowledge that any suffering I go through that weekend is my fault (and maybe Ryan's too, since most days I'd rather hang out with him than run).
What I'm getting at is that I am doing a diet overhaul. No more of this cheese crisp and/or nachos for dinner every night (no really, that's how it's been) and instead I will stuff myself of fruits and veggies. Smoothies will make a comeback. Cookies will take a back seat. (Sob!) I cannot go into this coming summer looking like an overstuffed sack of potatoes or a busted can of biscuits. Because that is how I felt today when I tried to run. It was awful. And embarrassing. And frankly I was disappointed in myself. I'm (almost) a physical therapist assistant, for crying out loud! I am supposed to be an example to my patients of health and physical activity. How can I tell them to exercise if I barely do it myself? It's a travesty. Anyway. That was my epiphany for today and I hope you've enjoyed this run on post that has no structure or meaning whatsoever.
On one last note: it will be nice to FINALLY celebrate valentines day this year. Ever since I've turned 16, this week has always been the dreaded singles awareness day. Which is why Thursday will kind of be weird for me, and why I still haven't completely warmed up to the idea of valentines day. Oh well. There's a first time for everything!!
What I'm getting at is that I am doing a diet overhaul. No more of this cheese crisp and/or nachos for dinner every night (no really, that's how it's been) and instead I will stuff myself of fruits and veggies. Smoothies will make a comeback. Cookies will take a back seat. (Sob!) I cannot go into this coming summer looking like an overstuffed sack of potatoes or a busted can of biscuits. Because that is how I felt today when I tried to run. It was awful. And embarrassing. And frankly I was disappointed in myself. I'm (almost) a physical therapist assistant, for crying out loud! I am supposed to be an example to my patients of health and physical activity. How can I tell them to exercise if I barely do it myself? It's a travesty. Anyway. That was my epiphany for today and I hope you've enjoyed this run on post that has no structure or meaning whatsoever.
On one last note: it will be nice to FINALLY celebrate valentines day this year. Ever since I've turned 16, this week has always been the dreaded singles awareness day. Which is why Thursday will kind of be weird for me, and why I still haven't completely warmed up to the idea of valentines day. Oh well. There's a first time for everything!!
Friday, February 1, 2013
My sisters's secret talent.
Okay if you just ate or you don't find bathroom humor hilarious like I do then stop reading right now. You've been warned.
Last night my sisters and I got into one of our frequent crazy moods, in which everything is funny and we cannot stop laughing. Basically if anyone outside the family saw us this way, they would be on the phone with the mental hospital within ten seconds.
So Chic is laying on her back, when all of a sudden she says "Shh you guys, be quiet" and does something so ridiculous and so amazing that you probably won't believe me.
She sucked up air into her butt, and then promptly pushed it back out, creating the most magnificent fart I've ever heard.
First of all, how the HECK does one suck air up into their butt?!?! Like, I can't even. Only in my family, right?
Second of all, how did she even find out that she could do this? Was she like, you know what. I'm bored. I wonder if I can suck air into my butt and then fart it back out?
Anyway, needless to say, we spent the next ten minutes laughing and crying as she did it over and over and over again until she couldn't do it anymore because her abs hurt.
I told her she should go on America's Got Talent because honestly, she is gifted.
Only at the Clouse House.
Last night my sisters and I got into one of our frequent crazy moods, in which everything is funny and we cannot stop laughing. Basically if anyone outside the family saw us this way, they would be on the phone with the mental hospital within ten seconds.
So Chic is laying on her back, when all of a sudden she says "Shh you guys, be quiet" and does something so ridiculous and so amazing that you probably won't believe me.
She sucked up air into her butt, and then promptly pushed it back out, creating the most magnificent fart I've ever heard.
First of all, how the HECK does one suck air up into their butt?!?! Like, I can't even. Only in my family, right?
Second of all, how did she even find out that she could do this? Was she like, you know what. I'm bored. I wonder if I can suck air into my butt and then fart it back out?
Anyway, needless to say, we spent the next ten minutes laughing and crying as she did it over and over and over again until she couldn't do it anymore because her abs hurt.
I told her she should go on America's Got Talent because honestly, she is gifted.
Only at the Clouse House.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Fitness goals!
So with my life being so busy lately, I decided I really need to nail down my fitness goals. I've decided this is the year that I will finally feel good about my body in a swimming suit! (I say this to myself every year and it never happens).
One of the main things I need to work on to improve my running is to find my weak spots. I already know my hips, especially my gluteus medius muscles, are fairly weak compared to my quads and hamstrings. This is because (and excuse the physical therapist assistant language, but I love it!) running is a linear motion, meaning the quads, hamstrings, and calf muscles do all the work, while the muscles on the side of my hips (like the glute medius) are basically along for the ride without doing much work. This can cause IT Band problems (for reasons that are too long to explain) and can cost me energy during a run because my hips rock up and down too much during my stride. The funny thing is, I have known this for a while but haven't felt too determined to fix it. It hasn't caused me any problems except for after one race this past fall, so it isn't a pressing problem for me. However, I know if I start working on strengthening my hips all the way around, I can greatly improve my running power.
Speaking of running power, I definitely need to do more plyometric workouts! Things like jumping, running up steps, or anything else that has an "explosive" quality to it. If I build up that explosiveness, if you will, in my muscles, then each stride will feel even easier, which will make it much more fun to go the extra mile. Lately I've felt like my legs don't have that extra oomph and extra powerful stride that I would like to have. I could probably fix this a little bit by just strengthening my calves, but when you think about specificity of training, it would make more sense to do workouts that involve pushing off from the ground. That's what I do in every stride, so why not simulate it and challenge that motion in a workout? I feel workout epiphanies happening right now!
I have my second Ragnar race coming up at the end of next month, and I'm hoping to not be the slow one on the team. Even though I haven't trained as much as I should, I think if I nail some good long runs in the next couple weeks, along with some speed training and several good strength workouts, I should be fine. I ran the Zion Relay on little training, and Ragnar is pretty comparable. I'm so stoked! It's going to be another weekend to add in the "best weekend of my life" section. Haha. Expect a full recap of that race soon afterwards!
Let's see....what else? I would absolutely love to do another marathon this year, but I'm thinking I may shoot for the Phoenix Marathon next year. It is the first week of March, which means I can train all during the Arizona winter which is so ideal. In my other two marathons, I trained all summer which basically meant I was drinking my weight in water every day and that every run was a real challenge. I am thinking training during the winter might be better :) I would love to do the Big Cottonwood Half again because so far that has been my favorite race!! So beautiful! The one thing Utah has over Arizona is their races, most of them are in canyons and I loved every single one that I did! It was amazing.
Anyway, this has been another random "journal" post from me, hope you weren't too bored :)
One of the main things I need to work on to improve my running is to find my weak spots. I already know my hips, especially my gluteus medius muscles, are fairly weak compared to my quads and hamstrings. This is because (and excuse the physical therapist assistant language, but I love it!) running is a linear motion, meaning the quads, hamstrings, and calf muscles do all the work, while the muscles on the side of my hips (like the glute medius) are basically along for the ride without doing much work. This can cause IT Band problems (for reasons that are too long to explain) and can cost me energy during a run because my hips rock up and down too much during my stride. The funny thing is, I have known this for a while but haven't felt too determined to fix it. It hasn't caused me any problems except for after one race this past fall, so it isn't a pressing problem for me. However, I know if I start working on strengthening my hips all the way around, I can greatly improve my running power.
Speaking of running power, I definitely need to do more plyometric workouts! Things like jumping, running up steps, or anything else that has an "explosive" quality to it. If I build up that explosiveness, if you will, in my muscles, then each stride will feel even easier, which will make it much more fun to go the extra mile. Lately I've felt like my legs don't have that extra oomph and extra powerful stride that I would like to have. I could probably fix this a little bit by just strengthening my calves, but when you think about specificity of training, it would make more sense to do workouts that involve pushing off from the ground. That's what I do in every stride, so why not simulate it and challenge that motion in a workout? I feel workout epiphanies happening right now!
I have my second Ragnar race coming up at the end of next month, and I'm hoping to not be the slow one on the team. Even though I haven't trained as much as I should, I think if I nail some good long runs in the next couple weeks, along with some speed training and several good strength workouts, I should be fine. I ran the Zion Relay on little training, and Ragnar is pretty comparable. I'm so stoked! It's going to be another weekend to add in the "best weekend of my life" section. Haha. Expect a full recap of that race soon afterwards!
Let's see....what else? I would absolutely love to do another marathon this year, but I'm thinking I may shoot for the Phoenix Marathon next year. It is the first week of March, which means I can train all during the Arizona winter which is so ideal. In my other two marathons, I trained all summer which basically meant I was drinking my weight in water every day and that every run was a real challenge. I am thinking training during the winter might be better :) I would love to do the Big Cottonwood Half again because so far that has been my favorite race!! So beautiful! The one thing Utah has over Arizona is their races, most of them are in canyons and I loved every single one that I did! It was amazing.
Anyway, this has been another random "journal" post from me, hope you weren't too bored :)
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Never in my life....
....Have I been this busy! Holy crap! I'm doing 40 hours a week at my clinical, trying to squeeze in 6 to 8 hours of study time a week, attempting to keep my social life alive (kind of succeeding), training for Ragnar in like 6 weeks, keeping an 8-week-old puppy from crying all night long (she is doing great so far!) and also keeping up with Church responsibilities (this week I fail at that miserably). I am feeling stretched pretty thin! So if I am not heard from in the next 14 weeks....that is why.
Luckily the national licensure exam is only 12 (!!!!!!!!!) weeks away. After that I will have much more free time. Twelve weeks seems like such a short time, considering that tomorrow is two weeks done of my clinical. Studying is hard, there is so much content and I feel as if I am not retaining any of it. Today I took my first practice exam. It was supposed to take 3 hours...I did it in just over an hour. Even though I rushed through it, I still managed to get a pretty great score that boosted my self-esteem a bit.
Even with all of this going on, I am still managing to have fun on the weekends. In fact, last weekend I went up to a cabin in Heber and had the most glorious time! And I plan on going again in a couple weeks. Even though I have all these responsibilities, I feel like it is more important than ever to find time to relax and unwind. If I didn't, I would probably go crazy. The thought of the cabin trip is the only thing that is keeping me going right now!
Also, we have an Australian exchange student staying at our house right now. She is AWESOME and honestly I could listen to her talk all day because her accent is so cool. Now that I have someone to visit Down Under that just means I'll have an excuse to go there someday!!
Luckily the national licensure exam is only 12 (!!!!!!!!!) weeks away. After that I will have much more free time. Twelve weeks seems like such a short time, considering that tomorrow is two weeks done of my clinical. Studying is hard, there is so much content and I feel as if I am not retaining any of it. Today I took my first practice exam. It was supposed to take 3 hours...I did it in just over an hour. Even though I rushed through it, I still managed to get a pretty great score that boosted my self-esteem a bit.
Even with all of this going on, I am still managing to have fun on the weekends. In fact, last weekend I went up to a cabin in Heber and had the most glorious time! And I plan on going again in a couple weeks. Even though I have all these responsibilities, I feel like it is more important than ever to find time to relax and unwind. If I didn't, I would probably go crazy. The thought of the cabin trip is the only thing that is keeping me going right now!
Also, we have an Australian exchange student staying at our house right now. She is AWESOME and honestly I could listen to her talk all day because her accent is so cool. Now that I have someone to visit Down Under that just means I'll have an excuse to go there someday!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Busy busy busy...
I am soaking up these last few days of freedom before I am thrown back into the craziness that is real life.
First things first, we got a new chocolate lab puppy and she is the cutest thing. Why I thought getting a puppy at the busiest time of my life was a good idea... I don't know. But her cuteness makes up for it. Anyway...
Here's how it is all going down for the next four months.
Clinicals start Monday. Which means I am basically working for free, 40 hours a week. 7 weeks at a physical therapy office in Gilbert and then 8 weeks at Banner Desert inpatient therapy. I am actually really looking forward to it all! My schedule is killer, too...
MWF is 8-6:30. Come home, run, study for an hour or two, shower, play with puppy, and go to bed.
T and Th is afternoon only. Which means I have time for spin class in the mornings and time to walk the dog too. Also get some quality study time in.
So there's 7 weeks of that schedule. I'm not sure what my Banner schedule will be like but hopefully it's just as good.
April 8th is the most important day of my life thus far. That is the day I take the national licensure exam! That's why I have to study at least an hour a day plus more on the weekends. I would really like to pass it on my first try :)
Anyway, you will notice this doesn't leave much time for socializing. Meh, I'm over it. Haha. I figure if I just forget about dating for a while and stop trying so hard, maybe that's when things will take a turn for the better!
One last thing: resolutions!!!
Notice we only use this word once a year? That's because it's important!
Here's mine:
Healthier lifestyle (eat better, exercise smarter)
Become a morning person
Learn to love and rely on the scriptures and prayer in my daily life
Become completely independent from my parents by years end (yes, I am 24 and dependent. Deal with it)
Go skydiving again.
Hike the Grand Canyon.
Try not to be so mean to the guys. Haha
Take genuine interest in other people's lives
So this isn't exactly a "to-do" list, it's more of a "to-be" list. What are New Years resolutions for, if not to make us better than we were last year?
Also the best part of it being 2013: my little brother comes home from his mission!!! April 30th!
First things first, we got a new chocolate lab puppy and she is the cutest thing. Why I thought getting a puppy at the busiest time of my life was a good idea... I don't know. But her cuteness makes up for it. Anyway...
Here's how it is all going down for the next four months.
Clinicals start Monday. Which means I am basically working for free, 40 hours a week. 7 weeks at a physical therapy office in Gilbert and then 8 weeks at Banner Desert inpatient therapy. I am actually really looking forward to it all! My schedule is killer, too...
MWF is 8-6:30. Come home, run, study for an hour or two, shower, play with puppy, and go to bed.
T and Th is afternoon only. Which means I have time for spin class in the mornings and time to walk the dog too. Also get some quality study time in.
So there's 7 weeks of that schedule. I'm not sure what my Banner schedule will be like but hopefully it's just as good.
April 8th is the most important day of my life thus far. That is the day I take the national licensure exam! That's why I have to study at least an hour a day plus more on the weekends. I would really like to pass it on my first try :)
Anyway, you will notice this doesn't leave much time for socializing. Meh, I'm over it. Haha. I figure if I just forget about dating for a while and stop trying so hard, maybe that's when things will take a turn for the better!
One last thing: resolutions!!!
Notice we only use this word once a year? That's because it's important!
Here's mine:
Healthier lifestyle (eat better, exercise smarter)
Become a morning person
Learn to love and rely on the scriptures and prayer in my daily life
Become completely independent from my parents by years end (yes, I am 24 and dependent. Deal with it)
Go skydiving again.
Hike the Grand Canyon.
Try not to be so mean to the guys. Haha
Take genuine interest in other people's lives
So this isn't exactly a "to-do" list, it's more of a "to-be" list. What are New Years resolutions for, if not to make us better than we were last year?
Also the best part of it being 2013: my little brother comes home from his mission!!! April 30th!
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