June 27, 2012

Well, the heat is coming back.... I knew it would, this is the weekend for the Stockton 5K. This will be my (I think) 4th time doing this race. Last year, I STILL was not running a 5K 100%. So I pray that this year, I run it 100%. Since know I have been running that far and farther 100%. It is a very difficult race. Stockton is a small town close to Galena, IL. Therefore, it is VERY, VERY hilly. It is TRULY very challanging! The other REALLY nice thing is that they have opened the community swimming pool to the runners after the race. For me, this is PERFECT!!!! It really gives me an opportunity to cool down that core temperature. That is where I have such issues... I have NEVER placed at this race. There are many "big" runners that come to this race from the Galena area. These are true avid runners. But there is also people like me - just regular everyday people. My goals for this race is the usual: stay upright, finish, not be last. I would also love to improve my time from the last race in Davis. I had a time of 32.41 mins. I still REALLY want to get down to 29 by the Orangeville race in October.... Otherwise, my training has been going well. I did one longer run this last week, 6.8 miles. It had been a long time since I did that long of a run. I did not go out into the country, which I really enjoy, because of the warm weather. I worry about being out there in the middle of no where without any water. So I just did my usual route two times. That way I could stop at the house and have a water bottle at the end of the driveway. I thought that was probably a wiser idea at this point. I would love to be able to continue doing a double or even triple of my route at least one time per week. This would definetely improve my strength. That is one thing I have really improved on this last year is my strength in my legs. I believe it is from all the squats we do at BodyPump and John's classes. Then of course, my Pilates keep that core strong and me more stable!!! So right now, I have on my calendar Stockton for this Saturday and Winnebago for the following Sat after that. So I have two races in a row. I have been invited to do another race on the 4th (which is Wednesday). But I think having 3 races in a week's time span is to much. I have just graduated to having them each Saturday. Last year, I only did races every other weekend. So I am doing more races this year. That does improve my overall running, time and strength. So not only is the exercise a key component to my improvement but the nutrition is the other key aspect. Staying away from the processed foods, red meat, and going into a more whole foods and raw foods type diet. It is not to say I never have pizza. Let's get real, there are some things one must have sometimes. But I have pizza maybe at the most twice a month. So even that is really limited. The pizza I have is vegetable and chicken. Never with any red meat. But that is probably the only packaged prepared foods that I have anymore. Everything else is either raw or I cook from scratch. Now with a big race on Saturday, on Friday night I will probably have some carbs... so maybe some spagetti with a little tomato sauce. If I feel like it I may heat up one of my homemade Bocca burgers just for the added protein. But I try to keep it light and yet keep the carbs and protein up. It seems to work out. Then on the morning of the race, I have a small bowl of oatmeal with some fruit. Nothing big... I mean a SMALL bowl... It seems to be enough to keep the energy level up. Then after the race I can have a real meal. But now with the warm weather it lets me get in some "quality pool time" and also lets me continue with my quilting projects. Swimming is something I have always loved. I have swam since I was a little kid. I was on various swim teams. My stroke was the butterfly for that you need to have a very strong upper body. I still swim in my pool. I have a 24' round pool. Jeremy got me a really wonderful thing - basically it is like a leash that you put around your waist and fasten to a stable post. Then you can swim and swim and swim.... So I usually get in and swim for awhile various strokes. It is also good cross training for my running. Plus, you don't sweat when you swim. That is the beauty with summer - there is always so many things you can do. I love all the activity and options. That what makes everything fun!!! Well, wish me luck for the Stockton 5K and hope that it is not horribly hot!!!!! I really want to run it 100% and just do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

06/20/2012

This week has been VERY hot outside. Heat is not a good thing for us with MS. We tend to be heat intolerant. What does that mean? So, everyone gets hot so what... Well, folks with MS... our nerves are basically exposed... So think of it this way... You have a huge cavity in your tooth. The nerve is very exposed therefore, if you drink anything hot or cold it would cause you severe discomfort. Right? Same kind of thing with people with MS, our nerves are damaged. The mylelin coating around my nerves is damaged. So just like if your house wiring does not have the insulating coating - there is trouble if you keep turning on and off the switches. It is probably severe enough that you get a house fire. Well, that is what basically happens to me. My nerves are damaged and there are places (many) where there is no coating around the nerves. Severe heat or cold cause me to overheat on an extreme degree. Since I do not have that coating in some places, my internal thermostat literally gets "stuck". Then I am just burning inside and outside. Another way to think about it is, if your car thermostat does not work properly and you drive extremely fast (such as one of my races) the car will overheat, stop working properly, and may destroy your engine permanently. Same thing with me, I shut down literally. My cognitive aspects go right outside the door, my balance, the foot-drop, the tightness/banding feeling --- all of it escalates 100000000000000000000%. This is not an exaggeration... For me it could very easily lead to some time in the hospital to bring down that core temperature and then through IV steroids to bring the symptoms to a manageable level. So yes, heat and MS are very SERIOUS!!!!! So with my running I have figured out that the very second I cross the finish line - I HAVE TO COOL DOWN RIGHT THEN!!!! So I go to every race with a pack of blue ice. I have my husband and friends literally start putting the ice on me as I cross the line. It seems that if this happens before that thermostat has a chance to really get "stuck". Then I can be absolutely fine for the rest of the day... no problems. So as you can see, there are SO MANY things that I have discovered so that I can participate in this sport. I have had to figure all of these things on my own and what exactly seems to work for me. But - OK - if that what it takes for me to run, OK. I have my "people" that understand and are willing to help me. This is also why my race times are MUCH better with cooler weather. It is less stress to my body. But I also fluctuate the other way... I cannot handle it if it is cold. Just like that tooth with the big cavity - you cannot go eating the huge cup of ice cubes. Same with me, all those nerves are basically exposed. So the extreme cold causes me unbelievable amount of shear PAIN. So as you can see, I am a balancing act all the time. I never know when my body will fall out of "balance" but, to dwell on that is pointless. I believe in living for today and the now. I celebrate EVERY single time I run and work out... I celebrate my mobility!!!! There was so many years, that my mobility was so very limited that now I feel (even with my current issues) that I have much more freedom. It is a very strange feeling. It is like I was in bondage and someone untied me. So YES - it is a HUGE deal!!!! So that is why I have decided to keep a diary of my experiences and thoughts. I hope that maybe it would encourage others and I hope and pray that I will continue to progress. I know and truly understand that MS is EXTREMELY unpredictable. Who knows, MS may knock me flat and my running days are over. But then again, maybe not.... I don't know the answer. I know that my overall physical health is better than ever and my MS symptoms (on the whole) are fairly tolerable. What more can I ask for at this point? I feel EXTREMELY grateful to be able to say that. So YES - the nutrition and exercise are so very important!!! I know there are MANY days that after work driving home - I think I am so extremely tired... But I know that is that damn MS fatigue talking.... I go and workout and usually I get a burst of energy to get me through. Afterwards, yes - I am EXTREMELY exhausted. I cannot even verbalize my thoughts. I just go home and rest. Then after I am ready to go again. I know you may think this is way to masochistic. Maybe so. Also I will tell you that my overall health is better than it has been in decades, my fatigue level is better than it has in decades, my cognitive aspects have improved GREATLY, my balance has improved GREATLY, etc. So YES - it is worth it.... I believe that by being diligent with the exercise and nutrition I will prolong my decline with the MS. I will also be around and active whenever I become a grandmother. I had a very active grandmother. I plan to be that same way. Not the grandmother that the grandkids push in the wheelchair.... I want to play with them, run with them, jump, and climb.... To me that is a goal.... So I continue to push... Yes, I do take "breathers" now and then. They do not last long maybe a day of rest. But for me since the spasticity in muscles are so severe they become very very tight feeling. So working and stretching the muscles everyday is so very important!!! It is not like "normal" people. The tightness is awful. So stretching and working those muscles are imperative to my mobility. It does not matter if I am tired or don't have time.... No - mobility is way to big of an issue for me. I have been down the limited mobility road for too may years - I want OFF.... I LOVE being mobile and vow to do anything it takes to continue down that path. The sacrifice is WELL WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!! So go and do something... run, walk, swim, whatever... just move.... I have a saying on my ID bracelet "Just Do It". So no matter what just do it... whether you walk with a walker, cane, or just slow... move... "just do it"!!!!!!

06/13/2012

Yes, I some how survived last weekend of having 2 races in less that 24 hours apart. Friday night was the race in German Valley IL. It was HORRIBLY HOT!!! Also the course, which was through the streets in town, there was not any shade. The other problem was that they did NOT block traffic during the race. So you literally had to look before crossing any intersections. I did finish the race, not as well as I would have liked. But for my first night race - I was OK. I did get 1st place in my age division!!! My time was 36:56. I had to walk some basically due to the heat.

June 18, 2012

WOW!!! What a busy and exciting weekend!!!! June 15th was my daughter, Elyse's birthday. It is really hard to fathom that she is now 26 years old!!! She has become a wonderful, self-reliant, wise, loving, and fun person. I could not be happier of how she has grown. Saturday, was an extremely busy and very exciting day!!! I started the day with a 5k race in Davis IL. It was a hard race (they all are hard). There was only about a dozen people at this race. They did not have any prizes or awards. The whole aspect to these race is the challenge. Every single race for me is a HUGE challenge. I never know if my body (due to the MS) is going to not cooperate and then I could be out of the race... But I don't think of what may or could be.... forget that.... I just go..... In this race, I went.... I had my BEST time so far.... 32.41!!!! I am getting closer to that goal of breaking the into the 29 min.... This course was FAR from flat - we had step hills, grades, and even a small area that was NOT paved. So I did have some real obstacles. After the race, went home cleaned up and went into Chicago to hear Dr. Terry Wahl's speak. I was also hoping to meet my Facebook and MS running friend but, she had some unexpected family issues. There will be a next time, that I am sure!!! But I did hear Dr. Wahl's speak. I am a very strong proponent of her philosophy of nutrition and exercise with MS (and general health). I researched on my own through help of my colleagues about nutrition. Since my diagnosis in 2006, I have lost over 120 lbs plus look at the running.... Who would have EVER imagined that I could get to this point????!!!! Believe me - I am MORE surprised than anyone!! I researched about nutrition and MS. I found that getting rid of the processed foods and all the chemicals was NUMBER ONE!!! I do not eat red meat. I only eat poultry, fish, or wild game. Plus of these meats - I sometimes have it at the MOST twice a week or sometime not for a few weeks. My diet is primarily raw... a lot of fruit and veggies... I use soy or rice milk. I use tofu quite a bit as my source of protein. Since I exercise so much, I have to have a good ratio of protein. This I do from the leafy greens, soy milk with protein powder, nuts, and beans. So I am not deficient on any of my nutrients. We differ in some of our daily aspects but the general philosophy of nutrition and organic foods - I am 100% in her corner!!! After her lecture (which was FANTASTIC) I went up and introduced myself. I have talked with her a couple of time on Facebook. She was thrilled and seemed to remember me right away! She had everyone re-take their seats and she want ME to tell this very large room full of people my story. So I did. She told me afterwards that she wanted my contact information for another book that she is putting together. So that I thought was EXTREMELY AWESOME!!!!! Yes - I told the audience that the principles that Dr. Walhs' speaks about is 100% and does it help -- YES!!! Does having the proper nutrition and exercise help - YES!!! Does it make the MS go away - NO!!!! But I am 10000000000000....% healthier now than I have been in decades..... But it takes TIME! It took me about 6 years to reach this point. It is not a "QUICK FIX" BUT HAS TO BECOME A LIFESTYLE!!!! That is the TRUE KEY (in my opinion). Plus look I am running... not walking - a over 50 year old women running races... and actually placing and winning... Plus my cognitive is so much better and also my fatigue. I still take all the western medications... plus my interferon... But it is the nutrition and exercise that has gotten me to this point. I DEMAND to maintain my mobility and my independence!!!! Also another very important aspect to this recipe - is your over all outlook and faith. I have meet people with MS or other neuromuscular diseases and they just give up. WHY??? That is my question. Why would anyone just give themselves right over to that devil, MS??? That is absolutely moronic!!! Every time that devil, MS, tries to take me - I fight even HARDER!!!!! Those are usually the days that I exercise even harder.... I refuse to let that devil MS take me down... and if it does and might bring me down - it definitely will not be without a damn good fight!!! Every running race I do - for me is a celebration. It is a celebration that I am able to do this... it is a celebration for all the others with MS that cannot but are still fighting in their own way.... So therefore, I run.... Now you have to know - this is a newer sport for me. I was NEVER the track kid in school. I NEVER ran in my 20's or 30's. My sport was swimming. That was my sport since I was very young. I am truly blessed that I do have good joints. Especially, after all those years of being over weight. Some how I did get very fortunate in that regard. So what is stopping me - NOTHING!!! Do I still have drop foot issues - yes; do I still have the banding - yes; do I still have the heat intolerance - yes; do I still have the neuropathy pain in my feet and legs - yes; do I still have balance issues - yes; plus all the other issues... BUT - I have learned to manage and deal with them. I do not let them over take me. Since I have the neuropathy and banding feelings 24/7 - I am basically used to it. Yes - there are many times especially with running that these feelings become more intense. Those are times when I say, "damn MS, I will not let you win..." Yes, the heat issues are HORRIBLE and drain every bit of energy... After a race, I have my "pit crew" husband and some of my team mates --- literally start putting ice packs on me the second I cross the finish line. I have to cool down - NOW!!! Once I have cooled down - I seem to be fine and function through the rest of the day.... So there are various "tricks" that I have learned over the last year of running that works for me... The next race? All I can do is my best.... That is what I always try to do!!! Always keep moving FORWARD!!!!!!!

June 2, 2012

Well, believe it or not one WHOLE weekend and NO RACES!!!!! Next weekend is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY!!! But I am enjoying my "weekend off". I also started my summer vacation so it is really nice. I have Thursdays and Fridays off from now till the middle of August. So that is pretty nice --- 3 DAY WORK WEEKS!!!! I have had a nice 2 days of my vacation. Thursday it rained. So I could not run outside so - ran at the gym. Then went up to Madison WI and to the New Balance shoe store so they could test my feet and run style to see what style of shoe I should have. I only went to see about what they said and will maybe see if I can price out the shoes online. They are pretty pricey. But then again GOOD running shoes are pricey. That is one thing I DO NOT CUT CORNERS ON!!!! Because not only does that affect your feet but also your joints. If you mess those up, that could be forever and NO MORE RUNNING EVER!!!! So spending a $100+ is worth it!!!! Then yesterday, did not run in the morning, just tired. I did go out garage sale-ing with 2 of my good running buddies. That was ALOT OF FUN!!! I found quite a bit of "treasures" so I was VERY HAPPY!!! Then came home, quick run over to Summit, did the BodyPump class and ran home. So I got in a couple of miles... This morning I did the 5K route. Did pretty good with time, 36 mins. So on the whole, I really think I am improving with my running. If I think back to where I was at one year ago, I could NOT run the 3.4 miles 100% it was AT BEST maybe 60%-70%. So in one year, that is quite an improvement. So I still by the end of the season want to break out of the 30 min time period and get to 29. I don't care if it is 29.999999999 - that is still 29!!! So all I can do is keep working!!!!