September 28, 2012

This week I have not ran as much. I have been feeling pretty fatigued. I was good up to Tuesday night then, it fell apart. That is what happens sometimes. I might be GREAT for LONG stretches then it all unravels... I am not exactly sure why I have been so fatigued. It may be due to the weather changing (it is getting cooler and darker in the morning) and/or that I had my flu shot this week. It may have something to do with one or all the above. This morning I thought I had more energy but I made the mistake of laying back down and I was out. So my body must need the addition rest time. Now I have STILL been going and doing my normal workouts at the gym in the evening so it is not like I have not been doing anything. Today is Friday so, after work I will go to the gym and participate in BodyPump. This is a choreographed weightlifting routine to music. It is very difficult and really is GREAT for building overall strength. I am not looking to become a bodybuilder, I just want to have strong muscle-tone. This is needed not only to maintain balance (one of my many weaknesses) but it also helps to build and maintain strong bones. Did you know that??? Yes, weight-bearing exercises does that. It is by the increased blood flow to the muscles which are attached to the bones... This all being additionally "fed" - actually works to build and maintain strong bones. Now - someone like me - post-menopausal,(your bones are usually decreasing in density) and have a higher rate of falls (due to instability from the MS). So taking a class like this on a regular basis is ideal. My last bone density tests showed my bones to be bright white (meaning they were nice and strong). I actually recommend people doing some weight-bearing exercises. It is great!!! It helps you not just with overall strength but also that EXTREMELY IMPORTANT bone density!!!! Last weekend get in some nice longer runs. Not my 12 mile route but a new longer route in town. I was able to do 8.58 miles BOTH Saturday and Sunday. Maybe this weekend get in my 12 miler. That would be GREAT!!! Next Saturday, I have a 5K race in Orangeville. It is a great race on a BEAUTIFUL trail that is so incredibly smooth and flat. So I hope to finish with a good time. I just need to get back into the groove of my running. I do not like when I miss days of running. It actually upsets me. I love going out in the morning, the crisp air, it is so renewing and invigorating. A fantastic way to welcome the day. Tomorrow is a new day and I will get out there. I can feel the energy level returning to me. Next week, my baby (Jeremy) will be home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Elyse and Karl are having their annual bonfire party and he is coming home for that. It will be wonderful to see him!!!!! I can hardly wait! I have not seen him since Brian and I went to MD in the spring. So it has been a LONG TIME!!!!! Whether he will be home for the holidays - I do not know.... Maybe I can conveince him to run the race with me. I know that he will finish LONG before me... In fact, he could finish shower and eat a full breakfast before I get back... Let's get real!!!!!! But it would be fun!!!

Sept 14, 2012

Today is the day before the big 10K race in Monroe, WI. I am really excited about this. This will be the longest race I have done since the start of my season in Stoughton, WI with the 10 mile race. I have been working on my distance, endurance running and feel I am in fairly good shape. I may not be the fastest one out there but, I will run it 100%. The weather has been cooler lately (thank goodness) which allows me to run farther. This morning I did a quick run before work (2.84 in 35mins). I did a nice pace and it was cooler. There was even frost on the grass. It really felt very refreshing in the cool air. It doesn't take me long to warm up - I am usually warm by the first mile. I have tried to run every day this week. I did not run on Thursday morning. I think that John's exercise class (from Tuesday night) caught up with me. Even last night, in Pilates and exercise class we were doing quite a bit of arm strength exercises and I could really feel it. Oh, my!!!! My friend, Lisa and fellow runner, also took John's class and was really feeling the effects of it last night... WOW!!! We will see how BodyPump class goes tonight. I hope that I can do the weightlifting routines with my usual weight. Doing the cross training with the running is extremely helpful. Not only do you exercise, build muscle and stamina through the cross training but also it is very helpful with the balance issues. I know that my various exercise classes have enhanced my running capabilities. The BodyPump is great for endurance and strength. Both aspects you need for running - especially any distance running. My new running shoes have broken in nicely. The first couple of runs they were pinching me but, now they feel great!!! I have really been trying to work on my miles.. I am up to 702.51 miles to date since, Febuary 14th. I have only 297.49 miles to go. So in the 7 months, I have averaged 42.5 miles per month... If I keep at the same distance per month, I will be close to the 1000 -- 85 miles short... So I need to concentrate on doing 60 miles per month; 15 miles per week; minimum of 2.15 miles per day. I know that with the cooler weather, I can do some distance runs of 10 miles or better in one run. This will help to up my overall mileage. So as you see, this goal seems to be obtainable. All I can do is try... That is one thing that I can do... I do not believe in giving up - the goal is ONLY for myself. I was invited to this challenge and I love it!!! I am proving something to myself that I NEVER, EVER THOUGHT WAS EVEN REMOTELY OBTAINABLE!!!! It just shows that you have to try. By breaking it down in stages - I am seeing that I can do this!!! Plus - you know --- I WILL DO THIS!!!!! I have come to far to fall short of my goal. It WILL HAPPEN!!! So never say never... like many things in life - it depends on how badly do you want it. I want this goal really bad - so I am going to work and work to accomplish it!!! So always keep moving and always keep doing!!!!!!

September 7, 2012

This has not been a good running week. Some of it is due to weather and the other due to MS issues. What are my MS issues, you ask. Some of it is fatigue, spasms in legs and feet, neuropathy feeling that my left leg and foot is bound very tight, feeling like I have rocks in my shoes 24/7, and a banding/squeezing feeling around my midriff. So are these are some of what I am dealing with. I am always dealing with these and other issues all the time - there is just a degree of the intensity. I was really hoping to run this morning but it was raining. So instead of going to the gym and running on the treadmill (which I HATE), I decided to get a little extra sleep. This does NOT mean by anyway that I have not been exercising. Yesterday, I did 2 exercise classes. I even taught Pilates for my friend, Laura. So EVERYDAY I have done something. Tonight, I will go to BodyPump. Tomorrow, I am leaving for a quilting event in Madison WI. I am hoping that I can run a couple of miles before 7am. So my next big running event is Sept 15th in Monroe WI. It is a 10K. I know that this is going to be difficult because of the steep hills in that area. The distance is not a problem - we know I can handle that. It will be interesting it is my first 10K race. Maybe I can squeeze out a couple miles tomorrow morning and then I do have Sunday. I do like it much better when I run in the morning. I feel more energized and the feeling of accomplishment. Yes, it is wearing but in a good way. On days I do not run I feel very flat, lower energy... Now should be my BEST time of year for running. We are starting to see some cooler days. There has still been some very hot and humid days but getting more of the milder temperatures. So that for me is the ideal running time. The new shoes are starting to break in OK. I do wish that I felt more energized. I do hate it when I have the "flat" feeling. The gloomy/rainy weather does not help. But we have had a summer of drought so I definately cannot complain about the rain. So now, I just need to work toward the 10K...