March 29, 2013

YES --- I did it!!!! I was able to get my FIRST 12+ miler in last Saturday!!! I did have to wait till about mid-morning for the temperature to warm up a bit. It was in the 30's-40's during my run. It is a LONG run and even though I have been doing longer runs in town when you get past that 10 mile mark, I start to really feel it. I did make it all the way through. My only stop was at the gym (about a mile from my house) to use the restroom. I do LOVE running out in the country - the hills, fields, woods -- it is all so beautiful and peaceful. I did encounter a dog at one point that at first started running along side me but when I got outside his territory he seemed upset that I was not there to specifically play with him. That I did not like. All I did was shout, "NO" very sternly and pray that he did not take a big bite out of me. Well, he did not bite me (thank goodness) and I just proceeded on my route. After that run on Saturday, I was fine. My calves were bothering me a bit. So this week, I have taken it easy on the amount of miles. I don't want to get those HORRIBLE shin splints again. That was really really really PAINFUL. So I am trying to really watch and listen to what my legs are telling me. You have to think not only do I have MS in which my muscles tend to go spastic and rigid at anytime but I also have very tight hamstrings from the MS. I work on trying to loosen them up but, I think that the tightness is not helping the calf muscles. I am trying to do more calf/hamstring exercises even while sitting. Just doing a point and flex - is always feels very tight. I actually think that the whole tightness in the calves and flexiblity of my ankles/feet are throwing off my alignment. I am feeling the added pressure in my knees. That is not good. So I figure - back down the mileage a bit. Tomorrow, I plan to go out and get my second 12+ miler. Then I thought would be a good idea is 2 weeks prior to the race, I am going to run the route in Stoughton. The route is posted prior to the event. Even though, I do have a clue of the route from running it last year. I think this would be a good idea and even a bit calming to me. (Knowing that I accomplished it again - you know that psych thing!!) Yesterday, was our first TRUE taste of spring. We had temperatures all the way up to a BALMY 50 degrees. I was out there running in SHORTS!!! LOVED not having the underarmour pants on. We still have snow on the ground but it is disappearing!!! Another day or two of warmer weather and it will be GONE~!!!!!! Otherwise, I just want to really try to listen to my body and try to stay wise about my distance running. If I can get in my one long run per week and the rest to lower the mileage - that is fine. If I want to accomplish my goals of the 10 mile and 1/2 marathon this year, I am going to have to really watch it. I do not need to go back to BAD shin splints or have my knees blow out. Not only I am dealing with the MS I also have to think I am older.... I will be 53 years old here very soon. So that is 53 year old joints and muscles. I do try very hard to stay with my nutrition. It is very important!!! I have had this week a couple of times - a vegetable omelet made in the microwave. It is really good and very filling plus LOTS of protein. I use 2 eggs plus whatever veggies we have around... YUMMMMMMY!!!! Making it in the microwave - no grease so that saves on calories and fat. Plus, since I am increasing my distance it is important to have the protein so that I do not tear down all those muscles that I have been building up. Otherwise, I cannot wait till the weather stays warmer and sunny. It is so nice to get some sun on your face. I love that!!! So hopefully tomorrow, I can knock out another 12 miles!!! As ALWAYS AND FORWARD --- MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!

March 23, 2013

We still have snow on the ground. It is amazing the comparison from last year at this time. There is exactly 8 weeks before the 10 mile race in Stoughton WI. Todays HIGH should be in the mid-30's. The way it has been here that is a heat wave!!! Right now at 7:30a it is still in the low 20's. I have been getting in some moderate distance 7 to 8 miles but nothing higher in town. I really need to get out into the country and do at least 12 miles at a stretch. The cold air is really hard on me. My MS symptoms REALLY don't like it! My muscles tend to stay very constricted and I am more prone to having spasms. At least I have been running outside the last few weeks. I am still running in with the trail shoes on. It is amazing the amount of traction and stability they provide. At least for this time of year with loose sand/gravel and ice on the roads these are GREAT!! I would definately recommend to get trail shoes for runners for this time of year, no matter what your issues may be. I can't WAIT till when it is warmer and sunner... I can roll out of bed and jump into some short/tank top - and off I go... That will be SO WONDERFUL since this year, we seem to have the winter that will NEVER END!!! I keep saying that now it is getting toward the END of March - the snow/cold has to be over SOON. My worry is that we are going to go immediately from snow/ice to 90 degrees. Last years, Syttendi Mai race was HORRIBLY HOT. I have done the 17 mile the one year when it was raining/sleeting. (That was beyond HORRIBLE -- I have NEVER NEVER been so cold in my ENTIRE LIFE.) But that is one of the biggest factor with that race - it is not your ability to do the task of the number of miles but the environmental factors that you have NO CONTROL over!!!! That is what REALLY takes the toll on your body. I know what my task is... I have ahead in my ability compared to last year, even if I have not done 12 miles in one stretch for awhile. I have come close to the 10 mile and lived. So I really think I will be OK. The one thing that does concern me is the bladder control aspect. This may be a subject that to many is dispecable but, in the MS world this is very real. I have noticed that not just the cold but overall my bladder control has gotten a little worse. I do not mind having to "let go" while running.. but when it is cold to "let go" is another factor... Then you have something very very cold... That is not good... But you also need to stay hydrated so what is a poor MS girl with bladder issues to do??? When I run in town I can stop at various places and use the facilities but out in the country? The only thing I can do is go out in the field/woods and hope a snake doesn't crawl up me... As for my bout with "squishing tummy" after a long run.... Last week when I ran later in the day and had eaten, I did not seem to have the problems as much. So this morning I did have a waffle, banana with peanut butter and an orange. Plus I will water drink mix and my vitamen B chewy.... Let's see what that does??? All you can do is try!!!! I don't mind stopping to pee - to me as long as I have run before/after.. that counts as a 100% run time. I just stop my clock for that specific time. I know that during a race the clock does not stop JUST FOR ME TO PEE but - it is the priniciple of the thing to my poor little mind... I keep praying/hoping that soon VERY VERY VERY soon it will warm up. The snow/ice will be gone... It will I know that it will!!! Well, wish me luck... I will be out there in the next few minutes... I ALWAYS RUN AND ALWAYS THINK THAT I AM RUNNING FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WITH MS THAT CANNOT RUN!!! I RUN NOT JUST FOR ME BUT YOU ALSO... YES, I CAN RUN NOW --- BUT I DO NOT KNOW THE PROGRESSION OF MY DISEASE WILL I BE ABLE TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR OR THE FOLLOWING YEAR???? I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER.... I TAKE I STEP AT A TIME.... THAT IS WHAT I HAVE DONE THROUGH THIS WHOLE JOURNEY.. ONE STEP AT A TIME... From the times that I was using a WALKER to even go to the end of my block and back (my block has 3 houses and I am in the middle - so that is really really not far). TO THE PROGRESSION OF MAKING DOWN 2 BLOCKS AND BACK... EACH TIME A LITTLE FARTHER.... Was I really that bad ---- HELL YES!!!!!!!!!! So YES I KNOW... do I know what the MS neuropathy pain is ---- HELL YES!!!! DO I STILL HAVE IT --- HELL YES!!!! It is just not as intense... I still feel all the tightness pressure/MS Hug, ect... I have learned to move PAST IT... I believe that is the key... to learn (somehow) to move PAST it... HOW - you just set your mind to say "FUCK YOU MS!!!" and go for it.... No GREAT philosophical mind - very simple -- just GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 15, 2013

Yes, Sunday is March 17th. The day that we recognize St. Patrick. As an Irish American, I do celebrate St. Patty's day. I do not do many of the typical activities ie; drinking beer, eating cooked cabbage, or even corn beef... I do LOVE soda bread... Now to me that is the BEST!!!! I even started last weekend and made some for us. I even made us each a bread bowl out of the soda bread - that was AWESOME!!!! This weekend - I will make some more but I am thinking instead of soup maybe my carrot hummus. Then, of course, a green vegetable to be 100% diplomatic!!!!! Well, this week we started our run club in Pecatonica. That is ALWAYS fun!!! The first day, Tuesday it was actually snowing. I ran but it was cold. Then on Thursday - same thing - cold and snow.... But me and my run buddy, Lisa, we perserved. We are both trying to build our mileage all with the goal of the half marathon. I am closer than her on building my mileage. My strength in running is my endurance (going long distance) and her strength is speed. So I am teaching her how to pace for the long run and she is pushing me on going faster. So I believe it is a good combination... We are both gaining from each others attributes. The first night, due to the cold and organizing, we only ran 3.27 miles. Last night, we gave ourselves time for a good run before it got dark. So we went out earlier than the rest of the group and ran 6.35 miles. Lisa has not run that far this year... It was a good run - nice pace... Last weekend it rained pretty much the whole time. But by some stroke of God - I happened to be able to get outside and run during a pocket of time that it was dry. I did run 8.24 miles on Saturday. How this happened - who knows. (See God wants me out running...) I did stay in town due to a few factors: #1 the weather being so "iffy" #2 staying nearby restrooms (especially since I had a bit (get real - ALOT) of coffee before the run) #3 not really sure how far I could go and #4 roadways still having ice/snow/gravel on them making them slick. Now this weekend, we still have snow on the ground. The weather forecast is that it is to be about 36 degrees and overcast. So that will be fine for a nice longer run. I am hoping to "up my game" this weekend and do about 10 miles. That would be GREAT!!!! I am still having issues with upset stomach when I really do long runs and stress my body. I cannot eat after a long run. It takes some time (hours) before I can eat. Then I can only eat something pretty mild. I don't know why this happens. It may be due to a bottoming out of my electrolytes or potassium. I did get some chews to have before/after a run and also a mix to have in my water bottle. I want to see if this helps me. Yes, I am tired after a long run like that but nothing horrible. Saturday, I was still able to go out afterwards and do all my errands and shopping. Not an issue.... So I think that if I go out tomorrow I will take some of those chews and the water bottle mix with me in my pack. Let's see if that helps... Otherwise, I am ahead of schedule for my long run training for Syttendi Mai. It is 9 weeks till the run. I started my FIRST long run last year 8 weeks prior. I also started those 8 weeks doing 12 miles each week. But right now I am 2 weeks ahead of schedule. So this weekend, I really have to get the 10 miles in. Then after that, I will be doing my country or town route of 12 miles. That is my plan... Of course, this is barring weather issues, MS issues, etc.... I would love to get this tummy thing figured out. Muscularly I do not hurt after a long run, just a bit tired but nothing horrible. We did change the clocks this last weekend - more daylight (YES!!!!). That helps me so much!!! I was doing well then Wednesday, the fatigue hit hard... I really think it was the adjusting to the new time. Now, at the end of the week I am feeling more normal and with more energy. Now - I just want to get in a good longer run!!!! Remember ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!!!