February 22, 2013

OK --- I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!! IT IS OFFICIAL!!!!!!! I HAVE SENT IN MY REGISTRATION FOR THE 10 MILE RUN FOR SYTTENDI MAI IN STOUGHTON, WI!!!! So you know what that means -- training has begun. Right now, due to weather issues I have been sentenced to running on the Precor machine. I did have an opportunity to get outside last Sunday - it had warmed up and alot of the snow/ice had melted. But there was a problem --- my damn body -- it was NOT going to happen. I was really wrestling with a bout of MS fatigue. So I spent the day watching old movies and working on the new "quilt from hell". This is what my WONDERFUL daughter has "sentenced" me to do for her. (Truly I am kidding - I really enjoy it.. but do love to give her a tough time - just for kicks!) So this weekend, I will be one with the Precor machine. That is all I am going to be able to do. We just recieved more snow last night (7") and it snowing again now. So it does not look like outside is going to work for me. The only hope is if Sunday it warms up and the streets are plowed really well. Never know... I will just have to wait and see... Plus, the other exciting news is that we are getting ready for our Run Club to begin in Pecatonica!!!! So I will be getting in more distance running in the evening (it will be light longer soon and warmer). As far as my overall MS issues... I have been holding fairly steady. As I reflect back, I have made leaps and bounds progress on my fatigue and overall stamina. Also, due to my various physical exercise my stamina for lifting and doing mundane tasks (like shoveling snow) is DRASTICALLY improved. I do still have issues with fatigue, spasticity, optic neuritis (blurred vision), tremors, some cognitive fog (MUCH IMPROVED), tolerance to heat/cold is improved but still hard for me, balance is DRASTICALLY improved... so as you see I am making progress. I still have ALL these issues plus some others... but I have them fairly in check. Probably my main issues are the fatigue and the spasticity.... My muscles get VERY spastic and YES IT HURTS... I mean ALOT.... Also I deal with the CONSTANT numbness and pins/needles feelings in my feet/legs/hands... sometimes it goes in my arms and face. All these issues that I have named --- guess what.... you cannot see them... But believe me there are VERY VERY VERY real to me. That is whole issue with MS because it attacks the nervous system - many of the pain or issues are not apparent to the outside. But that is the way MS works.... I have what is labeled --Secondary-Progressive MS. Here is the description: Secondary-progressive MS is more of a mixed bag. Initially it may involve a period of relapsing-remitting activity, with symptom flare-ups followed by recovery periods. Yet, the disability of MS doesn’t disappear between cycles. Instead, this period of fluctuation is followed by a steady worsening of the condition. People with secondary-progressive MS may experience minor remissions or plateaus in their symptoms, but this is not always the case. So this is why I CELEBRATE EACH and EVERY race and run that I finish. Because, I do not know when or if my body will force me to quit. I am VERY THANKFUL and REJOICE in every run and workout that I do. I know that each one of them helps to make me stronger and hopefully keeps the ravages of MS at bay a little longer. Soon I am going to be a Grandmother. I want SO VERY DESPERATELY to be able to go run and play with my grandchild. I want VERY DESPERATELY to be able to use the jogging stroller that I have in my garage with that child and maybe other grandchildren. I LOVE being active!!!! The more active the better!!!! So I will continue to MOVE FORWARD --- ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!!!

February 8, 2013

I have not ran outside due to the snow and ice on the streets. Just last night, we had another snow storm with quite a bit of ice. So whether I can get any outside run time in on Sunday is still very questionable. The temperatures are supposed to be warmer but, the ice on the roads makes it tough. Even though, I do have my new trail shoes that have ALOT more traction. We will see... Otherwise, there is the good ol' Precor machine. Tomorrow, Saturday, I probably will not get any run time in. We are going to Madison, WI for a Garden Expo. It is a REAL fun time! There is a number of various experts and you learn all kinds of things about gardening and planting. Plus, there is a ton of vendors. So it is always fun to look and see what they have. We have been volunteering at the Expo for the various lectures for a few years now. It is GREAT! We get to listen to the lecture, help out the speaker a bit, take attendance, and take care of the lights --- and we get FREE admitance into the event, FREE parking, and FREE to the lectures. So we figure that we SAVE about $50 dollars a piece. That is VERY VERY NICE... All for passing out some papers, turning on/off lights, opening/closing doors... OHHH - so so hard!!!! Plus we still have TONS of time to go off see the vendors and participate in all the other activties in the day. So my husband and I look forward to Expo every February. It is also nice to think planting season and spring are coming soon. Then with spring means being able to run outside without the snow and ice!!!! So I know that it is all coming!!!!! Just to demostrate how wonderfully I have progressed with my MS. Our snowblower broke this winter. The cost of the repair is the same as a new one. Plus, now in the winter the price is very high. The best time to buy is off-season. The other factor is that my WONDERFUL son-in-law has been great at plowing our driveway with his truck. So the only thing I REALLY have deal with is the sidewalks. But, I have been outside shoveling usually before he gets to our house. Yesterday, with the snow being VERY WET and HEAVY - I shoveled about 5" of snow and did the driveway (our drive is very long) and ALL the sidewalks. This was after a full day of work and running at the gym. I was tired but not that HORRIBLE MS fatigue. I used to get HORRIBLE MS fatigue just from reading a book. I am not kidding. For people that do not know about MS fatigue - the best description came from a friend of mine. Imagine that you had just shit yourself (VERY noticably and smelly) and you are in a room with your peer, family, friends, co-workers and you DO NOT CARE ONE BIT!!!!! That is EXACTLY what MS fatigue is like --- you are THAT incredibly exhausted. I do still take retilin for my MS fatigue that helps TREMENDOUSLY. It also helps me with being about to focus and not have this ADHD thing going on. Why do I think that it is better? It is due to 1. nutrition 2. lifestyle and 3. exercise. I REALLY REALLY believe that!!!! My daughter and son-in-law had the family over for dinner last Sunday. They announced that they are expecting. This will be all of our FIRST grandchild. I have WORKED VERY HARD... I DO NOT to be the Grandma that just sits and watches the child. I want to be the Grandma that interacts, plays, runs, climbs, and everything else with the child. I purchase last year was a jogging stroller with the idea that maybe someday that would be a GREAT thing. Now it looks like I WILL be able to use my stroller. I will be able to go running and take the child with me in the stroller. That is the kind of Grandma that I want to be - hands on and active!!!!! I really believe that everyone makes their own choices (to an extent). We are dealt whatever - it is how we deal with it from there. I choice to FIGHT not just a little bit --- BUT FULL FORCE!!!! I also don't plan to let go of my fight! Yes, I am getting older - so WHAT... But I am still going to go on running as long as I can.... I am planning to be active with my grandkids - play WITH them, interact, climb, run.... So I fall... yeh - hell - I fall down just by myself... I WILL NOT STOP!!!! So what do you want to do????? Sit and let the world go by or get out there, interact, play, and have FUN with life??????? You DO HAVE A CHOICE!!!! Whether it is MS or any other chronic disease.. There are many ways around the boat -- which way do YOU CHOSE???????? Remember - ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD!!!!!!

February 1, 2013

Well, last weekend I did have an opportunity to get my new trail (winter) shoes out for a run. I could really fill the difference of having that extra traction. Especially, with snow and ice still being in the street. I am not even talking about all the loose gravel that the road plows put down on the street for extra traction. That is great for the cars but, for runners that can produce a very slippery surface. This weekend, is REAL IFFY about getting outside and running. The temperatures have taken a real nose dive. This morning is was around ZERO degrees. Tomorrow we are suppose to warm up to the 20's. The cold is REALLY REALLY tough on me. I have talked about this before. My legs and feet are so HORRIBLY spastic right now. It HURTS, I mean HURTS!!!! Many who do not have MS just say, wear layers you will be OK. It is not just wearing the layers and the proper clothing. This is a cold that penetrates through all of that and cause such pain and spastic issues. I sometimes think the real cold is the worst on me. Not only the pain and spasticity but, all this really plays a toll on my fatigue and energy level. I tend to go into my hibernation mode. Which means, becoming extremely non-verbal and non-social. It is not fun.... But I try to think positive and know that this is February now and the extreme cold will soon be a thing of the past. I am looking forward to more longer runs outside. Soon I will be registering for the 10 mile run in Stoughton in May. I am so looking forward to that run. I am going to nail that sucker - run it 100000% NO PROBLEMS!!!!! I might not be the fastest in the pack but, who in the HELL cares..... At least I am doing it. As you have figured out, I do not believe in stopping EVER!!!! And who wants to --- I ENJOY and THRIVE on being busy. I always have and probably always will....

January 25, 2013

Overall not a bad week. I did get in a GREAT longer run on Saturday, 8.4 miles. It has been a long time since I have done that kind of distance. It felt wonderful!!! This weekend is very "iffy" whether I can run outside. It snowed last night and the forecast is for cold and some snow. So it may be an "inside run" weekend. Oh, well... I would LOVE to get outside and do hope it is possible. Right now, it looks like the only window I have is Saturday early afternoon. So maybe??? The first part of this week it was HORRIBLE cold, around 0. That is the WORST for me. My legs are SO HORRIBLY spastic and the pain is unbearable. It doesn't matter that I am inside. I don't know if it has to do with barametic pressure or what. But I know that my legs get horribly spastic and TRUE pain. This started on Monday and did not really "ease up" till after Tuesday night's class with John. His class is EXTREMELY INTENSE... But I am able to keep up with him. I am TRUELY exhausted afterwards -- maybe that EXTREME physical activity was able to warm up these old bones... I don't know and probably never will understand it. I just know it REALLY REALLY REALLY HURTS!!!!!! I did get 29 miles in last week and this week I am at 20. So that is not too bad. Right now, this year I am focusing on distance. I have tried to increase my speed. I can physically do it but my damn legs don't always follow and down I go. It seems that distance works for me. I can just go at my speed and get into a rythem. Since my nerves are SO damaged that change is very difficult for them but, when I have a consistant speed I seem to be able to maintain and lock into it. It still takes me a bit for my nerves to know to stop so I jog/walk for awhile till they learn to "turn off" at the end of a run. But that is OK... There are much worst things. I have to admit this whole running thing is very new to me. This will be my 3rd year of running. I NEVER ran before - I am 100% a novice and at the age of 50+. My last visit to my neuro doc - he was still AMAZED at my progress and EXTREMELY encouraging about my running. The whole aspect of nutrition and exercise are a HUGE KEY!!!! I know that for a fact they have 10000000000% changed my life. I would not be anywhere near (healthwise) I am today. Overall, I am very healthy. I have regular physicals and checkups. I haven't experienced getting the flu or a cold in years. I believe it all stems from the nutrition and exercise. But this is NOT BY ANY MEANS A QUICK FIX... I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR OVER 7 YEARS.... And the WONDERFUL part, on the whole, I keep improving. As many people, without chronic diseases at my age, are complaining about this and that -- I am not. I REALLY BELIEVE it is the key - nutrition and exercise. I do NOT eat processed, fast foods, red meat, dairy, or soda pop. My diet primilary consists of alot of raw foods -- fruits and veggies. I do have desserts but, I make them sugar-free and very low fat. I try to make them as healthy as possible. My typical weekly diet consists of banana or orange (breakfast), lunch is soup and 3 fruits (apples, bananas, pears, later in the afternoon I have yogurt with oatmeal and 2 pieces of fruit and dinner is a large salad with lettuce, carrots, celery, an apple, sometimes a vegan burger and some peanuts with about 4 T. of dressing. Then I usually have a piece of desert that I made over the weekend that is sugar-free and low fat and many times vegan. This is my very typically weekly diet.... It has worked for me not only lossing over 120 lbs but my fatigue level and overall health has improved DRASTICALLY!!!!! So it can be done - not easy but it all depends what YOU want out of your life!!!!! I enjoy being active and want to maintain that. Someday I may have grandchildren and I want to be able to go and play with them. Not just sit in a corner and watch them. I want to be involved!!!! So it is all about CHOICES - what do you chose????

January 11, 2013

This past weekend is was SO NICE outside and warm (about 30-40 degrees F) that I actually got outside and ran. It felt WONDERFUL to be outside instead of being cooped up in the gym. I am also very happy that my shin splints are doing much better. I was able to 4.73 miles on Saturday and 5.83 miles on Sunday outside. So on the whole I am doing very well with the 1000 mile challenge. I am up to 42 miles to date and it is not even the middle of January yet. It is supposed to be warmer on Saturday morning so I am hoping to get some outside miles. After that, it is supposed to turn very cold. So I have to go with the weather - whenever I can get outside I am there. I have also been thinking about getting some trail running shoes for the winter. This would give me more traction which may be very nice since quite a bit of the time there is some snow and ice on the pavement. I also had my semi-annual visit with the MS Neurologist at UW in Madison, WI. He is so impressed with me and is very encouraging about my running. I told him about my goals this year of the 10 mile and half marathon. He thinks it is WONDERFUL. He cannot get over how much I have improved. The one issue we talked about is my restless leg issues. It is really hard for me to sit still at various events and also driving is sometimes hard because the darn leg starts jerking all over. He has increased my one med for spasticity so we will see if that helps. I hope so because it is really very uncomfortable to sit for any length of time.

January 18, 2013

Well, I am starting the New Year with not just doing my one challenge of 1000 miles but we actually are doing 3 CHALLENGES!!!! The other 2 are a 1300 miles and a 1200 miles. What the heck???!!! I have been fortunate this winter and actually got in some outside running time. That is fantastic!!!! I have a new WONDERFUL cold weather run shirt that is GREAT!!!! This week I ordered trail running shoes. Not that I do or will ever do trail running - it is just that the pavement in the winter with the snow/ice and loose pavement - I thought that having more traction on my shoes would probably be a good thing. So now, I am just waiting for them to come. It will take a few weeks, oh well.... I just have to do with what I have til then. Last weekend I did get in some outside run time and it was WONDERFUL!!!!! This weekend it looks like Saturday is my day. After that, the weather is suppose to turn cold and snowy. So I will do as much as I can tomorrow. I did get in quite a bit of mileage in the last weekend. I think that may have been the factor of my fatigue earilier this week. I was having a horrible time. I also think that getting back into the semester and working a FULL week after having so much time off also played a part into it. But that is the way it goes... The nice thing is that we have a 3 day weekend, YEY!!!!!! So that will be nice!!!! My very fortunate son --- believe it or not --- won TWO of the most awesome tickets!!!! One to the Super Bowl (with all expenses paid) and the other to the Presidential Inauguration!!!! Can you believe that???? He actually turned down the Inauguration tickets (conflicted with the Super Bowl). But, my goodness!!! Those are two ONCE in a lifetime events... I know that he will have a wonderful time in New Orleans!!!! Me --- I will be here in the Midwest and running and running and running. If I am not running then I am sewing... Right now working this year's Christmas quilt. It is going to be alot of work so I have to start early. So far, for the month I have logged 70 miles. That is not too bad considering I have not gotten outside to often. Most of my mileage is coming from being on the Precor machine at the gym. This week, I also have to teach TWO pilates classes for my friend. So that will also keep me busy. Which is another thing to my "to do list" is to work on Pilates for these classes. So as usual, no rest for the wicked. But then again... I like being busy -- we all know this.... But as always --- I am moving forward -- ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!!!

January 2, 2013

WOW!!! It is the New Year, Christmas is over and so many things has transpired. It has been a whirlwind of activity. Where to begin.... let's start with my running... Yes, I have been running on the Precor machine at the gym. That is the ONLY machine I can run on without causing pain to my shins. Actually, I have ran 11 days straight. Today, may be that much needed rest day. The shin splints are doing better. I do wear my shin compression sleeves every time I run or workout. I do notice a big difference by having them on. I also worked very hard at keeping on track not only with my exercise but my nutrition during the holidays. I did have some Swedish meatballs that I made. It is made with 3 kinds of meat; venison, turkey, and beef. I had about 6 of these and I think with the beef in them; my stomach was nauseas for about 3 days. Plus, I felt more fatigued. So it just shows me that I REALLY cannot do ANY beef at all - even in small amounts. Next year, I will make my Swedish meatballs without any beef at all. I continued my exercise throughout the holiday... In fact, I have ran and worked out for 11 days in a row. Today, may be my rest day. Then we have had some sad news during this time, my sister-in-law has been very ill for awhile now. She was readmitted into the hospital and has been sedated. Yesterday, they removed the breathing tube and she become responsive. I am very concerned and pray for her as to how much more her physical body can withstand. It is a very trying situation. So this was the first year, we did not have any Christmas gathering with the extended Johnson family. So on Christmas Eve, it was just Brian and I and we had a very nice lobster dinner. Then afterwards I walked over to Christmas Eve mass. It was a very low key and relaxing evening. Then Christmas Day, we went to Elyse and Karl's. It was so much fun and the new kitchen is the most amazing remodel I have ever seen. They worked SO SO VERY HARD!!!! In 2012 I ran -- 1,103 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!I have set my goals for 2013.... They include two big running goals: run 100% the Syttendi Mai 10-mile in May; run a half marathon in the fall; complete another 1000 mile in 2013 challenge; run local races 5K's and 10k's. I am not so concerned about speed. For me, speed is very difficult. If I get going to fast, I am not always in full control of my leg movements. If my nerves/muscles decide not to do something (which they do especially when stressed) then I fall and injure myself. So I want to concentrate more on distance this year. I really do enjoy that. Plus, I can just go at MY PACE. As always, I try to push myself to another level. The half marathon is a HUGE step for me. I just want to say that I have done one at least once in my life... that would be pretty cool!!!! The whole holiday vacation time went MUCH TOO FAST!!!! I never get all the items done that I would like - oh, well... But I did get many things done and yes - even a new quilt started. I REALLY enjoyed a new activity this year - making fused/stained glass. I made a total of 4 fused glass stars and then got creative and made 2 sets of earrings and matching barretts. The best part of the Christmas was spending time with my family!!!!! Having both of my children their with their partners - it was GREAT!!! Seeing them interact with each other and having a wonderful time. Plus it was so good to see Jeremy with his girlfriend. They work very well together. I am SO SO THRILLED to see Jeremy happy again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He went through his dark time but, he is back into the light!!!!! All and all - a very nice Christmas season... rememberable with our squirrel adventures.... Now a new year - new challenges and ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!