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!!!!!!

December 21, 2012

It has been WONDERFUL to have Jeremy home!!!! I did ask him to help me with a HUGE favor while he was home.... We have a squirrel that seems to think MY ATTIC is his vacation home... WRONG!!!! Poor Jeremy, he has tried everything.... There is a hole where this varmit is getting in. There is some inhibiting factors on getting this squirrel. #1 our roof-line has a wierd angle; #2 the side of the hole is on a very steep hill; #3 to go from the inside of the attic you cannot reach the hole due to the wierd angle of this part of the roof.... So Jeremy in PURE military style has taken on the mission of the squirrel... He has borrowed a high powered pellet gun from a friend and has been shooting at it. Now he has been mindful of the recent horrible tragedies where a person has gone nuts and shot people. Plus the other thing, we live very close to a grade school. So YES - he is been cautious of shooting at the squirrel. Now this is a U.S.A. Marine who has a sharp-shooter status... He says that he has hit the squirrel - he thinks in the rear quarters... I did not hear the squirrel yesterday but this morning - HE'S BACK!!!! I could hear him early in the morning, running in the attic and clawing away.... We just had our first blizzard yesterday... so this squirrel is thinking he has a pretty nice deal winter vacation home... No - this is not going to happen... So Jeremy is wrestling with the squirrel that is out-whitting a Sargent in the U.S. Marines.... hummmmmm.... Right now, the only thing is that the poor squirrel has a sore bottom.... I think it may be time for me to treat the squirrel to a nice cocktail... Or go the humane way and use the live trap. Either way - that squirrel is going DOWN!!!!! My running has not gone has well as I have hoped. These shin splints are a bitch! I have received the compression leggings. They really do help ALOT. When I first tried to run with them - I did not have any issues. It wasn't until I was a few miles in that it started acting up. I have really been taking it easy on them. The weather till yesterday has been fairly mild. I have been running outside as much as possible. I have just be running shorter distance and also taking rest days. (That is SO UNHEARD OF for me!!!!) I think I have gotten up to about 5 miles and then it really starts in. The leg wants to give out and it really starts to hurt... I tried to do the treadmill. I don't know what it is - but it JUST ABOUT KILLS me, no matter what the distance. So I have been running on the Cybex - that seems to be MUCH MUCH better. I cannot go as far as fast on those machines.. But it better than not doing anything. Plus they are so EXTREMELY boring --- I just keep thinking I want to go outside and play.... So with my 100K in December challenge... We just figured - I have completed 50 miles (or 80.4672 km). Leaving me 12.13 miles to go and I have 10 days. Now we have Christmas in there so I know that will knock off a day or two. So I have to concentrate on a minimum of 1.5 miles per day to finish. That would even put me over in the number of miles for the challenge. So I am still in the running (LOL) for this challenge... But as always --- I am moving forward. ALWAYS AND FOREVER FORWARD!!!!!

December 7, 2012

Well, we have started the 100K in December challenge. It is not going as well as I would like. I am still dealing with quite a bit of pain and swelling in my calves. I have been doing Epson Salt baths and Ibrophen to help calm things down. It has helped ALOT. I finally went to the Dr. about it... It was not my regular Dr... but he suggested to have compression sleeves on my calves.... So I have ordered some that are designed for runners they should be here today. I am hoping that they fit properly and that they help. Right now, I have been keeping my running distances short. The weather here has been so WONDERFUL this week that I have been running from Sunday through Wednesday in shorts!!!! Yesterday, I finally had to break out the underarmor pants again. I try to take advantage of the weather whenever possible. This time of year - you just don't know. So far it has been so incredibly mild. For me this is GREAT!!!! But my legs don't want to play... So now they are thinking that I have Shin Splints... YUCK!!!! So the only thing is to lower the mileage and have compression on the calves. Oh well.... we knew that sooner or later I would probably develop a runner's issue... I finally have... But I have been running quite a bit even with my issue --- I am up to 26 miles in this challenge of the 100K in December. Overall for the year, I have done 1,035 miles in 2012... So now to have shin splint issues - are we really surprized!!! No... But it does hurt... So today I have deemed as a run rest day... I have ran 6 days straight with no breaks... I will still get my exercise in... I will go to BodyPump tonight for an hour, that will be my exercise for the day. Tomorrow, morning I plan to get a run in before I leave for Madison, WI for the day... I don't know if it is because I am having these issues with the shin splints --- but I have noticed increased issues with my restless leg syndromes. Sometimes driving from work to home (about 1/2 hour) is absolutely horrible. My damn leg wants to jump all over the place... Not cool, especially when it is the leg that controls the pedals... I hate that... It doesn't happen all the time when I am sitting - just some times... The other really Hell is at night - it wakes me up and feels like there are hot ants crawling up and down them... This is why I do not sleep very long. You say, there are drugs to help you.... Yes, I have TWO different anti-spasm drugs that I take at night... This does help ALOT - this way I do get some hours of sleep... I do not take and do not want sleep drugs... I just need the nerves to calm down. But I do not want to take so many drugs that I am a zombie and cannot function. I have a very busy and productive life. I also thrive and LOVE being busy and productive... It would kill me if I was a slobbering veggie in a corner somewhere.... That is what I keep fighting and will continue to fight!!!!!! I will survive shin splints, cuts, bruises... but the MS will not have an open door to distroy my body... That I will fight anyway I can... The running has helped me progress SO VERY VERY much... It has been an amazing journey. I absolutely embrace it daily and am very thankful!!!! All I can do is continue my fight... every way I can... Plus, I have already made my committment to my running goals for 2013. #1 - 10 mile Syttendi Mai run in May... then #2 half marathon in the fall... Then of course, there is all the 5 and 10K's that I will do through the season... I need to get over the shin splint and hopefully start working on maybe doing some long runs now and then... I need to keep those up during the winter... It would be nice to do 12 to 14 miles like once a month.... just till spring... Then I can really start working towards the 10 mile race... I liked what I did this year of running my 12 mile route once a week... This is good to continue. I will probably go the same route it is a good route with lots of challenges... Right now, the goal is to take it easy on the mileage but still finish my 100k challenge by Dec 31st. The other is to finish all my Christmas projects. Plus, we are SO VERY EXCITED that my son will be home for Christmas with his new girlfriend. That will be so nice to have the whole family around the table!!!! That is what REALLY makes me HAPPY!!!!! Isn't that what the Christmas season is supposed to be about??? We rejoice in the birth of our Savior but also to celebrate and enjoy each other!!!!! I know that is what it means to me!!!!!

November 30, 2012

I have enjoyed and VERY MUCH needed my running vacation... This is not to say that I have not ran at all - because I have. The runs I have done have been few and short. I am still having issues with my legs/knees - so I have not wanted to push it to hard. Tomorrow I start a new challenge (I cannot stay away from a challenge!!!) - 100K in December. I don't think I will have too much problems with this challenge... It ends up equated to = 62 miles/4 weeks = 15.5 per week = 2.22 per day.... This is very doable - even if I have to come inside and do the dreaded treadmill. So my plan is to start tomorrow - but no long runs - I want to keep them shorter maybe if my legs heal more then some longer but carefully and then there is the weather factor. It has stayed fairly mild so far but, you never know when the extreme cold and snow could break loose. So this challenge I will play by hear... Some will probably be outside and some inside. But my real concern is the knees and muscles... I really want to be able to do my goals for 2013. These goals are - do the 2013 1000 mile challenge; run the 10 mile Syttendi Mai race 100%; and run a half marathon race. Those are my plans at the moment. Hopefully my body allows me to accomplish these goals. This December 100K challenge, I will take it easier. My times have been slower lately due to the knee aspects and also running in the darkness. Yes, I have a headlamp but still it is difficult to see every divet and bump in the roads. So I think it best till we get more daylight to take it slower. The biggest factor is continuing moving. Last week was Thanksgiving holiday. We did a very unusual thing by going out to dinner. Actually it worked out very well. It was alot less work and afterwards we could go home and relax. For me it was to relax a bit before going out and do my Christmas shopping. This is the first year, that I ever started on Thanksgiving night. But I did it... I was 3rd in line at Shopko. Then continued through all the rest of the stores that I had mapped out. I was done and home in the early afternoon. Then rested, had a nice turkey dinner, and went and saw a WONDERFUL movie at the theater with Brian, my husband. So it was a good day for me. I did not get all my treasures wrapped yet (usually I do that also) but I should have that done this weekend. Then see - I just don't have to deal with anything else. Right now, my concentrations are on my fitness and also working on finishing my quilting projects. Since I am slowing down on the amount of time on running - it gives me more time for my sewing. I really enjoy my sewing plus it is very helpful and theraputic for someone with MS. Another symptom with MS is a lot of muscle stiffness/tightness/cramping/spasms... This is all muscle even the hand muscles - so my sewing helps to keep my hand muscle limber. Plus, quilting you use quite a bit of math/geometry - so this is helpful with the cognitive aspects of MS. So as you see, as I am making a present for someone I am also helping myself and my well being... I am so very HAPPY that my son will be home for Christmas!!! He will also be bringing his new girlfriend with him. That will be so wonderful that we can all be together. I am so happy that Jeremy is moving forward with his life. He has gone through some very difficult situations personally, ect... but he is perservering... See where I get my determination from - or is it the other way around??? Or is it that Irish Catholic thing that is way to imbedded in me and my children??? So I am continuing to ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD!!!!