September 13, 2013

TOMORROW is going to be a BIG, BIG DAY!!!!! WHY?????!!!! Tomorrow, I am going to practice running the 1/2 marathon route in Madison, WI. My friend, Laura, is going to bike the route ahead of me so that I do not get lost. She will be biking slow because, I am not the fastest runner but that is OK. I do not care about speed, I care about longevity!!! I do wish I would have gotten in more distance practices in - that part does bother me. But this last month, has not been good for that - hot weather, wedding, new grandson... But - oh, well.... I am getting in this practice run in. That will help me so very much! Like I say... I am not going for speed (I cannot do speed). I am just going for endurance - staying upright, run 100%, and finishing (hopefully not last). That is my WHOLE goal!!!!!! I have really worked for this moment.... WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT --- only three years ago I gave up my cane and started running... NOW to do a 1/2 marathon -- that is 13.1 miles -- WOW!!!!!! So definitely keep me in your thoughts tomorrow -- that I accomplish this and live afterwards!!!! I am dedicating this run to my WONDERFUL new additions to my family... #1 that beautiful grandson of mine... #2 my new daughter and son.... I cannot be more blessed!!!! My MS is in a state that is fairly manageable. Yes, I still have issues... lots of issues... I wish I could sleep an entire night through without the DAMN legs seizing and wanting to move all the time and feeling like there is hot ants running up and down them... That is a BITCH!!!! Or the fact that - of the numbness and spasticity in my legs and feet. Of course, this heightens when stressed (like running)... I WILL NOT ALLOW MS TO OVER TAKE ME!!!! DAMN THE SYMPTOMS --- DAMN THE MS RIGHT TO HELL WHERE IT CAME FROM!!!!! I am also very blessed that the EXTREME hot weather has broken... (MS and heat do NOT get along - understatement!!!) So this will be very beneficial to my run!!!!! I have run up to the 13 mile mark but never past it... so this will be a true test. Plus, I have not had that many long runs. I was able to get in quite a bit of long runs before the Syttende Mai race... But the weather was cooler and did not have that horrible humidity... So what I am going to do while I am running is ENJOY IT!!!! I am going to focus on the blessings in my life, enjoy the fact that I am doing this run in my hometown and just enjoy the run!!!!! AS ALWAYS AND FOREVER --- FORWARD!!!!!

September 5, 2013

WOW!!!! What a whirlwind of activity in our family!!!!! So much in such a short span of time!!!! Where do I begin.... Let's begin chronologically... Jeremy and Anna's wedding on 8/24/2013 was beautiful and wonderful!!!! It was a perfect day with perfect temperatures. We started the day by going to the park where the reception was going to be held. Jeremy had me, my husband and some friends worked on the set up of the room. It did not take any time at all. The only thing I knew from talking with Jeremy was it was at a building in a park. I did not know that the building was on the Chesapeake Bay... Talk about GORGEOUS!!!! We even did something unusual - we stayed at a Hostel in Baltimore, right across the street from the Basilica. It was really fun! We meet some VERY VERY interesting young people. One was riding his bike from NY to Florida. He was a professional dancer on Broadway and wanted to take some time to do some serious soul searching. Another young man, from India, was completely blind. He was doing some graduate work with John Hopkins dealing with the blind. So that just added to our trip, to meet these wonderful people! As you can imagine, I did not get much mileage in that week. Then the following weekend, (last weekend), Jeremy and Anna were here from Maryland. They are traveling to their new home in Denver, CO. It worked out PERFECT!!! Because one week from their wedding - Kollin, our new grandson was born (8/31/13)!!!!! I was happy that Kollin was born when everyone was home!!! That was really special, he was able to be greeted by his new grandparents, aunt, and uncle!!! Now, things are calming down. Jeremy and Anna have left to continue their travels to Colorado. Elyse is home with Kollin. So the new family is beginning their adjustment to having a new baby in the house. I am getting back to my training for the 1/2 marathon. I was trying to work on my distance last weekend but, I have been plagued by some stomach bug for a good week. But by Sunday, I was able to get my distance up. I did 8.16 on Sunday and 9.08 on Monday. This weekend, I only have time for one long run (if the weather is OK). So I am really hoping that I can get that in and go even longer... Then a week from this Saturday, I am going to practice running the route. My friend, Laura, is going to bike it so I do not get off course. This way I will be familiar with the route and it will help me psychologically just knowing that I can do it. Then I will have a week to do shorter runs to the actual event. I have so MANY GREAT and WONDERFUL things that I am celebrating during this run... The marriage of Jeremy and Anna, the birth of Kollin, and my own celebration of beating my MS and not allowing it to over take me. I find it very sad when I hear so many people with MS say, "I can't do anything like that." I have been at the bottom - using the walker/cane because I could barely walk, weighting more than 270 lbs, having HORRIBLE fatigue issues, and horrible balance issues.... I know what it is like -- I have been there done that. The amount of progress that I have made is amazing and I do not plan on stopping. You have to decide what you want out of this life. I choose to live to the fullest! I plan to be as active as possible! I plan to not allow MS to overtake my life! I want to be active, enjoy my life, enjoy my family, travel, and do everything and anything I want to do!!!! So remember -- ALWAYS AND FOREVER FORWARD!!!!!

August 14, 2013

Well, YES I AM ALREADY FINISHED withMY 1000 MILE IN 2013 CHALLENGE!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOO!!!! Now, let's see how many I can finish before the end of 2013? It will be interesting!!??? To date, I have ran 13 days in a row!!!! I know EXACTLY why I have been able to do this --- it is because I don't have that 2 days of "Avonex funk". That is what I called it... The Avonex is a MS drug that is an injectable that I took for years. For almost a year, it would take me at least 1 1/2 days to get over what I termed the "Avonex funk". You don't feel really bad - just very low energy and every muscle in your body weighted about a 1000 lbs... Now, with the new drug, Tecfidera, I don't have ANY of those issues. That is pretty evident with the number of days in a row that I have ran. So with that I could not be more THRILLED!!!!!! Today, I am going to take a rest day from running. Just because last night when I ran I could feel it in my knees and shins a little bit. Plus, tomorrow is still on the cooler side and I want to try to get some big miles in. This Saturday, I do have a little race, a 5K, in Stoughton, WI. It is a fun race with some steep hills. Afterwards, there is a nice little festival. Plus, you can get ALL the coffee you want... It is a coffee tasting festival. Stoughton, because of the Norwegian heritage, is known as the Coffee Drinking Capital... I did this race last year and I enjoyed it. So I decided this is one I wanted to do! I did get REALLY close to the 13.1 miles last weekend... Saturday I ran 12.08 miles. The weather for running has been in my favor. The weather for swimming as not been very good. We actually decided to close the pool for the season. We did this for a few reasons including; the cooler weather and so many family events going on. I ALWAYS HATE closing the pool. It means that nice warm days are numbered. But this year, with SO MANY WONDERFUL things going on --- it is hard not be happy and excited!! A week from this Saturday, we are in Maryland for Jeremy and Anna's wedding... HOW EXCITING!!!!! Then at any time from that point, Kollin will be born - our FIRST GRANDBABY!!!! Then September is the 1/2 marathon in Madison... So as you see - I definitely will not be bored!!!! http://beta.active.com/madison-wi/running/garden-half-marathon-4-mile-run-walk-2013 This is the website to sign up for the 1/2 marathon --- IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN ME!!!!! Afterwards, you get your picture taken with Big Bird and Cookie Monster... That is what sold me!!!!! So as ALWAYS AND FOREVER FORWARD!!!!!!

August 7, 2013

Last week I did get in some nice mileage... I was able to do some fairly longer miles due to the mild weather. Also this week I have STOPPED using my injectable medication and gone to the new oral. The first month you DOUBLE the dosage. My only issue has been some occasional nausea but, not really too terrible. I have found that when my tummy is REALLY empty is when the nausea seems to be more heightened. After I eat something, it seems to settle down. So on the whole -- so far so good!!!!!! Right now, it is still staying fairly mild with low humidity. Great for some long runs!!! Last Sunday, I did get 10.51 miles in one shot with 100% run. It actually was a nice paced run - I could have gone farther but I needed to get some chores done. So last week, I did get 41 miles in. That is the most in quite awhile. It is due to that cooler weather and low humidity. I noticed when we went shopping on Saturday that I had to get a size smaller in pants. So now I am down to a single digit size. I would LOVE to lose about 4 lbs before the wedding. I am REALLY REALLY close. If I can do more longer runs that REALLY HELPS with the weight lost!!!!! Sunday, I was out running and part of one street had just been graveled. I do NOT do well on non-pavement. It is difficult for me to control myself on gravel. I do not have the proper nerve-feelings in my feet nor the ability to change footing fast enough to accommodate the rough terrain. But I just took it nice and easy (still ran it 100%) and I stayed upright 100% of the time!!!!!! That I really liked!!!! Since, I seem to be having a pretty good experience with the Tecfidera so far - I should be able to get in some decent mileage over the next few days!!!! That would be AWESOME!!!! Now that we have officially entered August - we are in count down phase for two HUGE EVENTS in our family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #1 Jeremy and Anna's wedding and #2 the birth of Kollin (our 1st grandbaby). I am already known in our small town as that VERY VERY STRANGE OLD WOMEN that runs all over the place ... now I will have the ADDED TITLE of being that VERY VERY STRANGE OLD NANA THAT RUNS ALL OVER!!!!!! It really is a small community - I feel I am doing them a SERVICE by giving them SOMETHING to talk about. One of my running friends told me that whenever her and her daughter go somewhere - her daughter is always looking around to see if she sees me running somewhere in the area. I am the "Where's Pammy of Pecatonica!!!!" Hey - could be (and have been) called MUCH MUCH MUCH worse!!!!!!! Actually, Wednesday is usually my rest day but it looks so nice outside with mild temps that I may have to go for a run this evening... Remember --- ALWAYS FORWARD AND NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER STOP!!!!

July 30, 2013

Well, this past week was not a really good week for my distance running... I did get 3 days in of over 7 miles at a shot. I am still working on my distance. The temperature outside the past week has been very mild. But my body has not full cooperated to take advantage. I hope by Thursday I can get out there and grab some real distance. That 1/2 is coming up so, I have to prepare. I also have 2 other races that I am planning before the end of the year. One is a 5K in Stoughton WI - the Java Jog. Afterwards, you get to drink ALL the coffee you want... (Can we say a whole day of being HYPER!!!!) The other one is in Sycamore IL a 10K in October. So between those three races that will wind up the season. Then I will be back to training for the 10 mile race in Stoughton in May. With all the activities going on in my life, that is really all I can handle right now. I have two MAJOR events in August - the birth of my first grandchild and Jeremy and Anna's wedding. Both events are very exciting!!!! In the meantime, I will just keep running. I also have been doing quite a bit a teaching of Pilates for my buddy, Laura. Pilates has helped my TREMENDOUSLY with balance and overall strength. It has even been studied and proven that it is helpful for people with MS and other neuromuscular conditions. I can not stress the importance of this activity enough for people with balance issues. I also JUST received some GET NEWS!!!!! My new medication Tecfidera (an ORAL MS drug) is FINALLY going to be delivered by the end of the week!!!! I have been waiting for a month for this medication but there has been screw ups between the pharmacy and the drug company. Anyway.... I will have it!!!! NO MORE SHOTS!!!! That does not upset me at all!!!! No more site reactions from shots --- no more with the 2 day Avonex funk afterwards (you folks on Avonex - know exactly what I mean!!!) I am praying for CLEAR sailing!!!! This is REALLY my picture of what I am really praying was my LAST and FINAL shot!!! HEY!!!!!!!!!!! I have been giving myself shots for over 7 years... So I will be FREE of that!!! I will let everyone know how we (hopefully) progress with the Tecfidera. I am voting for POSITIVE!!!!! With such good news - and more races to look forward to - and cooler weather... I am planning on really hitting some distance this week. I am SO EXCITED!!! So many WONDERFUL things going on in my life!!! I want to run in celebration of all the excitement!!! As always and forever - FORWARD!!!!!!!

July 17, 2013

I was able to get in some fairly longer runs last weekend. I was able to do 3 days in a row of 7.5 miles. I would love to be able to do the same this weekend. The only factor that would prohibit me is the heat. I will try to get up as early as possible and go. That is all I can do. I have to be VERY CAREFUL about the heat... As I have discussed before, people with MS and heat are not a good mix. In fact, it is a dangerous combination. My body cannot regulate internal temperature like the normal person and if my core temp stays on the HOT SETTING - then various things basically melt. This means cells, organs, muscle tissue, on and on.... So I am careful, even when I run in the afternoon. It is for short distances and immediately in a cool environment. Also -- the 1/2 marathon train is VERY MUCH ON!!!!!! Yes, this week I officially signed up and PAID for the race. The race is in Madison, WI on Saturday, Sept. 28th. So I have time to keep building my endurance and distance. I also feel that running in some of the heat (carefully) I am building that endurance -- even through it may be only 3-4 miles... It also looks that by the time of the race - I will be an official NANA!!!!! My daughter said that, the baby will be born maybe as soon as the end of August. They are thinking of having her deliver a couple weeks early. I have already decided and dedicating this race to Kollin, his running Nana!!!!!!! As for my overall, miles this year... I am really doing well!!! I have 847 miles this year to date!!!! Not bad for an old woman with SPMS!!!!! Last week I had my bi-annual visit with my neurologist at UW Madison. He is still amazed and I am doing very well. The injectable Interferon that I have been on for years is really wearing on me. It takes me anymore a couple of days to regain my energy level and focus. He has decided to put me on the new ORAL MS drug... YES - I SAID ORAL!!!! NO MORE SHOTS!!! I am not talking little sub-Q shots --- no these are IM - with the 2" needle... Yes - that is what I do to myself EVERY EVERY WEEK!!!!! I am down to ONLY 2 more weeks of the injectable drug and then to the pill. I pray that it works with my body and there aren't any weird reactions!!!!!!! All I can do is try!!!!!!! Yes, I do believe that my progress has come from the change in my nutrition and exercise. But I also believe in maintain the drug therapies. I do not discount any of that. There are some people with MS that follow the path of nutrition and exercise and see they are improving. Then they discount the drug therapies. I am not so sure about that... So I have decided to keep with my drugs. Maybe it is the right thing or the wrong thing. I do not know, the Dr's don't really know... So I am just going with what my gut is telling me to do. That is all anyone can do, isn't it????? Right now, I just stay focused.... I am focusing on my running and all the WONDERFUL EVENTS HAPPENING WITH MY CHILDREN!!! To say my life isn't good -- is SO VERY WRONG!!! I am blessed in MANY, MANY, MANY WAYS..... When I was first diagnosed - like many of us-- I thought "Oh, my God... I am going to be in a wheelchair and in a nursing home being taken care of... #1 - to lose my independence would kill me - I am WAY to Irish for that!!!! A lot of that beginning encouragement came from my son (yes - the Marine). Who encouraged me to push the limit... I did it... I have lost OVER 130lbs - running - and my overall health is EXCELLENT!!! I have a WONDERFUL SUPPORT of my family and dear, dear friends... What more can anyone ask of this world???????? So get up and get out there... Does it hurt? -- Yes, but HELL with it... it HURTS EVERYDAY whether you move or not!!! But muscles are not forgiving... if you don't use them, they become mush.... Then it takes FOREVER to build back up... Don't get as bad as I did... Go, the more you do, change that nutrition to a whole foods approach, throw away the red meat, processed foods (McDonald's), cow's milk, and eat more fruit and veggies. Preferably raw - you get more minerals/nutrients from them... You will be AMAZED with the change... It does take time -- for me it took about 4 years --- BUT WOW!!!!! It is so worthwhile!!!!! So do not let MS take you down - tell it to go to HELL where it belongs!!!!! So as ALWAYS AND FOREVER --- NEVER STOP AND ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!

July 2, 2013

I have been doing all short runs lately, nothing over 5-6 miles. One problem was having the poison oak (that was miserable). I could hardly stand having my calf sleeves on - not fun. So I had to go for short runs. Then there is always the weather. It has not been too terribly hot but it has been rainy. On the whole, so far, it has been a very cool summer. So if it is not one thing it is the other... Oh, well. I know I really need to get myself out there and do some long runs. That half marathon will be here before I know it and I need time to prepare. This weekend is the July 4th holiday and I am NOT running the Stockton 5K. I have been doing that race even when I was still using my cane. I am really trying to economize as much as possible due to the trip to Jeremy and Anna's wedding. But I am going to spend on ONE RACE - the half in September!!! I just want to keep everything as tight as possible. I am really looking forward to going to Maryland in August for the wedding. It will be SO MUCH FUN! Plus, to have the opportunity to meet Anna's family. That will be really special!!! I know that my daughter REALLY, REALLY wants to be there but with being due with the baby only a few weeks from their marriage date - it is not possible. So I will just takes LOTS and LOTS of pictures for her. I am dedicating my 1/2 marathon to my soon-to-be grandson, Kollin. I was invited to Elyse's ultrasound the other day. It is 4-D - the clarity is AMAZING!!! I framed the one printout of the ultrasound and put it next to Elyse's baby picture. And DO YOU EVER SEE THE RESEMBLANCE!!!! I was SHOCKED till I put the pictures next to one another!!! So see - I have to work HARD!!! I also have to really get out there and get in some distance. The heat/humidity is still a HUGE factor for me! I plan this weekend to try to get in some distance. I might stay closer to town just due to any heat issues. Then if the sun and humidity are starting to work on me, I can get home rather quickly. That may be my best solution. Overall, I am doing very good with my mileage... I am currently at 802 miles for the year!!! So the 1000 miles - will not be a problem... Actually, I have been doing OVER 100 miles per month - so I should have this done in September... Then on to the next challenge... whatever that may be... First, I have to have the 1/2 completed. That is what my WHOLE focus... So right now... just working on keeping myself moving forward... ALWAYS FORWARD!!!