October 4, 2013

YES -- I DID IT!!!! I completed and ran the Garden Half Marathon in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 28, 2013 (that is 13.1 miles), 100% no walking, without falling, and I was not last!!!!! My time was a respectable 2hrs and 40mins. I took one bathroom break but that was it. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me. Not only am I 53 years old but I have Secondary Progressive MS. What does that mean? It means that I experience various neurological symptoms, pain, spasms -- ALL THE TIME -- 24/7. It never goes away. I have had to learn HOW to run with MS. Why do I say that... imagine trying to run with a swim flipper on one foot, AND a very tight spank around your midriff and left leg, the feeling that your shoes are two sizes to small, your vision will blur now and again, your feet and legs are totally numb, AND you are using every bit of energy and concentration just to keep sequence of picking up one foot, move it forward, and repeating. THIS IS MY REALITY!!!!! Not only in everyday life but, to run is even more challenging. That is why completing this half marathon was SUCH A HUGE TRIUMPH for me!!!! When I arrived at the park early Saturday morning, Big Bird and Cookie Monster were there to send me off on my journey. I was SO EXCITED!!! Who would EVER have imagined that I would be doing this? Believe me - not me nor my doctors! But I did it! Yes, it has taken me YEARS to get to the point of running this distance but, so worthwhile. I am the same person that ONLY 3 1/2 years ago became "cane-free". Yes, before that time I was using a cane and before that I was using a walker at times just to get around. Plus, the neuropathy (nerve pain) was SO intense in my feet that I could not wear regular shoes. Then there is the balance issue... let's just say not good. The ONLY shoes I could wear was Crocs. Plus the factor that I was grossly overweight topping the scales at over 270lbs. How did I get to this point? With ALOT of hard work and support from my wonderful family and friends. Without them - I don't know if I could have done it!!! I did it!!!! When I was first diagnosed in 2006 (but had been experiencing symptoms for about 10 years prior) I started with water aerobics. This did not cause the intense pain in my legs and feet since, I was not putting any weight on them. Plus, the water helped stabilize me. Swimming had ALWAYS been my sport. I was on various swim teams growing up and in college. Running -- NEVER!!! Hated it even when we did it in gym class, now I LOVE it!!! It goes to show you - how you change over the years. Distance running seems to be something that I have mastered. Not only have I learned to read my body but, also to concentrate on my footing and balance. This is not easy. When I am running I am generally looking down. This is because I literally cannot feel the pavement and its imperfections. This is also why I prefer not to run with other people. To have other people around me, takes my focus away on my footing and concentrating on my movement. I enjoy the solitude and I also know that I am NEVER alone. Right now, I am celebrating my VICTORY OVER MS. MS is an unpredictable disease at any point, I may not be able to run or do many of the daily activities. But, TODAY I CAN. I celebrate that fact. What is in my future? Right now, I am working on increasing my distance mileage. The goal is to be able to complete a FULL MARATHON (26.2 MILES) IN 2015. Why, why not!!! I don't believe in allowing MS to beat me. I am going to continue to battle that ugly monster! I will continue my vow -- "ALWAYS FORWARD"!

September 27, 2013

OK --- I'm here in Madison, WI countdown time before the half marathon race tomorrow morning starting at 7:00!!!!! The weather is a bit warmer than it was at our practice run. That may be an issue for me. But I am not going to worry about it. I am just going to enjoy the run!!! Afterwards, it sounds like there is going to be quite a party!!! I want that picture with Big Bird and Cookie Monster. What more could a girl want in this world!!! I am really excited!!! Who would ever EVER thought in a million years that I would be doing this. I am a person that NEVER ran when I was young. Here at 53 years old with SPMS going to run a half marathon --- 13.1 MILES!!!! Yes, the person only a 3 years ago was walking with a cane. The person about 5 years ago could NOT even wear shoes because the neuropathy pain was SO HORIBLE!!! In fact, I walked my first two 5k's in Crocs. The only shoes I could wear!!!! Very very true!!! Now look at me!!! Do I still have neuropathy issues? Yes!!! But they are not as intense as before. Plus, I have learned to blow them off. You just get used to them when you feel it EVERY day!!!! Tomorrow I am going to just enjoy myself!!! For me, the entire run will be a party!! I'm going to be celebrating with EVERY step!!! As I have already proven that I can do this. So now, it is just a matter of doing an 'encore' performance. So JUST enjoy the run and celebrate it!!! Now it is time to rest. The race begins at 7a and I want to be at the park by 6a. So eat and bedtime for this runner. So as ALWAYS and FOREVER FORWARD!!!!

September 19, 2013

http://www.thisisfitworkouts.com/pam-ran-13-miles-oh-and-pam-has-m-s Yes, I lived and COMPLETED the 13.1 miles practice 1/2 marathon run last Saturday!!!! My friend Laura (also trainer, exercise instructor, and my son's former 4th grade teacher) rode her bike as I followed. We did the whole route and I ran it 100%. I did stop for one bathroom break and one minor fall towards the end. But I kept going just nice and steady. I really think Laura was surprised. She asked me when we were about to start, if I plan to walk/run it. I said, NO -- run it 100% at my speed. And that was exactly what I did. It is a beautiful route around Lake Monona in Madison, WI. It was nice having change of scenery along the way. We past gorgeous lake front homes, over the bridge to downtown, saw the beauty of the capital building with the lake in the foreground, Monona Terrace, through parks, etc. I passed all kinds of people; some fishing, some walking dogs, some running, a group of military/veterans running in a group. I said, "Hi!" to all of them. I felt so empowered - that I was ACTUALLY DOING THIS!!!! It was amazing when we got to the bridge and I the GORGEOUS view of the Capitol building and downtown Madison. I was very happy!!! I was born in Madison and it seemed fitting for me to do this HUGE challange here. I was keeping in mind all the years and struggle it has taken me to get to this point. I was also keeping in mind ALL the people with MS that are currently struggling. MS is a struggle (understatement)--- 24/7 - no doubt. But not ALLOWING it to over take you is the key. Yes, I know right now I have accomplished this. Will I be able to do it again, don't know but I am going to give it my damn-ness! I am so blessed to have a great support system of family and friends. It really encourages me and motivates me!!!! The whole run I just locked into my pace and followed Laura as she rode her bike. Just nice and easy! I was getting tired about the 12th mile and did take a very minor tumble. Laura checked me for any big cuts and/or bleeding (since I really very rarely feel sensory pain) and I was OK so off I went. This took all of maybe a minute or two. Afterwards, I walked/paced awhile in the parking lot to get the nerves and muscles calm down. Then I drove to Stoughton for my lefse and coffee breakfast. I was able to sit and enjoy my breakfast/lunch and just relax. Afterwards, believe it or not, I spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and visiting with friends in Stoughton. I felt fine. I just needed my "down time". Now the race is a week away. I am doing shorter runs this week. I don't want to get to over trained and not accomplish the actual race. But I think I am feeling good about everything and being able to handle the distance. Who would have EVER in a million years fathom that I could do this. I know that I did not. Even if you would have said anything about running a 1/2 marathon two years ago - I would have fallen over laughing. ME - 50+ year old, who NEVER ran before, with Secondary Progressive MS... It just goes to show you - that if you dream it and really want it - you can obtain it. What is my secret? It has been YEARS of HARD, HARD WORK; lots and lots of exercise; DRASTIC change of in my nutrition lifestyle to whole foods; drastic weight loss (over 120lbs); and overall improvement of general health. This is not something you do for a few months -- this is a TOTAL LIFESTYLE CHANGE... I am not only one that has experienced drastically improved via this journey - there are others of us out there. But it takes work! I believe in continue to fight the MONSTER OF MS and I will not stop. Now I am focusing on completing this race then,???? The sky is the limit!!!!! REMEMBER, ALWAYS FORWARD~!!!!!!!

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!!!!