June 19, 2013

I embarrassed to admit that I have only gotten in ONE LONG RUN... It is SO VERY DIFFICULT for me in the summer. The "heat/humidity switch" has been turned on. So with that - it is close to impossible for me to do any distance. I have been pushing on doing the shorter distances (4-6 miles) almost daily. I have also been working feverishly on my deck. I have scrubbed it (by hand) down to the natural wood then stained every inch (also by hand). It was horribly hard work - but I did it! It actually really looks awesome - better than I expected. Now, working on getting the pool up and running. This is the latest I have EVER opened the pool but, the weather has been so miserable. Oh, well.... Now, it is finally getting into pool weather. I am ready - freshly renovated deck and "new" stairs (thanks to my friend). I also have to try to get in a longer run. I REALLY REALLY want that 1/2 marathon. The only way I am going to be able to accomplish it is to do some long runs. This morning was actually very conducive to doing a long run - the humidity was non-existent and there was a slight breeze. But I had a time limit and had to get to work. I am really hoping that I can get one in tomorrow. I feel I am going to lose my "long distance muscles-endurance". So I am hoping for taking off early (I mean EARLY like 4 to 5am). That way I can hopefully get away from the heat/humidity. Otherwise, I have been doing well with my shorter runs even in the heat/humidity. I have noticed that from last year, my endurance has really increased even more!!! That is SO VERY AWESOME!!!! I still attribute it to my nutrition and exercise. It is AMAZING how I have progressed. I have gone from someone who was using a walker and could barely walk down one house and back. It would pretty much kill me. The neuropathy pains in my legs/feet were SO INTENSE that it was not even funny. Plus, all the aspects of being grossly over-weight. So I am working hard not only to overcome my MS (as much as possible) but also my overall health!!! Remember, I am going to be a Nana soon - and want to be a viable and active Nana!!!! Plus here is a picture of our cross-fit EXTREME exercise group!!!! I am talking TRULY VERY DIFFICULT exercises. But I stick in there. Yes, there is some exercises that I have to modify but that is OK... I keep going... So as ALWAYS FORWARD and to NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER STOP!!!!

June 11, 2013

My 1/2 marathon training OFFICIALLY began last week!!!! I was able to extend my country route a bit to 13.11 miles. I didn't run it 100%. I stopped for one bathroom break. Then towards the end the heat was getting to me and I did have to walk a bit. But I did make it!!! At this point, I am going to have to stick to that route for awhile. I really don't think I can go any further. But the point is I MADE IT!!! I have time to keep working on my mileage the 1/2 marathon is not till September so I am in good shape. Right now, the weather is starting to FINALLY turn to summer. That means - heat and humidity. So in order for me to survive ANY LONG RUNS I am going to have to get going extremely early - like around 4:30a... NOT KIDDING!!! It took me 3hr10mins to do that run... So with leaving the house at 4:30 will get me home around 7:30a. I just have to try to beat the heat. I will schedule the rest of the day to float in my pool.... I know what a hard life.... Also, I have ANOTHER incentive to do the 1/2 marathon. I won a BEAUTIFUL bracelet and necklace that commemorates a half marathon. They asked me to write a short paragraph and submit. I couldn't believe it!!!! SO NOW I HAVE TO DO IT... I REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO WEAR THE JEWELRY PROUDLY!!! So I see this as signs all leading me to do the 1/2. Plus, I want to be a Nana that my grandson can be proud of!!! So, yes --- ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!!

May 31, 2013

Well, made it through the first 5K race of the season last Saturday - Pecatonica Library 5K. They had changed the route a bit so we were "off road" during some of the transitions between road and the Pec Praire Path. This for me is EXTREMELY hard!!! I am good at "locking into gear" but changes of pavement or conditions are really tough. But I was able to not only maintain upright but also to improve my time from last year a bit. Last year, I was 33.23 mins. This year ---- 33 mins EVEN... I know not that whopping improvement that you thought it would be. But considering all the breaks in surface and being off road - this to me was VERY GOOD!!! I did not place in my age group but that is OK... I know I did my best and actually improved not only with my time but having the balance to keep running despite the rough surface area!!!! I was actually very pleased!!!!!!! So now what is next.... I am not sure... I have not signed up for any new races. I really do want to get back to working on increasing my distance. It has been tough this week due to the fact that it has been rainy and EXTREMELY humid. The humidity just kills me. I cannot do any distance in that at all. I run about 2-3 miles and I am ready to bag it in... So I am praying for a cooler days this summer so I can work on my distance. I am really hoping that if not this weekend - next I can get in a nice LONG run... I really want to increase to over that 12.25/12.5 mile mark.... All I can do is keep trying.... As always --- FORWARD... ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!!

May 20, 2013

Yes, here I am with the coveted 10 mile Syttende Mai 2013 race shirt!!!! Saturday was GREAT weather... not too cold or hot. It did start heating up for me toward the end. But this year, NO TREMORS AND RAN IT 100%!!!! My time was 2:06; last year 2:14. So I improved but, last year I did walk some. But I was pleased with the overall. I was running at a nice even/steady pace. That is what I intended so that I could just keep everything on a nice even keel. When I got into town I passed the intersection with the police officer where my arm started tremoring last year but this year... I no tremors just kept going... Then I continued through downtown and turned the corner to head toward the park. At this point, it is downhill. I kept saying, outloud and pretty loud.... "keep it together"... I was working on my stepping. I was getting pretty fatigued and it was getting warmer. I was reminding myself to keep watching my footing so I did not tumble down the hill. That would have been a bitch - here you are just a few yards from the finish line after 10 miles and you roll down the hill. I was passing people walking on the sidewalk - I know they heard me continuing to say this mantra and probably thought I was a loon... but too bad. With MS, at anytime, but especially when your body is stressed the mis-stepping can be more frequent. So at this point, (probably only to me) I feel like I am really taking very deliberate and higher stepping so I don't have the damn foot dragging. That would have sent me tumbling right down that hill. So saying the little mantra - kept me focused on my stepping. When I went through the finish, I was telling them I cannot stop and will be back with their chip. They already knew that I had MS and had to wind myself down to stop. It was really nice that I saw my daughter was there at the finish line. I really appreciate the support of my family and friends - it really touches me very deeply!!!! After I was able to stop off for that WONDERFUL shower then (OH YEAH) -- off to the bakery. Yes, I sat there and TOTALLY enjoyed my lefse and coffee!!!! Then off to the all the various Syttende Mai activities. It was a good day! The next day, I was up early getting everything together so that we could drive back to Stoughton for more fun!!! Now, I have to start preparing for this Saturday's race -- Pecatonica's 5K. Then back to working on my distance. I have to starting working UP MORE MILEAGE -- getting ready for the 1/2 marathon in September. I will work on planning a new route that takes me about 15 miles. I will do this about once a week or so... just to be accustomed to the mileage. I will have to do this REALLY early in the morning to beat any heat. The heat just tears down something quick... That is going to be my biggest hurdle with the training aspect... But I WANT THAT 1/2 MARATHON!!! I WANT IT BAD!!!!! Look - I did the 10 mile -- 100%!!! That was my goal - time is not that important. I know that I will not and never will be good at speed. The MS does not allow that... It is too hard to keep everything moving properly... But keeping a steady pace - this I can handle... Plus, to have the 10 mile and the 1/2 marathon accomplished BEFORE I officially become a Nana.... At least my grandson can say, that his Nana did these things. Plus, hopefully, I can continue running and doing the distance races... Maybe even someday... my grandchildren and I will be in a distance race together... Now, wouldn't that be AWESOME!!!! You never know.... I might be 5 hours behind them but - at least running it... That is my dream --- NEVER NEVER LET GO OF YOUR DREAMS.... ARE THEY OUTRAGEOUS... MAYBE BUT WHO CARES.... Hey - only 8 years ago when I was walking with my cane and/or walker and BARELY able to make it to the end of my block and back (my block is 3 house - I am in the middle... Tell me about it... Dreams can come true... how... you have to REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY want it... I had to change my nutrition and exercise - DRASTICALLY... But look - I am in the best health of my life... I look at what I am accomplishing.... Yes - with Secondary Progressive MS.... It is possible!!!!!! So NEVER NEVER give up... DON'T LET MS WIN... MS is a monster - never let it win!!!! So ALWAYS AND FOREVER; MOVE FORWARD AND NEVER STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 16, 2013

It is count down time for the Syttendi Mai 10 mile run! It will be this Saturday - so ONLY 2 days to go!!!! I am INCREDIBLY excited!!! The weather is not going to be so HORRIBLY hot this year. Last year, it was well in the 90's when I finished. This year, they are even talking some rain. The rain would be OK - it helps to cool you down. I have NO PROBLEMS with that at all!!!! My main nemasis is the HEAT!!!! That really works on my MS symptoms and they just go nuts. But this is going to be MY YEAR!!!! I have made that determination. I have ran the course once and did great. Took it at a nice pace and had no problems. In fact, I was quite a bit faster than what I ran it last year. But speed is not my thing -- just to go nice and steady and run 100% - that is ALL I ask!!! I was disappointed that I did not run last weekend. I did not run AT ALL!!!! I know very strange. But the weather was crappy and I had a really busy week at work that just drained my energy down to the sub-basement. That is how it goes... Maybe by taking it easy this week and no big strainous runs - that will help me. Last night, I did get out and run a very short one. It felt good! I am just really being very protective of my energy level. I can not have it go down that low - I will never make it through the run. Then the rest of the summer I will start training for my 1/2 marathon in September. Yes, right now I am running 12 1/4 miles --- but I need to bring it up to over 13. So I will make a new route to up the mileage. I have my PRIZE all set for after the run. After my shower - directly to Fosdahl's Bakery for lefse and coffee.... YUMMMMMMMMY!!!~! Then the various Norwegian activities --- then lunch - hummus wrap and corn on the cob, more Norwegian activities then dinner veggie bratwaurst, corn on the cob, and some tofuti ice cream for dessert.... I know what I want... YUMMMMMMMY!!!!! What really does you in is about 1/4 mile before the finish line you pass the bakery.... The smells - OH MY -- it is a KILLER.... I think they should have the race END at the bakery. Just think of the money they would make!!!! Today I will not be able to get outside and run due to work committments. Tomorrow I will probably do a SHORT run and bodypump... but nothing to terribly hard... Then... it will be time to go!!! As ALWAYS AND FOREVER -- ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!

April 26, 2013

Only 3 (THREE) till Syttende Mai!!!! Yes, as you see I have my BEAUTIFUL new "MS Orange" running shoes. So I am ready to go!!!!! I have only taken my new shoes at twice for some shorter runs. My training schedule is the 12.25 route in Pecatonica this weekend, next weekend I will run the 10 mile race route into Stoughton, and the final run before the race weekend will be the 12.25 route in Pec. I have already printed out the 10 mile race route. Brian, my husband, will drive to each turn and guide me through the route. Then after maybe if I run well (or even if I don't) - some lefse and coffee at Fosdahl's Bakery.... (Yes, my life is pretty rough!!!) So that is the training schedule. So far, I have run EVERY WEEKEND leading up to the race. I have been able (by the Grace of God) to dodge the rain. I have run through snow and ice. I feel more comfortable and confident with doing the distance race. I truly do not care about the time.... I just want to maintain my nice steady pace and run 100%. If that happens - I am a 100000000% a WINNER!!!!!! Last night we received our Pecatonica running club shirts and had our picture taken by the local newspaper. It is always exciting to get our shirts. They look GREAT!!!! Black and sleeveless (my favorite) with neon yellow lettering and logo. They really look sharp!!!! Not sure if I will wear it to Syttende Mai or not... Wait and see or just wait till our 5K run in Pecatonica for the library. I personally prefer the sleeveless shirts for running. I tend to get overheated very quickly. This is probably due to the MS and being post-menopausal. Otherwise, everything else is going along. Jeremy seems happy with his life and anticipated new life with Anna. Elyse and Karl - OH MY!!!!! Besides expecting their first baby, they have gutted (and I MEAN GUTTED) the ENTIRE second floor of their house!!!!!!!! They are now making 3 bedrooms and a full bathroom in this space. Prior, it was 2 bedrooms and an attic closet, no bathroom. So are we talking a job --- OH MY!!!!! I did go over the other day and brought them some leftover food from one of our events and was able to see the progress. Right now they are living on the main floor. I did find out that I was going to be getting the tanning bed that was given to Elyse from one of our friends that passed away not to long ago. So I will enjoy that... As we know, people with MS need to have the light (Vitamen D). It does make a HUGE difference in my fatigue feeling. So that will be NICE!!! Besides my running and crosstraining exercise, I continue working on my quilting. Sewing is a great fine motor exercise. Not only do you exercise those fine finger muscles but you are doing something for someone else. That is the double BONUS. I continue with the lovely white on white quilt... White on white means -- ALL white fabric with ALL white thread sewn so that you see a scene or pattern. In this case, you see an elaborate snowman/snow-women scene... It will have beading also incorporated into it when finished. Yes, in some ways I think my daughter is trying to do me in... Or she thinks I am so busy with this quilt I cannot get all my run time in. She is so worried that I am going to really, really kill myself one of these days while running. I appreciate her concern but, I do have to keep running as long as I can. As we know, MS is very unpredictable. I am going with the RIGHT NOW - and I am running. How long, who know???? Maybe this is it or maybe I can go for YEARS.... I do not know... But I REJOICE and am VERY VERY VERY THANKFUL for EVERY SINGLE run that I accomplish!!! I am VERY VERY SERIOUS... For someone who has gone from walker to cane to running.... I know.... I am working my very damn-ness to continue running. But I have improved. The mis-stepping (MS symptom) has dramatically decreased also some of the other spastic issues. Not saying it is 100% gone... but more manageable and less frequent/intense. I still have to focus on my running and stepping ALL THE TIME. But I do notice that I am more able to look around and take in my surroundings more than just focusing so hard on my stepping. So each time, there is an improvement. You have to realize that this is ONLY MY THIRD SEASON of running.... Yes, for someone who NEVER NEVER NEVER ran before --- starting this sport at the age of 50 with Secondary Progressive MS. If you would have told me, four years ago that I would be doing this --- I would have told you straight forward that you WERE 10000000% NUTS!!!!!! THERE WAS NO WAY IN THIS WORLD!!!!!!! But - here I am and YES I am doing it.... As of today, I have logged 561 miles for this year.... and we are NOT even half through the year... I have taken on both the 1000 or the 1300 mile challenge -- I think I am in pretty good shape. As long, as I can continue throughout this year at the distances I am doing. So I will continue... as ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!!

April 19, 2013

It has been a VERY VERY DEPRESSING WEEK!!!! I think for all of that that are runners (to whatever degree) we share a sort of familia kindship that is very hard to explain. We understand tremendous sacrifice, physical work, pain, joy, and friendship that comes from running. We all become sisters and brothers with one common bond. This week was the Boston Marathon, I did not know any of the runners personally, but we did have some runners from our general area at the race. In case, you had not heard, there was a bombing at the race. People died and gravely injuried from the blast. I truefully cannot really comprehend how this type of thing can happen or what causes people to do such a horrific action. It is truely beyond my comprension. I know that many runners (all over the country) have been wearing their race shirts all week (some under their work clothes). On Friday, we generally can wear more causal clothing. I wore my VERY best running shirt (to date) - my 10 mile shirt from Stoughton. I also made blue/yellow ribbon pin and barrett to show my support. As of this writing, they have caught one of the people and he was killed. Now they are still looking for the second bomber. There has been SO MUCH violence these last few years, what has made people so angry at each other. This is another concept - that I just do not understand. I am really a very simple person at heart. I love my life - I am able to go run where I want; I work on my sewing; I have a GREAT family; I live in a community where people know one another and still say "Hi!". On the whole my life is very low key and simple. I do not believe in retaining anger - why??? The person you may be angry at - probably does not care. It is just SUCKING energy out of you - why give that person that satisfaction? I have really learned this with my MS. One of the symptoms that MANY MS people experience is chronic fatigue. Believe me, chronic fatigue is a BITCH... There is NO, NO other term for it!!! It makes you so tired that the SMALLEST AMOUNT OF ENERGY is a HUGE effort... Sometimes that is as simple as talking or reading... So WHY would I or anyone want to WASTE their energy on something where there is NO resolution??? What is the point??? Anger is that - a waste of energy... Yes, I feel HORRIBLE FOR ALL THE BOSTON RUNNNERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND PEOPLE THAT WERE AFFECTED by the bombing. I also feel VERY VERY sad for the bombers -- what makes someone become that mentally SICK???!!!! Now, don't think I am some bleeding heart that thinks everyone can be transformed.... NO - I do support capital punishiment in extreme murder cases. (Of course, this is one of those...) I have heard interviews from many runners saying that - this will NOT STOP THEM - THEY WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR. That is the attitude many runners get.... even if you fall, or hurt yourself - you get up and go again and again and again. They are not a weak or fickle group of people. Look at me.... I used to do the 17 mile run/walk in Stoughton --- yes I am back!!!! It took me time - not up to the 17 mile -- but getting ready for my SECOND 10 MILE RUN!!!! The last few weeks, it has been horrible with the weather. We have had - snow, rain, and some sun. It is really weird. I did somehow get out between rains last weekend and get in my 12+ mile run. This week, has not been good for being outside. Actually, I think it is worse than the week before. But I have gotten in my 12+ miles EVERY weekend so far. Hopefully, I can get another in this weekend. The clock is counting down... Only 4 more trainings to go before the race. As ALWAYS --- MOVE FORWARD!!!!!