tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44263751634889560222024-02-07T15:11:30.236-08:00My Journey to a Fit MommyMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-68898721174546320872016-11-16T07:40:00.000-08:002016-11-16T07:40:30.935-08:00Another post where I talk about being frustratedMy training plan has slipped again. I'm gonna blame the election for this one. Not only because of the stress (flair trigger,) but also because the day of, I walked all over the place with my daughter and my parents to get this picture:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBsJuKhyphenhyphenCtmkveqH_OSaqNEB36p8NHgBU0ku3kwlU0NbpYdjSaIAPt_fmumEfRVpzxPtuIi5EIkCM5m3QUJ8LxbILzG01mOK4KiHHZ2eb-H47tkPWVwgxAKbpsUc8oDa3735Tk7atAC3M/s1600/20161108_125522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBsJuKhyphenhyphenCtmkveqH_OSaqNEB36p8NHgBU0ku3kwlU0NbpYdjSaIAPt_fmumEfRVpzxPtuIi5EIkCM5m3QUJ8LxbILzG01mOK4KiHHZ2eb-H47tkPWVwgxAKbpsUc8oDa3735Tk7atAC3M/s320/20161108_125522.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Generations who can vote because of her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Needless to say, I was unable to run for two days after wrangling a hyperactive four year old through a park, a beautiful (if huge) cemetery, and a half hour line. We were lucky, because of my mom's wheelchair we were able to skip the <b>2 hour</b> line. We only had to wait half an hour to get our photo op. From what I hear that two hour line stayed at around two hours until they shut the gate at 9 pm, well after dark. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Enough about the election. I promise no more politics!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I finally got back on the treadmill yesterday, and was able to squeeze in a 2 mile run. I was only able to do 2 miles because I ran out of time, but 2 miles is 2 miles. I'll take it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm just tired of not progressing in my training. It feels like I'm stuck right at the beginning. I know it's because I'm not prioritizing my training, but that's hard to do when I have to cram a run into an already packed day. The fibro works against me at every turn. No matter when I go to bed, I can barely drag myself out of bed in the morning in time to get the Hubs to work and the Munchkin to school. My muscles are <b>always</b> sore now, no mater how long I've rested them. On top of all of that, every work out wipes me out, not right away, but by dinner time I'm out of energy. Just totally falling asleep at the table, unable to focus, done. I feel guilty devoting my energy to training, and leaving none for my family. Typical Mom-guilt (although to be fair these days I guess I should just call it Parent-guilt.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm trying to get over it. This week I'm determined to make the runs happen, even with a "work" commitment looming this weekend. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I say "work" because it's for a group I'm a founder of, but I don't get paid for it. Although if I tapped out I know from a lengthy conversation with the other founder that she'd just call it and shutter the group. No pressure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tonight I'm planning on a family workout trip to the Y, which we skipped last week due to extreme exhaustion on my part. I've got a crock pot dinner planned and ready so there will be no excuses. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've also decided to back off on the speed work drills built into the plan. They have speed work built into two runs a week. I'm going to back that off to just once a week for a few weeks, and see how I feel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lets get back to it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-26279101152366403092016-11-07T08:22:00.000-08:002016-11-07T08:22:10.636-08:00Never give up, never surrender.I gave myself a week off last week. Between pushing through Halloween, and a bunch of really bad Fibro days, the week was just a wash.<br />
<br />
But I'm back at it this week. I've revamped my training schedule (again) and switched which days are my swim days (again) but I think I've got something that will work.<br />
<br />
Now to just make sure I take it easy on my body as I ramp back up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3dekrsGL0UbE1PhcXcJo83IK9ohJjvCuOEz5_u7R7E9uPr4eXfFwodnLRwIYajNuVUAnl_Rk474zqgzxyUzQUPv7kib7yWBshLobVYSBKTbqKNbp9MXSE4jJGjKyRoTdt-8_0bpO3MZF/s1600/14908401_10101947127857205_1580256419641536466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3dekrsGL0UbE1PhcXcJo83IK9ohJjvCuOEz5_u7R7E9uPr4eXfFwodnLRwIYajNuVUAnl_Rk474zqgzxyUzQUPv7kib7yWBshLobVYSBKTbqKNbp9MXSE4jJGjKyRoTdt-8_0bpO3MZF/s320/14908401_10101947127857205_1580256419641536466_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-61228749665981625922016-10-25T12:09:00.003-07:002016-10-25T12:09:38.765-07:00I can feel it in the air tonight....Winter is coming.My first week of training was going great, until I ran head long into a flare. I kept trying to push through the flare to get shit done, which I think only made things worse. So bad in fact that by Monday I was bed bound for most of the day.<br />
<br />
Suck.<br />
<br />
I'm moving forward to week two of the training plan anyways, although I did leave off the "strides" at the end of my run today. I wasn't just being lazy either, it was a rough run.<br />
<br />
It was cold outside, not as cold as it's going to be, but cold enough that I layered up; tank, t-shirt and long sleeves on top, long running pants, and a buff to pull up over my mouth to keep from ending up with what I'm calling "runner's cough." It was not enough. Fer serious, I was wishing for another layer, like a windbreaker, and some ear warmers.<br />
<br />
It was visually beautiful out, which helped ease some of the discomfort, until right around my turn around point (at about 1.5 miles, give or take...I like to leave some room to walk to cool down at the end,) when the wind picked up. I swear it was in my face both directions.<br />
<br />
At one point the wind was blowing hard enough to slow me down to what most likely looked like someone attempting to recreate the 80's dance "The Running Man." I swear I was practically standing still, no matter how hard I pushed.<br />
<br />
The wind did let up again after a half mile that felt like ten, and I was able to slug out the rest of my 3 miles. Barely. I really did not have anything left in the tank to put into those "strides" (which are really just 30 second sprints with rests in between.)<br />
<br />
I'll add them onto a different run later in the week.<br />
<br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-15228467181440484502016-10-19T07:27:00.001-07:002016-10-19T07:27:34.516-07:00I didn't know I was broken till I wanted to change.Apparently I'm no good at recognizing limitations. Or at least, it seems that being smacked down by this thing has made me do something crazy.<br />
<br />
I signed up to run the <a href="http://flyingpigmarathon.com/">Flying Pig Half Marathon</a> in Cincinnati, OH.<br />
<br />
Now, it's not until May next year, so I have plenty of time to get myself trained up to the distance. Also I'll have people to run with, as a few of the Ladies from a Facebook group I'm kind of a lurker on are going to be getting together for this (talk of this is kind of what lead to the crazy decision to sign myself up.)<br />
<br />
I've finally got myself started on the training plan I'd mentioned before, although I decided to step back and start with the 10k training plan, then feed myself into the Half Marathon training plan, since I have the time, and I don't want to burn myself out by starting out with too high a milage.<br />
<br />
I'm a whole two days in to the plan, and the first day (of the modified schedule I created) was the swim day, So I can't really tell how I'm handling the training yet. I'm still toying with the idea of what I'm going to do for my cross training day, it falls on a Thursday so I could theoretically use that day to go to Karate, but I'm worried about that being too much for my legs. I was thinking maybe biking would work, or another swim day. I don't know, I'll figure it out.<br />
<br />
It's time to start.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-90296564165273577492016-10-17T10:22:00.002-07:002016-10-17T10:22:29.361-07:00Weekend Derailment, Monday back on trackIsn't that how it always goes? I was doing so well last week, and then *bam* Friday night I go out and derail myself.<br />
<br />
We went out friday night to a work function for the Hubs, a work function at a bar (drink one - a can of beer), then headed over to this really cool Halloween themed fundraiser for a local art gallery (drink two - spiked mulled cider), then since we hadn't eaten yet we headed over to a cool resturaunt/bar nearby for food and a drink (drink three - strawberry spritzer, and food - crabcake and fried calamari). We rounded out the night at a friends place hanging out till two am watching bad cartoons (drink three and a half - about a half glass of bad desert wine.)<br />
<br />
It didn't seem like a wild night until the next morning...or rather, two o'clock the next afternoon, which was when I managed to drag my butt out of bed. I was completely non-functional until then, and it didn't feel like your run of the mill hangover. I had a headache, yes, but mostly I was extremely fatigued and my muscles were totally locked up. I'm guessing the combination of drinking, too little/not so healthy food, and upending my sleeping schedule triggered a flare. Luckily I was able to walk the Munchkin down to the diner near us for milkshakes (a pre-promised Saturday outing) and afterwards I was, for the most part, ready to go.<br />
<br />
Sunday we had a cool day at the Zoo for "Zoo Boo" planned, the kids get to go "trick or treating" in costume at the zoo. We were having a good time, and even though I could still feel a bit of fatuigue, my body was holding up. Then while we were sitting eating lunch at the "cafe" by the lions, disaster struck. The Hubs, who is non-life threateningly allergic to bees, got stung. In the Neck.<br />
<br />
A few panicked minutes later (got ice, applied ice, searched the zoo futilely for Benadryl, left the Munchkin with my parents and drove to Rite Aid to purchase Benadryl) we were relatively sure we wern't going to have to head to the hospital. The Hubs and I hung out in the car while my parents finished doing the "Zoo Boo" route with the Munchkin, then it was back to my Parents so we could relax and have a backup caretaker in case things took a turn for the worse.<br />
<br />
Luckily, it seems as long as he keeps taking Benadryl, the swelling is staying down, although that's leaving the poor guy sleepy and groggy most of the time.<br />
<br />
Today however I got myself back on track, exercise wise (and hopefully eating wise - that kinda tanked over the weekend too.) I got the dog out for his morning walk again and hit the pool.<br />
<br />
I managed to do 11 laps this time, and it felt less sucky. My plan is to add a lap each week. Hopefully that's not too much, but is enough to help me start to loose weight again.<br />
<br />
The other component is the eating. I keep falling down on tracking what I'm eating. I'll to great for two or three days and then I'll run into something like Family Dinner (which we have Tuesdays with the in-laws and Fridays with my parents.) I'm awful at tracking then, or when I go out. I suck at that. Especially if I'm drinking.<br />
<br />
It's going to be rough adapting to my "new normal" where a couple of drinks is too many (Honestly! I had three and a half over a six hour period. Sheesh.) And I have to watch not only how many calories I eat, but what kind of foods I eat (Anti-Inflammatories are my friend.)<br />
<br />
But I am once again determined. Enough of this wallowing BS.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-88387668329404769202016-10-13T08:02:00.001-07:002016-10-13T08:02:43.974-07:00Thank goodness for the YYesterday was a win. I took the dog for a walk in the morning and then orchestrated time at the gym for both me and the Hubs.<br />
<br />
Now that we're Y members, we get to take advantage of the drop of childcare room. We get two hours a week. That's just about two gym sessions for my slow a$$. Since I swim during the day, while my daughter is at pre-school, that might just be enough.<br />
<br />
The run was awful though. First I felt like I was running at a good clip, before I glanced at my speed: 15 min/miles. Yeah, not sure when I got so slow, but there it was. Around mile 2 my hip started cramping up, but I toughed it out to finish up three miles. Which took me around 45 min, plus warm up and cool down, I was coming up on an hour. I'm just happy there wasn't anyone waiting which would have activated the 30 minute max rule for the cardio equipment.<br />
<br />
But a sloggy run is still a run. I'm hoping this is the start of an uptick in my physical ability. So far, other than being unreasonably achey and sore, I'm doing ok.<br />
<br />
Fingers crossed!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-30684569077318662052016-10-10T13:28:00.001-07:002016-10-10T13:28:18.628-07:00Harder than I rememberI took the plunge (ha ha ha) and showed up for lap swim at the Y today. I had a fancy new suit and anti-fog treated goggles. I figured I'd do slow laps for about half an hour or so.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrA1hPcmBhrFf7L7Qn2mlrDpOmd30IE4TD6Mx-6peb2oQkwQboCEKWUaTzmzgYEN342DCjAbBMIqJJ8gFJXq9OWluEVokypsZPF0M_o4kFbY8CRmhaoZHgEpBHSqb631iRIwArK7b_t32/s1600/14642173_10101902262527685_8259244975095546581_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrA1hPcmBhrFf7L7Qn2mlrDpOmd30IE4TD6Mx-6peb2oQkwQboCEKWUaTzmzgYEN342DCjAbBMIqJJ8gFJXq9OWluEVokypsZPF0M_o4kFbY8CRmhaoZHgEpBHSqb631iRIwArK7b_t32/s320/14642173_10101902262527685_8259244975095546581_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you ever wanted to know what scares me, it's this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Yeeeah. I did 10 laps. Ten.<br />
<br />
Every couple of laps I had to rest for a second to catch my breath. My body just isn't used to not being able to breathe continuously. I had to drop from a breath every four strokes to every two just to finish out the ten laps.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to be proud of myself for doing it, and to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and this is where I'm starting.<br />
<br />
My plan is to add in a lap or two each time. Hopefully that will keep me from overdoing it.<br />
<br />
I'm also gearing up to start a stretched out version of the half marathon training plan in <a href="https://trainlikeamother.club/">Train Like Mother</a>. I'm targeting the same spring half marathon I've done twice already, but it's just a nebulous target. I'm not gonna sweat it if it's not in the cards.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-90885593133351470752016-10-09T08:26:00.003-07:002016-10-09T08:26:57.040-07:00Maybe swimming?I'm trying to dig myself out of this hole. I'm trying to find my hope again and get myself moving. I tried starting with walking the dog every day, but that left my legs cramped up by the end of the day and almost useless the next day.<br />
<br />
I'm going to try swimming next. I ordered a plus size swimsuit that's suitable for swimming laps, and I'm going to go to the Y tomorrow. I'm hoping that swimming will be less stressful on my muscles or at least result in less next day awfulness.<br />
<br />
I really want to get back to running. I hate that I'm missing the prime fall running time, with the awesome temperatures and gorgeous leaves. I'm going to try to go for a run at least once this week. Hopefully it doesn't side line me for the next few days like it did last time.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry for how awful I sound, I'm trying to keep the hope up, it's just been an incredibly frustrating few weeks.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-61912230254308456092016-10-06T07:23:00.000-07:002016-10-06T07:23:25.942-07:00The Fibro EffectI'm finally starting to come out of the crazy bad Fibro episode I've been having. I'm not calling it a "flare" because it really was a lot of small flares and badness caused by me stepping off my medication.<br />
<br />
During this "episode," I very nearly gave up. It was impossible to exercise, even getting through my bare minimum each day was sometimes more than I could do. I was requiring naps, two hours of each day lost to the fog.<br />
<br />
I was hungry, and forgetful. I'm not sure exactly <b>how</b> bad I was eating, but I know it wasn't good.<br />
<br />
Add in a family vacation, and boom. I've gained back the weight I managed to loose during the tons of fun challenge.<br />
<br />
It feels impossible. I can run two miles one day, but barely walk up and down my stairs the next (sore muscles aside.) I recover so excruciatingly slowly. I did a Ju-Jitsu class with my daughter, which didn't feel all that taxing, and was flattened with sore achey muscles for almost a week.<br />
<br />
I keep trying, and I keep failing. I do what I can when I can, and it's not enough.<br />
<br />
I'm so tired of being out of shape, of not being comfortable in my body or my clothes.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-74669493289208781572016-09-07T07:39:00.000-07:002016-09-07T07:39:44.520-07:00Adjusted ExpectationsI had another medication step down induced flair Monday into Tuesday. It was frustrating after having a good week where I got a decent amount of exercise.<br />
<br />
The reason for the mediation step down is a good one, The Hubs and I are planning on trying for a second kid. In order to do that, I have to be off my medication, since I cannot take any of the medications approved for Fibro while pregnant or nursing.<br />
<br />
I know that I'm doing this for a purpose, but spending days where the best I can do is the baseline to keep the family functioning....it's incredibly frustrating. I had big plans for a modified training plan, but I can't even start that until after I finish stepping off the medication. Hopefully the flairs will settle down once my body adjusts to not having the medication.<br />
<br />
I have an appointment for acupuncture today. I have high hopes for it helping to ease my symptoms. My doctor seemed to be really positive about it anyway.<br />
<br />
Last week was a great week. I got runs in Monday and Tuesday, then rested Wednesday, did a late run Thursday and got "sprints" in Friday with the Midget, and at least got a walk in on Saturday (took the dog for a quick mile walk.)<br />
<br />
The late run on Thursday was the first time I've run around my neighborhood in a while, and it happened around sunset, so it ended up being my first "night" run in a long time. I usually don't run at night, but I stuck to sidewalks and well lit areas, and wore my visibility gear, so I felt relatively safe. I did end up taking a "wrong" turn and adding about a half mile on to my run. I put wrong in quotes because I thought I knew where the road went, so I took a planned route, but the road dumped out in a different spot than I was expecting.<br />
<br />
I know this week will be less spectacular than last week, since I've already lost two days, but I'm hoping to get back on track starting today.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-76174946128615002942016-08-28T16:34:00.000-07:002016-08-28T16:34:00.114-07:00Learning to live with FibroSince my diagnosis, it's been rough. The new limitations are frustrating, depressing, and difficult to work around.<br />
<br />
I've found myself slowly loosing contact with friends, as my physical state causes missed plans, canceled events, and entire days spent either in bed or on the couch.<br />
<br />
For someone who has been as active as I have been, this has been a rough transition.<br />
<br />
I tried joining a running group, with a coached 10k plan. I bombed out about halfway through the plan, as missed runs piled up. I have been able to run once, <i>once,</i> in the last three weeks.<br />
<br />
It was a three mile run this past Monday. I had to fight my own body for every step.<br />
<br />
All of this has been so hard, I've barely been able to talk to my closest friends about it. It just seems so....unreal.<br />
<br />
The past few weeks have been particularly challenging, as I have been attempting stepping off my medication to see how well I can tolerate being off of it. The idea was for us to try for another kid this fall, however if I can't tolerate being off my medication (which I cannot take while pregnant,) we'll have to give up on that.<br />
<br />
I have managed to keep myself from gaining weight during my period of inactivity, although I'm not sure how. I'm worried that I've lost muscle weight and will start gaining once I start working out again.<br />
<br />
We've joined the local YMCA, and I'm planning on a lot of lap swimming in my future. There's also child care available so I'll be able to get treadmill runs in over the winter whenever, and hopefully also take advantage of some of the group classes (hello Yoga and Spinning!)<br />
<br />
I'm trying to stay positive, to see this as simply an obstacle to overcome, instead of the insurmountable road block it feels like.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-41125537830999690542016-06-13T11:24:00.000-07:002016-06-13T11:24:49.789-07:00Think you could slow me down?Even though I rolled my ankle a few weeks ago, I signed up for a training plan again through Fleet Feet. This one is training towards a 10K. I figured it would be less intense than the half marathon plan and would be a good way to ease back into running.<br />
<br />
The time trial was on Saturday, two miles, run as hard as you can. Of course it was super hot, and super humid, and since it had been <i>freezing</i> that morning, I was wearing long pants. So I trialed really slow. I'm ok with that. I'm in the 13 min. mile pace group going by my trial, and I figure, I'll start there and see if I can ease my way up to the 12 min/mile group as time goes on.<br />
<br />
Today was the first real run of the training plan. Three miles, nice and easy. The weather was perfect, cool, breezy, overcast. I spent the entire run doing constant checks on the state of my ankle. It started feeling a little stiff around halfway through the run, but other than that, it felt great.<br />
<br />
Now the key is to keep my ankle supported, and not overwork it as it recovers from the run.<br />
<br />
It felt great to be back at it.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-14229442233245801182016-06-07T11:25:00.002-07:002016-06-07T11:25:23.118-07:00A screeching haltOk, so, a week ago, I was at karate, doing normal karate stuff. I set my left foot down after a kick combination, and was off balance. Then BOOM, my left ankle just rolled. It made a snapping noise and there was a lot of pain. So much they had to help me off the floor.<br />
<br />
I iced it for about 15 minutes, but it seemed ok. I could put weight on it, it wasn't swelling up, minimal bruising. I figured I'd gotten lucky. I finished the rest of the class.<br />
<br />
By the next morning, the swelling was WAY bad, and the bruising ran the whole way around the ankle. Queue the panic.<br />
<br />
I called my doctor, got an x-ray. Nothing's broken, just a really bad sprain. Stay off my feet until it heals. I tried not to laugh at that. I have a pre-schooler!<br />
<br />
Anyways, It started to heal up quickly, by the weekend I was walking around relatively well with a brace on. Last night I must have over done it, because by this morning, my ankle is all achey again.<br />
<br />
I'm sitting tight as much as possible (my parents are watching the munchkin as I type.) I've got the whole RICE thing going on, and I've got my fingers crossed that I'll be able to do at least upper body work (with the brace on the ankle) by Thursday.<br />
<br />
Sitting still is driving me crazy.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-28642329380920468322016-05-18T06:47:00.000-07:002016-05-18T06:47:00.805-07:00Fighting FibroYesterday was a "Bad Fibro" day. I woke up achey and as I call it "locked up," where my muscles feel like they're clenched tight, even though they are not. It's an odd, uncomfortable feeling that makes movement difficult.<br />
<br />
I was tired, and felt defeated. Tuesday is one of my Karate days, and I've missed a lot of those lately. I spent most of the morning on the couch, letting my daughter watch way too much television. She had dance class at 1:00 though, so by noon we were up and out of the house. My parents were picking her up from dance class, so I made a decision.<br />
<br />
I went to Karate. I threw my Fibro a big middle finger and went.<br />
<br />
I refuse. I refuse to let this define me. I refuse to let this take away the things I love. It wasn't an amazing class, I could feel that I had less power in my techniques than normal, but it was a <i>good</i> class. Weirdly my symptoms seemed to ease up during class, and even though the tenseness and aches settled right back in after class, it was easier to deal with them, knowing I'd been to class.<br />
<br />
So there. Take that Fibro. I'm fighting back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNQhBlsD5V-OWlh2Eaf1bTty_j-1f4tS1znGOlPwWfUciFYFWHHlXJCYylVhYIfLPKVp6Rp-wDMEwszthvSNQ1mHOshkH11ajzjp2kM-zrm9TRqwbdxGIv5vpZTur32Xf4kDqXb7yddl9/s1600/13254580_10101714096673565_3596125011429849057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNQhBlsD5V-OWlh2Eaf1bTty_j-1f4tS1znGOlPwWfUciFYFWHHlXJCYylVhYIfLPKVp6Rp-wDMEwszthvSNQ1mHOshkH11ajzjp2kM-zrm9TRqwbdxGIv5vpZTur32Xf4kDqXb7yddl9/s320/13254580_10101714096673565_3596125011429849057_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-8102137934991522832016-05-14T10:49:00.001-07:002016-05-14T11:07:12.066-07:00A rocky startThis first week at home has been weird. I know it won't be in any way how a "normal" at home week will go, which is making it hard to settle in to my new life.<br />
<br />
First, I had a two and a half day long headache to start the week. It started sometime Sunday evening, intensified at around 4 am on Monday morning, and hung around, tapering off sometime late night Tuesday. It really put a damper on the start of my week.<br />
<br />
My parents invited me to come along to a Garden Store on Monday, Read as: They needed my help pushing the cart. (My mother has Multiple Sclerosis and is completely Wheel Chair bound.) What I assumed would be a quick hour trip turned into a three hour errand that stole much of my energy and time.<br />
<br />
My Brother and his wife showed up in town this week on short notice, which threw all of my plans for the week out the window. They live in Chicago, so we don't get to see them very often. They showed up Wednesday, so the second half of the week was spent mostly over at my parents, doing things with them.<br />
<br />
Fitness wise, I've been "easing" into my new routine by walking the dog instead of running. I ended up hitting 10,000 steps every day this week except friday (when I missed it by 500 steps.) This was helped in large part by the fact that this week was the Lilac Festival, a large outdoor festival in Highland Park. It's a decent walk from our house to the Festival grounds, and we ended up walking there and back Tuesday to go to a concert, and then I did the walk again on Thursday when we went with my Parents, and my Brother and his Wife.<br />
<br />
I had my "Week One" weigh in for the Ton of Fun challenge, and although I showed a loss, it was only a loss of about 0.8 lbs. which was disappointing. I know my eating hasn't been on point this week, but I have been tracking everything and have stuck to within a few hundred calories of my goal.<br />
<br />
I've got a run planned tomorrow with my (much faster than me) running buddy, and next week should be a more "typical" week, so I'm hoping to show more of a loss on the scale for week two.<br />
<br />
Moving Forward.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-64999378835660879622016-05-07T09:56:00.001-07:002016-05-07T09:56:20.043-07:00Tons of FunFirst, I'd like to thank everyone for the encouraging comments. I was shocked and humbled that there were people who even still would see my posts, and it meant a lot to me to hear from you guys. I'm sorry I've been awful about replying to comments, I've been just trying to get through my last week at work.<br />
<br />
I made another commitment this week, and signed myself up for the "Ton of Fun" program through my local Fleet Feet store. It will give me an additional level of accountability (weekly weigh ins), motivation (tons of goal based prizes), and another huge (and local) support system.<br />
<br />
I'm determined this time. My health is being directly impacted by my weight. With the Fibro, the more weight I'm carrying, the harder it is for my body to deal with the affects of the disease. Movement, diet, exercise, they're all recommended for dealing with the muscle aches and fatigue.<br />
<br />
I know that this time will be way harder than the last two times I lost weight. I have my own body working against me this time, not just my mind. I'm going to need all the support I can get.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-83631277581252265122016-05-02T09:40:00.004-07:002016-05-02T09:40:55.893-07:00Begin again.Not long after posting my last post, I had a serious discussion with the Hubs, and made a decision to put in my two weeks. With my new limitations, working outside the home while raising a child was just too taxing on my body.<br />
<br />
This means I will be able to focus on getting myself healthy. Not just by giving me more time to exercise, but also to prepare and cook healthier meals.<br />
<br />
This past weekend, I managed to get myself out for my run with my running buddy. She's doing the C25k program, since she just started running. She is way taller than me, with a stride almost double mine, so she runs much faster than me. This is making for a good fit, since it's basically like doing intervals for me.<br />
<br />
The run went well, we ran the running portions much faster than I'm used to, but I didn't feel like I was pushing myself too hard.<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to getting back into a regular fitness routine. My plan is to run in the mornings while my daughter is at pre-school, three days a week, and to do my karate class twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I may give up one of the runs during the week, moving it to Sunday to keep my run with my running buddy consistent.<br />
<br />
Hopefully this routine won't be too much on my body, and will help alleviate at least a few of the symptoms I've been having.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-55935387271065967792016-04-22T09:29:00.000-07:002016-04-22T09:29:08.359-07:00The lost yearThat's what I'm going to call it. "The Lost Year." This past year (and change) was more than a doozy, it was everything you don't want a year to be. There were some bright points, usually associated with my daughter, but there were so very many dark moments.<br />
<br />
Let's do a brief recap shall we?<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Shortly after the half marathon last year my running ground to a halt (or rather a slow trickle) as I battled weird fatigue and more random body issues.</li>
<li>I quit my job and got a new one, which was supposed to help me free up time and money since it was only three days a week (more about that later.)</li>
<li>Within a four week span the following happened:</li>
<ul>
<li>My uncle died.</li>
<li>My Husband's Grandmother (whom I was very close to) died.</li>
<li>My SIL was diagnosed with Cancer.</li>
</ul>
<li>One of my mentors, the Sensei at the first Dojo I attended, died unexpectedly in January.</li>
<li>About a month into my new job, my fatigue and muscle soreness intensified mysteriously, leading me on a many month journey through multiple doctors and tests that cost a great deal of money culminating in:</li>
<li>About a month ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. </li>
</ul>
<br />
So yeah. On top of all of that, the shiny new job that was supposed to allow me the freedom to not only be at home with my daughter more often, but also to actually find the time to exercise and eat out? Yeah, kinda sucks. So I'm on the job hunt again, and finally, it seems, finding my way out of "The Lost Year."<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm back at Karate, although at a new Dojo. I'm running again, and have even found a running buddy to keep me going. My daughter is now old enough to be taking random sports classes, and is keeping me busy between her dance class and her karate class. Nothing quite like having your almost-four-year old showing you how it's done on the Judo mat!<br />
<br />
Ok so I typed this up a week ago, and forgot to hit publish. So I'm going to hit that now, and see about getting back into this blog again. I miss having this outlet!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-9025453907687751782015-06-05T09:00:00.000-07:002015-06-05T09:00:25.718-07:00Running wild and running freeI did my first run in...well in a long time...last night. I set out with no real plan except to get myself out there and put some miles on my shoes.<br />
<br />
I was tired, really tired, before the run. I had not slept well the night before, and the normal stresses of life were just draining me. I almost called off the run, and then, like so many times before, when I opened my front door, this months Runners World was waiting for me. Motivation just when I needed it.<br />
<br />
So I laced up, crammed my new phone awkwardly into my armband (I really do need to get a new one,) and drove myself out the canal path. I knew the run was going to be a hard one, so I wanted a nice flat easy run, where I could cut it as short as I needed to.<br />
<br />
I got new running sunglasses for my birthday, and this was the first time I ran with them on. I'm happy to say they performed admirably, and I was able to run without squinting or having to constantly push my sun glasses back up my nose. They have interchangeable lenses, so I'll do a more thorough review after I've used them a few more times.<br />
<br />
I ran wearing my Glycerin 11's, which are quickly becoming my new favorite shoes. My Mizuno's are still covered in powder from the color run, so it was nice to be able to have a second pair of kicks to just grab and go. I'm still not 100% on the Transcends, the extra cushioning changes my gait so much that I end up tiring out faster (which I guess is the point after all.)<br />
<br />
The run itself was hard, like I was expecting. I ran slow (really slow.) I felt every step of the way. But at the same time, it felt awesome to be out there. It was that same weird mix of "Oh my god I hate this why do I do this? and "This is the best thing ever, why don't I do this more?" that I get whenever I'm away from running for too long. I'll know I'm back in it when the ratio shifts and the hate starts to fade a bit. (Which is also when I'll know it's time to turn up the intensity.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXEbdMxZrN7XVMVj2Gl3AAmHL-2tUdReG1nEpAvNS4ZptPcQ0Iw1gkGS7p8y7dbohHaTXAOJBhPVgLaAr-xo-ERn_nyNAUfMmCF4NpbvmU6H78ls5kJpGhACyeuDWi3Rbh4iQAdo3qIXG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-05+at+11.29.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXEbdMxZrN7XVMVj2Gl3AAmHL-2tUdReG1nEpAvNS4ZptPcQ0Iw1gkGS7p8y7dbohHaTXAOJBhPVgLaAr-xo-ERn_nyNAUfMmCF4NpbvmU6H78ls5kJpGhACyeuDWi3Rbh4iQAdo3qIXG/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-06-05+at+11.29.32+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I did three solid, slow miles. An out and back along the canal path. The weather was perfect, and I was feeling good enough at the end to be smiling and giving friendly waves to other people out on the trail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMSTC0euRRrpDvf1mKLhsVTVeSYZQ9xc25bRkWTevqr4HZiv1TZiZJmwGxbxR9r8fjWb2uLtDpZGcXorf4nRGBviFItBlOwTo-vHeGDQj9yuZjQ-8cTVjH9Zxohy-9W9Dow6vJPRU46W9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-05+at+11.29.42+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMSTC0euRRrpDvf1mKLhsVTVeSYZQ9xc25bRkWTevqr4HZiv1TZiZJmwGxbxR9r8fjWb2uLtDpZGcXorf4nRGBviFItBlOwTo-vHeGDQj9yuZjQ-8cTVjH9Zxohy-9W9Dow6vJPRU46W9/s200/Screen+Shot+2015-06-05+at+11.29.42+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I'm a little sore, sportin' the compression socks under my jeans, But I am once again reminded of why I run, because I like myself so much better as a runner. I don't notice it happening when I stop running, but the stress and anxiety slowly ratchets up with each non-running day, and the unhealthy food and all my little bad habits start creeping back in. Luckily, it takes just one single day of lacing up to remind me and get me pointed back in the right direction.<br />
<br />
I'm still gunning for the 500 mile mark this year. I fell a little behind in the month of May, so I'll have to kick it up a bit to hit the goal. I'm going to have to average over 45 miles a month to hit that goal. But broken down that's only a little over 11 miles a week. I can totally do that.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-57070985930532429842015-05-27T10:24:00.001-07:002015-05-27T10:24:14.045-07:00Bad blogger, no cookie!Ok I've been a bad blogger. I admit it. Honestly I have no good excuses. I've just been in the busy zone.<br />
<br />
I haven't been running much, I've been focusing on getting different kinds of exercise in. I dug out my old Jillian Michaels DVD the other day and remembered that I have an upper body that has not been exercised in way too long. (seriously, I barely finished the workout.)<br />
<br />
The Saturday before Memorial day The Hubs, Munchkin and I joined a couple friends for the local Color run. It was the "Shine Tour" which meant in addition to the normal colors, we got Glitter and Bubbles. The two toddlers were ecstatic. My daughter still has a scalp full of glitter, almost a week and four baths later. We are definitely going to do it again next year.<br />
<br />
The two toddlers (the Muchkin and my friends daughter - who are five days apart in age) even ran for about a half mile of the course. So I figure she earned the medal they handed out at the end of the run. Since this is her second race medal, I decided she needed a medal rack, so I went to target, got some command hooks and lined a couple up on the wall in the living room. Yes, my daughter has a way to display her race medals before I do ^_^<br />
<br />
As far as exercise, I've been using this app on my phone: <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/app">PopSugar Active</a>. It's got a ton of these short 5, 10, and 20 minute videos that are decent enough. The variety and portability are what sold me on it (and the fact that it's free!) The challenge group I joined is doing a "30 minutes of activity a day" challenge this week, so I'm going to have to stack multiple videos to get my 30 minutes in each day.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah and my phone randomly died on me last weekend, which sucked. I have a new phone now, but I'm still figuring it out, and haven't gotten a case for it yet, so I'm not sure if I want to run with it or not. I may have to do my next run "naked".Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-72856997143167513642015-05-19T09:29:00.002-07:002015-05-19T09:29:53.839-07:00Getting my feet back on the groundWow so much to update. I've been having a time crunch issue (and a little bit of an energy crunch issue) a lot lately, which is why I haven't been updating. Let's go through it quickly then, shall we?<br />
<br />
I downloaded a new running app, ostensibly to help me learn to do interval training, but come on, mostly it's because it's kinda awesome. I went with Zombies, Run! I've only run with it once so far, but MAN is it motivating to hear zombies coming for you.<br />
<br />
This past sunday was the Lilac 5K, during which My Father, a Family friend and I took turns pushing my mom in the running wheelchair. Pushing that thing up hills is no joke. But you totally feel like a rockstar because everyone is constantly giving you props. I should do a more in depth race report for that, but the bottom like was, awesome fun race, slow time, but more about just enjoying the run.<br />
<br />
After last posts awfulness, Tiina over at <a href="http://www.onecrazypenguin.com/">One Crazy Penguin</a> reached out to me and invited me into a FaceBook Support group. I'm hoping it's what I need to keep my eating on track, and get me back to loosing weight. Right now the challenge is to eat 5 fruits & Veggies a day. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies normally, but making sure I get in 5 was a little daunting. I find it difficult to stay in my calorie budget at the same time. I went a little over yesterday. Not too bad, but still over.<br />
<br />
I'm working on the meal planning, and getting a few more healthy recipes into rotation, but the other variable in all this is putting a lot of pressure on my efforts. I haven't mentioned it before (or maybe I have I forget) but The Hubs has serious stomach issues. What, we still don't know, but right now he is on a Lactose free, gluten free, low acid diet. Add in a Toddler who is becoming a somewhat picky eater (she refused to eat the asparagus last night), means I'm having a hard time finding food that everyone can, and will, eat that's healthy. I'm about to give up and start cooking separate meals for everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-43768661559031599782015-05-13T15:00:00.001-07:002015-05-13T15:00:04.461-07:00And it all crashes down in an instantI figured that I had been doing fairly well with the exercise and eating since New Years. Yeah, I had kinda slacked a bit lately on the nutrition, focusing more on finishing the Half, but I figured all the running was making up for it.<br />
<br />
I haven't stepped on a scale in a long time, but I was feeling good about my progress and the direction I was heading.<br />
<br />
And then last night, my Mother In Law took a picture at an outdoor concert and tagged me in it. My phone pinged and I clicked on the notification and saw the picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMrB-T9CDaVNFhyphenhyphenLQtse9FIMbsghbrOHvxD18L5cW-BhGASU7_2whzkUCokU3wC7EnTSoc-bbmYa2bbIQV5hv6TabRfULuuLnuCUUQLgiPS-zrbR3uombzYS9Y2mptBVsDwieNEl6y39d/s1600/10982199_10153222046145269_1631265249613375258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMrB-T9CDaVNFhyphenhyphenLQtse9FIMbsghbrOHvxD18L5cW-BhGASU7_2whzkUCokU3wC7EnTSoc-bbmYa2bbIQV5hv6TabRfULuuLnuCUUQLgiPS-zrbR3uombzYS9Y2mptBVsDwieNEl6y39d/s320/10982199_10153222046145269_1631265249613375258_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
A super cute picture of the Hubs and the Munchkin. Adorbs. No wonder everyone I knew was liking the picture. But then I saw why I was tagged.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw6-OljNIi783mPcs4uvLvyOlrP-Q0bx00v7_GnJ11lYcHJi7xWMBtc4WhdFdLLJiMP6ejlIdaBEs6wvYJiG32-oVgF0Xyg7mEUdStYN3vnXQNNUya_wFX__aEBAmpNUoBqzMTG-1Wr-d/s1600/zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw6-OljNIi783mPcs4uvLvyOlrP-Q0bx00v7_GnJ11lYcHJi7xWMBtc4WhdFdLLJiMP6ejlIdaBEs6wvYJiG32-oVgF0Xyg7mEUdStYN3vnXQNNUya_wFX__aEBAmpNUoBqzMTG-1Wr-d/s320/zoom1.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<br />
And all I could see was this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdErZV5qHxl7mGfGbiuPOdO8bnu4D5ijJeC1JPODWAohSri3GqcJWFF4iFG3_E1lYahizV6d1CJMQoTzRt3LXq14OgfczUmTKFp03fEOMAq2U1_Ja7UqyMidoPrJHRcC5f8AnZcQRB5Hpo/s1600/zoom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdErZV5qHxl7mGfGbiuPOdO8bnu4D5ijJeC1JPODWAohSri3GqcJWFF4iFG3_E1lYahizV6d1CJMQoTzRt3LXq14OgfczUmTKFp03fEOMAq2U1_Ja7UqyMidoPrJHRcC5f8AnZcQRB5Hpo/s320/zoom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And I wanted nothing more than to be able to erase the picture from the internet. From existence. Each ping I got when someone liked the photo stabbed into me a little bit.<br />
<br />
And then I stepped on the scale. 180. UP almost 10 lbs from the last time I'd stood on the scale. I felt awful, humiliated, defeated. All this running, all this time, and I am back again close to my heaviest weight, and worse, I look it.<br />
<br />
So I'm starting over (again) today. The eating needs to be cleaned up. No more "oh just this ones" or "I can let it slide today." And I need NEED to add in exercise besides running.<br />
<br />
I feel so utterly awful right now.<br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-6023196182596135432015-05-07T09:15:00.000-07:002015-05-07T09:15:16.486-07:00Gettin' back on the 'millI gave myself a full week off after the half marathon to recover. It was actually hard for me to not run for a full week, but I think it was the best decision for my body.<br />
<br />
I did my first run this week on Tuesday, on the treadmill since I was pressed for time.<br />
<br />
Right off the bat I could tell my legs were not at 100% yet. My calves were super tight. I started out at a slowish pace to try to work them out, and then started doing short bursts of speed (one or two minutes at an increased speed) since I was trying to get three miles in before The Hubs got home with the Munchkin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHGDwm9u5YWpAJqMl6qo-2cyvvKNxGmP7k_a5dIJ2g1J6o3hOdsYTe53rTz364WKZVSeH31Po7Cu1-XQ29mfelAJeXaDAliw6VBvKhiKQCzGwour2OcWjxDtKh4mDIXzgI10qJ-05ELEb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-07+at+12.07.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHGDwm9u5YWpAJqMl6qo-2cyvvKNxGmP7k_a5dIJ2g1J6o3hOdsYTe53rTz364WKZVSeH31Po7Cu1-XQ29mfelAJeXaDAliw6VBvKhiKQCzGwour2OcWjxDtKh4mDIXzgI10qJ-05ELEb/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-07+at+12.07.36+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After the first mile, my calves still felt a little uncomfortable, but a lot better, so I upped the speed a little bit. I managed to finish out the three miles with negative splits, which was cool, and to finish it before the Hubs got home, which was awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUkV0uRptAX-eepQsWfObkyFeG6XdJ86JaFLyeY1t3SX_k6XIDreMSv385Sw4QiLy_I-QS1L9KSWLkAypExEMKRcJ6lAN4MWDJ_KEFcnmEL3mv3K-otVthWdyu3z8p0O3ci-Pr45MUlPJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-07+at+12.07.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUkV0uRptAX-eepQsWfObkyFeG6XdJ86JaFLyeY1t3SX_k6XIDreMSv385Sw4QiLy_I-QS1L9KSWLkAypExEMKRcJ6lAN4MWDJ_KEFcnmEL3mv3K-otVthWdyu3z8p0O3ci-Pr45MUlPJ/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-07+at+12.07.49+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not a bad first run back at it, but not the best. I think I'm going to take a few weeks to just kind of get back into the groove before figuring out a new training plan. This time around, I'm going to be looking for speed instead of distance, so if anyone knows a good plan to up your speed, let me know!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96eYVL1EE0opKnstG620LyMbcS0dSWm4fbdCSaPzwSFLWnnjTlULZrdS5STmWct_0MU13-o7CKvWkdycgptn8GcD8nmnkcFG4ZJqie5vhQ-B7aO17Gzn8ZnKjgATwvAGPqx5Uu3HvAt4W/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-07+at+12.07.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96eYVL1EE0opKnstG620LyMbcS0dSWm4fbdCSaPzwSFLWnnjTlULZrdS5STmWct_0MU13-o7CKvWkdycgptn8GcD8nmnkcFG4ZJqie5vhQ-B7aO17Gzn8ZnKjgATwvAGPqx5Uu3HvAt4W/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-07+at+12.07.44+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-34181871693463301882015-04-29T14:41:00.001-07:002015-04-29T14:41:09.138-07:00My Body Tells Me No, but I won't quit, Cause I want moreOk, confession time. I tried to listen to my body. I really did. I made the decision, and I tried to make peace with the decision.<br />
<br />
Then I picked up my race packet...because I already paid for the shirt.<br />
<br />
The next thing you know, I'm laying out my gear like:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3AHGu4OEahTlS_CNefLB4L6guSqRNBM4wKDd5Hg4_AVfb7XfmdYoqTQ-TuxDrsZ1qyUsptFcdeenG8eE8wEVeW6_P7GTCTCIWQFcH9owXwKmlvF16bT5GI_O4lWAPLMLWkZPzzncT_AJ/s1600/1473019_10101295869085005_4264930653262629444_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3AHGu4OEahTlS_CNefLB4L6guSqRNBM4wKDd5Hg4_AVfb7XfmdYoqTQ-TuxDrsZ1qyUsptFcdeenG8eE8wEVeW6_P7GTCTCIWQFcH9owXwKmlvF16bT5GI_O4lWAPLMLWkZPzzncT_AJ/s1600/1473019_10101295869085005_4264930653262629444_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And tweeting out stuff like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxViz2Gf7EKtOeDGqW0Bd6__pZIKO97qhUVy1Ap-2J7NNpvSyDwWua7KlzF_9aFb5zzMqKEM94ucP2w4q_DvTiew6_NFJL4uZABjPY-bZCZKQCSpY6Z2g8meRr71ZWg0KmV-ShwathhR4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-29+at+5.29.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxViz2Gf7EKtOeDGqW0Bd6__pZIKO97qhUVy1Ap-2J7NNpvSyDwWua7KlzF_9aFb5zzMqKEM94ucP2w4q_DvTiew6_NFJL4uZABjPY-bZCZKQCSpY6Z2g8meRr71ZWg0KmV-ShwathhR4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-29+at+5.29.23+PM.png" height="114" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And then I'm lining up in the AM with a couple thousand other people like NBD peeps. Just a little <i>Jog</i> through the city.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you-It was hard, it was painfull, I may have inadvertently given myself hypothermia and my time was not my best, but it was <i>worth it</i>.<br />
<br />
And not just for the bling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHQdj_FyCi2xDlQP04T-lEHzw03JwyIUAMZOUpO14jON4t_gDre4RogRecmPwzqE2ODXUoJPmQBQBXFS5kX-a3DaLp7a2GSr4fa-m34vIaXEVAQJ2a0itnemmFYvszUbqZ1NguZyK-5v4/s1600/11156296_10101297035517465_5087639951845208193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHQdj_FyCi2xDlQP04T-lEHzw03JwyIUAMZOUpO14jON4t_gDre4RogRecmPwzqE2ODXUoJPmQBQBXFS5kX-a3DaLp7a2GSr4fa-m34vIaXEVAQJ2a0itnemmFYvszUbqZ1NguZyK-5v4/s1600/11156296_10101297035517465_5087639951845208193_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although the bling <i>is</i> super nice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />This was the first time I ran a race with a pace group. I ran with the slow pokes (the slowest pace group offered), with a 3 hour time target. Up until I lost them in the hills half way through the run, It was so very very awesome to run with these people. Seriously I have never laughed so hard while trying to keep breathing and running (it is <i>much</i> harder than you'd think!)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And I met so many awesome people on this course, because once I started talking, I talked to everyone, and everyone talked back. I got to see amazing people do amazing things, including getting to scream and cheer one of my new friends through the chute as she finished her first half. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So it may have been painful, and at times soul crushing (as I struggled to keep up a run/walk and not drop to just a walk/walk in the last two miles), and I may have sworn off half marathons soon after crossing the finish line....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I know I'll be back, standing at that start line again. Because This Mom Runs, and I like the tired, stupid reckless version of me who runs better than the fully functional but totally lazy (and slightly crabbier) version of me who dosn't run.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And besides, I look super bad-ass in a bat girl shirt.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxzDzSG3Zj47p35hVk6QjGcx5I0Sy0_FuvVmlZsBW3bMfWQD1c5G7MzsVUq51oCOK72JE2rFpKH80i2EmO9Nc3Gv8pywkmj8YnhPy9slPUb2vbxFdCfF-VQv3TBJ9eW2_0E_Td-cdZWKo/s1600/20150426_070332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxzDzSG3Zj47p35hVk6QjGcx5I0Sy0_FuvVmlZsBW3bMfWQD1c5G7MzsVUq51oCOK72JE2rFpKH80i2EmO9Nc3Gv8pywkmj8YnhPy9slPUb2vbxFdCfF-VQv3TBJ9eW2_0E_Td-cdZWKo/s1600/20150426_070332.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. Yes I do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2mybNh-xkqIZY7VQAbiLC44gjUdf88YH2OO6ely3XbPe6dZTguGE-qZo82lX9D9Bb-wA0hsuFra5IXqM2_FG3hwGsqjB_LeobSe3JDYkPYWcOLtuUL-3O3OZP5BiRBcSmoH_mdC00HqM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-27+at+8.20.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2mybNh-xkqIZY7VQAbiLC44gjUdf88YH2OO6ely3XbPe6dZTguGE-qZo82lX9D9Bb-wA0hsuFra5IXqM2_FG3hwGsqjB_LeobSe3JDYkPYWcOLtuUL-3O3OZP5BiRBcSmoH_mdC00HqM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-27+at+8.20.57+AM.png" height="249" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><br /></div>
Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426375163488956022.post-81411077254413467082015-04-20T09:35:00.000-07:002015-04-20T09:35:10.278-07:00Press rewind then stop and pauseA little over two weeks out from my goal race, I caught a cold. It didn't seem like a huge deal, but I was cautious about it, even calling in sick to work one day to give my body the best shot at kicking it.<br />
<br />
Two days later, it settled into my lungs.<br />
<br />
That weekend, I tried to do a 10 mile shakeout run, along my usual path from Home to my parents. I knew I was in trouble three miles in, but ignored everything my body was saying and just tried to tough it out.<br />
<br />
Seven miles in, on my way up a long slow uphill, I knew I was done. I could have walked the rest of the way to my parents, but due to time constraints I actually had to call my dad to come pick me up and drive me home.<br />
<br />
This week was my last chance to see if I could shake this off and do the half. Just walking around and doing my day to day activity was more than enough for me to know the half was out of the question. Aside from the coughing and heavy feeling in my chest, pushing myself as hard as I did during that 7 mile run aggravated my hip and my left foot.<br />
<br />
So, I'm registering a DNS. Trying to do the right thing and listen to my body, reset, and continue training with an eye (tentatively) on a fall half.<br />
<br />
I've been quiet, because I didn't want to write this post. I didn't want to face this decision, and make it real. As recently as this morning, watching the Boston Marathon in all it's inspiring glory, I kept thinking "Maybe I can do it, if I take it easy."<br />
<br />
But I think the hip pain was the deciding factor. I don't want to push it, try to do this race, and end up laid up for weeks (or worse.)<br />
<br />
So yeah, that's where I'm at.<br />
<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467634052354363635noreply@blogger.com3