Hi!
Yep, it's me again and what a first week post-vacation back it has been. I love what I do, but deadlines, meetings, and wasting time (it all happened this week!) takes a toll on you. After work, I exercised but my mind and heart were not in it. It was hot. I hadn't planned well, but towards the end of the run I thought back over the past year and about previous years, when I could not run, and suddenly I was just overwhelmingly thankful that I could run at all.
Growing up, I was a healthy kid who had acne and took medication in high school up through 2003. I usually got a cold every fall, which I now know was due to allergies, but rarely did I get sick. I got pneumonia in December 2001 and then again after getting H1N1 in 2009. Then, I transferred schools and life got interesting and below are a brief summary of my health trials.
2003 - Spring - I transfer schools and get diagnosed with classic migraines. I gain more weight than I have in my entire life, lose my balance which has never been great, and get off all medications. I determine the triggers - after comparing ingredients on labels - and I begin a life of not eating citrus (naturally occurring, organic, or added). Bummer - I loved lemonade and limeade during the hot summer months.
2008-2013 - I begin experiencing symptoms that will lead to surgery in March 2013. I buy my first house 2 weeks prior to surgery and at this point I am not exercising much. Fall/Winter 2013, I get bronchitis.
2014 - Spring - I get pneumonia and then Fall/Winter 2014, I get bronchitis and miss Thanksgiving for the first time in my life.
2015 - I signup for a running coach (first one) and I complete the Cherry Blossum 10 Miler. I am supposed to run my first marathon the fall, but after lots of allergy shots (weekly and testing), I am just not where I need to be. September - I get the results of a second round of allergy testing and begin the elimination diet. I did not learn much, but I quit all running until December 2015. Mold is removed from my house and I start feeling better (Fall 2015). I plant flowers and put in a flower bed.
2016 - I begin running just a little and I start feeling a bit better. I accept a job and prepare my house for sale. July 2016 - I start my new position and begin feeling not great, since my apartment has similar issues to my house. I sell my first house (yay) and house hunting begins in earnest. I also run my first 5k since all this goes crazy and sign up with my second running coach, who continues to coach me today. I am lucky she did not kick me to the curb, when I showed up late to our initial meeting. I continue to slowly run but my health continues to be problematic.
2017 - I go of all medication, but I begin having issues similar to 2008-2013. Thankfully, I do not need surgery, but I begin seeing a specialist and running continues. March 2017 - I run another 5k and feel as though I can actually do them without dying (big accomplishment). Bad health patches hit and I realize a half marathon is out of the question for Spring. I move into my new house in April and I begin feeling so much better.
Full circle - I continue working with a specialist and my 5ks in July and late August go well. I sign up for a half marathon, which I am running on November 4th.
So - yeah - I could schedule my runs better to avoid accidents. Thanks to Ali Feller (@aliontherun1), I can admit that this is sometimes an issue for me and now I will not feel bad about taking the sometimes necessary trip to the facilities enroute. I run better and avoid runner's trots=win, win.
My training has been fairly consistent although the not the best since June. I skipped some time in May and then again on vacation, but I stayed active with walking, hiking, weeding, etc. This could mean my half marathon time is not what my coach and I hoped it would be. I doubt it will be worse than a 2:45 I ran until mile 10 and then walked until the ending, which I finished slowly in Fall 2015.
For those, who are healthy and have not experienced training issues, I truly applaud you, but I also recognize that I am becoming a stronger person and runner despite these issues. I might not have a faster time in November, but I am proud of my drive to get in a workout (even if it is not ideal) per the schedule, even when work keeps me at the office for long days.
Do not take your health for granted, because one never knows what tomorrow will bring.
Happy Thursday!
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Vacations are the best!
Hi All,
Yep - I have been on vacation and I am transitioning back into long days, running, and work. The travel decided to assist in the process by making my arrival close to an hour later than originally scheduled. I am ok with this, since I only had to rely on my own transport. This was my first time seeing a delay mentioned only in the "remark" section. Also - the airline did a great job of keeping the passengers updated, but to get an idea of boarding time, asking someone made the most sense!
While not feeling great, I finished up a pair of fingerless gloves for my Mom. We both knit and my ego when it comes to bad or poorly written patterns appeared.
It also became clear that I had not lived in the west, when I kept double checking about "putting wet clothes in the washer." As a person, who is extremely allergic to mold, I am quite careful!
Friday marks my 10th year as a professional. I cannot quite believe it. If you have questions about what I do, feel free to message, email, or comment and I will try to answer them!
Yep - I have been on vacation and I am transitioning back into long days, running, and work. The travel decided to assist in the process by making my arrival close to an hour later than originally scheduled. I am ok with this, since I only had to rely on my own transport. This was my first time seeing a delay mentioned only in the "remark" section. Also - the airline did a great job of keeping the passengers updated, but to get an idea of boarding time, asking someone made the most sense!
My time in New Mexico was filled with fun, relaxation, strategizing and thinking, but most of all quiet and a break from work stress and social media. If this lack of "blogging" bothered you, my apologies! I do try to warn those - who are not familiar with my technique of hiding - but I will do better next time.
While not feeling great, I finished up a pair of fingerless gloves for my Mom. We both knit and my ego when it comes to bad or poorly written patterns appeared.
It also became clear that I had not lived in the west, when I kept double checking about "putting wet clothes in the washer." As a person, who is extremely allergic to mold, I am quite careful!
Friday marks my 10th year as a professional. I cannot quite believe it. If you have questions about what I do, feel free to message, email, or comment and I will try to answer them!
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Seasons (Fun, Painful, Tough, Dull)
Hey All,
It's been quite the week. Work is bringing new and good challenge on all levels. In fact, I have been pushed/challenged to have three published peer-reviewed articles a year from now. EEK - I have one semi-complete, but I hope to get it in by the end of October. As for the others, I am truly focusing on one article/day/etc at a time. Else, running in the opposite direction at full-tilt sounds just lovely.
With this injury/non injury cycle of 5 years, I am learning to push through the seasons. I can say that I am healthier and happier than I was a year ago, but it has not come without some testing moments. Days - when I could not run for instance - when I dragged myself out of bed, to the office, to home, and then attempted to do things I would do during a scheduled break. It turns out that I am really much better during a "scheduled" break rather than an unplanned one. I am not really surprised by this.
Running returned a week ago today and suddenly I could handle life and bed by 10 or 10:30 was not a struggle. It did not necessarily always happen, but goals are good, yeah?
I was lucky to have had good health for most of my life. Migraines were the first hurdle I battled starting 2003-present. Things really hit the fan health wise in 2013. So - I can confidently say I am moving in the right direction, but I relate to the "struggle bus mentality" and "will I ever feel normal" question.
I hope so, but until I can stay healthy for a year, well, I won't be saying anything. I am not sure a blister counts as an injury, but it was a setback for sure!
The sad, painful, tough seasons always lead to a season of fun. I have yet to experience a truly dull season, but I will admit to asking for one occasionally.
Happy Sunday and Keep your chin up!
It's been quite the week. Work is bringing new and good challenge on all levels. In fact, I have been pushed/challenged to have three published peer-reviewed articles a year from now. EEK - I have one semi-complete, but I hope to get it in by the end of October. As for the others, I am truly focusing on one article/day/etc at a time. Else, running in the opposite direction at full-tilt sounds just lovely.
With this injury/non injury cycle of 5 years, I am learning to push through the seasons. I can say that I am healthier and happier than I was a year ago, but it has not come without some testing moments. Days - when I could not run for instance - when I dragged myself out of bed, to the office, to home, and then attempted to do things I would do during a scheduled break. It turns out that I am really much better during a "scheduled" break rather than an unplanned one. I am not really surprised by this.
Running returned a week ago today and suddenly I could handle life and bed by 10 or 10:30 was not a struggle. It did not necessarily always happen, but goals are good, yeah?
I was lucky to have had good health for most of my life. Migraines were the first hurdle I battled starting 2003-present. Things really hit the fan health wise in 2013. So - I can confidently say I am moving in the right direction, but I relate to the "struggle bus mentality" and "will I ever feel normal" question.
I hope so, but until I can stay healthy for a year, well, I won't be saying anything. I am not sure a blister counts as an injury, but it was a setback for sure!
The sad, painful, tough seasons always lead to a season of fun. I have yet to experience a truly dull season, but I will admit to asking for one occasionally.
Happy Sunday and Keep your chin up!
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