Another Run Report - Memorial Day 5K

I was never a fast runner but I had my consistency.  I am a 27 - 28 min 5Ker typically.  Last year at this time I was in great shape, having just run the Fools 25K in spring, I had a series of great races.  Last year at the Tallmadge Memorial Day Race I was at 28:10 for my final.

This year was a bit different.  I did not have the base I had last year at this time and the race was about 20 degrees hotter (or at least it felt that way).  The race started for women at 7:45 am, which usually would get you out before the heat.  Unfortunately, this May has felt like summer and it was really humid and stagnant.

The race began and I felt fairly good, I was holding a good pace and the course slopes downhill.  I passed the first mile marker at 8:45...oops I am going out a little hard.  My pace felt strong as we entered a slight uphill and I passed the second mile with a time of 18:06, a little slower mile but still holding well.  If I keep this pace up then I will be around 28 minutes.  Unfortunately, somewhere right after the second mile my body temperature rose quickly.  The sun felt like it was roasting my skin and I knew I would have to walk.  Damn MS - I hate it sometimes.  I came in with a time of 30:50 - an average of 9:48/mi.  Err :(

I guess I should not complain, at least I am getting to run now.  But it is frustrating that this disease will start taking it's toll on me - possibly coming to a point where I cannot run anymore.  I have been thinking a lot about this lately, what do I do if I cannot be physically active anymore?  I guess running, hiking, riding, paddling were all a part of me - how I define myself in some way.  Most of my friends come from the activities I participate in - my husband and I would spend time together with these things (part of the reason we fell in love).  Life changed the plans and I have some days where that is just difficult to swallow.  It is hard to hear people talk about their training plans and PR goals,when my goal is to just keep running - for as long as I can.

Sorry, sometimes my thoughts stray.  I cannot focus on what I cannot control, I HAVE to live in the now.  I do not mean this for people to walk on eggshells around me, please talk about the positives in your training plans, races you have done, etc.  I will still be a fan, even if I cannot participate, but do realize that sometimes it is hard.

 My sister and I - Sweaty after the Memorial Day 5K

6 years

Paul and I have officially been married for 6 years the date was May 29, 2004 :)

You know, I do love him more everyday.  I think back, he and I have been through some things and still ended up on top.  He is my rock, my heart and the love of my life!

Weekly Workout Update

Monday May 17 - Sunday May 23

• Monday May 17 - 5 mi run
• Tuesday May 18 - off
• Wednesday May 19 -1 hr indoor rock climbing
• Thursday May 20 - 3 mi run
• Friday May 21 - 1 hr indoor rock climbing
• Saturday May 22 - 6 mi run
• Sunday May 23 -10 mi road bike, 2 mi run (training clinic for Twinsburg Duathlon

What can I say, my body is coming back (should I be scared to say that?).  But really, my body has decided to like me, at least for this past week.

First, my running has been on track.  I did 3 runs this week and two were a 'longer distance'.  I am very thankful for my HR monitor.  I noticed a huge difference from the cooler run on Monday to the humid warm run on Saturday morning.  My HR shot up and I was forced to a 1 minute/mi slower pace to maintain the same HR from my Monday run (in keeping with the HR training that I am doing). Why?

Heat or high humidity can make many people with MS experience a temporary worsening of their symptoms. Doctors believe that this occurs because heat causes nerves (whose myelin covering has been destroyed from MS) to conduct electrical signals even less efficiently. - WebMD

On Wed and Fri I dragged my butt into the rock gym.  I was reminded that I have not climbed much in two years - my body was definitely struggling more than I might have liked - but it felt really good to be out there though and I am going to try to keep it up for the entire summer.  My goal is to climb a mile (99 times up our 53.5 ft wall) in that time.

I also got out for the Twinsburg Duathlon training on Sunday morning in the dense fog.  It was a nice easy rolling course (10 mi) with a short 2 mi run after.  I felt good on the bike, but was definitely feeling some fatigue on the run - maybe because I worked out more than I have in a long time.

Weekly Workout Update

Monday May 10 - Sunday May 16

• Monday May 10 - off
• Tuesday May 11 - off
• Wednesday May 12 -off
• Thursday May 13 - 5 mi run
• Friday May 14 - off
• Saturday May 15 -8 mi Mountain Bike
• Sunday May 16-1 hour Yoga for Athletes

I slacked a little this week, but the weather was rainy and cold and I was in the middle of a very physical 'maintenance week' at work - so this is what happens.  At least I did some things.  :) 

Weekly Workout Update

Monday May 3 - Sunday May 9

• Monday May 3 - off
• Tuesday May 4 - 5 mi run
• Wednesday May 5 -8 mi mountain bike
• Thursday May 6 - off
• Friday May 7 - off
• Saturday May 8 -Emerald Crossing 4 mi trail run
• Sunday May 9-1 hour Yoga for Athletes

Good week!  Yep :)

Race (err Run) Report - Emerald Crossing Trail Run

I finished my first race since last Oct, the Emerald Crossing 4 mi Trail run on Saturday May 8.  I have done this race since it started in 2008 and it has sentimental value to me.  All week I was nervous about racing; how would I feel, how will the weather be, will this cause another attack, etc.  I was smart and signed up quite a while ago so that I couldn't wimp out.

Saturday morning was brisk and windy; thunderstorms were a possibility.  I got dressed in anticipation, hoping that the weather would hold and that my body would hold and that I would feel good.  Running has become a family affair and my mother-in-law and dad both ran it as well.  Anyway, the race is a trail/road race near Cleveland airport and is a 3 lap/ 4mi distance.  As soon as we got the race director Mickey Ryzmek was letting everyone know that it was muddy, but at least the rain was holding.  I saw a lot of familiar faces from work, CTC and folks that I have met at races over the years.

At the start we were all ready to get going there were over 50 mph winds and it felt cold.  I knew I would only need a small layer if at all during the run but standing still was brutal. 

 The start of the run

I felt fairly good the first lap, running in 12:20 - unfortunately my heart rate was pushing higher than I would have liked (180 or 90% of MHR) and I had to remind myself to take it easy.  I finished the second and third laps at a much more reasonable rate of 15 min each at (160 or 70% of MHR).  I need to run these first few races and see how I felt before I try and 'push it'.  Anyway, the race was fun, the mud was thick enough in places to take a shoe off but that makes for an enjoyable race.  I finished in 42:44, not bad, not great, but I did it.

We had to take our shoes off to get into the awards...the mud :)

To top things off they had free chair massages and I was indulged to a nice backrub!

Most of all I was glad to finish my first race since my attack.  I am slower, more wobbly, my eyesight goes when my heart rate gets high - but at least my first hurdle is done on my journey to the marathon this year.  

I feel tired today, but who knows if that is the MS crap or just the fact that my aerobic capacity is not where it was last year...probably some combination.  I am listening to my body and taking it easy today, nothing like some yoga and a nap.

Good things

Paul did get the promotion, which means the Police Academy in Fall for him (he is sort of a ranger that runs a park) and my father's leukemia has not progressed too much (although the doc wants him to start chemo treatments on his enlarged spleen) and my energy levels are at a good place (I worked 78 hours last week without too much exhaustion).  

I just wanted to say that I am feeling happy lately and that is nice.