Lots o stuff!

Ok, I have been fairly quiet for a while now, but a lot has been going on. Mostly I have been dealing with (what I hope is only) a mini flare up affecting more body parts then my last one.

Last week I took my kiddos to Elitch Gardens in Denver. The park is really two parks in one; a water park and an amazement park. We got there nice and early so I could plant myself under an umbrella covered myself with 100 spf and let my kids have fun (they had to check in with me frequently!).  I decided to go into to the wave pool for a little while and the water was cool, it wasn’t to bad once you were in and got used to it.  So I thought!  When I got out of the water (maybe 10 minutes after getting in) I could not move my hands!  They hurt so bad! I started thinking about my upcoming triathlons and started to worry, I really need my hands to work as soon as I get out of the water.  Like any smart person would do I contacted the venues explained the situation and was so excited to read that two out of three (so far) have no issues with me wearing gloves during the swim.  I have also sent a letter to CDA IM to find out if it will be possible to wear gloves next year if need be (I am not dropping that kind of money if I am screwed during the first event). 

I am going a little better, my vision is still having some serious issues (my right eye is just going nuts!), my lower back has finally settled and my shoulder is now within a tolerable range (so no pain pills, finally!)

My “Century” ride(that got lowered to a 34 miler a few weeks before ride day) did not go very well at all!!!  I brought my bike into the shop the day before to have something looked at (can’t remember what anymore) I thought I saw them check my tires. Well two miles into the ride my back tire was low on air and my CO2 canisters weren’t cutting it.  So I had to wait for the sag wagon.  It was actually a good thing I did. I got a lift to the fat tire stop (the only stop with a good service area) and this poor gentleman was kind of stranded.  We were at the off road stop and they didn’t have any road tubes, lucky for him I just so happened to have two (that were the size he was looking for), I gave him one and he was able to get back to riding, he was so happy! Eric (the sag chauffeur) was a really nice guy.  We got back out to the road and continued the ride.  Well, I started having issues.  Looking up was making me see spots and making my shoulder hurt, looking down made my vertigo kick in full force.  I stopped for a moment and when I started up again I fell over! I knew it was coming and all I could do was put my arm out and prepare for the impact! I got to the next rest stop not doing well, so I threw in the towel.  Low and behold the knight in shining moving truck arrived, saw me and said ‘you again?!!”  so I had to give him a hard time.  He offered to drop people off at the “Cheaters stop” so I figured what the heck, I will give the last stretch a shot.  I am glad I did.  My chain did pop off (that is what I brought my bike in for! I was having issues with my chain!), I jumped off my bike, put it back on and I was off within a minute.  I flew down the hill, up a little guy and made it to the finish area. I did a total of 20 miles.  I need to work on hydration (I was having issues), I don’t remember having blood sugar issues, so that is a good thing.  All in all I had fun.  I will be doing Ride for the Cure next month.  I have not decided my distance yet, but I can figure that on ride morning. 

Next week I will be starting to ride to work, I can’t wait! (this week is let my body get back to normal week, so I haven't even looked at anything [no pool, no running shoes, no bike, nothing!])

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Tri season!

The only reason I got in to this long distance running insanity is because I wanted to do a triathlon. 

Once upon a time, there was this fluffy lifeguard who was in a bad personal situation (don’t worry, she was a strong swimmer).  While sitting next the pool horribly early one morning making sure no one drowned (that would have ruined her whole day) she met someone, Mark.  This gentlemen was in his 40s/50s (maybe) he was a very nice (good looking) gentlemen. Over time they started talking.  This lifeguard found out he was an Ironman, well, to her credit, she did know about triathlons.  At the time our heroin (aka, fluffy lifeguard) didn’t realize, like people, triathlons come in all sizes!  One of her later in the day regulars was training for a sprint distance triathlon and the life guard thought, hey, I can do that! And she started to train, before long the “fluffy” lifeguard was not so fluffy anymore! Sadly, before the lifeguard was able to do her triathlon she had reentered the military and got deployed to Iraq, got hurt and thought she would never be able to do a triathlon.  Luckily our heroine was stubborn and after two years of feeling sorry for herself (and becoming fluffy again) she decided enough was enough and started training.  While signing up for her first triathlon she actually start to tear up, yes, she is a big wuss! About a week later a friend came up and said she just signed up to run the Denver Marathon, and the lifeguard (who is no longer a life guard) told this friend she was insane! Do you know have far a marathon is? That is a lot of miles! A few weeks later the lifeguard signed up too!  (yea, my friend backed out of Denver all together! I managed the half)And the rest they, is history!

Last year, sadly, I didn’t do a single triathlon, I know, what is wrong with me? This year I get 4 possible 5! To make it even better, they are a nice verity of distances! Two (maybe three) are sprint distances; one of the them is Tri for the Cure (LOVE that race).  Then I have an Olympic distance and to close the season I will be doing my second half Ironman.  I am excited because I won’t be using swimming and biking as just cross training, I actually get to train in those disciplines again! I know I have a lot of work to do on the bike (oh, the century ride has been bumped down to a 34-miler, but I will get to that in a moment). I am not sure why, but every time I have been on my bike within minutes of getting off I have a MAJOR blood sugar crash (p.s. cheese helps recovery). This is the major reason I will not be attempting a full century the week after next! That is ok, a 34-miler will help me find where I am having issues. 

There are a few issues I know I have to work through…

#1 – blood sugar crashes – they get very scary!

#2 – listen to my body.

#3 – hydration while running (still having issues with that)

#4 – enjoy!

 I can't wait!!!!!!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

What a day off!

On Friday I took a much needed “ME” day.  Thursday night was filled with “Mommy, my science project is due tomorrow!” Friday morning we slept in until 6 (I know, talk about late!). The boys were funny, when I woke up Jose I head “but you said we would get to sleep in” ‘Babe, it is 6:00’ “oh”.  Cuervo, on the other hand (always takes his shower first)… ‘baby, time to wake up’ “Tyler can go first” ‘sweetie, he has already taken his shower’ “oh, fine, I’m getting up” Once we were finally out the door we had to make a few stops, I even bought them breakfast.  Dropped them off where they need to be and off to Manitou I went! I found a parking spot, paid my $5 and, for once, started at the VERY bottom of the Incline! About an hour later I finished my first mile of the day! Once I finally made it to the top I took a few moments to enjoy the view and a snack.  Then it was time to head back down.  Once I got to the trail I was able to run most of the way down, but getting to the trail can be a little dangerous (I slept once, but didn’t get hurt). One the way down my knee buckled backwards a couple of times but I was fine.  Got to the bottom of the trail and then it was time to get to my car which was about another ¼ of a mile of downhill.  As soon as I got to my car I chugged 2 bottles of OJ and ate a Rice Crispy Treat (hey, it is what I keep in my trunk) and headed back to town.  I had no blood sugar issues so YAY!!!! I swung by the house got changed and went and had lunch with a friend.  All in all I would say it was a wonderful day off!

Saturday was group run day.  It was chilly, but I had a thick shirt on, some sleeves and a jacket.  I found out that the Incline kicked my butt more than I thought it had (oh, my legs!!!!) and the crud in my chest isn’t a cleared up as I had thought.  I only completed a little over half of the miles I had planned on doing.  I was walking hills but when I got to the top I could not catch my breath, I was unable to take a good deep breath in.  Since I do have a long run next weekend (I am not calling it a race because I am not racing it) I didn’t want to push myself to hard.  I was happy with the miles I got in. Sunday before starting Easter activities I was going to try to get a few more miles in, but my legs were so sore it wasn’t even funny! (oops, felt good though).

This week, I will put some good miles in the first half of the week, the second half is rest time!

Pictures from my day off:

Coming back down the trail

Looking up the incline (you can't see there is even more that you can't see)

Looking east (you can see the lower part of the Incline)

At the top of the Incline looking down on the city)

Getting ready to come down the trail

Coming down the trail

Tuesday ranting and raving

Yesterday I was not feeling very well, I was tired and just not there. Before I went down to the gymlet I knew I would not really be running. I got on the elliptical machine and I was fighting a mile and a half into it (I got to 1.7 before getting off), so I decided I would try getting on the treadmill for my last 1.8 miles knowing I might not get my 3.5 in. I started off at a nice easy (slow) 3.5 pace. After a 10^th of a mile I upped it to 3.6 and I kept upping it every 10^th of a mile until I was done. At about 4.5 I was jog/walking, the last 10^th I was supposed to be at 5.3 but I decided to up it to 6.0 to finish it off. I felt pretty good. I was still tired, but I was a little more invigorated. I got back to my desk only to deal with another blood sugar crash! As soon as I hit the locker room I started eating my apple sauce to try to prevent it from happening again. After work I had to take Charlie to the vet (nothing major, he just needed to visit a tech) got home, my sister made dinner and I was pretty much in bed right then and there. I was out cold well before 10 pm. This morning my alarm went off and my fur boys let me sleep a little more but then they decided just because I wasn’t getting out of bed yet doesn’t mean I can just lay there and do nothing. For the next 20 minutes I got squished, licked and stepped on every which way! Charlie was getting ready to lay down next to me when all of a sudden Freddie was walking under him and taking his place! When Charlie finally got to lay down next to me Freddie sat on him!

Yesterday I was screwing around on the Trek website and designed my dream tri bike. Eventually I would like one, I know how expensive they are, but it is always fun going to the Project One area and coming up with MY bike! Speaking of bikes… My century is about two months away. Did I mention at the bike sale I got a new seat too? Sorry, I think today is a SQUIRREL day! I finally got her out for a ride on Sunday and felt great! This weekend I plan on doing two loops on the Air Force Academy’s main road (pretty flat). By the end of next month I will be hitting the road near the outlets (a lot more hills)

Today will probably be a two session day. I got a good upper body workout in during lunch. BRC is having a group fun after work that I will try to make. I feel really good right now and if I am still feeling good around 4 pm, then I will do it, if not, I won’t! If I am not up to running I might hit the pool!

I have been ragging on Skirts Sports more than I should over the past few months. I have to say, I do like their running skirts (I would LOVE them if they would just put drawstrings in). Now, Skirt Sports isn’t just running skirts. Nicole DeBoom, Skirt Sports founder, is a triathlete and I have to say this give her company an serious edge when it comes to some of their products. During the expo of my first half ironman a running store had a booth set up and low and behold a Skirt Sports bike skirt was in their sale bin, so I got it! I know ‘you shouldn’t try anything new on race day’ well, my toosh was about to put on 56 miles and any extra padding I could get would be greatly appreciated! LOVED IT! Yes, my toosh was still a little sore at the end, but what do you expect? I am excited to be picking out a new outfit now that I am getting back on the bike (hey, a girl can always use motivation!). So, in the near future I will be getting the Short Sleeve Jersey (hopefully it runs a little lose, I don’t like tight stuff up top) and the Cruiser Bike Girl (a little longer than Breezer Bike Girl, which, to me, is always nice).

Here is to a beautiful day in Colorado!

On your left!

Now that finals week is done and over with (no idea what I got in the class yet) I had the chance to relax and enjoy my weekend. Friday night I was so tired I feel asleep around 6, woke up at 9 (all four boys were being too loud) and got back to sleep about two hours later. Saturday morning my alarm went off WAY to early. I was tempted to say ‘I will do the run later,’ but I got up, got dressed and off I went. I did five miles at a 3 minute run, 1 minute walk; I have not graduated from that at this point. It was an enjoyable run even though I was nowhere near 100%, I just made sure I enjoyed it. After the run I zoomed home picked almost everyone up (Charlie had to stay home) and we went to the vet so Freddie could have his incision inspected (it has been two weeks since he lost his manhood). We got there, the tech came out (the rooms were all full), said he looked good and we were outta there! Got home, I took a shower while everyone else kind of did whatever. About an hour later we were out the door again (no, it doesn’t take me an hour to shower) and on our way to Denver to see my friend. We had to stop at Starbucks on the way up and the cashier was impressed with how well my boys take ‘no.’ Even though my boys are very testing at times I have to say I really think my parents, sister and I have done well raising those two. We made it up to Denver and I was so excited to see my friend, I haven’t seen him in over six years! He has the cutest little boy. We met up at Casa Bonita (it is a Denver attrition that even South Park makes fun of!!!!). It is a Mexican place, I refuse to say it is a Mexican restaurant because what they serve is NOT food! About two hours later my friend had to leave to pick up his sister, it was wonderful seeing him again. On the way home we stopped by the outlets and Cuervo got a new pair of Converse (he LOVES those shoes) and I got more running socks.

Sunday, I had planned on hitting the Air Force Academy for a nice ride, well, it was backwards day, as usual! The boys were meeting Papa and we were running far enough behind that I did not have time to get my bike rack on my car in time. So I dropped them off and went back home. No, I did not climb back in bed, though it was tempting. I got my rack put on, it seems to have lost a shoe since the last time I used it, so I need to go to my bike shop to see if they sell them separately. Hopped on my bike so I could get it into one of the lower gears before I was stuck on the bike, threw her on to the back of my car (ok, not threw, placed). I drove down to the cement section of my favorite trail to run and unloaded. Mind you, I have not been on my bike for more than a year, here I am with new shoes getting ready to go out for a nice “easy” ride and I was nervous! I walked my bike across the street, positioned myself behind bus stop bench and held on for dear life as I clipped into my bike. I slowly headed down the little hill to the trail and I could not get the smile off my face! It felt amazing to be back on the bike. Somewhere around mile four I reached down to grab my water bottle, again scared I was going to kill myself, after getting my drink I put my bottle back in its rack only for it to jump out, I knew I was about to turn around and head back so I just kept going. I got to my turn around point and headed back north. As I approached the bottle jump off area I slowed down so I could, hopefully, find my water bottle (hey, I just got them last weekend). I found it and again I was a little worried I was about to kill myself, but that is ok cause the road was right there and my sister would have no problem getting me to. I stopped grabbed my bottle, got back on my bike and off I went. YAY! No issues getting moving unclipped and re-clipped! By the time I got back to my car I felt so invigorated it wasn’t even funny. I didn’t realize how much I missed the “On your left” (which yes, I had to say a few times). I put in a nice 10 miles, my legs felt great and it was just wonderful! The only issue I had was after I got back in my car, I headed to the gas station (I wanted something to eat) my blood sugar CRASHED! I have not had a crash like this in some time. I know I didn’t push myself really hard during the ride so I wasn’t sure what was going on. I was stumbling around the gas station trying to sip on orange juice, struggling to stand up straight. I got back to my car and finished my juice and tried to chew on the banana bread I had purchased. Once I started feeling better I headed home (no, I was not going to drive until I KNEW I was headed in the right direction). I texted my sister to let her know what was going on, she asked if I needed help and I told her no. When I got home she helped me get my bike off my car (I could not lift it) and back to where it lives. It took me about an hour to fully recover. The strange thing is, I started fighting a blood sugar crash again this morning. Luckily I have all sort of stuff packed in my lunch bag so I grabbed a piece of cheese and gobbled that up in a hurry. I had my oatmeal in front of me but I could not eat it (don’t ask why). Anyway, I pulled out of that one rather rapidly and I am fine now, but this is weird.

This week is a recovery week. I have 3.5 miles on the books for today, might just walk the whole thing, I will see how I am feeling!

	Schedule	Actual
Sunday	Rest	10 mile easy bike ride
Monday	3.5 miles
Tuesday	3-4 miles
Wednesday	45-60 minute cross training
Thursday	4 miles
Friday	45-60 minute cross training
Saturday	Garden of the Gods

Lupus

Ever have one of those years that all you want to do is climb into bed and refuse to move until next January 1st? For me, that is this year has been one of those and for good measure I might just hide in my bed until the end of next year too!
Last fall my feet started hurting so bad is was excruciating to walk at times. I called my doctor and she gave me the go ahead to contact a podiatrist. He informed me I had Metatarsalgia, told me no weight baring activities and sent me through 6 weeks of pain and torture, I mean physical therapy. After 6 weeks of PT I was still having major problems, he tested me for Rheumatoid Arthritis. That is when I became a vegetarian (there is an enzyme in a lot of meats that can cause inflammation). The test came back negative, at which point I think the doctor stopped listening to me which resulted in me not listening to him anymore. My feet still remind me they aren’t happy, sometimes they downright hurt, other times they are just a little tender. During this same time, my knee started acting up. Great! Now I am a hypochondriac.
After good hard workouts my blood sugar would crash (or that’s what it felt like), but it was always wait until I was done. A few weeks ago, it happened during a workout and it was one of the worst ones yet. So I figured it was time to go to the doc. Since I am not a huge fan of going to the doc, I went with a shopping list! She said she only had time for a few items (which is understandable). So I hit on my knee, my weight, and something else, I don’t remember. I walked out of there with the name of an ortho doc, a blood sugar tester (she wanted to know how low I was going), a lab slip for a full work-up and I am sure there was something else, but I can’t remember what it was. Within a week I was seeing the ortho and had an MRI scheduled. Lab tests came back, thyroid was well out of normal range. My doc had scheduled a follow up for six weeks to go over all my numbers and see how my thyroid was doing.
MRI showed cartilage behind my knee cap was going away (but that is not where the pain was). Doc told me to stop running, when he realized that was not happening he told me what I needed to do to protect my knee (I am very good about listening to that advice).
Yesterday I was in the doc’s office and the first question she asked was ‘does anyone in your family have a connective tissue dieses?” I had no idea what she was talking about, then I reminded her that no one in my family likes to go to the doc so, no idea! Then she started in on the lupus. My blood test was positive, the physical issues I have been having, the ‘over hydration’ I suffer, and the list goes on, makes her pretty sure it is lupus that has been wrecking havoc on my body. Now I go back in 4 – 6 months to see what my number is (in about a year they had doubled). I have to watch my sun exposure (I love being in the sun; my car has a sunroof, the weather is getting beautiful so I drive with as many window as possible opened; my boys love going to Elitch Gardens during the summer so much we have to get season passes…). Obviously it is something that will have to be dealt with, but STOP! This year has been Kiddo #1 hitting the ER twice (first time was because Kiddo #2 found him face down unresponsive in his room – turned out it was a seizure), Grandfather dying, Kiddo #2 having a serious episode, etc. No more, please?

Coach Charlie

This week of training has been going great! Yesterday morning Coach Charlie and I went for a very enjoyable early morning run (with a pace of 11:44). I have to say the best part of going out that early is no one can see what you are wearing (assuming there are other insane people) so you can go out in a green shirt and red pants! Sadly, my iPod crashed about half way into the run, but I had my Garmin and the birds were singing, so I was good. This morning Coach Charlie heard my alarm go off and he was on my bed staring at me with the attitude of ‘well mommy? Are you getting up?’ Sadly, today I was not. Last night Carin accidently stepped on my foot while I was on my back (my foot has issues anyway), I almost went through the roof! It hurt so bad. It is feeling better now, so I might try to take him out this afternoon. During lunch I will do my pre-weight cardio on the elliptical machine, just in case. Yes, Carin was very apologetic when she realized I was screaming because of her. San Diego is right around the corner, because of training issues, I plan on running 5 minutes out of every mile. I have 7 hours to complete the race, so I am not to worried. I plan on wearing my CW-X running tights under another pair of bottoms. I am not sure if I will wear my Nike running skirt with capris or if I will wear just regular capris or a SkirtSport running skirt. I might pack them all and decide the night before the race. Oh! Saturday I did the Incline again, I went all the way up and ran most of the way down the trail. I am still struggling on the way up, but I am getting better. I did notice that my blood sugar does spike after a good workout, but within about 20 minutes it drops at least 30 points. Yes, I will be speaking to the doctor about that tomorrow.

I think this was when I was getting started.
I love the Incline becuase of the view at the top, this was the view at the top on Saturday :(

Who in their right mind would do the Incline on a day like this? HEY! I think I see my car, maybe if I had waited valet would have brought it to me!!!!
This was my favorite picture!

Great workout; ready for the weekend! :)

Treadmill it was! I did my normal nice 10 minute warm-up. Then I did a mile at a comfortable pace, Mile #2 walk 1 minute/run (not jog) 1 minute, Mile #3 – back to my comfortable pace and every other tenth I would up it to a faster pace. Then my 5 minute cool down. Felt great!
After I got done getting changed I realized I was a little shaky so I checked my blood sugar, it was 140! I have never been that high. After 20 minutes I was down to the 120s, but I was shocked that it went that high. I think I will start checking before and after workouts for a while to see what is going on.