Sugar and Spice and Nothing Made of Salt

15 Apr 12

Everyone once in a while (seems more often at times) you end up with a week of complete and absolute upheaval, that was last week.  Health wise I am currently a guinea pig, I am off one med (that messes with lungs and liver), I get all sorts of lab work (I really wish they would learn I need those liquids too!), x-rays, EKGs and blah, blah, blah.  We shall see how all that turns out.

Training wise, this week went pretty well, sort of.  I got treadmill, spin, swimming and yoga in this week. I was supposed to run with the run group on Saturday, but Freddie had different plans! He decided to lay on my alarm so it didn’t go off.  But, Jose and I did some weight lifting in the way of yard work.

Today I experience something new…  I am used to the fact that if I eat something with a higher salt content my fingers turn into sausages.  Today, I was supposed to have lunch with my family (parents, sister and kiddos) but the place we were going is closed on Sundays! So my mom and dad decided to go home, but my kiddos were still hungry so we ended up at their favorite Chinese place.  Well, I know I have to be careful today I got a rude wakeup call to just how much attention I need to pay.  In less than an hour after eating I was feeling like crap, my legs were swelling and it was just no fun.  My legs are still swollen, but they are calming down some, I am hoping they will be all better tomorrow.  I return to my rheumy next week and this is something I will be bringing up with him. 

This week I planned on starting the Body for Life Challenge, but the protein drinks they require participates to use have to much sodium for me, so that is not going to happen.  I still want to do something similar, but it will be a slightly modified version.  I too before pictures and there is no way in hell I am posting them!

Tomorrow is Day 1, Week 1! Goal this week – 5 days of training!

~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"~

Flying dog!!!!!

2 April 2012

Spring break is now over and the kiddos are back in school!  Last week started off really well and then it went downhill! Wednesday Jose woke up in tears! No, it wasn’t because I tried to kill him the previous two days. He was crying because his ear hurt really bad.  The plan was the kiddos were going to head over to G&P’s (grandma/papa’s) to help out again, well, that got changed.  I was able to get an appointment for Jose in the morning, and Cuervo went to G&P’s. Jose had a nasty ear infection and sinus infection.  He decided he wanted a mommy day instead of heading to G&P’s.  Thursday we went over to help a friend with yard work.  In a matter of about 5 hours, we got done what would have taken her weeks!  I made sure Jose and I had plenty of sunscreen on, but I paid the price for spending that much time in the sun.  Friday I went to breakfast with former coworkers and then relaxed rest of the day, the boys and I watched Scooby Doo rest of the day!!!!!!

Saturday (Happy birthday to my dad!!!), I had planned on getting up and hitting the trail for my weekly long run. Yea, I felt like doggy doo! I rolled over and went back to sleep! I got up for my dad’s birthday lunch.  We did make a trip to the hardware store (my front yard doesn’t look really nice and I have big plans for it) to pick up a few things on the way home.  Sunday I wished I could just die!  After getting my boys to my dad for church (it was Palm Sunday they were going to church) I went back to sleep. 

So here we are, spring break is over and the crappy weather is blowing in.  I am feeling better today, so I figured I would take Freddie out for my 3 mile loop… Freddie is a 60 pound boxer, shortly after we got off our street poor Freddie got blown off the curb! I said crappy weather was BLOWING in! He got back up on the sidewalk, turned around and gave me the look of Mommy!!!!! He is fine, he didn’t get hurt (if he did, I wouldn’t have thought it was so funny). Unfortunately my back started going nuts again.  Freddie and I were on the dirt trail and I was bending over trying to stretch my back, we turned around and headed back to the sidewalk to head home and this nice lady stopped and asked if I was ok.  See there are nice people out there!

Tomorrow I think I have an appointment during spin class time, I am not sure, I need to check.  But I will hit the gym, might hit the pool!





~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"~

Gym Etiquette

12 March 2012

I realize I am frequently ranting and raving about the going ons in the gym.  Today I am back on my soap box and I am truly not happy! I understand the gym is a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a workout, I get it. But there are a few things I really wish people would keep in mind.  #1 the locker room does not need to smell like a French whore house, please do not bathe in your perfume until AFTER you leave the closed in area. #2 those benches are supposed to serve more than one person at a time.  There is no excuse for one person to have their stuff laid out across the entire damn thing!!! #3 the entrance way into the latrines is NOT a gossip area! I will just hit three today!

1.       French whore house – the locker rooms are closed in and probably about half the people are finishing up their workout and we don’t’ need to be choking on the smell of your perfume. 

2.       Benches – we all learned when we were little how to share.  I have not seen a single bench in the locker room that is intended for a single person.  Because some people find it necessary to hog the entire thing other people are trying to juggle their property and dropping and breaking their stuff! (yes, I dropped stuff today which is my main reason for this soap box visit.  Not only did my iPod hit the ground my phone did too, I did get lucky and only my ear bud broke, but that is money I didn’t want to have to spend!)

3.       I have never been in a men’s locker room so this is really single sided, but I have never seen women gossip more than they do in the gym.  The thing is there are places in the gym that are fine if you want to blab but there are a ton of places that you just need to stay away from… the entrance area to the latrines – when I have to pee, I can only be polite for so long.  Weight machines – if you are going to use it now… MOVE!

Ok, I’ll shut about that now!  (I didn’t even touch on the definition of Same sex locker rooms and that I don’t care how old a boy is a boy is a boy and they do not belong in the women’s locker room!)

Yesterday was rest day and it wasn’t easy.  I just wanted to go get some swimming in or a nice yoga class, something! But I survived! Today was back to business.  I am trying to get four or five yoga classes in a week because I want to see how my body reacts.  On the training front it was a nice easy 2.5 miles, which I made sure I stayed in Zone 3.  The odd thing was I kept getting dizzy while on the treadmill, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it to yoga.  By the time I got off the treadmill I was feeling ok so I figured I would give yoga a chance.  I am glad did!  Different instructor than last time, but we did a lot of lower body focused moves and it felt good.  We did Happy Baby twice and I have to say, my back LOVES happy baby!!!!! Now it is time to focus homework, finals week is next week. L

~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"~

Un-Break My Heart

9 March 2012

Do you know Toni Braxton has lupus? SQUIRREL! Oh! And don’t ask about the video, I just like the song!!!

Heart rate training… Every time I go to spin class Tony (I love Tony, he is an awesome spin instructor [but I did cheat on him today]) goes on and on about Anaerobic Threshold (AT) and the different levels.  Which got me to thinking.  I can’t just listen to my breathing, thanks to my Methotrexate I get winded just going up a set of stairs at times.  So of course I started thinking about heart rate training.  Luckily a friend lent me a heart rate monitor while mine is on vacation (renovations have caused a lot of things to go on vacation!!!!!).  Yesterday while I was on the treadmill I kept an eye on my heart rate and my heart rate was pretty well behaved.  I get it that AT running is not the same as AT spinning.  I found one website that seems to have the most informative information (Heart Rate Training Zones), but I am still looking!

Today was “Active Recovery” day… so I decided I would check out what classes were being offered I found a few with the time range I was interested in and I settled on two.  Spinning (hello! I LOVE that class) and Hot Vinyasa. 

Again, I cheated on my all-time favorite spin instructor.   I attended spin class, I kept a very close eye on my heart rate.  We were not supposed to go into Zone 4, but I did sneak in a few times.  The class was great and then the instructor made a comment that got my goat up a little.  “You get what you deserve” I understand where she is coming from what but I really wish she would think about it from more than just a fitness stand point.  I get the “if I eat three pieces of chocolate cake I am going to feel like crap.” I get it, I do.  But once I step out of the gym (or outside of the fitness world) I will throw down the BS card in a heartbeat!

Then it was off to Hot Vinyasa class.  I was a little nervous, but my primary doc did tell me it would be good for me, but make sure I spoke to the instructor before class; which I did!  My back was in heaven!!!!! Oh wait… she cranked up the heat and turned on the humidifier. I got toasty in there! After a few stretches my back was in heaven. I did have to keep taking breaks to get water and to get rid of the dizziness but I really enjoyed the class.  I realize this is going to make me sounds nuts, but I LOVE the pigeon pose! Love, love, love it! I was so happy when the instructor directed us into this pose.  My knees didn’t have any issues going into this pose and my hips loved being there.  I am tired, but I feel so relaxed!

Tomorrow group run! YAY!


~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"~

Leap Day

7 March 2012

According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every 4 years. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar. In some places, Leap Day has been known as “Bachelors’ Day” for the same reason. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman's proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. During the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition. http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leap-day-february-29.html

I know, Leap Day was a week ago now, but I have to admit something… Everyone who even knows me even a little bit understands not only do I like to color outside the lines, but I feel it is necessary to be a smart ass.  With that said I figured this year I would follow the Leap Day tradition and propose to someone.  I have known this person for almost a decade, they have been there when I have needed no nonsense unsugar coated advice.  This person is very important to me and if I were to actually get married again I could see myself spending rest of my life with this person.  When I sent them the proposal (yes, I did it via email [I am not sure this person knows not only what a phone is, but what it does!!!!]) I was well aware of their opinion of marriage, but I did it anyway! Not only did I not expect a positive response, I really didn’t expect any response at all! Realistically I am not exactly a prime catch. WAIT!!! Don’t get excited yet! I say this for once main reason… drama! Between my lupus, and my kids medical conditions we have anything but a normal and calm life.  I would not wish that much drama upon ANYONE! I told you I was a smart ass!

I was dragging a smidge this morning.  My eyes are being weird.  I can’t really focus both my eyes; I am fine if I am using one eye or the other, but once both eyes are open forget it.  I finally made it to the gym, happy news on the scale (tomorrow is my official weigh in day and I actually can’t wait!), then to the treadmill.  I took it kind of easy, but I got an enjoyable 2.7 miler in and then I did some lower body and core weights (I have swimming on the books tomorrow so I didn’t want to work my upper body).  Once I was done with all that I changed into my swim suite and hit the hot tub.  Awwww! Felt amazing.  On my way out I decided to splurge and had a wonderful salmon salad. 

Tomorrow is an elliptical machine visit (might visit the treadmill, don’t know yet) and pool time!

~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"~

Relaxing!

2 March 2012

The weather around here has been a little odd, but it’s Colorado, so what do you expect?

Kind of a continuation from yesterday…  Once a week I have a weight loss appointment (well actually it is a “Move” appointment for wounded/injured people) and the class subject was physical activity (we have food and psych as well).  The instructor went around the class to find out how everyone is doing.  One of my class mates deals with fibromyalgia and both of us commented that we are dealing with a flare.  Later in the class the instructor made a comment it is important to try to either work through the pain or work around it, “except our two people who are in a flare up, they need to just relax and wait it out.” Ummm, I don’t think so.  I refuse to sedentary for THAT long. 

Today I had a 2.5 mile run on the books and I was short a cross training day.  I got on the treadmill and did my 2.5 miles of run/walking. My back dealt with it pretty well and my knee (which I hit AGAIN last night) did ok.  I did get a few cramps, but I worked through them.  Then I did a smidge of core work (still taking it easy).  Then off to the pool.  Ok, my shoulder needs some strength training, but by the time I left the gym I felt so relaxed! It was great! Yes, I was tired when I went in and I was tired when I left.  Shoot, I am tired now!  If I waited until I wasn’t tired I would NEVER get anything done.  At least I am a happy and relaxed tired!

Tomorrow – group run with BRC… 4 miles (assuming my back plays nice)

~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"~

Here we go!!!!!

Don’t Let the Fat Chick Beat You has gone on vacation until the end of October, but this is for a very good reason!

Here we on 1 February 2012. In 263 days I will be toeing the line at my first iron distance triathlon.  I had dreamed of that day for a few years and I am finally on the on the road. I realize this road is going to rough under ideal circumstances; this journey for me will be very interesting.  I have to ensure I keep a VERY good balance of training properly for the race but not pushing to hard that I end up in a lupus flare up.

During these next 263 days I am keeping my races to a minimum. Between now and 20 October 2012 I have a half marathon (March 2012), a full marathon (May 2012), a sprint triathlon (August 2012) and the training plan I am working off of also calls for an Olympic and a Half Iron distance triathlon.  If I do any more triathlons, I am up for the half iron distance (September 2012), but I haven’t found any Olympic distances that are within in the time frame recommended, not to mention I don’t want to push that much. 

“Official” training doesn’t start until the beginning of May 2012.  I have three months of marathon training to get me ready for the harder workouts.  I have my marathon training schedule, but I still have available time to work with weights, get bike time and happily… pool time!

Part of this journey will also be an experiment!  I can’t help but wonder how my lupus will respond; I am well aware of the fact that I HAVE to be very careful that I do not overdo it and end up in a flare up. Because of this wonderful disease I am on some nasty medications:

      Iron – I get anemic

      Melatonin – if my friend insomnia comes to visit more than three days in a row

      Methotrexate – lupus – takes the pain level down noticeably

      Omeprazole – antacid – I LOVE this stuff

      Flexural – muscle relaxer – thank goodness I don’t need these very often! (My family loves it when I am taking these “free entertainment”)

      Vitamin D3 – vitamin D3 deficient (thank you lupus)

      B12 – vitamin B12 deficient (thank you lupus)

      Plaquinil – lupus

      Vicodin – MAJOR pain pill – again, luckily I don’t have to take it very often!

      Folic Acid – to counter the methotrexate

      Levothyroxine – hypothyroid

      Mobic – anti-inflammatory

Only three of these I do not have to take on a regular basis. I refer to Saturday nights as “Pharmacy Night” and at 34 years old that is just stupid.  I am posting this list and I am hoping in 263 days that list is shortened (not sure how, but it is worth the shot!) On a side note… thanks to methotrexate I get to go to the vampire every six weeks because this medication is so harsh it can wreck major havoc on the liver. 

With all that said the next moth looks like the following:

		5	Misc/Rest	3	10	Cross
		2/1/2012	2/2/2012	2/3/2012	2/4/2012	2/5/2012
3	Spinning	5	Misc/Rest	3	7	Cross
2/6/2012	2/7/2012	2/8/2012	2/9/2012	2/10/2012	2/11/2012	2/12/2012
3	Spinning	6	Misc/Rest	3	12	Cross
2/13/2012	2/14/2012	2/15/2012	2/16/2012	2/17/2012	2/18/2012	2/19/2012
3	Spinning	6	Misc/Rest	3	13	Cross
2/20/2012	2/21/2012	2/22/2012	2/23/2012	2/24/2012	2/25/2012	2/26/2012
3	Spinning	7
2/27/2012	2/28/2012	2/29/2012

The “Misc/Rest” and Sunday “Cross” are my flexible days.  These two days I am going to either take a day off or participate in quieter activities; yoga, Pilates, etc.

Here is to an interesting 263 days!

~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"~