Crazy day!

After yesterday’s swim I wanted to get to the pool this morning and give it another shot.  Unfortunately today was going to be a busy day without any workouts, but I got up and out the door with my kiddos and got to the gym.  I had to wait a little bit before a lane freed up but once I was in and situated I have no issue getting my entire swim in.  It felt great!

I hit the hot tub for a very short time before I had to get out and get going. My next stop today was the rheumy.  As usual we went over my shopping list of meds and then discussed my current issues.  I told him about the weird thing that happened with my hand and he told me that happens because of my RA. My lower back is still an issue, but I am doing what I can.  The things on my hand are something we need to keep an eye on, but he isn’t worried at this point.  Blah, blah, blah, I didn’t get any new meds (YAY!!!!), and I don’t have to go back for three months.  In the lupus world that is HUGE!

With only a short break I was off to class.  It wasn’t too bad, but knowing how nice it was outside made me want to get out early.  Once class was over I hit the trail on my bike for a short ride.  Wasn’t quite an hour, like my schedule said for today, but it was first ride of the year outside on my bike. 

Tomorrow is Cuervo’s graduation form elementary school! So tomorrow will be another go, go, go day. Hopefully I will be able to start my morning with my 41 minute run and my 1800 meter swim. 

Oh! And Saturday is my ColorRun 5K race, which should be a lot of fun (and Very messy!)

~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"~

I wore him out! I wore him out!

Today was supposed to be bike power intervals, but spin class was more of an endurance ride today.  We did hills, we did sprints, so I am chalking it up to a successful training day.  After spin class it was off to class class! I am already halfway done with this quarter, which means I am that much closer to graduating!

This is not one of my kids (human or fur!).

After class, I had to zoom to an appointment and then zoom home, I beat Cuervo home!  I asked both kiddos about homework, they both said “Nope! Nada!!” (which is understandable, they only have three days left before summer break!) I told them to get running clothes on and we headed to a run group.  I figured we would go Jose’s pace, ok, I made him pick up the speed, but I wanted to get done at some point tonight. I told them by the end of the summer I want them to be able to run the whole distance.  Poor little Cuervo was so tired on the way I was doing the happy dance because I wore him out!!!!! Hey, that is not an easy task!

Tomorrow is run and swim day (and more school!)

~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"~

Perspective

16 Apr 12

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

I the past month there have been at least two occasions when I have wanted to walk up to a complete stranger (or someone I had just met) and given them a hug (and one big hug to a friend).  I try to be nice to everyone, sometimes it doesn’t work so well (nobody’s perfect!) but it is something I do honestly try to do.  Today was a two hug day (didn’t give them, but sure wanted to).  The first one was an old man at the VA who was being spoken to by his doctor(????) in the hallway, he was being told that one of his numbers was way to high and he is running the risk of bleeding to death and blah, blah, blah.  The doc was asking him if there has been any changes she was not aware of; alcohol use, herbal tea, diet change, etc.  After a little pause, he told her his wife hasn’t been well lately.  Long story short, I have no idea what his medical issue is, nor is it really relevant, this poor man was just told he is in dangerous condition and all I could think about was this poor guy was just given horrific news and with his wife not feeling well, what are the chances he is just going to bottle it up and not tell her so she can help.  I know that is what BOTH my parents would do! It made me think about my kidneys and liver.  Mine are just in bad shape, they still work and knowing they aren’t perfect scared the crap out of me and I basically went crying to my family, I can’t imagine getting worse news and not having anyone to turn to. 

To make it a two hug day, a friend who is currently deployed in Afghanistan has had a REALLY rough week, and this is in addition to all the stress he is under over there.  His cousin died… then he finds out that his grandfather’s cancer has spread to far.  Really???

All I can say is…

Oh! And please keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers. 

~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"~

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"~

Weight training 101

26 March 2012

I love spring break, I love spring break! For the next week I have buddies all day, every day! But that is fine! I have a gym membership and there is plenty of area for my kiddos to dispose of energy!  We had some appointments this morning so it was a little hectic (and didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast), after the appointments we headed off to the gym.  Cuervo is to young to come up into the cardio/weight area, so he hung out in the kiddo area (loved every minute of it).  Jose and I went upstairs and started off on the treadmill.  Then we did lower body weights, I have a lot of work to do with that kid! I kept having to tell him to stop staring at the TV.  I was doing my usual weight, for Jose I was only letting him work with 20(ish) pounds.  After lower body weights, we did some more cardio then some upper body weights.  After focusing more on Jose then my own workout (and the fact I didn’t have anything to eat yet) I figured it was time to get going.  I really wish they did not have TVs up in the weight area, but they do and Jose need to learn to pay attention to what he is doing instead of the TVs.  I think he and I are going to have a This is How You Use the Weight Machine lesson in the very near future (This weekend works for me!). 

It is kind of weird… I am signed up for the Colorado Marathon, obviously I will be not running the full marathon (thanks to my back), but I am not sure I am really in the mood to do any of it.  I am just really not feeling it right now.  I am not saying no, yet; I am keeping up with my training, but I am just not feeling it at this point.  Oh well, I still have over a month before I have to make any decision!

 

~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"~

Beliefs

11 March 2012

This morning I saw something on Facebook that I had to borrow.  “Your Beliefs don’t make you a better person, your Behavior does.” I have met a multitude of “Christians” who try to make people believe they are good people JUST because they are Christians.  I have also dealt with a number of atheists who are the most kind hearted people I have ever met!  Now, I am not saying all Christians are bad people (I was born and raised Catholic), because they are not nor am I saying that all atheists are good people because that isn’t the case either!  Don’t tell me you must be a good person because of what you believe; it is all about how you behave!

Today completes week #2 of training.  I have heard taking a rest day can be the hardest thing to do.  Today is one of those days for me, I want to go get some pool time in, but I had my sister hide my suit from me! Yesterday was group run with BRC FIT Team.  I wasn’t really feeling it, at first so I took it as an enjoyable walk.  Once I finally started getting into it I was able to start running.  My left shoulder (usually it is my right shoulder that gets mad, but that is becuase it is "an old army injury"!!!!!!!) was oddly tight, but I finished happy and feeling good! Next week starts recovery week, but I have a 5-miler (which was supposed to be a half marathon) next weekend.  The weekend after next group runs move to Garden of the Gods; if you want a run that will kick your butt, run there!!!!!

Oh! And during my run yesterday I was keeping an eye on which zone I was in, kind of interesting really!  I usually run in zone 4/5. I focused yesterday on staying out of 5. This week during my runs I want to see what happens to my pace if I stay in 3/4.

Here is to a good training week before recover week!




~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"~

Might want to think her profession!

4 March 2012

Earlier this week I was told by a VA person that during a flare up I should just sit back and relax; luckily I don’t listen very well.  Monday I had a nice treadmill run, Tuesday I did a short stint on the treadmill followed by a spin class.  Wednesday – I took the day off (had to much homework to do).  Thursday three miles on the elliptical machine; Friday another nice treadmill run; Saturday, even though it was cold, I had a fabulous run with the BRC FIT.  Today after dropping my boys off with my dad I snuck off to the pool.  My goal was to do one mile. I didn’t care how long it took me but damn it I was going to do a mile! I did a nice 100 m warm up, stretched out (my shoulder got mad at me last time so I wanted to make sure it was nice and stretched).  I figured I would break my remaining laps into 500 meters.  The first 500 was freestyle-breaststroke-freestyle-back stroke-freestyle.  Set number two was kicking-stroke-kicking-stroke-kicking (usually I do it the other way, but trying to be nice to my shoulder).  The final set was another freestyle-breaststroke-freestyle-back stroke-freestyle.  I kept it gentle enough that my shoulder did not get upset, I also had to be gentle on my knee.  By the time I got out of the pool I felt wonderful! Of course I had to make a side trip to the hot tub. 

My whole point of this rambling is the fact that I could have thrown in the towel and decided I was to “ill” to live MY life.  I realize there are days when my body tells me there are no ifs and or buts about it I have to take a day or two (or more) off.  I just don’t understand how anyone with any knowledge about lupus or any other autoimmune disease would have the audacity to encourage someone is a flare to do nothing. I am not saying that during a flare up extra down time isn’t needed because, trust me, it is!!!! But if you can get out even for a little bit it is so worth it.  I am tired after my workouts, but then again I am tired before them so what is the difference?! I am so much more relaxed and I am a lot nicer to live with!

Treatment of SLE The treatment of SLE is as varied as its course. Although there is no cure for lupus and it is difficult to predict which treatment will be most effective for each patient, there have been significant gains in treating patients, and there is general consensus on several treatments. A conservative regimen of physical and emotional rest, protection from direct sunlight, a healthful diet, prompt treatment of infections, and avoidance of aggravating factors are the mainstays of lupus therapy. In addition, for female patients, pregnancy must be planned for times when the disease is under control, and the patient is on allowable medications. Physical Rest This basic component of everyone’s good health is essential for the person with lupus. The fatigue of lupus is not sleepiness or tiredness from physical exertion, but rather a frequent, persistent complaint often described as a “bone-tired feeling” or a “paralyzing fatigue.” Normal rest often does not refresh the patient or eliminate the tiredness due to lupus, and fatigue may persist despite normal laboratory test results. The patient and family need instruction on how to use this tiredness as a guide for scheduling activity and rest. It must be reinforced that this need for rest is not laziness. Eight to 10 hours a night of restful sleep, naps, and “timeouts” during the day are basic guidelines. Physical activity should be encouraged as the patient can tolerate it. However, in some patients, the fatigue is more related to fibromyalgia than to the activity of their lupus. An individualized exercise routine may promote wellbeing, especially in a patient with fibromyalgia. Some scientists believe that the incidence of fibromyalgia is increased in patients with lupus. They do not know why, but one hypothesis is that inflammation from lupus may lead to the rewiring of the pain pathways in the central nervous system. Emotional Rest A patient’s emotional stressors should be carefully assessed, because they may play a role in triggering a flare. The patient should be instructed on how to avoid these stressful situations. However, the physical manifestations of lupus must be treated as they present themselves while the emotional stresses are explored. Discussions with family members on this issue are essential for providing them with information and obtaining their support. Counseling for both the patient and the family may be an option. Chapter 6, Psychosocial Aspects of Lupus, explores these issues in further detail. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/Lupus_Guide/chapter_1.asp

~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"~

Anything you can do I can do better…

Anything you can do I can do better…

28 February 2012

Ok, it is more like anything you complain about I can complain bigger! I have known someone like this for YEARS!!!!! The sad thing is his complaints are nothing! Well, they might seem to be the end of the world for him, but to me they are nothing but petty histrionics! Going around on Facebook.com lately is a cancer thing…

Stupid cancer… Some of us want a new house… A new car… A new mobile phone… To lose weight… But someone battling cancer wants just one thing, to win the battle.  97% of my friends won’t re-post this, but 3% will.  Let’s see who does. Please re-post this in honor of someone who lost their battle, or for someone fighting now.

A friend made a comment that got me to thinking. 

“Some of us want a new house” just reading over this you would think someone is being selfish, but the thought that the people who want a new house includes people who live in houses that could fall apart at any moment or even worse, they don’t even have a house to begin with.

“A new car” Ya know, public transportation in most places in this country SUCK!!!!! And try dragging a couple of kids on the bus to go grocery shopping or get to the ER at 2 o’clock in the morning, I am not saying that cars are an esential part of life, but for some they are a neccessaty. 

“A new phone” yea, I got nothing!

“To lose weight” it is funny how our health directly relates to our weight.  I am not sure how losing weight is considered shallow. 

Way back in 1988 I lost my grandfather to brain cancer, in 2000 I lost my uncle to esphogus cancer.  I have no idea what they went through.

I have a close friend who has lost two of her fur babies to cancer.  Losing a fur child of my own to kidney failure I understand to a degree how she felt watching her sweet babies fight the battle of their lives and eventually cross the rainbow bridge.  I know “but they are only dogs”.

What about military spouses?  Kissing their loved ones good bye for God only knows how long and praying and hoping their significant other comes home alive and safe. 

There are so many issues and not everyone is as strong as everyone else.  I realize I bitch and moan when I have bad days, but I am actually greatful.  I have found out just how strong my support system is and who all is in it.  I have discovered just how strong I, myself, am.  I have learned to not only look at life in a whole different light but to enjoy every minute as much as possible. 

Don’t get me wrong, I support cancer research whole heartedly.  The more diseases and illnesses we find the cure for, the better!

~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"~

Excuses!

21 February 2012.

As a mom of two preteen boys I am pretty sure I have heard every excuse in the book.  When I comes to training however there are a whole slew of excuses that I am sure we have all tried at some point in time.  Today my list of excuses are pretty good one and sadly they are legitimate.

1.     I am tired

2.    My back hurts

3.    I have an ear infection

4.    I have a head cold

5.    My knees are pissy

6.    My goggles leak

7.    …

There will always be reasons why something can’t be done.  It takes true strength and determination to realize when they are just excuses and when they are reasons to take a day off. 

As for me today…

I’m tired. Really? It doesn’t matter what I do, I am always tired, it is a fact of life. It doesn’t matter if I stay in bed all day or go to the gym so I might as well go to the gym and be happy and tired!

My back hurts.  Ok, so don’t do something that makes it mad. Luckily I have found that spin class has no effect on my back.  Yea, my butt hurts but it was an awesome class. Some part of my body is always hurting, I have to decide what controls my life. 

I have an ear infection.  Ummmm, I am on antibiotics and there is a whole heck of a lot I can do about it.  When I am in the pool I wear ear plugs anyway. NEXT!

I have a head cold.  Ok, so bring tissues and make sure all the equipment is wiped down when done! Not hard.

My knees are pissy.  See above under my lower back hurts. 

My goggles leak.  I wanted to spend some time in the pool today.  Ok, so I only swam 100 meetings, but I wasn’t ready to get out.  So I kicked for a bit and when my knee informed me that was enough I stayed in the pool and ran for a while.

There will always be excuses and reasons not to train, and it takes a strong person to understand when it is an excuse that can (and most likely should be) be worked through. 

There is a quote I remind myself of when I am having rough days… I might have lupus. But it doesn’t have me!

~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"~