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"~

Don't do that honey!

Last night my old friend insomnia hit me, again! Or is it still, either way I was up much later than I wanted to be. So this morning when it was time to get up it was a bit of a struggle.  I did get up and off to the gym I went wear a Sparkle Skirt a dear friend gave me.  This was the first time I had ever worn that brand, I wasn’t too sure about it.  Typically, my fluffy belly bounces the waist down (so I am pulling it up ever three seconds and my “tree trunk” legs make the shorts go up (typically I wear capris under my running skirts).  I got on the treadmill (I have a 51 minute run on the books today) and I did my five minute warm up and everything was staying put except the rock in my shoe.  Ok, on to the walk 1 “run” 4 minutes… After 40 minutes of that I had done no skirt fixing, the last 6 minutes I was doing sprints and STILL no skirt fixing!!!!! It is nice that a company has made a running skirt that works on fluffier athletes!

As far as the pool went today it wasn’t anywhere near as successful as the run was.  I have blister on my feet and pushing off of the wall was not fun, my iPod died so no music while swimming and I just couldn’t get into it. So after 300 meters I called it quits and hit the hot tub (I have time before my doctors appointment tomorrow to hit the pool so I will try it again tomorrow!).

I get the in the hot tub and I know it is not great for one’s health but it is soooooo relaxing.  At first I am in there by myself, then a mom and her child come over (there are signs everywhere saying not for children under 12).  Mom tells the kid to sit on the edge.  Next thing you see kid has his feet in the hot tub, then his legs then he is up to his waist and then he is all the way in.  When his mom FINALLY notices she tells him to get out… what does he do? He just stares at her and continues to walk around in the hot tub.  I am sorry, but I would drag his butt out if I were his mom and he ignored me like that.  People wonder why kids are such problems these days!

Oh well! Tomorrow is pool time and a bike ride (hopefully I will actually be able to get some time on my bike.

~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"~

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my Gosh!

20 Apr 12

I almost feel like a little kid getting ready for Christmas… Six months from right now I will be in the middle of my first FULL iron distance triathlon.  After this week of training (which isn’t even complete yet) I am feeling really good about this race. 

I realize today is only Friday, but I would put this week of training WAY up there on the scale of awesomeness.  So far I have more than 11 miles on the treadmill, 2 ½ miles in the pool and an butt kicker of a spin class done.  I had planned on hitting a yoga class today, but the day got filled with medical stuff, which isn’t a bad thing.  Tomorrow is my long run, I am supposed to meet with the ladies of the BRC Fit group, but I am not sure my lungs would be happy if I tried to do a long run in Garden of the Gods, so I might just hit my favorite trail and keep it nice and easy.  Sunday depending on how I am feeling, I will either head up north to cheer on a friend or I will hit the trails on my bike.  I guess we will have to see. 

Six months… You hear me???? SIX MONTHS… I can’t wait!

Oh! And I have successfully written down everything I have consumed to far this week AND only had one soda a day!

Please keep them in your 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"~

Toys!

16 Apr 12

I am not sure how runners/triathletes survived all those years ago.  I mean, when I first started running there was no such thing as an iPod!  Ok, when I first started running seriously anything over a half a mile was just plain straight out stupid! I was a sprinter, give me a break! When I started going further distances I had a nifty little Walkman!  But really I didn’t run with it often, then there was the diskman which really wasn’t conducive for running because the CD would skip.  Six years ago I got my grubby little hands on my very first iPod, ok, it was my sister’s but she was nice enough to share!  We have always had watches, and now we have GPS watches that can do all but do the running for you!  Heart rate monitors, moisture wicking clothes…

People complain about how boring running is without music, which by the way is against USAT regulations (the running with music part, they could care less if you find it boring).  On a treadmill I completely agree with this, on the trails it is easier to go without the music.  The bike, I will wear headphones on a spin bike and only a spin bike.  Once I am on my road bike forget it, it is way too much of a safety hazard.  To me it that isn’t a huge deal.  Now, what really needs music is swimming!  I have tried singing while I swim, but I almost drown! Thanks to H2O Audio that has been solved.  They have made this fabulous little thingy that you can put an iPod in and go swimming!  Now, you can’t just jump in the pool and you are good to go. Once you get everything situated you can start rocking you swim! 

Every time I head out to the pool I have my handy swim bag with me.  Ok, yes, if you want to be frugal you can get away with just a swim suit.  But then your eyes get all red and the chlorine in your hair, and blah, blah, blah.  So I took a long hard look at my swim bag… I have my swim fins, Forearm Fulcrums, swim paddles, lap counter, GPS watch, Swim cap (or two), goggles, my H2O Audio thingy (which you can get cheaper at amazon.com), my little towel thingy.  Oh, and of course my swim workout book, pages are water proof and has a whole bunch of workouts listed.  Do I really need all this stuff??? Yea, I do!  Of course I do!

Today’s gym visit was wonderful!  I had some wardrobe issues while on the treadmill so I only did 30 minutes, I got lower body weight session in and the I decided it was time to try to drown myself in the pool, not really.  I enjoyed a comfortable mile in the pool.  My shoulder didn’t act up which made me so happy!

Tomorrow the goal is treadmill with upper body weights and then spin class.

~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"~

The Floor is Getting Closer!

8 March 2012
No, I am not getting shorter! Actually I have shrunk a bit (thanks to my back issues).  I made a comment to my sister about the floor getting closer and she through I lost my mind! I have never been overly flexible (unlike my younger son), thanks to yoga I have managed to gain a certain amount of flexibility, but the whole thing of putting weight on and having back issues that flexibility hasn’t been around of late.  The other day I had to pick something up off the ground and I had no issue bending over and grabbing it.  There was no squatting down it was bend and grab!

Today was my official weigh in day and I am so excited to say I am down over eight pounds!  That is with no calorie counting just keeping an eye on “mindless snacking” and making sure we have a salad with dinner every night.  I get cookies for dessert most nights (some nights I just don’t feel like it).  So YAY! OH!!!! That means I get a new pair of running socks!!!!!!!

This week I have been right on schedule for my training and tomorrow … ACTIVE RECOVERY—LOW-IMPACT CROSS TRAINING OR FULL RECOVERY IF NEEDED I am going to use this as aerobics class day!  First I am going to try to sleep in a bit.  Tomorrow morning I have a choice between Spin Class, Zumba, hot yoga, and regular yoga.  I have never been to a hot yoga class, but my primary care doc highly recommends it but told me in NO uncertain terms to make sure the instructor is WELL aware of my medical conditions and ask for help to adjust some of the poses to make sure I don’t get hurt.  Spin class… it isn’t with Tony L but it is still a possibility.  Zumba not sure how my back with like it.  Regular yoga is a very good possibility! I also plan on getting some pool time.  I had thought about it today, but I figured after my 3-miler I was good for the day. 

Here is to another great weight loss week and an even better training 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"~

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"~