Rocky Start

It's just the beginning of training season for me.  The plan is to run the Route 66 half marathon in November, but if all goes well, I might get the itch to run a big race before then. My goal for the next race is a sub 2:00:00. My personal best was a 3:11:17 at Route 66 in 2013, so even if I just break that I'll be happy. I've been training for a couple of weeks now. My miles are still low, which sucks because the first 2 miles are always the hardest for me. It takes that long for my body to adjust to what I'm doing to it. I loathe the first 2 miles! I am looking forward to my first 5 mile. 5 is my happy number. Lately, I have been working through some pain issues. I'm in pain every day. Most days, it is manageable, but this past week has been a rough one. It is weeks like this that reminds me why running is so important to me. Running can give me pain, but it also gives me a sense of accomplishment. A reason to have pain, instead of just having pain.  It's like my therapy. There are runs when I cry during or after my run. This week I've had a couple of those. Tonight's run was one of those. I cried the minute that I stepped off the treadmill and continued through my cool down and post run yoga. I don't mind a good cry after a good run. I felt clean afterwards. Well, not clean like I didn't need to take a shower clean.  Just clean. So this is my rough week, my jumping off point. My buckle up and hold in week. Yet I'm still here and I'm still going. That's all I can really do for now. 

Peace, love, and better days! 

Slippery When Wet

I had a slow miles week.  And I didn't get my long miles in, but.... I did get a day date with my hubby! With his traveling, we very seldom get to spend time together, just us. So we jumped at the chance to take the kids to my sister's and going slip slidin' together. 

We arrived early and got a good spot in line. The line was slow the first couple of turns. Once the crowd thinned out, we started doing a slide every 5 minutes, even with the trekking required to get back to the top.  I didn't get my miles, but I got plenty of steps. We managed to slide 7 times before our time was up. It was worth it to spend time with him. 

 

After all the fun in the sun, we got a celebratory snow cone on our way out. 

This week it is back to crazy miles and cross training.  So here we go... 

Peace, love, and slip'n slides! 

It's Been A Good Long While

I'm notorious for taking breaks in training, but I've never taken a break this long before. Did you miss me?! You should have, but don't fret, I'm back. A few things have changed. I am no longer diagnosed with Lupus. My kids are older and involved in all kinds of activities. My husband travels even more than he did before, which often times makes it difficulty for me to train. However, I am back with a firm resolution. I have began training for the Route 66 Half Marathon. I bought a treadmill to run after the kids go to sleep. I'm doing this all crazy like, but at least I'm doing it. So here are my goals: 

Short term: figure out a way to train without neglecting family obligations, train for the Route 66, and beat my R66 PR of 3:11. 

Long term: become more consistent with training, train for the R66 Full (gasp!) Marathon next year, get a decent Full underbelt before 2019 When we do the Dublin Marathon. 

My training schedule is much more balanced this time and I am doing better about cross training. I am running on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, and long on Saturday. I am cross training with yoga on Wednesdays and softball on Fridays. Once softball season is over, I plan to add weights and rowing. 

Ambitious for me, I know, but I'm getting this done. 

As for my medical condition, it has changed too! Right now my diagnosis is "undetermined auto-immune disorder". I have begun seeing a new specialist (she's amazing) and she has already helped my pain management tremendously. We put me on a Vitamin D supplement since I was deficient, switched me from ibuprofen to Meloxicam, and have done a multitude of testing. This is the specialist that switched my sister's Dx from Lupus to Scleroderma (which we have ruled out for me so I am hoping that she can figure out what is going on with me. I feel better than I have in a while. I'm still fatigued and stiff, but my daily pain has went from an 8 to a 5. Progress! 

So here goes my next adventure. Until next time...

Peace, love, and future days!