Who wants to join me?

runDisney Virtual 2018 Series

Super excited to see the medals for the runDisney summer virtual runs. I like these races and can't wait to get registered.

 

These races have a few things going for them.

• You can do them anywhere! No need to travel. They can be completed outside, inside, on the treadmill or on asphalt. Last year I hiked some beautiful trails.
• Complete them alone or with friends.
• THE BLING! runDisney medals are amazing. For each race that you register for and complete you get a medal. If you sign up for all 3 you get a commemorative medal.

I use these races during the summer to get me ready for my "runs" in the fall. I will also use these as part of my training for the Princess 10k and Half. 

Steriods + Antibiotic = Missed Training

 

I am starting to get nervous. In 36 days I will be on a plane to Orlando.

 

My training plan has been thrown out the window.

 

The antibiotic is making me sick to my stomach. I am EXTRA emotional because of the steroids. It has been a week of headaches, ear pain and sinus pain that shows no sign of stopping. Guess who has a nasty case of vertigo...THIS GIRL!

 

It was so bad last week that I thought I was going to pass out at work.

 

Going home today to pack my suitcase. Hopefully that will help to improve my outlook. 

Felt like an Olympic athlete

 

This week I am back to training after taking a week off. The massage was amazing even if she only worked on my legs. Bridget listened to me and really focused on my trouble areas. I thought that it was only my calves that were giving me trouble but the thighs were tight as well. She said that my calves were the tightest she has ever worked on. At least I'm first in something right?

 

So how did she make me feel like an Olympic athlete? She used cupping to help loosen the muscles. I was skeptical but my legs hurt so bad that if eating a can of sardines would help then bring it. It was a strange feeling but didn't take long before I could feel a difference. I expected bruising like Michael Phelps had. No bruising just some circles on my legs for hours.

 

 

I am keeping up with my stretches and drinking plenty of water. Training started on Monday with 2 miles of hills. Saturday will be my long walk of 7 miles. I will definitely have another massage in a month!

 

Drink Up! and rest

 

I have become one of those people. Thank you to Beth for decorating the jug for me. I promise not to drink directly from the jug.

 

I have not finished a gallon yet..always just short.

 

This week I have had some serious calf pain from all the walking that I have been doing. So to avoid any injury I took this week to rest and stretch. Compression sleeves, heat, ice, over the counter pain medications, bio-freeze, I have tired everything. I even pulled out the night splint to see if it would help. So far no relief.

 

 

I am treating myself to a massage. Praying that it will give me some relief so I can return to my training schedule. 

Three weeks of training

 

What did I learned about myself?

 

I am not a quitter.

 

December 30, 2012 - I set the goal to run the Princess 10k. That was 5 years ago. I would start my training and quit. My back would hurt or my feet would go numb after 15 minutes of walking. I would get to week 2 of training and think there is no way I can do this. Week 3 my back would hurt so much that I would "take a break". Months would pass and I would try again. 

 

In other parts of my life I had not quit. I failed out of nursing school on the first try. Bring up my 1.2 GPA was not easy. Didn't quit! Got my bachelors degree and have a national certification. Why was this so difficult?

 

Fast forward to the last 3 weeks. I have hit my daily goal of 10k steps. I have stuck to my training schedule. There was one day that I fell short. Didn't let it get me down. Actually finished my Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon. It took me almost 5 hours but I finished. Earning these medals also provides a lot of motivation. I look forward to my training days.

 

I'm holding myself accountable but I also have great support. My husband has been helping to get the kids where they need to go so I can get my training in. My son keeps me on track with eating breakfast everyday and drinking only 1 soda a day. I have an accountability partner, friends and family that offer kind words or a kick in the pants. A wonderful group of doctors that have given me my life back.

 

I can't quit this time. I will do this for me!

Neurosurgeon follow-up

 

One year follow-up with the neurosurgeon!

It was my last appointment with the neurosurgeon!

Looking at the x-ray above you can see there is only a small gap between the bones which will continue to fill in. I have been cleared 100%. He gave me the okay to start running and weight lifting. Reluctantly he said I could ride 1 rollercoaster at Disney. Space Mountain here I come!

How can I thank someone who has given me my life back?

I can go the distance

This was an amazing week for me!

 

I have 80 days until my runDisney events. Training started on the 21st. First week is complete and WOW. I have walked 23 miles total which comes to a time 7:51:24. I completed all 5 days of training!

 

I am making other changes too.

 

If you know me you are aware of my love for Diet Dr. Pepper. I can easily drink a six pack a day. That is on a stress free day! Over Christmas break I cut back to 1 20oz bottle a day. The rest of the day I drink water, lots of water. On average 96oz a day. I pee a lot!

 

I have a Garmin vivosmartHR that I wear religiously. I was not always religious about getting my daily steps in. This past week I have hit my goal of 10k everyday. There was day I reached 15k.

 

I am tracking my food again on my fitness pal. I still struggle with eating healthy and getting the calories within range. Eating breakfast everyday is my current goal. Made egg muffins this weekend and that has really helped. I have also meal prepped my lunches for the week. Dinners are a challenge because we are never home at night.

 

There is one nice benefit to all of this...I have lost 5lbs. Since no one really reads this I will post my "before" pictures.

 

 

Neurosurgeon appointment will be next week. I am hoping to be cleared to return to all activities with no limits. Hoping he will tell me that I can ride 1 rollercoaster during my trip to Disney.