Today was one of the toughest days i have had in a long time.
The pain through my shoulder blades are so severe that I cannot even turn my head, and the pain keeps me completely helpless. I've tried many times throughout the day to push through it and be active, but i couldn't. The thing that kills me that it probably is just tight, but I'm feeling it so much more because of fibromyalgia. I've been tired and overworked, and even over-active. This pain is what gets us down not just physically but also mentally. I am in a dark place.
i pray that tomorrow i will be better. i pray that i will get through this. i pray that i will not feel like i'm all alone on this earth. i pray that tomorrow I will get up and get moving. i pray that tomorrow i will have better news to share.
Surf City Half Marathon, 2/1/09. I will still make it there.
I'll be ok. God bless you all.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
There are bad days, but there are also Good Days!
I ran easy for 40 minutes today. I felt pretty good, although left hip was hurting more than the right hip (usually it's the right one that bothers me), and left ankle was showing some sharp pains occasionally. I stretched after the run just to make sure i was addressing those pain issues. I was suprised at how i didn't get exhausted by the 20th minute, because i remembered the struggle i experienced last week.
This past Saturday I ran/walked 5 miles, more like 6 including warm up and cool down, and perhaps that helped me build better endurance although I was stuggling after mile 3 with both hips and calves screaming for rest. I was very exhausted and fatigued at mile 3.5 or so, was regretting not bringing Cytomax with me (just brought plain water), but I powered through and had a long cool down, just to make the mileage. I wasn't as sore the next day, in fact i ended up standing around for 6 hours volunteering at a half-marathon event, but it was good to be out there and get some positive energy from so many runners. On Monday, however, I couldn't dare to run like I was supposed to because that was when the soreness kicked in. I took the day off and I ran today instead (so i'm skipping one bike session this week), and i think the rest yesterday helped.
I gotta look into the left hip pain and make sure that is figured out before I go out and run again. Nothing some foam rolling and icing can't fix, I hope.
Training plan for this week:
Tues: Run Easy 40 mins (not including warm up for 10 minutes and cool down for 5, for all workouts)
Wed: Power Plate / Strength training
Thurs: Run Moderate (a little faster/harder than today) 30 mins with drills afterwards
Fri: Bike Moderate 40 mins on trainer
Sat: Run/Walk 7 miles, Conversational pace (I think it's 7, but it might be 6)
Sun: Rest (will probably do pilates, core exercises, etc)
This past Saturday I ran/walked 5 miles, more like 6 including warm up and cool down, and perhaps that helped me build better endurance although I was stuggling after mile 3 with both hips and calves screaming for rest. I was very exhausted and fatigued at mile 3.5 or so, was regretting not bringing Cytomax with me (just brought plain water), but I powered through and had a long cool down, just to make the mileage. I wasn't as sore the next day, in fact i ended up standing around for 6 hours volunteering at a half-marathon event, but it was good to be out there and get some positive energy from so many runners. On Monday, however, I couldn't dare to run like I was supposed to because that was when the soreness kicked in. I took the day off and I ran today instead (so i'm skipping one bike session this week), and i think the rest yesterday helped.
I gotta look into the left hip pain and make sure that is figured out before I go out and run again. Nothing some foam rolling and icing can't fix, I hope.
Training plan for this week:
Tues: Run Easy 40 mins (not including warm up for 10 minutes and cool down for 5, for all workouts)
Wed: Power Plate / Strength training
Thurs: Run Moderate (a little faster/harder than today) 30 mins with drills afterwards
Fri: Bike Moderate 40 mins on trainer
Sat: Run/Walk 7 miles, Conversational pace (I think it's 7, but it might be 6)
Sun: Rest (will probably do pilates, core exercises, etc)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
** Some days are bad - today is that day **
What a lousy training day i had this morning.
I was supposed to run at a moderate pace (about 7-8 difficulty/exertion out of a 10 scale) for 30 minutes. I just couldn't run at that pace for any longer than 5 minutes. My legs felt heavy, my head was foggy, I was miserable. I think people driving and running by me could see the misery on my face (nearing breakout into a sob). I was feeling quite discouraged but remembered that every day is different and even the pros have days like this where their body feels like it's someone else's.
I ended up pretty much jogging for like 25 minutes, and walked 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after. Well, better than nothing. At least I got up and tried. I feel lame and yet justified all at the same time. Eh, what can I do about it. Move on.
Tomorrow is moderate bike on the trainer for 30 minutes. That should be better, because cycling is usally easier than running :)
I was supposed to run at a moderate pace (about 7-8 difficulty/exertion out of a 10 scale) for 30 minutes. I just couldn't run at that pace for any longer than 5 minutes. My legs felt heavy, my head was foggy, I was miserable. I think people driving and running by me could see the misery on my face (nearing breakout into a sob). I was feeling quite discouraged but remembered that every day is different and even the pros have days like this where their body feels like it's someone else's.
I ended up pretty much jogging for like 25 minutes, and walked 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after. Well, better than nothing. At least I got up and tried. I feel lame and yet justified all at the same time. Eh, what can I do about it. Move on.
Tomorrow is moderate bike on the trainer for 30 minutes. That should be better, because cycling is usally easier than running :)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
** Patientslikeme.com Launches Fibromyalgia Community Site **
IT'S LIVE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN.
I've joined patientslikeme.com and put up my profile. The website, which has been receiving some great accolades for their existing patient communities (ALS, MS, etc), is launching a community site for fibromyalgia, based on great demand from fellow patients out there! How exciting is that - this proves so many positive things surrounding the illness, some of them being increased awareness and the growing "validity" of the illness in the medical community. This is a great website for us to share not just our personal info and experience, but treatment, medication and symptom history with others in a nice little visibly effective chart that allows you and others to track your progress. I'm still working on building my history, which I expect to show a very interesting progress chart (less medications, less treatments and less symptoms over the years!). I'm a stats/numbers geek so when I see things like this I have to admit I do get a bit too excited. Anyway, I encourage you to check it out and register!!!! My profile is http://www.patientslikeme.com/members/view/minnielee
Also, I don't know how many people are going to read this today, but there is going to be a section in CBS Evening News tonight at 630pm featuring PatientsLikeMe...check it out...you might discover a little surprise...
One last bit - I did my moderate bike for 30 minutes on the trainer this morning. I felt ok, legs are still feeling pretty heavy and slow. Right hip and back are kind of killing, but i'm stretching them out all day long. I really am working towards losing about 7-10 pounds. Losing the load off my muscles and joints would help me greatly with running long distances - right now i'm just lugging around too much for too long! Tomorrow is 5 miles, easy...long...boring...easy but not really easy training day it will be and i'm really looking forward to it!
** Winter = Post Season = Half Marathon Training **
It's been way too long since my last update. Not much to report except that I have completed my base training stage for my half-marathon training - running/walking easy and long 3 times a week, for about 2 months. I combined some cycling and yoga/pilates to break the absolute boredom that comes from running.
After the triathlon season is over (Spring, Summer) it is so easy to just fall into the trap of doing nothing and eating poorly. Well, eating poorly at times I did, but i made sure that i didn't stop exercising completely. Winter time is the best time to focus on your weakest area, which for me is the run.
My half-marathon race is on Feb 1st, Super Bowl Sunday. It will be at Huntington Beach, CA. Last year I did a 5-k at this race when i was just starting to recover from my hip injury. This year I will make a comeback by completing the half-marathon...in fact, this is where I did my first half-marathon two years ago, which led to my grueling year-long hip problem. This should be interesting.
Tomorrow's training is moderate run for 30 minutes. Then Friday moderate bike for 30 minutes. Saturday is the big 5-miler on a relatively easy pace (i will get bored, but i will think of post-run food enjoyments). Sunday is REST DAY, as it should be.
Stay strong and positive, people - i know it is hard but we just...have to at the end.
After the triathlon season is over (Spring, Summer) it is so easy to just fall into the trap of doing nothing and eating poorly. Well, eating poorly at times I did, but i made sure that i didn't stop exercising completely. Winter time is the best time to focus on your weakest area, which for me is the run.
My half-marathon race is on Feb 1st, Super Bowl Sunday. It will be at Huntington Beach, CA. Last year I did a 5-k at this race when i was just starting to recover from my hip injury. This year I will make a comeback by completing the half-marathon...in fact, this is where I did my first half-marathon two years ago, which led to my grueling year-long hip problem. This should be interesting.
Tomorrow's training is moderate run for 30 minutes. Then Friday moderate bike for 30 minutes. Saturday is the big 5-miler on a relatively easy pace (i will get bored, but i will think of post-run food enjoyments). Sunday is REST DAY, as it should be.
Stay strong and positive, people - i know it is hard but we just...have to at the end.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Being Grateful
I am grateful, despite feeling a little tired and achy today.
Yesterday, i had the privilege of talking to a wonderful lady in Boston, who just completed her first 5k run in July and is going for her second one this weekend. We shared our experiences in our battle against fibromyalgia and our journey to finding our health and building our strength to do things we never thought was possible. Meeting and talking to these wonderful people makes me so happy about what I do, and although i'm having rather a painful day at home, I am smiling. I know today will pass and so will the pain. I am just happy to know that somebody is reading this out there and feeling encouraged to stay active, be positive and continue fighting the good fight.
It is amazing how we can find connection among perfect strangers. To all the readers out there, I am encouraged by your words, your courage and spirit. Thank you so much for being my light in my dark days, so that I can be your light in your dark days.
Last thing to note, i did manage to go out for a quick 35minute run yesterday, and it felt awesome (although it was a bit nippy at 6am).:)
Pain is temporary. Joy in your heart is permanent.
God Bless.**
Yesterday, i had the privilege of talking to a wonderful lady in Boston, who just completed her first 5k run in July and is going for her second one this weekend. We shared our experiences in our battle against fibromyalgia and our journey to finding our health and building our strength to do things we never thought was possible. Meeting and talking to these wonderful people makes me so happy about what I do, and although i'm having rather a painful day at home, I am smiling. I know today will pass and so will the pain. I am just happy to know that somebody is reading this out there and feeling encouraged to stay active, be positive and continue fighting the good fight.
It is amazing how we can find connection among perfect strangers. To all the readers out there, I am encouraged by your words, your courage and spirit. Thank you so much for being my light in my dark days, so that I can be your light in your dark days.
Last thing to note, i did manage to go out for a quick 35minute run yesterday, and it felt awesome (although it was a bit nippy at 6am).:)
Pain is temporary. Joy in your heart is permanent.
God Bless.**
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Recovering and Taking it Easy
Just a quick update - since my race on 8/23, I have really been doing...the very thing I should be doing. Resting, sleeping, keeping my exercises to a minimum. For the first two weeks after the race, I got on the bike and span for like 45 minutes twice, went swimming once, and then focused on stretching and started some strength training again. I slept 9-10 hours when I could, especially on the weekends. I kinda splurged on some yummy food to treat myself. All in all, I feel great and I am ready to start again. This past Friday, I went on my first quick run in over two weeks - my legs felt refreshed and i could tell it was ready to train again for my next half-marathon (probably in January 2009).
My goal for the next two weeks is to continue on the moderate/easy spins and runs, and start swimming again more regularly. nothing intense, just something I can ease myself into.
Thinking ahead of my next racing season - I'm thinking Lavaman in Kona (March, Olympic distance), NYC Triathlon (July, Olympic distance), and then a half ironman in October/November (undecided which race).
It's Sunday afternoon, I'm getting some work done in the office but I thought I'd give an update real quick about my life after the big race. It's all about resting, being lazy when i want to and easing slowly back into training.
My health is just unbelievably good. I am so grateful and I can't even believe it sometimes. But i also know that i need to keep moving forward and not settle where i am right now - when I am better i often go back to my old/bad habits and get myself in trouble again, so I have to make sure that i don't lose track of my routine, while still allowing some room for myself to let go once in a while. I'm not a robot :)
Hope you are all getting better, bit by bit, day by day...
My goal for the next two weeks is to continue on the moderate/easy spins and runs, and start swimming again more regularly. nothing intense, just something I can ease myself into.
Thinking ahead of my next racing season - I'm thinking Lavaman in Kona (March, Olympic distance), NYC Triathlon (July, Olympic distance), and then a half ironman in October/November (undecided which race).
It's Sunday afternoon, I'm getting some work done in the office but I thought I'd give an update real quick about my life after the big race. It's all about resting, being lazy when i want to and easing slowly back into training.
My health is just unbelievably good. I am so grateful and I can't even believe it sometimes. But i also know that i need to keep moving forward and not settle where i am right now - when I am better i often go back to my old/bad habits and get myself in trouble again, so I have to make sure that i don't lose track of my routine, while still allowing some room for myself to let go once in a while. I'm not a robot :)
Hope you are all getting better, bit by bit, day by day...
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