Donald's Defiant Dashers (AKA Triple D's/Duckies/The Ducks) Dashing into 2010

[SamSam]

Liz we actually boarded the boat this afternoon. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom last night in one of the new three bedroom villas. It was awesome seeing all the animals. I woke this morning and went for a run. I ran down to the main entrance of the AK park. Great run, just over 4 miles total distance this morning.

I LOVE AKV, the animals, the decor, EVERYTHING! Did you run in the road or did you find sidewalks? I would love to be able to find a way to get in some miles when staying at AKV other than the treadmill.

 

[solar]

Hi Ducks,

I did the half marathon on Sunday and completed it. I've also signed up for a May half - which has a shorter course time limit. I'll have to push myself, but I figured it can't hurt to at least try it. It's a flatter course, so that will help me.

Sunday's half was HILLY (lots of ups/downs) and boy did that challenge me! Either way, it's done...it's behind me, and I got another half under my belt.

Thanks for the well wishes. I feel like myself again. I sort of went "into" myself for a little bit - but am finally feeling normal.

I may be doing a 5k next week - i think it would be a good way for me to see about maintaining a particular time i'll need to work with for May's half. See how I do on this smaller one and then know what changes i'll need to make

 

[CALIFLADY]

Hey Ducks!

I haven’t been here for almost two weeks. And for good reason. I’ve been deliberately avoiding it.

I had a “cardiac event” on the Monday after Easter, 5 April.

I was out on a run around noon. About 3 miles out, I felt some pain between my shoulder blades in the back. I decided to run through the pain. ¼ mile later, it hurt so bad, I had to start walking. As I continued to walk home, I felt a bit nauseous and felt some pain down my left arm. This is the point where I said to myself, “I’ve read about these symptoms”. By the time I got home I felt normal – no pain. I got home, took a shower, had some lunch, put in some laundry, then realized my denial wasn’t helping me. So I drove myself to the local emergency clinic.

Long story short, my ECG was normal, my heart sounded normal, my ultrasound was clean as a whistle. My troponin levels (the enzyme in your blood that detects cardiac events) were slightly elevated (normal is 0.15 ng/ml…mine was 0.33 ng/ml…a real good heart attack can elevate this number over 3.0). My angiogram was also clean as a whistle with the exception of one spot of 70% blockage on a small capillary that the docs couldn’t have got to even if they did want to balloon or stint it (which they didn’t).

I’ve felt fine ever since I got home from that run. But alas, I’ve been banned from working until I get clearance from the cardiologist to go back, and he won’t see me until 27 April for a stress test. I’m also told I can’t drive. Frankly, I’m not too keen on Canada’s health care system, but that’s a whole ‘nuther posting. As an American, I think I'll just leave my opinions unposted.

In the meantime, I sit at home, go on long walks, and work from my computer the best I can. My brother flew up from the States to spend some time with me yesterday, so at least I have some company until I get released to live again. The 10K in Calgary in late May is cancelled. I will participate in the 5K fun run on 2 October in MK. Whether I walk or run is yet to be determined. And I still cling to the wild idea that I’ll get to run the W&D ½ marathon on 2 October.

Too many words at this point to describe what I’m going through right now. I feel absolutely normal, think the medical community has gone way too far on the conservative side in my diagnosis and treatment, and would really love a second opinion, but I don’t know how to do that in Canada.

In the meantime, if you don’t see me on this thread for a while, you’ll know why. I’ll be sure to check back in when I have better, more positive news for the Ducks. As for all of you? Keep on truckin’! I believe in you and know you all have the power to do good.

 

[solar]

wow, thanks for the update...best to use caution -- and i hope you get clearance soon, but grateful you did get checked...it's so easy to get into denial - so for taking care of yourself

hang in there, and hope you're feeling like yourself again soon

 

[LadyDooley]

CALIFLADY Oh wow!!! my thoughts are with you , I really hope that the stress tests don't show anything serious!

It really must have have been a scary event! shows that we all have use some caution in what we do....

PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED!!

 

[SamSam]

Califlady, Try to enjoy your down time a little. I'm sure you'll be able to get back out and around soon.
Sending prayers and Pixie Dust for a good stress test result.

Please keep us all updated.

 

[ahoff]

Hello Duckies! Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Deb, congrats on the Half! And you have another in May. You will be a seasoned pro by the time W&D comes!

Renee, sorry to hear about the problems. Hope the doc clears you but it sounds so long to wait. At least you are out walking some.

I did a local 5K this morning, did ok, finished in 23:07. Not my best time, but not too far off, and it was the first real race since the Half in Jan. I rode to the race, so it was all a sort of warm up for the duathlon next weekend.

Have a good week!

Augie

 

[danmoss]

Renee sorry to hear about that. Keep your chin up like you always do and you will be out burning up those roads real soon.

As for me I have been on a two week stint to North Carolina and New Orleans. Heading back home tomorrow. I got in five miles today and it felt so good to be out running again. I have the historic half marathon in less than 30 days so I cannot wait on the knee. It feels ok (somewhat) now. I finally get to go see a PT on Thursday, it only took a little over a month.

I will try to get on here more often, but this nice weather keeps me away from the computer most days. Plus being in New Orleans, well enough said about that

Everyone keep chuggin away.

 

[timmac]

I haven't posted on here in way too long. I'm just under six weeks until my next major race, and feeling ok. I'm not expecting it to be a great race, but it will go all right, and should be fun.

Tonight I ran a 5K race, part of a series that takes place every Tuesday evening for the next few months. I was feeling in rough shape through most of the race, calves were burning, ankles were hurting a bit, but in the interest of giving it my best effort, I never backed off at all. Turns out it was worth it, as I was rewarded with a 25:59 finish, a new PR!

 

[liznboys]

Hi Ducks! My treadmill arrived yesterday and now I wait for the assembly people to come set it up, hopefully in the next couple days. I have other news though, we bought an exercise bike last weekend! So I've been using that everyday this week and it's been great (well besides my rear end feeling a bit sore. lol The seat is padded but perhaps it needs more.) Now I have another way to crosstrain as much as I want to, I'm so excited about that!!

Tim I hope your cruise went well and you were able to do the Castaway Cay 5K! I want to know where exactly you ran at AK too, there isn't a lot of space there for running, right?

Karin "do exercise" I love it. heehee

Deb how great you're doing another half next month, I envy you!

Renee I'm so sorry... How are you doing?? Hang in there and check in with us..

Augie congrats on the first race since January!

Dan hang in there with the knee...Let us know how the PT goes.

Tim congrats on the PR!

 

[danmoss]

Hello All,

How are things going in your neck of the woods? Well I hope. I finally got in to see the PT yesterday and he told me if I want my knee to stop hurting to stop running . I told him that is not going to happen so we need to come to some type of mutual understanding. He agreed and put me on a regiment to strengthen my knee and leg up and told me to buy a different kind of shoe. We shall see. I got in four miles in yesterday and I am trying to shorten my stride to see if that helps, plus run just a little slower. Got an hour and a half of weights in today. It feels good to be back at it again, now maybe I can get rid of a few pounds I put on while I was in recovery.

Looks like a rainy weekend here so hopefully I can get some school work done.

 

[liznboys]

Ahhh, Dan, I hate it when they say that!! Good luck with the strengthening and all...I hope you heal up while you continue to run.

 

[AUdisneyDad]

Hello Ducks! Sorry I have not posted since getting back from Disney.

Liz: I ran from the main lobby of the Kidani Village building out of the AKL gate. From there i went down to the traffic light and took a left (The Bus route to drop off at AK.) and followed that around to the employee parking/bus drop off for AK. Once there I continued to the main gate of the park then back to the resort adding some parking lots in before i got back to the lobby.

As far as the cruise it was AWESOME!!! We had a wonderful time, great crew members, staff, shows, food, and all around entertainment.

They did offer a 5k run on Castaway Cay. This has to be my all time favorite run. It was beautiful, you begin at the ship, run a little over a half mile along the beach on a sidewalk. Then you turn away from the beach and run toward the runway they have on the island. Once you hit the runway you go toward the adult beach area (Great view of the beach and water). You turn around at the end of the runway and head back in the direction you came. About half way up the runway there is a bike trail that we ran around, now this was a very pretty vegetative area with viewing areas along the way of water and wildlife. From here you continue on the same path we followed from the ship. Great run and we received a nice water bottle for doing the run.

They also offered a walking/hiking tour later in the morning.

But overall great time.

 

[Maddykins06]

Dehydration question....

Could THAT be the reason my calf is painful? Nothing else hurts though.

Never had pain before, even when I wore cheap sneakers. Now I've got my Brooks Glycerin and it only hurts when I run. (well, afterwards too), but not when walking.



I know I need to cross train more & do more strength training. I've totally slacked off this semester.
Any other suggestions?

 

[danmoss]

Dehydration question....

Could THAT be the reason my calf is painful? Nothing else hurts though.

Never had pain before, even when I wore cheap sneakers. Now I've got my Brooks Glycerin and it only hurts when I run. (well, afterwards too), but not when walking.



I know I need to cross train more & do more strength training. I've totally slacked off this semester.
Any other suggestions?

How far into your run does it start hurting? If it is relatively soon into the run I am betting it is the new shoes. You might need to strengthen up your calf as well. You can do this at home, find a thick piece of wood and do calf raises or if you have stairs use them.

 

[airman]

Hello Duck!,
Tim- that sounds like a fun 5K to run, but you had me at "free water bottle" Just another reason to want to do a Disney Cruise.

Tim M- I was following you on FB, hope your daughter is doing OK.

Renee- I hope everything works out with your tests

Liz- I have the same problem when I ride a bike, I don't get it, it's not like thats the only time I'm sitting down.

Everyone else I hope you had a good week.

Last week I managed to run 17 miles, but this past week I only ran 2 days for 11 miles. I have got caught up on tracking my miles and I think I was pushing myself, just to watch the mileage go up and look at my stats, so I decided to pull it back this week. I will be at WDW in 2 weeks and I don't want any unnecissary foot pain while I'm there.
Well everyone have a good week, happy thoughts to all!
Joe

 

[solar]

did a 5k this morning...will be reading back and catching up today

 

[solar]

finally catching up:

Lele - i train on a treadmill, but mostly use music or podcasts...audiobooks work well - and for long training runs, a movie

Liz- sorry to hear about the IT band issues you're having - yeah on the TM, I know you're not a huge TM fan, but i love mine, it's easier on my joints/hips/knees, etc...bottom of my feet...just easier for my body right now - and during any weather, it's there

Dan- glad to hear your knee allowed you to get in those couple of miles - hopefully you'll be feeling like yourself in no time - oh Dan, sorry to hear of the deployment. I have a friend who's plane just took off...was on hold due to the volcano/air problems...(Greg on Rote, and I think James heads out shortly) - read further, yeah for Tampa instead of the sandbox

Joe - if 3 trips to WDW is too much - i'm in trouble I was there in March, doing June/July and again in October - yeah on losing 16 pounds, that's awesome!

Maddy- yikes, hope you're feeling better after teh scoooting pain

Carissa, look how far you've come!!! So proud of you!!!

AuDisneyDad- yeah for two 5k runs! ooh, the castaway cay run sounds fabulous...glad you're having such a great time

Emily- i'm pushing myself as well...i felt it today during my 5k, that i've been lazy since my last half -- yeah, I need to be more consistent.

Augie, neat you rode to work each day, fun! Wow, great job on your 5k!!! Took me twice as long to do mine today, haaaa

Lady- hello! Great job on your 30 mins! You will do this half, and you'll do great! I did it in March with a run/walk -- tht's how i finished my half in April too, and i'll push through my May one that way as well....just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'll see you in October!

Tim, awesome job on a new PR!!! That's great - and glad you're plugging along
---
did my 5k this morning, first ever -- did it in 50 mins. I was happy with that, though I was hoping to pull a 45-48 min time. I am a very slow runner, something around 17-18 min mile, so to push at 16+ mins a mile I was pleased to take that, and I knew I had it in me to push more if i needed to....just didn't, not sure why.

My half in May has a shorter course limit time, so I'll need to carry that 16min pace for all 13 miles -- was using this 5k as a training run. Otherwise, i've gotten lazy this last 2 weeks -- and i felt it in my breathing. I usually don't have any breathing issues when going, but I was like...lazy, lazy, i've been lazy and i feel it. I'll be making sure i'm more consistent with training runs for the next few weeks before my May half.

 

[danmoss]

Deb Keep up the good work, you have come a long way. Keep up that positive attitude.

 

[hussfat]

Hi everyone. Haven't had much computer time lately, so this was catch-up day.

Ran a 15km race yesterday on a lovely spring day. The course ran along the ocean and the wind was minimal so it was a happy day. Missed my time goal but made a new PR, so that's a bonus. I underestimated the hills and the distance and would like to try it again next year.

It's good to hear that everyone is either out there walking or running or trying to get healthy enough to get back at it.
Keep strong!