Wk of Feb 4--WISH Walking/Running Club

[magslite]

Hi team,

Drive by post again, it's been hard to keep up... Anyway, I am off to do a 2-3 mile walk on TM. I will keep it closer to 2 if I need the extra time for stretching. I am then meeting dh for a date night! I have dd16 is babysitting for a few hours. Paid ofcourse!

Oh, and I just sent my resume and set up an interview to start working as a hospice RN. I am currently working in cardiac nursing and will continue this as well. Anyway, it has been something I wanted to do for awhile, and I just haven't wanted to add changes to my life. I think all this exercise is going to my head!! Just needed to share and dh isn't home!

Great night!
Maggie

 

[keenercam]

Guess what? guess what? Guess what?

OMG! I am so psyched!

I RAN for a whole MILE!!! I have never done that in my life!! I couldn't even do it in high school for fitness testing! I started jogging at 4.0, really mild just to get a rhythm then kicked it up to 4.8 mph and finished a mile in 12:38!!! Interestingly, that is a bit slower than my fastest walk/run mile (which I think was 12:20), but I can live with that!
I did warmup 4.0 mph for 5 minutes (.33 mile), then ran THE mile starting at 4.0 then pushing it to 4.8. When I was done the mile (and not gasping for breath as much as I thought I'd be), I switched to 3.8 mph at 2.0 incline for 42 minutes and ran out the last 3+ to do another 3 in 45:18. So, 4.33 tonight total!

Okay, I know that is really confusing, but I'm psyched!

 

[MelRhoads]

Cam - Way to go!!!!!!

 

[Big Vic]

Cam -

 

[Jen117]

Whoooo hooooo CAM!!! That is AWESOME! Maybe we can run together for the next marathon!!!!!!

 

[chimera]

congratulations Cam!!!! What a great accomplishment!

I thought I'd heard everything after farmer blow, but Cat Crap??

Susan...we'll probably set up real pace groups closer to the race. Colleen came up with the idea last year and did a great job organizing it! So far, there's about 5 of us training for about a 5:30 finish...me, Jen, Kristi, Helen and you.

maggie...good luck on the hospice position. I was an oncology pharmacist for a bit after I graduated. Tough job!

DJBounce...great to see you guys back again! Are you planning for the WDW full for 2008?

Laurie...great pace!

Helen...English translation for 'big, fluffy fibber'?

Kathy...great to see you back! Lotsa snow for you New Yorkers according to our news. Brrrr!

I'm trying to get back into a regular Thurs night cross-training gig. I don't do the elliptical because it annoys my PF, so I ride the bike and do the circuit at the Y. Found out the calf machine also annoys the PF

 

[MouseDogMom]

YEA CAM!!!!!!

I keep wanting to try to run for longer periods of time, but I'm scared to push too far too soon. I hope that one day I can say the same thing!

Maggie - Isn't it amazing what running inspires you to do? I've added all sorts of other things to my life too since I started! Good luck on the interview.

Stephanie - Take it easy - you don't HAVE to do the 20 this weekend, you know?

Jackie

 

[Calcio]

Cam The Jet = ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Just like Mel's fast 5 last week, take a look back at how far you've come since July of 2005, and appropriately feel good about it. In the language of soccer, that's a nice result.

I see many of you are doing lots of stuff this week. Those of you running outside in the bitter cold of the upper midwest or northeast have either my admiration or my serious doubts about your sanity.

I finished my Thursday grind, and being a total weenie, I ran inside after work. With so many of you going fast I tried to keep up with you, running a pretty nice pace with a slight incline for 5K, easy but strong. Right now I'm holding to 4 workouts a week and shooting for the James Joyce 10K Ramble at the end of April. Toss in the BAA half marathon in October, plus maybe a race or 2 in Boulder this summer, and I should be more prepared mentally and physically on January 13. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Stay with it, but also remember what many of you put your body through on January 6 and/or 7. Don't push it too hard too fast, just train and build for the next adventure.

Warning Shameless request for lodging coming. In past year's I've spent the night before the marathon at Port Orleans French Quarter, since you can walk to the start from there. You may have seen Martha's post that our experience there this year wasn't too satisfying, a smelly room that was pretty expensive. If any of our group will be at Old Key West the night of Saturday, January 12, 2008, has an empty bed (regular or the sleeper sofa, I'm easy) and wouldn't mind a boarder for just a few hours (say 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.), who would also be happy to contribute to the cost, then I'm your man. I know it's very early, but I wanted to advertise early just in case.

Happy running, biking, lifting, x-training, working, and planning.

Craig

 

[piratesmate]

Hey Kevin, a little fairy told me that it may be from WISHers who wanted to let you know how much we are all looking forward to supporting you through GOOFY training and cheering you on next January! (And sending you a hug for all the rough times you've been having.)

 

[angietuck2]

Cam -WAY TO GO!!!!!!

It's such a good feeling to reach a new level, keep going girl!!

Maggie - good luck on the interview !!!

Jackie - it's true, I know it sounds cheesy but the accomplishments I have made in running have really trickled over into the rest of my life.

I was like Cam - I remember in High School trying out for Lacrosse and I could not run a mile. I was little and on the drill team, but obviously in horrible shape. I began running last year (15 years after high school graduation), and I will NEVER forget the first time I ran for a whole mile, whithout walking, on the treadmill - about 2 years a go.

In January we finished our first 1/2 marathon in 2:16!!! and we have been having training runs of 5 miles at 9 min mile pace,

FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE - YOU CAN DO ANYTHING (SERIOUSLY) DON'T GIVE UP!! Besides finishing the 1/2 marathon, I will fullfill one of my biggest dreams this year, I will graduate college on May 5, 2007, it will be one of the proudest days of my life, and the physical accomplishments I have made have helped me to believe I CAN DO IT!!

OK I'm sorry I will get off my soap box now I used to think that I could not do anything. That has changed

Again, WAY TO GO CAM!!!

Laurie - awesome pace!!! IT will only get faster, isn't that a good feeling!!!

Angie

 

[TEK224]

Wow! I haven't checked in all week and the talk is about Cat Crap. I only read the last three pages of the thread, so I have no idea what Cat Crap is (well, at least what it is that we would use it for )

I'll never get caught up on this thread. Welcome to all the new WISH-ers, glad everyone's training is going okay.

Cam- Great job on the mile! I am so jealous (see notes below).

Monte - Happy anniversary to you and DH

Lisa - it's getting close. Do you have any boy names picked out?

Carrie - Thanks again for handling the shirt orders. I just sent in my payment.

Well, I have good news and not-so good news. The GOOD news is that I got my 2008 Goofy registration card back .

The NOT SO GOOD news is that I'm scheduled for surgery on March 1st. Had my MRI and it turns out I have a "Intrasubstance tear/inflammation of the Achilles Tendon. Significant inflammation of the posterior tibialis tendon."

No running for me just yet (hence my jealousy of Cam!)
Doc is going to try a newer procedure where they don't cut out any part of the tendon, but instead, after making the incision, they use some type of radio wave laser to make holes in fat deposits and somehow secure the tendon. (I know I didn't explain it exactly right, but maybe some of you med people can make it clear). I should have written it all down, but as he was telling me this, my only thoughts were how long before I can start training again? I thought he said it was something called Arthroscape, but I'm not sure if that's the exact name. He ordered a velocity brace for me to wear until the surgery. I get that on Tuesday. I'll also get the correct wording on what exactly is going to be done. He said this new procedure allows for a faster recovery time. I should only be non-weightbearing for about a month, instead of 4-6 months. He estimated a total recovery time, barring anything unforeseen, at about 3 months. Then I could start some light exercise and start to build up again.

Meanwhile, I got Marathoning for Mortals and figured that would keep me busy reading so I'll be ready to go by the summer.

Terri

 

[TXAng]

Terri - Oh, no! Surgery? I'm so sorry to hear that. Glad that they've got a new procedure to cut down on the recovery time, though. Best wishes for a smooth procedure and quick recovery.

Training update: I was so close to wimping out and skipping the gym tonight, but I finally just sucked it up and went! Yay! Did 25 minutes (2 miles) on the elliptical, and then just a little weight work. Still a bit sore from Tuesday night's workout, so I took it pretty easy with that.

 

[Kristi1357]

I don't deserve to post here since I went to bed at 4pm and skipped the gym. I slept right through until 3am when I got up for work.

I just wanted to say
CONGRATS, CAM!
I don't think I will ever be able to run a mile. I still barely can run for one minute straight. You are doing amazing!

Terri - lots of for a speedy recovery!

 

[wfloyd]

Well a quick post since I am a little late this morning. I got in my run last night and went 4.8 miles with a 10:17 pace. Overall I felt good and wasn't too tired by the end of the run.

Helen - Sorry to hear about your fish. There must be a stream at the Bridge because all the Goldens and Labs love to go swimming.

Terri - Hope the surgery goes well and the recovery is fast. This seems to be a good time of year for that since you should have plenty of time to get ready for Disney next year.

Cam - Way to go on the run. I still haven't gotten to where I can go a mile straight. Getting closer but still not there yet. At this rate, you are going to be moving up corrals and passing us all during the race.

To those running in really cold weather, be careful since I just saw someone got frostbite running around during the half time show of the Super Bowl. Granted he was in bare feet and probably not the brightest runner, but it still isn't pleasant.

Judy - How is Logic responding to the medication. By the way, how do you take the temperature of a horse. I know how they do it with our dog and I wouldn't want to use that method with a horse.

TxAng - Great job on getting to the gym and doing the training.

Angie - Congrats on almost finishing college. That is also a great accomplishment.

Maggie - Good luck with the interview. I hope it works out the way you want it to.

Time to go to work now.

Bill

 

[mogulskr]

Oh boy, I need to catch up. I thought someone said it starts to slow down. I think it's picking up speed. Anyway I quick training post and then I will catch up after I do some work.

Tempo day today, so

Mile 1 - start at 12:00 and work to 9:30
Mile 2 thru 5 - 9:05
Mile 6 - start at 9:30 and work down to a stop

Going into it I thought I was going to have a hard time due to only a few hours of sleep last night, but actually felt real good through the whole run.

New long run distance of 8 miles ans a faster pace coming Monday morning.

 

[magslite]

Guess what? guess what? Guess what?

OMG! I am so psyched!

I RAN for a whole MILE!!! I have never done that in my life!! I couldn't even do it in high school for fitness testing! I started jogging at 4.0, really mild just to get a rhythm then kicked it up to 4.8 mph and finished a mile in 12:38!!! Interestingly, that is a bit slower than my fastest walk/run mile (which I think was 12:20), but I can live with that!
I did warmup 4.0 mph for 5 minutes (.33 mile), then ran THE mile starting at 4.0 then pushing it to 4.8. When I was done the mile (and not gasping for breath as much as I thought I'd be), I switched to 3.8 mph at 2.0 incline for 42 minutes and ran out the last 3+ to do another 3 in 45:18. So, 4.33 tonight total!

Okay, I know that is really confusing, but I'm psyched!

Yeah Cam!!!!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Terri-- I missed your surgery post, I can't find it, can you fill me in? For whatever it may be.

Cam-- Way to go! I'm so happy for you

Monte-- Happy Anniversary

Craig-- we're supposed to get up to 30 deg F tomorrow so no excuses for not getting out there!!!

Anne-- I can't believe you remembered my dr. apt date! It turned out totally by coincidence that my mom was referred to the same dr from her knee dr; whom she saw a few weeks prior to my apt with the ortho who referred me. Her apt was for Feb 6th, so in her typical mom fashion, she called and had our apts switched.

I'm going to put my dr. report in a separate post.

Sunny

 

[mogulskr]

Okay, after a little catch up, I only went back about a day though. Hope eveyone has a good training day.

gsu1988 - welcome

stephanie - pixie dust a coming

monte - I bought snow shoes 2 years ago for me and my 2 boys. Wouldn't you know it hasn't snow enough to uise them since.

eeyore45 - Happy Birthday to you and your mom!

kathy- Can yo send the snow to the mountains in southern VT please!!

laurie - WTG on the runs!

Cam - WAY TO GO!!

TXAng- way to suck it up and get that workout in

 

[plutosmyfav]

My Dr Apt Feb 6th (I'll try to keep it short)
Total emotional breakdown.

OK, maybe that was too short. I got there and was asked to fill out new patient paper work; ~10 double-sides pages nearly identical to the three I've filled out at Lahey Clinic. While inthe waiting room doing that, a woman in her late 60s (~68) returned from her apt and declared to her husband in an irritated/scared/frustrated voice, "I have spinal stenosis-- it's a degenerative desease. They want to see me in two weeks and may do surgery". My gut response to this was bizarre. I wanted to look up at her and say, "oh, ya? well I'm 43 with a 6yo and I have spinal stenosis and need surgery, too". I realized I was actually angry at this woman for being "statistically" the "right" age for this desease. I felt horrible and wondered what is happening to me.

In the exam room.
The nurse asked for my MRI which I gave her. I told her Lahey Clinic faxed the MRI report last week as Dr. Baima had requested. She said they received no fax. I had double checked with Lahey to make sure they got my authorization and it was being processed. I was so mad/hurt/drained. I laid on the exam table for 50 minutes before the dr came in. I cried the entire time. I expected this was just going to be another depressing, hopeless apt. I decided I wasn't even going to bring up the Levaquin, by now it feels like beating a dead horse.

When she came in I was still crying. She was very pleasant, introduced herself and asked a few easy questions; totally ignoring my crying. That was a good strategy because I immediately dried up and was able to talk coherently. She asked me when this started and there was no way I could not bring up my Levaquin theory. I've learned a lot from my many dr encounters so I carefully address the MRI in my theory. The reduced form goes something like this:

“I understand the degeneration in my spine didn’t happen overnight, however, I had no symptoms whatsoever, I caught pneumonia took Levaquin and suffered several serious adverse reactions to the drug including a torn tendon in my left arm that took six weeks to heal… I ran a 5K while still on the drug and the next day I couldn’t get out of bed and have been living in h3ll ever since…”

I speculated that the Levaquin might have caused the facet joint to fail which caused the L4 to slip which caused the nerve impingement. Or, the MRI abnormalies are coincidental to the nerve pain, and the pain is actually a peripheral neuropathy caused by the Levaquin.

She turned to her computer and looked up Levaquin. We talked a bit about it. I told her I wasn’t warned that I was endanger of tendon and joint injury and the reason I pushed myself to get back to the gym and workout hard while still on the drug was in hopes of shaking the awful depression (nearly suicidal, something I’ve never experienced before and also a “rare and serious” side effect of Levaquin). She told me they usually warn the elderly because their lack of use of muscles puts them at high risk. I then said, “but when all these drug studies are done, does anyone specifically check how these drugs affect endurance athletes? Our bodies are different, we may respond differently to drugs than the average person.” She took me totally seriously.

She did her full physical exam; which in my impression revealed no cause of pain. I meant to ask if I passed all the tests (because I think I did) but I forgot. She left the room for a moment to consult with another doctor then returned and asked if I had fallen during the 5K. I said, “no, no falls, no trauma, nothing.” She went back to the computer and read more on Levaquin. She asked me to get back on the table and she prodded ever inch of me from my lower spine to my calves, over and over.

I got dressed and we discussed treatment options. I wish so badly I remembered her words verbatim, but she started with something like this: “when a patient has symptoms and an MRI that backs up those symptoms, usually that is what treatment is based on. But your situation is unique. The reason I did the second exam was to search for possible tears in your glutes or hamstrings that could have resulted from the Levaquin. I found no evidence of that, but we could do a hamstring MRI—but they are difficult due to the length of the hamstring and I don’t really see evidence to do that. We also could do an EMG to study the nerve conduction. EMG’s are very painful.” (I know that from my carpal tunnel experience). She went on, “Unless you feel the need to know, I don’t feel it’s necessary to do an EMG, but I would like to treat you for peripheral neuropathies.”

The last thing she said to me, with her hand on my arm was "we want to keep you running".

Oh, and she had my feet in her hands for a long time and didn't mention my two missing toe nails. She did ask "how much do you run?". I was crying at that point and wimpered, "a lot".

She put me on Neurontin. She said it may give the nerves a chance to calm down. I go back to see her in 4 weeks. When I went to fill the script my pharmacist told me “this stuff is really great, it takes quite a while to feel results and you may need to go to a much higher dose than this, but it sure beats the alternative. I really hope it works out for you.” He’s so nice and knows my history.

There’s no guarantee this will be the solution, but at least I have a new hope to go on for now. And I can’t put into words how I felt when she put so much effort into researching and examining my Levaquin theory. Somehow I felt vindicated. I was so weak and drained by the time I left I could hardly drive home. That might also be due to the fact that I forgot to eat lunch and it was 6PM by that point! My apt was at 3PM.

So how was that for short?

PS: It was Mel who asked if I had been put on a quinolone anti-biotic and lead me to research the possible affects of Levaquin.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Hi Everyone-

This is one of those weeks when I am so glad I didn't go back to work when my youngest started Kindergarten. We have had school projects, softball and baseball practices, stomach bugs, and typical preteen dramatics all week. Hug those toddlers for me - this is one of those days I actually MISS having babies.

Panthergirl - Wow, when you say coach to 5k you really mean it! Your week looks like bootcamp (minus the rest day) Way to go! You are going to do great on your 5k.

GSU1988 - Welcome! and congrats on your 2007 finish! If you come into Atlanta for any races, give me the heads up and I will come join you. I am running the half at the ING on March 25th.

Cam - Wow! Isn't that the greatest feeling? Congratulations!

Terri - Surgery! I hope everything goes well and that you recover quickly.

DS6 is home with a stomach bug - along with 175 other kids in his school so no training for me today.

Cecilia