Rippin' that Sh*t

I had planned on another tempo run this week, yesterday as a matter of fact, but I woke up with a headache and nauseated.  I haven't had a sip of alcohol for over 2 weeks now and though, uh oh -- stomach flu.  I managed to choke down 2 tylenol and sleep until about 11:30pm before getting up for the day (I work at night, so my day usually starts between 5p and 8p). 

I procrastinated until about 7:30am and decided to do some intervals instead.  Sometimes, I just need to mix it up and I never follow a training plan to a "T" -- it's impossible.  I opted for a "FIRST" workout.  It was 8 x 500 meters @ 5K pace with 100 meter RI.  In hindsight, I should have done 10 x 500 as I ran 3 x 1 mile a few weeks ago, but oh well, I planned to run a long warm-up since it had started to snow and it was 35 degrees and dropping. 

After 4 miles of trotting around my neighborhood I hit the 3/4 mile cirlce in the back of my development and hit the lap on my garmin to start my workout.  Not having run a race in over 5 months, I thought I would target 7:30-7:40 per mile for the first 4 and try to push the last 4.  Here's what I got...

Mile pace for the first (4) 500's (7:36, 7:26, 7:15, 7:19) -- avg 7:24
Mile pace for the last (4) 500's  (7:08, 7:14, 7:09, 6:45) -- avg. 703

Total miles: 8

I probably buried myself with those last 4 way too much, but hey sometimes you just rip that shit!!

Thank You Sir, May I have Another?

Almost hard to believe, but I talked myself into running another marathon!!!  This will be #8 (if you count the 26.2 I did during the full at Rev3 last year).  It seems just a short while ago, I was attempting to "finish" a marathon and then "qualify for Boston."

I have to laugh because if you ask the average person their number, they might get offended and tell you "it's none of your business," but not us, runners.  We WANT to be known for our high mileage (running that is -- wink wink).  Not that I would call myself high mileage at all, as I only broke 30 miles this past week.  The on again, off again training pattern, or lack therof this winter took it's toll on me, but after 6 weeks of consistent training, you can forget Stella, I've got my groove back.

It's only 10 weeks until my marathon and although I don't see any PR on the horizon, I am looking forward to heading to my hometown and running with (or behind) my cousin for a few hours.  I think AD (my aunt) is going to throw her hat in the ring and run the 1/2, and a few others may even form a relay team. 

Finished a nice freezing cold 14 mile long run last Friday and I had an aha moment, when I decided to wears buns under my running tights instead of my usual thong and holy hell, no frozen buns.  My knees were a little stiff from the cold but that was it. 

I even made it down to KSU's field house Tuesday to run some mile repeats with Salty Running's, Ginger with a J and get a sneak peak at Cleveland Elite Development (CED) doing some winter work and Whoa!! are they impressive (and completely out of my league) and inspiring.  I'd like to get down there again for another work out, but I work the next few Tuesdays and who knows, maybe I can save $5 and 25 minutes of driving and hit the local outdoor track by then. 

I'm already excited to crank out a 16 miler with my running club this weekend.  Weather looks decent, in the 30's and partly cloudy to sunny.  We had a decent group 2 weekends ago and a few newbies joined in so I am hoping with spring just around the corner and some encouragement via social media on my part, I can convince even more newbies to come out. 

Goodness, did I just say I am excited to run 16 miles in 30 degree weather?  Yep, I'm getting in marathon mode. 

Presents, Raffles, Prizes and Giveaways -- Get Yours!!

So far, so good.  This month has been without madness and perhaps my luck is improving!  I really like the idea of ending the year on a good note.

I have been putting in 45-50 hours/week trying to get in some OT to spend on Christmas gifts as I LOVE giving presents way more than getting them (my checking account probably doesn't agree).  I plan to really delve into the shopping world with less than a week before Christmas just to put a little pressure on -- haha!

I was fortunate enough to receive a $50 gift card from Fleet Feet and a $200 gift card to Liquid Lifestyles from teh Stan Bugarcic Memorial Fund Raiser.  I donated $100 in hopes of pushing the fundraiser line closer to the goal.  I know the money is no replacement for his loss, but perhaps it will be one less thing for the family to deal with.  MR even threw in a hoodie with the NCM logo and some gloves.  I can never thank him enough for all the support he has given me through the years and volunteering at his races has become a favorite past time of mine. 

I brought myself home a laughing hyena award that poked fun at my supposedly snapper bitten wetsuit that won me a brand spanking new one from Blue Seventy.  I am not sure what kind it is, as it's on backordered until January.  It just so happened my mom bought me a reaction for my birthday, but hey, who doesn't want 2 wetsuits? :)

And now, I am diligently entering contest through the holidays and hoping by a stroke or two lucky enough to win a brand new Garmin 910xt here: http://falkeetriathlon.blogspot.com/2012/12/win-new-in-box-garmin-910xt-gps.html.  He needs 75 entrants or no dice -- I mean Garmin.  So, go sign-up!  I'd rather see a friend of mine get it.  I mean if I don't that is ;)

I'm also doing the USATNCC to motivate myself to workout more.  It's easier said than done.  I was hoping to run 50 miles and swim 10-13.  Running is going well, but I can already tell you the swimming is a #FAIL!  I have hit the pool one time, so far --EEK!!  I entered this DecDoubleDown challenge @girlsgonesporty too and I think perhaps when it's over I am going to be renamed this girls gone portly!!  Ahhh!!

Anyway, hoping to pull out some workouts via gym rat style here for the next 2 weeks.... or more!

December -- Please Go Easy On Me!!

I was doing well for a minute there, getting a little more diligent about my blogging and then -- BAM!!  Life happened.

This fall has been a little hard on me (to say the least).  In August, I was hit by a car while riding my 2 month old brand spankin' new tri bike.  Then in October I finally had the breast reduction I had wanted for about 20 years and with the arrival of  Novemver, I had planned to head back to work in time for the holidays and put in some OT but unfortunately, my grandfather became ill and passed away. 

Needless to say it has been hectic and now --- THE HOLIDAYS!  I am taking each day in stride just trying to find a balance between work and starting to train, again.  It's never easy and now seems even more difficult due to the fact my fatigue level has been worse than normal.  I had my annual check-up and my red blood cells and hematocrit came back low with my hemoglobin right on the lowest point of normal.  I assumed it was because I had surgery and RBCs take about 53 days to replenish themselves, but then I saw my TSH levels and those were moderately elevated, so that is the next saga for me.  Hopefully, it will literally just mean a "magic pill" and no side effects.

To be continued....

Smelling the Roses Ride

 

I had been pushing myselft, specifically my quads with lunges, squats and then the brick the day before, so I needed a recovery day.  The weather however was still beautiful and there was just no way I could pass up what could perhaps be my last chance to ride outside this year.  I have some unfortunate family stuff going on right now, but I felt a short recovery ride would help clear my head.  I quickly changed into cycling my cycling gear and my trusty steed and I set out.

I chose a flat loop that had no climbing in it and would take about 45 minutes.  The plan was to keep my heart rate under 130, but from the moment I left my house it was in the 130-140 range.  Undoubtedly, adding to the situation was my sore lady bits.  Apparently, my lady bits are just like a muscle -- can't just go out there and ride for nearly 2 hours without having some residual.  You can forget HTFU, I need to "harden the crotch up!" (HTCU!)

As I gingerly, pedaled up Glenwood I came up on a kid on his BMX bike riding on the wrong side of the road (against the traffic that is) and without a helmet.  I could only shake my head in dismay.  I whole heartedly wish there were stricter cycling laws in Ohio, especially after my own little body meets car, body meets cement episode.  To make matters worse the kid started pedaling harder trying to "race" me on his side.  I was very happy we were approaching the drug store where he was going and I was turning the opposite direction.  It's like riding and defcon 1...all the time!

I began to relax a little after about 20 minutes and my heart rate started trickling down.  I soft pedaled frequently and felt at times like I was barely moving, especially when I hit the spots with a headwind.  I tried to look around and just take in the scenery and the fresh air.  As I made my way back, I did 4 hard pushes of anywhere from 1-3 minutes at the end of my ride.  I pulled in the driveway breathing hard, sweating and de-stressed. 

By The Numbers:
Bike: 12.01 miles, Time 46:59, Avg 15.3 (with stops), Ascent 343Ft, Avg HR 143 (with pushes) 136 (without pushes), Max 182

Let's Get It Started -- Again

Officially past the 2 week mark and stir crazy does not even come close to depicting the amount of restlessness and mild case of insanity I've acquired.

It never occurred to me that the "resting" for 2 weeks would be the most difficult part.  Thankfully, the weather broke THIS weekend and I took the Joker out for a 28 mile ride (only the second one since Rev3) and I even (wo)manned up and rode past the crash site (GULP!!)

The light was read when I got to the fateful intersection.  I spent the few minutes I had brushing away any thoughts of angst I had.  It had been a freak accident (one I never wanted to experience -- EVER).  My heart was pounding in my chest and my mouth was dry.  I took a sip from my water bottle and debated turning left, instead of going straight.  I was up in front of every car so they HAD to see me (right?) it couldn't happen again.  When the light turned green I took the path most crashed (by me) passed Mario's with no cars passing me, let alone riding a white Aztecs side panel before crashing head first into the passenger's side door and richocheting off the cement ground with my face.  Nope, I just pedaled right on by. 

When I got home I managed a 3.5 mile trot through the grass around my neighborhood with 2 sports bras (like usual) with minimal bouncing and no pain.  After 2+ hours of working out I still hadn't suffered enough, so I threw in some lunges and crunches for good measure.  A sense of normalcy, had started to return to my life. 

By The Numbers:
Bike: 28.79 miles, 1202 feet of climbing, 1:45:13 (with stops) avg 16.4 mph max HR 177, avg HR 158
Run: 3.47 miles, 32:49, avg 9:27/mile, max HR 187, avg HR 172
Wgt: 139 lbs. ( I gained about 5-6 lbs. since surgery -- grrrrrrr!!!!)

Franken-Boobie

I survived my surgery.  It was of course, a little nerve racking as it included a foley catheter (which I begged them not to do, because of the risk for UTI's -- I had some when I was younger and boy do they suck!), intubation and lets not forget just plain old cutting into my chest for 3 hours. 

My breasts are definitely higher, but I am (so they say) pretty swollen.  He did indeed remove about a 1/2 lb. from each.  I have sutures entirely around both my aereolas and from my side below my armpit pretty much to my sternum and from the bottom of my aereola down.  My old nursing school buddies lovingly named me Franken-boobie when I met them for dinner one night.  Apparently, my breast tissue is pretty dense which makes for some heavy solid boobies -- yippee.  It also means it may take forever to heal.  I think I thought I would see more of the finished product right away, but it looks like it will be a good 3 months before the girls are at the pre-planned size.  I am swollen enough now I am at best a 36D.  I can squeeze into my 34s, but with all the swelling it can be a little tight and uncomfortable on my sides. 

The procedure itself was pretty easy for me.  Once I received my IV and my surgical team confirmed with me about 8 times that we were doing a mastopexy with reduction, the doc took a marker and drew lines and dots where he wanted my new boobies to be.  All I had to do then was just walk into the operating room hop up on the table lean back and within less than a minute I had new breasts.  Well, it wasn't really a minute, but they spared no time in knocking me out that's for sure.  I was glad because I couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight and it had taken over and hour to go from check-in to the OR, so I had time to get nervous, that's for sure.  AH was so nervous I told him to go home and rest or go to the main building and get some food or shop, but he just sat in the Crile building diligently watching the screens to see when I was in OR and PACU.

I was able to follow commands almost immediately.  My vitals were stable and i had no reactions to the general anesthesia.  When I'd had my wisdom teeth out I'd woken up crying and hysterical and the nurses spent a good 5 minutes trying to calm me down, over what I will never know.  I had a burning pain that I told them was maybe a 3-4 on a scale of 1-10 and without even asking they just gave me some fentanyl and boy did that stuff work fast.  My pain was a 1 within a few minutes.  The only problem was my head was floating and I thought I was going to vomit.  They jammed some zofran in my IV with no improvement and then pepcid.  Neither worked.  I fought to stay awake and prove I was okay to myself.  I muched on some water and graham crackers, but the crackers made the nausea worse.  After about an hour they took out my IV, told me to get dressed and brought in a wheelchair.  Just like that I was all done. 

A transporter wheeled me down to the first floor where AH had pulled up the car and I gingerly transferred from the wheelchair into the front passengers seat.  I didn't where my seatbelt as the band on my chest hurt and every little bump in the road jarred my breasts and caused a little pain.  I complained to AH his driving was hurting me, so he started swerving more to avoid bumps, but that just made me feel like I was going to vomit.  Finally after an hour drive in the car we made it home and I thankfully laid down in the recliner. 

I ended up having to change the bandages a few times the first two days because of the drainage, but then they only needed changing once a day after that.  It's been a little over 2 weeks and I can almost sleep comfortably on my sides.  I do however sleep in a bra and I have since the surgery, which isn't very comfortable, but it's improving each day, albeit slowly.  The steri-strips are off and the sutures will disolve on their own.  I had to go to the doctor yesterday, because I felt like I had a UTI (I knew that damn foley was going to give me one!!) and they put me on antibiotics for a few days.  Now it's just a matter of time and a whole lot of patience as I watch the girls heal and hopefully shrink.