Friday, February 29, 2008

about time

Yes, it's about time I catch up on my blogging. I've layed off my blogging for several weeks and I apologize.

A lot has happened since my last whine session. I had gone to the Dr several times trying to figure out what was going on. I had been HURTING for a couple of weeks. To the point where I could not run and I could barely function at work. I haven't told some of my fan base this but I did end up going to the ER a couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday night. The usual routine . . . of course I wish it wasn't a routine. I feel stupid going to the ER but when you're hurting that badly, you have to go in. I took an aspirin (just in case) and got my neighbor to take me to the ER. After telling triosh that I was having chest pain, they got me back quick. However, after blood enzyme test (negative), x-ray (negative), heart rate (<60), blood pressure (110/50), and review of my history (I've done this before and had nuclear stress test back in Sept of 07), they decided it wasn't my heart. Well I figured that much. Of course when you don't become an emergency anymore, you sort of get left alone. Two days in for observation, not eating, and endoscopy, and I started feeling better and my GI doc said that my esophogus was inflamed and doubled my nexium. Like I said . . . same old thing.

I'm now back to running and being very careful about following the "do not eat" list. No tomato (well, just a little), no citrus (I can accept that), no caffeine (VERY TOUGH), no or limited alcohol (a glass of wine or two is okay), no peppermint (I love peppermint), no chocolate (I ADORE chocolate). I just have to pick and choose. BUMMER.

After an almost 3 week layoff, I got back on the street feeling better. Unfortunately, three weeks is long enough to detrain slightly so it took my legs a few runs to get back to normal. I'm back to building base for the next several weeks, trying to run 4 days a week between 15 and 20 miles per week.

Hope your running is going well!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Post Marathon Monday

I'd love to be reveling in the glory (and pain) of having run in the Mercedes half marathon yesterday but as you know, I'm a wimp. I'm still having something going on with my body and Doctors still have not got it figured out yet. I had an ultrasound Friday but haven't heard back results yet . . . gonna be calling them this afternoon!

Susan I and went to the Expo on Saturday after her eldest daughter ran in a 1 mile kids run. She ran it in 7 minutes and some small change. She could have done better but she started off slow with one of her friends who she eventually had to dump during the race. The expo was fun. I just wish there was more participation from the community. There are lots of sponsors and it goods decent press but the expo always seems just a little weak. If you're not buying stuff, you can walk through it in less than an hour.

The worst part of Saturday was when we picked up our race packets and handed our chips in and told them that we were DNS (did not start) for the race. Very embarrassing. I hated it. I was just too afraid of having a (fill in the blank because I have no clue what to say here) _______ attack. I could just see myself doubling over in the middle of the race and being removed from the course. That would be more embarrassing than being DNS.

Congratulations to those of you who ran in Mercedes! Amy (who PR'd but as of yet, has not posted) and Troy, Christy, Dom. I am envious of all of you and I plan to be back on the road as soon as we get things figured out.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Friday . . . about time

It has been a very LONG week. It's Friday morning and I've got lots to do at work today and that's good . . . the day will go quickly.

I tried running Wednesday afternoon and had to stop after a couple of miles . . . the body rebelled again. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I've been researching this like a madman trying to figure out what the heck is wrong. I'm a believer in the adage that when you hear hoofbeats look for horses, not zebras. But I've talked to several folks who have had similar symptoms and been keeping notes the past week. It is starting to look more like gall bladder problems or gall stones. I went back to the Dr on Thursday afternoon and told him that I had to have some kind of answer. He made me pee in a cup, took four tubes of blood for lab work and I'm scheduled for an ultrasound this afternoon. We'll see how things go.

I woke up early this morning. I was awake at 4:30 and finally got out of bed at 5:00. No problems, just woke up. Surprisingly, I woke up feeling good, no pain to mention, and feeling refreshed. I'm not complaining about it!

The bad news is that I am afraid to try the 13 miles I've promised to run. I'm sure that I could probably jog the half-marathon but not sure it would be the smartest thing to do at this point. I guess Susan and I will go to the expo Saturday morning, pick up our packets and turn in our chips as DNS (did not start). I hate doing that but I'd rather be a DNS than a DNF. I'm trying to decide if I should do as Dom suggests . . . . go to the post race party and rub elbows and drink beer. I really don't feel I've earned the privilage to be there and as most of you runner out there know, it really hurts emotionally to be around a race you planned on running and not being able to participate. My guess is Susan and I will go to church and then maybe head up the road to visit with my folks (I haven't called them yet to warn them but I will call them tonight to see if they want a visit).

I hope everyone has a good weekend and that your races go well. Think of me when the gun goes off. For the really brave folks running Mercedes . . . stop at mile 11 for a donut and draft and have one for me!

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

cuss words!

Yes . . . cuss words. Lots of them. Lots of four letter words.

I went to the Dr. yesterday after 10 days of "just not feeling right" after eating the suspect tuna and spending the better part of my weekend on the sofa or in the bathroom. Told him of the incident and my symptoms. Run down, stomach not right, upper abdominal and chest pain. Of course the upper abdominam and chest pain complaint automatically gets you an EKG. I'm really not worried about heart problems. I had a nuclear stress test last fall and had an echo cardiogram (routine stuff at my cardiologist's request). Not a heart problem though some out there would say I just don't have on at all! Based on my history of GI problems, the Dr. felt that perhaps the violent, acidic weekend may have aggravated my esophagus. Of course without going to my GI Dr and being scoped, it's just a guess. I did tell him that I've slowly been feeling better and that made him feel more confident in his GI diagnosis. He gave me a prescription for a medicine that helps coat and told me to take it along with my nexium over the next week. I asked him about being tired and he (along with my MOTHER) said that being that sick just takes it out of you and rest is all that can be done. His suggestion is not run for the rest of the week and just take it easy.

I guess it seems as if my body has once again overcome my spirit. I really do want to run the half this Sunday but right now, I'm not sure I could do it. I am planning on doing a couple of easy miles this afternoon just to see if it wipes me out or not.

I've made up my mind that I will not be bummed out about this. There is plenty of time and plenty of miles yet to be run. Plus, my weight loss program is in progress and I'm heading the right direction with that. In the overall scheme of it, things are looking up.

Other items of interest . . . .

On a sad note, my neighbors across the street (Todd and Kathy) have had an offer made on their house and it looks like they'll be moving to Atlanta sometime this spring.

politics . . . hate 'em and against every old saying, we have to discuss it. Am I the only person out here who feels like this election is a no win situation? Why are the Repulicans putting up liberal canidates? I voted in the primaries yesterday and there is nothing out there to look forward to. I'll withhold my opinion about the Obama and Hillary show. Enough said there. John McCain? War hero, maybe, but he's LIBERAL. Mitt Romney? A governor from Mass (the most liberal state in the union). I like Fred Thompson who I felt was the closest thing to Reagan but he could never muster any interest. Our country is being hijacked by special interest groups and n'er-do-wells. As always, I'm interested in your opinions . . . no flaming though!

Superbowl. The good guys won. I loved seeing Tom Brady getting slammed to the ground on multiple occassions. It was a good game to boot and exciting finish. Anyone who took the Giants and the points made money, I'm sure.

Best commercial (imho) was the Bridgestone tire commercial with Alice Cooper and Richard Simmons.

Hope you have a great day!

Sunday, February 03, 2008

SuperBowl Sunday

Hey all. It has not been a very good or productive weekend. BIG BUMMER. It seems that whatever tore me up last Saturday really took its toll on me and I'm still not right. Of course those of you who know me would say that I haven't been right in a long time! I have to laugh and joke because next Sunday is the Mercedes Marathon (and half) and I am not sure if I'll be able to do it.

I had decided to so my 10-12 miler Saturday instead of Sunday. I figured it would give me and extra day of rest. I worked around the yard and felt okay most of the morning. I did have to take some of my GI cocktail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GI_Cocktail) that I keep around for days like these. My gastro has given me prescription for this and it is helpful most of the time. I've been having lots of belching and abdominal and chest pain since last weekend's episode with the bad tuna. I strapped on the shoes, grabbed my MP3 player (note the lack of APPLE or IPOD anywhere that statement . . but that's another story), put on the shades and set out to get my run in. I was keeping the pace deliberately slow and made it through 5 miles without a hitch. Then all of a sudden, my body just seemed to rebel and say "I'm not doing this anymore . . I'm tired!" I tried to press on but I just didn't have it in me. My back and shoulders are sore, my GI tract is still screwed up. I just said "screw it" and took it into the shower.

I'm sitting here whining to you Sunday afternoon prior to heading to my neighbor's house for the Superbowl.

I need advice, help from anyone out there. I'm hoping that tomorrow I turn the corner and I can still run/walk the half next Sunday.

If things don't improve in another day or two I guess I'll be heading to the doctor.

by the way, Go Giants! Be sure to watch the commercials . . . that's usually the best part.

Thanks for the comments on my new blog about Susan (my hot girlfriend)!