track fan

1:31:02.   Relatively (in Flagstaff terms) flatish run up A1 mountain -- it is pretty gradual uphill out (about Jeremy Ranch Road level, maybe a tiny bit more steep in places) and then a nice downhill back.  

I ran with Greg, Dean, and Becky for a while - and then I had to make a little 'stop' and then ran to catch up with some other runners, David (just finished his first 100 miler a couple months ago), and Ann (from near Lake Superior in Michigan), and Mary.

Most  people turned around after 30 mins or so, only David, Doug, and I, ran 10.  It was a blast talking to David about ultrarunning.  He told me not to slow down for him, but I really really didn't mind.  Today was all about being in the beautiful mountains, being cool ;-), and enjoying the run.

We all went to brunch afterward, shared emails, phone numbers and took pictures together, with Greg, Ben and Andrew and just had an awesome day.  SOOOO Lucky! 

Long Run Picture

 Dean is on the far left, I am the short-haired person, 4th from the left.  I am old, give me a break ;-).  My new friend Becky is to the left of me (she is trying to run a 3:15 at Chicago) and to my right is Mary (she has natural talent and I would not be at all surprised to see her near the 3:00 mark this year or next -- at 45!).  Ben Rosario is the first guy on the back row -- super nice guy and coaches for McMillan Running now.

First radiation treatment down, 24 more to go.  It is pretty weird, but not painful.  Two techs "line you up" and then leave the room.  A huge machine comes down and then you hear what sounds like a regular x-ray sound, but I counted to 25, then these little teeth inside the machine move (I suspect it is "focusing" a little more) and I counted to 5.  Then it  moves completely to the other side, and the same thing happens on the other side - counted to 25 and 5 again.  Whole thing takes ~ 5mins.  It would be pretty interesting, if it weren't me -- or anyone I knew personally ;-).

Happy Monday bloggers! 

AM: 8 miles.  Had my radiation appt at 7AM, was out by 7:15.  Ran on the river trail and then headed up to lab meeting -- there is a great shower near the lab, why haven't I done this before? It got up to 106F today ... yuck.  seriously, yuck.

PM: easy 4.

I know it is too early for radiation induced fatigue, so it must just be the early (for me) mornings -- but I am exhausted.  Tomorrow I am taking my first meditation class, I am hoping that I can get my stress (and therefore cortisol levels) down, and maybe sleep better - and have a little more energy.  Last week I made an appointment with my PCP to get some blood drawn to check my vitamin B and ferritin levels.  Thanks to Andrea for posting the foodadvisor website!  It also showed that I might be vitamin B deficient (based on my current diet ... we'll see.  It is probably not good to go into radiation already tired!

I hope you are all doing well!!   

1:00:45.  Again, in and out in 15 mins, running by 7:25!  It was already 90 when I finished the run ... but, good news (from the radio this morning): "cooling trend towards the weekend, highs only in the 90's" ;-).  sorry, even after 4 years, I don't feel 90F is "cool"!

Nothing more to note, other than I get to go see John-of-the-ART today!  so glad!  Not only can he help with my hamstring that is just chronically hurt, but I am hoping he can help with my shoulder too!  I am also going to be taking a "gentle" yoga class once/week starting next week!!  This class focuses on stretching and a little relaxation -- both things are helpful, I think.  

I hope you are all having a wonderful week -- and looking forward to a fun Memorial Day weekend!! 

AM: 8 miles.  Good to be out (even though it was hot).  My goal was to run at least 60 miles this week and next - before the fatigue sets in ... and then after that a simple goal of *at least* 4 miles/day (is that too much to ask?).  However, I am already not sure if I will be able to do this.  I am t.i.r.e.d.  Like bone tired.  As runners we know how to push through fatigue and pain, but I am not sure that this is the optimal strategy right now ... I am worn down.  I am still going to try to make my goal, but I am modifying to run every day I would normally run, but not push through the fatigue.  Bummer, but probably a better strategy. 

So ... I won't preblog miles for tonight, but I might try to run if I can.

PM: easy 4.  I was able to run this evening -- I don't know why, but I am usually a little better in the PM (I think it is because I have a lawn chair in my office and can take a little nap - even though I don't feel like I am sleeping, a little rest seems to go a long way).  one more day and the first week is done!!  only 4 more + day to go! 

On a good note, John helped with my frozen shoulder yesterday -- it really hurts today, but I can move my neck again, so it is improving!!  And, I can do some exercises now, so that it won't freeze up any more (radiation makes it worse for many people).  

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!  sorry to be a bummer, I am sure I will be better after I watch some awesome NCAA track and field this weekend!! 

Ahhh ... what a difference a day - and 10 degrees - makes.  Feel much better today, maybe it is just knowing I don't have to drive to radiation treatment for 3 whole days, but I don't care, I feel better!  

Plus, the "cooling trend" is here! highs in the low 90s this weekend - yippee, bring out the parka's!!

Double Plus, my dog Keiko is going to survive for a little longer.  I really thought this was going to be her last week on earth, but when I took her off one of her meds, she made a tremendous improvement.  She is old (in doggy years - 14 in human years, and 100 lbs) and has had some sort of serious lung problem.  We put her on medicine for Valley Fever (her titer was equivocal) and she lost function of her back legs (for a 100 lb dog, and someone who has limited use of one her arms at the moment, me, it was quite a challenge to help her up) - so I took her off the medicine and she improved right away -- weird, and rare, side effect? Poor thing, she is already on thyroid medicine and arthritis medicine - I have to get one of those daily pill keepers just to keep track of her meds ;-).  Anyway, we are giving her steriods instead, and at the very least, she seems happier and is eating again.  Whew, seriously, I did not really want to lose her right now -- selfishly, I just need her around for a few more months.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  

AM: (7 miles, 1:03:36) -- again!!  nice run.  I have started taking sublingual B-vitamins, and I have upped my electrolyte consumption over the past 3 days (sugar free - I don't tolerate gatorade well) - that coupled with "cooler" temps (less than 100F by 4 degrees yesterday) are helping a lot!  I still had some blood work done yesterday, just to make sure it wasn't thyroid or iron ... but I am very happy that I can run and not feel completed worn out -- though we will see how it goes this afternoon.  I have some work to do today, but I am seriously going to attempt a little nap.  Plus, I need to find some NCAA track and field time ;-)

PM: easy 4, hopefully.

Happy weekend bloggers!!