"Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand."
Baruch Spinoza
WARNING: This is not a sunshine post.
Sigh...today is not a good day. My lungs are not happy. Running group was this evening, but the idea of running a 5K around 7pm was not something I felt would go well. Luckily, uber hubby was more than willing to join me for a 5K around the neighborhood around 4:30pm. For those of you who have asthma...let me mention that on top of my monthly Xolair injection and my usual morning meds (1 puff of Advair 250 and 3 puffs of Alvesco), I took two puffs of Ventolin around noon and two more puffs of Ventolin before heading out for my run. Note that I very rarely need Ventolin. My run went okay, but I was pretty slow today (understandably). It took me 37 minutes, which is a whole 5 minutes more than last week. I see the pulmonary specialist tomorrow, so we'll see what the next step is. I also think the candida (fungus infection due to Advair) is back in my oesophagus, which is annoying and means more meds. So that's the lung crap...I'll add right now, that I used to feel this way much much more often and that it's been a while since my lung capacity has gone down this much. So I do know it's temporary and that by next week, things should be better (although it may mean a week of prednisone). No matter, I've been doing so well and this was bound to happen at some point.
Next, I have some pain in the back...I think it might be because I'm trying really hard to run with a better posture. It's been mentioned to me that I tend to turn my shoulders in, especially when I get tired. I noticed it too on some of my running photos from Cuba.
See how my shoulders are turned in?
This one, from the back, I'm almost embarassed to show you.
We're nearing the end of the run here.
They're not as bad at the beginning of a run, but I know that it's something I need to work on. Since I started working on this, I realized that whenever I feel a twinge of the old pain in my left thigh, all I have to do is pull my shoulders back and my pelvis forward a bit and the pain goes away. It doesn't feel natural yet, but I hope it will by the time I do my first race in May. For now, I have sore lats in the back.
Finally, I guess this is turning into Three Things Thursday :)...anyways, I realized today that I'm probably not a great candidate for a running group in the long term. I'm enjoying the atmosphere and the people and I'm learning and it'll be fun to see how everyone does. But, I have so many people in my life that are more than willing to join me on runs, especially uber hubby, who's right at home with me, that I don't feel the need to run with a group. Plus, I'm already so busy with everything else in my life, that one more evening booked just seems like too much. Next time, I may do the online clinic. It was really nice today to go run my 5K in the afternoon with my husband, then make dinner together and relax. I'm learning what works for me...and it's all good.
Cheers!
24 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. You may feel let down by your body but I just want you to know how inspiring it is to see you overcome your challenges and continue running. You are beautiful, healthy and strong! A total inspiration.
You are definitely an inspiration. I am a new follower and find your strength and determination motivating me!
Oh honey big hugs! I'm so sorry the asthma is being a bigger challenge than usual. Can't imagine how hard that is.
As for your posture, yoga really helped me in that respect. Hell who doesn't hunch at the end when we're dead tired?
Here's to everything realigning for you in a good way soon!
i hope you can avoid the prednisone! (()) good idea to earlier in the day when you energy is still up... you are so good at reading the signs your body and mind are giving you :)
Hope you can get everything figured out! I have asthma, but much more mild. I usually only have trouble when I get sick. Hope that tomorrow is a better day for you!
It is very important to find your own balance. I struggle with that all of the time. Especially when I try and do what others do. It all comes down to doing what works for you.
Sounds like you are finding that balance. Hope your back and lungs feel better. Don't get down on yourself if you do need Prednisone . . . you have done so good and gone so long without it.
Peace and have a great weekend.
Hope you can feel better soon. I need to pay more attention to my posture when I run too, especially when I'm tired.
I love the idea of a running group, but some days my runs are the only time I have quiet LOL.
I know what you mean about one more evening booked. I love my evenings at home with NOTHING planned. Good luck at the doctors.
Hi Anne,
I am sorry that you had a tough run. We all get them from time to time. If I were there I would give you a big Julie bear hug:) If it makes you feel better, I still have to work on my form too! I have to work on my normal steady run form, my feet placement, and keeping my head held up during runs. Hang in there Ann! I think that you are doing great:)
This is so disappointing! I'm really sorry that you're struggling a lot with your asthma right now. I hope your lungs get back on track soon.
So sorry you are going through this. My asthma used to be much worse (many Prednisone days) and still does get bad this time of year. It seemed to get better when I moved to Montana. Also, I get the running "slouch" when my asthma is bad - due to the general fatigue from struggling to breathe.
:)Took me 2 months of running next to a full-length mirror to work on my terrible posture - I was nearly doubled over and my abs were completely lax...now it feels natural.
I have a friend who runs and has asthma and it sometimes a struggle, I do admire you both! Hang in there, we don't need sunshine everyday! Regarding your lats, I am doing PT now and he has me doing these shoulder/lat strengthening exercises three times a week and I already feel a difference when I'm running and even sitting. I'd google some exercises too! I've also been totally sore since I've started these exercises!
uh, sorry about the asthma, and I guess it's like everything in life: ebbs and flows. Those ebb days can just be buzzkills though.
and the forward shoulder running thing is an achilles heel for many, many folks (uh, like me!);-)
Fingers crossed the doctor gives you good news!
In terms of your posture, I found the Pilates really helped me. Having stronger ab muscles also really helps to keep you upright.
I love that I found running groups, but I agree that sometimes you just want a free evening or to run at your own pace at your own time.
Very good blog, congrats! The pics are wonderful and running near the sea is inspiring. However I had problems with allergic asthma many years ago and I solved all of them. About the shoulder, I don't think that it is a problem but you can improve the position with swimming: it is a good help for the upper body.
Anne - this has been one of those weeks where bad news seems to prevail - I am sorry to hear your breathing issues have flared up and I am crossing my fingers that you and your doctor will figure it out. For the running posture, have you ever heard of the book Chi Running by Danny Dreyer? It has a lot of very useful information on posture in running - it helped me a lot. And I totally get your reservations about the running group - that is exactly why I never joined one, even though it would have been nice to have the camraderie. Anyway, thanks for being so real! And have a good weekend.
Thanks for sharing. You have such a good perspective on life. I'm sure everything will work out just fine. Have a great weekend!
Hi, Ann
Sorry to hear your asthma is flaring up. The important thing is how you deal with it, and you are a champ. Keep pushing through it.
Here's to a good weekend for you:)
If I had people in my life who would run with me, I don't think I would necessary want to join a running group as well. And I am not sure if the running group commitment would make me feel motivated or irritated.
I hope your lungs get better soon!
I bet every runner has some thing a bit off with the posture! We all need to work on it. Just keep doing it - you'll get there!
This is just a minor setback that you will overcome. I am positive.
Sorry to hear about all the lung issues yesterday. I hope you start feeling better soon and that next week's runs are MUCH better.
Good luck working on your posture. I've always been told to make very tiny changes at a time so as not to cause all kinds of aches and pains. Maybe just concentrate on your posture for 5 minutes of each run, for example.
I'm so sorry that your asthma is acting up. It sucks ABSOLUTELY sucks when you want to go but you don't have the lung capacity to pull it off. Believe me, I know how you feel. Hang in there, you'll see better days!
Sorry to hear you're having issues. One step at a time! I think we all have days like this at times!
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