Category Archives: chi running

I love drizzle

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The rain in Portland is believed by many to be this constant downpour. In fact it doesn’t do that too often. First off we have a rainy season (or seasons) which is usually from the end of October – November and then February-June. Our summers are exceptionally dry. Secondly our rains are more of a drizzle. People up here often bitch about it, or local news are the biggest belly achers. Me, I love the drizzle. It is the perfect weather to run in. Nice and cool and usually little wind. This was the case with my run this morning. I found myself starting out at a fast pace (for me) that I was able to keep up for about 3/4’s of my run. The mile and a half of today’s 6.5 was a bit slower and then I kicked it into gear for the last 1/4. Over all my pace was an 8:35 minute mile, about what I was doing when I was training for the Portland Marathon, ahh, those were the days!

Here is a good blog posting on a simple strategy for running a fast marathon. Many of the ideas are equally applicable if you are running it slowly.

Hard wet run

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Today I hit the roads a bit later than normal first thing usuals. I had TWO cups of coffee as well and not my normal one. In addition it was cold. So are you sensing that I am fishing for an excuse? Well I am . It was not the best run in the world. I kept finding myself hitting that point where I thought I had done just about everything I could do. The good thing for me today was that I kept going, treating it as a step I need to take to get back to good enough shape to do that half-marathon. I wish I were more prepared and more ready, but that damn illness has really set me back. My lungs are still extremely heavy and it gets tough to breathe like I know I can and want to. But I keep pressing forward. Never give up becomes my motto. I’ll hit a point where I want to just walk for a bit and somehow I manage to keep going and not give into the temptation of rest. That said I am not nearly killing myself or anything. It is just a point I know I have reached before and have made it through. It can be done I say to myself.

On another note I seem to see the spells coming back a bit. I have had a couple of instances, mostly it seems to happen when I am exhausted like last week when I did a long run and then raked leaves. I am thinking that my body being overheated is basically the cause. Still it sort of sucks as I thought I had this licked. I actually think I still do, but I have to acknowledge that they are happening again, fortunately not with any sort of regularity like before. I have read about ms symptoms happening, then going away and later returning but with less frequency and intensity. This almost seems like a lesser version even of that as so far it has only happened a couple of times. I gave myself the litty-kitty-kitty test where I say that over an over again. During the spells I can’t say it. So I keep an eye on it and see what happens in the future.

I am wondering if I should get a flu shot. I have never gotten one before. But I read an ms blog that recommended it. I don’t think much of the blog, so I wanted to ask my neurologist about it, but she is on vacation for three more weeks. All my GP said was “Oh sure make an appt and we can give you one.” I don’t want the “opportunity” I want to know if I should or not. Ruthann thinks I should call OHSU and talk to the doc who gave me the second opinion. I don’t know why I am reluctant to do that?

Last night I talked to a friend who was the first person I ever knew who was diagnosed with ms. I remember at the time I found out how bad I felt for her. Then three months later I got my diagnosis, Funny how that works. She had optic nueritus, but hasn’t started any medications yet as the docs feel it is too early. I thought that was a good time to start. Hmmm.

Hard wet run

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Today I hit the roads a bit later than normal first thing usuals. I had TWO cups of coffee as well and not my normal one. In addition it was cold. So are you sensing that I am fishing for an excuse? Well I am . It was not the best run in the world. I kept finding myself hitting that point where I thought I had done just about everything I could do. The good thing for me today was that I kept going, treating it as a step I need to take to get back to good enough shape to do that half-marathon. I wish I were more prepared and more ready, but that damn illness has really set me back. My lungs are still extremely heavy and it gets tough to breathe like I know I can and want to. But I keep pressing forward. Never give up becomes my motto. I’ll hit a point where I want to just walk for a bit and somehow I manage to keep going and not give into the temptation of rest. That said I am not nearly killing myself or anything. It is just a point I know I have reached before and have made it through. It can be done I say to myself.

On another note I seem to see the spells coming back a bit. I have had a couple of instances, mostly it seems to happen when I am exhausted like last week when I did a long run and then raked leaves. I am thinking that my body being overheated is basically the cause. Still it sort of sucks as I thought I had this licked. I actually think I still do, but I have to acknowledge that they are happening again, fortunately not with any sort of regularity like before. I have read about ms symptoms happening, then going away and later returning but with less frequency and intensity. This almost seems like a lesser version even of that as so far it has only happened a couple of times. I gave myself the litty-kitty-kitty test where I say that over an over again. During the spells I can’t say it. So I keep an eye on it and see what happens in the future.

I am wondering if I should get a flu shot. I have never gotten one before. But I read an ms blog that recommended it. I don’t think much of the blog, so I wanted to ask my neurologist about it, but she is on vacation for three more weeks. All my GP said was “Oh sure make an appt and we can give you one.” I don’t want the “opportunity” I want to know if I should or not. Ruthann thinks I should call OHSU and talk to the doc who gave me the second opinion. I don’t know why I am reluctant to do that?

Last night I talked to a friend who was the first person I ever knew who was diagnosed with ms. I remember at the time I found out how bad I felt for her. Then three months later I got my diagnosis, Funny how that works. She had optic nueritus, but hasn’t started any medications yet as the docs feel it is too early. I thought that was a good time to start. Hmmm.

Nice dark run today

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I managed to get up early today and start my run in the dark before 7. I even stuck my blinking green clip-on light on my hat for it. This being my first run in the dark since last fall I was a little on edge. Not really, but there was a small part of my saying watch for pot holes, roots and cars more that I usually do. I had no issues with all three. About halfway through my run a turned off the light. It was light enough outside to continue safely without it, but my main reason was that a runner had been following me for blocks (I didn’t see him) and it must have been driving him crazy. Fortunately for him he was running faster than I was and was able to pass me.

I had good radio this morning for my run as the sports station was doing a 24 hour Blazer broadcast for the start of the season tonight against the hated lakers and kobe. I really hope we win, but I wouldn’t be too surprised or disappointed if we didn’t. Anyway, go Blazers!

Nice dark run today

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I managed to get up early today and start my run in the dark before 7. I even stuck my blinking green clip-on light on my hat for it. This being my first run in the dark since last fall I was a little on edge. Not really, but there was a small part of my saying watch for pot holes, roots and cars more that I usually do. I had no issues with all three. About halfway through my run a turned off the light. It was light enough outside to continue safely without it, but my main reason was that a runner had been following me for blocks (I didn’t see him) and it must have been driving him crazy. Fortunately for him he was running faster than I was and was able to pass me.

I had good radio this morning for my run as the sports station was doing a 24 hour Blazer broadcast for the start of the season tonight against the hated lakers and kobe. I really hope we win, but I wouldn’t be too surprised or disappointed if we didn’t. Anyway, go Blazers!

Two more different runs

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I ran yesterday afternoon and this morning. Two completely different runs. Yesterday I ran in the afternoon which I rarely do, mostly because of my schedule. It was surprisingly warm out and I decided to run a totally different route just to try it out. It was sort of a variation on a run I had done in the past but didn’t like so much as it went down a busy street. So to avoid the street I ran a bit further north past a track I used to go to that I can no longer get into cause they have it all locked down. It was a weird track too, more circular than a standard track. but anyway I digress. As it turned out the run was a bit shorter than I had thought. I was looking for something around 6+ and it turned out to be just over 5, so I’ll need to figure out how to add a little bit to it. It also seemed a lot longer than that, the run just dragged on and on. Even the football game I was listening to didn’t make the time pass quickly. I was totally pooped after it and for the last couple miles or so. I guess it could be the heat (though it wasn’t that hot somewhere around 60). Or I could have just been a bit worn, though no real reason for that.

So this morning I went on a run I do quite often through East Moreland and the canyon. I have done this run hundreds of times and know every step it seems. The run was about two miles further than the previous one, but it seemed like it went so much quicker and I didn’t drag at all, at least like the day before anyway.

So it got me thinking more about how things we do in patterns create a sort of muscle memory (be it physical or mental) and how this affects ms. So far it seems to me that this sort of repetition allows the brain to send its signals more smoothly through the de-mylenated areas. Why that is I have no idea, but that’s my theory and I am sticking with it. I wonder how this effects perception of time passing?

Two more different runs

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I ran yesterday afternoon and this morning. Two completely different runs. Yesterday I ran in the afternoon which I rarely do, mostly because of my schedule. It was surprisingly warm out and I decided to run a totally different route just to try it out. It was sort of a variation on a run I had done in the past but didn’t like so much as it went down a busy street. So to avoid the street I ran a bit further north past a track I used to go to that I can no longer get into cause they have it all locked down. It was a weird track too, more circular than a standard track. but anyway I digress. As it turned out the run was a bit shorter than I had thought. I was looking for something around 6+ and it turned out to be just over 5, so I’ll need to figure out how to add a little bit to it. It also seemed a lot longer than that, the run just dragged on and on. Even the football game I was listening to didn’t make the time pass quickly. I was totally pooped after it and for the last couple miles or so. I guess it could be the heat (though it wasn’t that hot somewhere around 60). Or I could have just been a bit worn, though no real reason for that.

So this morning I went on a run I do quite often through East Moreland and the canyon. I have done this run hundreds of times and know every step it seems. The run was about two miles further than the previous one, but it seemed like it went so much quicker and I didn’t drag at all, at least like the day before anyway.

So it got me thinking more about how things we do in patterns create a sort of muscle memory (be it physical or mental) and how this affects ms. So far it seems to me that this sort of repetition allows the brain to send its signals more smoothly through the de-mylenated areas. Why that is I have no idea, but that’s my theory and I am sticking with it. I wonder how this effects perception of time passing?

Two days, two good runs

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Wednesday and Thursday were cold days here in Portland, but dry. I donned the leggings for the first time this fall and headed out. Both days were somewhat slow (especially Wednesday when I nearly averaged nine minute miles) but I got in relatively good miles: seven and eight plus. My cardio still needs improvement to get ready for the race, but the big area was just my energy in general. About 3/4s of the way through both runs my legs started to tire, which I did expect. I found myself willing myself to keep going through miles that just weeks ago were coming easily. So all in all there is work to do.

I did figure out a new way to drag my ipod along that I thought was interesting and partially a “no duh, why didn’t I ever do this before.” I have a belt clip on my ipod and would clip it to my waistband. To do this and wear my water bottle belt, I would pull my shorts up high so that a couple inches of material was above the belt, then I would clip the ipod to this. The problem was that I would then look like a basketball player from the 70s wearing short shorts. This compounded as I ran and the shorts seemed to work themselves even higher. I’m not hugely into running fashion, but I don’t want to look too dorky! So another solution has been needed. I tried clipping to the water belt, but the belt material was too slippery and my ipod would slide off. So yesterday I decided to just carry it in my hand which wasn’t too bad as I have to do that with my radio if I take that. As I was doing this I checked my watch to see how much time had gone by and and idea hit me. Why not clip the ipod to the watchband. So I tried this and wrapped the extra cord around my wrist. It worked brilliantly. I modified it a bit and switched wrists and it worked even better. I think I finally have a good ipod solution.

Speaking of ipods, the Seattle marathon is ipod-friendly. Apparently some races will not allow any music devices in their races. Supposedly this is for safety, which I agree can be an issue if you are not paying attention. But if you keep the sound down and focus on your environment (watch for cars, kids, dogs, cracks, objects left out) you are fine. Some races also encourage racers to talk to each other. Now this I believe is a really good reason to not listen to music/ But if you don’t have anyone to talk to, then what? Overall I am very glad Seattle allows ipods. This seems to be more and more of a trend with races these days. Go solidarity!

Two days, two good runs

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Wednesday and Thursday were cold days here in Portland, but dry. I donned the leggings for the first time this fall and headed out. Both days were somewhat slow (especially Wednesday when I nearly averaged nine minute miles) but I got in relatively good miles: seven and eight plus. My cardio still needs improvement to get ready for the race, but the big area was just my energy in general. About 3/4s of the way through both runs my legs started to tire, which I did expect. I found myself willing myself to keep going through miles that just weeks ago were coming easily. So all in all there is work to do.

I did figure out a new way to drag my ipod along that I thought was interesting and partially a “no duh, why didn’t I ever do this before.” I have a belt clip on my ipod and would clip it to my waistband. To do this and wear my water bottle belt, I would pull my shorts up high so that a couple inches of material was above the belt, then I would clip the ipod to this. The problem was that I would then look like a basketball player from the 70s wearing short shorts. This compounded as I ran and the shorts seemed to work themselves even higher. I’m not hugely into running fashion, but I don’t want to look too dorky! So another solution has been needed. I tried clipping to the water belt, but the belt material was too slippery and my ipod would slide off. So yesterday I decided to just carry it in my hand which wasn’t too bad as I have to do that with my radio if I take that. As I was doing this I checked my watch to see how much time had gone by and and idea hit me. Why not clip the ipod to the watchband. So I tried this and wrapped the extra cord around my wrist. It worked brilliantly. I modified it a bit and switched wrists and it worked even better. I think I finally have a good ipod solution.

Speaking of ipods, the Seattle marathon is ipod-friendly. Apparently some races will not allow any music devices in their races. Supposedly this is for safety, which I agree can be an issue if you are not paying attention. But if you keep the sound down and focus on your environment (watch for cars, kids, dogs, cracks, objects left out) you are fine. Some races also encourage racers to talk to each other. Now this I believe is a really good reason to not listen to music/ But if you don’t have anyone to talk to, then what? Overall I am very glad Seattle allows ipods. This seems to be more and more of a trend with races these days. Go solidarity!

Hard time getting back into the swing of things

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Since being sick basically put me out of commission for a couple of weeks I have been having a terribly hard time getting back into it. I think the biggest challenge has been having to run in the dark in the mornings. I’m not a big fan of that at all. I have a green blinking light that I wear on the back of my hat and an orange reflective running jacket. But it still feels sketchy, plus I worry about uneven sidewalks and all sorts of things not easily seen in the dark. Monday I couldn’t get out of bed, just wanted to lay there. Yesterday I decided at 3:00 to not get up. The rebif had caused a monster fever that plagued me all night. Right after going to bed I had the worst chills. It was incredible, I just could not warm up. Later, my cough came back a bit and every time I would succumb my fever would explode. The fever issue with rebif is odd, sometimes I don’t feel a thing, and others I do. I don’t understand the inconsistency. I’ll have to look for things in my diet that might be causing it.

I am just about ready to commit to the Seattle half-marathon on Nov 30th. I am pretty sure that in five weeks I can get back to where I was cardio-wise. My buddy in Seattle who I would stay with wants to go to a show the night before. I think I could do the half with limited sleep as long as I didn’t drink the might before. I am still torn though. Paul really wants to go to the show (and so do I – Sea and Cake – but a big part says it is foolish to try. But maybe not.