So I am back from the island and in Chicago. It was great to start training in a totally relaxed, yet perhaps unrealistic setting, so I knew that the real work began today. I made sure to enjoy my Sunday though. It was a really good feeling to come home and have some gluten free pizza delivered and wait for Mike to come home from one of his last mountain biking races of the season. I was really upset that I missed it considering he killed it coming in 6th in his age group even after two hard crashes. Anyway I was so happy to see him and it made me realize that training at home once I go back to work Wednesday may be hard, but I have my two biggest supporters here, Mike and my sister Marina. She keeps telling me that I can do it and I have to believe her, she ran her first 1/2 in the POURING rain last year. It is just good knowing I have them here and will have them in Vegas.
Today started off good, a nice lazy morning, then BAM! Step at the gym, and it was fun but a little brutal. Next I came home and took a long two hour nap before tackling the grocery store. One thing worth mentioning is that I have once again gone hardcore into being gluten free, no cheating and mostly dairy free with the exception of cheese and milk/butter when they are cooked into a product(they don't seem to bother me then). So I took my time and strolled through Whole Paycheck, oops I mean Foods. But I came away with 3 amazing things...
1) Quinoa Pasta; cooks up WAY better then brown rice
2) G-free oatmeal!!!!! YUM
3) All purpose baking mix
So, that leads me into tonight's run. I did not want it. By no reach was I looking forward to it, but then I just went. And I ran, and I am not going to say I was in a zone...I only am in a zone watching marathons of ANTM, but it felt ok. It felt good knowing I was staying on schedule. So I cranked out two miles in under 19 minutes and am writing up a quick post before I bake some g-free biscuits and my first pot of beef vegetable soup of the season, yup...Fall. It is supposed to be 49 degrees tonight time to get the sweaters out...oh wait, its Chicago next week I'm sure it will be 90!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ouch
Do not run 3 miles two days in a row and then sit in a car for 16 hours over the next 24 hours....more to come but two really good runs to finish my vacation on the island.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
A couple more runs and a massage
Tiger Woods runs with me when I run fast. This is what I learned the other day on my easy mile. Whenever I run a new fastest time he says to me via my iPod, "Congratulations, this is Tiger Woods, (duh) you just ran your fastest mile time." It's good to know I have my secret husbands support but now I want to run faster each time, which isn't exactly the point of my training, but I did again yesterday clocking in at 8:58.
I also went for a massage yesterday and boy did my shins thank me. I had been having some shin splints from pounding the pavement and she really worked them out. I think if there was ever a way I would get a massage every week, no joke.
Today is a x-training day and lucky me I worked out a deal here at the gym on the island to teach a Step class tonight, lets just hope I remember the routine and that I don't drop dead...the humidity at this gym is INSANE and every time I go I sweat like a 300 pound man in a sauna wearing wool tights. Alright nothing much else to report.
I also went for a massage yesterday and boy did my shins thank me. I had been having some shin splints from pounding the pavement and she really worked them out. I think if there was ever a way I would get a massage every week, no joke.
Today is a x-training day and lucky me I worked out a deal here at the gym on the island to teach a Step class tonight, lets just hope I remember the routine and that I don't drop dead...the humidity at this gym is INSANE and every time I go I sweat like a 300 pound man in a sauna wearing wool tights. Alright nothing much else to report.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Timed running..
Did you know that when you have to do a timed run it doesn't matter how fast you run, the time doesn't speed up?
I had an easy 20 minutes nothing to exciting to report, I felt good, but at the end I found myself sprinting, to what? Who knows 20 minutes is still 20 minutes. On the run I thought about the yoga class I took with my dad yesterday. He is a yoga junkie now, he thinks it is improving his golf game, and so do I if not because it clams the mind. Anyway it was a good, hard class but the best part was that we got to do handstands. When I was younger I used to do gymnastics and forgot how much I liked handstands. My upper body is considerably stronger then my lower, but the problem is I have a lot of lower body to hold up. I know yoga is non competitive but it felt really good to be the only one in the class who could do one. I felt strong...small victories, OK...I was the youngest person in the class and half of the participants we men above the age of 50, but whatever.
Got home in time to beat the rain on the island...and to find my old dog sitting in his bowl, I think he was protesting that it was empty and he is always hungry. Maybe a nap today. Imuran makes you sleepy...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
It really ISN"T about the bike....
So I woke up yuck today. Belly and body that is. My legs were still sore from lifting on Tuesday and my belly was questioning my decision to have a spinach salad for dinner. So I turned to Lance for a little help. I started reading his first book yesterday, "It's Not About the Bike" to help with the slow days, the yuck days, and the days that I would rather nap. And it's not like I am a cycling enthusiast...no that would be Mike, I just got sucked into the Tour this summer and really started pulling for this guy who had been through so much (despite is poor judgement in relationships). So I read a bit, and before I knew it I was 113 pages in and ready to lace up.
Again, running at noon on Hilton Head = stupid, but it was only a mile and this time no pit stops. Easy pace, one and done in 9:19. My reward and pick me up was a coke from the general store. Perhaps this is a good time to scratch the surface on my diet.
Last February I went Gluten and dairy free to see if it would help ease my IBD symptoms, and of course it did. Which is a double edged sword. On one hand, yea! symptoms are better, on the other here is a short list of what I can't eat: bread, pasta, fried anything, cake, cookies, ice cream, bagels, anything with flour, milk, or uncooked butter (I've found natural and g-free cheese is OK in moderation). On top of all that I also am supposed to abstaining from caffeine and alcohol on most days. So this diet paired with a supplement cocktail of a probiotic, turmeric, vitamin D, iron,a homeopathic Mercury compound, and an aloe and licorice powder coupled with the RX of Imuran (oral immunosuppresors) and Lialda has helped me get better...but it still SUCKS.
Anyway back to my Coke. So I got a small Coke extra ice and walked the mile home in the blistering son enjoying every sip. I listed to Destiny's Child talk about being a survivor and my mind switched back to the book, Lance, and the December 6 (the day of the race). It really isn't about the bike, or the run...it's about everything you do to get there. Each mile you put in and every pill you swallow, every word of encouragement, and every day of discouragement takes me one step closer to getting through it....By the time I reached my doorstep I was ready to take on my first timed run tomorrow, but first a yoga class with Dad to help put my mind in a good place and hopefully ease the pain in my quads...
Again, running at noon on Hilton Head = stupid, but it was only a mile and this time no pit stops. Easy pace, one and done in 9:19. My reward and pick me up was a coke from the general store. Perhaps this is a good time to scratch the surface on my diet.
Last February I went Gluten and dairy free to see if it would help ease my IBD symptoms, and of course it did. Which is a double edged sword. On one hand, yea! symptoms are better, on the other here is a short list of what I can't eat: bread, pasta, fried anything, cake, cookies, ice cream, bagels, anything with flour, milk, or uncooked butter (I've found natural and g-free cheese is OK in moderation). On top of all that I also am supposed to abstaining from caffeine and alcohol on most days. So this diet paired with a supplement cocktail of a probiotic, turmeric, vitamin D, iron,a homeopathic Mercury compound, and an aloe and licorice powder coupled with the RX of Imuran (oral immunosuppresors) and Lialda has helped me get better...but it still SUCKS.
Anyway back to my Coke. So I got a small Coke extra ice and walked the mile home in the blistering son enjoying every sip. I listed to Destiny's Child talk about being a survivor and my mind switched back to the book, Lance, and the December 6 (the day of the race). It really isn't about the bike, or the run...it's about everything you do to get there. Each mile you put in and every pill you swallow, every word of encouragement, and every day of discouragement takes me one step closer to getting through it....By the time I reached my doorstep I was ready to take on my first timed run tomorrow, but first a yoga class with Dad to help put my mind in a good place and hopefully ease the pain in my quads...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Running makes you poop
Ok...I jumped the gun. It's shocking really because I, in no way shape or form have an impulsive bone in my body, ha. I hate waiting. I hate waiting for lights to turn green, for the sun to rise and mostly I hate waiting when there is a challenge placed in front of me. Sooooo, I decided to give the legs a test run today. I justified my easy mile run as a way to familiarize myself with the Nike+ chip for my shoe, which I did. Unfortunately, my impulsively led me to running down an asphalt path at 1pm on Hilton Head Island SC, translation HOT and SWEATY. Whatever it was only a mile.
Off I went, a little Robyn playing on the iPod and of course .35 into my mile...poop. Yup, I have IBD and I am gonna tell you, running makes you poop. Thank God for hotels along the way. One pit stop and a few stares from some people checking-in as I ran through a swanky resort lobby dressed in a sports bra and running shorts, oh well nature calls...take two. Nothing to it, one mile 9:17 easy jog and a walk home, I got this right? Nope...when I asked myself can I do this 12 more times, my inner voice didn't even answer it laughed, it actually laughed at me. Awesome.
When I got home I took a bird bath since I knew I would be going to the gym later to lift...my comfort zone. Of course I lifted heavy to prove to myself that I am tough and not scared of a little 13 mile run...my quads are not pleased as I sit here typing, but in the end I know it is the muscle strength that will hopefully drag my butt over the line. The only thing that helped ease my mind was an email I received when I got home from dinner; a very thoughtful boyfriend has been scanning my favorite daily crossword puzzle while I have been away on vacation, at least if my body isn't going to cooperate perhaps my mind will....oh man I am in trouble if I am betting on my mind being the part that doesn't fail me in this endeavor....
Off I went, a little Robyn playing on the iPod and of course .35 into my mile...poop. Yup, I have IBD and I am gonna tell you, running makes you poop. Thank God for hotels along the way. One pit stop and a few stares from some people checking-in as I ran through a swanky resort lobby dressed in a sports bra and running shorts, oh well nature calls...take two. Nothing to it, one mile 9:17 easy jog and a walk home, I got this right? Nope...when I asked myself can I do this 12 more times, my inner voice didn't even answer it laughed, it actually laughed at me. Awesome.
When I got home I took a bird bath since I knew I would be going to the gym later to lift...my comfort zone. Of course I lifted heavy to prove to myself that I am tough and not scared of a little 13 mile run...my quads are not pleased as I sit here typing, but in the end I know it is the muscle strength that will hopefully drag my butt over the line. The only thing that helped ease my mind was an email I received when I got home from dinner; a very thoughtful boyfriend has been scanning my favorite daily crossword puzzle while I have been away on vacation, at least if my body isn't going to cooperate perhaps my mind will....oh man I am in trouble if I am betting on my mind being the part that doesn't fail me in this endeavor....
Road to Vegas Day 1
Ok....I guess I am blogging. Why? Mostly to keep myself honest in training for the Las Vegas Half Marathon on December 6, 2009. This is my first attempt at something like this and am probably going to stumble quite a few times and thought it would be quite entertaining to read about all the missteps along the way. So first things first...
Why am I running? Well Team Challenge is the training program for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Crohn's and Colitis (known jointly as Inflamatory Bowel Disease,IBD). Over 1.4 million Americans suffer from IBD and I myself am one of them. Awesome. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and it has been an interesting road to recovery....at some point along this journey I will fill you, today I'm just trying to get started. Lets just say I am finally at a point where I can be proactive about finding a cure instead of just letting my doctors, family, and friends be the ones to take matters into their own hads.
So...I'm not taking matters into my own hads...I'm taking it to the streets...and ok I'm not doing it alons. My boyfriend and sister will be running along side me and SO many of my friends and family have alread donated to help me reach my fundraising goal, which combined with Mike (the bf) is $5,200. Yikes.
Where does this leave us today? I am begining my training today with a round of strength training. I took a peak for the one hundreth time this morning at the training schedule, and I have to tell you, it looks like a piece of cake...if it wasnt for all the running:( I, by nature am not a runner. That is not to say that I am not active, I teach kickboxing and step aerobics and basically love going to the gym to weight train whenever I get the chance. I also have taken a liking to riding my new Cyclocross bike. But nowhere in that mix does running make a regular apperance except to warm up for weight training. Hmmm. Why couldn't Team Challenge have a kickboxing tourney? Running...well I was a soccer player back in the day begore I got sick , and I was pretty good, I can't lie though I was a goalie, althogh I did dabble in midfield. So if I chased a soccer ball for the whole 13.1 miles would it make the race easier? I don't think so. Running with my sister who is an amazing distance runner, and Mike who just squashed the Chicago Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon with a time of 1:49:57 will help, but in the end these old legs are going to have to carry me across the finish line.
Now...before you start feeling too sorry for me, poor IBD girl doesn't know how to run, I must tell you I am beginning my training from sunny Hilton Head Island S.C. I I am here on my annual family vacation, Mom, Dad, and dog, Gus. Marina (sister) had to stay home and work. So I have been spending my days tracking thr fundraising while I lay by the pool and perseverating over the impending doom of my training. Today I will be off to the island gym, my comfort zone, to lift. But then the fun begins, running. It starts easily enough a mile. I can do a mile, I do a mile all the time to warm up. But then the wheels start turning, 1 mile turns into 3 into 13! One day at a time right?? Wait a minute that was my motto for the last four years dealing with IBD...maybe I'm onto something....
Check out my team Challenge link!
http://www.active.com/donate/lv09illinois/sophiapanos
Why am I running? Well Team Challenge is the training program for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Crohn's and Colitis (known jointly as Inflamatory Bowel Disease,IBD). Over 1.4 million Americans suffer from IBD and I myself am one of them. Awesome. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and it has been an interesting road to recovery....at some point along this journey I will fill you, today I'm just trying to get started. Lets just say I am finally at a point where I can be proactive about finding a cure instead of just letting my doctors, family, and friends be the ones to take matters into their own hads.
So...I'm not taking matters into my own hads...I'm taking it to the streets...and ok I'm not doing it alons. My boyfriend and sister will be running along side me and SO many of my friends and family have alread donated to help me reach my fundraising goal, which combined with Mike (the bf) is $5,200. Yikes.
Where does this leave us today? I am begining my training today with a round of strength training. I took a peak for the one hundreth time this morning at the training schedule, and I have to tell you, it looks like a piece of cake...if it wasnt for all the running:( I, by nature am not a runner. That is not to say that I am not active, I teach kickboxing and step aerobics and basically love going to the gym to weight train whenever I get the chance. I also have taken a liking to riding my new Cyclocross bike. But nowhere in that mix does running make a regular apperance except to warm up for weight training. Hmmm. Why couldn't Team Challenge have a kickboxing tourney? Running...well I was a soccer player back in the day begore I got sick , and I was pretty good, I can't lie though I was a goalie, althogh I did dabble in midfield. So if I chased a soccer ball for the whole 13.1 miles would it make the race easier? I don't think so. Running with my sister who is an amazing distance runner, and Mike who just squashed the Chicago Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon with a time of 1:49:57 will help, but in the end these old legs are going to have to carry me across the finish line.
Now...before you start feeling too sorry for me, poor IBD girl doesn't know how to run, I must tell you I am beginning my training from sunny Hilton Head Island S.C. I I am here on my annual family vacation, Mom, Dad, and dog, Gus. Marina (sister) had to stay home and work. So I have been spending my days tracking thr fundraising while I lay by the pool and perseverating over the impending doom of my training. Today I will be off to the island gym, my comfort zone, to lift. But then the fun begins, running. It starts easily enough a mile. I can do a mile, I do a mile all the time to warm up. But then the wheels start turning, 1 mile turns into 3 into 13! One day at a time right?? Wait a minute that was my motto for the last four years dealing with IBD...maybe I'm onto something....
Check out my team Challenge link!
http://www.active.com/donate/lv09illinois/sophiapanos
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