I have been so hit and miss on posting to this blog. I have to admit that my workouts have been more miss than hit! I had to have a drain put in where my rectum and anus wasremoved, because it hadn't healed properly and kept getting infected. The day after it was put in I was able to go walking, but haven't been out again until today. I have been way too sore. Some days it has even been to painful to do much more than lay down. Walking, sitting and driving have been very uncomfortable to say the least.
With my walk coming up this Saturday, I knew that I needed to get some exercise in this week, so that I would have more stamina. This morning I went out with Ginny and we both felt the consequences of not working out for a week! We were only able to do one interval of jogging and ended up walking the rest of the way. In total we were able to go the full 5 miles in about an hour and 15 min.
It felt great to be back out exercising, and I want to keep it up! Today I meet with my surgeon to see what the next steps are going to be for my recovery. I am seriously praying that I can get the drain out, and that things are healed enough, that we can be done. I have a fear that I will end up with a wound vac. Let's keep our fingers crossed that I will be healed enough....
I feel like I am not building up endurance and stamina as much as I would like to. Obviously consistency would help, but I really want to be able to go farther, faster, and be stronger. I think that I will see what happens today at the Doctors. If they go well, then I am going to be making so serious exercise goals for what I want to accomplish over the summer.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Turn up the heat!!!!
I love warm weather, I don't love running in it! This week has been a little tricky with the weather being so warm. Ginny and I have certainly slowed our pace up so we don't pass out. We really want to make sure that we are getting in 3-4 work outs a week, but don't want to make ourselves sick with the heat. I am really looking forward summer break which is only a week and a half away! We will be able to workout early, before it's too hot, and have a whole day left afterwards!
I ended up having to go in for a C.T. scan today. I have been having some weird problems on the scar where my anus was removed. I needed to drink contrast for the scan, and it has left me feeling really queasy. Needless to say, our workout today was very slow!
We are still averaging about 5 miles a day and are loving the interval program. Some days are better than others, but each day I get out, I feel great that I did!!
I realize that I have waited a long time to post my other blog, and really wanted to share it before now. I have finally finished writing it, and am now editing it. I really want to add pictures, and hopefully will be able to post it soon. My hopes were to share these two blogs and help people to understand what it is like living with crohn's disease. I really want to raise money for the run I am doing in June, and hoped that adding a personal element would make it more "real." The walk is just a few weeks away and I think I have taken too long. If you read this, and are able, I would love if you could support the foundation I am running for and donate to my team. It is really simple and is a wonderful cause. You can log onto the website ccfa.org click on "Taking Steps, Changing Lives" and find my team "Gut's Who???" ANY donation, from $1 up will be such a blessing, and it is tax deductible! Sorry to turn my blog into a fundraiser, I just feel like I needed to get the word out!
I ended up having to go in for a C.T. scan today. I have been having some weird problems on the scar where my anus was removed. I needed to drink contrast for the scan, and it has left me feeling really queasy. Needless to say, our workout today was very slow!
We are still averaging about 5 miles a day and are loving the interval program. Some days are better than others, but each day I get out, I feel great that I did!!
I realize that I have waited a long time to post my other blog, and really wanted to share it before now. I have finally finished writing it, and am now editing it. I really want to add pictures, and hopefully will be able to post it soon. My hopes were to share these two blogs and help people to understand what it is like living with crohn's disease. I really want to raise money for the run I am doing in June, and hoped that adding a personal element would make it more "real." The walk is just a few weeks away and I think I have taken too long. If you read this, and are able, I would love if you could support the foundation I am running for and donate to my team. It is really simple and is a wonderful cause. You can log onto the website ccfa.org click on "Taking Steps, Changing Lives" and find my team "Gut's Who???" ANY donation, from $1 up will be such a blessing, and it is tax deductible! Sorry to turn my blog into a fundraiser, I just feel like I needed to get the word out!
Monday, May 7, 2012
WOW!!!!
I have been working on another blog since I started this one. It is the story of living with my disease for the past twelve years. I started it because with the walk I am doing for crohn's and colitis they keep saying to share my story and help people become more aware of what life is like with these diseases. I was a little nervous at first, because this is a really personal story to me. I have been scared to share it, thinking that I would sound like I was complaining or look weak and I didn't want anyone to think less of me. I know that sounds silly but it is true. There are days where I have written for hours, then gotten to a especially emotional part, and not been able to return to writing for days. I didn't expect the journey of writing this to be so emotional, but it really has been. I still have a little more to write, and I have decided to add pictures. Not all of these pictures will be pretty, but this hasn't been a pretty disease. I hope you will all read my blog when I post it, which will probably next week.
The point of this is that as I have been writing this other blog, I have realized that it has been a REALLY long time since I have felt as healthy as I do now. I had thought that these past three years had been rough because of all of my surgeries. Now as I look back, I see that it has been much longer than that. I am so thankful to be where I am today. I am thankful I can run after my children and actually keep up with them. I can park far away and not feel too weak to walk all the way into the store. I don't take for granted each day of life that I have and I feel so blessed to be where I am. I wouldn't change my journey, it has helped me to cherish each day. Every day of life that I have is a gift. Every day that I am able to get out and exercise is a huge accomplishment. I know that there have been times that I have felt frustrated that I haven't made more progress faster. I have been discouraged. But I have come to appreciate where I have come from, where I am now, and where I want to be in the future. These past few months have helped to boost my self esteem. I feel stronger, healthier, and more capable. I know this probably sounds super cheesy, but I really wanted to express how grateful I am for where I am today. I appreciate all the love and support I get from all of you.
Yesterday David and I decided to go on a nice Sunday walk as a family. I told David I would really like to show him where Ginny and I walk. We decided that we would go as far as the children could and then return home. I was so impressed with my cute children. They certianly got tired at different points in the walk, but they all went the whole way. We clocked it at and was 5.3 miles!!! It was very fun and leisurly.
Today I felt whimpy. As Ginny and I started our walk/jog I was having a hard time with my breathing. I felt weak. We walk/jogged for 2.5 miles then I needed to walk. I am not sure why I felt so worn out. We decided to just finish walking. We are pretty fast walkers, and it felt really good to be out. As we were approching my house, we were almost at 5.5 miles. We decided to continue on a little longer. We went until we had gone 6 miles and thought it was really funny that in walking most of the time we went a mile farther, and finished in 5 minutes less time!!!
Time out: 1hr. 24 min.
Distance covered: 6 miles
The point of this is that as I have been writing this other blog, I have realized that it has been a REALLY long time since I have felt as healthy as I do now. I had thought that these past three years had been rough because of all of my surgeries. Now as I look back, I see that it has been much longer than that. I am so thankful to be where I am today. I am thankful I can run after my children and actually keep up with them. I can park far away and not feel too weak to walk all the way into the store. I don't take for granted each day of life that I have and I feel so blessed to be where I am. I wouldn't change my journey, it has helped me to cherish each day. Every day of life that I have is a gift. Every day that I am able to get out and exercise is a huge accomplishment. I know that there have been times that I have felt frustrated that I haven't made more progress faster. I have been discouraged. But I have come to appreciate where I have come from, where I am now, and where I want to be in the future. These past few months have helped to boost my self esteem. I feel stronger, healthier, and more capable. I know this probably sounds super cheesy, but I really wanted to express how grateful I am for where I am today. I appreciate all the love and support I get from all of you.
Yesterday David and I decided to go on a nice Sunday walk as a family. I told David I would really like to show him where Ginny and I walk. We decided that we would go as far as the children could and then return home. I was so impressed with my cute children. They certianly got tired at different points in the walk, but they all went the whole way. We clocked it at and was 5.3 miles!!! It was very fun and leisurly.
Today I felt whimpy. As Ginny and I started our walk/jog I was having a hard time with my breathing. I felt weak. We walk/jogged for 2.5 miles then I needed to walk. I am not sure why I felt so worn out. We decided to just finish walking. We are pretty fast walkers, and it felt really good to be out. As we were approching my house, we were almost at 5.5 miles. We decided to continue on a little longer. We went until we had gone 6 miles and thought it was really funny that in walking most of the time we went a mile farther, and finished in 5 minutes less time!!!
Time out: 1hr. 24 min.
Distance covered: 6 miles
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Bright and early
Yesterday was a beautiful day for walking! It was the day of our program that Ginny and I are suppose to do an easy walk. We felt good and decided to walk our full route which is 5 miles. We were able to keep a really great steady pace and the whole walk felt wonderful.
This morning we met at 7 (yes 7:00 Saturday morning!) and only had to go 2.5 miles. It was really cold when we started and the cold air immediately affected my lungs. Luckily it warmed up pretty quickly and it wasn't too long before I felt just fine. I was a beautiful morning and I was really happy to be up enjoying it. We walk/jogged for 2.5 miles then walked another mile to cool down. Afterward our muscles were stiff which I attributed to the cold weather.
I am really liking this training program. Ginny and I agree that it makes workouts very do-able. In fact we were talking about how 3 miles were now a no brainer, and were realizing how far we had come in these past few months. I love the addition of biking and am thinking I really want to add some abdominal work in. That is the physical area I need the most work, and since I am doing cardio 6 times a week, maybe abdominal workouts would actually work!!! I do get a little nervous that I am going to do something weird to my stoma, but Dr. Kim has given me the go ahead, so I might as well try.
This morning we met at 7 (yes 7:00 Saturday morning!) and only had to go 2.5 miles. It was really cold when we started and the cold air immediately affected my lungs. Luckily it warmed up pretty quickly and it wasn't too long before I felt just fine. I was a beautiful morning and I was really happy to be up enjoying it. We walk/jogged for 2.5 miles then walked another mile to cool down. Afterward our muscles were stiff which I attributed to the cold weather.
I am really liking this training program. Ginny and I agree that it makes workouts very do-able. In fact we were talking about how 3 miles were now a no brainer, and were realizing how far we had come in these past few months. I love the addition of biking and am thinking I really want to add some abdominal work in. That is the physical area I need the most work, and since I am doing cardio 6 times a week, maybe abdominal workouts would actually work!!! I do get a little nervous that I am going to do something weird to my stoma, but Dr. Kim has given me the go ahead, so I might as well try.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
I'm Back!!!!!
I realize it has been a really long time since I last posted. Our home computer totally crashed and I just never made it to another computer to update. Our computer has been restored!!!
A lot has happened since I last posted. Ginny and I trained with "Couch to 5K" until it had us running 25 min. each day and then we changed programs. We are now doing interval training. I am certainly not the speediest runner and average 11-12 minute miles, but I feel so much stronger. I have come to understand my body a lot better and know that I can't eat too close to jogging because that is what causes my stomach cramping. I now know that I do a lot better with interval running than I do with distance running. I have built up leg muscles and am never as sore as when I started. I am pleased to announce that I have built up some cute little leg muscles too!!! I have really enjoyed the fact that I feel more healthy. I have more energy and ability to run around and play with my children. I really feel great!!
Two weeks ago my stake held a 5k and I participated. I ran my first 5k in 35min. I felt great afterwards!! Our new interval program has us running 4 days a week. On Monday and Wednesday Ginny and I will jog/walk for about 3 miles. Then we cool off with walking 2-4 more miles. Then on Friday we walk 3 miles at an easy pace and Saturday the program has us change the distance we go. Last week it was 5 miles walk/jogging, this week it is only 3 miles, next week 6miles. We are building up our distance and strength. We started at a pace of a 12 min. mile which meant we would jog 2 min. walk 1, jog 2 walk 1. We decided to try for a steady 11 minute mile and now alternate 2.5 min. jog with 1 min walk. I really am liking this program so far.
I haven't gotten to the place where running is my favorite, but I really enjoy the changes I am seeing in my ability and health. Last week my brother Jacob ran his first half marathon. Just being there to support him, really inspired me. I really want to work myself up to that kind of distance. I think it is a HUGE accomplishment and want to work towards that.
I also found out that the walk for Crohn's and Colitis is not a 5k, but a simple one miler. I am not sure where my confusion came in, but I have to say I am really happy that I thought it was a 5k, because I don't know if I would have started the training I did otherwise. I look back to where I started and am so thankful I started. A 5k now seems like something simple that I know I can do! I like that feeling!!!
Ginny and I have also added biking into our workout routine. We bike on Tuesday and Thursday. I have to tell you that biking definitely comes much more naturally to me, In just a few bike rides I am up to 20- mile rides each time we go out! I love biking. It has been really fun to cross-train with something I feel that I am better at.
I am looking at marathons that I might like to do. I thought maybe I could move up to a 10k then a half marathon. I don't know, I am still thinking about it.
A lot has happened since I last posted. Ginny and I trained with "Couch to 5K" until it had us running 25 min. each day and then we changed programs. We are now doing interval training. I am certainly not the speediest runner and average 11-12 minute miles, but I feel so much stronger. I have come to understand my body a lot better and know that I can't eat too close to jogging because that is what causes my stomach cramping. I now know that I do a lot better with interval running than I do with distance running. I have built up leg muscles and am never as sore as when I started. I am pleased to announce that I have built up some cute little leg muscles too!!! I have really enjoyed the fact that I feel more healthy. I have more energy and ability to run around and play with my children. I really feel great!!
Two weeks ago my stake held a 5k and I participated. I ran my first 5k in 35min. I felt great afterwards!! Our new interval program has us running 4 days a week. On Monday and Wednesday Ginny and I will jog/walk for about 3 miles. Then we cool off with walking 2-4 more miles. Then on Friday we walk 3 miles at an easy pace and Saturday the program has us change the distance we go. Last week it was 5 miles walk/jogging, this week it is only 3 miles, next week 6miles. We are building up our distance and strength. We started at a pace of a 12 min. mile which meant we would jog 2 min. walk 1, jog 2 walk 1. We decided to try for a steady 11 minute mile and now alternate 2.5 min. jog with 1 min walk. I really am liking this program so far.
I haven't gotten to the place where running is my favorite, but I really enjoy the changes I am seeing in my ability and health. Last week my brother Jacob ran his first half marathon. Just being there to support him, really inspired me. I really want to work myself up to that kind of distance. I think it is a HUGE accomplishment and want to work towards that.
I also found out that the walk for Crohn's and Colitis is not a 5k, but a simple one miler. I am not sure where my confusion came in, but I have to say I am really happy that I thought it was a 5k, because I don't know if I would have started the training I did otherwise. I look back to where I started and am so thankful I started. A 5k now seems like something simple that I know I can do! I like that feeling!!!
Ginny and I have also added biking into our workout routine. We bike on Tuesday and Thursday. I have to tell you that biking definitely comes much more naturally to me, In just a few bike rides I am up to 20- mile rides each time we go out! I love biking. It has been really fun to cross-train with something I feel that I am better at.
I am looking at marathons that I might like to do. I thought maybe I could move up to a 10k then a half marathon. I don't know, I am still thinking about it.
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