MSers in Training 2015

[Veronica]

Superwoman Marina! Send me a photo of your face and I'll have it tatooed on my arm!! (Kidding, of course...) Outstanding ride.....SOOOO impressed. So you AVERAGED 12.5 miles on a century with that type of climbing???? Seriously, you have given me such hope of improving even more so on the trike.... You've got to be beaming with happiness and pride. Congratulations!!

[Marinadca]

Thank you Veronica! It made the super flat BikeMS 150 and upcoming Seagull Century (also flat) look much easier!

I have to drive about 2 hours away for flat rides so I need to learn to deal with hill. I am glad to see that while slow I can.

[AMFADVENTURES]

Congratulations Marina, 100 miles in 8 hours is respectable on two wheels, on three wheels it's an excellent time and considering it's your second century (on three wheels which I still can't believe) and your first with any kind of ascent, I gotta agree with Veronica, you're Superwoman! Nice job! Find yourself a favorite hill to climb and use it as a benchmark, you WILL see improvement. In fact, I'd wager it won't be long before you're looking for a longer, steeper hill.

Regrettably I dropped my Strava account in favor of Garmin Connect but I also invite any active MSers out there to connect with me there. That should be possible for Garmin Connect members through one of my rides like this one: https://connect.garmin.com/activity/834457452

MSrunner, talk about WOW, that's quite a run schedule you've got there, good luck, looks like you're going to be busy. You asked what else people are doing, well, I try to do something every day, yoga twice a week, ride 3 to 4 times each week, weights and core work at least once a week but try for twice, and take the stairs whenever I get a chance. Aside from the riding, I find the weights add a lot to my general physical well being or at least the feeling of it.

Nice work everyone,
Larry

[teena marie]

Hi all,

I feel like I've been MIA for some time. Which is not to say that I don't read all the posts and send congratulatory vibes to everyone.

Marina, amazing!
MSrunner-go girl!
Everyone else-amazing work

I swim daily and have just completed my 3rd week of full time rehab. I work with 3 different therapists specialized in neurorehab. It's good. I call it boot camp. We work a lot on functional manoeuvers such as sit to stand, hand functions and joint mobilization. There are also 2 meditation/visualization sessions in a darkened room. Next week, I reduce my time at the clinic and will have to return to work. I will have exercises to do at home and will continue swimming. All in all, a very complete program and I am cautiously optimistic. I'll update in another little while.

Take care all,

Teena Marie

[Suebee]

Hi TM, you go girl. It sounds like a really good rehab program. I am also doing rehab but not as intense. I was surprised to find it a little vindicating when the PT could observe how quickly I tire and the actual level of my weakness when she isolated my hip adductors and flexors. I can name my muscle nemesis now so I joke, Take that hip adductors, feel that stretch. And I'm amused by the way PT tests deficits and then is surprised (because I look so good you know) I had to walk a straight line with eyes closed and laughed when I opened my eyes with my PT laughing because I walked at 45 angle instead. I'm using stationary bike at home for now because walking hurts my hip adductors. I plan to incorporate swimming and walking as my endurance increases.
But I can't say enough how much all your posts and accomplishments push me forward to another day. Thank you for Sharing your stories. And thanks too to MSrunner26, for your shout out. Nice to know your cheering me on. Suebee

[cl3me]

Busy summer!

Had a busy summer! Good news was no relapses so was able to put Lots of miles on the bike getting ready for local MS bike tour. Sadly the weather didn't cooperate for the weekend of the ride; day 1 was called off part way due to thunderstorm, day 2 canceled completely ugh how anticlimactic!

Also tried kayaking this summer and love it! Even bought myself a used touring kayak....was also trail riding with my horse, at least when the bugs weren't too bad, looking forward to fall trail riding with no bugs, cooler temps, and fall colours too.

Love reading everyone's stories

Cheers
Karen

[teena marie]

Hi to all,

Thinking of everyone and hope all is well-it's been a little quiet. I do believe there have been some big events for many. How did it all go?

Outdoor swimming is over. I continued to September 29. Big temperature drop. Indoor pool in my living room is being set up as I write.

Intense physio continues, now 3 x per week, once a day. I'm back to work so it's a challenge fitting it all in. Last week, I experienced some nice improvement with standing balance where I was able to stand unassisted and wavered in a normal sense. I felt secure in my wavering and was able to keep finding my balance with weight shifting. My current focus is to strengthen my quads to balance the occasionally hyper-reactive hamstrings. I also do hand work and eye movements. I try to do something everyday, particularly sit to stand movements. As of tomorrow, I'll be swimming, which is always the best for me.

Take care all,

Teena Marie

[Veronica]

Thanks for the kick in the pants regarding checking in Teena Marie. I’ve been reading everyone’s post, but not updating anyone in a while. Well, I can happily report that BikeMS NYC was this past Sunday, and Low Rider beat the bus! Unlike last year with the little Greenspeed trike when the bus gobbled me up TWICE, I NEVER saw the flashing lights of the SAG team in my rear view this year. Now this is not to say that I was as fast our superstar Marina on my Catrike, but both Herb and some of my close friends said it was stunning to see the difference in my speed, cadence and just overall look of comfort. One thing that really helped me have the time I needed was that I took advantage of my Elite 200 status ( top fundraisers) to be in the group at the front of the pack. Big change for me since they line the teams up alphabetically, and we are “Vicious Cyclers”….usually starting at the end of about 4000 riders. It was actually very funny, because this year, I was the first out of the gate for the 30 milers…..felt alittle like Forest Gump! I really didn’t intend on that, but when they brought our group in, it just was how I could line up in the trike without dismounting. The first part of the ride is down the West Side Highway and under Battery Park and this part is nice and flat, so I could really fly along there. Then we all suffered the wind up the FDR. We had been on hurricane watch up until two days before the ride, and while it passed us ( thank you Joachin) we had some strong gusts blowing from the NE…the direction we were heading. At times I would look in the rear view and see flashing lights and curse a bit, but my buddies told me to cut it out….there were thousands still behind me, and those flashing lights were just a police car blocking the entrance to our route. A little PTSD from last year, maybe?? I pulled into the rest stop ahead of the bus……maybe not much, but ahead of it….. And then there was a comedy act of Herb/Sean/Larry all wanting to help me get up from the trike and wanting to escort me to the Porto Sans….. I can pack my cane now with the Catrike, which is helpful since after 18 miles my walking abilities are pretty poor. I needed the cane and an arm assist to get over to the lovely facilities and they were only 15 feet away. Herb pretty much stayed outside to catch me when I came out. Nice to have such caring guys around, although I think I yelled at them to let me get up on my own as I was perceiving them as hovering around me like I was gonna break.
We did the same as we did last year, and after the rest stop, headed on the route down Henry Hudson Parkway ( which we basically had to ourselves and it was just beautiful along the Hudson…) Then got off and rode the rest of the way on the Greenway which is the bike/walk trail there. This guaranteed that the pressure was off, and “no stickin’ bus” was gonna get me. My buddy Sean who takes photos and videos of everything he does, left us at 79th street Marina to go ahead and set up at the finish to record the moment. He also told the announcer to yell my name when we came in, and was trying to get a group of cheering MS Society young women to chant “ No Bus”…… Two blocks before we arrived, I made sure that Herb was right with me, as we have always finished these rides together, and we rolled in with four other of our team to what seemed to be more fitting for someone who had just completed 200 miles instead of barely 30. It was a real hoot……. I don’t think I can post a video here…too bad because it is just funny stuff. The photo below is from the start when we were waiting for the 50 and 100 milers to start. If you look WAY over to the right, you will see a cyclist standing in orange ( my friend Larry) and that little orange prone thing to the left of him is me…. When I get some other photos, I might post them.
So, I have to say THANK YOU Dave for starting the trike thoughts in my head, and Marina for telling your successes with the Catrike. I have not felt this invigorated to ride in about 15 years, and really plan to keep hitting the trail through at least the end of October. ( There is a trike group riding on Halloween up on the Dutchess Rail Trail…costumes optional….) I haven’t ridden with more than one other trikester so this ought to be ANOTHER hoot…… especially since I have heard that one guy dresses as Batman routinely when riding, hood, full atire and MUSIC…. Oh boy, the peer group I have joined…
Now, of course, I am not satisfied yet with my overall average speed, so I am gonna be training inside this winter and want to see how much it helps me . It would be nice to travel at a speed more like my bike riding friends, but I’m not taking anything away from myself with where I am now. I’m still riding, and loving it. I’m having fun..

Teena Marie, I was thrilled with your news of progress in balance..Yahoo for you! And I continue to marvel at you and your indoor pool...

Suebee, just keep doing the fight...sounds like you have a good PT there!

MSRunner, yup I am up in your neck of the woods...in fact I was waiting at the bike shop for your run to end in June before they allowed us on the trail. If you do it next year, let me know and I will come and cheer you on!

And kudos to everyone else, too. We are all rockin' it in our own ways, aren't we?

[Marinadca]

Hi Teeny!

Bit of a weather related disappointment for me last weekend, we were supposed to ride in the Seagull Century (very flat! Wooo, my reward for the prior hilly for me century) but a combo of a cold front and hurricane Joquinn caused flooding and a state of emergency so the ride (and an Iron Man!) was canceled.

So I am just training for next year. Hopefully I will be strong enough to climb more and go faster

It has been very interesting to read all of your stories here as well. I wish I could swim well or even sort of well, its such a great exercise

[Marinadca]

YAYAYAYAYA!!!! I am so excited, no freaking bus this year. I am so happy that the weather did not get you, and that you had such a nice ride.

Its awesome that you can go faster (though its never fast enough for us!) and that you are able to take your cane with you on the trike. After awhile I get wobble and bike shoes do not help. I hear you about the hovering. Steve wants to help me, but sometimes he is just making things harder for me then just back off would be. Sometimes I DO want his help though....and so we have some code..."Be a solid object for me" for when I need something to steady myself on when I get up or I say something like, "I'm good, just step back a bit so I can get up". It must be tough for Steve as he likes to fix things (He is an auto tech so fixes things for work!) but sometimes the best thing for me is to step back.

I am also setting up for winter training, I want to come back next year faster!

[teena marie]

Nice work, Veronica! Good for you. Having visited New York several times, it was wonderful reading your route. Happy training.
Marina, what a colossal disappointment to have the ride cancelled. I had that happen with a swim a few years back because of high surf. And for you as well, happy training.

[Ellie]

Thank you Teena for the reminder. I don't remember when was the last time I posted. In September I completed my first Triathlon. It was so much fun after I got my open water swim figured out. It was a Sprint and I am looking for an Olympic distance to do now. I an also training for Marine Corps Marathon. Training has been going pretty well until my 20 mile run a couple weeks ago. My IT band is not happy. I have a feeling this might have to do with the brace that I wear for my drop foot. I have a half marathon this coming weekend so I am going to take it easy and save myself for MCM. I find this site so inspiring when it comes to training and connecting with everybody.

[AMFADVENTURES]

Veronica, great story! Love the fact you beat the stinking bus. Reading the story I felt like I was on your shoulder the whole time, hovering bike buddies and all. Actually I never minded my girls hovering over me a bit on my rides.

TM, I was hoping you were on the right track when you started the PT boot camp, sounds like it's working out. I also try to do something every day but on those days or even weeks when I just can't do it, I don't beat myself up about it.

MSrunner, I think you were really smart to get a coach and I think it's showing. I assume your runs went well.

Karen and Marina, bummer on the cancellations, but for PWMS, it's all about the training anyway. Karen unbelievably, I've never been in a kayak, maybe someday. Marina, nice interval work, intervals = brain volume, that's a good thing.

Congrats on the sprint tri Ellie and good luck with the IT band, sounds like you've got it all under control.

Ah Suebee, glad you're here and thanks for your support. It sounds like you're making progress, like Veronica says, "Never give up".

As for me, still climbing the hills, trying to increase my mileage. Had a little setback from a back spasm but getting caught back up now. Still training for the 75 mile option in the Tour de Tucson. I'll be riding with my younger brother, sister and youngest daughter. As the oldest in the group I feel it is up to me to set an example so although I may need a little help getting across the arroyos, there will be no hill too tough nor a distance too long nor a road too rough that will prevent me from besting the group.

Hang in there girls,

And one last thing, as a couple of you mentioned, it's time to start thinking about the winter program!

[Veronica]

Larry, that is really sweet- riding with the sibs and daughter... of course, you will beat their butts, Mr. King of the Hills!

Ellie, I unfortunately know about that IT band thing. So annoying, isn't it?

Marina, gonna start using the "Be a solid object for me...". Like it!

[Jodi]

Colorado people

I love reading all of these posts and hearing about what activities others engage in. I am in Northern Colorado and would love to participate in some of the activities that are around here. I was diagnosed in 2000 but didn't have a life changing MS attack until 2011, when my entire left side went numb. Unfortunately, I was told it was not MS related and was not treated. I still have weakness on my left side and my left arm and hand are numb. I then had another attack in March 2014, which at least got me to a good Dr. (he confirmed 2011 was an MS attack)and I am now on Rebif and I'm still trying to figure out my "new normal". It took until Feb 2015 to get the attack under control. I now need a cane sometimes and can only walk 1/2 mile before I need assistance. I have an awesome large dog that I wish I could get certified as a service dog, she is very in tune with me.

I really want to ski and plan to try it this winter. I have cross-country skis and can practice in my pasture or the open space behind my house, but I think I want to try to downhill ski also. I have been very inactive since my last relapse because of the fatigue and wonky legs.
(Dave, I love your description, wonky legs, it really captures the "Off, not working, weirdness")

Also, Can anyone tell me about Yoga? I would think it would be really good for MSers but I don't now if I should try a class or get a DVD?

By the way, no offense to anyone, but I really don't want to be part of the MS club and I'm planning on overcoming this nastiness!!! When I figure out how to quit this club and keep on living I'll be sure to let you all know how it was done!