MSers in Training 2015

[AMFADVENTURES]

Congratulations Ellie, I am forever in awe of anyone who can run a marathon. Very cool.

Larry

[Ellie]

I have not been on here since the Marine Corps Marathon. I have been reading you post and I must say that this is the most inspirational group I belong to. Thank you all.

Marine Corps Marathon was amazing. I started up in the 4.5 hour finishers because I wanted to give myself extra time. I ran pretty much the first 20 miles only walking the water stops. My AFO was chafing around mile 7 so I had to start lubing up often. once I made it to the 14th street bridge I let up on the gas and enjoyed the last 10K. I think that I let up to much but I ran across the finish line in 5:31:50ish. Pretty much the same as my first marathon. I am ready to run another marathon and I am looking for my next big race.

MS Sucks I Don't Have To!!!!

[MSRunner26]

Sorry it's been a while ...

Wow! Marina, very impressive for 100mile bike ride, just a normal person, you ROCK! And you have done longer distances. I am continually in awe of all the bikers, you inspire me. Thank you.

Larry, I connected with you via Garmin. Anyone else interested I am MSRunner26. It’s good to hear others also find other activities besides the favorite to stay on top of our physical well being.

Ellie, I was at the MCM cheering on a good friend. I hope you had a good race. What an experience! How did your IT band hold up? Hope your doing better.

Jodi, you have the right attitude! I hope you find a yoga you enjoy. I enjoy doing the Runners World Yoga, its free online 30minute’s.

Veronica, I hope to be able to meet you one day for a ride or coffee on the trail.

NEWS NEWS NEWS
So I have been looking for a running coach familiar with MS and after no luck I decided to use a local coach preparing runners for the local charity doing the Disney Wine & Dine Half this weekend. I have been working with her now for about eight weeks now. Nice improvement on my part I see. Better yet, we were alone doing a track workout and she confided in me that two years ago she was diagnosed with MS OMG! I am speechless! I know this is not really good news, but for me it was more than I was looking for. She has been a runner for a long long time, 7+ marathons under her belt and helps new runners get going. Everything happens for a reason! I thank Karma, God, whomever else is responsible for this meeting. I am sharing this in confidence with this group. Not sure if anyone from my neck of the woods would know her. Please keep this in info private. She is a private person and I would not want to ever disrespect her. She has been great with me during the last part of training. She has had me do everything from tempo’s, intervals, different paced long runs. I ran the Hartford Half chomping at the bit, wanting to go faster, but stayed true to her pace plan for me and I PR’d! I have taken 30minutes off my time from March 2014’s, my first half. And this was the time I wanted for my Disney run. I am so excited and hope that the heat and humidity in FL this weekend behaves and I can keep moving forward in time and really see the benefits I feel strong and ready for my race – three days to go! Will post a picture next week.

I love getting the updates with what everyone has been doing. I am sorry I have not updated recently. I could really use a 24 hour daylight time and then an 8 hour sleep time. Who’s with me? Thank you for everyone's inspiration.

[cl3me]

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?

Hi Jodi,

I started with beginner yoga dvd at home so that I could start and stop as needed, once stamina better I went to yoga classes which is better because a good instructor will correct your position, but at least with the dvd's I learned the names of the different poses and found I could follow along better in class. I also recommend Iyengar style as it is slow paced and really focuses more on the correctness of each pose, as opposed to hot or flow style yoga classes that move quickly from pose to pose. I found yoga hugely beneficial for muscle tone balance coordination, keep meaning to get back into a regular practice but I've been able to get back into my old fav activities of cycling, horseback riding and even took up kayaking this summer.

[Veronica]

Fun article Larry. I have to admit to having had some of those issues through the years..especially the itchy thighs and runny nose.

Thought I'd share a photo from this past Saturday. I attended the Fall Recumbent Muster Ride on the Dutchess Rail Trail. This is a group fo recumbent bikers and trikers who meet to ride each spring and fall. There were about 20 of us, and we looked like a LOW parade, with our flags waving as we wove through the pedistrian traffic on the Walkway over the Hudson. The actual trail was really nice and empty thanks to the barely 40 degree temp when we started. Many of these guys have just "come over to the dark side" as one says, since they find the trikes just so much fun. Boy, I can attest to that... It was a hoot to ride with some many that I could chat with AT EYE LEVEL, and keep up with! No stress, no competitions here, and it was a pretty, pretty Fall day on top of it all. I loved it, and it really completed my Conversion from Biker to Triker....

[AMFADVENTURES]

Veronica, a reunion, perfect, there's a chance I'll be out of town but let's plan something and hope for the best.

On the training front, I'm up to 60 miles on my weekly long ride. A couple more weeks and I'll be ready for Tour de Tucson, with confidence!

Also, came across this article about strange things that can happen when you exercise hard. It's not always MS.
http://www.bicycling.com/training/ex...728_0001531427

[Veronica]

The group that holds the yearly event in Breckenridge is through Disabled Sports USA, but I've learned that the adaptive school at Breck is really a phenomenal program...Suzanne, I think you've skied with them? I don't know first hand about other programs but a friend of mine who is also a 4 track skier and an adaptive instructor, just moved to Telluride and will be teaching with them this year. I would guess they can be easily Googled.....


And Larry, if that comment means you're up for a "reunion" when I am out there, I'd love it!

[AMFADVENTURES]

Hey Sue, Veronica, is there a web site for either of the groups you girls are skiing through? Might come in handy for Jodi and others. There is a group in Denver that has a number of programs, including skiing, which caters to people of different abilities. It's a group I plan to do some cycling with sometime in the future and possibly some scuba diving. Regrets, still not skiing Veronica, but Apres Ski is never out of the question. Anyway , the group is http://adaptiveadventures.org/ They do all kinds of stuff.

Jodi, I second Sue's yes, yes on the yoga, stretching and balance exercises are good! Try a few classes to find out which styles of yoga work for you, then you can look for a DVD or a book with that style. I have a book on Yoga for cyclists but I don't use it much because I enjoy the social aspects of the classes. Good luck.

Ps: If you've got to spend time in The MS Club for a while, this is a good one!

[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!

[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!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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