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Mar18

Running for many, myself included, is about so much more than the actual act of running.

Yes, I run to run. I run for the peace of mind it brings me. I run for the calories it burns. I run because when I’m not complaining about it, I do actually like it. (If your a runner, you get that).

One of the best parts of running are the friends you meet along the way. When running with friends, you tend to talk about anything and everything. You get up early for races together. You log the miles together and you show up for each other.

I started the race with one of these friends from my running circle. We took the early morning van together and were both in the same wave and corral. We didn’t plan to run together, but meetup when we were done. Then find our way home.

As we were waiting for the corral to open, we get a text.

While NY has massive crowds that are amazing, this was even better. It also was the perfect spot, because by that time in the half you just want to be done. Your close, but not that close.

Anyway, it was a goal. Not to get to finish, but to get to mile 11 and find them.

Pure joy.

Funny thing about this too…… they were just as excited. That is the beauty of running friends.

Then after they saw me and shortly after Jen, they made their way to the finish area to meet up after we were done.

Besides the absolute joy of seeing them, it also was a relief to Jen and I who are not experts on subways and trains. So we followed the experts who found a place for us to go for late lunch which was heartedly devoured.

After lunch we made our way to the train station to make our way home.

I am not lying when I say having them come into the city for the race was actually the highlight of the day for me.

The only thing that we forgot to do is to take a group photo!

Next time!

Done is Done is Done

Mar17

It’s over with!

I did it!

Going into this training cycle, I had thought I would train for 2:45 and on good day maybe faster. As we know, training was not what it should have been but still was enough.

So I am happy that without following the plan, i still managed a 2:50 half.

Was it the race I dreamed of running? Nope.

Was it still a great day? Yup

So here’s the run down…..

Early morning meet up for a Van go to the start. Like, early, early. Van meetup was 5:15 AM. Ugh.

So up at 4ish and off we went.

Then wait, wait, wait…. And try to stay warm.

The weather was cold and a little windy, but it could have been worse. I know that I run hot, so even with the cold I layered. Shorts with long socks, short sleeved shirt with running sleeves and a running vest. It was just right for running.

I did bag drop off knowing that it would be good to have warm clothes at the end and glad I did because it was cold.

As normal for me, I went out too fast. I really didn’t have a plan, but figured that I should keep my pace around 12. Few miles in the beginning couldn’t help myself.

I did not train at 11 minute paces. I did not train.

Then around mile 9 ish, my arms started to feel heavy. I was getting worried and while I hadn’t been adding calcium during training runs, I felt that I needed to add some. I have learned it is better to be overly cautious than to wait for harsher symptoms or a crash. And you can see mile 10 is what it was, but I did bounce back.

It was a good day, a great race and there’s more to come in this story. But this is enough for tonight.

Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Mar14

Tomorrow is the day!

After months of “training” tomorrow is the day. Weather seems like it will be on track for a good day. It will be cool, but I would rather run in the cold than bake in the heat.

Logistics are in place. Van to the drop off location is set to leave at 5:15 AM. Downside of NYC races is the very early start of the day especially when you are in last wave. It is what it is though.

Outfit all picked out. This time of year, it is always back and forth in what to pack…..

Will I be too cold?

Will I be too hot?

I’ve decided I would rather be too cold once I start running especially since I usually run hot. Checking a bag, so not so worried about needing to be overly warm. I will bring sweatshirt and sweatpants to put on after.

Once thing I always do for some reason is look up my bib number as an angel number. Sometimes it means nothing. Sometimes it’s ho hum. Then sometimes it is like this….

I’ll take it. Fingers crossed…

What is different about planning for this race is there is no planning when to take my meds. While bringing extra calcium for just in case, this is just on the side of caution. I haven’t added extra calcium/calcitriol in months. It’s nice not to have to think about.

Let you know how it goes……

Last Study Visit

Mar10

This post is for my Hypopara peeps, although anyone can read:)

This year in November marks the 10 year anniversary of me becoming Hypopara. It’s been a wild ride with many ups and downs. For now though, it seems like the ride has come to a stop. Thanks to to Yorvipath.

I was lucky within the first year or so to realize that I needed an Endocrinologist that understood this rare, somewhat complicated and often misunderstood disorder. So I searched out an Endocrinologist with knowledge

With that I found, Dr Rubin.

She is a ROCKSTAR in the Hypopara community. The real deal. She is considered (because she is) a leading expert in hypoparathyroidism. On top of being caring and knowledgeable, she is medical advisor to the HypoPARAthyroidism Association and other groups. Since she is a leader in the field, she has partnered on studies of Hypopara. I was lucky enough to also join one of the studies.

I began this study to monitor the effects of Hypopara. It began with series of scans, bone density, cognitive and physical tests, and lab work. then periodically would go in for updates. Then ended with a final day of the original scans, tests, and lab works to compare.

I was told that there were 100 people in study and then control group. Several did drop out and I was the 5th patient to complete the study. Then they get the fun job of analyzing data.

What I noticed personally from this as the study progressed……. There has been a huge improvement with Yorvipath. This fairly new drug may require more studies for long term, but I would in heart beat raise my hand for another study.

I will say the study was a commitment in both time to go in and cost to get into city, but it was well worth it. Yes, it was beneficial to me; but I hope the data helps them determine treatments and care plans since during the study I was on various treatments as available. Although I am not privy to how they are analyzing:). I have no doubt though Dr Rubin will use this to make the live of Hypopara patients better:)

I realized today too as I was filling out one of the long questionnaires that I no longer really experience symptoms. I no longer worry about crashes, experience many of the symptoms associated with it.

For those who are not hypopara wondering what a crash is…..

This is a crash!

No more though. I told Dr Rubin that I take no supplements, calcitriol, or an other items to control my levels. That being said, I will forever run with extra calcium just in case.

Anywho….. I am so happy to have participated and I am very lucky to have been diagnosed with this when there are so many new helpful treatments now available!

Now question for you

Would you participate in a study if available to you?

If You Can Run 10…

Feb21

I remember before my first half marathon years ago, I was out just running to run with my MRTT running group. I wasn’t signed up for anything but just running to run. It was a weekend run and Janna, a badass runner, asked what I was training for as most were training for a Superhero half. I said nothing. She told me I should sign up with the words, “if you can run 10 miles, you can do a half.”

So I did.

Janna paced me through it including how to run away from someone singing Klingon Opera. I kid you not.

One of my fastest half marathon’s too at 2:09:24

After that it was history.

When I started training for the NYC Half, I thought I would try to train for a 2:45 half. That training plan has come and gone.

Now I just want to finish without injury and with feeling good. The event is in less than a month. As I said in my last post, I am doing the no training plan training plan. Lots of biking. Some elliptical. Some cross training. Very little running and really not enough overall training.

We are getting more snow tomorrow. I needed to get out today for my long run. i wanted to go for 10, but would have settled for 8.

No need to settle.

This is the run I needed. I ran not by pace, but just trying to keep it “easy” and ran entirely by feel.

I stretched and hydrated when I got home.

For my Hypopara peeps……. I have not added any calcium to any training including this one since starting Yorvipath. I will say as a precaution though that I always have some with me.

So if I can run 10….. i believe that I can run 13.

In the meantime, I will keep the training up and fine tune it.

Looking Ahead

Nov28

I had been thinking about challenges/goals for the coming year. I wasn’t sure what it would be.

The goal came to me.

I had forgotten that I put in for the NYC Half lottery. I was reminded, when I got the email.

I wasn’t sure how happy I was because logistically NYC events are a bit of a pain. Worth it, but still a pain. The exciting part is that 2 of my running friends also got in. So misery loves company.

I’ve been thinking about goals for event now too. I’m thinking if I could finish the Bethlehem Running Festival in 2:41:08 after running 3 other races that weekend, I would train for a possible 2:30 half. We shall see. We shall see.

Then after wrapping my head around that, two of my suns have roped me into a 6K Spartan race. Fortunately that won’t be till summer. So one goal at a time.

One day at a time.

One goal at a time.

One run at a time.

Day 3 & Done

Oct20

Day3 was the warmest of all three days, but a perfect day for running.

Not too cold.

Not to Hot.

Just right!

Luckily I only packed shorts to run in because I really wasn’t prepared. Day 1 & 2, I wore the long sleeved race shirts. At the trail event, I wore the bright orange from last year. Then Saturday, I wore this years grey. I have to say while nice, I think a bolder color is better.

Sunday, I ended up going with short, tankand running sleeves. Perfection.

As you can see, I started in the back…….In the way way way back. The goal for me was tru a smart race. While I had no concrete goal, I did plan to start around the 2:45 pacer and take it from there.

I started with my son and his friend. This was both their first marathons. Justin has not been running long and his training was lots of hiking, climbing, and. Some running. His longest run was 10 miles. I wanted him to run conservative as I knew he would finish either way, but I didn’t want it to be the hard way.

So we ended up starting together behind the 3 hour pacer. We did our own thing. We walked when needed and I tried to keep conversational. There were some times where I would point out we were running in the 10’s. We pushed when needed. We walked some of the hills. We ran and most of all, we had a good time!

Then at mile 11, I told them to run the paces that they wanted. The ran ahead and I kept doing my thing.

By this point we were running near the 2:45 pacer again. so I thought maybe, just maybe it would happen.

Then it did!

Official time 3:41:08

Celebrating the victory!

Done is done!

More. To come tomorrow:

Day 2

Oct18

Another day. Another race. Actually 2 races today.

Logistics: 5K stared at 7:30. In order to get there, find parking and not feel rushed we decided to leave at 6:00. That meant an early morning waking up at 5:00. Only race mornings will get me out that early.

Hypopra: New dosage of 24 of Yorvipath seems to be working. Still, I did prepare taking calcium with me. Did not need it at all. Did not feel symptomatic either. So we will call this a win.

Races

5K

We lined up at the start. Willa went to the front of the pack as see had fire. Worked for her as she placed number 1 in her age group. Justin and I started towards the back. This was not my goal race, so we ran together.

This was the first time my son did a big event like this and it was fun to run the race together. We chatted the miles away and kept an easy going pace.

I will say at the end, I jokingly said lets race to the finish…. So we did.

As you can see, he smoked me! But it was fun:). Finish time was 39.10 which I was happy about. This was supposed to be exactly what it was…. A run with more runs to follow.

10K

This has been my goal race. Justin and I started together, but did not run the race together. I did not for a specific time, but to run it and run it well. I feel like that is exactly what I did. I pushed. I walked some. I ran and I ran hard. It was reflected in a strong finish.

Overall, I am pleased with the way I have been running the races. Tomorrow is another day and we shall see what happens there.

After the race there was some down time, refulling and now an early night to bed.

Stay tuned……

Day 1

Oct17

Today I ran the first of my 4 races at the Bethlehem Running Festival

I signed up to do this one again because of my son and his girlfriend. They signed up and so I had to do too.

As you know, this is my first big event after starting Yurvipath. Training has been going well on it. I did just up my dose (like on Sunday). So we will see how it goes. Honestly, I am not worried since it is higher dose. Anyway, still running with extra calcium pills just in case.

Started off morning getting manicure and relaxing with my mother.

Then lunch followed by getting it together for bib pick-up. I then met my son, girlfriend and their friend at bib pick-up as they were driving all the way from AlbanyNY

This is first time running this event where I was running with others. I have met running friends during event but this was first time going with others. So special that it is family!!!

Last year I ran the trail run with 16:10 Pace finishing in 1:01:25.

This year

So far so good!

Stay tuned

Running, Running, Running

Aug9

I can’t believe how much Yorvipath is making a difference. Not just in my running, but my day to day life as well.

While I love what this is doing for my running, I am not just taking this to be able to run. That is just a bonus. Living with untreated PTH loss (aka Hypoparathyroidism) was like living with one hand tied behind my back. Some days both.

As I told my family, I made it look easier than it actually was because what was the point otherwise. The constant worry if my calcium would crash. The self monitoring. The leg cramps. The cramping of hands.

So even if I wasn’t running, I would happily take it. The running is just a bonus.

Training has been going well. I even hit 20 miles for the week. Runs have felt good. Legs have felt good. To be honest, I am waiting for the shoe to drop it has been going so well.

I have also been working on controlling my pace. Thinking about which of the fall races will to be my goal race.
Consistency will be the key.

My goal is not perfection, but to follow the plan as best I can.

So far. So good.