Reflection

Oct26

Last year I trained as hard as I could for the Bethlehem Running Festival. I went in feeling like I could do it and I did. This year I followed the same training plan and went in feeling like I could do it and I did.

This year though, I went in with goals. I picked a goal race. Mine was the 10K. I also planned to start the half with the 2;45 pacer and see what happened. As it was, I ended up running the half with my son. By about mile 9 we came across the 2;45 pacer and we went back and forth with who was in front.

The biggest difference this year though was being on Yorvipath. It allowed me to follow my training plan more closely. Although I will say towards the end, I was less perfect than I should have been. Last year, I was worried about adding calcium supplements and making sure not to crash and burn with calcium crash. On Yorvipath, those fears are less and less, but I do still keep calcium with me.

So how do things compare

While on face it doesn’t look like a huge on the smaller races, there is a huge improvement on the half.

Another big difference is the almost 25 pounds I have lost, but that is for another post.

I do know that I would not have had this improvement if not for the Yorvipath. No, it doesn’t make me run faster, but it does make my body work the way it is supposed to work. I have more energy. I don’t have the muscle cramping and I have not had a calcium crash or anything close to it since I started. Now, I am still figuring it out. I’ve recently upped my dosage and hope to go for blood work this week to see how levels are looking.

So now that this goal is done, it is time to look forward and figure out my next goal.

There will be a day I can not run…… Today is not that day!

3 Weeks to Go!

Sep28

It seems like training lasts forever and then before you know it the race is around the corner!

Training has been going well. While I have not been sticking to my trianing plan 100%, I feel confident in my training. I’ve been for the most part hitting all the long runs or the multple day runs.

As a reminder, I am training for the Bethlehem Running Festival which consists of 3 days, 4 events totalling 26.2 miles. I’ve done this event a few times and am excited to do it again. I wasn’t planning to do this but got talked into it by my son and his girfriend to do it with them. How could I say no?!

Todays run was 11 miles. It was hot today. I’ve been having some very minor low calcium symptoms .

Dancing muscles as I call them. Technical term is muscle spams.

I’ve had a few other very minor symptoms. I had blood work done Thursday and my levels were just at the low level. My doctor plans to up my Yorvipath dosage, but since it’s a daily injection I need to wait for new pen. The pen has 3 different dose levels and my current one is already the max for the pen

So in order to make sure that I didn’t have any issues, I put some powdered calcium in an extra water bottle that I took on the run. My thought was to just see if I needed it. Well since it was in the mid 80’s, I needed it. I didn’t wait till I felt like I needed it, I drank it preemptively which I’m glad I did. When I got home I did show minor symptoms but nothing to worry about.

The run was hard. I took it easy and tried to be consistent. The heat made the run not as enjoyable as it has been but you can’t pick your wheather. I feel like I am ready for this event, but we shall see.

After stretching, I made a protein calcium packed smoothie.

I am starting to form ideas of how I want to run this event. More on that this week. As its tine for some rest

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.

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

So far. So good.

Pre Training and Testing Limits

Jul13

Ok, first the short Yorvipath update.

Currently, I am totally off Calcitriol and only taking one dose of calcium. Last bloodwork was taken when I was taking two doses of calcium. Corrected calcium level of of 9.7. I have yet to get bloodwork with the one dose.

This weekend I went out for two runs.

Saturday

It was HOT. It was humid. I got out early, but really didn’t matter. I am in pretraining for the Bethlehem Running Festival, so I am just testing things out. I also am testing how I feel with Yorvipath. This will give me ideas for training and goals.

Got out the door and about half mile in I realized that I didn’t take my morning calcium since I left earlier than I normally take it. Figured this would bee a good test and I wasn’t worried because I had my extra calcium. So I just kept going. I will say around mile 2 I felt a little tingle in my upper arms. Could have been just due to the heat, but I took my calcium just to avoid any issues especially since I don’t know levels.

Today, I intentionally went out not taking my morning calcium as a test. Don’t worry, I was again packing my morning dose. It was still warm but not as hot as day before. July humidity that’s for sure. My today was just to run a decent pace and run the whole thing without walking. While I did again stop to take calcium around 2 miles, I did pretty much run the whole way. I’m not sure if I necessarily needed calcium physically as much as mentally I needed it. Better safe than sorry.

Today was a beautiful run with negative splits, pushing myself but still feeling I could push more.

I am still not sure if the heart rate was right today as that seems low. My resting heart rate is normally in 70’s an I’ve had to watch heart rate from going too high previously. So something to watch. Other than that I really couldn’t have asked for better run.

Let’s see where we go from here.

It Will Be What it will Be

May4

Yesterday I met up with a running buddy for our last 10 miler before Brooklyn. Two weeks to go. Training has been going ok, but as I’ve mentioned I’ve been having some low calcium issues. Nothing to write home about, but I know I’ve been low. When you know you know.

So Dawn and I set off. We had no plan or pace, but we kept each other in check…. Kept from running too fast, too slow or too much walking. We met at a park and got looped back around mile 6. I have been adding calcium/cacitriol at this point. I could tell that it was time as I was getting a few finger tingles, but nothing too bad. Took my pills and refilled water and off we went.

I started lopping back to the park only for Dawn to question. I had gotten confused and then was sad to realize that we had more miles because we would have gotten bak at 8 not 10. Oops…. My bad.

We change it up and get back to the park at 9.75 and we get it to 10 in the park. All is good although I’m happy to be done, but nothing too bad.

We take the required picture:)

Then we head off to our cars to get water and at this point I’m thinking I want to take some more calcium. I had been feeling tingles in hands during end of run and now was feeling it in my upper arms.

As we are talking, I get my pills. I start with 1 calcium. I immediately rethink and decide to take 1 more and some more calcitiol which I might not have needed but I was pretty sure a crash was coming.

I was right.

Apparently I said to Dawn, “It’s coming.”

She thought, “What’s coming?”

Then she saw.

Both hands and arms were full on tetany. I thought best option would be to get home. I asked Dawn to drive me as we were only a few minutes away and thought maybe just to add some more calcium. Plus I would be home:)

While she may not have been calm on the inside, she remained cool, calm and collected. As we got to my house, I used voice command to call hubby who came out to get me. When I got inside, I sat took some more calcium and slowly…. Slowly……. My body released.

I texted with doctor…. Continued to add some extra calcium for remaining of the day and all is well.

In retrospect…..

It was much warmer than I realized. I even got some color from the sun. Heat is not my friend.

I had been dealing with low calcium symptoms during the week and probably started in a deficient.

Again – it was hotter than I realized

Those without Hypopara (my friends and spouse included) might have been shocked by what happened. I was not. Although it was worse than the last crash.

It is what it is.

Funny not funny during the run, Dawn and I spoke of my last crash. I had said to her that wouldn’t it be nice to have a monitoring device that could tell you when your levels were off like a diabetic.

Yup…. Wouldn’t it be nice

We also talked about making sure that I could easily get to my pills without having to worry about opening something.

Anyway this did put things in perspective. Yes, I will rethink race day. I will take into account weather. I will make sure to have levels in check prior to race day. I will make sure to put info on back of race bib and will make sure to know where medical tents are.

Most of all, I will not let this stop me. I will just make sure to be smart.

Perfect timing, I already had an appointment for a Hypopara study that I am participating in. I am doing my 24 hour urine collection today followed by some testing tomorrow. I will also get to see my Dr who I will discuss what I need to do.

Even When It’s Hard

Apr29

Last week I’ve been dealing with low calcium symptoms. Nothing major, but knowing that I needed to dial it back a bit.

I skipped a couple workouts. I just couldn’t seem to get to where I should push it. Cramping, muscle spasms and such. Didn’t help that I also forgot my pills at work one day . I was a hot mess.

Muscle spams

Nothing major, but it went on for a bit. Here is the thing, you have to listen to your body. My body was saying slow it down. Besides this close to the haf, it wan’t going to make or break me.

Sunday I went out for my long run. I procrastinated and procrastinated until it was time to go…. I just wasn’t feeling it, but thought it was just that pre run don’t want to go.

So off I went.

Around mile 5 I took a 250 mg calcium. Usually on long runs I do this around mile 6. By mile 6 I decided to take another 250 and my calcitriol as I was feeling tingly fingers. I knew at this point I could no longer push it running, but I really wanted to get the miles in.

So I got them in,

Done in is done and that is all that mattered. I am glad that I got it done and glad I didn’t push it. By time I got home I needed to add some more calcium.

I was toast…. But as someone said

10 miles is 10 miles.

Made sure to rest, recover and take my calcium

Two days later, I am back on track on back on my training schedule. Yesterday was rest day.

Just like I say, I need to train for the weather; I also need to train where I’m at. I could have calcium issues on race day and this will also help me to be prepared.

Plugging Along

Apr1

Maybe the secret isn’t being the best of the best.

Maybe the secret isn’t running harder or faster.

Maybe the secret isn’t anything other than…..

Just to keep plugging along. To keep moving. To not give up. To just keep moving.

Down to 6 weeks till Brooklyn.

It’s not exciting or fancy, but I am plugging along.

That is what I’m doing.

It’s not bold or exciting, It’s just getting runs, biking and cross training.

It’s just not giving up.

Just plugging along. Doing my thing. I’ve been “following” a training plan, but I’ve been following my way. Maybe doing a indoor bike run instead of mid week run. Changing up runs, but getting them done.

Sunday, I went for my long run. Normally a long run would be done at a much slower pace, but I had a plan. I would walk the first mile. Then I would do 5 miles at what I might think of doing at the half and then slow for last mile. For the most part, I stuck to the plan.

Mission accomplished.

Here is the thing though, I needed to remind myself to control my pace…. And I did. I ran the paces that I wanted. The only change I made was was the last mile. Instead of walking it, I ran like it was the finish and then walked the last quarter mile.

The best part of this run is that I felt like I could keep going. So there is that.

6 weeks to go…..

Getting Back on the Horse

Sep8

Today’s run was definitely a mental one. Yes, it was physical because I was going for between 8-9 miles; but I was in my head a lot before lacing up.

Every run is a mental run from the procrastinating to the lacing up and getting out the door. There are so many reasons not to run. There are so many reasons to push yourself to get out and run too.

I needed to get out of my head today. I needed to remind myself that I can do this. I would be lying if I didn’t say that last week scared the crap out of me. I would be lying if it didn’t cross my mind to stop pushing so hard, to stay home and just say I’m throwing in the towel. While on my Hypopara journey, I have had tetany before. I have had muscle spasms. I have had the tingles, the brain fog, and been symptomatic. The difference is that I always felt like I still was in control as these symptoms were more annoying than anything else.

I won’t go into again, but last week’s calcium crash was bad. It scared me. It stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me that this is more than just annoying. This is real and needs to be taken seriously. I liked to pretend that it wasn’t and wouldn’t stop me. Honestly, I’ve been more worried about my kidney health than the actual Hypopara symptoms. I realized that I needed to take BOTH as seriously as I should.

This week was a stressful week at work. It was also the first week without summer hours. No longer leaving at 3, but 1. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but for those who don’t know I am also a childcare teacher. This means I am on my feet and really in constant motion both mentally and physically all day.

I wanted to run this week, but I didn’t. I could tell that I wasn’t ready. Yesterday I just didn’t have the energy. I had stayed up too late baking a cake. Oh yeah, I’m also a home baker. So yesterday I didn’t run.

This morning no excuses…. Except I was nervous. I prepared for my run giving myself an half an hour for morning meds to kick in. I filled my water bottles. I have the Fitletic running belt. So I filled 2 with water and one with electrolytes. I then put into the belt some kind nut bars, extra meds, and off I went. I also put back on my running Id that has contact info and also a “Hypoparthyroidism check calcium.” I had gotten a new band and never put it back on. I got complacent.

I started off running streets close to home making grids for the first three miles. I stayed close to home for the remainder of the run too. Not going too far out which sometimes I do for a longer run. Today was about keeping a comfortable pace. Walking when needing to, but not just because I want to. It was about listening to my body. At around 5 miles, I added some full in the form of some of the kind bar. At around 6.5 miles, I took 250 of calcium. Half of my normal afternoon dose. Then just kept moving.

I finished. I got to 8.5. At the end of the run I was thinking of doing a few streets to get to 9, but I figured this was enough……. And it was!

Mentally my head is back in the game. Mentally I know that I can do this but have to be smarter.

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

Aug11

This past week I feel good about all that I accomplished. Going into this training plan, I recognized that I would not be able to follow it to perfection. that being said, I do want to follow the training days if possible even if I don’t follow the miles. I feel for a variety of reasons that it is not in my best interest to run every run. I plan to substitute biking for running, some elliptical and who knows maybe even swimming. The swimming might be a stretch.

As I’ve said before, this plan is to train to run on tired legs. Ha! Anyway, I only missed one workout this week. I did switch training days, biked instead of ran, and just did what needed to do.

I am trying to go into this training also by not adding any extra calcium to my daily intake. When I first became hypopara, I trained like I had no issues. To be honest, I had not because I was keeping my serum calcium levels up, adding extra calcium for long runs and just going about business as usual. Right up until I took my first 24 hour urine test and it was well over 500. I’ve adjusted, but since being Hypopara the only time my 24 urine test came back normal was when I was on Natpara. As for now, levels while still hi9g are in the mid 300’s. I’ve been lucky so far not to have nay issues with these high levels. Except, of course, for the anxiety it brings.

So with my training, I don’t want to add extra calcium just for the sake of adding it. I’m will add if necessary if I feel like my levels are dropping. You know that whole guessing game since there is no at home calcium test. Anyway, this means I will try to plan my training around when I’m taking my pills. So far so good. I’m sure once I go for longer runs I will need to adjust. Adjust here. Adjust there.

I have been also working on controlling pace. A work n progess

This week coming up, I already know instead of an 8 mile run that I will turn that into a 24 miles on the bike. From what I could find online the ratio is 3 bike miles to 1 running miles. That is what I’m going with.

Felling good. Tired, but a normal tired and that is all I can ask for. I’m falling asleep as I type this, so I think it’s time to say goodnight.

Training smarter…. Not harder….. we shall see

Day 1

Dec26

There is something to be said about waiting until you are ready to do something to actually start. There was no dread today. There was no, “I’ve go to go out for a run today,” said with dread.

None of it.

Today was a “I am going to go out for my run as soon as I’m done with my coffee” kind of day.

I can tell it has been a hot minute since I’ve seriously run as I couldn’t find my Garmin. Still can’t. Still looking, but I also didn’t let that deter me or stop me from getting out the door.

I was excited. It was a perfect day for running. The not too hot. Not too cold kind of day. No jacket required. At least for me as I always run hot.

My NYC Half training plan stated with a 3 mile run and that’s what I did. I didn’t watch pace, but did keep it as a conversational pace which I 100% did as I was on the phone the whole time! I walked when I got out of breath, but for the most part stayed at a stead pace.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

In all seriousness….. Not too shabby. I have not been doing anything unless you count testing and eating Christmas cookies. I’ve done a few walks, but have not run since I really don’t know when. Hopefully this is the beginning of a good training cycle.

I’ve got a plan loaded into Training Peaks. I am doing the Hal Higdon Novice 1, because let’s face it…..I am starting from scratch.

One day at a time…. One run at a time…. One workout at a time.

This is what it feels like to have fire again:)

This is what it is like to remember to show up for yourself.

Here is hoping the fire continue to burn!

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!

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