Category: Stomach

The Oddest Taper

It’s almost Friday!!  And I’m on vacation!  😛

But let’s back up.  Even before the reality of a trail 25K kicked my ass, I knew I may have to adjust some things this week.   I figured if I was feeling extra achy and sore after Sunday, I would push Tuesday’s run to Wednesday and Thursday’s to Friday since I took a few days off for Surf City.  Ummm, what was I thinking running a 25K and a half 7 days apart?

13.1 It Takes a Special Kind of Idiot... I think I should start training for a half marathon :)
7 days later, ouch source

I was a little achy but headed to the gym on Tuesday per usual.  I ran super slow but I was just fine with that.  3.5 miles later, I stretched and called it a day.  Even though my pace was slow, I unintentionally pulled off the perceived effort progression that was on tap per my training plan.  Calling that a win!  Oh and my gym now has those scary stair things, it was interesting watching people on them.  But much better than the freaky cut-the-alien-out-of-the-stomach sci fi movie on in front me.  Blech, I love sci fi but not creature flicks.

Going Tuesday worked out well as I was so tired on Wednesday I overslept that morning.  Then I fell asleep in the comfy chair trying to watch Supernatural that night.  How I didn’t knock the laptop off my lap, I have no idea.   I had planned on running today per usual but my stomach was rebelling pretty badly so I went back to the Friday plan.  Well hopefully.  🙂  I kind of need to pack at some point too.

I got this... right?
I got this… right?

I took a few days off around Surf City because I figured these 8-9 days were going make me pretty tired.  However when I planned that I didn’t realize that was also my window to complete reviews at work.  So I spent most of this week trying to kick those out.  Or at least to a point where I only have to make some minor edits when I return.   Writing reviews stress me out, maybe that’s contributing to my tiredness.   I am so turning off the alarm tomorrow morning.

Wednesday was also my re-check with my gastro.  He’s at a loss, so we’re changing my medication.  This kind of freaks me out, I’ve been taking it for 12 years, what’s going to happen?  He actually warned me that I could have a rough couple of days when I make the change, so we agreed that I could do that Monday after the race.  Plus I have those days off so yay?    Way less exciting than the original plan to go to Disneyland on Monday.  But you know, measles.

Ever use those scary stair machines?  I am not even sure I could even get on one without falling.

Would you chance the measles?

Anyone racing this weekend or having a Super Bowl party?

Who cried at the Budweiser commercial?

Standing is Not the Same

I survived!

Haha, but in all seriousness, this was a long week.  It also has had very little running so far.    Tuesday was taken up by prep and Wednesday the lovely test.    Tuesday was one of those times where I thought maybe I should be a morning runner- but nah- I like my sleep.   No solid food for almost 2 days and the horrible taste of the prep aside- the test was easy.  I went to sleep talking about my hair color and woke up in the recovery room.    My mother says I was a little hyped up from the meds they knocked me out with.   Apparently I reminded her of one of those funny internet videos.

Hmmm, I don't remember taking this
Hmmm, I don’t remember taking this

I took my running gear with me on Thursday hoping I would feel up to running but that may have been a little optimistic.   I felt super achy all day.  I don’t know if it was a side effect of the test or the biopsies but I just hurt.   I figured the smarter thing to do was rest.   Which ended up working out because my mom called needing me to run to the pharmacy for my dad.  He went for a hike and came back with a ton of ticks!!! Yuck!    Also, my mom is skeeved out about the 25K now.  He had hiked part of the course and I know he never sat down.   But late January should be fine tick wise… I hope.  Yuck again.

Last Sunday, when I was shopping I treated myself to a little gift.   I have been feeling a little uninspired and truthfully a little fluffy, so I picked up a new activity tracker, a Fitbit Flex.  Not a Fuelband this time, come on I went through 3 of those in less than 18 months.  Have you noticed you hardly ever hear about the Nike trackers anymore?   I really considered the Garmin Vivosmart and Vivofit but I was really only interested in step tracking and sleep tracking.   Plus it was kind of a steal as it was part of a Christmas sale.    So far I am liking the app interface as well.

Oh, that's not good
Oh, that’s not good

I really wish I could say the Fitbit was defective but I know I was just lying to myself.  I have worn it everyday since Monday and Monday was the only day I cleared 10,000 steps.   But even that doesn’t really count- it includes my 3.5 mile run.   Even if I cut myself some slack for Tuesday and Wednesday due to the test- that still leaves Thursday and Friday.  Did I mention I have a stand up desk?  Standing is not the same as walking!!!    I didn’t even clear 5000 steps on either day.  I don’t see how that is possible on a Friday, I felt busier than that.   Thursday, we were down two people and the number was still low.  Apparently I need to step it up.  Pun intended.  I kind of already knew this but seeing it spelled out on the phone means no more denial.   IMG_8168I’m all for being a Slacker but that’s just sad.  Oh, and as for sleep?  I’m averaging 6 hours a night.  Ouch.   The only thing I am successfully completing/ exceeding is the suggested water intake.

What stands out about your week?

Are you ready for Christmas?   I am so not.

Have you ever used a tracker? Thoughts?