Adjust, Adapt and Advance

Whew! It's been a crazy few days but I think I'm over another major hurdle. I shared last week about my episode and now that's it is behind me and I can think more clearly I think I have come to some conclusions.

First, my last 3 runs have been awesome! And I had a great time last night at taekwondo. No chest pains, no dizziness and even though I took it easy I had no difficulties at all. Well, except the fact that this fat old lady got her big toe caught in the pant leg of her uniform and jerked a toe out. Why can't I have normal injuries or at least noble ones? lol

I've been spreading out my runs and it seems to be helping. I only run two days in a row. Overall my new strategies seem to be working but it's all new. I'm committed to the journey at this point and determined to be fit in the midst of personal struggles and physical roadblocks.

I'm a thinker and a problem solver. Of course this leads to overthinking most of the time. But over the last few days I've been thinking and sorting through my situation to come to some realistic conclusions. Where I started was with the things I feel that are common to pretty much all runners. Here's some things all runners can feel or have shared that I deal with as well:

first miles are a real struggle

there are runs where you are just going to struggle

there are runs that are better than others

some days you feel like you're flying

some days you feel like you're running through peanut butter

I feel the same things other runners feel and sometimes I try to imagine that I don't have a heart condition. But there's always a wake-up call. It's usually just enough to keep me from ignoring it. When I can't get the swelling to go away in my ankles, am totally out of breath just from walking to the kitchen or I'm totally fatigued for no reason I just can't ignore it. But I can make changes and adjustments. That's what I'm doing going forward.

First of all, I'm going to go to my doc for a consult to get an expert opinion. I'm a little afraid of that because I worry they will make me cut back some. I don't want my miles to be "illegal" because I have not intentions of stopping. Secondly, I am going to tighten up my eating once again. I just can't keep my nose clean it seems. But I will. I can't allow the little stuff to sneak past me anymore. From now on I'll be watching and counting sodium intake I just can't let it slide any more.

Commitment is about keeping moving toward your goals. It means not quitting even when you have to make adjustments to keep going forward. My problem is it seems like I've been making adjustments like crazy and not making enough progress to keep myself happy. But I'm determined to adjust what needs to be changed, adapt my attitude and actions to ensure success and advance toward my goal of completing another marathon.

I must remind myself that no matter how slow - how fast how difficult or how frustrated I get every step is a victory.

Hello - It's Been Awhile

I am sorry, I had to take a break and get myself focused. However, I haven't stopped, and I've been quite busy really. There's been a lot going on and honestly, I've been living out the every step's a victory mantra. There's been lots of struggles and tons of ups and downs. But I have to say each step toward a healthy, whole life is still victorious. As a matter of fact, revisiting that is why I decided to get the blog back up and going again. I did get a website set up, you can check it out if you'd like. I still have to get the blog up and going on the site It won't be like this one, it will have more general information about healthy eating, exercising and things that are not as much about my own journey, it'll be more educational. Check out the Every Step's A Victory site and let me know what you think so far. For me life continues to be a struggle, I think that may hold true for most people who deal with a chronic condition. It seem...

Cardiologist Update

So I guess I'm just going to have to get used to going to cardiologists and doctors. My primary care sent me to a cardiologist at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. I think I like this guy (as much as I can like docs). He was very kind, and looked me in the eye when he was talking with me and I liked that. Of course I gave them my standard "abnormal but not bad" EKG. I also explained about my meds and how the other doc wouldn't call me back. He told me not to trust a doctor who didn't call you back. (I was surprised.) He said it's an integrity issue and it sends the signal that they don't care when they don't call you back. I agreed. At the end of the appointment - he gave me a gentle hug and promised to take good care of me. That was nice I thought. (Even though I'm not too keen on "being taken care of.") My blood pressure was great- didn't even mention taking meds for that. I have to say that's a HUGE win. I believe the drastic ...

Cowtown Challenge Done!

This was one awesome weekend! I did finish the Cowtown Challenge by doing a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on Saturday. In between I rode bikes around with one of my friends. I enjoyed the camaraderie of all the runners and the general atmosphere around the Cowtown is just awesome - Oh - and I met Jeff Galloway himself! He is so kind and encouraging - just like Mark Bravo. I really felt very under-trained for this particular event. I hadn't run much in the last two weeks and had only done one 9+ miler in the last month. I usually have a few 10 milers in, but not this time. But - it all worked out. One of the biggest struggles I have is simply not knowing what my body is going to do on any given day. I have to keep my attitude straight and just be "okay" with whatever I have to work with. Doing a race while traveling adds another struggle - trying to eat out without taking in too much salt. Hey- the struggle is real! One night we ate at Chili's and I asked fo...

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