I'm Ahead by 1 Point!

I hope your screen is big enough to see the faded out 1 - that's an 11:19. That's pretty slow for some of the young pups I know - but for a fat old lady diagnosed with congestive heart failure - it's good to see those double ones out front again.

After nearly a year and a half of not feeling good, I'm finally feeling so much better. I'm still off my blood pressure meds and feeling wonderful still. I've been taking it easy but am feeling well enough to push it just a bit. How will I know my new limits if I don't?

Three weeks of my meds and actually, my heart rate is still too low some nights to even take it according to the cardiologist. His orders were to not take it unless my pulse was at least 55 but most nights I'm running around 51 or 52. My blood pressure is totally fine too. No spikes! I'm so happy - and being so so good. I don't think I've ever used "happy" and "good" in a sentence in a positive connotation before! lol

I've got a good handle on my diet and I'm holding on tight. I know any slip-ups can mean I have to look at taking meds again or having an episode. And I don't like having episodes! So - I've given in to being very good and keeping it that way!

After my 10-miler last week, I didn't get any more runs in but I did two back-to-back taekwondo classes on Thursday and felt GREAT! I'm just so excited about feeling good. So tonight I grabbed about 3 miles on the TM. I am still trying to not run on taekwondo days - and tomorrow is class night. So I wanted to get some miles in early this week. I did push it a little bit. I stayed with a 4 minute run and 1 minute walk intervals for the whole run. But on the last minute of the run parts I kicked it up a little speed-wise. I worked my way up to running a 12 minute mile - which I hadn't seen in quite awhile. Then the last couple of run intervals I went on up to 11:19.. and it felt so good! I don't think I have overdone it either... I can't wait to kick it up a little more - I will be back!

One thing that I am struggling with is this dark cloud hanging over my head. I am winning - but always waiting to see what a day will bring. It's like wondering all the time when an episode is going to happen. I'm still trying to ignore the thoughts and I am planning on arguing with the cardiologist at my next appointment to see if he'll take his diagnosis back. Since I'm working on being totally honest with myself right now - I have to say I'm still in denial. But I am winning.

I've got my blood pressure under control with minimal meds - mostly diet, my energy is back and I'm starting to pick up my running game once again. But I know I still have to proceed slowly and be careful. When I feel better - it's easier to ignore what the doc said - so I'm trying to stay focused on moving ahead slowly. But I am moving ahead....ahead of the game.

Onward with marathon training - one step at a time - 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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