Author Archives: besaroboy

Is it really fall already?

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Looking back at my last comment I can’t believe it was in June and fall has now, errr fallen. I still am finding my schedule getting in the way of running but there are several factors that I think may actually contribute to me running more: the weather has cooled and I now have more options other than running first thing in the day and I have had one rehearsal cut from my week due to our attempt to focus on our full-length record. All good news and hopefully I will take advantage an get out more.

Another aspect of me potentially running more has been my eating habits. Foe the last couple of years I have found myself eating more at night. In the last month I have rededicated my efforts to not doing that and instead not eating after seven at night. This has made for some uncomfortable stomach rumblings but a much more comfortable stomach in the morning. I’ve lost a couple of pounds as well which I am sure will help the running. I haven’t really gained a whole lot, in fact I have liked the extra girth in my frame to ease my rebif injections. But, enough is enough (for weight gain that is) and I am heading in the opposite direction.

In the last couple of weeks I have noticed a possible ms symptom while running. My gate has felt a bit unstable at times, but not consistently so. It is probably nothing, but something to note regardless. It certainly hasn’t been to the extent I experienced when I had the big issues seven years ago or so. I also aren’t experiencing a drag in my legs like in the past, its been more of a discomfort or should I say slight lack of confidence in my gate.

On other items of late I participated in an ms study regarding exercise. I wore an accelerometer for a week and kept track of the times I wore it. Initially I was excited (and so were the researchers about my participation) because of my strong feelings on the positive effects of exercise on my ms. The funny thing is I actually didn’t run once during the week, but I am sure that is ok as I will be doing it a couple of other times during the upcoming year. I also had to fill out a questionnaire before and after I did the accelerometer stuff. I’ll be curious to hear more about the study and the results they find.

And back to it again

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Today I managed to get a run in for the first time in awhile. I have been super busy and a touch lazy. But considering I have had some knee issues a break was a really good idea. My knee feels a touch uncomfortable after the run, but not bad at all. Hopefully I will feel the same after a few weeks of running on it. I have a little break from music for a week so I have no excuse for not getting out to the pavement.

I figured sine it has been several weeks since I ran that I would have some issues, but no dice. The run went great. I even played a show the other night at an outdoor bar where people were smoking like the old days. My lungs felt really heavy for a couple of days after, but today they felt fine. Even my pace was relatively good 10:12, could have been much worse.

More to come as I keep this up!

Soggy rebif run

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Why do I call it a rebif run? Well, cause this morning I woke up, grabbed my rig and shot up with the junk. I really shouldn’t make it sound as if I am a junkie, but maybe I am? I say that because my disease modifying drug seems to make my runs go better. I have no idea if this is a real thing or not. Perhaps it is just isolated to my particular physical system, as I have never heard anyone else mention a rebif “boost” but I seem to get it. Makes me wonder if ms folk need to be banned from competition for taking rebif. Does this diminish the success stories of msers running in marathons? Is rebif the next steroids! I honestly don’t think that those of us who have been diagnosed with ms have an advantage over others in the competitive arenas, but maybe we actually do. This could actually be a good thing for ms people as we could get some competition price wise with the black market. I would love to see big pharma squeezed out by my neighborhood pushers! I would be much happier going to my local gym and handing over $50 for a rack of rebif than spending $4k+ for 12 doses from CVS Caremark. This way I also wouldn’t have to deal with the excessive packaging I get from CVS as well. Of course there probably would be a quality hit with getting my injections from Bruno. But what real assurance do I have that my syringes aren’t filled with sugar water? I have never tasted my rebif. Perhaps the sugar boost explains the improvements inm my runs? Perhaps not. Still, some competition for big pharma would be welcome.

So what is the boost I get from rebif? I found this article that indicates just the opposite (sort of) http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/rebif/exercise+tolerance+decreased. The study does say that only women seemed to be negatively affected in terms of exercise by taking DMDs. While the study says there is this decrease in exercise tolerance, the “study” looks to have only had three people involved? Is that right? I would say that is more of a “guess” than a “study”. But what do I know? Still the rebif boost I get seems to be real for me, I have seen it somewhat consistently for years. So it isn’t all bad news for msers! Today I managed my full 5 mile run without walking the hills for the first time in awhile. It wasn’t like I flew up the hills passing disgruntled reed students by like leaves in the wind (there was actually nobody around on account it was so early in the morning – 11AM). Plus it was raining. Actually the real rain didn’t hit until I was out of the canyon and back in Woodstock. Then the skies opened up on me. My last mile I may as well have been swimming.

Cooler weather and more miles

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Our weather has taken a cooler turn, not great for sun bathing but great for running. Its still warm enough to run in shorts but cool enough to merit gloves and a jacket, at least for the start of my runs.

I have been thinking that I am establishing a new base run, one that is shorter than the 6-8 I used to run just last year. My new base is around 5.25 miles and I want to start increasing that a bit and get it back close to the eight I was doing regularly. Mostly I am wanting this for the calorie burn, I am getting tired of performing in a tight vest! I need some breathing room! I don’t think it will take much to get back to a weight I am happy with, more than likely 10 pounds or so. As far as the rebif injections go, they seem to be less painful (er, uncomfortable?) a this weight than 10 pound from here. Still I think I’ll sacrifice the discomfort for the comfort of a loose vest!

On the band side we crushed out Kickstarter goal of 10K a few days ago. We have a fundraiser dinner tonight to create some gravy for us. It will help with the distribution of rewards which I think are going to surprise us cost wise…

Still liking the new shoes a lot. I have been feeling a burning sensation in my little tow for no apparent reason. Seems to go away after a bit of time. Hopefully not the start of something else…

Run in the sun

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Today I got out the door before noon so it was still a little cool, but the sun was out and it ended up being a perfect temperature. I made it a mile or so before my jacket was tied around my waist. Felt really good to run in shorts and a short-sleeve shirt! I am looking ofrward to having some sweaty runs. I know I won’t really feel that way come July, but for now I am all for it!

Today was my second run on my new Altra Repetitions. They feel great! They have quite a bit more cushion than my old Altras, but still with the zero-drop structure. I am really glad I went with these and that Altra realized that some runners need more cushioning. It’s not all about “barefoot” for some and I am glad Altra recognized that. I do feel bad I bought them through Zappos and not my local running store, but I was really concerned about the selection (their’s is a tad lacking!) The irony of the “convenience” of online shoppign was truly put to the test today when I brought two boxes of mis-sized returns to the UPS store which is right next to my running shop! I do plan to go in an buy a shirt soon, so I will give them some support there.

My pace was quite a bit faster today, did my usual 5 miles at 9:37. Looking at my stats all but one of my miles came in under 10, with the lone slow mile at 10:01, Makes me wish I had hustled up that hill a bit harder! I have actually been walking for most of the hill probably cause I am not quite used to my faster five milers. I have been really happy with the improvements I have been making. Now I just need to be consistent about actually running!

Sub 10 min miles becoming the norm

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Today I ran the fifth or sixth sub 10 min mile pace run in a row. I am starting to feel like it is the norm for me and that I need to set another goal for myself. Perhaps I should shoot for 9:45s as a goal instead of the uncannily consistent 9:57 with an occasional 9:56. I have been really surprised at how steady my pace has been, seriously with the exception of a 9:42 all of these runs in the streak have been 9:57 or super close. My run today managed to get completed before the rains returned which despite my love of running in the rain was really nice.

I ordered a new pair of Altras the other day and I was super excited when my new pair of Repetitions arrived. A couple of disappointments some no big deal and others easily repairable. First off I went with the Repetitions as they were a new model that offered up more cushioning (yet still zero drop) something I really want in my current worn out pair of Instincts. When I opened the box I though their bust of been a mistake as I ordered running shoes and not boats. They were huge with a gigantic looking sole. But not a big deal, I don’t really care about looks when it comes to my running shoes. As I said to a friend (who replied I said the same thing to a coworker the other day) Altra really could use some of Nike’s designers on staff. The second disappointment was in addition to the boat-like stature of the shoe they were also huge, like at least a size if not more large. This went against everything I read in peoples comments which generally complained about the new Altras running small. But easily repairable, free returns at Zappos. I only went a half size smaller as I think my pair may have been mistakenly sized at 13 (more like a 15). So my 12.5s should arrive by tomorrow, hopefully they do the trick.

I also need to get some new running shirts. I haven’t bought any new ones since my favorite Brand InSport went out of business. Plus I am feeling cheap and the shoes were more than enough of an expenditure.

After my run I did my normal set of hip stretches and thought to myself that this has really solved the hip issues I was having last fall. I have been pretty consistent about doing them and they have worked well into my regular after run routine. Initially I blamed the issues I was having on the zero-drop shoes and the way my shorter leg (>.5 inch shorter on the right side) was striking. I was greatly disappointed as I really liked the zero-drop running thing and it worked really well with mu mid-strike. I am really glad to have them! I can’t find the page I found these on, but I think I speak of them on another post I did on my hips…

Fast running

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My last two runs have been pretty fast for me, both sub 10 min mile paces. Today was almost an end to that. I was feeling really good at the start, my first mile felt great and really quick. I was about to hit the mile mark when I looked at my watch to see 9:15. I was really psyched! Then I noticed that the distance showing was .85 miles. Something must have happened (again, it appears that my watch has developed a mind of its’ own and I disapprove!) The miles after that seemed to be accurate, all coming in under 10. So even with that oddity (er, short-changing) on the first mile I still managed to come in under 50 mins for five miles. Boom! Even with the glitch I was still running less than 10 min miles. I am not trying to run faster necessarily. Actually quite the opposite. I have become way less concerned with PRs and much more concerned about the wear and tear on my body. My feet have still been protesting quite loudly, but my hope is to keep that discomfort down to a minimum.

The last week or so has been somewhat disappointing running wise. I had a stiff neck after working out too hard the other week. So I decided to take a little break and let the stiffness and pain subside. Couple that with a busy music week and I haven’t gotten nearly the miles in that I wanted to. The soul band kicked off our kickstarter campaign to raise money for a new full-length record. Just what I need, more music to keep me from running! It’s all about the balance…

I am feeling a bit of tightness in my upper thigh on the left side, hopefully it will go away with a bit more stretching later. Maybe I will even ice it a bit after a band meeting tonight (at least I am not rehearsing). I am sure pushing the speed this morning has a lot to do with that, but I really wanted to go fast!

Good, bad, good…

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The last three days I have had a mixed bag of running experiences. The two good runs definitely out-weigh Thursday’s disaster, so that is a good thing!

Wednesday I decided to break out of my mini-break from running due to scheduling issues. I had a rehearsal that night, so I only did a short run. Nothing spectacular, but I call it a good run as I felt pretty solid in rehearsal. I din’t totally fade beyond the usual fade of a two hour soul rehearsal.

Thursday I headed out later than normal and I don’t think I had eaten nearly enough or hydrated properly and it showed. I was also over dressed and really warm. I had to take many walking breaks to get through it. I thought about trying to push through the malaise, but it just didn’t seem worth it to me. It was just one of those days when I wasn’t feeling it, and I thought it was a good thing that I recognized it. Oh, and my watch wasn’t fully charged and I lost a quarter mile (for some reason) on my first mile. With no stats to read, I was doomed! So I accepted my fate and headed home.

Today’s third-in-a-row run was much much better. I felt tired, but not nearly like I did yesterday. I also gobbled half of an Odwalla bar beforehand to make sure I was at least slightly fortified. Seemed to help quite a bit. Also, today was a rebif day, so I was feeling the boost I often feel from my shot. I almost managed a sub 10 min mile, but ended up coming in just above that. I felt pretty strong throughout, nothing spectacular, but still solid. I did walk the hill out of reed, but that was my only slowdown. My one mistake today was over-dressing again, by the end of the run I felt like I did when I ran the Portland Marathon (which started out on a cold morning and ended in the sun) and had all sorts of gear tied around my waist.

Rains turn to sun and four in a row again

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Yesterday was as soggy a run as I have had in awhile, but today the sun broke out as the universe cracks a joke about spring being here (snow expected this weekend…) I guess if we get 24 hours of no rain we shouldn’t complain and instead we should go out for a run! So that is what I did this morning. I felt really good through most of it, but ended up taking several walking breaks. Still I managed to run under 10 min miles. The extra walking breaks were a bit surprising but I think my body is feeling it a bit, especially with all the night rehearsals I have had this week. My energy level will get a break this weekend sort of as the band heads out for a southern “tour” which is really just a show we are playing at a band-mates uncle’s commune in southern Oregon. Should be a lot of fun, but also a lot of driving (I’ve heard estimates of anywhere from 6 to 11 hours, so we’ll see I guess.)

My experiment with running and playing music on the same day has gone really well this week. I even got a couple of five milers in on rehearsal days. I was especially concerned with those days and I felt pretty well (though somewhat tired, but not what I would consider “ms fatigued”). On all three days I did this this week I made sure I was fully hydrated and ate a good amount of protein afterwards. It really seems to help, especially the water. I also included a large cup of tea before the rehearsals to give me boost. I just wish I had gotten a bit more sleep this week. But that’s ok, life isn’t perfect!

So this has been the third week I have been serious about running and managed to get my runs in (maybe not the mileage totals I would like, but I was out on the roads!) I can already feel some vast improvements in my energy levels and health and mood. It is interesting to me about the effects on my mood. I feel great even though a tad sore and more than a tad tired. Its that feeling of a spring in my step that I think best describes it.

Fastest (and soggiest) five miler this year

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Today’s run was cold and wet and for some reason I cranked it out at a pretty fast pace clocking a 9:50 time. I knew I was running fast as I saw that both of my first two miles were sub 10s. But around the 3.5 mile point I looked at my watch and saw that all of a sudden I was running 8 minute miles! I couldn’t figure out what happened until I noticed that I was looking at calories instead of miles. Still, I’ll take the sub 10 minute miles! I was really surprised I was able to do that as the rain was pretty heavy today and the roads were really wet which led to much hopping around puddle dodging.

I am feeling really good after the run today, my third in a row. After tonight, this will also be the third run in a row I have done when I have a rehearsal in the evening. Last night’s 2 hour soul band practice was rough, we worked hard and made it through most of our songs in prep for a show this weekend. I was pretty pooped after it was done, but I think most of that had to do with not playing my alto sax for a month or two, my armature was suffering. Tonight is another soul band rehearsal except this one will be an hour longer! I am going to focus on getting some protein in my body and properly hydrating. Hopefully that will what my body and mind need to get me through three hours of horn playing.

I am really glad I am working on getting over my not wanting to run on rehearsal days. I think I have been using that as an excuse to not do it (running that is). I still need to recognize that I may be feeling ms fatigue, but I want to push myself through it and figure out methods to allow me to do both. I think perhaps limiting myself to shorter runs on practice days will be good but then I need to combat my dislike of short runs both in terms of the prep (pre and post), the neighborhood and my desire to burn more calories. If I can just wrap my brain around the idea that shorts runs are better than nothing then I think I will be ok.