This issue of the my blog is going to be a race recap of the two races I did this weekend and a little discussion about the medical denial I live with daily.
Saturday, Race #1: Run Wild Missoula's Run for the Trees 10k
Race website
It was a little chilly and cool on Saturday morning. Jacob and I choose to run the 10k this year. It is a nice flat course that runs through the Old Sawmill District and then next to the river. My 10k time hovers around 1:15 and this weekend proved to be no different. The first few miles were rough, I was pushing a heavy stroller into the wind. Don't get me wrong, I have a nice BOB running stroller but my 4.5yo weighs almost 40 pounds and add that to the stroller and a couple pounds of gear and its add a bit to the challenge.
The race was well attended and it was very busy along the course because of the river bank cleanup efforts for Earth Day but we didn't have any issues. From mile 3 to mile 4, you are doing an out and back on the river bank trail so I was glad to hand off the stroller to Jacob as he passed me on the way back. The route is stroller friendly to that point and the entire thing is stroller accessible but the gravel is pretty loose for the 3/4 of a mile surround the turnaround.
Running without the stroller allowed me to finish at 1:14:33. Jacob finished at 1:08. Plus, I looked extra cute in my new Skirt Sport Ambassador shirt, race magnet skirt, redemption capris (www.skirtsports.com use discount code SPRING20SS) and some fun compression socks.
Sydnee out paced her dad in the kids 1 mile fun run that took place 1 hour and 15 minutes after the 10 started (note I crossed the finish line as they started) and finished with an 11:38 mile which is awesome for her.
The race goodies for the 5 & 10k runners included a cool looking buff with the race logo on it, a sapling you could plant, a free pass to the Montana Natural History Center and free coffee/tea at Dog & Bicycle.
Sunday, Race #2: Runner's Edge Bitterroot Runoff Trail Run 5.2 Mile
Race Website
Sunday was not looking fun. It was cold (40*), raining hard and windy.
I forgot my water bottle at home but luckily there is an aid station at the 2.75 mile mark. No cute outfit pictures because I was bundled up and ready to get dirty. I know from last year this trail run is nothing but dirt and mud. I was sore and tired and running solo. My running partners is not a big fan of trail runs and is busy planning his wedding at the end of the summer and Jacob had waited too long before deciding he wanted to run so missed the sign up window.
This is the first of a series of trail runs hosted by Runner's Edge and the races fill up fast. These trails are on private property so they had capped the 5 and 10 mile entries. I regretted leaving my phone in the car because the landscape is beautiful, there are some fun signs along the track, and I would have enjoyed taking a couple photo breaks. When I trail run, I hike up the hills and run down them and there wasn't anything different on Sunday. The first half of the run in up the hill you climb from 3400 to 4100 (the 10 mile climbs 3400-4500) and the second half you run back down. The track is muddy and in most places less than 6 inches wide. I would guess the trails are mostly used by mountain bikes, they a thin and beautiful.
At the 2.6 mile point in the 5 mile and the 6.3 point in the 10 mile the routes combine and I spent a LOT of time jumping off the trail to let the faster 10 mile runner by. This is an important skill to learn and makes the race more enjoyable for everyone. I think of it as an opportunity to catch my breath and cheer on the other runners. Not once did anyone try and run over me and everyone was very friendly. I love running this series they are well organized, the trails are well marked and after the race is always a good time.
The race goodies for the 5.2 & 10.3 mile runners included a cool looking buff with the race logo on it, chip timing, BBQ including burgers and brats, Big Sky beer and lots of yummy sides.
DENIAL:
Sunday afternoon after the race reminded me that I'm not invincible.
In 2002, was I diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and low thyroid. Over the course of the last 15 years I medicated and denied what that means to me. I have gained a lost a significant amount of weight and now weigh more than I should by about 50 pounds. I'm in some level of pain most days and just about every joint has some type of swelling. Add to all that that I have given birth three times including once after 35 and what that does to a woman's body. Most of the time I blame the hurt on the weight and not on the RA but it is most likely a combination of both.
I spent a portion of Sunday on the couch relaxing and trying not to stiffen up and to gain back some of my energy.
When I found out I was sick I refused to change how I lived, good or bad. I have ran since high school, now I run slower but I still run. I work hard, I still hold a 40+ hour per week job and volunteer with a couple different organizations. I spent six year getting another advanced degree and completed my MBA in December 2016. This year I added three days of strength training and longer distance trail running. Most weeks I have activities most nights after work and fall into bed exhausted after I cook dinner for my family of six and clean up my house.
So I'm in denial. I refuse to admit that it hurts and I should probably slow down. I think this comes from knowing that slowing down means more time to think about it and I don't want to do that. Who wants to loom on the fact that they are aging and hurting? Not me.
Last weekend I tried something new, I hate taking medication (I already take enough) so I will usually try anything else first, if it's easy. I tried the Poise Impressa, which are tampon like inserts that prevent the issues that some of us with big babies suffer. I had read some reviews and was willing to try because this was an issue that I wasn't excited about sharing but had put up with for years. Good news, these worked as advertised and I was pretty excited about that.
Tomorrow, I'm going to try contact lens to help with another medical condition I am not happy about. My sight has been going for years, I took some medications early in my RA treatment that sped up the aging of my eyes significantly. I still try to run without my glasses but it is getting harder to see on the trails which is annoying.
So, maybe now that I am 40 I will try and come to terms with the fact that I have an autoimmune disease that is really messing with my body and cause some other things to fail. Maybe... I doubt it. I don't have time and I won't make time. If that means living in denial than I think I will make a nice home here.
Saturday, Race #1: Run Wild Missoula's Run for the Trees 10k
Race website
It was a little chilly and cool on Saturday morning. Jacob and I choose to run the 10k this year. It is a nice flat course that runs through the Old Sawmill District and then next to the river. My 10k time hovers around 1:15 and this weekend proved to be no different. The first few miles were rough, I was pushing a heavy stroller into the wind. Don't get me wrong, I have a nice BOB running stroller but my 4.5yo weighs almost 40 pounds and add that to the stroller and a couple pounds of gear and its add a bit to the challenge.
The race was well attended and it was very busy along the course because of the river bank cleanup efforts for Earth Day but we didn't have any issues. From mile 3 to mile 4, you are doing an out and back on the river bank trail so I was glad to hand off the stroller to Jacob as he passed me on the way back. The route is stroller friendly to that point and the entire thing is stroller accessible but the gravel is pretty loose for the 3/4 of a mile surround the turnaround.
Running without the stroller allowed me to finish at 1:14:33. Jacob finished at 1:08. Plus, I looked extra cute in my new Skirt Sport Ambassador shirt, race magnet skirt, redemption capris (www.skirtsports.com use discount code SPRING20SS) and some fun compression socks.
The race goodies for the 5 & 10k runners included a cool looking buff with the race logo on it, a sapling you could plant, a free pass to the Montana Natural History Center and free coffee/tea at Dog & Bicycle.
Sunday, Race #2: Runner's Edge Bitterroot Runoff Trail Run 5.2 Mile
Race Website
Sunday was not looking fun. It was cold (40*), raining hard and windy.
I forgot my water bottle at home but luckily there is an aid station at the 2.75 mile mark. No cute outfit pictures because I was bundled up and ready to get dirty. I know from last year this trail run is nothing but dirt and mud. I was sore and tired and running solo. My running partners is not a big fan of trail runs and is busy planning his wedding at the end of the summer and Jacob had waited too long before deciding he wanted to run so missed the sign up window.
This is the first of a series of trail runs hosted by Runner's Edge and the races fill up fast. These trails are on private property so they had capped the 5 and 10 mile entries. I regretted leaving my phone in the car because the landscape is beautiful, there are some fun signs along the track, and I would have enjoyed taking a couple photo breaks. When I trail run, I hike up the hills and run down them and there wasn't anything different on Sunday. The first half of the run in up the hill you climb from 3400 to 4100 (the 10 mile climbs 3400-4500) and the second half you run back down. The track is muddy and in most places less than 6 inches wide. I would guess the trails are mostly used by mountain bikes, they a thin and beautiful.
At the 2.6 mile point in the 5 mile and the 6.3 point in the 10 mile the routes combine and I spent a LOT of time jumping off the trail to let the faster 10 mile runner by. This is an important skill to learn and makes the race more enjoyable for everyone. I think of it as an opportunity to catch my breath and cheer on the other runners. Not once did anyone try and run over me and everyone was very friendly. I love running this series they are well organized, the trails are well marked and after the race is always a good time.
I was very excited to job across the finish line. I had been pacing behind a gentleman and running right in front of a lady the entire race so we all finished together. The race goodies for the 5.2 & 10.3 mile runners included a cool looking buff with the race logo on it, chip timing, BBQ including burgers and brats, Big Sky beer and lots of yummy sides.
DENIAL:
Sunday afternoon after the race reminded me that I'm not invincible.
In 2002, was I diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and low thyroid. Over the course of the last 15 years I medicated and denied what that means to me. I have gained a lost a significant amount of weight and now weigh more than I should by about 50 pounds. I'm in some level of pain most days and just about every joint has some type of swelling. Add to all that that I have given birth three times including once after 35 and what that does to a woman's body. Most of the time I blame the hurt on the weight and not on the RA but it is most likely a combination of both.
I spent a portion of Sunday on the couch relaxing and trying not to stiffen up and to gain back some of my energy.
When I found out I was sick I refused to change how I lived, good or bad. I have ran since high school, now I run slower but I still run. I work hard, I still hold a 40+ hour per week job and volunteer with a couple different organizations. I spent six year getting another advanced degree and completed my MBA in December 2016. This year I added three days of strength training and longer distance trail running. Most weeks I have activities most nights after work and fall into bed exhausted after I cook dinner for my family of six and clean up my house.
So I'm in denial. I refuse to admit that it hurts and I should probably slow down. I think this comes from knowing that slowing down means more time to think about it and I don't want to do that. Who wants to loom on the fact that they are aging and hurting? Not me.
Last weekend I tried something new, I hate taking medication (I already take enough) so I will usually try anything else first, if it's easy. I tried the Poise Impressa, which are tampon like inserts that prevent the issues that some of us with big babies suffer. I had read some reviews and was willing to try because this was an issue that I wasn't excited about sharing but had put up with for years. Good news, these worked as advertised and I was pretty excited about that.
Tomorrow, I'm going to try contact lens to help with another medical condition I am not happy about. My sight has been going for years, I took some medications early in my RA treatment that sped up the aging of my eyes significantly. I still try to run without my glasses but it is getting harder to see on the trails which is annoying.
So, maybe now that I am 40 I will try and come to terms with the fact that I have an autoimmune disease that is really messing with my body and cause some other things to fail. Maybe... I doubt it. I don't have time and I won't make time. If that means living in denial than I think I will make a nice home here.
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