Running through the May Flowers - Page 7

[tjsmama]

Oh, dingos. I have been so out of it in so many ways. I feel like I'm crawling out from under a rock. I'm still sick. I haven't run in 10 days (and have a race in which I was hoping to do semi-well in about 10 days). I slept away my entire 6 days off. Sigh.

I literally slept ALL day and ALL night last Wed/Thurs/Fri, took a 2 hr nap on Saturday, and slept 4 hours during the day on Monday. And yet, I'm still sick. This sucks. I started antibiotics last Wednesday, felt slightly better but not great over the weekend, and then started getting worse again on Monday. Back to the doctor yesterday, where my rapid strep test was now negative, but I have blisters in my throat. She thinks it's now a viral infection with stomatitis (the blisters) and possibly thrush. Yeah, good times. I'm so tired of my throat hurting. She sent out a culture, but like I said, it's probably viral. I have a nasty steroid paste to put on the blisters that makes me gag, and percocet to help me sleep. I am so. over. this.

In other news, I had my first shift on my own last night, and I really didn't need to be nervous about it. They only give us two couplets for the first week, and they were really pretty easy couplets. Vaginal deliveries, both bottle feeding. I seriously felt kind of guilty at times because I was just sitting around with nothing to do. All my assessments and charting were done, both babies were fed, moms were sleeping...I guess I shouldn't complain because I'm sure my time for crazy work shifts is coming!

XFIL and XSMIL have been in town this week, and it's been good, but a little crazy. Especially with me not feeling the best and working. They kept DS at the hotel last night while I was at work, so that was cool. DS has been having so much fun with them (especially grandpa), but tonight is the first night he's been in bed close to on time all week. He is so tired. They leave tomorrow, so we'll be back to normal, hopefully!

Tomorrow: really hoping my throat is feeling a bit better so I can maybe get a run in.

[Nickarolaberry]

Hope you feel better, Gaye! I'm with you on the sick thing. Ugh, ugh, ugh.

[MelW]

Gaye and Nic, hoping you both feel better very, very soon.

Plady, I'm sending out the strongest vibes that the lymph node is just your body fighting something minor and very much not serious. I think the body composition results are terrific, but can see how once you have hard data there might be the temptation to try to transform and re-assess. Or just to rest on your laurels :) I saw your recent reno photos, and you look great!

RR- Mowed the front lawn this evening and that. is. all. I'm really missing Tuesday night bootcamps, because without them the beginning of the week so often suffers from a lack of exercise. Tomorrow there will be a trail run, though I'm running alone instead of with the group because they're doing a flat course that's a 25 minute drive from home and I'd rather run hills near home.

NRR- I survived the second day of midterm skill testing today, which is truly my least favourite part of the job. I would choose marking a stack of papers instead in an instant.
 

[1jooj]

Plady, i'm with Mel. Thinking as many positive thoughts as I can manage!

MelW, I do see a lot of ladies here wearing light, white gloves out in public. I don't know if it's due to allergy

Nic and Gaye, I'm sorry the bugs hit you both so hard. Sounds like you've both run yourselves down. Some serious, stress-free down time is in order, and I hope you both have some soon.

All-about-me post begin:

On the shipping death thing, it is always a risk, but the airline I am using for the long leg really does specialize in animal moving (of all kinds) and pets have a dedicated temp-controlled area in the front part of the cargo hold. I'll drop him at 4AM and he will go into a temp-controlled holding area before flight and animals are off-loaded with priority. So there's probably a 2-hour window of concern, temp-wise, but we depart before it really starts to heat up so I feel all right about that. It's just the whole clearing customs and making the connection I worry about. Time. I hate trying to beat clocks. I once slept with an 18mo on the floor of LaGuardia. 

And, dh is now not going along. So, where it would have been an option to split up in JFK, it now is not. Cat will be delivered to a cargo building, not the baggage claim area. Kids and I have to clear immigration, claim bags, clear customs, check bags, cab to cargo, claim cat and clear customs, cab back to the right terminal, check cat and make it on the plane. We have 3 hours to do this, and we land at peak time on a holiday weekend.  And remember, I don't drink. Otherwise, I might.

But before all that can happen, I had to, for the second time, reschedule the movers and the utilities cut-off and final billing. Because we thought we all would fly, I scrambled to make sure all paperwork would be done pre-departure. Now, with dh staying, he can do utilities and lease stuff after we go. So we have electricity right up until we leave. At least I don't have to board the cat or find a cat-friendly hotel (do they exist?). 

I don't yet know how we will get from ORD back home, or exactly where we should end up, since it will be around midnight when we get there. But that is so totally minor. Transporting the cat is my main concern, period.

OK. That's off my chest. I am dealing better with the anxiety now that I am sugar/grain/dairy/bean-free. You mamas would be so proud. I can say things like "I am anxious, I am nervous," walk myself through fears and realize none of them are really so bad. Pretty cool. BTW, I am down 17lb since I started the Whole 30 (26lb since we moved into this house). Plady, I am nowhere near your perfectly good BF%, but I've dropped more than 4 BMI points and I look a heck of a lot better in those pants I couldn't pull over my butt before. 

RR: Bet you didn't think there was any. But I am apparently in a 5-mile habit now. I did some more walking post beach walk yesterday, and even birks bother me now for walking. Uh-oh. Need barefoot shoes. Probably walked about 7mi total yesterday, and 4.5mi this AM. I will do my strength and stretching a little later this AM, and clean the house.

[Nickarolaberry]

Whew, Jo, that sounds exhausting just reading about it. So proud of you for the Whole30. If I was in a different place right now emotionally and physically I might try it, but the way things are I just need to maintain as I go... sigh. The legumes and dairy is the hardest thing for me and I'm not sure I can go there financially or food wise but maybe it's worth a try someday. I'm glad you're feeling so much better physically and emotionally.

Plady,  everything is fine for you. 

Gaye, hope you feel better soon.

After 24 hours on Prednisone, Advair, and a Zpac, I might be starting to feel human again. The Prednisone is just a very short term (3 days) until the Advair really kicks in and the Zpac is to deal with the bronchitis. I had to take my Albuterol yesterday and it makes me feel awful so I don't like doing it. I'm hoping to get a run in if not this afternoon, maybe tomorrow...just a little bit. I feel like I'm making my way out from lying under an elephant.

Off to my .. meeting ... today. Sigh. 

[Plady]

Originally Posted by 1jooj 

Kids and I have to clear immigration, claim bags, clear customs, check bags, cab to cargo, claim cat and clear customs, cab back to the right terminal, check cat and make it on the plane. We have 3 hours to do this, and we land at peak time on a holiday weekend.  And remember, I don't drink. Otherwise, I might.

At least I don't have to board the cat or find a cat-friendly hotel (do they exist?).

Think about the speed and clear-thought advantage over everyone on that flight who does drink!  You'll make it.  I'm sure you'll have explained the steps to your kids too so maybe they can think of it as a game to see how smoothly they can move through the steps?  As far as cat friendly hotels, I don't know about over there but here La Quinta, Comfort Inns, and Motel 6s are all good for traveling with cats.  When we came up from Mexico we never had a problem with our cat staying with us.

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

If I was in a different place right now emotionally and physically I might try it, but the way things are I just need to maintain as I go... sigh.

Off to my .. meeting ... today. Sigh. 

You'll get to that place, you're on the path.  I hope the meds continue to improve your breathing, I wish you could call in sick to your meeting though. 

Gaye - I hope you start to feel better asap too.  It sounds awful!  I wouldn't worry about training so much until you're actually healthy again.  You're the girl who smokes her unprepared-for races anyway right?

MelW - Any chance you could get together independently with some of the other boot camp parents and do version of it at a playground or somewhere that the kids can play while you all do intervals?  Our boxing class my go on break for much of the summer and we're all trying to be brave and think of ways to keep our fitness up so that may be what happens here. 

Busy day ahead here and I'm trying to not obsess over the worst-case scenarios. 

[JayGee]

Jooj ~ I wish I lived further north in Illinois!  I would totally pick up your kids and sweet cat in Chicago and host you for a night if I did.  I really hope the cat can come with you.  He looks like he would be much happier in a cool midwestern climate than in Dubai with all that furriness.  And a huge  to you for such a successful Whole30.  I am on Day 16 myself and feeling so much better.  It's funny how I don't really get super-hungry when I eat this way.  Yesterday I had breakfast at 8 and didn't feel like lunch until 3:30.  I think it has to do with all the fat and protein.   

Gaye and Nic ~ I hope both of you feel better.  And Nic, stay strong for that meeting!  We'll be with you in spirit .

RR ~ nope, way too busy for even a walk these days .

NRR ~ Field Day for grades 3-5 today, yesterday I worked it for grades K-2.  Fun, but exhausting at the same time.  And I got a nasty sunburn, in spite of applying sunscreen beforehand.  Okay, I'm a bad, bad Mama ~  DS has had perfect attendance this year with no tardies, no absences, nothing.  He will get a perfect attendance award at the assembly tomorrow.  And this morning he threw up.  But wanted to go to school anyway.  And I let him .  I hope and pray he makes it through the day without further incidence.

[Mel38]

Originally Posted by JayGee 
Okay, I'm a bad, bad Mama ~  DS has had perfect attendance this year with no tardies, no absences, nothing.  He will get a perfect attendance award at the assembly tomorrow.  And this morning he threw up.  But wanted to go to school anyway.  And I let him .  I hope and pray he makes it through the day without further incidence.

Nah! With my kids, if they felt better after throwing up and had no other symptoms, it was probably only a tummy upset. 

And kudos to you on the double field days.

Jo - peaceful travels!! Things will hopefully be much smoother than expected. It will be over before you know it. (P.S. drinking doesn't help much!)

Gaye, oh my goodness, that sounds terrible!! You must have been so sick and exhausted to have slept that much. Take it easy ramping back up.

Mel, enjoy that trail run! Sounds lovely.

Plady. Hopefully just fighting off something.

Just got back from getting a haircut, which feels great. My dad is arriving later today, so I have about 1.5 hours to whip this place into shape and make the guest beds. I stupidly did all the sheets in the guest bedroom (4 beds!!) and now have to make them all back up. Should have just done one for my dad and left the others. Doh! Then laundry, vacuum, pick up kids, piano lessons... and he should be here!

RR: I did a 9 mile run with hills yesterday, my longest in quite a while. I am trying to follow the 80-10-10 rule from Matt Fitzgerald, 80 percent slow miles, 10 percent tempo and 10 percent intervals. I haven't worked it out exactly in terms of my weekly mileage, but I definitely keep my interval workouts to 1 short one per week, and try to keep most of the other mileage slow. Long runs also incorporate Galloway-style walk breaks, which help to keep them slower.

Off to make beds!

[sparkletruck]

Gaye - stress much? That sounds terrible!! I hope you get some relief very soon, and Im with Plady - dont sweat the training, you will be fine!

Jo - Well done. I think 3 hours will be enough, although I can imagine the anticipation of the logistics creating some monkey mind. And I think hotels these days are pretty accepting of pets - I would think non-permitance would be the exception and not the rule

JG - That is a lot going on. Dont worry about the lack of exercise routine as the year winds down. It will come when summer starts. You are always really good about being active with your kids in the summer

Plady - Your saga with DD reminded me that I was in her shoes at that age. I was the liar - I told a lie about another kid (it was more of an embellished story) to entertain a group of kids on the bus because it made me feel liked, and then when they found out it wasnt true, they ostracized me. The person I told the story about didnt though. Long story short, I felt like a big jerk, and really learned who my friends were and what kind of person I wanted to be. And Im none the worse for wear now. as you make your way through it. It sucks to be IN it at the time, but this too shall pass

RR: yeah, right

NRR: Ive been manic trying to get the new house ready as we try to negotiate the sale of this house, and still try to manage my kids' lives. Ive been driving all over creation to find paint colors and then driving all over creation to take the kids where they need to go, and trying to squeeze in my 2 meditation sessions and some food every day, oh, and trying to grocery shop and cook. Im painting the dining room turqoise, and its very hard to find a shade that is soothing yet still happy. I know, life is tough

Last night, dinner time, DS slammed his finger in the door. By 10pm he was wailing in bed b/c it hurt so much he couldnt sleep. Dh ended up running home from work with supplies to A. do a nerve block on the finger ( a shot on either side of the finger near the knuckle), and B. burn a hole through his finger nail w/ a heated metal wire, but all very quickly so that Dh could rush back to work. DS screamed at the top of his lungs while it was happening, but he did it. Blood spurted out, drained. We bandaged it and DS slept fine for the rest of the night.... That kid, always has to learn the hard way (NO playing with doors!)

[bec]

Geeze, Sparkle!  The trauma of being a doctor's son, indeed!

Nic -

Jo - If my husband wasn't deathly allergic to cats, I would host you and your feline for the night!  But, if you need help in negotiating O'Hare (like needing to be in 2 places at once), let me know!

Gaye - I hope you are feeling better.

Nice run - Mel!

I am planning 10 miles for tomorrow.  But, I also need to clean my house, get ready for the dance recital this weekend, and I'm wanting to go look at and maybe buy a wet suit!  So much to do!

Kristina - I would have done the same thing if my kid puked once and was fine.

[1jooj]

Mel38, I bet you got it all done.  And met him with a big smile on your face. Or you just threw spreads over the remaining three beds. 

sparkle, yeah, those are the big problems. But I know what you mean, looking for calm but not outright...blue...turquoise. Samples on the wall, though. You never know how the light in the house and woodwork will interact with it. Good luck. And I had to laugh at the thought of dh rushing home to "fix a mess" like ds's finger. No playing with doors, indeed.

JayGee and bec, you ladies are the best. Driver arrangements are being made for ORD to home. They have a fleet of minivans and retired corporate employees drive. It's a nice system.

And JayGee, it is definitely the fat and protein, but I've been logging my food on fitday, and I can tell you, it has to be the fat. I am usually getting about 50% of my cals from fat, 35% protein, and 15% (sometimes less) from carbs. I something went down last night (PMS) and I ate raisins and an apple. Felt odd to do, but how bad can a woman feel about raisins and an apple?

I've sent an email to the JFK end to let them know my connecting flight and time, and I plan to let cabin crew staff know my plight en route to JFK, so if there is a way to deplane us with priority (OMG did I mention it's an A380?!) I will beg for it, just to get into the immigration line quicker. Kids will need to have carry-on bags as small as possible and mine straps on pretty securely as it's a bike messenger. All documents are in a file folder, special notes/instructions on note cards. Trying to be organized like crazy. Only not crazy.

Here's another thing: I won't have a phone. I have a pay as you go plan here, and don't yet have a SIM card for US. How hard do you think it will be, in the case that I do need to get in touch with someone, to borrow a phone from a stranger? Non-Dingo stranger at JFK or ORD.

Once I finish coffee this AM, I am going out for 8mi on the beach. It's hot. It's Friday.

[Realrellim]

Healing for tjsmama, plady & nic--

Plady--hope the lymph node issue turns out to be nothing serious.

tjsmama--hope you feel better soon. You'll have company during the race no matter what.

MelW--glad you got through the skill testing and hope you have a good hilly run.

1jooj--kudos to you for all of that. We've only flow internationally once, and I remember it involved sprinting to United's C concourse at O'Hare thanks to a late plane and slow immigrations/baggage claim/customs. The irony was that when we got there, the gate agent told us we were the first of about 20 passengers connecting from our flight to the Denver one. Would have been nice if someone could have mentioned they were holding the plane.... Good luck with it all. FWIW, O'Hare's always been nice and quiet around midnight, save for the occasional space where a plane just arrived. Hopefully that will make it easier.

Nic--hopefully the meds will kick in so that you can avoid any more albuterol doses. I've had times where it makes me feel a bit jumpy when I pre-treat, but then I go for a run and that seems to take care of it.

Mel38--sounds like a great run.

sparkle--ouch for your DS!

RR: 6 miles. Ratio of miles run to hours of sleep: 2/1. (Or should that be miles ran? It always trips me up.)

NRR: submitted the revised article last night. Fingers crossed that the reviewers like the revisions. Planted my tomato seedlings today. I managed to squeeze 11 in the garden. Tonight: all sorts of random tasks and hopefully also some R&R. Tomorrow: volunteering at field day, with the associated QOTD: does it make me a freak if I want to wear my Garmin in case there's actual running involved?

[autumngrey]

Seeking Dingoes advice: how hot is "extremely hot" running weather? Newly pregnant (5 weeks today) and I'm signed up for a 5k tomorrow/half marathon saturday. I wasn't planning on setting any records and I'm definitely not planning to push myself to pain and exhaustion now, but watching the forecast for tomorrow they're estimating 89*F at race time. Of all the days to set a record high. Saturday is going to be much better, estimated 70 at start of race dropping to 55-60 by the time I'd be done. Is 3 miles at almost 90*F considered running in "extremely hot weather?" 80s seem hot to me, but then I wonder if extremely hot means Arizona 120-but-its-a-dry-heat hot. Or maybe I'll get lucky and the weather man is wrong as per usual and the cold front will come early.

[1jooj]

Autumngrey, it would be different if it were already summer and you were used to rising temps. That's hot. I'd consider walking or skipping the 5K and enjoying the half. JMO.  And watch the hydration.

real,  for sending off the article! And I personally don't think it makes you a freak. I'm often curious to know how much mileage I put on some days, and I wish I were wearing a Garmin. I thought about just that for next year, to see how living in an urban center impacts our foot mileage.

RR: 8.5 beach miles this AM, followed by a cooling dip in the Persian Gulf. Ahhh.

Also heartened that cat is enjoying taking naps in his travel crate.

[bec]

Autumngrey - My judgement is not always the soundest when it comes to races.  I would consider walking it, though.  At most, maybe plan a run/walk (say 2 minute run, 1 minute walk?) and go from there.  LOTS of water.  Bring it with you. 

I'm all dressed to run.  Just looking for my motivation.  I think the kids hid it under the couch.  Gonna check there.

[sparkletruck]

Bec - If you see mine under there, could you send it West

[Geofizz]

Autumngrey, 89 in May is a lot different than 89 in August.  If you've been running in heat for a while, that would be a hot race, but doable.  As others have said, I'd go with no commitment to running.  Leave the watch at home.  Make no time goal and make no goal on how much you run.  Go minute-by-minute according to how you feel.  Start drinking more water today.  Plan on hitting each water stop.  Also, if there's shade on the route, take a path that hits all the shade.

We finally got DD's draft IEP.  These things are supposed to have "present levels of performance" in them, and goals based on the present levels.  It's a pretty laughable document when you recall that they haven't actually measured DD's reading level since kindergarten.  Targets made on erroneous data are not useful.  And none of the social stuff made it in.  It's really hard to learn when you wear a bullying bullseye on your back.  <Sigh>  I've got a meeting scheduled with the advocate today, and hopefully we can get this stuff nailed down.

jooj, finding someone to loan you a cellphone should be no big deal.  I've done it a handful of times, and it's never been an issue.  Just find someone who looks like they get the traveling with kids thing and likely has an unlimited minutes plan. 

[bec]

I think I found my motivation in the car (must have left it there).  No sign of my mojo, though.  With all that, though, I am happy to report that I did get 10 miles in.  10 pretty ugly miles, but miles none the less!

[Nickarolaberry]

Hi mamas.

So, good day. Really good day.

I went for a run today and went 6.3 miles. After one pretty gross (sorry) phlegm hurl, I was fine. I went very slowly, left the watch at home, and stopped to walk on all the hills. My lungs did fine and although I'm still coughing it doesn't seem like I really irritated anything. I needed that, man. Wow.

Then dh and I had a talk where I made some progress. Not enough, but some, and enough to give me a glimpse of hope. I stood up for myself and really made it clear how I feel and it was ok. I didn't get exactly the response I wanted but I got an opening, and that is a positive step. 

I also got two job offers. I was offered a teaching job at the Jewish high school (not administrative, just teaching) -- 4 periods a day. Downside -- it's a hefty commute and not full time. Upside -- it's doing what I love, teaching what I love, to high school (much preferred for me!) and has the potential to turn full time in a year or so when the other history teacher retires. Another upside -- it's not full time. I will still have time to do my writing/publishing/consulting on the side, and although I might get home a bit after the kids (have to work that out) I won't be out all day. Job 2 -- administrative and teaching job at the community day school (also Jewish) near my house. Only upside -- it's next door. Also slightly better money. Downsides -- I don't want this job. I don't want to teach younger kids particularly, and the administrative aspect is not appealing to me in this scenario as there are a lot of vibes and politics going on with religious outlooks, etc. on the board and the school itself is very much in flux. And I don't want to come under the pressure I certainly will come under to put all my kids in the school; I'd want to maintain autonomy to make decisions for my kids' education independent of my job. That wouldn't happen especially since at the moment my kids are in the 'competition' school  and although I have many issues with it, they are happy for the most part and want to stay. So.

I took the teaching job. Less logical maybe, certainly less renumerative at least for a while and definitely worse for the environment. But much better for me professionally and frankly emotionally. I want to be with and teach people I can talk to and I just like high school so much more.

So that was my day. How was yours? 

[sparkletruck]

Nic. That sounds wonderful! Im so happy for you. You deserve a day like this. It's the beginning ...