What's been happening (2017)...

Hello!

I know I’ve dropped off of the blog again for a while but this year has been an interesting one since my diagnosis last year (See my last blog post!) I have taken 2017 off from racing but that does not mean that I have not been training. After the initial recovery time  monitored by my doctor, I feel as though much of my year was maintenance training. Within the last few weeks, I’ve really stepped it up and am officially training for 2018 races!

In addition to my maintenance training, I have had a few new experiences this year. I’ve begun to explore trail running and mountain biking. I’ve been having a lot of fun “accumulating verts” while meeting new people (though they all seem to be younger). It’s been a ton of fun and its always fun to try something new and completely different.

Another new experience for me this year was the training camp I attended in July. I was looking for a camp to really see if I still loved Ironman and attended one in Canada. While I still had to work remotely during my trip, the camp was a Year-Maker for me. I met a lot of great people, experienced new things, saw new sights, and lived through 99+ degree weather for the entire week. My AirBnB experience was The Absolute Best!

 

With the year off, maintenance training, and new different  experiences, things have been going well. My most recent blood test came back the best it’s been in about 18 months. Most importantly I’ve learned to take things one day at a time and one workout at a time. This has proven to be very hard for an OCD/Planner/Type A person but it’s proving to be worth the lesson. I am also eager to explore my new confidences and training.

What do you do after you climb 5000 feet - You Jump!  Here is to jumping in to 2018 and a healthy and happy race season!

Take a moment...

I’m generally quiet on the good ole’ blog these days and could not find my log in but the past couple weeks have made me stop and realize that the message I am about to spread needs to be heard and not ignored.

In September of this year, about one week after flying home from Ironman CDA, I started to have calf pain. In hindsight it was probably a combination of dehydration and air travel but I carried on.  I had a few more races or the year and couldn't let a "calf cramp" get me down. I sought multiple treatments including massage, ART, and acupressure. After the last painful treatment on 9/18/16 my calf cramp had subsided and I could carry on.  The pain/cramp was now at bay.

In October, I flew down to AZ for AZ 70.3. I had a miserable time in the heat(for me)  and the bike course was a crazy mess. I didn't experience any pain and again flew home the following morning and returned to normal training, work, and life.

Everything seemed fine until the morning of Monday, November 14^th (6 days before IM AZ) when I could not step down on my foot upon waking up. The calf cramp had returned and now seemed to run down the side of my foot. Had a treatment that night and attempted running the next day.  I seemed to not be able to put all my weight on my left foot but could certainly try.  We drove the 10 hours to Tempe, I received  multiple ART treatments, manipulation ice, heat and taping. I started taking Advil three times a day. My foot was swollen and painful.

I had no expectations at IM other than to finish and really tried my hardest to overcome a lot that day. I received my first ever penalty on the bike for drafting. (did not) and was in the tent for A LONG TIME. During the swim and bike, I had swelling but the pain came with weight bearing.  I then went on to finish the marathon behind my glasses hiding my tears and tried my best to subside the pain by consuming 22 Advil during the that leg alone. *(Legal Disclaimer- Do not try this at home!) *

After the race was the most pain I was ever in I could not sit stand or lay.  Over the next week, we drove the 10 hours home and I continued to receive more massage, ART, and acupressure through the tears. Between coming home and November 30th I had 5 treatments and I was more swollen than ever. 

Then ONE person suggested that I get it checked out…He said it looked like I had a blood clot? I don't even know what that looks like but I listened to him and had an ultrasound.  That ultrasound SAVED MY LIFE.  

The DIAGNOSIS:  Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) popliteal vein and DVT peroneal vein  (AKA Blood Clots)

The Lesson here: DO NOT IGNORE LOWER LEG PAIN. Massage and circulatory treatment can KILL YOU.   The 22 Advil, although wrecked my stomach and probably my kidneys and liver, probably saved my life by thinning my blood.

How much do you know about blood clots?  Did you know that 85% of air travel thrombosis victims are athletes, usually endurance athletes?  That a combination of dehydration and sitting can pool your blood even in the healthiest of people.

So the next time you have lower leg pain, do not self diagnose or get a massage.  Get checked out!