THE BOSTON MARATHON (PR)

 

One of my biggest fans supported me during this race.  The best daughter ever- Ginny Lash!  I can say that because she is my only daughter!  I also have 3 wonderful boys and an amazing husband but they could not make it to Boston.  Ginny and I had an amazing long weekends visiting colleges for her (lol!) and hanging in Cambridge and Boston.  Best Celiac Spot hands done was Violette GF Bakery!

And this I did and I am so excited about it!  I was in a mild Crohn's flare and I reached out to my Team Challenge Crohn's and Colitis Foundation peeps for help.  I was thinking I should take an enema the night before the marathon.  I have done plenty of those but never before running a long run or race!  But I was in a bad state.  Last 10 mile run the Wednesday before the marathon had me with bathroom stops 6 times I believe.  I could not have that happen here.  So based on some feed back from the Team Challenge peeps I decided to do an enema the night before the race.  So glad I did.  I still got up the morning of and ran .5 miles on the treadmill (usually do at least a mile) and then took my prescription strength Imodium after the treadmill run and also before I walked out the door to get on the bus.  It was successful. Yes!  I was not tapered for this race as I am training for Ironman Florida and although my amazing coach, Susan Airheart with Tri with Heart coaching, had me only running 1 mile on Saturday (after my normal IM training up to that)  BUT I walked 10 plus miles on Friday and Saturday visiting schools with Ginny.  And likely 6 niles on Sunday just trying to find celiac friendly gluten free food (yes there is a difference bw GF foods for those who decide they feel better on a GF diet and a person with celiac disease who have major GI issues if there is a trace of gluten in their food!).  So I start the marathon and it was so amazing.  I have done Boston many times before but I have always been a head case about it and crashed and burned.  This marathon was just a long run for training for IM Florida.  And guess what I did.  I had my Boston PR (which is slower of course than my normal marathon times or else I would not be running Boston).  Just running for fun.  It got warm out there.  I poured water over my head and down my back!  I talked to lots of people along the way.  Talked to the amazing volunteers.  And the Boston Marathon volunteers are truly amazing.  Had a pit stop.  Danced to some music.  Clapped for the people cheering us on.  It was just AMAZING!!!!!!!!

THE 2021 RACE SCHEDULE

What a yucky photo to upload, but yes I finished 20 mile run this am! 72-74 degrees at the start and humidity was 74 percent.  AT 4:30 AM.  5 pit stops for major gi issues- one that involved stopping at my house and changing my running shorts.  Life with crohns and celiac. gotta love!

"RACE" SCHEDULE for 2021

Race is in quotes because not planning on truly racing these events.  But it is a comeback start!

Boston Marathon October 11, 2021.  

Qualifying Race was Grandma's Marathon where I was dealing already with planter fasciitis!  2019 race time was 3:44:25.  I thought I might PR this race but a major bathroom stop and a toenail falling off kinda stopped that one.  BUT what an amazing race.  So beautiful.  I so want to do this one again!  AND this race is about taking my senior girl during her fall break to see schools in the Northeast.  Quality time with my only girl!  And to take in Boston marathon.  How fun is that one!  As my boys say- let's go!  Oh, did I mention that I had plantar fasciitis release surgery end of Dec 2020.  Still trying to get my speed and distance back.  BUT loving being out there!

Ironman Florida November 6. 2021

It is comeback time!  Come back from surgeries and medical diagnoses and fear of COVID since I am immuno suppressed.  

Medical Conditions.  Celiac Disease (2010 diagnosis- sure I have had it since I was a teenager); hypothyroidism (can not remember when I got that one); Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (either autoimmune or genetical according the my amazing medical doctors) diagnosed in 2016 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; Crohn's Disease (with fistulas) diagnosed in 2018.

Last Triathlon September 2015.  Last marathon was the virtual Boston marathon where I limped (waiting for surgery on my foot) along because I thought the jacket was so amazing!

Another Day in Training. Another Day in life with Crohn's Disease. Another Day to Celebrate!

 

So each day I look for things to be thankful for because living with many chronic illnesses can well make you a little nutty and why me approach.  And I want to be the not why me but the yes I can (like the little engine that could) accomplish what I want ( at least at this time with my medical conditions bc only my God knows what the future holds).   And today and really every single day of my life I am so thankful and blessed and humbled to be the wife of my amazing husband and mom of the most amazing four children ever!  And sorry the two most perfect dogs (sorry bc no photo of them today).  And I have the most amazing extended family around me.  So today, recovery day, I swam 3200 yards and did a light weight workout.  And today I will do a sitz bath because the old fistula has decided to act up.  But today!  I swam, I put on a cute skirt and shirt, dried my hair, made breakfast for my two still at home and hugged my hubby. And yes my stomach today looks like I am 5 months pregnant so am sure the next 12-18 hours will be fun.  But I am gearing up for a 100 mile bike ride tomorrow and 3 miler run. Thank you Susan Airheart for my training plan.  Until tomorrow folks!

AND TODAY IS CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS DAY.  And yes I have celiac disease.  And mine is not simple bc if I get glutened bc someone decides it is okay not to change their gloves, etc when preparing my meal I can easily go into a mini crohn's flare that can last 4 weeks or more.  So please when someone says they have celiac disease listen to what they need you to do to keep them safe!  Thanks for your support!

Happy Monday everyone!