Feet ache and hearing loss

Today I mid a mid-distance run of 7+ miles. My feet were killing me, I am sure it was due to the long run yesterday combined with the numbness. It was a pretty good run and despite the discomfort I did it pretty quickly (8.37 minute mile) for me. I think tomorrow I will just do a short one and take it easy. That will give me a good total going into the weekend as I won't be running on Thurs or Fri. I might pull out the ice packs and just rest my feet on them as I work.

So another thing I have been dealing with has been a slight loss of hearing. It has really been going on for a number of years. Part of me attributes it to wearing headphones so much, even though the makers of the inner-ear models claim they are totally safe, actually even safer as you need a lower volume. I don't know about that, my ears have hurt after wearing them at times. I am going to do more research on this and see what I come up with.

Long Monday run

Monday is turning out to be my long run of the week. I think it is because I am inspired to get a quick start on my mileage for the week. Today I barely made it out of bed. If it weren't for the warm morning and the fact that I will have fewer and fewer of them for 6 months I don't think I would have run today.

So I started out saying to myself well I'll at least go out and do a short run and then save my long run for Tuesday or Wednesday. That helped me get going. After a couple of miles I was feeling great so I ended up taking a turn off my regular route and headed for the Springwater Corridor trail, a trail that runs through a canyon like area and across three bridges into the East Moreland neighborhood. I can take this route and head right into the canyon, but I decided to take another detour and headed up to the Reed College Way greenspace, a mile long block of parks which is usually part of my run, but I come at it from another route. From there I was back on my regular route through Reed College and the canyon. After the canyon I headed up through Woodstock and our park with yet again another opportunity to add miles to my run. Well, enough was enough and I headed home ending my run at 11.3 miles. Good start to the week!

ms and DHEA

Ahh, supplements. It is impossible to get any good information. If you search for a supplement online you find plenty of positive things said, but they are all from folks peddling the stuff. Doctors all hide behind the curtain of potential lawsuits (because they would have no FDA support in court) and say things like "there is no hard evidence to support their use." It is easy to get caught up in the talk of "miracle cures." But usually they don't work as advertised. Perhaps the best thing to do is to research as much as possible for negative side effects and then just listen to your body. Apparently people with ms have even lower levels of DHEA in the body.

I just started taking DHEA which is a hormone whose production in the body is lessened after your 20s. It is produced in nature from wild yams and other vegetable sources. It is used for all sorts of things from weight loss, to mood elevation, fighting fatigue, mind acuity and muscle building. I am starting out with the bare minimum of dosage, 25 mg. I have read about people taking up to 200 mg, especially those interested in building muscle. Anyway, we'll see if I notice any change. One set of side effects I read about is "loss of hair" and "hair growth". Sounds perfect for ms.

Back to running, I topped out at 32+ miles this week yesterday. I originally intended to run a short run, but as I got into it I decided I would extend it to a long run. Then that went so well I decided to go extra long. Then towards the end I backed off and cut it a little short. All in all a nice longish run where I didn't end up totally burning myself out for the coming week (last Sunday I did a long run Sunday and Monday, too much).

Easing into my running schedule well

I am really liking my new running schedule. I have been keeping myself to only one run a week of over 10 miles and then adding 3-4 runs of around 6-7 miles. So far if I add a fourth it has been around 4-5. This gives me a weekly total of around 32-36 miles which I think will work well. Unfortunately dawn is coming later and later, soon I will be running in the dark if I keep this up. I don't have too much of an issue with this, being that my routes have become so familiar to me I don't seem to trip too often. One definite disadvantage of the dark runs is I don't like to do them in the canyon, but it is usually too wet to run down there much anyway.

My bee sting has been really itchy especially considering it is right on my sock line. I haven't really noticed and benefit from the apitheraphy, then again it is only one sting! I had hoped to be miraculously relieved of all numbness, but I wasn't counting on it. It sure would have been nice and would make the itching all worthwhile.

The rains are coming back to the NW. I like running in the rain as long as it isn't too hard. I am not a fan of wet feet for sure. It really increases the likelihood of blisters as well as being cold and generally uncomfortable. Last year as I was beginning to feel the foot numbness (actually it has been going on for two years I think) I think the cold sort of heightened it. I am curious to see how things go this year.

ms Bee sting therapy

One of the more interesting ms treatments I have heard about is the use of bee venom or apitherapy, you can read more about it here. The quick and dirty low down is that it has been used for people with progressive forms of ms and folks have found it helpful with such symptoms as stiffness, pain and tingling.

So today while on my daily run I was made an unwilling participant in apitherapy by a little bee who I am sure was just concerned with my ms symptoms that I have been feeling in my feet (numbness and tingling). He stung me right on my achilles tendon, which I think would be a great place to administer the venom for my need, well it would have been if it were on the correct foot. But beggars can't be choosy I guess. He managed to fly off, so I don't think he lost his stinger but I think it might be the end of the poor guy.

I wondered whether or not it was wise to keep running on it, but I was two miles into my run and I wanted to keep going. I also couldn't see calling Ruthann to come get me because I had been stung by a bee! Aside from a bit of irritation from my sock that kept rubbing on the sting it wasn't bad at all and I finished my run with no problems. I hope it doesn't swell up and become itchy, though they usually do with me. Who knows maybe this is the cure I need for my foot symptoms (if it is enough to do the trick in the other leg that is.)

US wins gold in Wheelchair Rugby

I was proud to read about the US wheelchair rugby team taking the gold in Beijing the other day over Australia Here is a news story about it. My neighbor Will Groulx was the high scorer for the team with 16 goals. Great job all!

Four days in a row

Today was the first time I have run four days in a row. I did a short run today down to Reed Canyon and through the loop. It was an all dirt trail and sort of a slow run. My 5K time was 27:05, I would like to have that below 24 minutes. But then again I am not much of a 5K runner, I like the longer distances. I strapped on my New Balance trail shoes for the run. I am not so sure they are the best for me for that as the profile seems pretty low and don't have great ankle support. The only issue I had was in a dirt alleyway when I ran over some larger rocks that slightly rolled my ankle. I have had trouble with my ankles over the years and have rolled them somewhat frequently. I think the injuries and healing I have done have toughened up my ankles. I have rolled them so many times that they must be gnarled masses of cartilage by now!

I didn't run with water today again and despite the morning being rather cool I still ended up sweating like a pig during my cool down workout.

Barely got up today

The alarm went off at 6 this morning and all I could do was hit the snooze button. As I was laying there waiting for it to go off again I started focusing on how I had to pee and then how my back was aching a bit (I had watched TV in bed the night before for a couple of hours and then slept for a solid 8, after that much horizontal action, my back starts to complain) and then how if I didn't get up the coffee would be burnt tasting as Ruthann had already been up for a hour and finally how if I did get up I could actually still go running. So with all that (and I needed every bit of reasoning) I rolled out of my comfortable bed.

One other reason I had for waking was that my run I had scheduled was not going to be a long one. And I made sure it wasn't (though my desires for distance made me add a little) I ended up doing almost 7 miles. I clocked my 10K distance at 53:33 which I thought was going to be better. I am realizing that if I want to improve my speeds, I need to keep up the efforts for the entire run. Frankly, I don't really care enough to now. I know if I started up with some speed training I would be more inspired, but not at the moment.

Today I didn't bring any water as I was going for a relatively short distance and it was pretty cool outside and mostly cause I somehow managed to but my belly button. I think I did it by wearing my water belt in the first place and having it rub wrong. I am actually not sure, but it is somewhat uncomfortable. Anyway, back to running with no water. I really missed having it and by the time I finished I was losing water fast. I think this was the sweatiest I have been since that really hot run I did last month. Is it even possible to sweat more if you don't drink? The more I think about it the more backwards it seems. Maybe it was just hot? But it wasn't really. I think maybe drinking water cools me down. Hmm.

Fine-tuning my running schedule

On Monday I ran 10 miles. Last week I did that Monday and Tuesday which I thought was a bit to much two days in a row. So today I ran what is becoming my favorite 6.2-7.5 mile run. I am getting comfortable with both runs these days. In order to do 30 miles a week I need to do one long and 3 short miles. I am thinking it might be better to stretch that to 4 shorter mile distances or possibly adding one extra short (around 4mi, I have a nice run through the canyon and back that is perfect.)

So looking to the week ahead, I think I am going to aim for the 4 shorts, but not pushing myself to do it. We'll see.

My feet are the biggest concern I want to keep an eye on. With the numbness I am still having I want to make sure that I don't do anything to increase that problem. I don't really think I will, it seems other than the slight discomfort, it isn't causing any motor functionality issues.

So I have been pondering and idea about how repetitious activity repairs the loss or re-routes the necessary signal paths. I notice a lot more control and balance when I am running. I am thinking the repetition drills it into our nervous system. More on this later.

10k distance

Today I decided to run a 10K distance and see what my time was. I didn't push it and my time showed 53 mins which was fine with me. I have been getting in these super long runs and I think I would be much better off if I ran more shorter ones, maybe saved the long runs for the weekend or something. As much as I like the long runs and love the exhausted feeling I get after them, I think in the long run my knees will thank me for running less.

I have noticed that with running over 30 miles a week my fitness level has reach a nice level. In the past month or so I have ratcheted it up a notch and have been doing closer to 35. At this level of running I really notice the increase. I feel myself getting back to the level where I was two years ago. My whole body feels much more solid and muscular (with the exception of my still soft and round (though seemingly less so) belly!) My problem that I am seeing is that my body will pay a price for keeping this level up, both in terms of the pounding and the time I need to put into it (I like my sleep just like the next person!) So I am thinking the solution really comes down to eating less. MY GP has been recommending it for a gentleman of my age (42) for several years now. Seems hard to take in less calories when you are burning well over a thousand on a run. I imagine the best solution is a compromise. Eat a bit less and run a bit less. Still got to get in my popcorn though.

One discouraging thing about running shorter distances is that I still have to deal with the aspects of running that I am not so fond of: getting up early to go for the run, I feel almost as worn out after a short run as a long run (good thing?), still get all sweaty, still need to get up for the run emotionally, and so on. I guess the more frequent short runs will allow me to enjoy the experience of running more then so what am I complaining about?

Another 10 miles another dollar

Well it would be if I were getting paid to do this. I think it would be really interesting to be a paid athlete. I am not so sure I would like the fact that my getting old would keep me from getting paid, not to mention that I am old. I wonder if I would get bored training everyday 2,3 times a day. I bet it would get old. I do think it would be fun to be a track coach and watch your athletes grow. I wonder if it is hard to deal with the jealousy aspect?

So today's run. I decided to head to Cleveland Track for the first time in years. I was looking forward to the run for a variety of reasons, but chief among them was the opportunity to run on their new track. Once I got there I realized the track project has been put on hold and I was going to run on the old one. It does need some work (new surfacing) but it actually isn't to bad. There is one area where the surfaced ares inside the ring jets out onto the track a bit with a bump that could be stumbled on. I do know a new track is in the plans, just not sure when.

Well as it turns out the answer is a google search away. You can read all about the project here on there website www.clevelandcommunityfield.org. I just called to donate to the project and left a message with the project manager. Looks like they need a significant amount of funding to finish up the track.

I love running on this track. Two years ago I was king of the track, very few people would pass me. I also had the cheerleaders practicing in the mornings. I always felt sort of like an old pervert running while they were cheering. I swear I was running there before they started practicing! These days no cheerleaders (at least when I went today) and I got passed up quite a bit! The fast runners couldn't put in the miles I did though.

One of my favorite things to do there I call 8-1, 1-8. What that means is I start in the outer lane (lane 8) and each lap around I move in one lane. It helps to keep track of where I am. An 8-1 is two miles, today I added a 1-8 to make it 16 laps or 4 miles on the track. Track running is great cause you don't have any obstacles (usually, though Saturday morn after a football game is pretty messy) and you can just sort of zone out and focus on your running, foot strike, breathing, arm form, pace, music, etc. I love it. The south end turns into the sun (always run counter-clockwise on tracks unless it is empty) and I just close my eyes and wait until the shade. As I curve along the gentle curve I just crack my eyelids enough to see the blurry lane lines to make sure I keep in my lane. So zen!

Numb foot

Numb feet actually, probably my most pesty symptom of the moment. The numbness has been in my feet since I did the Portland Marathon two years ago. At first I attributed it to training and some sort of nerve injury, then I attributed it to a side effect to the cholesterol meds I was taking (it actually went away when I stopped the lipitor, but then it returned about a year later) and now finally we are attributing it to the ms. I guess I am happy (happy?) with that, seems to make the most sense.

It really isn't that bad and often I forget all about it. But then I remember it is there and I focus on it for awhile only to once again forget about it. Running with it isn't a problem at all and it doesn't bother me one bit. I don't know if it is the pressure on the feet of running that makes me feel them more acutely and therefor allows me to forget the numb feeling or if it is that I am concentrating on other pains instead. Maybe a combination of the two. But it doesn't cause any sort of coordination issue either. I think at one point I yacked about how the momentum of running carries me along and allowed me to run through my spells. Well it may sort of be the same thing with the numb feet, the momentum carries me along and I am able to move forward just fine.

I am glad to not have any pain when I run. Occasionally my feet will ache a bit after running and ice helps a lot. But at least it isn't the sort of persistent pain that some folks with ms have. Stretching my feet back and forth while laying down on my back seems to help this as well. I'll pull my toes forwards with one foot and push them down with the other. I do the movement slowly and then hold them for a few seconds. I generally try to do ten repetitions of this. I have also heard that placing a marble down on teh ground and covering it with a small towel then picking the marble up through the towel is a good exercise as well. I don't like it much thouhg, it cramps up my toes!

Non-run day

I have to say, as much as I love running and the feeling I get afterwards, you just can't beat a non-run day sometimes. It was really nice to not have to worry about getting up early. And it is a lot easier to get out of bed when you aren't confronted with having to lace up your shoes and hit the road. So here I sit today reading the web, drinking tons of coffee and thinking about doing some yard work. Nothing too big, but a little of that is on my horizon.

So yesterday I did my rebif in the late morning after I had forgotten it on Wednesday eve. Boy, there is definitely a reason for me taking this stuff at night. I was in a fog all day, sort of a muddles feeling (if that means anything). The ibuprofen took care of most of it, but I still felt sluggish and sort of out of it all day.

On a related note, I have noticed that many medicines these days have "flu-like" symptoms associated with them. I wonder why that is? I also wonder if the symptoms are similar across meds. Maybe the pharmaceuticals are preparing the world for their new "flu-like" symptom med. Hmmm.

Third day in a row again

Today I did another round of third run in a row. I decided to sort of cut it short by a couple miles, as that was what my body was saying to me. Perhaps my body was wanting its rebif which I had forgotten to take last night (first time I have missed it since starting) but I seriously doubt that. So my revised rebif schedule was late this morning and I think I will do the next injection either Saturday or I may just stay on schedule and do it Friday night, we'll see.

So the run today went very well despite me cutting a couple of miles off of it. I didn't keep a very fast pace, but I am ok with that. The morning was cool, but warmer than the last couple of days. The other day I even needed to start out with the traditional Portland layered approach for the start (I think that was my half-marathon run.) Fall isn't here yet! I tried another little add-on that I am going to start doing. Reed has been building a new bridge across the canyon from their new dorms (that they destroyed a beautiful community garden bu building atop it, grrr. Then again it is their land) to the main campus. So I crossed the canyon on the old bridge so I could recross on the new one. They did a really nice job with it curving it around old growth trees. I saw one of the constructions workers by the entrance to the bridge and told him so. So Even with that add-on I still managed to cut miles off my run.

Another post today

Actually I just had to get something else on the top other than Oopsie.

So my experiment of running with two different shoes is definitely showing a winner. I am really liking the comfort of the Mizuno Wave Runner 10, too bad they have discontinued it. I guess I'll have to try the 11 as it is the one that replaced it. I think the big issue with the New Balance 800s is that they are tight. My mom says that since NB started manufacturing their shoes in China that the sizes have been running about a half-size smaller. I would say that mine surely feel about that much tighter. Combined with not having a tongue to loosen my fit, they are definetely tight. I wore them to the store the other day with lite socks and they felt pretty good. I'm not giving up on them, I think I'd like to take them hiking to see how they do in that scenario since they are supposed to be trail shoes.

Oopsie

Ok, just a warning, this is pretty gross and I wasn't going to write about it. But it is something that happens with folks and ms, so I decided I had to throw it in here. I promise not to get to gory.

One of the possible issues with ms is a loss of bowel control. I haven't been looking forward to this, but it seems when I run I get an urge to poop. Thank goodness for that home builder/renovator economy I have been talking about and their port-a-johns. Well today I headed to the park when the urge came on. Since it was after 7 AM I knew the bathrooms would be open, well they weren't. I turned around and headed off to the closest port-a-john when oops! I felt justified in saying "shit". So off I went (walking, shuffling, whatever...) to get cleaned up. Of course two slow walkers appeared in my path. I didn't want to get in front of them, so I slowed down, but eventually it was ridiculous and I was looking like a stalker. So I passed them and got to the J-a-J.

So I won't belabor the point, but it happens and I want to share the bad as well as the good.