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August 10, 2008

Tired

I ran 25K yesterday through the towns of Ajax and Pickering. The weather could not have been better; the last 9K was run in the rain, but I never mind the rain as the moisture helps keep my asthma at bay. My stomach was cramping around 14K and continued to do so throughout the run; I was hesitant drinking my liquid fuel because it did not feel that it was getting quickly absorbed. After drinking any fuel, my stomach still felt heavy with liquid sloshing around even after 15 minutes had elapsed.

Today, I am feeling physically fatigued. I was supposed to run 30K, but given my energy level, I will likely weight train at the gym and throw in some plyometric exercises to train my nervous system. I am growing suspicious that my body has unspecified physical limits, which if pushed beyond, will result in an arthritic flare and immediate symptoms of fatigue. It's just an assumption right now, but a recent email from a US physician describing his AS symptoms leads me to believe that this assumption may not be far from reality.

It honestly disappoints me to think that no matter how hard I push myself physically, I am servant to the limits imposed by my arthritis. Not knowing those limits is frustrating; worse yet, who knows if those limits vary daily or under certain conditions. I realize I should feel grateful that I am still physically able to engage in strenuous activity (remember my mental curse of invincibility); however, as a perfectionist who wants to challenge her performance beyond any comfort zone, I hate feeling defeated by intrinsic forces (which I foolishly tell myself I should be able to control). If this sounds like the afflictions of a Type A personality, you're correct; not an easy burden to bear in the least.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:11 pm

    Hi Cassandra. I just stumbled on your blog. I am also a runner who is trying to deal with A.S., and it's nice to see some other AS-kickers out there putting in some miles. It saddens me as well that my day-to-day ability to train is largely controlled by A.S. (my 100-mile weeks may be behind me), but now I just try to enjoy every day of running I get.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Paul,
    My mileage has also been steadily decreasing. It's certainly frustrating. I could learn from your focus of enjoying the run. I think I've lost sight of the journey in my race to the finish line. Thanks for checking out my blog.

    ReplyDelete

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Racing Accomplishments

  • 2002 Nov--Run For Life 10K
  • 2002 Oct--Canadian International Marathon 5K
  • 2002 Sept--Community Power Challenge 5K
  • 2003 Oct--Canadian International Marathon 21.1K
  • 2003 Sept--Longboat Toronto Island 10K
  • 2004 May--Ottawa National Capital Race 21.1K
  • 2004 Oct--Toronto International Marathon 21.1K
  • 2004 Sept--Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon 21.1K
  • 2006 April--London Spring Run Off 10K
  • 2006 Aug--Midsummer's Night Run 15K
  • 2006 Dec--Honolulu Marathon 42.2K
  • 2006 July--5 Peaks Durham Regional Forest 5K
  • 2006 June--Race the Lake 10K
  • 2006 Oct--Vulture Bait Ultra Trail 10K
  • 2006 Sept--Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon 21.1K
  • 2007 March--Around the Bay 30K
  • 2007 April--Harry's Spring Run Off 8K
  • 2007 May--SportingLife 10K
  • 2007 Oct--Toronto International Marathon 21.1K
  • 2008 May--Ottawa National Capital Race 21.1K
  • 2008 Aug--Iroquois Trail Test 32K
  • 2008 Sept--Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon 21.1K
  • 2008 Oct--Run for the Toad 50K
  • 2008 Oct--Toronto Zoo Run 10K