Scotiabank Half-Marathon - Sept 28, 2008

The weather was perfect: 17 degrees celsius and slightly overcast. A gentle breeze escorted the runners and wakers from the start, along Toronto's Lakeshore Blvd, to past the finish line. I took it easy today; reminded myself at each kilometer banner not to push too hard...to save my muscles for the 50K in six days. I focused on keeping my head clear of all thoughts; I paid attention to only the music on my iPod and the faces of the runners on the other side of the street who were that much closer to the finish line than I. As I looked into those faces, I wondered how many had Ankylosing Spondylitis; how many of them had any type of disease...illness...affliction that impacted the quality of their life; that made them grateful for being able to get out of bed and face the beautiful day. At every race, the reality of my ability to run, while many others with arthritis cannot, is glaring. Part of me feels very accomplished; part of me wonders when my body will eventually say "enough!" Until that time comes, I'll just keep on running.

Travelling the Confederation Trail in PEI

This is my first trip to Prince Edward Island. All I envisioned during the planning phase of my trip was running the Confederation Trail and eating as much shellfish as possible. It's unfortunate that my return to Ontario is during the start of PEI's International Shellfish Festival; I could have easily indulged for another week on this beautiful island. I suppose 10 days will have to suffice; I need to accumulate vacation time for my January trip to Disney World to run the Goofy Challenge.

During my second day on the Island, as it is affectionately called by locals, I went for an 11K jaunt around the capital of Charlottetown, the birthplace of Canadian Confederation, to tour the historic city by foot. I learned quickly that cars rarely stop for pedestrians, and you're lucky if they stop for the flashing lights at the crosswalk. In fact, leaving the airport on my day of arrival, I almost got T-boned by a car running a red light, despite their light being red for a while. I was cautioned by friends that my experience is quite common. I ran along the waterfront boardwalk, past the Lieutenant Governor's Residence, along Water Street, through Confederation Landing park,towards Founder's Hall. I returned home via Sydney Street to soak in the atmosphere of quaint restaurants, cafe's, and shops. The roads throughout Charlottetown are very flat and make for an enjoyable mental escape as you take in the scenery.

After spending time with friends, I ventured out for a 35K run on the Confederation Trail, starting once again in Charlottetown. From Churchill, I took Euston Street across the middle of town to the 9K Charlottetown branch of the Confederation Trail. From tip to tip, the trail totals 270K, but offers 400K of rolled stone dust surface for use when the branch trails into popular towns are accounted for. The offshoot of flat granular stone lead me to the main Royalty Junction trail, where I proceeded West (at least I think I went that way) until the town of Loyalist on Rte 256. That was 19K according to my Garmin, so I headed back the same way. I told my friends of my planned route, and advised them to come and find me if I was not back by a certain time, so I stuck to the route even though thoughts of exploring ventured into my mind. The trail was simply spectacular and well-travelled by many cyclists and runners.

I'm sporting a fever and sore throat this morning, so I'm curling up with a good book until the boys return from golfing--then it's off for some shellfish. All bi-valves should beware!

Fatigue

I've been in a funk since completing the ITT race on August 16th. Immediately following the race, I suffered a short-term flare; however, some anti-inflammatories and lots of sleep brought on a speedy recovery with only minor discomfort. Since then, I have been hit with the forceful blow of energy-sucking general fatigue. Today was my first time running since the ITT, and I made it 2K before I returned home - mainly because of the 26 degree temperature, but also because my legs felt like lead from the start. It was terribly discouraging. In some semblance of a rebuttal, I have been hitting the gym frequently since August 16th to build strength and change up my training with the intent of moving past Boredom Boulevard back to Passionate Parkway. Alas! This fatigue has been plaguing me far too long, and it's hard to treat these lazy days as "recovery" from an internal injury when my personal critic ceases to silence her persistent drone: Is this laziness or fatigue? Am I just unmotivated? Give yourself a break; it's not like many healthy people are doing what you're trying to achieve! But is this laziness or fatigue?

I am perpetually trying to understand the tug-of-war between mental and physical exhaustion. I am curious as to the validity of this so-called lethargy that makes thinking seem like a strain. I feel as if I am constantly fighting my body's drive to sleep, which makes remaining awake all the more a chore. I planned to run 36K this weekend, but sleep got the better of me each day, and by the time I awoke, the heat of this glorious weekend was in full bloom - as if to remind us to not renounce its existence given the rainy summer. I would retire to the gym instead for five sets of varied exercises that would challenge my muscles and provide the satisfaction I miss from running. The workouts were two hours each and I could get lost in the variety of my training plan. Within 10 minutes of exertion with weights, I predictably begin my customary yawning routine - long drawn out reflexes spaced 5-10 minutes apart, acting as nagging reminders of how tired I feel.  

"But I NEED to run!" quips a critical voice.

Is this what most ambitious sufferers of AS endure? Is it common to engage in a daily cognitive battle, not sure of whether the determined "what I want to do" side or the opposing realistic "how I feel" position will be victorious. It's tiresome to be party to, much less read about.