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Hello friends! I am doing much better today, thank you all for your concern. After work I went somewhere that makes me better. Before I start today’s post, I just wanted to clear something up.

People comment and make recommendations for what my illness could be. It is very nice of these people to offer up their time and knowledge, but I feel I haven’t been clear. I know what I have. I know what it is. I have had every test you can imagine, and lots of procedures to boot. It is crystal clear what is going on with me — and it is not celiac, lactose/gluten intolerance, etc. Believe me, the simplest explanations (which aren’t really explanations because these syndromes would NOT cause my symptoms anyway) were ruled out at the very beginning.

I don’t discuss what it is that I have directly on here because I’d like to maintain some semblance of privacy, as every time I post a new blog it gets automatically broadcast to all my Twitter and Facebook friends. That said, I am happy to discuss my GI illness in detail if you email me directly. After 2 years I have lost all modesty and squeamishness, and can discuss pretty much anything.

Okay, on to today’s topic. Running!

Last week, I calibrated my Nike + iPod. There is a little track right off my running path, and after some internet research I found out that it is 1/8 of a mile. The default calibration setting is 1/4 mile, so I decided to run the track twice to calibrate. I did have an issue with the calibration and that is as follows: I clicked the calibrate button and started running but it took a few seconds for the voice to come on and say “beginning calibration”. As a result, I tried to end my laps at the place where I was when the voice spoke, but I don’t know if that was the correct spot or if it started as soon as I pressed the button? So it might be a little off.

I went on a modified version of my run after. I was slow. I didn’t get to run my full route until today but I woke up feeling like I could go back to sleep for 3 more hours. I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed in my new running shorts! I forgot to wear them on Friday when I ran — can you believe that? I remembered too late and then all I could think about during that run was how much I wished I had my new shorts and how much better my run would be (as if it wasn’t good a bunch of times on the Soffees!) and how much less hot I would be, etc. It was a sticky day.

Anyway, today I remembered. They are so cute, you guys! I should take a picture modeling them. I will be wearing them to my 5K next month, so I’ll be sure to get photos with Missy then. And now I plan to get a breathable shirt as well. I wear cotton wife beaters when running. I have a bunch of workout shirts that I got on sale at Lululemon, but they all have built in bras and I need one without because when I run, I need my Ta Ta Tamer bra (which I need a new one of, the cleaning lady threw one of mine in the regular wash – ugh)! So I will be making a special stop in there soon. And by soon, I mean today.

The velcro I used to fashion a larger iPod armband worked beautifully. I just attached a piece around the Nike + iPod sensor and stuck each side on it. No need to buy a new armband when velcro is cheap!

So I started on my run. Usually, I feel great at first. It is before any cramps can start, I am not out of breath yet, I feel great to be out there and running. Today, I felt awful from the beginning. Just tired and winded. A few minutes in, my right side ribcage cramp started hurting. I had gotten it to the point where it doesn’t start until later, but not today. A little further in, my neck pain started. I had not gotten neck pain during my runs since I started stretching my neck first. Luckily, that pain didn’t last long.

I was running very slowly because of the cramp and feeling tired. Even after the cramp started to dissipate, I was scared to go any faster because that is a one way ticket to re-cramp. I also just didn’t feel like I could go any faster. I wondered if I could even finish. I was having a hard time breathing. The rest of my run seemed so far.

I pushed through it and then my right hip pain started up. This is the very first pain I  got the first time I tried to run outside a few months ago. I know, I know, I sound like such a whiner. But I just wanted you to all get a feel for what I was experiencing today! I did try to change it up and run on a dirt path next to the pavement to give my knees a little rest. I felt like I went a little faster there.

I was getting close to the end and as tempted as I was to skip the pier and just finish up, I was too curious to find out how far my route is with the calibration. I had a feeling 3.87 miles was not correct, but figured it was maybe 3.5? I needed to know.

The pier, usually an enjoyable part near the end of my run, felt like torture. I was dragging my legs. The final leg of the run is this long steep ramp out of the park and onto the street. That was almost impossible for me. I was huffing and puffing.

I decided during the run that I need to get on the elliptical more often and ramp up my cross training. I used to do elliptical all the time, but I’ve been lazy with it. I need to build up my stamina again!

When I finally finished I could not have been happier. I stopped the run a few feet before where I usually do because I was just THAT ready to be done. I went upstairs, soaking wet with sweat even though today was much cooler than last week and there was a nice breeze, and I had to sit down right away because I felt so nauseous. That was a running first for me as well.

I felt too out of it to take my sweaty clothes off for awhile and removing my knee sleeves was an ordeal. But I was happy because I did it! Even though it was hard and I was miserable, I did not stop and walk once during this time. I know there is no shame in walking and lots of much more experienced runners do it all the time, but I wanted to get through this short distance that I have gotten through so many times before.

And here are the stats (too tired to wipe up my sweat so the stats were written on paper while my sweat dripped onto it. sexy.)

Distance: 3.13 miles — VERY different from 3.87, huh? Even if my calibration was off, this seems much closer to reality. Warning to users: Nike + iPod is NOT at all accurate out of the box.
Time: 33:59 — 2 minutes slower that my great run last week — which goes to show that my speed from the last run was way off too! My goal for the 5K is once again 10 minute miles.
Pace: 10:51 minute miles. I know I can do better. But does anyone have tips on avoiding the ribcage cramp?? Even though I ate nothing before my run, it started right away today. A very light, early dinner the night before will probably help. Anything else?
Calories: Nike + says 247, HRM says 328. Considering the HRM is touching my body the entire time while calculating in my weight and the Nike is only by weight, I go with 328.
Avg HR: 176
Max HR: 195

I will also be sure to use my Nike + iPod during the 5K since I know that distance and I can see how close the Nike gets.

Despite all the obstacles, difficulties and challenges, I am really glad I ran today. My friend Melissa at FitnessNYC wrote a post this morning about a difficult run she had — and she is a marathoner! It made me feel better to be reminded that my bad run wasn’t because I am a bad runner, it happens to everyone. We all have off days!

And the great news is that my left knee, the bad knee, feels fine! The right knee is a little tight but not too bad, and the right hip is the worst of the residual running pains today. I think it is my hip, it is a little lower than where I consider the hip to be but I could be wrong. It is at the very top, outside part of my thigh. Thoughts?

While I was researching what exactly it is that is hurting, this sponsored ad came up. Creepy:

I will not be bidding on any leg joints on eBay.

Random, but I came across this yesterday and found it fascinating (Hi Cassie!). Fascinating because, well, gross and also because I have a friend named McGriddle (Hi McGriddle!).

And here I was thinking eggs were eggs and cheese was cheese. Shows how much I know…

Needless to say, I am glad I never ate one of these. And never bid on a leg joint on eBay. I have lots to be grateful for.