Plan shlam! My running weekend

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Running and tagged with Asics Kayano 20, Flying Ponytail, Marathon Training, New Shoes, Running, Shopping July 14, 2014

So you all know I’ve been very badly following the Run Less, Run Faster plan for my fall marathon. Yeah….I haven’t been doing a good job of running less or running faster.

Saturday was long run day and I set out and 5 in the morning for an 8 miler. I joined up with with my running club for this one and lo and behold, Running Schlub was there! I “met” Richard through one of my other fave bloggers, Piratebobcat. Richard visited my page when I wrote about my hate for the Heat (Miami, that is) and we’ve been blogging (and now real life!) buddies every since. Funny, because during our run, we never talked basketball lol! He was nice enough though to run at my pace that morning–I was struggling 😦

And in typical Helly fashion, I forgot to take a pic–I’m so bad at the picture taking…

Me and the Running Schlub

8 miles, 10:00/avg. mile

Sunday according to my plan is a cross training or rest day. I did neither.

Instead, my running club and a local Roadrunner Sports were hosting a Fun in the Sun 5k–nothing formal or timed, just a run to get us all together for a run and enjoy some sweet shopping discounts after.

Some of my friends wanted to get out there early for extra miles so of course I said yes. We got started at 6 and this was what awaited us:

at SIX in the morning!!!!

Needless to say, this was not the best of runs 😦 We I drudged along for 3 hot miles.

And after that, I did it all over again with the rest of my running group!

Double duty Sunday

That’s me on the right with my flying ponytail 😀

I mentioned sweet discounts–I got myself some new shoes!!!

My new beauties ❤

I’ve been currently rotating my Brooks Ravennas and Asics GT2000s but missed my Kayanos of old. I have the old 18s that I use just when I’m out and about because they’re way long over used on mileage. But I had been wanting to try out the new model for a while so I can’t wait to break them in!

I’m not overly brand loyal–I typically stick with Brooks and Asics for shoes. How about you? Are your brand loyal?

–How was your running weekend? Anyone race?

–Does your ponytail fly all over the place like mine does?

–Do you stick with your training plan verbatim or break the rules like I do?

Friday Five! Snapshots of my week

Posted by hellyontherun in Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Allergies, Family, Fitness, Running, Snapshot, Workout July 11, 2014

I’m linking up again with the DC Trifecta girls Mar on the Run, You Signed Up For What!?, and Eat Pray Run, DC–this week’s theme: Fitness Snapshots

………….

Well, there wasn’t a whole lot happening this week in the way of running or fitness 😦

Monday I was getting my hives on on the treadmill (if you missed my last post, I had a second allergy attack while running) and my 6 mile run was cut short.

I actually felt good on this run….you know, despite the itching and swelling…

and Tuesday was spent trying to remain positive:

“Find the beauty in the storm.”

Wednesday, I went out for a rare mid-week morning run. My husband was leaving out of town for work the rest of the week so I squeezed in a 4 miler before he left. I started out tentatively but eventually found my groove and felt great the entire way. It was just what I needed to lift my spirits after what happened on Monday. I didn’t want to not run or be scared of running so I went out there and hoped for the best.

Could’ve kept going 🙂

I thought about heading to the gym yesterday for my cross training day and dropping my kids off at the gym daycare, but I worried something might happen to me and with my husband gone, I didn’t want to risk it.

So we went backpack shopping instead 🙂 My kids start daycare on Monday and I’m pretty nervous/excited/freaking out about it.

She’s ready to go!

Fridays are typically rest days but I’m planning on heading out for another short 4 miler this evening. I have 8 planned for tomorrow morning so it’ll be nice to get my legs warmed up from having rested the past few days.

And then the rest of the day and weekend will be spent getting things ready for this big guy’s birthday! Less than 2 weeks til he’s ONE ❤

I’m in denial.

My 5 Snapshots! 😀 I hope you all have a great weekend!!

What are your weekend running plans? Anyone racing?

Tell me a snapshot of your week!

Is it really possible I’m allergic to running? (Another ER visit)

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Allergic Reaction, Allergic to Running, Allergies, Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis, Hospital Visit, Running July 9, 2014

Monday I was all set to go on my 6 miler tempo run. I had had a rather long day with my kids and was anxiously waiting for my husband to get home so I could finally ~~escape~~ run. Thankfully, he came home early and we had a quick chat on whether I should run in our neighborhood or go to the gym. The heat at 6 in the evening was awful and coupled with humidity (and hot wind), it just didn’t seem at all pleasant–so to the gym I went.

I started with an uneventful warm up and at mile 2 picked up the pace. I was sweating profusely but feeling good. If you’ve been following my running journey, then you know that I vary rarely listen to music when I run. I sometimes pull out the headphones when I’m on the treadmill though and today was one of those days. I was jamming out to a Shakira station on Pandora and in a serious running groove. When all of a sudden…..my palms starting itching.

I knew instantly what was happening. I tried to ignore it and wish it away but by the time I got to mile 4 I knew it was only going to get worse.

I was having another allergic reaction.

A million thoughts raced through my mind. What could have caused it? I’m inside for crying out loud! On a treadmill!

The first time this happened, I was running in my neighborhood and thought it could have been some flowers, trees, or bushes I’d passed. I had also eaten right before running and we all thought maybe it was that as well.

But this time, I was at the gym. I had not eaten before exercising. I wasn’t wearing anything that I wore previously. What. Could. It. Be?

I cut the run short at 4.5 miles and collected my belongings. I knew I had enough time to get home.

I called my husband on my way to let him know what was going on. We thought about whether I should head straight to the ER or go home. I decided to go home first and when my husband saw me, he said it was definitely a hospital worthy visit. I’ll spare you the head shot but my arms and legs were covered in hives.

Interestingly, I looked way worse the first time. My face was a replica of Will Smith’s allergic reaction in the movie Hitch and my entire body from head to toe was swollen and red.

But in this most recent episode, I felt much, much worse on the inside. My brain felt like it was swelling. That’s what was scaring me the most. There was just an intense pressure in my head that wouldn’t cease.

I drove myself to the hospital (my kids were already in bed) and was checked in pretty quickly despite the Emergency Room being extremely crowded. I was given steroids and Benedryl and they worked almost immediately. The swelling went down, the itching stopped, and my head felt a lot better.

But I was still with no answers. No idea what could have caused it. I plan on seeing an allergist (I foolishly didn’t see one the first time) in the hopes we can find some clues. In the meantime, I have to continue running with my EPI pen and make sure I respond quick to the symptoms. At least I know when it’s happening.

I just hate that I have no idea what triggers it.

I don’t want to run in fear. I don’t want my husband to stress out whenever I leave for a run. I don’t want to stop running.

Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis—bah humbug!!

Thanks for listening and letting me vent. ❤

–Doesn’t being allergic to running sound awful??

–Tell me something positive that’s been happening in your running world 🙂

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