Hey all, long time no post, and I will do a longer one soon, but here is a piccy of me with my fellow 10k runners today. I got round in 1 hr 11 and feel brilliant about it!! Never thought I'd even get round in 1 hr 30! xxx
Sunday, 13 September 2009
The 10k!!
Hey all, long time no post, and I will do a longer one soon, but here is a piccy of me with my fellow 10k runners today. I got round in 1 hr 11 and feel brilliant about it!! Never thought I'd even get round in 1 hr 30! xxx
Friday, 7 August 2009
Chipping away... like a chippy thing.
Howdy,
I took the lamer choice of not updating until I had a decent number of things to update with... so I've been working quite hard at doing stuff to make myself sound interesting and important.
Firstly, the day after I left LCH I had my driving theory test booked up, so off I went to do that... which was fine, passed and have bought myself a bit more time to pass my driving. In and amongst things we've had a few lessons, which haven't been as bad as I thought they would be after not driving for 6 weeks (!)... so hopefully it'll fall in to place a bit now.
My fitness has been coming along slowly but surely. I really do mean s-l-o-w-l-y, too. I've kept up the walking daily, covering 2-3 miles which is getting more comfortable now, even on 1 litre 02. I've only really had a couple of sessions on the treadmill though... I seem to have becom a little bit more wary of pushing myself a bit, which actually I no longer need to be.
I think it's just a combination of getting out of the habit of daily 'proper' workouts where you get significantly more out of breath, the fear of pain and being uncomfortable, which to be honest it still is a bit, and feeling a bit overwhelmed with life in general.
I did a 2 minute run (6mph, slight incline, 4 lpm o2) a couple of days after I got home, and actually it was nowhere near as hard as I had imagined in terms of keeping the pace and general 'feel' and technique. It was just the breathlessness creeping up a bit too much toward the end that made it less enjoyable. But no muscle pain or tenderness form the operation, which is brilliant!
I then left it about 4 days (embarassed) until today deciding I really do need to start cracking on with it and doing 5 minutes today (3 minutes, then 2 minutes) which was again surprisingly okay. I put the 02 up to 6litres and I think it made quite alot of difference. I felt alot more comfortable for much longer and didn't feel lactic-ey like last time. So I think 6 litres may be about right for now. I'll try and get an exercise test done in the next month to verify this though.
I think now that I'm a bit more motivated (and the ever approaching 10k is about 5 weeks away), I'm going to try increasing the runs by a minute per session for a couple of weeks. And they'll probably stay in 2-3 minute intervals this week.
As in, I'll do 6 minutes tomorrow, have a break the next day, 7 the next and so on, as long as each session is comfortable. Going by this, my short term goal is to be running for a solid 10 minutes by the end of next week. I'll make sundays my longest interval day again as that worked well last time.
That's probably enough from me for now! I'll be back xxx
I took the lamer choice of not updating until I had a decent number of things to update with... so I've been working quite hard at doing stuff to make myself sound interesting and important.
Firstly, the day after I left LCH I had my driving theory test booked up, so off I went to do that... which was fine, passed and have bought myself a bit more time to pass my driving. In and amongst things we've had a few lessons, which haven't been as bad as I thought they would be after not driving for 6 weeks (!)... so hopefully it'll fall in to place a bit now.
My fitness has been coming along slowly but surely. I really do mean s-l-o-w-l-y, too. I've kept up the walking daily, covering 2-3 miles which is getting more comfortable now, even on 1 litre 02. I've only really had a couple of sessions on the treadmill though... I seem to have becom a little bit more wary of pushing myself a bit, which actually I no longer need to be.
I think it's just a combination of getting out of the habit of daily 'proper' workouts where you get significantly more out of breath, the fear of pain and being uncomfortable, which to be honest it still is a bit, and feeling a bit overwhelmed with life in general.
I did a 2 minute run (6mph, slight incline, 4 lpm o2) a couple of days after I got home, and actually it was nowhere near as hard as I had imagined in terms of keeping the pace and general 'feel' and technique. It was just the breathlessness creeping up a bit too much toward the end that made it less enjoyable. But no muscle pain or tenderness form the operation, which is brilliant!
I then left it about 4 days (embarassed) until today deciding I really do need to start cracking on with it and doing 5 minutes today (3 minutes, then 2 minutes) which was again surprisingly okay. I put the 02 up to 6litres and I think it made quite alot of difference. I felt alot more comfortable for much longer and didn't feel lactic-ey like last time. So I think 6 litres may be about right for now. I'll try and get an exercise test done in the next month to verify this though.
I think now that I'm a bit more motivated (and the ever approaching 10k is about 5 weeks away), I'm going to try increasing the runs by a minute per session for a couple of weeks. And they'll probably stay in 2-3 minute intervals this week.
As in, I'll do 6 minutes tomorrow, have a break the next day, 7 the next and so on, as long as each session is comfortable. Going by this, my short term goal is to be running for a solid 10 minutes by the end of next week. I'll make sundays my longest interval day again as that worked well last time.
That's probably enough from me for now! I'll be back xxx
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Sigh... cough... tempestuous times People!
Argh. I'm an unworthy blogger who doesn't blog enough! Sorry.
You may have guessed, from my usual pattern of awol, that I've been not so well again :-(
I'm pleased to say that things are totally on the mend again and I'm deffo back on track. Basically that naughty temperature spike and slightly iffy chest wasn't 'nothing' as I would have liked it to be... it just carried on and on, till I was lying around with a nasty cough and a 40 degree temp yet again. So in I went to hotel Chest for IVs amongst other stuff. Happily for me and my body we did no change with my steroids and just blasted it with antibiotics, and it absolutely has worked. Which means it was just infection related NOT pneumonia. Incidentally though, my chest x-ray has cleared right up with this admission >grin<.
My lung funko is up to 81% from about 70%, and my gas transfer is 45% the last time I did it... which is down a bit, but my oxygen requirements are quite steady so I'm not really losing any sleep over that!
In terms of exercise, it's been a royal flop to be honest, as I didn't get back to any real workouts between the operation (the muscles/nerves have only just stopped hurting and seizing) and coming down with the infection. Which I can pretty much conclude means that I got the infection because of not being able to cough or breathe deeply for exercise :-/ not helpful!
It's okay though, I'm coughing away nicely now and getting all my clearance done - also making good use of accapella and have had pulmozyme 2 x daily for the past couple of weeks. I'm up to doing two sessions of exercise a day now too! I do a harder 'out of breath' session earlier on, where at the moment it's about 2 km in 20 minutes, on 1 litre of O2. Then later on, a lap of the park at an easy pace (30 mins).
I'm aiming to have a little 2 minute run tomorrow before I leave LCH, and see roughly what my sats do and what oxygen to have on, since it's been so long since my last run. It should be okay, more muscle weakness and jellylegedness than lung stuff.
From there, I think the sensible thing to do will be to keep at about the same level of walking daily, then add in short running intervals as I feel able. I'll do 2 minutes tomorrow and all being well, the same for the next few days. Then next week up it to 5 minute intervals.
Plenty to think about, that's for sure... I've gained back some weight (dropped to 40 the other week) with the old NG feeds giving me 2400kcal overnight, so I'll plug on with that and then stop as soon as I can get away with it!
And er, that's about all I can think of at the moment! I'll blog away with my return to training, and let you know how it all goes!
Take care xxx
You may have guessed, from my usual pattern of awol, that I've been not so well again :-(
I'm pleased to say that things are totally on the mend again and I'm deffo back on track. Basically that naughty temperature spike and slightly iffy chest wasn't 'nothing' as I would have liked it to be... it just carried on and on, till I was lying around with a nasty cough and a 40 degree temp yet again. So in I went to hotel Chest for IVs amongst other stuff. Happily for me and my body we did no change with my steroids and just blasted it with antibiotics, and it absolutely has worked. Which means it was just infection related NOT pneumonia. Incidentally though, my chest x-ray has cleared right up with this admission >grin<.
My lung funko is up to 81% from about 70%, and my gas transfer is 45% the last time I did it... which is down a bit, but my oxygen requirements are quite steady so I'm not really losing any sleep over that!
In terms of exercise, it's been a royal flop to be honest, as I didn't get back to any real workouts between the operation (the muscles/nerves have only just stopped hurting and seizing) and coming down with the infection. Which I can pretty much conclude means that I got the infection because of not being able to cough or breathe deeply for exercise :-/ not helpful!
It's okay though, I'm coughing away nicely now and getting all my clearance done - also making good use of accapella and have had pulmozyme 2 x daily for the past couple of weeks. I'm up to doing two sessions of exercise a day now too! I do a harder 'out of breath' session earlier on, where at the moment it's about 2 km in 20 minutes, on 1 litre of O2. Then later on, a lap of the park at an easy pace (30 mins).
I'm aiming to have a little 2 minute run tomorrow before I leave LCH, and see roughly what my sats do and what oxygen to have on, since it's been so long since my last run. It should be okay, more muscle weakness and jellylegedness than lung stuff.
From there, I think the sensible thing to do will be to keep at about the same level of walking daily, then add in short running intervals as I feel able. I'll do 2 minutes tomorrow and all being well, the same for the next few days. Then next week up it to 5 minute intervals.
Plenty to think about, that's for sure... I've gained back some weight (dropped to 40 the other week) with the old NG feeds giving me 2400kcal overnight, so I'll plug on with that and then stop as soon as I can get away with it!
And er, that's about all I can think of at the moment! I'll blog away with my return to training, and let you know how it all goes!
Take care xxx
Monday, 13 July 2009
This is ROCK AND ROLL!!!
OH. MY. GOD. I went to wembley stadium last night to see not just Reverend and the makers, not just Kasabian, not just The Enemy, but all those and OASIS!!
It was probably the single most amazing and breathtaking days of my life, just awesome. There was about 70 thousand in there, heuge stage but it still looked small in Wembley (!), we jumped up and down, Oasis sung wonderwall, we all got soaked in beer, we had tasty burgers, I got a t-shirt, I'm in some random people's videos, I wore bright pink drainpipes, I shouted I love you Noel... erm... FOOKIN BRILLIANT!!
We had a slight moment of worry that we may not make it on saturday evening as my temperature went up and oddly enough I fainted after eating dinner. Only briefly but not very pleasant and I spent the rest of the evening crashed out on the sofa. It must have been a combo of things though - I'd done quite a lot of walking and it was chilly outside, my temperature came up too quickly, I had a bit of wine and a pretty rich fish pie that my cousin made... and just came over all dizzy. Next stop - the floor.
However, we were patient enough to just see what happened, I'd already taken painkillers so the temp was on it's way down again anyway, I had oxygen on the whole evening, took it easy, and decided not to do my feed as it raises your body temperature with you digesting it and everything. Instead I just did 1200mls of water over 8 hrs with some electrolyte sachets in it, and subsequently woke up feeling absolutely fine. And OFF WE WENT!!!!
I feel so lucky and so buzzing from it all, there wasn't a single song that you kind of wanted to finish and move on to the next, just endless brilliant performing. Epic.
My chest isn't brilliant, but in all honesty, I spent all night singing and cheering at the top of my voice lol... and it just so happened that we were right behind the only people in the stadium who thought it was fine to keep smoking. They were told by a guard, then lit up again, then I asked him, then he lit up again, and so on... about 5 ciggerettes I've smoked then... so I'm chesty and tight and making firm friend with ventolin nebs again. And bricanyl... and symbicort. Drugs.
I had a day without planned exercise per se, as we were walking about 3 km in total around wembley to and from our car park at the other end of town, and I was on my feet dancing for about 3 hours. Plus I slipped in an accapella session before we left to try and stay nice and clear.
My plan today is to erm, probably try and cover 3 miles in two sessions. Should be manageable. And this time, no wine and fish pie straight afterwards!
Ciou xxx
It was probably the single most amazing and breathtaking days of my life, just awesome. There was about 70 thousand in there, heuge stage but it still looked small in Wembley (!), we jumped up and down, Oasis sung wonderwall, we all got soaked in beer, we had tasty burgers, I got a t-shirt, I'm in some random people's videos, I wore bright pink drainpipes, I shouted I love you Noel... erm... FOOKIN BRILLIANT!!
We had a slight moment of worry that we may not make it on saturday evening as my temperature went up and oddly enough I fainted after eating dinner. Only briefly but not very pleasant and I spent the rest of the evening crashed out on the sofa. It must have been a combo of things though - I'd done quite a lot of walking and it was chilly outside, my temperature came up too quickly, I had a bit of wine and a pretty rich fish pie that my cousin made... and just came over all dizzy. Next stop - the floor.
However, we were patient enough to just see what happened, I'd already taken painkillers so the temp was on it's way down again anyway, I had oxygen on the whole evening, took it easy, and decided not to do my feed as it raises your body temperature with you digesting it and everything. Instead I just did 1200mls of water over 8 hrs with some electrolyte sachets in it, and subsequently woke up feeling absolutely fine. And OFF WE WENT!!!!
I feel so lucky and so buzzing from it all, there wasn't a single song that you kind of wanted to finish and move on to the next, just endless brilliant performing. Epic.
My chest isn't brilliant, but in all honesty, I spent all night singing and cheering at the top of my voice lol... and it just so happened that we were right behind the only people in the stadium who thought it was fine to keep smoking. They were told by a guard, then lit up again, then I asked him, then he lit up again, and so on... about 5 ciggerettes I've smoked then... so I'm chesty and tight and making firm friend with ventolin nebs again. And bricanyl... and symbicort. Drugs.
I had a day without planned exercise per se, as we were walking about 3 km in total around wembley to and from our car park at the other end of town, and I was on my feet dancing for about 3 hours. Plus I slipped in an accapella session before we left to try and stay nice and clear.
My plan today is to erm, probably try and cover 3 miles in two sessions. Should be manageable. And this time, no wine and fish pie straight afterwards!
Ciou xxx
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Progressin noicely fenk youuu
Hiiii,
As expected, I've had a much better couple of days since my return to the homeland. Firstly I got a good nights sleep which always changes your perspective (I was feeling rather snowed under on the journey back) and makes you think straight.
Next, I had a driving lesson just for an hour the next morning and even though it went okay and nothing major made me worried, I decided that I would cancel my driving test next thursday as I'm just not confident enough with the town driving, my left side isn't that strong yet (makes putting the handbrake on and quick gear changes harder). I think it's the right choice as I know that even if I passed by fluke I wouldn't be happy driving around guildford alone.
This means I'll be re-doing my theory at some point in August. Very frustrating but that's that and I'm not going to lose anymore sleep over it. :-/
I've been sticking with the 40ish minutes of walking in it's various forms per day... managing a 30 minute treadmill walk on wednesday and improving to a hilly 40 minutes this morning. And I'm not going that slowly anymore now that the muscles are less painful, so gradually I'm getting closer to the jogging stage! Not long! And of course it needs to be fairly hasty as we've got the Cancer research UK 10k on September 13th.
Of course it doesn't matter if I ended up walking most of it, but I don't want to. So I'll still be trying to run at least half. I've got nearly 2 months so it seems doable given my fitness before this setback and how well things were progressing.
Since I've done 40 minutes quite comfortably this morning, I'll see about doing a bit more later, maybe 10 minutes at a faster pace on treadmill?
I think my goal for two weeks time is to be running again perhaps for around 5 minutes at a time, about 2-3 in a session. And be doing it 2-3 times a week. But I'll have to play it by ear as my breathlessness is still bit more than I'd like even at rest (gas transfer dropped a bit), and I'm aware I might have to use more o2 temporarily.
We had a really cool day yesterday, having spent ALL morning practically tearing my hair out over trying to get hold of the home enteral company to arrange delivery and 'pump training', we eventually got it sorted for today, so we could go out in the afternoon. I had birthday money to spend (new look vouchers, thanks Sis) so naturally clothes shopping all the way, and a nice club sandwichee in maison Blanc. Dontcha know.
I got a brilliant pair of bright pink skinnies from H & M and a black patterned Tshirt to go with it to wear to the OASIS concert on Sunday!!!! Plus the Enemy and Kasabian :-0 I haven't known about it for that long but these are three of my all times faves and it will be EPIC. It's my first concert too, what a way to begin!
Yep, Oasis, the Enemy and Kasabian all under one roof (well, wembley). I might need more than one pair of pants.
xxx
As expected, I've had a much better couple of days since my return to the homeland. Firstly I got a good nights sleep which always changes your perspective (I was feeling rather snowed under on the journey back) and makes you think straight.
Next, I had a driving lesson just for an hour the next morning and even though it went okay and nothing major made me worried, I decided that I would cancel my driving test next thursday as I'm just not confident enough with the town driving, my left side isn't that strong yet (makes putting the handbrake on and quick gear changes harder). I think it's the right choice as I know that even if I passed by fluke I wouldn't be happy driving around guildford alone.
This means I'll be re-doing my theory at some point in August. Very frustrating but that's that and I'm not going to lose anymore sleep over it. :-/
I've been sticking with the 40ish minutes of walking in it's various forms per day... managing a 30 minute treadmill walk on wednesday and improving to a hilly 40 minutes this morning. And I'm not going that slowly anymore now that the muscles are less painful, so gradually I'm getting closer to the jogging stage! Not long! And of course it needs to be fairly hasty as we've got the Cancer research UK 10k on September 13th.
Of course it doesn't matter if I ended up walking most of it, but I don't want to. So I'll still be trying to run at least half. I've got nearly 2 months so it seems doable given my fitness before this setback and how well things were progressing.
Since I've done 40 minutes quite comfortably this morning, I'll see about doing a bit more later, maybe 10 minutes at a faster pace on treadmill?
I think my goal for two weeks time is to be running again perhaps for around 5 minutes at a time, about 2-3 in a session. And be doing it 2-3 times a week. But I'll have to play it by ear as my breathlessness is still bit more than I'd like even at rest (gas transfer dropped a bit), and I'm aware I might have to use more o2 temporarily.
We had a really cool day yesterday, having spent ALL morning practically tearing my hair out over trying to get hold of the home enteral company to arrange delivery and 'pump training', we eventually got it sorted for today, so we could go out in the afternoon. I had birthday money to spend (new look vouchers, thanks Sis) so naturally clothes shopping all the way, and a nice club sandwichee in maison Blanc. Dontcha know.
I got a brilliant pair of bright pink skinnies from H & M and a black patterned Tshirt to go with it to wear to the OASIS concert on Sunday!!!! Plus the Enemy and Kasabian :-0 I haven't known about it for that long but these are three of my all times faves and it will be EPIC. It's my first concert too, what a way to begin!
Yep, Oasis, the Enemy and Kasabian all under one roof (well, wembley). I might need more than one pair of pants.
xxx
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
The return of the tummmyyyy
Alright, I've caved... I'm going do do overnight feeds at home. But only for a little while just to get a boost in my weight, then I can leave it. And note the word HOME!! I'm off today and this time for good ;-)
I've not increased my exercise much beyond the 40 minutes of walking a day and I'm a bit frustrated with this although I think the main reason isn't soo much because I'm too breathless but because it's just ridiculously hot and humid. I feel like a bunch of bananas that's left in the bag you buy them in - all sweaty and sticky. I know it's the same for everyone but it make you so grouchy and rubbishy doesn't it!! Hopefully my room at home will stay nice and cool so I can actually get some sleep, especially since the feeds make me a bit fidgety and restless anyway.
I've opted with the fresubin 2kcal, 1litre that I'll pour into the hangbag myself, instead of the slightly fishy fresubin energy which is 1500kcal per litre. 2000kcal overnight and then I can just eat what I like in the day, not stress constantly over picking the higher calorie stuff all the time.
We decided that there's not alot more I can achieve by being here than being at home and just keeping in touch, as I feel okay and just need to get back my fitness and heal up. The cut's come together okay and I don't think it'll be really visible once it's faded.
I'll update with a contingency plan on training ect when I'm home! xxx
I've not increased my exercise much beyond the 40 minutes of walking a day and I'm a bit frustrated with this although I think the main reason isn't soo much because I'm too breathless but because it's just ridiculously hot and humid. I feel like a bunch of bananas that's left in the bag you buy them in - all sweaty and sticky. I know it's the same for everyone but it make you so grouchy and rubbishy doesn't it!! Hopefully my room at home will stay nice and cool so I can actually get some sleep, especially since the feeds make me a bit fidgety and restless anyway.
I've opted with the fresubin 2kcal, 1litre that I'll pour into the hangbag myself, instead of the slightly fishy fresubin energy which is 1500kcal per litre. 2000kcal overnight and then I can just eat what I like in the day, not stress constantly over picking the higher calorie stuff all the time.
We decided that there's not alot more I can achieve by being here than being at home and just keeping in touch, as I feel okay and just need to get back my fitness and heal up. The cut's come together okay and I don't think it'll be really visible once it's faded.
I'll update with a contingency plan on training ect when I'm home! xxx
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Roll with the punches, kicks, and slaps.
Hi,
Apologies for no post yesterday, but it was one of those days where if i blogged, it would all be negative. I've had to give myself a bit of a pep-talk about things and get my head straight after this week, which I'm going to be honest, has not been one of my best!
I felt really sore and tight and uncomfortable all day yesterday and struggled alot to do my walks (2 x 20 mins). I don't really have a problem with making myself do stuff if it'll be good for me even though I know it's going to hurt and I know I'm going to feel rubbish doing it... but sometimes it's just finding that bit of 'oomph' that drives you on and keeps you focused. Walks completed and a fraction of the fluid retention coming off, I thought I'd at least have a good nights rest as I was tired all day but due to the steroid factor suddenly swooping in, I pretty much stared into darkness until about 3am, absolutely as wide awake and twitchy as you get... then gave in a read untill 4, when I felt just dozey enough for sleep. I've got up at 8 and todays been so much better. I've dropped almost all the fluid off now so I don't feel puffy, my back is less painful and more useable, and my energy level is good. So erm, don't really know why I felt so depressed last night!
I think sometimes it's okay to get down when some things don't go your way, but after a bit, you have to find comfort in things that do. Like on one hand, I'm not 100%, I've slipped and it's going to be quite hard work yet again to get back to where I was fitness wise, not to mention my driving test and social life... but on the other, I've recovered really quite well so far from what was quite a serious op only 6 days ago, my exercise has already gone up a bit, I'm looking quite well, I'll not be in LCH much longer, and I've had a nice time at home this weekend.
And above all, I know I can beat this thing because I've done it before! So I'll just have to go through the same process, and I'll get back to normal again. With regards to my driving, you can't have it all. Sometimes things happen that are shit, and if they get in the way of life, it's also shit. But it's not the end of the world. X
Apologies for no post yesterday, but it was one of those days where if i blogged, it would all be negative. I've had to give myself a bit of a pep-talk about things and get my head straight after this week, which I'm going to be honest, has not been one of my best!
I felt really sore and tight and uncomfortable all day yesterday and struggled alot to do my walks (2 x 20 mins). I don't really have a problem with making myself do stuff if it'll be good for me even though I know it's going to hurt and I know I'm going to feel rubbish doing it... but sometimes it's just finding that bit of 'oomph' that drives you on and keeps you focused. Walks completed and a fraction of the fluid retention coming off, I thought I'd at least have a good nights rest as I was tired all day but due to the steroid factor suddenly swooping in, I pretty much stared into darkness until about 3am, absolutely as wide awake and twitchy as you get... then gave in a read untill 4, when I felt just dozey enough for sleep. I've got up at 8 and todays been so much better. I've dropped almost all the fluid off now so I don't feel puffy, my back is less painful and more useable, and my energy level is good. So erm, don't really know why I felt so depressed last night!
I think sometimes it's okay to get down when some things don't go your way, but after a bit, you have to find comfort in things that do. Like on one hand, I'm not 100%, I've slipped and it's going to be quite hard work yet again to get back to where I was fitness wise, not to mention my driving test and social life... but on the other, I've recovered really quite well so far from what was quite a serious op only 6 days ago, my exercise has already gone up a bit, I'm looking quite well, I'll not be in LCH much longer, and I've had a nice time at home this weekend.
And above all, I know I can beat this thing because I've done it before! So I'll just have to go through the same process, and I'll get back to normal again. With regards to my driving, you can't have it all. Sometimes things happen that are shit, and if they get in the way of life, it's also shit. But it's not the end of the world. X
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