Sunday, November 20, 2016

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

As I reflect back on the week, a few quotes seem fitting:

"You can run away from your problems, but you're just gonna find new ones that pop up." -Zoey Deschanel (New Girl)

"Run away, run away..." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail

"When I was a kid, I wanted to be older. This shit is not what I expected. " -unknown



The Good:
Running. After finishing my 12 miler last Sunday, I recovered well and continued to put some good miles down throughout the week. For most of the week, the weather was spectacular, with highs in the 60s and abundant sunshine. At the end of the week, the weather changed dramatically. Even though it was cold and windy, even though I couldn't feel my face, Sunday's 10 miler was that run. You know, the one where everything falls into place, where your legs feel light, where you could have run the whole 26.2 and then some. And yes, Dr. Karp, the runner's high is real...and it's spectacular!

Run happy!
I wrapped up a fun IG yoga challenge on Saturday.

King pigeon in the fog earlier this week
I also started an IG plank challenge--I do love me some planks--and have been enjoying the fun variations. And even though my furry yoga partner Cocoa was spayed this week, she hasn't let the cone get in the way of the poses!

Cocoa and me planking, pre-surgery
The Bad: 
Could be worse. On Saturday-- I ran a virtual 5k that was a battle between Mother Nature and me. While there is something good about every run, there's nothing good about running into 30 mph winds! The only good thing about this run was finishing. I was glad it was only 3+ miles. I spent the afternoon on the couch under a blanket, warming back up again.

Jumping for joy because my cold, windy run was done!
It seems that for now, I've run away from PF but a new problem literally popped up behind my left knee. I've had some minor pain and tightness, on and off, in that area for a while, and I thought I just pulled something. This week, while I was rubbing the area, I found a large cyst along the medial tendon. I talked with my sports med physician and while we both think that most likely it's a Baker's cyst, she wants me to have a venous doppler to rule out any vascular problems (like an aneurysm). I could have the cyst drained, but a Baker's cyst is a "communicating cyst", meaning that it fills with synovial fluid from the joint, and so it could just as easily refill. The cyst seems to come and go. Since I have minimal pain, Dr V. told me I can continue to run, but there is a very small risk of rupture. That would take care of the problem, but I was told that it would be excruciatingly painful. Interestingly, after Sunday's 10 miler, I couldn't feel the cyst.

My motto: it's always something.


The Ugly: 
There's no sugar coating this. In the past 3 weeks, I have learned that 2 of my friends and the husband of a friend have all been diagnosed with cancer. Both of my friends who were diagnosed are neighbors, moms of boys who have been friends with my youngest since forever. It's shocking and heartbreaking. This news has weighed heavily on my mind and has helped me to put into perspective all the little annoyances of life that are just that, annoyances. I hope and I pray that all 3 of these dear people finish their treatments with good outcomes. Their optimism is inspiring.

Run on, my friends. And give thanks that you can. I'm feeling extraordinarly grateful these days.

How was your week? Did the weather tank by you? Any snow? Good news? Bad news?

I'm linking up with Tricia and Holly for their Weekly Wrap, as well as Angela and Ilka for the Sunday Fitness and Food Link Up!


79 comments :

  1. Very very weird about your cyst. But glad to read about your run.
    My week wasn't that great. One of our very good friends died of a brain tumor Saturday morning. Diagnosed end of August. The guy was 55. My dad has been diagnosed with cancer too recently, but a very curable form. So it has been a rough couple of months. Support, support and more moral support has been most helpful for those ill and those most close to them.
    And yes. Something like that completely puts everything into perspective.
    Sending prayers your way.

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    1. Please keep my friends in your prayers...I can't believe so many of them have been affected at once!

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  2. Ugh, the cancer news is so heavy. The older I get, the more I find people connected to me dealing with it. I'm so sorry.
    Hope the cyst is easy to deal with- and the runner's high is the best!!

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    1. Yeah, it's been a bit much to handle! I'm good at being the strong one for others, but this has thrown me a bit. It just reinforces my desire to stay active and healthy. No excuses.

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  3. So sorry to hear you got such bad news- I am glad they are able to stay optimistic and it definitely puts things in perspective.
    Very strange about the cyst- I hope it can be dealt with easily and doesn't turn out to be painful.
    Glad you had a good 10 miler this week!

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  4. So sorry to hear about your friends but it is definitely a good sign that they are staying optimistic.

    We have had absolutely positively beautiful weather this fall but I think that all ended today. It is SO windy here now. We must have got this weather from your neck of the woods...lol

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    1. Pretty sure that wind blew right out of here to your backyard! What a shock this cold weather was, tho!

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  5. Yup, it snowed, but didn't stick much to the roads (still had to shovel slightly in the back so the dogs have a path to the gate, not that Bandit was terribly happy about a walk).

    It's always something? Yeah, absolutely. Or as I like to say, you fix something, and something else breaks. But yes, I am very thankful that my physical problems are very minor.

    There's a neighbor who is the sweetest guy. One of the first people I got to know in the neighborhood, since he worked from home when we moved here & had a dog. A while ago he was dx with lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain. He had surgery. They had to remove part of his lung.

    No, he never smoked. He was active (still walks!) & at a good weight. I don't see him a whole lot anymore, as their dog passed around the same time as Chester (who has really been on my mind lately). I saw him recently, and he said they found new tumors. I'm assuming brain, but didn't ask.

    He's always SO upbeat. The situation just stinks. :(

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    1. I find people like that so inspirational. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they try to stay optimistic. A lesson for all of us.

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  6. I am so sorry to hear about the cancer diagnosis of your friends. :( The ugly, indeed.

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    1. Isn't it crazy how it happened all at once? I was just reeling from all the bad news. But I've talked with all of them and they are all so positive--it really inspired me.

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  7. I'm so sorry about your friends. Even if it is cancer with a good prognosis, it is still cancer, and cancer sucks. I hope for the best for all. And that includes you, lady. I hope that you get those issues straightened out, because I know that you need that release of running.

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  8. Ugh. There it is happening in 3s. So sad and definitely puts things in perspective. Here's to a great outcome for each of your friends. Yay for an amazing runners high! Ok JC and RRD remind me of you and I doing our podcast.

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  9. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends - cancer just sucks and seems to be touching way too many people lately. It does put things into perspective.

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  10. So sorry about the cancer. I lost my mom to breast cancer, praying for better outcomes for your friends.

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    1. One of my friends has breast cancer, good prognosis. Fingers crossed.

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  11. So sorry to hear about your friends. It is rough. I hope your cyst stays away and doesn't cause you any trouble. We got that wind today and it was all I could do to walk through it doing errands.

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    1. The cyst is just an annoyance. I just hope it doesn't rupture! Excrutiating pain is not my jam.

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  12. But WWHHHYYYY is it always something (intended to be very whiny). I hope the knee issue will not affect your running and can be taken care of easily. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. My own grand kids have struggled with serious illnesses of late (not cancer). But, it certainly does remind you what is important. Thanks for linking, Wendy. I'm looking forward to seeing you very soon!

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  13. We got the nasty weather today. Amazing how quickly it turned. Glad to her you had a fabulous 10 miler. I love it when things click like that. My thoughts are with your friends and the cancer diagnoses. We were just touched by a diagnosis in my extended family as well. It really makes you take stock of your priorities and your own health when something like that hits close to home. I wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving week, Wendy.

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    1. It was just too much, all at once. It makes you feel kind of vulnerable. I guess the best thing to do is to keep running!

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  14. Running into 30 mph sounds intense! I'm sure it made you that much stronger though. So sorry to hear about your close friends - it really puts the value of life into perspective.

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    1. Like I keep saying, it was just too much bad news at once. I'm taking in their optimism and I'm going with it.

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  15. Oh Wendy, I am so sorry to hear of your friends. Cancer is shitty and there's just no other word for it. 30 mph winds makes you a badass my friend! :)

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    1. Right now, I'm so grateful for running that I'd run in a hurricane!

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  16. Isn't that the truth, it really is ALWAYS something! Sounds like you have a handle on it, but I'm going to send good thoughts your way and to your friends dealing with some tough news. I am so happy about your great run though! Those are the best, the ones we search for, long for, dream about. Now if only I could have one during an actual race ...

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    1. Seriously. I hope that today's good run means good things for my upcoming half in 2 weeks.

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  17. It's been so long since I've had one of those amazing runs I could really use one right about now! Have a great week

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  18. Very nice to hear running is going well! Hope the cyst issue doesn't get worse! Sorry to hear about your friends! Hope their treatment goes well!

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  19. I'm so sorry about that horrible news - and so much of it!? I'm so grateful every single day I GET to be healthy. I try to never take it for granted.
    And I really hope your cyst somehow just goes away magically. Is that possible? :-)

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    1. It is possible for it to go away--magically painful, I think! LOL! Weird because after my long run yesterday, it wasn't there. It did pop up later...

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  20. So many.
    All all all.
    My thoughts and prayers your/your friends' way
    <3

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    1. Enough with the bad news, right? Hoping for the best for everyone.

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  21. Gah, I feel like lately, it has always been something for me when it comes to running aches and pains. As I age, I guess this is the new normal.

    So sorry to hear about your friends. Sometimes life just doesn't make sense.

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    1. I hate to sound corny, but sometimes running is the only thing that makes sense!

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  22. The first time I really felt like an adult was when two coworkers were diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. I'm quite ready for 2016 to end. Seriously.

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  23. I am so sorry to hear about your friends! Those are devastating news. Sending healing thoughts your way.

    I hope you knee gets better soon, it sounds very strange. Also sending you healing thoughts.

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    1. As long as I can run with it, I'm good. Having my doppler tomorrow to rule out the aneurysm.

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  24. It IS always something when it comes to running! Hope the cyst continues to not bother you.

    So sorry about your friend's diagnoses - cancer just sucks. :( :( :(

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    1. It's just enough, all the bad news lately. Although I am learning to be grateful for all the little things. Funny how that happens.

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  25. Saturday was windy here in NC too, but warm in the morning so I rode my bike. The wind definitely added a good challenge! I'm so sorry to hear about your friends and hope all goes well.

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  26. Cancer really sucks right now, more than ever. I went to my friend's husband's memorial on Saturday. He was 40, and has three small children. We need a cure so badly.

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    1. That's just awful. Parents of young kids shouldn't get cancer and they shouldn't die.

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  27. Wind? Did someone tell Mother N to release Wind on everyone this week! Geeze! My lips are so chapped too from it. Good news is I managed to finish with a great time for me. Bad news I'll be flooding your social media feeds with my trip to FL hopefully where it's nice and warm! :) Happy Thanksgiving Wendy! See you in 10 days!

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    1. I hope it's warm in FL but not too warm! I don't run well when it's too warm! Hopefully it will be cool for the race and then warms up...is that too much to ask?

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  28. I need someone to yell at me to do my planks. I always start the challenge but never follow through!

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  29. I am so sorry about your bad news, and about the knee pain. That stinks on all levels. :(

    Our temperatures have dropped into the 30s and 40s, so I guess fall is upon us. Definitely no snow.

    I hope this week is better.

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    1. I'm just putting in a request for 2017 to be better. What do you think?

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  30. yes let's all be thankful! I am looking forward to spending a little more time with you! We are all going to cheer to a FANTASTIC 2017!!!!!! XOXO

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  31. ugh. Cancer stinks. Plain and simple. No sugar coating. Hope your friends have great success with their treatments. And I hope that cyst behaves itself ((hugs))

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  32. OMG. I am so sorry to hear about your friends and their diagnosis's. It's funny how we gain some clarity after we hear bad news like that.

    On another note though, I always enjoy reading your blogs. And I am glad to hear that the PF is at bay.

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  33. Hearing bad health news is never easy, even if it's not about your own health but people you know and care about. It puts a real damper on everything. I hope your friends will be okay.
    I also hope your cyst will be ok. You've been through so much with your PF lately, you really deserve a break. I had to see my doctor today because of my ongoing sinus infection. This entire year I have been fighting little aches and pains that affected also my running. Luckily I was able to run through them most of the time.
    I agree, running against the wind is so not fun. It can really make running super frustrating! Cocoa makes all your planking pics so fun!! Have a great Thanksgiving week Wendy!

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    1. I hope you get some answers about your sinus infection and that you are feeling better!

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  34. Im so sorry about the diagnosis'. That is rough.

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  35. Sorry to hear about your friends. May they/you be surrounded by lots of love.

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  36. I am so sorry to hear about the cancer diagnoses and the cyst. Big hugs and my thoughts and prayers go out to you!!!

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  37. Oh no, so sorry to hear about your friends. Also, hoping that you can figure things out with the cyst soon.

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    1. The ultrasound confirmed that it is a Baker's cyst. Hoping it just goes away.

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  38. I am sending lots of love, light and prayers to all those that are affected by the cancer diagnosis. I've walked that path with my mom, and it truly changes you. I am sorry to hear about the cyst. I hope it doesn't rupture. Ugh...that sounds awful! Happy T Day, Wendy.

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    1. It's not so awful when you consider the big picture and that I can still run!

      Happy Thanksgiving!

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  39. Wendy- I am so sorry, when it rains it pours! That is terrible about your 2 friends & your friend's husband... sending positive vibes their way and hope they all have a good prognosis. Also, very frustrating about the Baker's cyst...hoping things have simmered down this week for you. I do love your pictures on Instagram... I need to go back and read the post you wrote about tips for taking good pictures, because your's are always great!! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving & as always, thank you for linking up.

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    1. In spite of all the bad news, there is always so much to be thankful for!

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