Sunday, December 2, 2018

After the Steroids

Cue the violins and sing along!

"So it's back to the same old
after the steroids,
With stiffness and swollen hands,
As I ease out of bed, 
Stretching my knees and rising to stand. 

It's so hard to explain
everything that I'm feeling,
Without sounding as if it's a whine,
'Cause it hurts me so much
To just want to feel fine.

Thanks for making me
Realize that I'm the lucky one
And thanks for turning me
Into a grateful someone

So it's back to the same old
after the steroids,
I lace up my shoes for a run.
The feel of the road, the wind in my face,
Reminds me of what I have won.

And I know that my song 
Isn't saying anything new
Oh but after the steroids,
I  just love what I can do.
~adapted from After the Lovin' 
and apologizes to Engelbert Humperdinck,
although it was a pretty cheesy song to begin with.




Could I be any cheesier? After last weekend's half marathon, I promised myself an easy week and easy is what I did. I finished the steroid pack on Tuesday and yes, while mild symptoms of RA returned, I felt overall pretty good. It's always scary to go off the steroids and after such a painful flare, I am so grateful to basically be back at my baseline.


Running
I did a little running--on Wednesday, I did a 4 mile run out in the snow. That wrapped up my month of November with 72.25 miles. On Sunday, I did a nicely paced 10k in the drizzle and slop. If I could run in 40-50 degree weather all year around, you'd never hear a peep out of me.

This was Monday. It's pretty much gone now.
Yoga
There was a lot of yoga. On Monday, I did that Five Parks Yoga Yin Fusion class that I love and on Tuesday, I did a Recovery Flow class. The stretching and strengthening of yoga really felt good after that race. 

Trikonasana in the muck on Sunday
CrossFit
I returned to strength training and bootcamp on Thursday. Coach Sammy Jo and I focused on upper body strength with static presses 55# 4 sets of 6 reps, dumbbell flys, kipping ring swings, toes to ring, and rope climb practice. I felt much stronger this week and the rope climb practice went really well! Bootcamp consisted of 3 8 minute AMRAPS. I forgot to take a picture of the workout, so I don't remember everything we did, but one thing I loved was lateral box step ups on a low box. It reminded me of step aerobics--remember that? I found myself hopping up onto the box and over. We need to bring that back!


Off the Road
On Saturday, I went on a blogging field trip! I had an opportunity for a body composition analysis at DexaFit and it was just the coolest thing. I'll share my experience on Friday's blog post, so check back for that.

Also off the road, I received some really exciting news. Someone sent me a tweet of an article on Everyday Health where I was named one of 5 Inspiring Rheumatoid Arthritis Social Media Accounts to Follow. I am honored to be recognized on a health website and in such good company as the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation. I hope that RA lets me continue to inspire!!! Considering that I have been wavering about continuing to blog, this was a much-needed boost for me. I guess you guys are stuck with me for a while.



~~~~~~~~Welcome to the Weekly Wrap~~~~~~~~
Welcome to the Weekly Wrap! Holly and I host this really supportive, fun linkup where fitness bloggers can link up their weekly fitness and/or race recaps. New to the linkup? Check out the rules above. Remember to link back to us and comment on our posts. Comment on a few others and check back on Wednesday to comment on late linkers. You might find a new blog that you love!



52 comments :

  1. How exciting to be be named by Everyday Health as an inspiring RA advocate to follow! Congrats!

    Your body composition analysis at DexaFit sounds interesting. Looking forward to reading your recap.

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. I was so surprised about that but it was very validating! And they called me positive...

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  2. Love that shot from the rings, awesome.
    I agree re: 50s. Even high 40s Thursday wasn't bad.
    Gentle healing and recovery

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  3. Very cool to be named one of the most inspiring RA bloggers. It must feel so good to know that you are helping other people deal w their symptoms and see you thrive. Looking forward to hearing about your scan results. 40-50 is my perfect running temp as well. Have a great week!

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  4. I'm glad you had a good weeks. Congrats on the recognition - you deserve it, and I'm sure new followers will be encouraged and motivated by your honesty and perseverance.

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  5. Way to go on the acknowledgement! You deserve it!

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  6. Of course you're an inspiration! I'm sure there are so many people out there thinking they could never do _____ but you're out there doing it!

    I've been hitting my yoga mat hard (except I don't use a mat at home, LOL). And rehabbing, rehabbing . . . seems to be paying off at least.

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    Replies
    1. This week of rest--ok, I did do bootcamp- was really beneficial. I'm glad I did it.

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  7. Congratulations on getting some recognition for being so inspiring! Looks like an awesome week of yoga, strength, and running. I'd love to run in 40-50's every day too :)

    I've done a body composition test before at a Complete Nutrition store. It was very interesting!

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    1. I'd be so curious to hear your thoughts on your body composition scan!

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    2. Well, whaddya know? I wrote a post all about it :) http://www.therightfits.com/2017/05/complete-nutrition-work-giveaway/

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  8. How wonderful to have that recognition - well done to you! And I'm glad you're carrying on. Great photos this week again: that snow!

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    1. That snow is gone, pretty much. I was actually kind of bummed out about that.

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  9. I had to Google that Engelbert song! :) I am anxious to hear the results of your DexaFit. And congrats on the RA honor! You deserve it.

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  10. Wow huge congratulations on the recognition! I love how honest you are regarding RA and the kudos is well deserved. I'm interested to hear how your DexaFit experience was!

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  11. I know RA has been a tough road for you, but you are facing it/dealing with it and that inspires so many who would rather give up. When I had my "little" knee incident last summer, I found it so much easier to cope with that setback by moving forward with what I could do than dwelling on what I couldn't. Unlike RA, my setback ended and I'm all better now...but at the time, it was a tough reality to stumble (literally) through. Keep on keeping on!

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    1. Most of the time, I don't even acknowledge it. It is what it is--until it flares and then it gets REAL.

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  12. You're my hero and my inspiration. I'm so glad you received the acknowledgement you deserve! Great job with Enkelbert's tune.

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  13. I'm happy that you took it easier this week and glad that you are feeling better.

    I love that you were featured in that article. I think that sometimes you underestimate the impact that you have on runners, especially runners that also deal with RA. You really are such a warrior!

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  14. Congrats on being recognized by Everyday Health! That's awesome. It was a good week to rest a bit and regroup. I used to love step aerobics. Why did it go away?

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    Replies
    1. I keep asking myself the same question. I loved step. I could actually do it!

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  15. Congrats on being recognized! That is pretty exciting!

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  16. Congrats on the recognition! You are inspiring!! About the step aerobics, funny I saw that there's a new Shaun T program coming out next year with a step. I've been lacking on the cross training. Great job last week!

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  17. Congrats on being recognized by Everyday Health! Glad you are back and baseline. Running in the snow can be fun once in awhile, as long as its not icy.

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  18. Wow wow, congrats!! How cool! 45 to 55 is my ideal running, too, but not when it is rainy... I don't mind the rain but not when it is 40s. I do not realy like running in the snow and ice- it gets too slippery here!

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    1. Cold rain is definitely not fun! But those are my favorite temps, hands down.

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  19. Congrats on the recognition! I'm glad to hear this week felt better and you are back to your baseline.

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  20. I'm glad you're feeling pretty good. I had that dexa scan done two years ago, at work, along with a VO2 max test and a few other things. They were interesting.

    I did a blogging field trip yesterday too! I went to Palm Springs with my hubby and now I get to write about it! It was fun!

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  21. Congrats on the recognition from the article, that's great! That's also great that you're feeling better and back to baseline :) Good idea to fit in more yoga this week. I've really got to get better about keeping yoga in the routine when I'm training.

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  22. I'm doing my Dexa scan on Wednesday - it will be interesting to read about your experience with it!

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  23. Congratulations on being recognized like that! What an awesome testament at how you continue to inspire those around you!

    I'm glad you were able to rest and get in more yoga this week. i'm sure your body is loving the extra stretching and attention.

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  24. I hope your RA will stay at bay and can't wait to hear about your body composition results - that sounds like an awesome blogging field trip!

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    1. It was probably one of the cooler things I've gotten to do lately!

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  25. LOL - cheesy for sure but I'm laughing :-) I'm so happy your back to baseline without any horrible side effects. And congratulations on being named an inspiring and influential RA runner and blogger!!! That is something you truly deserve and I'm glad you're being recognized for it. Looking forward to hearing about your body composition experience. I LOVE that stuff!

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  26. I don't miss running in the snow, but it is pretty!
    I always love your crossfit pics!! You are so fierce!
    Congrats on the RA blog recognition! I love reading your story and how you continue to overcome obstacles! Keep on writing!!

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