Sunday, October 13, 2019

I Haven't Got Time for the Pain

Carly Simon sang it back in the 70s. Kimberly "Sweet Brown" Wilkins updated it and is forever immortalized on a meme.  I tweaked it to fit my week. I had a rheumatoid arthritis flare this week. Fortunately, the flare was brief. Because I don't have time for pain!

It's been a busy week! Let's get right to it.


The Week:
Sunday: Run 7 miles
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: Run 6 miles, Yoga with Adriene
Thursday: Bootcamp with 1 mile run
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run 4 miles
Total miles: 18!

Completely out of the blue, I woke up Thursday morning in a world of hurt. Every joint in my body hurt. The pain of a flare aches like a toothache. It's a deep pain that makes me want to cry. I didn't cry though. Instead, I was mad and I was determined. With plans to meet Coach Sammy Jo for strength training and then bootcamp, I didn't want to spend the day on the couch while I waited for the flare to pass. I figured I could go to the box and at least TRY. Bailing on the workout was always an option. I channeled my inner warrior and the F-word flowed like butter. Sometimes, you gotta dig deep.

Oh hell no!
With my mind made up, I took my Meloxicam (an NSAID), drank my coffee, made a super anti-inflammatory smoothie, and rubbed CBD cream over all my joints. Sammy Jo told me she could smell me walking in, lol. That stuff works like magic on my joints. For sure, I felt better than I did when I woke up. She had chest presses, sets of 10 on the plan. I did well so on the last set, she added more weight. When I struggled with the last 2 reps, she offered to help me with the lift. Not only did I tell her no, I lifted the bar decisively. She had me alternate those chest presses with modified pistols. She also had me do strict (assisted) pull-ups. 

You can't see it, but I'm wearing my CF Barbell Club t-shirt.
On the back it reads: 'Can't Go Wrong with Strong'.
One of the other reasons I really wanted to go to the box was that bootcamp was chock-full of my favorite lifts! The first EMOM had 4 sets of 10 bent over rows, 10 hang power cleans, and 10 push presses. I loaded up my barbell with 55#, figuring that I had crushed thoses power cleans (from the floor) on Monday using that weight. Not so much with the hang power cleans. I didn't realize that you get a lot more momentum from the floor with the regular power cleans and that makes it easier to clean the bar. I couldn't do all 10 reps of the hang power cleans. Lesson learned. After that we did a workout for time with 4 rounds each of 10 deadlifts (105#), 12 KBS, 10 plank step-ups, and a 400m run. It was hard, I was tired, but I loved it and beyond ecstatic that I got it done without any increase in joint pain. Take that, RA!

I have just been loving CrossFit, even though some of the activities are still a challenge for me. Monday's skill/strength portion of the class included double under work/progression, which for me means single jumps; plank holds with a plate on the back (15#), and single arm dumbbell snatches. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP of 10 power cleans (I did 55#), 15 pull-ups (I used the green band), and 100m KB carry (rx 35#). I took a video of the power cleans, broke it down into each step, and yes, I think I've got it! In fact, I believe I could have lifted more and I will next time.

L-->R: starting position, hang position, pull to hip crease, shoulder shrug, elbows up and bar to chest, bar to shoulders.
With pressure from my friend Steph to run the Hot Chocolate 15k in 3 weeks, I focused my runs on longer distances, using the 4:1 run/walk intervals. I have been pleased with my pacing. While it's much slower than I've ever run, I'm happy to see my endurance returning. Considering that I wasn't able to run my favorite 10 mile race last April, the thought of running a 9.3 mile distance and knowing that I CAN makes me very happy. 


As the week went on, the achiness dwindled. By Saturday, I only had some residual knee pain and some twingy pains in my elbows and big toes. I am very grateful that the flare was short-lived and that I was able to push myself through a tough workout without any repercussions! 

Nobody's got time for pain! Not this RA warrior! /via @oldrunningmom @curearthritis #runchat #running #rawarrior #rheumatoidarthritis #curearthritis

How was your week? Do you video your workouts so you can see how you look? I know that I think I'm doing things right but my videos humble me! Have you ever worked out through an illness or when you weren't feeling 100%? Or do you take a rest day? Do you wear clothes or shirts to inspire yourself for a workout?

Who's running Chicago? I'll be at mile 13-ish with Marcia and her happy face sign. We'll be watching for all our runners! Come join us! Unless you're running, that is...GOOD LUCK to all the runners!

Did you enter my giveaway? I'm giving away 2 pairs of LockLaces™. Click HERE for the link. Don't miss out! Giveaway ends on Thursday, October 17 at midnight. 

I'm linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Rundown.





40 comments :

  1. You are one tough lady!
    Don't freeze in downtown Chicago this morning.

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  2. I'm glad you're feeling better and I'm impressed that you worked out so hard during your flare. When I was younger, I almost always trained through injuries and illnesses (except pneumonia - twice). These days it takes me so much longer to recover so I take days off as necessary (this whole past week I didn't run or bike due to a painful SI joint).

    My son's girlfriend is running Chicago today. He's there cheering her on and we're tracking her here at home. She's at 35K now. We're watching Pablo for them while they're gone!

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    1. The thing about the flare is that is was aching only. No fatigue. I can't push through that!

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  3. I am much more likely to rest. I did on Monday, and I felt fine (aside from tired) the rest of the week. We all know our own bodies, though, and it sounds like you did the right thing for you.

    I'm not sure if I'm doing the 15k or not in a month, but I'm sort of training as if I am, LOL. Well, sort of in that I'm lucky if I get in three runs right now.

    Glad to hear the flare was short lived!

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    1. I always feel like I need to at least try. Seriously, if I rested whenever I was tired or felt bad, I'd never leave the house!

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  4. Way to tell your flare who's boss! Congrats on a solid week of workouts. I'm so excited for Chicago, wish I was there.

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  5. Glad the RA flare was short-lived, and it didn't hold you back...at all! I don't wear a lot of motivational clothing, but I do wear jewelry. My current fave is the OORAH bracelet I had made when my MCM registration was confirmed last spring. I have worn it almost daily, the past few months, when all the MCM training became a reality.

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    1. I wear a Momentum bracelet every day as well. Every time I look at my wrist, it motivates me to be better.

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  6. Glad you're feeling better and were able to still be active (VERY active!) during the flare.

    I hope you had a great time cheering! What a cool race to see live!

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    1. My personal opinion is that Chicago is THE BEST marathon. I haven't run any of the other 6 Majors, so I might be biased, but it just seems to me that people have a great experience here.

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  7. I am so glad that you are feeling better -no time for that RA flare! You still logged a pretty good mileage for the week. MY trainer will sometimes video or photo me to show me how to improve my form. It's always humbling! Feel good this week friend!

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    1. I'm still having some twingy joint pains but nothing like I had on Thursday. i hope that was it!

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  8. Glad the flare-up subsided and well done for having the confidence and sensible-ness to push through when you knew you could.

    If I need a boost, I wear one of my 401 Running tops or buffs. I really must post Ben the 401 runner's route through the US from next March. He's doing a marathon in each state capitol and cycling between them!

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    1. I'm learning when to push and when to rest. I'm really grateful that I made the right choice this week!

      I need to learn more about Ben!

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    2. Here's info about his challenge https://www.the401challenge.co.uk/usa-2020

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  9. Waking up with that flare on Thursday sounds so painful. I'm so sorry that you have to experience this, but like always, you handled it like a champ.

    Thanks for hosting the LockLaces giveaway - going over to enter now!

    So happy I got to see you today - I miss you!

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    1. I miss you too!! Gosh, I loved hugging you. I'm so glad we spotted you. Congrats on your PR!!!!!

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  10. I’m glad that flare didn’t keep you down — and didn’t last long. It sounds very painful and frustrating. I’m still intimidated by CrossFit but you are killing it!

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    1. I was intimidated by CrossFit too! How long have I been going to the box for strength training? I finally got up the courage to do it and it is fun! Hard, but so rewarding.

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  11. I'm sorry you had a flare but way to show RA who's boss!!

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  12. How great you were able to push through that flare! It was great as always hanging out in the BPB with you this morning!

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    1. I'm so glad I joined you! The experience was entertaining and fun as always!

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  13. Glad the flare passed pretty quickly and you were still able to get in your workouts! I've done videos of my strength training workouts before and I always catch things that I need to work on.

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    1. It really helps to see what I'm doing. Funny how you think you're doing it correctly and then reality checks in...

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  14. How fun about the Hot Chocolate race! I've run it maybe once or twice. I am sure you mentioned this in your blog but which CBD cream do you use? Awesome you were out there spectating! I remember seeing you and Marcia in 2016 in my last marathon. I was in so much pain but there I was still running. :-)

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    1. I use GreenLeafOils CBD infused honey and oat cream: glcbdoils.com

      It works great for joint pain but I haven't found it to be helpful for muscle pain.

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  15. Look at you running all those miles during a flare up week! Great job! I’m glad it passed pretty quickly.

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    1. You and me both! Fortunately, I didn't have fatigue with this one. Just pain.

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  16. Glad the flare didn't last long and you were able to work through it! I haven't thought about videos of my workouts before but that's a really good idea. I think I definitely need to check the form on my squats.

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    1. I find watching myself on the videos really helps me correct mistakes that might end up injuring me!

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  17. I'm so sorry about the flare, but glad it was short-lived. You are such a warrior for pushing through it! Great to see you logging some miles!

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  18. I don't video my runs, but with the action shots on my app I do get a good look at my form. Which I often cringe at! Tight shoulders and arm swing are my main "issues". I am intrigued by the the CBD cream. I've been seeing a lot about CBD items and wondered if it would help me.

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    1. The CBD cream has been helpful for my joint pain, but not so much for muscle pain. I'm not sure why. Let me know if you try it!

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  19. You are so strong! I'm sorry to hear about your flare, but you are awesome for not letting it slow you down. I've done videos before and I notice far more tightness affecting my form that I would have anticipated.

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    1. I can't help but wonder if some of these pain flares (I'm having one today) are due to increased activity the day before. As long as my endurance is there, I can push through it!

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