Fatigue

Despite a fairly lazy long weekend I am still feeling pretty wiped! Spots are nearly gone—just discoloration now more than anything—but from what I've read the fatigue/malaise part of shingles can stick around for up to 5 weeks. Hope that's not the case here! This week is a busy one and I need all the energy I can get!

Can’t get you out of my head

I keep thinking about this post I saw in a discussion forum, from a person who was teetering on the edge of pre-diabetes and starting medication for that.

In America, so insurance arguing it’s not covered, and having to pay out of pocket. That’s a rant for another day.

What really struck me was their math—figuring that the cost of their meds (over $500/month) would be recouped by eating only one meal a day, instead of 2 + snacks.

I am pretty frugal, and prices are going up, but $500/month is what I spend on groceries for myself + my teenage kid who is with me over 70% of the time. And that’s Canadian dollars! $500 USD would be (quickly googles) $674 CAD at the moment (ugh). I never get close for that for two people, unless we’re hosting a party or something. And that was just part of what they were spending on food for one person. Say 2/3 of their per person food budget. That would add up to $2,000/month for two people! Four times what I spend! Just can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t understand how it adds up, unless you’re eating out every day, or eating all prepared/processed foods instead of cooking.

Of course, now that I type that, I am quietly nodding my head, because yep, I have encountered many Americans over the years who eat all kinds of processed and prepared foods. I guess there are Canadians who eat like that too but I just don’t hang out with them? I always remember years ago, seeing someone (American) post something in a cooking forum about buttermilk, and someone else (American) suggest “full fat buttermilk,” and I asked wasn’t buttermilk typically low fat because it’s what’s left after all the fat has gone into the butter, and they responded, “They don’t make it that way anymore, it’s all processed so they can leave the fat in.” And all I could think was, what a perfect metaphor for mainstream America, everything processed with extra fat included. And I mean I love my fat, don’t get me wrong. It’s the whole extra processing to make food faker that gets me. Buttermilk with extra fat. There’s also low-fat milk with extra protein. All kinds of processed foods that people eat while at the same time proclaiming carrots or whatever to be unhealthy. Take things out! Put things in! Synthesize “paleo” ice cream just like the cave man ate! Or fake fat potato chips that give you diarrhoea! Your body doesn’t know what it’s getting! And then wonder why you’re unhealthy. 

It’s funny because I know Americans who say they would never live here because taxes, but if the groceries are that much more? And healthcare? I think we definitely have the better deal north of 49.

Oops

I know it’s not de rigueur to be happy about being slim but I started digging out summer clothes today and am happy that my white jeans still fit nicely. Size 25!

I knew I was stressed, but…

I have shingles!

This spring has been hard, per usual, although less hard than other springs. I handled my grief a lot better, but also compensated by over-scheduling, too much volunteering (although I had no way of knowing how disorganized that one group would be, but note to self, just assume the worst and do not take on extra during spring), too many clients with the side-hustle, lots going on at work, the usual romantic woes, etc.

Anyway.

Last week, I put “gardening” in my calendar as a lunchtime appointment. It felt great! Getting outside in the sunshine, at one with nature. Good for mental and physical health both. The next day I had spots, and wrote them off as from a bug or plant (we did have a patch of nettles pop up one year). The day after, a couple more spots. Two days later, a few more. Main patch by my right knee, the others further up my leg—they’d make a neatish line if you joined them up.

And they hurt, and seemed to be getting worse, not better. I tried peroxide and bandages so at least they wouldn’t be bothered by the hem of my skirt etc. They just got worse. I got a new ointment yesterday and tried it this morning while googling “rash that doesn’t go away” and “rash on one leg only.” Shingles came up, and it did look in the early stages the way shingles looked last time. So I made a virtual appointment.

I never brought up shingles, but the Nurse Practitioner did, after looking at the photos and asking a few questions. Ugh.

Now I’m waiting for the prescription to go through, so I can get a topical steroid cream (it’s too late for the anti-virals). 

I’ve also had subconjunctival haemorrhage twice in the last couple of weeks. Not related apparently, but can also be a sign of stress. Keep thinking of that book, When the Body Says No. My body is saying NOOOOO!!!!!

I did it!

I survived!

Can’t help remembering when I started running, how many times I started Couch to 5k and gave up on week 4, running the Bunny Hop 5k in Barrie for Deaf Access Simcoe-Muskoka and collapse at the end from exhaustion, even last year when I almost gave up at the 8k mark in the Sporting Life 10k. 

This year felt so much better. Even biked there and back. I will never be a fitness nut (nor do I want to be) but feeling strong feels good. And it also feels good to know that making plans to support my best possible run actually does make a big difference. 

This time I focused on feeling good and finishing strong. I gave myself small goals along the way (don’t be the first to stop and walk, run at least 5k before taking a walk break, make it to the turning point before taking a walk break, make it to the bottom of the big hill before taking a walk break) and made decisions to support my needs beforehand as well as along the way (good sleep before, remembered to take vitamins, drank a V8, yogurt and a banana for breakfast, juice break at the turning point, dumping water on my head as needed to stay cool and fresh, a handful of dates in my pocket for energy, walk break up the hill), so I’d be in a good position to finish strong (one of the tenets of Slow Jogging being that you remember the run based on how you finish so if you finish strong you’ll feel good about the whole thing). Also helped knowing that the kid was up early and had a plan to get to the finish line.

And I exceeded my fundraising goal for the Cancer Society! Best way to remember and honour my mum this Sunday before Mother’s Day.

Before 

After—still smiling!

One more sleep!

Tomorrow is race day!

I am relieved and thrilled to have met my fundraising goal for the Cancer Society (although still accepting donations!) 

Yesterday I did a 5k run in the morning, and a 22k ride in the afternoon to pick up my bib etc. And some walking. Today will be mostly a rest day, although I do have tennis this afternoon. 

Right now, I’m trying to strategize what to eat and when. I treated myself to new socks and a new water bottle yesterday, and a fanny pack for snacks, although the shirt I got with my bib has a back pocket! So I think I’ll return the pack and just use that. beyond water, I thought I’d bring a banana and maybe a granola bar (I think I have some in the cupboard…) or gorp.

Typically, I don’t eat before a run—I go first thing in the morning, maybe have a V8 (sometimes with added salt) to get me started. 

This run is a bit different, so maybe requires a different strategy.

• it’s twice as far as my typical run
• it’s not a “get up and go” run, I have to get myself to the starting line

That, and I am going to the theatre tonight, so not sure when I’ll have dinner (before I head out at 5:30? after I get home at 11?). If I have a very early dinner, I’ll need something in the morning. If I have a very late dinner, probably not.

Reading this article on What to Eat before Running Any Distance they say to keep it minimal for a 10k, “since this workout will last less than an hour”—clearly they don’t know me!

Thinking I will have a yogurt and coffee in the morning, and bring a banana and a granola bar if I can find one in the house. Maybe eat half the banana before? The article suggests to eat “at least 30 minutes before you line up.” Maybe get to the start early (should do that anyway), eat the banana, and shove some dates in my pocket if I need something on the way? 

Last year was so awful; I want to avoid repeating that experience if I can. Hence over thinking fuel now; it’s something within my control, so if I can, I want to make the best choices possible.

Anyway. Wish me luck! And if you want, you can track my run!