I’ve been focused so much on getting back into race shape recently that I’ve even decided to brave the elements.  The courage to do so was found in large part out of necessity.   Looking to start the racing season early I skipped over the traditional 4 mile and 5k warm up distances in registering for the Hot Chocolate 10k in downtown Asheville on Saturday January 25th.  At last glance the forecast that morning is calling for a mix of rain and snow but I’m hoping for an all out blizzard as long as I have to run in inclement weather.    I’ve also registered for the annual pilgrimage to Charleston, SC and the world’s largest 10k, the Cooper River Bridge Run.  My desire to start the race season early was in part because of a need for goals to keep myself motivated and focused.  Having a race every two weeks or so keeps me on track and mentally and physically.   Also a contributing factor was to run a few 10k races in advance of the Bridge Run in the hopes of getting a qualifying time down to where it was when I was avidly racing…are you ready for this?….10 years ago!  Boy time flies!   Back then my 10k times were consistently between 40 and 42 minutes, not the 48-49 minutes I currently run.  Back then I didn’t have an ostomy and still had a colon as well.  Needless to say a lot has changed.  In running a sub 45 10k I could get placed into a fast corral and avoid all the idiots at the bridge run that register under the auspice they are going to run a sub 50 10k and then walk the distance and do nothing but get in the way.    That’s a whole other topic.

It didn’t take long this time around after surgery to get my miles back up.   I’m currently running 6-7 miles at a time with no problem.  I’ve learned a few things both about running now at almost 41 years of age and with an ostomy.   Hydration is important and I feel that a lot of symptoms I’ve been experiencing on a daily basis including nausea and lower abdominal pain may have more to do with dehydration and proper nutrition than anything else.  As an anxiety ridden and neurotic ostomate I find that I often starve myself to avoid excessive bathroom breaks or having to empty my appliance at inopportune times.  A lot of that has to do with being the sole caretake of my four year old son during the week.  To balance things out I consume a lot of protein shakes, greek yogurt, electrolyte enhanced water, and vitamin supplements.

I want to be smarter now that I’m older and hopefully a bit wiser when it comes to my training.  Last year I tried to run hard every day.  I did not pay attention to things like proper stretching, proper footwear, and balance.  It cost me in the form of an achilles tendonitis injury that took months to recover from.  I don’t run every day now, yet could easily put in 30 miles a week.   In between running days I try to mix in elliptical work, which works different muscles and gives my joints a rest.   I’ve also incorporated yoga/stretching into my daily regimen.  I’m also not afraid to take a day off either whereas before I felt like a whip if I took a day off.

As I grew older my loathing of running in cold weather increased almost to the level of phobia.  It never used to be that way.  When younger and running cross country and track I reveled in running in any element and nothing stopped me from going out the door.  I learned of something called treadmill season as accepted that as more of a norm.  However, with the proper attire the outdoors are nothing to be fearful of even when the temperatures fall well below freezing.  In many ways its easier than running in the sweltering heat and humidity of summer in the south.   I don’t know which I detest more, treadmill running which seems to take more of a toll on my joints than asphalt or cold weather.   After some cold weather runs I am inclined to say that the treadmill is more hazardous to my health. I tried mixing speed and hill work in on the treadmill and wound up tweaking my ankle as a result.   I don’t have that issue in the outdoors.

The good news is that over the past year I’ve learned what it means to be a runner as I age and as an ostomate, a double whammy.  I am still learning to find balance and learning how to train.  Hopefully my lessons will be helpful for others also trying to find their place.