Thyroid VS Running: Experience wanted!

I spoke to a couple people today at work regarding my thyroid issue. I found it intersting that they had a story to share regarding runners in thier families that were also diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism or Hyperthyroidism.

So I started to look into it a bit when I got home. I found a couple different things.

BUT I REALLY WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!!

I found this in Running times magazine. 
http://runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=21172
Thyroxin (T4) is released from the thyroid gland and then converted to a hormone called T3. As T3, it plays a major role in determining metabolic rate and maintaining muscle, brain, bowel and overall hormonal function. A malfunctioning thyroid can lead to hypothyroidism (under-secretion of T4) or hyperthyroidism (over-secretion of T4).

Training can bring on thyroid dysfunction in runners who have a family history. The stress of running "induces the antibody," causing the body to attack its own thyroid. "It's the actual training, and I don't mean overtraining," says Brown, "that causes the gene to turn on. With either too much or too little thyroid, your muscles don't contract normally. They don't have the power to contract. So sprinters don't run as fast, jumpers don't jump as far, and distance runners' times get slower." Treatment brings runners back to normal without conferring any advantage.

The website below was very informative for both conditions. It included the roles exercise play in both of them.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/388795-thyroid-problems-exercising/

I would really love some readers to give me some feedback or any personal experience. Please share as I am wanting to know if there is any ideas or thoughts that will be helpful to me! 

Anita

Tired Defined. Lab Results are in.

Hypothyroidism. Best defined as a under active thyroid.
I am 37 years old. I do not want to take a stinking pill the rest of my life.

I was just finishing up with my ultrasound on my goiter when Andy called with the results of my blood work from my last Drs appointment.
Andy called me from home with my results. Being the nurse that he is, he read me my results in a language I did not understand. Medical Jibberish. This is a language made of of all four syllable words that I have never used and have never even heard of before in my life.

I got the breakdown. A pill the rest of my life. Synthroid, 50 mg. GRRR.

THIS IS WHY I DO NOT LIKE TO GO TO THE DRS!!

RUN. That is the best therapy. 13 miles today. I ran 6 with a new partner. She was a breath of fresh air.

PHYSICALLY-

• Tired ALOT. but try the mind over matter thing and that works really good when combined with a cup of coffee!
• Outer side of right calf is sore, I think this is from my IT Band. B/c the knee was achy today also.
• My first 7 miles, my run was very hilly. I felt exhausted almost the entire time. Just could not get my head in the game.

MENTALLY-

• "Not everyone is going to like you, Anita"  Every once in a while I get mentally slapped around by this. Why do I have a incessant need for people to like me? You can not win the world. I mean come one..There are a lot of times I do not even like me. Or get annoyed with me, why wouldn't others?

JUST FOR TODAY:

• I will get to know someone new, Katie, And enjoy new personalities and talents.
• I will do what has to be done even when the conditions are not up to standards.
• I will accept the things that I can not change. This stupid Thyroid Issue.
• I will look to the simple things to make me grateful and humble. Listening to my children pray. There is nothing like the prayers of children. 
• I will treat myself once in a while to the NO NO's. Wendys Junior Cheeseburger. YUM

Anita

15 years Running the Course of Marriage

There are a lot of races that I have run. But Marriage has been the hardest race I have ever ran.
This race comes with a trophy every year. It is called an Anniversary.
This race is a course of endurance, commitment, sacrifice and dedication.
All those who register to run this race have different obstacles and support to contend with.

But I am here to tell you my course has been one of hardship, hurts and heartbreak. The path that we set out for was full of pot holes and broken bridges from the beginning.
The first year of marriage we found ourselves already separated! We started our marriage behind the gun. We struggled with forgiveness and  insecurities from our mistakes and error. We are both strong willed and stubborn. Most of the course we were not running together rather separate and independent.
Eccl 4:9-10 "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." 

We, as a couple have ran from our past, out run our demons, hurdled our heart aches and trampled over "ourselves." (Die to Self).
We have sought God for our foundation.
We began fueling on forgiveness.
We started packing away patience.
Being one anothers support system. This support system requires you to encourage, edify,learn AND listen.
For 15 years I continue to train and run the Course of Marriage.
I can see so many areas that I have improved in and soo many areas that still need work.

Training together

Andy trying to Out do me!!

I have enjoyed watching the two us grow together. Strengthening each other. Believing in each others dreams and desires. Working through the blockade or around the boundaries but not letting them stop us or be the ending of our course.
All the hard work has really paid off. 15 years, two amazing boys, and happiness. True joy. I love the fact we ran together against the odds. We never through in the towel and all the time not knowing how awesomeness was waiting like a hydration station right around the corner. Just around the bend was the fruit of our labor. 
Just as Andy always says to me. "You have to train in the elements". The hardest parts of training, the things that hurt the most, those are the best tools for success. Not giving up when it is tough or hard or seems like the course is impossible. Not giving in because that is what everyone else is doing, Not being compromised or conformed but being committed and content. Digging deep, Daring to believe, Fighting the good Fight.

Happy Anniversary to My Partner, My Best friend, My Lover, My Children's Father, My Coach..Looking forward to what lies ahead of us on our course...

THE RUNDOWN

Ran 7 miles with Sheba. We caught the only hour that was not raining! But at mile 5 the Skies opened followed by thunder.Poor Sheba. She was very nervous. She was soaked but so was I. It was refreshing. Just what a girl would want to make the day even more perfect. A good Run..


Anita

Running with the Hubby..First time

Watching Andy go through surgery on his Achilles Tendon last year was tough. I have had 2 knees surgeries back to back. So I know first hand the devastation in this.
Andy had just accomplished 2 of his dream runs, The CRIM and the Detroit Half Marathon before he ruptured his Achilles tendon, I was so proud of him. Then in just a simple game of church basketball it was all gone.
He knew as he heard it POP in mid air that this was not good.
I was crushed for him. Torn up for him.
He was still a relatively new runner finally getting the hang of this running thing. He struggled almost everyday with IT BAND issues. Yet he never gave up, never gave in and  never allowed the pain of his injury to devour his victory he wanted to achieve.
My husband is a FIGHTER.
And to prove this one step further, he did the surgery WITHOUT any narcotics!!!!
My husband has 6 1/2 years clean from IV drug use.
HE is a FIGHTER!!
He had fought his addiction for 6 years and now he was going to HAVE to have this surgery but there was NO WAY in all of HELL he was going back to Egypt.

FIGHTING all of Hell. This surgery was very painful physically and mentally. Andy, in the last 2 years had lost over 40 lbs working out regularly at the YMCA, biking and running.
He suddenly was laid out on his back,, on crutches, non weight bearing and casted. He lost more than 50% of the calf muscle that for 2 years he had built. GONE. All gone.
His Endurance..Gone
His Stamina..Gone
His Strength..Gone
His Biking...Gone
His Running ...Gone
He was in a PIT.
Psalm 40:2" He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."
 I would pray for God to bring Andy out of his PIT.

Then Spring sprung! Little by little the last few weeks I have watched Andy's countenance start to change.
He started setting goals.
He started exercising again.
He started smiling again.
He started to accomplishing those goals..

I used to love to run with him. We both fed off each others strengths and helped to dispose of each others weaknesses.

Yesterday I got to run with Andy. Smooth and Steady. I could see his strength coming back. His stride was long and purposeful.
I think I smiled the whole way.

4 Mile Run -First Run together since November 2010

Yeah, I was going slower than usual but that meant nothing in comparison to being loving and supportive to Andy. This was HIS accomplishment. And he enjoyed me being there to see HIS success.
This run was a reminder to me what a fighter my husband was.
He does everything he is supposed to do, from icing, to stretching to rolling, his training far exceeds mine. It is humbling to watch how hard he works. He is a good reminder of being up Against the odds and not giving up! My husband inspires me. Who Inspires you??

TWO CENTS WORTH:

• The best way to prevent an Achilles tendon injury is to a) stay in overall good shape, and b) warm-up, stretch, and strengthen the Achilles tendons.
• There are over 250,000 achilles tendon injuries each year in the US.
• A fully ruptured tendon REQUIRES surgery. It will not heal on its own.
•  3-5% of athletes are forced to leave their sports career due to Achilles tendon overuse injuries that go untreated.

Anita

Fire Burning..Fire Burning.

Temperature in Holly Michigan

86 degrees 56% humidity

Mostly SUNNY.

Todays RUN

8.05 miles

Average pace 8:33

Total Time 1:08:52

Hill workout

Summer Salad with Blue Cheese and Raspberry Vinaigrette

Before Running I LOVED the heat. I would sit out in it for hours, tan like a Coppertone Baby, takes naps under the rays, and duplicate it the following day. My Mexican blood can tolerate high temps with delight and ease. That was all before RUNNING. Now don't get me wrong I still love the blazing sun and still air, but not when you add running to the equation. I feel like a female version of the HULK. Only rather than  bulking up and beefing out, I wimp out and freak out! I become pouty and whiny.

But I sucked it up and went out there, even running a mile more than I had planned. It felt like summer. Hot and humid. I had no other choice but to wear my sports bra and shorts. I hate to do this because I feel like a Hoochy Mama! But I know that when I run it is going to feel hotter than it is, today, about 96 degrees is what I felt!

There were a lot of hills on my run today. At mile 7, I was praying to God for Strength, Stamina and Safety.

I finished. We will leave it at that!

When I arrived home, I hollered at my kids to bring me some cold water. It was so wonderful. I collapsed on the cement pavement, my son also brought me a towel. I remember the towel smelled like fabric softner. For some reason that scent was thereputic to me in my moment of distress. ODD?!

Finding joy playing with my boys, great way to cool down after a hot RUN!

The kids were all playing outside. They were having a water fight with the neighbors. I was having fun watching..and even did a little devious engaging myself. UNTIL ANDY conspired against me and I found myself soaked! Oh, the laughs.  The water was welcomed and refreshing. We were ALL for ourselves and no one was being spared. Such FUN. 

Reminders, Don't take life so serious, Seriously it can be a lot of fun. No Excuses do what you set out to do, maybe you have to recalculate your plan of action but make it happen. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Enjoy the little things in life, smelling the roses, enjoying a water fight, or cooking a great meal and enjoy every bite! We work to hard in life  not to locate areas in our life that deserve a smile, giggle or a little excitement.

What did you do for excitement today? For a childlike laugh or giggle? 

Anita

Rundown on my 5 favorites:

My Five Favorite Running Mantras:

Mantras are those words, quotes, and phrases we tell ourselves when we are running to motivate ourselves!

1. Shut up and Run, Anita.
2. Buckle down, GO GO, Own that hill.
3. Your body is a machine. Run it.
4. Steady and smooth..
5. Run through the pain. 

My Five Favorite Running Attire

HVAC Brooks Running shorts

 

 

 




1. Brooks Ghost running Shoes
2. HVAC Synergy shorts by Brooks
3. Asics eco Hera  Low Cut Socks 
4. Nike Running Capris
5. Lucy Running Hat

My Five Favorite Running Tools

1. Garmin Watch
2. Ipod Nano
3. Nike Plus
4. Chapstick
5. Extra Gum

 My Running Play list

1. Halcyon - Delphic
2. I Need Words - David Crowder Band
3. Starry Eyed - Ellie Goulding
4. Jungle Drum - Emilianna Torina
5. Back In Your Head - Tegan and Sara
6. OHH Ahh My Life be Like - Grits
7. How you Like me Know - The Heavy
8. Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker
9. Brand New Key - Melanie
10. Just Can/t Get Enough- Black Eyed Peas

Five Favorite Quotes

1. “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” 
2. “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” 
3. "Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
4. "Never, Never , Never Quit" 
5. "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me"     

There are a lot of Favorites that I have, Favorite runs, Favorite chews, My Favorite Heroes. Everyone has a favorite, the things that motivate you encourage you, drive you. What are some of your Favorites? Please share. Some of your Mantra, the things that drive you, motivate you? 

Anita