New goals

Hello,

I am returning to this blog with new goals and aspirations. A friend said I should aspire to do less sometime and see how it feels. I might try that next year. . . ;)  But anyone who knows me knows I can't sit still and always have a project in the works or a goal I'm trying to reach.

My husband (and daughter) and myself at Blarney Castle in Ireland after the half marathon

My next goal is huge, beyond huge. It's huge for a normal person. Having EDS makes it that much bigger. I won't say what it is yet. I am giving myself 8 weeks to see if it is physically possible, then I will share. If it isn't possible, I will still share, but the disappointment won't feel quite as bad if I can just say, "well, I had this thing I wanted to do and it didn't work out. . . " That's easier to say than building up a dream and then having to face that it won't happen. So all I'm doing right now is taking 8 weeks to even see if it is possible. Then I will work toward it with the actual possibility in mind.

Me with my family right after the race

I am returning to the blog for this for several reasons. One is to keep track of my progress. If this does pan out, I'm going to want to see the progress I've made. And two, I need help from my fellow EDSers who know what it feels like, have experienced all of the aches and pains and dislocations, and also encouragement from those who have experienced what I have and overcome it through exercise.

I'll start here: It involves running. And fast. Very fast. For long distances. I have avoided all injuries in my marathon training and also have avoided any injuries since then as I have continued to run. I have learned how to run and focus on my ankles to make sure I avoid injuries. This extreme focus does slow me down. So now that I need to focus more on my speed and can't slow down I fear injury. A couple of posts ago I told you about my sister in law who makes Crossfit wristwraps. I've contacted her to see if she'd make me some for my ankles and see if that eases my mind when I run. I haven't heard back from her yet as they have recently had a death in the family. But I'm hoping after a few days she'll be able to be of some help to me as my "training" is now in FULL swing. In the mean time, I am using an ace bandage, but it's too much. Too bulky. Even if I cut it down in size. It's a lot wider that I would like around my ankles.

My mom and I before the race. My favorite pic :)

So my question is: what do you use for ankle support? Have you made anything yourself that helps? I may try making my own support straps. Is there  product or tape that you like to use? I haven't had to use any tapes yet to keep my joints together or from dislocating, but I am not opposed to it. So if anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear about them!

And today's results:

Total miles run: 5.34
Time: 50:15
break down: .5 warm up mile at 5-6 miles per hour, one full mile at 9 miles per hour 3.5 miles at 7.5 miles per hour, .34 miles cool down at 4.5-5 miles per hour speed.

I felt great when I had to finish my run, but I had to go home as my kids were going to be waking up. I plan to go in to the gym earlier tomorrow and see if I can maintain an 8 mile per hour speed for as long a distance as I can before I have to go home when my kids wake up. It's been 7 hours since I did this run and my legs don't hurt at all. I probably could have gone on for a long time. After the 9 mile per hour mile I did feel like I was going to die. :) but When I was running at 7.5 miles per hour and got into the second mile, I started to get into the groove and felt like I could run for hours.

My mom and my son on the Luas (public transportation in Dublin)

 

I know the doctors have been telling us not to run and not to do high impact, but I have never felt better. I dislocate extremely rarely now. I feel great and I don't feel loose when I walk. I feel strong and capable of anything! I don't know if I'll be paying for this later, but it has made me a better mom now. I can play with my kids, I can take care of my family because I physically feel well.

 

Let me know what straps or tapes or supports you use and recommend. I look forward to hearing from you and trying out new products.

M.