New Year – Old Issue

I an now officially feeling old.  I finally got to the point that the doctor had to put me on blood pressure medicine for the obvious reason.  I’ve been borderline high blood pressure for a couple of years and it had started going up over the last 6 months.  This week the increase wasn’t a little bit, as it shot up to 201/120. I took the 201/120 reading with a small electric BP monitor, so I wasn’t sure how accurate it was and although I didn’t feel great, I didn’t feel horrible.

The next day things seemed to get worse. While at work, I began to feel horrible.  That was the best word to describe it as I felt as if I couldn’t keep my eyes open, my legs wouldn’t work or hold me up and finally my chest was aflutter.  My partner-in-curricula had the foresight to contact one of the paramedics in our office.  This time the reading was 190/120.  (This is when it is good to work where there are health professionals.) I’m guessing my little BP monitor wasn’t all that inaccurate after all. He had me put up my feet and relax while I awaited a call from my doctor.  Of course when I finally saw my doctor, my BP was much lower (still borderline) but thanks to the paramedic, the doc decided it was time for meds.  Obviously, controlling with exercise was not doing the job.

Only two days on the new meds and I am already feeling better.  I can only imagine how much better I’ll feel once my BP is stabilized.    It is like night and day.  I am looking forward to seeing how things may change including my running.  It will take up to 3 weeks or more to stabilize my BP, but I think this is a good start.

Since I have just started the medicine I’m going to give it time to work.  In that sense I’m going to take a few weeks off from racing.  I had planned to run one on Valentine’s Day, but I think I’ll volunteer instead.  I should be good to go for the Shamrock though. I am also taking it a little easy at my torture session.  I think I gave the Sadist a little bit of a scare with the high numbers.  He has shown concern and follows up on how things are.  He keeps this up and I might begin to think he likes me.   Who knew?

Sore Throat & Sniffles

This has not been a good week.  I have been sick for much of it and so far I have missed one training session and making it to the second one is not looking good either.   It's been quite a while since I had a nasty cold with the works.   You know it is bad when you walk into the office and your boss, who usually gives you the 3rd degree if you call out, sends you right back out the door. The second day, she let me work half of the day before agreeing I should go home instead of spreading germs.  This is not conducive to getting any of my work done, which I am already way behind on.
 

Introducing Ray Lewis

Although I said this wasn't a good week, it didn't start out that way.  Sunday, I went to my first Raven's game and it was a blast.  My cold had started the day before, but it was just a minor sore throat with some sniffles and I wasn't going to let that stop me.  Monday, I headed out to the ballpark for an Oriole doubleheader (we're in the race for the pennant this year).  The first game, I did well, but by the second one I faded fast (as did the O's).  The minor sniffles and sore throat were no longer minor and could not be ignored.  I'm sure if I had stayed home, I may have avoided feeling icky all week, however I would have missed going to the games. I don't regret going the games, it was well worth it.  Unfortunately, there was a price to pay.

Me and Mr. Boh

Once I'm back to at least 90% and not coughing after every few minutes of talking, I can get back to working out.  I never thought I would actually miss my workouts.  In fact, I even miss seeing and interacting with the Sadist. Aside from the physical benefits of working out, there are some definite mental side benefits.  With so much going on at home, work and school, the workouts help me to work out some of the frustration I feel on a daily basis.  Hopefully, I'll be back in the gym in no time and working out with my favorite Sadist.