Comments for Chronic Triathlete http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress An athlete's path to recovery from Lyme disease Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:28:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Comment on I ran a marathon and didn’t die by Chronic Triathlete http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/i-ran-a-marathon-and-didnt-die/comment-page-1#comment-838 Chronic Triathlete Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:28:23 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=1380#comment-838 Well... I find that it's a balance. If I don't exercise, I tend to feel worse. However, if I do too much... then I feel even worse than if I didn't. It's all about finding that balance. I know a few other runners and cyclists who'd say the same thing. I'd say, talk to your LLMD, but give it a go. Well… I find that it’s a balance. If I don’t exercise, I tend to feel worse. However, if I do too much… then I feel even worse than if I didn’t. It’s all about finding that balance.

I know a few other runners and cyclists who’d say the same thing. I’d say, talk to your LLMD, but give it a go.

]]> Comment on I ran a marathon and didn’t die by John Feld http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/i-ran-a-marathon-and-didnt-die/comment-page-1#comment-837 John Feld Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:21:45 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=1380#comment-837 I appreciate your finishing the race. It gives me hope. I'm three months into treatment and feeling a ton of fatigue. I can't imagine exercising now! But did you? Do you think it would help or contribute more to the fatigue and muscle and joint aches that I currently feel? Thanks for posting, John I appreciate your finishing the race. It gives me hope. I’m three months into treatment and feeling a ton of fatigue. I can’t imagine exercising now! But did you? Do you think it would help or contribute more to the fatigue and muscle and joint aches that I currently feel?

Thanks for posting,
John

]]> Comment on Symptom Charts – July 2009 by Chronic Triathlete http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/symptom-chart-july-2009/comment-page-1#comment-836 Chronic Triathlete Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:02:10 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=255#comment-836 Jan... Hi. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I initially created the charts in Adobe Illustrator, but then moved to Excel. My Excel skills are poor so even there it was a largely manual process and not something that I can easily give to someone without a lot of explanation. I would be interested in speaking with you more about your data collection idea. With all of the requests I get for more info on my charts, I've had similar thoughts about creating something that others could use. Please email me through the Contact form on my site. Jan… Hi. Thanks for your comment.

Yes, I initially created the charts in Adobe Illustrator, but then moved to Excel. My Excel skills are poor so even there it was a largely manual process and not something that I can easily give to someone without a lot of explanation.

I would be interested in speaking with you more about your data collection idea. With all of the requests I get for more info on my charts, I’ve had similar thoughts about creating something that others could use. Please email me through the Contact form on my site.

]]> Comment on Training With Lyme Disease: Part 1 – Focus on today, train for tomorrow by Chronic Triathlete http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/training-with-lyme-disease-part-1-focus-on-today-train-for-tomorrow/comment-page-1#comment-835 Chronic Triathlete Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:55:31 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=310#comment-835 Lynn... sorry to hear you're struggling with Lyme. With the right treatment there's a good chance that you'll get through it 100%, but you're right... running will probably never be the same. It might be better! Since getting Lyme, I've achieved more PRs than when I was Lyme-free. In fact, yesterday I won my first race. It was a local 5k and a minute over my PR of 2 years ago, but a win is a win and I'll take it. Of course, all of this comes with a great attention to... well, everything. Diet, sleep, emotional well-being, etc. but it's possible to have Lyme and thrive athletically. I know two other guys who are cyclists with Lyme. They struggle from time to time (we all do), but they're riding and racing at a level that's satisfactory to them. Regarding your questions about biking. I think it's a great alternative to running. It's much easier to go for an easy bike ride than it is to go for an easy run... especially for someone who's use to running competitively. There's definitely less shock on the body (the pounding of running) and you can often keep your heart rate lower on the bike. Regarding the groin injury... are you sure it's not Lyme? I had wicked... and I mean WICKED... lower back pain shortly after attempting to return to training after initially being knocked out of any exercise for 6 months due to Lyme. My chiropractor though I had pulled my psoas muscle, but I believe it was Lyme doing something. It faded over time with treatment. If you're issue comes and goes, you may want to consider PT. It could be that you're not resting it to 100% and aggravating it again with running too soon. Depending on what muscle it is, biking my or may not bother it. Hope that helps. Feel free to email me directly if you have any more questions. You can use the Contact form here on my site. Lynn… sorry to hear you’re struggling with Lyme. With the right treatment there’s a good chance that you’ll get through it 100%, but you’re right… running will probably never be the same. It might be better!

Since getting Lyme, I’ve achieved more PRs than when I was Lyme-free. In fact, yesterday I won my first race. It was a local 5k and a minute over my PR of 2 years ago, but a win is a win and I’ll take it.

Of course, all of this comes with a great attention to… well, everything. Diet, sleep, emotional well-being, etc. but it’s possible to have Lyme and thrive athletically. I know two other guys who are cyclists with Lyme. They struggle from time to time (we all do), but they’re riding and racing at a level that’s satisfactory to them.

Regarding your questions about biking. I think it’s a great alternative to running. It’s much easier to go for an easy bike ride than it is to go for an easy run… especially for someone who’s use to running competitively. There’s definitely less shock on the body (the pounding of running) and you can often keep your heart rate lower on the bike.

Regarding the groin injury… are you sure it’s not Lyme? I had wicked… and I mean WICKED… lower back pain shortly after attempting to return to training after initially being knocked out of any exercise for 6 months due to Lyme. My chiropractor though I had pulled my psoas muscle, but I believe it was Lyme doing something. It faded over time with treatment.

If you’re issue comes and goes, you may want to consider PT. It could be that you’re not resting it to 100% and aggravating it again with running too soon. Depending on what muscle it is, biking my or may not bother it.

Hope that helps. Feel free to email me directly if you have any more questions. You can use the Contact form here on my site.

]]> Comment on Training With Lyme Disease: Part 1 – Focus on today, train for tomorrow by Lynn http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/training-with-lyme-disease-part-1-focus-on-today-train-for-tomorrow/comment-page-1#comment-834 Lynn Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:54:46 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=310#comment-834 I am a former runner, diagnosed with Lyme about a year ago. I think I've had it since 2003. I have just recently accepted the fact that running will never be the same for me. In fact, I may give it up and replace it with cycling. Since you're a triathlete, how does cycling compare with running? I was hoping it would be easier on the Lyme body, and maybe quicker recovery time. Is that wishful thinking? Either way, I was just fitted for a road bike, and I'm very excited. Walking just isn't enough for me. Like you, I also have problems with my right side. It is weaker and always suffers more after (and during) exercise. Right before Lyme took me out of the running game, I suffered a groin injury. It has been almost a year and is still bothering me. I don't know how much of it is Lyme or injury. It is the biggest thing holding me back. Not sure what to do about it at this point. Maybe physical therapy? Thanks for your post. I selfishly wish I had a Lyme athlete partner to train with. :-) I am a former runner, diagnosed with Lyme about a year ago. I think I’ve had it since 2003. I have just recently accepted the fact that running will never be the same for me. In fact, I may give it up and replace it with cycling.

Since you’re a triathlete, how does cycling compare with running? I was hoping it would be easier on the Lyme body, and maybe quicker recovery time. Is that wishful thinking? Either way, I was just fitted for a road bike, and I’m very excited. Walking just isn’t enough for me.

Like you, I also have problems with my right side. It is weaker and always suffers more after (and during) exercise. Right before Lyme took me out of the running game, I suffered a groin injury. It has been almost a year and is still bothering me. I don’t know how much of it is Lyme or injury. It is the biggest thing holding me back. Not sure what to do about it at this point. Maybe physical therapy? Thanks for your post. I selfishly wish I had a Lyme athlete partner to train with. :-)

]]> Comment on Symptom Charts – July 2009 by Jan http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/symptom-chart-july-2009/comment-page-1#comment-833 Jan Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:24:59 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=255#comment-833 Hi, I'm looking for a charting system just like yours for a friend who has similar problems and I'm thinking about a bigger goal as well. I read that you created it in Adobe Illustrator and it isn't easy to use but then I saw you were talking about Excel. Did you do a new one in Excel? Is there anything you can share? I am an epidemiologist and I'm thinking about the value of collecting this kind of data not just for my friend but if I collected data from lots of people with similar problems I could do a study (I'm an epidemiologist). However, the only way to do such a study would be web based and with a user friendly interface. My husband is a physical scientist and can do a lot of pattern analysis and I can do the epi. I don't think anyone has done such a study and it could be a huge contribution. Do you have any interest in such a project? Thanks, Jan Hi,
I’m looking for a charting system just like yours for a friend who has similar problems and I’m thinking about a bigger goal as well.

I read that you created it in Adobe Illustrator and it isn’t easy to use but then I saw you were talking about Excel. Did you do a new one in Excel? Is there anything you can share?

I am an epidemiologist and I’m thinking about the value of collecting this kind of data not just for my friend but if I collected data from lots of people with similar problems I could do a study (I’m an epidemiologist). However, the only way to do such a study would be web based and with a user friendly interface. My husband is a physical scientist and can do a lot of pattern analysis and I can do the epi. I don’t think anyone has done such a study and it could be a huge contribution.

Do you have any interest in such a project?
Thanks,
Jan

]]> Comment on I ran a marathon and didn’t die by Mike http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/i-ran-a-marathon-and-didnt-die/comment-page-1#comment-832 Mike Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:40:56 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=1380#comment-832 Glad to hear you're still "pushing the envelope" so to speak. I totally agree with the philosophy that you can't let the Lyme affliction take over your life. The disease is there, no doubt about it. But you have to push past it and just move on with your life. It's sad that the medical community hasn't come up with a cure or at least a valid, approved-by-all, explanation for what is ailing so many people, but that's the way it is. No silver bullet - no cure, so got to deal with it. Your blog has taught me that exercise is one of the better ways to do just that - deal with it. Antibiotics certainly didn't help (did 18 months worth). And most of the supplements don't seem to be doing much either. But exercise, and plenty of it, has kept me in descent shape throughout and even better yet - given me hope that eventually I will conquer this disease. Thanks again for your inspirational blog! It was instrumental in me moving forward with my life. Always interested in your progress towards the "finish line". Mike Glad to hear you’re still “pushing the envelope” so to speak. I totally agree with the philosophy that you can’t let the Lyme affliction take over your life. The disease is there, no doubt about it. But you have to push past it and just move on with your life. It’s sad that the medical community hasn’t come up with a cure or at least a valid, approved-by-all, explanation for what is ailing so many people, but that’s the way it is. No silver bullet – no cure, so got to deal with it. Your blog has taught me that exercise is one of the better ways to do just that – deal with it. Antibiotics certainly didn’t help (did 18 months worth). And most of the supplements don’t seem to be doing much either. But exercise, and plenty of it, has kept me in descent shape throughout and even better yet – given me hope that eventually I will conquer this disease. Thanks again for your inspirational blog! It was instrumental in me moving forward with my life. Always interested in your progress towards the “finish line”.

Mike

]]> Comment on Training With Lyme Disease: Part 1 – Focus on today, train for tomorrow by Chronic Triathlete http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/training-with-lyme-disease-part-1-focus-on-today-train-for-tomorrow/comment-page-1#comment-831 Chronic Triathlete Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:00:41 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=310#comment-831 I find that if I miss a few days of running that I feel worse. I took most of December "off" from training. Not that I didn't run... I did, but I just didn't run everyday or on a training schedule. Towards the end of the month I started feeling pretty sick and tired. Today's actually pretty bad, but I know that if I stick with it it'll get better in a few days. Hang in there are keep running!!! I find that if I miss a few days of running that I feel worse. I took most of December “off” from training. Not that I didn’t run… I did, but I just didn’t run everyday or on a training schedule. Towards the end of the month I started feeling pretty sick and tired. Today’s actually pretty bad, but I know that if I stick with it it’ll get better in a few days. Hang in there are keep running!!!

]]> Comment on Training With Lyme Disease: Part 1 – Focus on today, train for tomorrow by Nancy http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/training-with-lyme-disease-part-1-focus-on-today-train-for-tomorrow/comment-page-1#comment-830 Nancy Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:53:24 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=310#comment-830 thank you for this article. My biggest excuse is "Ill pay for this tomorrow" I used to work out on my lunch. Now I nap. I really want to get out there and look and feel better thank you for this article. My biggest excuse is “Ill pay for this tomorrow” I used to work out on my lunch. Now I nap. I really want to get out there and look and feel better

]]> Comment on I ran a marathon and didn’t die by beth http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/i-ran-a-marathon-and-didnt-die/comment-page-1#comment-829 beth Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:27:28 +0000 http://chronictriathlete.com/wordpress/?p=1380#comment-829 Congratulations! I ran a New Year's Day 5K and didn't die. It FELT like a marathon, though! I continue to have challenges getting a normal response to exercise and running. I've been trying for over 2 years (since my PICC came out) to resume a regular running regimen, but not making much progress. However, I was recently part of the Atlanta launch of a BACK ON MY FEET chapter and have been running/walking with a group of guys in transitional housing. BACK ON MY FEET is a comprehensive program that helps the homeless through running, and also aids in vocational training, job placement, and permanent housing arrangements. I wasn't sure if I could do it physically, but they start out running one mile, and even I can do that! All I have to do is show up at the Salvation Army at 5:45 am a couple of days a week and run/walk a couple of miles with a group of guys committed to changing their life around. BACK ON MY FEET is scheduling a NYC launch this spring and I'm guessing it will be their biggest one yet. Sounds like you have a full plate, but it's an impressive program if you or any runner friends are looking for outreach opportunities. The website is backonmyfeet.org and there's also a ton of press if you google it. They're on FB and our ATL chapter has a FB page, as well. Happy New Year! I'm always encouraged by your posts, and though I miss your Lyme related ones, I'm glad it's not such a big part of your life these days! Beth Congratulations! I ran a New Year’s Day 5K and didn’t die. It FELT like a marathon, though! I continue to have challenges getting a normal response to exercise and running. I’ve been trying for over 2 years (since my PICC came out) to resume a regular running regimen, but not making much progress.

However, I was recently part of the Atlanta launch of a BACK ON MY FEET chapter and have been running/walking with a group of guys in transitional housing. BACK ON MY FEET is a comprehensive program that helps the homeless through running, and also aids in vocational training, job placement, and permanent housing arrangements. I wasn’t sure if I could do it physically, but they start out running one mile, and even I can do that! All I have to do is show up at the Salvation Army at 5:45 am a couple of days a week and run/walk a couple of miles with a group of guys committed to changing their life around.

BACK ON MY FEET is scheduling a NYC launch this spring and I’m guessing it will be their biggest one yet. Sounds like you have a full plate, but it’s an impressive program if you or any runner friends are looking for outreach opportunities. The website is backonmyfeet.org and there’s also a ton of press if you google it. They’re on FB and our ATL chapter has a FB page, as well.

Happy New Year! I’m always encouraged by your posts, and though I miss your Lyme related ones, I’m glad it’s not such a big part of your life these days!

Beth

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