The month of November is not over. In fact, I still have 13.3 miles to run in the next three days. I’ve run 100 miles a month for the last 11 months, so I absolutely plan to hit those miles. Thankfully, I’m doing the Runner’s World Run Streak again, so I’m slowly chipping away at them.
Today for Tuesdays on the Run, we are rating our month. Normally, I just rate my running, but this month I’m going a bit deeper and talking about some other aspects of my life. Overall, I’d say my month started with a C, but it managed to pull itself together and end with around an A-.
So, here’s what’s been going on with me…
A few weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon, I started having some weird symptoms. Nothing major or painful, but enough to get my attention. But, of course, I had a marathon to run, so I refused to think about it. After the marathon, things became less noticeable, but continued to bother me, so I finally went to my doctor. A long visit with my primary physician, a bajillion blood tests, a visit to a neurologist, nerve testing, and an MRI later, I appear to be fine. Both doctors think the issue is stress. Hmm, guess running isn’t quite the stress reliever that I thought it was.
But all those long runs by myself with no music apparently prepared me for an MRI? Seriously, I had no issues entertaining myself while I had to be perfectly still. I’ve always had no problem being in my own head while I’m running and that served me well during the test. (I will say, though, that the best advice I found on the internet was to make sure the ear plugs were damp when you pushed them into your ears. This totally cut the noise from the machine to a manageable level.)
Adding to the fun that was the month of November was an issue with my contacts. My eye doctor changed both the brand and the prescription of my contacts. I’ve spent the whole month trying to actually see clearly (it’s amazing how difficult it is to function when you can’t quite get things 100% in focus). I knew the problem was the contacts as I could see just fine with my glasses, but it took multiple changes to finally figure out the solution. In the end, I went back to both my old brand and my old prescription. I’ll just wear the reading glasses, thankyouverymuch.
November wasn’t all bad though and it’s ending on a high note. I hope to have a fun announcement on the job front soon and I’ve started making some fun plans for next summer. I have a half marathon and a 15K coming up in December and I’m starting a new workout program soon (more on that in a few weeks).
In the end, I’m going to give the month an A-, even if I still have miles hanging over my head.
And how was your month???
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Glad to hear everything is ok with your health symptoms. l00 miles every month this year is amazing! Sounds like you have some exciting things to look forward to!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Month in Review: November 2017
Took it down to the wire this month – just barely broke 100 today.
Glad to hear November is ending better than it started. Definitely a busy month for me, but being Jewish I can heave a sigh of relief!
And I still don’t understand why we need readers if we wear contacts/glasses (and still refuse to use them!).
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…November 2017: Did I pass?
I can’t refuse to wear the readers – I’d never be able to work LOL. I’m just not a candidate for bifocal contacts and I refuse to wear glasses all the time.
An ‘A’ ain’t all that bad with all of that business going on, girl. Good for you for acknowledging the positive along with a few (albeit, blahhhhhhish) challenges. Cheers to a rockin’ December!
Thanks!
I hope the MRI comes back OK! Definitely not a great way to start the month. Just like in a race though, you finished your month strong- I like that positive attitude. I’d say my month was the same. Start off finding out I wasn’t pregnant (after 8 rounds of IUI and 1 round of IVF) and a few of our eggs didn’t make it. But we ended with Thanksgiving, my fave holiday, with family and our next transfer with IVF, so things are looking up! Here’s a a great last few days of Nov!
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com recently posted…Thanksgiving Week and Baby #2 Update
MRI came back fine, which was good news. Finger crossed for your IVF.
I’m glad to hear that all your symptoms turned out to be “nothing”. Nobody’s got time for illness!
Seriously tho, take care of yourself!
Wendy recently posted…Race Recap: Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon
I’m trying to take it easy – got some massages lined up soon…
That’s scary stuff about your health issues. I’m glad they say you are fine and hope those symptoms don’t return. Congrats on the running streak. If I ran 10 miles this month i’d be surprised…lol
It’s been a little frustrating and I’m still a little worried about it, but they found nothing…
My month was pretty good. I can account it to running a marathon on my B-day and PRd. Haven’t done much running since. But overall I will have to give it an A.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Sweet Goals…Do you have them?
Yeah, a PR on your birthday is definitely an “A” event.
This has been my lowest mileage month of the year.
But congrats on another great month. Can’t wait to hear your news on 2018.
Darlene recently posted…TOTR: November Report Card
Thanks!
I haven’t rated my month yet. I still need these last few days to finish up a few things. 😀 It’s definitely one of the better months this year, though!
It’s funny how running prepares us for the most unlikely things, like getting an MRI. Sorry to hear they only narrowed it down to “stress.” 🙁 Hopefully, the symptoms have subsided some.
Clarinda recently posted…Run Laughlin Race Day Goals & Strategy
LOL at needing to finish up the month before you rate it.
I know how you feel about the glasses. Every time I go in, the dr tries to get me to wear those no-line-bifocals. I try about once a year, it lasts a week, and I’m back to my lines. I just can’t do it! I don’t mind the line!
Yeah, he was trying to make it so my contacts allowed me to read AND to drive. My eyes were having none of it. I went back to my normal prescription which allows me to drive and run without glasses. Just need readers for the computer. And at least now that I’m back to my old prescription, I can read with the readers again.
I’m good at being in my head, but I’m not good at sitting still. I fidget like no other, so I’d be a pretty bad patient getting an MRI. I hope your systems are better. I’ve been dealing with stress issues too and it’s not fun.
I am not a fidgeter, so it was fine. I still have some issues going on, but at least knowing that they are likely nothing major helps.
Glad it’s nothing serious on the health front! Hope to see you soon
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…“Leftovers” Holiday Hash Sheet Pan Creations (Vegan)
Yeah, it was good to finally get all the results. I still have some issues, but apparently they aren’t serious.
This month definitely wasn’t about the running for me. I did my first full at the beginning and took some much needed downtime and recovery. After putting in several months at 100+ miles, this month I’m at 62 right now and enjoying the “break” in mileage. Although I think it’s funny that I say that is a break as that used to be a high mileage for me.
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder recently posted…Tough Mudder Central Florida: Finding My Love for Mud Again
After high mileage training months, 100 miles seemed mostly easy. Glad you enjoyed your break!
Overall, November was pretty kind to me. Taking that forced 3-month sabbatical left me ever grateful for any and every opportunity to run. I love that image of Velma searching for her glasses! I remember watching her and Scooby on Saturday mornings many years ago 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…November in a Nutshell
LOL, yes I loved Scooby when I was younger. Glad you had a good November. So good to see you running again.
Sorry you’ve had some issues but thank heavens it all panned out to be nothing serious. I went through that exact same thing with contacts. The Dr. convinced me to try bifocal ones so I wouldn’t need my cheater reading glasses and mucho no bueno. So I’m back to both. Whatever works.
Marcia recently posted…Cohabiting with Cheesecake: Staying On Track During The Holidays
I’m not a candidate for bifocal contacts, so they tried the trick of making one eye for distance and one for reading. My left eye wanted no part of that and refused to let my right eye work for reading. It was a very frustrating month.
I am glad you didn’t have any major issues going on.
I’ve been through trying to focus when I switched to progressive lenses with my glasses..lol goodness it took awhile, but now that I can actually see it is nice!
I hope you have a fun half in Dec.
Yeah, my eyes just refused to adapt. I finally gave up and I’m much happier now!
Wow! I am impressed that you’ve managed to run over 100 miles the past 11 months! I also wear glasses but want contacts. My eye doctor told me that they will not help me at all because I will still need reading glasses to see up close??? Anyway, please take care of yourself. Have a fun December!
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…Art Van Turkey Trot Chicago 5k Recap
Contacts make it so I can run and drive and basically function LOL, but I need the reading glasses to see my computer and read labels.
Hopefully you will get on a more positive track with running this month! Although man are the holidays crazy!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…RUN IT: Strength Training for Runners using Equipment