Being an ultra runner has felt like such a part of my identity the past few years. I thrived on pushing my body harder and going longer and longer distances. When I started showing signs of fatigue and burnout early in 2013 during Rocky Raccoon 50-mile training, I took a break and hoped that it was just a little adrenal fatigue and that I'd bounce back after some active recovery. That didn't happen and I know now that I have lupus. Running has taken a back seat the past year while I sorted out my health issues and am finding my new normal.
I'm happy to say that after a few months on immunosuppressants and steroids, I'm feeling a little perkier and a lot less achy than I was. I'm researching the heck out of natural treatments and committed to staying active and as healthy as can be. Will I ever run another ultra-marathon? Probably not.
So along life's journey these things come up...and now I need to adjust my goals and prioritize. And that's okay! I can still run, albeit not as far or fast. But I can run! I can hike. I can still spend time in the woods and I'm thankful. Getting to spend a lot more time with my grandson is pretty awesome, too, now that I'm not running as much.
I'll try to share my journey here. Running with lupus is definitely a whole new ballgame for me. It's hard to be consistent with training anymore because there are good days, hard days, and NO WAY in the world can I run days (and weeks).
My favorite time of year is coming up...I love the fall so much! Hopefully it will make training just a tiny bit easier with the cooler weather and I hope to see some of my awesome trail running friends at some trail races this fall. Of course I'll be running the shorter distances for a change, but that just means I get to cheer my friends on! :)