Doctor Says Neuropathy

Well, I pretty much had a good idea of how my A-1 C was going to turn out today. Just as I expected it it jumped up. I believe it was primarily due to the poor eating that I have been doing over the last six months while running marathons. Marathon food isn't necessarily conducive to diabetics. So I need to get that straight and get it adjusted so I can bring it back down. I was at 7.8 which was significantly higher than the 7.16 months ago.

I started off appointment on a really good note, I gave my doctor a photograph of all of my 2015 models with run Eugene run over the top of it. Also saying diabetes isn't going to stop me. She thought it was really great. I probably wouldn't of been here if she hasn't been able to motivate me and keep me challenged.

So on one good note of my visit my HDL number was extremely high…… That's a good thing. Should mention that man at my age have a difficult time getting the number any higher than 40. Mine was 71 nearly double what most can accomplish. Should mention that that's going to help me a lot in my heart keeping a strong and healthy most likely due to all the running.

The bad part of the visit was my worry about my foot. I have had a funny feeling over the last year under my toes. It feels like my socks are wodded up and not straight. Good never hurt it just bothered me. It didn't affect my running at all. I'm in about two months ago it started tingling a little bit and I did notice a little bit of numbness in my big toe so that meant it must be spreading. I mentioned it to my chiropractor who is a big factor in helping me keep my body together with all these marathons, and she said it sounded like a neuroma. I had to Google what neuroma minute and basically it is dullness on the nerve endings.

The doctor phrased it as neuropathy which is nearly the same thing. However specifically two diabetes. What she indicated is that the tingling could become painful and medicine could be provided at that time to relieve the pain however the numbness is something that I would just have to live with the resent any medicine to overcome that. One good part is that the circulation in my feet is very very good and that is important so that I can keep my toes! She didn't think it was funny whenever I said that even if I lost my toes I was still gonna keep on running.

So that's my doctors report for this quarter. I have another doctor for my general practitioner coming up in a few weeks for the rest of my blood test. I don't expected to be any different. I did hit the running strong again after my break from the dopey marathon in Disney and felt much better this weekend. 6 1/2 miles on Saturday morning in another six and half miles on Sunday. After which my wait was back down from 204 pounds to 196.7.

And before I posted this it's back up again.....consistency is the key!

Fight the fight my friends. Hang in there and don't get discouraged.

Persistence will be rewarded.

Have a FUN RUN.

RUN EUGENE RUN

Eugene Thompson

365 Opportunities + 1

 Everyday is another day for an opportunity. An opportunity comes along and most of the time we let is pass us right by. Don't let it get by you today....catch it and make it yours! 

2016 is a leap year so you get one extra day......what absolute fantastic thing will come along on the 29th of February?

Share what your opportunity was today......and what did you do with it.

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe

Am I Annoying?

Do I dream too much? Do I share my aspirations and goals too frequently? I have often in my life been very positive about everything. Confident that if I set my mind to it I could accomplish whatever I truly desired. I always thought it was good to share that positive nature with others around me but I recently have begun to think differently.

Maybe I'm just too much for others. An annoyance. Maybe I'm one of THOSE peoples that are just so overly positive that they make you sick. Certainly never wanted to be like that. Just thought that sharing the dream and positivity was healthy. It could be the opposite reaction for others when they hear me speak. When they hear me talk about the good things to come. Regardless if it is just for me or for everyone around me that will benefit from these good tidings.

Maybe it would be better to keep things to myself. Maybe it would be better to hide away my feelings whether they are good or bad. Sink into my office and close the door and not let out any of my emotional expressions. I'm feeling that way now. I'm feeling that I'm being resented. Am I paranoid? Am I overly sensitive? Possibly. More than likely. It is the diabetes talking?

Who really cares? "Just let me do my thing and stay out of my way" might be how most people feel. If that is the case then my whole strategy on team building has been entirely wrong. I've been going down the wrong path. It isn't about team.....it's really about self. Withdraw from others and hide away could be the response. Friends, family and workers are just nice enough not to say it to my face. There sick of me. Sick of what I have to say. Feel that I'm a hypocrite. I certainly don't mean to be. Just struggling to be more, to be better, to encourage in the best way I know.

Maybe is just me alone in this world. Running down the lonely road of dreams. I hear that Whitesnake song every time I go running. Maybe that is me. Maybe that is my reality. Maybe everything is just in vain. What am I trying to do here? Why is it important? Or is it only important to me? I'm tired. Tired of worrying, tired of trying to please everyone, tired of trying to make peace between everyone, tired of trying to be a friend. I guess I'm tired of people.....maybe a deserted island is a better place for me? 

I don't know where I'm goin'
But I sure know where I've been
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
Here I go again, here I go again

Tho' I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I'm looking for
Oh Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on
'Cause I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams

Here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time

Just another heart in need of rescue
Waiting on love's sweet charity
An' I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days
'Cause I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams

Not everyday is roses around here. There are a lot of thorns. 

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe

We Are Most Certainly DOPEY!

So here is a quick glimpse of our race funnies at Disney. Various pictures at parts of the four different races. 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon. Without a doubt my wife and I are having a blast in life......well don't ask my wife that question around the 24 mile mark......she might kill you!....or me.

we are INCREDIBLE

This guys face is hilarious

my wife is awesome!

The Last Marathon - The Island

Who says 13 is unlucky?

I scouted around several months ago to find another marathon since I decided to take a break in the summer. I needed one to replace those to get to the goal I had determined. You know the crazy idea that a 50 year old man with only a few years of running under his belt would attempt 13 marathons in one calendar year. Yes I know.....you and everyone else say I'm crazy. So.....I guess I'm crazy!

By the end of the this year I certainly have become worn out. I know that I cannot do a PR every race.....there are just too many. Can I say that I enjoy running? I'm not sure. Can I say I'm addicted to running? Not sure I can say that either.....I could just as easily sit my butt n the sofa and watch television. What I can say without much doubt at all is I love the challenge. I really enjoy pushing the limits. Doing something that is no the normal......because.....go ahead.....you can say it.....there is something about me that just isn't normal. That's okay....I know it. And I guess I like NOT being normal.

Kiawah Island Marathon in South Carolina was going to be the last one for 2015. I just finished San Antonio six days earlier. No PR there either....I was close.....not really. But I'd like to think I was. So I decided that this race I would just enjoy......just enjoy the run......is that even possible for me? Probably not. So to start I left my run keeper off......just music. I planned on looking up and around at all the sites to see. Would that be enough? We would see.

Well one thing I got to see was my wife. Oh of course at the starting line. Usually that is the last time I see her until the finish line. This time I saw her as she passed me......standing in line at the porta potty at mile two. It really sucks that I always have to stop so quickly in a race. I lost 7 minutes! I saw her again as I caught up once I was finished.....ran with her for a few minutes and then took off. At about mile 13 or so I was looping back and caught her heading towards me......a great high five!

And then the run run run run part. I focused on many of the magnificent homes that were out there. Some had to cost $10M. Crazy big and fancy beach cottages. I liked the way the builders, (assuming the area dictated this) how they presented a sample wall and window with siding for the projects. The builder, owner and architect's names were on a sign that was consistent for all the homes under construction.

Back to running. I didn't have my Runkeeper on but I knew where I was on time because of so many clocks along the route. They had one at nearly every mile marker. That seven minutes at the porta potty really took my time down. I had caught all the way up with the 5 hour pace group but doing that took the energy out of me to maintain. Again mile 18 I started to fade. I tried to make myself feel that this was just for fun but really....? I like to do well.

I tried to eat along the way. Part of a banana, some oranges slices etc. seeing if I could effect my strength at the end of the race. Not so much. I finished but not with a lot of vigor. Again I guess the races are getting old and the glory is fading. I need to remind myself why I am running these......to bring awareness to others.....and for myself. I'm a diabetic and this is what it takes for me to make a difference. Without the running my blood sugar would climb, my weight would get back on I wouldn't have nearly as much energy. It is a necessity. 

Number 13 finished. Another state conquered. And a great place to visit....our new destination get-a-way. I think we will do this one again. If anything for a great warm retreat in December. Next time we will plan to be here for a few more days. Less fast pace (no pun intended) race trips.

Until next year my friends.....I look forward to seeing you on the road. Remember to always have a Fun Run.

Run Eugene Run

Eugene Thompson

The Body and Mind

I often question how far can we go....as human beings. It was never really a thought when I was younger. When you are young you are invincible, untreatable, immortal. The older you get the more you realize that was the most stupid thing you could have ever imagined.

So at age 50, I think.....I wonder.....how far can my body still go. Physically and mentally. I'd like to think I'm still Superman. I have a tshirt to prove it! How far will my body bend under the pressure?Where is the breaking point? Do really want to know these answers? Or will I only find out these answers after I've passed the threshold of "Too Far"?

I look at my hands and they are no longer the strong hands of young man but rather those of maybe one that has seen life....experienced life. There are scars where I've been tested. History shows my battle wounds. My hands appear thinner now, full of veins and coloration of an aging man. It is interesting to see them in this light while my mind remembers a time when they could grip over 600 pounds. They cannot do that anymore. I tire more easily now....quicker.

With all this recent marathon running I've put my legs and feet to the test. While as a young man they were thick and full of muscle they are much thinner now. I've got to say myself that they are pretty well defined. Not bad for a 50 year old dude. But they do tire easily too. Sure they can go the 26.2 when put to the test....maybe even more. But the daily grind becomes weary.

I wonder how far my mind can go? Well it keep up with my body or give out long before? Will it remain sharp or dull like a well used favorite kitchen knife. I fear that the most. Fear the unknown. Fear that I will find that "Wall" at mile 18 or 22 and won't be able to get past it. I don't like getting older. I'd prefer to stay young forever. I suppose that won't happen. I do dream though. I like science fiction like that.

How far will I bend? Physically, Mentally and Emotionally. These things I'm not sure of. I feel like an explorer going to discover a distant unknown territory. Traipsing through the jungle in search of the fountain of youth. Eager at first as the adventure starts, more wearisome as mileage or days compound day after day. Mile after mile. Each new turn is a new adventure. Each new place becomes my new favorite. Everything is in bright brilliant colors like on the jumbo scene before my eyes. More determined than ever to see more than ever. How far will I be allowed to go?

For now I will continue to pretend. I will continue to dream about being invincible. About seeing new sights never imagined, never thought, never would I have ever. Why? Well because that's who I am. I don't want to lay down and quit. To stop short of what I have imagined. Stop short because it isn't practical? Most things I done in life probably aren't practical. That never stopped be before.....maybe it should have. For now.....I will live my life......explore my bucket list (there is a lot to accomplish....no more waiting)....enjoy my blessings that God has granted me......see his creations......become part of something that is......UNIMAGINABLE.

Remember my friends...Dreams are meant to Lived

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe

Post-Run Recovery Drink with Shaklee

We have been using Shaklee products in our family for over twenty years. They have provided a healthy foundation using their vitamins which I believe has kept me from being sickly and drained of entry. Speaking of energy drain. Try running a marathon and see what's left in your tank afterwards. Actually it doesn't have to even be a marathon, just a good physical work out or shorter run can zap your body. 

I went on a Saturday morning run this last weekend and hit only 12 miles. I know.....some of you might think that is a million miles. For me I should have been fine. But I wasn't. Several weeks ago I did the Dopey Challenge in Florida and felt fantastic after all four runs. This last Saturday after the run......I was down for the count. Well maybe the busy hectic week at the office had something to do with it too but regardless I was drained. Fell asleep on the sofa!

As a post run replacement/recovery drink I recommend working up a simple fruit and protein concoction to rebuild your muscles and revitalize your body. You need it. Here are the few things that I do. 

 Here is your health tip moment.

Remember my friends....have a fun run!

Eugene Thompson

RUN EUGENE RUN