Awesome celiac/run day.

I had a good chat today with one of my friends in the Celiac Awareness business. We talked about various strategies and tactics to get doctors more likely to diagnose Celiac. It was a great call.

For my run, it wasn't an auspicious start - I barely had the energy to get out the door and mostly walked to the track. Somewhere, I learned it was a good strategy to just get out the door, and then just try to walk, then jog, then run, then do the workout. That worked today, despite a late start and an initially tired start. I was supposed to run 2 miles twice at 8:34 pace, but it seemed easy. My last mile was probably around 7:50, and I finished not breathing hard. Now if I just ice my legs and get to sleep, the day will have ended up pretty good.

Time trial meltdown

Just a tip - don't do a half marathon time trial the day after a flu shot. Let's not mention that stupidity ever again...

Flu shot - tip for better running

I got my flu shot today. It's one key tactic I have that helps me get to the marathon start line every year. It's been a long time ago now, but I read somewhere that in Canada, they recommend that immune compromised people should get a shot. They also recommend that Celiacs get a shot.

There must be something to it, because at work, I get them for free and my employer has surely run the numbers. So the strategy is to feel a little crummy now, with the idea that if the flu is going around in January, it will miss or "lightly hit" me, and I will still be able to race. (I suppose I will also have to work that week, but it's a good trade-off.)

I think the better part of the deal is I can be slightly less paranoid in the days leading up to the race. I know runners who won't shake hands the last week before a race. They should get a life. The time to not shake hands is after the marathon. That's when you're the most worn down and likely to get sick.

Old school/New school

I'm preparing for a half marathon on Friday, but I got reacquainted with the Nordic Trak today. I had a "honey do list" sort of day, and by the time it was time to run, it was too late to go out to the Y or even hit the pavement (tornado warning/thunderstorms passing through). I keep a Nordic Trak from the early nineties around to do low impact workouts. I haven't been on it seriously in years, but tonight was the right night. That's the old school workout.

The new school workout is that I got a Wii Fit for my birthday. I love it, especially those balance games I am absolutely terrible at. The yoga has been a regular feature for about a month now and I've started adding in the strength workouts. I'm making progress.

Finished 5K in 24:21

I did the Komen Race for the Cure 5K over the weekend. Wow, was it crowded -- Some 30K people, they said. I was in the competitive race, and I finished before some of the noncompetitive 5k participants crossed the start line. Anyway - I ran it evenly but not too hard, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. The weather has really improved around Houston, with lower temperatures and humidity. It's the best time of year to be in Houston.

Oh - and I spent about 5 hours around the outside of the house, cleaning up debris, cutting back damaged limbs and so on. I'm glad I did. The city debris crew have been working my street all morning - and mine is in a dump truck now.

New Autoimmune Awareness/Research Bill

HR 7078 was filed yesterday with some interesting provisions, and Celiac is one of the conditions listed. As someone who worked hard to put something like this into the Texas Republican Platform, it gladdens me to see the bill introduced. I like some provisions and disagree with others. I hope it generates some good discussion.