Pilates class

I did it! - I made it to pilates class today! This was my last chance to go to one of Patty’s classes before I start my prep for RAI. I started attending her Thursday night pilates classes around the spring of 2007. She was very supportive of me when I was working in Monterey Park and Brea and all the stress that had on me, and not surprisingly she was also very supportive when I told her about my thyroid issues a few months ago. So I really wanted to go to one of her classes before I started my RAI prep so I could see her, and let her know I was doing Ok. I have been emailing her updates on my thyroid cancer journey, but I always feel stronger and better about my situation when I get to see and talk to people in my support group. Sadly, I don’t get to see everyone in my support group (you all know who you are!), but it is an extra special treat for me when I get to visit with one or some of them.

I was surprised at how much I was still able to do, with decent form. I’m definitely going to have to work on my upper body strength though as I can’t even do a decent pilates push-up. Felt my calves and feet start to cramp up a couple of times, which was a good way to insure that I didn’t over do it in the class. Afterwards, I was able to chat and catch up with Patty. I told her that I’d be back in a month, after RAI.

After stretching out my calves, I decided to give the treadmill a go – I also wanted to test drive the new Nike Free 5.0 running shoes I got a few weeks ago. These shoes are supposed to ‘work out your feet’ as you run. I liked them because my arches felt supported in them, not like I was wearing my custom arch supports from RoadRunner, but enough to make me think I don’t need arch supports in them. I was hoping to log a quarter or maybe even half a mile on my Nike Sportband, but I didn’t have the chip for my shoe and the battery of the Sportband was almost dead, so I had to rely on the read out of the treadmill. Walking in the shoes felt Ok. Jogging was a little different – my big toes felt like they needed more cushioning every time I took a step. Otherwise, my arches and knees felt Ok on the treadmill. It felt good to run again, even if it was on a treadmill. The 220 I did at 6.4 made my calves scream a little, so I made sure I didn’t go that fast again. I alternated between walking and jogging various distances for a total of 1.5 miles in about 25 minutes. Not bad.

After getting lunch and running some errands, I finally made it home and settled in for my afternoon nap.