The Scary Side of 40: Mammogram Time. Update!

You know that way over-played phrase "Shit just got real?"   Yeah. That happened with a phone call today.

Ring ring... 

Ok, it was the iPhone.  So... buzz...buzzzzzz....

Cheery Voice says, "Hi Patricia!"

No one that knows me actually calls me Patricia so this can't be good, right? 

"I'm calling from XYZ Radiology," Cheery Voice continues.

Longest. pause. ever. Me thinking- did I have scans sometime I can't remember? Thyroid again? Seriously a little stumped here...

"I need to schedule your..." (insert dramatic pause) "Mammogram."

Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn.

Mammogram.  With a capital M in her voice.  

This will be my first since, you know, I just turned 40.  I mentioned it to my new doc last week all casually like a good little former American Cancer Society employee should. It's time! I need to get checked! Early detection saves lives!

In my rear-view mirror

I'm flashing back to the hundreds- no, thousands of times- I've said to callers on the phone in my former position, "It's usually nothing! They often ask for a second mammogram just to make sure."  I tried to be calm and helpful to those callers.

I apologize, callers.

I get it now.  This shit is scary.  Look at me- I'm already skipping over the first scan to the time the office calls to ask for a second one.  Just to make sure.  And I know better! I was a professional, dammit! But here I go jumping to C when I haven't even made the appointment for A.

Lawdy, Shenanigans.  Get a hold of yourself

This is a case where knowing the stats is not a good thing.  The odds aren't always in our favor.  One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  The odds are higher when a direct family member has been diagnosed.  I'm not in that higher odds group, thank God.  The closest I have is two aunts who were diagnosed, one related by blood & one by marriage.

But it's enough to scare me.  And sadden me.  And make it all way too real. 

Confession time.   Friends, please don't hate me.  But as we get older I've been holding my breath so to speak.  Waiting for one of you to announce your diagnosis.  Not hoping, mind you, but waiting to hear the news.  Yeah.  Not cool, I know.

But the odds.  The odds say... 

Clearly there's a Dark Side working here.  See, now you know the truth: Shenanigans isn't always fun, games, & Disney.  She's actually a glass half empty kind of person at times.  Even though I knew this day was coming and the phone call shouldn't have caught me off guard, but, whoa, did it ever.

40.  Man, 40 is a big number.  I think I said that before, right? It's now a shit just got REAL big number.

So I'll take my place with the millions of other 40 year-olds this year getting their first squish.  Do you think Kate Moss is having her boobs checked this year?  Or Tiffani Thiessen?  They should.  They turn 40 too.  

As if the actual procedure doesn't sound like torture, I have visions of them taking twice as long to get every angle of my large, flappy, 5 times over breast feeding milk machines placed just right.  Hawt, right?  Just didn't want anyone getting too excited with the boob talk here.  Shit getting real, yo!

I'll go in Friday.  I'll get squished.  I'll then wait for the all clear phone call that means I beat the odds.

This year.

Update 5.16:  Done!  And it was more uncomfortable talking to Chatty Cathy about why I know I'm not pregnant than actually getting squished.  That part was nothing!

Though she must read my blog. As I was getting dressed she says,"Since this is your first, expect a call back for further testing. Either another mammogram or ultrasound is probably needed."

Errr... Ok.  

Not sure if that helped or freaked me out more! Stay tuned...

Talk to me, Goose.  How was your mammogram experience?  Is this reaction "normal"?  Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes...

runDisney Announces New Challenge: Disney Castaway Cay Challenge!

In runDisney circles, the Castaway Cay 5K has been called the most expensive and exclusive 5K race EVER.  You have to pay for your cruise, then sign up for the "free" race.  In true Disney fashion, runDisney has plussed the Castaway Cay 5K with a new challenge:  Disney Castaway Cay Challenge!

From the runDisney blog:

This inaugural event will combine any eligible race during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend plus the Disney Castaway Cay 5K during the January 12 sailing from Port Canaveral, FL on the Disney Dream, hosted on Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay! Complete both races within the pacing requirements and you'll earn the Inaugural Disney Castaway Cay Challenge Medal in addition to your Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Castaway Cay 5K finisher medals.

Which races are eligible, you ask? Any race that includes a distance of 5K or longer. So, complete the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, or either of the Goofy and Dopey Challenges, and you're eligible to enter the Disney Castaway Cay Challenge!

Registration opens on May 23 at noon.  It will cost $40 for this inaugural event.  Oh, and you have to pay for that whole cruise thing! Let's not forget THAT part.

The details:

Castaway Cay 5K Highlights

• 3.1 mile course through Disney Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Lines’ private island in the Bahamas
• Course runs past sparkling lagoons, the harbor, and white sandy beaches
• Surprise Disney magical moments and entertainment on-course

Castaway Cay Participants Receive:

• Castaway Cay Challenge Inaugural Event T-Shirt
• Commemorative Castaway Cay 5K Finisher Medallion
• Commemorative  Inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge Finisher Medal for participating in one Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend 5K or longer event PLUS the Castaway Cay 5K
• Post-race refreshments
• Exciting Activities and access to Special Merchandise on board Disney Cruise Line
• Featured Healthy Menu Options on board Disney Cruise Line 

Photo: Moms Magical Miles

DisBroad Amy ran the Castaway Cay 5K a couple years ago.  Be sure to check her review here.  Spoiler alert:  She wasn't really a fan of the whole thing. 

Anyone kinda- okay, really- annoyed at the last minute announcement?  This might have been good information a month ago, you know, before people signed up and sold out the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  Dopey runners are looking at taking 2 weeks off work.  Hey- they ARE Dopey after all!  This isn't a stretch that they will try to make it happen.  Oh Boy Oh Boy!

Do you NEED to do this?  Talk to my girl Jenn Greene at Destinations in Florida for a cruise quote today!  She can take care of you from land to sea and back again with special rates at Walt Disney World.  She can work her magic and YOU can sit back and enjoy your trip.

Are you in for a little Disney Cruise Line action after Marathon weekend?  Have you run the Castaway 5K before?

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Mother's Day 2015: How's It Lookin' To You?

Registration opens in early August for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2015.  My favorite race on the runDisney calendar- the one I actually LOVE running every year due to the perfect course, location, and weather.  Well, I did love it.  Ahem.

My thoughts on the change of dates has been pretty well documented. But you know I can't let things go, right?  Like Tink, I tend to sulk when things don't go my way.  While I was freezing at the Grand Canyon in my Yeti hat (we had snow, y'all!  Snow!  In Arizona.  In MAY!), I kept an eye on the goings on at Disneyland through Facebook and Twitter.

Friends at Disneyland over the weekend report that it was crazy hot and crazy crowded all weekend long.  The line to check bags going into the esplanade was 80-100 people deep (each line) by 11am when the picture below was taken.

Humid and hot.  Blech.

It didn't look pretty.

I *think* I know why they changed the date (all should be revealed soon if I am right!), and in the end I will be ok with the move.  I mean, come on, I'll take a bunch of running nerds over fairy wings any day!  But for the majority of Tinker Bell runners and the target demographic of the race, I still think May is a sucky choice.

Too hot.  Too Crowded.  Too much going on for a mom in May.  And too guilt ridden for those who can't afford to take the family on a trip over Mother's Day.

You know me- working on the No-Guilt Life thing- so if I go, it will be with a clear conscious.  But not everyone can embrace that attitude as freely as I do.  I get it- and suspect runDisney is banking on it.  Moms surely can't leave their families behind to share a room with 3 other girlfriends!  Nope, they bring them all- booking more rooms, more park tickets, more food, and more souvenirs purchased.

Cha-Ching.

Ah well... if it's hot and crowded, you can't say I didn't warn you.  I'm Shenanigans and I approved this message.

Do you think the rumors are right?  Was Tinker Bell moved to accommodate a Galactic Challenge or some other Force we don't quite understand just yet?  How do you feel about the change now that you've had some time to adjust?  Will you run Tinker Bell next year?

Step Away From The Treadmill- Wait, What Did She Say?!

In my efforts to kick bootay (my own) and win at both my DietBet AND my health, I read a book I found laying around.  Confession: a book I bought with great intentions last fall and never read.  And never even opened.  I allowed it, along with my fitness goals, to get lost in the shuffle and busy that became my life.  AKA, the move.  Treadmill?  Yeah, I wasn't anywhere near that sucker back then.  Stepping away was really NOT such an issue.  But now? That's another story.  Introducing The New Rules of Lifting for Women.

I love rules.  Hey, I'm pretty much a rule follower by nature so clearly this is just what I need.  I read through this book today quickly and LOVE what I'm seeing.  It includes a comprehensive diet plan- an entire section devoted to nutrition.  One of my HUGE hurdles is fueling properly and this section will be open and ready to use as a guide for months to come.  As expected by the title, it also includes a section fully covering weight lifting dos and don'ts.

However, I'll admit, chapter 3 stopped me cold.

What the what?!  She can't be serious... does she not know me at all?  I love my treadmill.  I am deeply committed to Old Betsy since she lives in the air conditioning (and I love air conditioning) and has a HUGE TV at her crib.   There's no way I can break up with her.  No. Way.  

Keep reading... and... oohhhhh... well, then, this makes sense.

She's talking about cardio in general.  In other words, you want to lose fat?  You can't just run.  But if you DO run, you can't just run at a steady state.  Holla intervals!

Wait- Shenanigans, aren't you trying to get away from intervals though?  I thought I read something about that when you were whining talking about how hard running 5 minutes straight can be. 

Why yes, yes I am.  And the authors, Cassandra and Alwyn, (we are all three going to be BFFs by the time this is over so I'm just going to start with the first names) explain how I can have it all.  They have a plan and I'm digging it.  It's new rule #10.

Basically, what they are saying is if you like running and want to run long, that's cool. You can totes do it.  But it's not THE path to weight loss and shouldn't be all you do.

And like that- the light bulb goes off.

Ohhhhhh... so that's why after running 12 half marathons I still weigh way more than what you'd think someone who's run consistently since 2007 should weigh.

New plan based on my new rules when it comes to running is formed.

I am still going to work on the C25K as planned, but I'm going to do the suggested intervals first at 1:2 (1 minute hard, 2 minutes recovery.)  Then I'll push play on the C25K app that I'm currently following.  Will it take more time?  Sure.  But will it be worth it?  I think so. 

I stepped my workouts up today and not only ran, but also completed the first workout in the book.  I loved it.  I love how powerful and strong weight lifting makes me feel.  And, yeah, that's with my weenie 8 pounders.  You can make fun of me, it's all good.  Just imagine how bad ass I'll feel when I'm stepping up to the 20 pound dumb bells and - whoa - mind blown here- have to hit the gym again to use the bar bells and big girl weights.  It's going to be an interesting summer, y'all!

Tell me about your fitness plans.  Are you incorporating weight lifting into your cross training or fitness plans?  If you are a runner, what do you do on your cross training days?

DietBet: Week 1 Update

We made it through the first week, fellow DietBet players! Three more to go.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check this previous post to catch up with the group.  It's ok, we will wait.

All caught up?  GREAT!  So how are we doing?  As a group it looks like we lost 467 pounds as of this morning.  WOW!  That's an average of 2 pounds a week- which is pretty good and right on target for us as a group.

I'm really happy about this, gang! Keep up the good work.

Now how about me...how am I doing?  Let's talk about that...

Last Friday I weighed in before I left for the Grand Canyon.  I was pleasantly surprised to see I was down a little over 2 pounds.  Surprised because it's been a while since I've lost 2 pounds in less than a week.  Hooray for Shenanigans!

Yeeaahhhhh... let's not celebrate too soon.

Because Friday around 5pm I was eating Mc Donald's on my way to the Grand Canyon (failure to plan a meal put me in the drive through lane) and around 8pm I was eating orange slice candies in the car due to boredom.  That pretty much sums up how the weekend went food wise. It wasn't off the rails horrible, but it wasn't good either.  And my body really really likes me to be really really good if I am going to lose weight.

Those 2 lbs I lost?  I found them again.  #WhompWhomp  Can someone really go up and down like that in the course of a couple days?  I'm here to tell you YES.  Of course, I'm sure some of the weight is water retention.  While out and about I didn't drink the water that I typically drink here- hard to stop on a hiking trail with tons of people around you to pee!  And anyone that runs with me knows I need to pee and pee often when hydrating.

In the end, for me, it all comes down to food choices.  And I made poor ones this weekend.

Today, however, is a new day.  And I'm getting after it.  Kitchen clean out is on tap for this morning, followed by meal planning, grocery shopping, and food prep for the week.  P90X (hello, Tony, we meet again...) completed this morning and a run this afternoon. 

It's so on.  

After my trip I am even MORE convinced it's time to lose the weight since I'm inspired to make a trip all the way down (and back up!) the Grand Canyon.  I desperately want to go back, and go all the way next time.  God is amazingly good to us: here's the proof.  What moves me?  THIS.

 
How do you feel about your first week of a diet/lifestyle change?  Are you in the groove?  On a roll?  Or need another re-set? Would love to hear about your week too!