Lately I’ve had a few people ask me how I’m feeling. So I thought it was time for an update..

Well, the good news, is that things have been going very well. I’m on the new medicine now (Remicade) and it is doing its thing. This is a big drug and like all big drugs it has a long list of side effects. A few folks have wondered if the potential side effects are worth it – well for me right now they are. When I think back to how I was feeling this past summer and fall, I’m very thankful to finally be on Remicade. But I’m not naive I know that this likely is not the long-term solution – but for now, I’m able to feel better and hopefully there is some healing going on.

Remicade is delivered with an intravenous infusion – so this  means I go to a special Remicade “clinic” where a nurse supervises the entire process. Right now I’m on an eight week cycle but I have a feeling this will change… I’m currently in my eighth week and I’m honestly not feeling that great.

Last week I started to notice some extra fatigue and this week has not been great. A few symptoms are back and the fatigue is quite overwhelming. So overwhelming that I haven’t been able to run or snowshoe this week – and this is a big deal since I always try to be active regardless of how I’m feeling. As a consequence I’ve been taking it very easy this week – not easy to do but I really don’t  have any other options (yes, I’m learning to listen to my body).

I have my next infusion on Friday. I’m hoping this helps to quiet down the symptoms I’m experiencing and that in a few days I get my energy levels back. In addition to the Remicade, I’m taking a large number of supplements in efforts to help reduce inflammation and to heal my gastrointestinal tract. I don’t know if these supplements are working or making a difference but I’ll stick with them. I am dealing with some lingering effects from all the darn Prednisone I was on this year – incredible lower leg swelling – to the point where I can feel my calves expanding and stretching the limits of my pants… This is worrisome but so far I haven’t been able to determine what to do about this (if you have any ideas – post a comment). I’m also dealing with very low iron stores but they’re not quite low enough for me to qualify for iron infusions… so this is another thing I have to figure out.

I’ve also started researching alternative therapies. Don’t worry, I’m not going to stop the Remicade and do something radical but I think it is important to know about the other options that are available. Some people get weirded out when I bring up things like FMT but it is a treatment that can work. I’m not “ready” for it yet but I do know people who have done it. There are also various dietary changes that might help as well – I’m always reading and researching these options.

So, this is where I’m at. I’d say I’m doing very well. For the most part I feel good. And most importantly, I’m optimistic about my health moving forward. (Fingers crossed. Knock on wood.)

This past weekend saw the second year of the St. Donat Triathlon – organized by Endurance Aventure. My friend Amanda participated in the Classic Winter Triathlon and has sent along this race report.

Amanda enjoying the skate

I’m going to right to the point. The organizers\volunteers for the St.Donat Winter Triathlon hosted a fantastic, well executed and super fun event. I showed up on time, well in advance, so you know that’s going to be a good start right there.

The small quaint town has the energy that makes you feel like you should come visit, and when you do, you’re in the right place to participate in something very unique. The registration on the Friday night was quite easy, simple, even for my lack of French speaking abilities.

The morning of was beautiful. Sun beating down on the lake made for a great morning picture. The transition zone was equipped with lots of volunteers to direct us, chairs for us to properly change gear and lots of warm Gatorade type drink to keep us hydrated.

The run had a nice little fun start by doing a nice little loop on the lake, then we headed up to the road for a few kilometers.  A nice water station at the turnaround point before you had down for the final 2.5km. Through the transition we were guided to the 800metere, BACK COUNTRY man made skating rink. Folks, this thing is the most fun I’ve ever had skating on an ice surface. With my helmet properly in place, I headed for my 1st loop. I’m like a kid in a candy store… All smiles. I was excited through all 6 loops and I was able to make up for my not so fast 5k (could of pushed harder) run. Through all of this I could hear my good friend Ronna cheering me on. Let’s not forget how important that support system is.

Amanda and Ronna

I’m ready for the ski, or at least I think I am. Thanks to Deanna for reminding me that this is the FUN part. That nice 2.5km climb made me think different, but I managed to get through and actually started to enjoy the descent. Again, a nice back country trail that was sorta groomed (I think)! That was definitely the hardest part for me, but I am so grateful for all the training thus far. I believe I heard my friend Isabelle cheering loudly in my ear, all the way from Gatineau. 

I have to say that if you are going to try a Winter Triathlon, go to St.Donat. Everything is so well laid out, and although not knowing French can be challenging at times, people are always great in answering questions that you may have. I for one am very happy with the day, the support from my friends, family and all the teachers who have helped me along the way.

The beautiful skate section

Thanks Amanda for the great race report – sounds like it is an event to put on the calendar for next season.

The other day my friend Amanda tagged me in a post on Facebook with a link to a music video… Now, I don’t typically click on links to videos – I’m one of those people who never visits YouTube and can’t understand why someone would watch videos… but I did click on this link – something drew me to it – likely the word Happy.

Well, I was immediately tapping my feet and grinning. So I think you should give yourself the same treat and enjoy this video of Pharrell Williams singing Happy.

If you want to feel even happier, go watch the world’s first 24 hour music video of this same song. (It is pretty awesome.)

Oh, and if you’re looking for something to watch on YouTube this weekend – I suggest you tune into the UCI YouTube channel and watch the World Cyclo-Cross Championships.

I don’t throw the word “epic” around much but I’ll be using it with liberty in this post. Everything about the Mad Trapper Bushtakah Snowshoe Night Race/I2P Fundraiser was epic…

The drive. The people. The vibe. The deep soft white snow. The field. The last climb. The potato chips. The brownies. The chilli. The conversations. The stories. The grins. The alpaca. The I2P fundraising.

All of these elements can be summed up with one so very 2013 word – epic. Oh and to top it off – it was a good fun night.

With weather that was not favourable to driving but very good for snowshoe running, a hardy group made their way to the Mad Trapper Ark for a very good night of running around in the snow. As usual, Mike set a very challenging course (I actually found this one more difficult than the Hilly Course), my favourite aspects being the downhills and the run through the field. I must say that hill at the end definitely cracked me – but in a good way!

As always these events are really so much more than about the race… Sure we all want to go out and run our hardest and some folks are even aiming for the win – but it seems to me that people are really getting more than just a race from these events. It is about community and support – the chatter in the Ark after the race was all about congratulating one another and really just coming together for some fun. Yes, the winners are acknowledged but the people who get the biggest cheers and attention are those that did the race for the first time.

It is this atmosphere that keeps me coming out. The race last night really felt like a giant “group hug”. Even more so when people generously opened their wallets to bid on auction items to raise money for Impossible 2 Possible (I2P).

So yes, it was an epic night. Good people. Super atmosphere. Excellent community spirit. Lots of smiling faces. (And my favourite potato chips – ripple au gratin…)

(If you’re interested in checking out the course profile and all of my fascinating Strava statistics, check out my Facebook page.)

The next group hug… I mean Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race is on February 22. Make sure you come out – there will be lots of good stuff (brownies, potato chips, running, smiling, huffing and puffing) – all on an epic level.

Earlier in the week, I mumbled on Facebook about the 2014 Milton Keynes World Cup…. I’ve been thinking about this cyclo-cross race since I first learned of it in late November. This World Cup is a special one – the first World Cup in Great Britain and even more special for me is that it is very close to where my aunt and uncle live.

Somehow a seed was planted in my brain – maybe I should do one last World Cup. After all, my racing ended in 2011 the day before the Koksijde World Cup when I had a rather unfortunate crash. Maybe this race in Milton Keynes would be a fun way to finally wrap a bike racing adventure that started way back in 2007 with some big dreams?

Believe me, I’ve been thinking about this a great deal. At first glance, I was “all in” – sure, I thought, lets go to Milton Keynes and have one last World Cup race – it would be a great way to see my racing friends, visit with my aunt and uncle and it would just be plain old fun. But the more I started to think about it and discuss the race with friends and with Marc, my stomach started to work its way into knots.

Rather than thinking positively of all the things I would have to do to get back into elite racing shape and condition, I started to dread these things. I started to think only of the things I’d have to give up. Was I really committed to make the sacrifices needed to get to the level of fitness and skill I would need to race this race on Nov. 29, 2014? I wasn’t sure. More importantly would I regret not doing the race?

As awesome as it would be to race the World Cup in Milton Keynes, I’ve decided that I’m not going to do it. Today, sitting here in January I honestly can’t get excited about racing at this level again. I remember when I’d watch the elite women race at Catamount and Northampton these past couple of years – I didn’t feel any urges to be out there nor did I feel like I missed the racing. What I do miss is being out on my bike and racing for the heck of it – I miss lining up and just racing. I want to race, but I want to take it down a notch – maybe this is a way of giving myself an “out” or an excuse to not push myself like I used to. I don’t know. What I do know is that when I think of getting ready for elite racing, I think of all the things I’d have to give up and I’m not at this point anymore. When I started this journey, I didn’t feel like I was giving anything up or making sacrifices – I craved these things and loved the process of getting fit, skilled and strong… Now, I’m happy to be out riding and running for the pure heck of it – in a way, I guess I’ve come full circle.