Feature Friday- Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

2 posts in one day!?! How could you ever be sooo lucky?! While I'm off at the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Expo drooling over all the latest running gear, gadgets, and shoes I wanted to share with you a few possible symptoms of MS! 

One thing that really strikes me about these symptoms of MS is how easily they can be mistaken for symptoms of other potential autoimmune diseases. From the research that I've done, it really seems like it could take months or even YEARS to diagnose some who has MS because doctors rule out other diagnoses before coming to the conclusion that it is multiple sclerosis. I cannot even imagine being in the position where you are in pain and there is not a similar test to tell you whether or not it is MS. 

Because no two cases of MS are alike, doctors can only classify symptoms as either being 'more common' or 'less common', according to the information posted on National MS Society.

More Common Symptoms include:

• Fatique
• Walking difficulties
• Numbness/tingling
• Spasticity
• Weakness
• Vision Problems
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Bladder problems
• Bowel problems
• Sexual problems
• Pain
• Cognitive changes
• Emotional Changes
• Depression

Less Common Symptoms:

• Speech Problems
• Swallowing Problems
• Tremor
• Seizure
• Breathing Problems
• Itching
• Headache
• Hearing Loss

While reading through these symptoms, they can definitely resonate with me in regards to what my grandfather suffered from. He had so many of these symptoms including walking difficulties, speech problems, tremors, depression, numbness, pain, and bladder problems. 

Also while going through this list, it brings about so many symptoms that I feel like anyone can have ANY DAY. That is why this disease is so scary to me because if the awareness for MS is not well-known, then I can only imagine how many others are suffering with the disease without even knowing about it. This is why I am so grateful to be given the chance to run with MS Run The US and raise AWARENESS of the disease while our relay runs across America. 

Feature Friday-Multiple Sclerosis What Is It?

Happy FriYAY! This week has been both equally long AND short- it's definitely possible for it to feel like both. I'm looking forward to just one 8 mile run this weekend (or however long I feel like running for : )...) and lots of RnR! I'm getting a mani/pedi tomorrow (a definite treat for me) and going to a pilates class. I definitely also think that there will be pancakes for atleast one (if not both) morning- Alex is the one who almost always cooks us breakfast (I'm not the best breakfast maker...), which is super nice so I can just relax with my cup of coffee ; ) 

I wanted to share with you some information on Multiple Sclerosis. I'm also planning on doing a weekly post on MS in the near future so stay tuned : ) It's one of the best ways I can think of to spread the word about the disease and would LOVE to hear from you if you (or someone you know) has been affected by MS. Also possibly thinking about a possible guest blog posts regarding stories with those who have been affected by the disease...so let me know if you're interested in writing a guest post!

Multiple Sclerosis is an AutoImmune Disease. All the information below was provided by the National MS Society. 

It is unpredictable and disrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body. It attacks the Central Nervous System. 

There is both no cure for MS, nor is the causation of the disease known. Scientists believe that environmental factors affect some rather than others (they are genetically predisposed). 

The immune system attacks the myelin (the covering that protects your nerve fibers) and forms scar tissue. Because of these attacks, it causes a disruption between the brain and spinal cord (body)- the more damage caused, the more disruptions. 

There are four disease courses and women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than men. 

Have a great weekend and look for more posts on MS in the future!

Don't forget that you can help me reach my fundraising goal of $10,000 by visiting this page. Even the smallest donation or spreading of the word of my fundraising efforts helps MS Run the US. 

Friday Feature- Why Running Las Vegas Will Be Extra Special & 5 Things I'm Doing This Weekend

I recently came across this article posted on Women's Running Magazine and it really got me thinking how the events that occurred on October 1st has made running on the strip even more special. While the starting location was set to begin at the same site that the incident occurred, it has since moved (but not yet announced where the new location will be). I am (of course) excited to still have the opportunity to run, but now I actually have more drive to run for those that lost their lives or were seriously injured that fateful night at the country music festival.

I will channel any pain that I have back onto the strip and push through because I CAN. I'm grateful to have this opportunity to run and not back down when it comes to gun violence. I will stand with other runners on that starting line and utilize that as a platform to stand-up against the atrocity that occurred October 1st.

Every day someone could find a reason to be scared, but I will not let those who chose violence over love and compassion get me down.  

With Alex away (guy's weekend at the casino), Stella and I are on our own, so it's a perfect time to catch-up on all those Fall things that I've yet to do (or well...more like chores that still need to get done):

1. Jewelry making for my MS Run The US fundraiser! I can't wait to share with you my finished products and sell them at the Artisan Fair here at the beginning of December!
2. Collecting items to do an online garage sale, also for a MS Run The US fundraiser. There's definitely quite a few items that already come to mind that I've been dying to get rid of...
3. Napping. A LOT of napping will be going down. We also just got our Casper mattress (it.is.HEAVENLY), so any excuse to lay down I'm taking right now ; )
4. Cooking up some goodies. I'm thinking I may make these Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onion cornbread and some chili (we also just made chili last week), but it's my favorite meal come Fall!
5. Going out for a hike. Not sure where yet (or how the weather will be), but I need my fix of trails this weekend!

Any fun plans this weekend? 

Any good recipes that I should make or fundraising ideas? I need more!

Friday Feature- Top 5 Favorite Songs Right Now

Another weekend is upon us! Finally! I always feel like the first part of each week creeps by and then all-of-a-sudden it's the weekend. Does anyone else feel this way?

I wanted to share with you my top 5 favorite songs right now that really PUMP ME UP. These are the no-fail songs that I put on during the last part of my runs when I want to push it and concur that final stretch. You better believe that I will make sure these songs come on during those last 2-3 miles of my marathon. 

• Shark In The Water- VV Brown For whatever reason this song really gets me going. I love the beat and oftentimes find myself getting lost in the tunes. 

• Return of the Mack- Mark Morrison . I really love to listen to those early 90's rap/ hip-hop songs while running and this song gets me every time. The beat is fantastic and I love to utilize those strong moments to focus on pumping my arms and picking up my feet. 

• Get Back - The Beatles. This song brings back the best memories of Las Vegas Half Marathon last year. The Cirque Du Soleil Love Tour was AMAZING and I honestly can't help but smile whenever I hear this song. Running is supposed to be an enjoyable activity so why not put on a song that really makes you happy?!

• Just Like Fire- P!nk . I'm not sure if I will EVER get tired of this song. Every time it comes on it gives me all.the.feels and I feel so strong and powerful. We all need a song like this in our lives. This is definitely my 'sprint to the finish' song. 

• Look What You Made Me Do- Taylor Swift. Yes, I know this is a new song, but the beat is absolutely amazing and her lyrics are perfect for really gutting it out at the end of hard workout or race. 

Friday Feature- How To Fit In Strength Training While Also Running 50+ Miles a Week

It's FRIYAY! What are you doing this weekend? Anyone racing this weekend? Sunday is the Denver Rock 'n Roll Marathon and I'm SO bummed to be missing it this year. Definitely one of my favorites!!

I wanted to share with you a few tricks that's worked for me to keep fitting in (the ever-important) strength training while also running a pretty demanding 50+ mile-a-week training plan!

• Give yourself a time limit and work it in around that. I typically have around an hour and a half budgeted for both my runs/stretching/strength training in the mornings. I typically try to plan out my week for running/ training on Sundays, so I'm prepared and am focused each morning. I know that if I have a double-digit run to get done, I will not have enough time to fit in strength training that day. So, I work in my strength sessions during the other days of the week when I have less mileage on the schedule. 
• Take advantage of workout classes. This is probably my favorite way to sneak in a really REALLY good workout. I'm really loving Barre or Pilates classes right now and love how the class exercises change every week (working different muscles)! I can always fit in these classes during my lunch breaks, so I can still get in a good training run in the morning AND get strength sessions in the afternoon. Double workout days= SO tough but also really builds those muscles (*insert flex emoji*)
• Limit your exercises to a few REALLY REALLY good ones. I love exercises that work multiple muscle groups- you get more bang for your buck AND they take significantly less time (#winning when it comes to marathon training). Hoping to share a few of my staples over on the work-out page here soon!
• Do it before your run. I know that if I wait until AFTER my run, there is only about a 5% chance that I will get it done. If I do it before my run, I feel really warmed-up and SUPER accomplished afterwards. 
• Treat it like a run. Prep for it and never skimp on those exercises! They are what produces injury-free and PR-ready runners afterall, so why shouldn't they be just as important as our training runs?

Any hacks to fit in strength training?

Workout classes- yay or nay?

How many times do you strength train each week?