Ablation Anniversary - One Year Ago

Ablationaversary

Exactly one year ago today my heart would be changed moving forward. After my diagnosis in June 2018 of having an arrhythmia issue I chose to have an invasive procedure done called the Ablation!

Most of you know my story by now but if you just stumbled across my blog you may want to read my very 1st post.

This past year has been quite the roller coaster ride of emotions and anxiety but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The tribe of family & friends that have been there for me I am truly grateful.

As I sport this 14 day Holter where I will post numerous pics of wearing these electrodes aka pasties as it monitors my heart.

As I reflect on the past 12 months I can summarize the following:

3 months - the toughest part of recovery for a cardiac athlete is actually letting your body heal. Having to slow down was extremely hard and I learned that Dr Google is the worst physician 

6 months - learning from the previous 3 months it was nice to get back moving and running as if I was finding my fitness. It was an amazing lead up to race weekend and to represent the Ottawa Marathon as a Team Awesome ambassador and of course supporting other runners as Xtra Mile Crew.

So heart wise mine was quite full meeting team members and helping many friends cross that finish line or just running with them even if it was just a short distance.

9 months - this was the absolute toughest block. I shall dub these the Michelle months. If you’ve followed along my social feeds where I rolled my ankle and suffered the worst sprain ever without breaking a bone. It was traumatic to say the least. BUT heart wise it somewhat helped. Weight wise it did not as I sunk into food as my comfort to cope but couldn’t get out of that funk which lead into the next three months. But one salvation was meeting my cankle buddy that helped bring me some perspective and knowing that I wasn’t alone. She reached out when no one else did. Probably because she had just come off of her own debilitating injury. So it was Cankley meets Michelle IRL (In Real Life).

Year 1 - the only saving grace was accomplishing one goal I had set out which really wasn’t a goal but to have fun but along the way. However recovery wiser I managed in:

1. Doing a furry fun run with my oldest & Shade.
2. Seeing my youngest get her G1 and
3. Completing one final run; one final race & one final way to redeem myself by doing the 1/2 marathon at 9 Run Run.

The last few weeks have been a mix of burnout and just general anxiety. I took a break of almost three weeks of any activity feeling sorry for myself but after talking to my tribe the problem wasn’t me and I had to move on and get over it...so I did. I volunteered to do photos for ArboRace2 (some cool photos if I do say so) and then Santa photos at the Old Fashioned Christmas Fair. Then I went back to the gym and crushed a workout then started heading back with the trail running group. It was those feelings I was missing. Those calls I was making silently weren’t being heard and within me I snapped myself out of the fitness funk I was in. I think just getting back out with people that just get me and understood who I really am and what I needed. So to those that listened me in those chats thank you! You know who you are.

So as I celebrate the one year Ablation Anniversary my wisdom to you all is

1. Stop chasing people! Cherish the tribe that want to talk to & hear you. Those are your people.
2. If you’re in a fitness funk it’s OK. You’ll find your way back. Take a breath! Just read wisdom #1 above. Reach out to those people that know you.

Hopefully at my next update you may see me as a graduate from the Heart Institute ️

Some photos from the last few months that depict the roller coaster ride that goes from heart condition to fitness funk to finding fitness and the tribe that just gets me!

Happy Holidays all.

It wouldn't be the same if I didn't add a Hamilton reference

one of my tribe posted this and it helped me refocus

During that 9 month point I had one goal which ended up being a support for these two lovely ladies

If you know me this is me volunteering and giving back

ArboRace2 - collision course/obstacles

Volunteer Crew for the Goulbourn Museum Old Fashioned Christmas Craft Fair

You'll find me here almost every Saturday

The main crew and the 💓 of my life

The U2 - UltraCliff and Unicorn Chaser

Ottawa Mother Runners

I may not be a "Mom" but this crew gets me also!

Cue the Comeback

Wiggle Waggle Walk Run 2K

Taken from my IG post

It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these post race reports!
So alert 🚨 long post 🚨
First off...I ran! No this isn’t a throwback to a Flock of Seagulls although they did have some pretty wild hair styles! 🤣
I digress but really this totally was about the dogs and supporting the Ottawa Humane Society. They had a great pet expo and lots of activities for kids and the fur friends. I think the Lansdowne folks were really confused as to why there were so many dogs!
We got there early enough and Shade got to ride on a 🚌 for the first time at her first race. We had parked at Carleton University as they had free parking but DD19 has a pass so we parked in her lot and walked down to our ride. It was a short ride from there and the. We arrived just in time to see my cankle buddy Kathy!
So this lady has literally been my spirit guide with Michelle. She suffered her Cankle injury at Manotick Miler and Cankley was born. Once she heard though social media about Michelle she immediately reached out for support and we’ve been cankle buddies for life. I owe her a lot for getting me through the many stages of Michelle and Cankley as she’s shared her journey with me. It has been great to follow her recovery and to see her medical team #KineticEdge and soon to be recover.rx
It’s been 🎱 long weeks to this day and basically Kathy and her attitude (no sugar coating the facts at all) has brought me the confidence and most of all a sounding board to all my fears and doubts. After all she’s practically done this 9 weeks ahead of me.
As for the race itself...I had zero expectations but to just run and have fun! For my 1st race Post Michelle, I told her to park it! And She did. It was a very chaotic start for the 2K Furry Fun Run but once we got to the road it was easier to navigate. So many four legged fur friends.
My first K was pretty good. I lost my running partner to a stitch so she had to fall back. Once I rounded the turnaround I slowed down and walked back to get her. We took it easy and finished in 16:34 chip time. My Garmin is set to auto pause but the race clock doesn't but all in al a good first outing for Michelle and me. As well as Shade's first race!! She earned her bling and some extra treats. Thanks to all of the organizers and volunteers I know first hand the role you play.

Monday, Monday

For the last few weeks I've been taking Monday's off as part of stress management. I have to say I have enjoyed spending these days not thinking about work and focusing on me and doing things that matter to me. It could be as simple as running those errands that you just don't have time to do during the week and allowing me to take my time and do those errands where you could stand in line, but when you are off you have plenty of time to wait and not stress over it. Also I had a chance to visit some friends. Why? Because I can and they are actually ok with meeting up with me. So I burn a bit of fossil fuels to get there, but the end result it's good to be able to see people and connect. It's a state of mind. There are times when I want solitude and there are time when it's just time to reach out.

So for all those people needing that break...whether you call it a mental health day or just a sick day, then take the time you need because it is important. You matter to you and no one else! Self care! Don't be afraid to reach out. Even if it's a text or a phone call. Find the balance! ☯