Here we go again: 6/12 – 18 WRD

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

I’ll lead with the bad. Finally got Bandit in for a recheck on Thursday and the news was not good: he’s in heart failure. Although my gut told me this when the cough first worsened so dramatically, since she didn’t seem to pick up on anything on that first visit I was lulled into a false sense of security. This time we had an x-ray and the results were pretty conclusive.

So the “here we go again” is our first dog died from heart failure at age 10. If you weren’t around pre-Bandit and you’re a masochist, just search “Chester” and I’m sure lots of posts will come up.

The good news is we went back to the codeine, doubled the dose, and that seems to be easing the cough some. Plus Bandit still has a pretty good quality of life. I managed to squeeze in 3 runs, because next week I don’t think that will be happening.

bwrd

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner and just running easy.

Workouts update

  • Monday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy, Pilates (30 min)
  • Tuesday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, KB ST (25 min) , SB (15 min)
  • Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy, Dogwalk, Pilates (15 min)
  • Thursday: Yoga (30 min), PM Pilates (15 min) <== I wouldn’t really call this a rest day, but I needed time to process; no time for a dogwalk and I had to get up before doing Yoga to tend to Bandit
  • Friday: Yoga (30 min), 2 miles easy, Dogwak, Pilates (12 min)
  • Saturday: Yoga (30 min), Dogwalk, Yoga with Resistance Bands (30 min)
  • Sunday: Yoga (30 min),Dogwalk, exploring Overlook Mountain Conservation Area on way to mom (that’s the plan)

Running Mileage: 8 (+1) 


PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike

Running Update

I took this photo because I was curious what tree this is. My phone wouldn’t ID it! 😢 Anyone know it?

Monday intention: just run
With temps starting in the mid 60s and ending in the low 70s, plus a bit of humidity, it’s no wonder this was a slog. I told Kim @ Runningonthefly that I would happily have traded her 48 for my 68. I’m sure my FL friends are ROTFL laughing.

We planted this small shrub about 9 years ago. This time the phone came through: Shrubby Cinquefoil

Wednesday intention: still easy + a smidge of speed
Bored with running in my neighborhood but knowing Bandit gets anxious when I drive away (although obviously I still do have to sometimes), I went in a different direction in my neighborhood, one that has more inclines. It was much cooler though, so while it felt really slow (for me), and was slow, still, it was faster than the last few runs. I did put in just a bit of a fartlek on the incline coming back..

Stuff for my knowledge, feel free to skip: V02, ever mysterious, came down a point (my AHR was a bit higher). I think I’ve figured out why the second mile of most runs is slow for me: it often has two slightly longer walk breaks: 1) from the finish of mile 1 and 2) before the finish of mile two. Technically it shouldn’t matter, but I do tend to walk longer at the in between miles break to drink some water.

These daisies reseeded themselves from someone else’s garden. They come back every year when Mr. Judy doesn’t mistake the greenery for weeds.

Friday intention: slow and easy
A cooler, cloudy morning, but I was dragging just with these two miles. Thursday was heavy, and the major lack of sleep and stress over the last couple of weeks catching up with me, I guess.

Bandit in better times; recreating a photo we took here of me & Chester (his much younger brother in CHF)

Favorites of the week
Well, the air was much better this week. Otherwise . . . not one of my better weeks. My heart is heavy, even though we have given Bandit a damn good life when many probably wouldn’t have even held on to him, and he is not a young dog. The vet really hedged with his prognosis, saying she’d really need a cardiac ultrasound to even hazard a guess, but the impression she gave me was that it may not be that long.

On the plus side, in the way of dogs and most animals, Bandit is much better at living in the moment. He’s been a bit off his food, but that is normal for him in the Summer, but he still really enjoys his walks (and was not happy not to get them last week when the air was so bad).

In the ways of animals with serious health problems, after writing the above Bandit began to refuse most of his food. He’s happy to eat carrots and cucumbers and treats, strange omnivore that he is. This visit to my mom couldn’t come at a worse time . . . but I figured out a way to get him to eat something last night, and he slept through the night, got up this morning, and there was no coughing. Oh, there’s been coughing since, but that hadn’t happened in weeks. There is hope for Mr. Judy tonight.

Then I was trying to put in the photo above on my tablet, but the WordPress app was old. Okay, I’ll update. Now it won’t open at all. The OS really does need to be updated, but geez. Give me a break! I have my phone though.

Later today I am off to my mom’s; the aide is going on vacation so I’ll be spending the night so I can onboard her replacement. So I will probably be slow with commenting again today.

ICYMI: Let go of anxiety and stress by getting twisty with me! You’ll also be strengthening the connective tissue of your hips, psoas, and quads. Practice with me here (live at 8 am). If you’ve got just a little more time, try this Yin Yoga Hips at the Wall practice here.

Coming up next Week: Hopefully I’ll recover from the trip to my mom and things will improve for now with Bandit, but still lots of catchup so we’ll just be catching up next Sunday.

33 thoughts on “Here we go again: 6/12 – 18 WRD”

  1. Sorry to hear about Bandit. But as you said you gave him a great life. You spend so much time with him. A lucky dog.

    Sounds like running more did help the stress.

    Enjoy your hike today.

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  4. So sorry about Bandit’s prognosis. Our Max is 13, and still SO active, but I know he won’t be around forever. It’s heartbreaking when our pets’ health declines (not an accurate comparison, but we’ve had numerous hamsters, in the past, and it was always tough witnessing their demise). I hope it gives you comfort in knowing you have given Bandit SO much over the years.

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  5. I’m so sorry to hear about Bandit! But it certainly seems like you’re giving him a good life and good care now that he’s unwell… that is important.
    I lost my cat this week and know too well the distress of the situation with a sick pet. Lots of hugs to you.
    Good to hear you’re doing well running.

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  6. Oh no!!! I’m very sorry to hear this. As you said, animals have perfected the art of living in the moment- maybe it can be an exercise for you as well. His life is good right now and you’re giving him everything he needs. None of us knows how long we have. It is bad timing to have to go to your mom’s but obviously necessary. I hope everything goes well and you can get back home soon.

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  7. So sorry to hear about Bandit. I didn’t share this in the chat, but Cocoa has a pretty significant heart murmur. I think that we may be headed down the CHF pathway when she gets a little older. Is Bandit on diuretics to keep the fluid out of his lungs?

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    1. She hasn’t heard any fluid in his lungs, so surprisingly no diuretic. All my dogs had heart murmurs; Bandit & Lola as they got older. Chester’s was s congenital heart defect. Bug you never know. Lola never even got to the point of meds. Hopefully Cocoa remains happy & healthy a long time.

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  10. Ah, so sorry to hear about Bandit’s heart failure. Since you’ve been throuhg it (sadly), you’ll know when the time comes when he’s not comfortable anymore. I hope you’ll have some more precious time with him ❤

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  11. I’m so sorry to hear about Bandit, it’s so tough and you’re such good pet owners. We’re in the difficult position where we have a well-seeming cat with a long-term, incurable health condition which means he makes messes now and then, so he lives in the (large) bathroom now, and you’re always just waiting for the bad thing to happen. Our other puss is quite robust at least and is enjoying life separated from her bro who used to bully her. Sending you waves of strength tho am also late to this post (as always!).

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    1. Unfortunately I’ve been where you are with cats in the past — I totally get it. I had a cat with urinary issues and the whole house was carpeted!

      Gizmo adored Simba, but to my shock, when Simba was gone, Gizmo was much happier because he got to lay on me much more.

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  12. I’m really sorry about Bandit 😦 it’s so hard when our pets are not well 😦
    I’m glad you got some running in though, you are making the best of the time you have and that’s all you can do.

    is that not a dogwood tree? those flowers look like the ones on my dogwood.

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  14. I’m so sorry to hear about Bandit. It’s always difficult to see a loved one not doing well. Give him all the carrots and cucumbers he wants! My dog is also strange in that she loves carrots and other veggies like broccoli but has never been a fan of dog food.

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  15. Oh Judy, I’m sorry to hear the news about Bandit, but I’m glad his quality of life seems okay so far. I am thinking of you. We love our pups so much don’t we?

    Glad running was a nice reprieve for you this week!

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    1. Thanks, Jessi. Excel for his eating his quality of life is still pretty good. Although he IS getting hamburger, steak, canned salmon & tuna in addition to regular food (because he’s not eating enough regular food).

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