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Weekly Run Down for 8.24.25-8.31.25: Unplanned Taper…


I wanted to  keep my last WRD upbeat…

But here’s the real scoop:

On Thursday I had what I thought were bug bites…

But they started appearing EVERYWHERE!

So after work on Friday, I headed to Urgent Care.

I was told that the rash was an allergic reaction to something and prescribed Prednisone…

for 5 days (10 mg 2x a day) and NO RUNNING for 7.

Of course, I waited to take my first dose after my 11 mile long run on Saturday morning… (crossed my fingers that the rash would disappear and I would feel ok to run 13.1 miles in 8 days.)

Have you ever read the side effects for Prednisone?  Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sleeplessness and more.

Plus they recommend no coffee, alcohol or sweets!! What? No coffee! Impossible.

Anyway, here’s how the week went:

Last Week –

  • Sunday – Unfortunately, the weather looked cloudy, cool and rainy so we decided not to go up to the lake. (I was actually relieved since I wasn’t in the mood to be around others. We had invited 2 friends on the boat.)

So I went to the gym…

Then I tried a new place that advertised NYC bagels and Brooklyn pizza..

I may need to try their pizza next…

I procrastinated on the grocery shopping and laundry and went for a scenic walk instead at Pine Hollow Arboretum…

I would have stayed longer but it started to rain…

Monday – WFH day and my only activity was a walk on the rail trail after work.

this is at the end of the rail trail… I met my running friend and we went out for burgers ($3.50 on Mondays)..

I completely forgot about meeting people to play pickleball. Steroid brain fog.

  • Tuesday – I met my early morning running friend Jenny at the track. After she had finished her workout, we walked together.

After work, I met my BFF for a walk around the outdoor mall.

  • Wednesday – Today I had to teach in-person. That meant Starbucks and no early morning activity.

first pumpkin drink of the season…

Again, after work, I did go for a walk. In the mall.

  • Thursday – Back to WFH.

Rash Update:  Many sleepless nights. Rash has mostly calmed down with only a few new outbreaks. I finished my Prednisone.

I took the day off from work and went for a short walk-run-walk to see how it felt to run again.

I drove to the Crossings for more different scenery…

I still have a rash and it itches in places but otherwise everything felt fine.

90:30 intervals including photo stops

In the evening, the last ARE trail night (& BBQ) was scheduled and I had missed most of them (for various reasons.) At the same time, I was supposed to attend a ZOOM STEM board meeting. Which one to choose??

Too tired to decide and so I skipped BOTH and went to bed early!!

  • Friday – WFH again but I took another day off again – The never ending rash and more poor sleep.

I managed to get up enough energy to hit the gym…

pick up up my bib (and Barbara’s) for Saturday race…

and walk on the trail (where the run was last night).

so peaceful and just what I needed to take my mind of the itching…

Then in the afternoon I went back to Urgent Care for the rash that keeps on giving.

Well since it didn’t disappear with Prednisone, they think that it’s not an allergic reaction. Who knows what it is but did you ever try to get an appt with a dermatologist?  I guess skin issues are not urgent. My appt is Oct. 7! Until then I have steroid cream for the next 2 weeks to control the itching.

  • Saturday – Run 4 the River Half Marathon.

I definitely was nervous about this race as I had the worst training cycle ever: heat, humidity, sore ankle, rash….)

But Barbara was doing it with me and my other friends would be cheering at the finish line after their long runs.

And what I said to Barbara was that I wanted to replace one pain with another and I thought the running one would be more temporary.

At least the weather was in my favor… it was perfect.

So we carpooled to the start and both made it to the finish… barely as we both struggled through the last 6 miles (Sometimes it’s just not your day!).

Afterward we partied with the other runners and our running friends.

  • Sunday – Gym visit is planned and then up to the lake today or tomorrow (weather and rash permitting)…

This Coming Week on the Run – 

  • Monday – DAY Off – Labor Day- gym, walk
  • Tuesday – run
  • Wednesday – run
  • Thursday – dinner & Autumn Glow Festival w/tennis friends
  • Friday – mah jongg
  • Saturday – Malta 5k, run 
  • Sunday – gym, boating

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

  • Tuesday – Run 4 the River Half Marathon Recap
  • Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this fall?  Do anything special on Labor Day? Ever take steroids? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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23 thoughts on “Weekly Run Down for 8.24.25-8.31.25: Unplanned Taper…”

  1. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about the rash and the Prednisone! Interesting to hear later what they think it is.

    And yes, any steroid is known for causing sleeplessness but no coffee? Is that an American thing? Before leaving nursing I worked in oncology/palliative care (where tons of steroids are used for various reasons) and this was never talked about. Perhaps only because of the caffeine and its effect on sleep? I’m glad you could stop taking it but I hope you’ll find out the rash is caused by something simple and manageable.

    So good to see you race in good weather for once! LOL

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  2. oh gosh that does sound painful and annoying with the rash. I am glad that you are getting a second opinion bc it sounds like it could be something else. Maybe you can get into your regular Dr before October! Take it easy on yourself while you figure it out!

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  4. Oh my gosh this sucks!!! You experienced all the side effects of the prednisone and it didn’t fix the problem!!!!! I have a prediction, which is that it will go away on its own before October 7. Skin things can be so mysterious.

    I’m glad you were able to race, even if you weren’t at your best. At least the weather was nice and you were out there with friends. i’ll bet the itching stopped while you were running, right? It’s like our brains can only focus on one discomfort at a time. Anyway… I hope you feel better soon.

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  6. I’m so sorry to hear about this mystery rash and that the steroids didn’t help you and that you can’t get into the derm sooner. This sounds like something your primary medical provider could help you with by calling a derm to get you in sooner. I sure would if you were my patient.

    Yes, I’ve taken steroids many times for my RA. No one has ever told me to avoid coffee, alcohol, or sweets. Please. It’s a short burst of medication. The sleep issues are a challenge, but I didn’t have a lot of other issues with them.

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  7. Oh no, Darlene, I hope the dermatologist can figure out what is causing your rash and that the steroid cream helps in the meantime.

    Congrats on completing another half! Sorry it wasn’t your day.

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  8. Sounds like a rough week! My SIL is on prednisone and also suffering from insomnia — ugh.

    I hope the rash gets better on its own before October! I find it takes ages to get in to see a specialist.

    Glad you felt well enough to run at least!

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  9. Oh gosh! I’m so sorry about the rash! And I’m even more sorry about the no coffee. I never really read about what not to have while on steroids, but I’m not on them very often.

    Great job with all your running and adventures! You always keep it busy!

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  10. Well crap, that sucks! Being a person who is plagued by rashes (especially poison ivy) in the past I know how awful that itchy feeling can be. Ughhhhh. I hope by now you are on the mend? Knock on wood, I am now 3 years poison ivy (or wild parsnip maybe?) rash free. Also, haven’t done much yard work… so there’s that. LOL

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  12. Pingback: Weekly Run Down for 8:31.25-9.7.25: Feeling Fall-Like… – My First 5K and More…

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