By the numbers:

Latest thyroid test results TSH 11.10 H (range 0.4-4.50)(previously 12.83, H), T4 free 1.34 (range 0.8-1.80) (previously 1.24), new test results from November 21, 2018.

Current thyroid medication: 167.5 mcg levothyroxine, started on 10/19/18 – alternating 150 mcg and 150+25 mcg every other day.  (Raised to 175 mcg on 12/1/18)

Current weight:  156.7 lb  (up 1.1 from October, but my weight fluctuates much more than that day to day, so I’m not concerned).

November monthly totals:

Miles run: 142

Days run: 18 out of 30

Calories burned during run: 18,300 kcal (that’s 5.2 lb if 3500 kcal = 1 lb)

Run time: 29 hr 58 min

Monthly averages and superlatives:

Average speed per mile: 12:39 per mile (Oct. was 12:38)

Average stride rate: 159 steps per minute

Average heart rate during run: 150 beats per minute

Longest run: November 26, 2018 – 16.0 miles, 13.01/mile

Shortest run: November 28, 2018 – 2.25 miles, 12:01/mile

Fastest run: November 2, 2018 – 8.0 miles, 11:58/mile

Slowest run (not counting hill runs): November 5, 2018 – 6.2 miles, 13:32/mile

Fastest mile: November 2, 2018 – Mile 8 at 10:54 of a total 8.0miles, 11:54/mile

Fastest strides: Nov.2 (8 miles, 11:58/mi) and Nov.8, 2018 (8 miles, 12:04/mile) – strides 163 per min

Slowest strides (not counting hill runs): November 5, 2018 –155 per minute, 6.2 miles, 13:32/mile

Non-run monthly stats:

Total distance (running + walking): 197.8 miles

Average distance per day: 6.7 miles

Total steps: 401,000 steps

Average steps per day: 13,367 (down from 19,800 in October)

Average resting heart rate: 62 bpm (up from 59 bpm inOctober)

Lowest resting heart rate: November 1, 2018 – 54 bpm

Highest resting heart rate: November 6, 2018 – 71 bpm

November monthly thoughts:

Ok – this is a little late being posted, but I’m glad I’m looking at these numbers.  I’m actually shocked my average speed wasn’t slower, and that my running heart rate wasn’t much higher compared to October, because I feel like overall my November running has been so bad.  I’ve been congested with allergy issues due to leaf mold for pretty much all of November, and slightly twisted my ankle on November 11, and have been nursing that back to normal since then.  For the last several weeks, I’ve been “not pushing too hard” because it’s been pretty hard to breathe on my runs (allergy issues) and I’ve been pretty tired.  I wasn’t shocked when my TSH level came back at about the same level as when I was tested in October (12.83 in October, now 11.1, moving in the right direction but still high), although it is disappointing and frustrating. I’m starting to realize I have been living with low functioning thyroid for a very long time, and new symptoms are a lot like the old ones, just worse.  My hair is now falling out now at a very high rate, which is a new symptom.

My overall distance is much lower for November than October, and that’s ok.  My resting heart rate is 3 bpm higher, but I have a feeling that has a lot to do with not being able to breathe all that well during the day and not just when I’m running.

I’d like to say I’m going to work on getting my speed up, but I think I’d like to get my thyroid hormone closer to “normal” before doing a whole lot of speed work. 

My “running” goals for December: 

1.)  Skip milk with my morning oatmeal to see if that improves my T4 absorption.

2.)  Try to run most days, even if it is really cold out, even if I’m feeling tired and don’t want to put on two pairs of pants and three shirts, even if I only do 2 miles.

3.) Try not to be so hard on myself when I have really slow times.  I have no idea what speeds other people with hypothyroidism run at, but sometimes I feel so slow and sluggish (and my metabolism “likes” to shut itself off  – this isn’t something I can easily control).

4.)  Try not to gain too much weight if I do cut back on my mileage (I’m pretty sure running a lot is what keeps my weight in control, since when I’m not running my metabolism is not great).

Previous month: October 2018

Next month: December 2018