Long runs and weekends

Last week was one of those weeks that were go go go go. It was an up and out the door in the early morning and not get home until 9-10PM 3 out of 5 weeknights. By Friday I was wiped. I did get my runs in and by Saturday I no longer feel like I am running knee deep in water. Maybe I am turing a corner? Only time will tell.

Saturday was the most and longest stretch I have run at one time since I fell ill. It was a great easy pace, fabulous company and perfect weather. We went a bit over time, but it felt ok.

I spent the rest of the day on my feet hawking hot dogs for a good cause. We did ok. Not spectacular, but hey $ toward goal is $ toward goal. We got some honking horns and shouts of "Go Team", sad stories and triumphant stories.

When I woke this morning I was worried about soreness and tightness, but felt great all day. "

I am destined to be a very slow runner - always I think. I am ok with that. I get passed by most runners. I just keep plodding along. My goal is the finish. My purpose is to honor those that have had their lives turned upside down by a blood cancer.

I found a quote today that sums it all up for me. "The race doesn't always go to the swiftest or the fastest it goes to the one who keeps on running. "
-unknown

General Update

I got my fundraising letter done. I will work on getting it in the mail by the end of this week. I am pretty pleased with it, if I do say so myself.

Saturday's kickoff was wonderful. We have such a great team. I hope everyone makes it through recommitment. I put together Nalgene bottles for my mentees and filled them with pretzels, jolly ranchers, dark chocolate and GU packs. Things many find helpful as the runs progressively get longer. We had a short run - 45 minutes on Saturday and then a fundraising clinic after. It was cold windy and rainy.

Sunday I got my 30 minutes in early in the morning and felt pretty wiped out the entire day. Yesterday I didn't do any running. This morning I slept through the alarm so that means my run looms in front of me all day long. I prefer running first thing in the morning. Then it is out of the way.

My youngest has strep and was up off and on all night. By the time I finally fell asleep, the alarm didn't register in my brain at all.

I am hoping the runs start getting easier soon.

Yahoo news has a great article about running. It reaffirms my madness and love for running. Running Goodness.

Time to air the place out and dust out the cobwebs!

I am officially in the clear to train for a marathon again. After my last post in March I got very ill and was eventually diagnosed with Lupus. My last post in March signalled the point I stopped running. I spent the next several months visiting doctors, having blood tests, transfusions, and a multitude of other tests until the offical word was given.

I spent the spring and early summer figuring out the new body I have, trying a variety of horrific medicines and learning to live with chronic pain. So after all that I have been given go ahead to try to run and train for another marathon. Lupus has been more devastating to me on a personal level than a physical level. While the pain can be intense and difficult, the emotional aspect of not understanding my body clearly and having to learn to seek help and realize I can't do all I once did is far worse for me. I had to drop out of training for Anchorage and that marathon was important to me on a very personal level. My very closest childhood friend lives in Anchorage and I haven't seen her since I was 18. I was hoping not only to see a glimpse of Alaska, but also to try to make contact with her. Life continues and all I can do is keep moving forward.

This takes me to my new quest - training for Walt Disneyworld in January 09. This was my first week back running since March. It has been tough. Not only do I have the hot days of summer to contend with, but I am at square one. I feel like I am running in knee deep water. But I ran - 3 minute run, 1 minute walk intervals and I hit every day on the schedule.

I am excited and determined. Every Friday is blood test and weigh in day. As long as I maintain my platelet and iron counts and not drop in weight I get to keep running. So far so good!

I have to say, emotionally the running has been good for me this week. It momentarily lets me forget about my Lupus.

Off to take a pain pill and a handful of vitamins and minerals and then slumber here I come.

Must be more consistent

I need to be more consistent about blogging here! I am training and trying to be diligent in my running. Our group runs are great. The season is much different that my first. This is just as wonderful as last season. I definately hope to run Nike again, but not for a few years. I have some other runs to accomplish first.

It feels sort of strange training for a half marathon instead of a full this go around. I feel sort of like I whimped out.

I was late for yesterday's group run, but I did get my required time in. Lake Padden is so muddy. My shoes were just trashed. It took three cycles through the wash to get them clean. I let them dry out under our propane fireplace. I definately prefer summer training to winter/spring training. I don't like the dark mornings and cold rain.

This last week was crazy personally and the daily runs helped my sanity. I can't imagine life without those runs. I don't want to imagine life without those runs. Running has made me a much better, calmer, happier person. Skinnier too!

I am failing in the fundraising aspect this go around. I just haven't gotten off the procrastination train and powered through. My goal is to get as much in $ donated as I can in the next 2 weeks. I want to hit the half mark by April 7.

We had a great group run this morning. The weather was so wonderful. I had to peel off layers as I went. It was sunny and the day ended up very warm. I finally got a new pair of shoes. I was so past due. After the run this morning I ended up at Fairhaven Runners and got the next generation of Mizuno Wave Alchemy. I tried on 4 pair total and went back to Mizuno. I am having a little ache showing up in my shins, and both the coach and the guy at Fairhaven Runners said new shoes should quickly ease that. I mean I trained, ran a marathon and began training all in one pair of shoes. They are beat, but I love them. I took them home with me. I became a runner in those shoes. I have serious sentimental attachment to them.

We have a great group of members. I just love them all. We brainstormed some fundraising group events. It will be great fun, we are going to do concessions at a couple Mariner's games, concessions during Ski To Sea, as well as a couple car washes. The unity and spirit that is beginning to form is inspiring.

I ran 100 minutes today and am now starting to feel my body stiffen and get sore. I ignored the signs all day by keeping busy working in the yard. Now that I have stopped and sat, the ache is settling in. It has been a long time since I have felt this wonderful ache. It is the ache of knowing that I am on a new journey to conquer another marathon and raise money for my heroes and others whose lives are affected by Blood Cancers.

Time To Play Catchup!

I was out last week with a rotten flu and missed 7 solid days of running. Today was our team run and I managed to run and feel ok. I was a little weak in the legs, but got my 40 minutes in. It feels like such a tiny amount after having completed one marathon training. I have to remind myself to stick to the schedule and not over run, especially after missing a week.

The weather was good. It was overcast and cool and thankfully not pouring rain.

We have a great team and our coach is wonderful. She is much different than the last coach I had. She is more proactive and takes more time to have an organized warm up before we start and then we gather together at the end and visit and are getting to know one another. I think this season we will be more cohesive than the last team I trained with. I had gotten so used to being completely on my own, I find I have to adjust a bit and not be so solitary and sink in to my own thoughts.

Time to get on with my day - always a ton around here for me to do. It never ends.

Kick Off and More

It was supposed to be cloudy and a bit snowy yesterday. Instead the skies were clear and it was just absolutely gorgeous. We had our official TNT Kick Off yesterday morning. The run before hand was great. Mo led us and she is a riot and really great to run with. I just loved it. As usual the runners - all those long legged tall people cruised on ahead of me and I had a solitary run. The crisp cool air was perfect as was the scenery. Mo would periodically run back and high five me or turn around and shout out at me. There were a couple walkers from TNT behind me.

The majority of the TNT team this year is for the 2 Tri races. I think at this point we have 8 marathoners. 3 new people signed up at Kick Off.

I am really excited for the season.

I will have a short run today before the Super Bowl and then tomorrow I am taking a Yoga Class. My toes are a little tender this morning.


This is the worst part of the year for me. February is the longest month in my mind and it is the point where I am so tired of winter and short cold rainy days. The crocus are starting to poke through and I see the buds fattening on the cherry trees. Yesterday there was a Robin in our yard. This makes it difficutlt to have patience for spring and summer - the time when I feel best and most alive.