turning the page...a new chapter

Last Sunday was a day of many emotions:

fear...as I got up to the alarm and realized what I was about to attempt

tears...I cried while walking with the group from the hotel to the starting area...it was a

dream about to be fulfilled and one I had worked so hard for

excitement...when I crossed the starting line and came upon the cheering crowds

laughter...at the guy riding a chicken, Elvis, the juggler, and the zany signs along the way

anger...where is the frickin' water

respect...for the older guy who was hobbling along but was hanging in there at mile 8

sadness...at the thought of those who could not physically do what I was doing

gratitude...for all the wonderful Chicagoans who were there with water hoses, water pitchers,

etc.

comfort...when I saw various red MM signs along the way with the holder cheering wildly

elation...when I reached the halfway mark, Matt took my picture, Sheila was screaming at me,

and I realized I was halfway and I FELT GOOD

confidence...when I saw the 16 mile marker and realized I was going to finish within the official

time of 6.5 hrs...only 10.2 miles to go!

disbelief....when we were re-routed

horror....when someone said they had CANCELED my beloved Chicago Marathon

confusion...where are we going...how FAR is it...do we get a medal

amazement...I met a new friend, Clara, from Venezuela who joined me on our long walk to the
"so-called" finish line. This was her 7th marathon and 2nd time at Chicago. The
only reason she was near my pace in the race is that she had not trained AT ALL
this year. We had a nice LONG chat and went to the massage tents together.

disappointment...I did not get to finish and I could have

anger...me and some of my comrades were cheated out of our dream


End of Chapter...turn the page

Suzanne's words in her blog helped me "get a grip"...there are so many people dealing with more serious issues than crossing a finish line. I can still do a marathon and I WILL do a marathon.

I am going back to Chicago because I know they will have their act together next year, I love the people lining the streets, and I love Giordono's pizza. The hospitality was so great that I believe they must have moved there from the SOUTH at least a few generations ago. :)

My new chapter includes losing weight by eating less fat, better carbs, fewer calories, and being lighter on my feet in Chicago next year. I also will be more diligent in my training and won't skip so many XT days. I went to see Cindy Pulliam, an orthopedic NP, today because of concern I had about pain on the inside of my left lower leg and my x-ray did not show fracture but showed evidence of stress along the bone. There looked to be an old stress fracture that had healed. She recommended I rest it for 4 weeks and start back slowly. If the pain returns or does not go away then she will order an MRI for a closer look at what is going on. I had done nothing, not even walked, for 2 weeks before I got out there and ran and walked the marathon. It could be just a shin splint. I am not invincible...I need to train regularly or I will NOT be able to do a marathon because I will be sidelined with an injury. I don't know if I will be able to do the MS BLUES half marathon, but if not, I will be out there cheering you on just like our great role models, the Chicagoans! Yes, I am looking forward to Chicago next year...they better be ready for us!

Finally figured it out

Finally figured it out...who/what is going to drive me when the going gets rough on the marathon trail. It hit me between the eyes when I was watching a TV special report...the injured soldiers, marines, etc. who have lost their legs!!!!!!!!!!!!! The article was about the latest, greatest, prostheses that are available to our injured military and it occurred to me...were it not for them and all the courageous souls in years past who have defended our country, we would not be preparing to run the Chicago Marathon. So, when I am beginning to really struggle, which I am guessing will be around mile 18, I am going to visualize those young, brave men/women who are now struggling to walk on their metal prostheses. I will then reach down and pull up more determination to get through my insignificant, albeit mild, challenge. The appreciation, admiration and respect I have for them and for all of our troops will help carry me across that line.

Recap of MM

I have been reading thoughts of various marathoners and said to myself...I don't have that many thoughts...WRONG. I sat down and within a short time I compiled the following list:

"Stuff" from Marathon Makeover

• I will get up before sunrise, go out in the dark and do hard labor with no paycheck involved.
• I will retire a “perfectly good-looking” pair of shoes because I don’t want to take any chances of injury.
• I will send my blog full of personal stuff out to a bunch of strangers
• I am quick to tell some people what I am doing and won’t breathe a word of it to others
• I can’t believe how unselfish and supportive my husband has been about all this…not sure I would have behaved in the same manner were the roles reversed. Now, all knowing, I would behave the same way!
• I am very glad that I am OC about reading the daily newspaper…the MM article was my 2007 destiny.
• I can’t believe I ever thought I could actually complete a marathon…what trust I have in Mark Simpson and company.
• I was motivated by the hope and belief that I would be skinny like other runners by October. Key word here is “runners”…I did not become a “runner”, but a wogger; hence, I did not get skinny.
• My sister and my mom still think I am crazy and rarely ever ask me about my endeavor. I will sashay around them wearing my medal, with a mantra, “told you so”.
• I am looking forward to my bragging rights in my 2007 Christmas letter.
• I have learned the REAL meaning of mind-over-matter while becoming a marathoner
• When I am feeling low in confidence, I have learned how valuable it is to tell myself that I am a really cool person because I am going to complete the Chicago Marathon. Few people ever attempt something of this magnitude.
• I have been amused to see the reactions when I tell someone I am training for the CM. A quick “body scan” always ensues.
• I have learned that although I am a 60 yr. old, I am not “over-the-hill”…I am healthier and stronger than I ever knew!
• I have spent many more hours this year talking to God…walking has provided this special time for me.
• I have become addicted to reading and writing blogs. Blogging has been a key to my success.
• I have a love/hate relationship with the training…I must have goals to continue it. My new goal for 2008 will be to RUN, not wog, 5K and 10K races. After completing that goal, I bet I will be ready for another marathon.
• Wayne Jimenez rocks!
• I wish there had been a picture of each member of the MM group in our directory. I also wish everyone had blogged.
• I am in awe of the obstacles that some of our MMers have had to overcome to train for this marathon, like caring for multiple children, demanding jobs requiring frequent travel, family illnesses, family commitments, you name it…almost makes it seem easy for me.
• My job has suffered a bit from the distraction of training for the marathon, but that is okay. The physical and emotional benefits of the MM are a huge ROI (return on investment) and I will be better in all areas of my life because of it.
• I will never look at Strawberry Park in the same nonchalant manner again. I will never play tennis at North Shore Park again without a big smile reminiscing over the accomplishments on that trail.
• I buy Harvest bread for customers at least twice a week…it never looks or tastes as good as on Saturdays after a run.
• I have new words/phrases in my vocabulary: body glide, Endurox, gels, sports beans, sports blocks, camelback, race-ready shorts, “cotton is rotten”, Garmin, metatarsalgia, and some I can’t remember right now.
• I have gone from being “horrified” with my blue toenails, to, “hey, only runners know the success story behind these blue babies”.
• I am extremely happy to have some new friends! Wayne (hubby) and I have been invited to join a Supper Club group by one of the MM friends. This unique group of people with a common goal has become our MM family. We share, we care, we support each other. Does it get any better than that?
• I have only one regret associated with this Marathon Makeover…I wish I had done this way back in my youth. If so, I would have a wall of medals by now!
• I am blessed, that in this great state of Mississippi (of which I am a transplant from NC), there resides an exceptional group of people who are changing lives through the establishment and execution of the Marathon Makeover experience. That would be Mark, Robin, Matt and Scotty…many thanks for all that you do. Your halos will be delivered via UPS in the near future. :>)
• I learned how strong and determined my new daughter-in-law is…she does not give up easily. Kristy had some of the biggest, nastiest blisters I have ever seen, plus she persevered through plantar fasciitis which is so-o-o painful.
• During the time of my training for the marathon I have seen my older son, Morgan, (30yrs.) transition from a broken, depressed, chronically ill young man on disability leave, to one who is healthier, emotionally stable, newly employed and one who looks forward to his future again. I got through these challenging months with the help of my MM training…exercise helps manage stress. My quiet time with God on these many walks was invaluable. Praise God.
• I am thrilled to see that my younger son, Steven, is getting to enjoy the success of completing the Chicago marathon at the tender young age of 27 yrs. He will reap the benefits of this experience for many years to come.
• I have even more love for my wonderful husband…he has massaged my tired feet on many occasions, brought food, drink, and Motrin to me when I have crashed in the bed after a Saturday run, never complained about the additional expenditures for my various “necessities” of training, and has been the wind beneath my wings. I love you, Wayne.
  
  Thoughts by Cheryl Jones
  
  
  
  

Sleeping in my own bed again...woo-hoo!

Lo-o-o-n-g week at the Westin in downtown LA...sounds glamorous, doesn't it. HA! I would have traded it for spending my nights in a small tent in a cow pasture somewhere...at least I would have had SOME control of how I spent my time! Anyhow, it was an intense sales meeting with lots of challenges and role plays and video taped presentations, etc., but I survived and flew back to Memphis late Friday night. My husband and I had made plans months earlier to meet some friends and attend a Viking Cooking School course on Saturday night which is what we did. This is our second Viking class and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys learning new things about cooking. It was a "hands on" class and we ate our "fine dining French meal" afterwards with 3 other couples. After we did the items which required knives, then the bottles of wine started flowing. Viking doesn't want the liability of wine and knife combo so we had to get the slicing and dicing out of the way. Wine makes cooking with strangers evolve into cooking with your best friends!

I had planned to run my 10 miles on Saturday in Memphis and guess what...my sweet hubby FORGOT to bring the weekend bag I had packed and left in the bedroom for him to bring to me in Memphis. Of course this had all my running gear. I guess I am glad, in hindsight, because I finally feel rested and back to normal and I am sure it is because I slept in both Saturday and Sunday...oh, sweet bliss. I must get my hind parts out to the park tomorrow and put in some mileage since I did not make it today. Time is getting close...I, like Onetta, am excited and freaked out all at the same time.

Cheering squad works

Thanks to all of you who left such encouraging comments on my last blog. This is a HUGE benefit to MM...communication from the compassionate, supportive people in our group through blogging. We have all benefited at some time or another by either information gathered or the valuable encouragement showing up from our fellow bloggers. This is what I will miss the most...blogging of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Leaving for LA at 6:17am tomorrow on business trip. Sorry I will miss the "short run" with y'all on Saturday. Flying back in to Memphis for the weekend. See you the next Saturday...our last short run together as the 2007 MMers. Be there!

I have been hesitant to blog. My negative thoughts are somehow overpowering my positive ones. The blogs I read yesterday were so positive that I decided I was a failure at this whole thing. I was glad to read Mandy's today. Yesterday I did at least 22 miles and I think, if my math is right, it was 22.2, however, I was miserable most of the time after doing Fox Bay. My mental determination is the ONLY thing that got me through. I got a late start which put me out of sorts and then I fussed and argued with me most of the way. I did Fox Bay first and then decided to do 5 intersection to boat launch trips back to back so I could avoid the whole spillway part of the run. So, I had no running partner, no ipod, and by the time I did the 5th boat launch trip, I was the lone ranger...no MM people anywhere in sight. My own fault...all of the above. After 2 boat launch to intersection trips, I decided I could only do one more...then the math told me that was not acceptable for someone running a marathon in 3 wks. So, I decided I would do the whole 5 trips but halfway through the 3rd trip, I said, "screw it" (sorry) I just don't have the energy today. I need to save my energy for the real marathon. And so it went back and forth, back and forth, the whole way. Miserable, I was. I ran quite a bit up until about mile 15 and then mostly walked the remainder. My hamstrings and calves were killing me. I was so disappointed that I could not muster up the energy to run more. All I could think of was the weather is as good as Chicago will be, I carb loaded the last 2 days (maybe last 5 days, ha-ha), got enough sleep, wearing brand new shoes, what the heck is wrong with my energy level? If I can't do 22 miles any better than this, then I am a loser when it comes to doing a marathon. It took me 6 hrs. 8 min. I wanted to be able to do the CM in the official finish time of 6.5 hrs but a miracle will have to occur for that to happen. I am afraid they will have removed the finish line before I can get there. I am afraid if I start early and my chip doesn't cross the starting line then I won't be considered a legitimate finisher and won't get a medal. I am a basket case right now...all of my insecurities are raising their many ugly heads. There are a couple of positives about yesterday's wog...a) I out-negotiated the little devil on my shoulder that kept telling me to give up. I did the mileage. b) thanks to the Endurox and cold shower, I feel great today...very little soreness. I even played a tennis match this afternoon. Back to my negatives...I am very worried about the 26.2 miles. I sure am putting a lot of hope into that cheering crowd. Please get me through it.

Shin splints...NOW?

Ever since the Saturday run in Clinton my legs have been so sore. My left calf has been particularly bothersome. I did not exercise yesterday giving myself more time to recover and repair. So, today, I went to the park and started out doing 2:1 intervals...that did not last but one mile because my calves were HURTING like crazy mainly on the inside. Sounds like shin splints which I have not had the entire training period! I am guessing the hills in Clinton are the culprit. I usually run without much of any kind of pain and this is not fun to have legs that hurt as I run. Kristy has run with PF, huge blisters, and others have run with all sorts of pain issues. Well, let me say, I must be a big wimp, because I just ended up walking the rest of my time. I was out there 50 min. which was a struggle at that. I don't like doing minimums and I had intended to wog for at least an hour and start ramping up on my intervals and speed this week. It is disappointing to feel like I am regressing instead of progressing. I must remember that I am still in the game and do not suffer any debilitating injuries thus far...thank you God. So, I will be patient and know that I will bounce back from whatever is going on right now. Oh my gosh, y'all, 22 miles! I only did 18.5 on our last LSD. Will I be able to do it...yes, yes, yes, I can. (fake it 'til you make it)

Being careful

I made a judgement call not to do the hour today. Having some pain all day in my left calf on the inside like a shin splint made me not want to push it today. I plan to get up and do an hour in the morning before work. Went to Fleet Feet today and put my name on the list to get one of those rain jackets. Also, tried to get a new pair of shoes to start breaking in, but they were out of my size. They are trying to get a pair shipped in from their store in TN. Also wanted to get some of those "race ready" shorts but they are also on order. So, all I came out with was a MS Blues registration form. I "think" I will do the half, but who knows, after the CM I may be gung ho about doing the whole thing...then again, I may only want to run when I am chased! Be sure to ready Onetta's blog today...great, as usual.

XT, XT

I did 2 XT's today...played tennis and then went to yoga. (after a shower, of course) Enjoyed the yoga much more because I lost "bad" in my tennis match. My partner and I just could not get it going today. Yoga is very challenging for me because God made me with short everything...short stature, short trunk, short legs, short arms, and of course short muscles that are resistant to stretching. When everyone else is stretched way down over their feet, ole Cheryl is still in a sitting position trying so hard to "get down" and it just ain't happening. I am only competing with myself there and always feel more relaxed afterwards so I plan to continue it even after the marathon. I know it is important to maintain flexibility as we age and I think yoga can help me with that effort. So, go yoga!

Get out that cattle prod!!!

What a long first 5 miles yesterday...it was dark, I don't know the Clinton route, and I had not done much in the way of training this week. The 2nd five miles went much better so I guess I was slow to warm up today. I did it in 2hrs. 33 min. so that is 15.3 min. mile. Hopefully, in Chicago, with the flat terrain, and cooler temps., I can shave off some time. The meeting yesterday afternoon was great and the excitement is starting to build within me now. I am feeling more excited also now that Kristy is going to be able to do this with us. We have started to run our own race now and I think it is working out not to partner up. We are definitely with each other in spirit! Our crowd has dwindled somewhat from our first few meetings but we still have a good sized group. I wonder what the final count will be to actually run the race.

I am going to start jotting down some of my thoughts about this MM...there have been many, I just have to get them on paper/computer. They are all positive, believe me. Any negative thoughts that would creep in, would be banished by my positive thoughts acting like a "cattle prod" to whisk them away! All you bloggers out there helped me tremendously with that task! Thank you, Thank you!

Life is full of great people

I just have to share this card that came in the mail today from a co-worker. I don't see her everyday, but I speak with her on the phone almost everyday. She is in the same division as I and has been going through the same job stress.
It was one of those musical cards playing "car wash" and on the front it said "life is messy". Here goes: Cheryl, Just wanted you to know how much I admire you for training for the Chicago Marathon. As a runner, I know all the hard work and dedication it takes to prepare for such a great event! Lately, you have had a lot on your plate and you have kept your goal (the big race) in mind. I am very lucky and blessed to have a great partner like you to work with. Thanks for being a great friend to vent to about this "wonderful job"! Keep up the hard training and I can't wait to hear all about the "finish line". Love, Temple
This was such a lift for me...could not have come at a better time. She is a triathlete and for her to "admire me" is awesome. Bottom line folks, is take the time to drop someone a note...it will mean a lot!

Yoga, where are you?

I am so disappointed that I could not make it to yoga tonight...have been looking forward to it all day long. BUT, I had work laptop computer problems and was on the helpdesk phone line with a guy in India for 45 minutes and did not get off until 7:15. Then I had to do the work to meet a deadline that I was unable to do before the computer went KER-R-S-S-PLATT. Oh well, it just looks like my training has gone to hell in a handbasket this week. Gotta go to B'ham tomorrow night after work for a meeting on Friday, won't get back 'til Friday night...JOB, why can't you lay low for a while, but N0-0-0-0-0, let's just see how much blood we can get out of this turnip. I sound like I love my job, don't I? When all I have to do is to do my regular job, that is fine...I like it! Unfortunately, that is not the case often enough. There are so many things that come down from corporate on top of our best made plans and next thing you know you are in a tail spin. I'll get over it...I just want my personal time back...pulease! If I had a psychologist he/she would compliment me on blogging away some of my stress...I believe in "gettin' it out"...I am not a "stuff it down" type...my husband says I never suffer in silence...don't know exactly what he means by that! :>) Anyhow, sure hope everyone else is having a good training week...I will live vicariously through y'all.

32 more days!

I put in an hour in the park this morning before work. For some reason I was short on energy so I did 1:1 intervals after a 15 min. warm-up. I am looking forward to our Saturday run...not too long and not too hot...finally! I am thrilled with the news from Kristy that she does not have a stress fracture. PF hurts a lot and it sounds like she has a super bad case of it but she is determined to get back to training. Go Kristy!

Happy Labor Day--33 days before CM

Just got back from Pensacola and the traffic was so-o-o heavy from P'cola to Mobile with all the beach bums (Mandy, etc.) heading home. It took 2 hours to get from P'cola to Mobile and that is normally an hour trip.The good news is we made it safely (hope so for Mandy and family, too) and had a good long weekend. My mom is getting back to her old self and is no longer dizzy and her face is only slightly green/yellow from the fall and not the horrible black and blue of 2 weeks ago.

Last night my older son played chef and grilled a seafood trio of sea scallops, shrimp, and speckled trout fresh from the popular Joe Patti's market...so delicious. Also served grilled corn on the cob, sauteed asparagus with garlic, and roasted red skin potatoes. Of course, watermelon for dessert. I did overeat at this meal, but did pretty well the rest of the weekend. As for my 10 miles I only got a 5 mile run in. At this point I can't make that up, so I will resume my training tomorrow as scheduled.

Work is getting crazy again...new computers that we will have to use to present information to our physician customers...the company has invested a lot of money for the Tablet PC's and software so we are feeling lots of pressure to quickly become proficient in their use. We have a huge manual and CD's to complete, a test to take to become partially "certified", a trip to Birmingham to practice with our district manager and then fly to Los Angeles to demonstrate our proficiency to all the upper management to complete our certification. I call that "overkill", excessive, unnecessary, but someone whose head is on the block for these, wants to make sure we don't miss a beat when we are in front of our customers. The "real rub" is that we are supposed to do all this "after" our day in the field while keeping a normal call activity level and do all this training on our own time. Yes, I am complaining because I want my extra time to be spent training for my marathon. No, I am not paid to run a marathon and yes, I am paid to do my job, so there, I will have to find a way to do both! Hope everyone had a good ten miler on Saturday!

I did melt tonight

Yoga made me sweat SO MUCH tonight...I do not like to sweat that much unless I am running! Not sure if the A/C was set too high, or if there was something wrong with me. Have to say I was glad when it was over.

Well, my mom is not bouncing back like we had hoped so I am going back to Pensacola for the weekend. My husband is already down there working, so my son and I will drive over after the Saturday run. It makes me sad because she has always been so active and quite healthy. She has taken care of 2 ill husbands...one had Multiple Sclerosis, and the last one has Alzheimers and was placed in a nursing home this past spring. She has had a tough life...she is my hero. She coped with her challenges through her spiritual strength and her always positive attitude. Her glass is always half-full...and STILL is. She is not doing poorly, just not back the way she was. I know it will take time, but at her age of 79, it just scares me.

I am so upset about Kristy's heel problem. I sure hope she will be able to do the CM. I know with her determination she will do a marathon somewhere, sometime. There is still hope that the MRI will not show a fracture.

I know what the problem at yoga was...I wore the dreaded COTTON and it was a heavy cotton t-shirt...what was I thinking?! That skinny little halter top that Heather wore was a much better choice for comfort and cuteness. I can't do the halter thing but I will be sporting some kind of dri-fit shirt next class!

I did not melt for a change

Spent 45 min. at the park wogging and it was actually tolerable. At last, maybe we will see cooler weather from now on. I did 2:1 intervals at first but ended up doing 1:1. My goal is to be able to do 2:1 in Chicago after walking the first mile.

I am hoping and praying that Kristy does not have a stress fracture. She has worked so hard and like the rest of us has come a long way. We have all learned things about ourselves and realized that we have the discipline to do whatever we put our minds to. It really does make you think about going outside the comfort zone in other aspects of our lives. Gee, we can achieve ANYTHING...but first, the Chicago Marathon.

WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES, FOLKS!

I guess I started out too fast yesterday because I gave out of gas around mile 8...stopped the regular intervals and just ran when the mood hit me...it hit me on a fairly regular basis because all I could think of was "I want to get this over with"...get into my AIR CONDITIONED car and drive to my AIR CONDITIONED house and crash into my wonderful bed. (after a cold shower, of course) Around mile 16 I started feeling rather jovial...almost there...and seemed to get my "2nd wind", albeit delayed. My metatarsalgia was not bad yesterday...the only complaint is EXTREMELY SORE quads today...the cold shower did not work this time. I feel sure that my energy level yesterday and my very sore quads are a result of not having run since the 18 miles. I will not neglect training from here on. I want to be completely ready for Chicago. I am worried about a business trip I have to take on Sept.18-21 to Los Angeles. As usual, our time will be scheduled from sun-up to way past sundown. It will be challenging during that week but I will have to get on the hotel treadmill I guess.

I am going to miss the Saturday runs after Chicago. (did I just say that?) There is nothing like the comaraderie of our fellow marathoners...we suffer TOGETHER...united we stand/run/walk.
It is awesome to see all of us out there struggling to meet this goal...we are learning we have what it takes...GO MARATHONERS...WE ARE SPECIAL!!!!!!! Another huge THANK YOU to our great leaders, Mark, Robin and Matt!

Back home

Just returned from Pensacola tonight. My mom is doing okay although she is still in the hospital. She looks like she has been beaten up with her eye swollen shut and the whole side of her face bruised as well as her ear is black and blue. She looks so pitiful but her feisty spirit is still intact! She apparently blacked out but they have not determined what caused that yet. She is lucky she only had a small brain bleed...this could have been much more serious. They will keep a watch on the brain hemorrhage to make sure it is not continuing and causing excessive pressure. Consequently, I have had no exercise since Saturday...how am I going to make 20 miles?! I am really not too worried about that...I know I can do it...just get out there, make up my mind that it has to be done, and VOILA, it's done...well maybe I am simplifying it a bit...ya think? I will be at Yoga tomorrow night. AND I will be at the Rez on Thurs. morning, that is if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise.

Life has its bumps in the road

Hubby and I got up on Saturday morning and did our bike ride. I have not ridden my bike in over a year since I had the rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder. Had forgotten what a great workout it is. It is rather hard going up the hills, similar to running, but with the constant breeze in your face, it did not seem as hot as it was. We did 18 miles and stopped at Starbucks for a break with a plan to do 22 miles and my phone rang. My sister from Pensacola was calling to tell me my mom had fallen in her home and was in the E.R. Long story short, she was admitted to the hospital with a broken cheek bone and has a small brain hemorrhage along with other bruises. Thank God, no broken hip, but I sure am worried about this brain hemorrhage. So, I will be leaving to go to Pensacola in another hour or so. My sister said no need to come but I can't not go...this is my precious mother who is 79. So, no tennis today, no yoga, and no running with the group on Monday morning since I plan to come back on Monday night. If all goes well I will be at the Rez on Tues. morning. You just never know what each day will bring...thank God, most days go well, and I thank HIM for my many blessings. Hope y'all have a pleasant Sunday and a good training day on Monday.

Need a break---taking it.

I have been in a major funk this week...with everything, the job, mm training, you name it. I have just wanted to sleep all week. Maybe it's the heat, I don't know. I, somehow, have scheduled myself for SOMETHING every night during the week...I played tennis on Monday night, went to WW on Tues. night, skipped yoga on Wed. night, went to a Beth Moore Bible study on Thursday night. Instead of going to yoga Wed. night, I went to bed at 7:30p. I have decided that I am going to have a normal Saturday tomorrow. I made a decision mid-week that I was not going to do the group run on Saturday...I want to spend the whole day with my hubby who travels out of town Tues. through Friday. He and I are getting up 'round 6am and plan to do 20 miles on our bikes. On Sunday I will play tennis in the hot sun from 1-3 again and then hubby and I will go to yoga at 4pm. THEN on Monday morning dark and early, I will run again. I am so thankful for Shannon, whoever she is, that she initiated a group training session every morning M-TH. This is exactly what I needed and I am mentally ready. Somehow I think I have to take control every now and then and do what I want to do and not something mandated by someone else...then I feel "all better" and am ready to conform and obey again. The rebellious teenager is still there, I guess. I was a "goody two-shoes" teenager and never displayed very much rebellion but I have made up for it since! I will miss seeing everyone tomorrow but I need a mental break. And I'm takin' it!

Dog Days of Summer--whew!

Lucky are those who get to work in an air conditioned environment all day long...I don't. I am in and out of my car all day. I am out of the car long enough for it to get re-e-e-ea-lly hot...then I don't get cooled off before it is time to park in yet another parking lot and walk sometimes long distances in the heat in high heels to get to the medical building. The good news is I get some exercise in those parking lots and I get some " heat conditioning" whether I want it or not. I did 40 min. on the ellipticisor tonight...just too hot to walk outside anymore today. I am going to "try" once again to get my lazy hind parts out of that bed in the morning and go for a wog at Strawberry Park. I know it is XT day and I will do yoga tomorrow night, but I have not wogged since the 18 miles. Boy, Strawberry Park is deserted in the afternoons now. It used to be as busy as a beehive with walkers and runners. Yesterday at 6pm I did tennis drills for an hour which is a lot of running in the heat. All I wanted to do when I got home was to take a shower and go beddy-bye...which is exactly what I did.

Well, it seems word has spread amongst my tennis community that I am going to do the Chicago Marathon. I have told a few, but you know how that grapevine works. It is amusing to see when someone hears about my project for the first time and they start looking me over from head to toe...you know how catty and jealous some females can be...well, after they give me the "once over" they relax...I know they are thinking "now, that girl can do some serious eatin' if she is still that size and training for a marathon! And she said she did 18 miles a week ago...she is either lying or spending a whole lot of time eating." I have no explanation...I don't understand it myself...the "why" behind no weight loss with increased exercise and the same ole eating habits. Any insight on this anyone?!

I hope to get some time this weekend to look at all the websites and videos MM'ers are referring to in their blogs and on the forum. I especially want to see the CM video. I am needing some pumping up these days. Good night all.

Hot town, summer in the city...hotter than a matchhead

I am blaming it on the heat. I had a plan to wog on Friday aft. at 6pm at the Rez by myself. Well, at 5:15pm on my way home from work, my car's temp gauge for "outside" temp. said 104 degrees. It was not difficult to talk myself out of it...simply said, no way am I doing this today! Did not go with the group on Saturday because we were leaving between 8:30 and 9am to go out of town for a wedding at 2pm. I knew that running on Sat. am would push me too much to leave on time. So, I guess I missed doing the 9 miles. Today, I went to Church, played tennis in the "hot brilin' sun" from 1:30pm to 3:15pm. Again, some of the girls cried uncle and we quit. I rushed home, took a quick shower and went to yoga at 4pm. It was a little easier today than last Wed. I am a little afraid that I am going to "pull something" during yoga and not be able to do the marathon. My lower back hurts and is achey after each yoga class. It doesn't last too long, fortunately. I plan to continue but I think I will take it a little easier and not try to do everything Heather does (like I could). Lord knows I could use some "loosening up". So, I did 2 XT's today and have not run since last Saturday. Not good. Tomorrow, I have tennis drills again and will get plenty of running in then. On Tuesday I should be back on training routine but I will HAVE TO get up and do in the early a.m. due to the unbelievable heat. When I got back into my car today at the tennis court, the temp. gauge for "outside" air was 113 degrees! Maybe there is something to that global warming chat. I have not watched that video yet...can't seem to find the time to sit and watch a video. I'll have to find the time since it is about our special life project...CM! Hope everyone takes it slow and easy this week with your training and don't forget to chug water EVERYDAY.

Do the pretzel.

Got back from Birmingham around 6:30pm, changed clothes and scurried off to yoga. What a great XT. I wasn't so sure I liked it Sunday, but it is a good work out for the tight muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. and I SURE need it. I finally got to meet Queen blogger, Onetta, at yoga class. Also got to know who Micah is.
I did a lot for XT on Sunday by playing tennis and doing yoga. However, I have not wogged on Mon. or Tues.--this sales meeting in B'ham threw me off because I had to do some prep work for the meeting and then drive over to B'ham and go out to dinner with the group, got back in late, etc. Ann and I are going to run our 9 miles at the Rez on Friday morning if we can get a 3rd person...any takers? It is still rather dark at 5:30am and we would feel safer with a 3rd person. If not, we'll do "9" rounds at Strawberry park---boring!
I am so thankful that I have not had an injury--so far. I feel so badly for Jana, Queen, Sheila and others who have had setbacks. It is getting scary as the time ticks closer to the CM knowing that an injury may not have time to rehab. But if it happens it happens. As Queen said there are already many benefits of being a part of this whole thing. This is the best thing I have ever done for me, so I will continue to train with caution and on the easy side and keep the faith that I will make it to the starting line!

Too hot to play outside

Shish! I am still dripping with sweat and I have had a shower! I had tennis drills at RTC at 5:45pm and Susan, our instructor, had no mercy on us...ran our little tails off. There were just 4 of us in the class so we had PLENTY of practice. I thought it was hot Saturday, but running during tennis today was much worse...no breeze at all. Yesterday, after Church I played tennis for 1 1/2 hours in the hot sun. A couple of the girls cried uncle and said it was too hot to continue. I was glad they did but I had already planned to leave early so I could go to yoga class. I left tennis yesterday at 3:15, raced home, showered, slicked my hair up into a ponytail and raced to Yoga...and relaxed there...yeah right...well, maybe at the end playing corpse. So, I have had 2 XT days. I will definitely have to run tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon I drive to Birmingham to have dinner with my district co-workers and then a sales meeting all day on Wednesday. Drive back to Madison on Wednesday night so it doesn't sound like I will have any time to XT. Maybe I will do the dumbbells in bed while watching the 10 o'clock news. I am planning to do the 9 miles or is it 10 miles on Thursday morning bright and early with Ann and Janet at the Rez. Sure hope it cools off but at least it is early and it won't be that long. Well, I have talked an awful lot about the weather here...pretty boring...but it's my journal and I can be boring if I wanta. BTW, I was NOT SORE at all from the 18 miles on Saturday. HOWEVER, that yoga class....OMG, I was very sore later on that night. I guess it is a good kind of sore...stretched some muscles that needed it. Gotta get some computer work done for my job. Night-night!

Another one down!

Whoa boy, it was hot out there yesterday. I did the calculation using a calorie burn calculator and Kristy and I burned 1, 595 calories on our 18 mile walk...and no, we did not cancel that out with our gels. Now maybe I did at the party last night with helping myself to not one but two desserts...they were worth it. I figured if I laid off the alcohol I could eat more dessert...made sense to me! When Kristy and I started out at 5:15am and realized how hot and muggy it was at that hour, then we decided we would just walk most of the 18 miles. As time wore on, we decided to walk the whole 18 miles...I was so-o-o sore at the end. BUT with the help of the good ole Endurox, Motrin, and the very cold shower, I felt like partying last night. It was a great party and Cathy did a superb job coordinating and creating all the excitement about the "butt event". Those aprons were perfect! Today hubby and I went to the Yoga class with Heather and it was fun. I really needed to do all those stretches and look forward to becoming more flexible as the yoga classes continue. I was glad to hear at the party last night that Kristy and I were not the only ones suffering out there yesterday. Now, I don't like to hear about people suffering, mind you, but...well you know what I mean! Mine and Kristy's last 3-4 miles were pretty quiet...no conversation. Had no extra energy for small talk. But we have conquered yet another LSD with only 2 more to go before the big day...woo-hoo!

Whew! What a stressful morning yesterday!

Did not blog or XT yesterday probably because I was wiped out from the stress that occurred in the morning. I work for Johnson & Johnson, and they announced on Tuesday morning to the financial analysts, stockholders, etc. that there would be a downsizing of the workforce to the tune of 4,800 people! Bill Weldon (president) also said those affected by the layoffs would be contacted by their division vice pres. Well, our division VP notified us via e-mail that we had a mandatory web-ex meeting yesterday morning at 10am. We were all shaking in our boots, pretty much knowing that we would be part of that 4,800. For me, it wouldn't be that bad since I have raised and educated my kids, have an employed husband, and am close to retirement. BUT for my co-workers with huge mortgages, several kids to raise, big ole cars to pay for, etc. it would be devastating. It has happened to many of my colleagues for the past 3 years. We will be rolling along thinking everything is peachy king, and BAM, you are laid off from your job with little notice. Long story short, our division is safe, at least for now. This makes us all wish we were self-employed...at least a little more control of our destiny. Of course, the trade offs are huge like having to meet a payroll, losing sleep when business is not going well, having a lot more responsibility, and a lot more worry, worry, worry. Which is why I have chosen to be an employee and not an employer. But for the rest of the day, I was wiped out. Stress can do that to you. Today, has been much better. Nothing like coming close to losing your job to motivate you to get out and call on accounts to make sure you KEEP your job! I even got up and trained this morning for the first time in a while. Still hoping it rains on Saturday to keep us cool...as least a fine sprinkle--NOT the downpour we had at the whatever mileage it was. See y'all Saturday!

I won the pillow fight!

This morning at 5:30am my pillow was saying, NO, you can't leave me, I NEED you...so we went back and forth and the pillow won at first...BUT then I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up and went to the park to train, so I'm saying I won. I trained for an hour and walked the first mile, did 2:1 intervals the next 2 miles, and 1:1 the last mile for a cool down. I stretched before, during, and after the wog. It wasn't bad at first but was getting quite muggy near the end. I am SO GLAD I got up and got it done! I'll see y'all Saturday. Remember to chug that water today and tomorrow so all our little cells will be well hydrated and ready for the Saturday challenge!

Had tennis drills tonight so that will be my training for today. I run alot and sweat alot with these drills which last almost an hour. I sure hope Saturday will be cloudy like the 16 miler! I know I can do the 18 miles but going to a party that night...it's gonna be tuff getting to it, but once we are there we will feed off each others' energy. I hope some people who did not do the 18 miles on Saturday will be at the party...we will need THEIR energy to feed upon !

JUST 8 miles!

I love being able to say that. Got up at 4:30 this a.m. and wogged the mileage with Ann and Janet at 5:30 at the Rez. I am going to Pensacola this weekend so it was great to have someone to do the NSLSD (not so long slow distance) with. I took a COLD shower when I got home and so far I am not sore. Thanks Ann and Janet for letting me tag along...it was fun!

Report Card Time

Whew! My manager has been riding with me the last 2 days and I gladly sent him back to Birmingham today. I was a district manager for 6 years and grew tired of all the travel and "policing", so I took a rep position here a couple of years ago. I must admit it is more fun to be in the manager seat on these ride-a-longs than in the rep seat. They go into calls with you and listen to your presentation to each physician and critique you to death in the car afterwards. BUT, only 1 year 9 mos left before I retire from J&J...woo-hoo! There is a hiring freeze throughout this huge company sales force so that means there will be lay-offs again usually around Christmas time...has happened last 3 years after a implementing a hiring freeze. I have always escaped but I have this feeling that my division will be hit hard this time around. We have 2 drugs going off patent next year. I won't be heartbroken if it happens...I'll take the severance package and then figure out what I want to do next...running another marathon probably won't be in the mix. Now, don't get me wrong, this has been awesome so far and will only get better when we get to Chicago. BUT, I look forward to entering 5k's, 10k's, etc. and not spending so much of my Saturdays on pavement. Speaking of pavement, I have not been on any since Saturday at least in a walking or wogging mode. Tonight I spent 40 min. on the elliptical for XT. Tomorrow morning I will get 30 min. of wogging in before work . Since I will be out of town over the weekend I plan to meet up with Ann to do the 8 miles on Friday morning bright and early. My training schedule is all mixed up this week but managers do that to you! I had a good report card which translates into a base salary raise---I HOPE!

16 miles...what a great morning for running!

I was worried about today because of all the heat and humidity we have had lately...God smiled on us today and gave us clouds and cool breezes. This has been my best day yet. I felt like I could have easily gone longer. Sure hope I feel that way in a couple of weeks when we do the 18 miles. Kristy and I did intervals 1:2 almost the whole way and could have continued them but Kristy's legs started causing her a lot of pain so we walked the last mile or so. My right foot bothered me the most due to the metatarsalgia thing but that did not kick in until about mile 12. Otherwise, I would have an ache here or there and then it would disappear...all in all, a great day as far as stamina and VERY FEW aches and pains. I did learn that I will definitely apply some GLIDE next week. I had a painful problem post-run after the 15 miler, but I quickly forgot about it and did not get any GLIDE. I also have a couple of "raw" spots on my back that are caused by my running bra. Had those last time too, and am not sure what to do except apply GLIDE and maybe try to tape those rough edges on the bra. If anyone has a suggestion, let me know! I bought the same brand of running bras, just in different colors, so I hate to have to "chunk" them aside and buy new ones.

I know the marathon is 10.2 miles more than we did today, but I feel very confident that I can do it and will do it. I am beginning to really feel like a marathoner. I am starting to think of some other things I want to accomplish in my life, like become a swimmer. Not learn to swim, because I have had enough lessons, that I feel I could teach swimming. I have a head problem about deep water...guess it is called a phobia. I can swim as long as I can stand up when I am tired, therefore I can only stand to be in about 4 feet of water. My sister is the same way...we must have been traumatized together as children but neither of us can remember it. I don't know how to best overcome my phobia...counseling or more experience (yikes) in deep water. I may try swim lessons with the lady who is suppose to be able to teach anyone to swim. I read that either in our forum or in someone's blog. I will go back and find out who the lady is, I think.

Anyway, I was not wiped out all day today. I took a nap for a couple of hours and then got up, put on my face, and went out with my hubby and son. We had some errands to run and then went to eat Sushi at Nagoya. I decided to take a "warm" shower today instead of the "cold" one I have been taking to see if I could tell any difference in soreness. YES, there is a big difference. I am more sore after the warm shower, so COLD showers it will be after LSD's from now on. I still swear by that Endurox...a lot of calories, but I have energy which I did not have in my earlier LSD's without Endurox. I am rambling on so guess I need to hit the sack since we are going to 9:30 Church tomorrow. Guys and gals, we have come a long ways since January...we will endure, embrace, and establish ourselves as FINISHERS in the Chicago Marathon...yes, my endorphins are still pumpin'...but WE ARE MARATHONERS!

Muggy, Smuggy!

Oh, have I ever sweated this much?! I did intervals after work (should've gone in the early a.m.) and it was SO HOT. I did 2:2 but only lasted 45 min. instead of the 60 I had planned to do. I sure hope we finish up on Saturday before it gets too hot...Kristy, maybe we should try running the whole thing so we can get done before the heat hits...just kidding. I need to remember to push the water between now and Saturday. I feel very exhausted right now...but then I have "glistened" all day long today! Yea, tomorrow is our day off. See y'all Sat...I hope it rains!

Wednesday---XT day

I did 40 min. on the elliptical while watching TV...I need to do this more often for XT. I just finished going to the website recommended by Kayra on our forum. It is by a marathoner who gives tips for first time Chicago marathoners. He does a play by play throughout the whole course which was quite exciting. He also includes pictures of the marathon route which were also good. I could actually see myself crossing that big ole FINISH line...woo-hoo, a big woo-hoo! We are well on our way, MM'ers...stay the course!

AWOL

No, I didn't do the run on Saturday. I did nothing on Sunday. BUT, I am back in the groove now. On Monday I did 45 min. of hard tennis drills...which was running up, back, side to side, swinging my arms hitting the ball, etc. It was a great work-out and I did not stop sweating for another 45 min. afterwards. Tonight, I wogged 35 min. in the park. It felt good and I missed that good feeling. Tomorrow I have to be in Magee for an 8am breakfast so I don't think I can get up early enough to ellipticize before I leave at 6:40am. So, I shall go upstairs and do that as soon as I get home and before I do dinner. I have to stay on track the rest of this week since we are doing 16 MILES on Saturday...ugh....er-r-r-r-r, I mean WOW, looking so forward to it!!!!!

Bad girl, bad girl!

I can't explain it...the "why" I have done nothing in the way of training this week. I was behind on some reports for work, so I worked on those the beginning of the week after work, and finally am caught up. It has rained the rest of the week, BUT I have this fine elliptical deal upstairs in the rec room which I have not ventured upon. SO, I will be gettin' my butt out of bed early in the a.m. and pay for my sins in the way of an 8-mile run without having done anything since the previous Saturday run of 15 miles. Wish me luck. There is something to this no blog, no jog like Mark said many months ago. See y'all in the a.m.

Insanity reigns (rains) !

Yes, as I was pulling out of my driveway this morning, I laughed out loud and said out loud, "this is insane to get up at 4:00am to go run in the rain for 3+ hours"! Am I in a midlife crisis or what? Then as I turned onto the street going into Lakeshore Park and crept along the long line of cars, and then realized ALL these cars were turning into the park! Why, this traffic jam was made up of marathoners! Then I said we are all insane, but better than that, we are all COMMITTED. (not to Whitfield) It was an awesome sight to see all those headlights turning into the park...all for the same reason...to run in the rain. About running in the rain...I liked it! Far better than the sun beating down on us and sweat pouring off of us. Now, I don't think rain in Chicago is going to be the same...much colder I would guess. So, I'm praying for no rain there. Kristy and I finished the 15 miles...yea for us...but it was a huge struggle for Kristy because she was getting a migraine with all the symptoms that go with it, like nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, etc. She pushed through it and finished. I am very proud of her. I feel good about having done the 15 miles...it wasn't too painful. But the one negative that I must mention to get it off my chest, is how in the heck am I going to add 11.2 miles to what I did today?! On the other hand, a couple of months ago it was hard to fathom how I would do 15 miles. So, I guess if I keep up the mid-week training, the ability to do it will somehow appear. I am trusting Mark Simpson!

Get 'r done

Got up and went to park before work again...yeah for me. I walked the first mile at my turtle pace of 17 min. Then I pushed myself today and ran the whole 2nd mile at a nice easy pace of 11:41 min. I have not run a whole mile in a decade and a half so I was delighted that I could do it. I did not feel too winded and actually could have gone longer but time was short today and I was doing my 30 min. day today since I did the hour yesterday. My ankles and calves were hurting at the end but not bad. I'll throw down some Motrin and keep going. Off to work I go...

Happy Fourth!

Clock went off at 5:40...nope, don't think so...this is not a work day...BUT it is going to be a HOT day...know I should get up and go to the park as planned...okay, I need to get used to the heat, so I will go around ten after I have had more sleep...I will sweat out all those toxins...hubby says, why did the clock go off...I mumble, it was a mistake...well, he is the type that once he is awake, he can't go back to sleep...sorry...back to my negotiations...it will be miserable at 10:00am so I'll just do my wog late this afternoon...no, wait a minute, we are going to a barbeque at 6pm...noise level picks up in the room with hubby NOT trying to be quiet since he was awakened before he was ready...I try to go back to sleep, but it ain't going to happen with hubby trying his best to make sure I do not have peace and quiet...reluctantly, I get up and I actually feel rested...guess I have had enough sleep with 6 1/2 hrs.
I go to the park and have a great wog day. I did 2.0/1.5 intervals for 45 min. after a 15 min. warm-up walk. No foot pain, calf pain, no pain anywhere. I decided to push myself a little more so I would be better prepared for Saturday. I did not do anything yesterday so I will XT tomorrow and I did Thursday's schedule today.
I was surprised to see so many people in the park...a strong commitment to fitness. I could not help but think about our guys and girls in far away places in less than desirable conditions committed to protecting our great country, I wogged in the park today without fear of terrorists, without fear of anything...our troops do not have that luxury. My heartfelt thanks and prayers go out to each and every individual in harm's way. As we celebrate the fourth today, let's all bow our heads in thanks for this GREAT U.S.A. !

Back on track

Whoa, I have been a slacker of late. No time for exercise at the sales meeting last week...kept us busy morning, noon, and night! I was so sleep deprived from the rigorous week, that my body was in protest and demanded I sleep in "a little bit" on Saturday. I was like a new person after the good rest. Then, of course, it was way too hot to get out and run. On Sunday, I played 2 hrs. of tennis from 1:30 to 3:30 which was EXTREMELY HOT but I made it without a heat stroke. Sad to say, I lost my 2nd match of the year. These guys are very tough to play against...some of them do not let up on their power strokes even though they are playing ladies...then, of course, we have some who are southern gentlemen...I just didn't get one of those as an opponent on Sunday. Can't blame the loss on the hubby, though, because I had a different male partner who was very good...I couldn't hold up my side of the court. Proud of myself that I did get up and wog before work today...did 1:2 intervals and it was not easy. My calves hurt, my thigh hurt, my foot hurt, but not all at one time. The hurt kept moving around and would come back, you know the routine. It was cool at first, but by the time I finished I was dripping with sweat...it was so-o humid! Gotta stick with it this week because that big 15 is creeping up on me. I can do it, I can do it.

Overwhelmed to Overjoyed!!!!!!

What a day yesterday...Kristy and I stuck with intervals throughout the 3:33 and now WE KNOW we can do the full deal. My feet were on fire and I had very sore legs crossing the "finish line", but my recovery has been amazing! I am not even sore today, my feet feel just fine, and whether it was due to the COLD shower afterwards or the ENDUROX I drank, I don't know, but I will be repeating that routine after every LSD. I have energy! I am beginning to think the Endorphins are still floating around in my brain...I keep hearing that song in my head...I FEEL GOOD, na-da-da-da-da-da-da, OH SO GOOD, na-da-da-da-da-da-da....

Overwhelmed

That is what I feel right now. I have an intense sales meeting next week in Destin (big whoop) that is so-o-o much extra work to prepare for it. I cannot wait to retire. I have 1 yr. 10 months. I will do something else but only part time and something I really WANT to do. Oh geez, this is turning into another whine.
Okay, I went to the park and walked as fast as I could for 1 hr. 15 min. including stretching and one bathroom break. I heard this "swish, swish" behind me, then, beside me and then passing me and leaving me in the dust. It was a lady maybe an inch taller than me, from Pakistan or one of those countries, with all the garb on, head covered, neck covered (can't remember what they call this clothing) and she had on a LONG denim skirt that was "slim" at the bottom and she had that skirt stretched to the max with each step...and they were fast steps. I felt like the biggest NON-Marathoner at that moment. I mean her shoes did not look like anything from Fleet Feet. They were black and leather and I may need to look into getting some if they let you walk that fast! Anyway, I just shrugged...should be used to being passed by now. ALTHOUGH, on occasion, I will pass a few people. But tonight, I could not bring myself to run. I just did not want to be uncomfortable. What a spoiled little brat I am. I just did not have it in me. I think I have a little depression trying to get a stronghold on me because I am worried about my son's future. I don't want to take antidepressants because I am afraid of gaining more weight. I am depending on the exercise and God to get me through without medication. I need to pray more and I need to let God take my troubles and trust him to handle them. I woke up at 3:30am this morning and could not get back to sleep. Think I will go to bed since I will need to stock up on rest so I can get through Saturdays' event. Good-night. P. S. Took my shoes in to Wayne Jimenez today and he glued a pad underneath my shoe insert and my toes DID NOT HURT when I walked tonight. He's good. He also was appalled at how badly I needed new shoes. I prefer a P.T. tell me than a shoe salesman! I have 2 pair ordered just like these but they have not arrived yet. Got them on sale which is why I ordered 2 pair. Okay, okay, good night again.

He's great!

Wayne Jimenez, that is. Went to see him this aft. and he diagnosed my foot pain as metatarsalgia which means pain in the toes...Ha-Ha, but he knows what to do to provide some relief. I will go back tomorrow with my running shoes and he will strategically place a pad to absorb some of the shock that my fat self causes as I run. He is super nice and doesn't charge anything, but I am giving him a gift certificate from Fleet Feet when I go back tomorrow. Being a P.T. I trust his judgement and he has a few years of experience under his belt, plus, he is a runner...great combo. Thanks Mark for recommending him! Well, my XT will be the elliptical tonight. I have been eating more carbs the last 2 days so maybe I will do better in the park tomorrow. Sure hope so.

Slight whine

Okay, this morning got up and went to the park. Walked for 6 min. and then did run 2 walk 1 min. So-o hard. My legs felt like concrete, did not want to lift from the pavement, very slow movement. Lived for the walk minute. Only lasted one mile. Then switched to run 1 min., walk 2 min. and that was better. Why, when I could do 3:3 last week is this so hard? Whatever, I am sore, fatigued, and now that I think about it, I need to be drinking a lot more water. I came home and took a cold shower hoping that would help my very sore legs...maybe it did, but they are still a little sore. My right foot continues to have the pain underneath my 3 middle toes--what's up with that? I will give Wayne Giminez a call tomorrow and see if he can assist me with the foot pain. I probably need new shoes. I am a little disheartened today because my fatigue kicked in way too early in the park and I have had little energy the rest of the day. Maybe I need more carbs...that sounds like a good idea! Anywho, I will overcome.

Countdown

Y'all-l-l-l, we are coming up on one of the biggest MILEstones (pun intended) this comin' Saturday--woo-hoo. I need to block it out of my mind until I get up Saturday, b'cuz it is totally intimidating to me! I am having a little foot pain about the size of a quarter on the underneath side of my middle 3 toes on just my right foot. Nothing bad now, but I can only imagine what it will feel like after Saturday. I may try and see the PT guy that Mark recommended to see if I can prevent it from getting worse. For XT yesterday, I played mixed doubles tennis with my husband as my partner and lost the match. I blamed it on my husband (secretly) because I have not lost a match this year. He is pretty rusty since he has not played in a year due to his back surgery. I am also playing a level above my rating so I guess it could have been a little of me not being as good as the female opponent. Anyway, it was fun, but my calves were "hurting"...they were so tight yesterday. I feel sure it is because I did more running than usual on Saturday. Being sore is not a BAD thing because it reminds me how good I am being by exercising... positive reinforcement. This morning I set my clock for 5am but slid back into bed and slept another hour. Got up and spent 30 min. in the park since I was running late. I will do Monday's hour tomorrow morning. It dawned on me why I was waking up on my own at 5am last week...I was still on eastern time which I had been on for 9 days! Hope everyone had a good Monday!

No way will I miss a day of training this week!

Getting up at 5am on a Saturday is not my cup of tea. That is why I left hospital nursing many years ago so that I could work a M-F job and "sleep in on the weekends". Oh well. There was CERTAINLY a good reason to be up this early today...to participate in training for one of the BEST THINGS I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF. I just finished talking to my husband about how much I am learning about my body with the MM project. I have never stuck with exercising long enough to actually see such progress that I have seen since February. It is so exciting and SO REWARDING, as well as a confidence builder. Thank you Mark, Robin, Matt!

Today was the first time I have done The FLEET FEET route. I was "unpleasantly surprised" to see "them thar hills". I started out with intervals of walking 5 minutes and running 3 minutes. However, due to all the hills , I quickly decided to run when it was flat or downhill, and walk with the uphills. That worked out well for me and my time was better than ever. I wogged alone until the very end and then met up with Vickie and Mary and finished up with them. When we got to the last hill, I told them to keep running because I was going to walk the hill. But, no, Mary would not accept that and STRONGLY, but gently, encouraged me to keep running. She is the reason I ran the last hill...thank you Mary...it was cool to run back to the group, just like you said!

I had prepared a bottle of Endurox and left it in the refrigerator to drink when I returned so I would not be "wiped out" all weekend, but decided that I did not really need it with doing "only six miles". (that is not me talking!) Since I was up SO EARLY, I decided to take a nap so I left a note for my husband to drink the Endurox since he was doing a 20 miler on his road bike. He said it tasted great...it was the kiwi strawberry flavor. One of the girls who works at FLEET FEET told me she swears by that Endurox. She makes up a bottle of it, puts in the 'frig, and when she gets in from a long run, she puts it in the blender with ice and it makes a great smoothie. I had read other blogger comments about how well it helps you recover after a long run. I will definitely be making that smoothie after next weeks' "halver"...I want to have celebratory energy at our party later that evening! Gotta train everyday this week...everyday!

3:3:3:3:1:1

Okay, got up and wogged before work for the 3rd time this week...GO CHERYL. I pushed myself today and ran 3 min., walked 3 min. for 3 miles and then walked the last mile as a cool-down. I did this in one hour, hence, the explanation for all the 3's and 1's. I tell you the first 2 miles were actually very easy, but that 3rd mile at 3:3 was getting to be a bit much. I guess you would say fatigue was setting in although when I started walking that last mile, I could have gone all day, it felt like. Maybe if I keep up the 3:3 interval, then one day I can do 4 miles like that, then 5, etc. It is a little frustrating to think that in my younger days, I would go out and run 2 miles without walking at all. I probably could do that now if I just did it without relying on intervals. However, I know that in Chicago I would NEVER be able to run the whole thing so I may as well try this interval stuff and find my way to the finish line. All day long it would suddenly occur to me, "hey, you don't have to rush home, throw on the running gear and go to the park", ALAS, you already did it! I like exercising in the morning once it is behind me...I sure am reluctant to get out of bed though. Oh Yea!!! I can sleep in a bit tomorrow!! Our magical day off. See y'all Saturday.

Running scared

I am afraid of that half marathon coming up. I feel like I am so far behind since I have missed 3 LSD's. I am not THAT afraid, though, because I feel like my determination will get me through. But it shore ain't gonna be no cake walk. I have done something unusual this week and that is getting up early and wogging before work. The park is less busy in the mornings I see, and it is COOLER. I have been waking up at 5am and cannot get back to sleep...kinda weird for me but a plus for my training. I did not XT today because I had to take my son to Memphis for autonomic function testing and we got back rather late. I have my clothes all laid out to get up early again and wog before work. I may not wake up early tomorrow so I will set that #!*@!*#! alarm clock. I am tired so gotta hit the sack.

3 R's--reunited, recharged, returned!

Had a great 9-day vacation in North Carolina reuniting with old friends and a few family members that are left there. We put 930 miles on our rental vehicle. My husband and I grew up there and moved away after we married. We were very concerned about what was going on with Kristy's dad but are so grateful the outcome with his heart problems was positive.

We spent the first night with my husband's brother and wife in the Raleigh area and attended a Hospice fund raiser that featured the "Embers" a well-known band from the 60's...somehow they have stayed looking young! We shagged the night away...now the SHAG is a local popular dance that is specific to the east coast and they still have SHAG contests in Myrtle Beach. Shag is also a term used by the Brits, I believe, for a special activity but I won't give you TMI on that!

The highlight of the trip for me was reuniting with my estranged buddy...it was like we had seen each other yesterday. I had called her and got her voice mail. Wasn't sure if she would respond to set up a meeting time/place but SHE DID. She said it had been too long. A lot has been going on in her life and I am sorry I have not been a part of that...she needed all the friends she could get to support her. It took a lot of courage on my part because I had reached out to her at least 3 times and was rebuffed. I guess my innate tenacity kept me trying...that TENACITY is what will get me me through this marathon so I hope I did not use it up!

The sad part of our trip was visiting my husband's best friend who has Leukemia. They have found an almost perfect-match donor for a bone marrow transplant but have been unable to get him strong and well enough to tolerate the procedure. We are praying so hard that he can get well enough to get that transplant. Karen, his wife, is so stoic. My heart breaks for her.

We did not get to see the airplane my uncle is building from scratch because it had rained so much that the unpaved road to the hangar was too boggy to drive on. He had taken a lot of pictures for us and it is so amazing to see what this 75-yr-old man (I had thought he was 73 but was 2 yrs. off) has accomplished over the past 20 months. He had the cockpit and all the instrument panel intact, the engine, the wings, just the body still needed more construction. I told him we would be back next year to see it and he said it would be sitting on the landing strip by then. I need to contact the Raleigh News and Observer to do a feature story on him. My 74-yr-old aunt, (mom's sister) is still dabbling in real estate and showed us a beach house she has listed. I want my hubby and me to be like this couple when we grow oldER...still engaged in life to the max.

I sorta kinda kept up my training on treadmills, ellipticals, etc. in hotel fitness rooms. Also walked outside a couple of days but I have missed 2 LSD sessions. The longest I have done is 10.6 miles so I am back in the training mode. October will be here before we know it! Looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday!

The old ticker should make it to the finish line!

Well, today I spent 3.5 hours at a heart clinic at St. D's getting a nuclear stress test done. I was a little anxious about the results because heart disease is the bad boy in my family. A recent heart screening showed a lipid profile out of whack and they put me on a low dose Crestor to lower the cholesterol. Since I am training for a marathon, and because of my "age", the cardiologist recommended that I have a nuclear stress test done. I am happy to report that the Dr. said I passed it with "flying colors"...he said it was almost perfect! He seemed surprised. I am sure my previous training for this marathon is the reason I did so well. That treadmill for 10 minutes was a piece of cake! Yes, they had it inclined to the max, but still, piece of cake. Exercise is SO GOOD for us. Thank you again Mark, Robin, and Matt, for taking the time to make such a difference in these strangers' lives.
Going upstairs to do the elliptical for XT. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Tipper, Chewie, Hilda, Carla, Bob, Morticia, Meanie, Sam

Just got back from a 4-day R&R. Hubby and I went to a fantastic B&B on Mobile bay in Fairhope, AL. We had spa services on Friday and Saturday, read books on the pier overlooking the bay, fished, ate, drank, and yes, wogged. Ten miles...afraid not. We did 7 miles and ran out of time because of the spa appt. We took too long socializing after breakfast before we hit the road and then realized we could not finish the 10 miles...bummer. I felt like I could have gone on and on. Those endorphins were pumping. There was such a nice breeze off the bay and a beautiful place to wog. On Sunday, well, we were just slugs. New leaf upon return...I WILL TRAIN EVERYDAY THIS WEEK.
On Friday, we fly off to NC for a week to visit family and friends. My husband's best friend has an aggressive type of Leukemia so we are afraid this will be our last visit with him. So sad. My uncle who is 73 is building an airplane from scratch so we have to go see his big project in progress. It is a one-seater...just as well...who would go for a ride in a plane a 73-yr. old built! Guess that is ugly of me. Sorry.
I hope to rekindle a broken friendship with my best buddy of the last 40 years. We have been estranged for the past 5 years and it is like a huge thorn in my side. We are wasting precious time. It was my fault...I was neglectful of our friendship and did not give it the priority it deserved. It is more challenging to nurture a long distance friendship, but I am not giving any excuses. DON'T NEGLECT YOUR FRIENDS. She was always the one who called, who reached out to me and I did not always reciprocate. I also neglected some important events in her life. Boy, do I regret it! The last event that I did not acknowledge was the straw that broke the camel's back and caused her to "wash her hands of me". Although I have reached out and apologized, she is still hurt and is not ready to mend the fence. I am not giving up. But this trip may be my last attempt. Sorry to bore y'all, but writing about it is therapeutic for me.
Kristy and Steven are going to NC the same week, but we will see them just on the day we go see Uncle Jim's plane. They will spend the week at a beach house there, whereas hubby and I will be packing and unpacking all week staying with different friends and relatives each night. I will need a vacation to recover! Gotta figure out a place to do my LSD when I get there.
Oh, the title above are names of various animals that lived or visited on a regular basis at the B&B. They were a wild black crow that would eat out of Becky's hand (not mine), 2 huge geese that hiss because Morticia is laying eggs, a duck, a dog, the pier cat, the treehouse cat, and a seagull. Becky, one of the B&B owners, had conveniently placed 3 ft. sticks with orange plastic fringe on the end all around the property to use for "shooing" away the hissing geese...she called these sticks, GOOSE BUSTERS. LOL.

10.6 Miles---wa-hoo!

Yep, Kristy and I decided we wanted to be SuperWomen and went beyond the pail on Saturday. Well, the truth is, we made a wrong turn and went all the way to Palisades Main entrance which was 1.6 miles off our 9 mile track. Robin was so sweet to come looking for us in her truck and offering to give us a ride back, but we declined her offer and kept on truckin'. We had our water, we had our gels, why, we were like girl scouts we were so prepared! To say the least, we feel VERY CONFIDENT we can do 11 miles, now. Of course, we realize we had "the best" of conditions...low humidity, cool temperature, cool breeze, it was delightful out on that REZ. Maybe Chicago will be that nice. I am not happy to report that I was pretty much out for the rest of the day as far as being productive on Saturday. I heard Kristy did significant house cleaning and had guests over on Saturday night. Youth definitely has an edge!
Today, hubby and I played mixed doubles tennis so I got my XT in. I am looking forward to doing 1:2 intervals tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good week of training.

Buddies are beautiful

Went to Strawberry Patch Park before work this morning and Ann was getting there at the same time. So we buddyed up and walked the first mile to warm up and did 3 subsequent miles at 1:2 intervals. We exercised a total of 60 min. What a breeze it was! I never realized how great it is to have a buddy during the week...I know how valuable Kristy is on the long distances. Ann and I are going to try to meet at least once a week and train together. I have felt so good all day long and now feel "enthused" about training again. I had not done 1:2 intervals for a whole 3 miles before but I sure was able to with Ann. So now I feel like I can run some in Chicago and can get done before they take those barriers down...I am really hung up on that story of the lady getting lost because they took those barriers down!! I THINK I am looking forward to Saturday...at least I KNOW I am looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Mind Game

I am not playing the mind game too well these days. Previous marathoners tell me that at least half of the success of completing a marathon is between the ears, meaning mental determination, of course. On Monday, I just did not make myself go out and do 50 minutes, plain and simple. I am not proud of it, I am ashamed. Yesterday, I planned to do 50 minutes to make up, but ended up only doing 30 minutes. I ran some but am not sure how much since I had no watch with me. Told myself I would do elliptical when I got home from homeowners' assoc. meeting last night, but nope, I didn't...did not even remember that I was going to do this. For whatever reason, I have these ebbs and flows of enthusiasm, not so enthused, determination, not so determined, etc. I am looking forward to the enthusiasm returning.

I think I need a vacation and I will have one coming up soon. My hubby and I are going to a B&B in Fairhope, AL for 4 days over Memorial Day. It is a cool place on the water with hammocks, a convenient spa, a large pier for crabbing, fishing, bicycles, great restaurants nearby (maybe not an asset), beautiful landscaped gardens with seating for that perfect reading nook, and we plan to totally "veg out for 4 days"...except for doing probably 10 miles of wogging on Saturday, riding bikes on Sunday, and the 50 min. on Monday!

Jewel of a husband

I have been bad this week with regard to my training. Only trained Monday and Tuesday and missed Saturday LSD because I was out of town at a wedding. So-o-o, I knew I HAD to do the 9 MILES today. Boy, was I dreading it. Could not fathom doing that distance alone. I asked my husband about walking with me and bless his heart he said OKAY...maybe it was because it is Mother's Day, I don't know, but at 12:00 noon we struck out from Lakeshore Park. Since it was the hottest part of the day, and since I had had little training this week, I decided that I would walk the whole way, which I did. My husband brought his "camel pack" which is that backpack thingie that is insulated and holds water with a tube that functions as a straw. I love that. The water stayed nice and cold. It has a compartment that holds cell phone, car keys, etc. I am going to have to get one of those. With our water breaks and one bathroom break we walked the 9 miles in 2 hrs. 55 min. Not great time, but hey, after all it is suppose to be long, SLOW, distance. I was just proud to have completed it because, I was REALLY getting tired. I have felt pretty decent, not been "wiped out", since getting back home, just mildly tired...I know it is because I did not run. I am wondering if I will be able to run any in Chicago...I sure hope so, because they will take down those barriers for sure if I walk the whole thing.

I have thanked my husband over and over since we got back for walking with me. He did this out of love for me...nothing else. We have been married for a very long time and are still so in love with each other...I am SO BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had a great Mother's Day today. My older son, who is living with us now that he is on short term disability, and my husband brought me a delicious breakfast in bed this morning...a veggie omelet, fruit, and toast, plus Starbucks coffee! Tonight my husband, two sons and Kristy prepared a wonderful dinner. We sat out in the backyard afterwards since the weather is so nice and enjoyed chatting and watching the boys' black labs, Colby and Reilly play-fight. What a great day this has been and I thank God so much for my family.

Last night my son was not feeling well so I took his dog for a walk to get some of his energy OUT. He is a lab puppy who is 4 mos. old and does well on a leash, but, he IS a puppy who wanted to explore constantly. Consequently, my plans to do intervals and push myself were out the window. Tonight, I had some personal things to do and XT got pushed aside, I am afraid to say. Tomorrow aft. I was planning to go to Ridgeland High School and wog with Cathy, but decided to go either in my neighborhood or the park because they are closer and will give me more time to get some things done before leaving for the weekend on Friday. Good night all.

I have been looking forward all day to my "park time". I did 3:1 intervals with the 3 being walking, of course, and it did not exhaust me. I did 52 minutes of this without stopping. I am going to try doing 1.5 running and 2 of walking for the 30 min. tomorrow. Mark said to push yourself on the short days so I will see if I can do that interval. As long as I don't launch into a full-blown , stretched-out run, I think I can do it. I will not be at our Saturday 9 miler so I will have to get it in on Sat. aft. I guess. Going to a wedding on Friday night and will return home sometime around noon on Saturday. Depends on how "lively" the reception gets as to my ability to wog 9 miles on Sat. afternoon! Hope everyone had a good Monday.

Just got back from Pensacola...visited my mom and attended a tea with her at Church. I did not get my XT in today---bummer. Not a lot of folks have blogged since the Saturday mileage but from the few that I have read, it sounds like it went well. I think I am glad I missed the mud, rocks, etc. Kristy and I were good little marathoners and did our 8 miles at the Rez trail on Friday. We took Mark's advice and did long SLOW distance. We walked and ran but did not run as fast...definitely jogged or as I call it, trotted. It was amazingly easy!! AND I was not exhausted the rest of the evening and was NOT SORE the next day even after driving for 4 1/2 hours! Now, of course, even before I started this training, I was a little slow getting out of the car after sitting for a few hours and a little stiff, but not any more so after completing the 8 miles. This is exciting...seeing progress. I think I was so exhausted last weekend because I pushed myself a little too much by running a little too fast. Just taking it easy and getting a rhythm going is the secret to running, I think. It went by so fast talking with Kristy the whole way. I enjoy being with her not only for the training but we are getting to know each other better as well...she has been my daughter-in-law for only the past 10 months. What a great experience to be doing this together and her husband/my son has registered for the Chicago marathon as well...a family affair!

Wogged at Strawberry Patch late this aft. Walked for one mile at 17 min. pace and wogged the 2nd mile at 14 min. Have not had a chance to check out speed walking tips from the website yet. It is really interesting how you get new aches and pains that just show up out of the blue and then go away just as quickly. When I feel a new pain I start to get very anxious thinking I have an injury and then poof, it's gone...that is a very good thing! For some reason, I had difficulty motivating myself to go to the park today. I used to look forward to going, but not lately. The thing that pushed me out to the park is our INCREASING mileage and I want to keep up so I can DO IT. I have bought a nifty timepiece that is suppose to do everything under the sun and I can not even figure out how to enter the interval info. I am determined to figure it out for myself and do not want my son to just do it for me. I am calling the "800 number" tomorrow for help...that is somehow different than asking my son. I am so not a techie and am such a wanabe techie. I will have it all figured out by October!

I originally had planned to do the Sat. morning mileage and then drive to Pensacola, FL afterwards. After reconsidering and remembering how exhausted I was after only 7 miles last Saturday, I have decided that if I sat in a car and drove 4 hours afterwards, that it would take the jaws of life to remove me at my mom's house! So I will do 8.5 miles with Kristy at the Rez on Friday afternoon. Then on Sat. morning I will drive to Pensacola...makes more sense, but I sure will miss out on all the excitement of doing the Cannonball. I will also miss the next Saturday because I am going to a wedding in New Orleans. I love getting together with y'all on Saturdays, so it is a downer to miss the opportunity! Hope some MM'ers earn some medals Saturday!

I wasn't too sore on Sunday but I was still a little more fatigued than usual. Did not go to Church, did not XT, did not accomplish much. I am going to try the cold water shower or tub after the next LSD on Saturday. I am confused about this Cannonball 10 K. I must have missed something somewhere...are we suppose to register for this? I need to go on MS track club site and see the when where and what of it.

Went to Baptist Colonnades today and did the heart screening thing for $25. They did blood work, blood pressure, pulse, EKG, and a health survey. The results will be back in a week after the blood work and EKG are reviewed and interpreted. Pretty good deal for $25. My husband is in town and he walked with me for 50 min. at Strawberry Patch late this aft. I walked my legs off and still could not get faster than a 16 min. mile and that was only one mile out of 3...the other 2 miles were at 17 min. I am going on that website about speed walking and see if I can learn SOMETHING to help my walking speed. I am thinking of doing intervals of running 1 min. and walking 2 min. at the marathon so I need to be faster with my walking. I may change my mind and be doing 5:5 by the time Oct. gets here, who knows. I hope everyone had a good Monday!

Sugar plums dancing in...NOT!

First time wogging at the REZ and I like the route...easy to follow, not like Clinton. I was wireless today...no ipod, no cardiac sensor, no watch and also no partner as Kristy is in GA. Didn't mean to be so wireless but I am not a morning person and wasn't all that conscious when I left the house. I found the 7 miles to be fun and not too bad. HOWEVER, oh my gosh, I have been wiped out ALL afternoon. I am sure it is because I did not keep up with my training this week and I am paying the price. I need to listen to the podcast from the Sat. meeting I missed about getting in cold water. I got in a tub of warm water and it felt wonderful but I am so-o-o sore right now...can't imagine how slow I will be moving tomorrow...that is if I can move!

While I was wogging I was visualizing myself packing carrots, celery, radishes, apples, orange slices, a turkey sandwich and the like into a cooler and taking with me everyday in the car as I drive around on the job. (I don't mean all that in one day!) Running intervals prompted those thoughts because it is not easy to move this poundage forward in a running stride, albeit a slow one. Especially on short legs...you know I have to make twice as many steps as you long-legged lucky ducks. Tomorrow, although I don't want to drive over there, I am going to Fitness Lady and pump some iron...gotta get more muscle so the calories will burn better, the legs will move easier, etc. It is early but I just may finish up my day the way I have spent the afternoon...vegging out. I feel sorry for those of you with children because there is no chilling out with kids around. But then you have more energy than me...hopefully!

Okayyy!!!! I'll take Friday off!

Whoa-a-a...did not realize it was so important to take Friday off if you were behind in the training. I didn't know Mark read these...have not had a comment from him in a couple of months. Let's just say, I'll take Friday off!
I wogged for 55 min. in the park this aft. For the first 2 miles, I ran for one minute, then walked for two. That was very comfortable as far as breathing and musculoskeletal-wise, but after the 2nd mile the ole body started saying I am beat, could you pulease walk longer, so I did. Saw Jana gliding along in the park. I am loving this wonderful weather. Hope it doesn't rain on Saturday.

BTB----Back to blogging

Let's see now, I need to review...took Fri. off, did the six mile wog on Saturday, which I found to be pleasant, not grueling. Did nothing on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Tonight I did the elliptical. My region manager has been in town and I have had a lot of extra things to do that had me burning the midnight oil. Tomorrow I will do 50 min. and Friday I will do a 30 min. wog. I hope I don't find the 7 miles too difficult...I really don't think I will but ignorance may be bliss. I do not like to be this far off of training but I am not letting it get me down because I know I will get back on track now that things are getting back to normal with my schedule. I have yet another computer project to complete tonight so better get going.

A wee bit tired

I stayed up until 2 a.m. getting stuff done for this weekend and got up at 6:30 a.m. I had an 8 o'clock appt. so I did not have time to walk before work. However, I did 53 min. walking in the park after work. I did not even try to run...knew my body would protest with so little sleep. The walking was pretty easy although not fast. I did not worry about speed today. I walked 2 miles at 17 min. and the last mile at 19 min. because I talked with my mom on the phone...have to multi-task sometimes! She said, "I don't like talking to you when you are out of breath...I don't think that is good for you". How funny because I don't feel out of breath...she would REALLY worry if she could talk to me when I run! LOL(: Although quite tired and still having a lot of things to do when I got home, I walked today because of the "6 miles" we will do on Saturday. Just can't skip the training with the increasing mileage...have to prepare myself as best I can to stay up with the "wonderful group". Good night all.

Clouds are lifting

A huge thanks to all of you who "picked me up" yesterday! I will reread your comments many times because they help so much. There is great value in this blogging thang. Today I spent 25 min. on the elliptical before work. Tomorrow is a busy, busy day so I will have to do my 50 min. in the a.m. We are having a house-full of company this weekend, but I still plan to make the Saturday morning wog at the rez. Thanks again to all my support groupies...I feel MUCH better.

Gargantuan

Oh, my upbeat self feels beat down. I got up this morning, went to the park and walked 1 mile in 16 min. and I was feeling pretty good, did the next mile in 14 min. with about 5 min. of running at somewhat intervals since I don't have an interval watch, then decided to walk the last mile since I was feeling pretty tired and that mile was a mere 17 min. I did a total of 50 min. and I really felt like I was pushing myself. How in the world am I going to do 26.2 miles? I am having big doubts today...I feel scared of failure. I am having a lot of stress from all corners of my life lately...maybe that explains my negativity. I should be glad that I have no injuries and I am. I think the thing that gets me most frustrated is the running. When I was 20 years younger and 40 lbs. lighter, I could run. I ran a 10K---all the way in 57 min.--not a record breaker but at 40 I felt good that I could do a 9.3 mile. Now, running takes my wind away, big time. I wish I could read some blogs from the previous marathoners to see if they were struggling at this point as I feel I am. I am also frustrated that I have not lost the pounds or inches. Maybe there has been a loss in centimeters or millimeters, but not inches. I am exercising more in the past 3 months than I have in 20 years. I thought this weight would just fall off. When it didn't with the walking, I thought, okay when I start running it will. Well, maybe it would, but I can't seem to run long AT ALL. I hate that. I realize I am doing this marathon for more than weight loss, but losing the weight would make the running a little easier. I was hoping that I would be stronger and could run longer in the early a.m. but I was not. Doing the time in the morning has the huge advantage of getting it done before something else takes over my time after work. Anyway, I hope ventilating my frustration and fears here will help me through this down time. Right now I am wondering what I was thinking to sign up for AND TELL EVERYBODY that I was going to undertake this gargantuan goal! Woe is me.

9 and 0

Played my ninth tennis match of the spring season and won the ninth time! Fun, fun. I play doubles and I have had different partners for those matches. I truly believe this exercising I have been doing has made me more, er-r-r, fit? It's hard to believe I am saying that about me, but something is happening. Anyway, the tennis was my XT, which was for yesterday, and yesterday's walk was for Saturday, and Saturday was for....let's just say I have a slightly different schedule this week. But I am doing SOMETHING everyday. With that 6 miles coming up Saturday, I have to stay the course, as Mark says. Hope everyone else is doing well with your training. Hope those injuries are healing nicely!

First Five Mile Walk/Run

Okay, I did five miles this afternoon at the park. The first 2 miles I walked at 18 min., the next 2 miles I walked at 17 min. and the last mile I did in 14 min. because I ran some. I ran for one minute then walked awhile then ran for 3 min. straight as I was finishing up. My legs got better and better as the mileage increased. My wind was just fine walking, but was a little short with that 3 min. run, but I pushed through it. The disturbing event today was that I had to have a pit stop twice at the restroom in the park. I have never had any frequency problems and could go all day at work without going at all. Maybe that "little bit" of running I did this week has started to affect my bladder suspension...after all I am old enough to have those bladder problems but so far, I have never had problems when I coughed, sneezed, etc. I know, I know, TMI !!!!!!!!! I am hoping this is a temporary thing because I timed myself in the restroom and one stop was 4 min. and the next was 3 min. and that was with NO LINE. I can't do this in Chicago. I've already thought about maybe layering several extra thick Depends...just kidding! All in all, I feel I did very well with the 5 miles. It seemed much easier than the 5K yesterday. What is up with that?