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!