FALL 15K

Well, it had been one week and one day since my last run. Today was the Fall 15K Race in which the proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Several members of the team participated. I had elected to run the relay option - 3 people running a 5K each - with Jo and Roz, 2 teammates. Roz has never run a race before. We picked here up at 7:30 am (James & Christopher came along and volunteered at one of the Water stations with fellow TNT alum). She said she was nervous, but James told her it's just like a training run except there might be a few more people and at the end you might be able to get your time. We met Jo and the rest of the team at the LLS tent. Shortly before we were to start, Jo received a phone call that her grandfather was in the hospital and not doing well. The team all agreed that Jo needed to leave (thank goodness her husband was there to drive her). At that same time James & Christopher headed out with the vehicle. This was prove to be important when Roz & I had to figure out how to get her to the relay exchange point as Jo's husband was originally going to drive us. Roz & I went to the team orientation and wondered how we should get to the exchange point. We were so fortunate that a group of ladies were also doing the relay. The team's name is JNJ and I wish I had gotten more info! These 4 women had all been roommates and now get together once a year - one even flew in from France! Well, they were so kind. They drove Roz to the exchange point while Nicole (one of the team members) and I headed to the start. These ladies stood with Roz and helped her out and even gave me a ride back to the finish so I could see Roz!

Anyway, Nicole and I were off to a really good start until I felt this sharp pain in my foot. I was trying to figure out how I would have gotten something inside my shoe. I had to stop because it was getting quite painful. In the bottom of my shoe was stuck a SHARP stick. It went through the sole of my shoe, the padded insert and was like a needle point driving into my sock. I was trying to get it out when a fellow team member stopped to help me. Mike is my witness as to how long and sharp this thing was!!! I ended up having to pull it out of the bottom of my shoe with my teeth!!! When I finally got my shoe re-situated, I tried to run with Mike for a while (he's way too fast) and had to let him go ahead. I made it through the 10K in about 55 minutes - which isn't too bad considering I had to stop for a while with that stinking stick!

I saw Roz finish and she did really well. She said she got a little nervous and walked a bit, but she looked strong coming across the finish line. Thanks to the JNJ team for your support too! All the TNT participants finished and for many it was the longest race they had even done (Roz & I ended up being the only relay that ran for TNT.) Congrats!

SICK

UGH! I have this chest thing going on in which I have no voice and now I'm starting to cough (and this lovely green stuff is coming up). I have not run again since Saturday as I have no energy. I have had to teach though which stinks and is not helping with the recovery! Tomorrow is the fund raising clinic. I'm looking forward to meeting more of the winter team since I have been unable to make the recent team runs. We have a race coming up this Sunday - the Fall 15K. I am going to do the relay with 2 teammates - Jo & Roz. I hope to feel better by then.

Well, I managed to get in a few runs this week. I started the week off well with the listed Monday & Tuesday runs. Wednesday was a rest day and I tried to play catch-up with housework. Thursday was a scheduled 5 miles that I didn't get to. James left on Friday for his annual hunting trip to North Dakota. James will be scattering some of his father's ashes in the hunting land they both enjoy. Friday was another busy day with sister-in-law Erica coming for the day to take Christopher to Pumpkins in the Park - one of my infamous events at Parks & Recreation. We were then able to spend the afternoon all together.

I did manage to get 4 miles in this morning before going to teach fitness classes to cover at Parks & Rec. I spent the afternoon catching up on computer stuff. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm hoping to get a run in!

STARTING OVER

On August 31, Dick lost his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I received the call while I was sitting at a meeting, having just been asked to be the coach for the Team In Training Triathlon Team starting in April 2010. As part of the process of becoming a coach, I need to shadow the 2010 winter season coach, attend Triathlon coaches training and training sessions with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In shadowing the current coach I will be assisting with clinics (the same ones James & I had to attend), assisting with team runs and mentoring current team members in regards to their training, fund raising and maybe just life in general. We are preparing the team to run either PF Chang’s Marathon in Arizona or the inaugural Rock ‘N’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the chapter cannot afford to send both the coach and myself to these events; only the coach will get to go. That’s why James & I have decided that I would also become a member of the team and fund raise, so I can be part of the team running the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon in New Orleans on February 28.

I am ecstatic for the coaching opportunity; having begun to miss coaching and working with my triathletes. Had it not been for Dick suffering from this disease we wouldn’t have become a part of Team In Training. Dick served 14 months Active Duty in Vietnam. He underwent 14 months of active treatment before succumbing to this disease. Ironically enough, when I complete this marathon, I will have spent 14 months as an active member of Team in Training before assuming the role of coach. I am running in memory of Dick, and as a member of TNT I need to raise $2660. (Please note 75% of the money raised will go back to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for research, patient aid and education. It’s not to “send me” to New Orleans.)

Well, last Sunday I ran a 10k race - the Literacy Run as an event for the Pi Phi alum club. I ran okay and finished in 53:47 - a personal record for me. I haven't managed to run since...
The week was busy, and I claimed I was tired and I put it off. I taught 7 aerobics classes this past week. It was today though when after teaching Zumba I got an opportunity to speak with one of the participants that I realized only I can motivate myself. This student has lost a lot of weight and found joy in Zumba. She was talking about how she has gone out to get certified and it going to start teaching classes. She tries to make every Zumba fundraiser, party and class she can. She is so excited for Zumba and that's when I realized I need to get excited for the marathon! I know it must sound strange, but I haven't really been excited for the marathon itself, but rather the people and cause that I am working with. As I tell others, how do you expect to take care of others, if you don't first take care of yourself??? I guess I'll be focusing on myself for a little while...

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

Wow, it's been a long time since my last post and a lot has happened since then.

August 2 James & I ran the Inaugural Chicago Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon. We spent Saturday, the day before the race walking all over the city. James is too cheap to pay for a taxi! We were having to push the stroller loaded with stuff and also carry it up stairs. James managed to hurt his leg doing so and needless to say we did too much the day before the race. We attended the Team In Training Inspiration dinner at the Hilton - it was small and nice. My brother, sister-in-law, cousin and her husband all stayed downtown and watcher Christopher so we wouldn't have to worry about him during the race. We stayed at the University Club of Chicago (my friend Christine noted that place is a little "uppity" but we got a good deal).

It was great to be able to walk out Sunday morning and be just blocks off the start line. James and I were in corral 5 of 21 and crossed the start line 5 minutes after the gun went off. James thought I started out too fast, he kept up, then tried to pull away. I caught him at the end (Christine is my witness) and we both finished in 1:55! A PR for me, and one second slower for James. The course was nice and there were a lot of people cheering which was great. A good experience, except for the expo.

August went by fast as James made another trip home to see his dad. I'm glad he did and wish I would have gone too. On August 31, 2009, James' dad died.