Marathon Training Turned Triathlon Training

Another Year Behind Us

2011-01-01T09:39:00.003-05:00

2010 is officially over and during the last few weeks instead of being obesseed with how bad it was and wishing it would end, I decided to reflect on it, pray on it, and be happy for the lessons I have learned. There is a song, "I will praise you in the storm" and that is what I am trying to do. Trying I said.

The loss has been much, the heartache more and the lessons plenty. So with all of that, we move forward and start fresh. I find peace and comfort in knowing that yesterday to my God is as far as the East is from the West.

Training will continue because it is my therapy. We have muddled over what races we will do and thought of ones we would only wish to do. Trainging and time will dictate that.

I didn't set any resolutions. I think I have said this before, why put the pressure on myself just to fail. I have started making changes to be more organized and accountable. For me, if I accomplish those two things, I did alot.
Here is hoping that each of you have a prospersous and blessed 2011. I wish you good health, good frienships, lots of love and no regrets!

Love and God's Blessings to all.

Kiawah Island 2010 Marathon

2010-12-13T10:10:00.003-05:00

Maybe I should of titled this post "I am alive, I just haven't been blogging" or something super clever. I honestly can't think of anything at the moment to write that would sound witty or clever. The reason I am writing is to share my race report.

This all begins oh I don't even know how long go. Let's just say around May or June. I come up with the big bright idea of running the 2010 Kiawah Island Marathon. The reason I chose this one was I have time to train through furniture market. I show up at master swim one day and say "hey, Dan, Fred, Steve, Scott and Wendy - lets all run the marathon at Kiawah Island. They think for a moment or two and being the super athletes that they are, they all agree. Great! Fred or someone sends out a training plan and it looks easy enough to follow, and we all get started. Except about 6 weeks into training, I tear a calf muscle. There goes my training for two months! Dr. Fields tells me no way I am running a marathon this year. Won't happen, you might be able to run a half but that would be pushing it so just plan on a spring 2011 race. Bummer!

I am a very impatient woman (shocker) and I never gave "you won't be running a marathon this year" soak into my brain. I take the time off that I am supposed to on the calf and cross train. In cross training, I mean spin and some swimming, mainly spin class though. Which never really bothered the calf just taxied the lungs to the max in some classes. I would say I won't complain about Corey Dixon as an instructor again, but I am sure he has some new tricks up his sleeve for 2011 that will kick me into a new level (or secretly I am hoping it will) of fitness. When, I am finally able to run, it is not really long distances. I ran 5 miles a couple of days a week and I think my longest run was 9 miles about a month ago. I had thought that I would switch from the full marathon to the half but when I tried online there were no spots. Oh well... I will go and if I have to pick the cones up and be followed in by the van, well by golly I will finish. I have 7 hours to accomplish this and I am not going to Kiawah with any expectation other than to finish this race. Not to mention I am dragging my husband along to run the half and over the year he may have ran 8 or 9 miles! I only asked where the life insurance policy was in case something bad happened. He can write his own story but I am super proud of him. He finished that darn half marathon. OK Ok back to my story......

There are 10 of us going from my group, so we found a nice big house and off we go! The weather looked good earlier in the week. As good as the weather for fall/winter can look anyway. We all start arriving on the island around 5:30 get our race packets. Well our bibs and shirts. Everyone is going green this year so no fun stuff. We have a huge pasta dinner, our group and my friend Steve Price from Charlotte and his wife Cindy. We had a lovely dinner and then off to bed we went. While dinner is being prepared though we check the weather forecast. Slight chance of rain in the morning. I mean it says like 20%. OK what does slight mean to the weather forecaster? It does not mean that it will pour down rain most of the morning then turn into a steady rain for 13 out of 26 miles. Oh well thank goodness it was not bitter cold. But weather forecasters you are all fired!

Off to bed we all. I slept just o.k. I worried about my limited training and how bad of a time I would have. The other runners in my group are FAST! So I knew they would be well rested by the time I got there. So the joke became that I would be picking the cones up and van following me in to finish. I will have to admit the thought of that made me sad. I hate being last and I hate being the slowest. I should just be happy with that I am there and I am able to run I know. But I am not but I am not willing to put in the time it takes to become faster.

5:30 a.m. and it is pouring rain! Time for breakfast and to start worrying. Breakfast is a bagel, peanut butter, a banana and coffee. I could not decide what I wanted to wear so I brought enough clothes for three ladies. I dress in what I think will be plenty to keep me warm and grab a trash bag to keep me dry. Shuttle is called and we are off to the start line! We get there and now the nerves have kicked in. I honestly feel like I am going to toss my breakfast and just not run at all. Not really that bad but I don't really know how this is going to turn out. Plus I couldn't find Steve and I was getting sad. Not that running with Scott was going to be bad. I just had talked to Steve into this so I wanted to run with him. We live 2 hours from each other so we don't get to run together unless we meet at races. He finds me in the 12 minute pace group! That was a pace I thought I could keep and so did Scott. Scott is as He is as unprepared as I am. They call for the race to start in 2 min, last minute run to the porta john and then it is time. Horn blows!

We start running and we decide we are going walk the water stops. I know that at some point, I have to walk instead of run, due to training limitations but I am determined to give it my all. No shame in walking in my book. The shame comes in not starting. We are running right along, having a great time and then here comes John Barrett. WTF is what I say. How did the guy catch up? Are we running that slow, or he is running that fast? Probably both but I can't let this happen. He can't have a better time on the half than me. Then I have to be reminded that I also have 13 more to go! LOL! Oh how did I forget that? I was having so much fun that it just crept up on me. John has a great race and I am so proud of him. Now maybe he will train for the next race he has.

13 miles down and I feel great. I was soaking wet though. I tossed my long sleeve shirt hoping that would help. But not really, I was cold! Funny stories come from being cold. I won't share them with you, but poor Scott and Steve. They now know more about me than they care to I am sure. I was very thankful when two ladies walked by with a handful of clothes they had picked up and she had a sweatshirt type jacket. I asked her if I could have it and she was so kind to give it to me. Warmth finally! It was a little damp but way better than that cold t-shirt. The rain diminished and and even a glimmer of the sun comes out for a bit. I am shocked by how good I feel. It is still me, Steve and Scott plugging right along. Knocking out one mile at a time. The water stops are great. I made sure to hydrate well. I tell them, if you have it and you can leave me go ahead. I will see you at the finish. At the potty stop, Scott whose one step equals three of mine is gone. Steve though is still hanging in there with me. We had already though made a deal that if he could leave he will when he is ready. What great friends I have. Finally about mile 18 (I think, maybe 16) it catches up with me. My feet are hurting, my knee hurts, the legs are sore but never do I think I have to quit and I can't do it. Steve and I are running and there are two women that obviously have the greatest friend in the world who is meeting them and rubbing their legs out. So jokingly I ask her to rub my knee and she does. Magic hands. It was wonderful and I wished the rest of the race that she was my friend. Then low and behold, there is mile 20! Steve and I have caught back up with Scott. It was a plan we had. We were going to run past him and laugh but as soon as we got there, he started running with us. Darn it, foiled my plan! At mile 22 Steve takes off. I put my ipod on and I leave Scott. Ally fixed my music so you know I am listening to music of today's youth! That gave me a little extra jolt to my step for a bit anyway. I did have to stop and walk a few minutes but then I was down to my last 5k. I wanted to dance in the street I was so happy. Funny how good it feels when you get down to single miles needed to finish.

When I got to mile 25, honestly I got emotional. My prayer had been before this race was safety for the runners, for my race to be good eand let this be the beginning of lots of good things to come. So when I was 25 miles into the race my body was not prepared for, I was ven more thankful. Then a lady says "you have less than 1/3 of a mile to go" , the smile that came across my face made my cheeks hurt. I had done it. I had completed another marathon and wow only 22 minutes longer than a marathon I was trained for. I was happy. First face I see is my friend Steve, without him and Scott I would never have made it, I would be picking up the cones. Mile 26.2 and all of my friends where there screaming my name and my husband there when I crossed the final finish line. Thankful is all I can say about that.

I will not write about how sore I am or the other aches and pains I have. Nothing rest and darvacet won't cure. But what I will finish this with is how thankful I am for a husband and a group of friends who never doubted (outloud) that I couldn't do this. They laughed with me, they trained with me, encouraged me, they cheered for me and more than all of that, they believe in me. Thank you, you know who you are! I always am looking forward to the next year, for good things, but I am going to take the next few weeks of 2010 and be thankful for the journey and the lessons I have learned about life and people.

To those that ran this weekend, great job! It was so much fun, where are we going next?

I found a new running buddy

2010-08-17T09:29:00.004-04:00

I am on vacation this week and Lucy is with us. John took Macy home with him so I get stuck with the one year old let me destroy everything that I know you love yellow lab. She is a very sweet girl most of the time but boy if you don't have her occupied she really does love to eat precious items. Like my new running shoes a few weeks ago.

Today is Lucy's one year old birthday and I thought what better way to start it off then to let her run with me. I wasn't really worried about running much today because after being thrown off the golf cart yesterday (by accident) my ankle was hurting so I really just was trying it out to make sure it was just tight and not really hurt. The majority of the swelling is in my arch so I thought it would be fine to walk on. So off Lucy and I are. She is not much of a leash walker so I had no grand hopes of her running far. Well my little girl has surprised the heck out of me and she actually ran the entire 2.5 miles with me. At first she couldn't decide which side she wanted to be on but after the first mile she chose my right side and just trotted right along. I am still in shock over how focused she was. Nothing bothered her. Passing cars, people and little dogs did not effect her at all. She just kept going. Lucy was totally ready for her water bowl when we got back and now is napping.

Then when I opened my email, there is an article from Runner's World on training your dog to run with you! Guess what I am going to be reading this afternoon? Lucy is officially my new training partner. I sure hope Rod and Jess don't mind her coming along in the mornings to run with us!

If anyone else runs with their dog and you have any words of wisdom, please share them with me. I want this to be a good experience for me and Lucy.

How it feels

2010-08-13T12:47:00.003-04:00

To those of us who run regularly, you know what it is like to be sidelined and not able to do what you love and that is running for me. I will never be a winner of any age group, but I love to put one foot in front of the other and go. Therefore the last seven weeks have been very hard physically as well as emotionally.

I have missed my running friends, my early morning therapy sessions as I refer to them and several events that I would normally have signed up for. But mainly I have missed the feeling of getting the miles in and what it does for me mentally. Oh and being able to eat whatever I really wanted to was missed as well and my scale shows that more than anything.

With that said, yesterday I ran 2.5 miles. I don't care that it was 96 degrees when I started and stopped. I ran the whole thing. That doesn't included the almost half of mile I walked to warm up or the quarter of a mile I walked to cool down. I ran 2.5miles without stopping or feeling like I would die from anything other than heat! YAY!

It feels indescribable to me to be running again. I had no idea how much I truly missed it until yesterday. Now let the training begin...slowly that is!

Getting Back

2010-08-11T09:42:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't posted anything in a long time. Haven't had anything to really post. I have an injury that I have been and am still nursing. I was finally given the thumbs up to start running again last week. Don't think that I have just been sitting around doing nothing for the past 7 weeks. I used this time to focus on swimming!

I will not bore you with how poor of a swimmer I am. If you read this blog you know that already. Well that has changed. I have turned into super swimmer and have the gold stars from my coach to prove it! Cherri Kennedy at the Hartley YMCA Masters Program has spent two days a week with me for the last 7 weeks. We both are excited when the class is over that I made and could complete the entire workout. Yesterday we even marveled that she hasn't had to adjust a workout for me in weeks! I don't mind showing up twice a week now. Before, any excuse to get me out of it worked just fine for me. Not that you care but I have also been doing spin class to keep the legs moving. As hard of a workout that I get from that class (2-3 times/week), it did nothing to keep the weight gain at bay!

So now that I can run, the plan he gave me has me starting out at 2.5 miles 4 times a week, then building on that. That seemed like way too much so I decided to run 1 mile and see how it went. Not so well the first time. My leg started hurting again and I got scared. So I took a few days off and my leg still hurt. Gun shy or just crazy I guess you could say. I emailed the PA and asked what he thought. I am sure he laughed the entire time he was typing the response. I was told to just run and follow the plan. Unless it hurt severely, then I was fine. The muscle group was not use to being used so it would hurt and that was expected. Yeah I am not buying that but I don't have DR. or PA in my title, so that is what I am doing, just running. I tried again this week and it went fine. So hopefully I really am back in the sport of running. This truly is the first time that I have ever followed Dr.'s orders so they better be right!

I do feel like a slug with the weight I have gained so I decided to let someone (I will not mention your name, but I am rethinking our friendship) talk me into trying a new class. Athletic Conditioning...Yes it sounded like something that I would be able to do when reading the class description with no problem. Well that was Monday, and John had to help me wash my hair this morning (Wed)! I can't lift my arms over my head. How sad is that? I wasn't going to do the class again but now I feel like I have too. I obviously am not very strong and need to work on some muscle conditioning. So after I come back from vacation, I am going to try it again (unnamed friend your going back with me)!

So here is to happy running times and getting back out there. The IPod is charged and I will hit the pavement or the track at the Y tonight!

Support Trooper J. D. Goodnight

2010-06-04T09:53:00.002-04:00

I know this has nothing to do with training. I feel the need to put my feelings down on paper. Isn't that why I started this blog anyway?

On May 23, 2010, we were getting ready to leave our house when I heard alot of sirens and activity on the highway near our house. Not thinking anything about it, for the fact we hear it often, we leave and are off to our destination. We come upon a horrific accident. When I say horrific I mean horrific. You knew that there were fatalities. I said a prayer for those involved and then looked to my right.

To my right was a Highway Patrol car in the woods. My heart sank. Why you might ask would that make your heart sink? My heart had already been shaken by the sight of this accident. But a very dear friend of mine is the Trooper in this area and I knew there was a good possibility that he would be working. Like any good friend, I text him that there is a bad, bad, bad accident at that intersection. I know, why didn't I just call him? Because I am a texter! I got nothing back. We called another Trooper friend who said yes Jay had been in an accident but that it was at 29/70 so I thought thank God he wasn't in that tree. But then later at dinner I got a text from someone saying "OMG have you heard about Jay, he was in an accident. I then found out that it was Jay in that tree and that two people had died in the accident. To clarify 29/70 is Business 85 to most of us.

My first thoughts of this news went straight to praying for those families that God would send peace and comfort as only He can do in times like this. I am sorry for their loss and can't imagine what they are going through. Then my second thought was thank you God for sparing my friend. He has a beautiful wife and family at home and of course he is my friend so I would not want anything to happen to him. Who would I pick on about being a cheerleader? Cheerleader turned Trooper, I love it!

I know Jay, I know that he would not put anyone in harms way intentionally. He is a man very proud of the job he does and respects the laws that he works tirelessly to uphold. The media has decided in my opinion to turn this into "Man with a badge and a fast car, kills two innocent people". Of course anyone who knows me knows I am all over that. I wanted someone to stand up and scream “JAY GOODNIGHT IS THE BEST TROOPER I KNOW, HOW DARE YOU FOR BLAMING HIM”. So I did. I wrote an editorial, that will never see print, I am sure. I tried buddy! LOL!

There are two sides to every story. Trooper J. D. Goodnight's story is limited because of the job he holds and that we live in a sue me world. But the accident report and the independent report,completed by an independent contractor, does tell the story. All should be public record if you would like a copy call the N. C. Highway Patrol and ask for it. But what you will find in that report is a very different story than what the media has told. I am not going to tell you the results for the fear of coming across as heartless for those injured and dead. Read it for yourself if you would like.

I don't want anyone reading this to think that I am a heartless bitch. I am sorry for the loss due to this accident. Their lives cannot be replaced. Grief takes on many faces as we all know. I am sure by the reports that Trooper Goodnight and the State will be sued, their grief has turned to anger. There is no amount of money, justice, I am sorry for you loss, explanation, blame or reports that will bring them back. Only time will heal the wounds of death. Only time will heal what Jay might be going through as well. Is his life any less valuable then theirs? No it is not and I am sure anyone who knows him would agree.

Let us not forget what Trooper Goodnight and every law enforcement officer; EMS work and fire fighter go through every time they go to work. Unlike me sitting at my desk typing this, they put their life in danger and risk not ever seeing their families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors again. To that, I say THANK YOU! Thank you for the selfless act that we call a job, that you call your life.

I am sure there will be many that read this and don’t agree. You are more than welcome to your opinion just as I am to share mine as well. I would ask that for those of you that do support the job that is done by not only Jay but everyone in law enforcement to show your support of them on Support Trooper J. G. Goodnight facebook page.

Thank you and goodnight! (No pun intended)

Not really training for anything

2010-05-26T21:08:00.002-04:00

It seems very odd for me to not really be training for anything in particular. Oh believe me, I have made my race calendar in my head and it is going to keep me busy. But right now I am just enjoying running.

I haven't enjoyed just running in a long time. It is not a chore (well most days aren't) to get up and get out the door. I am running 4 weekdays and am going to get my long run in on Saturday. I am still swimming and biking but not really focusing on anything. Just enjoying multi-sport fitness.

My goal is to learn to run by myself and if I find someone to hang with me for the long runs, that will be great, but if not, I can do it. I think there is a new lesson to be learned by me in this and it might be to find some inner peace with running. Be one with running.

We shall see how this works but so far so good.

An Apple A Day will not keep the Dr. Away

2010-05-15T09:54:00.002-04:00

Well at least not for me. It seems I will be seeing a pulmonary Dr. for the rest of my life. How did this happen and why me is all I keep asking myself. I have never smoked in my entire 40 years of life. I have not always been active but shouldn't the last 4 years of hard training have been enough to make up for it? Shouldn't all the people I know be looking at me saying "Damn if she can, I can"? Yes I think all of those things apply. Well they don't.

As reported in my last update, I had a medical issue at the end of the race. I am an asthmatic and the granddaughter of COPD genes! Well guess who was the lucky one? That would be me. Yeap, my lungs suck. They don't move air the way yours do. Yeah you sitting on the couch eating ice cream, potato chips and french fries and you breath just fine.

As I am sure you can tell already, I am angry, I am mad and now I am reassured that I was not switched at birth, which I had always believed. But they cannot deny me now. I got their lungs! The anger comes from not doing anything to cause it and actually working hard to stay healthy. Unlike the rest of my family.

I will not stop any of this madness, I will just have to be careful. Run with an inhaler, a phone and yes I guess an I.D. bracelet. I was asked to run in moderation and watch the conditions. Which I will watch the conditions but I will not back off, I will just up the life insurance and make sure I always have clean running shorts on just in case!

Race that never was and the Race that I am glad is over

2010-05-12T20:43:00.003-04:00

As you all know I was training for the Flying Pig Marathon for the Spring. I would love to say that I went, had a great time and I kicked major ass at it. I don't get to say any of that. I get to tell you that the best of plans sometimes get foiled. The best of plans get interrupted. I think my life is like one of those shows where they come on and say "We interrupt this program for a special announcement". I don't like the announcement coming, but oh well. It is what it is and I move on.

So with that said, Flying Pig never happened and for that matter not alot of anything happened. Training fell by the wayside and I didn't really get much done.

But I still had White Lake to worry about. As we all know that was the one I was worried about anyway. Running is second nature to me now. Not 26.2 miles but running is easy. Triathlons on the other hand, push me to my limits. Physically and mentally. Mentally probably more than anything. That was why I signed on for this multi sport madness, wasn't it?

White Lake Sprint II weekend is quickly approaching and panic sets it. I have to get in the pool to see if I can still swim, I need to get my bike from the shop, I need to ride a bike, any bike will do so Friday before a race I go to spin class. Not sure if that helped or hurt, but I did it. We are there, we have our nice accommodations (not Langston's) and we are having fun. Jill completes her first half ironman distance on Saturday. I cry when she crosses the finish line like any good friend would do. I eat a great meal and go to bed early. Not too early since my start time isn't until 8:56. Really, I won't be finished until lunch time. Just kidding. But everyone else will be finishing and I will be all by myself on the bike and run course. I wasn't but that is what I was thinking. I was on the second loop of the bike by myself for a bit. There were actually several out there and I got to pass them. YAY for the small things. Saturday afternoon I started having major anxiety over the swim. The wind had picked up and the water was getting choppy. That is never a good sign for the girl who is already worried. Sunday morning arrives I get my new wetsuit as my Mother's Day gift and I proceed to get ready. I go get my timing chip, I get my numbers (personally not happy about the Master's age group) and off we are. Like a huge baby, I get nervous about the swim and I what, yes, I cry! I don't want to swim. I want to turn around and back out. But I also hate quitting. So what is it, suck it up and swim or quit and feel horrible forever? OK I get in the water. I warm up a little and I feel better. I met several people that think they swim worse than me. Ha Ha, that is the funniest thing I have heard all morning but I will give it to them. Then they call it, 3 minutes to the Novice group goes off. I learned last year to not swim in my age group. Horn blows, swimming I begin. I am feeling pretty good at first then I realize how choppy the water really is as it slaps me in the face at every time I go to breathe. Swim takes a little longer than I would of liked....but when I got out of the water, I wasn't last and I didn't quit. I wanted to several times. Time to ride my bike 14 miles. Head wind the whole time. I have a good bike time for someone who hasn't ridden a bike other than spin class in 6 months. Bike is racked and time to run. I love running. I feel good! I have an excellent run time. Going back in from the run was hard, everyone was leaving and here I am just coming in. It really shouldn't matter should it? I finished and I finished better than I did last year. Which means I did better somewhere in one or all those of sports (SWIMMING). There is alot that went on after the finish for me but it would take two days to explain. Short of it, I experienced a medical issue and ended up in the medical tent. Glad that is over.

I say this for the second year, I hate that place and I will never do it again. I will be back next year White Lake, I also refuse to let you get the best of me and I am going to master swimming some how if it kills me!

First Real Run in Weeks

2010-04-13T21:44:00.002-04:00

Today was my first real run in weeks. I was worried and maybe scared that it would not turn out as I would hope. But that all went out the window once started.

This will be the shortest blog post ever posted by me. Christine and I rocked that run!

Glad I am back!

Sick at the Wrong Time

2010-04-08T18:21:00.002-04:00

I came home from Cooper River Bridge Run with what I would call deathly ill symptoms. I think I should of been a man when it comes to being sick. I am a huge baby. So when I started feeling bad, the complaining started as well. Poor Jill, Kate and Josh. They took the brunt of this complaining and I am sorry for it. But the drive home Sunday was not very much fun for me or them. I thought I had a fever but could not verify that as I didn't have a thermometer to check. I came home and went straight to bed.

Monday morning comes and I get up and shower for work. Because as most of you know,I started a job not too long ago and this is a crucial time for us. I hated to miss any time and someone else have to do my job plus theirs. So off I go to High Point. That didn't last long. I ended up at the Dr.'s office laying in a ball on the examination table. My Dr. comes in and says "I don't think in all the years you have been coming here that I have seen you look this bad, you must be sick". HELLO CAPTAIN OBVIOUS. Most people don't end up in your office for the fun of it. So with all of that said, I end up in bed for two more days and barely able to lift my head I felt so bad and the fever was high (100.5).

For the last 9 days, I have been unable to do anything really. I tried to run the other night but that didn't go as planned. We walked and there is nothing wrong with that. We were moving and that is more than I had been doing. But it made me the realization that a marathon in 25 days would not happen. So we have decided to back down to the half marathon at the Flying Pig.

With that decision, came alot of different feelings. First and foremost, I felt like I had failed. Like I had let myself down. Then I was mad at myself for all the races that I signed up for and pushed my body on. I was mad that alot of training would be wasted. Failure still looms in my mind as my top emotion though.

Then today happened. I woke up with a severe sinus headache and extreme pressure behind my eye. So back to the Dr. With that trip I left with three more prescriptions and some words of advise. NO RUNNING or strenuous activity until all meds are taken and I feel some relief. My lungs are compromised by infection. Really! Your kidding? I know, I am really a smartass, but I knew deep down this was not a typical cold.

I have mailed my form in to drop back to the half marathon and I guess I am glad that the pressure of 26.2 miles is off me. Fall Marathon training look out. I will be much smarter about it and even more determined!

Until then, I am racing for fun!

Two Races, One Day

2010-03-22T21:52:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I decided, well we decided, Christine and I, that our mileage this week was 18 or 19 miles so we would run the NC Half Marathon early in the day and then run the 5 mile Beer Run in the afternoon. Totaling 18 miles for the day.

So I took it fairly easy during the week, not running once I might add (probably not smart) but I swam and did an improv spin class instead. I did wonder all week if I didn't run how would that effect my times on Saturday. Only time would tell no pun intended.

Friday I met Pam and Christine and we walked over to Showplace to pick up our packets. We saw lots of people we knew which is always fun. One of the most fun parts of running is the people you meet at races and see at future races. Example, I met a group in OBX from Greensboro, do I know there names, no I don't but I see them all the time and they always say hello and have a hug! I love it. So we got our packets and off we were. Carb loading we did and off to bed early we were.

Early to bed early to rise. I was up at 6:00 a.m. to meet them at 7:00 a.m. We like to get there about an hour early to get ourselves situated and our game plan worked out. Well to get my game plan worked out in my mind. That is what I have to do, I have to mentally prepare for the race. Think about the mileage ahead of me and how am I am going to conquer that. Well in my mind it was a training run and that was all. Time draws near and time to line up. We get toward the back because that is were we should be. We know our place for the day. Gun goes off and we are running. We feel good! We see people we know, slow to chat, speed up to catch other people we know. Mile one under us, a little faster than we should be running, so we slow the pace. Fun, that is what we are having.

It hits me, I am feeling good, I pull out a little ahead of Christine, not much, but she gives the me the go ahead, no I will stay back, no she says if you can go, and PR, go! That is my running group for you. It is about how good can you do.... So I did. She was never far behind me though and at the 8 mile water stop we got to cheer each other for a minute. This is course up to 8 miles is not so bad, it is hilly but it is nothing I find too bad. Then miles 9 to 13 are a totally different story. They are gruelling I tell you. At one point, I was like, SERIOUSLY! Not another hill..... I was happy to hear the water stop ladies say, your right around the corner! I normally hate to hear that, but on Saturday, it was like music to my ears.

I had a time in mind to finish but at about mile 11 I knew I was not going to make it, but I was going to PR. Which for those of you who don't run (then why are you reading this LOL!) means personal record. So I pushed ahead. There were two men in front of me and they were talking smack to each other and it bothered me just a bit so I passed them and I had to make a comment. Yes I know your surprised. I potitlety told them if they were going to talk such shit, back it up. So from that point, I passed them! Oh that felt good. You had to hear them then you would understand.

I rounded the corner and there was the finish line! I heard people yelling "go Amy B go", thanks Christie, that sure helps the push. I looked down at my watch and I had just beaten my last half marathon time by almost a whole minute!

You have no idea how that feels when unless you run and you run as slow as me! LOL! I have gotten faster, but from where I started to where I am now. Is just a good feeling.

We hung out a little while. Of course we used our beer coupon. Nothing better in the hot weather than a cold beer! But it was time to go home and get ready for race number 2.

Lunch and a shower later, we are off to number 2. The Beer Run! Year number 3 of this one and I am dreading it because, yep, more hills. Probably worse than High Point but I need the mileage, I need to finish to wear the T-shirt and the beer is at the end. So we are off...not much talking and if there is any talking, it is about why we are doing this and when we are going to walk. We did some walking, not alot but we did. I don't have alot more to say about this one, except I am glad it is over. My body hurts at this point and I just want to see the finish line or a water stop would be nice. Only two during the entire 5 miles. One was running out of water and the other was toward the end of the race. I need water sooner. Not their fault I know. But boy it was hot and humid and we are just not use to that yet.

After time to think about this idea we had, we have decided that we would not do two events in one day. Since then, I have gotten very sick and Christine is suffering some IT band issues. Not good for either of us less than 4 weeks before a big race. Glad this wasn't an A race on our list. We are going for the fun of it and only the fun of it. Our time doesn't matter just two good friends spending time doing what we love to best together.

Training, training and more training

2010-03-16T20:21:00.002-04:00

I think I live in the gym or on the greenway...OK maybe there is a little stop off at MMPI and 104 Farriers Lane, but boy it seems like the rest of my time is spent elsewhere.

Training is going good, I think. This past weekend Christine, Kay and I set out for our longest run for this training session and that was 17 miles. Someone in our group sent out an email asking for a different route because they were tired of the Greenway. Yes you guessed it, it was me. So we decide on the following route. We started at our normal spot, the Spencer Love tennis courts and ran the first part of the Cannonball course, then we went out past Strawberry Road to the end of the Greenway. We were at 11.? miles at that point and had 5.4 back to the tennis courts. Going back seemed like such a pleasing thought. Then we ran into a fellow runner friend, Pam Connor, whom we had not seen or talked to in awhile and we stopped to talk. Mistake, HUGE MISTAKE....Not talking to Pam but stopping for so long. I hope we didn't mess her run up the way we did our own. We cooled off so starting again was PAINFUL! Oh boy, we sounded like 90 year old women who just woke up in the morning. It was funny now that I think back on it. So we ran the 5.4 back, and did a 1/4 of a mile in the parking lot. This is kind of what it sounded like, "How much further?", "really, seriously, it has to be over", "I am not telling you how much further, I will tell you when it is over". At several points during this run, I called Christine a bully! That is my favorite saying now for my friends who push me farther than I would normally push myself. When it was finally over, I wanted to dance but my there was no way dance moves were coming out of this body. I was in need of something..... a good painkiller would of been nice.

So to further punish ourselves, on Sunday, Christine and I participated in another indoor triathlon. We must of lost our minds. We biked and ran farther this time than we did the last time! How does that happen? Our bodies were sore and tired from Saturday, so how did we do better than the last time?????? Yes it is all the training! We wrangled another running friend into our madness on Sunday as well. Mindy had a great time and I think she is looking forward to more triathlon entertainment. We love sharing the madness. Come join us and see for yourselves/

This coming weekend, we are running the NC Half Marathon in the a.m. and then at 3 p.m. we are doing the beer run! Yes we run for beer! Lots of beer I might add. We will do anything for beer,mileage and TSHIRTS!

Happy training my friends.

First Indoor Tri of 2010

2010-02-28T17:15:00.002-05:00

Well the first for me that is. I chose to skip the first one due to of course, swimming. I wanted to finish the clinic and hopefully feel a little more comfortable in the water. Then the second one was cancelled due to inclement weather hear in the Triad. Today was the day for me to finally see if I could do better than last year. Those of you who really know me, know I am going to try and rope as many friends as I can into my madness. Yes I talked Christine into joining me. This was her first experience in Triathlon. Oh, except for the fact her husband is an IRONMAN. But her first race.

We volunteered the first half of the race because we need them and we love cheering folks on. Then it came our time to get ready. Off we went to the locker room to get ready. We go to the pool and automatically I feel the butterflies. Why I don't know, I have been swimming weekly and putting in lots of laps and drills. I don't think for me that matters. I was still very nervous. I got in the water and did a 100 meter warm up and I felt fine. I laughed, I got some instruction from a wonderful swimmer Laurie Brackett that is in my TTT group. She counts the time down and we are off. I just swam. I did the best I could and yes I had to backstroke some but for the most part I swam free style. I was happy when I got out and they told me I swam 16 laps (400 meters). YAY for me! I know I am so excited over something not so great in the world of swimming. But in my world, I will take it all day long.

We are off to change and on to the bike and run. Yes it was a stationary bike but not like the regular stationary bikes. This bike is meant to mimic road bikes. So not as easy as a stationary bike. I rode 4.48 miles on the bike. I wish I would of done better but oh well. I knew I still had to run so I guess maybe I didn't ride as hard as I could have. I got on the treadmill and wow, my legs felt like rubber. I walked a minute and then the run began. I turned my IPOD on and I was off. I felt good so I covered the screen and ran. Every so often I would bump up the speed knowing I would run it out the last 90 seconds. That is exactly what I did. I ran 2.23 miles in 20 minutes. We both were stoked. For me seeing my friend so excited for completing her first triathlon and for me I finally was happy with my times. That hasn't happened in along time.

We were so excited, we are ready to do it again on March 14th. Come join us at the Ragsdale YMCA! If your reading and yoru interested, go to www.triadtriteam.com and you can find the link there.

You need a junk day in your diet!

2010-02-27T15:43:00.003-05:00

In trying to eat better and loose some weight, my husband found a new vitamin store, Complete Nutrition. I go to buy a vitamin and protien shake. I talk to them about my schedule and my desire to loose weight. I told them that I eat well, but that I am constantly hungry and I think that is the problem. With that this really cute, thin lady says to me that I need to add a junk day into my diet. That way I will not feel as if I gave anything up. She nailed it right there. I don't feel like I gave anything up? I eat what I want, when I want, obviously!

In looking over my schedule that night, I go to John and say "when am I supposed to add a junk day"? I don't have time for that. I workout almost everyday of the week. Friday is my day off but my long run is on Saturday so I can't eat horrible on Friday because I have to fuel for a run. So when am I supposed to have my junk day?

After running so well today, I think I will just forget the junk day and focus on eating well and maybe the weight will fall right off. (hee hee ha ha)

Back on Track

2010-02-21T13:11:00.002-05:00

After a few weeks of yucky weather and not really able to run outside, we finally got a nice weekend with sunshine. I so should be out on my bike right now but I have swim clinic to go to and really cannot afford to miss that. I am vowing this week to get back on track with my training for The Flying Pig and the White Lake Sprint II.

In May I have two very important events scheduled. I am not really sure how smart it was to plan them back to back but oh well bought and paid for, so I am going to do my very best at completing them to best of my ability. The first of course is the The Flying Pig Marathon and the following weekend I race in the White Lake Sprint II Triathlon. I really just want to swim better this year than the horrible attempt at it last year. That was my first open water event so I should really cut myself some slack. So as long as it does not take me 49 minutes, I will be very happy.

Due to the weather I have not been as motivated to train like I should. It is cold in the mornings and I have had a hard time getting up like I should. Well that ends NOW!

We got back on track with our mileage yesterday for the The Pig. We ran 11.5 miles and it was good. I had some kind of stomach something hit me Friday and really didn't feel up to running that long yesterday but I knew I had to. The work has to be put in to get the job done on May 2nd. So I pushed through it. I did have to walk for brief periods of time after 8 miles but hey better than not doing it all. I personally hate to have to walk, to me it makes me feel weak and like I failed. Oh well.....That is just my negative other personality talking. I didn't fail. How many other people ran 11.5 miles yesterday? Not many I am sure.

So my vow this week is to get back on track. Be up and out the door to train in the morning. I might need some wake up calls!

Turning 40

2010-02-13T20:52:00.002-05:00

I think that I had dreaded turning 40 ever since I turned 30. Why, I have no idea. I think that the thought of saying I was 40 meant I was actually getting older and I could remember thinking people who were 40 were just old. As expected, my line of thinking has changed. I am agreeing that 40 is the "new" 30!

I turned 40 yesterday and I will be honest, I looked forward to it. I feel like I have arrived. My life is just beginning. My love of life is anew. My outlook on things are more positive. I am not settling. I refuse to be defined by a number.

I think for me and my life, the last 10 years have just been depressing. So many things didn't go the way I would of wanted them and do believe and trust that, this is the way God has intended it to be. I may not always like how things turn out but He knows best what is good and needed in my life and on my journey. So these next years of my life I have a feeling are going to be great. I know some of you are saying there is a song about that. Yes there is and Tim McGraw said it best for the next 30 years..... I will take as many as are layed out for me.

Things again, may not be as I expected, but once again, I know that my God has it all planned out and paved the road ahead of me. If I die tomorrow, I know that I have had a great life and am truly blessed with a wonderful family and wonderful friends.

Krispy Kreme Challenge 2010

2010-02-07T18:01:00.002-05:00

I am always looking for fun new races to participate in. Not that I don't like my hometown races, but I have and continue to narrow down my list of races that I must do here in town. Krispy Kreme Challenge is my first new race of 2010 and will go on the list of yearly "To Do's".

One of my running partners Christine, did this race last year with her brother and sister and it sounded like a blast, so I thought why not. I just registered John and myself a couple of weeks ago and glad I did, it sold out! The Challenge is that you run 2 miles, you eat 12 doughnuts and run 2 miles back. I love doughnuts so what the heck. No Challenge in that! Yeah whatever! Everyone asked me how in the world I was going to do that and what was I thinking. Had I heard about all the people who get sick and vomit at the end and during the race?. Yes I have heard those stories, but not me! I have the weakest stomach when it comes to vomit! I cannot stand to do it myself nevertheless see anyone or hear anyone do it. It automatically kicks in my gag reflex and here we go.....So don't talk about that part of the race with me.

The weather was what worried me most. I wouldn't be able to wear my tshirt if I couldn't run this race due to weather conditions. I know funny but I love tshirts and I am very serious about not wearing a shirt from a race I didn't do! Well I can rest easy and wear my shirt proudly. I think?

I did not complete the challenge of 12 doughnuts. I ate 3 and I thought I was doing good at that. They were cold, tasted like they were made the night before and just not what I like when eating that many empty calories. Don't tell anyone, but I am a Dunkin Donut girl! Maybe I will write DD a letter and get them started on the program.

We ran our 2 miles which ended up being really 2.25 miles and Christine, my running partner and I decided to share a box. We got our box and started the fun. I ate 3 and she ate 2 and we were on our way. The mileage back was, well to say the least, not as good as getting to the KK Store. I am not sure how to describe what I was feeling, but I was glad I was carrying the box back with the rest of the doughnuts in it instead of them in my stomach.

At the finish line Christine and I crossed together holding hands and laughing. We had so much fun. Mileage according to the Garmin was 4.57 and we finished in 52 minutes which includes the time to eat and try to find the water. We have decided this is definitely one for the list. If your looking for a fun filled race with a twist of adventure, this is it! I am glad C was with me, I just found out my timing chip didn't work so therefore you will not find my time listed. Can't wait for the finish line photo.

Committment

2010-01-22T21:43:00.004-05:00

I think that I have always had a problem with commitment. Oh I can make the commitment but sticking with it is something I lack.

Yes I am married and have been for a what seems a lifetime, but other than that, yeah, I suck at making a commitment. I said the other night when I went to swim, I need to commit to it, like I have running.

Once I got started running, I would just about cut my right arm off to not miss it. I am still that way to a degree. I know there are people that I love to be around meeting me and I can't wait to get there. Same with my bike, the group I ride with is wonderful (I need the weather to get better)and I enjoy knowing they are going to be there so therefore I go. Swimming, yeah not so much. I really like the group I am in, I am just not happy to go. I will find any reason to not go. Once I go, I feel great, I am glad I did it, I learn something each time. I just am not committed to learning to get better.

I am beginning to think that if I go and I commit, then if no improvement happens I have no excuse. Except for the fact that I suck at swimming. But if I don't go and I keep on being scared, then I have an excuse. I still have fits of panic. I don't know why. I know there are plenty of people to save me, but my head in the water thing really sometimes gets the best of me. I feel short of breath and I drink in water and then it is over. My confidence is out the door or down the drain is probably better.

So, starting Sunday, I am going to make a commitment to try harder. To stop complaining about it and JUST DO IT! Let's see how this works for me.

I think I have taken "getting my oink on too far"

2010-01-19T21:25:00.002-05:00

I laugh as I type that heading, but it is so true. I need to get my poor eating habits under control. Something in my body and brain has gone haywire and I am starving all the time. Just like now, it is 9:31 p.m. I just had dinner (I am not telling you what I ate) and I feel the need to eat something else. I am not a super sweets eater, I would rather have some bread and butter! Toast and hot tea are my favorites at this time of day! Hence why I am spilling my guts on a blog instead of eating. Hoping I will go to sleep before I get up and go get something.

I know the main reason is my poor choices in food. I don't think anywhere is it said that eating mexican for lunch entitles me to pizza for dinner. See what I mean. POOR CHOICES! A few months back I tried weight watchers and that just wasn't cutting it for me. I need food and I think I need alot of it. My waistline is now showing the ill side effects of my poor habits.

So I am going to somehow, someway, get this under control. I am not promising that I will not be mean or nasty if I am hungry! That is just how I roll! LOL!

So if anyone has any grand words of wisdom please do share them....But don't tell me I need to make better choices, I am well aware of that!

Getting My Oink On

2010-01-16T15:22:00.002-05:00

While training for OBX I swore that I would never run another marathon ever! Never SAY NEVER! I am officially registered for the Flying Pig Marathon on May 2nd in Cincinnati Ohio.

Of course those that know me know I roped in a friend or two to go with me. I started with Pam Connor, Kay Shore and Christine Flowe. Pam politely declined when she read the race course. Kay declined when she was told the date. Due to the fact she holds a yearly party and has for a long time and people look forward and depend on it being the first weekend in May. Tons of people better show up and have fun since she turned us down to have the party. Christine said "let me think about it"....That didn't take long. We both are officially registered. Our room at the host hotel is rented and training has begun! Then in talking to my new friend Steve from OBX, he is running it as well. I thought I had a few more suckered in but no go! I am just excited that we are going to know someone.

We actually had a hard time or I should say, I had a hard time getting a training plan that would work with the fact that I am doing a sprint triathlon the very next weekend. So to say the least, I am at the gym or running everyday! Glad John is doing the sprint as well or they might not ever see me. Training plan is picked, just tweaking it now to fit in the swim and bike.

This is our second week actually and we are doing great. The cold weather has not stopped us, maybe slowed us down a little more than normal but we are excited and looking forward to it. There is something wrong with people who are looking forward to running 26.2 miles! Come join the madness!

Starting 2010 out right

2010-01-02T20:42:00.002-05:00

It is always a tossup on how we should bring the New Year in here at the Barrett household. Yes for anyone who really knows us, I know your laughing your butts off at that one. John and I are normally asleep. The last two years though we have done something different.

Since the love of running plays a key part into whatever we do and how we plan anything. We even plan our New Years celebration around it as well. There is a great event that helps us start our year off with the one thing that I love. Running of the Lights......Folks gather starting around 11 p.m. at Tanglewood Park and get ready for the ball to drop which we are watching on the big screen and the horn blows and we run a 5K through the winter wonderland of Tanglewood Park. Of course we are running with friends and after the run we have our own little party. This year we had champagne, hot chocolate, coffee and the BAILY'S.... that is the most important ingredient. We have our New Years toast and the party is on.

While everyone else is out drinking and eating too much, John, me, Keith, Christine and Kay are running and laughing having a blast. I cannot think of a better way to start a new year.

This year was a little different, in that, we added the Resolution Run in at 10 a.m. Another 5K to help get folks motivated to stay healthy during the year. John pushed it a little more than I did and rode 25 miles on his bike at the Polar Bear Ride. I decided I was tired and it was cold so I went to the movies instead.

I think we have a good start on 2010 and meeting our personal goals this year. I hope that each of you will put your health at the top of the priority list. You only get one chance at life, make the most of it! Wishing each of you a prosperous 2010!

Last Post For 2009

2009-12-31T15:02:00.002-05:00

Here it is, December 31, 2009 and I am excitedly counting down until it 2010.

Followers know this has not been a good year for me personally and I am glad it is coming to an end. I will not miss any part of it. I do take me with lots of accomplishments but I also could take with me alot of heartache. We as a family have learned alot this year. More about people in general, the good and the bad of humanity, more bad than good, but we are ditching it and leaving it behind. We leave it behind and we grasp on to that we have each other if nothing else. Having each other means the world to us, but we are more blessed than we ever could imagine with a group of friends that are more like extended family!

So for 2010, I feel it. This is going to be my year! God Bless each of you that read this crazy blog. Again, my outlet for what I learn from life and my training.

2010 will be rung in with my running "sisters" and I say that because they are more than friends to me. We are running tonight at midnight and we just keep going all the way to Cincinnati OH for the Flying Pig Marathon in May.

Happy New Year!

I have let my public down

2009-12-06T17:16:00.002-05:00

I hate to report that I wimped out on Saturday! Yes I was supposed to run the Mistletoe Half Marathon in Winston Salem, NC (aka hill central) and I backed out.

This is how it started. I was emailing another runner on Friday discussing the weather and we pretty much decided that it wasn't worth being cold and miserable for 13.1 miles. Then, I got a message from Jess later on asking where we running rain, shine or sleet? I think that is how it went. I quickly replied, NO if too cold and raining but I would be backing down to the 5K. She kindly agreed and we our plan was set.

I woke up Saturday morning with my new best friend Lucy. A beautiful yellow lab who has not quite mastered holding it all night at 4:45 a.m. No rain... I was sad! Then when I woke back up at 6:00 a.m. it was pouring! I mean cold and pouring the rain. OK decision made. 5K'ing it I was. I had to run something so I could wear my new t-shirt. Then Jess texted that she wasn't going at all because her almost 1 year old had not slept good. Yeah ok blame it on the baby ! Just kidding Jessica! Good, now I don't have to tell my bully of a running friend that I was backing down! Bailing out, however you want to look at it.

We got over there and wow there were a lot of people there. I was shocked as I just knew people would not show up due to the very poor weather conditions. NOT! Too many people actually for my liking in a 5K. What you had were three kids running groups and lots of adults who must not really run on a regular basis as they didn't know race etiquette very well.

Let me tell you how I see race etiquette! Elites in the front of the pack. Faster than average next in line. Slower runners and so on and so on. Except, if you are a run/walker, there is nothing wrong with that. But please start toward the back and stay to the right. If you are 5 years old and your parents drug you out in the cold pouring rain, please beg them to start in the very back. If you are going to stop right in the middle of the race and almost knock the runner behind you down, say excuse me, I am so sorry! If your a dad and your wife sent you out in the cold pouring rain because you work too much and need to spend time with your children, please do not carry your umbrellas while trying to run with your child. Someone will get their eye poked out!

I think you get the jest of how this race went. I think my favorite line though from the entire race is "Mom, I can't feel my legs. Honey, do you want to hold mommies hand?" Yeah like that is going to make it all better! Ha Ha hee hee, we got a good laugh at that one and it was before the kid had even reached mile 1! Wonder how the rest of that conversation went?

This is one race I totally was sad I didn't have a camera. You should of seen me, John, Kay and Christine in our matching Hefty bags. Of course being the fashion divas that we are, we made them our own. Mine was a onesie, Christine was the armless runner, Kay the slutty runner and John just a man in tights with a trash bag on! It was funny and picture worthy!

So public, thank you for your encouragement. I am sorry I let you down ! If you don't know this, I am going to tell you! I am a HUGE baby when it comes to rain! It might mess my hair up! (DISCLAIMER: RUNNING PARTNERS YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO COMMENT ON ME BEING A BABY)

The Mistletoe Half Marathon

2009-12-04T13:31:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow, my friends and I will be running the above mentioned race! Of course we are all trained up and ready. Our plan is to always stay trained well enough for a half and then we will feel great when we find our next marathon to run. But some of us are not as motivated as the others. That would be ME! I am just not feeling it. I am especially not feeling it due to the weather forecast tomorrow. Cold, rain and maybe some snow mixed in there. I love snow! I mean love it!

That is not the part I am dreading. I am dreading the pounding my body is going to take. Not like it is not use to it, but I am just wishing this was over. I need to be positive but I am not finding it in my feet right now. I know, I am just being a big huge baby! I sure hope that a good nights sleep, brings a different attitude tomorrow!

Wish me luck. Although, I think I am gonna need more like a miracle!

Slacker Award Goes To.....AMY BARRETT

2009-12-01T16:54:00.003-05:00

Thank you, thank you so much...I was not expecting this! Yes I was. It is Tuesday and I am not feeling it this week. For no certain reason that I can think of but I do not feel motivated in anyway to get moving.

I need to remember that my motivation to keep running during the cold months is that I honestly like it, once my body gets use to it. For that to happen I would have to get up and go wouldn't I? My other motivation found is that my running crew keeps me accountable. Girls, start cracking your whips! I am slacking off!

This weekend I am running a half marathon in Winston Salem. No PR's will be set on this course due to it's diffeculty, but none the less, I am running it!

Happy Tuesday and I hope your motivation is better than mine this week.

Ready for the 2010 Calendar

2009-11-28T10:45:00.005-05:00

I found a site yesterday GoTribalnow.com for women triathletes. Haven't really figured it out yet but I think it is going to be a helpful network for me. With that hunting around, I figured it was time to start planning what my 2010 Race Calendar will look like. I had no idea how much and how many ideas I would have. Yes, I am even considering spring and fall marathons. I figure what the heck! I am already trained for it. I just need to keep pushing. John and I have set a hefty goal this year, so we need to start getting focused on what it takes.

Swimming is going to take priority this winter. I am going to once again take a swim class and then work with the masters group as much as I can. Of course I need all the help I can get. I am very confident with my running and cycling - climbing ability. Yes that is a minus climbing ability. I need some work there. I don't think it is a lack of strength as much as it is knowledge on gear shifting. Once, I can get that swim thing down I will feel so much better. White Lake of course is on my list. I am going back for one more TRI at that.

So with all that said and written, I have my calendar out, I am pulling up calendar of events on-line and oh, a training plan or two might be nice.

The Day After

2009-11-27T10:57:00.002-05:00

I wrote a blog the other day that wasn't very nice so I am glad I kept in the edit box. It was all about what I wasn't thankful for this year. All the heartache and pain we as a family are feeling, the loss we feel, the memories that should be made at our house from now on and that aren't happening. You get it. But then I read another blog on all the things I should be thankful for. It did give me perspective and for a moment made me feel bad for being a "Debbie Downer". Then at lunch yesterday, my step-mom made each of say one thing we were thankful for and I yes had to think about it! But I gave an answer and we moved along.

All night, I thought about that game. Here we are the day after, my heart still hurts, the memories of yesterday were not made, my faith is still lost, but I am reflecting today on the memories that were made. The true friends that I do have, and a family, as dysfunctional as we all might be, that would walk to the wherever and back for me, for the two beautiful children I have been blessed with, the husband who for whatever reason, puts up with me and never fails to say I Love You! For all of you I am thankful.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Quote for the day

2009-11-19T09:43:00.002-05:00

Nothing's better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you, and your friends beside you.

Aaron Douglas Trimble, Runner

As you have heard a hundred times, I hate to run alone so the above quote today I felt was perfect for me.

It is hard for me to imagine how others get out and run and train all alone! Oh don't get me wrong, I have some in my group who will get up and run 20 miles all by themselves. I can just tell you that I wouldn't do it! A marathon would not ever have occured if I had to do that. I love to run but I love the company of someone right beside me. Like social drinkers, I am a social runner!

Happy running!

Return to Running

2009-11-15T10:04:00.002-05:00

This has been a recovery week and it has sucked. I have felt like a cheater all week. I hear my other friends talking about their runs and text from them asking if I want to run 6 miles with them. Ha Ha, that was a funny one. As I couldn't really walk straight until after I saw Jeremy. Looked and felt like I think a 100 year old woman would feel.

With plans to see some other friends of mine run a half marathon in Danville on Saturday, I learned they had an 8K. I thought what the heck, I will register (yes they had tshirts) and just get the legs moving. I had no plans of trying to make a time that was respectable at all. I even said I would walk most of it. I just wanted to get out and do something. Seeing that I think I gained 5 lbs. last week as well. I needed some form of exercise. So with that being said, I registered.

This past week in good ole North Carolina fashion, our weather was horrible. I think after all was said and done we had like 5 to 6 inches of rain over the course of a few days. So the course in Danville, VA who obviously got more than we did was under water so they revised it. Yes to a much more difficult route. Go figure! I always wonder if they know Scott Bassett when you see that it starts on an uphill and ends on a slight uphill. He must be friends with everyone in the running world. I am convinced of it and calls to tell them how to make the most difficult of courses.

So as you already can tell this course was hard. Hard for me and I only ran 4.96 miles. My girls who ran the half, hats off and bows to you. YOU ROCKED THAT COURSE AND OWNED THOSE HILLS! Pan Connor came in first in her age group, Christine Flowe and Amy Rhyne both PR'd. WOO HOO! My girls rock!

We all started together but by mile 2 my shins felt like they would explode so I walked. I walked/ran the rest of the course and still my time was 50:22. I will take it and proudly I might add. During the race there was a girl that I would pass and then she would pass me, and as she did she would say "come on you can do it". How sweet of her to root me on like that. I kindly told her I knew I could, but I just ran a marathon less than 6 days ago. I would be perfectly fine with my little program I had going on. So when I finished before her (hee hee) I cheered her on to the finish.

Yes I ran against alot of people's better judgement. I feel great today though! Which I am very glad of because I will be honest, I was scared to see how my feet and legs would feel so soon after the marathon. Was I going to regret it? I don't so now I am getting my gear ready for a bike ride to honor our fallen cyclist David Sherman.

Happy Running.... This week I am back to a schedule, not sure which one yet, but I am oh, I plan to drop some weight. Not sure how, but I am going to work on that as well! Lots to do!

OBX 2009 Race Report

2009-11-10T20:33:00.002-05:00

You have no idea how good it feels to type those words "race report". Long time coming. Short intro for the newbies to this blog and there are a couple.

Last year I trained for this race and was not able to run it due to an injury. I decided then that I was not going to let anything happen this year to keep me from crossing the finish line if it meant crawling across it! So here we are.....

Boy this has been a year. Lots of things personal and professional have happened. Some good, some very devastating and the devastation has happened recently so on Sunday when I sat out I ran this race for the loss in my life that I have and will feel for the rest of it. But a marathon is not planned or thought out quickly so this maybe the longest race report you have ever read...Just kidding. Training is training and those of you that run know the hours it takes. Those that don't run, your obviously my friends and you as well know what my family suffers through for me to train.

I am not sure how to write a race report that I feel good about. I am so use to complaining that now that I have something good to say I don't know where to start. So let me start with my about.com group. If I get this wrong they will correct me!

I joined a running forum last year when I started training to run this race. I got the best advice from several ladies on being a new runner. Wendy gave me wonderful advice along the way, then we found each other on facebook and we decided to run this race together. Wendy is my barefoot runner! Then the group grew. We kept a thread going for goodness I have no idea how long. A LONG TIME! We made our plans and those plans changed numerous times back and forth. The group has us all coming from NJ, VA, KY,TX,and PA. During the year we all had set backs of some kind and the RA girls setbacks are different than ones we as regular runners experience in my opinion. To days of not being able to run because your body just won't let you or just not having the energy because your body attacks itself, so I have such admiration at how they kept going. HATS OFF TO YOU GIRLS FOR YOUR DETERMINATION!

So our plan was to meet at the expo on Friday and we did. I got my number and my tech shirt. Yes I am tired of tech shirts, but I guess I won't be complaining when I don't have to buy any long sleeve ones anytime soon. So I just bought myself a regular t-shirt. We had a great dinner and went to our respective places to sleep. They camped and I had a hotel room because Jordan went with me.

Saturday morning was to be an early morning as Jeri was determined she was coming and running an event even with a bum leg. She did it, with those Viabrims for bare footers on I might add! I overslept and at least got to see her finish. Wendy's daughter ran the kids fun run barefooted as well. For a kid to run barefooted, I am so impressed. No one warned the poor thing about those crazy sand spurs. She looked miserable when we saw her but she got a big bright smile on her face and ran it in when she saw us and heard us cheering for her. We headed back to the Expo to enjoy some more OBX spirit. I got to see folks I know from home and that was exciting with all the people who would of thought. Then I went to rest the legs and nap. No nap was gotten due to the fact I had mental preparation to do.

I had been mentally preparing for a long time, with list and sayings of encouragement and just spending time in the moments of what it would be like to finish. But the list was taking over. I had to narrow down the outfits since I brought 5. Yes I brought 5 outfits to choose from. Clothes picked out and laid out, now rest. I tried. I never closed my eyes. Early dinner, the endless pasta bowl and perogies at The Flying Dutchman was the meal of choice. I have pictures but I am not posting all of those here. I will put them on Picasa and you can check them out later.

Early to bed, early to rise. I actually laid down at 7:45. Of course my blackberry was blowing up, so I finally turned it off and got to sleep and slept great. Got up at 5 a.m. had my planned out breakfast and coffee (of course). Got dressed, and was on my way to the start line. It wasn't that far from our hotel. Jordan dropped me off, Jill and Crystal picked me up and we there we were. At the start line to our first Marathon. At this point, the nerves took over and I felt like I was going to be ill. Time dwindled and it was it time to take our place. We found our pace group of 4:30. Yes I know, high ambition. But you can always drop back, hard to catch up. Our group I didn't think was paced well so a man I was beside, Steve Price and I ended up out front of them. We didn't look back. We were keeping a great pace and we felt good. You know I make a friend at every race I do. If I didn't, I wouldn't run. Steve and I talked and laughed for 24 miles. We loved hearing our names being cheered for, or for me, it was go Chatty Girl Go, since that is what my shirt said! Of course my feet hurt, but I knew that going in and I wasn't stopping. If I had to crawl across I would but I was finishing and that is what I told Steve. I would give you a mile by mile report but we would be here for days. This race is so well supported by the community and the going ons is just too much to write. Let's just say OBX knows how to turn it on when it comes to fun! Bloody Mary's, Tequila shots, beer, gummy bears and Reece's cups along the way. My kind of place! But at mile I think 5 or 6 I look to the right of me and it is Steve Mekita, a guy I trained with last year. So we caught up and ran together for a bit and then "my" Steve and I were off. Don't worry Steve M. caught us at mile 19. So from 19 on we would catch each other back and forth. It was fun and it was a goal. That went along with the 7 foot pirates who were run/walking and I was having a blast with them. So we cross a little bridge and we are like oh yeah that was nothing. Then we look up and seriously we both say "OH HELL" at the same time. Driving that bridge and running that bridge are night and day different. Well we decided to walk/run that bridge. My knee was killing me at that point so it was a walk/run from there on until Mile 24, when I knew I was almost there and it would be over and I thought I could come in under 5 hours. I wanted to finish in 4:45 but a potty break and the knee where not having that, so under 5 I would take. Hell I would be happy with a finish. So I kicked it in, left my two friends and I was on my way. I passed people and that felt good and I also got tired of hearing your almost there from the people in the cars eating McDonald's but that is to be expected. I promised I would never do that again at a race. Especially if I am watching a marathon. Because yes it may be all relative at that point that you only have 2.2 miles to go, but when it is you running those last few miles after running 24, yeah shut up folks. So I round the last half mile. I think that is when the smile hit. That is when I knew I had it and I knew I was finishing a goal that I made two years ago. I see the finish line, I make sure my number is turned around and then I hear "AMY BARNETT, JAMESTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA", ok I know it is me and I don't care that you just pronounced my name wrong. I have made it. I then hear yeah Amy, I knew my friends were there, but there were other people I knew. Lucy, Dawna and Elaine. Of course my daughter did not plan well so she couldn't get through the traffic to be at the finish line. Oh well no family at the finish line, but the best of friends where. First thing I did was text anyone who would care that I was done. When my husband called me, I think he was actually either crying or about to cry. How sweet! When he was probably thinking, thank God this is over. I had not been the nicest of wives toward the end just because of all that had been going on.

So to sum up my race report. I had a blast. Where I said I would not do it again, I lied. I would do it this weekend if I could. There is no feeling like it. I was trained very well (minus the training runs I missed do to whatever set back I had), I was fueled well, I was rested well, and I was mentally prepared. I had at no time any breakdown thinking I couldn't do it, I had no time where my body said you can't do it. Well my knee felt like it would blow out but nothing Dr. Jeremy Phillips can't put back together.

You know I am not sure what I would do different. This was such a great experience! I did what I set out to do and that was to finish and have fun. ACCOMPLISHED......Oh what will I do this coming year?

Thank you's

2009-11-07T15:29:00.002-05:00

Now that today is behind me and I am officially a Marathon runner, I need to thank a few people that have pushed me, woke me up early and just stood right beside me through it all. In case your wondering I think my official time was 4:51 something.

John, Jordan and Ally...this race is for all you have given up due to my training schedule. You have had plenty of nights without me and waking up mornings with me gone. Things in our house fell by the wayside because I needed to run. Your an awesome family and I am blessed that your mine, even if I didn't show it. Pam Connor, for your wisdom, your encouragement, your constant friendship, your text, your prayers and Thursday night speed workouts! Christine, Kay and Amy R., for Saturday mornings of keeping me accountable and running right by my side, pushing me when I said I couldn't and of course listening to all the griping and complaining. Jess and Jill for your years of listening to the griping, complaining and talk radio. To all of you, your friendships, which mean more to me than that, you have become family to me! For my coach, Suzanne, girl you have earned every penny. I know I have been difficult throughout the entire year. But I am strong today because of you! Oh and you will be proud at mile 24, I said to myself, "is this all you have". I think it paid off.

This week someone made a comment, and a simple one at that. But it has pulled me through some dark moments and I want to thank her because I bet she didn't know at the time how it would effect me. Marisa, for the athlete that you are and the encouragement you give even though I am not in your group, Thank you! To all of my other friends, running and non-running, thank you in general for always asking how it is going and reassuring me I could do this. I am positive I have missed someone key to my life, but it doesn't mean I am not thanking you in my heart. OH my Chiropractor...how could I forget him! Dr. Jeremy Phillips has gotten my feet moving so that I can do this and if I promised on Facebook that if I couldn't do it he was who I was blaming first. Well, JP, I did it and now I better be the first person your client list for Tuesday! Because I need putting back together.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I could not of done this without the role you play in my life! Yes, I am your needy friend and thanks for be there! YOU ALL ROCK!

Race report to follow soon!

One last time, thanks for all your friendships, your encouragement, your faith in me, and for just standing by me! I love you all! Sounds like a eulogy doesn't it? Well feel free to us it if you need to cause this might just be the death of me tomorrow! LOL!

GETTING NERVOUS

2009-11-05T11:24:00.002-05:00

My time is drawing near...finally the nerves are kicking in and I AM SCARED TO DEATH.... I can't imagine what 26.2 miles running is going to feel like but I can only imagine that I am going to have to find some delirium some where around mile 20. For those of you that run with me I know your already feeling sorry for the people in this race around me! I am feeling sorry for them as well.

I saw Dr. JP this morning, the worlds best chiropractor! I told him this was like a last chance workout. He had to do his best this morning. So with that said I think my calves will be black and blue from his thumbs! I guess I should be glad and on Sunday I will be I am sure, but right now, not so much.

There seem to be alot of us GBORO folks going and I am wishing each of you good luck and hope I get to see you somewhere along the trail. OBX here we come.....

Positive Media Please

2009-10-20T17:37:00.002-04:00

18 days and 14 hours as of right now until I run my first marathon and likely my last. This morning over my first cup of coffee what does my husbad tell me to read, an article about runners dying in half marathons. I reminded him of my life insurance policy.

You hear of it, you read about and while running the Virginia Beach Rock-N-Roll Half, they had a man die close to the finish line. I remember rounding the turn to the ambulance coming down the street and lifting up a prayer for that runner hoping they were o.k. Instead of the media focusing on how running causes death,could you focus on the benefit. In my mind I have an image of the person writing this article, he is a fat man, drinking a strong one, smoking while tying on an old typewriter,all the while thinking "stupid people".

As much as I complain about my weight, I have to remind myself that since I started running I have lost 40 pounds. I feel the best I have ever felt in my life. I no longer take depression medication nor is my anxiety as bad as it was. I sleep great most nights (when John isn't snoring). I think the benefit for me an most of us outweighs the negative. Could they please write that story!

Those are the ones I would like to read in the paper. For that, I have to go on-line. If you don't follow Runner Dude's Blog, you definately should. He spotligts runners all time! Thanks Thad aka Runner Dude for the outlet for normal runners to share the benefits they have gained from running. The news media should take a lesson or two from you!
http://ncrunnerdude.blogspot.com/ Link to the best running blog there is......

My Body

2009-10-19T09:10:00.004-04:00

Everything changed the day I understood that if I was to become a runner, I would have to run with the body I had.

John Bingham, The Courage to Start

I got this quote this morning and I need to resemble that remark. I am always wanting a body I will never have.

I am never going to be taller. At 39 years old, I don't think my legs are going to grow. I could loose weight, but as you have read in earlier post, I love to eat. I like eating what I want to. I hate restrictions. I could do alot of things to get the body that I envy on other people all the time. But this is the body God gave me and I am going learn to love it.

Plus, I am running a marathon in a few short weeks, with this body.... I better get happy with it soon!

Half Marathon PR for me

2009-10-17T19:15:00.002-04:00

As you know,I have been nursing a sore foot this week. I have spent several hours at Off N Running working with John and Emily on new shoes and some other ideas. Had not made a true decision on should I run today or not until yesterday. I had not ran all week on the foot, but I did do spin class to keep me moving. I met Jessica on Friday to run 4 miles and see how the new shoes felt. Foot felt fine so I decided to run the Cannonball Half Marathon in Greensboro, NC today.

I laid all my stuff out last night,as to be prepared this morning when the alarm went off. 6 a.m on Saturday comes early but I should be use to it I know. We made it to the race sight on time, despite Mr.Vanities need to be pretty before we leave. I get my chip,use the potty and we are off. We didn't realize they moved the start line so a little sprint was in order to get there. Got there and in plenty of time. Gun went off and we are Off N Running.

Anyone who has ever run with me knows that I am going to do several things throughout the run no matter what the distance. First I am going to complain and secondly, I am going to talk to random people. Third your going to have to hear about all the people I know that are running as well, but just because I am shocked by the number of people I know that run. Today was no different except I might of started complaining a little early. It was cold. Jessica expects it and just tells me to shut up and run.

That is exactly what we did. I had a goal to just finish before today. Then when I was getting ready, my wonderful hubby says "I see the clock for you today". I asked for it not to say 3 hours. He laughed at me and said, "nope it says 2:08", to which I laugh loudly. I am a 10:30 min. miler....and very comfortable at that. Jessica said we were finishing in 2:10 and I told her to leave me if she had to. No need for any of that. Great run for us today and Whiny Spice finished in 2:07:52.

I took 15 minutes off my last half and 8 minutes off the one before that. The good Lord willing OBX will not be as hard for me as I had in mind.

update....

2009-10-12T14:26:00.002-04:00

No bad news on the foot. He was actually more worried about the blister. Nothing on the xray except old issues. He said to take the week to cross train, get new shoes and ditch those expensive inserts his office made for me......

I am doing a happy dance......

Not the dayoff I had hoped for.....

2009-10-12T09:49:00.003-04:00

Today was supposed to be a day of "ME"....Not doing anything related to my family (ok I will feed them later), my job or my house. It was going to be a rest day and a very well deserved one after my run yesterday. Well laid plans don't always turn out so well laid.

I am how many days away from the OBX Marathon? Can you say 26! I can, 26 days out and I am feeling good and very encouraged that I can do this. I can run 26.2 miles and cross a finish line. My body and my mind are on two different planets. My mind says yes, my body says, "you fool,what are you getting us into"? I must be the proud owner of 100 year old feet. Because they HURT!

With that being said, I am off to the Dr. about my darn foot. Not the right foot that I hurt last year but the left foot that I have now hurt. I have a huge blister that no matter what I do for it, will not heal. Therefore I have been landing on the outside of my foot for so long I have done something! I am praying he says "your a big baby now go get it done" and "oh by the way this will heal the blister"! I want to talk about my orthodics as well. I think they maybe part of the problem. So we will see.

Lucky for me I have the mileage base to FINISH but that will be it. I will be very happy with a finish! Then I promise to never put my body through this again. I will stick to short runs! Yeah whatever...... Can you buy feet on the internet?

Quote of the day!

2009-10-09T09:07:00.002-04:00

I always run alone, away from phones and stress. Running is a major part of my life because it keeps me sane. Michael Roux, Jr., Executive Chef, Le Gavroche, London

This was yesterdays Runners World quote of the day. I can relate only in one way. That I run to keep me sane. I am not sure that it is working, but hey, it is better than the alternative. We all know I hate to run alone. Who would I talk to? I think someone would call 911 if they saw me for miles talking to myself, I just don't like it. See it isn't working.... I AM CRAZY!

I hear a friend I work with say quite often, "when do you find the time to run, I am so busy". "I am busy too,but if it is something you need or want you find the time", is my canned answer back to her. The point to this is we all run or do something that we like just for US. I run for no other reason than it helps bring me back to me. In those busy lives, we loose who we are. We become what everyone else wants us to be.

So thank you running for helping me stay somewhat sane and for giving me the time to be who I was meant to be, ME!

I Did It!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-04T19:48:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday I had a 13 miler on my schedule. I wasn't totally dreading it because I knew I had 11 miles that I would be running with Christine and Kay. I can run 2 miles by myself. Not a problem....Wish in my mind it seemed that easy, but I hate running alone as I have stated in previous post.

As we finished the 11 I was already feeling the gloom of being alone. I was going to bring my Ipod to help me,but my daughter had it and forgot she let a friend use it at lunch on Friday. So I thought I will just get my phone and play the music from it as I ran....I had a plan

I am happy to report I didn't need a plan. I should of trusted myself that I could run 2 miles by myself. When we finished out the 11 miles, I told them I was just going to keep going! I felt good and didn't want to ruin that. I ran my 2 miles and it didn't take all day. Actually I did a great job of staying paced thanks to my trusty Scotty watch (aka Forerunner 305)!

Not sure what my plan is for the weekend but I can do this! Or at least that is what I am going to continue to tell myself!

36 Days and Counting

2009-10-02T09:36:00.002-04:00

I just pulled up the website for the OBX Marathon and it claims I only have 36 days left for my first marathon. I knew it was coming soon but when you put it like that, I think it is time to worry. My question is, "Am I prepared"?

I have been sitting here for the last hour searching websites on fueling for that mileage. This past weekend I ran a 30K and totally ran out of gas! So now I am super worried about how will I make it for 26.2 miles if I can't run 18.6 miles without running out of steam. My search will continue since I haven't found anything as of yet. I have completed most of my workouts and have felt good about it. I have been sick for a while and finally went to the Dr. I should of gone 2 weeks ago but I would begin to feel better and then it would rear its ugly head again. So with all the medicine I have that should not be a problem anymore.

I think my biggest fear now is that I am on the upside of my mileage, all of my training partners are on different schedules and I will be left alone to run. I hate, hate, hate, let me say it again, hate to run by myself and that is exactly what I will be doing the next couple of weeks. Thank goodness it will only be a few miles by myself, but still. I am codependent when it comes to running. I need someone with me. Yes I need someone to talk to. If any of you want to come join me at odd times on Saturdays for a couple of miles, please email me.

I am putting it out there... I AM SCARED. I am scared of eating poorly and not fueling for the mileage and I am afraid of running alone! I know your saying, Amy you wimp! That is me, a big baby chicken!

VA Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon

2009-09-14T17:29:00.006-04:00

September 6th I ran the VA Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon with some of my great friends. We had set out to train together but schedules were different so we did most of it on our own and just met in VA Beach for the race. We all had goals and most met them, of course, not me! LOL! I was sick and this really wasn't a priority race for me so I did the best I could for that day and will be happy with it. It was fun to be with friends and that is all that matters. I am trying to remember that life is about experiences made and shared with those we love, not the race clock!

In case your wondering about the Rock 'n' Roll race series. I will never do one of their races again. I thought it cost too much for the poorly organized race that it was. I mean all the hype about bands all along the way and the crowd support. Well how about you failed to mention the cow or horse crap smell we had to endure for about oh 3 miles it seemed like. Ok not really but it was a long time! The no show bands and the long strecht of no music or the music we could barely hear while running. Race directors get your crowd support into that race. We shouldn't have to do the cheering for them. Have your cheerleaders scream something other than "We are proud of you, say we are proud of you"! Mix your sport drink properly so that we might actually be able to drink it...... They are really not going to like my race survey and I never fill those things out! I did this time. I won't even mention the lame tech shirt that we got! You know I only race for the shirt! I need a wardrobe! But again, this was not a priority race which we all know is set for November 8th! OBX Marathon training continues. 54 days and counting!

I think I almost forgot how much time it takes to train for a marathon. How quickly we forget the things that are at times painful and then I act shocked that I didn't remember. I have also forgotten what it is like to sleep past 5 a.m. But deep down, I think I enjoy it and I know one day my body is going to thank me for it! BUT WHEN?

This weekend my long run is 17 miles! Thank God I have other crazy friends to knock this out with or I am sure I would be a lazy couch potato....So crazy friends, THANKS! If you have nothing else better to do, we are meeting at the tennis courts at 6 a.m....... Come join us! An invitation I know none of you will want to turn down.

Not Training Related

2009-08-25T16:36:00.004-04:00

I sent my baby to high school this morning. I am sure that the emotion she felt was way different than what I felt. I cannot speak for her feelings, but I was feeling that this is just one more stop in the road of her reaching adulthood and leaving the nest. Being Ally's mom, this is a hard realization. She has always been the child that wanted to be held and loved on. I am just very thankful that she still lets me crawl in bed, cuddle her and kiss her tons! I am sure all of this will be ending but I hope not.

Most of last night and this morning was spent praying for her, her friends, her teachers and the people God will put in her path. I read a book a few years ago "The Power of a Praying Parent". That was one of the best books on parenting I have ever read. The things I didn't even think to pray about. Be assured Ally and Jordan have been covered in pray thanks to this book. There is nothing mom and dads that you can't pray for now for their futures. I promise to not give you a sermon, but we all know this little thing about just because your prayer wasn't answered the way you wanted it to be, doesn't mean it wasn't answered. I use to be the one who would keep praying thinking the outcome would be different. Then I learned to pray and let it go. It was heard...I just had to be prepared for the answer no matter what it was.

Back to today, I asked her if I could follow her into school like I did when she was in kindergarten and she said "NO WAY"! I guess I was lucky to get this one.

I hope and pray that all of you who read who have children that they had a great first day.

I miss blogging

2009-08-23T11:41:00.003-04:00

Hello blog world..... It has been a long time. This feels like a reunion! I haven't been blogging but I have missed it. So with that said, I have decided that I was going to start it up again.

Since we last talked, nothing much is new in my life. Well lots of things are new and I will share them with you all and I will try to keep it short. I know your shaking your head saying "yeah right Amy, this is you"!

OK here we go. I have completed 4 other sprint triathlons. My swim continues to improve but boy I have a long way to go. I am learning that it is not about everyone else, it is about me. Race myself and stop worrying what the girl or guy next to me is doing. If I improve from race to race that is all that matters. How many people wish they could do do three sports, one right after the other until you cross the finish line. Well I can....so that is all that should matter except for improvement.

I am training again for a marathon. So I have tried to focus on running and cross training. I need to keep the other two sports up so that my hopes of an international length triathlon doesn't go to the back burner because I want to complete a marathon. The running is going good. I am aware once again of my limitations and not pushing them to avoid injury. My coach helps with! She is constantly reeling me in....LOL! Poor Suzanne. I have to be one of the most diffecult clients that she has due to the fact I am a "self coacher" as well. In a few weeks I am heading to Virgina Beach for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon with Jess, Kevin, Jill and John. Now all of us but John have trained so I can't wait to see the outcome and if he finishes before me. Don't be suprised if he comes up missing because I am likely to take him out to the ocean and drown him if he does happen to finish before me. I am just kidding, but that would be par for the course.

We have had alot of "life" happenings lately. I hope that most people know this but let me remind you if you have forgotten. We are not promised that life is going to ever be easy. I don't care how hard you work, how good you think you are or all the good things you do for others. You are guarenteed to be tossed a struggle or two. It is how we handle those struggles and what we learn from it that matters. In March, John and I were told by my oldest daughter that she was pregnant. Of course I wanted to give her the same speaches over and over but I saved those and just ran them through my own head. She had decisions to make that I would not ever, ever had wished for her to have to make at such a young age. She has been thrust into the grown up world very quickly. All I could say as a parent is that I would love her through whatever she decided and we would look to our faith to pull us through. God has provided greatly! Jordan and Adam have decided upon adoption and I have never felt such at ease about decision in my life. I just hope and pray her heart heals quickly knowing that God brought the perfect family for this miracle of life. But as a mother, I am not sure how long that healing process will take. I can once again, just love her through the decision and hope she will accept the love! Jordan is the child that a mother wants to shake and say wake up, let the people around you love you and ask for help if you need it. Oh well, I could write a book on this one. I just pray and ask that my praying friends keep her the adoptive family in your prayers as well. I guess the next biggest event, is that Ally starts High School on Tuesday. Boy were has the time gone. We just looked at pictures of her starting kindergarten the other day. John told her he was going to walk her into high school and take her picture as well. She wasn't buying that idea at all. Time flies by when your having fun doesn't it.

Well I have given you a short and quick run down of what is happening with me not that any of you cared (just kidding), but this has ended up as an outlet for my sanity since the conception of the blog. Sometimes it just helps to pound it out....

Stay tuned.... I am back! Have a great day!

Interpretation

2009-05-15T15:34:00.004-04:00

I know I said I wasn't blogging anymore but I just had to share this. If you feel wronged, ever, you should look into it. I may turn out in your favor.

For those of you that read my "race report" you know how excited I was! You know that it took alot for me to get to that point. More mental than physical, I think. After a friendly phone call to tell me my time wasn't posted and that I was subsequently found on a DQ list, you can only imagine the devastation I felt. How could that be? Did they know how hard I worked, did they remember saying I could wear it? Obviously not. The joy of finishing my first triathlon had been stripped from me. The rug pulled right out from under me, the air in my balloon deflated...you get the picture....I will tell you devastation doesn't begin to describe it. I think I was close to a nervous breakdown. Jill wanted to come and take all sharp objects and drugs from my home. I kept saying to myself, if I had known that was what I worked so hard for, hell I would of saved myself 15 minutes into that stupid lake swim. I was mad! Mad at USAT, Set-Up events, but most of all I was mad at MYSELF! What was I thinking? I knew I wasn't ready for that swim. Humiliation would also be what I was feeling. I wanted someone to know it as well!

So me being me, I write a letter. I send this letter to anyone who will listen. Thinking all the while, it won't make a difference but it will sure as heck make me feel better to tell them how hard I worked for them to strip me of my pride and accomplishments! Not really happy or satisfied with the responses I got, I decide to go one level higher (just because at this point it is a mission of mine). I email USAT. I pay for the membership and I want them to know what I think of their rule and can't there be a better way! Yeah I know, not the girl you want to make mad! I will either boycott you or write you a letter! Nike, CVS and numerous restaurants have felt the wrath before and I am sure there will be others. Childish you might think but people should stand up more often and be heard! Ok back to the point...... I sent a letter to USAT. I got a response back today......"Hello Amy,congratulations on overcoming your fear and completing the White Lake Triathlon. If water temperature was 79.2, you should not have been disqualified. Our procedure, which must have been bypassed, is to change the wetsuit wearing competitor out of age group division and into a "wetsuit" division and let them race. Disqualification is not correct". Charlie at USAT then proceeds to send me my times and tells me that there is a USAT Penalty sheet that does say Disqualified but that must be for administration purposes. Great Charlie! My joy is returning. But what about the other people who might have felt this way on Monday morning when their friends called them? Like I have said to a couple of people, after I was cited some rules for USAT, my other friends and family don't understand rules, they understand that something I worked hard for, didn't happen. They know out beside bib no. 178 is a big fat DQ.

So friends and family, I was not DQ'd. I did finish, I did get a time and I wasn't last! My friend Chuck told me it really didn't matter what the stupid computer said, I know that I finished and I know how hard I worked and Chuck you are absolutely correct. Except today, I don't feel like it was all for nothing. I had even put my White Lake Shirt away vowing to never wear it since I was DQ'd. Well I will wear that shirt proudly every chance I get! I have this thing about wearing shirts if you didn't complete the race.

The point again is, if you feel wronged, and I felt way wronged, please question it. This may not of turned out in my favor and I was fully prepared for that since the joy was gone anyway, but it did! It turned out someone else's interpretation was wrong.

Ambition or Stupidity - not sure which

2009-05-11T14:43:00.004-04:00

Obviously, you all know that I am not blogging anymore. I did want to share the last one with you though. I feel like you all have traveled the journey with me and I owed it to you to tell you about it.

Recap, you know I have been training for a triathlon. As well, you know that I just learned to swim. If that is what you want to call what I do. LOL! If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? I am well aware of my limitations. Swimming is definitely one of them. But I get up three days a week and go to the pool and punish myself. I did go through a time that I hated the swim portion so badly that I didn't train like I should have but have learned, it is not like cramming for a test. Lesson learned, got it train, train, and more train! Moving along....

When I started this idea, I registered for the White Lake Sprint II. I needed a goal. So I waited for registration to open and sat by the computer and got John and I in. We trained hard together and had a ton of fun doing it most days. 4 months later and here we are. Bags packed and we are headed to White Lake. Nerves are in check. I spent plenty of days during the week panic stricken. Sunday is creeping up on us. I watch the Half Ironman on Saturday and am in awe of the athletes. The day is hot and windy and they did it! It will definitely take a year of training for that. Saturday night is upon us and we all go out for a good dinner and lots of salt! I have never seen so much salt used at one table, ever. A good nights sleep under my belt and John and I are off. We park, we pump tires or so we think.... someone thought they put air in my tires when really they took care of their own bike and forgot all about mine. It was fine, they had a tent set-up for these types of things. Transition area set up and ready. Then they call the water temperature. Too warm to be wetsuit legal. DREAD! That is the only thing I can call it. I make the decision based on the fact I am not going to win any awards or points for this race. I just want to finish. Whatever that means in the USAT world, I am wearing my wetsuit. I am surrounded by people who have trained with me, loved me, and coached me! They are encouraging and all the while I am sure they are worried. Cause, I am....... I get in the water to warm up and I feel great. I get in the line (in water start) and my goggle strap breaks! I feel a little panic welling up but Jenn Harris calms me. The countdown is over and we are swimming. Slow steady strokes is what I tell myself, well bamb, I get kicked in the head. Bamb, someone runs into me.... I don't have to tell you what happened next. PANIC sets in and it doesn't leave. There were plenty of times (too many to count) when I said to myself just quit, you can't do this. For every time I said that, I heard my husband in my head telling me I could do it, I heard my coach Suzanne Duncan telling me I could do it, I heard Jamie O'Sullivan telling me I could do it, I heard Marisa Pirih telling me I could do it, Pam and John Connor telling me I could do it, my friend Jill telling me I could it, Christina telling me I could do it. Then I heard the man in the kayak ask me what my name was. He told me "Amy you can do it, if you get past the first buoy, your home free, it gets easier". I think I told him I didn't know if I could get to that first buoy. He told me I could. He said I looked strong. HE LIED! But I am glad he did. Then my husband swims up to me or near me I should say and offers to give up his race to stay with me. He didn't want to leave me out there. I cry as I type that! Because he had a special reason for racing yesterday. It was for his mom. Whom most of you know passed away a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't do that to him! I wanted him to go, if it meant leaving me in water that I felt like at times would swallow me up. You know your in trouble when the men in the rescue boat are standing up watching you and asking if your ok, waiting to jump in and save you! "Boys, I got it, it may not look like it or feel like it but I got it, Thanks". I am positive God placed angels in that water to help me. I round the second buoy and then there is the orange blow up man swishing in the wind.... I can do this, I can do this... who cares if I am last! I wasn't but almost! I get out of the water and of course I am mad at myself... but I remember what my coach said, there is no finish line at the swim exit. So I get started on pulling that wetsuit off and I run. Smiling that guess what, I got out of that damn lake and I can now move on to something I can do, ride my bike. Damian did not let me down. My friend Jill, Christina and I have named our bikes.... Damian, Lucifer and Delores. Jill is not as fond of her bike yet and Christina is just such a happy go lucky person we named hers a happy name! I get started on the bike and I say to myself, the swim is over, forgotten, just ride. I do just that, I passed plenty of people that I know got out of the water before me and that made me smile. I came on a kid that had 14 on his leg and I yell out,"hey kid, it is mother's day, let me pass you!" Look you do what you can...don't worry he caught me. 14 miles later, I am ready to run. I rack my bike, get my shoes on, water bottle in hand, because I drank no water during the bike ride because I lost my water bottle. Road was rough in some spots. So I know I need to drink, I dehydrate easily. I get started on legs that feel like they weigh 400 lbs. I tried eating some sport beans as well, couldn't open them and run with a bottle. Yes I walked. Got my beans in and started again. Then mother nature took over and I need the bathroom. I swore I was not going to stop to use the bathroom during the race. Lots of lessons learned for the next race. So I added a few minutes there. I wanted to stay at 30 minutes but oh well....but you know I didn't know how long I had been out there, I didn't wear a watch on purpose. My goal was to finish this race and I did!

When I came down the finishing stretch and all my friends where there with my husband and I heard them screaming my name, I knew I had arrived. It just didn't matter how long it took me in that lake. It didn't matter how long it took me on the bike or to run. I had FINISHED something I didn't ever think I could. In this lifetime I never thought I would get in a lake and swim. I have plenty of friends who can attest to this. I overcame a fear that has plagued me since I was a very young child. I DID IT! I cried! I have never felt anything like that before.

I have so many people to thank that I don't even know where to begin...You know who you are and you know what you mean to me..... THANKS will never be enough. I hope that I can be as supportive to you when you need it like you have been to me.

Signing off blog world!

Sometimes training can be boring.....

2009-03-19T20:24:00.003-04:00

I only mean that I don't have any fantastic revelations to write about. I swim (ok I actually have to do it more often), I bike and I run...... I have great friends who are with me. The bestest friend ever is by my side daily pushing me to be the best I can be. If it weren't for my husband I might slide on a few workouts. I really should thank him instead of nagging at him for staying on my back. Then there is my Suzanne. She has to constantly reassure me that it is all good and I can do this! I think she realy has a little bag of hats that she wears with me. Coach, friend, counselor...... I am sure there are more, but she is great!

Although I love, love, love snow, I am looking forward to sunshine and warmth for bike rides outside and running through the greenscapes of the parks instead of the dreary brownscapes we have now. Although, I noticed my eyes are burning. Time to call the Dr. for some eye drops. That is the part I hate the most about Spring. Other than that, I need to get my butt in gear and focus on weight loss and overall strenght and endurance. Funny how last year I felt like a strong runner (for me) and now some days I feel like I am barely going to make it. But last year I couldn't swim or ride a bike so I guess you give up some of that strenght to share with the other sports.

Here is hoping for something exciting to write about soon.

Not much different in the training world going on

2009-03-14T13:14:00.002-04:00

I know I haven't written since the snow but not alot going on any different than you are use to hearing about. However, today, in the cold and rain we are getting ready to go run the Beer Run 09 to support Special Olympics.

I am not a fan of running in the rain or the cold, but hey at the end there is beer. I love cold beer at the end of a run....So off to get ready.....

Hopefully there will be pictures of this to post. Stay dry and warm and be thinking of all of crazy runners out there today.

I love snow

2009-03-02T07:48:00.003-05:00

Today we woke up to a winter wonderland here in the central part of NC. I had to share a photo or two with you.

I turn into a kid when they call for snow. Of course we went to the grocery store for the essentials. I sat on the couch and waited all day long. Then when it started I was up and down looking at it to make sure it hadn't stopped and that is was sticking. I made my usual phone call to my dad to see what it was doing at his house. This is a family tradition so to speak. My grandmother called everyone no matter what time to tell you the first flake had fallen. No need for sitting by a window then, she was always happy to be on weather duty. This is absolutely the most beautiful sight I think there is. So that meant not much sleep because I thought if I closed my eyes it would stop. Well the snow continued and blanketed the ground and streets.

I hope that if you have to get out in it, you will be safe!

Overcoming Fear

2009-02-24T10:22:00.002-05:00

My fear of water is really beginning to hinder my progress. Today I had Masters Swim again and what I am finding is that the anxiety of going is taking a toll on me. I am nervous, I am aggitated and can be down right mean I guess. Just ask John.

I have been trying to tell myself to relax that I am not going to drown, there are plenty of people and a life guard if something does go wrong, just breath! Yes that simple, just breath! No, not so simple for someone who at the age of 39 is trying to overcome a life long fear of water. Why won't it go away? What in my head stops me when I seem to be making progress? I just want to cry! I want to sit on the side of the pool like a baby and cry because the fear is screaming at me while I am trying.

I watch all these other people gliding through the water with ease and then there is me. I want to be that person gliding. I want to swim all the yardage she sets out on her little dry erase board and then the FEAR stops me again!

I am not quiting! I will beat this somehow. I just don't know how, but I am! I am going to try and find a book today at lunch. I am assuming the self help section will have plenty. I can't believe I am reduced to a self help book!

Sometimes it is just not your day!

2009-02-22T18:29:00.004-05:00

Today was the second of my third indoor tri. I have followed the training and up until yesterday thought I would be well prepared for it. I did go off my schedule a tad bit, I ran 8 miles yesterday and it was supposed to be an off day. OK I varied the schedule alot. I just really had missed running with my group on Saturdays and thought I would go and only do a mile or two. Well 8 later and I was finished. The rest of the day I rested did that count? I had dinner last night with my most of my running group and thought I got to bed early. Yeah you can go to bed but unless you go to sleep it really doesn't help. John told Ally she could have friends come over. You know the rest. At 4:30 a.m. I finally closed my eyes. I could of strangled all those girls.

To put it nicely, I SUCKED it up good today. I can't tell you where the breakdown happened but it did. It is over, I got my finishers slip and I am just chalking it up a too good workout and move on.

She is here

2009-02-20T08:16:00.003-05:00

The long awaited birth of my newest running partner is here. Evelyn Marie McKnight was born 02-20-09 at 1:03 a.m. Weighing in at 9 lbs 8oz.

Mom, dad and baby doing well. You can see more pictures by clicking on the link to the right, Baby to be.

Waiting to meet my new running partner

2009-02-19T20:14:00.002-05:00

Today is the day that I am supposed to get a new a running buddy. Sorry old running buddies, nothing against you but I have been waiting 9 months for this one. Yes my friend Jessica aka favorite running buddy (because she was the first) is having a baby. I lost Jessica this past season due to pregnancy and I am so ready for her to have little ladybug as we have affectionately called her for the last oh I don't know 5months so we can run in the mornings again. Jessica is at the hospital and has been all day waiting to deliver. So hurry up already! Ha ha easy for me to say I am sitting at a computer!

Once I have pictures I will post them. I am so excited mainly due to the fact I get my morning running buddy back and we are adding one. Now we just need to get Rod and his double jog stroller with us and watch out Adams Farm the stroller runners are coming! I think I will have to learn to push a jog stroller, yeah just not up that hill that we hate so much. I want to that woman that runs by everyone pushing the stroller like it is nothing even if it isn't my baby! Yes I know I am dreaming.......

Update to come with pictures later.

So hard to eat properly!

2009-02-18T09:37:00.002-05:00

In training the two hardest things for me are strenght training and eating properly. Strength training mainly because I hate it. Worse than the treadmill I hate it! I know I need it and it will help me in the long run but getting me to actually do it is like pulling teeth! The other and probably the most important is nutrition. I like food and food likes me. We definitely have a love hate relationship. I hate that I love food so much!

Today of course on my workout schedule is what, yes strenght training. I am going to try to do it. I say try lightly only because I have been sick and I still just don't feel well. So that is my excuse and I am sticking to it! If I feel better as the day goes on, yes I will go after work and do it. I PROMISE!

Nutrition is another subject. Suzanne is trying to help me with this but when she says I can't have the second pack of chicken nuggets it just makes me not like her very much! I am hungry,I need it, I want it! I really do love to eat. I always have! So therefore I have always struggled to be this size! Not a size I would like to be and I have lost 40lbs since I started running but I am stuck. So time to listen to someone on how to eat correctly. Don't anyone start sending me diet information, I will block you from my email! Just kidding. I guess this is really going to be more of an advertisement than anything though. I was introduced to these fabulous breakfast cookies by Erin Baker's. OMG... They are delicious. They have a website www.bbcookies.com that you can check out their other products. The brownies are great as well. You can go by Off N Running and they sell the breakfast cookies there. Emily will be more than happy to help you with cookies or anything else you might be looking for. I just ordered my next batch from them. I have seen that this helps me eat breakfast as I tend to skip this meal alot and let coffee be my main source of nutrition in the morning. Yes I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So thanks to Erin Baker's and their cookies, I am getting a good start. My favorite flavor so far is Morning Glory! Hard to describe but it has fruits and nuts in it and it is absolutely wonderful. I just finished Gingerbread which is a seasonal flavor but it is also good, but so it Chocolate Chunk (Vegan), Banana Nut, Pumpkin Spice ok they are all good. Told you I like food!

I am really going to work on strength training and eating better. Wish me luck!

We have had this conversation before!

2009-02-17T13:49:00.003-05:00

My body and I have this same conversation several times a year. I don't have time to be sick and hurting. I have been sick this past week but I was feeling a little better until this morning. Yes today was Masters Swim. I thought I would give it a try and I did. Not much of one once I learned you can't breath very well underwater with a stuffy nose and clogged up lungs! Justine was kind enough to let me just do kickboard work. I also did some streamline backstroke, very well I might add. If nothing else, I can float! However, my legs were already tight from Sunday and Monday's workout. Now my legs are so stiff they hurt!

I am supposed to run with my girls tonight. Which I am so looking forward to since I haven't been able to run during the week with them. I have missed them and today is my first night back with them in a long time. I hope someone in the group will be nice enough to run slow with me. I don't think the legs are gonna let me do any kind of pace worth talking about. I am really wondering if the legs are going to let me run at all. This is one of those game time decisions! So Kay be looking for a last minute text from me.

On top of all this I have my second indoor tri on Sunday. The conversation I referred to in the title is the one I have with my body often about me not having time for all this sickness and pain. Suck it up and move on!

St. Valentine Massacre

2009-02-15T20:19:00.004-05:00

Today was the St. Valentine Massacre Marathon Relay that is held at Country Park. This is my second year running it and after it is over my body always ask why we do it. My legs are killing me right now. My face got sunburned, yes in February you can get a tan here in North Carolina and tonight they are calling for possible icy conditions. Crazy I know.

Team ALEVE (how appropriate) consisted of John and Pam Connor, me and my friend Richard Needham. Richard is an excellent runner, way better than I would ever dream of being so I feel bad for him that he was on a team with me. John and Pam are just as good so the three of them did great. I will admit I was going to back out as late as yesterday because I have had a cold this week and just didn't feel good. But this morning I woke feeling ok and thought what the heck... Yeah what the heck you can't breath without wheezing but you should be able to run really fast for 1.6 miles, then you get a rest. No problem...... Well it wasn't much a problem thanks to Marisa's mom and the use of her inhaler. Yes the asmatic leaves home without her inhaler. What in the world was I thinking. Obviously not thinking. But two puffs and I was good to go for 3 more rounds. John went with me and was going to run if needed but he ended up on a team with our friend Christine Flowe and he had a blast. I am glad! Because all I heard for the three days is I wish I were on a team. So thank goodness the boy got his team.

If you have never run a marathon relay, I would suggest doing it one time. It is a blast! Of course the hardest part is cooling down just to have to turn around and do it again, but if you are like me, you are so busy visiting with people that your time goes by so fast you don't even notice it. The part I like the best is seeing people you know and watching them do great as well. The team I was on last year is really glad they dumped me and got new members. They kicked butt! Great job to Chuck, Carrie, Brian and Trish.

I am already looking forward to this race next year. Why I am not sure, I guess I enjoy the pain.

A birthday gift to love

2009-02-11T18:46:00.005-05:00

OK I am not that into my birthday. Growing up it was just another day. No big deal made by anyone, we did get to pick the kind of cake we wanted and what we wanted for dinner. My grandmother could make the best cakes in the world. LEMON POUNDCAKE was mine and my brothers pick every time. Well except for the time I got a barbie cake. Not sure what that was about since I hated barbies. A birthday to me just means that I am one year older and one year closer to being what my kids call old. But this year I am not worried about being older at all. I don't feel like a 39 year old woman nor do I think I look 39. Not sure how you are supposed to feel or look at my age but I am happy and that is all that matters.

When it comes to holidays John normally is not a planner. He does his shopping for every holiday the day before. So this year when he told me he knew what he wanted to get me for my birthday I was surprised. My answer is always, don't buy me clothes I want to loose some weight first. Instead we end up at the bike shop looking at tri bikes. OK we are just looking I thought. I talked to Amy at Paceline about women's tri bikes but didn't really think much about it except for the fact that is what I wanted. Well guess what... he got me the bike. It had to be ordered so I don't actually have it yet but it is on it's way. Hopefully by Saturday it will be here and I can get fitted. Thank you John, Jordan and Ally for a birthday present I wanted and will love I just know it!

I am so excited to ride it but I am also dreading learning something new. Aren't I in the process of learning enough (swimming)? I guess it goes to show, you are never to old to learn new tricks!

Masters Swim - I should of thought twice on this one

2009-02-10T09:33:00.002-05:00

Today was my first Masters Swim class. Yeah I really didn't know what I was getting into. I wonder if I can stop payment on my check!

The class is twice a week 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. I have a problem getting up that early, but nothing I can't work on. I get up, I am ready to go and we are on time. Of course there are people already out in the pool swimming, warming up, but they are great swimmers and not like me SCARED!

Our instructor Justine, she just really didn't seem to care that this was my first time and that I was new to swimming. OK that was harsh she was very nice to me. I am just frustrated with this whole swim thing so therefore I am going to think everyone is out to get me on it. I feel like everyone is laughing and I know they aren't because the guys this morning were so nice to me and encouraging (Thanks Bob and Jeff)! I was ready to quit and not come back. They convinced me to keep at it. So that is what I will do! Melissa, I am gonna need my "No More Excuses" necklace back for a while please.....

I need to just suck this up that I can't do it right now but one day it will come and stop the baby crying about it..... OK when I stop crying (literally) I will let you all know......

I am a TRIATHLETE!

2009-02-08T20:03:00.004-05:00

As you know I have been doing a 10 week triathlon training program. Today's indoor triathlon is the goal that we working towards. I made it here and now I can't wait to share the experience of my first indoor triathlon with my groupies.

An indoor triathlon consist of a 10 min. swim, a 20 min bike and 20 min run. Of course your on a stationary bike and a treadmill (aka dreadmill). This morning we get up and go to the Spears Y in Greensboro and get ready to participate in an event that to some may seem like a breeze but to me was a test of what I could push my body to do. Granted the time is not that long and your probably thinking well it is only a 10 min swim , a 20 min bike and a 20 min run. Well KUDOS to you for thinking how simple it is,you should of joined us. John and I had separate times so that I didn't feel the need to compete with him. He went at 10 and I was at 10:30. We volunteer up until time to go and warm up in the pool. I am in the pool ready to warm up and I am trying to relax and find my inner peace with the water. I thought I had it. I felt good. I slept good last night and I ate good this morning. Everything I thought I was supposed to do. I feel well trained! Then I look down at a guy that goes to our Y and he and his wife are talking and she nods toward me and he says to her "don't worry I have seen her swim"! Can you believe the nerve! I can't and me being me, I let it get to me! So time to start and I get my first 50 meters in and then I don't know what happened. Well I do, I forgot to breath and then I went a couple more strokes and my heart rate was so high, I just panicked! If you know anything about panicking in the water it is not a nice feeling at all. I flipped over to back stroke so that I could catch my breath and well I never caught it. I never found that inner peace with the water. So to say the least I backed stroked 250 meters.... I wanted to cry. I was humiliated at the fact that I forgot all that I learned and that I couldn't swim! Oh well. Thank God Suzanne was there to remind me that the swim part was over and that I was moving on to two sports that I am stronger at. "Turn that frown upside down", she says "and go ride that bike!" I go and ride that bike! I get off the bike, my legs feeling like limp noodles, change my shoes and I go to the treadmill. I run! I am running at a good pace for me and here comes you know who that says "this is your last 90 seconds, is that as fast as you can go"? Well no it isn't... So I push it up to 7.9 on the treadmill and I run for 90 seconds.... Ok beside the fact that my lungs felt like they would explode, I was finished with my first triathlon. I am a triathlete! That just sounds so weird to say but I am darn proud of it. Out of 24 women I came in 16th.

Of course most of my training group was there and the support you get from everyone is priceless. Biggest Kudos goes out to my friends John and Pam who raced today and they both have been sick. They did great and I am proud of them. I am proud of everyone but the three of us, just learned to swim together, were the rest of the group already knew how and just needed to get faster. Which they did. Great job Triad Tri Team and thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.

In two weeks, I turn around and do this again!

Could I please get a good nights sleep?

2009-02-05T13:12:00.002-05:00

I am so tired today..... The last couple of nights I have not slept good at all. I don't know why, but I wake up about 2 a.m. and I am wide awake unitl about 4:30 - 5:00 a.m. I have thought today about all the reasons I am awake. I wonder if being the mother to a 17 year old girl has anything to do with it or that handsome fellow named Henry (the cat) that has to be as close to me as he possibly can. Those two might be reason. I am thinking the first one is it.

To say the least, I missed my Master's Swim this morning. Something has to change and quick because I really need this class. We had our last swim clinic last night so this was taking it's place in my training

I am going to bed early tonight! Hopefully sleep will come quickly!

I think she wants to fire me!

2009-02-03T09:20:00.002-05:00

Hello blogworld. Yes it has been a few days. Don't you just hate that I have nothing to write about? Yeah I know not really. Just seems fun in my mind to think you missed me.

Well here it is the first time mentioned for the world to know. I have hired a Triathlon Coach. Suzanne Duncan gets the great honor of coaching me to my first Half-Ironman in 2010! Yes you read right, Half Ironman. For my other coach friends oh please don't feel bad, I think I spared you! After my first scolding by email I think she wishes I would of picked another coach and is wondering can she fire me. Poor poor Suzanne! I failed to mention I was a control freak.... small detail

I know, I like to think and train big don't I? I have had so much fun training for the indoor tri that I just thought what the heck. You only live once and God only gives us one go around at this thing called life. So I am going to make the most of it as long as He will let me.

Swimming has finally begun to kick in. No I am not fast and can't swim as long as other people or as long as I would like, but 10 weeks ago I never thought I would swim at all. 10 weeks ago, I never thought I would consider myself an endurance athlete but I am. I start Master's Swim on Thursday and will be swimming twice a week with that. Boy that sounds like fun. 6a.m to 7 a.m.......... Oh please can you have coffee ready.

Training takes on a new look now. So hopefully the blog will be interesting. I am sure Suzanne will be cursed on here often. She might want to start a blog of her own to complain about her clients. LOL! No I really like her and I think her personality is just what I need to get me going. I need help getting going that is for sure. My husband has to help get me out the door in the mornings. So John, on those mornings I yell NO at you I don't want to get up, just push me out of bed and make me do it.

My new moto is "the difference between possible and impossible is determination"! I have the determination, lets just see if I have the ability.

Have a great week and stay tuned for the recap of Sunday's event.

Nothing really new to report

2009-01-27T12:51:00.002-05:00

With nothing exciting to report I just thought I would drop you all a line saying HELLO!

Training is still underway for my first indoor triathlon. Swimming is coming along. Not as fast as I would of hoped but hey I can make it down and back without drowning in the middle somewhere. Of course I am thoroughly disgusted with this but I am going to turn that frown upside down (that was for you Suzanne) and think of it this way, 8 weeks ago, I would of never ever thought I would swim at all. Biking, not a problem... Building strength to get ready to ride with the big boys come spring. Running.... well I love it and am happy I get to continue. I met my group on Saturday and ran 6 miles. It felt great to be running without restrictions. Not that I have done a good job of listening anyway. Time to get some miles in if I am going to run a half marathon in May. That part I am listening to the Dr. on.

Same old stuff I guess..... Happy Tuesday!

Come back only if needed!

2009-01-22T09:52:00.002-05:00

I know I said I wouldn't write about my foot anymore but I had to today. I had my follow up with Dr. Bednarz at Greensboro Orthopedics this morning. He RELEASED me to run! Those were joyous words to hear.

Three weeks of physical therapy, lots of cream, anti-inflammatories and new orthotics and I am like new. OK well maybe not new but I am ready. I do have to have an adjustment made to my orthotics but other than that, I should be good to go.

He did put stipulations on what he wanted me to focus on first. I could train for a half marathon this spring and if all went well a full for the fall. He warned me of over training with the triathlons and marathon on my list of things to do this year. Listen to my body and slow down, rest, stop and come back if needed. He also warned that I would suffer foot pain for the rest of my life due to high arches but if I do the stretching and all that I have learned I should be fine. Just to know it will not 100% go away. OH and remember to get the right kind of shoes! VERY IMPORTANT.

Running group, see you on Saturday. Finally I don't have to worry when I run, what will my Dr. think!

My body is screaming stop it!

2009-01-21T09:59:00.002-05:00

My body is screaming STOP IT! Well maybe not that loudly but boy this week I am feeling it!

Over the weekend I took it somewhat easy. Saturday when I normally run, I didn't. Call me lazy but it was way cold and I just needed a day off. Sunday was swim clinic. That went great. I am slowwwwwwwwwwly getting better. Not where I need to be but progress is progress. Monday being a holiday and having the day off from work, I made big plans for training. I was going to do spin class and power yoga with my coach Suzanne Duncan (www.suzanneduncan.com) OK well NEVER again will I make plans to do those type of activities with her again... EVER! Maybe never ever is strong but not for a while! I didn't make it to spin class but I did go to power yoga. Yes I loved yoga so much I thought I would give this power thing a try. I think I will stick with just plain yoga. It went very fast and very longgggg.... Today my upper body feels like I got in a fight and someone beat me up with a steel pipe. Literally it hurts that bad. I wanted to stay in bed today so badly. I don't think my boss would appreciate me calling in because I am fat and out of shape! I think the words suck it up have been used before and not just by him.

I am not quitting! I can do this... I am just going to close my eyes take in deep breaths through my nose of course and remind myself I am an athlete and the pain will all be worth it once I cross the finish line!

But until then I am going to complain, cry oh and eat Aleve like it was candy! I probably should make a stock purchase today.I can see the value in Aleve going up.

Transition Time

2009-01-15T10:26:00.002-05:00

As you all know, a Triathlon is swim, bike and run. Switching from one sport to the other is called transition. DUHH... I know you all knew that. Well for us newbies seeing what that looked like was important. Suzanne (you know the awesome coach I told you about earlier www.suzanneduncan.com) had a video for us to watch the other night. Of course in this video they have the ELITE atheletes showing us how to do it and giving us tips on making transition times less. Could someone just be at my spot with all my stuff ready to go for me. That is the only way I am gonna save any time.

After watching this video all I can say is I see a broken leg or ankle in my future very soon. Heck maybe even a broken neck. Dr. Bednarz and I are going to be on a first name basis, Blue Cross and Blue Shield will probably cancel our insurance and I will be in a wheelchair. OMG! They got out of the water, ran to their bikes got on their bikes with the shoes already clipped in and they jumped off their bikes with no shoes and ran on pavement. Ouch.... your feet people! What the hell! I am a huge baby and my feet hurt bad enough. I need the skin on the bottom of them. I think??????

Suzanne says she will hold a clinic before White Lake to give us some practice. Oh yeah I am going to need some serious practice. On that day please someone have EMS on standby! If I weren't already scared enough, now I am like ok REFUND! Is there such a thing..... Set-up events, can you please consider refunds to the mentally challenged because somewhere in the process I lost my ability to make cognative decisions. I am sure my doctor will confirm all of this!

The little kids even laugh at me!

2009-01-14T09:37:00.002-05:00

I have been struggling with swimming and yes I am not too proud to admit I am having trouble. I want to be good at it but hey I am human and am not gonna be good at all things. With that said, I seek out some one on one help. Our instructor Jessie Dull is a swim instructor at the Y so I asked her to help me. YEAH Jessie! I like working with her because she is very encouraging and I need all the encouragement I can get right now. Jessie competed this past Sunday in the first indoor triathlon and came in 3rd in the women's group. Maybe she can train me in the rest of it as well.

We met last night and of course I was a nervous Nelly! Why I don't know but I was. We start out with some simple stuff. Breathing! That should just come natural right? Well for all of you in blogworld it might but for me, the crazy curly headed blond just isn't happening so naturally. To quote Jessie "you have great kicks and the strokes are good until you go to breath then you drop your arm" or "your kicks are great until you panic then your feet kick really fast". Ok alot of panic happens!

Remember the post where I said don't just stop by my house because I might have my head in a pot of water practicing to breath. Well guess what? Really don't come by unless you would like to witness this happening. Jessie is sending me some instructions on how to get comfortable with breathing and water near my mouth. Oh this should be interesting and hilariously funny!

So we are in the middle of our lesson and the little kids come for their lessons. Can you say 5 year old kids looked better in the water than I did. I swear they were laughing at me. Not to mention their moms sitting on the side staring at me. I am sure they were wondering just what in the heck I was doing. Jessie says not to worry, she is sure those ladies can't swim at all so for me to be glad I am trying. See isn't she good!

I have swim clinic tonight and then work with her again on Friday night. Wish me luck.... I need it!

When we feel the struggles of everyday life

2009-01-13T10:49:00.002-05:00

When you think you are struggling with everyday life, just know that someone else has a bigger and deeper struggle out there I am sure.

In the last week while dealing with my own struggles, I have seen two other families experience tragedy that doesn't even come close to what I go through. One family lost their family member and the other came close.

I would ask that you click on the link to a blog I follow and learn a little more about Nicholas. Lisa Richardson, Nicholas' mother is a very dear friend from church. I have sat here this morning crying over how bad I feel for complaining about the struggles I have with my daughter. Nothing compared to what Lisa goes through and I am telling you I have never seen a more shining example of God's love and faithfulness in someone. Lisa is everything I wish I were and more.

Life is precious! Don't take one minute for granted.

Up Dog, Down Dog TIRED DOG

2009-01-12T10:41:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the end to a long and tiring weekend. I need this week to recover. Not happening. Training has kicked into full gear and mental focus is also in full gear.

Saturday morning started out with a short 5 mile run with my group. I chose 5 because my foot had been hurting really bad all week. Weather was great! I so much prefer cold weather running to hot. I know you all won't believe this but I have decided to follow Dr.'s order and only focus on a half marathon for the spring and then a full for the fall. We will see how that works out for me. I have several events lined up for the year but that is another blog topic of course.

Sunday started out early due to our indoor Triathlon series starting. I did not particpate in this one as I am not swimming that well yet. I volunteered instead. Wanted to get an idea of how it worked and what it looked like. Boy was that interesting. John being adventerous particpated though. He did well. I am extremely proud of him. Of course I gave my speach on race yourself. The first time gives you something to work toward and all that..... Did he listen, probably not but I felt better hearing myself give it. So now I know what to expect and what how it flows. That to me is a huge help since I am totally a visual kind of person. After that was over, it was time for a quick lunch then off to the next thing. YOGA FOR ATHELETES at the Y. OK I go on and on about my feet and after being on them for hours they were killing me. I mean pain! I didn't have anything to take either, so I just suffered. We go to Yoga and Suzanne Duncan (our Tri Coach) put my body into all kinds of positions. I thought to myself oh no, I am gonna be so sore afterwards how am I ever gonna swim. Yoga went fine and I honestly want to do more. Because after swimming for an hour and that class besides being dead tired, my body didn't hurt at all. Normally when I get home at night I am taking pills and rubbing anti-inflamatory cream on feet and last night, NOTHING! My feet did not hurt. When the alarm went off this morning I hesitated before putting my feet down because I just knew it was gonna be hard. NOTHING! It was fine. Just like before I started running and got hurt.

Athelets, if you have never done a class like this you should look into it. Check out Suzanne's website. I understand there is a section of upcoming events so I hope she has more YOGA classes. Website is www.suzanneduncan.com or email her at suzanne@suzanneduncan.com. She is an excellent instructor and coach. Very motivational.

Today no pain at all......So far so good! Only thing I am today is one Tired Dog (wonder if that can be a new pose)!

Bike Trainer

2009-01-09T07:42:00.004-05:00

Last week I purchased a pre-loved bike trainer from a member of our TTT group. This trainer will allow me to ride my bike inside when it is too cold to go outside. I have plenty of warms clothes to ride outside but finding friends crazy enough to go with me might be the problem. So therefore I am set up in our playroom. The girls have been moved out and the bikes moved in. John couldn't stand it so he bought one to. We can now train together, how sweet is that. Boy that should be very interesting as we both have a competitive streak in us....If you hear stories of him falling off the bike, no I did not push him! Well maybe I did but I am not admitting anything.

I bought this from a guy (Jeff McClintock) who had just finished the Wisconsin Ironman and is running the Houston Marathon next week. So you know I felt stupid asking him to show me how it worked... But he was very kind to not laugh at me. Thanks Jeff! I bought a DVD to help me and keep me focused. Last night I finally tried it out. I got on it and thought no problem. Well I have decided I am going to just stop thinking. This DVD kicked my big butt! I mean 80 minutes of hard spinning. Thank God for 90 second rest. Ally thougth it so funny she took my picture so I thought I would share. I mean the sweat was pouring off of me. I thought I would passout. I had to add Ducky to the blog. She sat and waited for the sweat drops and cleaned up after me. YUCK!

May 10th White Lake Sprint Triathlon

2009-01-06T13:12:00.002-05:00

I have offically registered for my first real sprint triathlon. I hate to waste money so therefore I will finish this event if it kills me. I might drown in open water but I will finish one way or the other. They may carry me across the finish line in a body bag and you all can say I died tri'ing!! Keep Praying the body holds up. Cover the feet first.....

I am looking at training plans and have gotten a great start with our indoor series training that we are doing. With a little luck and alot of training I will be well prepared for this event. If any one has ideas on training plans that you would like to share, please do so.

I have vowed to work harder on my diet. I LOVE FOOD AND FOOD LOVES ME. I am normally preparing for the next meal before finishing the one I am on. I am not sure how to stay focused on this without becoming obsessed! I am keeping a log of what I eat as well as how the day went, training and how I slept the night before. I will say if I workout at night, I am not sleeping so well. Too energized I guess. Therefore I am working on dragging myself out of bed in the early a.m. John is so much better at this than I am. So he will have to just start pulling me literally from the thing. Be gentle though, you know my feet hurt when they first hit the ground.

John says to me the other night, I see some traveling in our future. He had a whole list of events he would like to do. Doesn't that sound like fun? I can't wait. But for now, it is White Lake!

Stay tuned.......

I need an update

2009-01-05T15:44:00.002-05:00

Not that anyone in blog world is looking for an update, but I know for myself I need one. Yes I am loser and I go back and read these all the time to remember what is happening and if I actually made any progress!

Yes I have made progress. Swimming is coming right along. I am most proud of Pam though. I hope it clicks with me the way it has her. But who would of thought 5 weeks ago I would actually be swimming. NO ONE I AM SURE! This morning we did a brick (cycle/run). Crazy hard on my legs. But when it was over I felt so darn good. I felt energized and ready to go. Nothing extreme, we biked for 40 minutes then we ran for 15 minutes. That is what the schedule called for.

John has his first indoor tri this weekend. I was worried earlier in the week when he fell off of some steps, but after yesterday and seeing him swim then this morning, nope not worried at all. He is going to do great. So Sunday at 10 a.m. if you don't have anything to do come on out to the Ragsdale YMCA and cheer him on!

Well this week I am working on improving my diet. I need to really loose some weight and more importantly body fat! This should be an interesting week. I love food and actually am grouchy when I am hungry! So watch out, you have been warned.

Better late than never

2009-01-02T13:03:00.003-05:00

Our computer at home is acting weird so I couldn't write my New Years Resolution in time......

I did alot of thinking and praying into what I wanted to see change in my life this coming year. 2008 was an interesting year and ended greatly! Lots of changes were made and lots of prayer answered. So this year I am giving it another try.

Unlike the normal resolutions, loose weight, stay more active, I have set goals that should effect my life more meaningful. Or at least I hope they do... so going in order of least importance here are my top 5.....

5. Be not so easy to judge others and situations (I hate to admit this but I am a very judgemental person. I don't mean to be and I have no reason to be this way. My life is full of things that could be judged by someone else, as I am sure it is, but I don't want to be that person. At least not on a daily basis. So I am giving this one a go!) Wish me luck.....

4. Watch my language (yes yes I can have potty mouth very badly, especially if I am mad! Which can be often due to the fact I am the mother of a 17 & 13 year old! Need I say anything else. But it is ignorant to use that kind of language and I am going to clean my act up) I want to be a good example to my children and I think this will be a good start.

3. Enjoy things more (I want to enjoy this life more. I don't want things to pass me by without stopping to smell the roses! I am always so hurry hurry busy busy that I don't seem to enjoy my life or certain areas of it enough)

2. Anger (If you don't know me very well than you would have no idea that I can be very quick to anger! Oh yeah it gets ugly sometimes. I am quick to snap! I always joke, at my house we don't have nic naks because if you make me mad enough you are liable to get hit with them when I throw them at you or in your direction. So sad but so true. I honestly can thank my father for this one. He was very sharp with the tongue and angry when I was small (life reasons I am sure). Thank God he aged out of it so therefore there is hope for me, but I don't want to be remembered that way by my children or my friends.)

1. Pray more (I need to be more diligent in my prayer life. Simple Obedience as our Pastor says. I seem to always remember to pray when I am in need of something, I want to pray when I don't and for others more. I want my friends to know that if they need a prayer lifted, they can call on me because I am faithful in that area of my life and I think if my children see me praying they may be more inclined to remember their own prayer lives. My actions will speak way louder than my words ever will.)

So with those 5 changes in my life, I think the rest will certainly fall into place. Will they make me a 7 min. miler! Heck no! Not that we ever have to worry about that happening, not in my DNA, but I think I have the exercise thing down pretty good. I have set those goals separately. I am making this year about "ME" changes. We will see how they go.

I have at least one friend (Christine) who is going to help keep #4 in check. I have to buy her a cup of coffee for every time she hears me say a certain word. She did say she would go easy on me and it didn't have to be Starbucks! Thank God for that. I might be broke soon......So friends and family, if you would all help me be accountable I would greatly appreciate it!

God Bless you and your families. May you keep your resolutions and may I keep mine. If I keep mine, I will be a much better person, friend, sister, daughter, wife and most importantly MOTHER! I hope that 2009 proves to be an outstanding year for each of you!

Week 5 begins!

2008-12-30T09:23:00.002-05:00

I have not been writing a daily post because you would be bored out of your mind! I am sparing you the details but I am keeping a daily journal for me. This is keeping me focused on the goal or at least that is what I tell myself.

Week 5 began on Sunday! Yes I am still excited and now a little nervous on what this all will look like. Can you say tough! Three sports one right after the other! Oh what have I gotten myself into? John says to me last night "thanks for getting me involved in this" I had to laugh and I replied simply "don't thank me yet"!

Last week John and I sucked at following the schedule for workouts. It being the week of Christmas and us being the procrastinator's that we are, there was little time for workouts. So this week I feel like we are going to have to play catch-up. I have several weeks before my first indoor tri but John only has till Jan 11th.

Staying on the program is key and I know that. I learned this week why they say swimming is all about practice. I didn't swim at all last week and on Sunday I felt like I was learning it for the first time. However, our little group of "Chicken of the Sea" are coming along quite well. You should see the progress we have made. Pam especially is showing us all up in the water. She might need to work with me! It is amazing to see people go from not knowing anything about swimming to finally making it down to the end. Now we just have to make it back to the other end.

Last night on our schedule was 45-60 min of cycle or cycle class plus a 15-20 min walk/run. At first I thought no problem, then I got started and was saying no way! That makes your legs very tired! But it was done and we were laughing and smiling at the end. I honestly right now cannot imagine what swim, bike, run looks like all in one day! Should be interesting.......

As the year draws to an end, yes I like everyone else am working on my 2009 resolutions. I am sticking to realistic goals and a plan on how to execute it! More to come before Jan 1st! Stay tuned for what should be interesting. I have some big things to work on next year!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T16:05:00.002-05:00

Just want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas.

Thank you for being such great friends and readers. I know most of what I write about, you could probably care less, so for your loyalty, I thank you. This really started out as a way for me to look back on the journey and remember times that would be special only to me. All of you who follow have made it fun and made me accountable for my progress. Progress is definitely being made I promise!

I hope that you and your families have a great Christmas and safe holiday season.
Love and God Bless you all.

The Important Things

2008-12-22T19:23:00.002-05:00

I thought I was an educated runner and knew about the important things. You know like your outfit matching your shoes, layering if it is cold, not increasing your mileage too quickly and oh yeah something about the right shoe. I guess I missed that whole thing. Running in a shoe that fits your foot I found out is very important! Stop saying "oh Amy you know you knew this". Yes I did. But obviously I am not a good judge in what is good for me.

I had my first physical therapy session today. Most of the time was used fitting for my orthotics. The second part was spent prodding at the points that hurt. The third part was a treatment of some sort that is done with electrical current. Now that was weird.

So he tells me to take my shoes and socks off and does his thing. I walk back and forth and he watches. Then he ask to see my running shoes if I have them with me. I was told to bring them so I did. He gets this contorted look about him and says "what group did you say you ran with". I proudly say Off N' Running, 2 years now. The conversation then goes something like "well who fit you for your shoes"? I couldn't remember if it was Scott or John but I know it was one of them. He ask me if they watched me walk or run in them. I said I am sure they did and he says "I am shocked"! That is so not the shoe for you. Then I remember back to when I first tried the New Balance 1223. It was a training run night and if you would wear a pair on your run then you get a free gift after you came back. Well for 6 miles those shoes felt good. Probably because there was a free gift and food afterwards. So guess what... the majority of my problems have come from weak ankles and poor shoes.

I feel like such a dumby! I never thought anything about those shoes not feeling good. I think I have just worn them for so long that I just assumed they were right. He showed me what they make my foot do and that is to make my ankles roll to the outside. Unless I run totally different than I walk, this poor guy is in amazement that I haven't hurt myself sooner.

So due to a bad shoe choice, I get to spend the next 3 weeks 3 days a week being a science project. That electrical shock treatment won't cure plantar facitis, but I should see a 75% improvement. I should be stronger in my ankles and well stretched.

Runners, my plea to you is to take the time to go stop by the shop and have Scott, John or Emily check to make sure the shoe you are wearing is right for you. I thank you, your feet will thank you and I am sure Off N Running will thank you!

You gotta love the little things

2008-12-18T09:51:00.003-05:00

We all have those moments when we are learning something new and it just clicks. The excitement you get out of hearing someone say good job, you got it! Last night during swim clinic I got it. I actually swam one length of the pool without stopping. To those of you who know how to swim, yeah you can laugh. I will take whatever small improvement I get. Oh and no nose clip. I forgot it last night so I was forced to do it without one. I did ok. I think I feel safer with it on, so next time I will have it. Our little group, is looking better with every class we take. We sure do have alot of fun if nothing else. But really, we have come a long way since Swim Clinic #1.

In three weeks I have gone from being scared to death of water to now swimming (yes my face in the water) one length of the pool. I have a long way to go but I will take this victory and rejoice! I actually would like to stand on top of a mountain and scream but I will refrain from all that until I can swim 2 lengths! LOL!

We have homework and that is to work on laps. I am looking forward to getting to the pool tomorrow and working on laps.

I cannot thank the people enough who encouraged me to not quit in the beginning. Thanks for having faith in me.

Negative Nelly

2008-12-17T10:18:00.002-05:00

As if I didn't already know how negative I can be.... Our wonderful Tri Training Coach Suzanne Duncan called me out on it yesterday in a nicely worded email. Thanks to her my hands now hurt from being tapped with her ruler! Disclaimer: She was warned earlier that she could be subject to the blog!

Every two weeks we get our training calendars. With this comes a log that we are to keep and turn in to her. One so she can track our progress and how we feel and two for a prize drawing at the end. You know a prize at the end makes us all want to keep up with it up better. So I being that person who has never won anything will do whatever I can to try and win. Like saying I want to win the lottery but never buying a ticket. I turn my logs in a day early! I thought I was doing a great job of logging how I felt. You know my sarcastic humor and all. I hate a treadmill. I actually call it the dreadmill that is how bad I hate it. I would so much rather run outside in the cold freezing rain than get on that big black machine that takes me nowhere. I love the outdoors! So I explain on my dreadmill days how bad I hate it then on days I ran with my friends I put down how much I loved it. I made a comment about running people down on the expresso bike was hard. I didn't think of any of this as negative thoughts. Well the dreadmill maybe! Mrs. Duncan didn't see any of it that way. Let me share most of the email with you. "I would caution you to stop using the word "dreadmill" and getting bogged down in a little negativity about certain workouts. It's really interesting just reading your comments on the day you ran on the treadmill and the day you ran with your friends. It was like doom and gloom versus bright and cheery. Look at running people down on the Expresso bikes as a challenge versus something that's hard. I tend to do the same thing, even when I feel like I'm joking around. BUT, our minds are powerful, powerful, powerful20things. We are what our minds think we are. Think of yourself as a swimmer, and you will be a swimmer. Think of yourself as a strong cyclist, and you will be a strong cyclist. Think of treadmill running as a necessary part of training because that's where the race is going to be. You are always making yourself more mentally strong when you do a workout you don't necessarily like." Oh I did email her back and tell her how badly my hand hurt!

No really, I have always said I could be my own worst enemy. I think I sometimes try so had to succeed and when I don't feel like I did well, I bang myself up pretty badly. I will make an honest effort to not to do this, I promise.

The thing I am loving about all of this training is what I learn everyday. How I can push myself to limits I never thought of and how hard it is to be consistant with some things. Like my diet! That is for another day though. I am actually keeping a log of that as well. Should prove interesting. I told some family members last night, if I never ever cross a finish a line but learn to swim, it has all been worth it.

Thanks to everyone for your reminders that I can do anything I set my mind too. To my loyal groupies, thanks for following the blog. I LOVE GROUPIES... The more the merrier, so everyone sign up to follow me during this wonderful journey.

Week 3 begins

2008-12-14T19:58:00.002-05:00

Today starts week 3 of Tri Training. As I am sure your aware of by now, we have swim clinic on Sundays. I am slowly getting better. I have a longgggggggg way to go, but each time I make improvements. Which I am so totally excited about. I really never ever thought I would swim.

I am reading a book Triathlon 101. I got up early this morning and have made a commitment to finish this book. But in making that commitment, I made another one. I need to take this more seriously. That means that I need to get up and do my workouts in the morning. I need to stop putting it off until night when I am tired and don't give it the effort I should. So no more sleeping in for me. I have written down the schedule and I am gonna make myself do it. The added benefits are 1) I feel better after I workout in the mornings and 2) I can be at home at night to cook for my family. Now there are some nights, we have to be gone, but I need to be here as much as I can.

Marathon training will kick in soon as well. Which fits in well with the tri training we are doing as well. I will just do my long runs on Saturday. Of course that is if my foot holds up but we are not discussing that.

Just one little note on the foot. The dr. gave me a anti-inflammatory cream to use. I picked up the prescription yesterday. They hand us this huge bag of boxes, 5 to be exact. I thought how am I ever gonna use up all that cream. OK 4 oz. 4 times a day, I think I am gonna need alot. I used it yesterday and today and I think it actually works. Now it might all be in my head, but I did feel some relief. So now, I am off to lather up my feet! Yes I am using it on both. I will ward off any aches or pains before they start.

Good night blog world!

Why do I get up early on Saturday

2008-12-13T17:01:00.003-05:00

Saturday Dec 13th: 6:00 a.m. alarm goes off (hit snooze)
6:05 a.m. hit snooze again
6:10 a.m. hit snooze again (do I really want to do this)
6:15 a.m. I NEED COFFEE, I better get out of bed to get to McD's
before I meet my friends
6:45 a.m. leave the house, with the need for java
7:05 a.m. Coffee in hand, slowly enjoying it
7:30 a.m. Coffee down, friends arrive
7:35 a.m. Run begins......

That is how the morning looked.... I have not slept very well for 2 weeks now and this morning, I really wanted to just go back to sleep! It so helps knowing people are waiting on you. If not for that, I would sleep my Saturdays away. We got in almost 4 miles. It was cold. Took awhile to warm up but the layers came off 30 minutes into the run. It is always a treat to know at the end of the run that we are going to EAT! I run so that I can eat.....Cause I love food and food loves me.

I have nothing really to say except that I love running with this group of friends. We have so much fun while running together and the plans that we make while out there really shows that running effects the brain. So for those who don't run and are of sound mind, please let this stand as a disclaimer. RUNNING CAN CAUSE YOU TO DO THINGS YOU WOULD OF NEVER EVER SAID YES TO BEFORE! Well spent money due to the friends I have made!

John Connor I think I am going to have to stop running with you! The next I know I am going to be agreeing to that 60 mile bike ride!

Hopefully the last time you will have to hear about it

2008-12-11T11:11:00.002-05:00

I saw my new dr. this morning. I am impressed! I did not have to wait, they took me right back, I saw his PA then he came in. Very nice and professional. So if you need a good foot/ankle specialist, let me know.

He moved my feet around, looked at my MRI and said.....we have to start from square one....Me being me, stopped him said no we don't. I have been running 5-7 miles a week for about 3 weeks and I think we should stay at that. I know that I am diffecult but come on really.....He gave me steriod to take for 6 days, an anti-inflammatory to take after that, also using anti-inflammatory cream on the foot 4 times a day along with physical therapy 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Said I should be good as new by the time we are done with all this. I do have to get orthotics for my shoes but doesn't every runner we know have those?

Other than all that, I am good for now and if all that doesn't work then I will have to have surgery but he thinks since I am able to run right now I should do just fine.

Lazy day

2008-12-10T21:54:00.003-05:00

I hate rainy days. They make me lazy. Yes lazier than normal. Today I just feel tired. Like I might be fighting a cold or something. So I dreaded swim clinic all day. I also dreaded the fact that the last couple of days the struggle is challenging me mentally. I went anyway......

On Wednesday nights Megan is our coach. She is young and very patient with us. She gets in the water and shows us what we are doing. Very basic and I like it. It came alot easier than I thought it would tonight. The breathing was not the struggle that is has been. So overall it was a great night for us "beginners" and I am actually getting up to go swim in the morning so I don't forget what I learned tonight. I have told John to swim in his lane and I will swim in mine. He is a great swimmer I just don't think spouses should try and teach each other. Makes for a long car ride home. LOL!

Blog is boring tonight but it is late and I am tired. For my loyal "foot followers", I see the new doc in the a.m. I will post a foot update later tomorrow. So far so good in that I have been able to run, granted I am not pushing any great mileage right now, but I will take what I can get. Kay and I are kind of resolved to the fact that our feet will just hurt from now on due to our injuries. "That is my story and I am stickin to it"!

Until tomorrow...... Goodnight

1 down 9 more to go.....

2008-12-07T20:57:00.002-05:00

The first week of Tri training is behind me. That means in 9 weeks I will be ready for my first indoor triathlon. I think I can, I think I can..... I know I can bike and run but this swimming thing might be a problem.

We had our third swim clinic tonight. I don't feel as good about swimming as I did on Wednesday night. I obviously suffer from ADD and can't do two things at one time, because I can't breath and move my arms and legs all at once. There has to be a way of doing one thing at time. If someone can google that, I would appreciate it.

Pam found a sight called www.relaxnswim.com. It shows you how to start in a pot of water breathing. Don't anyone just stop by this week. I might have my head in a pot of water. I think it looks ridiculous but at this point I am willing to try anything.

John the fish is willing to work with me. I am a horrible student, I am concerned he might try to drown me. So if I come up missing, have him questioned first!

It has been a good week. Good part is I am still excited! I am working on my list of Sprint Tri's to do first. Looks like White Lake is going to be it. I at least have until May. Also during this I will be training for my first Marathon as well. Gosh, I am tired just typing it. Sleep is needed..... Goodnight.

Triad Tri Team

2008-12-05T10:43:00.003-05:00

Last night was the Triad Tri Team Christmas party. John and I are new members and we were excited to "meet the team". We have several friends that are new members as well. Keith and Christine Flowe, John and Pam Connor, and Heather Johnson-Dunnings (our recruiter). Of course I know all these folks from my running group. I am not sure whose bright idea it was to do a tri, but I am glad they convinced us to do it. Heather was the one that told us about TTT. I am not sure how many people this girl has introduced to TTT, but I am sure it is alot. She seems very passionate about it.

When I think of athletes I automatically think, skinny, tall, and very fast people. I am not tall or skinny and boy I will never be fast, but I like to consider myself an athlete. As you can see from the picture, we come in all shapes and sizes. As you have heard me say in earlier posts, run your own race! Yes it is a competition but against who? For me I want to learn to race me, myself and I. If I can beat myself most of the time. I think I have made great accomplishment. OK and if I beat John I have done good. He hates when I come in before him, so I had to put that in there.

Best part of this party was being with friends, old and new. I came into the clubhouse and there was a lady there I just knew I that I knew her. So as the night went on, I had to ask if we went to high school together. Sure enough we did. Janet (Woody) Carter. Janet was a cheerleader in school so I could see her doing this with no problem. What you find in running is that at races you see the same people time after time. So faces become very familiar. Nice to see some of those last night.

I think we have made a good decision in joining this group. The calendar is full of exciting events each month. We are sure to learn alot and if not at least have fun. Isn't that what life is all about?

Swim Clinic #2

2008-12-04T14:00:00.002-05:00

You all have gathered by now I am not a swimmer, will not claim to ever be a good swimmer but I have stepped out of my comfort zone and am willing to learn.

Last night was clinic number 2 and I drug myself there in the cold all the while griping and complaining on why was I doing this again. Oh that is right because a Triathlon is Swim Bike Run... Yeah now I remember......

I get there a few minutes early to try and get some extra time to relax and work with my fish like husband. Who just glides through the water I might add. We didn't meet at a pool or beach that is for sure. He would of left as soon as he saw me in the kiddie pool! I borrowed nose clips from Pam and I thought I would see if that helped. Hilton and Suzanne seemed to think it might. So why not. Then when I quit I could say I had tried it all. Much to my surprise it did help. I looked extremely stupid but it helped. I think pictures are needed. That way you get the full effect of this.

We had a different coach last night and she was excited to be working with us "older people" I think she called us. But she gave us some simple things to do like blow bubbles in the water and to breathe out of our mouths not our nose. Good thing mine was plugged! So I did that and then she sent us off to do some strokes. Scared to death at first, but the next thing I knew it, I was SWIMMING! I don't think I even knew it was happening. Then I lift my head I had made it quite a ways down the lane. I had actually been swimming. Everyone clapped and cheered. It was funny and rewarding all at the same time.

I did it! I can't believe it and I am ready to go back again! Have to do it again before Sunday so I don't forget what I just learned.

Day 4

2008-12-03T10:15:00.002-05:00

Today is the 4th day of training. Excitement has not subsided. I am sure as the weeks progress I will be asking myself why the heck I punish my body the way I do. My feet ask me that every morning that I put them on the floor. Surely the rest of my body will do the same.

Last night we had a running clinic. I expected to hear that my form was off, that I needed to do this or that and to try and land on my feet a different way. I got none of that, so I felt better. She just told me to relax my shoulders and pump my arms back and forth more. That would propel me forward. So if you ever see some crazy blond on the Greenway pumping her arms back and forth like crazy, it is me trying to propel my slow behind forward more......LOL!

I warned people in the beginning of this blog that you might one day become subject to being picked on or made fun of in my writing. Today it is going to be John. If any of you have ever watched my husband run, you know it is hilarious. Poor fellow is flat footed and bow legged. If he runs with me, I swear I run in front to not laugh at him. I have told him he expends so much energy moving his arms all around, no wonder he is tired before he ever gets anywhere. I just knew she was going to take all the wind out of his sails when she got to him..... So when it was over and I asked him what she said, he said she just told him to relax his shoulders and bring his arms down. OK that is why I am not a professional. Let me apologize to you here honey! SORRY for making fun of you! Can't wait to run with him now.

Tonight it is back to swimming. Well for some of them it is swimming. I am not really sure what I will do. I have borrowed a nose clip thingy from Pam. Hopefully that will help me! I know you all just can't wait to hear how it goes. So until tomorrow...... Have a great Wednesday.

Serious times ahead

2008-11-30T21:11:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving is over and time to deck the halls. Halls at 104 Farriers Lane are almost decked and we look forward to celebrating Jesus' birthday! We also look forward to getting serious with our triathlon training. John and I have set out to do some indoor and outdoor triathlons this coming year. A great way to spend quality time together.

Training officially started tonight. We had our first swim clinic. Just in case you didn't know,I don't know how to swim. I am afraid. You ask why, as a child I was shipped off to Four H camp for a week during the summer. All country kids were. I guess is was our vacation, since we didn't really have those. Farms don't stop for the beach. So anyway, the first year I was there we go to the pool for swimming. You are told to jump in so they can assess your ability. I told them I didn't know how to and they laughed and said everyone knows how to swim. Well guess what, not everyone knew. I went straight to the bottom and wasn't coming up. They jumped in and pulled me out and I literally think I was almost dead. I couldn't breath, I threw up water and well lets just say that was enough for them to let me out of swimming for the week. I have not swam since. On Friday night we had our Tri Assessment. We met our friends John and Pam, that we run and bike with and set our to get our times. This required you to swim 50 meters and time yourself. Pam and I both are not swimmers so we laughed at this and dog paddled down and back. We are the fast dog paddlers you have seen! Made our way to the bikes and rode for 10 min. then ran on the treadmill for 10 mins. We had a great time and hope our times get better. If mine don't I will save my money and just not ever be an endurance athlete. Ok so back to the swimming. We get there tonight, I put on my swim cap, goggles and jump in the pool. I at least look the part. He tells us to do the breast stroke that is the easiest and we can certainly do that. Well easy enough for this 7 foot Michael Phelps to say! I raise my hand, teacher what do you do if you don't know how to put your face in the water. OK I didn't really say it like that, but might as well have. I think this guy really thought I knew something. He learned quickly he had his work cut out for him. Too many people for one on one. Lets just say I have good strokes but if I can't put my face in the water, I am not getting anywhere quickly. I might be the first dropout. I was deflated to say the least. I had really high hopes of going out there and just swimming. Didn't happen and now I have to work harder on learning to breath slowly. My wonderful husband says Rome wasn't built in a day and I am not going to learn to swim in an hour.
We have to workout 6 days a week and I am looking forward to the results all of this will bring.

Serious times here.....So remind me of that when I want to eat at the buffett!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T14:16:00.003-05:00

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I have been reflecting on being thankful. Sometimes, we as humans tend to overlook the small things in life that bring us pleasure and we focus on the "big picture".

I would like for each of you that read this to take some time to just think about what you are thankful for. I am actually making a list. I will just give you a sample of what is on my list and this comes in no particular order...... of course my family, but specifically, my husband, my kids, my father, my health. Even my job, yeah I know lame. But I happen to like my job most of the time. In todays economic times, I wouldn't want to be looking for a job so I am glad I have one and one that I actually enjoy. I am thankful for the really good friends I have. I think we often take for granted that our friends and family will live forever for us to tell them how important they are and the impact they had in our lives. I learned a few years back to never ever take this for granted when the one person I loved more than anything passed away. I kept thinking on that day did I tell her enough that I loved her and did she know how much I appreciated her for how she raised me. So, I don't want to be caught in that again! I vowed to be mushy after that...... but only a couple of times a year. So I will save all of you from it happening too often.

I am off now to pick up my pies and then home to start cooking. We will eat lunch with my dad, my stepmom and my brothers family. Then we will come back home and have dinner for us. So I have alot of cooking to do. If your in the neighborhood, stop by. I am sure there will be plenty to eat.

To all of you, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Remember to think about the people in your life that you value and thank them! To my friends and family, I love you and I am thankful for each and every one of you! Happy Thanksgiving. God bless you and your families.

I love a finish line!

2008-11-17T16:37:00.003-05:00

Yes post have been few and far between since I am not running or training for anything. Oh I have tons of things I would like to write about, but would anyone care? Probably not! I think I will change the name of the blog though, since I will be venturing into Triatholon training soon. So watchout, a new title may appear or not. Haven't really decided yet......

Early on I had decided that I wanted to see my fellow running club members run their races. So a few weeks ago, Kay, Christine and I set out for Raleigh to see Tamara run. Which of course was wonderful, since I had trained with her for almost the entire time. I am proud of her. Then there was my weekend to run my marathon, which I think I spent in bed crying. No not really but I was sad all weekend. This past weekend, Kay and I went up to Richmond to see Keith, Dena, Chris, Pam, John, Christine and Angel run. Well in making plans, the two injured reserved decided that we were going to run the 8K. Do not ask me if I cleared this with my Dr., you already know the answer. Driving up in the pouring rain, we decide that we are going to bag the race if we wake up and it is raining. No need to hurt ourselves worse by running in the rain. Hilarious coming from the injured girls. So I wake up, look out the window and yes everything is wet and I think OH GOOD, I GET TO GO BACK TO BED! Of course I couldn't sleep, I call Kay's room and she doesn't answer. So I know to get in gear and get dressed. We go to meet my friend Jill who ran with us last year and moved to Richmond. We were going to run with her. Notice I say going.... She left us! We park and get over to our correal. I had no idea what this was until now. I like corrals. Well we start and there are so many people we walk across the start line. We get started and stay with Jill for awhile. She is better trained than us! We run for 20 min., walk for 2 then run for 20 and walk for 2 more. We finish on a downhill. Someone call Off N' Running and suggest this idea to them. Kay and I are stoked by our time. 54:?? min..... clock time was 57:03 (I think). You know I don't even care about the time. I ran, my foot didn't hurt and I finished strong!

After we finished, we walked around awhile. Funny thing is we were looking through the shirts and stuff tossed by runners. Found nothing. We find a street to see Christine and hopefully catch Angel come in on. Kay looked up and there was Angel coming up the street. We cheared and clapped like crazy women. Then Christine and the rest of gang came! That was fun. I wish I was running that kind of mileage and I am sad, but you know, it will happen. In time, I will finish the marathon. Until then, I will focus on learning mutli-sports.

I felt like I was on cloud nine. I had lost some steam but not alot and I finished feeling great! I cannot wait to run again this weekend! I really don't care what anyone says. I am going to run until I can't run anymore! Something about the finish line just makes me happy!

People can be down right rude!

2008-11-04T14:48:00.003-05:00

I am learning that we live in a society of people who just don't care about their fellow neighbor. I guess this is something I knew but didn't pay much attention to until the recent weeks of having nothing else to do but people watch. I love to people watch by the way.

This past weekend someone stole the water cooler and Gatorade from my running groups stop. That person obviously needed it worse than the runners. Well Mr/Mrs/Miss LOW LIFE, no you didn't. Get off your dead a** and run 20 miles and see how badly you would of needed that water. How stupid of someone to take it in the first place. Was it yours, did you put it out? No it wasn't. Therefore it was not yours to take. This is the second time this has happened to our group. The time before when it was taken it was during very hot and humid weather when our folks really needed it! I just don't understand what people are thinking when they do something so stupid.

Since I can't run, this past weekend I rode my bike in a ride to help feed the homeless in High Point with John and Christine (from my running group). John took off with the cue sheet and me being a smarty thought I knew the way. Well I didn't and Christine and I got lost. Not so lost that we couldn't find our way back but we were not on the same path of the group. It didn't matter we still had a great time together. I think we found those relatively flat roads. On our way back we had the rudest driver you can imagine start yelling at us about getting off the road. Well it was alot worse than what I can write but those who know me, know I did not let him off easily. But to say the least I just have not ever experienced people like this on the road before. I really think if he could of run me over he would of.

Here is my note to the people sitting on their couches being lazy, stealing from others or trying to run them off the road, don't be haters because your fat and out of shape. Do something about it. Get up and go for a walk, run or bike ride, enjoy the outdoors. Maybe it will lighten your spirits and you won't feel the need to steal water from runners or run cyclist off the road. The same road you should by law be sharing!

I guess I should come out from under my rock and join the real world then I would not be so surprised that people do these things!

Finding new ways to workout

2008-10-24T11:19:00.002-04:00

I had no idea how hard it would be to find things to do to stay in shape. I thought oh this will be easy. NOT! So I have resorted to water jogging. Which is funny since I am just learning to not be afraid of the water.

Tamara met me last night and we took to the pool! Me, my water belt and a kick board. Can you say I looked ridiculous. People were actually staring and laughing. I had my belt around my waist and the kick board under my chin to keep me afloat. It looked worse than it sounds and it sounds bad I know. Well I got comfortable enough to let the kick board go. It was funny though. I thought I might have to fight some old women doing water aerobics who wanted to stare and laugh.... Yes they were Tamara I don't care what you say! My good friend Jessica (my pregnant on-leave running buddy) is going to start working with me next week with swimming lessons. So hopefully in a few weeks I won't look so funny in the pool. Then when chicken of the sea starts, I will be ahead of the game!

I didn't realize it would be so hard to find other ways to stay in shape. I know what was I thinking with only one good foot. I am determined to not let this get the best of me. I have promised to stop complaining about the time frame it is taking and enjoy the rest. Like my new friend Wendy said, what is a few weeks compared to a lifetime of running! Thanks Wendy! Check out Wendy's blog through the ones I follow. She is inspiring!

I sent my membership in for TTT (Triad Triathlon Team). My goal this coming year to finish a marathon and compete in a Sprint Tri. Gives me something to focus on.

Dr. Update

2008-10-21T12:30:00.002-04:00

I just left Dr. Bert's office. I love him but those two guys working with him today are not my friends! OK to have students but not when they are pushing and pulling on a foot that doesn't feel that great. Yesterday was a great day. My foot barely hurt at all. Then this morning I woke up and not such a good foot day. So to make matters worse Eric and Kurt got to do their almost Dr. magic on me. I told Dr. Bert to fire Eric. His bedside manner sucked. Something about asking me if that hurt one too many times while tears where welling in my eyes. Of course we are laughing the entire time! I got an A + for my pedicure and in my recovery it calls for pedicures every week until further notice!

The verdict is rest! The only way the tendons will repair is for them to stay put. I guess that is the best way I can describe it. We tried three things, an air cast (oh no that hurt really bad), a walking boot (no relief and awkward) and a good old ace bandage wrap (no relief whatsoever). So I am back to my brace and boot. No cute girl shoes yet. In the next two weeks I am to try moving my foot to the outside and all about. Strengthening is what I am told that will do. See how it feels and that will be a good indication on how it is healing. I can ride the bike (stationary) and I can swim. So I will let those two consume me until the first week of December. Then Jingle Bell Jolt(Dec 13th ?) here I come!

"Your MRI is interesting"

2008-10-15T10:41:00.003-04:00

When the Dr. starts the conversation out like that, you don't know what to expect. I really expected good news to be honest. I had convinced myself that the pain was all in my head and nothing was really wrong. Because I got up this morning and only had twinges of pain, nothing like earlier in the week and on Sunday. I even contemplated not wearing my lovely new shoe. Maybe I will ask for a matching one next time. Being the fashion diva that I am you know. I wanted to hear him say you can at a minimum 3-5 miles at a time with the brace. That is what I wanted to hear. Not "I have only seen this happen a couple of times in my years of practice"! No fractures or torn ligaments. Two tendons are split right down the middle. Peroneus brevis and Peroneus longus (thanks to Marisa for the terminology). Treatable and will heal, I did hear that. I stopped listening when he said I may need to put you in a cast. Imagine, me, not listening.

It could be worse I know. I could of needed surgery or something crazy like that. But a cast really is not in my plans. Well none of this was in my plans. I cannot learn to swim if I have a cast on or ride my bike. Hell I don't even think I could ride a stationary bike with a cast on. Now I just can't wait until next Tuesday to see what my recovery plan looks like.

So much for my big plans of taking this stupid shoe off!

Hurry up and wait

2008-10-14T15:44:00.003-04:00

That is what I am doing today. Waiting on the MRI results. I went to have an MRI at 7:15 a.m. Finally they took me back then when I was finished they said your Dr. will have the results tomorrow. I then quickly say "Oh no, not good. I have an appointment at 11 and I think we are expecting the results by then". Well you know how far that got me. Back of the line! Dr. Bert says he will call me as soon as the results are posted. I am guessing that will be tomorrow. What do you all think?

One funny thing did happen. I understood him to say I could ride the bike. Well here I was all excited. I had already made plans to meet a friend and ride this weekend. So I say to Dr. Bert today, at least I can ride my bike. He looks at me funny and says yeah with that boot on. I go how do I ride my bike with this boot, he then tell me, "I didn't mean your bike", I meant a stationary bike. He then said "I see I am going to have to be very specific with you"! Yes you are Dr. Bert! I don't follow rules very well. Just ask anyone who knows me.

So hopefully later today or in the morning we will know something definite! Until then, I am working on adjusting my attitude to this whole new concept of "no running"! Not coming along as good as I would like. But I will continue to try hard to work on it.

Marathon Training has come to a bitter end

2008-10-13T12:44:00.002-04:00

Marathon training is over folks. I just left the office of Dr. Bert Fields and it is official, I am out for the season. The season of running that is. We do not know exactly as of yet, what is wrong, I have an MRI in the morning. But Dr. Fields has said those dreaded words "no running and definitely no marathon". I do not have enough time to recover from this is injury whatever it might be. If it is a ligament like he thinks it is, it will take a minimum of 6 weeks before he would want me to run on it and that does not mean 26.2 miles.

I kind of knew that this morning when I got out of bed and couldn't bear weight on it. But I needed to hear it from the professional. I think Dr. Bert felt just as bad telling me as I did hearing it. I am sick to say the least. Had this of happened in the beginning, it would be different. But I have trained hard. I have given up hours away from family, my kids teachers think I don't exist, all for nothing. Not for nothing I know. I have made new friends and gotten to know old friends better. I have ran farther than I ever thought I would be able to run. So I have accomplished something. Just not the goal I set out for.

There is next year! So for now, I will cheer my friends on from the sidelines and be proud of their accomplishments. I will just refocus on another goal for this year. For now, I am going to take some pain meds and lay down. Then I will try for refunds on all these races I won't be able to compete in!

So blogging Marathon Training 2008 has come to end. Thanks to all who have followed the madness. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as I have had a blast writing it! Funny how putting my feelings on the computer screen have made me feel alot better at times, but now is not one of them. Farewell!

I might have to rethink a marathon this year!

2008-10-12T17:37:00.002-04:00

After a few weeks of injury it has come to be that I might have to rethink running a marathon this year.

I have done exactly what Dr. Bert told me to do and thought I really was on the mend. Then I went out to run today. 3 miles into the run I was stopped by the pain. He said it would hurt but if the pain was too bad to stop as to not further damage it. So that is what I did. We were at Salem Lake and I had planned on running one loop which is 7 miles and then seeing if I could make a second one. Yes I know that was pushing it but that was my plan. My foot had another plan.

Marisa and I have talked and I am going to stay off the foot as much as possible this week, except riding the bike and water jogging then see on Saturday the results. We will make a decision at that point. Is it the end of the world? No to those of you reading but to me yes it is. You might not think to look at me run that I have put my heart and soul into this, but I have. So the pity party started on the 4 mile walk back to the car. There is always next year........

For anyone who ever thought about joining a running group, I cannot tell you enough to go for it. You will get the training you need but more than that you gain a family. Team Evolve your the best! Thanks for all the support and encouragement that you give to everyone. It is an honor to be a part of such a wonderful team!

It feels good to run!

2008-10-10T09:59:00.002-04:00

Since this "injury" most of you know I have either been not running or taking it easy. Last night was a hill workout, which just means we find a steep hill and run up and down it. I was afraid when I got there. Was it going to hurt me further or just what it would do. My foot did not hurt all day so that is why I was concerned. I thought oh no, is this going to be too much on my leg or what. We were to do as many as we could between 4 and 6. I took the easy out and only did 4 to not push it. Of course we warmed up and had a cool down. I walked my cool down just to not aggravate anything. Overall, I would say it was a good workout. I am feeling it today in my glutes! You would think my butt would be rock solid, NOT!

I did my 4 hill repeats with no trouble except I thought my lungs would explode. I think it is hilarious that I have run and exercised this much and within no time I feel like I just started. Oh well it will come back. I am focused on making this happen. This week I really watched my food intake (except for last night) and am going to over the next few weeks bust it out with cardio and running. Praying all along my foot is heeling.

Tomorrow me, John, Pam, John, and Chris are riding in Tour De Pig in Lexington. I am opting for the 30 mile course with Pam. I am sure the men will be men and pick the 60 miles. Have fun with that..... I need to be able to run on Sunday! Salem Lake here we come! I love running there. I am going to do one lap (7 miles) and see how I feel, if I am feeling good, yes I am going to push for a second lap, at the end of that I will see if I can run 4 more miles to get my 18 in for the week...... I need that 18 really bad. Marathon countdown is underway and I want to be ready.

So to all my praying friends keep me on your list!

Oh Yeah, I got to run!

2008-10-07T20:04:00.002-04:00

I forgot how good it made me feel to run. Today of course I got the clearance from a good Dr. that with certain limitations I could start to run. Of course I had my running clothes in the car just praying that I got the green light.

There is something about putting on my running shorts, t-shirt and running shoes that just puts a smile on my face. I meet my group, which I have so terribly missed. They are just the greatest group of people you could ever want to meet minus some of my folks from last year (Jessica, Jill and Rod). We are given our instructions to do just a light run. No long, fast miles! Yeah that is just what Dr. Bert told me I could do. Kay and I get ready and we are OFF! Kay is still under Dr. Bert's care as well so we follow her walk/run program. 2 minutes of running and one minute of walking. There were times of twinging pain, but for the most part it felt great. The we incorporate some core work and now I am home. Ready to eat a good dinner which my daughters boyfriend is downstairs cooking and it smells good. So thanks Paul! I just hope he knows how to do dishes......

So unless something crazy and unforseen happens, I AM BACK! Oh and how good that feels. Dr. Bert says I will be able to run my marathon, my time may not be what I want but is it about time or finishing. Right now it is about finishing. This will not be the only one I run. So next time I will focus on time. Like when Tamara and I run the Nike's Womens Marathon next year.

Today is a good day

2008-10-07T12:42:00.002-04:00

I just left Dr. Bert and I am reminded why I like him so much. OK today I love him. He is my new best friend and I don't care that I had to pay for him. He is just the absolute best! Of course I am only saying those things because I got good news.

Dr. Bert says it is a sprained/torn ligament. He also thinks I have bad ankles, but who cares if I can run. My ankles must be bad, he brought the medical student in to show them how they have space in them. Whatever that means. For the ligament I have a stabilization brace and new inserts for my shoes. I can run 5-7 miles this week at a time. If I need to walk do so, but an easy run and I should be fine. I do have alot of exercises to do but I can and will do that. If I am not feeling alot better by next week I am to return but for now I am very happy with the results of this office visit. Oh and yes I have called the other doctor who said there was nothing wrong with me. Either a phone call or a letter, which should it have been?

Now group, if you have never seen Dr. Bert he is very thorough in his exam as to your overall strength. Guess what, he says I have great core strength. He asked what I do to strengthen my core and I had to give Marisa the credit! So when we are complaining, ok I am complaining, we just need to remember how helpful it is and that is does work.

So I have started doing my happy dance, I will be back tonight! Can't wait! I am dying to run...well not dying actually but really excited to see how it goes....

A different kind of weekend

2008-10-04T11:02:00.004-04:00

Well this is the first weekend since July that I have not had to prepare for a long run. I am not real sure what to do with all this time. I know I should be spending it with my kids doing something, but my kids are too old to want to do anything with me. Of course if I were taking them shopping they would want to go. But I can't walk around to shop. Last night John had to drop me off at the door of the resturaunt and pick me up. Then of course people stare at why are you limping like that. I just want to scream! No really I just want to run. I want my foot to stop hurting so that I can put weight on it and I want to RUN!

So this weekend, I am going to try and enjoy the break and I am going to see if my kids want to see a movie with me...

Team Evolve, I hope you have a great run tomorrow. I will be thinking of you all!

a

2008-10-04T11:02:00.001-04:00