July 31- day of rest

My day off of walking & I went to water aerobics & afterwards into the hot tub to loosen up a bit. I tried to get some things done today, such as bill paying, etc. This whole training thing is really starting to take up a lot of time – which is OK, I just have to adjust. Between the walks/runs (which are gradually increasing in length each week), to getting ready for the walks, to recovering from the walks, to eating before the walks, to eating & drinking after the walks, to planning my routes & mileage, to working on the fundraising aspect – figuring out how else to get us to our goal (talking to places to ask for donations, sending off more emails, etc.). It all occupies a good part of the day – but it’s definitely worth it!



I’m including a photo of my shoes (or one of my shoes)– to show how the toe looks with the stitching out.

It gives my toes a bit of wiggle room & hopefully will prevent further toe nail damage…from those toes consistently pushing against the toe of the shoes. I just figured out that I will need a new pair of shoes before the marathon – so I’ll need to get them 3 or 4 weeks before, to break them in. Each pair of shoes will last for about 400 miles & I’ll pass that by the second week of September.

Also, here’s a picture of my water belt (that I wear whenever I go for a walk/run):

I fill it with water and/or electrolyte powder mixed in the water for longer walks. Even though they have stands along the marathon route, I’ll take my own to have in between miles. I’ll take along some electrolyte tablets or powder to mix along the way, too.

I went to bed a bit early tonight to be rested for my Saturday morning team walk tomorrow…it will be 14 miles. We’re meeting at Pioneers Park early tomorrow to get a jump on the heat so I got my things ready tonight…that means mixing up my water bottles with electrolyte powder, packing my “snot” gels and Cliff bar, mixing a recovery drink for afterwards when I finish the walk/run ( I need to have it in the car to drink right away…it really helps the muscles recover better), mixing a protein drink for afterwards…again, it’s important to have protein within ½ hour of completing a run…it helps repair torn tissue from the run. I keep the recovery drink and the protein drink in a small cooler in the car to drink after I finish the run and after I stretch before heading home.

Here’s a picture of getting ready for my morning run:

Left to right: electrolyte drink, recovery drink,4 "snot" gels (carbs) & (long package) of shot blocks (chewable carbs), cliff bar (missing: protein drink mix). Like I say, this walking/running business is a science!!
Went to bed listening to rolling thunder and rain and lightning…a wonderful Nebraska summer storm…great sleeping weather!

July 30

Did an early morning 4 miles in 60 minutes (15 min/ mile).

July 29

Leo had blood work done this morning & it was all very good. His hemoglobin was up 2 points so it looks like the organic spinach, organic raisins & raisin bran, & extra meals with red meat paid off! I did a 3 mile walk a bit later in 47 min (15.7 min/mile). This afternoon I had a reflexology appointment (ahhhhh! So wonderful, as always!!) with Deb and again she donated the amount I paid her for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society…Deb, you are amazing! Thank you so much again!!

July 28

Went for an early morning walk/run today & did it in 78 minutes (15.6 min/mile)...then I got ready and went to work. I forgot to mention on Saturday during the 5k race - I think I mentioned that a lot of people standing around the race area were cheering people on & they were all nice with the usual "way to go" "you can do it", etc. But one woman clearly stood out. As I approached her she looked at me and said "You're looking strong! You look like a woman on a mission!" I thought, "Boy, you've got that right!"
Oh, and I saw the official results of the 5k...so here it is: I came in overall 238 out of 242. In the female overall I came in 142 out of 145. In my age group category I came in 6th !! - yay!! ....ok...that is 6th out of 6 ! But here's the best part...I was the oldest female in the race! There was one other my age, but since my birthday is less than a month away, I'm going to say the odds are that I am the oldest!! ...and...I'm on a mission!!

July 27 - many thanks!!

Today is my rest day and now that I have my blog all caught up, I’d like to thank the many people who have donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through our website. Your support means more than you can know. Your words of encouragement to all of us & your generous donations have overwhelmed us! So here goes:
HUGE THANKS TO:
Jason & Shanna, Andy, Darcy, & Delia, Matt & Joy: our children, daughters-in-law, soon-to-be-daughter-in-law, and granddaughter – your support and concern has been so wonderful – and thanks to those of you who have also spread the word to friends & other family members – that has helped our fundraising immensely! We love all of you lots!!
Tom & Muriel – Joy’s wonderful parents and our soon-to-be-extended family (or whatever in-laws and in-laws are to each other!) We really appreciate your concern.
Marti & Herb – Darcy’s great parents and already extended family (or again, whatever in-laws and in-laws are to each other!) Thanks so much for your support!
Brad & Terri – Joy’s awesome brother (& Tom & Muriel’s son) & Terri, his girlfriend! ...that was so nice of you to contribute, too! Thank you!
Ann E – our friend from Chapel Hill and mother of Matt’s best friend from high school. Also Ann is the photographer that took the most amazing picture EVER of 4 boys one winter! Ann, your generosity is amazing and it is so nice to reconnect with you! Thank you, thank you!
Ryan & Summer – Ann’s wonderful son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Again, Ryan, it was good to reconnect with you…thank you so much for your generous donation…it means a lot to us…and we’re looking forward to seeing you in June!
Adam & Lauren – Matt’s friends…thank you so much for your donation…that was very kind of you!
Paul H – another friend of Matt’s. How nice, Paul, of you to send your support! Thank you!
Sharon B – our very special friend from our favorite Canadian island (and our favorite place on earth!). Thank you so much for your very generous donation and your friendship...you are so special to us! We will see you next year!
Tim & Deb C – Leo’s business associate /friend & wife – thank you so much for your donation…that means so much to Leo and all of us.
Terri & Dave V. – another of Leo’s business associates & husband – Thank you for your kind donation and continued concern for Leo.
Sharon & Nick K – a business associate & friend of Leo’s and her husband. Sharon, thank you for your wonderful donation and overall concern for Leo…we all really appreciate that!
Jeff B. and AeroVision International –another business associate and friend of Leo’s - wow! What can I say…your donation has blown us away! How very very generous of you! We are truly touched with your kind words, concern, and amazing donation! We just can’t thank you enough!
Deb F.- my amazing friend and joy group sister. Thank you so much, Deb, for your many many donations to the garage sale and your multiple cash donations. You are so kind and we appreciate your generosity so much!
Joan – my good friend. Thank you, Joan, for all your amazing generosity and your very generous donation including money that you took the time to also collect from business associates. We really appreciate what you have done!
Carleen – my college buddy and fellow backpacker-across-Europe back in ’72 and overall great friend. Thank you, Carleen, for your generous contribution AND for letting Sara and I stay at your place before our competitions last weekend. Leo, Sara, & I all appreciate you!

July 26

I did my 3 mile Sunday morning walk/run & it actually felt good. I did it in 45 min (15 min/mile) so I was pleased with that. And ya gotta love Lincoln! - along the trail today someone had put a little table beside the trail with a sign that said "free" on the side & on the table were home grown cucumbers & tomatoes and a plastic bag taped to the table with more plastic bags to put the veggies in! I was impressed.
Just to prove there really IS a 91 year old man named Clarence who ran in the 5k race last night...check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j9chBdOEFI It must have been filmed last year...because he is 91 yrs old now! He's awesome!
Also I forgot to mention yesterday as I started my walk/run out in Elkhorn, I heard a voice behind me and looked back and there was one guy running and singing as loud as he could...not just humming! I visited with him a bit... he was doing 28 miles that day...and must have been in his 40's or so. As he took off ahead of me he was belting out "Amazing Grace"! It was quite entertaining.

July 25 5 k race

Well, yesterday Sara and I arrived at Carleen's place and had a nice visit with her. Her place is so nice and peaceful and comfortable...it was great just to relax there. We scouted out where Sara needed to go last evening (where her 50 mile bike ride started this morning) so that was good to know. We made some dinner...pasta (high carb dinner!) and then Sara went to bed in good time and Carleen and I stayed up a bit late....around 12:45 or so...talking and having a good time, as always.

So Sara and I got up at 6:30 this morning and I took her down to the starting point for her 50 mile ride. I came back to Carleen's and no sooner did Carleen get dressed and ready and we went to the end of her long driveway, prepared to sit on the edge of the back of my van...and Sara was already almost right in front of us...on the race trail! I barely got my camera turned on to get a picture of her! She was really moving!

Carleen and I came back to her place and visited for awhile and I got a late start doing my walk for today. I had planned on a certain route, but changed to plan B because I knew Sara would be done before I finished my 10 miles and I needed to go pick her up. So I decided to just walk/run on the same road that she had just passed us on...that way she would pass me when she was going back and I would know when to turn around and go back to my car at Carleen's to go pick Sara up at the finish line.

So I called Leo as I was walking and tried to talk him through that route planning link (from July 23) and that took awhile because I couldn't hear well because I was huffing and puffing from running and then cars would go whooshing by on the highway that I was walking/running on. But Leo kept at it and finally was able to tell me a turning point on the highway that I decided to go to. But all of this took time...I had to stop along the way to read a map as to Sara's route..and it really slowed my pace down because I wasn't concentrating on my walking/running

I did about 6 miles and because I got a late start, I didn't think about sunblock...so instead I put on my long sleeved jacket (black polyester...ick!) so I wouldn't get a sunburn. It was REALLY hot out there in the blazing sun and on that asphalt road...I thought I was going to have a heat stroke!...so again...I didn't push my pace and even skipped some of the 45 second runs because of the heat. Also slowing me down was the fact that I was taking a bunch of pictures for Sara to post on her blog...and then towards the end...I kept turning around to see if Sara was coming up behind me ...I wanted to get more pictures of her going by. So the bottom line is that my "Mom" duties overpowered my training assignment...but...oh well! I just was looking at my morning walk as a warm up for my 5 k tonight.

Sara finished the race in a great time...50 miles in less than 4 hours!! She did a super job and finished strong...and she got a medal!! We went back to Carleen's, had lunch, rehydrated, took a shower, and then headed back to Lincoln. I took a 1 hour nap and then got up and had some quinoa salad (high protein, high carb), got my running gear back on, and Leo, Sara, and I took off for my 5 k race which was at the baseball park.

I got there and understand that this was all new to me...my first competition of anything athletic...EVER...in my life. I got my number to pin to my shirt and a chip to attach to my shoelace to time me. I didn't have a clue how to put either one of these things on...so I had to watch other people putting them on. There was time to spare so Leo, Sara, and I sat down in the seats for awhile and then about 1/2 hour before the race I took off to try to find the starting point. I tried to be towards the back since I was walking and I assumed the others there were walking, too.

The race started at 8:00 and everyone took off like bats out of hell! I looked around and the only other walker was a 91 year old man, Clarence, and he was keeping pace with me!! I thought "oh no! I'm going to not only be beaten by a 91 year old man, but I really am going to be the last one over the line!". So Clarence and I walked along (he was actually jogging) and he told me that I walked really fast! About that time my alarm went off for me to run my 45 seconds and I didn't see him again until after I crossed the finish line (I did cross the line before him!).

I saw the whole pack of the other 300 or more runners off in the distance and I only hoped that I would figure out which route to take. I had planned on following the crowd...but they were really far out in front now. I passed Leo and Sara cheering me on...and all I could say was "I thought there would be more freakin' walkers!" About 1/2 to 2/3 of the way around the first lap (the first mile) a group of guys lapped me! Cripey! Now I knew what was going to happen...I was going to be the one that got the pity applause at the end...NOOOOO! But I kept up my pace and didn't do anything stupid like running a bunch extra like I did the other day. I kept a strong walk and my running felt good. (I had taken one of those snot gels (as I call them) just before the race started). All along the race people (specatators and runners) were supportive...saying "good job, you can do it, keep it up" and they were really nice. And I just smiled and kept up my pace, pushing myself as best as I could. Of course Leo and Sara were there cheering me on at each lap.

So before my mile 2 most everyone had lapped me. One gal said "you're almost there" and I said "no...I have another lap!" As I neared the end of the race I heard the band there playing some song...I forget what it was...but it sounded good...and I started running to the pace of the song. I ended up passsing a few others before the end and sprinted to the finish. Actually, I had to ask Sara if I had passed the finish line...I didn't see it! So I had the chip removed from my shoe and that was it. I did a 3.1 mile in 46 minutes so that was a pace of 14.8 min/mile...so I was really happy with that! And best of all...I finished! Here are a few pictures from the race:

Here's where I'm asking where the other freakin' walkers are!

You can see how the pack has thinned out!

Ahhhh! The finish line (I think!)

July 23

I got a late start to my walk today and it was really hot with the sun out in full force. I was tired this morning (which is why I think I was putting off my run til later...as if it would go away!) so I had a talk with myself before going out the door. It went like this: "so get your act together and push it today. You have this 5 k run on Saturday and you DON'T want to be the last person over the finish line...so see what you can do today" So I left the house thinking "yes, I can do this". I got to the trail and took off at a good pace and for the first 2 miles (of my 4 mile walk/run today) I really pushed it. I did the usual 4 min walk, 45 second run...but also did little spurts of running in between those times. I was huffing and puffing most of the way, but I kept going. At the end of 2 miles I was at 30 minutes flat... 15 min/mile and very pleased with that (although by how hard I was working, I thought it might be at 14 something). But by mile 3 I started to lose steam and did it in a 15.5 minute pace...with running in between...and mile 4 was really bad...I was hurting. My final time for the 4 miles was 61 minutes...only 1 minute better than yesterday and I almost killed myself! So I reset my goal of not being the last one over the finish line at the 5K race on this Saturday...to my new goal of just crossing the finish line! That's a lot less pressure! I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.
So the plan for this weekend is this: Sara and I will go tomorrow afternoon (Fri) out to my friend's (Carleen's) cabin in Elkhorn where we will stay tomorrow night. Sara will ride in the Cornhusker State Games in a 50 mile bike ride on Saturday morning. Amazingly, the ride is right on the road that Carleen lives on!! So on Friday afternoon we'll scout out where she needs to go the next morning and maybe she can see the roads that she'll be biking on. So Saturday morning I'll see her start off on her race and then I'll take off on my scheduled run of 10 miles. I mapped it out on that great website where you can map out your own route and it will show you how many miles you have gone and you can click on the satellite photo to see landmarks as to what you'll be passing by, etc. ...it's great! Here's the link if you want to play around with it: http://www.usatf.org/routes/map/
So anyway, I'll be running on country roads out by Elkhorn going north to Bennington Rd and hopefully I'll be done in time to catch Sara crossing the finish line of her race. Then we'll go back to Carleen's and shower ( a cold one for me!) and grab a recovery drink and some protein and then head back to Lincoln where I hope to have a few hours of rest before I go to my event that evening of doing a 5 k race...where my goal is to finish!! I'll probably gulp down a few carb shots to get me going before hand. So that's the plan.
I forgot to mention tonight was yard mowing time. Leo got on the riding mower and did the yard and I mowed with the push mower doing the trim work and working the edges. Boy, you'd never know Leo had just finished round 4 of chemo...seeing him zip around the yard like nobody's business! The only problem with this situation (of me doing the push mower) is that I'm training for a marathon ...and so I tend to walk very fast...too fast for the lawnmower to do it's thing. So Leo is constantly telling me to slow down...because where I mow tends to look like someone got a bad haircut (or so he says!). It usually involves Leo riding his mower over some of the places where I got carried away with my pace!

July 22

Leo had his weekly blood work done this morning and all looked really good. The nurse commented about how good his blood work is consistently. He was a little low in his hemoglobin so I'll have to bump up the iron-rich foods again for awhile....lots of spinach, raisins, red meat, etc. I went for my walk/run a little bit later and it got plenty warm on my walk. The 4 min/45 second plan is going well. I did 4 miles in 62 minutes (15.5 min/mile) and other than the heat, it felt good.

July 21

It was cool when I started my early morning walk today, so I wore a jacket, but by about mile 1 I was plenty warm so took it off. Doing the 4 minutes walking & 45 seconds running worked out well. I pushed it as best as I could & did the 5 miles in 1 hour and 17 minutes (15.4 min/mile). It rained lightly the last 2 miles, but felt good. Came home, had breakfast, took a shower, and then off to work for the day.

July 19

Did my 3 miles today in 47 minutes (15.7 min/mile). I still felt a little tired - but at least it was only 3 miles. I got an email from Rachel & she had figured out that doing 4 miles of walking & 45 seconds of running would add about 2 more minutes of running per hour - so sounds like a good deal. She said to start training with that now & we'll do that on Saturday & see how it goes. I reset my stop watch accordingly - ready for my Tuesday walk/run. Sadly, it takes me about as long to reset that watch as it does for me to walk a mile!

July 18 addition

Here are the additional pictures from Pioneers Park:

July 18

The sun ws rising over the cornfields as I drove to Pioneers Park for the team walk/run this morning. I left home at 6:30 AM & passed 2 wild turkey hens with their little ones. It was cool enough this morning to start with a jacket, but I took it off after 1 mile. It was just Rachel & myself today so Rachel ran with me the whole time. I cut it back to 5 minutes walk and 45 seconds run & that was plenty (with the hills). I did not have a lot of energy today & my feet hurt - after all the standing I did yesterday...actually I canned until about 11:30 last night. No wonder I didn't have energy today! It was good to have Rachel to help me keep my pace up as best as I could. The important thing is that I got it done! I did 12 miles in 2 hours and 22 minutes (16.8 min/mile) & even though the time wasn't great, I felt really good about doing the 12 miles - that's only 1 mile short of a half-marathon - and that was good mentally for me to do that. The walk around Pioneers park was really pretty - again, I took my camera - and here are some of the sights I saw as I walked through the park. I think I can only include 3 pictures on this particular post...so I'll do a second post for today to include the other 3 pics.

I drank my recovery drink on the way home but I was in a semi-rigor mortis state by the time I opened the car door at home & took the first few steps - ouch! My feet hurt & so did everything else! Leo was kind enough to go buy me a bag of ice while I was on my walk so I could do my ice bath. I ate some lunch & then took my usual 20 minute ice bath followed by about 45 minutes of sit time, then Leo & I ran some errands. I bought some more recovery drinks & some Carb-Boom energy gels. I tried one again today & I think I can tolerate them now and I think they are better absorbed in the gel form instead of the gel blocks. Rachel said it was best to take 1 gel pack every 45 minutes followed by water. It seemed to set fine with me today. So my grand total of miles this week is 27 miles! I had to take ibuprofen today for my feet - nothing else was quite as bad as that. Total miles walked from the beginning of training = 151 miles!! Hot damn! I'm on a roll!!

Julyl 17

My day off and I drove to Omaha to buy some pickling cucumbers at a farm there and then drove back to Lincoln and further southwest to a winery where they let me pick some grape leaves for my pickling and then I was on my feet for the next 9 hours to can pickles...quite an ordeal...and not a good idea for a rest day and for the day before my long run.

July 16

Did 4 miles in 60 minutes (15 min/mile) on the Mopac today. This trail is so pretty. I took along my camera this time and I'm including some pictures from my walk taken from the trail. I think it shows the beauty and serenity of the Nebraska landscape.

July 15

Leo had round 4 of chemo today & did very well. We met with the doctor before & when the doctor examined him & poked around his abdomen, he couldn't feel any of the tumor - he said that doesn't mean there isn't something there, but at least he couldn't feel it...so we were VERY pleased with that news! He set up another CT scan for Leo on Monday August 3 to see how the progress is going from an internal more definitive view. We'll be able to find out the results when we see the doctor on the 5th before his 5th round of chemo. I think the doctor & nurses are amazed at how well Leo is doing with the chemo. Other than the hair loss, the only other thing is he has a little numbness & tingling in some of his fingertips (this is common) - but according to Leo - it's a small price to pay for the benefits.
As usual during chemo, Leo's eyes started to "cage" as he refers to it - about 10 minutes after the benadryl entered his picc line so that's my cue to get changed, grab my cell phone, & go out and do my assigned walk. I walked the trail behind the oncology building (see Sara's blog July 19 titled "Epic Fall" for a picture of the building from the trail). Being a little bit later in the day, it was fairly warm & I was sweating quite a bit, but enjoyed the walk. I did 3 miles in 47 minutes (15.7 min/mile). When I got back to the chemo room Leo was still sleeping so I changed back into my jeans and t-shirt - but I didn't bother switching bras - I left my sports bra on. The reason?...sweating + sports bra removal = battle !! So I just didn't bother. Leo did well throughout the treatment - he even did some work on his laptop for awhile...taking care of business. We had our "picnic" lunch & he was finished around 3:00 or 3:30. That's 4 treatments down and 2 more to go!

July 14

Had to wake up at 6:00 to get my walk in early. Did 5 miles in 78 minutes (15.6 min/mile). I bumped up the pace today - 5 minutes walk & 1 minute run. Yikes! That is a long time to run! I barely caught my breath before the 5 minutes were up. Had a 9:00 dentist appointment & then worked the rest of the day at the antique store.

July 13

My day off of walking. I met my good friends, Carleen & Jayne, out at Mahoney Park & we had a picnic & then walked about 2 miles...not at a fast pace, though. We had a great time together as always! We did manage to get into ticks again so had to have a tick inspection on the sidewalk! I hate those nasty bugs...as the entomologist told me...ticks are from the dark side! (Joy, you understand this!)

July 12

My usual Sunday recovery walk. I went at noon & it was HOT. Did the 3 miles in 47 minutes (15.7 min/mile)

July 11

Today was our Saturday team run. I met Rachel at Pioneers Park and she walked with me for several miles & then hooked up with another runner & then caught up with me later on. I kept a pace of walk 5 minutes & run 45 seconds & with the hills out there for the first time, I felt I did really good, but those hills made a difference! Whew! On my walk I passed a favorite place of Leo's and mine before we were married. It's by a lake & we'd take a blanket & some books & lie down & talk & read & look up at the clouds. It was strange to think that 36 years later I would be not only out there training for a marathon run at age 60, but doing it for my husband to benefit leukemia & lymphoma research. As I ran by, I glanced over and could almost see those 2 young people on that blanket. Oh, the twists & turns that life takes. I also walked past the row of trees where 35 years ago I had my bridal portrait taken. One sunny day in June of 1975 I drove out to this park (because if was our favorite place in Lincoln) along with our wedding photographer & I went behind some trees & changed into my wedding dress while the photographer waited..and had my picture taken holding a single long stemmed red rose. Remember - I was a flower child (bona fide hippie!).

And later on in my run today I passed the wide open space just down from the statue of an Indian making smoke signals & I thought of our kids as toddlers, running in the open field, their hair flying wildly in the golden sunlight. Also, I walked past the toboggan run - a raised metal platform on top of a hill - where we'd bring our toboggan & squeeze the whole family on there - Leo & I & the 4 kids and then roar down the hill & diligently hike back up to repeat the whole scene. This was at night time - they had it lit up with lights. There's nothing better than a lit up snow-covered slope! We'd finish off the evening going to Lee's Chicken for hot cocoa - usually sitting in wet clothes as they thawed in the warmth of the restaurant.

So this particular walk/run was like stepping back in time & savoring every minute. As to the walk - I did just short of 10 miles in 162 minutes - the same as last Saturday's 10 mile - only this one was hilly - so not bad. On the way home I drank a recovery drink - Recoverite - that's full of carbs and protein and some sodium and minerals and I was hardly sore the remainder of the day - a miracle! I need to get more of that!

I rushed home, had some breakfast, took a 20 minute ice bath, gathered my food and cooking supplies, and barely made it to my class in time to teach a "summer cooking" class. I was on my feet the whole time teaching class & it wasn't bad!

Later this evening I signed up for the Omaha half marathon on September 27. It will be a good experience for me to do that before the big one in Des Moines. Rachel said she'd run the Omaha half marathon (13 miles) with me and I was very happy about that! That was really nice of her to volunteer to do that!! My total miles for this week are 25.7.

July 9

Leo had blood work done today & it looks fine - which is great news! I came home after the oncologist visit & again I walked in extra heat at noon...same time as yesterday...4 miles in 62 minutes. Rachel sent me an email today & said she would start our team run on this Saturday a half hour earlier - at 6:30 AM so I would have more time afterwards to get ready to teach my cooking class at 11:30 that morning. That was reallly nice of her.

July 8

Made the mistake today of doing my walk/run at noon & it was really hot. Did 4 miles in 62 minutes (15.5 min/mile). I was really sweating...I didn't realize that you could actually sweat on the tops of your hands!

July 7

Got up early (before work) and did 5 miles in 78 minutes (15.6 min/mile). Went to work and Sara came over at noon for a birthday celebration lunch. Later on today she rode her bike for 25 miles - for her 25th birthday...amazing!! It looks like Uncle John Ash seems to have started a very admirable tradition for the bikers of the family. Not too long ago he rode 50 miles on his 50th birthday - awesome!!

July 5

Walked 3 miles today in 45 minutes (15 min/mile)! Not bad after a 10 mile yesterday!

July 4

Well, I've been sort of looking forward to today's walk of 10 miles and sort of feeling apprehensive of it. I was on my own (no team walk today because it's the 4th) so I created a new and different route, starting off at the Y and going south and east...then heading north. I passed a crane at a pond along the way along with many rabbits. Leo, Sara, and friend, Jon (from Canada) went to the Farmer's Market and about half way through my walk I gave them a call to tell them where I was. Within 15 minutes they passed by in their car, waving and honking. Then as I was going under Sheridan Blvd on the trail I looked up on the bridge and there they were...waving and yelling "Go, Grandma, go!" That made me smile and as I kept walking and went under the bridge, I picked up the pace a bit. Then when I got to the Shopko store area, there they were again yelling "Go, Momma!". Again, I laughed and as I went past, I picked up the pace again. I had about 2 1/2 miles to go and I was getting tired. I realized that 10 miles was a long way! When I got to Essex St. the gang was there...this time shouting a Canadian cheer: "Go - eh!" Well, that really made me laugh. I continued on, again, feeling my feet go just a bit quicker. I was keeping up the rhythm of 5 minutes of walking and 45 seconds of running...with my sports watch alarm going off to cue me. I continued on to just short of Old Cheney and there they were AGAIN ...this time (in "honor"...or NOT... of the fact that Larry the Cable guy was in town tonight) and so their cheer was "Git 'er done!" And so I continued on, picking up the pace as best as I could... considering. As I neared the end of the 10 miles there they were yelling and cheering for me to make it to the end. Leo was there to give me a big hug and kiss. It was great having them cheer me on for the last half of my run!! Sara knew all the stops from her riding the same trail on her bike...so she knew just where to drive to and wait for me each time...it was great!! I did the 10 miles in 2 hrs and 42 minutes without stoppping once! That's 16.2 min/mile...not bad!! And my total miles this week are 25.3!! I came home and Leo had gone to the store to buy me a bag of ice. I took my ice bath and was pretty tired the rest of the day...but I felt very accomplished.

July 2

Leo had blood work done today and all looks good....that's always such good news! I walked 4.3 miles today in 69 minutes (16 min/mile).

July 1

I didn't do my walk/run until noon and it was pretty warm. I tied my shoes differently and it seemed to help a little on my left foot, but my right toe still had problems. I did my 3 miles today in 48 minutes (16 min/mile). I decided I needed to get things remedied with my toe because I have a 10 miler coming up this Saturday...so I went to the Running Company and talked to Ann who said I needed to cut the toe out of my shoes. My first reaction was...that's crazy!...new shoes??? and how much did they cost??? and you want me to cut out the toes???!! And then another thing came to mind...so I asked, "So what happens when it rains...do my toes get wet?" and she just looked at me. You see...I had envisioned cutting out the toes so my shoes looked like semi-sandals...and what she actually meant was to cut the top stitching on the toes of the shoes to allow more "wiggle" room. She must have thought I was nuts! People just don't get the fact that I'm clueless about most of this!! So she sat there on her shoe stool cutting the stitching of my new shoes with a box cutter...I could hardly look! She told me it looked like I had a case of "black toe" and that I would probably lose my toe nail...great!