Monday, February 28, 2011

Want a second opinion...

As training was progessing my old friend <not> the sciatic nerve started chatting with me.  So off I go to the ortho that I visited back in 2007 to ask what can be done and why the nerve is acting up again.

Here is the part I did not want to hear, "your piriformis muscle is pinching the sciatic nerve and you cannot run anymore".  That was about the extent of the conversation he said that he has tried surgery and there is no fixing this.  I am hard headed and want to speak with someone who will consult with me rather than emphatically state, some people are not meant to run and you are one of them.

I am very upset needless to say.  I start physical therapy next Tuesday and am in a state of indecision and confusion.  After the visit with the ortho I went to an urgent clinic to ask for some anti-inflamatory meds.  So far they are helping a bit.  I am also stretching the piriformis as much as I can to address the pain.

I did not run tonight, I am on the fence about tomorrow.  Decisions, decisions, sigh.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Monday Night

Last night I visited Deven Reid, Licensed Massage Therapist Extraordinaire!  She works at Stonebriar Spa and is a life saver.  I am having issues with my hamstring and sciatic nerve again which is very untimely considering I need to be running 4-5 times a week. GRRR.

I may ask my ortho to do another injection to relieve the swelling and pain.  I do not need the pain jacking with my training.  I have enough challenges without sciatic pain being one of them.

I ran 1.7 miles last night. :(  I did shave a minute off my time even with gimping.   I will take progress any way I can get it. 

I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Pot of Gold Raffle - Win up to $1,000 in gift cards!



The Team in Training summer team is busy collecting $50.00 gift cards for the Pot of Gold Raffle!  In the past the “Pot of Gold” has been filled with up to 1,000.00 dollars in gift cards from all your favorite retailers and restaurants.  Each donation helps me to reach my personal fundraising goal of $5,000.00.  Thank you to each and every one of you who support this cause.


How it works
Click on the below hyperlink and donate $5.00 or more to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  We will collect your name, email and physical address when you make your donation and you will automatically be entered to win!

We will hold the drawing on March 26th!

All participants will receive an email notification announcing the winner.
Tickets Cost:
$5.00 per ticket OR 5 tickets for $20.00
All previous donations are eligible and you will automatically be entered in the drawing!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Saturday Morning Joy

This morning the N TX team met at 7 a.m. to run our 3 miles.    I completed 10 miles this week total. 
I have my moments where I feel like, "I got this" then the next moment I am asking, "Can I do this?"  The answer is a large, resounding yes!  I must keep my mind from quiting before my body. 

There are so many amazing folks on the N TX team.  The advice and willingness to share is very touching.  Go Team!

If you have not stopped by my donation page please consider contributing today!  Every dollar counts.  Simply click the Team in Training link in the left hand corner to donate.  If you would like to send a check please contact me at brenda75035@gmail.com and I will send you the information you need.

I am grateful,
Brenda


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

First Tuesday Night Team Run

2.96 miles
Duration 0:51:44 | Average Pace 17:28 / mi | Average Speed 3.44 mph | Elevation Climb 65 ft
 
Not bad for a beginner...
 
I need to build stamina and improve speed to under a 15 minute mile at a bare minimum because the "Mayor's Race" in Anchorage sweeps (which means if you don't keep up they pull you out of race)  I presume this means everyone must finish in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
 
This is achievable!
 
Grateful,
Brenda
 
 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Contest Announcement - You don't want to miss this!

As a special surprise, everyone who has donated or makes a donation through March 25th will be entered to win a "Pot of Gold" which will contain a mix and match of  $50.00 gift cards from all your favorite places!  In the past this prize has been up to or exceeding $1,000.00 dollars!  The cost is $5.00 per ticket OR 5 tickets for every $20.00!  What an awesome prize!

All you need to do to enter is go to the following link and donate! Or you can write a check made payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mail it to:  Brenda Gordon, 12350 Ridgetop Circle, Frisco, TX  75035.

I will turn in your tickets and submit them on your behalf.  The winner will be announced on March 26th.  


UPDATE:
My donation page is under construction and will be displaying the total donations on or around the middle of this week.  (I changed races and they must move the prior donation data to a new site.)  For each of you that have donated I do have a record and you will be entered into the contest and as mentioned above your information will be restored to the donation page very soon!

Please note the new page is functioning and you can donate using the following link!  
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/anchor11/bgordon2nf

Currently, you have contributed over $1,245.00 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!  THANK YOU!

Good Luck, everyone!

I am grateful,
Brenda

A Productive Week

There is a lot going on in the next 30 days that I cannot wait to tell you about.  Stay tuned!

Yesterday was our first team training.   We went to Luke's Locker in Allen and spent part of our morning learning the right gear and overall running tips.  If you do not shop at Luke's Locker I highly recommend you stop in.  Their staff is amazing.  We jogged / walked approximately 2 miles.  Each day I feel stronger and stronger and it is a great feeling.

Thank you Jennifer for hanging back with me when the "mystery pain" reared it's ugly head.
This week I had to travel for work.  It was an overnight trip but when you pack your running shoes and gear it tends to look as if you are moving in, lol.  I am looking forward to my next trip.  Huntington Beach, CA.  We are staying on the beach and I will have a beautiful run along the water each morning.  One could get used to that, ya know.  I know this area very well from when I used to live in Long Beach.  Being there always brings back great memories.  We used to hang out on the beach on the weekends, build a fire, have a seafood boil, and drink.  Ahhh, the twenties.  I wouldn't want to go back but they sure were good times.

To run or not to run today?  Will let you know later tonight what I decide.  It is beautiful out so I am leaning towards running.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Go Steelers!

I wish I still had my terrible towl to wave in the air, Go Steelers!  I am looking forward to hanging out with friends, watching the game, and previewing the commercials.  I hope the commercials are better than last year...

I just finished my 3 mile workout that I was supposed to do yesterday.  It took me 55 minutes to go 3.1 miles on my treadmill.  I had to laugh at how little difference it makes between casualy walking a 5k and switching  between walking/jogging one between 3.5 and 4.5 mph.  A lot more energy is expended, that is for sure, for so little time improvement (8 minutes)   Either way I worked out and I feel good about it.

I had a great day yesterday.  We went to Luke's Locker and purchased shoes and supplies that I will need over the next few months.   We then went to Eldorado Country Club to talk about a charty golf tournament, in April.  We received some good information and plan to talk to a few more.  We will have to decide pretty soon to pull all of this together and advertise. Next was Sun and Ski Sports.  Tracy needed a few items so we purchased some items there and passed out some coupons to folks shopping that day.  Then dinner with friends.  What a productive day. 

Well off to get ready.  Have a great evening watching the Super Bowl and be safe.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Go Team!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday night. Oh, how I love thee...

I finally left the house.  Ice and snow, I am over you and I need to get out and be among friends.  Off to dinner Tracy and I go.  We were all so glad to see eachother, well at least the ladies were, lol.  We were not the only Frisco households with cabin fever.  By 6 p.m. Cantina Laredo was lively and every table full.  Going out was just what the doctor ordered. 

The training calendar says rest, tonight.  The first team training tomorrow has been cancelled so I plan on getting up and spending some quality time with my treadmill.  I plan on going 3 miles as I believe that is what were were going to do tomorrow.

Tonight when we returned the dogs were so excited to be able to go outside again and play in the snow.  Roxi especially likes the snow and runs and plays by herself.  Suga tends to be more of a princess and does not like to get her feet wet. 

Well good night everyone.  I hope everyone is safe and warm.  Please visit my site if you have not contributed and would like to.  No amount is too small. 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/heelhalf11/bgordon2nf

I am grateful,
Brenda

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Getting a late start again tonight

I am enjoying finding ideas and ways to raise funds.  So much so,  that each evening I sit at my laptop filling out my plans on my fund raising calendar and reading and researching until almost bedtime.  Then it hits, get up and go do your 30 minutes.  It is day three of training, last night was marked rest on the training calendar, and I am writing tonight quickly to say, "here I go to the treadmill". 

I wish it was better outside but we are on day 3 of ice and cold in North Texas.  The garage door is still stuck to the driveway and the subdivision is mostly ice.  The dogs are the only ones enjoying the weather at this point.

I am looking forward to Saturday and hope the weather breaks enough to have our first team training. 
Go Team!

Grateful,
Brenda

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Day 2 - Check

Ok procrastinatioin is not good. I just finished my 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at midnight.
Good night all.