It has been a while...

It has been a while since I have posted.  So let me try to pick up where I left off and summarize til we catch up to 2012.

June 2011 I completed the 1/2 marathon in Alaska.  What an exhilarating accomplishment and I am grateful to each and every person who contributed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

After returning home, work became the focus as well as trying to decide when to take medical leave to address the issues found during training for the 1/2 marathon.  It was decided to take the leave Nov 21st through Dec 18th.  Let me just say that I felt that time flew by during that 6 weeks.  

Dec 14th through 24th Tracy and I had a vacation.  I can take it easy and relax at home or in new places, right?  That is what I thought, anyhow... Was completely worn out when we returend home.  But how is that any different from a vacation even when you are not recovering from surgery?

We had a great time.  The first part of vacation was for T.  He wanted to play the golf courses at The Doral Resort in Miami, FL home of the Blue Monster.

I opted to relax and read.  I did join him on the course as an observer and camera girl. 



The next leg of our trip was a cruise with our family.  I was looking forward to spending time with family and just relaxing some more.  Overall it was a fabulous ending to 2011.  I am healthy and we spent quality time together.

I am grateful!

Team time

This morning began with the alarm squeaking at me quietly so I would not wake my husband. <I am not a morning person>  I wanted to get up earlier so I would have time to hydrate and eat some breakfast before heading out to meet the team for the Saturday morning training.

I am not sure how successful I was at not waking the husband as I did not gather my running gear the night before so I was using the flashlight on my phone to go in and out of the bed room.  <sorry honey, will do better next week>  Off to McKinney, I go.  Mentally saying 7 miles walking or running is still 7 miles, Go B, go!

This morning the training calendar said 7 miles.  So here we have it:

For those of you who have never been a part of a Team In Training event each Saturday morning we talk about our fundraising, we cheer the folks who had an awesome week, share tips and then there is a mission moment.  Mission moments are reminders of why we are participating in Team In Training.

Today a mother shared with us her passion for finding a cure for leukemia.  She shared with us about her son and her family. What a brave little boy who fought and unfortunately did not win the leukemia battle.  I cannot begin to imagine how this impacts a family.  She shared with us how they honor his life by continuing to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure for blood cancers so, some day, no other families will have to go through what they did.  Tears are not uncommon on Saturday morning and today was no different. 

If you know someone who has battled these cancers and you can spare even 1 dollar please honor them by contributing to the cause.  You may do so one of two ways:

Click the "Donate Now" link on the right hand column of this blog or you may make a check out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and email me at Brenda75035@gmail.com for the mailing address.

In addition, if my conversion from couch potato to enrollee and training for an endurance event has inspired you to get involved.  Please email me or post a comment to the blog.  I can tell you how to become a participant in the Team In Training program.  It is a WIN/WIN experience!  My life has been blessed in so many ways by participating in such an amazing program. 

I am grateful,
Brenda

Tuesday nights are for...

Jogging.  Last night I dropped back to 3 miles as I missed Monday night.  Tonight I will tackle the 5 mile jog.

You may have noticed I changed my terminology to jogging rather than running.  I think jogging more accurately describes my progress at this time.  I had to slow it down a bit so I could run for longer periods of time at once.  It makes for a much nicer story in the mind to feel like your stamina is steadily improving.

Fund raising is going well. I have an event on April 11th that should help get me one mid size step closer to the goal.  Many thanks to all of you have contributed!  I really appreciate the support!  If everyone on FB that is listed as a friend would donate $1.00 I would make my goal.  So what do you think, can you spare $1.00 to help find a cure for blood cancer and provide much needed care for those that need help?

I hope everyone is having a great day!  Looking forward to trying a new 5 mile run route tonight.  I hope TX weather holds on and there is no rain!

I am grateful,
Brenda

Wake up call

This past Saturday was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining, a nice breeze was blowing, and the temperature was perfect, perfecting for the team training. I was very tired this morning but I got out there anyway and enjoyed spring in Texas because before tooo long it will be gone.

My training plan said 5 miles but I was the only one there Saturday on the 5 mile route so I joined the 7 mile group.  Why not, right?  Next week I will be there, anyway.  I figured I might as well move on up!

I did not jog nearly as much as I would have liked but I had not stayed hydrated the week before while I was traveling and was very tired. This was my wake up call.  FOCUS!   I got out there and put in the time and at the end of the day that is the mindset needed to finish the race in June, go me!

This week I am in town and will be able to focus more on the training and make sure I stay hydrated and eat right.  San Francisco is one of my favorite cities and has amazing food!  I ended up out with co workers/friends having fun rather than taking care of business.  :)   Back to focusing on the task at hand.

Here is to a great week of training this week!

Til next time.  I am grateful,
Brenda

It is Spring in TX

All the trees are blooming and North Texas is turning green.  The weather is beautiful.  I would love for time to stand still and the beautiful spring weather stay for a while. 

Tuesday and Saturday team run's are going great!  Now that the weather is warmer more folks are coming out and participating.  I on the other hand do not care for the warmer weather and am concerned about my ability to tolerate it when the temperatures start rising.  Saturday morning was good but I had a mild headache after the run.  We will see.  Pushing forward and taking each challenge as it is presented to me.  Stopping is not an option.

The physical therapy is awesome and I am really feeling a difference in my runs due to the strengthening of the core muscles and stretching, stretching, stretching.  My hope is that after the race in June I can try going off the Lyrica and see if I still experience the nerve pain.  The PT has experienced this same issue and has for the most part controlled it and relieved the pressure by focussed exercise and stretching.  I am hopeful.

Next Saturday is the Pot Of Gold drawing if you haven't donated please consider doing so before next Friday!  We have around $550 dollars in gift cards calling someone's name!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/anchor11/bgordon2nf

Til next post.
I am grateful,
Brenda

A Week has flown by

On Tuesday I went to see Dr. Sethi at MetroCrest Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine.  After a thorough examination with a scheduled follow up, she sent me packing with a scrip for Lyrica (the drug used to treat fibromialgia).  There was an immediate change in my sciatic nerve pain.  For the most part it went away! 

So I had a wonderful week of training this week.  Tracy and I did 3 miles on Thursday night and then on Saturday morning (drumroll please) I for the first time jog/walked 5 miles.  My time was pretty good for a beginner, 15.5 minute miles.

On the drive home I called Tracy and celebrated the accomplishment.  I was so proud and happy with myself.  Friday night I will admit to feeling mild anxiety about completing 5 miles.  I had been struggling with training and worried about not being able to push myself to move faster because my leg would go numb after about 10 minutes.  Now, I feel like I can push to improve weekly and keep up with the training schedule.

So that is the weekly recap... Saturday night once I settled down and joined a dear friend for her birthday celebration at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar I COULD NOT MOVE without groaning, lol.  Now I know what normal running aches feel like. 

All is well and I am grateful,
Brenda

A beautiful night for a walk

I have a new appointment tomorrow with a new sports medicine group.  Thank you, June, for the referal.  I am anxious to hear a second opinion and I am hopeful.

I went to team training tonight with every intent of running; however, thanks to the coach I walked which means I saved myself some agony tonight.  It was such a beautiful night, light breeze, 57 degrees.  I love this time of year in Texas.

Sleep well everyone, I am looking forward to a new day with a different outcome tomorrow.

I am grateful,
Brenda