P.S.

Wordly Wise Day---made it 4+ miles.

WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWW HHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!

That is my longest weekday training.

More longer trainings next week...as I get closer to summer vacation!! (July!!)

Wordly Wise

Students at ECG know what 'Wordly Wise' is all about. I'll explain. It is their vocab that they must learn. The make flash cards, with the index cards from my office, and I even give them some crazy hints to help them remember the what the words mean. Big words...words you use to impress your boss, you know, those words.

Today, I became 'Wordly Wise'. My vocab unit was on running terms. I'll tell you about some of the terms I became everso familiar with. Words that I had heard of that I NEVER--EVER thought I would have to be familiar with. Chaffing. Astroglide. Blisters. Hamstrings.

I'll explain further. I wanted to take full advantage of the cooler weather today and get in a good run/walk. I went prepared for the long version of my training. I was well hydrated (whatever, we all know that is a myth!!), lightly clothed (still matchy-matchy of course), ready for the experience. I get about a mile out, I feel a funky rubbing sensation--I rearrange. I mean I have on the dang sports bra, and the ladies will back me up on this, it is not the greatest, most pleasant thing to wear--and it's pretty hot--'moisture wicking' yeah right! So the rubbing is between my upper inside arm and armpit! Nice image!! WHEW HEW!! Am I suppose to lube Astroglide on my pits? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I mean I have heard people talk about using this when you run, but not me. ME?? (You know you love the blog!!) And honestly, I am thinking, 'I don't know what happens when you 'chafe' {which is such an awful word!} but if it looks ugly in a sundress I am really gonna be pissed!!' So then I am thinking, hello, this is SUCH an easy fix! I can just strip my shirt off, just have the sports bra and me to duke it out. (I have apparently decided the cotton shirt is the culprit at this point.) Then I wonder if the BWCT is a scared part of nature and if by me stripping (and scaring anyone else on the trail) I would be disturbing the sanctity of that nature. So I guess logic does kick in, even with me, and I decide not to strip down to the sports bra and 'jog skirt'!

So, after you have picked yourself up off the floor from that paragraph, you can read about my next 101 ailments. And I do enjoy you laughing at me. It's nice and supportive. Sweet.

Apparently little 'Hammy' as I have decided to affectionately name my right hamstring, likes to rear his (because I am SURE it is male--come on!!) ugly big head around mile 2. I have learned from Jen that when I push it, I suffer and have to baby it a bit (see, just like a male!! HA!!) and then get back to regular training. Well, that would have been fine today, but I was just coming back from the tunnel!! Yeah, so the not pushing it was not so much of an option ya see. I guess I started walking different because then my calves started cramping. Now I am sure one of you will let me know that I am an idiot and need more potassium or more water or to get more pedicures, but whatever, pass along the info! That said, when you are on the trail, you don't stop after coming back over the bridge from the tunnel.

As I come back towards the parking lot, also known to me as salvation at times, I get another rubbing sensation. This on is on my foot. My heel. Again, you are kidding me I think. I adjust my shoe a million times. I keep going. Run, walk, run, walk. One is not much better than the other. The people on the trail must think I cannot figure out what I want to do! At times, I think that the running gets the pressure off my heel. Then I think my legs will give out. (I HATE MY BODY!) Who gets a blister in a tennis shoe? Or, for you Yankees, a 'sneaker'? And they are not even PINK shoes!! There is no sacrifice for style. You should not get a blister if no sacrifice is being made. Seriously.

And the last ailment is one that not many of you have warned me of. Near the end today, about the last 1/2 mile, my fingers were pretty little sausages. Again, nice. My hands were SO swollen! And of course I am familiar with this causality as it happens due to a fantastic day of shopping and goes away with no work whatsoever. The only problem with this today, I didn't get to buy anything new on the trail :-((

To end on a positive note, I would like to thank the City of Lynchburg for building such sturdy bridge on the BWCT. I did not even feel it shake when I ran across it like a bull in Spain. Impressive!

Love you all!!
(See you next week on my deck for a bucket of frozen drinks---aliment drinks!!)

Just another Manic Monday...

Okay, gotta update you on Monday...as 'the heat was on'!! RIGHT??!! But, the heat certainly will be on in August so I had to get out there...and I did, though not far. Went to the BWCT, as usual, which may actually be cheating as it is shaded! Monday though, it seemed to envelop all of the heat beneath the trees. UGH! I went on. Weird things happened. Someone kept moving the mile markers as I attempted intervals of running! Can you imagine??!! I mean there was no way I was out there and only accomplished 2.5 miles!! I keep going---yes, turtles were passing me---but I was getting nowhere!!

At the end of the trail, I was just happy I made it back to see my car...and happy that no one had to call 911 for me...the 'unidentifiable girl' who all must be able to describe as just precious. cute, friendly and yes, very matchy, matchy!!

Recommitment

So you knew I was going to do this sooner or later, and it is that time now!! My recommitment date for the marathon is fast approaching so it is time to make your donations that you have been putting off. Go to my webpage, there is a link to your right, you can donate there or give the money to me.

And here is a reminder...and very powerful reminder of why I am doing this! Donna read this poem at the very first TNT meeting I attended. I was struck with her story and how true this is, although at times you may not believe.

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal eternal Life
It cannot conquer the Spirit.
~Author Unknown

Read the line about courage again. 'What Cancer Cannot Do...Cancer Is So Limited...It cannot silence Courage.' I know of a little girl who has cancer. While her cancer may be different from a blood cancer, (she has a brain tumor) she inspires me daily and has no idea. It is heartbreaking to hear of any person, much less child, who has cancer. Courage. All of the people who fight Leukemia and Lymphoma (and all cancers) every day THEY give me the courage to do this tiny little marathon and help them fight. It is the least I can do.

And I ran...I ran so far away...

Do you know your 80s music?? I think this is a great one to put on my iPod!! Yeah!! And speaking of such...I am in need of some new tunes to get me through...so if you have any great playlists, that are VERY UPBEAT, please, please burn them for me!! I'll supply the cd, you supply me the great running/walking, pounding pavement music!! We can trade even, if you like 80s music, or cheer music or any crazy stuff like that!! HA!!

So, you all (most of you) doubted that I would do it...ya said I would not run at the beach...(apparently I do good with your doubt so I might need it again...) BUT I DID!! I RAN AT THE BEACH!! IN THE RAIN EVEN!! HA!! SO AMAZING!! Two times even!! Saturday and Sunday!! (No, running from the cops apparently does not count J and A!! HA!!) Okay, so it was not in the least bit awful, running on 'Bay Drive' looking at the ocean, beautiful!! And thanks to the wonderful advice from Coach Jennifer and my Momma, I put that aggravating iPod cord under my shirt and was fine! What a simple and genius solution! Thanks ladies!!

Anyway...I'd run at the beach any day...miss it:-((

Wednesday...Pilates...

So Pilates...relaxing...good for mind and body, right? HA!! Yeah, if your mind and body will cooperate!! I am SOOO not the limber, coordinated one I use to be...or think I am for that matter! Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVED the class and learned some great stretches! BUT...(and we know there are LOTS of big-ones in the world!!) the poor, sweet little instructor had to come over and attempt, yes people, attempt to show me one of the moves that I was having SO much difficulty with...bless her heart!! I think she was about ready to change careers!

Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, learned some great things (and not so great things about myself!) that I will attempt the class again as it is a wonderful thing.

(Ya'll are going out to warn the instructors now, aren't ya??!! RUE!!)

One more day...

I did it again! Because of you...because of your belief in me, your admiration of my 'determination', your help, you reading this blog, asking me how it is going, you just being you, yes, because of YOU, I completed another day of training! I am not as excited today though...I know it is disappointing...I believe it is the Monday thing. Boo Monday!! I did 3 miles today, running and walking intervals again, but today is different.

Today I hurt.

I am working on more stretching, a long bath, some Advil/Tylenol before bed. Funny that I was not near as sore after yesterday's training as I am after today's, but I hear that's how it goes.

The hardest thing so far? (Aside from getting myself out there every day!!) Dropping my shoulders...and I promise you--they hurt the worse!! Emily tells me to 'hit my hips'...she doesn't know what a job that is!! HA! And for those of you who hear me complain about my shoulder and neck...I promise to try to suck it up! (Okay, I said try!!)

Need some stretching tips...tips to keep my iPod cord OUT of my way...and what's this about Epsom salt?? Let me hear it people!!

Whew-hew!!!!

Okay, so one bad day, yesterday, can be turned around!!

Sunny Sunday!! Okay, so it was not sunny at all. It rained today. But did that stop me? NO!! Did I go to the Y and get on a treadmill? NO! Did I go to the trail? (No, because they were having the Awareness Garden dedication and I didn't want to interrupt with my hellacious breathing.) I went to LMS track!

I DID FOUR MILES!!!! YEAH!!!! ALTERNATING WALKING AND RUNNING!!!!

And right now, I can move.

Hope to see you tomorrow wherever you are:-)

Boo...

Today is boo. Just boo. I have no time to do the 'proper training'. I wanted to get to Roanoke to train with my TEAM, but there are not enough hours in the day.

I substitute.

I do my own cross-training at home. Some mini-weights, sit-ups, stretches, you know, what you can at home in the minimal space you have. Just try to make it work.

So my little boy, 3, asks, during a set of sit-ups, 'Why you keep spitting in the air Mama?'

Of course, that was my attempt to breathe.

Whew...

Not much to say after ALL of Thursday's news. I mean, right?? I would love to hit the trail again...country song here?? But I think it best to work those muscles (the ones in the back of your legs--thighs that I never knew existed) and do cross-training today.

I visit the YMCA Downtown. I am sure that place misses me. Nice to let my card get scanned. It is what it was created for. The most precious man in the world (okay, next to my Grandfather and a few others) works at the front desk and how he remembers all those people! So I get this look from him...like, where have you been? He is so good at it! I find myself explaining to him that I have been ATTEMPTING to train for a 1/2 marathon and that I am trying to get on the trail and off of the treadmill. He remembers! I think I told him about it like a month ago, when I first signed up...he remembered!! How great is this man! He gave me a few tips about where to train and some good loops to run, but I do think he has a whole lot of faith in my ability based on what he is telling me--his loops involve HILLS!! AHHH!! Hopefully I can get to that point, but right now, I am glad to get my Nikes on! HA!

So, I know what you are all thinking, I went to the Y to socialize...and while I enjoy my chats, I did bike for 4 miles, which helped loosen up my hamstrings (?) and I did some other leg things and worked my arms with some mini weights. O, I did the ab machine and some man told me it was nice to that I was working out. Now I am not really sure who this man is, but I know him somehow. His comment now, was RUE!! I mean----what?? But anyway, it felt nice but I kind of felt like I was cheating on the trail. (I think that is a good thing.)

Getting somewhere?!?!

So, I need to break this down for you in a few days...I'm a bit behind...

Thursday I met 'the girls'. 'The Girls' are credited with keeping me moving and making me believe in myself when I NEVER thought I could run! It is really amazing how someone else can believe in you when you don't have any faith in you at all!

I met Emily and Jenny at 4 p.m. on the trail Thursday. They waited patiently for me as I showed up late. (Amazing, aren't they!!) They casually worked in the conversation that we would begin to run at the quarter mile markers. (Run!? I am scared at the thought. I am not ready for this. Did they not read my blog about almost throwing up yesterday??) I threaten them that I will talk about them in my next blog...they brush my comments off as if I am one of their students asking for yet another pass into the vast hallways of ECG. As hard as it was not to fall down with my theatrical skills and play injured, I went on, for possible fear that they might drag me with them even if I were injured.

First quarter (okay, so I think we ran from VA to NC, but who is really measuring?) I almost lose a lung, but Emily tells me how good I did and makes all of these promises and I just think I must be the most amazing person on the trail at this point...and it gets better...well, the encouragement at least. 'The Girls' remain really soft spoken as I huff and puff and try not to blow them down in front of me and as we get back to the parking lot and am amazed that I have conqured this feat and they cheer for me!! HOW AWESOME!! I attempt to cheer with them, as I am most excited, but at this point have lost all lung capacity and...sadly, cannot do that.

They both tell me that it gets easier...I nod, with big, glassy eyes...not sure if I can believe them, but hey, if they cheer for me again, I might just do whatever they say!

Thank you girls! You make ME happen!!

I DID IT!! I finally had a real training day! That is a bit of a proud feeling. I was told by my TNT coaches to get off of the treadmill and I see why...what a difference...you have to work when you make yourself walk! HA! Who knew??

I walked 2 miles on the Blackwater Creek Trail (Greek Orthodox Church Entrance) today...and confess that at 0.25 mi, yes, you read that right, I felt like I was going to throw up! I am SUCH a baby! But after a good 80s song came on my iPod and I played the air drums (no, I don't care that people on the trial think I have a day pass from the Psych Ward at VA Baptist!) it went much better...and at then end of the first mile, I made a slight attempt at running. Anyway...

So if you include this 2 mi with the 1/2 mi that I walked during work today during our 'alarm' evacuation, I got in a whole 2.5 miles today!! And while I kind of feel like a loser telling you how proud I am of myself that I got out and made the 2 miles, typing this does put it all in perspective for me. But WHEW HEW anyway!! If I can get in a mile during work tomorrow...hmmmmm...

Day One: Confession Time

Well, well, well...here I sit at confession time. I begin to tell you about how I have not been training like I SHOULD be. I AM SO SORRY! Probably more for me than you, yes, but sorry nonetheless. So I blamed it first on my sister's graduation...so much to do to get ready for her big day...and I was SO excited for it!! My baby sister graduating with huge honors from JMU!! I am still so proud! Then I blamed my lack of training on my wonderful friend, Terry, who was married last weekend (Congratulations!!) and again, lots to do to get ready for her big day...and I know you are thinking what do I have to do for these 'other people's' big days? But for those of you who know me...well, you just know!! So anyway, those events outta the way...tomorrow looks good!! I am not sure if I will take on Pilates at the Y or hit the trail...what options I have!!

But more exciting, I have company now...two wonderful women in the 'LBC' (ha!) have decided to join the TEAM!! I think Jenny will be a huge help to my motivation and keep me accountable. And the students at school are ALWAYS asking me how my training is going...which is really great...but not on the days I have not done anything:-(

I look for my next 'installment' to be uplifting and full of good news and worked muscles!! I have honestly been focusing so much on fundraising...I have a LONG way to go from where I am now to $2100...that I think I have forgotten a little about the other HUGE part of this!!

Keep me in your thoughts, send me encouragement, tips, helpful hints, nutritional tidbits and as always, money!!

Love you all!Lisa...training to be...Lucy Lu (for you Momma!!)