Prayers for Miss Lillie and I Have a Black Eye!

Last night I got a call from my sister saying that my mom was being taken by ambulance to the hospital. She got a piece of meat stuck in her throat while eating dinner and couldn't breathe. Sh seemed to be OK, but the doctor wanted to keep her there overnight of observation. Thank goodness!

This morning my sister went there before work to check on her and while she was there, mom went into convulsions. Not sure if she was having another stroke or a seizure, she was rushed to the ICU for a cat scan. The cat scan showed no bleeding (thank goodness), but having a seizure is bad too (she has never had seizures before). She needs a MRI but she can't stay still and the doctor does not want to give her anything to knock her out. So now we wait.

I have been upset and crying over this and to make matters worse, my co-worker came into my office to check in with me and see if every thing was OK. I told her what I knew. Then in a concerned voice she asked, "Where did you get that black eye?" "What black eye?" I answered. Thinking that it was just cried on mascara, I took out my compact and sure enough, I have a black eye! I didn't have it when I came to work, but I think all the crying and wiping my eyes caused it. It is a good thing I didn't have it when I came in this morning or my co-workers would have thought I was getting beat!

Update: Mom is home from the hospital. She had a mini stroke which is common after a large stroke. I still worry, but I am thankful she is OK.

Marathon Training Week 19

Well, I got some decent mileage in this week, but I think due to the lack of time, I ran a little faster than I should have during my weekday runs to get my miles in. Saturday, we were back to our base run of 10 miles (it really feels like an accomplishment when I can say 10 miles is an easy day). The weather was cold in the morning but warmed up to be the most beautiful day!

As usual, I was running late and didn't have time to get on the foam roller before I left and about 8 miles in, my knee started hurting (which I attribute to running faster than I should have). I made it through, but I need to stay smart about training now. Which means going at the right pace and doing my physical therapy homework (which I have been slacking on a little bit).

I Just Registered For The New York City Marathon!!

There is nothing left to do until the lottery!

Marathon Training Week 18!

This has been a pretty good week. I got in my runs during the week and did my longest run to date on Saturday, 18 MILES!!!

Since Saturday was Valentines Day, our group decided to dress in pink or red for the occasion. It was snowing when I left the house and was getting a little upset that every time we have a long run scheduled, the weather does not cooperate, my knee starts hurting and I am forced to shorten my run. I needed to get those 18 miles in as David and I are going on vacation and I will miss my 21 mile run (I could say I would do it on the cruise ship, but I would be lying. The only way I am running 21 miles, is to the buffet and back 1000 times). With that in mind I decided I was not going to risk running in the snow, but I would go to the Olympic Oval (Home of the USA speed skating team). I was so happy when a few other runners in the group wanted to go there as well.

The track there is on the outside of the ice track so it is larger than a standard track (about 500M). It was not as boring as I thought it would be. As we ran we watched the USA speed skaters practice (we even saw Apolo Anton Ohno), took in a couple of hockey games and talked. It was MUCH better than running in the cold, wet snow! I felt tired but happy when we finished. Then me and the hubby went to a movie and stuffed ourselves with popcorn and pizza and I didn't feel one bit guilty! And, let me not forget the beautiful 3 dozen roses David gave me!!! SWEET! He is the BEST husband ever!!!!!

Marathon Training- Week 17!

So I am now convinced more than ever that my ITBS (knee trouble) is aggravated by two things:

1) To much up/down hill running and;

2) Freezing temperatures.

It was raining when I got to our groups meeting place but the temperature was not that cold so we all decided to brave the rain and run our scheduled 10 miles. Luckily the rain stopped shortly after we started. The temperature was good for running, about 35-40 degrees. I was the only one in my group there so I ran with the slower runners which was fine with me as I was testing my knee. Since the Emigration Canyon run last week, I only put in 5 miles on the treadmill. I wanted to make sure my knee was up to a long run, so I took it easy.

I did 10 miles with no knee pain. So for now, I will stay on flat terrain and run indoors if the temperature is below 30 degrees.

The Big Finish!

I just got this video of the finish of the Rock & Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon! Can you see me?

R.I.P. Rosario!

Rosario Iglesias started running at 80 years old and held 5 world records! She passed away Saturday at the age of 98. I am not allowed any more excuses when it comes to running! This lady is an inspiration!

For the full story click on this link: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/01/news/LT-Mexico-Obit-Iglesias.php

Marathon Training Week 16!

Saturday was our 16 mile run and we decided to mix it up a bit and run up and down Emigration Canyon. I loved the idea because the scenery up there is breathtaking and the run always ends with a awesome breakfast at Ruth's Diner. The only two issues I had were:

1) The first 61/2 miles would be up hill (AAAGGGG!); and

2) My IT band has not fully recovered and I risk re-injuring it with to much up and downhill running at this stage.

The morning was super cold, about 18 degrees when we got there. I heard the weather man say it would be 40 degrees, so I dressed for 40 degrees! Thank goodness I had my 80's legwarmers on! It was FREEZING!!!!

We started up the canyon and it really took forever to warm up. Once in the groove it was tough, but I felt pretty good, that is until about mile 5.5. The uphill running and slant of the road was causing some discomfort in my knee. I continued to mile 6.5 and turned around and headed down the hill. The funnest thing to do is run downhill, but it is the worst thing for your knees. I ran another mile and my knee was really hurting. I tried to walk it off, but I started to get really cold when I wasn't running. I got to about 10 miles and called it quits. I called another runner in our group who was only running 8 miles that day to drive up and pick me up (thanks Jen!)

I still rewarded myself with a great breakfast for running 6.5 miles uphill and 3.5 downhill! I will stick to flat courses for awhile until my IT band heals!