5:46:56

That was my time for the ENTIRE MS Blues Marathon. I sat on the fence between half and whole for a long time, and my butt got sore. But I kept feeling stronger with time after Chicago and decided to give it a shot. And I did it, with a whole lot of help from many directions. And they say marathon running is an individual sport. Hogwash!!! This is a team sport any way you look at it, whether you're an elite runner or an MMer. Family support, support from friends, God-given health, and a team of people just like you trying to make a difference in their own lives. It doesn't get any better than this.

I'm so glad I went for the whole. I knew I wasn't going to give up, even if I had to drag one leg. For awhile I thought I was going to have to drag one leg -- not even half way through my sciatica started acting up and I got worried, but it worked itself out. I had a few minutes of regret on Lakeland Drive, but got over it as soon as I turned onto Ridgewood. Funny how many phases one goes through during a marathon. I felt like my life was flashing (slowly) before my eyes, seeing friends and acquaintances I hadn't seen in years.

At the finish, my wonderful friend Margaret chased me up the last hill with Rusty, one of my canine running buddies. I hyperventilated at the actual finish because I kicked in with a sprint and was crying all at the same time. It was surreal. Must be like childbirth, as soon as you see the baby, you completely forget about all the pain you just went through. I still can't believe it, even with the sore quads and the medal.

This morning in the shower, I listened to a segment on Public Radio about the marathon this past weekend, and it had blues playing in the background. I started crying again in the shower, and am now concerned that every time I hear the Blues I'm going to weep all over again.

I thought it was a wonderful day, a great course (Lakeland Drive was monotonous), and well-organized event. I'm proud to have been a part of it, but even more proud to have been a part of Marathon Makeover 2007. I am already looking forward to next year, ready to improve on my time. I still had really tender feet at the end, and have decided that the only way to make that better is to spend less time out on the course. :-)

Thank you to everyone here who encouraged me, who came out and supported all of us running this past weekend, and who said prayers from home. You have no idea what a difference you made for all of us. You are the most incredible group of people I've ever been a part of. I'll see you in 3 weeks. :-)

Finally, a blog

Alright, y'all. Mandy is carrying the load all by herself right now. We gotta pick up the pace with this blogging. And finally, I have something to blog about. I've been spending afternoons lately trying to keep up with Cincha and she churns up the asphalt of Fondren with me, but yesterday I ran by myself. And without chasing or being chased, I actually ran a 10:10 mile among my 4.3 miles, and my overall pace was exactly the same pace I'd been running with Cindy. Woohoo for consistency. And, to top it off, I didn't even have anything to listen to during this run, other than the pawsteps of my trusty friend Sandy. I'm excited.

I've been struggling since Chicago with running being fun, and with feeling good while running. But I've finally gotten back into the fun run mentality. Instead of dreading the next run, I'm now looking for time to run, making time to run. That's where I need to be. I don't think that had anything to do with the events in Chicago, but just the normal let-down after a build-up like we had. Now I'm actually upset that it's raining, hoping it will end in time to run this afternoon. But there is always the treadmill . . .

Speed, Hills, and Distance

Cincha came to the 'hood yesterday afternoon for a sweet little run around the block. The result was personal bests, in different ways, for both of us. We ran fast part of the time, we did a bunch of hills, and we hoofed out 5 miles. For her, it was her first 5 mile run without any walk breaks. For me, and this is more important because after all, this is my blog, it was the fastest I've ever run 5 miles, and also my fastest 1 mile split in years (10:34). I was very excited, and the best part is that I feel great today. We finished our 5 miles in just under 57 minutes (and that includes walking to warm up). I was quite excited for both of us, and it just goes to show that if we don't push ourselves just a little, and only once in awhile, we'll never know what we really can do. We won't ever improve from our current status if we don't push a little bit here and there.

After not having run all week last week due to stomach problems, I felt much stronger this week. I ran all 3 running days for the first time since Chicago, and felt strong all 3 days. I'm looking forward to a nice, long run Saturday, but probably won't go quite as fast as yesterday. I feel like things are finally back on track (not a minute too soon) from the leftover funk of Chicago, the funk of a new job, the funk of trying to finish up a degree and the time change funk (admit it, we all get it). I'll soon be funk free as my last two exams will be completed by next weekend. My job is almost routine now (getting close), and I'm getting really excited about the Blues (that statement really makes no sense unless you're a marathoner). And now I am running some mornings and some afternoons before dark, so the time change is not messing with my chi any more. All is well. See you all tomorrow with a fresh pair of legs.

R.I.P. Hip Flexors

I completed the 16 miles Saturday, but it wasn't until Sunday that I received the news that my hip flexors had died. I couldn't even pick my feet up to put socks on. I have since gone to Walmart and bought new ones, but I do miss the old ones. I shouldn't be surprised that I was that sore, since I haven't been running regularly during the week. But I did find it funny to note the various muscles that were sore. My quads and calves of course, but my hip flexors, my left bicep, my upper back. I'm still trying to figure out what caused my left bicep to be sore. There's no telling, but it's funny for me to think about. It wasn't those heavy paper cups, since I usually drink with my right hand. Maybe opening a gel or something.

I have to retract my previous statement that I had decided to attempt the half marathon in January. I have reconsidered and am currently training for the whole marathon. We'll see how it goes, but that is my current plan. I'm a bit wishy washy these days, so don't be shocked if you see another retraction, but for now, I'm going the distance.

I, too, miss all the blogs these days. I think the blogging helps with the training and when we're not blogging as consistently as a group, we're not training as consistently as a group. Let me know if you have any thoughts on that theory. I know that I haven't been training or blogging as consistently, so there's my vote. :-)

I SO love The Foot Doctor

I have been having a bit of pain in a foot lately, and of course there is still the lovely purple toenail to brag about. I went to see my podiatrist, Rose Marie Sotolongo, and she ROCKS!! She made my toenail all pretty, no more purple. And she recommended some new inserts that should help me run more comfortably. It should help my little foot pain, but remember all my trouble with the tender balls of my feet all summer, the trendy ankle sweatbands, etc.? Well, she said these inserts should make a significant difference with that. Of course I won't know until next summer, but I did come home and run a super duper 5 miles. I felt great, even though I haven't been running regularly since Chicago. Work is cramping my style, messing up my chi. Hopefully I can knock some stuff out this week and over the weekend, and then I'll get back to my regular morning runs. Although I have really enjoyed leaving the office and running after work. I haven't had work stress in awhile, so it's nice to be able to nip it by running. Most days I can't wait to get out there, and when I can't go I get frustrated. That's exactly how I want to be -- excited to run because it feels so good, it is so rewarding on so many levels.

By the way, I am officially training for the HALF marathon. I'd like to run the whole thing, and at a slightly faster pace than I've been running, so I feel the whole would be too much elephant right now. I'll save that elephant for next October, and can't wait to put some ketchup on him!!

Looking forward to seeing everyone Saturday -- remember to hydrate and eat well, even though it's cooler, we still need it.

Chop it down, let it go

I received an email this morning containing this message, and it made me think of our group and our experience in Chicago.

FOUR BLESSED LOOKS
Look back and Thank God.
Look forward and Trust God.
Look around and Serve God.
Look within and Find God!"
"I asked God, 'How do I get the best out of life?' God said, 'Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear!'"

Since we got home, I've been too busy to spend much time (except that first week) dwelling on what did or didn't happen in Chicago. Now I'm glad I haven't had time to dwell on it, because in hearing some of the conversations Saturday morning, some of us are still dwelling in the past and aren't quite ready to face today, much less the future. All this experience did for me was prove that I'm not a quitter, and to give me a second chance to be even better than I would have been on October 7. I feel even more determined than ever, and I feel like now I have a chance to correct all the what-ifs I had just before Chicago. I remember hearing and reading about many of us who felt like we'd just skated by, didn't do everything we could to be ready for this marathon, and I was right in the middle of that. I knew I hadn't trained during the week like I needed to, and was prepared to just gut it out. Now that my goal is still there, I look at this as the perfect chance to correct all the stuff I didn't do last time, and be better prepared to kick them in the butt. I know this experience was heartbreaking, and that we all heal in different ways and times, but try to start thinking about the MS Blues, or next year in Chicago, as the chance God has given us to not just skate by, but kick some butt on the way. I didn't lose as much weight as I'd hoped, but I know most of that had to do with what I didn't do to cause it to happen. Now I have the perfect chance to be more dedicated, accomplish even more goals, and enjoy your friendships along the way. We have proven we can do it just by getting to the starting line, and now I'm ready to take the next step and cowgirl up!!!

Sorry I missed you all . . .

I hate to have missed the first Blues run Saturday. I did something to my foot Friday, and limped all day long. I knew that if it was still bothering me Saturday morning, I'd better not run on it. My rule is that if it alters my gait, I will not run with it. And this did. If something alters your running gait, you'll either hurt that thing more or wind up with something else hurting. I still felt it, but over the weekend it got better. I chose to wait one more week, and think I did the right thing. I ran this morning and everything is fine. I'll be with you this coming Saturday, for sure.

I'm really glad to see all the blogs of those of you who have chosen to do the Blues, but am also really happy to see the blogs still coming from those of you that are not able to do the Blues. This is such a tight-knit group, I hope we blog forever.

Does anyone remember those early days, griping about that blog stuff, what a pain, how we didn't understand it? I laugh now, because bloggers rock!!