Apr 30, 2011

Running Through History

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I took a leap back through history this morning for my weekend long run. I ran 6 miles through my grandma’s eyes. Grandma lives in New York and has colon cancer (which she doesn’t even know due to her Alzheimers); traveled down to Tybee Island one summer back way-back-when with one of her best friends. They took the train down (this will be important later) and stayed at the Old Tybee Hotel (which is no longer there, but don’t tell Gma that!). Well one evening Gma and her friend went for a stroll on the beach with her friend and two Army gentleman. Apparently, being on the beach was a big no, no after sunset. So the cop or whomever, shuffled them back to the hotel and the soldiers on their way. And no worries, this was before my grandma met grandpa!

So back to my run! 6 miles along gorgeous palm tree lined trail next to marsh and backriver from Tybee…. that trail is the old RailRoad tracks that my grandma came down on some sixty-plus years ago. Kinda neat!

Ever since I moved to the area, she asks how Tybee is and how the hotel looks. I always talk to her about the little ice cream shop (different one, but still as yummy I am sure!) and how I grab a small cone! Anything to keep her happy!

 Grandma is just another reason to run for DetermiNation.

**Next time I run the left portion of the RTT, I am bringing my camera to show the amazing prayer flag area**

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Apr 25, 2011

Saturday Fun Run & Blessings

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Thanks for Hopping in…. Happy Easter! I just got back from a fabulous dinner with my parents that are in town from up North and my fiance (I love saying that!). Now time for some blogging!

Yesterday was a day I felt so blessed to be among those who are dedicating their training to the American Cancer Society DetermiNation. We met up for our Fun Run just as the sun was peaking…. so we did some stretching, did my quick 60-second ACS commercial highlighting one of the many services of the agency, and we are OFF!  Runners did 2, 4, 5, or 6 miles! The weather was about 74 degrees with a cool breeze coming in from the water and through the palm trees. Can I even complain? Nope! Not one ounce :)

Notice the lighthouses…. R and L!!
As promised in a previous email to the team, I had jokes in honor of the Easter holiday the next day. So not only do I look funny while I run, but I tell horrible jokes as well! Once the run was over, we all gathered and some fun bunny-licious surprises were handed out before heading out to even more FUN for our DetermiNation team & friends.

Every runner and athlete I have met likes to fuel their bodies. Some are food snobs (which I can relate too!). We love food, and food that is well earned is twice as nice! So we headed over to one of the runner’s homes, where she & her fiance cooked a smorgasbord of healthy breakfast items. Smoothies, omelets, muffins, fresh fruit- OH MY! nom nom.

I could not have imagined a better way to start a weekend of blessings and renewals then with this group of athletes. Thank you, DetermiNation!
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Apr 12, 2011

It’s Been a Hot Minute…..

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So it’s been a hot minute since I last updated and a slew of great things have gone on!!

  • The DetermiNation Kick-Off was a great success! We had new runners and veteran athletes stepping up to the plate of DNation. What an honor that they want to fundraise for those close to their hearts and those they will never meet. I feel so blessed that Fleet Feet is working so closely with our group AND that our runners are going to get the AWESOME training through their new program, CREW.
    • Sidenote/Self-Fulfillment- I have no doubt that I will get my medal this time…. no race day injuries and I may even try for a time goal!
  •  I celebrated two years with my awesome boyfriend T…. love him so much and he makes me happier than a homemade, fresh cannoli!!!! We had a great day and dined while gazing at the sunset over the marsh…. perfection.
  • Well then, just a few days later…. while on the first place he said “I Love You”, he dropped to one knee in the sand and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together….. OF COURSE I SAID YES!!!!!!!!

So while the past week was slightly lazy with running and cross-training! I got engaged (kinda a big deal!!!) and DNation has over 20 runners with 10 more committed to signing up!! ROCK ON!! My goal as the Chair is to get 75 runners by end of June (which is one month into our training with CREW). Want to put more meaning into your miles?? Run with us!!

Our first local FUN RUN is tonight (for those in the Coastal Empire)…. we have 4 scheduled before CREW Starts and will have them throughout training to keep the team bonding. So excited!!

Anyways…. off to fold some more laundry and get my day started… and maybe look at a wedding blog or 13498309!! Have a great one and Happy Running!

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Apr 5, 2011

Reason #2 and DNation Kick-Off TONIGHT!!!

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Hunter!
I feel pretty lame this morning while I skip the gym to push out a blog. But I have a valid excuse, ready for it?? There is an insane storm outside, like cats & dogs and potential hail/60 mph winds. Now, you wouldn’t want me to be on a treadmill in the middle of my stride and the power goes off and I FLY off the TM into the wall and break a leg…. would you? Ok, a little bit over dramatic, but it could happen! Or am I just lazy and wanted to enjoy my coffee with my puppy (look at that cuteness!!)  in my lap while listening to the hard pounding of rain and thunder?!?!
Reason #2 (note: my 26.2 reasons are not in numerical order) for running!
I met Daniel at my first survivor’s dinner in Effingham Cty as a staff partner. I have a special place in my heart for children with cancer and was immediately captivated by his wit and personality! At every Relay, Daniel brings his POV of choice! The first year it was a small 4-wheeler then he upgraded to a trike… just a few days ago, when I popped into Relay (to see Mr. Daniel & $upport my old volunteers and ACS) he had a brand new bike and was pedaling around! He was so proud of his bike!!! Going from a 4-wheeler to a bike for this handsome 14 year old may not seem like a big deal for some…. but here is just a glimpse at Daniel’s story!
At age 4, Trowell was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy and went into remission, but his kidneys failed from infection. His doctors gave him a 20 percent chance of living. He spent the next seven years of his life on dialysis.

“I asked why (the transplant operation) was so difficult, and they said because in most cases like him, most didn’t make it,” said Lisa, Daniel’s mom.

In 2008, he received his transplant. He is now able to eat without a feeding tube and swim in pools, things dialysis prevented him from doing before.

“It’s amazing how much the little things are just as important as the big things,” said Lisa.
About a month after his transplant, Daniel’s grandmother died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The two of them used to Relay together, and Daniel remembers how he used to stay with her.

“One time, I just took off and left everybody, like fuoom,” he said, mocking the speed with his hand.
Daniel is in fourth grade now, and his teachers come by three times a week. He loves math, Nintendo DS and wants to be a chef.

“I’m working on Taylor Swift right now,” said Daniel of his would-be girlfriend.
(Arnold, Calli. “Keeping the Beat.” Effingham Herald 8 Apr. 2010.)
Daniel and I (RFL 2011) Check out his NEW Bike!
Also, Daniel is a fifth grader this year at school 4 days a week and loving it!! He is still working on getting Taylor Swift to be his girlfriend- I will keep you posted on his progress. 
Thank you Daniel for making me smile :)

I will run for you, Daniel.

Speaking of run…. something I did NOT do this morning! TODAY is our FIRST DetermiNation Kick-Off/Info Session!!! 6pm at Fleet Feet!!! WAHOOO!! AND my friend, Kerry is DONATING CUPCAKES!!!! Check out her site! Our theme is “A World with Less Cancer, is a World with More Birthdays!”…. plus when you run a lot, you can eat cupcakes!!

We will go over the program, announce some fun runs, and meet & greet!
 
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Apr 1, 2011

All Those Mochalattes….So I tried Pilates

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Sorry for the Kayne West reference! And if you don’t know what I am talking about, google “The New Workout Plan” for a few laughs. I have done yogilates before which proved to be 79% successful as I managed to save my teeth from numerous face plants while holding a plank on the stability ball. I finally gained the courage to try Pilates with the MVE chair at my gym. To me the MVE stands for “Move Victoria Equipment”.
So we moved Victoria and bended Victoria all over this chair and the floor mat. The only thing I couldn’t do were the three teasers at the end of the class. The teasers were rolling our tailbones back and forth on the mat in various positions…. not kosher for my sore tailbone. But all in all a fabulous class! Some parts were challenging, like the exercise where I felt like a perched bird on the chair pumping my leg in the air. Others were fine, but I am sure I will feel tomorrow (those are the best!).
I hope that this class is a great addition to my cross-training and will give me greater flexibility in my hips as well! Thoughts? Anyone else done pilates and it helped their running?
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