Really tired..........................

I tried wogging at Strawberry Patch Park this morning and could only go 2 miles! It was so hot and I was SO thirsty! I ran to my car for something to drink and once I stopped I just couldn't make myself go on! I know I can't wait until 9:00 to get started anymore with this heat. I am going to let this be my short day and try again tomorrow.

After 7 miles Saturday, Clark and I biked for 1.5 hours Sunday afternoon. I think I need a rest.
Mandy, your comment to my blog was sweet but I was like a duck - calm and cool on the surface and paddling like crazy under the water! Saturday was hard but felt so good when we finished.

Christa and Kayra, you guys did great. You really looked like you were into the groove of this thing and had your rhythym going.

Ann, the Race Ready shorts at Fleet Feet were way too short for me. I went to Academy Sports and found some BCG shorts that are longer and have several pockets. They were also $9.99 as opposed to $29.99. (Clark are you taking note?)

Saturday is going to be fun. Let's all do our best to do our required training so it won't be so hard! Drink lots of fluid this week and eat right - lots of good for you food! We can do this. We can do this. We can do this. We can do this.

"Fantasy"

It has taken me about five hours to read through all the blogs I missed while on vacation but I had to know everyone's business! We had a fantastic time! It was so good to get away from everyday stress. Thought I would share a couple of pictures.
When I finished the run on Saturday I came home, got in the tub and turned on the cold water. It was very hard but it was kinda like boiling frogs. As long as it was gradual, I could stand it and I was not sore later at all!
We rushed to the bank, left for New Orleans and got in a terrible traffic jam when we got to Causeway Blvd. We almost missed the boat and then left all our money in the car!! I was grateful for our "Sail and Sign" card where we charged everything on the ship!
Clark's knee is in a mess. It has been very swollen the whole trip. Hopefully, he can see Dr. Shelton today and find out what is going on.
Training this week has not been bad at all except for being a little unstable on the treadmill on the ship. With all the food I ate it made me feel better to have exercised every morning. Something I would have never done in the past. I would have said "I am on vacation and I am not doing anything I don't have to do!" Well, I had to train to keep up with all you marathoners! I do not want to be left behind!

I just remembered I wanted to share some things I read in a little booklet I got for subscribing to Runner's World called "10 Free Running Reports" and then I have to get busy around here.
This is from the "Special Report for Women" and this section is geared for us women over 40. Sorry guys and younguns........

First of all Joan Ellis, age 51 (my age) won the 2000 Boston Marathon veteran's division in 3:05:46.
The report states:
1) we should train with younger runners
2) pump iron 2-3 times a week (improves muscle strength and bone density)
3) alternate hard and easy days (applies to all runners but especially to masters (I like that word), who take longer to recover. Don't run more than 50 to 60 miles per week. (not a problem - yet, HA!)
4) Consider hormone therapy - shows promise in reducing cholesterol, building bones, and easing menopausal symtoms. Also, may benefit brain health, prevent some cancers, and possibly reduce risk of osteoarthritis.
5) Running lowers your risk of adult-onset diabetes and heart disease, the number one killer of women over 60
6) Contrary to popular belief, running won't ruin your knees. Some studies suggest that it might actually help prevent arthritis by pumping nutrients into knee joints.

Interesting stuff, huh?

TGIT (Thank God It's Thursday!)

I just finished my wog this morning. I did the best ever so far - 4 miles in 51.33. The first 2.5 miles my legs felt like they had lead weights attached but I kept on pushing and all of a sudden it got easier! My knees were okay too - YEAH!

Thanks to everyone for keeping Clark in the loop. He has kept up with the blogs, loves reading them and has made some great friends. He is especially crazy about Christa, Mandy and Robin! He really is a special person who puts me on a pedestal way too much. He knows how hard I am on myself and continually tries to keep me pumped up - a full time job! I could not continue this without his support.

Christa emailed me about the honda car repair shop and I thought I would share my return email with whoever has a Honda or Acura:

They are Carshop Inc. 114 Centre Street, Ridgeland 601-991-9663
Go down County Line like going to Northpark Mall and turn left on Ridgewood Road. Go to Centre Street (the road Shapley's is on) and turn left. They are on the left by Ridgeland Auto World.
They are good church friends of ours, David and Edna Morse. She works in the office there some. Tell them we sent you but it really doesn't matter because they will be good to you no matter what. They are just good honest people. They specialize in Hondas and Acuras.

Yeah! We get to be couch potatoes until Saturday! Not!!

Run From The Sun

Thanks to everyone for the congrats on my 3rd place medal. I would not have known I won it if it had not have been for Debra - she won 2nd place!!!!! Congratulations Debra! I was very verbal about mine while Debra humbly kept her accomplishment to herself.
Christa, hope your knees are okay. We had fun going through the finish line together.

Rain, rain go away!

Didn't run this morning but am proud for the ones who did. I just couldn't make myself take a chance with the lightening. Thought about going to Fitness Lady but decided tonight's race would just have to do.
Hope to see a lot of you guys there!

My Latest Art

This is my latest picture. Thought I would share. I haven't had much time to paint lately but really enjoy it.

10 weeks and counting.......................................

I walked yesterday and continue to have knee pain. A very knowledgeable friend poked around on my knees and told me I have patella tendonitis. His instructions were to hold ice directly on my patellas for at least 2 minutes (like a block of ice) and no longer than 3 minutes. He said the muscles around my knees are very weak and that I need to do leg raises and a lot of stretching. Weight training without impact and rest will help. So..........I will do all these things until Saturday and hopefully be able to interval train then. I believe and have been told by many people that knowing when to rest is just as important as anything else. I am trying to be good but I keep thinking about what Mark said. "It takes three months for your body to realize you are serious - that's when you start seeing change." (I hope I got that right). If I keep resting, how is my body going to take me seriously next week at the three month date? How will it know?

IT WILL KNOW BECAUSE I WILL KEEP TELLING IT 'I AM A MARATHONER' AND I AM GOING TO RUN, WALK OR CRAWL TO THE FINISH LINE IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have walked seven plus miles since Sunday (if I count Saturday, 11 miles). When have I ever in my whole life walked that much? I mean I gotta get real here! This is much, much more than a marathon. It is a LIFE CHANGE. From a couch potato to a person that exercises regularly and actually enjoys it!

MM Meeting

Today was a great meeting. Robin is just too cute. I want to look just as cute as she did today at the Chicago Marathon! Running, walking or crawling!

I enjoyed the walk very much with Beth Taylor. We talked the whole way and it made the time go by quickly. Did yall know she is Associate pastor of Parkway Hills United Methodist Church? She is such an inspiration and a joy to talk to. We walked the whole time and it gave my knees a good break as they are trying to heal. She said I was walking slow so she could keep up but truthfully it was the other way around!

It was great to finally meet Mandy and Sheila. Mike and Jonie were running intervals and looked like it was effortless. Christa was hanging in there also even with her sore back. Have yall noticed the caliber of people doing this thing? All the people I have met are just awesome. It's like everyone is an achiever, wanting to be the best he or she can be, wanting to live life to the fullest. We are all on an exciting adventure together and after this there is no telling what we can do!

Clark and I got our Road ID in the mail today. We opted for the one that attaches to your shoe so we wouldn't have to try to remember it each time. It looks good and make me feel athletic!

Debra, I agree about Mark needing a blanket. He made me cold by looking at him in his shorts and short sleeves. I had on three layers!

Have a blessed Easter tomorrow hopefully with your loved ones. Don't forget to go to church!!

Withdrawal...........

I wogged for 4 miles yesterday and can barely walk today. My knees are a mess. I keep telling myself I only have to walk slowly for 20 minutes today to keep my "perfect record" but I know in my heart that I have to try to recover from this knee plague and rest today. I will take it easy this week and walk Saturday.
The good news is, we are going to Huntington Grill tonight for dinner courtesy of Cymbalta (a drug for pain and depression). I plan on pigging out! Only on super foods of course! Not! I think red wine is a super food, don't you? At least it should be. It is very good for the heart and circulation and probably good for sore knees!
Have a great week!