Life lessons, Reflections, Thanks (and whining)

OK, Now it's my turn. I haven't blogged in a while athough I have faithfully read everyone else's daily. I have been a little overwhelmed lately with this marathon business. In February it seemed like it would never be here and now it is a little over a week away! How can that be?
Let me get my negative self out of the way right off the bat. Bear with me I am venting. I have not been able to go more that 16 miles without a fracture. What is up with that? Maybe it's because I have spent 52 years of my life ignoring and abusing my body - 2 babies, lots of diet coke, not enough milk, calcium, etc., very little weight bearing exercises, no exercising. Clark has had us on vitamin supplements for years but it is very difficult to turn back time and undo damage already done.

Reflections on my past year:
Gallbladder surgery
Mineral spirits burn to my thigh
Patella Tendonitis
9 stitches to my hand from a glass cut
Heel stress fracture
Tibial stress fracture
Bladder surgery

Things I have learned this year:
1. I HAVE self discipline and self motivation
2. I CAN overcome and bounce back quickly from an injury and/or surgery
3. I CAN have fantastic friends my kids age!
4. There are a lot of folks that have had much more difficult situations than me that are running this marathon and NOT complaining! There are also others such as Carol who have made a difficult decision not to run. That is the kind of person I want to always be! Someone who understands the importance of family and when necessary puts others before self no matter how disappointing it can be. God bless you Carol!
5. If GOD leads you to it, He WILL get you through it!
6. Most people are supportive at the end, but skeptical at the beginning of an endeavor such as this
7. My husband is my BEST FRIEND - he has been by my side every Saturday morning before daylight giving up his morning off (sometimes his only day off for weeks) even though he had to drop out of running because of his knee. He even rode his bike alongside me for 15 miles so that I could be safe on the Ridgeland trails! He has never stopped encouraging me or believing in me no matter how negative I get. Everyone at work tells me how proud he is of me!
8. It is not important that you excell in everything you attempt, it IS important that you do YOUR best
9. It is okay to be selfish at times. Taking time for self improvement is necessary and NOT being selfish
10. It is easier to exercise if you look cute ;-)
11. I CAN walk/run more than 2 miles without it killing me!
12. I do not have to compete with anyone but myself
13. My success and self esteem does not depend on what anyone else thinks or says, only on how I feel about myself

Miles dedicated:
1-7 Mom (her birthday is October 7)
8-15 Clark (he will get me through to the hardest part of the marathon)
16-26.2 Jesus (It will be only through His power that I finish this marathon)

We don't say it often enough but we do appreciate so much Mark & Robin for providing the vehicle and opportunity for our life change. You, Matt and Scotty have all worked tirelessly with little pay to get us all to Chicago and more importantly change our lives. Wayne has volunteered his time and been "on call" for all of us with our aches and pains and we can never repay him. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you fellow MM'ers for your encouragement and support. I have never met a more determined group of people!
Jana

I have had a great week training despite myself. Saturday, instead of trying to run with you guys (not ready yet for the pavement) Clark and I opted to ride bikes. We rode from our house in Madison to Grants Ferry Road, ate lunch at the Fresh Market Cafe and rode home. The only problem was we left the house after it got hot outside and had to ride in the heat the whole time. We got about a mile from home and I wrecked my bike. I skinned myself up pretty bad but my feelings were hurt worse than anything! I think I tried to do too much too soon and got overtired. I also haven't trained in the heat since the 18 miler when I got my tibial fracture. All of that was the perfect setup for getting hurt and I know better!
Sunday I was pretty "stove up" and rested. Monday I rode the elliptical for 13 minutes and then did water aerobics for 1.5 hrs. Tonight I walked and ran (yes, I did!) on the treadmill for 30 minutes and did the elliptical for 20 minutes. I am trying to build my endurance back up as much as I can without overdoing it. I am not going to try to do 20 miles Saturday. All I need is another stress fracture this close to the marathon! I still don't know if I will feel ready and won't until the week of the marathon, I guess. Right now, I feel like I can at least walk 26.2 miles. I just have been so miserable with these injuries I don't know if it is worth it! Wayne, if you have any suggestions please let me know!
Jana

Felix Espinoza

I bought two small beautiful watercolors from this man at the market here in Seattle yesterday. He is my age, born in Peru without arms and paints with his mouth. He is also an art teacher. He is awesome and such an inspiration!
I started back exercising Thursday and have not missed a day yet. Clark and I have gone to the fitness center each morning or night and I have done the elliptical. One night we water walked in the pool. Yesterday I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Not supposed to yet but I took it slow and was not going to do it if if hurt. My foot feels fine today (a little sore but no more than usual). I am really excited. Got to work on endurance though. I am trying to increase by five minutes everyday until I get up to par.
Oh, and by the way, Clark and I found some hemp granola yesterday at the market. We are having it for breakfast this morning and we don't care what we do after that. Everything is beautiful, man.
Jana