I am updating my blog for my book.

Chicago Marathon Jacket

For those of you who didn't get an official Chicago Marathon Jacket while we were in Chicago (and wanted one) go to this website and they are on sale 75% off! $31.25. Great bargain. They have some other great marathon merchandise but the sizes and colors are limited.
Just thought I would pass along my great deal!
Jana

Update on last post

I went to MS Sports Medicine today for an xray and I do have a fractured radial head of my right arm. So.........I am not able to lift anything with my right arm for six weeks. No cast or splint because I need to keep moving it to keep it from freezing up. Right now it hurts so it will not be hard to remember but as it heals it will be hard to keep from using it.
We will miss everyone at the party Saturday. We will be in New York for a week. WooHoo! We are going to a Magic Show, Wicked and to see the Rocketts Christmas Show. Can't wait!
See you guys when we return!

"Beware of Dog"

I haven't blogged in a while, at least since the week after Chicago. I feel that this information truly is blogworthy and may be of some help to some other poor unsuspecting soul out there running in unfamiliar territory.
I went to see my daughter in Hot Springs, AR on Thursday. I haven't seen her in a while and Clark could not go so I headed out ready for a fun filled two days of shopping and visiting. I had had a bad week training after running nine miles on Saturday. The run was great but since then I had not done anything. I was really feeling guilty so I thought if I take my running tights and my new sugoi jacket I will be more inspired to run when I get to Hot Springs. Jill lives in a rural area and there are a lot of roads with not much traffic. There is a mixture of houses in her area - million dollar homes on Lake Hamilton and also some that look like shacks about to fall down.
Jill and Chris left for work on Friday morning and I fought with my little inner voice for a couple of hours until I finally gave in and got dressed for running. It was very cold outside. I set out with Jill's dog on a leash and went a little way up from her house. Rook (the dog) didn't seem too happy to be out in the cold being pulled on the leash so I decided to take him home. I took him home and set out again in the other direction. I was walking mostly with a few running intervals and had gotten about 1.5 miles from her house. All of a sudden, out of the bushes in front of a shack with a "Beware of Dog" sign on the front porch came four dogs, two large white dogs and two smaller black dogs. They took one look at me and started charging. I did not have time to do anything, not even think before they were on me. They were growling, barking and biting my legs and knocked me to the ground. All I could think of was that I had to get up, if I didn't they would kill me. I somehow managed to get upright and I started walking. They were constantly biting my legs. All of a sudden they stopped and left me alone. I don't know why they stopped but I was very glad. I was so scared that I could not turn around and see where they were.
I immediately called my daughter. I will never be without my cell phone after Chicago. She left work and took me to the ER. I have stitches in my left leg at my knee. I have a deep puncture wound there and a pretty deep cut. I scraped a lot of skin off of my right elbow from my fall on the road and had to have stitches there also. My right arm has been really sore. They took xrays at the hospital but they were okay. I am having problems with mobility of that arm so will have more xrays today at Chris's office. He said I may have a radial head or neck fracture that is hard to see on xray unless you are looking for it. If so, I will be limited in how I take care of patients at work. My legs have several scratches and deep tissue injuries that are only evident by bruising. I believe that my CWX tights saved my legs from being injured further with more bite tears. They are pretty shredded and so is my jacket but I am glad to be alive.
A deputy sheriff came to the ER and took a statement from me. They picked up the dogs and are impounding them for 10 days to make sure they don't have rabies. After that, the owners can get the dogs and prove they have put up a fence or get rid of the dogs. They have to pay a fine and there will be a court date.
I have been given all kinds of advice for "future" attacks that I would like to pass along. Always carry pepper spray or mace. Carry dog biscuits. Hit the dog in the face or under the chin. All of these are good advice and great for what I should have done but I believe in this situation I handled it the best way I could. I did not look in their face and I did not fight back. I walked away. I honestly did not have time to react and by the time I could have gotten mace, pepper spray or dog biscuits out of my pocket I would have been on the ground anyway. The best advice I can give is not to run in unfamiliar territory. If you do, always carry your cell phone and always be aware of your surroundings.
I will be on the treadmill for a while until I recover from this trauma. The Saturday runs are okay since I always have friends around for protection. I am beginning to think I have a dark cloud following me around! It is always something!

Grandma Jana and Grandpa Clark

Clark and I found out today that we are going to be grandparents for the first time! Clark is old enough but not me! HA!
My youngest daughter Jamie just found out that she is pregnant. I can't believe it! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forget Wayne?

I can't believe I forgot to mention Wayne in my blog! Wayne jogged up beside me at the halfway point and actually told me to slow down! What a way to get to a girl's heart! Thanks Wayne, for being there at the right time and saying the right thing and for taking care of my aches and pains all these months. You rock!

My Marathon Experience

Like most of you, my blog is my journal of my path to the Chicago Marathon 2007 so I must report on my experience. First of all, I would like to thank SO many people for their support.
Thank you Mark, Robin, Matt and Scotty for getting me to Chicago all in one piece, well trained and conditioned for a hot marathon day. Thank you for inspiring me and believing in me even with all my injuries and ailments these nine months. I would have given up long ago had you not encouraged me all the way.
Thank you Clark for being with me every step of the way on this long journey. You are the best husband and friend I could ever have.
Thanks to Steve Schemmel, Bill Lushbaugh, and Bob McElroy for supplying me with water. Every time I felt like I could not make it one more step without a drink I would see Cookie's sign and I would breathe a sigh of relief because I knew they would take care of me!
Thank you to the unknown runners who shared their water cups and the Chicago residents that gave me water from their hoses and sprayed me when I went by. Thank you to Robin and Sheila for screaming my name every time I appeared, and to all the spectators that called my name and cheered me on.
Thanks to Bonnie for waiting with me after the race until we could find Clark and to the two strangers who let me borrow their cell phone after the race. I will never go anywhere without my cell phone again.
Even though the race was cancelled I could not have been happier with my performance, I have no regrets. I feel like we were a part of history that will never be forgotten. If everything had gone perfect would this marathon be memorable to the world? NO! We all know we were going to finish. We were ready.
I started getting extremely anxious on Thursday before the marathon. Friday I had a severe headache all day from the stress of what was about to come but managed to keep it under control so that I could function and be sociable. We had a wonderful pizza lunch with Cookie and Steve at Giordano's, went on the boat tour which was fantastic and then had a great meal with Cookie and Steve and Janet and Bill. It was good to get to know Janet and Bill. I already loved Cookie and Steve and their great company.
Saturday was spent at the Expo most of the day. The pasta meal was the highlight of the trip that night. You never know how people feel about you until they call your name in front of a room full of people! Thank you Micah. We love you too!
Saturday night I dreamed all night. I dreamed I went to the starting line and realized I had on my fuzzy houseshoes! My second dream was that Clark and I got up Sunday morning, packed and went home. Later that day I realized that that was the day of the marathon and I had missed it! Crazy!
Saturday night before I went to bed I opened my Bible and asked God to give me reassuring words. He drew me to this passage:
"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11
As I got to the 17th mile I asked God to help me because I was really getting tired and needed his Hand to pull me along. About that time they announced that the race was cancelled. My first thought was, "God you didn't have to cancel the race just because I needed help finishing!" Afterward, I told Clark about this and he laughed and said, "What an ego!"
This has been such a fantastic experience that I will never forget. In the Chicago Tribune the race director was quoted as saying "Marathon runners are tough people." I feel so blessed to be a part of all the "tough marathoners" in our group. You are all awesome!

This One's for Kelvin

I don't know if any of you have been reading emails from the Chicago Marathon website. I have been getting them and skimming through them without really reading them until this morning. This caught my eye and really moved me. Like Kelvin, I lost my dad at an early age. Kelvin's blog was awesome today and I felt led to share this story of inspiration from the website:


Special Installment: Reflections of a 2006 Runner
Sara Donovan of Hinsdale, Illinois sent the following essay through our Inspiration Bank. As we approach the final stretch to race day and the challenge of the race looms, we found her touching experience a perfect way to provide encouragement in the final strides.

Angels All Around Us
As a veteran of 25 marathons, I can testify to the fact that some races are easier than others, but all are challenging at the end. First-time marathoners take heart; all of us possess the ability to persevere through fatigue, aches, and pains in our bodies and through the obstacles our mind presents as the miles wear us down. The marathon is often less about the physicality of running and more about the one’s determination born of a commitment to make the 26.2-mile journey. Many things carry us along on the way to the finish line. There are the faces and cheers of the spectators and the runners all around us. There are the wonderful volunteers, the water, Gatorade, gel, and nutrition bars to sustain us. However, as the miles tick off to 20, conversation and banter die, and we are left mostly with our own thoughts. It is then that the race begins in earnest.

Last year by mile 22, I was very tired. My mind told me that I needed to walk, even to stop. I told myself it was insanity for a 60-year-old woman to do such a crazy thing as run 26 miles, that it was too dangerous. My running partner (who was having a good race) stayed by my side and helped me along – talking, cajoling, encouraging me. By mile 24, I was desperate. I knew I would finish, but I didn’t know how. I saw my family at the water station and pushed off for the final miles.

I began praying. I found myself directing my prayers to my father who had died in 2001. He had been a miler at Marquette University but couldn’t run after devastating leg fractures he sustained when he bailed out of his flaming B-17 in World War II. A memory came to me. Shortly before my dad’s death, I entered his room as he was waking from a nap. “Oh,” he exclaimed weakly with a look of joy, “I was dreaming that I was running!”

So as I shuffled along, I fixed that image in my mind and talked to him. “Help me, Dad, please. I’m so tired. You were a runner. You understand. Run by my side. Hold my hand like you did when I was a little girl. Lift me up and carry me.”

I struggled on, but I had relaxed. I turned to my partner who was saying that we had seven-tenths of a mile to go. “I’ve got it now,” I told her. We ran up the hill at Roosevelt Road, down Columbus Drive to the chute. “Thanks for getting me here,” I said to Debbie, as we crossed the finish line. We walked along among the crush of runners and parted company to find our families.

I was so happy and felt just fine. As I walked through Grant Park to meet my husband, I heard a familiar sound from my childhood that stopped me in my tracks. It was my father’s whistle. “Oh, Dad, I forgot to thank you.” I listened for the whistle again, but it didn’t come. “Don’t go yet, Dad.” All I saw were runners and their families celebrating in the October sunshine.

Angels are all around us. They can’t take away our pain or fatigue, but they are running by our sides or are just over our shoulders. So if you feel low on your marathon journey, call upon your angels. They are there.

I have had good marathons and bad marathons, but last year was my best one. It was the one my father ran with me.

Six Days!

Am I the only one panicking?

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

Exercise feels so good again!

I got on the elliptical this morning for 30 minutes! Yea, me! My foot is still somewhat sore but so much better. I am not going to push it by wogging too soon but will continue to XT on the elliptical and the bike for a couple more weeks.

Clark and I are leaving this afternoon for Kansas City, MO and then on to Seattle, WA. We will be back next Thurs. We are going to see our kids who have recently moved and make sure they are okay. We will miss you guys again Saturday.

MM has been a major "gettin out of my box" for me. The last few years I have done things I would never have done because they were too risky for me. I have always had a relatively "safe" life and have found out that I AM capable of doing things I never thought I could. It has been so cool for people to think of me in the context of "being a runner." At first I was embarassed about it because I have never even been an "exerciser." I thought people were looking at me and thinking "she sure doesn't look like any runner I know!" "I wonder if she knows she actually has to run!" It is amazing the respect you get from people you think have never given you a second thought! It has definitely been a conversation starter! People are definitely impressed!

I scrubbed in the operating room for about 10 hours yesterday. That was another major "box" I had to conquer. I have not worked in the OR since 1992 and never scrubbed by myself - always had someone else passing instruments. I only assisted or circulated so when my Doctor asked me to scrub with him I surprised myself when the word "yes" came out of my mouth! I thought, now what did I just say? Who was that person that answered? Anyway, it was very tiring esp. with my foot, etc. but SO MUCH fun! The time flew by and I actually enjoyed it! And......I actually did a pretty good job once I got the hang of it!

Take care you guys and have a great run Saturday!

I'm a couch potato today!

I haven't blogged in a week or so but I have been keeping up with everyone elses on a daily basis. I am so proud of everyone! I have never been involved with a more determined group. We are going to have so much fun in Chicago. Just hanging out with a group of great people like you will be awesome.
I had a minor surgical procedure this morning and am on Demerol if I say something stupid. I decided that while my foot is healing I would kill two birds with one stone and eliminate this problem also. I can start exercising again in a week. I never thought I would miss exercising!! My foot has still been miserably sore. My boss has been fondly calling me "Chester." For you young things Chester was on Gunsmoke (in the olden days) and walked with a limp. I would much rather be called Miss Kitty the saloon keeper!
I have decided not to get upset about my foot. If I could do something about it, it would be different. I am just going to keep telling myself that it is just taking me a little longer than some to get ready for a marathon. If I am unable to do Chicago I will just keep working towards MS Blues in January and then Chicago next year. I have too many things to be thankful for to get upset!
Whatever happens, Clark and I will be there in Chicago to cheer you on!
Had a great time in Hot Springs with my girls. Clark took us all out for a fabulous dinner Saturday night celebrating my birthday (it was Friday). If you have never been to Hot Springs, there is a wonderful bath house called Buckstaff Bathhouse. It is the only one still open I believe. You can get a hot mineral bath (they scrub you with a loofah), steam sauna, sitz bath and a massage all for about 45 dollars. It is unbelievable! I didn't make it this time because our trip was so short but I sure wanted to.
Clark also sent me flowers for my birthday on Friday. He is not only Dr. Butt but he is the man!
We won't be with you folks again Saturday. I will still be recuperating and Clark is on call. Hope you have a great run. Drink, drink, drink!!!
Jana

I can do this!

Thought I would give you guys an update so you know I haven't given up! I spent last week on crutches and was unable to bear weight on my left foot. The longest week of my life! Oprah, Dr. Phil and HGTV ruled my world. I hate to clean house but I hate worse to have to look at it and be unable to clean it! I also got a break from work. Most people would be happy about that but I love my job, I love my coworkers and my Dr. boss and occasionally I get to work with my husband Dr. boss! We have fun at work and I hate to miss.
Anyway, my foot has not gotten a whole lot better. Therefore, my Dr. husband decided it was time for me to have another bone scan. I went today and it showed another stress fracture - tibia this time. That is what we thought on examination last Saturday but since it was not getting better it was best to have it confirmed. I am glad that is all (not a complete break or fracture) because there is still hope that I can make Chicago.
I have heard so many comments in the past couple of weeks. "You are just not genetically made for running," "you need to run in moderation, not try to go so far," "running is just not your thing," "don't you know running is not good for you," and "maybe you should just give it up." And then on the other hand (from Clark and his brother, Chris) "you can still do this, you have come too far to quit now." I am going to listen to Clark and his brother!
Mandy was totally right though when she said if you do it to yourself, don't expect sympathy from anyone! It is hard for people to feel sorry for you when they told you you were crazy for running in the first place! All of this makes me more determined to complete the marathon.
I, along with all of you, am a marathoner! I can do this!

What a looooooooooooooong weeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

As of today, Friday, I am still using a crutch! My left foot is still really sore and difficult to walk on. It will get better. Just take some time, I know. I have not been able to work this week - or go to art class - or go to Yoga - or go to dinner at Shapleys last night with Clark's work. Bummer. Double bummer.
Clark and I will not be with you guys tomorrow or next week. We are leaving for an overnight Leadership Retreat with our church this afternoon to Timber Creek Camp and then next weekend we are going to my daughter's house in Hot Springs, AR. Take care out there and watch your fluid intake! It is going to be 100 degrees Saturday!
Jana

I have an injury........Bummer............

Once again, I have an injury. Maybe running is just not my thing. I seem to have a stress fracture of my left foot again. Not a heel fracture this time. Something else. I am not able to bear weight on that foot. I am on crutches.
About halfway back from Fannin Landing the second time the medial side of the front of my foot starting hurting some. It almost felt like a catch. I had been doing intervals the whole time 1:30/1:30. It started hurting worse when I was running so I decided to walk the rest of the way. I made it to Spillway Road and halfway to Forest Point when Clark picked me up in the truck. When I got ready to get out of the truck I could not put weight on that foot.
Clark's brother Chris (orthopedic hand surgeon) examined my foot and said it did not appear to be a muscle or tendon injury so it must be bone. He said it was probably a stress fracture and if I treat it like I did my heel fracture (no running or walking for a few weeks) it will be okay and I probably will be able to make the CM. Right now, I have my doubts.
So for now I am going to play it by ear. When I am able to walk again I will start back on the elliptical, water aerobics and water running. We will just have to see how things go. I am pretty bummed out about it but I figure it is better to be injured from trying to improve myself than from being a couch potato and having the problems that go with that.
The good thing about Saturday is my endurance was the best it has ever been. I was not sore or fatigued from the run Saturday or Sunday. I slept most of the day Sunday from taking mepergan for pain but not because of the miles I did. I woke up during the night Saturday in excrutiating pain with my foot and Clark was a dutiful nurse and took care of me.
Thanks to Cathy and Charlie for a wonderful party! It was such fun. I have really enjoyed the cake you sent home with us. I didn't realize you gave us so much until we got home! You did a great job with the invitations, the cake and the gift you gave Mandy! You are so talented!
We all should be proud of our accomplishment Saturday. No matter how far we went. Would we have done this much six months ago? I think not! We ARE all marathoners whether we make it to the CM or not. I am so proud of us all.
Jana

I have been working hard to finish this painting. Still have more work to do on it but thought I would share.
This has been a slow week training for me. I missed the run on Monday but managed to XT Sunday and yesterday I walked on the treadmill. I went to Fitness lady after work and forgot to take my industrial strength bra so could not run. Glad you men don't have this to worry about! Hope I am up to the mental challenge Saturday. The heat seems to be getting to me more than usual. I also have been eating a lot of bad things that I never eat! We had a reception for Clark's daughter and our new son-in-law Saturday night so we have had family from out of town here until Tuesday.

My daughter's little dashhound had to be put to sleep Monday. She was only four years old. She became paralyzed Thursday due to congenital back problems that these dogs are prone to have and was in really bad shape. She was in perfect health and my daughter let her out to go to the bathroom. She would not move away from the door so my daughter picked her up. When she did Chloe bit her. Jill dropped her and she ran to the bed and lost bowel function. They took her to the vet and she never came home. My daughter has been so upset. Chloe was such a sweet little dog!
Clark and I are sitting here watching Fox News about the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Unbelievable! Can you imagine being on that bridge when it collapsed! OMG
The weather report says rain Friday and Saturday. We may make it after all!

This Blog is Dedicated to Queen

This blog is dedicated to Queen and all of us wonderful, beautiful women of MM who need to start wearing purple now (or red) so that people are not shocked or surprised when we are old and start to wear purple!

When I am Old I Will Wear Purple
Jenny Joseph's 'Famous Poem'

Warning!
When I am Old
I will wear Purple!

When I am an old woman,
I shall wear purple - -
With a red hat which doesn't go,
and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension
on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandles,
And say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
and gobble up samples in shops
and press alarm bells
and run with my stick along public railings,
and make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
and pick flowers in other people's gardens
and learn to spit!
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
and eat three pounds of sausages at ago,
or only bread and pickles for a week,
and hoard pens and pencils
and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry,
and pay our rent
and not swear in the street,
and set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner
and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me
are not too shocked and surprised
when suddenly I am old,
And start to wear purple!

--Jenny Joseph

X Rated Blog

Everyone has gotten so good about blogging! I haven't been so good. I have been keeping up with my training. I was a slug Sunday though, went to church, lunch, and house hunting but no XT. My blisters kept me from doing much walking.

Monday I wogged on the treadmill for 45 min. and Tuesday for 30 minutes. On the treadmill I was able to increase my run interval to 3 and sometimes 5 minutes. I may try to run longer this Saturday since it is a "short" run and see how I do. After wogging Tuesday morning and then working all day (I stand most of the time) my blisters filled back up with fluid and my feet and legs hurt like Saturday! This morning I went to water aerobics and enjoyed every minute of it. Something about the water soothes your tired, aching feet and your poor ole joints. I fit right in with the other old blue hairs! I am just kidding about that. Water aerobics is an excellent way to exercise and somehow it is a well kept secret by older women. I don't know if it is because us younguns don't want to mess up our hair, don't think it is cool enough or a good enough workout, or we are working when the retired ladies can go, but when I go I am usually the youngest in the class! I highly recommend it. I even bought some gloves today at Fitness Lady to increase resistence.

One day this past week, I was at Fitness Lady about to get on a treadmill when I heard one of the personal trainers say "she ran 16 miles Saturday, you know she is training for the Chicago Marathon." Well, she wasn't talking about me but I was so proud anyway! I looked to see who it was but did not recognize them. Was it you?

Clark and I have been spending most of our free time house hunting. We are having a dilemma of whether to build and get what we want (and possibly a divorce. JK) or buy a house already built. We made an offer on a house last week and while we were negotiating the homeowner accepted another offer. Legal, but not ethical. I have been pretty bummed out about that but I know there is something better out there for us. We want a house on the water, preferably Madison County but haven't found one we like or in our price range.

BTW, I must say that exercising is good for your sex life. That is all I am going to say about that. (Clark, no pressure, that is my opinion TODAY. I don't know if it will change tomorrow.)

Hope everyone has a great week. Looking forward to Saturday and a great run!