Unexpected Change of Plans

Well, I have been dealing with a lot of hip pain the past few days.  It seems I have been training "too hard, too fast for my age"; and I thought age was just a number!  My piriformis muscles are again giving me grief.  I have been advised by my doctor to take more time to train for an event...so running the NYC Half Marathon this March is not possible.  The folks on Fred's Team have been so great..I can either switch to the NYC Marathon scheduled for next November or the NYC Half Marathon scheduled for March 2012.  I haven't decided, but the NYC Marathon is beckoning!

I keep telling myself that I should not feel as though I have failed, but that I have made a decision that will keep me healthy, and running!  I read Blogs where the author is insisting on running through their pain only to endure further injury.  I do not want to end up like them.

I love to run; it is one of the things that keeps me sane.  I am grateful for every moment I can head out my door and go as fast as I can down the street!  I do not want to take this for granted, and I certainly do not want to make decisions that may hinder my ability to continue to run without pain. 

We have choices in life, we can continue to make bad decisions or we can alter our plans and embark on a new path.  I think I need to take a new, positive and "slower", path!

Oh,to be 30-something years old again! But then, the 50's are not all that bad!  After all, life is what we make of it; we are the "authors" of our lives!

Hello, Anyone Out There?

I found out that my friend Carole, who was going to train and run the New York City Half Marathon with me for Fred's Team (actually she talked me into it) has a serious achilles tendon injury and will have to take time off from running; she will not be able to run the NYC Half Marathon.  I feel for her because she was really committed, but injuries happen and she needs to make sure she takes the time she needs to heal.  My thoughts and prayers are with her.
I now feel very much alone in my training.  I have a difficult time getting into New York during the week when Sloan Kettering has their training sessions.  So I am looking for anyone out there who is training for the NYC Half Marathon that I could connect with...I am very slow, but any support would be welcome!

New York City Half Marathon Training

I started my half marathon training last week.  Unfortunately I have been unable to run outside due to the weather so all my running has been on my Preform Treadmill that I just had repaired by Sears.  The repairman from Sears told me that my treadmill is not a "running" treadmill, but a "walking" one, even though the treadmill has running programs!  I have no choice but to ignore him; I cannot afford a new treadmill at this time.
I am not having any problem following the NYC Runner's Club Half Marathon Schedule.  I actually enjoy running the increasing running miles per week.  This week I am running 18 miles, up from17 miles last week. 
I do have mixed feelings about the NYC Half Marathon...will I finish under 3 hours?...will I be able to raise enough money for Fred's Team?  I can't get into the city during the week for the Team Sessions so far this month..but maybe I will next month.   I passionately believe in Sloan Kettering..they treated my Tommy when he had a tumor on his ankle..a "nasty" tumor...and he was cancer free as a result of their efforts within a few years.  Soon after Tommy passed, his sister Alison remembered how he beat cancer and at the time we thought he would live forever...but now we realize it was only "borrowed time". 
If I can do something to give someone life, or even "borrowed time", I would.   I wish my Tom could have had "borrowed time"; life is so precious! 
I want to be able to raise at least $1,000.00 for Sloan Kettering because they do such extraordinary work!   Their research and care has given new life to so many!   

Love Lives Forever

I am looking forward to this year and the challenges that lie ahead.  I know that I have gained a lot of strength from my experiences over the past few years.  But I am sad that I will have to face 2011 without my son Tommy and husband Tom. 

I love my son Tommy; he was an amazing young man in spite of me; in spite of his dad.  He was loving, caring, forgiving and loyal.  He was the best son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend anyone could ever have.

My husband Tom..well, over the years, he was a rolling stone..where ever he put his hat was his home (sounds like a song doesn't it?).  We married and divorced at a very young age. At the time, I wanted him to be something he wasn't and he didn't know how to deal with my demands.  It took the loss of our son to bring us together; ultimately Tom became my best friend, my partner, my love.  He was really the only man I ever really loved; I loved him from the moment I saw him in that dance club on Southside Easton back in 1972.

The morning Tom died was the 35th anniversary of our first marriage.  I held his hand and told him how that day back on June 9, 1973 was the happiest day of my life.  I knew he heard me because in spite of his railed breathing he responded by a slight movement of his head.  Just before he died he opened his eyes and tried to speak...I told him it I would be okay...I told him I loved him and he took his last breath.

I think that we was trying to tell me that he loved me, that he loved his brothers and sisters and that he loved his mother.  I also think he wanted me to make sure that I remembered him to Stephen, Alison and little Alex (whom he called "Leroy"; Alex was his grandson, his pride and joy).

              Tom and Alex ("Leroy"), I took the picture on my cell phone without regard to the messy background!  My two Yankee fans!

Love has no boundaries; it lives forever.  Love binds us, heals us, sustains us.  In the end it is those that we love that matter.  Without love there is nothing. 

I believe we should tell those we love how much they mean to us every day, because we never know when it will be the last chance we have! 

And do the things that mean the most to you, maybe it is running or something else, but whatever it is, be true to yourself because life will be over before you know it.  Life really is a great adventure!



Another Stylish Blogger Award!

Thank you Darlene ( http://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/im-stylish/) , I love your Blog.  I love Marica's Blog too ( http://teamarcia-runningmouth.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html) .  Both of you are probably much more "stylish" than I am, but I do try to look presentable when I run (I admit, I care more about comfort than style whether running, working or doing my chores).  This has been fun!

Happy running!!!!!

Stylish Blogger Award!

Thank you Marcia (http://teamarcia-runningmouth.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html)! I never thought of myself as stylish, but I do dress up "nicely" when I run!

Seven things about me:

     1.  I love running without worrying about time or distance; running for the joy of it!
     2.  I love swiss cheese (I could eat a pound at a time) and I love almonds ( the more the merrier)!

     3.  I have lost 30+ pounds since getting back to running (began February 2010); I am following a nutrition and running plan outlined in a book written by Sarah Lorge Butler titled Running Your Butt Off which will be published in March 2011 by Rodale Press.  A really great plan that really works; I continue to lose!  I have only 25 pounds to go (my "before" and "after" pictures in her book probably look the same, but maybe the "after" picture is a little more "stylish")!

     4.  Back in 1978 I wanted to be the "modern Margaret Meade" going around the world living with different cultures and writing about my experiences.

     5.  I wanted to get my Doctorate from Columbia University (yes I was accepted at Columbia many years ago for graduate work).

     6.  I have several races planned for 2011:

• run the New York City Half Marathon on Fred's Team.
• finish the River Towns Marathon in May. 
• run Warrior Dash in June(http://www.warriordash.com/index.php).

All in memory of my son Tommy and husband Tom; both runners during their lifetime.

      7.  I feed "the animals" every night.  I promised my husband Tom before he died of liver cancer on June 9, 2008 that I would continue to feed them.  He loved feeding the birds, the critters and most importantly, the deer. 

One of Tom's animals!

Now, here are my nominations for the Stylish Blogger Award:

Carole at http://heraeangames.blogspot.com/2010/10/unmarried-virgins.html
Darlene at http://myfirst5k.wordpress.com/
Betsy at http://betsyrunsamarathon.blogspot.com/2010/12/diagnosis-is-in.html
Java Joggers at http://ww-pjavajoggers.blogspot.com/2011/01/java-joggin.html
Carly at http://fatrunnergirl.blogspot.com/2011/01/carly-vs-mri.html

I think 2011 is going to be a really gooood , and stylish, year!!

Warrior Dash!

I am registered to run the Warrior Dash in Pennsylvania on June 11th!  I can't wait, it looks like whole lot of crazzzy fun!  Plus, you get a great hat helmet and t-shirt!

Register before 11:59 pm tonight January 7, 2011, and receive a huge discount, here is the link:

http://www.warriordash.com/index.php

Yahoooooo!!!



Registration goes up on January 8, 2011 to $65.00 for Saturday, June 11th and $55.00 for Sunday, June 12th.

 

Bloggyversary Giveaway !

Marcia from "Running Off at the Mouth" is having a give-a-way to celebrate the second anniversary  of her Blog: a necklace of your choice from Nana Smith's beautiful collection! 

Aren't they just beautiful!

Here is the link to Marcia's Blog:

                                               http://teamarcia-runningmouth.blogspot.com/