Returning From Cruise Control

We’re back.  We had a great ten days in the Caribbean in spite of my sinuses causing me problems about half the time we were away.

The good news we saw some great places and did a lot of fun things.  In spite of not feeling well the days we were in port, I got up, out and did an excursion wherever the Emerald Princess took us.   Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do, right?  You never know when an opportunity to visit places like Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas and Aruba may come your way again.  I can tell you this though.  If Cheryl has her way, more opportunities to see the world, up to and including Tahiti, will come our way sooner rather than later.

The excursions provided great workout opportunities.  The up’s, down’s and rolling hills of our island destinations provided great core/balance training for me.   I even participated in an onboard 5K benefitting The Koman Foundation our last full day at sea.

I am also pleased to say I experienced minimal pain while we were away!!  I would describe any pain as the kind we all know after taking a long walk, hike, working in the yard or hard workout in the gym.  As of now, my daily activity involves more muscle tightness than pain.  That’s great as far as I’m concerned.  I can handle a lot of tight so long as there’s little to no pain.

This made it possible for me to return from the cruise and take part in the annual Reindeer Run on December, 10.  I am pleased to say was able complete the entire race in an easy jog mode and was comfortable the entire time.

As much as I enjoy cruising, I am glad to be home and back in a regular routine.  I love food.  But I can honestly say I was way tired of eating by the time we disembarked from the ship.  It feels good being back in the gym 2-3 times a week.  Kristina had me standing/balancing on a board, for brief periods of time, this week.  We’ve gone from being unable to do this at all to balancing for 3-5 seconds at a time.  That’s a big improvement for me.  And I like it!!  See.  You can teach an old dog new tricks!!

Several people have asked, “What’s next?” since my last posting on November, 20.  In answer to whether I’ll try to go back to New York for anther marathon in 2012, the answer is yes, God willing, Dr. Weatherwax feeling this is a good goal and I’m healthy enough for my body to absorb the necessary training/preparation.  How many more marathons do I have in me?  I have no idea.  But I know I mentally have what it takes to answer the challenge at least one more time.  Hopefully my body will respond positively as well.

I’ll be at the Season’s 52 Park Avenue 5.2K in Winter Park January, 21.  For details, go to www.trackshack.com

I have also been in contact with the West Volusia Runners about participating in the Swamp House half-marathon on March, 11 2012.  Several of my partners-in-crime are planning on taking part and have encouraged me to be there as well.  I received a very positive response to my inquiry last night.  I’m looking forward to training/preparing to take on 13.1 miles of fun  Hope others, who read this, will enter too.  For those who think 13.1 miles is more than you care to take on, there will also be a 5K.  You can find all the information you need at www.swamphousehalfmarathon.com

I spent last evening with a group of students for Florida Technical College talking about overcoming challenges.  Thank you to my friend, Shelly Lewis, and her students.  Hope you enjoyed the night as much as I did.

Dr. Weatherwax said it well yesterday.  “You are moving well.  Your body is in a good place.  It has to feel good to continue getting better.”  It sure does.  Yeah, baby!!

November, 20 2011

Good Morning…

There are many things I could have written about/shared since I last posted in September. 

Cheryl and I had a wonderful time “running for peanuts” in Plains, GA September, 24.  Cheryl completed her first 5K and was honored by the citizens of Plains and race organizer, Jan Williams, with her first race award.  Is she interested in participating in running and walking events regularly as a result of this experience?  Nope.  She’s still not convinced this is a good way to have fun.  But she is ready to return next year for another photo opp with Jan, the 39th president, Mrs. Carter and, of course, “Fresh peanuts.”

As always, Jan and all the folks in Plains were wonderful to me.  And I completed the race in under an hour; 58:16.  I’ve always had a wonderful time in Plains.  Can’t wait to return next year.  Hopefully others will join us.  It’s worth the trip.

Have participated in five other 5K’s since Plains.  I received age group awards in three of them.  I even WON the age group at the Oakland Park 5K.  There’s a lesson here; you never know what can happen if you give yourself the opportunity to simply show up.

There have been a series of other good things over the past few weeks.  Congratulations are in order to several partners-in-crime:

To Warrendini for completing the New York City Marathon.  Thanks for running the miles for both of us.

To Noelle for completing your first 10K.  Thanks for coming out to hang with me after you finished your 6.2 miles of fun while I completed the 5K.  It was an unconventional way to get it done.  But you ended the day completing 15K; the most distance you have ever done.  I know you were in pain when you went back out there with me.  I’m proud of you.

To Mari for completing your first 5K.  I know you didn’t think you could do it.  But you did.  When are we going back out there?

To Kristina for completing your first 5K.  You said you had fun.  You said you want to do more of them.  When will you be back out there?

To Chuck.  Glad we are out strolling 2-3 times a week.  You didn’t think you coulddo it either.  You are helping me more than you know.

Thanks also to the Dudette to coming out and doing some miles with me on New York Marathon Sunday.  It was a tough week for me knowing I wasn’t going to be standing on the bridge heading toward Central Park.  But I’m thankful we were able to spend time outside moving and celebrate that I was standing up.

That catches everything up, for the most part, save one last thing.  I’m celebrating this morning.  For the first time, since January, I am up, out of bed, moving and beginning the day  PAIN FREE!!  There is some leg/low back stiffness/tightness.  But there is NO PAIN!!  Lots of us wake up needing some W-D 40 to get things moving, right?  I can handle a lot of that as long as there is NO PAIN!! 

What a great way to begin Thanksgiving week!!  Yeah, baby!!

Some Quick Updates

Well, I promised to be more frequent with my posts, didn’t I?  And I see the last time I posted was following the Roper YMCA 5K on August, 28.  Oops.  Guess what?  Two more 5K’s have come and gone since then.  Had no idea it had been so long in between.

So let me give you some quick updates:

The Puzzle Run went very well.  Not an easy course; a combination of sand, gravel, asphalt along with the up’s, down’s and roll that come with the territory as you go west, out of Winter Garden, and get closer to the Lake County line.  Yes.  Even in flat, sunny, Central Florida you can find some challenging up and down.  Was very pleased with my effort considering the course.  !:09 and change.  Finished SECOND in my age group!!  Of course there was only one in the age group!!  Just kidding.  But it is a really fun race.  I like the course so much, can’t wait to do it next year.

And the best part of the day (Besides the post-race breakfast.) was meeting a fellow athlete, Raj.  He has challenges of his own, as he competes using prosthetic devices.  He took the time to stay with and encourage me as he was finishing.  (I was finishing the 5K.  He was completing the 10K.)  I had heard about Raj and his activities as a triathlete and runner.  I had heard what a great guy he is but had never met him.  I’m so glad we connected.  He’s even better than great.  Can’t wait to spend more time.

Last weekend’s Autumn Rock N Run 5K was even better time-wise, 1:05 something.  That’s four minutes and something better than the Puzzle Run.    Was able to comfortably jog about 2/3 of the course.  The most important thing whether walking, running or crawling I finished what I started.  And then there was post-race breakfast with Jazmin (The Dudette) and Noelle.  Race day doesn’t get any better than the breakfast that follows and good company that comes with it.

By the way, as she often does, The Dudette chose to stay with me, during the race, rather than see how close she could get herself to the front.  Thanks, Dudette.  Running/walking events sure are a lot more fun when you are in them.

As part of my core/strength/balance workout, I’m back to shooting basketball.  Other than running, there are not many sports I love more than shooting hoops.

I now have a neighbor who, even with his own chronic pain challenges, has accepted my call to come out and stroll with me.  Thanks for coming out, Chuck.  We’re consistently doing three miles three times a week.  It’s tough sometimes.  But the good news is if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll both be healthier and I’m certain pain levels will be reduced.  I’m proud of my friend.

It has been a difficult last few days for Cheryl and me.  We remembered her dad’s birthday Tuesday September, 13.  Louis was a special man.  We love and miss him very much.

Friday September, 16 would have been my mother’s birthday.  Moma Esther once told me I was the most amazing person she had ever met.  All I know is it takes one to know one.  She is and always will be the most amazing woman I have ever known.

Tomorrow, September, 18 I’ll remember my dad on his birthday.  Popa Spud was the most amazing man I ever met.  His wisdom forms the foundation by which I try to live my life.  When I was very young, he told me “We won’t be around forever.  And you’ll never make it diggin’ a ditch.”  For my parents, that meant I would not just go to school.  It meant I would graduate from high school AND college.  It meant I would go to work.  They taught me to get back up when I fell down.  They prepared me to live life on my own.  All of this meant in spite of obvious physical challenges everything possible would be done to make me the best person I could be.

In short, my parents set the bar high.  I’m so glad they did.  They sacrificed so much for me.  I’m sure their high standards are why I live life the way I do.  As challenging as things can sometimes be, I’m thankful God gave me the parents he did.  I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you have followed my blog’s at all, you know my life is a story of heroes.  My life has been touched by many people who have inspired and kept me moving forward.  But Moma Esther and Popa Spud will always top the list.  How many people can say they have been blessed to have two #1 heroes in their life?  You are loved.  You are missed.  You will NEVER be forgotten.

Next up on the race/travel calendar is the Plains Peanut Festival 5K.  The race and festival are September, 24.  In case you may have forgotten, Plains, Georgia is the home of former President Jimmy and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.  The former President hands out the race awards.  I’m excited.  This will be my second visit to the festival and the 5K.  Maybe we’ll get a chance to say hello to Mr. & Mrs. Carter.  But be warned, citizens and visitors of Plains.  For Cheryl, it’s not about the history. It’s not about the possibility of meeting a former President and First Lady.  It’s not about the race.  It’s all about the FRESH PEANUTS!!  The warehouses may be empty by the time she’s done.  I’m just planning on getting out of the way.  Yeah, baby!!

Yesterday’s 5K

The short version of the story is Got R Done!!  Have no idea how long it took.  I would guesstimate around an hour 15 minutes.  The legs weren’t interested in kicking it into high gear.  I was slow but steady.  And most importantly, able to finish.

Getting back out there was a long time coming.  And it felt so good!!  Thank you David, Lisa, Ryan, Shannon and president of the fan club, Cheryl, for coming out and hanging out with me on the course.   Sorry Ryan and Cheryl weren’t able to find anything of interest at their garage sale pit stop.

Post-race (Sunday)…It took a while to get the WD 40 to kick in and get all the parts moving this morning.  But I’m feeling good, all things considered.  Looking forward to being part of the 5K in Saturday’s Puzzle Run.  Come on out and join me and my partners-in-crime.  Like I said, it feels so good to be back out there…moving forward.  Yeah, baby!!

This Weekend’s Race

For those of you who may have missed the memos, I’ll be returning to the race circuit tomorrow morning.  If you live in or around the Winter Garden area, come join me for the Get Moving West Orange/Health Central 5K Challenge.  Walk it.  Run it.  Crawl it.  Just get out there and get moving.

Tomorrow’s event will be my first time on a marked course since December.  It’s likely going to be a slow go since the injury continues to nag.  But I can’t wait to get back out there.

Here are all the details:

Get Moving West Orange/Health Central 5K Challenge

Roper YMCA Family Center

100 Windermere Road

Winter Garden, FL

7;30 am Check in.  8:30 5K start

9:15 am Kids’s Triathlon

If you can’t make it to the Y to register today, come at 7:30 in the morning.  There will be people waiting and more than happy to sign you up.  And you can’t beat the price.  FREE to Y members.  $10 for non-members.  All monies received benefit the Y Scholarship Fund.  So the day is for a great cause.  With an 8:30 start, you can even sleep in a bit.

Cheryl and I plan on continuing the fun, post-race, at Mimi’s Daniels Road location with breakfast.  Come join us even if you don’t plan on doing the 5K.

Will let you know how things go and post a reminder about the September, 3 Puzzle Run 5K/10K in the next few days.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day.  Some of my closest friends and I are going to be “Playing in the streets”.  Yeah, baby!!

2011 New York City Marathon

For those of you who have been wondering how my recovery from injury and improving ability to perform day-to-day activities is effecting training for this year’s New York City Marathon, I have news to share.  Today, Dr. Weatherwax and I both concluded while recovery is going well, it would not be wise to take my body to the level of preparation needed to safely and comfortably complete the marathon this year.

So what does not participating in this year’s NYC Marathon mean for life going forward?  First of all, let me say I wish I was going to be running this year’s marathon.  That’s the athlete/competitor in me.  I want to be out there!!  But I’m also thankful for the progress we’ve made.  For those who have followed my blogs or stayed in touch by other means, you know I have had injuries like the one I’m recovering from now.  You also know it’s not easy to get me up and moving again.  But with time and patience, it does happen.  More time.  Lots of patience.  I need BOTH right now.  That means treatment continues.  That means I’m outside and moving every day as best I can.

Life will go on.  I’m a goal driven person.  I’ll continue to be out there.  Goals will be redirected.  If you know me at all, you know I love “Playing in the streets”.  There will be other events, including the 5K’s I will be doing the next two weekends.  This will be a good start.  But I know I’m going to want more.  Who knows.  God willing, I may be able to return to the streets of NYC in 2012.  The folks at Achilles International have said I can come back next year if I choose.  I will certainly use the days ahead to make me and my body the best they can be.  Perhaps there will even be ways I can help others to do the same.

Even though there has been a change in course, the journey will continue.  And I’ll continue to share it with you.  So keep checking in.  Come join me for a stroll, bike ride, core/strength/balance workout or upcoming race.  Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.   I’ll still be here, moving forward.  Yeah, baby!!

The Pace Quickens

Was out for a two-a-day workout.  And I liked it!!  Did a ten-mile bike with my friend, Paul, and Cheryl this morning.  That was followed by 50 minutes of playing in the street, a combination of walk/run.  Fearless Leader (Dr. Weatherwax) asked that I get myself outside and moving, again, following treatment.  Wasn’t fun getting started.  Had to get settled in due to pain down the left leg and in the left hip.  But the pain diminished as I moved along.  And the finish was strong.  That’s the most important thing.  There are a few post-activity aches and pains.  But, overall, I’m feeling great this afternoon.  Think I’ll try another two-a-day tomorrow.  It’s time to begin challenging the body and rebuild the training/workout base.  I like that idea.  Time to hit the shower.  Cheryl says I stink.  I like that too.  Yeah, baby!!

Picking Up The Pace

I know.  It’s been a long time since my last posting.  My apologies to those of you who have been checking in on a regular basis.

A quick update…Progress is being made.  I’ve been out doing a combination of walking and jogging for the past several weeks.  Am now conquering 3 miles at a time 2-3 times a week.  It’s not easy or pretty sometimes.  But I’m thankful to be back out there getting it done.  I am in the Roper Y Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturday’s to continue building core strength and improved balance.  Kristina, Marc, John and Paul are not bashful about challenging me.  And that’s just the way I like it.  Was even out with Paul for a bike ride last Friday.  I went about 10 miles before turning around to go see Dr. Weatherwax.  This was the first time on the bike since January.  I’m looking forward to more of this.  Thanks, Paul.

Speaking of Dr. Weatherwax, (Fearless Leader), he continues doing all he can to get me better.  He’s always there to give me care and talk me through the up’s/down’s/frustrations of the recovery process.  As always, I thank him for never giving up on me or allowing the physical challenge to get the best of me.  As he reminds me, “I know where you live.”  LOL.

Was even at the beach a couple of weeks ago.  The day’s highlight was sharing the joy and smiles of a friend, who has M S.  She had not had her feet in the sand or water for over 10 years.  Wasn’t easy for her.  But she did it.  Where there’s a will there’s a way.  Can’t wait to do this one again.

The following week included a day at Universal Studios.  I pushed a wheelchair part of the time to make moving around easier.  But once again, it was about being up, out and moving.  Cheryl and I will be doing this one again too.  We’re going to get all the use out of annual passes we can.

One last thing.  Will be returning to the race circuit for the first time since early December Saturday August, 27.  Will be participating in the Get Moving West Orange/Health Central 5K Challenge.  It starts at 8:30 a m.  It’s at the Roper YMCA in Winter Garden.  You can’t beat the price.  It’s FREE to Y members and only $10 for non-members.  Run it.  Walk it.  Crawl it.  I challenge you to join in.  The fun and celebration will continue with breakfast for anyone who wants to join after the 5K.

That’s enough for now.  As you can see, the pace has picked up considerably.  There will be more to share soon.  Promise.  Yeah, baby!!

Big News!!

It’s a big news morning for me.  Following yesterday’s core/strength/balance workout I finished up by walking around a bit before heading to the car to drive home.  Keep moving has been a part of the routine for the past several weeks.  It’s not easy sometimes.  It’s start, stop, start, stop until pain running down the left hip, quad, knee, shin, quiet down.  It’s often times necessary to stop and take a breath while all of this is going on.  That’s right.  Strange as it may sound, it can be very difficult for me to breathe while all of this is going on and always adds a few more start/stops.

So what makes yesterday a big news day?  After getting settled in, I was not only able to walk comfortably, I even JOGGED a few steps!!  For those of you who have been through this with me before, don’t worry.  I jogged only a few steps.  Likely less than two minutes of the entire time I was walking.  I allowed myself to jog no more than 6-8 steps at a time.  No need to get crazy.  There is a lot of work to do yet.

I’m sore this morning.  It will take a while to get everything moving.  But this morning’s coffee is going to taste real good.  Yeah, baby!!

Getting Closer

It was a great Memorial Day weekend.  After Illinois’ partners-in-crime Larry and Bev arrived on Sunday, it was off to the home of 2010 NYC Marathon guide, Warrendini, to celebrate a life milestone of his daughter-graduation from the eighth grade.  She will be starting her high school journey this summer.  It was good to see Warren, his wife, Lee and daughter, Georgia.  Work schedules and life mean we don’t get to see nearly enough of them.

Cheryl and I had a great time with Larry and Bev while they were here.  It’s been much too quiet around here since they left Wednesday afternoon.

Also had an opportunity to have lunch with Pastor Scott from the Next Community Church on Friday.  I’m always smiling and uplifted after spending time with him.  Our thought patterns and sense of humor tend to travel down the same paths.  Not to worry, Scott.  We’ll leave it to those who know us to figure out what all this means.

The week brought the usual visits for treatment and encouragement with Dr. Weatherwax.  Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday brought core/strength/balance workouts at the Y.  Everyone working with me feels I’m getting closer to standing tall consistently.  It certainly has that feel.  Workouts continue to become more aggressive.  Let me share a few examples.  More weight has been added to standing pull down’s and row’s.  And we are now doing three sets each of these exercises  I’m also doing 100 squats at a time while standing up.  Off an exercise ball, I holding lat and pec stretches for five minutes at a time.  Y trainers’ Kristina, John and Marc are pushing me hard.  And I like it!!  I’m consistently leaving our sessions with more energy and in less pain than I walked in.

My week was also made better after seeing a friend, who has M S, stand taller and move more freely after trying the trekking poles.  It will take her time to get accustomed to them.  But she now has her own.  So she’ll be able to practice as often as she likes.  I look forward to watching her improve.

And this weekend, Doc has asked that I try to walk more.  He’s not asking for long periods on my feet yet.  The goal is to reinforce the pattern of walking with good form 2-3 times a day.  I was really pleased yesterday following the core/strength/balance workout with Kristina.  Completed a 22 minute walk, holding form and without using the trekking poles.

The second try was not as easy.  I was sore from the morning’s activity.  Didn’t use the poles to stand up and hold form.  But I had a helper.  Knowing I wanted to get a few things from Publix, I planned the second stroll around walking up and down the grocery aisles.  My helper?  The grocery cart, of course.  This walk lasted about 15 minutes.  And I was able to bring home lunch in the process.  Can’t ask for a better reward than that.

So does all that was done yesterday mean today brings a day of rest?  Oh, no!!  Doc wants me to spend time on my feet today, holding good form, with or without the poles.  So I’ll be off to the Y shortly to stretch, warm up and walk.  I know getting started likely won’t be easy.  But that’s the way it is for me.  I need to get up and keep moving.  And that’s often the most difficult thing for me to do. (And I know I’m not alone when it comes to things like this.  We all have our battles, right?)  But I am feeling better.  That means everything we’re doing is working.  So I’ll deal with the pain and do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.  I just want to be back up standing and moving on my own two feet.  Yeah, baby!!