Oops I did it again...

Today was long run day.  It's Florida and it's hot - 75 at 5:30 am to be exact.  I've got my camelback filled with water, fuel, and my trusty head lamp.  16 miles to do and hopefully do them as quickly as possible to beat the heat.  Ha!!  No such thing.  It's hot.  I keep telling myself, "It's okay.  Train in the heat, race in the cold."   Remind me I said that in August.  In any event, my next two marathons will be cold - Montreal and then New York in November.

Speaking of New York.  I'm running the New York Marathon under the fundraising umbrella of Team World Vision.  I have a goal of $5000.00 to raise.  This money will be going towards child protection in Africa and thus far I have raised $810.00.  

Fundraising isn't my thing.  So, why did I sign up for it?

I signed up to fundraise for these beautiful faces.  Read their stories here.   See the woman in the bottom picture?  She's gathering drinking water for her children (photo credit Scott Stauffacher).  Where did you get your water today?

So the oops.  I ran pretty slow and was drenched with sweat, including my socks.  I swung up my left foot to the countertop to check my toenails when I felt a sharp pain in my left 2nd toe as it clenched.  You remember I broke that toe over a year ago. Orthopedist told me it could take a year or more to completely heal.  Great... That hurt so bad!!  Praying it doesn't hinder my running.  If I'm in pain next run, Monday, I will remember these faces and remind myself that I have such a blessed life.  A little broken toe is nothing compared to the living conditions and the dangers these precious children, God's children, face every day.

Next time you are hot, sweaty, in a little pain (or a lot), remember these children.  Make a difference in their life by donating.  As little as $50 can provide water for one child for their lifetime.

Thank you for your support.

http://goo.gl/oB6jyL

DO WHAT YOU CAN, NOT WHAT YOU CAN'T

None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.
(1 Corinthians 10:24)

The road to NY, hit a pothole

Question:  How do you jump back into marathon training after a week of the flu?
Answer:  You don't.

I don't care how healthy you are, how tough you are, how physically fit you are, the flu knocks your body to the ground and does a double body slam.  Then it crushes your lungs and takes your physical abilities way, way back to the day you first started the quest for that elusive thing called "The Marathon".  

I've had the flu twice now. The first time I was in my early 20's.  Wasn't a runner then, wasn't even very physically active except of the occasional trip to the gym.  After all, I was in my 20s.  Had the flu for a week, took two weeks to feel "back to normal."  

This go round, the flu itself wasn't that bad.  It couldn't be.  I didn't have time to be sick because my poor husband REALLY had the flu and I needed to be well to take care of him.  My last good run was on a Friday, 14 miles.  Started running a fever on Saturday.  Today, it's Friday and I've only managed a few miles on the treadmill in a week's time.  My lungs are shot, still coughing.  My congestion is gone and my energy level is returning, however, I'm not 'bouncing' back.  

It's going to take time and I don't like that!!  I've done everything right - nutrition, hydration, sleep. Obviously, I should have been able to run at least ten miles today, right?  Right?

WRONG.   

Yes, it's frustrating, however, I know..I KNOW... it's going to take at least another week for my lungs to be back to 'normal'.  I won't give up, it's not in my vocabulary.  Therefore, the answer is, you do not jump back into marathon training, it's simply one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time.  

After all...  I AM A MARATHONER!!!  

And.  I have goals!  
1) Climb Machu Pichu
2) RocknRoll marathon Montreal
3) TCS New York Marathon
4) breathe normally
5) Celebrate Easter  -  This list is actually backwards somewhat but that's okay.  

Support World Vision

Building a better world for children

Help me reach the goal

The Journey continues

Training for the New York Marathon is in full swing - did it ever end?  This week-end's cross training consisted of carrying 20+  40-pound bags of dirt up and down the hill in my back yard.  I built a vegetable garden to save money.  Will take a lot of veggies to break even, but hey, they will be extra healthy, right.

See, here's the thing, every Spring I get the urge to plant things, play in the dirt, see pretty flowers in my yard.  Then, every Summer I watch them die.  I'm great at planting, not so great at keeping them alive.  Every year I tell myself it will be different.  I WILL keep better care of my plants and they will thrive.  So, I keep telling myself.  Don't get me wrong, I do try.  I try a little harder every year and I'm getting better.  I think.  Plant, water, grow.  Sounds easy.  

I turned to cactus and succulents last year.  They are doing great!  This year, however, I wanted to grow veggies.  With my marathon training I eat a large container of spinach a week, plus a large head of broccoli, a couple of pounds of berries, four apples a week.  Wish I could grow an almond tree.  I eat a pound of those every two weeks.  

Today, I'm running on the treadmill.  Heavy rain last night and I'd rather not slip on wet leaves.  While I was running, I was trying to think of ways to encourage people to donate to my World Vision fundraising page.   Here's an idea I came up with that sounded fun:

For every $100.00 donated this week I will run for one hour up and down a busy street in my town in a costume of your choosing and since I don't own a ton of costumes, you would need to provide the costume.  I know that will be difficult for those not near me, but I'll figure something out if you cannot get me a costume.

I will, of course, post pictures.  

Donate here

The Journey Begins with Just One Step, and a little help from my friends.

Today I got the news I didn't want to hear, "You didn't get in."  This was from the New York Marathon Lottery system.  This means my name was not drawn for entry into the race.  Fortunately, there's more than one way to run a race

My race calendar is planned out at the very least one year in advance.  I keep a list posted in my office of races I've signed up for, races I want to do, races I might do, and of course the "Bucket List" races.  The TCS NYC Marathon is on that list.  

So, I didn't get my name pulled out of the hat or runner's shoe or whatever.  I'm not going to let a little thing like that stop me.  

Therefore,  I've joined a charity.  This means, I sign up for the race through a charity, promise to raise money for them which guarantees my entry.

After much thought, research, and prayer, I have joined the "Team World Vision" charity.

Watch the video here to learn more about World Vision:  


After watching the video, please prayerfully consider donating to my fund here:  http://goo.gl/oB6jyL

World Vision