Wk of Apr 8--WISH Walking/Running Club

[keenercam]

Good news for Kaley...her cyst is stable so annual followup now with ultrasound instead of CT

. . .

Anyone left reading...I was very impressed with the POP food court last year. They weren't expecting us but were very accomodating when they found out we had a large group. POP has a lot of different menu choices at decent prices and plenty of space. Breakfast has been at Boardwalk Bakery, but I think Carrie suggested Beaches N Cream instead for next year. There are certainly other places like Chef Mickey's or Ohana's that could be cool for breakfast. What sounds good to everyone?

Mel -- There is so much in your post I want to respond to.
1. I am so happy that you and Kaley got such great news!! I know that is a relief for all of you!!
2. I actually had custom orthotics made for my dress shoes because I really do have to wear heels for work some times. They cost a fortune but helped a lot for the long work days.
3. POP was an awesome choice for the Friday WISH meet. I really, really liked that they had put out many breakfast items by about 6 pm so that marathon participants could buy bagels, apples, bananas, etc. to take back to their rooms that night. Very accommodating. The CMs there actually asked us to spread the word to everyone there that if there was something they wanted and didn't see or if the shelf was empty to let them know.
4. The great thing about the Boardwalk location for Monday morning is that the pictures are gorgeous, as long as it is a nice day. We've been lucky in that respect the last two years. Some of these other options sound great, too. I wonder whether anyone would want to consider POFQ food court since I've heard breakfast there is good and there are some not-so-expensive choices. I am afraid, though, that if we don't do something kind of centrally located and/or easily reached by WDW transportation, we may be fewer in number.

We are now officially registered for both the 5k and 15k for the Minnie! Looks like I'll likely be deploying at the end of that month though.

Matt -- I am so glad we'll see you and Cheryl at the Minnie! Sorry about the deployment, though. Our friend Kevin, who ran the full with Howard (you may all remember that he forgot his rescue inhaler for his asthma on the worst of all days), is leaving for Iraq this month. He started a WISH training journal for marathon weekend in the hopes of training over there and taking his mid-year "break" to come back for marathon weekend. If anyone wants to check out his journal, his user name is kzmarathon.

Dave -- good job on motivating yourself to get out.

Mike -- WOW!!!

OOOOO! I forgot to tell you guys but I did get my WDW certificate in the mail! I was so excited to see my placing....
Age Division Place: 83 out of 858
Overall Place: 1730 of 10940
I tell my WISH buddies, b/c no one here (who doesn't run) really cares or understands.

Sweetie -- you so totally ROCK!!! I am so proud of you! I hope you get that certificate framed and hang it somewhere you and the world can see it all the time.

BTW -- I ordered the Goofy frame for Howard from Fond Memories Graphics. It has the three medals in a row. Under that it has his name, the dates of the races and his times. There are also square "medallions" of the race logos. I'll try to post a picture when I think of it. Did anyone else order from FMG this year? If so, what do you think of the product? Howard was totally shocked that I'd ordered it and is so happy to have the visual comemmoration of that awesome accomplishment.

 

[plutosmyfav]

My drive by...

Craig-- you words are wise as all ways regarding learning to live in one's older body. My problem is I've only made 43 laps around the sun and I have doctor after doctor tell me I've got a spine of a 70 yo.

I had my injection yesterday. This time they did an L5 bilateral block. One again I had a 30-ish dr look at my MRI and shake his head and say "you're only 43?". That always hurts. I'm a bit concerned at this point (although the instructions say you may feel worse symptoms for the first 24 hours). They did needles on both sides of teh spine. He said you will feel the medicine going down your leg. I felt it on the left but not on the right. He assured me it went were it was supposed to go, but today I have a lot of pain on my right and almost none on my left. I go back in 3 weeks for another injection.

Here's teh hard part. I am still not 100% convinced running isn't exacerbating the problem. The first nurses I met with said "running is terrible for your back". I quickly quote the orthosurgeon who told me there is absolutely no evidence of the such. She then replied she had a friend who is a marathon runner and her back is all screwed up. I dismissed that as anecdotal. The injection dr asked me to try to spend sometime on a stat bike and swimming but explained (as did Dr. Bono) that running causes a natural forward picth to the body that reduces the compression on the nerves so it's not surprising that running doesn't hurt. But walking does (big time).

So last Saturday I did my LR (supposed to be 18, turned out to be 16). The first 10 were on my TM starting at 4:30AM (did I just say that????). I took it slow (5.0mph) with varying 1-3% grade. Then I dashed outside for teh last six miles which brought on horrible pain. But I also did quite a bit of walking and stopped for a coffee break. Maybe the pain was a result of teh walking, not the distance.

Basically, I find myself longing for a walker when I'm shopping or stuck standing in line. How sad is that? I think I could run the marathon with a "built for speed" walker! I wonder if such a thing exists? I should check with the whiz kids at MIT and see if they'd invent one!

But I am really on the fence about the VT Marathon. Every ounce of sensibility in me knows I should sit this one out. I also know I am just barely on the edge of being able to finish in the alloted time. OTH I've completed 11 weeks of training. OTH if the injection works and then stops working unusually fast, I'll blame myself for ruining it.

OTH (can someone lend me a hand, I've already used both of mine), 30 BLEEPING pounds above ideal weight is certainly making things worse. I'm so mad at myself. The weight gain is a combination of meds, depression and inabilty to sweat for 2-3 hours a day like the old days. But that's no excuse.

Oh and '08 races are filling up. More stress. Do I dare sign up for another marathon? At what point does the necessary "push past rational thought to go 26.2 miles" cross-over the true insanity line?

Drive by? I think my meter's run out!

Thanks once again for listening.

Sunny

 

[wtpclc]

Mel - Yay for the news on Kaley!!!!

Christa - lol. Funny. I'd give anythign for that kind of energy now. I was a "good" calm kind, though.

GoofyMike - SOunds like those kids are giving you a run for your money. I still think it's awesome that you're doing it, though.

Dave - Soudn sliek a grat plan with the girls. If it's not fun, they won't want to continue. I bet they areally are getitng great XT, though.

Kiena - Yay tha tyou can work out while sdshe does GotR. That sounds liekta very cool program. I'd love to help with something liek that, but I get out of work too late.

OptiMike - rotfl!

Andrew - Isn't it amazing all of the XT that life has to offer?

Matt - Siorry about the stonker!! I'm excited that I may get to meet you at teh Minnie, though! 22 days 'til I leave!!!

bekkiz - lol. It's cool tha tyou get time to concentrate on that stuff, though.

Friday night dinner - From teh ravign about Pop last year, I'd go for that. When I mentioned B&C, it was for Monday breakfast. BW bakery is fine, though. 2006 was so cold that I was thinking an indoor venue might be nice. Maybe we do B&C if BW is rained out? The best news is that Scott and I have agreed to take an extra day off next year adn arrive early Friday, so that we can actually make Friday night dinner!!!!

PT went well this am, except I'm a clutz. I was doing this hip strengthening adn balance exercise, but a failed and needed a cane-type stick so I didn't fall down. We discussed teh leg length thing adn PT did nt really buy in. HOwever, even though my nerve issue is much better, he's sending me to teh gait analyzer next week because of my chronic hip/.right side issues. Yay!

 

[keenercam]

Sunny -- I wish I had any advice at all whatsoever to give you. Alas, all I have to offer is a and and -- oh, and feel free to borrow one of my hands, anytime!

 

[msblrobs]

Hanging my head in shame but popping in quickly to post.

Mel - Pop was awesome for the Friday night meet. They were more than accommodating and the menu choices were great. For Monday morning my family is up for any venue but I do like Cam's idea of POFQ food court for the reasons mentioned.

Sunny - Words fail me but I continue to keep you in my prayers . If you do run Burlington, my family will be your scream team with our WISH shirts on. Follow your heart while maintaining at least a little sense of sanity about it.

Krista - You ROCK girl!!

Dave - Best of luck w/ the DD's and the delicate balance. I can totally relate to wanting to encourage but not push.

Craig - I will have to scan the thread to find your words of wisdom. They are always so timely and inspiring.

It is dumping snow on us today so my 16 mile LR Saturday will be on the TM . After 14 last Saturday on the TM, I was hoping to get back out on the dry roads.

Happy training and racing to all this weekend. I am hoping once this episode of LTO combined with a touch of seasonal affective disorder passes I will be a more familiar face around here . The snow is really too much in MID-April...

 

[plutosmyfav]

PT went well this am, except I'm a clutz. I was doing this hip strengthening adn balance exercise, but a failed and needed a cane-type stick so I didn't fall down. We discussed teh leg length thing adn PT did nt really buy in. HOwever, even though my nerve issue is much better, he's sending me to teh gait analyzer next week because of my chronic hip/.right side issues. Yay!

Carrie-- I don't feel so badly about wanting a walker if you are using a cane I have one leg longer than the other and slight scoliosis. Not one doctor has taken either of those thing into consideration. I've never had my gait analyzed. That sounds like a great idea. Good luck

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Morning everyone,
I wish I had time to respond to everyone's posts individually but work is already pretty busy (its 7:30 am here....). Sunny, your post really touched a chord in me. I really hope that you are able to get everything under control. It must be so frustrating. to you.

I did 30 minutes of ab work last night. I made it home at a half decent time, but had a couple of chapters left to go on a book I was reading. I couldn't put it down, so I opted to just get in the ab work and skip the aerobics.

I did watch a great show on TV last night - Glutton for Punishment on the Food Network. The show is Canadian, so it may or may not be on the Food Network in the US. In this episode the host, Bob Blumer, travels to France to run the Medoc Marathon through Bordeaux country. I have to say this is definitely on my list of wishful races to run one year! Most people dress up in costumes to run, and essentially you run from one wine chateaux to another. There are 22 "aid stations" as you sample wine from the various wineries you are running through. Food on the course includes steak, sausages, oysters and much more. There is actually a 6.5 hour time limit, but when you finish (if you aren't too buzzed too finish) you get a medal, and an amazing bottle of wine with a special label on it to commemorate your finish. The prerace past dinner is like an all night party with more and more wine. Sounds like a tough race, but a fun one. The host, it seemed, only had 5 days to train he said, although he had run marathons before. He did finish, and tasted at every "aid station" along the way. BTW - the winner gets his weight in grand crus of wine....nice!

Happy Thursday everyone!!

 

[Kristi1357]

Oh Sunny! I have no advice, just a shoulder to cry on and some extra hands for you. Please take care and PM me if you want to talk/vent some more ok? Fingers crossed that these shots work for you!

 

[monte]

Mel - When I stayed @ Pop in 2006 I was really impressed with the service and food too. Everyone was so friendly during our visit, so I vote for Pop too. For breakfast I like Cape May, or Crystal Palace, but I'm game for whatever the TEAM decides. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in person.

We're expecting another 18 inches today...does anyone have a spare room for me??

 

[Honeibee]

I think I have a stress fracture in my left foot. I won't know for sure until tomorrow.




Sunny -

 

[Big Vic]

Hey Vic - You better watch out with all this Fabio talk. The last time I saw Fabio (other than him mumbling "I can't believe it's not butter") he got pelted in the puss by a pigeon while riding a roller coaster!

I'd hate to hear about you taking one in the schnozz on Big Thunder Mountain!!

I hate it when that happens.

I'm more like the "Bizzaro" Fabio. You know, his fat little brother.

 

[wtpclc]

Sunny - We make quite the pair, don't we! I have to alugh today, as nothing seems to be going tight. Nothing significant,. Just one of those, if I don't laugh, I'll cry things, though. Ugh.

monte - You can come here. We've only had 3" adn I don't think ther'll be *much* accumulation over tehe weeknd. I'd hold out fro an offer from a warmer climate, though.

sara - I hear ya! Tihs is no fun!

Judy -

Leana - So, is it hard because you're drunk by the end?

Christa - Sorry. I missed your really important post the first time. COngrats!!!!!

 

[TXAng]

Leana – No Target? That would make me very sad.

Nancy – Ugh, 14 miles on the TM? You’re a stronger woman than I am!

Kristin – Sorry you were sick!

Bekkiz – Great job on your fast mile!

Mel – Glad to hear the good news about Kaley!

Matt – Sorry about the stonker.

Christa – You definitely need to frame that certificate and prominently display it somewhere! That’s awesome!

Sunny – Gosh, I don’t even know what to say.

Judy – Oh, no!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Sunny - Reading your post somehow makes my PF seem oh so small... sending lots of PD your way. Oh yeah, and another hand too! I have no real advice, other than to do what feels right at the time. If you think you can do the marathon and it will make your heart feel better, then do it.

Christa - Hooray for the certificate!

Judy - NOOOOO!!!!

Doctor's visit report: Had an ingrown toenail removed from the left big toe. It's currently propped up and hurts really bad, but that pain will subside in a couple of days. He did xrays and confirmed the PF diagnosis. He's making custom orthotics which will be ready in about 3 weeks. In the meantime, he said there's no reason not to keep running. He told me to stretch really good before I run (I usually only stretch after the run), but not to bother with the ice or Aleve at all. He looked at my shoes and said they were really good shoes, so they're not the problem. Hooray! Other than being broke right now (thank goodness insurance should cover 90% of today, less the deductible - this visit was scary expensive), all the news was good. And I read RW the whole time I was waiting just to stay motivated - mostly the article on why biking was the best XT, to respond to someone's earlier post!

Now I have to get some work done!

Jackie

 

[Jen117]

Jackie - I have been waiting for your post. I was told to try the over the counter orthotics first. Not sure if they will work or not. If they don't work, then I am off to the podiatrist for some customs. What kind of stretching did they tell you to do?? Any special foot ones?

Judy - OH NO!!! Let's hope it isn't.

Sunny -

Carrie - You using a cane made me giggle. I would probably be doing the same. BTW, the snow is now melting... but it's still cold.

OK, I need to get back to work. Still interviewing and hitting dead ends for an assistant/receptionist. I hate hiring people. Also, but foot is sore today after my run yesterday, so I am resting and icing. I have a 5 miler on Saturday, but will choose not to run it if it will help my foot heal. I really want to run it tho... there is a party afterwards with food and music!!

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Here comes another mega post from me! I need to be more diligent about posting on here, I read, just don't have time to post. I xt on Tuesday night--I did the elliptical for 30 minutes with the resistance set on 5 and then I lifted weights--leg press and the leg curls. My legs were beat after that! Last night turned into a rest night it was storming pretty bad when I got home, so running outside was out. I planned on doing 3 miles on TM later in the evening, that didn't happen. I have 4 tonight, looks like on the TM again as it's still raining. Everyone that's sick of snow, come to my house as we're getting the rain!

Sunny-- I am so sorry that you are going through this. I don't have any words of wisdom for you, just know that you can come on here and vent to us at any time. I'm praying for you.

Christa--YOU ROCK!!!! Definitely frame that bad boy and hang it in your office.

Carrie--I'd be on the floor right with you at PT. Have you seen the scars on my legs? I'm not the most coordinated person! I hope the PT works for you and you can be pain free again!

Vic--Thanks for the link! I'll definitely check that out.

Judy--

Bekkiz-- You should be impressed with yourself!! That's awesome!

Mel-- for Kaley!! That's awesome! My thoughts on Pop Century--I loved it! We had plenty of room to spread and talk to each other, we didn't bother anyone else by being there, the menu choices were more than adequate--I liked it much better than Trails End. As far as Monday morning goes, I like the Boardwalk Bakery because it's in a pretty convenient location and people can come and go as they need to. Plus we can spread out and talk and not bother anyone else. Although, I must admit I like Vic's suggestion of Tonga Toast.

Jackie-- for your foot!!!! Hopefully you'll be back on the road soon. What is Mystic mixed with? Hines is SO cuddly and loving, he is always getting up in our laps and giving us kisses. Thankfully we trained him to kiss on the cheek, although he slips a mouth kiss in every once in a while.

Andrew--That sounds like some serious xt!!!!

Mike/Optimator-- You are too much!!!

Dave--25 days til the Pig!!!!! Did you sign up for The Daily Squeal? I think you are doing the right thing with the 's, you want to keep running fun and not a chore they HAVE to do. Hopefully spring will finally come and they are motivated again.

Leana--No Targets in Canada??? That is SO sad!! We won't even speak about American Idol.

Jen-- for finding the perfect assistant. for your foot!!! Have you made an appointment with a podiatrist yet? Going back a couple days, my inserts didn't give me blisters, they just hurt my leg from pushing up to get the leg where it's supposed to be. I've bagged the inserts for now, but will give them another shot after the Pig when I'm not running such high mileage.

Claire--Good to see you again! Don't be such a stranger. That is a fabulous 10K time!!

I know there are people I've missed, but I'm getting ready to head to lunch--I'm starving!!!

 

[wtpclc]

Carrie--I'd be on the floor right with you at PT. Have you seen the scars on my legs? I'm not the most coordinated person! I hope the PT works for you and you can be pain free again!

lol. We'll have to make some time to compare scrs next tiem we meet up. I'm pretty sure I'd win, as those TM scars are still prety ugly and red. However, with our track records, maybe we should not try to run together at CDC. It could be dangerous. ALthough I'd usually take snow over rain, this is a darn wet snow. Yuck.

Jen - Good for you on knowing to listen to the body. On emissed LR will not hurt adn can only help if you are injured.

Jackie - So glad that all your news was good. Hope your toe heals quickly!

 

[westcliffemom]

for everybody that is hurting right now for one reason or another.

Well, I can now wear my "endurance athlete" shirt I got from Cafe Press (made up by someone here, I believe). That's right, I did 10 miles today! I bought the shirt a while back, but haven't worn it until I had actually did a 10 miler!

As I was walking, my toenail really felt funny (I'm getting ready to "replace" each 2nd toenail on both feet) and it reminded me of the part in Ultra Marathon Man, when he told the podiatry student at the aid station that there was a clam shell in his shoe and instead it was his big toenail! (and the student asked to keep it!)

Speaking of which, I'm looking for some inspirational running/walking books, any recommendations? Has anyone read Sole Sisters or 26.2 Marathon Stories?

Monte- we didn't get snow until this morning, but it started in and hasn't stopped. They're calling for 1-2' for us.

 

[wfloyd]

I think I have a stress fracture in my left foot. I won't know for sure until tomorrow.

Judy - So sorry to hear about this. I will hope that one of your horses didn't step on it. Hopefully it is just bruised and only painful right now.

Bill

 

[Calcio]

Mel

Great news for Kaley, that must make you both feel so much better.

Sunny

16 is really impressive. How you keep this up with the hurdles you've faced is a mystery to me. You're tougher than nails.

Sarah

Good luck on the treadmill. I must admit that when I was doing really long stuff on the TM last fall I actually looked forward to it. Something about being a real man and proving it by getting on it and beating the darn thing.

Jackie

Hopefully you have made that first step to defeating your PF. It can be done.

Mike

I also have to admit I love doing speed work on the track. Okay, I cannot do it at that speed anymore, but doing fast laps really makes you feel good about your fitness. And having young legs running with you helps.

Christa

Your comments about your youth apply to me as well. I'm sure if any of my elementary school teachers knew what I did for a living it would kill them. I couldn't control my energy and enthusiasm, and had my own personal chair in the principal's office as evidence. The crazy thing is they would punish me by not allowing me out for recess, which of course, really punished my teachers. A far better idea would have been to take me outside every hour and make me run a lap around the school grounds. Or two laps.

Leana

Years ago we were at the Adventurer's Club after the race and Pamelia Perkins asked all the runners about their medals and the race. She recommended a new Disney Marathon, where the participants would have to chug a drink at every mile point. This way, she told us, you wouldn't finish because you had too much to drink, instead of just getting tired.

Cold and rainy today, but given the forecast of snow last night and today, this is an improvement. I'm actually going to run 4.37 on our indoor track, and I promise to not hurt my legs. I have an early dinner on campus and can't get to the fitness center, clean up after, and get back. So it's off to that hard track, taking short and gentle strides.

Best to All