Marathon Day - we did it - go TEAM!!!!

what a day! I wish you all could have been here with us...amazing! the day started w/ the alarm going off about 5am....you know...snooze-time for a bit, of course! then fixed the oatmeal and got all geared up..... left my hotel about 5:50am...headed over to the host hotel where our virtual team was meeting to catch the bus out to the start-line! 7:55am....national anthem.....8am on the nose....START!!!!! by now it was about 50 degrees....I still had my gloves on! We traveled along the Glenn Highway for about 6 miles....then began our 10+ miles off-road.....gravel roadway mostly.....and I must say---so glad I did that "railroad tracks" training....it really paid off! we had a little rain on this part---but nothing to get worried about---thank goodness! back onto the asphalt pathway...schwew!!! mile 17.5 - Tim and Shanna were there with water and Nuun replenishment drink! traveled along and along and there they were again at mile 22....with a little more "treat" and away I went again.... we finished with a 15% incline on the last 3/4-mile and on into the finish line! took me about 5hrs 23minutes - a bit over 12minute/mile...but not much.... was an awesome experience all the way around!!! LLS-TNT people were not the only participants....but we sure made up a good portion of the field! We heard last nite at the inspiration dinner that over $700m had been raised by the LLS-TNT participants for this event! pretty incredible....don't you think? and so many stories...why people are doing what they're doing.....I cannot wait to tell you some of them....from the guy who was running in honor of his best friends in combat, to the guy running for his student, Jamie, who's winning her fight against leukemia, to the lady who's still volunteering because she believes in the mission of LLS and so did her husband Bill!

MANY thanks to YOU for your support - there's no way I could have done this without you...!!!!!

it's 9:10pm Saturday nite!

just have to write a quick note...we had a nice day...went for a quick practice run w/ my VIRTUAL team-mates this morning in DT Anchorage.....then pretty much just hung around and chilled! went to a place called Humpy's for lunch - blackened halibut sandwich! nice!!! then we joined TNT'ers from around the nation and Canada for the traditional inspiration dinner....of course, it was a pasta-feast as well! we're all ready for tomorrow....it's a great thing we're doing and I think you all for your support and love!

on the way to Anchorage!!!

it's 2:10pm Seattle time---we left Vero 4:50am....Vero time...............plane's supposed to leave from here 3:30pm and head to Anchorage! getting psyched....just checked the weather in Anchorage---low's to be 46 on Saturday and 60% chance rain........I've made Tim and Shanna promise to have my coat and dry shoes ready for me after the race!!! anyway...getting psyched....and am so grateful for everyone's support!!!!! together we will make a difference!

good morning all! 8.5miles this a.m.----hitched a ride over to beachside w/ Tim on his way fishing....and ran my way home..... got to see the sunrise at ConnBeach! man-o-man!!! lotsa good reasons why we've been on this journey together....and I'm convinced we're making a difference. Luv you all....thanks for your support! I'll send you a note next Saturday or Sunday......from Anchorage!

we're tapering.............

so Saturday was fun.....I had decided it would be a morning for just a short-short bit of exercise....so I slept in....... had my runnin' shoes on by 7:40am'ish..... it was a beautimous morning...... then my fone rang!!! what a treat....good friend Yvonne and I got some good quality time in and chatted and chatted..........while I walked and walked! and so by then I had reached the 17th street bridge....and decided to call nephew Conor......he didn't answer----but walk on I did! got to his Nana's house and woke him up....and away we went - to South Beach.......played in the surf some w/ nephews R2 and Roger, and MeeMaw too............then Conor and I walked back to his house!!!! Kristy took me home---she was ready for a "Dunkin break" anyway....and boy was I glad.....11+ miles later!!!!!




and then came today - we're tapering (thank you CoachJoe!).....so that means I only had 16 miles on the agenda for today! you know the routine
....3:15am....snooze.....oatmeal....snooze....ibuprofen.....grease up and get dressed! out the door/drive-way by 4:3oam! what a georgeous moon this morning! did you see it?!!! wow!!! stayed in the neighborhood....just cause I could......today - works out pretty good......from our driveway to 20th - 1mile..........easy to calculate! out-and-back and out-and-back and so on...! about mile 11 I was getting a little bored....so did some looping around's............worked out great!!!! just about the time I was finishing up........got to talk to Linda----and wish her a most fab day in O-town at the show!!!!! averaged about 11.5minutes/mile.......not too bad.... I'm wondering tho----will this humidity help us out in Alaska?!!!!!!!!!!!! here's hoping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so that's how I started my day........it got better from there..............breakfast w/ the newphews.....then 5th grade graduation/celebration for Robbie2-----------wonderful day!!!

here's to you all----thanks as always for your support------- did I tell you? part of my "virtual" Leukemia Team was in San Diego this weekend----the Rock-n-Roll marathon was yesterday.......that was my first marathon.....12 years ago! I know they had fun......and many thanks to them too for all their hard work and fund-raising efforts!!!!!!!!!!

thanks R2 for the run this evening!

was a good workout.....3.51miles from the mapmyrun.com site! you did good---and I appreciate your "coaching"!!!!! and wasn't it fun taking Terri a treat?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

encouragement.....

thanks JenS for the encouragement! yes indeed---u'r a grand mentor and I appreciate you so much! I had planned on doing my training run Sunday morning...so when I got your email Saturday afternoon....and learned that you and Joyce had done 22 already-----well.......I knew then that I too would do more than the 20 that was on CoachJoe's schedule for the week!

Sunday morning came w/ lightening and much rain........so----back to bed I went (I knew I had Memorial Day still to get done!)...........

Monday came - 3:15am the alarm alarmed! I said a quick good-morning to Tim and headed out to the couch.... then snooze I did as usual..... 3:45am----oatmeal was in the microwave! all the other rituals took place....you know what they are! 4:40am----out the door and away I went..........beautiful morning......cool'ish and a light breeze.........was glad I waited til Monday!!!!! check out the map.......I've not done so much zig-zagging and zag-zigging before! but wanted to get some extra variety in and just a tad bit more mileage.....some beachside travel (o the sunrise was amazing!), 4 bridges, some rocks along the railroad tracks and then decided to turn down Uncle Bruce's road to see if he might be outside....if I had figured right....that would put me at almost 22miles-----he was and we had a great chat while I cooled down............and I was reminded again why we're all doing what we're doing and have a couple more names to add to my t-shirt!!!!!

21.5 miles later - I thank you Jen and thank you everybody else for your encouragement and support-----together we will make a difference and win this battle.................

listen to your coach....that's what I learned this week!

what a beautiful day Sunday was-----I left the driveway about 5:40am.....a little later than I should have....but still----o.k.! an ever so slight breeze...birds starting to awaken and chirp....a very few cars moving around.....and DoughBoys lights were on and smellin' up the neighborhood already! yes---a beautiful morning! from the house, I made my way up to the 17th Street bridge and around the bridge-loop two times.....then uptown and back home along the railroad tracks!!!

we're getting close to June 19th......thank you all for your support.......amazing you are!!! I have a new tshirt for this weekend's 20mile'r! I'll have to take a pic and show you!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Sunday's run!

Sunday's run was great...it was! and I made good time....4hrs---20miles......not bad.......could be faster.......but not bad - still have a month to try to speed it up a bit!!!! Left the driveway at 5:40am (Morgan--that better?!) .....went around the beach----did an "out-and-back" loop....means I did 4 bridges........hope that's enuf for AK!!!!! AND I tell you all again....THANK YOU for your support.....surely couldn't be doing this without you and your encouragment!!!!!!

and speaking of "time".......I had such a wonderful time on Saturday with my Mom and Dad at the Aligator Farm in St. Augustine.....now that was FUN!

I ran like a Mother!

indeed I did!

so Ky called me yesterday wondering why I've not been running.......well---I have been, but hadn't "posted" lately!!! so...here I am this morning.....blogging!!! tee hee hee!!! discovered too that last week's post was stuck in "draft"---check it out...really----I had pic's last week!!!

did about the same routine this week - alarm went off 3:15am....snoozed for a bit....had oatmeal....left the driveway about 4:35am! beautiful morning...simply beautiful.... made my way over the 17th Street bridge and around the Barber Bridge and back over the 17th Street bridge..... 2nd time was a charm I must tell you.........sunrise was incredible.....big pink sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean.........(sorry I didn't take my camera this week----most sorry!)......but I did call Tim and get a grand GOOD MORNING..........checked out the beach, turned around and headed back over the 17th Street Bridge (that made 4 bridges this morning!) and home! what a way to start Mother's Day!

Looking forward to the rest of the day.....HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to everybody.......LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Saturday - day92 - 18miles and beyond!!!

it was an amazing day indeed - so let me tell you a little about it..................alarm clock went off the first time at 3:15am........yes--I like to hit SNOOZE!!! by 3:45am I got up and fixed some oatmeal and ate it by 4:20am or so.........was out the driveway by 4:40am with my trusty snack/drink/camera belt wrapped around me! the morning was still (no wind---can u believe?) until I got to the 17th Street bridge......then.......the wind helped me along the rest of the way over to the beach and up A1A past JI and past Wabasso Beach Road....and finally to north Jungle Trail! yep---and then there was my knight in his white chevy chariot!!!!! thank goodness....Tim picked me up and had a banana and towel waiting for me!!! we headed for a quick breakfast, got home quick for a shower and .............. grabbed Shanna----headed to Lakeland for Brittany's graduation from Florida Southern! what a treat....we got to share dinner with her family....way grand!!!!! so then it's about 6pm....I called Diane to see how Lauren and the IRSC girls softball team were doing in the state championships......by chance, they were playing in Auburndale.........well----they were in the 2nd inning of their 3rd game of the day........... you guessed it......we high-tailed it over there and got to see the rest of the game!!!!!! fabulous---simply fabulous!!! what a grand day........ and all along---I was counting my blessings and being very grateful to everyone who has supported LLS and is supporting and encouraging me along this journey......THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

training update (and more)!!!!!

Saturday - what a day! 16miles was on CoachJoe's schedule for us VTNTer's- so 16miles is what I planned - and did! and better yet - I started early enuf [4:30am...yes indeed] so that I could finish in time to cheer Jennifer across the finish line of this year's Hibiscus Festival 5k!!! along the way.....can u tell? - the "way" was from DT Vero, east on Royal Palm [hey Elaine!], over the BarberBridge, and then north on A1A to JI {hope y'all are good Fred & Pattie.....I passed you about ten to six and waved a BIG HELLO!} and back to DT Vero -....along the way, I thought about all the folks who've contributed to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for me and are inspiring me to train and stay committed.....THANK YOU ALL.....couldn't do it with out you!!! made it back just as Jennifer was crossing the finish line (literally exactly at the exact minute!) and then we enjoyed a great pancake breakfast with her family and R2 and Roger too!!!!! then walked around the "festival" - grand....absolutely grand!

and then there was Sunday - a REST day for training - and a fabulous day for an adventure - thanks Grady and Ky for the peach orchard tour!!!!!

today - Monday - just a regular day (in paradise I might add!) - 40minutes out on the road - from work to home this afternoon - along the "boulevard" and then some railroad tracks!!! then Tim and I visited with Uncle Elzie at the hospital, had dinner with Shanna and am now making sweet potato pie cookies for my pal's at work!!!!

Monday!

check it out - left the bank for a little run/walk around 5pm! got a fone call from Ky---got to get a nice visit in while getting warmed up! ran to the lacrosse field (behind Leisure Square) so I could watch R2's practice! took a breather....then ran from there out to almost 58th and back.... called Linda to see if I could take R2 to dinner! she came to the field, we had a nice visit and then R2 and I left there (walking and talking!) and headed back to the bank to get my car and head to dinner.....in the meantime, called Shanna - she was hungry, so she came and picked us up at Old Dixie, just before the RR tracks! went to I-Hop......had a great dinner (thanks SHANNA!).........stopped by Station#3 to visit Uncle Tim on the way to drop R2 at home! what an evening!!!!!!!!!

R2......remember to look up the HS lacrosse game (Tuesday/regional) - find out what time - maybe we can all go together!!!!

R2....remember too to find out what time and where your next game is - Aunt Ky wants to know too!!!!!

yesterday was Day71- 12miles!

it was a beautiful morning....yesterday....I intended on getting up at 5am, having some oatmeal, and then going for my run.....well----the snooze button kept calling my name! fortunately, it was a cool morning and when I started (from South Beach) at 7:40am....it was poifect!!!!! was slower than usual---but sure did enjoy the morning anyway! then....went to sweet Addison's b-day party! another treat!!!! found out too that a special freind's planning on signing up for the Marine Corps Marathon (tweet tweet Clare!) and I'm so psyched for her!!!! so....on to this week's training----concentrating on "time"!!!!

9:05pm....what an evening!

3.9miles.......a slight breeze....lotsa folks out there too! 45minutes---2x over and back! nice!!!

Day66 - it's warm again!!!!!

yes---it's warm again!!! I'm so happy!!!!! left the office parkingLot at 5:20pm....ran down to the "boulevard" and up the 17th Street bridge....came back over and around to the carwash----just in time to grab a bottle of water and a "rest of the way" hitch home w/ Tim!!! he had 2 trips today---so was just finishing up his day too!!! 4.12 miles----just at about 10minutes/mile....not too shabby---but don't think I could have kept up that pace too much longer!!!!! happy Monday everybody!

10.58miles - Sunday - day 58

another beautiful day in paradise!!!! 11.48minute/mile - keeping my avg steady.... Donnie and Amy and Lauren are here from Ohio for spring break---I dropped my drink bottle "out on the road" and Lauren helped me find it----a "bonus" adventure....as Lauren says...-----thank goodness!!!!! Shanna's home today from her 4-day jaunt to g-ville and j-ville....we're excited for her to be home --- cannot wait to hear about her trip!!!!!

day 53 - some rocks along the railroad tracks!

the "ROCKs along the railroad tracks" are only one block - from 8th Street to 4th.....but man-o-man....a good workout!

Bridge Day - #52

decided I needed some "bridge"-work - so parked at the Manatee observation parking lot at the westside base of the 17th Street bridge. over and back. over and back. almost 4 miles. wind was coming hard out of the west/northwest......so coming "back" each time was a bear!!!! but managed under 12minute/mile again!!! happy Monday!

12mile SUNDAY - 3/21/10 - day 51

A beautiful day.....a tuff run! well---it is fair-week you know! so....to be honest, I've not paid great attention to my diet, to my hydration, or to my training plan.....just haven't!!! but---sure had fun at the fair!!!!! and especially to celebrate nephew-Conor's b-day today.....Tim got me up at 6:15am....I made oatmeal and was in the truck at 7am hitching a ride w/ him over to the boat-ramp! you can see the route - boat ramp up to A1A and all the way up to Fred Tuerke Drive close to JI.......then turned around and headed back down A1A, hit the Conn Beach boardwalk and on down OceanDrive and then thru Riomar and across the 17th Street Bridge and home......did a less than 12minute mile again this weekend---YEAH---but it sure was tuff!!! Tim has said the wind would pick up about 9am....well---sure enuf----9:20am just as I was heading up the bridge......indeed, there it was.....coming from the southeast.....directly into my face! o well---I'll pretend that was special training...to help me be faster on a windless day! All along the way, I was thinking about why I'm doing this and how grateful I am for all the help and support I've gotten............we're all helping LLS make progress in the fight.............thanks y'all for inspiring me!!!!!