I did it! More to come, but for now – it was amazing, wonderful, moving, touching, inspiring, exhausting, uplifting, surprising and so many more things that don’t quite fit into words. It felt incredible to be tougher, stronger and more determined than Crohn’s; incredible to win.
But yes, more to come…
I didn’t get in the mileage I was hoping for this morning, but I got in a good 6.2 before Crohn’s got in the way. But that’s why I’m doing this, right? I was pacing at 14.9 minutes/mile, a good time and just over 3 minutes/mile faster than where I need to be in Vegas (which is in 2 weeks…what?!?). I’m not sure how it has gotten so close since it has seemed so far away for quite a while now, but here it is.
I’ll hopefully be able to get out again tomorrow and get in the mileage I wanted for today. Then I’m told it’s time to taper.
I’ve been quite bad at updating lately, but the miles have bee ticking by. In the last seven days I have hit 5.5, 6.5 and 9.6. I felt good after each, and after today’s 9.6 I felt like I had at least another mile or two in me before I would have chosen to stop. I could have kept going past that, but that’s where I would have stopped. I called it a day at 9.6 because my left knee was a bit achy so I thought I’d end things before it moved to hurt.
9.6 miles took me 2 hours and 3 minutes. No land speed records here, but I am on pace to finish with plenty of time left in Vegas. I know races, especially races with lots of people, are different, but I’m hoping that will push me faster and not the other way.
Race day is getting close and while it isn’t so much a race in the traditional sense for me, I am excited, nervous and a dozen other emotions all at the same time. I want it to be December now. I know it will come soon enough and I’ll be wishing I had a few more weeks to train, but at this moment, I wish the finish line was in sight in more than just my mind.
My day at work was long. Very long. But due to a meeting I had close to home near the end of my day, I was home at a rather reasonable hour. After a quick change it was off to the track.
Today found Kansas City hit with gusty winds that were going only in one direction. While I am not a fan of getting smacked in the face with a big burst of wind just as I turn a corner, it did keep me cool so I ought not complain.
I popped in my ear buds and enjoyed Jon Stewart for a bit over an hour and got in my 5.5 miles before the sun went down. A bit slower than I think it might have been had it been first thing in the morning (and not uber-windy), but I feel good about it.
I did my first track workout today. It was boring. Really boring. There was nothing to see or keep my interest but it is a necessary step to the half in Vegas as I need to get used to walking on a completely flat surface that has slightly less give than the trail on which I’ve been training. I was only able to get in an hour of time before a gaggle of children arrived to do whatever it is that gaggles of children do on Saturday mornings at a track. But I did cut 1.4 minutes off of my mile time. An abridged workout for sure, but a good one none the less.
Yesterday morning was 9 miles even. I was exhausted by the end and was actually having a conversation with myself for the last quarter mile, which is up hill. I was convincing myself I could in fact get there and if I did, it would be a short plateau and then downhill to the car. I might have looked like an idiot (it was an in-my-head conversation, but I am sure I still looked silly), but I got there.
My new camelback water backpack thingamajig worked rather well. It was nice not to have a pack on my hips and it was easy to use.
My hips are more achy than they have been, but there is substantial improvement over yesterday night what I had to be picked up at the curb when leaving the ball game because the car was too far for me to hobble, er, I mean walk, and better than having to use my hands to pick up my leg to put it in the car. So I’m guessing it is just two grouchy IT bands and a few quads that wanted some attention too. Nothing to sit me out for more than another day or two.
I’ve been awful about updating, but I’m making progress and I know that even if it takes me over three hours (which I’m fairly certain it will), I will get across the finish line in Vegas and I will be proud and strong and all that good stuff.
I woke up early and started at the end of the trail. The end is less busy than the beginning, which I prefer. I think it may be less busy because it isn’t convenient to most people and because an out and back path for shorter distances seems easier to plot based on the location of the rests areas/parking lots. But I digress…
It was nice and cool this morning, only about 64 when I hit the trail. I actually had on a shirt over my tank, very exciting to volunteer to wear extra layers in August in Missouri. I felt wonderful as I hit the second parking area (2.35 miles) and kept going to the third (4.64 miles). I stopped there for some stretching and to catch my breath a bit. After a few moments I started back towards the trail head.
There is something odd about an out and back on a trial because while you ought to know what is coming, it really does look different from the other direction. This particular trail runs along a river so it’s all green space and some woods, making it nice scenery for a long walk.
While making my way back, I could feel my muscles starting to burn some but as my knees and hips weren’t too angry I was happy. When I hit mile 7ish on my route I knew I didn’t have too far left, but I also knew I was getting tired and sore. More sore than tired, which I think is a good thing, but still. I didn’t stop at this parking area as I knew there was another just over a mile away and I wanted to keep going. Part of this whole thing, the half and Crohn’s, is that I want to keep going and I’m not giving up.
I hit the last parking lot before getting back to the trail head and as much as I wanted to just push on, I made friends with the picnic table and gave my legs a break. After a few minutes I was on my way again, knowing that I didn’t have much time to go. When I came around the bend and saw the parking lot waiting for me below, I could feel the smile cross my face.
I was happy to see the end because it meant I had gone further than I had before. It meant that I didn’t give up and call for a ride. It meant I pushed on even when I wanted to lay down in the grass and let the dew cool me off. Seeing the end gave me a great preview of how things will feel in Las Vegas in December. I loved it.
9.2 in the books for today. 3.9 more and I’ll have the distance I need. Until then, that visual will keep me going.
This morning was the first in weeks that the temperature and humidity weren’t completely out of hand. I woke up early and drove to the parking lot at the start of the trail and was surprised to see it nearly full of cars. A bunch of bikers rode by and there were several others either gearing up or putting bikes back on car racks. There was also a large group of high school girls, a cross county team I assume, cooling down and enjoying some oranges after a nice weekend workout.
I remember doing workouts at the lakefront in Milwaukee and while I was never a cross country star, the team aspect and fun of being at the lake always made those workouts fun. I have to imagine that having such a great trail to train on makes the high school season wonderful for the schools in my area.
I slipped on my knee brace, set my GPS to track my route and pacing and pressed play on my IPOD. It felt great to be back out as it has been a couple of weeks courtesy of the weather and my knee. I felt comfortable as the steps ticked by and my knee was feeling pretty good. I followed my doc’s advice and did a nifty zig-zag move when I hit a downhill in an attempt to take some of the pressure off my knee and it seemed to work fairly well. I did my best to be an adult and not jump in the mud puddles left over from rain last night and made my way to the first rest area.
By the time I hit the rest area it was starting to heat up and my knee was getting a little achy. Exercising my better judgment I opted for a shorter out and back than I had planned and turned back for the start of the trail.
Getting back to my car I was tired, but in a good way, not a pass out in the parking lot way, so that was good. I noticed along the way that pacing was more consistent, with fewer times when I felt I slowed down a lot, also good. My knee wanted to rest a bit more than the rest of my but I kept pushing it and adjusted my gait when I could to account for that, something I’m happy I was able to do without too much trouble. I’m scaled back on my miles at current but I’m building back up in a good way, a way that ought not hurt my knee (and the fluid hanging out on it…) and I feel good about that.
All in all, a good 4.28.
I had my MRI read today by my orthopedist. He is the ‘knee guy’ for the Kansas City Chiefs and an all around nice guy. After reading the films (it’s actually a computer screen these days…new fangled technology and all), he said that I have scar tissue from my previous surgery and some fluid, both of which are causing the pain I have been having. I got some recommendations on how to take care of it so I don’t mess it up in really bad way, and the all clear to get back into training harder once the weather decides to be something other than disgustingly hot. Until it cools off though he suggested that I stick to inside stuff as the water loss wouldn’t be great for muscles that need to keep my knee caps in place.
I’m thrilled that I don’t need anything involving a scalpel and that I can get back to it without worrying. Now if only the temperature would dip below 95 degrees…
It is still miserably hot, and my stomach is still not my best friend, but I braved the heat and the pain for a good 3.63 miles today.
My stomach wanted to stop before I even started, but I’m running this show, right?
I had on my new knee brace (not neoprene, thank goodness!) and it worked surprisingly well. There were a few pangs of ‘ouch’ but nothing I couldn’t handle.
Limits were pushed, even if on a small scale, and I feel really good about that.
Today I’m not feeling wonderful. Okay, I’m not even really feeling good. I’m hurting in a way that is hard to explain and that I’ve just come to know as a ‘Crohn’s Day.’ I hate these days as they get in the way of everything. It’s a Saturday so my plans were minimal, but if I did have them, they most assuredly would have been cancelled.
I didn’t get out for any substantive training today as I was pretty sure that had I tried, I would have ended up sitting on a picnic table wondering what the odds were that a park ranger would magically appear in a club car to take me back to my car. Remembering that the first picnic table or bench is a good three miles in on the trail, this didn’t seem like a wise idea.
The fact that I didn’t get out for a walk to train for a half marathon to raise money for Crohn’s and colitis research because of Crohn’s is some sort of ridiculous irony. I’m frustrated by it, but I’ll just take that and put it into the steps I can take, always remembering that this isn’t just for me and I’m fortunate to have gotten as well as I have to be able to do this.
But I still hate Crohn’s. A lot.
I got in 7.29 miles this morning before the air turned to liquid and the temperature spiked. Things were going rather well until somewhere around mile 5. My right knee ached. Not a dull ache, but a searing hurt that made me want to curl up and cry. But I kept going. After all, I drove myself today and needed to get back to my car. The biggest downside to this trail is that absent the parking lots, there are extended stretches where you couldn’t be easily picked up or gotten to in case of emergency. But I digress…
I kept walking, doing the best I could, but the only way I was able to take step after step without falling down was to turn my foot outward and try not to bend my knee. Every so often my knee would give and I was afraid I’d tumble, but I’d stop for a moment, try to get things situated and go on.
At 7.29 I was coming to a spot where the trail goes under an overpass and there was a well-worn trail leading to the sidewalk running to the road. I limped up the little incline, sat down on the sidewalk (it’s not a heavily traveled road so it’s not like I was sitting in the midst of lots of traffic. although at that point, I may have) and called X, tears in my eyes and after apologizing for the unexpected wake up call, X was out the door to get me.
I got to my car, slowly climbed in and made my way home. It’s not how I thought this morning would play out, but I have a better idea of my limits as far as pain is concerned. And 7.29 miles is better than no miles at all, right?
My sister is the best. Part of this whole thing is knowing that I’m not doing it alone. That goes for the half, but even more, it goes to Crohn’s, and really, everything I do. My sister a huge support in everything and with all of this, I know that she gets it. Really, she’s the best.
The heat index is again topping 100, with the humidity and dew point unbearable by mid-morning. There’s presently one of those very middle-America-completely-out-of-nowhere thunderstorms going on. I’d love to think that the rain will break the heat enough for me to get in a walk, but I’ve been here long enough to know that isn’t going to happen. So for tonight it’s sit ups and some yoga.
But tomorrow, it’s up early, really early, for a long walk before the air turns into pea soup and I melt.
I heard thunder rumbling when I woke up this morning, but it seemed to be off in the distance. Wanting to get out and do something, anything really, I slipped on my shoes and made my way out for what I thought would be a nice four mile walk, with hopefully a bit of jogging mixed in.
I wanted to try a 5/1 today (running for minutes, walking for 1), or at least as I could get to it. I had my knee wrapped and thought I’d be good to go for that. I started off walking for a few minutes so I wouldn’t completely frighten my muscles. I got to a slight downhill in my neighborhood and cleverly thought that would be a good place to start the jogging. It was a nice way to save energy so away I went. I had been running for a few minutes and enjoying the cool air when I was startled by a very loud crack of thunder.
It wasn’t raining so I kept at it. That lasted another 5 seconds before I saw a gorgeous lightning strike. I’m all for things of beauty, but I’m also for not being struck by lightning. At this point it occurred to me that I needed to get home. Fortunately I hadn’t gotten too far so I turned around and back home I went.
It started raining some as I was a few blocks from home and when I got there it was a full on thunderstorm. So only 2.3 miles today, but my pace was good and my knee mostly cooperated. And most importantly, I did not get struck by lighting.
Every time my phone buzzes with a donation, I get butterflies. December 5 seems like an eternity away, but I’m really excited to get there. I’m excited about the training. I’m excited about the half itself. And I’m excited that this seems to be just the mental jump I needed to keep pushing the physical in the right direction – away from where I was when I was so very sick. I still have days when Crohn’s is more present than absent, but I’m worlds away from where I was and every day I am looking more and more forward to 13.1.
I am shocked at the immediate response to my fundraising efforts. On Thursday night I sent out a link to my fundraising site, http://www.active.com/donate/lv10national/abbeinvegas. By Friday afternoon I had over $500.00 towards my $4000.00 goal. I am in awe of the kindness of people in supporting a cause that may not be the most glamorous and may not even affect anyone they know.
Thank you to those who have donated. And thank you to those who are helping me make this journey happen.
I set out this morning from the finish end of the Little Blue Trace Trail and plans were again for a pick up when I needed. I took a copy of the map with me so I would be able to compare the miles I had walked according to the app I loaded on my Blackberry, RoadRunnerGPS, and match up at which shelter or parking lot I was.
I set off and right away noticed that the KT Tech Tape I had on my knees and right hip were working well. I felt less wobbly and less pain. I started off at a good clip and felt good when I reached the parking lot I ended up at last time. I knew I had gone almost three miles and I was still feeling really good. I was enjoying the weather and letting my mind wander some.
My mind again went back to the hospital as I thought how much better I felt walking this morning knowing what was around the next bed, the same way I felt better on the days when I knew what treatment and routine to expect. Spontaneity is great but it certainly has its place.
I lost a bit of speed as the miles went by but I still felt good. I hit mile six and there was a shelter. I paused the GPS and took a few minutes to enjoy sitting on a picnic table and stretching a bit. My right knee was starting to ache and I thought about calling for X to get come me, but I wanted to keep going so I sucked it up and did just that.
I wasn’t thrilled with my knee by mile 7, but it was either turn around and go back to the mile 6 shelter, or keep going another mile or so and get to the next parking area. I kept going and until I had to walk down an incline things were bearable. I thought about continuing past the parking lot to the next shelter, about another mile, as I still had enough energy to keep going, but not wanting to make things worse, I called it a day at mile 8.4.
Reviewing the data from the GPS, I cut some time off the pacing from my last long walk, something I feel pretty good about. So as long as I can figure out the knee/hip issues, I think I’ll be good to go.
I’ve officially registered for the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon, to be run/walked/jogged December 5, 2010. I spent a good long while setting up my online fundraising website, http://www.active.com/donate/lv10national/abbeinvegas, and sending out a first round of emails.
I went through the map of ‘my’ trail today to figure out how this weekend’s longer walk will go. I think I have it sorted so I can walk the opposite direction as I have been and give myself a few more options on distance. There are a number of shelters/parking lots clustered towards one end of the trail so my plan is to use that end as my end direction so I can push myself but not worry about where I’ll end up when my little legs can go no more.
Today, I’m excited. Really excited.
I’ve been thinking and thinking about just how far away July 2011 is. I’ve thought about all the things that can happen in just over 12 months, and just how many of those things I can’t even fathom.
Take for instance getting sick. I didn’t plan for it to happen this past January and when it did, I certainly never thought it would be as bad as it was. In fact, I was sitting in my doctor’s waiting room January 15, 2010, texting with my friend Melanie (she’s my friend but I’ll admit to borrowing her from my sister). She was giving me a few details on the half marathon she did in Las Vegas the month before, telling me about the fundraising, the training, all the important stuff. I couldn’t have possibly known that two days later I’d be admitted to the hospital and that I’d spend the next 27 days there.
Now, please don't misunderstand. I’m not planning to get sick like that again. Ever again. I’m thinking positively. I’m seeing myself cross the finish line with a friend so sweet to take this journey with me at a slightly slower pace than she did last year. I’m seeing my body and mind get stronger and I’m seeing Crohn’s becoming something more of an afterthought. But being a planner, being someone who likes to know, at least a little bit, what’s around the bend, only being able to control so much of all of that is a little hard for me.
In and amongst the things I can’t control is also the weather. While I’m rather certain that Napa Valley in July is spectacular, I’m also rather certain that it’s hot. Las Vegas definitely conjures images of sweltering heat, but in December, it’s generally a much more palatable temperature. Having started my training in Missouri summer heat and humidity, a slightly chilly 40 degrees sounds like a much better walk to me.
So after weighing everything that was running amuck in my head, I ended up with the conclusion that the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas on December 5, 2010 was the way to go. Not that I won’t get out to Napa to see it all…it will likely just be for a much less strenuous vacation than I had previously planned. I’m excited about my decision. And excited that E will be joining me.
The journey continues – it just has a different end point.
I started my training ‘for real’ yesterday morning.
Last Monday night I went to the running store and came home with a spiffy new pair of Asics. They are stable enough to not upset my knees too much, but have enough cushioning so I don’t lose too much of the cushioning from my orthotics. All week long my new shoes remained in their box due to long days at the office and shear exhaustion by the time I arrived home. Yesterday, my shoes got to come out to play.
I have been walking about 3 miles a few times a week and while it has been a good workout, I’ve not come home feeling that I’ve pushed myself too terribly far. After some searching on the internet I found a trail that winds along a small river for 11 miles, ending not too far from my house. There are several places to start or stop along the way, but I wanted to see what I could do so I decided to start at one end and have X* pick me up at the other. I had my new phone app, roadrunnerGPS, all set to go, so with my laces tied, my ipod on, off I went.
I didn’t pass anyone along the trail until just about 2 miles in, and I was surprised to be seeing anyone at all. There was the standard head nod and then everyone continued on there way. My ipod was going and keeping me moving and before I knew it, I was walking through some nice shaded areas and listening to the water run by. I passed two shelter areas where there were a few people taking bikes off racks and getting set for a ride, but still wasn’t seeing much of anyone.
Around mile 3.5, I realized that my mind had wandered back to January. I was thinking about all I fought through and how my walk was a similar journey. In both cases I knew where I started, but had no idea what was around the next corner. Both had small hills, bigger climbs, and a very few downward slopes that gave me a few minutes to inhale and prepare for what was coming next. But in reality, there was no good preparation to be done for something completely new.
I was doing great and feeling pretty good, no substantive knee pain and fatigue that remained more than bearable. Then it was mile 5.5. My right hip was aching, it felt like the joint was just angry and it started to throw off my knee on the same side (important to note here: I have had surgery on both knees and am lacking cartilage in both as well). I paused my tracking app, which is a great feature so breaks don’t get calculated into tracking, and tried my best to stretch my hip, or put whatever was out of place back. I kept walking and did this a few more times. By this time, I was exhausted and had I thought it might be slightly more acceptable, I might have laid down in the grass to the side of the trail. But I didn’t think that would make me a good trail patron, nor was I certain I would get up again, so I kept moving.
At mile 7.19 I saw a woman walking towards me. I popped out one of my ear buds and asked her in my least-desperate-I’m-exhausted-but-I-hope-she-doesn’t-notice voice where the next parking lot/shelter was. I was hopeful as she started to answer, but she said it was another mile and a half, and inside, I wanted to crumble. But just like I did the whole time I was in the hospital, I kept moving forward and tried to keep the internal complaining to a minimum.
By 8.25 miles, my hip was burning, grinding, just all around hurting, but I thought I had to be getting close. I saw a guy with a nice dog, so I figured he must be nice as well, and through sweat dripping, well, everywhere, I asked him where the parking lot might be. he said it was about another quarter of a mile. I gritted my teeth and went forward. I was in pain and flat out exhausted at this point and just wanted to cry.
Then I saw it…the parking lot. Never have I been so happy to see concrete and a few benches. I called X, just like I did that day in February, and with a quiet, very tired voice, told him I was ready to come home. We figured out where I was and then there he was, my Knight in Shining Mercedes. I got into the car, or collapsed into the car, more appropriately, and shortly we were home.
I didn’t make it the whole 11 miles. But I did make is 8.56 and at a pace of 17.4 min/mile, I was only 1.4 min/mile off the pace I need to be at in 12 months to do the Team Challenge half in Napa next July. I’m not there yet, but I will be. And I know that X will be there to pick me up when I need. And I know that even when it is a hard as can be, just like the hospital, I’ll get through it and be stronger in the end.
*Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Okay, so maybe they aren’t so innocent, but they do wish to remain anonymous so I’ll go with it.
