Pancakes

I think I should give the back details of this story.  When I went to bed on Thursday night my knee was killing and wasn't feeling any better when I woke up on Friday.  After spontaneously  bursting into tears 3 times on Friday (my sincere apologize to Kathryn, Lisa and Jolie who all had to witness this act of spontaneity.) I was able to get into the doctor on Friday and the doctor told me it was my IT Band (see previous post on my thoughts about my IT Band.) The doctor said I would be totally fine to run the Hills, Heels and Him half marathon on Sunday.

This morning Diana, Nicole and I set off for the Hills, Heels and Him Half Marathon.  We were off to a great start and I was feeling great. I was going good and then it hit...the twinge, the feeling of an ice pick being stabbed into the side of my knee. So, I had to walk...I felt defeated by my knee. After biting my cheek to keep from crying I decided I had to make the best of the last three miles and I was going to walk with a purpose.  I was rounding the last corner, I had less than a mile and there he was... This kid was standing there and he was suppose to be giving words of encouragement and you know what he tells me? "They don't give pancakes to the people who walk." REALLY?! That kid better hope I never run into him or I will smack him. Needless to say, I did get my medal and a breakfast taco (I didn't want pancakes.)

Running is a Mental Sport

You hear it all the time, "running is a mental sport."  Your legs can carry you as far as your mind will let them.  If this is true, will someone please tell my IT band that this is my body and ONLY I will tell my knee when it can and can't hurt.  And 10 miles into a half marathon is when it CAN"T start hurting.

Thank you!

Jim Update

I received an email last week from Deana with an update about Jim.

Throughout this summer, Jim has undergone two rounds of treatment to bring his plasma cells in his bone marrow down so they can collect his stem cells. Tests after the second round showed that Jim had a partial response to the medication and the cells were almost to normal levels. Which means Jim can start the process of collecting his stem cells. 

At this time, Jim and Diane have decided to collect the stem cells and freeze them for future use. After the stem cells have been collected, Jim will start on medication to try and control the Myeloma. According to Jim’s doctor the average that the drug could do its job is for about 2 years before Jim’s cells become immune - with Myeloma Jim and Diane have learned that there really is no average, every case is very different. 

On Monday, September 20, Jim had his first day of stem cell collection and he totally ROCKED IT!  Even the nurses were very impresses with how great his cells look, Jim was so proud! As of Tuesday, Jim had enough cells for 3 transplants and was on his way back home. 

Every Saturday I get up before the sun and head out to train. Before we set-off on our morning run the entire team will gather for a mission moment. This is a time when we share a story about our Honored Heroes and why we run. Every mission moment brings a tear to my eye and reminds me why I am there. Every Saturday I run for Jim and all the others affected by blood cancers. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far. If you would like to show your support, please make a donation to Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

Go TEAM!

14 Miles and No Medal

This morning Diana and I hit the road early to get in 15 miles before the heat set-in. Even at 5:30 am the humidity was awful and by mile 8 my dry fit shorts were no longer dry.  To tell you the truth there wasn’t a spec clothing on my body that was dry (gross, I know.) Today's run tested my strength, determination, patients and sanity, but I won. When my Garmin watch beeped letting us know we had hit 14 miles, I looked at Diana and all I could think of to say was, "14 miles and no medal."  Today was the furthest I have ever run before and the last time I ran 13 miles there were people with a medal and food at the finish line.  This being said, if you are ever in McKinney on a Saturday morning feel free to bring us a snack; pretzels, oranges, skittles, crackers, cookies, really we would love anything – we get hungry.

When I made it home this morning I went straight in for an Epsom Salt bath. An Epsom Salt bath is probably the next best thing for runners after Gu (see previous post.) I am also extremely thankful that football season has started back. Football season means that we can lay low on Saturday, watch football, relax and let my legs recoup.

Next, Saturday we are scheduled for 18 miles.  I am going to say a little prayer every night asking for cooler weather in conjunction with my usual nightly prayers.

Even with the pain, I know I am running for a good purpose. Every mile I run and every dollar I raise helps to save the lives of those battling blood cancer.  If you would like to show your support please visit my TNT website.

Get Over It

I dedicate this blog post to all of the Kidd Kraddick listeners.

"To the two high school girls in the Starbucks line that looked at me and my running partners and said, "Ewww." It's called sweat. It's what happens when you run 15 miles in 60% humidity. Either join us or get over it."

Good Girls Gu

Dear the man, woman or child that created Gu,

I L-O-V-E you and your Gu!

Hugs and kisses
Robin

Running is a Labor of Love

As I continue to train for my first full marathon I begin to realize that running isn’t any easy sport.  It isn’t about how fast you can run a mile, but more about if your body can hold up the many many miles you are putting on it. This morning Diana and I ran probably the hardest 10k we have ever run to date.  We needed to get in a solid 12 miles so we started a little after 6 a.m. to get in the first 6 miles. We ended up cutting our first 6 miles short to 5 miles and I am SO thankful that we did.  The Labor of Love 10k started at the Stonebridge Beach Club and weaved through the McKinney Mountains.  Yes, McKinney Texas has a “mountain” range…or at least that is what it felt like. We ran up and up and up and I know you what you’re thinking, “what goes up must come down.” WRONG!  I don’t think we ever ran down we just ran up.  I was so glad to run across the finish line, which coincidentally was down hill.