a little of this, a little of that

lots going on, so this will be a bullet-style post.

• Thank you to Marci and Christy for solving our 'what's for dinner' dilemma Friday night! I was one of the lucky early bird winners of Reece's Run - a virtual race held on Reece's 4th birthday to raise money for Juvenile Arthritis. We headed to The Keg for an early dinner -- steak with a lobster something (lol!), garlic mashed potatoes, and the mushrooms that Jay wouldn't eat. Yum! Luckily it didn't cause my to sink to the bottom on my swim later that evening. I took a pic of him, post-dinner, completely stuffed, but wouldn't let me post it. booo
  
• I've been running! Yesterday, I headed out for day 1 of the return from injury program I will follow (same program that I used from my first bout of stress fractures). This time, however, I will be modifying it... (read: not running back to back days, and not rebuilding to 5 days per week... will also adjust the schedule so that I will have running days that land on our clinic or group ride days so that I can get the Bricks in.)
• Swimming has been going swimmingly! When I was injured last year and was told to do some running in the pool, I was bummed. Tried it, got bored, so I tried to swim a lap. Interesting how a length there and back winded me more than running, which is really not saying much! Ok, so this was much harder than I thought it would be. Winter time I pretty much stopped swimming -- so hard to leave the pool in the cold darkness of winter, below freezing temps, still wet. Then this time with my injuries, once again, I was reminded that 50 meters in the pool literally took my breath away. Little by little I've been pushing myself, taking shorter breaks in between laps. Friday night, another girl from the tri clinic and I met up, she challenged us to 100m non-stop. Last night I got to 200 meters without a break, and I did this twice! I know this may not seem like anything to a lot of you, especially the triathletes out there, but to me this is huge!
• I can't wait for tomorrow! 1 more sleep! I mentioned a few posts ago about an ultimate blogger meet-up. Sorry if this misled a few people... it's not an 'event' that I was planning per-se, although it would be so fun to meet all of you! Been communicating with another runner/blogger/now friend first through a site called Runner+, then via email, then Skype. Well, Damian has been fortunate enough to be traveling around the world (from Australia), and planned a pit-stop in Toronto to visit the city, and meet moi! I'm so so excited! By the way, hello 'Damian's dad' (and mum) who has apparently stopped by to read my blog! :) I'll be meeting him at the airport tomorrow night, and likely heading to Niagara Falls on Friday... He's already been practicing his 'eh'.

Happy Canada Day (tomorrow) for all my fellow Canadians, and happy 4th to all my US friends if I don't post again until after that!

I don't want to be cured!

I never thought it would happen to me. I know it's affected others out there, but me? Really? Never knew it was contagious, or that I'd see the symptoms this quickly... I think it's pretty bad.

I had heard that there's this bug going around; once bitten, you're not likely to ever be the same.

The last 24 hours has seen some significant changes.

Walking to the pool from the change room last night, for the first time I noticed a sign. "Please notify lifeguards of any medical issues, especially seizures." How wonderful not to have to worry about that anymore.

Attacking a hill today on the bike, my breathing was labored, but not because I had inhaled cigarette smoke.

The hint of a blister on my right heel, from a bad choice of socks, and running shoes not worn in a month and a half! Running shoes! The ones I use to RUN! And that little start of a blister was the only discomfort I felt on my first run after injury! Blissful!

During the clinic this morning we practiced our transitions, going from running barefoot through a puddle to our simulated transition area to prepare for the bike, ride, back to transition to prepare for the run, short run. Repeat. (I did the first run only... see, I'm starting slow).

The busyness of the week, and the challenge that I'm adding to my body caught up to me today, and with the house all to myself for the rest of the weekend, I laid down for a nap this afternoon.

I crashed hard, and woke up in the middle of a dream -- my first triathlon, way off the swim course... eventually back at transition, and I couldn't find my bike, even though I was one of the last ones in from the water. Eyes open. Phew, I was still at home on my couch, under my favorite blanket... it wasn't real.

Do you think it's serious?

Has the tri bug bit me that hard?

you know you're busy when...

... after 6 weeks and 3 days of no running, you finally get the go ahead to run... 2 days ago, yet you haven't found the time to lace up the shoes! Yes, I've been that busy!

I will be hitting the treadmill hopefully today for some walk/run intervals to test out the leg, and lane swimming tonight.

Don't worry; I will be careful, I will go slow, I will listen to my body, and I will stop if I have any pain. I promise. I am totally over running only, I know my body can't handle it, and have been loving the variety of the workouts! I need the cross-training, and less running days/week, so I think this triathlon training will help in keeping injuries under control... I hope.

Btw, thanks for all the well wishes for my uncle, I haven't gotten any news yet.

not much left to the imagination

We were warned -- be comfortable in your own skin, you are who you are. I am who I am.

There's really nowhere to hide when wearing a bathing suit, bike shorts, bike jersey, or what I bought myself yesterday, a one-piece tri-suit.

After my diaper experience on Saturday morning, a recommendation from the clinic instructors to get some seat time on the bike with the smaller chamois in the shorts, and Lisa's comment about being more comfortable swimming in a tri-suit than a bathing suit, I did just that. Wore it for my swim yesterday, and it was awesome! I swam 2000 meters last night, my TriPower exercises this morning followed by yoga, then a group ride tonight of just over 38k. I am loving this training!

The Try-a-Tri I registered for is a 375 meter swim/10k bike/2.5k run for those of you who asked. Speaking of run, I have my appointment tomorrow evening with my sports doc. The elliptical on monday was pain-free, with a lot less tightness in my calf compared to Thursday, so I'm really hoping I get some good news tomorrow, even if just to run a short distance after getting off the bike to test things out, to get the legs used to feeling like bricks. My fingers are crossed!

**if I appear to be offline, not responding to posts, I may be away for a few days. My uncle has gotten a very grave diagnosis, given less than 2 weeks to live almost a week ago. My cousin has booked a one-way ticket to fly down and spend his final days with him, I will be heading out there for a funeral soon. I'm scared to check my email, and to answer my phone. :(

Cancer really effin' sucks... and that doesn't even begin to describe it.**

transitions

everything in my 'active' life lately seems to be a transition. Going from running only, injury... again, going from tolerating to loving swimming and cycling, and joining a triathlon clinic! Funny how things come to be sometimes.

Woke up Saturday morning for the clinic, bike in the car, it was already raining... and continue through our guest speaker, then the discussion and instruction on transitions. It was time to practice... in the rain. Cones were set up in the parking lot to mimic a race mat or transition line -- we were to run our bikes across the line, then ride on the perimeter of the parking lot, dismount before crossing the line, bikes down, then run the same route as the bike.

I was reminded of my toddler years -- felt like I was wearing a diaper with my bike shorts, the padding soaked and heavy. Feet and socks soaked, as if I had sloshed through big puddles. This would be my first time riding my road bike, skinny tires, with the pavement soaked, while still raining. Good practice.

Once off the bike the first time, I did a few running strides... shhhh. I really wanted to feel those first few steps getting off the bike. I only did about 200 meters, and walked back to transition, where I went for my second bike loop. I didn't tempt fate running again.

Yesterday's group ride started off with plenty of clouds, but ended with beautiful sunshine and increasing temperatures. Thankfully I had only planned for one loop to get back for a Father's Day brunch, since I hadn't applied sunscreen, it was that cloudy.

We also ordered team jerseys! How fun!! One of the instructors had designed a jersey a few years ago, many voiced an interest in them, so he took an order yesterday, met the minimum number needed to place the order. Production time is about 7 weeks, so with any luck we'll have them for the Try-a-Tri on Aug. 23!! Oh ya, did I mention I'm registered for it?

I will try the elliptical again today and hope for a little less tightness than my first attempt last Thursday, which I continued to feel until I got off the bike yesterday. If I have any chance of starting to run again soon, I figure the elliptical has to provide little to no discomfort. Fingers crossed.

9 more sleeps till an ultimate blogger meet-up!! :D Can't wait.

googled

Terron is in the 5th grade, and has one week left of school. He's wrapping up the year, and has one last little project. He described it to me briefly yesterday, saying he'd need a picture of me, and that was the end of that conversation.

Today, he came home from school, and said he found a picture of me with the pink toque and sunglasses (which was my profile pic during the winter). When asked how and where he found it, he replied, "I googled you mom".

WTF?? Did I just leap ahead 10 years, my kid googled me! Thankfully I have nothing to hide, nothing I'm ashamed of, and even if I do, I certainly wouldn't put it out there to be found on the internet. LOL I cannot believe my 10 year old son googled me. Parents be warned :) **edit, added pic after D10's comment)

I hit the gym today for an H2O massage, then the elliptical on level 1, my first weight-bearing exercise since the marathon -- smooth sailing, kinda. I felt great, no pain at all on the front of my leg which was the suspected stress fracture, and more worrisome to me. The calf also felt fine, but I could feel it start to tighten up about 17 minutes in. I had only planned to do 20 minutes anyway to start out... feel good no real sharp pains. When it started to tighten, I started going backwards, and was back to no pain, no tightness. The doc did mention to me that there is scar tissue from damage done, so I will likely feel slight "discomfort" that will eventually go away... but of course I'm hyper-sensitive to anything that feels out of the ordinary.

One key thing that my sports doc recommended to me this time is no back to back running days when I finally start running again, so I will do the same with the elliptical. With a planned short ride on Saturday and a longer one on Sunday, I won't likely get on the elliptical again until Monday, and tomorrow will hopefully be a swim after work. If the tightness continues, obviously I won't be going back to running as quickly as hoped, but am still staying positive since I have other activities keeping me busy, and want to be fully healed before I lace up the shoes.

good luck to anyone racing this weekend!!

3-in-one

3 updates for ya, stick with me.

****************

I was so happy to read all your comments about my last post; most of you were touched and inspired the same way I was. Some of you mentioned you'd like to donate miles and help Vivian... so I did some digging, found a way to contact Chris, the author of this article (in case you missed it), to which he quickly replied with her email address. So excited to have gotten a reply, I sent her an email immediately from my car (not driving... still in the parking lot with my cycling shoes on) last night following my bike ride.

I very excited to let you all know that I got an email from Vivian today! I had inquired if there was a website or a way for you awesome readers/bloggers to help her reach her goals. If you want to help, please email her directly at vbales[at]consolidated[dot]net -- miles are calculated once a week. Her last sentence in the email was

"thanks for your interest in our story, and for supporting our soldiers overseas."

I'm so thrilled that I found this story, shared it with all of you, and gotten the positive reaction that I did to the post. I hope that you all show her the love that you've shown me over the last year and a half since starting this blog.

****************

When Terron came home from his dad's house Sunday afternoon, he said "mom, you're walking really well" Hmm, I hadn't even noticed. I'm not limping, no sharp pain using the foam roller yesterday either. Today I was pressing on the bone in the spot... nothing. I also realized this sunday will be 6 weeks since the marathon -- already.

Tonight was my weekly appointment with the chiro/ART doc. She was pleased to hear of my progress, how I was feeling, and excited to hear that I had registered for the tri clinic... she thinks it'll be wonderful for me. She feels the scar tissue in my calf muscle, worked on that for a while to loosen it up, and said that I am fine to try some weight-bearing activity... meaning the elliptical. If that doesn't aggravate the leg too much, then I might be ok to start running next week! Yes, yes, I know, I need to be smart about it, continue to listen to my body and I will; so I'll need to start on a treadmill or grass which will be a softer surface. YAY!!! I'm very excited about this, and feel strongly that my activity during recovery has been extremely helpful... and has certainly made the time fly by. I also think that this injury has opened my eyes to triathlon, and leads me to my next update.

****************

Sunday's bike ride was amazing, as you all read. :) I headed out Tuesday night for an optional group ride. It's a night where the instructors ride, it's their night, no instruction, but we're invited to join them.

I followed 2 other riders who were extending the loop, and ended up riding just over 37k, with a few hills... just enough to realize that I suck at hills just as much cycling as I do running. LOL

Tonight was our first swim in the pool! I was a little shy hiding behind my towel at first, but soon realized nobody cared. It was just a sort of evaluation night tonight, so the instructors can see where we're all at, and make a few little corrections if needed. It was a lot of fun. I have no doubt that finding this clinic, and being part of this awesome group of people will be such an incredible experience.

donated miles really do help

Remember my post for National Running Day, I had asked if you would run a mile for me, or donate one so that I could feel like I was participating somehow while laid up with an injury?

By the way, you generous bloggers donated about 53.8 miles, and yes Glaven, that even includes the miserable mile you threw in there :)

Jay came across an article in Sports Illustrated on Thursday, which you can read here... too bad there's no link provided so that the bloggers can continue to show the love.

** update -- due to everyone's interest in finding out how to help Vivian, I found a way to contact the author of the article, and he has sent me Vivian's email address. I sent her an email, so hopefully I'll get a response and can share a link or something with you all soon!

Blessing in a really long, painful disguise

i felt it was fitting since I'm in the process of changing up my training, trying new things, and leaving my comfort zone on so many levels (more on that later), that it was time for this blog to get a bit of a facelift! Please let me know if any weird things happen when accessing this site.

Yesterday morning began what I later realized was day 1 of triathlon training! I arrived at the running store a few minutes early and took a seat on one of the benches. Being a people watcher, I tried to scope out if I felt like I had made the right decision to be there, and within 3 minutes of the instructors talking, I got a chill. I just knew it was going to be awesome.

There was one thing that one of the clinic instructors mentioned which I really hadn't thought about. Friendships are often lasting from running clinics, you learn a lot about people you run with; triathlon clinics are no different, but on a whole new level -- we'll see a whole lot more of each other's skin, we'll be in swim suits together, and will talking about chaffing of our most intimate parts. Damn, talk about being way outside of my comfort zone!

First clinic discussion/demo was changing a tire, I already got my money's worth since that was one of the biggest things I had wanted to learn, now it's just time to put it into practice at home.

This morning was our first group ride. Like a kid on the night before Christmas, I couldn't wait! I was up way before my alarm this morning, so I just got out of bed so as not to disrupt Sleeping Beauty Jay. I was one of the first in the parking lot where we were meeting, which turned out to be a good thing, as there were no spots left by the time everyone arrived. So far, there are about 41 people in the clinic!! Huge group, but so far everyone seems amazing.

To tell you I was nervous about the ride would be an understatement, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up, worried about staying behind and in front of other riders and making sure we each have our space, and hoped I wouldn't have to change my tire so soon after being shown how, without time to practice first.

I wish I could call you all on the phone or speak to you all in person so you can hear the excitement in my voice and see how truly excited I am -- trying to put my emotion into words won't do it justice.

We set out, and I found myself in the first one-third of the pack but going easy as I had no idea of the route or what to expect. One of the clinic instructors was soon next to me and said "nice cadence!" -- was good to hear. He slid back the line, and a few minutes later, came back up, and once again said "Have I told you yet that you have a really great cadence... why don't you go up and play with the fast kids... that's where you belong!" How cool is that!! That's exactly what I did, behind a few of the leaders.

Before I knew it, we had ridden 19k and we were back at the cars. One of the leaders was telling those that would not be continuing for another 10k ride to get in a quick run to get used to the feeling of running after a ride. Of course I can't do this yet, but was so happy when he said a group would continue for another ride. Without being able to run, seat time on the bike will be good for me... so I was in!

There ended up being about 7 of us that went out for another ride soon after, I was already feeling a little more confident and comfortable, especially with bigger gaps between everyone and fewer riders. Soon it was either myself or another girl leading the group; the boys were poking fun at us that the girls were in the need for speed today -- I let him know that I'll take full advantage of speed on the bike, cuz I sure don't have it when I run! LOL

We stopped with about 3k to go to wait for the group, and the other girl who had been in front off and on all of a sudden said, "Take us home Mel" Like a deer caught in headlights, I said "huh?!?", they all laughed at me, and then we were off, me in the front.

We had done the exact same route, so we ended up doing that 19k route twice, and I loved every second of it. Once the others arrived, one of the clinic instructors rushed over to me, gave me a high-five, said she was so proud of all of us, then gave me a hug. Coffee afterwards with them was just as fun. So in a nutshell, I have no doubt that this will be an unforgettable summer, with some serious consideration about future goals.

I think the severity of my injury has really opened my eyes -- I don't think my body appreciates running only... if I had only been slightly injured, I'd probably go back to doing exactly what I was before. I think I now see that the chance of being hooked on triathlons is highly probable.

Optional ride with the instructors on Tuesday, first group swim on Wednesday -- (not sure how I'm feeling about that first swim yet and being in a bathing suit in front of people that I like so far, but only know slightly). lol

starting tomorrow

Did I tell you what I'm doing tomorrow morning? No, of course I didn't; I know this because I didn't even know I'd be doing this until... oh, about 35 minutes ago.

After some thinking, a Google search, some scrolling through the website, a phone call for additional information, nervous butterflies in my stomach, another phone call, this time to Jay to excitedly tell him and get his 2￠, a short swim** -- which helped solidify my decision, then a final decision and registration; I can finally tell you...

I signed up for a triathlon clinic... no time for second thoughts, because it starts at 8:30am tomorrow!

I know what you're thinking --yes, I realize that a triathlon includes running, and of course I can't do that yet. The goal race for the clinic is August 23, more than 2 months away, and my Dr's hope is that I can begin running again in 2-3 weeks. The Try-a-Tri would be a 2.5k run, a Sprint Tri would be 7k run... should hopefully be able to manage that by then.

The bigger reasons why I thought this would be a good idea are the following:

• Bought my road bike last year, haven't a clue how to change a tire. If I go out for a long ride on my own, I'd be f*cked if I got a flat, or another mechanical issue -- the clinic will cover maintenance. Check.
• I've only ridden on my own or with Jay, never with a group of people. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I'm shy. I don't know anyone around here that rides, I'm not comfortable tagging onto an unknown group of riders (or even approaching them to see if I could join them). Also, doing any sort of triathlon or anything with lots of cyclists around makes me a little nervous. Hoping to boost my confidence with other beginning riders. Check.
• Routes for riding!
• Swimming -- will be doing some pool lane swimming with the clinic, as well as open water swims, a total first. I definitely want to improve my swimming endurance and confidence. Check.
• I'm sure my Dr., my dad, and even myself will agree that my body just doesn't tolerate only running, especially 5 days/week. The added cross training, and variety will hopefully help keep me less injury-prone. To be honest, I've absolutely enjoyed swimming and biking lately, so a combination of all three seems perfect!
• If I'm ready to register for the goal race by the end of the clinic (will depend on my ability to run by then), I'll be able to do this with other people, not alone.
• If nothing else, the training plan, meeting people with similar interests and abilities and the topics covered will be well worth the registration fee.

Considering the frustration I've experienced over the last 5 weeks, this is exciting stuff for me. I'm looking forward to learning a lot, and hope it'll serve as the next step to fewer injuries.

Marlene, I'll be in your neck of the woods for the clinic! :D

**public lane swimming has been a bit annoying at one of the two pools I swim at. I'm not a very fast swimmer, but do swim in the fast lane since I'm swimming freestyle/front crawl and keep up with the others that do as well. There are many in the same fast lane that swim breaststroke, pretty slowly (I have nothing against those that do breaststroke, but I noticed today that those in the fast lane were going the same speed as those in the medium speed lane -- wish the lifeguards would kindly monitor it and ask them to switch lanes). I got kicked in the stomach as I passed a swimmer because there was a traffic jam of swimmers and was basically treading water behind him for half the length. After 20 minutes, I left as I was frustrated. I can imagine it's how really fast runners feel during a race when people don't line up appropriately and they need to weave between those that are slower. Hoping that lane swimming with the clinic will prevent this frustration. Vent done.

TIART - Running Dads

Today's Take It And Run Thursday on Runners Lounge is a Tribute to Running Dads...

One of my early childhood memories that has stuck with me through the years, seizures, and brain surgery is of my dad coming home from what he used to call a jog. He'd come home dripping of sweat, but was always diligent with his stretching, converting km's into miles in his head, and figuring out his pace. Long before Garmin's, pedometers, and computers to track progress.

I don't know what got my dad into running, and why a marathon, but he's always been a very hard working individual, so really, maybe it's not a complete shock that he'd pick such a challenge to work towards. At the time, I had no idea what a marathon was, no appreciation of the distance he would cover without being behind a steering wheel, how on earth could someone 'enjoy' being so sweaty, and why would you go back for more?

Little did I know when observing him years ago, that 24 years later, I'd begin to understand. My reasons to run primarily for fitness, shed some weight I had gained when I quit smoking, and my commitment to myself to keep stress under control, since doctors believe that a very stressful period of my life contributed to my seizures which had been dormant for 20+ years.

Through my 2 years of running, I've felt like it's something that can perhaps connect me more to my dad, something we could share, talk about, and he even talked about maybe starting to "jog" with me again. But with the injuries I've had, he's sure to remind me to be careful, and that he'd never had any running related injuries. I know he means well, and is being a parent, but he's also told me to consider changing sports.

I don't think he realizes I also got his stubbornness. I told him that if I gave up on everything that I failed at, anything that posed a distraction or a challenge, what kind of example would I be setting for my child? And how many regrets will I have later on in life? I'm on my 2nd chance of life already... I refuse to let life pass me by.

My dad surprised me the day before my marathon by asking where my marathon would be, telling me he'd be there. I really didn't expect him to based on the response I got when I told him I had registered for one. Even though I didn't become a marathoner like him that day, didn't even see him the course, having called it quits due to injury a mere 200 meters from the 36k aid station, (where I learned during my phone call to him from the med tent), that he had waiting for me for more than 3 hours. He still told me he was very proud of me, something I'm not sure I've heard from him before. Dad, thank you. You gave me more that day than any finisher's medal could have.

Don't forget to head over to The Happy Runner to check out her Blog Birthday Bonanza Giveaway!

look bloggers, no crutches

Today is one month since marathon day. A day that started off well, with high hopes, but ended with such an unexpected roller coaster ride of emotions... feel like I'm on the same ride... still holding on.

Marathon day... leaving my car to finally get home. Seriously, never realized how far my car is from my house, no joke. Staircase to get upstairs to bed? Seemed as far as the remaining 6.2k needed to finish my first marathon

Day 1 (post marathon) - Chiro appointment (I've learned to plan ahead as history dictates that injuries are a high possibility for me -- left there on crutches

Day 3 - hobbling around the house, still a lot of pain, gave back crutches thinking that I was now able to put a bit of pressure on my leg, sign of progress, right?

Week 1 & 2 - Continued with ART, IFC and any other treatment every other day

Day 12 - Chiro recommends I try the walking cast/air boot again to try to relieve some pressure. Boot ends where the suspected stress fracture is... pain is much worse with it on. Forget it.

Day 16 - last appointment with chiro before she leaves for a week. She thinks I've plateaued in recovery, or maybe regressing. Leave there on crutches... again, recommends that I use them for 1-2 weeks

Day 20 - Head back to the Sports Dr. I was referred to last time, he recommends another bone scan (have yet to book this as I need a full day off work, and haven't been able to book this yet. Treating it as if it is one in the meantime) and an MRI, which I will likely get an appointment after I'm healed. Get the ok to swim, and ride indoors on the trainer if no pain.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Pool 8 times, cycling 4 times, TriPower workouts, lots of stretching.

Day 30 - appt. with chiro. finds same huge knot in the back of my calf, and a few other smaller ones, pain quite a bit less than two weeks prior, muscles also a lot less tight. She recommends that I keep doing what I've been doing because I'm retaining my muscle mass, and am finally walking well enough with very little discomfort, so no more crutches/cross-training while walking across the wet pool change room floor. We joked that with all the swimming, I'll be coming in for a shoulder treatment rather than legs soon.

Her hope is that when I return to see her next week, I might be able to start some light weight bearing activity, and possibly start my return to running 1-2 weeks following that.

So the way I see it, at least I'm more than half way through my recovery, and planning a longer bike ride, OUTSIDE, finally!

did i become "that girl??"

what do you do when you hear your favorite song on the radio? Belt out the words as you sing along? bop your head to the beat? show off your best dance moves?

Remember I posted about the H2O Audio shuffle case and headphones so I can have my tunes with me while swimming laps? All of the songs are fun, upbeat and motivating since I used my marathon playlist to update the ipod...

Ever wonder if you really actually did something?**

Oh Gawd, I really hope I didn't sing aloud while at the pool last night, maybe while standing at the end of the lane to catch my breath... (or any other time I've used it so far!!) Just because I don't hear anything with the earbuds in doesn't mean nobody does. :)

**I really don't think I did since no one gave me that look...or laughed at me... but don't you hate that feeling of second guessing yourself. Now I'm aware of it, so I know it won't happen LOL

feeling young again

As I've previously mentioned, I've been doing a lot of swimming during my recovery time to try and stay active and keep up my fitness.  

Terron continually asks if he can come with me, but I normally go in the evenings after his bedtime, and it's lane swimming, no children are allowed until they can swim a length of the pool. Terron might be able to, but it's my time, swimming instead of running.

While there Thursday night doing laps, I noticed the water slide, and thought about how much Terron would love it, so I looked up the hours for recreational swimming, and decided that friday night we'd go together.  We played some catch in the shallow end for a while and when the water slide finally opened, he rushed to line up... I went to where he'd come out and smiled while watching the excitement and smile on his face... how amazing to be a kid again.  After a few trips down, he persuaded me to join him on the climb up, and yes, I went down the slide, and then again, and again.  So fun.

Deep end is sectioned off for those who want to swim and do mini-laps; Terron easily makes friends wherever he goes, and this was no exception, so I headed off to the deep end for some actual swimming.

This afternoon we went back, Terron quickly found his friends again, and I headed back to the deep end for some laps. Wonder how much "lap swimming" during rec swim represents open water swim.  People swimming in every direction, others bumping into you, little waves from some jumping in.

I stopped swimming and got to a depth where I could stand to readjust my goggles and fix my hair. Two teenage boys were on the opposite side of the rope whispering, and one of them smiled and said hi.  So I just said hi back.  Off to do a few more laps, they were always there, just kind of there and watching. Terron found me in the deep end, swam to me, arms wrapped around my neck, legs around my waist, kiss on my cheek.  Just a quick hello and a little love, and he was gone.  One of the boys then said... "oh, you're that boy's mom?!"

HAHA! Yes i am! Kicked up a splash to start another lap, my day had just been made :)

no finishers medal, but an almost free vacation?

the friday before the marathon, I went to the expo with Terron to pick up my race kit, where we wandered around a while checking out the vendors... filled in a few ballots and bumped into a few running friends and bloggers.

Last week, I got a phone call from one of the vendors at the expo (I went back to their website to check the list of vendors as I didn't remember them there), where I had supposedly filled out a ballot telling me that I had won a trip for two to a list of places.  Me being the skeptic that I am, was hesitant. Confirmed it wasn't timeshare, but yes, I did have to go listen to a presentation. I told her right off the bat that I was not interested in high-pressure sales, and would NOT be buying anything, so if that was the catch, I wasn't interested, but she said that the trip was mine regardless of my answer at the end of the presentation.  She also mentioned that for my time, I'd be given a $50 prepaid Mastercard. Hmm.  By the end of the conversation, I had agreed to go to the presentation booked for this morning... Terron had overheard everything, and said "...but mom, you never win anything!"

Jay knows that I have a hard time saying no and am typically a people pleaser, so he was worried that I was going to this thing alone. But I also know my current employment/financial position, so this was a no-brainer.

I've been disappointed a lot in my life, by other people's lies and promises, so I seem to put up a protective wall when things seem too good to be true. I also tend not to get overly excited by things until they materialize to avoid setting myself up for further disappointment. But seeing as how it was only 10 minutes away from my house, and I was told I'd at least get the $50 Mastercard, why not.

Basically, I walked in there, had a brief conversation with a girl, went in for the presentation and video, was then led into another room where they would begin their sales pitch. Her first question was what I thought, and I told her right off the bat that while I found it interesting, it wasn't for me at this time. With that I was given my Mastercard, and the mail-in certificate for my mini vacation, no further questions asked! I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't the high-pressure setting that I anticipated, and was out of there in less than 90 minutes.

Trip is a 3day/2night hotel accommodation and flight for 2 to Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas or Washington, to be taken within a year. When the destinations were rattled off during that initial phone call, my immediate thought was -- Perfect, I'll take Terron to Orlando so him and I can both see Disney World for the first time during summer break!!  

But now reading the rules and regulations of the trip, it's not quite that easy.  

First, both traveling must be 21 years or older. Crap. (I'll just look into buying his flight separately). Secondly, I need to send in this registration form, they'll send back a "guarantee" letter requesting my preferred travel dates, which must be at least 60 days in advance... so it won't be happening during the summer, but no biggie.

So, while my marathon experience itself came filled with lessons learned, pride, disappointment, pain, tears, frustration, several weeks of no running, and no finishers medal, I'll still appreciate the trip and where it came from :)

unmiserable

wow, you runners are incredible... my post from yesterday was a silly request for YOU to run... and "donate" those hard earned, sweaty, tough miles to moi, just to make me feel like I participated somehow in National Running Day! You just toss them away like that, as if they're free and plentiful, to an injured, virtual blogger that most of you have never met? LOL  Awesome people, you all are.  :D

Can't say I sat around all day doing nothing while you all were out there running though... I did go out tonight for another cross-training walk on a slippery pool change room floor with crutches swim!  Got to the locker area, started fumbling with my lock and a girl a few lockers down from me had obviously heard me walk up, gives me the up and down and says "wow, good for you".

We started talking, she asks about my injury, tells me about her friend that tore her hamstring, will never be able to run distance again, but has now been doing speed-walking. She explains that running is not her thing, she'd never attempt a marathon, but is preparing for a 13 mile swim! That's a long way running, I can't imagine doing that in water!  I need to take a few seconds to catch my breath after 50 meters!! Unsurprisingly, she was a very strong swimmer and knocked out lap after lap.

Oh! I got a present... a waterproof casing for my ipod shuffle that clips onto the goggles to listen to music while doing laps! It made swimming even more fun tonight, seriously!! I'm loving it!

One huge benefit that's come out of swimming is that my slow pace in the water makes me feel like a decently-paced runner! LOL Not really, but it was a funny thought.

We met up by the lockers after I finished my shower, and we chatted again briefly... she said she was impressed that I was in such good spirits about it. Sunday will be 4 weeks, I told her that my choices are sit at home being miserable feeling sorry for myself, or doing something for myself that seems to be helping my recovery and maintaining some level of fitness... I think I'm making the right choice.

So, with all the miles you did for me (I think about 24 miles were donated!!! Incredible or what!?!), and my 1550 meters in the pool... I'd say it's been quite a day, and now I need to go to sleep :)