(Totally off subject but important info!)
Who knew?! (Some of you probably did but I bet there are many of you that didn't!) When it comes to blogging on Blogger, Google+ and Picasa are connected... yes, most of you knew THAT part. What you might not know is that if you "clean up" (delete photos from) the specific folder Picasa created when you posted pictures in Blogger, you actually WIPE OUT the photos posted on your blog! Your blog photos are linked to the folder in Picasa, NOT imported from Picasa. I did not know THAT and trust me, there is a BIG difference.
I googled to find a fix or a reverse action remedy only to find others in the same situation... angry and frustrated over the loss of photos... and in one man's situation, the loss of FIVE YEARS of blogging photos! Luckily (for me and you!), I haven't been blabbing all that long but it still took me HOURS to replace them. Google responded to the many posts by saying it was "unfortunate" but that there was no way to undelete deleted photos and that photos should be backed up - mine are but of course my blog isn't. Although I could easily go into the various albums on my computer to find the photos, it didn't make it any easier to replace them on the various blog posts. Google+ and/or Picasa needs a pop up warning when one is deleting photos from a folder connected to Blogger... or to any other site out there in the cyber world!
I hope this post saves someone else from going through the same frustrating experience!
On the positive side, I replaced all of my pictures and even added some new ones! ;)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
One THOUSAND Miles
Today I reached my 1000-mile goal that I set for 2011. To be EXACT, I have walked 1001 miles SO FAR this year and have many more to travel! :)
Now... if I could just reach my goal of losing these last 20 pounds stuck around my middle! The year is not over yet and I still have time but if I continue on my current path, when midnight strikes on December 31, 2011, I will STILL need to lose 20! In fact, I will need to lose MORE than 20 pounds. *sigh*
Somebody please motivate me!
In case you missed this picture (I added it to my Portland Marathon post long after the marathon), I want to share it with you. I look at this picture and totally puff up with pride! I am very proud of what this picture represents... 26.2 miles completed at that VERY moment... 26.2 miles of strength, stamina and determination... 26.2 miles of total fulfillment. This picture means so much to me...
Now... if I could just reach my goal of losing these last 20 pounds stuck around my middle! The year is not over yet and I still have time but if I continue on my current path, when midnight strikes on December 31, 2011, I will STILL need to lose 20! In fact, I will need to lose MORE than 20 pounds. *sigh*
Somebody please motivate me!
In case you missed this picture (I added it to my Portland Marathon post long after the marathon), I want to share it with you. I look at this picture and totally puff up with pride! I am very proud of what this picture represents... 26.2 miles completed at that VERY moment... 26.2 miles of strength, stamina and determination... 26.2 miles of total fulfillment. This picture means so much to me...
 |
| Finishing Strong! |
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Run Like Hell Half Marathon
Today I walked in another half marathon! It was like a big costume party and lots of fun! I couldn't "run like hell" but I certainly tried to look like it. ;)
I started the walk and within minutes my shins were SCREAMING at me. (Kinda goes along with the theme though, right?!) This has occurred before but never has it been quite so painful. I can usually walk a mile, stretch it out and be done with it. Today, I stopped to stretch three different times without any relief. After more than two and a half LONG miles of slapping my feet because I couldn't walk correctly with the pain, I actually started to think this was going to be my very first time to drop out of a race. I knew I couldn't continue much longer and didn't want to severely hurt my lower legs, having no clue why they felt SO badly. It was VERY painful and obviously, it was slowing me down! (That doesn't fly too well with me!) We came upon the Mile 3 water station and I stopped to use the good ol' porta potty. Surprisingly, just stopping for that very quick moment cleared up whatever was going on with my shins! I had no more pain! N-O-N-E! Strange, I know. Very strange.
Now let the race to begin! (Three miles late but whatever!) I was able to pick up speed and knew there wouldn't be any dropping out. Thankfully. I would have been terribly disappointed.
It wasn't until we were around Mile 6 that I actually started to hit my stride and didn't have to work so hard to keep moving forward. I finally felt pretty good. We climbed a loooong gradual hill until a little past Mile 8 and by then I knew it was going to be a "walk in the park" from there until the end! haha! (Okay, that's not quite how it went but it was certainly better for me than the first few miles!)
For the last five miles, most of it was downhill back into the City so we were able to really pick up the pace and "shuffle" our feet quickly (shhhhhh.... I was NOT jogging... not me! Nope!). In all honesty, I really don't lift my feet high off of the ground when jogging thus there is less pounding going on. It truly is more like a shuffle. Uh-huh. It is. ;)
For the first time in a very long time I had to take pain medication before going to bed last night. I took it again this morning knowing my back probably wouldn't be too agreeable today. As a result, my back felt pretty decent for most of the day. As to why those same meds didn't even TOUCH the pain in my shins is beyond me! My right foot "fell asleep" and was somewhat painful (like in the Portland Marathon) but I handled it well and didn't bother to loosen my laces knowing it has something to do with my back. (Doc and I will have to discuss that.)
Anyway.... I did it! Today I completed my FASTEST half marathon to date! I completed 13.1 miles in 3 hours 3 minutes and 52 seconds, beating my previous best record by 1 minute and 5 seconds! WOOO-WHOOOO! I averaged 14:02 minute miles, even with a very rocky start! EVEN WITH TWO HERNIATED DISCS! I am truly proud of myself and amazed I can actually do what I do. I am very strong-minded and though it isn't always the case, today that was a GOOD thing! It is amazing what your mind is capable of doing - how you can overcome your own physical obstacles when you really put your mind to it.
This walk finally wraps up my marathon-packed month of October!
October 9th - Portland Marathon (26.2 miles) - 6:17:24
October 16th - Girlfriends Half Marathon (13.1 miles) - 3:25:47
October 23rd - Run Like Hell Half Marathon (13.1 miles) - 3:03:52
I am happy I did it ALL but really happy it is DONE and behind me. It was a lot of work and a bit exhausting. (I slept 15 hours straight a day after the Portland Marathon!).
I am going to sit for awhile now and relax... but not for too long...
I have exactly 35 days until the Seattle Marathon! THANK GOODNESS we are ONLY doing the HALF!! ;)
______________________
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." - Walter Elliot
I started the walk and within minutes my shins were SCREAMING at me. (Kinda goes along with the theme though, right?!) This has occurred before but never has it been quite so painful. I can usually walk a mile, stretch it out and be done with it. Today, I stopped to stretch three different times without any relief. After more than two and a half LONG miles of slapping my feet because I couldn't walk correctly with the pain, I actually started to think this was going to be my very first time to drop out of a race. I knew I couldn't continue much longer and didn't want to severely hurt my lower legs, having no clue why they felt SO badly. It was VERY painful and obviously, it was slowing me down! (That doesn't fly too well with me!) We came upon the Mile 3 water station and I stopped to use the good ol' porta potty. Surprisingly, just stopping for that very quick moment cleared up whatever was going on with my shins! I had no more pain! N-O-N-E! Strange, I know. Very strange.
Now let the race to begin! (Three miles late but whatever!) I was able to pick up speed and knew there wouldn't be any dropping out. Thankfully. I would have been terribly disappointed.
It wasn't until we were around Mile 6 that I actually started to hit my stride and didn't have to work so hard to keep moving forward. I finally felt pretty good. We climbed a loooong gradual hill until a little past Mile 8 and by then I knew it was going to be a "walk in the park" from there until the end! haha! (Okay, that's not quite how it went but it was certainly better for me than the first few miles!)
For the last five miles, most of it was downhill back into the City so we were able to really pick up the pace and "shuffle" our feet quickly (shhhhhh.... I was NOT jogging... not me! Nope!). In all honesty, I really don't lift my feet high off of the ground when jogging thus there is less pounding going on. It truly is more like a shuffle. Uh-huh. It is. ;)
For the first time in a very long time I had to take pain medication before going to bed last night. I took it again this morning knowing my back probably wouldn't be too agreeable today. As a result, my back felt pretty decent for most of the day. As to why those same meds didn't even TOUCH the pain in my shins is beyond me! My right foot "fell asleep" and was somewhat painful (like in the Portland Marathon) but I handled it well and didn't bother to loosen my laces knowing it has something to do with my back. (Doc and I will have to discuss that.)
Anyway.... I did it! Today I completed my FASTEST half marathon to date! I completed 13.1 miles in 3 hours 3 minutes and 52 seconds, beating my previous best record by 1 minute and 5 seconds! WOOO-WHOOOO! I averaged 14:02 minute miles, even with a very rocky start! EVEN WITH TWO HERNIATED DISCS! I am truly proud of myself and amazed I can actually do what I do. I am very strong-minded and though it isn't always the case, today that was a GOOD thing! It is amazing what your mind is capable of doing - how you can overcome your own physical obstacles when you really put your mind to it.
This walk finally wraps up my marathon-packed month of October!
October 9th - Portland Marathon (26.2 miles) - 6:17:24
October 16th - Girlfriends Half Marathon (13.1 miles) - 3:25:47
October 23rd - Run Like Hell Half Marathon (13.1 miles) - 3:03:52
I am happy I did it ALL but really happy it is DONE and behind me. It was a lot of work and a bit exhausting. (I slept 15 hours straight a day after the Portland Marathon!).
I am going to sit for awhile now and relax... but not for too long...
I have exactly 35 days until the Seattle Marathon! THANK GOODNESS we are ONLY doing the HALF!! ;)
______________________
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." - Walter Elliot
 |
| Me and Sue trying to look like dead zombies at 6:00 a.m.! (I failed. haha) |
 |
| Being zombies... haha |
 |
| In the end... we did it! |
 |
| Sue - dancing off her marathon muscles! |
 |
| Linda - showing off her well-deserved medal and beer! |
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| Me - enjoying being a two-fisted drinker! |
 |
| At home - looking "like hell" :) |
Friday, October 21, 2011
Mr. Reality just swam across my moat
WARNING label on this post: I'm pissy. VERY PISSY. And I tend to ramble. So welcome to my blabbing... bitching... blog.
Let's start here... MY LIFE REALLY SUCKS SOMETIMES and LIFE IS NOT FAIR! (majorly whining here while stomping feet) There. I said it. It is out of my system and will not be repeated. I promise.
I'm not one to EVER feel sorry for myself or to have a big ol' Pity Party but today I am ... and I feel totally justified in doing so.
For the past couple of months I have been having some "issues" and these "issues" concerned me enough to actually go see my doctor. Since that time, I have been through a battery of tests all the way from a brain MRI... to very thorough blood testing... to extensive eye exams... to kidney and bladder scans. I went in because I THOUGHT I had kidney stones. They THOUGHT they needed to rule out Multiple Sclerosis (O.M.G.!!), which THANKFULLY they did. Then recently, at one of the various appointments, the specialist said to me, "Jacqueline, your tests are all fine but have you had your BACK looked at?"
I heard the bells go off at that very moment... Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding dinnnnnnnng!
In the bright neon lights of "This Is Your Life, Jacqueline", Mr. Reality kicked me so hard in the stomach that the air was completely knocked out of me. I was gasping. - Thanks Mister, you are being so frickin kind to me.
So a return trip was made for another MRI, this time on my very temperamental, hypersensitive, unstable and unreliable BACK. We should have started with my back and avoided all the other tests but honestly, BACK issues were the furthest from my mind. In fact, through it all, it never even crossed my mind that it might possibly be my back causing the "issues". Seriously, it probably should have. The "issues" I have been experiencing, I have had before - many times before - BEFORE.... WHEN I HAD BACK ISSUES!
I can honestly say I was in COMPLETE denial. (It's such a strange realization!)
My life has changed drastically over the past five years since my last back surgery - Surgery No. 7. I haven't suffered back pain, leg pain or any other nerve pain for at least three years now. I have worked very hard to build my core strength to support my spine. I walk. I jog (which is probably my undoing but we aren't going to talk about it). I exercise. I even stretched enough to be able to touch my frickin toes!!
To say I have been blindsided is an u-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-t-e-m-e-n-t. A major one at that.
The report says I have two, yes - I said TWO, herniated discs. That's T-W-O. One above my fusion at L3-4 and one below my fusion at L5-S1. In addition (like I need anything more), I have a "great amount of scar tissue surrounding nerve roots, binding nerve roots with fibrous adhesions." (Gee, I can't even imagine how THAT happened. - And yes, I'm being very sarcastic in addition to being very pissy) Needless to say, I have some serious BACK ISSUES... once-frickin-again.
What's next, you ask? I am going to see a neurosurgeon and BEG for cortisone shots, physical therapy, or anything else that might keep Surgery No. 8 off the radar. Acupuncture. Medication. ANYTHING. BUT. SURGERY. It has been five years - surely they have other ways to deal with this by now other than cutting me open! Right?! I was scared the last go-around that I wouldn't make it through that surgery - so scared that I went so far as to say goodbye to my beloved children and husband. Today I am just as frightened of surgery. TERRIFIED, in fact. I can't go through that again. I just can't.
But even with the Pity Party in full swing - tears full of anger, fear and WHY ME AGAIN?! - I am still optimistic because that's EXACTLY who I am. (I'm honestly not really this pissy, whining chick you're dealing with right now.) I know I am an incredibly strong individual and a very determined one too. I'm not about to sit down and give up. Pain? What's that? I can deal with it. I have... I do... and I will. I have quite a bit of stiffness and muscle spasms in my back (but I'm still out there walking!) and well... I can no longer touch my frickin toes... but WHATEEEEEVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRRR!! I also THOUGHT my foot was swelling and falling asleep in my shoe due to tightness but after it happened AGAIN while walking - in a different pair of loose shoes - I believe it's just another "issue" in this whole unwelcomed nightmare. But hey, I can deal with that too. I will. I'M TOUGH. This is ME we are talking about. I'm a MARATHON WALKER, by golly! Imight have to will probably have to extinguish my dreams of running a marathon but I'm damn sure going to continue to WALK them. I'm a fast walker and I'm damn proud of it.
So I say to you, Mr. Frickin Reality... you can KISS. MY. ASS.
________________________
"I'm too positive to be doubtful; too optimistic to be fearful; and I'm too determined to be defeated." - Mother Teresa
Let's start here... MY LIFE REALLY SUCKS SOMETIMES and LIFE IS NOT FAIR! (majorly whining here while stomping feet) There. I said it. It is out of my system and will not be repeated. I promise.
I'm not one to EVER feel sorry for myself or to have a big ol' Pity Party but today I am ... and I feel totally justified in doing so.
For the past couple of months I have been having some "issues" and these "issues" concerned me enough to actually go see my doctor. Since that time, I have been through a battery of tests all the way from a brain MRI... to very thorough blood testing... to extensive eye exams... to kidney and bladder scans. I went in because I THOUGHT I had kidney stones. They THOUGHT they needed to rule out Multiple Sclerosis (O.M.G.!!), which THANKFULLY they did. Then recently, at one of the various appointments, the specialist said to me, "Jacqueline, your tests are all fine but have you had your BACK looked at?"
I heard the bells go off at that very moment... Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding dinnnnnnnng!
In the bright neon lights of "This Is Your Life, Jacqueline", Mr. Reality kicked me so hard in the stomach that the air was completely knocked out of me. I was gasping. - Thanks Mister, you are being so frickin kind to me.
So a return trip was made for another MRI, this time on my very temperamental, hypersensitive, unstable and unreliable BACK. We should have started with my back and avoided all the other tests but honestly, BACK issues were the furthest from my mind. In fact, through it all, it never even crossed my mind that it might possibly be my back causing the "issues". Seriously, it probably should have. The "issues" I have been experiencing, I have had before - many times before - BEFORE.... WHEN I HAD BACK ISSUES!
I can honestly say I was in COMPLETE denial. (It's such a strange realization!)
My life has changed drastically over the past five years since my last back surgery - Surgery No. 7. I haven't suffered back pain, leg pain or any other nerve pain for at least three years now. I have worked very hard to build my core strength to support my spine. I walk. I jog (which is probably my undoing but we aren't going to talk about it). I exercise. I even stretched enough to be able to touch my frickin toes!!
To say I have been blindsided is an u-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-t-e-m-e-n-t. A major one at that.
The report says I have two, yes - I said TWO, herniated discs. That's T-W-O. One above my fusion at L3-4 and one below my fusion at L5-S1. In addition (like I need anything more), I have a "great amount of scar tissue surrounding nerve roots, binding nerve roots with fibrous adhesions." (Gee, I can't even imagine how THAT happened. - And yes, I'm being very sarcastic in addition to being very pissy) Needless to say, I have some serious BACK ISSUES... once-frickin-again.
What's next, you ask? I am going to see a neurosurgeon and BEG for cortisone shots, physical therapy, or anything else that might keep Surgery No. 8 off the radar. Acupuncture. Medication. ANYTHING. BUT. SURGERY. It has been five years - surely they have other ways to deal with this by now other than cutting me open! Right?! I was scared the last go-around that I wouldn't make it through that surgery - so scared that I went so far as to say goodbye to my beloved children and husband. Today I am just as frightened of surgery. TERRIFIED, in fact. I can't go through that again. I just can't.
But even with the Pity Party in full swing - tears full of anger, fear and WHY ME AGAIN?! - I am still optimistic because that's EXACTLY who I am. (I'm honestly not really this pissy, whining chick you're dealing with right now.) I know I am an incredibly strong individual and a very determined one too. I'm not about to sit down and give up. Pain? What's that? I can deal with it. I have... I do... and I will. I have quite a bit of stiffness and muscle spasms in my back (but I'm still out there walking!) and well... I can no longer touch my frickin toes... but WHATEEEEEVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRRR!! I also THOUGHT my foot was swelling and falling asleep in my shoe due to tightness but after it happened AGAIN while walking - in a different pair of loose shoes - I believe it's just another "issue" in this whole unwelcomed nightmare. But hey, I can deal with that too. I will. I'M TOUGH. This is ME we are talking about. I'm a MARATHON WALKER, by golly! I
So I say to you, Mr. Frickin Reality... you can KISS. MY. ASS.
________________________
"I'm too positive to be doubtful; too optimistic to be fearful; and I'm too determined to be defeated." - Mother Teresa
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Girlfriends Half Marathon
Today was the Girlfriends Half Marathon here in Vancouver - a marathon supporting breast cancer! I did not worry about my time (Me! Seriously! Did not worry!) and just wanted to have a good time walking with my friends. I even lugged the Nikon D80 around so I would remind myself to go slow and take pictures.
As the race started, I was still feeling a little worn out from the Portland Marathon last Sunday. Walking at a fast pace for 26.2 miles simply wears your body down. All week I was lazy and took a break from walking. I even took a break from my normal hydrating and proper eating routines so I didn't start today's walk under the best of circumstances. However, none of that mattered because I wasn't out to set any personal record and just wanted to walk, which I did - a first for me!
The weather was perfect, temps in the 50's. The route was BEAUTIFUL and ENJOYABLE. I always love walking through Vancouver.
I wore my WrightSocks (those "perfect" socks I found a couple weeks ago) and they were indeed PERFECT socks! I had them on the morning of the Portland Marathon last week and second-guessed myself enough to take them off and switch back to the socks I was used to because I had only worn the WrightSocks once before and for only six miles. I should have kept them on and maybe would not have gotten the four nasty blisters! I wore them for 13.1 miles today without a hint of a blister. In fact, they didn't even allow my left over nasty blisters to become even nastier! My feet were pain-free today and that is at the top of the goal list when I'm walking! I'm sticking with these wonderful socks. Period. No need to second-guess again.
A couple of my Vancouver Fit coaches were out on the route with us today (Betty and Nancy) and another coach I saw (Ron) was part of the crew. It is always nice to see them. We train hard and it shows how dedicated and determined we all are when you see each other at various events. I love being a part of the Vancouver Fit group and certainly appreciate all of the support I get from it.
One other person I saw on the route was my acupuncturist, Susan McCarthy. Susan is a real hero in my life! She is the person who got me off of seven out of eight medications I was taking for my back problems and resulting nerve issues. She eliminated the majority of my nerve pain with what I always told her was "voodoo medicine" that worked! I went to Susan looking for an alternative to the many narcotics that were so easily prescribed for me by the doctors who didn't know what else to do. I was sleeping a lot, sitting on the couch and gaining weight. I had NO life. My kids had a mother living in a constant foggy state of mind and in constant pain. I felt almost worthless to them and to my husband. My life was dictated by the pain and medication... and then MORE pain and MORE medication. After Susan performed her "magic", I got off of the medications and started to focus and move ... and shed some pounds! THAT'S really where it all started... with Susan and her needles! Susan - Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me my life back! I always love seeing you, especially when you are not poking me full of holes! haha Thank you for always having something wonderful and meaningful to say to me. I am so happy to make you proud! Thank you. You. are. my. HERO! (And next time, we need to get a picture taken together!)
I enjoyed walking with a group of great friends today... Linda, Sue, Niki, Pat and Renee. YOU GIRLS ROCK! I'm so happy to know you. Each one of you have immensely enriched my life over the past year. Thank you. P.S. The boas looked simply marrrrrrrvelous! Muwwwah!
I finished the walk in 3 hrs 25 mins 47 seconds, averaging 15:43 minute miles. Not bad at all for a Sunday stroll! I truly enjoyed myself! ;)
All in all, today was a GREAT day!
Now... I'm going to sit down and relax because as crazy as it sounds (and probably is), I have ANOTHER half marathon NEXT Sunday! :)
__________________________
"Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming... WOW! What a Ride!"
As the race started, I was still feeling a little worn out from the Portland Marathon last Sunday. Walking at a fast pace for 26.2 miles simply wears your body down. All week I was lazy and took a break from walking. I even took a break from my normal hydrating and proper eating routines so I didn't start today's walk under the best of circumstances. However, none of that mattered because I wasn't out to set any personal record and just wanted to walk, which I did - a first for me!
The weather was perfect, temps in the 50's. The route was BEAUTIFUL and ENJOYABLE. I always love walking through Vancouver.
I wore my WrightSocks (those "perfect" socks I found a couple weeks ago) and they were indeed PERFECT socks! I had them on the morning of the Portland Marathon last week and second-guessed myself enough to take them off and switch back to the socks I was used to because I had only worn the WrightSocks once before and for only six miles. I should have kept them on and maybe would not have gotten the four nasty blisters! I wore them for 13.1 miles today without a hint of a blister. In fact, they didn't even allow my left over nasty blisters to become even nastier! My feet were pain-free today and that is at the top of the goal list when I'm walking! I'm sticking with these wonderful socks. Period. No need to second-guess again.
A couple of my Vancouver Fit coaches were out on the route with us today (Betty and Nancy) and another coach I saw (Ron) was part of the crew. It is always nice to see them. We train hard and it shows how dedicated and determined we all are when you see each other at various events. I love being a part of the Vancouver Fit group and certainly appreciate all of the support I get from it.
One other person I saw on the route was my acupuncturist, Susan McCarthy. Susan is a real hero in my life! She is the person who got me off of seven out of eight medications I was taking for my back problems and resulting nerve issues. She eliminated the majority of my nerve pain with what I always told her was "voodoo medicine" that worked! I went to Susan looking for an alternative to the many narcotics that were so easily prescribed for me by the doctors who didn't know what else to do. I was sleeping a lot, sitting on the couch and gaining weight. I had NO life. My kids had a mother living in a constant foggy state of mind and in constant pain. I felt almost worthless to them and to my husband. My life was dictated by the pain and medication... and then MORE pain and MORE medication. After Susan performed her "magic", I got off of the medications and started to focus and move ... and shed some pounds! THAT'S really where it all started... with Susan and her needles! Susan - Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me my life back! I always love seeing you, especially when you are not poking me full of holes! haha Thank you for always having something wonderful and meaningful to say to me. I am so happy to make you proud! Thank you. You. are. my. HERO! (And next time, we need to get a picture taken together!)
I enjoyed walking with a group of great friends today... Linda, Sue, Niki, Pat and Renee. YOU GIRLS ROCK! I'm so happy to know you. Each one of you have immensely enriched my life over the past year. Thank you. P.S. The boas looked simply marrrrrrrvelous! Muwwwah!
I finished the walk in 3 hrs 25 mins 47 seconds, averaging 15:43 minute miles. Not bad at all for a Sunday stroll! I truly enjoyed myself! ;)
All in all, today was a GREAT day!
Now... I'm going to sit down and relax because as crazy as it sounds (and probably is), I have ANOTHER half marathon NEXT Sunday! :)
__________________________
"Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming... WOW! What a Ride!"
 |
| Gooooooood Moooooorning Vancouver Girlfriends! haha |
 |
| Sue, Niki, Pat, Renee and Linda |
 |
| Vancouver Fit coaches - Nancy and Betty |
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| It was all about the laughter and fun! |
 |
| Sue - you crack me up! Mile 13! |
 |
| Time you see is "gun time". Official time to finish was 3:25:47. :) |
Sunday, October 9, 2011
2011 Portland Marathon
Today I participated in the Portland Marathon along with 15,000 other runners and walkers - the largest Portland Marathon to date! It was the Marathon's 40th anniversary and along with the thousands of participants, there were thousands of people out to celebrate and support us. There were loud, lively bands in several locations and people dancing in the streets! There were spectators calling us by name (our names were on our bibs) and yelling out words of encouragement! There were also hundreds of volunteers handing out various carbs, candies, water and drinks with electrolytes. They were cheering us on just as much as the spectators were. I really appreciate all their work and dedication to making the event such a success. They had a big job to do and they volunteered to do it. They deserve a lot of thanks.
The sky was full of clouds and it rained on us a couple different times but nothing like last year's downpour. It wasn't a hard rain and it kept us cool. I much prefer walking in weather like we had today than walking when it is warm and sunny. I don't like walking in the heat at all.
Over the past week I learned a lot about carb-loading and started making carbs a large part of my diet for three days prior (not just the night before). As a result, I felt fantastic today! It was by far the best I have ever felt on a walk... full of energy, strength and determination. I will be sure to carb-load prior to all future events and not worry about the extra calories I'm consuming! It really made a difference.
Today the miles seemed so much easier to conquer! I remember being at mile 9 and thinking it felt like mile 4. I was at mile 18 before I started to feel the effort I was putting into the day. (Those extra carbs ALMOST seemed to make it easy!). About mile 21 is where I started to wind down and pay attention to the distance going by under my feet. I was getting tired and started counting down the miles yet I continued to go at a steady pace and never really lost all of my energy or my determination to finish strong. (My motto has always been to FINISH STRONG!). I didn't have ANY negative thoughts racing through my mind causing me to doubt myself today and that was a new experience for me! It really was a GREAT day but with one exception.... my right shoe!
My feet sometimes swell up when I'm walking long distances and my right shoe was TIGHT. Between mile 20 and mile 21.1, I had to stop THREE times to loosen my laces. By the time I got it where it was comfortable, the shoe was actually slipping on my foot. I knew I only had 5.1 miles to the finish line and I also knew I would probably get a blister or two as a result but at least my foot wasn't throbbing anymore and falling asleep. As it turns out, I not only got a blister or two, I got FOUR! Damn.
Whatever! ;)
I walked 26.2 miles today in 6 hrs 17 mins 21 secs, beating my previous full marathon (Vancouver's) by 4 mins 54 secs! That's an overall average of 14 mins 24 secs miles!
My goal today was to finish between 6 hrs 15 mins and 6 hrs 21 mins so I AM THRILLED! I'll take the blisters, thank you! I EARNED THEM!
After finishing the race, I went through the chute collecting my medal, a space blanket, food, water, a rose and my finishers' shirt. I took one bite of everything (banana, orange slice, cheese and a bagel) because I thought I was hungry but it all made me very nauseous. I tossed it, drank my water and sat down to wait for my friend, Linda, to finish the race so we could get our finishers' picture taken together and that's when it hit me... I was EXHAUSTED. I was HURTING. I was COLD. And, quite honestly, I wanted to CRY.
The race was over - THANK. GOODNESS.
Until next time... ;)
P.S. A big shout out to not only my training group, Vancouver Fit, the organizers of the Portland Marathon, the police, the medical personnel, the volunteers and the spectators but to Occupy Portland for agreeing to move over a little, giving us our space, and not disrupting our race. Thank you! Thanks to all of you!
To my wonderful daughter Brittany, and my great friends Linda and Mike: Thanks for topping off my wonderful day by making my evening relaxing and special with dinner and a MUCH NEEDED, very tasty, HUGE, fresh-squeezed citrus MARGARITA! Ahhhhhh.... Life is good! :)
The sky was full of clouds and it rained on us a couple different times but nothing like last year's downpour. It wasn't a hard rain and it kept us cool. I much prefer walking in weather like we had today than walking when it is warm and sunny. I don't like walking in the heat at all.
Over the past week I learned a lot about carb-loading and started making carbs a large part of my diet for three days prior (not just the night before). As a result, I felt fantastic today! It was by far the best I have ever felt on a walk... full of energy, strength and determination. I will be sure to carb-load prior to all future events and not worry about the extra calories I'm consuming! It really made a difference.
Today the miles seemed so much easier to conquer! I remember being at mile 9 and thinking it felt like mile 4. I was at mile 18 before I started to feel the effort I was putting into the day. (Those extra carbs ALMOST seemed to make it easy!). About mile 21 is where I started to wind down and pay attention to the distance going by under my feet. I was getting tired and started counting down the miles yet I continued to go at a steady pace and never really lost all of my energy or my determination to finish strong. (My motto has always been to FINISH STRONG!). I didn't have ANY negative thoughts racing through my mind causing me to doubt myself today and that was a new experience for me! It really was a GREAT day but with one exception.... my right shoe!
My feet sometimes swell up when I'm walking long distances and my right shoe was TIGHT. Between mile 20 and mile 21.1, I had to stop THREE times to loosen my laces. By the time I got it where it was comfortable, the shoe was actually slipping on my foot. I knew I only had 5.1 miles to the finish line and I also knew I would probably get a blister or two as a result but at least my foot wasn't throbbing anymore and falling asleep. As it turns out, I not only got a blister or two, I got FOUR! Damn.
Whatever! ;)
I walked 26.2 miles today in 6 hrs 17 mins 21 secs, beating my previous full marathon (Vancouver's) by 4 mins 54 secs! That's an overall average of 14 mins 24 secs miles!
My goal today was to finish between 6 hrs 15 mins and 6 hrs 21 mins so I AM THRILLED! I'll take the blisters, thank you! I EARNED THEM!
After finishing the race, I went through the chute collecting my medal, a space blanket, food, water, a rose and my finishers' shirt. I took one bite of everything (banana, orange slice, cheese and a bagel) because I thought I was hungry but it all made me very nauseous. I tossed it, drank my water and sat down to wait for my friend, Linda, to finish the race so we could get our finishers' picture taken together and that's when it hit me... I was EXHAUSTED. I was HURTING. I was COLD. And, quite honestly, I wanted to CRY.
The race was over - THANK. GOODNESS.
Until next time... ;)
P.S. A big shout out to not only my training group, Vancouver Fit, the organizers of the Portland Marathon, the police, the medical personnel, the volunteers and the spectators but to Occupy Portland for agreeing to move over a little, giving us our space, and not disrupting our race. Thank you! Thanks to all of you!
To my wonderful daughter Brittany, and my great friends Linda and Mike: Thanks for topping off my wonderful day by making my evening relaxing and special with dinner and a MUCH NEEDED, very tasty, HUGE, fresh-squeezed citrus MARGARITA! Ahhhhhh.... Life is good! :)
 |
| Linda and me - waiting for the race to start! |
 |
| Crossing the finish line!! Woooo-whooooo! |
 |
| Me and Linda :) |
Friday, October 7, 2011
"Join" me on Sunday at the marathon!
I figured it out! Actually, I didn't have to do much searching, just looked at the Marathon page today and there it was!
If you would like to follow me while I am on the route of the Portland Marathon on Sunday, click on this link:
www.liveraceresults.com/Portland/
My bib number is 8714
I don't know exactly how it works but it should give you information as to where I am. Just remember, I am a walker - but a fast walker at times! - not a runner so I won't be flying by on the screen! I hope to complete the 26.2 miles in less than 6 hours and 22 minutes, which was my last PR for a full marathon in June.
Wish me luck!
_______________________
If you expect to succeed, you'll succeed. The dreams you choose to believe in come to be. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. Choose to believe something good can happen. Expecting it to happen energizes your goal and actually gives it momentum. - Kelly MzKelz Valdez
If you would like to follow me while I am on the route of the Portland Marathon on Sunday, click on this link:
www.liveraceresults.com/Portland/
My bib number is 8714
I don't know exactly how it works but it should give you information as to where I am. Just remember, I am a walker - but a fast walker at times! - not a runner so I won't be flying by on the screen! I hope to complete the 26.2 miles in less than 6 hours and 22 minutes, which was my last PR for a full marathon in June.
Wish me luck!
_______________________
If you expect to succeed, you'll succeed. The dreams you choose to believe in come to be. When you feel in your innermost being that you will achieve what you set out to do, you open the way for miracles. Choose to believe something good can happen. Expecting it to happen energizes your goal and actually gives it momentum. - Kelly MzKelz Valdez
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Nine Hundred Miles
Today I hit the 900 mile mark for 2011. I set a goal of walking 1000 miles this year and obviously I am going to blow that goal up in smoke! I still have three months! It's hard to believe how easily the miles add up. Rain or shine, I want to be out there. I can't help it, I LOVE WALKING!
Sunday, October 9th, is the 40th anniversary of the Portland Marathon, my 2nd year participating in it, and my 3rd full marathon to walk. I'm really looking forward to it! Of course I hope to better my time from the two previous full marathons, even if it is just by a minute or two. My bib number is 8714. I know there is a way to view where I'm at on race day but I have no clue how it's done yet! I'm trying to find out. I think that would be pretty cool for my family (and friends) to keep up with me that day and be "there with me". Looks like it is going to rain (no big surprise there!) but hopefully nothing like the torrential downpour we had to endure last year. Maybe the clouds will be kind to us and just keep their droppings to themselves until after the event. ;)
Last week I found the perfect earbuds. This week I found the perfect socks! (Funny that I actually find this exciting news!) Seriously, I tried a new sock and I didn't FEEL my shoes for the entire six miles I was wearing them. Amazing. They are called WrightSock and right they are! I'm sold.
As far as my eating plan goes... well... I'm eating alright, just not on a real good plan! My goal to lose these last 20 pounds is proving to be harder than it should be. I do well for a couple of weeks and lose 5 - 8 pounds. Then something changes and I eat until I've gained the majority of those pounds back, at which point I start doing well again! It's the craziest thing and I don't understand myself at all. At least the high-end number keeps getting lower... SLOWLY... but it's getting lower. I just need a personal chef - oh wait, I have one! Okay, let me be more specific. I need a personal chef WHO IS WILLING to prepare and portion out my meals and padlock the refrigerator and pantry while he's away at work. haha Wouldn't that be a perfect world?! Yeah. But because I very obviously don't live in a perfect world, I will have to do it myself and make eating better/less a priority. That's the key to this dilemma and I know it... dedication and focus. It isn't ever going to just happen without me making it a priority. I want to reach that goal by the end of this year. 2011. Down 20. THIS. YEAR.
Amazingly though, most of my shirts are too big now so even though I'm not dropping the pounds on the scale, I'm doing something right. That counts by golly!
With that said, it's time to sign off and watch the Biggest Loser - my motivation... my inspiration... my push to get up and go! Tomorrow I am going to focus! It is in MY control. I must be the one to do it and I know darn well that I CAN DO IT.
Adios!
P.S. I would like to give a shout out to Russia! Someone there has been here a lot lately! Email me. Introduce yourself. I'm always open to new friendships - you can't have enough of them in this world! :)
walkingthemiles@yahoo.com
_____________________________________
A goal is a dream with a deadline. - Napolean Hill
Sunday, October 9th, is the 40th anniversary of the Portland Marathon, my 2nd year participating in it, and my 3rd full marathon to walk. I'm really looking forward to it! Of course I hope to better my time from the two previous full marathons, even if it is just by a minute or two. My bib number is 8714. I know there is a way to view where I'm at on race day but I have no clue how it's done yet! I'm trying to find out. I think that would be pretty cool for my family (and friends) to keep up with me that day and be "there with me". Looks like it is going to rain (no big surprise there!) but hopefully nothing like the torrential downpour we had to endure last year. Maybe the clouds will be kind to us and just keep their droppings to themselves until after the event. ;)
Last week I found the perfect earbuds. This week I found the perfect socks! (Funny that I actually find this exciting news!) Seriously, I tried a new sock and I didn't FEEL my shoes for the entire six miles I was wearing them. Amazing. They are called WrightSock and right they are! I'm sold.
As far as my eating plan goes... well... I'm eating alright, just not on a real good plan! My goal to lose these last 20 pounds is proving to be harder than it should be. I do well for a couple of weeks and lose 5 - 8 pounds. Then something changes and I eat until I've gained the majority of those pounds back, at which point I start doing well again! It's the craziest thing and I don't understand myself at all. At least the high-end number keeps getting lower... SLOWLY... but it's getting lower. I just need a personal chef - oh wait, I have one! Okay, let me be more specific. I need a personal chef WHO IS WILLING to prepare and portion out my meals and padlock the refrigerator and pantry while he's away at work. haha Wouldn't that be a perfect world?! Yeah. But because I very obviously don't live in a perfect world, I will have to do it myself and make eating better/less a priority. That's the key to this dilemma and I know it... dedication and focus. It isn't ever going to just happen without me making it a priority. I want to reach that goal by the end of this year. 2011. Down 20. THIS. YEAR.
Amazingly though, most of my shirts are too big now so even though I'm not dropping the pounds on the scale, I'm doing something right. That counts by golly!
With that said, it's time to sign off and watch the Biggest Loser - my motivation... my inspiration... my push to get up and go! Tomorrow I am going to focus! It is in MY control. I must be the one to do it and I know darn well that I CAN DO IT.
Adios!
P.S. I would like to give a shout out to Russia! Someone there has been here a lot lately! Email me. Introduce yourself. I'm always open to new friendships - you can't have enough of them in this world! :)
walkingthemiles@yahoo.com
_____________________________________
A goal is a dream with a deadline. - Napolean Hill
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