Out on the Rez

Since I don't have Suzanne Toting her Garmin this week, I had to use the car to estimate mileage at the Reservoir. I parked at the Boat Dock by Palisades and did my run/walk from there to Hwy. 471, which ends not far from the Fox Bay entrance. I thought the round trip was at least 8 miles but it was 7.6 miles. It was humid enough this afternoon that I could have believed it was 10 plus, so don't tell me if you think I actually ran less. That maybe the extent of my running this week since I will have to miss Saturday. It really was enjoyable, but I missed having the Marathon Momentum, which certainly helps move things along when we're all together.

Suzanne is traveling this week. Do you think she carries a card that says: "Have Garmin, Will Travel"???

See ya'll later.

Debra

A Cool Plan

That Garmin Toting Susanne and I had a plan. If we start at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning then the weather will be cooler -- and most importantly, it will "look" like we were keeping up, maybe we would also "look" cooler.

We met at Fleet Feet and hit the trail at the planned time. I started popping those jelly beans when we walked out of the parking lot and kept it up until I had polished off two bags (do you think I can get a discount on those little suckers?) They finally kicked in after the half way mark and I just couldn't stop myself. I was running like Alice's Bunny -- "I'm late. I'm late." Suzanne, on the other head, was having a heated discussion with herself and took the slower speed for a little while. But, all is well, she revived and we made it back in enough time that we really didn't look so bad.

Today, the body knows something important happened yesterday. I've tried not to say 10 Miles out loud because I might fall asleep. But all in all I do feel pretty good. My son refers to my looks (or the smell or both) when I come home as "Mom, you're in Beast mode." I take that as a compliment. No need to get more information on that one.

Ran into lisathehornplayingturtle/Lisa D at Borders yesterday. Great to visit with someone who has done the marathon adventure before. She's headed for a Disneyland Half marathon. Sounds like lots of fun.

Going to have to miss two Saturday runs in a row. Have to be in Greenville to help with a Photo collection project on June 2. And, on June 9 I'll be in Greenwood at the Mississippi Institute for Arts and Letters Banquet where I collect my award for their photographer of the year. Now, I'm not dropping any names, of course. But Morgan Freeman is supposed to get his Lifetime Achievement award that night also. I'll see if he'll autograph my hand.

Have a great week everyone!

Debra

The Eagle has landed!

After our great run on Saturday I jumped into final preparation for my son Aaron's Eagle ceremony on Sunday. It was a great day and he is now officially an Eagle. Also, school wrapped up on Tuesday. Life just doesn't get any better for a teenager.

Aaron did have a heart to heart with me last week. I thought he was going to admit to some bad doings when he said, "Mom,we need to talk." My heart fluttered. And, then he said, "Do you think you could hang your running clothes and underwear somewhere besides the front bathroom? I have friends coming in there, you know?" OK -- tables turned. He was actually telling me to clean up my room! So, I've cleaned up my act and the bathroom is clear of that embarrassing underwear.

I managed to get in running on Tuesday. Had to leave early yesterday morning to get in some photo stock shooting, so training has been cut short this week. But I've kept up the exercises for my knee and feel great. Will be at the 6 p.m. Lakeshore site for this afternoon's training.

Debra

Today was Spectacular!

Can you believe how cool it was out there? And, the Reservoir was just beautiful. Nine miles this week was not exactly easy, but certainly more pleasant than last week. Thanks to Suzanne for keeping the 3:1 intervals going, and Chuck for slowing down now and then to join in.

I did see a physical therapist this week just so I could make sure what was causing my pain just below my knee. Turns out it's the iliotibial band (i-t band) that Mark diagnosed 4 weeks into training. That was great news since I needed reassurance that I wasn't hurting anything. The PT gave me a set of stretching exercises to do daily and before and after runs, plus icing. It's been amazing how much better I have felt and I could certainly see the improvement today.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Debra
debra@southern-images.com

Got an hour in this morning -- a little run, lotta walk. Felt good at 5:30 a.m. but this later morning heat is turning into a killer early. And, it's taking awhile to cool down in the afternoons already.

Debra

Nine Miles and Moving Forward

Nine miles never felt so great. Saturday was terrific. I decided to walk more and slow down on the intervals and it turned out to be a good thing. I didn't push the knee too far and I got to enjoy visiting with Vicky and Kathy and several others along the way. I kept Suzanne and Chuck in sight until the first water stop. My radio came apart so that slowed me down. It was a great day to "run my own race." I'm icing the knee or possible shin split -- no matter, icing and stretching appear to be helping either one. Looking forward to training this week. Hope everyone has a great one.

Debra

Stop the Moaning, Debra.

O.K., I'm officially gonna stop moaning. Remind me of this statement.

I did take it easy this week and the knee isn't back where it should be but I did put in 5 miles walking yesterday with the Thursday Lakeshore 5p.m. Gang. Suzanne got in run time and kept an eye on me as I ambled down Scenic Drive. Yeah -- I was still there everytime she looked! Matt and Debbie put in their runs. Hopefully, Debbie made it back to the car before the heavy rain fell since she was running extra because she has to miss Saturday. I looked for her but she moves so fast that I must have blinked and she was gone.

Will be there tomorrow. Will probably be walking, not walking and running. Will be better because I get to see all of ya'll. Will not moan. Did I say to remind me of this final statement?

Not to beat a phrase too heavily, but Life is Good. I forget that sometimes.

Debra

Knee Hell

I think I'm in Knee Hell. I've used the ice, the stretch, the alleve and alot of cursing and it still hasn't gotten me back in the road since Saturday. It seems to be a common malady among us bloggers this week. I haven't been to a doc since I went thru this in the 4th week and at Mark's suggestion did some stretching of that cord thing or muscle thing in the upper part of my leg. It cured it and now it's back. Only this time it's more a tightness, uncomfortable feeling with swelling now and then -- particularly the right leg.

I have to leave town for a business trip for a couple of days, and hope that resting it will help. Like everyone else I don't want to damage anything permanently.

Debra

Photos by Matt

Hey if you wanna see a lot of people smiling, make sure you watch Matt's slide show at the link below. He got some great photos of the Cannonball Run! Made my knee feel better -- could be a new form of medical treatment!

http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/broomatt/Cannonball%20Run%2010K/

Knee Ache

The knee aggravation is back. I had it several months ago and stretching, ice and not pushing it helped. Hopefully, that will get me thru again. It was achey on the Raymond trail run and I took it easy but looks like I'll have to ice and stretch for several days and stay on the alleve. The rest of my body is ready to go but I'll try to remain patient. Funny, all it takes is one ailment, and you suddenly start questioning everything.

Debra

Branches and Brambles and Interesting Smells

Raymond was certainly an interesting location for the 10k plus 2 miles today. Suzanne and I got there early. I told her to tell the story but gosh, I've got to tell my version. Besides, my daughter, Sarah who now lives in Manhattan, enjoys reading Mom's exploits on the marathon trail. (Hi, Sarah and Josh!)

We got there before the crowd and immediately needed a bathroom, of course. The man at the convenience store sent us to the laundrymat next door. It was not one of your more high tech laundry mats -- the rabbit ears on the tv were a hint. I went into the bathroom first and was ready to make a quick exit when the door knob came off in my hand. I don't enjoy small, confined spaces especially when I know the door is locked. I yelled for the Calvary. Suzanne came to the rescue and had to body slam the door (which was not in great shape to begin with)and I very calmly (yeah, right -- we were in hysterics)handed her the knob and and said I would stand right there. Then she yelled and it was clear I had to come to her rescue. Unfortunately, my rescue caused a little more damage to the ancient door. We made a quick exit and proceeded to the Start Line.

Running is always a challenge for me but I sure wasn't prepared for the civil war trail into the woods. Between the mud, rocks, roots, etc. we felt lucky to come out without falling. Pavement never looked so good.

Hope everyone has a great week. It's almost 6pm and I'm thinking bedtime will be early tonight.

Debra

Lakeshore 5pm Group

Met up with the 5 p.m. group at Lakeshore Park today. Suzanne, Micah and Debbie were ready to hit the trail when I got there! It was great to be among friends and get those practice miles in. My knees were complaining a bit so I was very glad it was a practice and we mixed in some walking time with the running intervals. I'm feeling good now but going to keep alleve and ice nearby tomorrow.

See ya in Raymond!!

Debra
debra@southern-images.com

Back out there + training t-shirt

I enjoyed the weather this morning about 6. I put in the hour run and applied ice immediately after I got back in. There's no swelling in my ankles or knees but those knees would rather have been sleeping.I'm taking alleve and icing down often.

You might want to check out http://newbalancechicago.com and click on Chicago Marathon under the Shop By Category list. For $21.99 you can get a cool "In Training 2007" marathon t-shirt and it's even got the entire route printed on it.

See ya,
Debra
debra@southern-images.com

Mystery Swelling

I got in my running time early yesterday morning. Then last night I realized my legs were swollen from above the knees down into my ankles. It was uncomfortable but no pain. I was not swollen this morning but decided to take it easy today just in case. There was plenty of office/desk work to be done. About 6pm I realized that my ankles were very swollen but knees and rest of legs were not. Again, no pain. I used ice and put my feet up but can't figure this one out. I haven't started any new medication or made any other signifcant changes in diet, etc. Well, except that I'm training for a marathon! Any ideas?

Thanks,
Debra
debra@southern-images.com