Saturday, I joined the group training session for a LONG run. That is, we ran over the George Washington Bridge and through Palisades State Park. To date, I have officially run my "longest." That is I ran for 3 HOURS! For those who are interested in mileage, it was just over 14 miles-with like a-million hills. Never ending, swearing under your breath (when you can breathe) legs burning, gasping for air at the top and praying that we have been running for long enough to turn back now, hills... and that was the second mile in the park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, it was great fun. About 40 of us showed up and ran single file along the bridge, with an amazing view of the city and the surrounding area. Then we ran up a road and crossed a busy street to run into the park. We ran on two different levels of the park with beautiful views of the river and best of all? No bathrooms. No kidding. At one point a bunch of us ladies lined up in front of a tall fence to relieve ourselves on the run. It was a little like girl scout boot camp-that sounds weird...uh..anyway..
I was keeping a pace about 2 min slower per mile than I usually train, which I read is good to do on a long run. While running I met Lindsay, Megan and Christine. Turns out Christine is on my "team." There are 100 of us New Yorkers running the San Diego Marathon. We are broken then into groups of 10 with a mentor. Our team is aptly named the"San Diego Sadists."
This is the first time I have met a member of my team, though I have met and gotten to know our mentor, Peter, rather well. I am surprised every time I see him with how extraordinarily generous he is with his time. Meeting a teammate made my day and it was such a help to have some one to suffer with!
Besides the physical challenges there were spiritual ones as well. In fact, on the turn around heading back I was on my own quite a bit. Prayer became the motivator, particularly when my body was feeling heavy and my legs weak. And so it began, "God is good. God please come! God help me survive this run." I'm serious. The rhyme and rhythm are important when praying and running. It helps you keep pace!
While walking back over the bridge (something I chose to do, as my hips felt tight and my knees quite sore), Peter, who probably ran the long run twice, saddled up behind me and kept me company . He supported my choice to walk and we chatted about how we felt and what to do to speed my recovery from the physical trauma of such a long run. All the coaches and mentors seem to spend this kind of time and energy with as many teammates as they can-it's very inspiring and so incredibly helpful.
So now you're probably wondering how I feel. Maybe you are wondering what Peter had suggested for my speedy recovery... well it's NOT a warm bath and Swedish massage, I can tell you that. To ensure your body's quickest recovery from a long run, especially if you are not used to it, is simple and yet extremely torturous. However, it is also something that, after having experienced it myself (well sort of anyway), I will do it every time from here on out!
It's an ICE BATH! That's right. In fact, what you do is fill up your tub with as much as ice as you can. The pros put sweats and gloves on their upper body, and their tights on their lower body and lower themselves into the ice up to the waist, and stay there for 10 MINUTES!!!
On the way home from the run, I stopped at the local bodega-no ice. I headed home and filled up our tub with icy water. Here in NYC the cold water is FRIGID. This is undeniably a nicer way to introduce one's body to the trauma of an ice bath. I feel it will prepare me for the real thing. I forwent the clothing and simply wrapped my upper body in a towel, and with Jason's help(i.e. my strangling his neck) I lowered into the icy water, hyperventilating all the way in. There was a squeal or two...and then it happened, my legs became warm! It actually felt OK. I stayed in the frigid water for about 20 minutes. That's when I started to shiver. This is a good sign that you need to get out. I drained the tub and took the HOTTEST water shower of my life. I am sure I was in it for 30 minutes. It was WONDERFUL!
At this point, I figured I'd pass out. I had been up most of the night before, something I learned other runners experienced as well. It's psyche-yourself-out time the night before every long. It's as though your subconscious is preparing you for how you will feel the night before the marathon. This is just a guess, of course. Nonetheless, I decided to go out for a bit. I traveled with Jason on his way to work and stopped at Columbus Circle's Time Warner Building. I rewarded myself for the run with a new summer top from JCrew (big sale), and picked up some dinner at Whole Foods. I made it home, made dinner and eventually passed out at 9PM. Sunday was good and today I feel even better!
I think I am beginning to enjoy this insanity called the runner's high, and I am actually looking forward to meeting each new challenge both physically and mentally.
Amen.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Doctors who Care
Hi Everyone:
I want to share something very significant with you today. When I woke up this morning, Jason, my husband, insisted that I check out my fundraising website (www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycsblack). I went to the kitchen for coffee first and he followed with his laptop. This is a first for the laptop! So I wait as the out-of-date half-n-half curdles in my coffee-ARGH!- and the computer comes on and the site is opened. I have no reached $3200 of my $4000 goal! How?
So we watch as the names of those who have chosen to show the world what they donated to the site...and it comes up: Dr. Michael Kovacs $250. Now three people have generously donated $250 each to my site, including Dr. Kovacs. This one, however, is extra special to me.
When I was first diagnosed, I was encouraged to get a journal to record my appointments in. When you go through any kind of cancer treatment this is a good idea as your appointments are numerous, each very important. So I did. Dr. Kovacs wins hands down for the person I visited the most during my treatment, 12 years ago, in London, Ontario, Canada at the London Regional Cancer Center. He was the head of my oncology team. And after all this time,I've not so much as sent a note or visited. But I send him a letter now, telling him how grateful I am for his efforts in my survival and explaining to him what I am finally doing to show the world how grateful I am...and he donates to my site!
This means so much to me. I can physically, emotionally, and spiritually feel a huge part of me healing like some kind of miracle. The feeling is similar to the one I experienced durning my last appoinment on April 23, 1996 when I was told that I was clear of cancer. With Dr. Kovac's help, and his team of doctors, nurses, radiologists, hematologists and my family and friends, I have not had to look back. And yet now, I feel like I am standing on a mountain and as I turn around to look at the path that I have tread to this moment, I feel so much love and honor for the life I have been given a second chance at.
Thank you for reading this, I know it's been funny up until today. I promise to give you all the detailed antics of my continued training. But today I wanted to share with you the significance of this donation. There are others who have made my day brighter and brought me closer to my goal as well: my cousin Barb, whose father is my uncle who lost his battle to leukemia when he was twenty, my best friend Lil, whose mom lost her battle to breast cancer, my best friend Rachael whose mom lost her battle to lung cancer..the list goes on.
I want to thank everyone for their generosity, their opening of hearts and wallets alike. We are making it possible for those who cannot afford treatment to receive the financial aid they so desperately need, we are making it possible for researchers to make more and more sense out of what blood cancer is and how it works and how to stop it from taking more lives. We are making it possible for more people to have a second chance at life...and possibly creating an opportunity for more people to find their way to whatever marathon they have always dreamed of conquering.
The journal my mom gave me to record my appointments in is a journal I cherish. She picked it because of a poem it had on the front of it. Reading it now, is like a huge shining ray of light from heaven telling me that I have always been on the right path and it has led me to this very journey that I am on now:
Don't Quit- by Jill Wolf
Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions,
For there's something you may learn.
Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.
Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh;
Don't quit, for you're not a failure
Until you fail to try.
Weird, huh? More like Divine Intervention!
With love and gratitude for the morning sun everyday,
Shannon
I want to share something very significant with you today. When I woke up this morning, Jason, my husband, insisted that I check out my fundraising website (www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycsblack). I went to the kitchen for coffee first and he followed with his laptop. This is a first for the laptop! So I wait as the out-of-date half-n-half curdles in my coffee-ARGH!- and the computer comes on and the site is opened. I have no reached $3200 of my $4000 goal! How?
So we watch as the names of those who have chosen to show the world what they donated to the site...and it comes up: Dr. Michael Kovacs $250. Now three people have generously donated $250 each to my site, including Dr. Kovacs. This one, however, is extra special to me.
When I was first diagnosed, I was encouraged to get a journal to record my appointments in. When you go through any kind of cancer treatment this is a good idea as your appointments are numerous, each very important. So I did. Dr. Kovacs wins hands down for the person I visited the most during my treatment, 12 years ago, in London, Ontario, Canada at the London Regional Cancer Center. He was the head of my oncology team. And after all this time,I've not so much as sent a note or visited. But I send him a letter now, telling him how grateful I am for his efforts in my survival and explaining to him what I am finally doing to show the world how grateful I am...and he donates to my site!
This means so much to me. I can physically, emotionally, and spiritually feel a huge part of me healing like some kind of miracle. The feeling is similar to the one I experienced durning my last appoinment on April 23, 1996 when I was told that I was clear of cancer. With Dr. Kovac's help, and his team of doctors, nurses, radiologists, hematologists and my family and friends, I have not had to look back. And yet now, I feel like I am standing on a mountain and as I turn around to look at the path that I have tread to this moment, I feel so much love and honor for the life I have been given a second chance at.
Thank you for reading this, I know it's been funny up until today. I promise to give you all the detailed antics of my continued training. But today I wanted to share with you the significance of this donation. There are others who have made my day brighter and brought me closer to my goal as well: my cousin Barb, whose father is my uncle who lost his battle to leukemia when he was twenty, my best friend Lil, whose mom lost her battle to breast cancer, my best friend Rachael whose mom lost her battle to lung cancer..the list goes on.
I want to thank everyone for their generosity, their opening of hearts and wallets alike. We are making it possible for those who cannot afford treatment to receive the financial aid they so desperately need, we are making it possible for researchers to make more and more sense out of what blood cancer is and how it works and how to stop it from taking more lives. We are making it possible for more people to have a second chance at life...and possibly creating an opportunity for more people to find their way to whatever marathon they have always dreamed of conquering.
The journal my mom gave me to record my appointments in is a journal I cherish. She picked it because of a poem it had on the front of it. Reading it now, is like a huge shining ray of light from heaven telling me that I have always been on the right path and it has led me to this very journey that I am on now:
Don't Quit- by Jill Wolf
Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions,
For there's something you may learn.
Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.
Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh;
Don't quit, for you're not a failure
Until you fail to try.
Weird, huh? More like Divine Intervention!
With love and gratitude for the morning sun everyday,
Shannon
Monday, April 2, 2007
Lunging Lunatic!
Why on earth does your body not scream at you half way through 90 lunges saying, " STOP ALREADY, you STUPID HUMAN?!" I was so excited, after doing some reading about my knee pain. My quad is weak and causing a "beginner injury or soreness." DUH, who said I was anything but a beginner! So I wanted to deal with the knee weakness and kick up my muscle strengthening exercises.
The plan organically unfolded at the gym this past weekend after sucking down a gel pack of energy pudding like substance containing caffeine. I began with core work on the stability ball, in between those sets I did squats. After that I began the lunging lunacy. I read that when strengthening for running it's recommended to do 3 sets of 15 reps. When you do alternating lunges doing 15 reps means that ultimately you only do 7 lunges with one leg and 8 on the other. I can't do that! One pant leg of my pants will be tighter than the other. YUCK! In order to even it all out, I decide to do 3 sets of 30 alternating lunges!!!! It gets worse...I mean I feel GOOD! Keep going, girl! So I took care of the abductors, and even managed, though I could feel "spaghetti" legs beginning, quad extensions. At this point, I have only a slight sense that I may have over done it. So to counteract the aformentioned exercises I decide to hit the elliptical for 20 mins and then 15 mins on the moving stair machine (not sure of official name for this cardio equipment). I stretch, shower and head out for the day.
After seeing an Evening School performance of no less than 2 and 1/2 hours, I tell my husband that I would benefit from a short walk to keep my legs from seizing up completely. Spaghetti legs has now turned into a sensation similar to that prior to fainting, when your legs give out. The short walks turns into a mile..we are on our way to our friend Camille's for dinner. We finally opt for public transportation to find that the "weekend" service of the 1/2/3 line is quite different from weekday service. This leads to another mile of walking (or more, it certainly felt this way) to finally find her apt! And what do we do upon arrival? Drink wine! Hello! Dehydration!!
The ultimate conclusion to this over training, over walking, over indulgence? I now walk like an 90 year old woman. No amount of arniflora, asprecreme, Epsom salt bathing or drugs can change the gait I now have!! I hope to be good for a short run tonight, as long as my knee doesn't feel anything like my thighs and butt do right now. After that I can take on any pain!!! Feelin' the burn, feelin' the burn...
love, the lunging lunatic!
P.S. So far I have raised $2550.00 of my $4000.00 goal. Check out my fundraising website to help me closer to my goal!
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycsblack
The plan organically unfolded at the gym this past weekend after sucking down a gel pack of energy pudding like substance containing caffeine. I began with core work on the stability ball, in between those sets I did squats. After that I began the lunging lunacy. I read that when strengthening for running it's recommended to do 3 sets of 15 reps. When you do alternating lunges doing 15 reps means that ultimately you only do 7 lunges with one leg and 8 on the other. I can't do that! One pant leg of my pants will be tighter than the other. YUCK! In order to even it all out, I decide to do 3 sets of 30 alternating lunges!!!! It gets worse...I mean I feel GOOD! Keep going, girl! So I took care of the abductors, and even managed, though I could feel "spaghetti" legs beginning, quad extensions. At this point, I have only a slight sense that I may have over done it. So to counteract the aformentioned exercises I decide to hit the elliptical for 20 mins and then 15 mins on the moving stair machine (not sure of official name for this cardio equipment). I stretch, shower and head out for the day.
After seeing an Evening School performance of no less than 2 and 1/2 hours, I tell my husband that I would benefit from a short walk to keep my legs from seizing up completely. Spaghetti legs has now turned into a sensation similar to that prior to fainting, when your legs give out. The short walks turns into a mile..we are on our way to our friend Camille's for dinner. We finally opt for public transportation to find that the "weekend" service of the 1/2/3 line is quite different from weekday service. This leads to another mile of walking (or more, it certainly felt this way) to finally find her apt! And what do we do upon arrival? Drink wine! Hello! Dehydration!!
The ultimate conclusion to this over training, over walking, over indulgence? I now walk like an 90 year old woman. No amount of arniflora, asprecreme, Epsom salt bathing or drugs can change the gait I now have!! I hope to be good for a short run tonight, as long as my knee doesn't feel anything like my thighs and butt do right now. After that I can take on any pain!!! Feelin' the burn, feelin' the burn...
love, the lunging lunatic!
P.S. So far I have raised $2550.00 of my $4000.00 goal. Check out my fundraising website to help me closer to my goal!
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycsblack
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