Always An Adventure

The "Finding Amy...Again" journey has taken me on quite a few different "exercise adventures" over the past few years.  

It started at Clay Fitness + Nutrition, where, from day one three years ago, I was taken far beyond what I believed my body was capable of. This adventure, of course, continues to this day and my body is still challenged to exceed my expectations with every class I take!  

I've done several 5Ks over the past few years. My favorite was the Hilton Head Run For the Heritage that the Spicy Chicken & I did in 2011. Not only was it completely flat (my kind of race!) it was the first race we'd done together since the 1999 Denver Governor's Cup 10K. It was, consequently, also the last race we did together. Hmmm...

I also had a great time doing the Featheridge/Clay 5K Run to Rebuild with Moe in spring of 2011. Okay, maybe "great time" is a slight exaggeration, as this was her first true race and she may have cried once or twice along the way. But we did it, and even have the pictures to prove it!

Training for the Charlottesville Ten Miler this spring was probably the toughest adventure I've taken so far. Running distances does not come naturally to me. Hard as I tried, I never reached that "I love this!" moment so many runners speak of. I did, however, occasionally get to "I like this", which I deemed as success, considering I started from "I f'ing hate this!". Shin splints (which I later found were stress fractures) attempted to sideline me along the way, but with Callie's help I made it to the Finish Line. There are rumors that I uttered something like "I can't wait to do this again next year", but thankfully there's no actual proof!

This leads us to my latest adventure - the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.  Unlike other events, the 3-Day is truly not a race - it's a journey - a 60 mile journey! You wouldn't think you'd have to train for just walking, but you do (think blisters). Even then 20 miles doesn't seem like that big of a deal. That is until you realize that you're doing it all over again the next day AND the day after that...60 miles is a heck of a journey, and I cannot wait to take it!

My adventures have gone from a jog around the block, to 5k, to 10 miles, to 60 miles. What will your next adventure be?  

4 Miles

In the grand scheme of things 4 miles isn't that far.  Years ago I wore a pedometer to see how much (or how little) I was moving on a daily basis and there were definitely days I walked way more than 4 miles.

But when those miles are walked/run/jogged by 3500 women in hopes of finding a cure for breast cancer they mean a hell of a lot.

I participated in the Charlottesville Women's Four Miler this weekend in honor and remembrance of my friend Chrissy, whom I've written about several times here.  This race is held every year (this was the 20th!) in Charlottesville on Labor Day Weekend to benefit the  UVA Cancer Center Breast Care Program. It's an amazing race for so many reasons.  First, to see 3500 women plus thousands of others supporting them lined up along Garth Road on the grounds of Foxfield is awe inspiring.  The fact that the proceeds stay locally and support cutting edge breast cancer research, patient education, support services, and community outreach is pretty great too.  And the "Motivational Mile"  - a display of names honoring those affect by cancer along the last mile of the course reminding each of participant of why we're there.  There were not one, not two, but three posters honoring Chrissy's memory on the Motivational Mile this year - a testament to how much she is loved and missed.

This was the first year that I have been able to participate in the Four Miler as we usually travel Labor Day Weekend.  My friends, on the other hand, have all done it together for the past several years.  This is year was the first without Chrissy, who ran it last year in 49 minutes with feet covered in blisters from the chemotherapy she was receiving at the time.  Talk about inspirational.

We chose to wear yellow shirts with pink writing this year in honor of Chrissy's fight not only against breast cancer, but the evil cancer that metastasized into the rest of her body after initially beating breast cancer. Breast cancer stole Chrissy from us; liver cancer killed her.  



We did this race not just in memory of Chrissy but in memory of all the people who have lost their lives, lost loved ones or are fighting against cancer right now.  I am certain that cancer has affected every single one of us in some way. In addition to Chrissy and also I lost a great friend to skin cancer prior to his 30th birthday - my dad is a colon cancer survivor - Kirsten lost her best friend to breast cancer - Anne lost her mom - Holly lost her dad to cancer and has a mom who is a breast cancer survivor (yay, Monica!) - Cara lost her dad to lung cancer two weeks ago - Erin's mom is a breast cancer survivor (yay, Alice!) - Carrie's dad is undergoing radiation for cancer as I write this.... I'm sure you have a story, too.  

As I've been training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day I've read some pretty staggering statistics about breast cancer.  At times it feels almost overwhelming, like we'll never be able to find an end to it.  But then I watch a video from a survivor or read a survivor story or look in to the eyes of Chrissy's kids...and I know it will happen.  It has to. 

On The Move

They say that moving is one of life's most stressful events. Having done it over 6 times in the past 15 years I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the subject and I, indeed, concur with "them".  Moving sucks.

But now, three weeks later, after having packed, hauled, unpacked, and organized everything (well, almost everything) once again, I have to say I'm elated.

In a matter of three weeks we've managed to have two parties - one big Cinco-de-Derby Party that included a surprise visit from the Spicy Chicken's best-friend-for-life, Andy, as well as an intimate "surf and turf" 40th b-day party - that allowed all of our friends to share in our excitement!

Things have finally started to settle down and we're mostly back to our usually schedules.  There were, of course, a few blips along the way, however.  

For instance, the cat went missing within the first 48 hours we were here.  We found her four days later in an old, abandoned dog house on the property cowering, injured, dehydrated and covered in scratches that indicated that she'd gotten in one heck of fight - and lost.

A trip to the Emergency Vet (we found her at 5pm on a Saturday, of course) and $200 later she was pumped full of fluids, antibiotics and pain killers - on the road to recovery.

Several days later, however, the limping, lethargy and complete freakishness had not dissipated. So, a trip to our regular vet and $200 more she was once again pumped full of fluids, antitiobics and painkillers - on the road to recovery.

Oh, and did I mention that they also sent me home with antibiotic pills to be administered by mouth and instruction to "take her fecal temperature daily" to ensure her fever has gone down? You are all aware of the fact that I am, indeed, an animal lover, but there is not enough love in the world that would motivate me to attempt to put a thermometer in that all-claws-included-cat's butt.  Not even close.

(not actually our cat but a fair representation of her reaction)

But the fun didn't stop there.  

In attempting to ramp my exercise regimen back up again I was happy to find that if I park at Fairview (our swim and tennis club) I can get a good five mile walk/run to the end of the   Meadowcreek Parkway and back.  Regardless of which side of the debate of the Parkway you stand on, the County's section is already there so I figure I might as well use it. I paid for it, after all. Not to mention that the trail along it is great.  It's paved, fairly flat, very pretty and currently being used by very few people.  Scout and I love it.

So after 5 happy miles we returned to my car in the Fairview parking lot ready to head home.  Out of the corner of my eye, however,  I noticed something moving on the tennis courts.  I got out to find a deer trapped inside the fencing around the courts.  I quickly ran down to open the doors and attempt to veer her toward one.  Just as she was finally reaching it (after thrashing and crashing into the fence for five minutes) Scout came out of nowhere. Before I knew it both were gone and I was standing in the middle of the courts looking like an idiot. 

As my friend Ginger said, I was, indeed, the idiot that left the dog in a car with the windows down when I knew there was a deer around.  I guess I deserved this.

At least I now know the infamous green bathtub in our master bath works. And that goofy handle sprayer that I couldn't determine why anyone would ever need? It's perfect for cleaning mud off the dog's ass.

Who's idea was this moving thing anyway?

Oh yeah, mine.

Completion

So last time I wrote I was whining about how freaked out I was about the Real Girls Run.  I'm happy to report that I not only survived, but I felt pretty darn good about it.  Getting there wasn't easy, but it was worth it.

My stomach continued to churn the entire car ride there - so much so I was a little afraid I'd have to stop at McDonald's to hit the restroom and "accidentally" get swept up by an Egg McMuffin.  I treaded on, however, and was thankful that I did.

Fortunately I ran into a few friends immediately after arriving at the race. I was fine until I realized the iPod I had spent hours creating an amazing playlist on wasn't working.  I knew this was a possibility - it was, after all, a 2nd Generation iPod Shuffle (read: O-L-D) but I couldn't believe it was happening just a few minutes before the race started.  I'd never actually run without music before and was fairly sure it wasn't possible, so ran back to the car to grab my phone.  By the time I got there, however, the old iPod somehow started working (maybe because I stopped beating on it?) and I was saved.

A few minutes later we were off.  I felt surprisingly calm and comfortable at the beginning - a feeling which, miraculously, stayed with me for the entire race.  I did what most novice racers do - let my adrenalin get the best of me came out of the gates a little more quickly than I should have.  I was, however, able to handle the bulk of the race at an average of a 10-minute mile.  It's not a fast pace, but one that worked well for me at this point. 

Ironically, my shins, which have been the biggest hindrance to my running career,  didn't bother me one bit.  Even three days after the race they felt fine.  Thanks again adrenalin. 


I saw Court, the girls and my mom as I rounded the last corner.   When they came into view I attempted to sprint to the finish line.  My legs, however, weren't really on the same page as my brain, so I'm fairly certain I may have slowed down rather than sped up.  It was a pretty pathetic ending, but at least I made it.

My official time was 39:17.  Slow, but complete.  I was happy that I did it and actually felt good enough after to start thinking about signing up for a few more.   First up is the the Cale 5K Fun Run on October 30. M has been participating in the Running Club at school for the past month preparing it, so that's one we won't miss.  And then I think I may have committed to a Turkey Trot or something like that in Minnesota at Thanksgiving with that crazy marathon running friend of  mine. 

Wait....isn't is freakin' cold in Minnesota in November????

I Have a Confession To Make

I think I am actually starting to enjoy this running thing.  Yes, me, who even in my fittest days would whine when we had to run laps at tennis and practically cried every time the coach made us do Killers in basketball.  Me - who just a few months ago could barely make it to the end of Elliott Street (where Clay Fitness is located) - is starting to actually enjoy it.  

Don't get too excited about this.  I didn't say I LOVED it and I'm not signing up for any marathons or crazy shit like that. I'm just not wanting to die, cry or curse Hyam's name as I'm doing it anymore.  I've been running three miles almost every day I'm not at Clay and I even signed up for a 6K in October (Real Girls Run - want to join me?).  It's insanity, I know.

Hyam's getting a big group together to run the Charlottesville Fall Classic 10K for Clay and I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet (mentally or physically) but who knows....maybe next year?