10 Day Forecast

I am obsessed with the 10 day forecast.

Right now, the 10 day forecast for marathon day is:

Sunny (yippee - I get to wear my purple R2R cap with my purple Halo sweatband underneath)

High of 57 (Short sleeve under my purple singlet)

Low of 41 (a bit chilly at 6:00AM but I can layer and give my outer clothes to charity)

0% chance of rain (I am still totally in love with myself that I ran in the rain in order to be prepared)

13 mph winds (I have no idea what that means but I am sure someone will tell me)

I am excited. I am making lists. My peeps are all planning where they will be on the course and I feel so loved and honored and special.

We all rock!

I am A Happy Girl

When I told Dr Gennaro that I could do 60 minutes on the elliptical with not even a whisper from my quad, all of his concerns about what could be going on with my body disappeared. He had thought I was going to have to go for an MRI or something. He saw no reason for that given I could do the elliptical.

So, the plan was to warm up on the elliptical for 40 minutes, then hit the road.

I did just that today.

I am running again!

I am running and loving it.

My quad whispered to me a bit, a little louder on down hills than any other time, and I AM RUNNING!

I covered about 4 1/2 miles. Dr G wanted me to go just 20 minutes and I didn't stop at that point. I felt so good. I felt like I could go on forever. I took it slow, about a 10'20" mile pace. The hills that used to kick my ass were nothing.

I came home and iced my quad, not because I needed to, but because I was told to.

I am feeling good and I am a happy girl.

I will do just the elliptical tomorrow - for 1 1/2 hours. I will run 3 miles on Monday and Wednesday, walk 3 miles on Friday and then run 26.2 on Sunday.

I am so excited!

We Surpassed $210,000

How awesome is that?

I had been struggling with being injured and confronting not being able to run.

Then I remembered what this really is all about for me. It is about running the marathon to raise money for finding a cure for Alzheimer's and raising awareness so that people get treatment and assistance early on in the progression of the disease.

I am not giving up on the possibility of running. I will continue to get treatment for whatever is causing the problem with my quad. I will be at the starting line and I will start running. If I can't run, I will "power walk" the whole darn thing.

My team mates are kicking major butt in their fundraising. I can see us raising $250,000.

Taking Me Some Time

After not being able to jog (not even run) for even 30 seconds, I was defeated. I hate to admit that and it is true. I cried and I hated that too. It took me some time to come up with an action plan that I saw some possibility in.

I tried the elliptical. I had used it to keep my cardio up during my first 'injury'. I had used it before Dr Genarro suggested that I stop and only do the QWR. I completed 60 minutes with ZERO noise coming from my quad - I mean ZERO. Dr G had suggested that maybe my body had just lost it's muscle memory of how all that stuff has to work together. I don't understand any of that and I know how my body feels. It feel strong and able and my job is to figure out what it can do and not do.

I couldn't do the forward lunge or the sideways lunge. I can walk to beat the band and totally kick ass on the elliptical. That has to tell the professionals something about what is going on in my body.

I saw MAH yesterday. There are so many wonderful things about her, her knowledge, her ability and her routine. She always talks with me first about how my body is feeling. I gave her all of the info I had. Then I got undressed and on her table.

She was gone longer than 'normal'. When she came in, she told me she was able to speak with Dr G. How cool is that?

The point on my thigh that is the current 'problem' has moved. This has been happening from the beginning. It started on the right center, moved all the way over to the IT band and is now way over to more like the adductor. Yesterday, she really worked the adductor.

I was able to do the forward lunge after her work. She told me that Dr G thinks I might have a femoral artery issue and when I see him on Friday he will do some tests to see if that is so. I have no idea what that means or if it can be 'fixed' if it is so.

I will be doing the elliptical again today. I do not plan on trying to run. I am thinking about not doing any running or jogging before the starting line, but..... that will probably not end up being the case. I am just too darn curious.

I am almost back to my positive, powerful self.

almost

Well..... That Was Ungood

I saw Dr Gennaro and got the reluctant okay to jog (not run) 3 miles. He was really reluctant and I was really interested in doing it and a bit scared to not and a bit scared to do it.

So, he gave me all this stuff to do prior - heat and various dynamic stretches.

I was excited.

I did the heat and then took the short car ride over to the school. I did the high knee stretch, I did the 'kick your butt' stretch, then I started the forward lunge stretch.

VERY, VERY UNGOOD. My quad screamed and yelled and protested and hated me.

I then tried the side step, drag stretch and it didn't like that either.

Then I started a slow jog. Nope, ain't gonna happen without ruining all of the gains I have made to date.

I see Heather tomorrow, I will DWR tomorrow, I will see heather and Dr G on Friday.

I am disappointed and worried. I am not defeated, so I do not need cheering up or anything. I will be in the marathon and I will finish it.

Bounding Up The Stairs!

Woo Hoo!

Since my quad has been an issue, stairs have been a problem. The problem has gone from having to go up stairs one step at a time, to wincing on each step, to knowing I have a quad on each step, to being reminded I had a quad and then today I bounded up the stairs.

Heather did some really great work on my quad today and even got me into a stretch that I would not let Dr Gennaro do on me, as I thought my leg might just break.

I really, really want to run my 3 miles tomorrow - hoping he gives me the okay.

Then 5, then 3 then 8!

Football Is Stoopid

I am just waiting for Denver to be put out of it's misery and I am officially out of the pool.

The Suicide Pool, that is.

Two picks - gone in one Sunday.

I will be back in the chlorine pool tomorrow. The DWR is kinda fun.

Are You Still In The Pool?

That is a question my dad asked me when I spoke to him this evening. It went something like this:

M - I am! I still have 2 picks.

D - 2 what?

M - 2 picks.

D - What?

M - 2 lives. It is a suicide pool, so that when the team you pick loses, you die - like you killed yourself. I have 2 lives left.

D - I didn't mean that pool - I meant are you still running in the pool.

Ha!

So, I am still DWR. I did 1 hour and 35 minutes today. That is pretty much the time I would be running the 9 miles that is on my schedule.

I am hoping I can run again by midweek. I will continue to use the pool and DWR until I am cleared to run.

How Alzheimer's Affects Us

One of the things that has come out of me doing this marathon (in order to raise money for Alzheimer's research and education) is the drastic increase in the number of people I have told that my mom suffers from this disease. I have also been able to be comfortable in sharing how that affects us, without having people want to run away. I think that is because I am not sharing so that they feel sorry for me, or because I feel sorry for myself. I am sharing to shine a light on what it is really like.

My mom woke up in the middle of the night and told my dad that they should pay those people some money. He asked what people and she said the people that are letting them stay there. She had no idea this was there home.

At least twice a week, my mom wants to know where 'the little one' went. We are usually in their living room or their car when she asks. She is terribly panicked when she asks. There has been no little one in their home or in their car in 10 years.

We went shopping to buy her new shorts and my dad some as well. We went into the dressing room three times to find the right style and fit for her and ended up with 3 pair. Then we went to the men's department to find some for my dad. He was not with us. She asked me 5 times why we were in the men's department. Each time, I told her to get shorts for daddy. Each time she followed that up with "Where is he?" while looking around the department. We found him shorts and headed off to the check-out. As we were standing on line, she lamented "How come I go on all of these shopping trips and never find anything for me?"

After getting the above mentioned shorts home, she has not worn them and continues to have no idea she has them, even after having them shown to her in her closet.

Each evening, I tell my mom what is going on with my training. She is surprised that I am running a marathon and always asks what I am raising money for.

Her latest 'go to' phrases (meaning ones she says often):

"See that, your mother is no longer worthless."

"That is stupid."

"I feel blah."

"Those people are stupid."

"What day is today?"

"No one told me."

"Why?"

"How come no one told me?"

"I don't remember."

Lagrange Postmistress

My angel Heather's practice is close to the Lagrange post office. I had some things to mail so I stopped there on the way to see Heather yesterday. My local, local (as opposed to the Millbrook post office) has become a victim of cut backs and is closed from 1:00 - 2:30 each day. I used to live in Lagrange, but this is the second time I have been in the post office.

I had a box that was going to Kevin in Florida and an envelope containing a donation from Alice (she is the woman who us kids hired to be with my mom 4 hours a week) to go to The Alzheimer's Association for the R2R fund. The Postmistress was so sweet and educated me on all the things I need to know about packages. This is a woman who knows and loves her job. I paid for the package and she noticed the envelope in my hand. It already had a stamp on it.

PM - Would you like me to take that for you and postmark it for today?

Me - Sure

I slide it across the counter.

PM - Alzheimer's ! I was just talking about that (she had a conversation with the woman before me where the disease was mentioned)

Me - I am running in the NYC marathon, raising money for Alzheimer's research and education, my mom suffers from the disease. I have already raised over $13,000.

PM - Do you need more money?

This is another place I have grown. I did not answer the question she asked (there is the growth), The fact of the matter is, I do not need more money. I committed to raise $3,000, although I promised $10,000 and then raised that to $12,000, so no matter how you look at it, I did not need more money. Rather than knee jerk answer her questions, I paused and thought.

Me - That would be great

PM - This is a disease they should be able to cure. It will happen.

She reached into her pocket and had a few dollars.

PM - This is not enough, I am going to buy some stamps and get some cash to give you.

She did just that, she used her debit card to get cash and gave me a donation.

I cried. Literally. I babbled about being moved and touched by her generosity. She was so cool - she looked me right in the eyes (most people look away when I cry) and reached for my hand

PM - You are welcome.

How cool is that?

Shifting and Letting Go

There is so much I have seen and changed about me during the last 6 months. I will look back at this time and know it has had me become a different person.

I know me well enough to know that I will be distinguishing and sharing all of the things I have shifted and all of the things that were important to me and are no longer important. There are also things that were not important that are now important.

This post is the beginning of that exploration and sharing.

1. My roots(we are talking hair roots) are longer than they ever have been - I mean EVER. I do have an appointment on Thursday to have my hair cut and colored. The thought of pushing that appointment yet another time no longer fills me with dread and panic. My interest in my presentation has moved so far down my priority list that I may not know who the list belongs to.

2. I am letting my dad make his own choices. He doesn't HAVE TO anything. I can and will continue to bring what I bring to the party without the white knuckleness of control. It is his life. It is not mine. My offers are offers. My gifts are gifts. My contribution is that, a contribution of my choosing and if he doesn't accept it, he owes me nothing. I am under no obligation to contribute and if I do, that is my choice and if I don't, I am not a bad daughter. Nor am I a good daughter if I do. I am his daughter and I love him.

3. I have come leaps and bounds in accepting my body as it is. I have short chubby legs. I have thighs that jiggle. I have varicose veins and bat wings. I have cellulite and chin hair. My body is so amazing - it has supported me and let me use it to run an ungodly number of miles and has allowed me to take on something that has raised over $13,000 for a cause that is very close to my heart and the hearts of the people I love.

4. I miss my mom. I mean I really, really miss my mom. It's okay for me to tell you that and it's okay for me to cry. It's okay for me to miss my mom even though her body is still alive. My mom would make sure her body was at the marathon, cheering for me in a way that would embarrass most people. The person in my mom's body now will not be there. I really miss my mom.

Unrelated Shares

1. Team R2R has raised over $180,000 as of this morning! Woo Hoo!!

2. My sister Michelle let me know that my dad has agreed to go back to the neurologist in Jacksonville. She is thinking it will be over Thanksgiving.

3. I have watched a few episodes of Sister Wives - shut up - I have found it surprisingly transformational and loving. I am shocked that I am not repulsed.

4. I bought a combination lock for the JCC locker room. Master Lock makes colored locks now. I chose a purple one - for The Alzheimer's Association color.

5. Kyle is thinking about jumping into the marathon at mile 2 or 3. If there is anyone who is reading this who has an experience of the number of runners at that point, how viable that is - will he even be able to spot me in the crowd - will he be able to jump in - will be get in a runner's way or get trampled? Please post something if you have experience.

6. Kevin's mom is back in the hospital. She has a tumor on her lung that is causing fluid to build up in her lungs and causing her heart to go into A-Fib. He did get her to have a lung biopsy.

7. Talking to my mom each evening is a tricky thing. Asking her about her day is worthless, as she has no memory of her day, so I try to have news on my end to share with her. She has met Kevin's mom a few times so I shared the news with her a few nights ago. Every night since then, it has been new news to her. I have now learned to tell it like new news, rather than a continuation of a story.

8. My dad is walking again. I am hoping he can increase his stamina so golfing is not so taxing.

9. Small world share - My angel Heather knows my friend Yvette.

10. So far, I have 19 peeps converging on NYC, from Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia and various cities in New York. I am a lucky girl.

Deep Water Running

Dr Gennaro said I could run in deep water. He said I should do the same training schedule I had for running on the ground and that I should cut the time I would be on the road in half, as it was going to be more body involved than running. He also said that if I planned on doing say, 45 minutes in the water, I should expect to spend more time in the pool. as I might DWR (Deep Water Run) for 5 minutes and then have to rest and so on.

So, I was all prepared for it to be a beyotch. I was just thrilled to be back doing something.

Once I got all of the paper work done at the JCC, got my tour changed and all, I got in the pool at 10:40.

- It takes for freakin' ever to move through the water while DWR. The pool is only 20 yards long and I started at the 4 1/2 foot depth, so I probably DWR 15ish yards and it took a full minute.

- When I run, I sometimes count my right foot steps - shut up - I do 80 right foots per 1/10 of a mile (usually 1 minute of running). I counted my right foot steps while DWR and it matched almost exactly to my running pace.

- I was sure I was not doing this right, as I was not exhausted and did not need to rest.

- I DWR for 1 hour and 20 minutes

- I feel sooooooooo good about having done something, anything to get my body moving.

- I am on the mend and feeling powerful

- When I told Dr G that I did not need to rest and wondered if I was doing something wrong, he said, you can't screw it up and I must have good conditioning. He did wonder if I would feel the effects over the next 72 hours.

- I see him on Friday and hope, hope, hope that I can do a slow run over the weekend.

hope

hope

hope

I'm All Set

for my deep water running.

I got me a belt.

I got me a swimming suit.

I got me a swimming cap.

The open lanes at the JCC pool start at 10:00AM tomorrow.

I am thinking there will be a learning curve with this belt and the jogging in water up to my shoulders and all. Dr Gennaro says I will be wiped out and to not expect to do even half the time running in the pool as I do on land.

Let the incompetence begin!

I Have A Sorta Timeline

and a real promise.

The timeline right now is no running this coming week. I can not participate in the 10K on the 24th in Lenox.

Dr Gennaro promises me he will get me to the starting line, ready to race. He also told me that my confidence to finish will be the thing. I will finish.

I will start with the Deep Water Running on Monday. I found a belt at Dick's and the JCC has a 3 month membership that I will pay for.

Totally not doctor or Heather related:

There should to be a law that unless you have trained for 6 months to do something extraordinary with your body, you do not get to give advice, you only get to give encouragement and acknowledgement.

As I Was Waking Up This Morning

I was having a dream as I woke up this morning.

I was reading my e-mails. I got an e-mail from Jake (I know no one named Jake, except that Bachelor idiot). Jake typed something like this:

I read your bio. Your goal is to train injury free. You have failed. You should quit. Some one with intelligence would know that it is stupid, not stoopid.

Jake (a nurse)


I am paused by this. I am not thinking of quitting. I am just trying to figure out what my mind is trying to figure out.

I also found a place on the internet where I can by an AquaJogger. I will see what result Dr Gennaro has produced and if he failed in getting me a lead on one, I'll just go ahead and order one and get it here fast. I do need to confirm I can use it at the Jewish Community Center.

I am on the case!

No Timeline Yet

I still do not have the okay to run. I could be running in a pool. I can get into the Jewish Community Center pool and I would need to get/find a flotation belt. The doctor is calling a buddy of his who might be able to get me one. I am sensing this is not going to work out. I am very willing to be surprised.

I am surprising okay. I often ask myself if this is my 'first marathon stoopidity' and I don't care. I think that running/finishing a marathon is so much about attitude, that I am keeping this attitude, even if it is a stoopid one.

I am really getting excited. I have been talking to people about coming to the marathon. I think we are up to 19 people who are coming. Kyle is thinking about doing his training run with me. He has 9 miles to do that weekend, so he just might keep me company for that long! Melissa might join me at some point as well. How cool is that?

My job is to get healthy.

I am good at getting jobs done.

Bib # 53479

That's Me!

Orange Wave # 3
10:40AM start time

Corral # 53

No, I am not in the cattle family.

This is really gonna happen.

I am still excited. I am in good spirits.

I am certain that if my ankle heals, I will be at the starting line, ready and able to complete 26.2 miles and I will complete them.

I have appointments with Heather and Dr Gennaro this afternoon. I will see my running future more clearly tonight.

With a guy like this, how can I fail?

Dr. Gennaro is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy. Dr. Gennaro graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York Chiropractic College. He is interested in sports injuries and is experienced in conditions of the neck, back and extremities. He combines manual manipulation, soft tissue techniques, stretching, nutrition and exercise to help speed healing and restore function. He is certified in Manipulation Under Anesthesia.


Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION: 1994 Doctor of Chiropractic, Magna Cum Laude
New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls, NY

1988 Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course
Ft. Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma

1984 Field Artillery Officer Basic Course
Ft. Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma

1984 Bachelor of Science
United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

CHIROPRACTIC LICENSURE: 1995 State of New York

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
1995- Pres Private Practice, Poughkeepsie, NY
• Team Doctor Arlington High School Sports
• Team Doctor, 1996, 1998 International Federation of Body Builders Mr., Ms., Master’s, and Ms. Fitness Olympia Competitions; & 1999-2002 Night of Champions
• Chairman, Committee on Exercise & Fitness, International Chiropractors Association (ICA) Council on Fitness & Sports Health Science
• Contributing Author, Chiropractic Sports Health Science

1992-1994 Residence Hall Director, NY Chiropractic College

1990-1991 Asst. Project Engineer, KM Construction, NYC

1986-1988 Master Fitness Trainer, A Btry, 6/27th FA, U.S. Army

1984-1989 Officer, U.S. Army - Details Upon Request

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2003-Pres Athletic Trainer Externship Program, Marist College
2002 Adjunct Professor of Biology, Marist College
1997-2000 Adjunct Professor of Biology, Marist College
1997 Conducted Scientific Stretch Sports Performance Seminar Series, Levittown Health Center, NY Chiropractic College (NYCC)
1994 Director Assistant, Levittown Health Center, NYCC (Responsible for teaching patient procedures and clinic protocols)
1993-1994 Teaching Assistant, NYCC
• X-Ray Positioning
• Patient Assessment
• Ancillary Therapy
• Lumbopelvic Adjusting Procedures
1993-1995 Instructor, Atlas Management Chiropractic
National Board Review
• Pathophysiology
• Radiology
• Orthopedics
• General Diagnosis
• Anatomy
1989 Instructor, Central Texas College, Camp Page,
Korea
• Business Systems Management
• Personal Counseling
• Stress Management

PUBLISHED WORKS:
2003 Gennaro, R.F. “Anti-Aging and the Musculoskeletal
System: Functional Analysis and Spinal Stabilization Exercise.” Anti-Aging Medical Therapeutics 5 (2003): 427-436.

2002 Gennaro, R.F., McNergney, E. “The Importance of
Teaching Stabilization.” ICA Review. (Winter 2002);
51-54.

1999 Chiropractic Sports Health Science. Stretching
Safely for Optimal Health. Ed. Gennaro R.F., Vahl,
R.J. and Van Egmond C. Arlington VA: ICA Council on Fitness
and Sports Health Science, 1999.


LECTURES:

2009 Gennaro R.F. Maximizing Your Workout: What You Don’t Know May Hurt You ~ Supplements, Sports Drinks & Recovery. Gold’s Gym Performance Series, Poughkeepsie, NY.

2008 Barnathan J, Gennaro R.F. Patient Exercise,
Enhanced Recovery and Injury Prevention. Presented at the ICA International Symposium on Natural Fitness, Columbus, OH, Feb 2008

2006 Gennaro, R.F. Differential Diagnosis of Low Back
Pain in Athletes. Presented at the NYS Athletic Trainers Annual Meeting & Conference, West Point, NY, June 2006

2006 Gennaro, R.F. Functional Evaluation and Lumbar
Stabilization Exercise. Presented to Marist College Athletic Training Students, Marist College, NY, May 2006

2006 Barnathan J, Gennaro R.F. Personal Trainer
Participation in the Chiropractic Practice: Strategies for Maximal Effectiveness. Presented at the ICA International Symposium on Natural Fitness, Columbus, OH, March 2006

2006 Gennaro, R.F. Introduction to Plyometrics. Presented at Gold’s Gym Coaches Series, Poughkeepsie, NY

2005 Gennaro, R.F. Lumbar Spinal Stabilization Exercise: Functional Analysis and Restoration of Function. Presented at the Empire State Games/NYS Athletic Trainers Association Sports Medicine Symposium, Marist College, NY, July 2005

2005 Gennaro, R.F. Stretching your Productivity: A Program to Promote Wellness and Reduction of Debilitating Injury. Presented to the Gap Inc. Distribution Center Management Team, Fishkill, NY, June 2005

2004 Gennaro, R.F. Injury Prevention Through Work Place Stretching Program. Presented to the Gap Inc. Distribution Center Management Team, Fishkill, NY, Nov 2004

2004 Gennaro R.F. Sports Nutrition for Long Distance
Runners. Presented to Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club, Wappingers Falls, NY

2004 Gennaro, R.F. Peak Performance. Presented to
Arlington High School Student Athletes, LaGrange, NY

2003 Gennaro, R.F. Principles of Conditioning. Presented to the Arlington High School Athletic Coaches, LaGrange, NY

2003 Gennaro, R.F. Sports Nutrition. Presented to Arlington High School Student Athletes, LaGrange, NY

2002 Gennaro, R.F. Anti-Aging and the Musculoskeletal System: Functional Analysis and Spinal Stabilization Exercise. Presented at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Conference, Chicago, Ill, May 2002

2002 Gennaro R.F., Paglia, D. The Spine in Motion: Care
Strategies for Prevention and Correction. Presented at the ICA International Symposium on Natural Fitness, Columbus, OH, March 2002

2001 Gennaro, R.F. Evaluation of Lumbar Spine Pain.
Presented to the Hudson Valley Athletic Trainer’s Society, Marist College, NY

2000 Gennaro, R.F. Pediatric Sports Injuries. Presented to
LaGrange Baseball League Coaches, LaGrange, NY

2000 Gennaro, R.F. Flexibility and the Subluxation
Complex. Presented at the ICA International Symposium on Natural Fitness, Columbus, OH

1999 Gennaro, R.F. Diagnosis of Lumbar Spine Injuries. Presented to the Hudson Valley Athletic Trainer’s Society, Poughkeepsie, NY

1998 Gennaro, R.F. Muscle Energy Techniques and the Subluxation Complex. Presented at the ICA International Symposium on Natural Fitness, Columbus, OH, March 1998

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:
2009 Manipulation Under Anesthesia
American Academy of Manual & Physical Medicine

2005 Master of Fitness Sciences
2005 Certified Fitness Trainer
International Sports Sciences Association

2004 Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
National Strength & Conditioning Association

1999 SCUBA Diver NAUI

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
• International Chiropractors Association (ICA)
• ICA Council on Fitness & Sports Health Science - Founding Board Member
• New York State Chiropractic Association
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• West Point Society of New York
• West Point Society, Mid-Hudson Region
• The American Legion, Post No. 0001
• Business Network International
• Hudson Valley Athletic Trainer’s Society

COMMUNITY SERVICE:
• Town of Beekman Recreation Commission
• Hudson Valley Pop Warner Football Coach
• Hudson Valley Pop Warner Board of
Directors
• Beekman Athletic Club Little League Coach
• Arlington Central School District Safe & Drug Free
Schools and Communities Advisory Council
• Arlington High School Key Communicators Program


PATENT HOLDER: 2001 Portable Posture System

WORKER’S COMPENSATION CONSULTANT: 2002 Gap Inc, Distribution Center, Fishkill, NY

INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINER:

2002 Med Source Inc

2002 NCG corp.

1999- Med-Control Evaluation
Pres

HONORS & AWARDS:
2002 Award for Distinguished Achievement, International
Association of Fire Fighters

2000 Speakers Award, ICA Symposium on Natural Fitness

1998 New York Spirit of Strength Award, NY Strength

1998 Speakers Award, ICA Symposium on Natural Fitness

1994 NYCC Clinic Award / Outstanding Intern,
Levittown Health Center

1994 NYCC Chiropractic Technique Award

1994 Phillip Striano Memorial Award (NYCC)

1994 NYCC Alumni Association Service Award

1994 NYCC Distinguished Service Award

1994 Phi Chi Omega, Chiropractic National Honor Society

1989 Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army

1989 Army Commendation Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster,
U.S. Army

1989 Army Overseas Service Ribbon

1988 Army Commendation Medal, U.S. Army

1988 Honorable Order of St. Barbara, U.S. Army

1984 Army Service Ribbon, U.S. Army

1983 Air Assault Badge, U.S. Army

I Love This Chiropractor

I have been under the care of a chiropractor before. Never, ever have I had an initial exam like I had yesterday. He tested my body movements in ways that both surprised and impressed me. I have fabu flexibility in some areas, not so much in others.

I am so impressed by him that I am starting to take calcium again. I stopped because it made me so darn constipated I was miserable. I will find another way to poop and keep my bones strong.

He did manipulation on my ankle. It was painful and no fun.

He did stretching on my quad, which had me think "I am going to vomit." He hooked me up to the electrical machine and little needles danced all around.

He also found bursitis in my right hip. I had no idea I had it, never felt a thing or discomfort, but, man, when he touched my trochanteric bursa, I thought I was going to jump off the table. Icing is prescribed and I will do that.

He seems to know what caused the ligament in my ankle to rebel and will know for sure after he sees my older running shoes. I only brought my new size 9 ones and the new orthotics with me.

What caused the quad to join in the rebellion is uncertain at this point.

I told him I had not run since my 8 miles last Wednesday and asked if I would be doing real damage to myself if I ran now. He didn't answer that question, but asked that I wait until after he sees me on Wednesday. He also asked that I do no elliptical, which I agreed to.

So, I see Heather at 2:30 tomorrow and the doctor at 3:45 and I will have a clearer vision of what the next 3 1/2 weeks will look like.

3 1/2 weeks! Can you believe it?

We Surpassed $150,000

With less than a month left before our team laces up our running shoes and arrives at the starting line, we have succeeded in raising more than $150,000 for The Alzheimer's Association. Woo Hoo!!! My personal goal for our team is to surpass $200,000 by the time the fundraising closes. We can do it!

This is the reason I am doing this. The strides that have been made in diagnosing, treating and finding the cause and a cure is impressive. Funds will make the difference.

Our team will get to vote on how the money we have raised is spent. How cool is that?

On the "How am I doing physically" side of things:

My ankle is bothering me less and less each day. My quad is still an issue. I have not run since I did the 8 miles in the rain on Wednesday. I was able to do 30 minutes on the elliptical yesterday. I have no doubt that Heather can and will fix my quad. My ankle will be addressed this afternoon by the chiropractor. I am hoping I can do my long run on Sunday, so I can have that under my belt and then taper, baby!

I am in good spirits.

The Thin Line I See Today

There is this thin line between 'listen to your body' and 'copping out' for me this morning. It is all in my head, I do know that. My ankle and my quad could no sooner run 18 miles today than my mom could. I do think I could probably do 3 hours on the elliptical today and probably not be able to move without limping and wincing afterward. I still can't seem to quiet that voice that is telling me to BUCK UP, YOU WIMP.

I did 10 minutes on the elliptical as a warm up to my stretches yesterday morning. I had a hard time figuring out how to get on the darn thing without wincing in my quad - the lateral/upward motion is a killer - but it was fine.

I am going to see how I do after 20 minutes as a warm up this morning.

That's the plan and then tomorrow is the chiropractor so I will have someone tell me what to do. I like that. He can be the boss of me.

How Are You Emotionally About the Marathon?

My angel Heather asked me that yesterday.

I loved my answer. It was a 180 degree different answer than the answer I would have given her the first day I saw her. That day, I couldn't not cry.

I told her that I knew I could complete the 26.2 miles, if I arrived at the starting line healthy. I told her I trusted I was doing the right things to get healthy. I told her that it very well could be my 'first marathon stoopidity' but if I can run 16 miles in 2 hours and 45 minutes, I can do the last 10 miles in less than 3 hours and be done before the bus comes to pick me up. I even think I could do the last 10 miles in less than 2 hours and 15 minutes and be done in 5 hours.

The key is getting healthy.

Heather worked on the tendon in my left ankle. It was hot poker painful in one spot. I called that 'ground zero'. She told me that tendons do not have the blood supply of muscles and that they take longer to heal. This particular tendon is also very close to the bone and then other stuff I didn't really follow, as there was the hot poker pain thing going on.

Then she moved to my right quad. My quad pain was the most debilitating. I was unable to do my hip-flexor stretches as my leg would not move the right way. I couldn't roll over in bed without wincing in pain and moving my leg with my hands. There were times while driving when I had to lift my thigh up with my hands to move from the gas to the break.

We couldn't find any place on my quad that was "tender". She searched and searched and then - BINGO - there it was.

Remember way back in May, I had my second first - I fell. Heather started working on that spot where I fell. Holy Crap! It was not hot poker pain, but it was not fun. She showed me stretches for that muscle group.

Then she had me walk. It was another miracle. I had no discomfort in my quad. I had a little twinge around my knee cap - but nothing like how I walked in.

Then she worked again on my ankle. Hot poker still. She recommended that I see a chiropractor. She was so gentle and sweet about it, not really recommending it, but asking if I had ever seen one and so on.

So, Monday I have an appointment with a chiropractor who deals mostly with sports issues. Ha! I have sports issues! Ha!

So, last night and early this morning, I could roll over completely in bed without wincing in pain - that is very cool. I am walking without a limp although there is no spring in my step.

I am bailing on the 18 miler tomorrow.

I am open to doing 3 hours on the elliptical and will see how I am in the morning.

My Body is Talking

Yup.

I am getting this "Listen to your body." thing. It is talking and I am listening.

I go back and forth between being concerned about my right quad and my left ankle. I am not even going to do the elliptical today. I will see Heather today.

Advil is a great thing but I will not be taking one until after I see Heather today. I will be limping for quite a few hours today.

I am doing my entire stretching regimen, followed by icing, three times a day. I will not be running 18 miles this Sunday but I hope to be able to do some miles. I will not if my body says no.

Mantra: Get the the starting line healthy

I Am Physically In Trouble Again

My right quad and my left foot are in trouble. Such trouble that I really can't walk normally. I told Alex that I am walking like I have a hot poker stuck up both of the holes in my lower body.

I saw Heather yesterday afternoon. She worked a long time on my foot and thinks I might have a tendon problem. When she worked on my quad, there was no discomfort and no real problem, no matter how deep she went. But, when I got up, there it was! The discomfort and the difficulty lifting my leg to move.

I will not be running today or tomorrow. I may not even do the elliptical. I will see Heather again tomorrow. I am thinking the 18 miler is off the table for Sunday as well. We shall see.

My focus is getting to the starting line. I heal well, so........ we shall see.

One month to go!

I Am So Freakin' Proud of Me

Today was a scheduled 8 miler.

I woke up and it was raining.

The radar said it would stop around 9:00AM.

Then the radar said it wouldn't.

I said "Well..... I will just go run in the rain. It might rain on marathon day and that is not the day for me to run in the rain for the first time.."

Off I went. It was 51 degrees.

It rained, then it sprinkled, then it rained, then it poured, then it poured even harder, then it rained, then it poured, then it really poured, then it rained, then I was at 8 miles.

I wore my new cute Run2Remember cap. It kept the rain off my face for most of the run, except for that 10 minutes when it rained really, really hard.

I am glad I knew what it was like to run in soaked clothing from all that sweating I did in Florida. My feet were actually dryer today than they were when I sweated into my feet in Florida.

8.01 miles

1:18:18 duration

9'46" minute miles

Foot Stuff Again

My left foot is acting up still. I decided to do my elliptical today for an hour in place of running 5 miles. I plan on doing my 8 miles tomorrow. I see Heather tomorrow afternoon and will find out what she thinks I should do.

I think I am losing the nail on my second toe on my right foot. I can't tell for sure, as I get pedicures regularly. The toe bed looks bruised and that toe is tender when I am done running. I will know about that next week. In the meantime, I have ordered my favorite running shoes in a 1/2 size larger to see if that will give that toe some freedom. FinishLine lets me run in them for 15 days and return them for a refund if they don't work. How cool is that?

My Run2Remember gear is here! It is very cool. Maybe I will post photos of me in it.

Only if I look really cute.

Yesterday's Run

What I have to say, in no particular order:

1. I still sweat when it is 48 degrees out. I had my Halo sweatband on, with a bandana around
my ears to keep them worm. A little less than halfway through, I asked Lois to take my sweat soaked bandana from me. What a friend! She did!

2. My left foot and right quad was bothering me in the beginning of the run. It reflected in my times. My last half was faster than my first half.

3. Lois was a godsend. The bike path I ran on has numerous places where it crosses over roads. Lois was ahead of me for almost the entire 16 miles (Amy was usually behind me). At the first crossing, I noticed Lois was stopped and waiting. She looked back at me and waited until I was just about there and moved her bike into the crossing. THE CARS STOPPED! No kidding! I never had to change my stride or worry about the cars - Lois handled them for the entire run.

4. Power Bars are really hard at 48 degrees. They go limp at 75 degrees. I like chewing while getting fuel, so I am thinking I will cut them up to bite size pieces in order to save my teeth.

5. I imagined myself crossing the finish line. That was a very fun thing.

6. I drank half of the fluid I drank in Florida.

7. It was not great and not horrible.

8. Amy called Steve when we were done and in the car and told him to fill the tub for my ice bath. He did and added the 40 pounds of ice to it before we got home. I threw a sissy-fit and over-reacted and said that bad F-word more than needed and then just got into the bath with the ice already in it. OH MY GOD! I could not stop shaking for the first 10 minutes. By the time I stopped shaking, I felt horrible about for my sissy fit. Amy put warm towels on my back and brought me hot coffee. I couldn't hold the cup without shaking.

9. Steve was gracious and loving anf forgiving when I apologized for my sissy fit.

10. Amy went out and got bagels. I had a bagel with almond butter, after having that fancy schmancy replenish puke.

11. If I can do 16, I can do 18.

My Last 16 Miler

Way different to run in 48 degrees, although the hard facts regarding the final outcome are pretty much the same. How they got there are not.

Full report tomorrow.

16.01 miles

2:43:34

10'13"/minute miles

Chilly, Chilly, Chilly

I was looking forward to getting back to New York so I could stop running in hot and humid weather. Made me laugh at me. I was annoyed at how cool it was this morning. 48 degrees at 7:00AM, which is when I plan on starting my 16 miler tomorrow. I read somewhere that 50 degrees is the best running weather, so maybe I should just shut up and be happy.

I plan to leave home after dinner time and head down to Amy's tonight. I plan to sleep there, get up, do my entire regimen of stretching before we head out to the bike path. It will be strange to start a run 2 hours after I am used to starting.

Not sure if Lois will be joining Amy on a bike or not. The last time we did this, I ran 8 miles and I buggered up my feet so badly that I took 3 weeks off from running after that. What a ride it has been since then!

My left ankle is still speaking to me. We shall see how it does tomorrow.

Last Florida Training Run

It sprinkled on me. I was about halfway through my 5 miles and it started to spritz. I thought it was funny that the first clue I had that it was raining was that I saw spots on the pavement as I ran under street lights. I didn't feel it on my body as I just thought it was my own sweat!

My left foot is still the slowest to 'get with the program'. I'll see Heather on Wednesday and I will find out what is going on with that. My quads also seem to not be liking this. Historically, my quads have been the muscles I can count on. They are not happy lately. Meanwhile (knock on wood) my achilles is keeping a low profile.

Heading for the airport around 9:30 - should be home by dinner time. I will concentrate on staying hydrated during my trip home. I have failed each flight to do that. My long run will be with Amy down in Yorktown on Sunday.

5.05 miles

47:08 minutes

9'20"/minute miles

Didn't have Kyle to push me.