My newest passion has become running. I used to run in college with a group of friends and during my adult life have wanted to run a marathon; a dream that I gave up about 7 years ago due to my chronic neck issues. However, the dream is alive my friends! In late December I was cleared to begin exercising again after what felt like a long recovery from my fusion surgery. I tried walking - I really did - but it felt like I wasn't doing anything. I tentatively began trying to jog and my neck seemed fine so I continued. To make a long story short, I have been running consistently since then and after getting clearance from my doctor I am training for a marathon which I hope to run in October.
I have a wonderful trainer who is also the Physical Therapist who did most of my neck rehab and who is also a major runner (ultra marathon runner). She is an invaluable source of info and encouragement for me. I am now running 3 to 4 days per week and am able to run six miles pretty easily. I have a couple of other races that I'm going to run in the next couple of months which I am very excited about. I'm looking to run the following:
May 10th: Tacoma City Marathon - 10k race http://www.tacomacitymarathon.com/index.html
May 18th: Capital City Marathon - 5.2 mile race http://www.capitalcitymarathon.org/
June 29th: Seafair Marathon - half marathon race http://www.seafairmarathon.com/
I'll keep you posted as I (hopefully) progress!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Inside Track
For those of you who pray; or those of you who don't but like me and are genuinely concerned with my life, here is an update of some chaos that's transpired of late...
As most of you know, last year was extremely tough for our family. We began the year with the diagnosis of Doug's aggressive prostate cancer. As we made our journey through the year and waded through the decisions we needed to make about Doug's treatment plan, my chronic neck issues began to flare up. By May it became apparent that I would need a two level fusion which took place in early June. That was followed by two months off of work and Doug's radical prostetechtomy in mid July. As we entered the fall season I had a second surgery to remove the spinal chord stimulator which had been implanted three years prior.
The past two to three months have seemed almost unbearable at times for all of us. We've been deluged with medical bills; seen my hours at work cut by about 60-70%; and been plagued by many other mostly annoying happenings (like having our heat pump blown out by a power surge which was caused by a wire in the ground coming loose from the electrical box as a for instance); and the latest little morsel came last week with the discovery of a mass on my breast. After a few tests (thinking squeezing, touching, more squeezing) I heard from my wonderful Doctor, Erin Kershisnik, that it's normal tissue.
All of this to say, life has been rough internally and externally for our family. I bring this up not for pity-party sake (though if any of you wants to throw me one of those parties that would be great...just make sure to bring the alcohol with you). Rather, I covet your prayers. WE are in need of them every day right now at this season in our lives. Thanks to those of you who pray and who are so great about calling me and guiding me and lecturing me when I need it (special thanks goes out to Monika).
As most of you know, last year was extremely tough for our family. We began the year with the diagnosis of Doug's aggressive prostate cancer. As we made our journey through the year and waded through the decisions we needed to make about Doug's treatment plan, my chronic neck issues began to flare up. By May it became apparent that I would need a two level fusion which took place in early June. That was followed by two months off of work and Doug's radical prostetechtomy in mid July. As we entered the fall season I had a second surgery to remove the spinal chord stimulator which had been implanted three years prior.
The past two to three months have seemed almost unbearable at times for all of us. We've been deluged with medical bills; seen my hours at work cut by about 60-70%; and been plagued by many other mostly annoying happenings (like having our heat pump blown out by a power surge which was caused by a wire in the ground coming loose from the electrical box as a for instance); and the latest little morsel came last week with the discovery of a mass on my breast. After a few tests (thinking squeezing, touching, more squeezing) I heard from my wonderful Doctor, Erin Kershisnik, that it's normal tissue.
All of this to say, life has been rough internally and externally for our family. I bring this up not for pity-party sake (though if any of you wants to throw me one of those parties that would be great...just make sure to bring the alcohol with you). Rather, I covet your prayers. WE are in need of them every day right now at this season in our lives. Thanks to those of you who pray and who are so great about calling me and guiding me and lecturing me when I need it (special thanks goes out to Monika).
Music
I can not imagine life without music. In my mind I am a rock star. Sometimes I forget that I need to keep that perception in MY MIND and I break out in song or an air guitar move and manage to embarrass my children in public. A select few friends have also experienced this phenomena...usually they step away and concentrate on something else effectively telling anyone who might be watching: "I do not know this person; I am not with them."
I enjoy a number of bands, some of which are listed below. I also love being able to play percussion with the Uplink band at church.
United Live http://www2.hillsong.com/united/
Desperation Band http://www.desperationonline.com/
Lostprophets http://www.lostprophets.com/news/
I enjoy a number of bands, some of which are listed below. I also love being able to play percussion with the Uplink band at church.
United Live http://www2.hillsong.com/united/
Desperation Band http://www.desperationonline.com/
Lostprophets http://www.lostprophets.com/news/
Friendship
In the coming days (months?) I will hopefully post pictures of my friends on this link. I have some amazing friends and I look forward to sharing them with you!
Community
Community comes in many ways...church; the gym; a book club; a neighborhood bar. I enjoy the following communities:
Our Church Home, Evergreen Christian Community http://www.ecconline.cc/ where I have the honor of participating on the worship team and the fos youth leadership team http://www.fosyouth.com/
Shape Gym of Olympia which is where I work out (along with Anna). Truth be told, the only community I experience there is with the treadmill and the weights. I do gaze at Anna now and then but usually we are both listening to our music so talking is out of the question.
Our Church Home, Evergreen Christian Community http://www.ecconline.cc/ where I have the honor of participating on the worship team and the fos youth leadership team http://www.fosyouth.com/
Shape Gym of Olympia which is where I work out (along with Anna). Truth be told, the only community I experience there is with the treadmill and the weights. I do gaze at Anna now and then but usually we are both listening to our music so talking is out of the question.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)