A Small Breakthrough

After a great run Tuesday night, for some reason my knees really started hurting. So much that I was awakened in the middle of the night by the pain! I'm not exactly sure what happened. I didn't think I overdid it on Tuesday. But any setback to my running just opens the door for working on my cycling ... and swimming.

We went to the gym last night, cycled for a while then hopped into the pool. Well, Dan hopped  I oozed. First the legs, then up to the hips, the waist, chest and finally shoulders. Brr.

This week I also purchased new goggles and a nose plug. The goggles are less than ideal, but I think that nose plug has helped me make some major progress. Last night I swam several pool lengths without stopping.  Not consecutively, but considering about three strokes was my maximum prior to yesterday I feel pretty good about the small victory! There was significantly less gasping, choking and snorting of pool water. I still feel like my lungs are in a vise at the end of one length, but we'll work on that next time.

So, I'm making progress. It will be no small miracle to get me swimming in just five months.

I hope you will join my efforts by clicking on the fundraising website to the right. This is all to help fund research for better treatments and ultimately a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers!

-- JAM 

Lyndsay

Just a few weeks ago, my son's friend was diagnosed with leukemia. Lyndsay, a young, beautiful, talented college student, was rushed into immediate chemotherapy the day after she found out she had AML. I've been reading her Caring Bridge site and have been so struck by her positive attitude and heart for God. She reminds me a lot of my mom. At this point, Lyndsay is responding very well to her treatments and is looking forward to going home in just a few days. She will be in and out of the hospital continuing with treatments over the next few months and I am praying daily that she will be cured and not have to face this disease again! I am thankful for the research that has been done up until now that has given Lyndsay such a good chance for successful treatment. In addition to honoring my mom's memory, I will be biking, running and (hopefully) swimming with Team in Training in Lyndsay's honor and I will keep this blog updated on her progress. Fight, Lyndsay!

-- JAM

Here We Go Again!

On Thursday, January 12^th, Dan and I decided to take on the challenge of a triathlon with Team in Training. Our event will be during the Pacific Crest Weekend Sports Festival on June 25^th in Sunriver, Oregon. That gives me just over 5 months to somehow learn to swim…

I’ve tried many times before. From childhood swim lessons, to a college freshman Learn to Swim class, to my most recent lessons in the spring of 2009, I’ve tried and tried to learn to swim. It has been a complete flop each time.

Dan and I have been to the gym twice this week to work on our swimming skills. Dan of course can glide effortlessly through the water, lap after lap. I can get in about 3 strokes and then begins the gasping, choking and sputtering. So, we have a LOT of work to do.

Fortunately Team in Training is the largest endurance training program in the world. Their coaches, mentors and staff work together to prepare participants for full and half marathons, century rides and triathlons all while raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I’m counting on some serious coaching to get me swimming by June!

Please take a moment to visit our fundraising websites - the links are listed on the right. Dan and I each need to raise $3200 (yep, a total of $6400) for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for this event. We ask for your sacrifice of whatever financial contribution you can give, while we sacrifice our time and energy training to complete our event.

-- JAM

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

So a video must be worth millions!

My dear, dear friend Hillary created this video for me. It's absolutely fabulous and captures so much of the emotion of the day. Enjoy! And thanks, Hillary!!

I ROCKED!

In spite of the knee obstacle, I FINISHED! What an AMAZING experience! Words can't even begin to describe it. I have so much to share here, so I'll have to do it in pieces. I also have hundreds of pictures to glean through and post the best ones.

In short, Anita-Nell got me through by pacing me and keeping with me the ENTIRE race. THANK YOU! I couldn't have done it without you! My knee held up ok until about mile 19. From there it was a looooong walk. But still we finished around 6:22. No fear of being swept. : )

Dad, Dave, Julie, Heidi and Rex, thank you SO MUCH for being there to cheer me on and to celebrate the event! It was AWESOME to have you all there! I felt very loved and blown away by all you did for me. And there was nothing like being able to hug my brother's neck and sob at the finish line. Oh how I wish my mom could have been there, but I know she is proud of me.

I'll post LOTS more very soon, but I just wanted to get this posted initially for those of you who may not have heard from me yet.

Just getting out of my bed and to the bathroom Monday morning was grueling. And all the sitting, then hobbling around airports during the day was just brutal. I am walking better today though as long as I don't sit for too long.

The big question remains - will I run again? At this point I have to say I am not even remotely interested in another full marathon. But a half marathon, well . . .

Gotta Run . . .

I am off for Phoenix today. Emotionally I keep swinging back and forth - first it's fear and dread, then it's nervous anticipation and excitement. Ugh.

I know my knee is not healed, but I will make the best of it anyway. Anita Nell has offered to run with me and help pace me. I am SO glad she will be there!!

So, keep me in your prayers on Sunday - race day. I will be getting back to Boise on Monday just before 5:00.

Thanks, my friends!

10 Days To Go

I went to the doctor the other day to have my knee looked at. I was told what I kind of expected I would hear. It’s not a serious injury – no tearing or bone problems. It’s just a ligament strain kind of thing. So I do need to continue to lay off the running and allow it to heal, but I won’t really have to worry about some kind of permanent damage during my race. That’s good news.

So this morning I went to the Y and ran for an hour in the swimming pool. I put on this floaty belt thing, got in the deep end and ran the width of the pool over and over . . . and over . . . and over . . . and over. It was a tremendously boring hour. You can’t read a book, watch TV or listen to your iPod in the swimming pool. And it was amazingly slooooow. It took about 2 ½ minutes just to go the width of the pool. I felt really ridiculous at first, but got over that after a while. My knee felt fine while I was in the pool, but was tender as I walked back to the locker room. I plan to run in the pool from now until my race – no more treadmills for me.

So, once again, if anyone would like to come keep me company on Saturday morning, I’ll be at the Y. I don’t know what time I’ll go yet. I have to check what the pool has scheduled to make sure I can get a lane. But if you would like to come run or just float leisurely on your back alongside me, I would LOVE the company! It’s only supposed to be an 8 mile run, so I will only stay about 2 hours. Shoot me an email and I’ll let you know when and where!