Get Back Up!: February 2015

Monday, February 23, 2015

2nd Event of 2015: Myrtle Beach Full Marathon

Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon

Please note: These posts for events occurring between October 2014 and February 2015 are overdue but I wanted to finish each of them to start fresh once again. Starting in May of last year I began to struggle with extreme fatigue, which I first thought was simply the result of a very strenuous travel-work-running schedule. I worked hard to get “adequate rest” before launching into my busiest season at the start of September but by then I knew something more serious must be involved. In between road trips I scheduled consults, tests and medical procedures all the while trying to keep up with my events and obligations through the fall and winter. I’m happy to say I was able to manage this…but just barely. For each meeting, race, event, appearance, meal, speaking engagement or celebration you see in my blog photos, the reality was that I would go immediately back to my rental car or hotel and collapse with exhaustion. Although writing a blog requires little physical exertion I found myself feeling lethargic and unable to focus so instead I took advantage of the private moments to rest and conserve as much of my energy as possible. When I finish updating the missing events I will provide a detailed explanation of my health issues as I hope my doctors have finally determined the cause and likely solution to the fatigue. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

Friday, February 13th:

Despite this being Friday the 13th I'm feeling pretty good about the day so far. Jim has been traveling in the area a few days for work and I just made the 3 1/2 hour drive this morning. While this will be an unofficial Get Back UP event for me, I'm counting it because 1) I'm truly in the process of Getting Back UP with my health and 2) this will be my 2nd full marathon in 3 weeks so I'm gonna say it's official!

First stop, race Expo:

The course will start and finish at the BB&T ballpark on 21st Ave. N. We'll run southwest for 7.5 miles, then northeast
along Ocean Blvd. for the next stretch. The Half Marathoners will split off Ocean Blvd and mile 11.5 while the Full
Marathoners will keep going until mile 19 before heading back to the southwest for the last 7 miles.

I stopped for a late protein snack of Seared Ahi Tuna with wasabi, seaweed
salad and fresh ginger. Delish.

I apologize for the lack of photos but once Jim got back to town we met our friend, Rick Buckner, for an early dinner tonight. Rick recently moved to Myrtle Beach from Greensboro so he's now our new favorite "local", he's planning to run the Half Marathon tomorrow along with Jim. We spent the time catching up and I totally forgot to break out the camera.

Saturday, February 14th:

Jim and I got a hotel right next door to the starting line, which was great because it's a cold weekend here in Myrtle Beach. Rick met us at the hotel where we stayed inside the lobby to keep warm before venturing out in the cold and the dark.

Do we really want to do this?

I've been going back and forth about my running attire today. The wind is supposed
to pick up every hour, with 20-30 mph winds later today. It will be the warmest time
of day at the start of the race but according to the forecasts I'll have the peak winds
right in my face along the last 7 miles. I don't like to be too warm in a marathon
but Jim says he'll run the first 11 miles with me and take any gear I may want to drop
if I've gotten too warm by that time. So, I settle on this attire: single layer long-sleeve shirt,
arm warmers under my sleeves, cap, fleece headband, capri tights and gloves. Oh, plus
shoes, calf compression sleeve and brace.

We stopped being wimps and headed out into the cold, dark day. Let's do this!

Success for all!! It was too cold for me to take photos--my gloves and the fact that I carried my water bottle with me made it too difficult. Jim did as he promised and ran with me until he had to split off at mile 11.5 for the Half Marathon finish line. I was able to give him my arm warmers and head band but I kept my hat and gloves with me. Thanks, Jim--and nice finish time! Buck took things a bit slower as he's still recovering from a bad bout with cold & flu but finished faster than he had anticipated--nice job!

I was treated to a wonderful Valentine's Day surprise as I made my way to the 26 mile marker. Jim had finished his race, gone to buy me flowers and balloons then he and Rick made their way back to the finish line area. With the wind tossing the huge balloons all over the place it was easy to spot the guys cheering me through the finish corrals. Thank you guys for the terrific boost just when I needed it!

Thumbs UP for TeamUP! I'm not sure what the next few months have in store for me
but until I'm told to stop running I'm gonna try to keep up my strength and stamina.

A bit of irony with this medal: Flip flops are impossible to wear for people with
foot drop. We don't have the ability to flex our foot or lift our toes when we walk, which
is the only thing that makes it possible to keep flip flops on your feet. I miss my flips, but
I'll take them on a marathon medal any day! Thanks, Allard, for enabling me to keep running...your
brace makes my life so much better...even if I do wish you could design something for flips & sandals.
:-)

1st Event of 2015: Rock n Roll New Orleans Full Marathon

Rock'n'Roll New Orleans Full Marathon

December 9-January 22nd:

The bulk of my December was full of more medical exams, procedures and minor surgeries. With each one I learned a bit more and I was finally hopeful that with my latest surgery my health could be restored to normal. Through it all I remained so grateful that I was able to keep up with my training, and because I had saved most of my vacation days I didn't have to do as much work during all of this. These were my best gifts from Santa!

Feeling optimistic.

I had work meetings out of the country from January 4th-7th where I experienced a small setback in my health. I wasn't sure how serious it was but in order to take the best care of myself I requested a 3-to-4-week hiatus from my job once I returned home. My physician said we should wait a few more weeks before deciding upon a definite course of action and in the meantime I was allowed to resume my training. Being home meant I could also focus on good nutrition and quality rest.

Friday, January 23rd:

About 6 months ago my cousin Sandy told me she wanted to tackle her first marathon and asked me to run it with her. At the time I had absolutely no hope that I could run the full 26.2 miles, it was all I could do to survive the half marathons. However, I was so proud of her for becoming such an enthusiastic runner that I told her "Yes" and hoped for the best. If she could get through the training miles without injury I was confident that she could run on her own if I had to back out. She chose New Orleans because she wanted to run a fun event in an interesting city with a flat race course. Check, check and check.

Another plus to being in NOLA this week is that we're staying with a great friend of mine from Greensboro, Ashley Graham, who's been living down here since right after Hurricane Katrina. She's offered us lodging at her house for the weekend, then I plan to stick around a few days after the race to visit with her when her work priorities are lighter.

I sure hope the weather is better in NOLA.

And I really hope the de-icing works.

Ahhh, much better here in The Big Easy.

First stop upon arrival was the race Expo. We wanted to get our packets and maps so that we were fully ready come marathon day.

Merle, we miss you here in NOLA but you got Sandy hooked on
Sweaty Bands so there's no stopping her now.

No, my last surgery was not a boob job.

Our good friend and fellow Rock 'n' Roll Gypsy, George Melichar, is
hosting a Game Night to raise money for "Imagine a World Without Hunger".

Sandy and I are ready for the fun!

Al Hernandez, Susan and Ron Carino were bingo champs and won some great prizes.

This was our team table and we later took the prize for Pictionary.

Two of our bingo prizes were XXXL Hard Rock Cafe Hoodies and
we definitely made the most of them. Thank you George for a great night,
for a great cause!

Saturday, January 24th:

I was up at 5:00am to prepare for a morning-show interview. I hadn't done this in awhile with the 6-week stretch of no racing events so I had a slight case of nerves. Luckily Sandy and Jim wanted to come with me--even at such an early hour--so I had support in the effort. Plus, I always try to remember that this isn't about me, it's about the Get Back UP message and helping others to regain their quality of life. This makes me feel more determined rather than nervous.

Sandy slowly waking up in the green room.

Jim's wondering if I'm buying breakfast after the show.
YES!

I'll be sharing the spotlight with a local nutritionist, Meme Inge.

I've done this more than a few times so I got miked and ready to roll while
Meme was setting up her props. They positioned me right next to the
anchor in case they had to start with me then move to Meme's presentation once
she was ready.

Thanks to WWLTV4 for sharing our message with your viewers in NOLA! Here's the link to the clip:

http://www.wwltv.com/media/cinematic/video/22273989/rocknroll-marathon-health-and-diet/

(As of 2/23/15 this link was still active but I'm not sure how long they will keep it )

As promised, I treated Sandy and Jim to breakfast at Satsuma's after the TV interview...

From Satusuma's we made our way to Magazine street; I wanted to show Sandy some of our favorite shops along that corridor. We were really just killing time because Ashley had a late night last night and we wanted to let her sleep in and have her home to herself for a bit. She has another birthday gala to attend this evening--we'll be fast asleep by the time she gets home--but then she plans to spend the day with us tomorrow.

Sunday, January 25th: RACE DAY!

We tried to be as quiet as we could getting out of Ashley's house before sunup. She plans to sleep for a few hours then walk the 3 blocks from her house to meet us at the 3- and 6-mile marks on the course.

At this point I'm planning to attempt the full marathon but if I feel bad at the split I can switch gears and head to the 13.1 finish line rather than keep going.

Sandy doesn't look too nervous as we board the shuttle to the starting line.

Rock n' Roll gypsy friends at the pre-race VIP lounge.

Jim and I ham it up with Ted and Michelle before we head to the start.

Laurie Lasky, this is for you!

Jim's thinking "These ladies are crazy running 26.2 miles when there's a
perfectly good finish line at the 13.1 mile mark."

It's a brisk morning here in NOLA but it should be ideal
weather once we get going.

Almost ready to tackle the challenge...

WE DID IT! We didn't run together after the 3 mile mark but Sandy and I each ran our own race today, and both of us finished upright and with smiles at the end.

So proud of Sandy!

Sporting our new Marathon Finisher jackets and our medals.

Ashley was great support today--we saw her at mile 3, mile 6 and here at the finish.
Thanks Ashley, at least Jim had someone to hang with while Sandy and I were
still out on the course. (Jim had a great Half Marathon performance today, congrats to him!)

Sandy's new post-marathon quote: "Beignets for days!"

Finally, Sandy treats herself to the famous French Quarter Beignets after a great first marathon.

Before leaving NOLA I got to visit with Ashley and George in his apartment in the French Quarter.

Goodbye to The Big Easy, I'll miss you!

23rd--and LAST--event of 2014: Rock n Roll San Antonio 10K & Half Marathon

Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio: 10K, 5K and Half Marathons

This will be a mercifully short blog since this was a fun weekend for me, not a working weekend. Jim and I went to San Antonio to see our daughter, Kristen, who now lives in Carrollton, TX. Lucky for us, we also saw many of our fellow Rock 'n' Roll Gypsy friends too.

Friday, December 5th:

Heavenly view from the plane.

Hello Emily! I'm so sad that this will be the last RnR
Expo you're going to be working...but I'm excited to learn
all about your next adventures.

It's never official until we run into Joe Harris--the fun starts now!

Jim and I check out an art walk next door to the Blue Star
Brewing Company. We're killing time until Kristen's flight lands.

It took 13 years of nudging, but Kristen finally gave in and she'll be running her very first race with us this weekend--woo hoo!!

Making it official.

No going back now, Kris.

Looks good enough to eat. (The way they've lighted this
building for the holidays had me craving a gingerbread cookie.)

Team Austin, ready for a weekend of running!

Saturday, December 6th:

Kristen took the opportunity to sleep in this morning while her dad and I ran the 10K with our gypsy friends.

Andrew sighting!

More gypsies! Ron, Hyalker, Susan and Andrew said they had trouble finding
us this time without my easy-to-spot Get Back UP sign.

Finish line selfie...now, where's the food?

Joe Harris volunteered at the finish line today.

We spent the afternoon with Kristen, showing her around our favorite San Antonio shops and eateries. Sorry, it was a family day so I left the camera behind.

Sunday, December 7th:

Making our way to the starting line at O' Dark Thirty. I think it was about this time when Kristen asked "WHY do you guys do this every week?!"

We popped by to get Andrew on the way to the start...everyone was ready
right on time--nice work!

The nerves are beginning to set in. Don't worry, Kristen...
you're gonna love your first 5K! (She was joking that it may
take her longer to do the 5K than for us to finish our Half
Marathon today.)

Team Austin poses for the paparazzi in the start line VIP area.

Like father like daughter.
:-)

Emily graciously offered to walk/run the 5K
with Kristen today while Jim and I run the Half Marathon.
Thanks for looking out for her,
Emily...we'll see you back at the finish line

Joe Harris joins our crew heading to the start line corrals.

Kristen's first Start Line Selfie.

Kristen gets one last hug from her dad before we run our
separate ways. Good luck, girl!! So proud of you!

Kristen and Emily stop in the middle of the 5K to take a rare shot of the
Alamo without any tourists in the background. Now, get back to running ladies!
:-)