As predicted, I'm like the worst blogger in history. We're now status-post 23 days from my Las Vegas trip and half marathon finish and I'm just finally sitting down to recap the weekend! I thought I'd be so full of free time after finishing with Team Challenge, but quite the contrary and I have stayed pretty busy over the past few weeks! I do have to say that I have loved being able to sleep in on Saturdays and haven't totally missed having to run in the cold weather. I was even able to get back to Faith and Light, a group for people with disabilities that I'm involved with here in Atlanta, since I had been missing the Saturday morning meetings in order to train. It's nice to see all of my friends there again!
So, I'll do a short and sweet recap of Vegas weekend, but most importantly of the race!
We got to Vegas on Friday morning and checked into the MGM Grand (Amanda and I had a great room with a view of the strip ... amazing!) and went over to the race expo. It was held at Mandalay Bay, which looked like it was really close by but in actuality was a pretty good walk. Not a huge deal, it's not like we weren't all running 13 miles in a few days, but I'm pretty lazy. The race expo was neat ... a little overwhelming with all the vendors and people and stuff going on. We picked up our race numbers and Amanda and I changed corrals so that we could start with my friends from Georgia that I always ran with. (seemed like a foolproof plan, but one of our mentors Betsy ended up changing her corral too so I wasn't able to run with her). We took some silly Elvis pictures, drank some beer, and got some pretty funny stickers for our singlets.
On Friday night, Amanda and I got tickets to Ka, the Cirque du Soleil show at MGM Grand. 1 word for the show ... incredible! It was totally worth the expensive tickets and we had a great time. Even the expensive gin cocktail I had was worth it, although I was spinning and about knocked flat on my butt when we left the theater. We had dinner after the show and called it an early night because Amanda was running the next morning with her team.
Saturday was somewhat of a wasted day. Amanda went for a run with her group, but I opted to sleep in since my team wasn't going out for a group run. I ended up feeling kind of yucky and groggy on Saturday, so I spent a good part of the day in bed with Tylenol and my heating pad. Saturday was also official 'singlet decorating day' and we enlisted our mothers' help to make our singlets super cute. I'll post some pictures so you can see the full glory ... but we decked out our singlets with rhinestones, glittered guitars, decks of cards, our names, and a great sticker that said "If found on ground, please drag across finish line." We also decorated our race numbers with plenty of glitter glue, which happens to be one of my favorite craft supplies. We even had cute hair ribbons and Team Challenge face tattoos. If we're not setting world records with the running, we're certainly looking CUTE while we're at it.
Of course, Saturday was also the SEC Championship game between Alabama and Florida, and even in Vegas I couldn't stand to miss football. We watched the game with a big group of people from my team, and although it would have been so much better had we all been drinking heavily and eating chips and dip, it was still a lot of fun.
Saturday night brought the Team Challenge pasta party. It was so much fun ... we all walked into the party through a tunnel of cheerleaders and encouragers, ate some good food, heard some inspirational stories, and did lots of cheering. It was a cool experience to be with all 900 other Team Challenge participants from around the country knowing that together we raised $3.4 million towards the fight against Crohn's and Colitis! The top fundraiser in the country raised $40,000 by himself ... WOW! Talk about dedication! After the pasta party, we had team meetings and got details about the logistics of race day ... and had team gifts/prizes! Our top fundraiser got a great orange/blue Team Challenge snuggie ... how funny! My mentor, Karla, gave me a 'Most Traveled Member' award and it was a really funny toy truck with all the trips I've taken through the course of the season. It was really sweet and Karla was a great mentor!
Amanda and I probably should have just gone to bed after the pasta party and team meetings, because the race was bright and early on Sunday morning, but instead, we went to see Robin Williams! He was performing his stand-up comedy show at the MGM Grand that night, and our parents bought us tickets to go! We missed the first few minutes of his show, but everything else we saw was so funny! He's definitely a vulgar comedian, which is hard to imagine after seeing him as such a funny and normal guy in Mrs. Doubtfire and Patch Adams. To hear some of those jokes and obscenities coming out of his mouth was a little appaling, but we definitely laughed a whole lot! I wouldn't dare repeating most of his jokes, but he was totally worth seeing and kept us in stitches for the whole show.
Sunday morning and the race comes next ... stay tuned!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Lazy Days
I'm a little sad that my season with Team Challenge is over (but anxiously awaiting the next race I do with Team Challenge!) .... BUT I will tell you that I absolutely loved sleeping in and being completely lazy today! We trained for our half marathon from the end of August until the beginning of December. And we met every Saturday morning at 8am to run. I loved it, getting up and getting exercise, hanging out with my teammates, and being active. But I sure loved my day today .... getting to sleep in, stay in my warm apartment, and sit in my pajamas all day long. It's been really cold here in Atlanta, and I'm pretty thankful that the for the majority of our training it was on the warmer side! Of course it was freezing in Vegas during our race, but that was just one day!
I fully intend to keep up with my running and do another half marathon in the next few months (I knew I said I wouldn't get hooked, but I just can't help it!), but I'm glad that if I just maintain my training the hardest part is out of the way already! And while I don't mind running on Saturdays, I fully intend to sleep in and then run! :)
I'll start posting details and pictures from our trip to Vegas in the next few days. I just finally unpacked my bags and got my apartment back into a presentable state, so in due time more updates will come!
I fully intend to keep up with my running and do another half marathon in the next few months (I knew I said I wouldn't get hooked, but I just can't help it!), but I'm glad that if I just maintain my training the hardest part is out of the way already! And while I don't mind running on Saturdays, I fully intend to sleep in and then run! :)
I'll start posting details and pictures from our trip to Vegas in the next few days. I just finally unpacked my bags and got my apartment back into a presentable state, so in due time more updates will come!
Friday, December 11, 2009
I did it!
A week ago at this time I was in Vegas and preparing for the big race! The whole weekend was amazing, and I'll definitely write and fill in later .... but here's a quick picture of me and Jennifer crossing the finish line!
We did it! And it was so fun! And I'm totally preparing for my next race! :)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Guardian Angel
Today was a bitersweet kind of day for a few reasons. I mean ... tomorrow, we leave for Vegas! WOW! I can't believe it's here already. It's been a long journey, but it's also flown by too! I am so excited, although I'm definitely nervous too!
It's all bitersweet, because a year ago today I lost a really good friend. He was such a huge cheerleader in my fight against Crohn's Disease and not a day has gone by in the last year that I haven't thought about Jeremy. I'm so excited about Team Challenge, but I sure wish that JereBear were here to experience this all with us!
When Jeremy first went into the hospital, I remember meeting his mom for the first time and her saying to me, "Oh you're Courtney ... how are you feeling? Jeremy always talked about you and we've been praying for your health." I was just blown away by Jeremy's family and their compassion and and mostly their faith. I knew Jer was a Godly, Christian man and he was definitely one to admire.
JereBear, me, Eddie, and Anna 
My Knoxville family at The Biltmore House ... my heart and strength through Crohn's!
It's all bitersweet, because a year ago today I lost a really good friend. He was such a huge cheerleader in my fight against Crohn's Disease and not a day has gone by in the last year that I haven't thought about Jeremy. I'm so excited about Team Challenge, but I sure wish that JereBear were here to experience this all with us!
When Jeremy first went into the hospital, I remember meeting his mom for the first time and her saying to me, "Oh you're Courtney ... how are you feeling? Jeremy always talked about you and we've been praying for your health." I was just blown away by Jeremy's family and their compassion and and mostly their faith. I knew Jer was a Godly, Christian man and he was definitely one to admire.
This is at the Brewery after Jeremy, Eddie, and Nick's company Christmas party
JereBear, me, Eddie, and AnnaA year ago today, I was sitting outside in the cold on my porch in Knoxville with my best friends. We laughed, we cried, but we all knew that we had the BEST guardian angel in Heaven watching over us. It was two days later, on the 5th, that I had my 2nd relapse of C. Diff and was so sick that I had to miss Jerermy's memorial service.
Jeremy was always the biggest cheerleader for all of our triumphs and struggles. I know that through this training he's been with me, pushing me through. And I know that on Sunday morning, when I wake up at an un-godly hour of the morning to RUN A HALF-MARATHON, he will be cheering me on the loudest of them all. And I know that when I see him again, we'll finally be able to have our birthday dinner date ... except it won't need to be a clear liquid diet date like we had planned .... because we'll both be healed! Love you JereBear!
My Knoxville family at The Biltmore House ... my heart and strength through Crohn's!Sunday, November 29, 2009
So Thankful!
If the only prayer you said in your life was 'thank you,' that would suffice. -Meister Eckhart
I returned back "home" to Atlanta today after a really great Thanksgiving weekend in Summerville. I hadn't been back there since May, which is definitely the longest stretch I've ever gone without going home. It was perfect. I few home on Thanksgiving morning (and even got in a nice little run through the Atlanta airport ... whoops ... I'm not one for being punctual but this was the first time that I was thisclose to missing a flight on my own accord). We ate lots of good food, saw an awesome Widespread Panic show with my Dad, did some good shopping, watched the Gamecocks BEAT Clemson!!!, saw a great friend over coffee, and even got in a good run! I forget that not everywhere is hilly and it was so nice to run on flat ground!
So we are officially T-7 days until the half marathon! I am so excited and don't know how I'll make it through 4 days of working!
All in all, I am incredibly thankful for so many things .... good health to even have trained for this race, great friends and family for supporting me in my quest to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis ($3800 raised from 83 incredible people!!!), and the opportunity to complete a half marathon with Team Challenge! It's been a great run!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
27155
...That's my official race number for the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon! Yay! It's getting so close and I'm really pretty excited! I just wish it were here already!
We've been getting lots of emails lately from the race itself with all of our information ... for registration, the expo, and the weekend as a whole. It all seems so strange that I've been training for so long and the time is actually here! And it's even crazier that I feel GOOD and know that I'll be able to complete the 13.1 miles relatively easily! Of course I still expect to huff and puff my way through it, and take plenty of walk breaks, but I'll finish in much better shape than when I started training back in August!
There is a system where you can be updated of my status through the race by text message. I think I have to sign people up for it, so leave me a message if you'd like to keep up with my race in progress next weekend! The race itself starts at 6:15am, which I'm a little less than thrilled about it .... but I'm certain that y'all won't be getting text message alerts too early :) Remember, I'm not setting any world records for this race!!
We've been getting lots of emails lately from the race itself with all of our information ... for registration, the expo, and the weekend as a whole. It all seems so strange that I've been training for so long and the time is actually here! And it's even crazier that I feel GOOD and know that I'll be able to complete the 13.1 miles relatively easily! Of course I still expect to huff and puff my way through it, and take plenty of walk breaks, but I'll finish in much better shape than when I started training back in August!
There is a system where you can be updated of my status through the race by text message. I think I have to sign people up for it, so leave me a message if you'd like to keep up with my race in progress next weekend! The race itself starts at 6:15am, which I'm a little less than thrilled about it .... but I'm certain that y'all won't be getting text message alerts too early :) Remember, I'm not setting any world records for this race!!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
11 miles .... check!
So yesterday came and went .... and I can now say that I've completed an 11 mile run! We did a 6 mile loop followed by a 5 mile loop through Decatur, and it was a perfect morning! It was cool, but sunny and just beautiful!
The first 6 miles were good, and we took a quick pit stop at the Big Peach to use restrooms and get some fuel. The final 5 miles were .... challenging. My run/walk group that I was with decided to run the route backwards. We run this route pretty often, so we thought we'd mix it up a bit. Bad idea, because going backwards means running UP all of the hills. I think we were all struggling, but we finished, and I actually felt pretty good. It's a nice accomplishment to know that I can run 11 miles without completely dying!
Our coaches and mentors have been telling us to practice routines now before race day gets here. That means drinking fluids, eating breakfast, and getting fuel during the race. Well, I'm all for doing the "right thing" with this running stuff, so I decided to buy some Gu energy gel to try out during training. It's what they have during the race, and my sister-in-law uses it all the time during her long runs (she, by the way, finished her 2nd full marathon yesterday .... amazing! WTG Beth!) so I figured it was the cool thing to do. Wrong answer ... that stuff is nasty. I'm such a color/texture person when it comes to food, and I realize that may be some of my issue here, but that Gu stuff is like a thick, bad-tasting jelly. And I don't even like jelly. I guess I thought it'd be more like pudding, and less like a sticky-thick-goopy mess. I was not amused. Guess I'll be trying out other things or just going without. Ugh.
After my run yesterday I came home and slept, which is my favorite thing to do. I really didn't feel too sore, just tired, and feel pretty good this morning too! Knock on wood I'll feel good after Vegas too ... because I sure want to go OUT after the race on Sunday night! :)
3 weeks ... the countdown is on!
The first 6 miles were good, and we took a quick pit stop at the Big Peach to use restrooms and get some fuel. The final 5 miles were .... challenging. My run/walk group that I was with decided to run the route backwards. We run this route pretty often, so we thought we'd mix it up a bit. Bad idea, because going backwards means running UP all of the hills. I think we were all struggling, but we finished, and I actually felt pretty good. It's a nice accomplishment to know that I can run 11 miles without completely dying!
Our coaches and mentors have been telling us to practice routines now before race day gets here. That means drinking fluids, eating breakfast, and getting fuel during the race. Well, I'm all for doing the "right thing" with this running stuff, so I decided to buy some Gu energy gel to try out during training. It's what they have during the race, and my sister-in-law uses it all the time during her long runs (she, by the way, finished her 2nd full marathon yesterday .... amazing! WTG Beth!) so I figured it was the cool thing to do. Wrong answer ... that stuff is nasty. I'm such a color/texture person when it comes to food, and I realize that may be some of my issue here, but that Gu stuff is like a thick, bad-tasting jelly. And I don't even like jelly. I guess I thought it'd be more like pudding, and less like a sticky-thick-goopy mess. I was not amused. Guess I'll be trying out other things or just going without. Ugh.
After my run yesterday I came home and slept, which is my favorite thing to do. I really didn't feel too sore, just tired, and feel pretty good this morning too! Knock on wood I'll feel good after Vegas too ... because I sure want to go OUT after the race on Sunday night! :)
3 weeks ... the countdown is on!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Scared!
We are running 11 miles in the morning .... and I'm slightly scared! I've really tried to be good this week, both with eating and with running. I did my 5 miles on Tuesday and felt good after that. And I've tried to eat less crap at work this week (and perhaps the email from our office administrator that said no eating during the day while we're "on the clock" helped too ... HA right, I can't make it through the day without snacking). I ran 4 miles on Thursday night on the treadmill in the gym and felt really good throughout it. I tried to push myself, and finished the run and kept up a 12 minute mile pace the whole time. Doesn't seem like much, I know ... I'm certainly not setting any world records here, but I was pretty impressed with myself!
So of course the night before our longest run yet, I had such great expectations that I was going to eat good and rest up ... nope. I had Mexican and beer with the girls from work. No big deal, I'm sure .... that burrito and queso will give me plenty of fuel for the morning!
Updates to come .... POST 11 miles! :)
So of course the night before our longest run yet, I had such great expectations that I was going to eat good and rest up ... nope. I had Mexican and beer with the girls from work. No big deal, I'm sure .... that burrito and queso will give me plenty of fuel for the morning!
Updates to come .... POST 11 miles! :)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Crunch time!
We are less than 4 weeks until Vegas .... whoa! I'm starting to get super excited, but nervous too because I'm not just going to Las Vegas to hang out .... I have to RUN 13.1 miles! I've vowed to try and eat better and really be good this next month until the race, because up until now I've continued to eat like crap. I just love snacks too much ... I'm so guilty of eating ice cream for dinner, lots of cereal, and packing my lunch for work that is similar to a pre-schoolers. Seriously ... everyone makes fun of me because I eat Kid Cuisines, Lunchables, and bring stuff like string cheese and pudding cups to work. I can't help it ... I just love that stuff. Kid Cuisine with the corn dog, french fries, and chocolate pudding with sprinkles is my favorite! (It has corn too ... but I pass on that ... HA!). Not saying I won't continue to eat that stuff, but I'm really trying to not pack 9 extra snacks into my lunch box. So far this week I've only been halfway successful ... I've eaten better for the main course of my lunch, but I bought some Halloween candy on sale this weekend and I've been chowing down. I'm typically not very successful with this kind of stuff, especially when it comes to limiting what I eat! :)
This weekend we are running 11 miles .... oh gosh! It's been rainy and nasty here today because of Ida, so I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. I decided that I needed to push myself a bit more, and put a time limit on my 5 miles tonight. I did it and actually felt pretty good and accomplished. I tend to struggle for the first 2-3 miles of any of my runs ... and after that I seem to get this second wind and do pretty well. I hope it's the same this weekend for 11 miles!!!
Even though I've met my fundraising minimum (thanks again!!), I am still continuing to fundraise to help find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis! Be sure to visit my website!
This weekend we are running 11 miles .... oh gosh! It's been rainy and nasty here today because of Ida, so I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. I decided that I needed to push myself a bit more, and put a time limit on my 5 miles tonight. I did it and actually felt pretty good and accomplished. I tend to struggle for the first 2-3 miles of any of my runs ... and after that I seem to get this second wind and do pretty well. I hope it's the same this weekend for 11 miles!!!
Even though I've met my fundraising minimum (thanks again!!), I am still continuing to fundraise to help find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis! Be sure to visit my website!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thank you!
Grazie .... Merci ... Danke ... Gracias ... Xie Xie ... Spasiba
I met my fundraising goal today and I am completely humbled by your support! I have been training for the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 marathon for 11 weeks now ... WOW ... and I have officially raised $3700 to help find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis! I have had the amazing support of 81 individuals who believe in me and believe that we will one day find a cure for IBD!
In 4 weeks from today, I will have completed my goal of running 13.1 miles! I can't believe that in 4 short weeks, I'll be in Vegas running a half marathon! I am so excited to be there and part of all the excitement!
This past week I just felt kind of yucky, and it definitely had an effect on my run on Saturday morning. We were just doing 6 miles this weekend, which shouldn't be that big of a deal considering we've been doing 6+ miles for like 5 weeks or so. I made it about 2ish miles before I was absolutely beat. I decided to hang back a bit and wait for the walking group. I finished walking the 6 miles with Janet and Hilda, which was nice to get to know other ladies on my team. I don't know what was going on, but I've just felt 'off' all weekend .... not like sickly and bad, but just not necessarily good either.
Today, I went to special mass for Faith and Sharing sponsored by the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities. It was JUST what I needed today, and the Gospel and Homily were so perfect for today. The Gospel reading was from Mark and was about the poor widow who put 2 coins into the treasury .... a perfect message for today when I met my fundraising goals! I am so humbled by the support of all my amazing friends, family, and even strangers who have donated their hard-earned precious coins for a cause. God has certainly placed all of you in my life for a reason and for that I am eternally greatful. Thank you ... thank you .... thank you!
I met my fundraising goal today and I am completely humbled by your support! I have been training for the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 marathon for 11 weeks now ... WOW ... and I have officially raised $3700 to help find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis! I have had the amazing support of 81 individuals who believe in me and believe that we will one day find a cure for IBD!
In 4 weeks from today, I will have completed my goal of running 13.1 miles! I can't believe that in 4 short weeks, I'll be in Vegas running a half marathon! I am so excited to be there and part of all the excitement!
This past week I just felt kind of yucky, and it definitely had an effect on my run on Saturday morning. We were just doing 6 miles this weekend, which shouldn't be that big of a deal considering we've been doing 6+ miles for like 5 weeks or so. I made it about 2ish miles before I was absolutely beat. I decided to hang back a bit and wait for the walking group. I finished walking the 6 miles with Janet and Hilda, which was nice to get to know other ladies on my team. I don't know what was going on, but I've just felt 'off' all weekend .... not like sickly and bad, but just not necessarily good either.
Today, I went to special mass for Faith and Sharing sponsored by the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities. It was JUST what I needed today, and the Gospel and Homily were so perfect for today. The Gospel reading was from Mark and was about the poor widow who put 2 coins into the treasury .... a perfect message for today when I met my fundraising goals! I am so humbled by the support of all my amazing friends, family, and even strangers who have donated their hard-earned precious coins for a cause. God has certainly placed all of you in my life for a reason and for that I am eternally greatful. Thank you ... thank you .... thank you!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Spirit Guitar!
At every group training run on Saturday, there is a spirit award given in the form of a guitar! The recipient has to add some sort of 'bling' to the guitar during the week and return it to be passed on! I had the guitar 2 weeks ago, and had to add my decorations quickly since I was in Knoxville when it was time to pass it on. I brought it to my friend Jennifer who brought it to the 9-mile group training run last weekend!
Here are some pictures of the guitar I took before and after .... I LOVE doing that kind of stuff and had lots of fun!
This is the guitar before .... how cute!
Everyone who came before me did such a good job .... aside from the Georgia sticker! How ugly! ;)
This is the back of the guitar. I don't know if the picture does it justice, but the sticker on the left says "Are we there yet?" Story of my life during this training ... I'm thinking that very same thought every time I start running!
I decided to decorate the strap! I bought some Vegas-themed buttons and used my really domestic sewing skills to sew them on!
And this is the finished product! I super-glued jewels onto the strap in between all the buttons! I was on the phone with Mandy while I was doing it, and I mayhave had a little mishap with the super glue. Good thing Mandy is so quick with Google! ;)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thank goodness for best friends!
This past weekend, I headed back to Knoxville for a mini-reunion weekend with 3 of my best friends from grad school. It was a perfect weekend and JUST what I needed to get me through these next few months! I have a love-hate relationship with Knoxville .... I have so many great memories there and made the best friends and got the best Audiology education I could have asked for, but I also spent my entire last year there really sick. It was where I was diagnosed with Crohn's, undiagnosed with Crohn's, and spent my sickest time with Crohn's. I had an awesome doctor in Knoxville though, and I definitely credit him with getting my health to where it is today. So many memories of Knox .... both good and bad!
The weekend with the girls was full of many more memories! We visited with our clinical supervisors on Friday afternoon. We also headed over to UT Hospital, where our friend Ali is currently a patient being treated for a case of C. Diff after just being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I hated seeing her there, and I absolutely know what she's going through (I had C. Diff 3 times and it sucks ... no other word for it), but she was in really good spirits. She's a strong girl and under great care from her GI and surgeon, and I know she'll make it through this! It was so strange being on the other side of visiting friends in the hospital .... usually I'm the one in there being all pitiful!
My friend Anna may be the best .... on Friday afternoon I needed to run 9 miles (because I certainly knew that after going out on Friday and Saturday nights I wouldn't want to get up and run in the morning) .... because she volunteered to run with me! She may tell you that I asked her to go, but that's not the truth because she totally volunteered. We ran at Sequoyah Hills, a gorgeous neighborhood right on the river. It was hilly, and we huffed and puffed, but we did it. It was nice to spend time with her and catch up on life, and especially to have someone to do that distance with! It makes it so much easier!
We went out for Halloween on Friday night .... didn't go to the bar until about 12:30, so we were all slightly exhausted but had SO much fun!
We were a pretty festive bunch .... Natalie was a twister board, I was the Statue of Liberty (which was a big hit with the foreigners), Mandy was a peacock, and Anna was a matador. We had a great time dancing and we all loved our props! My light-up torch was so fun!
The weekend with the girls was full of many more memories! We visited with our clinical supervisors on Friday afternoon. We also headed over to UT Hospital, where our friend Ali is currently a patient being treated for a case of C. Diff after just being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I hated seeing her there, and I absolutely know what she's going through (I had C. Diff 3 times and it sucks ... no other word for it), but she was in really good spirits. She's a strong girl and under great care from her GI and surgeon, and I know she'll make it through this! It was so strange being on the other side of visiting friends in the hospital .... usually I'm the one in there being all pitiful!
My friend Anna may be the best .... on Friday afternoon I needed to run 9 miles (because I certainly knew that after going out on Friday and Saturday nights I wouldn't want to get up and run in the morning) .... because she volunteered to run with me! She may tell you that I asked her to go, but that's not the truth because she totally volunteered. We ran at Sequoyah Hills, a gorgeous neighborhood right on the river. It was hilly, and we huffed and puffed, but we did it. It was nice to spend time with her and catch up on life, and especially to have someone to do that distance with! It makes it so much easier!
We went out for Halloween on Friday night .... didn't go to the bar until about 12:30, so we were all slightly exhausted but had SO much fun!
We were a pretty festive bunch .... Natalie was a twister board, I was the Statue of Liberty (which was a big hit with the foreigners), Mandy was a peacock, and Anna was a matador. We had a great time dancing and we all loved our props! My light-up torch was so fun! Saturday was gameday .... YEA! I miss not being a full-time student anymore because it's so much harder to make it to college football games! I know I've mentioned before, but I absolutely love college football. I'd rather nothing else than to watch college football ALL day on Saturdays. I get anxious when I don't know who's winning the game or how my college pick-ems are panning out for the week. With that said, I love the South Carolina/Tennessee game every year because I get to cheer for 2 teams! I consistently wear garnet and black to these games, mostly because it's way cuter than orange, but I'll always wear a Power T tattoo just so I can sing Rocky Top. It rained all day on Saturday .... we tailgated in the rain, we walked in the rain, and we sat through the game in the rain. I'm amazed that I'm not sick this week -- knock on wood -- because it was plain nasty out and I was soaked to the bone. I was a little sad that South Carolina lost (and barely even showed up), but I'm still happy that Tennessee is now only 2 wins away from being bowl eligible.
This was before we got super soaked!
Anyways, the weekend in Knoxville was well worth it, but I'm so tired of traveling! November will be pretty calm, with just a trip home for Thanksgiving weekend. We are less than 5 weeks away from Vegas ..... how exciting!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Associations
Do y'all have any certain smells or tastes that just take you back to a time or situation? I don't have many, but a strong one hit me this week.
One of my favorite smell associations is actually from Vegas. When my girlfriends and I went a few years ago for spring break, we stayed at the MGM Signature Grand. It is a non-gaming, non-smoking hotel that is located just behind the MGM Grand. It was amazing ... and even more amazing because we got our room upgraded to a penthouse suite thanks to a certain someones blond hair and big boobs (I can assure you ... it wasn't me). Anyways, our hotel smelled like a rich man ... seriously ... it always smelled of this strong manly scent that just reeked of money. And ever since, whenever I smell a strong manly cologne, it brings me back to Vegas.
That's not the strong association I've had this week. That one's a little more pleasant.
My taste association comes from Gatorade. And it reminds me of having colonoscopies. Cool.
I know a lot of Crohn's patients have a hard time drinking Sprite, or eating Jello, or with chicken broth. There are a lot of times that we're too sick to eat anything else, and GI doctors are really big fans of the clear liquid diet in order to give your gut some rest. None of that stuff really bothers me, and I still drink Ensure on a pretty regular basis just because I actually like it. Weird, I know .....
Last week, though, I bought some Gatorade to drink while training because it seems like the "runner" thing to do. I'm good at conforming. On my group run this past weekend, I mixed this orange/strawberry flavor with some water and carried it during my run. It brought me right back to my first colonoscopy ... and really grossed me out.
See, I don't know how many of y'all have had colonoscopies .... probably no one unless you're old. It's a nearly annual routine for Crohn's and Colitis patients, and I've found that the anesthesiologists really love to say "Wow, you're the youngest patient I've had all week for a colonosopy." Again ... cool .... it's not like I sign up for these things just because it's really fun.
The scope itself isn't bad actually. Once you're at the hospital they just give you an IV and some drugs and you're out. And when you wake up they show you some cool (and gross) pictures of your intestines. It's just the prep that's bad .... obviously ... I don't have to explain it.
For my first colonoscopy, they made me mix a bottle of Gatorade with a bottle of Miralax. In theory I think it's supposed to dissolve nicely, but mine sure didn't, and so when I took my first swig it was like I was drinking sand. It was disgusting, and I think I'll forever associate Gatorade with colonoscopy prep.
My second colon prep routine was different, but just as bad. I had to drink a whole gallon of this baking-soda-tasting liquid. They gave you different flavor packets, and I tried several of them and it was still disgusting. I even tried mixing the pineapple flavor up with the liquid in the blender .... you know ... like a pina colada and it was among the worst things I've ever drank. I usually end up vomiting during the prep and then I just stop because it's so traumatic .... but luckily I don't have much of a problem with getting cleaned out :)
Anyways .... while those adults with Crohn's and Colitis still dread routine colonoscopies, we survive because we know it's necessary in order to keep an eye on the disease. BUT .... could you imagine having to make your child -- a 6, 10, or even 15 year old -- do a colonoscopy prep?! There's no way to make it easy and there's no easy way to explain to a child that they HAVE to drink some nasty liquid that will put them in the bathroom for 5 hours straight ... only to be followed the next day by going to the hospital and going under anesthesia. Think about these kids with Crohn's and Colitis ...... this is why we need a cure!
One of my favorite smell associations is actually from Vegas. When my girlfriends and I went a few years ago for spring break, we stayed at the MGM Signature Grand. It is a non-gaming, non-smoking hotel that is located just behind the MGM Grand. It was amazing ... and even more amazing because we got our room upgraded to a penthouse suite thanks to a certain someones blond hair and big boobs (I can assure you ... it wasn't me). Anyways, our hotel smelled like a rich man ... seriously ... it always smelled of this strong manly scent that just reeked of money. And ever since, whenever I smell a strong manly cologne, it brings me back to Vegas.
That's not the strong association I've had this week. That one's a little more pleasant.
My taste association comes from Gatorade. And it reminds me of having colonoscopies. Cool.
I know a lot of Crohn's patients have a hard time drinking Sprite, or eating Jello, or with chicken broth. There are a lot of times that we're too sick to eat anything else, and GI doctors are really big fans of the clear liquid diet in order to give your gut some rest. None of that stuff really bothers me, and I still drink Ensure on a pretty regular basis just because I actually like it. Weird, I know .....
Last week, though, I bought some Gatorade to drink while training because it seems like the "runner" thing to do. I'm good at conforming. On my group run this past weekend, I mixed this orange/strawberry flavor with some water and carried it during my run. It brought me right back to my first colonoscopy ... and really grossed me out.
See, I don't know how many of y'all have had colonoscopies .... probably no one unless you're old. It's a nearly annual routine for Crohn's and Colitis patients, and I've found that the anesthesiologists really love to say "Wow, you're the youngest patient I've had all week for a colonosopy." Again ... cool .... it's not like I sign up for these things just because it's really fun.
The scope itself isn't bad actually. Once you're at the hospital they just give you an IV and some drugs and you're out. And when you wake up they show you some cool (and gross) pictures of your intestines. It's just the prep that's bad .... obviously ... I don't have to explain it.
For my first colonoscopy, they made me mix a bottle of Gatorade with a bottle of Miralax. In theory I think it's supposed to dissolve nicely, but mine sure didn't, and so when I took my first swig it was like I was drinking sand. It was disgusting, and I think I'll forever associate Gatorade with colonoscopy prep.
My second colon prep routine was different, but just as bad. I had to drink a whole gallon of this baking-soda-tasting liquid. They gave you different flavor packets, and I tried several of them and it was still disgusting. I even tried mixing the pineapple flavor up with the liquid in the blender .... you know ... like a pina colada and it was among the worst things I've ever drank. I usually end up vomiting during the prep and then I just stop because it's so traumatic .... but luckily I don't have much of a problem with getting cleaned out :)
Anyways .... while those adults with Crohn's and Colitis still dread routine colonoscopies, we survive because we know it's necessary in order to keep an eye on the disease. BUT .... could you imagine having to make your child -- a 6, 10, or even 15 year old -- do a colonoscopy prep?! There's no way to make it easy and there's no easy way to explain to a child that they HAVE to drink some nasty liquid that will put them in the bathroom for 5 hours straight ... only to be followed the next day by going to the hospital and going under anesthesia. Think about these kids with Crohn's and Colitis ...... this is why we need a cure!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Early Bird!
These early morning Saturdays are probably my least favorite part of Team Challenge. I really love sleeping in too much to get up as early as I do on a day off of work. I've definitely been burning the candle at both ends lately, and when I rolled over this morning I was pretty angry that I had to get out of bed. I did it ... and of course had fun on the group run, but I sure would have loved to continue sleeping in! :)
Every week there is a 'spirit award' that is given and a toy guitar that is passed to each winner. I won this week! I have to do something this week to decorate it, so I'm pretty excited. You know I live for that kind of stuff! I'll take some pictures to post!
We did 5 miles this morning. We're continuing to build our miles, with a shorter run every other week. Of course, next weekend is 9 miles and I'll be in Knoxville for the football game. It's going to be awful to have to do that distance by myself, but I know I have to suck it up!
My fundraising is going well ... getting so close to my goal! I have been so humbled by some of the donations from people. I have so many generous friends and family!
Every week there is a 'spirit award' that is given and a toy guitar that is passed to each winner. I won this week! I have to do something this week to decorate it, so I'm pretty excited. You know I live for that kind of stuff! I'll take some pictures to post!
We did 5 miles this morning. We're continuing to build our miles, with a shorter run every other week. Of course, next weekend is 9 miles and I'll be in Knoxville for the football game. It's going to be awful to have to do that distance by myself, but I know I have to suck it up!
My fundraising is going well ... getting so close to my goal! I have been so humbled by some of the donations from people. I have so many generous friends and family!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I've come so far!
I love our Tuesday night group training runs in Decatur. It's a nice break to the work week to go out there and see my running friends. I hate that sometimes (like tonight), it takes me almost 80 minutes to drive out there because of traffic, but it's always worth it to go and get my miles in with the group and just have a mid-week social outing.
It's also nice because we run the same route every week, and it's nice to feel the accomplishment I've made in finishing that route. It's a nice run through Decatur, and I feel so much better doing those 4-5 miles now than I did just 2 short months ago. I really like the 4-6 mile runs ... it's just long enough where I don't get super bored or exhausted, and it feels like a good accomplishment. I'm still kind of wondering how in the world I'm going to run 13.1 miles in Vegas!
I feel like I've also come so far health-wise! I saw my GI doctor yesterday and everything is going well! We've had some talks about possibly switching my medications, because I still have recurring abscesses and fistulas, but we're still waiting to see whether the Humira shots I give myself will start to make a difference in healing these fistulas. I've been on these shots for almost a year, with weekly injections for just about 2 months now.
I also think about how far I've come in terms of my recovery since my surgeries. I had my first surgery in July 2008, followed by my 2nd in September 2008, 3rd in December 2008, 4th in February 2009, and 5th in May 2009. I wish I had taken more pictures through the course of those surgeries, but they were all so whirlwind that I was just doing what I could to survive. I think I had no idea what my "new normal" would be when this picture was take
n after my bowel resection last July ... or how 15 months later I would feel almost back to normal! It's amazing and I feel so greatful for my awesome doctors and my awesome medications!
It's also nice because we run the same route every week, and it's nice to feel the accomplishment I've made in finishing that route. It's a nice run through Decatur, and I feel so much better doing those 4-5 miles now than I did just 2 short months ago. I really like the 4-6 mile runs ... it's just long enough where I don't get super bored or exhausted, and it feels like a good accomplishment. I'm still kind of wondering how in the world I'm going to run 13.1 miles in Vegas!
I feel like I've also come so far health-wise! I saw my GI doctor yesterday and everything is going well! We've had some talks about possibly switching my medications, because I still have recurring abscesses and fistulas, but we're still waiting to see whether the Humira shots I give myself will start to make a difference in healing these fistulas. I've been on these shots for almost a year, with weekly injections for just about 2 months now.
I also think about how far I've come in terms of my recovery since my surgeries. I had my first surgery in July 2008, followed by my 2nd in September 2008, 3rd in December 2008, 4th in February 2009, and 5th in May 2009. I wish I had taken more pictures through the course of those surgeries, but they were all so whirlwind that I was just doing what I could to survive. I think I had no idea what my "new normal" would be when this picture was take
n after my bowel resection last July ... or how 15 months later I would feel almost back to normal! It's amazing and I feel so greatful for my awesome doctors and my awesome medications!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Busy bee!
I've realized that I'm not a very good blogger. Good thing I've never wanted to start a blog about what's going on in my life because I'd probably only give updates every few weeks and that would be a really lame blog.
I have been SO busy lately ... it's like I finally bought a social life at the grocery store or something! Training is ... going. I'm finding it increasingly diffcult to manage my time and get my miles in. I wish I had been busier earlier in my training because the runs were so much shorter. We're steadily increasing miles now and it just takes so much more time. And my social calendar has exploded. I'm getting by though.
Last weekend, my Mom and I went to NY for the long weekend. My cousin Amanda and I went to run with her Team Challenge group on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I got there and felt really sick so we didn't end up running. Sometimes I just get really faint and dizzy and feel like I'm going to pass out. I haven't figured out what causes it, but I'm pretty sure it's not normal and it happens probably more often than it should. Regardless, I missed my 7 mile run and felt pretty down about it. It's hard to look at increasing mileage when you've missed out on training.
On Tuesday night, I made it to our group training run ... but late. Traffic is usually so bad getting out to Decatur, and if I don't leave work at the right moment I struggle to get there. Apparently the group had just left, so I was certain that I could catch up with them, so I set out by myself. Wrong answer ... they apparently did a different route than I did, so I ended up running the 4 miles by myself. It was getting pretty dark by the end, but it's a nice route that I took and it is a pretty well-populated area.
On Thursday night, there was a Team Challenge half-way there party for the season! It was at a hotel down in Midtown and it was so fun! It's so strange to see everyone actually dressed up in real clothes and wearing makeup! My friend Jennifer and I went together, and of course we got there late because of traffic. It was a good time though, and we learned some interesting "fun facts" about some of our teammates! :) Afterwards, we went out to Twisted Taco for dinner and drinks and it was nice to get out! Unfortunately, that also meant I got home really late and missed running on Thursday. Whoops!
My weekend was busy yet again .... I need a break! Friday night, I went with some colleagues from work to the Auditory Verbal Center gala. It was lots of fun and even more fun to put on a cute cocktail dress and high heels and spend a night out! I woke up super early on Saturday morning and drove to Charlotte .... for my favorite event .... the Nascar race! Of course, this meant that I missed yet another group training run, but I was determined to get my miles in anyways. I got to Charlotte around 10am, put on my running shoes, and set out to complete 8 miles through downtown Charlotte. I had mapped out my route in advance and was set to make 3 loops. It shouldn't have been that hard, but I sure couldn't follow my own directions and I got lost. No big surprise because sometimes I'm not the brightest crayon in the box. I ran through some questionable parts of Charlotte. I ran ... and ran ... and ran. Because once I was off my course I had no idea how far I was actually running. It was SO cold too ... like nose running, eyes burning, windy bitter cold. I ran for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and I'm pretty sure it was close to 8 miles by my calculations. I was absolutely exhausted, and cold, and tired, and slightly cranky. It's definitely a lot harder to run by yourself than it is with the group.
After my long run, we all headed out to Lowe's Motor Speedway, and tailgated for hours in the freezing cold. I'm pretty sure I negated any healthy benefit of running by drinking beer and eating Bojangles for an entire day. Maybe all the shivering I did over the course of the night evened some of it out! :)
This week is busy again, but at least this coming weekend I'll be in town so I can train with my team again. I miss seeing everyone! My fundraising deadline is approaching soon, but I'm getting so close to my goal! Make sure to check out my fundraising website and donate to the cause!
I have been SO busy lately ... it's like I finally bought a social life at the grocery store or something! Training is ... going. I'm finding it increasingly diffcult to manage my time and get my miles in. I wish I had been busier earlier in my training because the runs were so much shorter. We're steadily increasing miles now and it just takes so much more time. And my social calendar has exploded. I'm getting by though.
Last weekend, my Mom and I went to NY for the long weekend. My cousin Amanda and I went to run with her Team Challenge group on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I got there and felt really sick so we didn't end up running. Sometimes I just get really faint and dizzy and feel like I'm going to pass out. I haven't figured out what causes it, but I'm pretty sure it's not normal and it happens probably more often than it should. Regardless, I missed my 7 mile run and felt pretty down about it. It's hard to look at increasing mileage when you've missed out on training.
On Tuesday night, I made it to our group training run ... but late. Traffic is usually so bad getting out to Decatur, and if I don't leave work at the right moment I struggle to get there. Apparently the group had just left, so I was certain that I could catch up with them, so I set out by myself. Wrong answer ... they apparently did a different route than I did, so I ended up running the 4 miles by myself. It was getting pretty dark by the end, but it's a nice route that I took and it is a pretty well-populated area.
On Thursday night, there was a Team Challenge half-way there party for the season! It was at a hotel down in Midtown and it was so fun! It's so strange to see everyone actually dressed up in real clothes and wearing makeup! My friend Jennifer and I went together, and of course we got there late because of traffic. It was a good time though, and we learned some interesting "fun facts" about some of our teammates! :) Afterwards, we went out to Twisted Taco for dinner and drinks and it was nice to get out! Unfortunately, that also meant I got home really late and missed running on Thursday. Whoops!
My weekend was busy yet again .... I need a break! Friday night, I went with some colleagues from work to the Auditory Verbal Center gala. It was lots of fun and even more fun to put on a cute cocktail dress and high heels and spend a night out! I woke up super early on Saturday morning and drove to Charlotte .... for my favorite event .... the Nascar race! Of course, this meant that I missed yet another group training run, but I was determined to get my miles in anyways. I got to Charlotte around 10am, put on my running shoes, and set out to complete 8 miles through downtown Charlotte. I had mapped out my route in advance and was set to make 3 loops. It shouldn't have been that hard, but I sure couldn't follow my own directions and I got lost. No big surprise because sometimes I'm not the brightest crayon in the box. I ran through some questionable parts of Charlotte. I ran ... and ran ... and ran. Because once I was off my course I had no idea how far I was actually running. It was SO cold too ... like nose running, eyes burning, windy bitter cold. I ran for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and I'm pretty sure it was close to 8 miles by my calculations. I was absolutely exhausted, and cold, and tired, and slightly cranky. It's definitely a lot harder to run by yourself than it is with the group.
After my long run, we all headed out to Lowe's Motor Speedway, and tailgated for hours in the freezing cold. I'm pretty sure I negated any healthy benefit of running by drinking beer and eating Bojangles for an entire day. Maybe all the shivering I did over the course of the night evened some of it out! :)
This week is busy again, but at least this coming weekend I'll be in town so I can train with my team again. I miss seeing everyone! My fundraising deadline is approaching soon, but I'm getting so close to my goal! Make sure to check out my fundraising website and donate to the cause!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Honoring ...
I will also be running in honor of two of my good friend Brittan's family members, who both had Ulcerative Colitis. So here's to Gary and Taylor, who are both angels now and pain free from UC!
This weekend we did a 6 mile run through Stone Mountain. It was tough, and hilly, but felt good! This coming weekend I'll be training with the Long Island chapter of Team Challenge with my cousin Amanda! I'm so excited to meet another group!
This weekend we did a 6 mile run through Stone Mountain. It was tough, and hilly, but felt good! This coming weekend I'll be training with the Long Island chapter of Team Challenge with my cousin Amanda! I'm so excited to meet another group!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Camp Oasis
Camp Oasis is a summer camp that is sponsored by the CCFA for kids with Crohn's and Colitis.Having worked at a summer camp during college, I totally support camp and the positive benefits children receive by going to summer camp. The kids that I worked with at camp spent the 10 months of the school year just counting down to the 2 summer months that they would spend at Trail's End Camp. And once they were there, it was such a supportive and loving environment where they could really be themselves and just be kids. And these were healthy, typical children from loving home. But just the summer camp experience for kids is something I feel strongly about!
I'm excited to be fundraising for the CCFA because of the Camp Oasis program they provide! I couldn't imagine being an elementary or middle school aged kid with Crohn's Disease. I mean, as an adult, it's bad enough that I'm in the bathroom sometimes 7+ times a day, and that I vomit, and bleed, and have to give myself shots, and have to take 10+ horse pills a day. Could you imagine going through that as a kid? And to try to fit in, and tell your friends and teachers why you're sick, and why you are in and out of the hospital, why you have to take medication on a daily basis, and to just try to live a normal life while going through all of that?
At Camp Oasis, the kids have a chance to be normal kids -- without the stigma of living with a chronic disease -- and have other kids and adults who get it.
There are some great quotes and photos from Camp Oasis that I'd love to share. You should feel good that when you donate to the CCFA, your money is not only going to research for Crohn's and Colitis, but to other mission-funded activites like providing a safe haven like Camp Oasis for kids with IBD!
"Camp means so much. Everyone is the same and everyone has to take medicine. When someone says they know what you're going through, they really do. Even though everyone is taking medicine and stuff, camp in a way lets us forget about our diseases."
"Without Camp Oasis, I don't think I'd be comfortable having Crohn's Disease at all. I know I definitely wouldn't be open about it, and by meeting all these other kids just like me, I've learned that it's ok to be different and people will just accept me for who I am, and if they don't, than they aren't worth it. I could never not go back to camp because of the amazing friendships I've made over the past few years, and because camp is probably the highlight of my whole summer." 
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Year Ago
It's really incredible to think about where I was a year ago. In September 2008, I was 2 months post- small bowel resection and diagnosis with Crohn's. I was doing pretty well and feeling decent, although still lacking energy and not feeling quite like myself. On September 12, 2008 I had my 2nd surgery and spent another 4 days in the hospital. From that point, my mom moved to Knoxville and lived with me until November. I didn't go to class, I didn't go to clinic, I didn't see my friends outside of my own apartment. I felt awful and it was definitely a really rough time.
Fast forward to today, September 2009. I feel a thousand times better now. I'm still dealing with recurring abscesses and fistulas, all which started last year at this time. While I still don't feel perfect and still have my issues with Crohn's, from where I was a year ago at this time it's been an amazing transformation.
I have to remember my favorite Bible verse, because it has certainly applied to my life with Crohn's over the past year ...
"For we walk by faith and not by sight." -2 Cor 5:7
Fast forward to today, September 2009. I feel a thousand times better now. I'm still dealing with recurring abscesses and fistulas, all which started last year at this time. While I still don't feel perfect and still have my issues with Crohn's, from where I was a year ago at this time it's been an amazing transformation.
I have to remember my favorite Bible verse, because it has certainly applied to my life with Crohn's over the past year ...
"For we walk by faith and not by sight." -2 Cor 5:7
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Early Saturday
This morning, as a team, we completed the Big Peach Sizzler 10K. Team Challenge was one of the featured charities for this race, and we received a nice check from the race that will go to helping to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis!
I had a decent week training -- did 4 miles on Tuesday and Thursday. We met at 7am this morning to run the 10K .... slightly early for a Saturday morning. I swear my alarm went off at 6am and my first thoughts were "Really? I'm no longer amused by these early Saturday mornings!" I don't think I realized when I signed up for Team Challenge that I would be giving up sleeping in for a good 3 months! It's all in the name of a cure ... right?
I stuck with one of our mentors, Betsy, this morning for the race. We did a run/walk, and finished in 1 hour and 20 minutes! I was pretty proud of that! My biggest goal is just finishing ... period .... but it's nice to both finish and have a somewhat decent time! The race itself was fun .... nice to have people cheering you on and it was a relatively flat course so that definitely helps.
Now on to the rest of my Saturday .... pizza and beer on the couch with a full day of college football! I love the fall!
I had a decent week training -- did 4 miles on Tuesday and Thursday. We met at 7am this morning to run the 10K .... slightly early for a Saturday morning. I swear my alarm went off at 6am and my first thoughts were "Really? I'm no longer amused by these early Saturday mornings!" I don't think I realized when I signed up for Team Challenge that I would be giving up sleeping in for a good 3 months! It's all in the name of a cure ... right?
I stuck with one of our mentors, Betsy, this morning for the race. We did a run/walk, and finished in 1 hour and 20 minutes! I was pretty proud of that! My biggest goal is just finishing ... period .... but it's nice to both finish and have a somewhat decent time! The race itself was fun .... nice to have people cheering you on and it was a relatively flat course so that definitely helps.
Now on to the rest of my Saturday .... pizza and beer on the couch with a full day of college football! I love the fall!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Dare I Say it?
We did a 4 mile group run this morning .... in the rain. And when I say rain, I don't mean drizzle ... I mean full on rain. Pouring. Those of you who know me may be slightly surprised that I went out in the rain and nonetheless RAN 4 miles in the rain. I don't typically like to get wet ... don't like to get dirty .... I'm what you would call Miss Priss. But for some reason, and dare I say it ... I actually had fun? It was fun running in the rain, and laughing with my teammates, and making it to the end!
I did good this past week and kept up with the training schedule, and could definitely feel it this weekend! I felt good today, and wasn't huffing and puffing as much as usual! Slowly but surely ... I'm getting there!
Stay updated, and make sure to check out my fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv09georgia/CAdel
I did good this past week and kept up with the training schedule, and could definitely feel it this weekend! I felt good today, and wasn't huffing and puffing as much as usual! Slowly but surely ... I'm getting there!
Stay updated, and make sure to check out my fundraising page at http://www.active.com/donate/lv09georgia/CAdel
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Back on the wagon
Last week I was most definitely off the wagon. I just felt kind of yucky all week, the work week was long and busy (although it was a 4-day week thanks to Labor Day, it sure felt long), and I was just not into my mission. I could blame it on any number of things, but truth is, I just didn't put in the effort that I should have.
On Saturday, we had a 4-mile group run. In the weeks past, the group of us doing the run/walk just made up our own routine .... run until we're tired and then walk until we feel ready to run again. Seemed like a good enough routine to me -- at least we were out there doing it! This week, our run coach, Mona, ran with us. She kept us to a strict run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute routine for the whole 4 miles. I definitely struggled -- probably due to my lack of activity in the week prior. I felt it, but I made it ... following the routine for the most part with maybe an extra short walk breaks. I think Mona intimidates me enough (she runs 100-mile races, y'all!) to keep me going, and that's a good thing!
Tonight it was raining pretty good, so I went to the gym instead of running in my neighborhood. We are doing 4 miles again this week, which is nice to keep at the same distance. I did 4 miles on the treadmill tonight, again with a routine of 3:1. I actually felt pretty good throughout the run, and finished it in 1 hour flat! I was happy with that for sure! I like being able to feel the progress through my efforts! This is definitely the longest I have stuck with any exercise plan, which isn't saying much because I rarely even start exercise plans!
I'm up to 25% of my fundraising goals so far, but still have a LONG way to go! Make sure to check out my Active page and see my fundraising progress!
On Saturday, we had a 4-mile group run. In the weeks past, the group of us doing the run/walk just made up our own routine .... run until we're tired and then walk until we feel ready to run again. Seemed like a good enough routine to me -- at least we were out there doing it! This week, our run coach, Mona, ran with us. She kept us to a strict run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute routine for the whole 4 miles. I definitely struggled -- probably due to my lack of activity in the week prior. I felt it, but I made it ... following the routine for the most part with maybe an extra short walk breaks. I think Mona intimidates me enough (she runs 100-mile races, y'all!) to keep me going, and that's a good thing!
Tonight it was raining pretty good, so I went to the gym instead of running in my neighborhood. We are doing 4 miles again this week, which is nice to keep at the same distance. I did 4 miles on the treadmill tonight, again with a routine of 3:1. I actually felt pretty good throughout the run, and finished it in 1 hour flat! I was happy with that for sure! I like being able to feel the progress through my efforts! This is definitely the longest I have stuck with any exercise plan, which isn't saying much because I rarely even start exercise plans!
I'm up to 25% of my fundraising goals so far, but still have a LONG way to go! Make sure to check out my Active page and see my fundraising progress!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Honoring ...
I received a very generous donation from one of my girlfriends from college. Her sister has Crohn's, and is now an honored teammate for my Team Challenge goals! I know Kris has had her own tough struggle with Crohn's Disease and has had many ups and downs, but I also know through her sister that she is a TOUGH girl! She is an avid biker, and I am honored to be racing for HER in Las Vegas!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Staying skinny
It's a good thing I didn't sign up for this marathon to lose weight .... luckily (is that possible?), the Crohn's takes care of the staying skinny part. I always joke that it's a good thing that I've got Crohn's because otherwise I'd be a big girl with all the crap I eat. I just love junk food too much to stop, although usually I pay for it dearly.
Regardless, we did a 3 mile group run tonight .... and I came straight home and ate McDonald's french fries and a glass of chardonnay. I need those carbs for energy, right?!
Regardless, we did a 3 mile group run tonight .... and I came straight home and ate McDonald's french fries and a glass of chardonnay. I need those carbs for energy, right?!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
1st Group Training Session!
This morning we had our first Group Training Session at the Big Peach in Brookhaven. There was an apparel and footwear clinic at 8am (ahhh, getting up that early on a Saturday really cramps my style!) that was really interesting. Although I already got fitted at Big Peach for a new pair of running shoes, it was nice to learn about the mechanics of running and how it all fits together. The guy giving the clinic said something that kind of terrified me .... now that we've taken the first step in running a 1/2 marathon that we're OFFICIALLY runners! I've always deep down wanted to be a runner, or really even just athetic in some capability, but now I guess this is it! haha! At least I'm getting to look the part and wear cute workout clothes!
We did a 2 mile run/walk this morning and it went really well! I went with a smaller group of people, all really nice, and in addition to good exercise there was good conversation! I really think I'm going to enjoy being in a group and having a group of people to see on a regular basis! I'm pumped for this event and while I may not necessarily look forward to the training and hard work, I'm looking forward to crossing that finish line with new friends and a few steps closer to finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis!
We did a 2 mile run/walk this morning and it went really well! I went with a smaller group of people, all really nice, and in addition to good exercise there was good conversation! I really think I'm going to enjoy being in a group and having a group of people to see on a regular basis! I'm pumped for this event and while I may not necessarily look forward to the training and hard work, I'm looking forward to crossing that finish line with new friends and a few steps closer to finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Is Vegas hilly?
Atlanta sure is hilly ... who knew? I went out for a 3ish mile walk tonight and swear I climbed the equivalent of Mt. Everest in the neighborhood next to mine. OK ... maybe I'm slightly dramatic, but I swear it was the steepest street I think I've seen in a long time. No doubt I was huffing and puffing by the time I got to the top and my legs were burning! It's a good thing Vegas is flat, because I think I might not survive if I had to run in Colorado or something! I'm such a wimp!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Day 1
...Check! Only 97 or so more days to go! :) I signed up for the run/walk training program, so it's nice in that it starts really slow and makes running these 13.1 very attainable after following the program. The tough training days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The other 4 days are easier days consisting of 20-30 minute walks or cross-training or active recovery. Today was an easy 20 minute walk day. I did just that ... I am definitely NOT going to be an over-achiever in this 1/2 marathon quest! :) My main goal is just to cross the finish line!
In some exciting news, my cousin Amanda signed up for Team Challenge in Long Island! She'll also be following the same training program, and then we'll meet up in Vegas and run together! I'm so exicted, and will have someone to run with when I go up to NY in October! It's great that she'll be getting the word out on Crohn's and Colitis on Long Island! I know she'll do amazing!
In some exciting news, my cousin Amanda signed up for Team Challenge in Long Island! She'll also be following the same training program, and then we'll meet up in Vegas and run together! I'm so exicted, and will have someone to run with when I go up to NY in October! It's great that she'll be getting the word out on Crohn's and Colitis on Long Island! I know she'll do amazing!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
It's Official ...
The Team Challenge winter season is officially underway! It's funny to think that this is the "winter" season .... I mean, it's close to a thousand degrees outside and now I have to run out there on a very regular basis. At least it's not as hot here in Atlanta as it is in Charleston. While I absolutely love Charleston and would love to move back there eventually, it is hot!
Yesterday we had our Kick-Off party for Team Challenge! There was a pretty large group that gathered, and we heard from some great speakers who have participated with TC before in past seasons. We also met 2 of our 3 honored teammates -- children who have been diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis. It is for these kids that we're doing what we're doing .... no child should ever have to deal with these diseases!
This is James, one of our honored teammates. He is 2 years old and has Ulcerative Colitis. Look at that sweet face! It just breaks my heart that this little boy has an incurable illness, and most likely has constant pain in his little tummy. At his age, it's pretty likely that he can't tell his parents when he's hurting or where he's hurting. His dad mentioned that he takes a slew of pills every day to keep his UC under control ... poor baby!
Tomorrow starts my actual training regimen! Stay tuned ....
Yesterday we had our Kick-Off party for Team Challenge! There was a pretty large group that gathered, and we heard from some great speakers who have participated with TC before in past seasons. We also met 2 of our 3 honored teammates -- children who have been diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis. It is for these kids that we're doing what we're doing .... no child should ever have to deal with these diseases!
This is James, one of our honored teammates. He is 2 years old and has Ulcerative Colitis. Look at that sweet face! It just breaks my heart that this little boy has an incurable illness, and most likely has constant pain in his little tummy. At his age, it's pretty likely that he can't tell his parents when he's hurting or where he's hurting. His dad mentioned that he takes a slew of pills every day to keep his UC under control ... poor baby!
Tomorrow starts my actual training regimen! Stay tuned ....
Friday, August 21, 2009
Rough Week ...
Ever have one of those weeks that seems to go on and on and on? Well, that was mine. It was like that today, too, where the morning seemed like 4 entirely too long days, and when I looked at the clock it wasn't even lunchtime. It's funny how some days at work fly by but still seem soooooo long!
With that said, I haven't done well this week at all in terms of training. Luckily, I don't technically start training until Monday. I did go out twice this week, on Monday and Tuesday, I think. I've got some good excuses though, as always. On Wednesday night, I went to a Crohn's support group meeting that is sponsored by the CCFA. We meet every other month and just talk about Crohn's and Colitis, and our struggles and triumphs with the disease. It's nice to be part of a forum to talk about Crohn's with other people who get it. Not that I don't appreciate my friends and family who hear me complain and talk about my symptoms to no end, but it's nice to be around others who really understand. It's such a sucky disease that there's really no way to make anyone else understand it ... it just is what it is. On Thursday night, we had an Audiology department meeting for work. We went out to dinner, and it was nice to see the whole group of us at once, but I didn't get home until late and sure wasn't going to exercise.
And here I am on Friday night ... absolutely exhausted from the week that dragged on, drinking a glass of wine and just relaxing. I deserve to NOT exercise tonight :) I'm working on my fundraising letters, so be sure to check your mail soon because chances are good that I'll be asking you so politely to donate to my marathon!
With that said, I haven't done well this week at all in terms of training. Luckily, I don't technically start training until Monday. I did go out twice this week, on Monday and Tuesday, I think. I've got some good excuses though, as always. On Wednesday night, I went to a Crohn's support group meeting that is sponsored by the CCFA. We meet every other month and just talk about Crohn's and Colitis, and our struggles and triumphs with the disease. It's nice to be part of a forum to talk about Crohn's with other people who get it. Not that I don't appreciate my friends and family who hear me complain and talk about my symptoms to no end, but it's nice to be around others who really understand. It's such a sucky disease that there's really no way to make anyone else understand it ... it just is what it is. On Thursday night, we had an Audiology department meeting for work. We went out to dinner, and it was nice to see the whole group of us at once, but I didn't get home until late and sure wasn't going to exercise.
And here I am on Friday night ... absolutely exhausted from the week that dragged on, drinking a glass of wine and just relaxing. I deserve to NOT exercise tonight :) I'm working on my fundraising letters, so be sure to check your mail soon because chances are good that I'll be asking you so politely to donate to my marathon!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
2.6 miles!
Tonight I went out for a bit for a scheduled 2 mile walk. I did about 2.6 miles through the neighborhood around my apartment, but don't worry, I walked most of it and couldn't run very far. Every time I go for a walk outside rather than at the gym, I'm amazed at the houses in my neighborhood! It's such a well to do and nice area that I live in! I found a few new schools .... including the Georgia Hebrew Academy and a public elementary and middle school. I think I walked close to a park too, because I saw it on the map when I came home and googled my walk, but I must have taken a wrong turn and missed the park by about a block. I'll have to make it down there another night!
I think my favorite thing about going out and getting exercise (which I consistently find difficult to find things I like about it), is getting to listen to my iPod. I've got a lot of music on there, and many mixes for different events, but my favorites for running/walking have to be my Nascar mixes. You know you can't go to a Nascar race without appropriate redneck music ... my favorite being "Dixieland Delight" and "Family Tradition." They always make me want to run through the whole song. I think perhaps I spent too long living in Tennessee (and too many Friday and Saturday nights at Hanna's in the Old City with my favorite DJ Ray Ray!)!
I think my favorite thing about going out and getting exercise (which I consistently find difficult to find things I like about it), is getting to listen to my iPod. I've got a lot of music on there, and many mixes for different events, but my favorites for running/walking have to be my Nascar mixes. You know you can't go to a Nascar race without appropriate redneck music ... my favorite being "Dixieland Delight" and "Family Tradition." They always make me want to run through the whole song. I think perhaps I spent too long living in Tennessee (and too many Friday and Saturday nights at Hanna's in the Old City with my favorite DJ Ray Ray!)!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Time to spare ...
Lucky for me, official training with Team Challenge doesn't start until August 24th. Since I moved to Atlanta in May, I've been trying to get out there and take short walks/runs. I had it in my head for awhile that I wanted to do this 1/2 marathon, and I didn't want to be completely out of shape when official training actually started.
With that said, I have a LOT of work to do when it comes to training. Last weekend, I went to Big Peach Running Co to get a new pair of running shoes. I figured if I was going to do this thing, I better go big or go home. So, I went and got fitted for a new pair of pretty shoes (yes, I wanted them to be pretty, but no, I didn't pick the prettiest pink running shoes because they were not the most comfortable ... shucks). When I was talking to the guy at Big Peach, I mentioned that I was running a 1/2 marathon and he casually asked how much I had been running recently. "Well ... you see, I've never really run before ... I still kind of get winded when I walk to the mailbox or up the stairs to my apartment." No lie, I'm sure this guy thought I was the biggest idiot. And especially when I told him that I wanted pretty shoes ... although I like to think that I redeemed myself on that front.
I've been trying to go to the gym at least 3 times a week recently to walk/run on the treadmill. This week I felt pretty yucky, so I only went out twice (but hey! that's better than none, right?!). I did get up bright and early this morning and walked/ran about 2 miles around my neighborhood. I've mostly just been going on the treadmill at the gym, pretty much because by the time I get home from work I'm exhausted and just want to sit on the couch, and then when I decide to walk it's getting late and I don't want to be outside by myself. But man ... I better start training outside because it's sure a lot different than running on a treadmill. I can pretty easily do 2 miles on the treadmill (usually running for 4-5 minutes and walking for 1), but outside I can barely manage running for 2 minutes at a time. I just get impatient with this stuff ... I want to do it all NOW .... but that's exactly why I joined Team Challenge!
With that said, I have a LOT of work to do when it comes to training. Last weekend, I went to Big Peach Running Co to get a new pair of running shoes. I figured if I was going to do this thing, I better go big or go home. So, I went and got fitted for a new pair of pretty shoes (yes, I wanted them to be pretty, but no, I didn't pick the prettiest pink running shoes because they were not the most comfortable ... shucks). When I was talking to the guy at Big Peach, I mentioned that I was running a 1/2 marathon and he casually asked how much I had been running recently. "Well ... you see, I've never really run before ... I still kind of get winded when I walk to the mailbox or up the stairs to my apartment." No lie, I'm sure this guy thought I was the biggest idiot. And especially when I told him that I wanted pretty shoes ... although I like to think that I redeemed myself on that front.
I've been trying to go to the gym at least 3 times a week recently to walk/run on the treadmill. This week I felt pretty yucky, so I only went out twice (but hey! that's better than none, right?!). I did get up bright and early this morning and walked/ran about 2 miles around my neighborhood. I've mostly just been going on the treadmill at the gym, pretty much because by the time I get home from work I'm exhausted and just want to sit on the couch, and then when I decide to walk it's getting late and I don't want to be outside by myself. But man ... I better start training outside because it's sure a lot different than running on a treadmill. I can pretty easily do 2 miles on the treadmill (usually running for 4-5 minutes and walking for 1), but outside I can barely manage running for 2 minutes at a time. I just get impatient with this stuff ... I want to do it all NOW .... but that's exactly why I joined Team Challenge!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
This is why I'm doing TC!
This is the video that they showed at the Team Challenge information meeting that I went to. Feel free to watch it and see why we're doing what we're doing. If you forward to 2:15 in the video, you'll see a child who is affected by Crohn's. When I see this little boy having to put a tube down his own nose to receive nutrition, my heart just breaks. No child should ever have to go through that. I give myself shots every week to help keep my Crohn's in control, and I still have breakdowns about doing it. It hurts, I bruise, I bleed ... and every week I put it off as long as I can because I just want to cry. I do it because it makes me feel better at the end of the day, but I don't know how I would have survived as a child with Crohn's. If it's this hard as a "grown up," I can't imagine what it's like to be a child with this disease! I want to find a cure so that these children never have to deal with the pain and suffering of Crohn's and Colitis!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
At the pool ...
On Sunday I overheard some girls at the pool talking about gym class in high school. "She almost failed gym in high school ... how in the world do you even manage that?"
Which of course reminds me of my own high school gym class, which is part of the reason I said I would never run. You see, Jennifer and I signed up for a baseball/softball/racquet sports gym class with Coach Bazzle .... mostly because we figured there would be a lot of boys in the class. We were right, and for the most part, the class was pretty fun ... save for one assignment. That one assignment was to run a mile around the track, which doesn't seem like a big deal, but to me and Jennifer it was. We decided to run about 1/12 of a lap, and then just decided that we'd walk until the time was up and take a failing grade for the assignment.
Needless to say, when I've told people that I'm running a 1/2 marathon, it typically elicits a chuckle. I get it, it really makes me laugh too because it's completely out of character for me! No worries .... I'll aim high and see where I land!
Which of course reminds me of my own high school gym class, which is part of the reason I said I would never run. You see, Jennifer and I signed up for a baseball/softball/racquet sports gym class with Coach Bazzle .... mostly because we figured there would be a lot of boys in the class. We were right, and for the most part, the class was pretty fun ... save for one assignment. That one assignment was to run a mile around the track, which doesn't seem like a big deal, but to me and Jennifer it was. We decided to run about 1/12 of a lap, and then just decided that we'd walk until the time was up and take a failing grade for the assignment.
Needless to say, when I've told people that I'm running a 1/2 marathon, it typically elicits a chuckle. I get it, it really makes me laugh too because it's completely out of character for me! No worries .... I'll aim high and see where I land!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I said I'd never do it ...
I actually said I'd never do several things, which has drastically changed within the past week. I said I would never run and I said I would never start a blog. I can't say exactly what has forced me to do either, except some sort of crazy spark!
Welcome to my journey of training for the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon! I will be running with Team Challenge, a group dedicated to raise money and find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis! This cause is close to my heart (and even closer to my gut!) and I hope that someday soon there will be a cure for these terrible diseases!
I'll be updating with my progress of fundraising and training and hope that you will stick with me through this process!
Welcome to my journey of training for the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon! I will be running with Team Challenge, a group dedicated to raise money and find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis! This cause is close to my heart (and even closer to my gut!) and I hope that someday soon there will be a cure for these terrible diseases!
I'll be updating with my progress of fundraising and training and hope that you will stick with me through this process!
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