I was Runnang!

I feel a little like Tom Hank's character in Forrest Gump.
I'm about to bust out of my leg braces and embark on a run where there is no finish line. Dr. Saal suggested that I forgo running for the past several months to allow any excess inflammation in my back some time to subside. So, after an extended period of letting my run shoes air out and gather dust, I laced up and headed out the door.

I put on my 'modified' running outfit. My bum doesn't quite fit properly in my regular running shorts so I opted for the more modest coverage of a capri tights. Black is supposed to be slimming, but I am not sure anything black is much help for my expanded Scandinavian assets. Fortuneately those extra pounds are nothing a few more miles and salads won't eradicate.

The run started with a fifteen minute walk and then I commenced something resembling a run. Yippee! My heart was pumping and my breathing accelerated. Ah, to be running again. Frankly, my back really wasn't celebrating in my joyous return-to-running party. Still, there is always at least one party pooper, right? All I have to say, in my best
Gump accent, "I was RUNNANG!"

Tour De Max

The Tour de Max is a bicyle ride in memory of a lady named Max Seales Yonker. I didn't know Max, but she sounds like she was one heck of a woman. Max passed away from cancer in May of 2005. The tour and the Max Seales Yonker Foundation was established by her friends and family to keep her memory alive and to raise funds for various cancer fighting organizations. Funds raised by MSYF provide grants to organizations like the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The Tour de Max is an extremely challenging ride than tours the Santa Cruz Mountains. The metric century is one of the toughest organized charity rides that I have ever ridden. As I struggled over the unforgiving climbs known to locals at Page Mill Rd and Tunitas Creek among others, I seriously questioned if I had the fitness to turn the crank just one more revolution. These moments gave pause and the gratitude that I am able, no matter what speed or at what fitness, to use my body athletically.

As the ride progressed and the fatigue accumulated in my body, I thought many times about friends and family I have lost to cancer. I thought about Xterra champion, Jamie Whitmore, who is currently in her own brutal race against cancer. I know Jamie would give anything to be on her bike, willing her legs to churn the cranks and he heart to beat as fast as it can pump.

The next time you walk, ride a bike, do a cartwheel, toss a frisbee, run around the block or pick up your child or pet, be grateful for what you CAN do. Then think about getting out and supporting some charity events, like a walk, run or bike ride. It is good for you and unfortuneately, chances are, someone you know will someday need help from an organization like those supported by the Max Seales Yonkers Foundation.

Raider Nation!

Friend and sponsor, Zennie Abraham (Sports Business Simulations) surprised me with an offer to go to the Coliseum for my first Oakland Raiders football game yesterday. We had some sweet club seats and got to witness the very first pre-season game, the Raiders vs the 49ers. Of course I have been known to cheer and support the 49ers (shhhh!) but since I do live in the East Bay, it was all about the silver and black, baby!

I have to admit, there is something very scary about being dressed in black and mingling with crowds of other people dressed in silver and black. I guess that's the point. Oakland is scary. The fans are scary and the team, yup, scary. I love it!

Leave it to me to notice the Raider (#32) warming up on a stationary bike. I just thought that was cool.

In between halfs, I ran into my USF Sport management cohort-mate, Adam. He is currently interning with the Raiders and I couldn't resist getting a quick photo. Go Adam!

Thank so much Zennie for sharing your passion for the NFL with me!

The Picture is Complete

Today I had a follow-up visit with Dr. Jeff Saul at S.O.A.R in Redwood City. The purpose was simply to let the doc know how the last round of epidural injections worked. I also wanted to ask the doctor about returning to running.

Nothing particularly exciting happened at the appointment, but I left feeling like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. At this point we know that I have extremely degenerated disc and there is no way to 'fix it.' The doctor suggested that I avoid running for 12 weeks to enable my body to get to a point of minimal inflammation. (This break was intended to help me be able to return to a decent level of normal function as opposed to an outcome related to training or racing). I did ask the doc if I would do damage by running again. His answer was no, BUT, he said I would know very quickly if I would be able to run, train or race. It is pretty simple, the degeneration may continue to significantly limit my ability to train or perform and a high level. I have to accept what I am, what I have and move on.

Why would I feel relieved and even happy after leaving the doctor's office? (especially considering the 'non-outcome' of the appointment). Well, after five years of battling the back, I can see exactly what I am working with. My option is to try. I can try training and see what happens. I do have pain every day (regardless of training), so I'm not certain where an attempt to return to running and a full regimen of triathlon training will lead. No point in worrying or belly aching over it though. I'm going to wait another week or two and try some running.

The body is an amazing thing. I'm not counting myself out just yet. If my competition is smart, they won't either. :-)

Vineman in Pictures

It was a terrific feeling to be amongst friends and athletes at last week's Vineman triathlon races. I entered the "Aquabike" which is a unique (and relatively new) multisport event that combines swimming and cycling. In addition to the Full Vineman Ironman distance event and Barb's Race (half-ironman triathlon), race organizers also put on the Full and Half Vineman Aquabike.





Having not raced in such a long time, it really was a treat to get back to the routine of prepping gear, getting up early and revving up for a day of competition. I wasn't particularly anxious for the race, but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I know where my fitness is and isn't. I was aiming to savor the experience, support other racers and just see what would come together.

At the end of the race, I was wiped and plenty satisfied with 'just' a swim and bike. I finished 3rd woman overall (2nd 30-39) and 8th among everyone.

While I had really enjoyed racing, a lot more fun was ahead. Phil, our friend Tilden and various folks from the SF Tri Club volunteered at a run aid station for the Full Vineman triathletes. Phil and I started our volunteers duties at 2pm and stayed until the very last competitors past by us at around 11 pm. It was quite amazing to see each athlete's personal struggles along the way.

Here's Coach Phil with his 'shower' hose. Although it looks like he is watering somebody's flower garden, Coach Phil is eagerly waiting some sweaty customers.





It was mighty toasty for the athletes and Coach Phil offered the willing a nice, cool rinse and some respite from the afternoon sun. As the afternoon sun gave way to the cooler hours of the evening twilight, we heard a lot of interesting requests and comments from athletes. Among the most memorable and most frequent:

1) Will you marry me?
2) How many ounces are in this cup?
3) How many calories are in this?
4) I owe you guys dinner.
5) Where's the turnaround?

Ahhhhh!

As the day wore on, we began to recognize each of the athletes. On this three loop course, our aid station was located before a turn around which meant we would serve each and every athletes six times throughout the race. Interacting with the athletes gave me great perspective for their hard work on the race course and the work of the volunteers supporting them.

Once the sun set and the crickets finished their serenade, it became very dark and very lonely on that wine country road. Without ambiant light or street lights runners were reduced to shuffling in the dark. Although some athletes had headlamps, the only way you could 'see' folks was by the glowy necklaces worn around their necks. (provided by the race organizers for safety). It was very eery to see glowing circles, sometimes solo and sometimes in small groups, slowly advancing towards us. We did our best to make noise, provide nourishment and enthusiastic encouragement beside the ambiance of our laterns.

Congratulations to each and every Vineman athlete. Special congrats to friends Bill and Flavio of Ventura's Rincon Triathlon Club. Bill earned another Ironman finish to tatoo on his arm and Flavio placed first place in the Men 55-59 age group. Way to go guys!