Run # 2- reigniting the spark

Just back from Run two. I did the whole thing as prescribed in my learn to run clinic.
All of it and it was good. I forgot what I liked about running.
For some people it is the social time in the group (I did it on my own today) , for some it is deep thinking time. For some it is the clarity and stress reduction. For me when I am working hard at running I am not thinking.
At all.
I count.
I count breaths, steps, seconds but I am not thinking about anything. Not about my job or what I have to do next, later, in an hour or tomorrow. I am not thinking about bills or budgets. I am not thinking about kids- their trials, troubles and tribulations. I am not thinking about laundry dishes and all the other never ending household chores.
It's glorious and really the only time that happens is when I am strenuously exercising. I am ready to rekindle my love affair with the long distance run.

The first class

My first class was last night and it is hotter than Hades around here!
I'd be lying if I told you I was looking forward to the class. It's hot and if possible I have gotten fatter since I signed up for this marathon- yes it's true.
The class was good, the run was hard and we only did 5 /3's- seems like such a piddly amount and it is, but this is the learn to run not the marathon class. And believe me that was killer for me. How did I let this happen to myself? Not to dwell on the mistakes of every ice cream cone and bottle of wine in the past. I have 65 weeks to become Marathon ready. This is week one of a 10 week program. After that another and another until I am in fighting shape and ready to go the distance....I CAN DO THIS!
Tomorrow is the 8:30 "long and slow" run, I wonder how much slower I could possibly go?

Don't forget to donate!!!!

More about the Marathon

Turns out my Midlife Marathon will take place on the 2500th anniversary of Pheidippedes run in 490 BC! How cool is that? Also cool is that is takes place on Halloween. Halloween in Greece though not a big holiday for the Greeks is pretty exciting for me. I wonder if dressing up to run will be a "thing" that locals will do? Everyday we are a little closer! I am so excited to do this!
Arthritis be damned! I will run my marathon from beginning till end!
I am currently working on a themed online auction. It's a discover BC themed auction and I think I will run it in October. All you readers save your pennies. There will be some amazing packages to bid on!

The crappiness of the diagnosis

The last couple of weeks I have had so much joint pain. In my toes on my left foot, the ankle of my right foot, my fingers, my wrists. Finally the Sunday before last my hands and feet swelled to twice their normal size- at least.

Could have been the heat, the beer, the huge amount of activity as I had company, was painting and cleaning, boating and so on. When Monday morning came and I was still swollen and every joint in both arms and legs hurt I knew I had better get in to see my Doctor.

Bless his heart he finally did the tests. Blood for Rheumatoid-Arthritis, x-rays for Osteoarthritis, urine to rule out the kidneys. And he prescribed Celebrex. Not that it has done much but taken down the swelling. The pain is ever present. In the past it was one joint for one season- for the most part I could avoid using the joint and everything would be OK. This year my whole body hurts. It sucks. It makes me way more bitchy and way less fun. I hate that.

But I digress. I take my Celebrex and wait for Friday when I go see him again and he says you have Osteoarthritis, there is no cure, the best we can do is mange the pain. Oh and as you get older it will get worse. More Celebrex. See you later.

It's a funny feeling when you are diagnosed with something you already know you have. I was relieved to know for absolute sure. I am a firm believer in knowing, once you know you can move forward. But I was also sad, very sad. I guess even though I knew it, I hoped I didn't. If that makes any sense. I just hoped the random joint pain was something else. And that something else would go away.

Will I still run Yes I will. I have even more reason to do it now and more reason to need the arthritis society and all it has to offer. Already it has helped by explaining to me what osteoarthritis is- as my Dr. didn't. And helping me to understand what I can do to control it and slow it down.

So knowing is moving forward and that is what I am doing now. With my run, with my diet, with my supplements. I can't cure it- yet- but I can try to make it less of an impact on my life.

Walk before you run

So I've begun on my own, well not completely. The dogs are in training too. They are training to be well behaved on their walks and all those hours of watching Dog Whisperer has paid off. Three days now and they are almost walking like pro's. I had to talk myself into walking today. I didn't want to and I am tired but so glad I did it. I save my long walks for the weekends obviously and will do 20 minute walks in the mornings before work this week. Next week it will be 20 min before and after work. Right now it's not about how far or how fast it's about getting moving and following a schedule. Developing a habit. Yesterday, today, tomorrow- moving for the sake of moving.
Hey while you are here why don't you donate.
Thanks!

Minor set backs...right?

They've postponed my learn to run clinic till July 31st. Didn't they (the running room) know that I have a pretty set plan here? Do they not understand that I am counting on the clinic to help motivate my big fat butt off my couch? Now I will have to do it myself.
Now I have no excuse to wait till June 17th to start. Now I will have to start today. Cause if I wait till tomorrow, Monday, the next full moon, whatever then I will never start. So today is the day. The dogs and I will walk/run 4 km tonight when I get home from work.
I will not sit down or cook dinner first. I will take the dogs and throw on my runners the moment I walk through the door.
This is my life....

Coming out of the Marathon closet.

I realize that at some point I have to tell the people that are in my life that I have signed up for this crazy experience. I'm not sure why I hesitate, obviously my family knows and you know, but I haven't shared with people at work or friends I hang out with here. I have 17 months to go and like a recent JIM team member and friend said, "you have to strike while the iron is hot. "
I wonder if it is too soon for my campaign on the heels of my friend who is also a co-worker. I wonder if people will wonder how the hell I am going to do this. After all I am not currently a runner, I haven't been for quite some time. I am not skinny and in shape. I am not what anyone would consider by any means an athlete. Yet here I am about to tell the people, who only know me as I am now, what I plan to do. Yes I am hesitant, and excited and ready. After all what other people have thought hasn't stopped me yet I don't know why it would now.

The plan

Today I am mapping out the next 18 months of my life. It's probably the first time I've ever done that! The goal is totally attainable, 18 months to raise 7000.00 and train to run 42 km...I can do that...right?
Oh good lord, I hope I can do this?
What if I fail?
What if I can't run that far.
I don't really like to be uncomfortable. This will mean 18 months of discomfort. 20 weeks of intense training (260 hours and 769 km in 20 weeks) and that's just the Marathon training. I want to run the whole way so I have to start at the beginning. Cause right now walking a couple of blocks at a moderate speed is uncomfortable.
And there it is. The other reason I will do this. I am 40 years old, overweight, out of shape and wasting the good years in front of a TV. I am mid way through my life. That is not good cause I have quite a bit to pack in still and won't have the energy to do it all if I don't get moving now.

So back to the plan. First the running room learn to run program. Yes I have to learn to run. Apparently there are rules. I can't just run about willy nilly till I get tired. Which we have already established will be right away.
The program go's from June till September, then the 5 km from Oct - Dec , another 10 weeks in the frigid winter. Did I mention I don't like being uncomfortable?
The 10 km which I think will take me from January to March and then I guess that will be when I start the 20 weeks toward the Marathon.
Wow, I'm tired and need a nap.
Later I will get to map out the fund raising events.
Any ideas?

Why?

Likely you've come here because you can't believe it and had to see for yourself.
Well it's true, I, Peggie May, have committed to run a Marathon. 26 miles-42 km.....running.
I'll give you second to let that sink in while I answer what has to be your next question.
Why in the name of all things holy would I do that to myself?
After all , if you knew me in high school you know I skipped P.E. to hang out in the smoke pit, would hitch a ride to avoid walking the 6 blocks to Tracey's house and thought sunbathing uncomfortable because I might sweat.
If you knew me in my early twenty's you know I only went to the gym for the cute guys and would only walk to the corner store if I couldn't bribe some one else to go for me.
In my late twenty's I quit smoking took up jogging and completed the Vancouver Sun Run in 129:55. Then we moved to Nelson where I realized jogging up hill both ways was hard and thought I might take up smoking again- That was my 30's, that was also when I started to get those pains, first in my hips then in my shoulder, my wrist and my thumb. Like mother like daughter the beginning stages are the same. Though I am not yet diagnosed with Arthritis my mother has been for years now. There is the reason. My Mom, who is my hero in so many ways is my hero again and I will run this Marathon for her. Yes I am 40 years old and 60 pounds overweight but I am still able to run this Marathon while so many, including my mom, can't.
Did you know;

• Arthritis affects more adults than cancer, heart disease, respiratory conditions and spinal cord trauma, and has a serious impact on quality of life.
• Juvenile arthritis (JA) is one of the most common chronic illnesses in Canada, affecting 1 in 1000 boys and girls under the age of 16.
• Long-term disability accounts for almost 80% of the economic cost of arthritis.People aged 35-64 incurred 70% of these costs.
• In April I watched my mother struggle to put on her jacket because her shoulder was too sore to maneuver her arm through the sleeve.

If that isn't enough to make you want to contribute think of the entertainment value of following me through the journey that is running The Marathon.

Did I mention it's in Athens’s Greece?

Did I also mention that I will make my first pledge and donate every month for the next 12 months?

O.k.! Click on that donate button, do it now. Every little bit counts and anything over 20.00 will get you a tax deductible receipt. You can't lose with that deal.