...ready to pack

Hello from our new spin bike! Merry Christmas! A mother must master the fine art of multitasking so I typing this during the "downhill" portions of my ride this am :)

10 days to go! I can't believe it! 9 months in the making and it is time to pack. Last night I read my final race instructions and watched the race instruction video. 

I figured out from my bib number, #7738, that I will be in corral D (out of Elite through letter I). I just missed the C cut off ( based on my ToT 13k time) but am actually glad. They have a split start for the first 3.4 miles before the two groups merge. The first group has corrals A through C which means I would start in the last corral on that side. Doing the Galloway we always fall back at the start and I could quickly be at the back ( our strength comes from pacing well and picking up speed as we go and a strong finish). But at D I'm in the first corral on my side behind the Elite runners, so there will be plenty of folks behind me!

Anyone interested can follow my progress during the race using my bib number at http://live.activeresult.com/msg/MSG-signup.tcl?event_id=3 I've heard in the past it lags a little behind but will give an approximation of where I am when. Taking into account photos with the characters along the way, and running 6.2 miles longer then I ever have before, I'm hoping to be at or under 12 min/mile. If my knee acts up I'm hoping to hobble a 15 min mile. If I drop below 16 min/mile average I'll be on the sweep bus!

The race day weather at the moment is a bit iffy. "Real feel" low of 32 and high of 59 and ... rainy. High of 59 is great for running but sitting around on cold asphalt in the rain, temps in the low 30's from 4am to 5:45 when we start sounds pretty yucky to me! Hopefully the weathermen aren't right this far out!

I have a new SPORTS physical therapist, Jake at Kennedy Bothers in downtown Boston. He came highly recommended by some friends and apparently works with many marathoners and 

local "celeberties" like Mayor Menino who was on the table across from me rehabing his knee.

My appointment lasted 3 hrs and included a very thorough exam, stretching, heat therapy, strengthening, electrostimulation, and icing down. I go back tomorrow!

I have $100 left to go to reach my fundraising goal so if you would like to make a donation please follow the link on the right! Or take a look at the keychains i our older post that we are selling to help towards our fundraising goal.

... is feeling a bit more confidant!

Well, time for some good news! 

Turns out Josh's leg has something in between a shin splint and a stress fracture ... a gray area they call severe stress reaction. This doesn't mean he will be able to run the marathon, but it does mean a faster recovery and increase chance of him being able to run the last few miles with me!

I saw my physical therapist and instead of focusing on my back we addressed my knee. No running for another week but ok to cross train. I went to the gym tonight and managed 3 miles on the elliptical at a decent intensity aerobically before feeling the slightest ache in my knee. I just quit right then while I was ahead before causing a flare up. But I was happy to make it to 3 since I was only a mile and a half into my run Sunday when disaster struck. So I am feeling a bit more positive! Off to hockey tomorrow and hopefully 5 miles on the elliptical Friday. 

I also wanted to thank everyone who has purchased keychains or donated money to Team AllEars and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. THANK YOU!

Cailin

... wishes everyone a happy holiday season.

Well, here we are 4 weeks away from the big day and nothing is how we envisioned it. Josh cannot run the race due to his stress fracture. He is bummed. He has come to peace with it and he is moving on. 

Of my last few posts several have been about injury. I don't mean to be negative. I am a positive person! Turns out this is the time, near the end of the training, when injuries pop up. So we are not unique. This is just our story.

Let there be no doubt that short of a stress fracture or similar injury such as Josh has suffered where there is simply no way in which I can compete.. I WILL be competing the 2010 WDW Marathon!!! With that in mind ....... 

Then I went for a 20 mile run last weekend. The first 17.5 miles I was feeling great, very happy, thinking to myself "yes! I CAN do this" but then ..... my IT band started acting up .... " hmmm, this is hurting. Hmmmm, this is different then my normal aches during these long runs" then unfortunately "ouch! crap! &%*! I can not run" How devastating. I continued to try and run off and on but with little success. I finished the whole 20, but did not finish it running. I had a hard time walking for 2-3 days then seemed to be ok. I was suddenly feeling very concerned about being able to complete the marathon. I managed to squeak  2.5 miles in feeling crummy, but could I have gone almost another 9??? I don't think so! So my big debate was - should I attempt another long run before the big day?

This question is a mute point at the moment because, after a full week of rest, knee feeling 100% in my day to day life, I headed out for a 5 mile run and was stricken with the same pain only 1.5 miles in. Well now, I had NOT anticipated this. I thought I'd be fine for a short run, that I might run into trouble going over 17, but not over 1 mile! AAAAAH! I continued the same pathetic walk 99%, hobble run 1%. So now what? 

Well I am already seeing a physical therapist so instead of focusing on my back and pelvis, we will be paying some attention to my knee instead :) I will also be incorporating even more cross training. Seems most people can get through this fairly quickly so we will hope for the best. 

Tis the season so...

"put one foot in front of the other... da da da da da ... and soon you'll be walking 'cross the flooooor!" 

Till next time!

Cailin

.... is selling keychains!

There has a been a bit of activity in regards to my last post about raising money for breast cancer awareness and research. In response I have now posted pictures of other keychain styles that are also available for $8 each with the profits going towards Team AllEars: Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. If anyone is interested in any of the styles send me an email! Some of the styles are sold out and I will update the stock photos as soon as I receive them. Also, if you want a larger photo email me and I can send it to you.

If you would like to buy a keychain:

email me at cailinvet@mac.com

 (not the gmail address this blog is associated with - I don't check it that often)

And an update on poor Josh... his ortho appointment confirmed that it is indeed a stress fracture and he is now walking around in an aircast boot. However, the doctor he saw was a fancy shmancy hip replacement surgeon and didn't give him the time of day so he has made another appointment - this time with a sports medicine doctor more familiar with this type of injury and hopefully a little more compassionate!