Monday, April 09, 2012
The Color Run
I GUESS THAT MAKES ME SORT OF A RUNNER.
I NO LONGER HAVE CANCER. I DO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
Today's post is all about an incredibly fun run.
Saturday was the day. The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway. there were three of us, College Girl, her boyfriend and me.
Not a timed run - just a fundraising run. But boy was it a popular event.
We arrived early, but it still took almost 30 minutes to get into the facility, park, and walk to the start line.
At this point we are clean. FYI -- just in case you don't know me, I'm the fat one on the right.
There were about 1500 people in front of us. We were the first line of the second group of 1500.
The crowd behind us was enormous as well.
Clowning around was the theme of the day.
I got a picture from the side of the first color zone.
There were built in recovery breaks as the participants waited to go through the color zones.
In the pink......
College Girl and the Boy.
I'm still the fat one on the right.
Sorry - blogger wants to go back to the original orientation on the pictures.
Covered -- even in my ears.
I still have a few spots of color on me.
Even I was surprised at how wonderful this picture of the finish line celebration turned out.
These feet --- shoe shots are a family tradition.
After all is said and done -- they clean you up a little bit.
It was a great fun day --- now I'm the fat one on the left.
Yes - I - will - definitely - do - this - one - again.
Thanks Molly and Ben for going too.
Thursday, December 08, 2011
5K ----
I've been MIA but absolutely nothing is wrong. I am just busy.
I did run a 5k with my daughter last weekend. My goal was 45 minutes and I did 44:38 so I was happy.
Her boyfriend took these for us.
Getting the music going ---- yup I am still fat
Confession - Molly won her age bracket - and I was crossing the halfway point as she crossed the finish line.
Coming up the hill to the finish -- I did pass that guy in green and those girls in white and red. Molly was seriously yelling and encouraging me to pass "some body"
Actually this one is staged. I was really ok at the end of this 5k.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Where I was.......
I haven't posted a BootCamp update in forever.
I have let some unhealthy eating habits slide back into my life since my surgery last spring. Partially because of one of the lifestyle rules - No artificial sweeteners. But I am still exercising regularly and I have not gained any of my weight back. Haven't lost any more - but still.
I am much more able to run distances now. My 5K time is still much like the plodding of a tortoise, but hey, I am out there and i just keep doing it. I say - I am doing better than that person sitting in front of the tv.
The time change has made it difficult to get the long runs in. We use a cross country trail at a local private school. I have purchased a lightweight LED light wand. Last night I tested it. Carrying the light like a relay baton was very effective and will allow me the ability to continue my running.
I use my smartphone as my running playlist. Pandora is my choice for variety - last night I set it to the Drivin' and Cryin' station and left out. As I emerged from the woods and started across the first field, I noticed the moon - oh how stunning - so I planned a stop on top of the dam at the lake. I snapped that picture with my phone.
It was a beautiful run. Crisp fall air. Clear sky. Full moon reflecting off the water. Breathing just right. Mentally let the junk of life go and just put one foot in front of the other. I have discovered that I really do like to run.
I am not sure when it happened because this is how it used to be.
I am grateful for my health. I am grateful for the fact that great medical care was available. I am grateful that I didn't die from an internal hemmorage. I am grateful for the tiniest things. I am grateful.
I am grateful that I have now decicded that I do like to run.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
let's have a fitness chat.
Hell, call it whatever you want to, I saw it in myself last night.
It was suspected that the "kidney cancer roadtrip" discovery was triggered by a particular boot camp drill.
See the picture below.......

This is a tire pull - the straps on the tires we use go around your waist. The suspicion from the doctor was that the excess pressure through my midsection during this drill was what aggravated the cancer tumour.
I haven't looked at those tires since that day. I had not avoided them, this drill just had not come up in the workout rotation. UNTIL LAST NIGHT.
I am stronger than I have ever been - mentally and physically - today. While the bootcamp workout is challenging every time, I have learned to fight my way through them. I have learned that you will not die from pushing yourself to the point of puking if needed to finish something. And the feeling of accomplishment when the workout is finished is worth every step and lift and sweat drop that wets even my underwear.
I kinda thought I had it going on --- UNTIL LAST NIGHT ---
We warmed up - We ran - We met at the practice field - We were told there were three stations - Station one for my group was abs. three minutes worth (DONE DEAL) -
Station two was a hill drill, jog down the hill then alternating lunges back up that hill - repeat three times (DONE DEAL and I FINISHED FIRST FOR MY GROUP) -
Station three was those tire pulls and on the walk to that station the irrational demons jumped on me. I was in tears before I got there and absolutely could not get a grip. The power of this emotional and mental demon surprised me - actually scared me with its intensity and power. So this sweaty, hard breathing, crazy lady, now in an irrational, hysterical, teary eyed frame of mind wants to literally say "screw this, I cannot do it." But the part of me who slays demons won that battle - I chose my tire, tossed that strap around my waist and pulled that damn tire three times up and down that field.
On the repeat of the circuit - there was a new spill of tears. Not hysterical irrational or full of fear. NOPE - this second round of tears washed away the ugly bloody remants of that demon slaying.
I finished the workout strong.
It was a physically demanding workout, but last night I learned that on this fitness journey, I cannot plan for what demons may rear their ugly head and start chanting "you cannot do this", but I can decide to silence them by simply powering on through the tears and fears.
I HAD MY STRONGEST WORKOUT EVER.
I do not run away. I do not give up. I do not allow fear to have power. These are choices I get to make. And amazingly enough - that lesson will serve me equally as well in all areas of my life.
Nope - I choose to move "only forward, never longing to go back".
Have a beautiful day ---
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Running and counting blessings
That picture is of Hartwell Dam. I grew up playing in the lake created by this dam. Camping, skiing, boating, floating, sun bathing, all those kinds of outdoor activities.And this coming Saturday, I will be a runner. A relatively new outdoor activity for me. One that has come with sweat, tears, challenges, and perserverance.
I've lost 58 pounds - I have not taken one diet pill. As my friend Dawn Demo says "the answer is no... NO pills, NO lipo, NO bands, NO staples. It's called will power, sweat, and goals."
I'm eating better, I work out HARD, I drink my water. And slowly the pounds are coming off.
I would like to lose 25 - 30 more.
The 5K on Saturday morning will start from the South Carolina side of Hartwell Dam, follow the pavement above, cross the Dam, and end on the Georgia side of it. I was registered for this run last year when the "SURPRISE YOU LOST A KIDNEY TO CANCER" roadtrip began. The doctors were a little funny about letting me run a week after taking my kidney in a major surgery. So I sat and watched my daughter run. And I cried.
I can't wait to look down river from the top of the dam. And to count blessings. There will be a blessing with every step.3.2 miles of blessings - that's gonna be a really big list.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Restrictions........... and some public service lists.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Glimspes of bootcamp

I park - gather my stuff - lift a quick prayer for stamina and strength to do this. (Funny my performance really does suffer if I skip that step.) couple of puffs on the inhaler and make my way to our starting point.
Tonight it is beautiful 50 degrees - just about sunset. This is the view we run towards as we start laps. Pretty isn't it.
That's Christy on the left in white - she's our fearless leader - and she is an absolutely beautiful woman inside and out. LOVE HER. That's Renee and Chris joining her - trying to find out what punishment we are paying for tonight -- she never tells. We are on an "as we need to know basis."
But look behind them. Those are cones. Little yellow cones. I hate those cones. They usually mean some interval of stuff - stuff that makes us grunt, groan, moan, complain. You got the gist of it.
At the end of a workout - when this is what we see - there is stretching and a time of prayer. Honestly there is no comparison to the feeling that the phrase "Let us Pray" brings to this particular group meeting. Monday, December 06, 2010
Running........

See that tripod. That is the clock. 3.2 miles. I could see the time - actually the time was all I could focus on. That little rectangular box was telling me that I finished under my goal - 1.91 minutes under my goal. Actual time 43:09. 215 people ran - I did not finish last either. 101 of 215. not too bad.
That is a dining room full - a hodgepodge of boxes. Some partially filled - hell - some even empty, their contents having been piled in another box.Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Holidays
MaggieGrace has been a little absent of late. Nothing wrong - just busy. So in addition to a wonderful meal - I did a little cleaning in the studio (more like a lot) I need to paint a dresser and I had to make room for working on it.
I can't wait to show you what has arrived at our little house. It's a part of something - but I am still excited to have just these parts.
The Man at my Address and I slipped off for the day on Saturday. We took off to The Brasstown Valley Spa and Resort for a juried art and craft show. Had a wonderful time. We met up with Tipper and her friend Jackie. That was fun.
I also snagged a bag of seam binding and thread at an antiques store. I'll be scanning some of that for you in the next few days.
But I did DO some creating as well.
I had these cropped pants that I had outgrown. I only wore them once when I got them. I had a little tumble, broke my foot, and ripped the pants. I really liked them but I stuffed them in the mending pile and left them. Then I got really fat. (you know that story)

Well now I am losing all that weight and I tried these on and can wear them again. I decided to MaggieGrace fix them. That above is the little hole.
This is the pretty repair. A crocheted tiny circle (about the size of a dime) stitched on.
The bigger tear ( I seriously damaged my knee on this spill)
And its pretty little repair. Now these are hanging in the closet just waiting for warmer weather. Happy girl. Took all of an hour to make these and stitch them on. Now why do we put this kind of thing off?
Friday, August 13, 2010
GOOD DECISIONS
Again the picture has not one thing to do with the post. I just LIKE it.Yesterday - I restarted bootcamp. It was a very good decision for me mentally. This journey has been much more mentally challenging than I have admitted to anyone - even myself. I was shutting down. I was retreating into myself. I was heading to a place where I have been before and where I do not want to go again. That place where you go thru the motions but there is no spark. That place where your negative energy drains every ounce of positive in you. I can't say depressed - because it really wasn't that at all.
Today I am tired. The fatigue is very real and very dramatic, but the mental funk that I have been having with it, well it didn't show up today. I do believe the endorphins generated by exercise help keep that fuzz and funk at bay.
I am still fairly quiet - but I am pondering a few things still. And I have the BIG tests on Tuesday. The contrast scans to be sure there is no more cancer floating around. So that's hanging in my brain.
I am going to say something here. I am not doing this to hurt anyone and I apologize if offense is taken. Yes, I am doing great. Yes, this has been a dramatic and traumatic journey. I hide it oh so very well. The mask is the one thing I can put on to protect those around me. See, knowing that I am struggling makes many of my closest very uncomfortable. I understand that, it is hard to watch a loved one struggle in any way. So I hide it and I have my dark moments alone. I don't want people to be uncomfortable. It's easier this way.
Many were there for me - I have been blessed beyond anything I can imagine. I appreciate each and every gesture. Believe me. I know prayers were answered. I felt your support and encouragement. I felt your love. I felt your prayer. I know that even when I felt alone - I really was not alone at all.
Having said that - the tears are behind me right now and hopefully won't be returning.
I got 30 more pounds to lose and there is a pair of blue pants hanging in my closet that made me feel amazingly well dressed at one time. I've turned the dark corner. There is light on my path. I will wear those pants and be back to my old self again really really soon.
MaggieGrace Goodies will return too.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A doctors excuse????
The picture has not one thing to do with the post. Just a shot of the way Softball Princess chose to display/store bouncy balls. What is it about a gumball machine that is so danged hard to resist?I am a survivor. A two-time cancer survivor. I have had multiple surgeries. I recovered nicely from each and every one. I am recovering nicely from this one. But....
This has been different. A twelve in gash across my abdominal wall muscles, the main trunk muscles so to speak, came with serious limitations for what now seems like an unbelievable amount of time. It also came with limitations on other things (mostly because of losing the kidney). Alcohol - not a big deal at all. I love tequila, but the kind I drink is way expensive and therefore not drinking tequila, more like sipping. So we moved through that easy peasy. Next - no Advil or other Ibuprophen based medications - this was a little more challenging - I am not a huge fan of Tylenol (acetaminphen?) - thought it didn't work as well. But I am adapting. And mentioned casually, but turning out to be one of the most difficult - no ASPERTAME. You know it comes in diet stuff - AKA the diet Dr. Pepper that I love. You know to look there for it. But grab yourself a random assortment of chewing gum at the checkout - I haven't found a single one that did not have the beloved artificial sweetener in it. I have read so many labels in the last 4 months.
And exercise. Been on a weight restriction since the surgery. Can't lift more than 10 pounds. No abdominal work. Nothing that postionally stressed the incision at all. Don't want to herniate that incision.
In my brain - I allowed myself a coke (or two or three) to slide back into my diet. Then came fast foods. Then the damned fatigue. I have used all these Doctor's limitations to become the "excuses" for backsliding on my quest for better fitness. (Well the fatigue is very very real).
Well my friend Leandra is starting bootcamp tonight. 98 degrees is the expected high this afternoon. I have been thinking all week about this. I crashed with the fatigue last Saturday, doing what --- sitting on my ass in a chair at the softball field drinking a coke and eating potato chips.
Any body here remember what I think excuses are - they are "lies we tell ourselves". Well there you go - if I am going to crash doing nothing, I just as well give my body a reason to crash. So tonight, when Leandra starts bootcamp, I am going to start over at bootcamp. I won't do sit ups. I wont do pushups. I will do leg work. I will do cardio. I will most likely cuss under my breath. I will grunt. I will sweat. I will smell. I will survive -
I dread it - with every cell in my body. I know how hard building back up is going to be. I am hydrating as we speak. And having one of those all day long prayer sessions over me that goes like this "God - please don't let me puke. Or pass out." I also brought my weight watchers planning guides with me to study over lunch and while I wait at the hospital today (chest XRAY).
Time to silence the EXCUSES - even those that were condoned by the Doctors.
My mental state has not been that great. I have allowed the Pity party for myself to go on long enough.
On August 24th - I meet with the doctors. I have a list of questions that are much more targeted than he is expecting.
The Reindeer Run is a local 5k - held in December. I want to be there. I want that person back. I want to be healthy physically and mentally. April 9 - is etched in my brain - CANCER AGAIN - April 16 is etched on my body - LOST KIDNEY. Two damn days in a life full of lots more days. Can't let two days ruin everything now - CAN I?
Help me - keep me honest. I am not afraid of the work it takes. I am afraid of the frustration that may occur as I do this - AGAIN.
Happily today - I am enjoying my still beautiful life.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
SLOW MOVING TRAIN....
My buddy MaryAnn has the same hoarding issue as I do. So late one night as texting was going on, we came to a plan. A collaboration so to speak. We will take turns for the next few months picking a word. Then we will make things out of our stash that reflect that word. The things we make will not be sent to each other. They are to be sold, given away, or kept. Our choice. We are doing this to try and use up stash, to inspire some focused time in our studios, etc.
I got to choose the word this month ---- CELEBRATE.
Random assorted pictures and commentary.
On the way over the causeway - we spotted a rainbow. It was stunning. We followed it over the marshes and almost all the way to the beach.

My dog thinks she is part human. She sleeps on her back. In reality she would prefer to sleep in this position with a blanket tucked under her chin. Mean ol' daddy won't let her on the sofa.
MaryAnn (see link above) send notes, cards, fun stuff. I have a hoarding problem. But in the last few months, I have been trying to overcome that issue. So when packages with little goodies arrive, I try to immediately put those things to use. The latest envelope came with these circles, punched from sewing pattern envelopes.
I gathered these up with a few things from the stash, and knowing that I was choosing the word CELEBRATE. I made tags. Drawing from the circles she sent, all of these have a "sewing" theme.
My favorite one. I used a thread card from a thrifted box of sewing stuffs. The hearts are stamped on pattern tissue and cut out. Even the hangers are from a strip of silk that at one time tied up a bundle of fabric.

I stamped the circles with lines to add a TO/FROM note or some journaling.
I am really embarrassed by the fact that I have a little jar on my shelf that has spool labels and the little sleeves off of embroidery floss. Come on, you guys understand, right? BTW - these are big tags. almost 6" in the longer direction.

I put on a swimsuit and went into public. Both of my girls were stunned that I even owned a swimsuit. While I have several more pounds to lose ( like 30), I was only mildly self conscious at the beach. I also realized that I was far from the worst looking person out there.









