Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 308)

Originally posted by Muskrat37

Hi Podmates!  

I've tried keeping up this past week while at training for my new job.  I just couldn't do it.    

It is race eve - and I thought I would stop by and say hello - give everyone a little update.  

I haven't had taper madness to bad, but I am itching to race.  My body feels fresh - the legs are raring to go.  I hope that holds up through the run tomorrow!  

Looks like we will see if my theory on elevation (and it's effect on me) is correct or not - supposed to be mild tomorrow, and I should finish my run before the thermostat tops 80.  Woo Hoo.  

There is one other factor though.  There have been large wild flowers in California, and the smoke is blowing into Nevada.  It is so smoky here.  They are keeping a close eye on it.  If the smoke gets any thicker, they will cancel the race for the safety of the participants.  I sure hope it doesn't get cancelled.   

This race has a special meaning to me this year.  I am dedicating this race to my friend Heather Grand.  This is the first time I have ever raced for anyone, and I'm excited to be racing for her.  

Quick back story on Heather (for those of you who don't know).  I have known her for a little over 10 years now.  She is 31 years old.  A while back, she had a seizure and was taken to the hospital.  The brain scans revealed that she had 30 tumors in her brain! She was given 6 months to live.  That was 3 years ago!

Heather has taken more radiation, and done more chemotherapy than anyone I've ever heard of.  As a matter of fact, her oncologist told her the same thing!  In addition to all the tests, chemo, radiation, brains scans, and doctors appointments, she has had multiple brain surgery's.  Through all of this, she has always kept and incredibly positive attitude.  Her body fails her now, and I'm afraid the end is near.  However, she remains positive and has faced this adversity with a strength few people could have.  

Approximately 2 weeks ago, one of her many brain scans revealed that she has about 20 new micro tumors in her brain.  Even with this news, you know what she was concerned about?  Being approved for a clinical trial that is only in phase 1 and will have unknown effects on her.  She knows that even though this trial has had positive results in animals, this most likely will not heal her.  She realizes it is too late for her, but still wanted to be approved for the trial, and is willing to go through more testing and possibly horrible side effects, so that she can hopefully be part of finding a cure for her type of cancer so that others will not have to experience what she has had to experience.  Heather is an amazing woman, and I love her deeply.  

I was speaking to her on the phone last week, and we were discussing my training.  We discussed the race length and then specifically started talking about running.  She said she misses running (she can't even walk up and down stairs without help these days.)  It was at that moment that I told her I would be running this race for her.  She was so happy.  

I called her today to ask her if she knew what tomorrow was (her short term memory fails her sometimes these days).  She didn't know, so I told her it was R4HG day!  She said "What?" and I said Racing 4 Heather Grand day.  She was sooooo happy and told me that it means a lot to her.  

When you see my pictures from this race, you will see R4HG on my arms and/or legs.  Now you will know the significance of this alpha numeric code.  If anyone feels so inclined in their upcoming races to race for Heather also - please feel free to write R4HG on your arms and send me a picture.  I think she would really like to see that people are racing all over the world for Heather.  

Now I'm off to wipe my tears and get some sleep.  Tomorrow is the race of my life, as I will be RACING 4 HEATHER GRAND!  

Originally posted by TriAya

 

I DON'T UNDERSTAND! How can a) such awesome people, like Skrat's friend, exist in this world? This amazes me in the best way possible, then b) and have such SHYTTY SHYTT happen to them?! This amazes me in the worst way possible.

I know it's a question we all struggle with; it's one of those fundamental human things.

I want to be like Paige was, now, and then I want to be like Chris when I grow up ... still cannot believe (even though it's been this way through her whole illness and passing) that he took the time to think of how *I'm* feeling on the DAY of his daughter's service about something that, in comparison, is totally faching irrelevant, and sends cheer and comfort.

Incredible. My heart soars and shatters all at once.

Originally posted by jmkizer

Very powerful.  Thank you for sharing.  Thank you for racing for Heather.

Originally posted by jogo

I need advice.

I blew out my right hip flexors about 1 month ago.  I have been doing PT 2x/week.  Progress is slow and I am not able to run train yet.  I tried running just to test yesterday and made it just under a mile before the pain got to a 5 of 10.  I have felt the hip ever since the run.  It is tender and inflamed again just from that short distance. I have to accept, I think, that the marathon will not happen.  I haven't crunched the numbers to see what pace I will need to finish and if I can walk it.  I was considering dropping to the 10k but I would still have to walk most of that too at the rate I am progressing.  I already have my plane ticket.  Not doing anything seems torturous especially with the hotel and flight investment.

Do I walk the marathon? Do I walk the 10k?  Do I watch it all from the sidelines?  What would a manatee do?????

 

 

Originally posted by TriAya

Healing {MELON PRESS}

If there's no way to recoup any of the travel costs, then have a fun trip, walk the 10K and cheer everyone on.

Consider aquajogging as a possible supplement to PT.

Originally posted by jogo

I need advice.

I blew out my right hip flexors about 1 month ago.  I have been doing PT 2x/week.  Progress is slow and I am not able to run train yet.  I tried running just to test yesterday and made it just under a mile before the pain got to a 5 of 10.  I have felt the hip ever since the run.  It is tender and inflamed again just from that short distance. I have to accept, I think, that the marathon will not happen.  I haven't crunched the numbers to see what pace I will need to finish and if I can walk it.  I was considering dropping to the 10k but I would still have to walk most of that too at the rate I am progressing.  I already have my plane ticket.  Not doing anything seems torturous especially with the hotel and flight investment.

Do I walk the marathon? Do I walk the 10k?  Do I watch it all from the sidelines?  What would a manatee do?????

 

 

[/QUOTE   I was all set to suggest deferral then I saw you have your plane ticket.  That becomes the issue.  One of my other BT friends is supposed to do MCM--her training is spotty cause of illness and work issues.  Perhaps you could meet up with her and have someone to cheer on?

Originally posted by 4agoodlife

DH went to SoCal for a motocross race with his friends. So I have today with just me n the kiddos. I planned on getting a good swim in this morning. Pulled up to the gym and saw there were three open lanes. Dropped off kids at daycare and changed...5-10min tops. Walked into pool aaaaaand no open lanes and two already doubled. Doh!  I sat down at the end and played with my phone for a few minutes, debating what I wanted to do. Probably just a new swimmer thing, but I always feel like I'm intruding to ask a stranger to lane share. The only person who was actually swimming (two girls were floating around, one lady walking, two men talking/floating) stopped and cheerfully offered to share her lane. We swam without incident for 20-30min and then two lanes opened and I took one. She was not swimming fast, but she was killing the endurance!!! Started before I got in and was still swimming when I left. I didn't want to bother her, so I wrote her a thank you note and left it on her towel.

I was pretty happy with this swim. Ok, I was really, really happy with it  Gave me a bit of a boost I've been needing. 1950m in just under an hour. Don't think I've had a swim that far for months. Best part is I could've gone longer, but daycare was closing.

Here's a pic of Mak in her new Kelty backpack. She's so excited to try it out for real. Every time she sees it she says, "I want to go hiking with dad!"

Originally posted by Richardsdrr My pen is huge, lmao

Originally posted by jmkizer

Very powerful.  Thank you for sharing.  Thank you for racing for Heather.

Originally posted by TriAya

Healing {MELON PRESS}

If there's no way to recoup any of the travel costs, then have a fun trip, walk the 10K and cheer everyone on.

Consider aquajogging as a possible supplement to PT.

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk Good afternoon my new friends! 2nd 10k (ever) in the bag! Run went fine - but now my stomach is in knots and it's not fun. I think a nap is in my immediate future. Anyway, here's the RR if you are interested: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/RaceLog/races-edit.asp?raceid=253... overall pretty happy - I would have liked to break an hour - but what can ya do. You take what the day brings :) **yawn** check in later. oh and jogo I'm very sorry to hear about your MCM :( I spent a lot of last season and the beginning of this season injured and I have more dns's than I would care to admit. I agree with TriAyay - if you can't recoup the costs go walk the 10k and do it with a big smile and a cowbell and make lots of noise!!

Originally posted by jobaxas

well a great swim yesterday - 2.5km drills, mainly one arm!  I love that stuff.  after a 17km run...

Today well what can I say - I took Terenzo (my Trek) for a ride, we rode 80km.  stopped at around 50km for breakfast with the girls then rode more.  Great day for it, overcast but not cold and not windy.

I am so damn proud of myself!

Originally posted by mtnbikerchk

Good afternoon my new friends! 2nd 10k (ever) in the bag! Run went fine - but now my stomach is in knots and it's not fun. I think a nap is in my immediate future.

Anyway, here's the RR if you are interested:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/RaceLog/races-edit.asp?raceid=253...

overall pretty happy - I would have liked to break an hour - but what can ya do. You take what the day brings

**yawn** check in later.

oh and jogo I'm very sorry to hear about your MCM I spent a lot of last season and the beginning of this season injured and I have more dns's than I would care to admit. I agree with TriAyay - if you can't recoup the costs go walk the 10k and do it with a big smile and a cowbell and make lots of noise!!

Originally posted by jogo

I need advice.

I blew out my right hip flexors about 1 month ago.  I have been doing PT 2x/week.  Progress is slow and I am not able to run train yet.  I tried running just to test yesterday and made it just under a mile before the pain got to a 5 of 10.  I have felt the hip ever since the run.  It is tender and inflamed again just from that short distance. I have to accept, I think, that the marathon will not happen.  I haven't crunched the numbers to see what pace I will need to finish and if I can walk it.  I was considering dropping to the 10k but I would still have to walk most of that too at the rate I am progressing.  I already have my plane ticket.  Not doing anything seems torturous especially with the hotel and flight investment.

Do I walk the marathon? Do I walk the 10k?  Do I watch it all from the sidelines?  What would a manatee do?????

 

 

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...


Fixed that linky for you.

Originally posted by switch Full of awesome Skrat! 

Where is Skrat?  Do we have an update on his race?