How am I doing?

First things first: Thank you all SO MUCH for the nice comments and prayers you left on my last post. You need to know that you all are a large part of my recovery and I appreciate each and every one of you.

I have completed seven VERY FULL days of treatment and am feeling more and more like myself every day. I'm completely exhausted by the time I get home and actually, as I sit here at 10:00 p.m. - this is the latest I've been up in quite a few days. But, it is GREAT news that I'm repairing daily and my life is beginning to piece itself back together. Slowly but surely, day by day.



I'm still getting out every day to move. Some days are harder than others but I DO IT!!

Here are some highlights from the last few days:

Saturday I went on a 15 mile bike ride with Christy along the Alameda Creek Trail. It was a clear day but oh my gosh, it was really cold and very windy. We were planning 20 miles but decided to make a detour and stop at my Mom's house to pay her a little visit. She's been asking to see me and she finally got to meet Christy. It was a nice mellow bike ride and Christy and I did a lot of catching up. It's so awesome to have great friends, isn't it?

Yesterday I went with Sara and Sterling and our doggies to Garin for a hike. It was so incredibly muddy on the trail we took (different than our usual loop). Now, my daughter is not what you would call "an outside person." She is trying to be more active since she got her dog in December and I do commend her for that. But, in reality, she thinks I'm completely insane because I'm so active and am always doing something.

So, back to the hike. My little princess wasn't quite prepared for the mud that was on this trail. I could care less how much mud is on a trail - especially after the 10k race I did in January. Nothing could be worse than that. Anyway, watching Sara try to maneuver through the mud which was, in her words, "mixed with cow pee and cow crap and totally gross" had me doubled over laughing my ass off during the entire hike. To her credit, she DID NOT complain. Years ago she definitely would have plopped herself down, crossed her arms and told me she was going to go no further. I laughed so hard, so much, that my ab muscles were sore last night. Here's some pictures from that hike.

Am I a bad Mom because I think these pictures are absolutely HILARIOUS???!!!!! Luckily, she doesn't read my blog, eh?

The dogs are a lot like me - mud causes them no worries at all.

Early this evening, or late this afternoon, however you want to word it - Boomer and I met Christy and went for a nice little 4.5 mile run. It was 72 degrees when we started the run at 4:45. Pretty great if you ask me. Again, great to spend some quality time chatting with Christy.

So, there's my little update for you. Things are looking up. It's just a matter of time, but I'm not rushing it either.

"MED2010" Accountability:

03/10 - 1.5 mile run, 2 mile walk

03/11 - 1.5 mile run

03/12 - 2 mile run

03/13 - 15 mile bike ride

03/14 - 3 mile hike

03/15 - 4.5 mile run

Until later.............

Please, do tell.....

I have entered into a program to help me deal with my issues. It's all day, Monday through Friday and then Saturday and Sunday mornings. I will be in this program for AT LEAST two weeks and then it may turn into a Monday through Friday, two hours a day. We'll see how I progress. So, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON over here. I'm not making light of this at all, but I (for some reason) think I should let the few people that read this blog, know what's happening. I have taken a medical leave of absence from work. Thank GOD I am able to do this. Today was my first day in the program - it was exhausting. I hope tomorrow will be a little easier to not nod off.



I am still able to get out and do what I love, every day (walk, hike, run with Boomer).



Two days ago I met Sara, Sara's 10-month old boss (she's a nanny), and Sterling at, where of all places????

Sara carried that little boy for the entire 3.5 mile hike. It was great to be out there with the dogs and the kids. It's getting very pretty out at Garin right now. Not too muddy anymore.

"MED2010" Accountability:

03/01 - 3.5 mile walk

03/02 - 3 mile walk

03/03 - 2.5 mile walk

03/04 - 2 mile walk

03/05 - 2 mile walk

03/06 - 2.5 mile walk

03/07 - 3.5 mile walk

03/08 - 3.5 mile hike

03/09 - 1 mile walk

I will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks for caring enough to read. Maybe my strength will help someone else going through a really hard time right now. This too shall pass.

Until later.............

February has come and gone

Just a short little post to let you know a) I'm alive, and b) working on getting better.

I have a few major issues going on in my life right now which have caused me to climb into bed, pull the covers over my head and literally want to be warped into someone else's body or the life of a princess. I have a husband that cares about me, a daughter that takes care of me when I'm sick and a furry son that I would do almost anything for and keeps me moving most days by staring at me with those little brown eyes of his. I'm sorry, but it's true - Boomer is the one that I can't talk to, has no idea how I feel, but adores me and gives me kisses until I make him stop.

So, I'm moving forward, trying to make sure my world doesn't fall apart around me.

Because I am committed to "Moving Every Day in 2010", I would like to tell you how the short month of February went.

MED2010 February totals:
Running: 45 miles
Hiking: 2 hikes, 7 miles total
Walking: 20.5 miles
Biking: 89.5 miles
Classes at the gym: 12
Ski: 4 hours

Pretty good for a short month, eh? And, I did move every single day. Two months down, ten to go. There are days I work until 9:30 at night and had to do business stuff before going to work at 1:00 and I STILL found a way to get something done that night, usually a two mile walk with Boomer.

If you want to "Move Every Day in 2010", my life proves it CAN be done. Just commit to it and you can do it!

Until later.............

Lucky Charms IS NOT fuel

I gave the Fremont Freewheelers another shot yesterday morning.



First impressions: (I'm going to be honest here.) These people are weird! Their clothes are WAY too tight, they have WAY too much crap on their bikes. Some of them are wearing backpacks. (Perhaps I am a *bit* of a minimalist) A lot of them don't look like they could walk a mile, let alone pedal 25-35 miles. The ride leader showed up in a pink cape and yellow feathers all over her helmet with flowers growing out of it! The group was celebrating her birthday, which was Monday. The schedule said the ride started at 9:00 at Don Edward's Refuge Park, so of course I showed up eight minutes early. Two people were there. Within 15 minutes, another 23 people showed up. A few of them I recognized as customers from my store.



Let me back up just a little bit. A few weeks ago, while I was at work, I met a girl that was a member of the Fremont Freewheelers and we chatted a little about the group rides. She recommended I go to either a Tuesday or Thursday morning ride. A couple of weeks ago I showed up for the Tuesday ride and nobody else was there. With my work schedule, this was the first Thursday I could join.



Okay. After everyone checked in and introductions were made, we were ready to roll at 9:30. Because I met Vanessa at REI, she introduced me as such. WELL, from that point forward, I was the REI girl. People were rolling up next to me all day with questions about REI. At least I didn't feel like an outsider. I felt very welcome with this group. I also felt like it was a total PR day for REI though.



We rode over the Dumbarton Bridge and regrouped. That was at mile FOUR. As we were climbing up and over the bridge, I easily passed the majority of the group, calling "on your left" as I did so. I wasn't trying to, it was just my comfortable speed. As soon as we regrouped on the other side of the bridge, suddenly I am known as the "fast REI girl". I'm okay with this. A couple of miles later, we regrouped again. Mile six, mile 10, mile 12, mile 15, etc. We regrouped A LOT! I get it. Let's make sure we are all together. But, c'mon! We are adults. I can SEE the rest of the group. Let's GO! We rode all the way over to Portola Valley and did a few great climbs along the way. We had a "coffee stop" at mile 17 in Palo Alto at The Prolific Oven which actually turned out to be the birthday celebration for the group leader. I was hoping for a protein smoothie of some kind but this place doesn't serve them during the "off season" so I *had* to settle for a brownie. This "coffee stop" lasted almost half an hour. At 1:00 p.m., (2:25 actual rolling time) we were back at the car. The ride was 26 miles total. 3.5 hours is a very long time to cover 26 miles. I started my morning off with a bowl of Lucky Charms, thinking it was going to be a 25-35 mile ride with a coffee stop - half of that would be 12-17 miles - that would take an hour, give or take - I could refuel then. WRONG! At least now I know. Eat a bigger breakfast AND carry fuel!



Will I ride with this group again?

By the end of the ride I had chatted with probably 15 of the group and they are nice people. Only one man I can see butting heads with - an older guy that is a 'Mr. Know-It-All' type. But, that's alright, I can ride away from him. LOL So, the answer is YES! I will pay the $20 annual fee to hook up with some of them for group rides during the week. What's great about the Fremont Freewheelers is they have a ride (two or three on weekends) every day of the week! So, that will take care of my riding by myself problem, right? And hopefully, after a few more rides, I can acquire some phone numbers of the faster riders and we can hook up outside of the group rides.



Wednesday I tried the running thing again. Much better than Monday! But, how could it have been worse? Boomer and I hit the Alameda Creek Trail for a 5.5 mile run. It felt great!

The trees are blooming and it smells SO nice. This trail does have pavement, if you go beyond the two miles, in the western direction. I just stay on the dirt portion, next to the pavement.

Our turn-around point. He's waiting for me to tell him which way we're heading.

Tell me please, how bad of a gangster are you when you're spray painting snowmen underneath overpasses? Hmmm? And, P.S. Mr. Gangster - I totally adore snowmen!

I'm signed up to do a 20k race in Oakland hills tomorrow. A storm is blowing in here with force right now. I'm not sure if I (or my running partner) am committed enough to pull this one off. We'll have to see how it goes the rest of the day and tonight, with the rain.

MED2010 Accountability:

02/23 - 1.5 mile walk, "24SET" class

02/24 - 5.5 mile run, "CAMP24" class

02/25 - 26 mile bike ride

02/26 - 3.5 mile walk

Until later.............

Some updates

This first update is SO exciting to me. Most of you remember me doing my little triathlon last September, but for those new followers, you can read about it here: Single Track Junkie: See Jane Run's Triathlon 2009 Report. Anyway, I was notified last night of a new comment on my blog post regarding the rescued woman from that event. This is what the nice lady said:



"This is amazing to see... i am actually sitting with the "rescued woman" in my living room right now. She is my mother in law...we are all so moved to see the incredible response, prayers and support so many strangers have given her. Thank you for caring so much. We are grateful to have her here with us now!"



The next update is about the "no show" at the Show N Go I went to a couple of weeks ago. The president from the Fremont Freewheelers emailed me with an apology but unfortunately, no explanation. Not his fault though. He explained to me about the Show N Go's and how there isn't really a "leader". If more than two people show up, then they decide where to go. There's no email list either. So, it was just one of those days that nobody else felt like going for a ride. I was going to try again last week but I picked up a shift at work instead. I will definitely give them another chance.



Keith and I planned a little get away this past weekend, with some friends. We went to South Lake Tahoe and stayed here:



It was right at the bottom of Heavenly Ski Resort, where the Gondola takes you up mountain. It takes you STRAIGHT UP the mountain. Great view but kind of scary really.


I haven't been to Heavenly for well over 20 years. You can get some spectacular views of the lake, on a clear day. In this picture, you can see the day started off with blue skies.

It was VERY COLD up there. You can see I'm even using the chin strap on my helmet to try and keep my chin warm. The wind was blowing pretty hard.

Our friends, Brian and Cheryl:

Then, THIS came in and it started snowing and got even colder. A couple of runs after lunch and then I was done! I can't stand being cold. Hate it!

We were going to drive to Sierra-At-Tahoe on the way home and ski there Sunday but the weather didn't improve at all. It snowed a lot more Saturday night and on Sunday it was supposed to continue so we packed up and left for home at 10:30.

The Bay Area is expecting a lot of rain this week so when I woke up this morning, I knew it would be wise to get a run in. My plan was to run six miles. As soon as I started to run, I knew I was in trouble. Each leg felt SO heavy, with each step. I was having trouble running 1/2 mile without stopping. Seriously! I'm not sure if it was the box of powdered donuts I ate yesterday, or the heavy Mexican dinner I had Saturday night but I felt awful. Ugh! I walked/ran three miles total. I did discover this little gem of a trail which made me smile.

Some days are just better than others, right? I'm usually ready to run, no matter what but today it felt like a chore. Not every day is perfect.

MED2010 Accountability:

02/18 - 2.5 mile run, "24SET" class

02/19 - 3 mile run

02/20 - 4 hours of skiing

02/21 - 1 mile walk (I know, pretty weak!)

02/22 - 3 mile run

Until later.............

Six weeks later.......

I made it through my "work schedule from hell" five days, without getting fired! I even took on an eight hour shift yesterday for a friend who was sick. That made it six straight full days of work during one of our biggest sales. Can I hear a Hallelujah! Planning ahead and making sure I got enough exercise is what made life a little easier for me. Don't underestimate the power of endorphins, people! They are the key to wellness.

Today was my day off and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I went for a trail run with Boomer. I was going to drive up to Lake Chabot but I slept in instead and stayed close. Boomer and I went to Garin.

Boomer tried his rabbit hunting skills. Some day, he will flush another jack rabbit out of one of these tubes. He's convinced of this anyway.

My leader, scanning the hills for what's up ahead.

We are heading down to that trail below.

We had to get through this family first. I just asked very nicely, "excuse me Momma Cow, can we scoot on by you and your little baby?" She stepped aside and we ran by. You can see Boomer in the far right of the picture. Evidently he ran by before asking permission.

Back down to flatter ground.

Cross the creek one more time.

Feeling pretty good, we extend our run and make a loop around Jordan Pond.

And, stop for a family photo. Boomer looks deep in thought, or spaced out here, doesn't he?

After 6.5 weeks of moving every day, I am seeing positive changes in my body and that makes me very happy. Clothes are looser around my mid section. My hips are more narrow and my butt is higher. I can feel everything is getting tighter. I've lost 1.6 pounds. I wasn't really expecting to lose weight, so I'm not concerned about that. If I do lose weight, I won't complain either. I'm using heavier weights in the classes at the gym and also two risers under my step instead of one on each side. As of tonight, Keith has completed six weeks of classes at the gym. He goes at least four times a week, sometimes five. He says he hasn't noticed any physical changes yet but he has lost three or four pounds. He's not complaining. ;)

MED2010 Accountability:

02/14 - "24SET" class

02/15 - 2 mile walk

02/16 - 3 mile run, "24SET" class

02/17 - 5.5 mile trail run, "Camp24" class

Tomorrow I get to do a trail run with Lori and her doggie Mikey. Then it's off to Tahoe to ski for the weekend. Woohoo!

Until later.............

Staying stress-free

I haven't heard back from the president of Fremont Freewheelers about the no show last Tuesday. I don't work this coming Tuesday so I may give them another try. I'm not going to give up, I think a group would be good for me.

I did have better luck Wednesday though when Kristi let me tag along with her on a ride. I rode three miles to our meeting place and we rode through Niles Canyon together, out to the Sunol train station and back. It was a cold morning so we got a later start than we had planned but it ended up being fine. Kristi has a great looking bike. Ruby is black with lots of pink on her (wrapped handle bars, cables, painted lines, etc.). It makes me want to do the same with Ellen, lime green of course.

Thursday began a five day stretch of long hours at work. REI's winter super clearance started on Friday. Customers go crazy for this sale. I need to make exercise a priority for myself during times like this so I don't get too stressed out. I like my job a lot and would hate to lose it for telling some people what I really think of the way they act in public!

Friday morning I was able to get out for a run along the Alameda Creek Trail before going to work. It had rained during the night so the ground was soft and damp, just like Boomer likes it. He was running circles and making me laugh out loud while watching him. I felt SO good after this little run. I must never forget how much joy I get from running with this little dog of mine.

Boomer cracking up again!!

Boomer kisses are great kisses. ;)

Mission Peak getting some sunshine.

Then this morning I got a nice little treat. I sent my dear friends Christy and Lori emails yesterday, asking if they would be able to meet me for a run at 8:00 today and/or tomorrow. As of last night, neither had committed to this morning. I got up and was getting ready to head out the door when I got a message from Lori saying that she and her dog, Mikey were going to be able to meet me. As soon as we got there, her friend Lauren was there and the three of us ladies took off running down the trail. Lauren is a very fast runner, as a rule. She was very nice this morning though, and ran more at Lori's pace (which still felt faster than mine) so I was able to hang with them for four (two out-and-back) wonderful miles. They continued on for a longer run so I said goodbye to them when I got back to the Isherwood staging area. I was very happy running in shorts and a tank top. I know, February 13th and I'm wearing a tank top. I'm actually getting tan lines on my legs already. Woohoo!

I doubt I will get up early to run tomorrow morning but Keith and I are going to a class at the gym at 10:00 before I have to go to work. My daughter says, "that's not very romantic for Valentine's Day." I say it is - we are taking care of our bodies and our health so we can live long lives together. What better gift can you give to your mate than that?

MED2010 Accountability:

02/08 - 3 mile run

02/09 - 25 mile bike ride, "24SET" clas at the gym

02/10 - 20 mile bike ride, "Camp24" class at the gym

02/11 - 2 mile walk

02/12 - 4 mile run

02/13 - 4 mile run

Until later.............