I had some explaining to do!

I had my second to last herceptin treatment yesterday. First I had to see the doctor and explain why she didn't have the results of my stress test. I had to explain my grandson's 1st birthday party was a higher priority. Not really a good explanation for a doctor, but she understood. She was going to have to explain it to the cardiologist though--he was not going to be happy!

We leave for San Diego a week from today. Looking at the weather there, it's going to be a lot cooler than in Buffalo. The Buffalo marathon is this weekend, and it's supposed to be over 80 degrees. That is mighty warm for a marathon. At this point, it's only supposed to be in the 60s in San Diego--perfect for me!

I'm supposed to be cutting my mileage, but I'm not doing too well. I did a 15 miler today. I'm afraid of losing my conditioning if I back off too much.

It's been absolutely beautiful Buffalo weather this week--mid to upper 80s all week. I think it's been better then any week we had last summer when it rarely stopped raining. I've loved having my bike out. I've been riding everywhere. Last summer I rarely rode because I was doing chemo. It feels good to air it out and have the breeze blowing through you. It really is nice to be healthy this year, and I feel like I'm in such good shape.

Mmm...Cheerios

Buffalo may be cold and miserable 8 months a year, but when it's nice, it is hard to beat. Yesterday was a gorgeous morning (until it started drizzling about mile 9), so we set off for South Buffalo for one of my favorite runs. It's a very eclectic run--industry, parks, old neighborhoods. It really is a snapshot of what Buffalo looked like 75 years ago. The neighborhoods are mostly tidy little houses that were built around factories. You can still see where trains went right into the buildings to take away whatever they were making. You start in the center of the business district and work your way down cobblestone streets and lots of neighborhood bars--it's South Buffalo (Irish) after all. Part of the run is along the lake, past the botanical gardens, the Basilica in the distance and then the best part--right past the General Mills plant where they were baking Cheerios. I just wanted to stop, get a spoon and start eating cheerios off the assembly line (or however they pack them). It smelled SO good! We only went 12 miles, but I'd been 17 the day before. I'm supposed to be cutting back, but had my high mile mark last week (72 miles from Sunday to Saturday). I promise myself I will cut back this week. I do feel strong right now and ready to go.

Billy finished his MCAT for better or worse. He said the test was much harder then any practice tests out there. Hopefully he can take a breath and relax a little.

Here's a question. Would you ever ride a train again if you'd been on this one? An Amtrak (so passenger) train went through Buffalo on its way to Toronto on Friday. It hit and killed a woman walking on the tracks in Buffalo (I ran across the tracks in the exact spot last Saturday). When it neared Toronto, the same train hit and killed a man walking on the tracks. Neither accident was the engineer's fault, but I would think he'd have a hard time driving a train ever again. I think I'd have a hard time being a passenger either. Very traumatic!

Two weeks until marathon day. It's coming fast now!

3 weeks to go!

The countdown is on--3 weeks to marathon day! I finally finished another sort of marathon this afternoon--end of semester grading. It takes total focus and a disciplined brain for many days. I am happy to say, I am finished (and most students, though not all, did well)! Graduation was wonderful last night--I got to hood many of our masters' degree awardees. I have to write two reports tomorrow--I'm not doing them today--and then I can put this semester to bed. The rest of the week I have all-day meetings preparing for fall.

Yesterday, Bob and I ran 20 miles up by the river. It was a beautiful morning and I felt like I could run forever. We even negative splitted. I felt like I got even stronger the last 5 miles. I was wishing it was marathon day. Normally I don't eat or drink anything when I run--so bad--but we left later then I normally go out so I ate a banana beforehand. I also had a few swigs of Bob's water during the run. I'm guessing that helped with my energy at the end. I will have to practice eating and running these next couple weeks.

That was the last 20 miler before the marathon. I will do a long slow taper now. I want my legs as fresh as they can be on marathon day.

Wow, have I been busy!

This has been such a busy week, but very little has revolved around running. We have managed to see all the kids during the week and I've also managed to finish classes and exams and do major amounts of grading. Last weekend, we went to Silver Spring, MD to celebrate Tommy's first birthday. What a good and adorable little boy. We had so much fun with him--and with Lauren and Andy. They all seem so good. Next time I see them, they will have the second little boy. We also did get in a 13 mile run on the Capital Crescent Trail.

We came back Sunday and then Bob, Lindsay and I left for Ann Arbor, MI on Wednesday to see Billy and continue our tradition of going to a Yankee game. Since Billy isn't coming home this summer, we decided to go to a game in Detroit. The Yankees were only playing in Detroit once this year--this week. We had to work out the game between my finals' schedule and Billy's class and work schedule. No easy job. Luckily, we ended up at the only game of the series that the Yankees won (8-0). The weather wasn't too bad either, which means we didn't get rained on. We had great seats and the kids had fun together. And, to make them happier, Eminem and Jay-Z were there and we got to see them.

Happy Birthday to Dad--he turns 81 tomorrow. It won't be as fun as last year's birthday (when the whole family showed up to surprise him), but hope it's still a good one.

This is such a fun time of year, even though I haven't been in town much. Actually, all the driving has helped me get my grading done. Bob drives most of the way while I work. Tomorrow morning is our department's Honors and Awards Breakfast. I get to introduce my student teacher as she's winning a major award. Saturday is graduation. I get to hood the masters' candidates from our department. It's all very rewarding to see how far the students have come.

Also Saturday is the final 20 mile run before the taper begins. We are getting down to the wire.

Countdown

One month to marathon day! I feel like I'm ready. I had to cancel my stress test tomorrow. We're heading out early to Maryland instead. It's always such a quick weekend that I like to get there as early as possible. And it's important we are there for Tommy's 1st birthday. It may be the only birthday for a few years that we get to be part of. They couldn't reschedule the stress test until after the marathon, so I don't see much sense in rescheduling it. As Bob asked though--what would I do if they told me it was inadvisable to run the marathon. I would probably run it anyway. I'm this close to it and I've already done 2 20 milers.

It will be fun getting in a long run on the Bethesda-DC path. I love running there. (I just love it there, period.) The only downside is that I have three big bags full of papers/projects to grade. At least it's a long drive where I can get a lot done. Next Wed/Thursday we're driving to Michigan and back to go to a Yankees-Tigers game, so I'll have time to grade then too.

Last day of classes today. Can't believe we're really coming to the end of the semester. It's really gone by fast. This is the fun time of year. I got to go to the athletic banquet honoring scholar-athletes and seniors (I'm on the athletic board for the college). I've also been to the Honor's Convocations and Who's Who ceremonies with students--I love when they ask me to come. I was also given a faculty appreciation award from one of my students--such an honor. Now my student teacher is winning one of the top student teaching awards, plus I get to hood all the masters degree candidates in our department at graduation next Saturday. So much excitement this time of year. It's so rewarding seeing the kiddos do so well. There is so much growth from the time they enter until the time they graduate.

wind me up

Wind me up and let me go. Completed another 20 miler this morning in just under 3 hours. I tell myself I am ready for the marathon, and then remember I still have an hour of running left. The bands at every mile will keep me going. It was amazing--70 degrees at 6 a.m.

It was my last Saturday of the Book Hour, so I won't have to head out so early after this weekend. Next weekend we will be in Maryland for Tommy's birthday. Can't believe he will be a year old. I do love running on the paths near Lauren's house. And now that I don't have to work on Saturday morning, Bob and I can go out together.

Random thoughts for today: the new grandbaby is due in 2 months. Another cute baby boy. Lindsay had a blast at the very muddy Kentucky Derby today and even had $5 on the winner (won $45). I thought she might like the horse because of his name (she has no money so is a Super Saver; she said it was because she likes the ragin' Cajun jockey). Since President Obama was the speaker at Michigan's graduation this year, does that mean they'll have a lousy one next year when Billy graduates? I asked Billy what he was doing after his last exam this week--his response--going to the library! Three weeks until the MCATs. I'm probably more anxious then he is for them!