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!

Uneventful is good?

It's been such an uneventful week. I guess that's good as it means I haven't been sick or injured--my main goals between now and marathon day. The weather's been cool and clear and I've been running 12-15 miles on most days. (I take one or two days off each week and cycle 50+ miles.)

We're winding down the semester, which means I gear up. Lots of work, including hours and hours of grading. I really need to re-think how much work I assign (I say that every semester, but feel it's all important!). Next week is the last week of our Wegmans' reading program. It's been so much fun and so successful, but will give me time on Saturdays to do long runs with Bob. So much to do before the semester ends, including going to Tommy's first birthday party in Maryland in two weeks (May 8) and then going to a Yankees-Tigers game in Detroit on May 12. We're taking a quick trip between my finals and graduation.

Billy got his (paid) lab job at Michigan. Before starting the job (and his spring term class), he might even come home next weekend. It will be a quick trip, but he hasn't been home since New Years. Hard to think he's finishing his junior year.

Finely tuned animals

We must be such finely tuned animals that when anything goes wrong, the body sends out signals. After you've been sick like me, they become warning signals. The last warning signals were high liver enzyme numbers. There are many causes of elevated numbers (that is where the internet is helpful, but also can cause alarm!). Luckily, after a CT scan, I can safely say my liver is healthy. Right now there is not a known reason for the numbers, but there might not be any reason. I will not run before my next blood test--strenuous exercise can be a reason for the elevation. At any rate, I have a healthy liver!

Now I just have to get through the stress test. After running a steady 20 miler this weekend, I doubt my heart is stressed. I feel like you can just wind me up, let me go, and 3 hours later I've run a (slow) steady 9 minutes per mile 20 miler. I may not be good at much, but I can run a very steady pace for a long time.

Blown in!

I had my muga (heart) scan yesterday. The number was a little low, but high enough that they felt it safe to continue the herceptin. And I was informed I have only three more treatments. I'll be happy not to have to do it, but on the other hand, it's nice to feel like I have some protection from recurrance. My body has to do the work after that.

While I was at the hospital preparing for the test (you get a shot of some radiological material, wait a half hour, get another shot of something that sticks to the stuff in the first shot, and then have the test--I wouldn't make a good doctor with these explanations). Anyway, I was just talking to the lab tech. She's a young girl who runs. She asked what I was training for. I casually told her the San Diego marathon. She told me she was 5 months pregnant, but was having trouble running because she had to constantly go to the bathroom I was telling her that maybe the elliptical machine might be a little more comfortable. We were just chatting.

Well, she must have told someone that she had a patient who was running a marathon. It somehow got to the cardiologist who called my doctor to have her tell me I probably shouldn't be running. She tried to explain to him that I was careful, not running hard, kind of knew what I was doing. She also asked him if he warns his patients that sitting on the couch all day could be harmful to their hearts! I liked that. He insists though that I take a stress test to make sure my heart can withstand the run (little does he know I've already put in a 19 miler). I'm sure part of it is concern for me, but part is probably for liability. I'll get the test, but I feel I'm fine.