Want To See My Marathon Shirt?

Ever since I realized I was going to be capable of running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon (this Sunday) I knew I wanted to make it special, I mean just coming this far in such a short period of time should be celebrated. No matter how pretty or ugly those 26.2 miles are I wanted to have fun with it, so time to dress it up. I enlisted my friend Jess (Run With Jess) to help me out and she came up with FOUR amazing ideas, one of which was my original idea but I was worried it was "too much". Well, Jess did TOO GOOD of a job designing the shirts because I couldn't decided which to wear.

 

See my problem!

I blogged, I facebooked and Jess even recruited her loyal followers to cast the vote. Instantly there were two stand outs #2 "Ran Cancer Out" and #4 "5 Months Ago". I told the boyfriend about the designs and he simply said "It's OK I'll decide for you" and I was a bit worried because he was the one who put the bug in my head that my initial idea was "too much".

Jess prepping the iron on decal courtesy of www.runnerdecals.com
find her also on facebook here.

He took one look and picked one with out hesitation, Yes, he picked the original design. ha ha I told Jess and her reply "I'm glad he came around, that's the one you need to go with". She's right, always trust your instincts! Sunday I'm running a marathon, I'm running off of 10 weeks of training, I'm running after starting completely over again (I returned with run/walk intervals building back up from the very bottom) and I'm running after beating cervical cancer. It doesn't matter if I PR, I run the whole thing or even walk some and it doesn't matter if in 6 months from now or next year the shirt will be irrelevant what matters is now, this moment and that.....

 

Today is Mesothelioma Awareness Day: Heather's Story Of Survival

Read Heathers story at mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness

Please read and share Heather’s story and bring awareness today.

Recently I had received an email from Cameron Von St. James, he said he wanted to reach out to me and let you know about a campaign that he and his wife have put together with the help of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. That campaign is Mesothelioma Awareness Day, which is today! He had stumbled upon my blog about my battle with cancer and was hoping I would share his wife Heather’s story and the mission of trying to get 7200 voices talking and sharing about this rare cancer, mesothelioma. Why 7200 voices? Because that represent the 7200 hours that the average mesothelioma patient has to live.

Cameron said to me; “My wife is a rare survivor of mesothelioma, so this day obviously means a lot to us. We aren’t asking for time, money, or donations of any kind, just voices to spread the word about this awful, and sadly little known cancer. I was hoping that you would help support our cause by sharing a link to our campaign page on your site, so that your readers can use their voices as well!”

Sure, I can do that! Will you please click the share button on top of this page? View Heathers story below and if you get a chance read more here: mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness

AHHHH Help Me Pick My Marathon Shirt!!!!

In less than three week I’ll embark on a 26.2 mile journey-the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. This marathon has so much meaning to me, it probably won’t be my best (or worst) race and I probably won’t get a PR (personal record) but just the fact that I’m running is huge to me especially after the the year I've had.

In case you're new to my blog; in April I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, in May I had a radical hysterectomy (abdominally) and lymphadenectomy, in June I was told I’m cancer free. When I was diagnosed I was already registered to run this marathon and it wasn’t even a question if I’d still run it or not. In fact I’m pretty sure one of my first questions was “Will I still be able to run my marathon in October?”. I’ve been working towards that goal ever since.

Normally I’m not a dress up kinda girl for a race but this one I wanted to make it a big deal. The color for gynecological cancers is teal, so that’s what I wanted to wear and exactly what I found, you can read the blog here.

Now, it’s time to find my design for the back of my shirt because I want the people behind me to be inspired and know that they can overcome anything, I want to raise awareness and be reminded that no matter how I finish it's a victory. My wonderful friend, running partner and blogger (Run With Jess) designed 4 shirts for me. Unfortunately, she did too good of a job and I can’t decide which one to use.

That’s where you come in; I want you to tell me which one is your favorite, whichever one gets the most votes/likes through the blog and on facebook will be the one that I wear on my back.

Options:

Which one do you like????

Nike Should Sponsor ME!

Just Do It...no really just do it Nike and sponsor me!

The first pair of "real" running shoes I purchaced were Nike Free's and since then I've tried Brooks and Saucony but I've always kept coming back to Nike, they just do it for me. I run well and pain free, they fit my feet how I like and aren't too heavy. After this last time buying shoes and them not working (causing pain) I just went back to my Lunarglides and have vowed to no longer try something new.

This weekend I found my marathon outfit and guess what...its 100% Nike, lol total coincidence and it even matches my orange Lunar's. Honestly I normally just run/workout in Target workout wear. It's inexpensive, lasts a long time and works very well with me. With this big 26.2 looming I wanted to step up my outfit, honestly I'm never a "dress up" person for races; I pick something that fits the forecast and wear it, not giving two shits. However, with the whole cervical cancer/hysterectomy thing I wanted to do something...bigger. I don't know how pretty (or ugly) this full 'thon will be and no matter how I do I wanted to do it with pride because I really have overcome a lot (although I don't feel like it).

Teal it is! Teal is the color of gynecological cancers (like pink is for breast) and since I'm a cervical cancer survivor that's what I wanted to wear. This weekend I headed out to Dicks Sporting Goods and walked away with exactly what I wanted a teal top, but I also walked away with some crazy teal pants too (something new for me, I'm strictly a plain black pants girl) and to top it off....they were on clearance!

What do you think?

 

They even passed the run test (I'm a firm believer in NEVER running a race in something you haven't worn before) with my long run on Sunday (14 miles)!

Now the hard part...I was thinking of putting on the back "5 Months Ago I beat cancer, today 26.2" but as my mister pointed out, its long and wordy...help...suggestions?????

One Month Till Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

Me after 18 miles last weekend.

Here I am nearly 3.5 months from having Cervical Cancer/Radical Hysterectomy/Lymphondectomy and exactly 1 month away from running a marathon.

I've got 4 full weeks left of training and I don't feel ready. I've been going through some not normal body stuff; I actually have feelings and cry now (YEAH can you believe that) sometimes I feel like I cannot control my emotions, probably just my body going through adjustments after the surgery (I do have ovaries still), I've gained weight (so hate that) and the one that drives me crazy is I sweat like CRAZY, I normally sweat a lot but it's SO bad now-when I'm done with a workout my shoes will be soaked in sweat like I was running through puddles but it's sweat not rain...so gross!

The weight gain has bothered me more than it should and its hurt my confidence big time. I'm having a really hard time taking the weight off, so much so I had my hormones and thyroid tested...they're normal. It's face the music time, I've got to hunker down and get serious. Small portions, better choices..plain and simple. Overall I'm glad to hear that, I hear doing hormone replacement can be a big trial and error and a long process, I've lost weight twice, I can do it again, just gotta focus.

I've also been doubting myself on every, single, long run, I always go into the LR thinking they are going to be hard, they're going to hurt and I wont be able to do it. I've done the big ones 16, 18 and 20 is coming next weekend, yet here I am going into my 2nd 14 miler this weekend and all I can think about how much its going to hurt and how hard it's going to be. I've said all along, me just being able to do this training and marathon is HUGE there are very few women who've had hysterectomies and abdominal ones for that matter that would even think a marathon 5 months later is possible. It was never a question of not going for it or saying maybe next year, so I don't know why I feel this way. I've got to get past this self-doubt funk I'm in; if you find my confidence will you return it please????

My Garmin died too. But honestly, I'm happy it was a POS anyway and once they came out with the new colorful Forerunner 10's I HAD to have one...in purple of course. The money was the big issue, with thousands of dollars in medical bills outstanding I really shouldn't and couldn't spend the measly $130 on a new one....but I did anyway. lol

This whole summer has been surreal. When I truly take a moment to sit back and think about it all, I still can't believe it...and I've lived it.

2013 St. Jude Chicago To Peoria Run Recap

By The Numbers:

Chicago To Peoria Group raised $302,000!
Peoria Police Team raised $31,684.88 2nd top fundraising team
As an individual I raised $6,547 top fundraiser for my team and out of all 191 Chicago runners!
I ran 13 legs and covered nearly 34 miles.

I got a shiny award!

Four months ago my only wish was to have a successful surgery, not only to beat cervical cancer but to have a good recovery so I could lace up August 2nd & 3rd and run for St. Jude. The past two days have meant more to me than any run ever has. As little as 4 weeks ago I still had doubt that I was going to be able to even run, those doubts were not only pushed aside but they were shattered and burned; I ran 3 miles more than last year. I think it's safe to say I'm back...with a vengeance.

Our motto is "We run for those who can't!" and that's the best way to describe the run, that and the number's I've posted above. I hope that with the run we've given hope and inspired others and maybe someday (sooner rather than later) we'll be a part of  finding a cure not just to childhood cancers but ALL cancers.

As for the actual run it's self I'll say that I was surprised at how fast the time went by and how great I felt. The entire run I wore Caleb's number on my arm. I had a lot of people ask "What's that number for?" or tease me and say "What are you doing a triathlon later?" and then I would explain to them each St. Jude patient gets assigned a number and it's how they are identified for their treatments and that was his number. I'd say wearing it served it's purpose. I wore it the entire run, it had to be touched up a few times but it was always on me.

 

The runners on my RV were a great community, we got along great and just had a lot of fun and laughs together, I couldn't have asked for a better group. Not only were they cheerleaders for each other but they were for EVERYONE on the entire run. One moment that sticks out is one run we did had the mom from Team Alivia, she had lost her daughter to cancer in November of last year and so they were running in her memory and to give back to St. Jude because St. Jude gave her a few extra months with her daughter. Well, she wasn't a runner but she gave this run so much heart and one run she was struggling to keep up and was so close to the finish but so far away. It was taking everything in her to not jump in the chase van but with every step that's where she was heading. So two of my teammates told us up front to hold up so they could bring her to the front and she'd lead us to the stop. And she did. She took us in. She finished the run with tears streaming down her face. That same woman (I believe her name is Amanda) also led us into the civic center yesterday and lead the entire Chicago group to the stop once again. As I watched her and her sister run, arms wrapped around on another I felt like I could read their emotions of pride, not only that they made it but what they had accomplised and overcome. They had set out to do impossible, to give back and honor her daughter and niece, and that's exactly what they had done. As I watched them I couldn't help but think about what I had overcome, I did it too, I concurred my own impossible.

PS: I really wanted to end this with that last statement but I have to add that one of the best parts of this whole process was hearing Matty tell me that he was very proud of me. I didn't know where to fit that in but I really wanted him to know how much that meant to me.

12 Weeks Post Op/Cervical Cancer Update

No news IS good new right? It sure is when it comes to my recovery, I haven't had much to say because there isn't much to say. I'm 11.5 weeks post hysterectomy and doing amazing. Just take a look at my numbers:

Milwaukee Lake Front Marathon Training Week 2
Longest Post Surgery Run 11 miles (on a rolling hill course) and done at a 9:25 pace.

 

Lake Delton, WI Dells (Nike pace is off I forgot to pause)

Three days later I followed it up with my longest bike ride ever...30 MILES! Yes I'm biking now too! During my recover we took our bikes in for tune ups and have been trying to get in a good ride every weekend. I love how much harder it is than I thought and its nice to be active, outdoors and do things I enjoy with my guy.

Now, I wish I could say everything is coming up roses but that's not the case. I have gained a little bit of weight and its been the hardest thing for me. I know my body isn't 100% healed and I'm sure the more I recover the weight will come off but its very hard for me, my clothes are VERY tight and I took pride that I was the smallest size ever pre-cancer/surgery so its really taken a toll on my confidence that I'm not there right now. Also, the hormones are out of wack. I can go from happy clam, to sad sally to pissed off diva all in a matter of minutes, I still have my ovaries but your body still has hormone adjustments it needs to go through. A few weeks ago I lost it and had a major break down I was Captain Queen of negativeville and I didn't just cry I bawled for nearly 4 hours straight until I finally fell asleep. I was very down about my weight, bills coming in, and for the first time during this whole ordeal I allowed myself to feel. I never was angry, or sad or scared throughout the whole ordeal, I held everything in check and this one day it all came out. I know I needed to feel and boy did I feel...like SHIT!

I'm mostly back to normal, I'm still disgusted with my weight, I don't think I'll be happy until my clothes are feeling normal again. I'm trying to accept that I had a major surgery and this IS expected but its hard, its probably my hardest battle during this whole process. I hate knowing I've lost my lifetime status at Weight Watchers, luckily have etools free till October, but I really want to get back to me meetings, I do better at them. But if I go...I have to pay and I can't do that right now. I need every spare penny I can because those pesky medical bills are rolling in, I have property taxes due, a mortgage and everything else everybody else has. I really try not to think about the money stuff, because it makes the depression and helplessness worse, so let's not go any further.

On the flip side, I'm healthy, I'm cancer free and I'm loved...what else can a person ask for in life?