Feeling Great!

So ON Saturday morning I headed out to run with the team again. 10 miles. WOW! My longest yet. I was unsure how I would do but I felt great. The weather was great. Just a bit cold. I had on my long sleeve shirt over my running tank and after a breif stretch we headed out. Twice around Woodward Park, then off onto a trail. Mile 1 I was still a bit unsure how I would do. Mile 2, asthma started kicking in. Not sure I would evne pull off five today but I just kept going. Keeping my feet moving to the beat of the music, hoping no one would talk to me as I ran. I know ~ that sounds bad~ but I just can't run and talk. If i do, my mouth gets all dry and my asthma kicks in again. So I just try to look ahead and keep going. As long as my feet keep moving to the best, I'm pretty good.

By mile 4 I could feel some pain but was hoping it would disappear. Mile 5 came and I felt awesome! So then I take off on the trail, trying to avoid stopping at aid stations. I knwo they are there for a bit of refrashment, but if I stop, my muscles seem to tighten up rather quickly. So i just carry my shot blocks and keep myself going. Tossing in a bit of gatorade and water here and there to stay hydrated. Here comes the tough part. . . a hill. Hospital Hill. Man that thing is a killer. I think it's named that cause you might end up at the hospital afterwards . . lol. Anyhow, so up I went on that hill and reached the top. Made mu u-y and came back down. As always on a down hill, I picked up some speed. The speed felt good and I did my best to maintain it the last two miles in to the parking lot. Amazingly I did it. And i felt awesome! I didn't even have much pain the following a day. Just a bit of calf tightness. Other then that I had a great run!

So, tomorrow I go on another run. I'm doing my best to attend as many runs as possible. I'm doing daily sit-ups and push-ups to build up my upper body muscle. Another 3.1 ontop of what I did. . no sweat! I seriously think I can do this half marathon now! And I'm so excited to do it!

A very sad day . . . .but a new motivation

Today a great inspiration in my life passed away. A wonderful person with the biggest heart. If you attended Neutra Elementary anytime in the 90's or before, you will remember her. Yesterday afternoon I was notified that Mrs. Carmen Nicholson, a 2nd grade teacher - retired now, was in a coma. She was not expected to make it. So today I decided to go do one last visit with her. She made a contribution to me running in this marathon in July. How sudden things happen. At 5pm, I arrived at Hanford Community Hospital to give her my love. A sign on the door read "Please ask nurse before entering." I could see relatives in the room, her son in law and grand daughter. The doctor I spoke to said he would ask the relatives if I could enter but that she was "expiring" soon. As he walked in, the grand daughter's eyes filled with tears, she looked at me and shook her head no. Not no, that I couldn't enter, but no . . she had just passed away. So, at 5:05pm tonight, Mrs. Carmen Nicholson, the greatest woman with the biggest heart - my inspiration for someday teaching and who led me to my love for working with kids - in any way possible, has passed away.If she was ever your teacher, ever affected you in any way, you may want to join us in saying goodbye at her funeral. I will send details out as soon as I know more. And even though she didn't have Leukemia or Lymphoma, I'm now dedicating my run to her, on top of my honorees. With love to Mrs. Nicholson . . . . .

On top of this, a new motivation for me, I'm asking that 10 people donate $30 to my donation page. The first person to do this will recieve most of their money back. The first person will get a $20 Target Gift Card. The winner will be announced tomorrow night, Sept 12th, at 8pm. Can you be the one? http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/jsmithmzcp

You just can't miss this!!!

Tastefully Simple Party!

Yep - yummy food and lots of fun!
Thursday Sept 4th - 6pm
1244 E. Stuart Ave
Fresno 93710

Come eat! Come shop!
A portion of the proceeds goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Can't come? No worries!! Just pretend you spent the money anyhow and donate it to the Society on my page - http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/jsmithmzcp

Thanks!!