Poor Bridget....

Or did I really spit!!!

Yes, I will get to that later......It has been a long time since I ran any long distances. Working with Andy has cut down on "my" running. The chart on the fridge is quite bare!!! At least I have one more entry to put on!!

Bridget, Shannon, Kris and I met at the Y to run/walk. We went across the street. Bridget and I ran 2.31 miles (Bridget, I went on USTF to measure it and it said that it was .77 miles around and we did it three times.) We did not attempt the hills because it was so hot. So we took the longest way without the hill.

It was the first time in a long time that I actually ran with an Adult!! Bridget was great and we had a great conservation. Shannon just got out of a cast and Kris did not feel good so they walked the long way with the hill. After the third time around for Bridget and I met up with Kris and Shannon. I felt really good!!! I could actually say that I am not as nervous about the Race on Saturday as I was this morning. I think that I did good during this run.....I had a dry mouth, but I thought that I was doing OK.

We then walked back to the Y and we had a great conservation. We talked about almost everything.....Bridget and Shannon had me laughing so hard that I spit. I really did not want to spit......After the run I did not think that I could spit....but there it went flying through the air, heading towards Bridget. Of course, I could not do it just once. It happened twice!!! They just got me laughing and I could see it go in slow motion.....I just could not stop it!!

So Bridget.....I'm sorry!!!! I really did not mean to do it!!! I promise that I will keep the dry mouth down. If I feel a spit coming on.....I try to turn the other way!!!

Andy's Total Health Coach

His name is Nate......He is perfect for Andy. Andy definitely listen to him more that he does to me. Andy still has his moments of total blanking out. But I think this is going to work.

The pluses of Nate:

1. Nate is a college student. Andy would rather listen to some one younger that listen to his mother or father.

2. Nate lives near us. So Nate and Andy can talk about places in the area.

3. Nate was a Boy Scout. Andy is a Cub Scout. More stuff they can talk about.

4. Nate knows our priest. Other than his own father (Ron), Andy looks up to Father John. It is not like we live at church. Andy only sees Father John at Mass and religion class. They were on the same day, but Andy respects the man. It does not hurt that Father John is also on the Mexico Fire Department and goes out on calls. He is not a typical Priest!!!

5. Nate used to work at Disney World. Boy did that get Andy's attention!!! Nate told us all the great places and rides to go on.

With that Nate made a new little friend.

Nate also taught us how to play Racket Ball. Andy loved it. He sort of gets the principles, but Andy has some work cut out for him.

So Nate gave us some things to work on. We have to "work out" 3 times this week. Racket Ball counts as one. Our running counts and his swimming counts. He does work out at least 3 times a week, but now I think he will put more effort into it because he has to tell Nate what he does.

Also I have to tell Nate to call me Sue. He called me Mrs. Thorp today.....I just realized that, I'm cringing!!!

THANKS

Thanks to everyone who has given me encouragement!

Thanks to everyone who has given me advice when I have asked for it!

Thanks to everyone who has ever believed in me! And has tried and with some success has gotten me to believe in myself!

Thanks for everyone who has listen to me!

Thanks for everyone who has let me be me!

Thanks for being my friend!!

After today, I have realized who my real friends are.....and I just wanted to take the time you let you know how special you are!!!

THANKS!!!!!

Ouch....I hurt in many ways.

I have been running, if you can call it that. I have been training Andy for his next fun run. I swear, no more 5k's for him until MAYBE next year.

The last time I ran with any mileage is when I ran my whole street. That was before the Race for the Cure. So I got mad at two somebodies to day.....No Andy was not one of them, and decided to take a run. I want to make sure that I do at least a 5k today because the Swamp Race is coming up. Boy did I want to stop at least a couple of times. I did stop once on the hill, but I made sure that I did not stop again. Right now my calf's are sore and a little soreness in my knees (I was so mad I had on regular socks, I did not even change into my good socks). I did not even time myself, I knew that it had been a while and I knew that I just had to do it.

Andy has been doing good on his running. He is up to running 1.5 times around on the local high school track. Also, we are doing time runs with Maddie and Sherri on Saturday. The kids seemed to hit it off. They are in the same grade and have the same taste. Andy is actually looking forward to running again on Saturday!!!

We are getting a total health coach for Andy at the Y. I have to go to the meetings too. This way if he hears from somebody else that he needs to eat different food (instead of me nagging him) it will do us all good. Maybe we will all start eating healthy and I will only have to cook one meal instead of two or three!!!

Ron is also pulling the crap he did when I began blogging. I'm just going to let him know that there are two of us who have kids and I need time to run, if he has time to go racing. Running with Andy is not going to cut it I want to run at least 6.2 miles this year. I am hoping for more. And if I hear "Well Tom (the race car diver) needs me", I'm going to scream!!! He has done nothing with his kids for the last two days other than hug them and ask them how was Grandma's. Does he understand the kids need him, crap, I need him. I need him to be with the kids just for an hour or more a couple days a week. I would give him almost everything that he wants if he would just do this for me. It is like pulling teeth just to get a hour by myself.

So for him to understand, I have put up my mileage that I have done for the week on the fridge with "GOAL 6.2 MILES" on the top. So he can see that I am not getting there. Also, when I start putting my stuff on the fridge, he knows two things: 1. I'm Mad and 2. I am bound and determined to do what I put up there. This is a two way street, and damn he needs to get out of the middle of the road!!!

I do miss running with the group. Sherri and I were saying on Saturday...even though we are running together with the kids, it is just not the same as running with Sherry, Trac, Bridge, Kris and Shannon!!! But we did see Bill running on Saturday (Bridget's hubby) so we knew somebody!!!

Race for The Cure - The Challange

Or Why I did so bad.

Just one word......Andy. He just gave up after mile 1. It go so bad. He was crying and yelling at me. People were giving him encouragement and he would just not listen. Let me list some of the thing he was crying out. "Why are you making me do this?" "My feet hurt and then I will be disabled". It was just awful!!! People were giving us water and one person gave us his hat because of all the things that Andy was crying out. He was running so slow that the walkers were passing us!!!

At mile 3, Teresa came and helped us (She finished at 31 minutes!!!!) I guess she saw Andy crying when she passed us at one point and she knew that I would need help. She told me to leave and run ahead she will walk with him. She is a great sister!!! I did not want to leave her because he was acting so bad. So unlike him!!!

So with 3/4 of a mile in the race left, I started running. I was running with a hat, a bottle of water and two MP3 players in my hand. I swear to God, I had to be doing a 7 minute mile at that time. I crossed the finish line and headed back to see where they were. I guess one minute after I left she had Andy running and he crossed the finish line running. Actually all three of us crossed the finish line together. I started running with him when I saw them. As soon as he got his chip off he asked when his next race was? I just gave him a look.

But I am not going to stop training with him. This year we are working on One Mile fun runs. This will be his last 5K for this year. I'm going to plot out one mile runs in different places and we are going to work on that so he can do it by himself. Starting Monday, we are going to the high school track and see how far he can run and we will start there. He wants to do the Mile run at the swap race - so I signed him up and we are going to position ourselves in diffrent places to give him encourgement.

I want to let Maddie how great she did at the Race!!!! She did awesome!!! Keep up the great work! You will definite do a 5K this year!!! You will probably beat me at the Willow Bay Run this year!!!

Today's Run

Well - I just made all my neighbors feel unhealthy. They all saw me run my street today. Which, if I ran from the start of my road to the end and came back it is 4.42 miles. This is the run that I did. I started at my house, ran to the start of my road then ran past my house to the end of my road and then back home. Good thing they weren't timing me because I did it in 55.07.92 minutes!!

OK, I know that I am slow. But other than the kids that are on the track team on our street, I'm the only one who is running!!!

Ok

It has been a while since I have written.....but things have been hectic.

Little League has started and Brian is in full swing of being a pain in the butt. For being such a little boy, he has a big attitude!!! It's his way or the high way.

Andy has not been much better!! He is only running twice a week. Starting this week, I am making him run 3 times a week. Maybe he won't complain every time we start a new session!!

He is up to running 4 minute walking 3minutes - I'm thinking of shorting it to 2 minutes, and doing it 6 times. I don't know why he does it better when he walks a shorter distance.

He is also understanding some of the "lies" that I am giving him. Last Saturday we were Running 2 and walking 4....the last session, I made him keep going. He would say to me "Ma, how much longer" I would not tell him. He would say it again, I told him he was half way. He did it one more time and I said "Only 45 more seconds" So he started picking up the pace. When I told him that we were all done, He said "Boy that was a long two minutes." Then I told him that it was 3 minutes......He had a fit!!!! Did not talk to me for 5 minutes (That is a record for Andy!!!) Then he let it all out.

On Thursday, we were at the Track at the High School (we had to go there because I had Brian and that way we could run. He can sit in the center and play and I could watch the whole time) Andy made a fool of himself because his underwear was too tight and was cutting into him. (We where running 3 minutes/walking 3 minutes) He was crying and yelling how his leg hurt. I think I told him to suck it up and keep on running. Again the last session, when I told him that he was almost done.....He picked up the pace!!!! So I know that he can do it!!! But I also bought him larger underwear!!!

Again today......The first 2 sessions were like pulling teeth!!! Once we started running with other people who had a dog. It was OK to run then and have fun doing it!!! I even dropped his MP3 player and kind of broke it. (Thank God, Ron fixed it) He had no problem running the last two sessions without any music and he also did not give me any problems!!! Kids!!!

My running has gotten down to once a week!!!! Bad Sue!!! I have been doing 5K's and next week I would like to get up to 3.5 miles again!!! I have a goal of running the Bud Run in September - the 10K. Since I gave up the Tri, I have to have something to strive for!!!

I have to look at next weeks schedule. We have baseball for Brian at least two nights this week. We have First Communion practice on Wednesday......I still have to run with Andy and get everything ready for the First Communion on Saturday!!! Wish me luck!!

The Weather has been so nice -

That I have not be able to get on the computer and write. So here it is in the middle of the night and I'm finally getting it done.

Running has been OK. I have not done a lot since I last wrote. The Y has changed Andy's Running class to Sunday's at 9:30am. Not a good time for the Thorp's. Andy has religion class and he is making his First Communion. He can't really miss that to go running. So I decided to train him myself. I'm trying to remember what the times are that we did when I took the class. I'm going to ask Sherrie to help me and see if she has talked to the instructor and got the times.

Since I last wrote, I have done the following:

Tuesday - Ran 2.75 miles on the treadmill - getting up to a speed of 5.7mph for at least .25 miles and ending at 5.4mph.

Friday - Was so nice out, ran outside here at home. Ran about 3.4 mile. I ran to the Beaver Dam on the street near my house. Now you know that I live in the boonies. There were at least one hill going out and two hill coming back. I did not time it, but would consider a good run.

Saturday - Took Andy to Onondaga Lake Park and on the walking trail did walk 4 minutes run 1 minute 4 times and walk 3 minutes run 2 for the last time. He did so good for his first time.

Tuesday - Ran at home again - Ran 3.1 miles, the route that I started when I decided to do the 5K. I did not run for time again, but judging by the songs that I had, I decided it was a great run. One of these days I have to remember my watch when I don't have Andy.

Andy was just so tired last night that I did not want to push him in running - It would only have been counter productive. And with Boy Scouts tonight - there will be no running for him tonight. I already told him that we have to run on Thursday!!! We don't want to be behind. I am going to get a calendar out and show him how many days we have until he does his first real 5K. Maybe that will get him motivated more, just like I did when I started.

I am sooooooo proud.....

of my son Andrew!!!!

Today, we went to the Y like we always do on Saturday for Andy's swim lesson. I did not bring my workout clothes because my Mom wanted the kids to try on some clothes so she can buy them suits. She bought different sizes so she can get the right size for his First Communion Suit. You know we don't want him to look like a hick, oh wait he is one.

Well, we get there and we knew about the Healthy Kids Day, but we did not know that there was no swimming lessons. OK, what do I do now with the kids until my mother comes. Well, Andy saw the kids in the gym and asked what they are doing. It was the kids Tri. So Andy begged me to sign him up. I said, why don't we watch this year and then we will sign up next year. I got the "OH PLEEEEEEEASE, MA" So what I though was against my better judgement, I signed Andy up. He was all smiles.

He had to run 6 laps around the gym. He does that and finished last.....I told him that he did great. He kept a steady pace and did not slow down. That is what you are suppose to do, don't use all of your energy.

Andy then had to swim up and back in the pool. He did awesome!!!! He had no trouble in the pool. Until he decided that he wanted to put his sweatpants back on. Well, while he was swimming his underwear fell out of his bag.....so there they are on the pool deck, getting wet.

We finally get his sweatpants back on with his wet underwear. He goes in the cycle room and he can't reach the pedals. Dang, He has to row. He thinks that is OK. He does the 8 minutes of rowing and get ready to cross the finish line......He gets ready to break the tape and some little girls runs in front of him and breaks it. You should have seen his face....but in the true Y Spirit, they do it again for him and he is able to cross the finish line and gets his picture taken. He was the last one to finish (because of the underwear episode), but he did not care!!!! He got his medal and his tee-shirt. He was very happy. He even wore his number from the tri until we got home. That means he wore it the whole time we were shopping.

He has a new excitement for the running class. A new energy......I am very proud of my boy!!!

A week without kids.....

The kids went to my mother's house near Saratoga and I only got in two days of running.

Easter Sunday - After the Inlaws left, I wanted to try out my new sneakers. So I ran a mile on the treadmill. Andy did not do anything, because he was stuffed. He really did not eat that much, but we kind of got him on 3 meals a day with two good snacks. That seems to be working. He is not asking to eat all the time because he knows what time he can get a snack.

Monday - My mother took the kids to her house to play with Aunt Teresa. So I went to the Y to do some running. It was really cold and nobody was there. Trac had her daughter in town and Sherrie's house has been sick. So I ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill. I did this on the random setting at a high of 5.2 mph with an incline of 2.9. I also did the recumbent bike for 30 minutes making sure that I kept it at a rate above 90.

Tuesday - Was tired, so I cleaned the kitchen and just rested.

Wednesday - Ran 5 miles on the treadmill at home. It took me 60 minutes. I did the first 4 miles at 5 mph. The next 1/2 mile I did at 5.2. The next 1/4 mile at 5.3 and the last 1/4 mile at 5.4. I was real proud of myself. Now I just have to do it outside.

Had a real bad day at work. The stores kept on calling me. I swear that they don't think...I just want to yell over the phone one of these days, "Listen to what I am saying and think about it!!! It is not Rocket Science!!!!" But they want everything handed to them on a silver platter, but soon it should stop.

Thursday - They are calling for snow and my parents are supposed to be bring the boys back. So I am just waiting for them to walk in the door. I did get my letter from the state and I got 100 on the test. I have a call into Teresa to see if that is a good score. Is it 100 out of 100 (they do give extra points if you are a vet, so it is possible to get over 100), or is it 100 out of 250. I know that she is going to say, hey it is what you think it is, but I just want to make sure.

The boys did have fun with their Grandma. She took them to a farm with Aunt Teresa. Where they learned how to take care of baby animals. They had a naming contest for two pigs. Andy had a great idea. He wanted to name one Herbert and the other one Ron (that's my husband's name!!!) I burst out laughing when my mother told me. She thought I was being mean to my husband, but I was glad that Andy did not want to name them Sue and Ron!!!

Will try to get Andy out this Sunday......He did alot of walking at Grandma's with all the activities that they had to do. Also, the Y is having Healthy Kids Day. I want to take the Kids to that and get them motivated for spring.

Thanks for the tip on Kidsrunning.com!!! I got some great information and a chart for Andy to track his miles on!!! That is an incentive to see how far he has gone and to get awards for doing it!!!

Happy Easter

With a foot of snow on the ground.....what would make you think that it was Easter. But it is a time of renewal in your heart, not just outside. Bridget's and Jen's blogs help you think about what Easter is!!!

Since we are talking about renewal......I have gotten off the running wagon, with the snow and things that are going on in my life.

Wednesday, Ron and I had a big fight about money and my van. So when he was at Boy Scouts with Andy, I just played with Brian. Did not do any running, thinking that I would do it on Thursday and have Andy walk.

Thursday, I worked late - very, very late. I was able to put the kids to bed and then go to bed myself. So no running there.

Friday, I had dinner with my parents. They came out to be with the boys since we could not see them today. After dinner I was in no shape to run.

Saturday - I ran four miles at the Y. Finally I was able to run. Also I had so much pent up frustration from Work. (Ron and I settled our differences), that I just had to release it. It did not help that I saw one of my bosses at the Y then again during shopping. God must be testing me or something!! I got so upset, I bought new sneakers!!! It least I bought something that I can use!!

Sunday - My In-laws just came in and we are supposed to go to a eat at a place on Lake Ontario!! I hope we don't get snowed in. After our bellies have settled from that. Andy wants to go on the treadmill and get at least a mile on.

Andy and Teresa are e-mailing each other. Andy has to tell her what he has done running wise and she will send him something in the mail. Kind of what she did for me, but I had to call her and I don't get anything in the mail.

It looks like I am not going to join the team at work for Race for a Cure. Andy and I would like to start our own team and was wondering if anyone would like to join it. (Hint, Hint - Sherie and Jen) Just let me know what you think!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful day!!!

News about Andy and Running.

Well, we sort of got good news about Andy.......All the test came back normal!!!! YEAH!!!! So that means he is overweight BOO!!

So we have got him started on the running now. Oh, I signed him up for the Kids Y Run, but right now it is hard for him to run 1 minute straight. He tells me that he is looking forward to taking the class and running a 5K. Wait until he realizes how far 3.1 miles really is!!

On 3/30, he ran 1 minute and walked 4 minutes times 4 and today (4/3) he ran 1 minute and walked 4 times 5. So that mean Sue on 3/30 ran 1 minute walked 4 minutes time 4 and today ran 1 minute walked 4 times 5. If I don't loose weight doing this.....I will be heart broken!!

After I ran the 4.5 on Wednesday.....I don't remember if I have written that yet, Saturday I ran 2.57 miles on the treadmill at the Y. I did it on the random setting and got to a incline of 2.9. The highest speed that I got up to was 5.2. I was trying the keep a steady pace on the inclines.

On Monday, I ran with Sherrie, Shannon, and Trac. We ran the hills at the Y and only did three loops (2.7 miles I think). I kept up with Sherrie so I think that I did pretty well. That means 4.75 miles on the treadmill (Boy Scouts) tomorrow.

So that means I ran Wednesday, Sort of run Friday, ran Saturday, ran Monday, sort of ran today, run again on Wednesday. I still have to find another day for Andy? Or do you think Tuesdays and Thursday/Fridays will be OK?

So we are going to try new things with Andy and food. Andy and Brian are very picky eaters and maybe this scare will help them and us with eating better. Andy is already bring Carrots for snack tomorrow. Could this mean a healthier "T" Family? One will never know?

This week so far

Well with the Thunderstorm on Monday......I decided to run inside. Actually I waited for about 10 minutes to see if Trac would show up, I heard Thunder and then I got my big butt inside.

I did run for 30 minutes on the Hill setting on the Treadmill at the Y. I kept at a steady pace of 5.0 mph and got up to an incline of 2.2. I think that is the highest that I have gotten to on the treadmill.

This week I have also gotten a really bad backache. It only hurts when I sit down or lay down for a long time. When I walk or run it does not bother me at all.

So tonight I took a mile walk with Brian (He rode his new scooter) . Then when we got inside, I ran 4.5 miles on the treadmill going up to a speed of 5.6 mph by mile 3 and ended with 5.4 mph.

My toe nail is really getting purple now. It is my toe next to my big toe. Of course, I don't have normal feet and that is actually taller than my big toe. Ron told me not to worry. I asked if and when will it fall off. He just looked at me. The man with all the answers!!! I does not hurt to run, so I'm going to run until it does.

It looks like Andy and I will be doing the Race for the Cure together on May 19th. We will be doing whatever his running class will be doing that day. I think Sherie and her daughter Madalyn (sorry if I missed spelled the name) will be doing it also. I think this will get Andy motivated to want to run another race. Which will probably the Swamp Rat Race in Brewerton around June 16th. Teresa and maybe her husband Rob will be running the race with Andy, Sherrie, Madalyn and I.

We think Rob will be running this race, because his first 5k is going to be May 2nd in Albany. We wish him luck!!! And maybe he will get the bug like the rest of us

It is SUNNY in Central NY

Well on Saturday I met up with Sherrie and we did the Buckley Road Loop (2.46 Miles according to USA Track and Field). It was just cold and I could not get my breath. My legs were working, but I just could not get enough air into my lungs to save my life or run any more.

On Friday I did walk with Andy and Brian 1.27 miles. Brian ran the whole way....I had to yell at him to stop every once and a while so I could see him. With Andy, I started the walk 4 minutes run 1 on the way back. He did great for the first minute that we ran, but on the second minute that we ran, he started out to fast (because he wanted to catch his brother) and then he almost petered out on me......I had to do the "tough love" that Trace and Teresa do for me.


Today we did fast walk on our road again but 1.47 miles and I have come to the conclusion that I need to put all my efforts in Andy and my running.

This means that I am going to give up on the triathlon this year. I want to make sure that Andy is OK and that we get him on a running program. That means that I have to do "Tough Love" for him. On the other days that I don't have him running, I want to keep up on my running and be able to do the 10K Bud Run on Sept 23rd (I think). I still have a goal that I want to keep. Teresa and I are starting to decide what races we want to do for this year, along with some we want to do with Andy!!! That means some months I will be doing two races (I want to do some in the Albany area with Teresa).

Don't get me wrong.....The Tri is not out of the picture!!! It is just on hold. Andy is in the spot light.

On and On and On

This week has not been a week for running. I did not go to the Y on Monday because I had the stomach bug again.

On Wednesday, I took Andy to the Dr's to see if there is something wrong. She did not like his weight gain and has ordered a whole bunch of blood test to be done next week. I will let everyone know what the status is on that when I find out.

Also on Wednesday, I ran 4.25 miles on the treadmill. I think that I did OK. I started out at 4.8 mph, got up to a speed of 5.6 mph and ended the run at 5.4mph. I did it in around 50 minutes...I got the actual time at home.

I did the Animal Planet Dog Selector that Jen talked about in one of her blogs......The one that is good for my family is an Australian Shepard.....Of course the are listed as hard to find. Down in the 30Th place is a beagle (the only dog that was listed as easy to find). Is my family that hard to please?

I hope that everyone has a good week and I will write on Saturday after my run.

Is there such a thing as.......

A NASCAR Whore who doesn't sleep with the drivers? I think that I am becoming that person again. I was running today and I was listening to the pre-show. The pre-show that last forever and they talk about nothing......I was really listening to that. I was even running while they were singing the National Anthem.....what has Ron made. I even yelled at Brian, because he want to play on the computer and did not want to listen to the race. Since the boys were born, I have not acted this way....I can't want to see or listen to the race. I'm listening to the race while I'm writing this. If I start naming drivers and their crew chiefs, HELP ME!!!!! You guys are my only help. Shoot, Andy is now starting to get into it and right now he is working on our friends race car with Ron. That's a good thing, they will keep him busy and active.....He won't be home just watching TV or sitting around working on his sukdo because it is just too cold to go outside.

What I have done since the 4 miles is:

Saturday - I only went swimming. While Andy has his lesson, there is an open swim lap. I did about 20 laps and then called it a day. That way I was able to get dressed before Andy's class is over and I can make sure that he gets everything. I did not run afterwards, because I had some things to do in the area and Andy by himself is a great help and does not slow me down.

Sunday - I ran 2.59 (for 30 minutes) while listening to the pre-race and yelling at Brian.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow with everybody. I just hope that it is warm enough to run. I hate to run in the cold with my glasses. Which, by the way, I have to wear from now on. We (the Eye Dr) finally figured out that I am allergic to my contacts and I have to run with my glasses. To top it off, I am allergic to nickel (which most glasses are made of). I can't have the gold or plastic coated, my sweat wears the coating off and then the nickel shows. Then I get big sores on my face. There are not many plastic frames that look good on my high bridge which put my glasses near my face, which then fog up when I run in the cold.......Good thing that I like running, because I think this would stop some people.

I do have a new set just for running and I have a good set for every day. We just have to see how they work.

I would like to thank everybody's concern for Andy!!! It makes my decision to take him to the Dr's alot easier. I also showed what you said to Ron, now he thinks that it is a good idea to take Andy to the Dr's. I'm just worried because my Mom has diabetes, and I know what she is going through right now. You only want the best for your Children (both two legs and four legs) and you just do what needs to be done. If he has it, that is OK (you know what I mean), we will take it and just do the best that we can. If he doesn't have it, that's great!!! We will take this as a learning lesson and just change our ways and make sure that we don't have this again.

He is looking forward to taking the running class. We are writing down how much time he is on the treadmill or does any kind of exercise (not including Gym class) on a calendar.......I think if he gets through the 5K class, we are going to run the Arc 5K race in September......A mostly flat race, other than the bridge, which is good first race. I'm also going to sign him up for the Fun Run in July during Harbor Fest. That would be a great first race for him.....only a mile long....gives him a taste for the races. His little friend Larry is also going to run the race so he will have a friend.

This week in running and other notions

OK, so I'm trying to be cleaver. Just remember, I'm not an English Major.....I work with numbers.

On Monday, even though I said that I was going to take it easy after the race, I ran with Trace, Sherrie and Sherry. We are now trying to do negative splits on the hills across the street from the Y. We did it, the negatives and the running, while running three time around making it about 2.7 miles. Trace describes the course very well in her blog, I'm going to describe how I felt.

First, Tired.....I have to learn to eat something before I go to the Y, and not try to do things and try to succeed without any kind of energy. I eat lunch around 12:30 and have nothing until I get home around 8:45pm. No wonder I look like Poop out there and in swimming on Mondays.

Second, Trace had to push me on the third time around. Thank God for "Tough Love". It seems when I'm running I need someone there to push me. It's like I don't really believe in myself to do it. I need someone to remind me. Teresa even told me the other day, that she is there to help me, to push me so that my other friends can run their race. I need to get a life and start believing in me. I have just proved that I can run (OK with the help of my friends and my sister) one of the hardest races in Syracuse (other than the Mountain Goat). I just have to run a race sometime, by myself,( hey wasn't that the Jingle Bell) and just see how I do.

Then after running I went swimming. I think I only added one more lap.....I was just plain pooped. Also, I got a cramp in my calf with the flippers on. Once I got rid of that, I could only do a couple more laps and then I was done for the night.

On Wednesday (Boy Scout Night), I ran 4 miles on the treadmill. I wanted to do my long slow run just in case I could not do it on Saturday. OK, I'm planning on the Y to be packed on Saturday and I to be kicked off the treadmill. So, I wanted to get my mileage in. With Brian on the computer and some music in my ears, I ran between a 4.8 and 5.2mph. (I up the speed towards the end because it was getting close to my run time for Tipp Hill and I did not want to go over that, what a Dork). The only thing that bothered me was my Toe nail. I think that I'm going to loose it. It did not bother me on Saturday or Monday, not like it did on Wednesday and the days that followed. It looks kind of purple. It is not like I'm a toe model. Nobody looks at my feet anyway with work's stocking/sock rule. So there is really nothing to lose? Right? OK, I'm going on the running sites to see what I can do.

Because Andy has swimming and Brian has soccer, I will be at the Y on Saturday. There is an open lap lane during Andy's swimming lesson. I'm going to see how many laps I can do without stopping. Then, I'll go on the treadmill and see how long I can last there.

I also have another problem that I'm trying to work on. Andy!!! The only activity that Andy wants to do is swim one day a week. He just does not look right. He says that he is always tired and does not want to do stuff. He keeps on telling me that he wants to run like I do in a race, but on Tuesday he did not want to go for a walk with me and his brother. He stayed inside and cleaned his room. What 8 year old kid stays inside and cleans their room when they can go outside and play? This year he did not want to sign up for baseball. He LOVED playing baseball last year, but he was very adamant that he was not going to play this year. Also, Andy weighed 85lbs for his Dr's appointment in August. Last night, he weighed 101.5. I'm in shock!!!! He drinks all the time like he can't quench his thirst. He goes to the bathroom all the time. On Saturday, after the race, at the restaurant, he had three adult size glass of soda and went to the bathroom three times during the hour and 1/2 we were there. Ron says we have nothing to worry about. But I am!!!! I have a Dr's appointment for 3/21, I have brought up the Diabetes word to the nurse, and with what I described (even before being over 100 lbs) she thinks we should bring him in. This might effect my running.....if I can get him to do it, I will be running with him and trying to do my own. Lets see what happens!!!

I'm Alive!!!!

We did it!!! We ran the 2ND Annual Tipperary Hill 4 Mile race. And I'm alive!!! But right now everything hurts. My shoulders, my chest, my toes (blisters) and maybe a little bit of my pride.

My sister Teresa came into town to run the race with us. She got up at 5:30am drove from Troy (OK my parents drove, but she still came) and ran with us. She did awesome. I feel like I hold her back in these races.....She says that she does not care, but I do. She is a better athlete than that to finish where she does. I love her for what she does.

I meet my Parents and Teresa at the Y around 9:20am and we head off. We part at the zoo parking lot because we think that it will be better to get out if we do. We start walking over to the race start and we see Jen. So the three of us start for the building where everything is held. There we see Bridget and we all pile up in her van, with Trace, Andrew and Bill. Bridget has great pictures of us in there.

At 10:30 we meet Kris and Shannon and we get ready for the race. Of course, like the good runners that we are we start in the back, that means we have to climb "the hill" even before we start the race.

The race starts and off we go....I try to keep a steady pace with Teresa right next to me. I do great most of the way. Teresa did have to tell me to be quiet because my 1-2-3-4 up the first hill was too loud that the people in front of us were laughing. OK I was loud, but it keeps me going.

I was OK when we went down the hill, over near St. Patrick's, where the Mexico Marching Band had some drums and was trying to bang out a beat. Of course, I knew one of the girls because she lives in Palermo and her brother was on Andy's baseball team. There they had water....my mistake....I didn't need water, why did I take it. I just don't know.

So we turn the corner and head towards Nipsy's bar (A bar right near a church, such a novel idea). I'm OK there also, but in the back of my mind, I know that it is going to be hell from now on....I start doubting myself.

We get to Coleman's Bar and turn the corner.....I can't breath...I just can't suck in enough air. I stop to walk. No matter what Teresa said or did could help me at this point. I know that I frustrated her. I walk up the slow incline, but now I'm determined to run up that hill.

We turn the corner and Teresa is talking me up the hill the whole way. I don't remember much of it, but I do remember seeing our friend Sherrie who is taking pictures at this time. She is at the top of the hill.......I MADE IT UP TO THE TOP OF THE HILL!!! I can't breath again. Almost to the point that of hyperventilation. We are almost done and I'm walking. I finally get enough air and we start running again. Now at this point I just want to finish the race. We go around Burnet Park and we head for the home stretch. Teresa tells me "It is almost 50 minutes....you want to beat 50 minutes don't ya" So we sprint to the finish line. We made it under the 50 minutes.

I don't remember what our actual gun time was, but our chip time was 48:30 (I think Teresa said) I'm still waiting for the actual times on the web site (I really don't remember much of what happened after the race) I do know that Teresa finished 858 and I finished 859 out of around 1200 people. I do think that is good.

The whole group got together after the race and we checked on everybody. Trace did what she set out to do, finish the whole race without stopping. Bridget and Jen did awesome (of course). Kris, Shannon and I finished the race!!! Pictures were taken and the are posted on Bridget's Blog and some should be posted on Trace's.

The only things that I could change.....I wish that I did not hold Teresa back all the time and that I did not walk....I wish I had the guts to just kept on Running the whole time like Trace did!!! But I do believe that I doubted myself so much that thing happened the way that they did. Now I have something to strive.

Next, training for the Tri......I'm going to train the best that I can and we will see what we can do.

Lets see if this works today

Hi -

I think I got this working!!! I hope.

Tomorrow is the big race. The Tipp Hill 4 mile. I'm scared. I know that I will finish the race, but will I have to walk up the hill. Last week, the hill was a bear.

I just have to have a positive attitude!!! Things will be fine. I will write about what happened as soon as I can!!!

Sue

I don't think this will