Journey to the finish line by b0alvarez

Moving forward

November 7, 2009

It has been almost a month since my last post here and many thing have happened.  It has been difficult for me to add to this blog after completing the marathon.  I had completed my journey, what is left to do is close this chapter.

As an update, I back to running and unfortunately have upped my miles too soon.  I was doing an experiment.  I was trying to simulate running the NYC marathon, three weeks after the Chicago.  The experiment back-fired and I injured my left knee this time.  The same ITB problem I had on my right knee is now on my left knee.  Oh, well back to the drawing board.  Good thing I am not racing anything soon.

On the cancer front, I caught up with all my blood test.  I had to postpone all my tests due to the marathon.  My last blood test showed my tumor count is high again.  Hopefully, it is nothing; however two consecutive blood tests showed an upward trend.  I have a scheduled PET scan on Tuesday, which will tell if any cancer tumors are back.   I have to get this done because it has been a year since my last chemo, and again I postponed it due the marathon.

About this blog.  I struggle to find closure.  I had a wonderful journey to the finish line.  It was more than I expected.  I feel complete but I could not felt I could not out do myself with this blog.  Instead I created another blog and called it Waddling Tales: Stories of a slow runner.   I wanted to preserve all my memories of my first marathon.  Funny, I most often find myself reading my post again and would re-live the memory.  I am not going away.  I will always be here as much as you were there for me.

Cheers.

PS: Stop by and see my other blog.

The finish (2 of 2)

October 13, 2009 

.....So Nessie and I go past the starting line.  While these 4 guys concentrate on keeping their alignment, I take in the sights and sounds.  There were spectators everywhere, on the streets, on the bridge, just everywhere.  Nessie was getting a lot of attention too.  Woohoo.  "Go worm go" I hear some shout.  I must apologize for the cultural limitation of some Americans....ahem. 

I just keep sticking to my pace and felt fine.  I was on the lookout for aid station 2 at mile marker 3 where my wife was assigned.  I see her and it was a refreshing sight.  She kissed me and I told her to call the kids to tell them I was following Nessie.  Nessie who?...she said.  The green worm!  Got it.  Jesus....I just love her. 

The kids were suppose to be at mile marker 8 or aid station 5 or Boys Town.  They will have fun there with all the gay guys performing.  Nessie was pacing at about 11 minute mile and got ahead of me when I stopped.  Then she disappeared.  I passed her lying down on the street and her runners are going in a corner to pee.  'Mates, we passed the loo back there and there is one coming up.'  But when you got to go you got to go.  Little did I know I was going to do the same because the next aid station, there was line in the toilet.  Oh..oh.  Like Nessie I got to pee.  So I relieved myself near a garbage dump.  Then I see ladies doing the same.  Whoa.  What the fart!  White asses (or arses) showing.  You go, girl.  Show your color. 

The distraction was not enough to keep me from feeling the slow pain coming from my ITB at mile marker 7.  I stopped and removed my ITB wrap and concentrated on changing my gait.  It will be a long day with 19 miles to go.  Boys Town did not disappoint me.  The gays were out in full force on two elevated stages.  One was ROTC routine with twirling wooden guns and dancing at the same time.

On the other platform were a bunch of gay guys dressed in girl school uniforms, plaid, white blouse, blue ribbons, pig tails, and dancing in a chorus line.  Around them were people giving you cheers.  No wonder they always won as the best aid station.  I saw my kids there with mom-in-law and greeted them.  They were having fun too.  I am off without Nessie.  Passing other aid station, they were mostly just giving you water or Gatorade with lots of encouragement.  I saw Elvis performing in one aid station.

I was on my own now but the crowds and cheer were non-stop in most areas.  We go back to the city and the crowd grew large again.  I stay hydrated and go pee when needed not bothering to look for toilets if not available.  My ITB pain and I have decided to co-exist mile after mile going through Greek Town, Little Italy and the Hispanic neighborhoods.  I get to mile marker 17 and was on the look out for Jamie, my PT.  All of sudden she shouts.....BO!  I stopped and hugged her.  I said I am in pain, Jamie, but I did something for her.  She had been asking if I was going to turn into a Kenyan so I wrote in the back of my shirt the words "kula vumbi wangu".  It was Swahili for "eat my dust" (got the translation from Google).    It was my message to the Kenyan runners as the see me from behind.  She thought it was hilarious and so did the folks at ACS when I showed it.  I think it beats any sign I saw out there.

Jamie at mile 17 - "eat my dust"

I get to Chinatown.  The Chinese dancing dragon was out to give Boys Town competition and the crowds were thick again, right up beside you.  Then comes the dreaded long stretch at mile marker 20.  I managed the pain from my ITB but now my hamstrings are cramping up.  I get to mile marker 22, and the aid station there was manned by students from De La Salle and they were cheering you.  I was numb already.  I would run/walk at times.  This was tougher than I thought. I am no longer looking at my Garmin for pacing.  I just want to get it done. 

The crowds grew larger again at mile 24.  People would jump and run with their friend/family to get them home.  I was alone.  I plan to turn into a Kenyan for Jamie and finish hard but that is all gone.  My legs felt heavy but I hang on and did not stop running.  I get to mile marker 26 and I still could not see the finish line.  Somebody shouted..."Go Bo go.  There are no more miles, you just have two blocks to go.  You are done with miles, just blocks to go." 

I go right on Roosevelt Ave. and up a bridge hill (a hill is big when you are in pain) and the crowds were so thick but no sign of the finish line.  Then I make a left and all of a sudden it opens to wall-to-wall people and you see the finish line 200 meters ahead.  Right there within my reach.  I forget about the ITB pain, the cramps, the heavy legs, and just headed straight for the line.  All my pent up emotion and memories came rushing forward as I neared the finish line.  I was running in tears.  I remember being diagnosed with cancer, the surgery, pain of chemo, the long training to get this far, and those who have helped me.  You.  I was really running for you, especially Dr. GarryM.  I love my primary doctor.  I thought of my wife who is always there for me and my supportive family.  I felt blessed.  I felt complete. I was going to make it.  I was weeping when I crossed the finished line and not even thinking of the time.  I have completed my journey.  I have finished.  I am alive.  Thank you.  Thank you for being with me. 

Cheers.

What next?

The finish (1 of 2)

October 12, 2009 

(NOTE:  This is a two-part post.  I normally limit my post so it will not be a lengthy read and to focus on one message only.) 

The clock read 2:20 am Sunday, October 11.  I had set the alarm for 4:00 am but I am already awake.  My wife is still asleep while I hear Maggie-the beagle snoring at the foot of our bed.  What a dog's life she has.  I went to bed at 8:00 pm but had awaken and could not sleep anymore so I took out my writing pad. 

The house was very quite.  It was still very dark outside.  No wind.  Just stillness.  The last time I had moments like this was when I was still hooked up to my portable chemo pump and could not sleep.  All I hear was the buzzing, every 90 seconds (I counted it in boredom), pumping more chemo drugs.  But tonight there was no buzzing, just me and my thoughts.  It will be a good day. 

So I got dressed.  Made the wife coffee and bagel, while she took Maggie out.  We have to be downtown by 5:00 am because she is a medical volunteer.  I had my usual PBJ sandwich and banana.  I had prepared my clothes ahead and had written my name in front.  I also had a special message to the Kenyans written in the back of my shirt (will tell you about it in part 2 because I need the picture).

Reaching downtown, I helped my wife get registered as a Medical Volunteer and pointed her to the medical tent.  She kissed me good luck and I went to the American Cancer Society tent to get ready.  I was getting cold.  The temp was 32F or 0C getting up to mid-40F by mid-day.  Do I change to my long pants but decided on keeping my shorts, long sleeves, gloves, and hat.  I left my bag at the ACS tent, and there was parade of all ACS charity runners to the start. 

At 7:00 am, I was at the corral for 5 hours 30 minute finish or about 12 minute mile pace.  There were many people all around, runners, families, volunteers, and others.  The corral closed at 7:15 and 45,000 runners were crammed in.  We were packed.  I craned my neck to see forward and you see clothes just flying off being thrown to the side but not reaching.  Mostly sweaters and pants.  People were discarding their warm clothes.  I hear the starting horn.  My adrenalin is up and we inch forward.  As we surge forward I step on discarded clothes. I see runners in costumes too.  I was standing beside a German national on his 19 marathon at age 70's I think.  He was wearing a shirt from NYC marathon.  Wow.

From a far I see this green worm.  As it moved closer to me I had to smile because it reminded me of friends in Scotland.  It was Nessie, Skye, from Loch Ness.  Four guys carrying Nessie on their shoulder for the benefit of cancer research www.Charitableness.co.uk.  Chicago is their 8^th and final race after completing 7 already.  They were in GNR.  How cool is that?  Did you send it here to accompany me run?  When I saw it I decided to run behind them.

So off I go with Nessie.  I love it.

Cheers.

PS:  This is me after the finish.  I felt like Muffs wrap in solar blanket with the medal

I did it....

October 11, 2009

.....I finished the 2009 Chicago Marathon in 5:43:07.  I ache all over including those in my fingers (joke).  I have many things to tell but just very tired for now.  It was very emotional for me to cross that finish line.  All the pent up emotions just came gushing out. 

I will tell you more about it tomorrow including the message I wrote in my shirt to the Kenyans.

Life is awesome.  Thank you for all your support and prayers.  I really appreciate all of them.

Bo