Journey to the finish line by b0alvarez

A good weekend.

October 4, 2009 

6 days, 8 hours, 39 minute, and a couple of seconds.  That's the count down time to the marathon next Sunday. 

So, I woke up this Sunday morning going through the routine of preparing for the marathon.  Woke up 5 am, since I was going to go the group run, ate my peanut butter sandwich, and even wore the same clothes I was going to wear for the race.  Except I think I would need running gloves.  It was pretty chilly. 

Today's run was going to be 8 miles.  It was still dark for the 6:30 am start but as always, the pair of marathon maniac were there--Beth and Danielle.  This time around there were four of us in the 12 minute group, and as Danielle said to me 'wow, that was double the people from last weekend'.  Yes, Danielle...it is crowded ;o)  She sported a new 'do too (nice), while Beth had recovered from her ankle problem.  They also lead the Saturday group runs, so these ladies always log double miles on weekends.  

I am glad I met this two ladies.  They give encouragement on what is possible and I see the drive they have.  Both will not be running the Chicago but instead will be doing Des Moines marathon on October 18 and the Marine Corp Marathon on October 25 (I told you they are maniacs and are proud of it).  Good luck, ladies.  It was great running with you.  Thanks.  Until next year, again.

From left: Beth, me, and Danielle

Over the weekend, I went back to my old health club-Galter Life Center.  Well, it is more like a medical fitness facility which is associated with the hospital where I had my chemo treatment.  I had put my membership put on hold when I was diagnosed with cancer and it time to go back.  Besides, my sights is already for next year and how I will train better to avoid injuries.  First thing I did was go back to my yoga class not only for the stretching exercises but to see my old friends there.  They were surprised and very much glad to see me back.  They knew what happened to me was very glad for my return. 

As always, I like to have fun.  Like during my 'graduation day', when I created my own diploma, I went to class with a mock up of my race number across my ACS shirt.  That got them going.  Helen, my yoga teacher liked it and so did Ken (you might say he is my seat-mat-e in class).  Ken had run marathons before was giving me advise and motivation.  He is on a quest of celebrating his 70th birthday next year by passing more than 24,000 miles of running.  The way he puts it, he would like to have run the distance of circumnavigating the earth on his 70th birthday.  He said is he close.  That sound like what Skye can do.  I love it.

From left: Ken, Helen, and me (the number 30865)

That was my weekend.  So the plan is still to taper off.  No more running, I promise.  Just yoga and swimming.

Cheers.