Chicago Marathon 10-10-10

Yes, it's been a long time since anything was posted. There have been several things keeping my attention, and with good reason! So lots to update, but here are the high notes...

Most recently the big news, as stated from the title... the Chicago Marathon '10. It was simply amazing. Incredibly difficult, but would do it again in a heart beat, even if the conditions were the same. There was a record 38,191 runners to start the race, as well as 36,159 that finished (also a new record). It by 11am it was already 80 degrees and reached the mid 80's by noon with 65% humidity. As you can probably guess this is not ideal conditions to run, especially that far. It was truly an experience that will remain with me, and every other participant, forever. It's something that I really thought that I was prepared for, and I believe that I was, but there were that can't be trained for....the experience of stepping up to the start line of your first marathon. This was something so powerful, that unless you have done it yourself, you really can't understand how much it impacts you. Listening to our National Anthem will move you unlike ever before. Hearing fellow runners around you pump each other up, and express how excited they are for the race; for you as you run your first marathon; and for so much more but can't really be expressed unless again you've been there. Jitters of new runners and experience of the runners that have done 10 marathons, seem to blend into a beautiful mesh work called Race Day!

The gun went off and the elite runners were off. About 7 minutes later I finally crossed the start line. The first 8 - 10 miles felt pretty good, and one of my best friends was around mile 8 to cheer me on! It was great to have her cheering me on and just in general to see her! Close to the half marathon my parents and another great friend of mine were there with signs cheering me along, which was a great boost even though it was short lived. Around mile 14 or 15 my pace had dramatically slowed down. Eventually slowing down all the way to a walk. I tried so hard no to walk but it just wasn't possible. The heat was killing me even though I was doing everything I could to deal with it. I was running some but mostly walking. At mile 23.5 the medical staff pulled me from the course because I was walking so slow and was having to stop every so often because I couldn't seem to find the energy anywhere. They had me walk over to a medical tent and lay down while they took my vitals...BP, HR, temp. (BP - 116/70; HR - 68; temp - 91 degrees.) They then covered me up with an emergency blanket (foil blanket) and extra sheets as well to bring my temperature up. I lay there shivering uncontrollably for several minutes and then finally stopped shivering and was allowed back on the course....20-25 minutes later. I continued to walk as fast as I could muster, but when I got to the 800 meter mark, I tried to find every ounce of energy left in me to run the rest of it in. There is a hill near the end, known as Heartbreak Hill, that I ran up even though the pain was unreal. 200 meters to go...sprinting it in now to truly make it a finish that I would be proud of even if I was unable to run the entire race. My official time was 6:08:47; not even close to what I had hoped, but I finished! Overall, I'm happy with how I handled the conditions and the race itself. I plan on going back again...maybe next year! Thank you to everyone who supported me, and all the other runners as well. The spectator support was amazing, there was not one area of the race that did not have spectators cheering all of us along our way. Here's to the next marathon!

Over and out!

Lo!

Recent rant...

Recently...as in the past few months I've realized some things, that I don't know that I've really been aware of before. I'm sure that these situations have been around me before, but haven't really. These situations involve serious actions, and potentially even more serious consequences. For reasons that I cannot understand several of my classmates/friends continue to make decisions that should not be a thought in their mind. Rather than thinking of their potential future, they are making decisions that seem to suite their "now" moments instead. As we go through school to become chiropractors, we are held to a higher standard because we will eventually be advising patients with sometimes difficult decisions. This should in turn encourage us to already hold our actions to higher standards. However, this is not always the case unfortunately. Okay, I've danced around the issue enough, but it's only to explain how serious I am about this issue.

Some of my classmates/friends seem to believe that they are above the law, or that not all laws apply to them, for some reason or another. Just because you are of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages, does NOT mean that you should consume them, even if it is only one drink, and then drive...anywhere, even if it's just down the road! It does NOT mean that just because you do not "feel" the affects of the alcohol, does NOT mean that it is not affecting your ability to react at the time that is required of you as you're driving. These absolutely ridiculous decisions that are made are stupid on several levels. The decision to drive, even after one drink could have serious consequences, or the person who decided to get behind the wheel, and potentially many others, if there is an accident.

Okay, I will stop ranting, but I think I got my point across...well, hopefully.

Over and out.
Lo.

Updates...a few!

It's been a while since I posted last, but I've been just a tad busy! I've had my first exams in all of my classes (most of them I've had 2 already), and the majority of them have gone well, but no time at all to slack off! I've been doing pretty well with keeping up on a regular schedule, both with classes and such, but also with training. I'm doing my best to get up early (5:20ish) and go for a run, even if it is only about a mile and a half. Partly because running in the afternoon right now is so hot with the heat index above 100 on most days. I had my first house guests this past week, which was wonderful to catch up after about 4 years of seeing them last! It was a very short visit, but still very good! My grandparents (dad's side) will be traveling through the area next weekend and are going to stop by for a visit as well, which will be great to see them and show them where I live!

I'm doing my best at trying to keep my friends posted, and was even able to manage to get some snail mail out to some of them! This is one of my favorite things to do, but I haven't been able to do it as much as I'd really like, but I'll take what I can get! Plus, I know that they understand how busy I am, and that I have to keep my priorities straight, and that unfortunately means that snail mail is not at the top of the list (nor is blogging!).

Life has been full of drama lately...nothing horrible, but still rocking my world that I know pretty hard at times. Much of the drama isn't of my own really, but still affects me for many reasons, and I'm okay with that. Sometimes you're just stuck between a rock and a hard place! Life goes on though, and we make the best of it, and try to do it with the least amount of casualties and move on to the next chapter of life.

On a different note, I have absolutely AMAZING friends! I honestly don't know what on earth I did to deserve these incredible people, but I'm not going to ask questions, I'm just going to love them, and try and reciprocate the love and support they show me so often! Really I don't know how some people manage to make it through life without a support system like I am blessed to have.

Okay, well, that's all for now. I just thought I'd share a few things that have been on my mind lately. Hopefully the next time I post it won't be so far of in the distance!

Over and out!
Lo!

Hello? Anyone home!?

Okay, so I know it's been a while since I last posted anything, but I've been a tad distracted lately! I finished my last round of undergrad courses, and have since started the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program which as you can imagine is keeping me busy! I've also moved closer to campus which is fantastic because it cuts down drastically on my commute time, and I'm closer to pretty much everything that I need on a daily basis...including a great hiking trail that I take advantage of at least once a week! While I was on my break from classes for 2 weeks I traveled home, and relaxed mostly which was wonderful! I also learned how to make my mom's AMAZING pie crust, so now I can try and make my mom's pies when I really am needing a fix! We made 13 pies in 10 hours! It was a mad house there for a while! I also traveled down to Indy for the 33rd running of the Indy Mini - the largest half marathon in the nation! 35,000 runners, and thousands more to watch! It was awesome! I finished it in 2:08:58, which I was very pleased with considering that I wasn't really able to train much at all, and I had to walk about a half a mile because I was in so much pain! I'm hoping the next one (KC in October) will be much better! Well that is pretty much all that is going on for now; class, working out, studying, and sleeping and eating on occasion! Until next time....

Over and out!
Lo!

...and I'm back!

It's been a while, so I'll try and do a quick update...

I traveled home for a friend's wedding...it was so beautiful, and couldn't have captured the couple better! It was absolutely wonderful! While I was home, I really only caught up with my family and a few friends, because it was such a short visit, and I had more than plenty do get done while I was there.

While I was home in the Bend, I really missed being home in KC...it was very odd to feel that way, but I guess it was going to happen at some point, I just didn't really know when that would happen! I've made some really great friends out here in KC, so it feels much more like home than it ever has before. It's still wonderful to go home to the Bend as well, but it's different than it used to be with so many friends off to different parts of the nation, or moving on with their lives while still in the area.

I'm working on getting things done before I start the DC program in May, so hopefully I can get in some casual reading, and painting as well! I miss painting, and drawing, etc. so much! I am planning on buying a canvas or two while I'm on my break and working on a few pieces.

Well, that's all for now...

Over and out!
Lo!