Be the Match!

If anyone needed a reminder of how important the Be the Match national bone marrow registry is, I wanted to bring your attention to a person benefitting from the generosity of others.

Deb Hubsmith, founder of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and a long-time active transportation advocate, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October, 2013. A very positive, active, healthy person, Deb did not go into remission after her initial chemotherapy. Soon, she will be receiving a life-saving donation of bone marrow from a stranger on the Be the Match registry.

Deb is an inspiration to many of us working in active transportation, physical activity, and health fields. I was very happy to hear that she will be receiving a transplant, and wish her a speedy recovery.

You can read more about Deb and her treatment, and learn about AML, here. Of course, consider joining the Be the Match registry if you are eligible. It just takes a cheek swab and the willingness to help if asked. I've been on the registry for almost ten years.

It's Official!

Photo credit: BikeWalkDurham.org

After almost two months in Durham, I've finally found a group to run with, and signed up for a race! My progress back into running was slowed a bit due to the snow (excuses, excuses), but I'm back into a somewhat-respectable 20 miles a week. Not great, but a good foundation.

Once I ran five to six miles a few times on my own, I figured I'd be able to run with a group without embarrassing myself. I found a few on the interweb, picked one, and got up at the ungodly hour of 7AM to go run this morning.

We started from the Southpoint Crossing end of the American Tobacco Trail, and did eight miles out and back at around 9:00 to 9:30 per mile. There are a few faster runners in the group, which will be good when I'm back up to my usual speed. For now, the pace we ran was fast enough, thank you!

When I got home, cold and sore from my longest run since late October 2012, I immediately signed up for my first race as a Durham resident. I'm doing the Tarheel 10 Miler in Chapel Hill on April 26th. According to a photo on the website (below), Meb has been present for the race! 

Photo credit: Tarheel10Miler.com

I'm very excited to do a ten mile race, and more excited to have a group to run with. I certainly miss my Buffalo Chips, but am glad to have a group to run with!

Obstacle Course

This morning, later than I'd like to admit, I went running. I've been running on the treadmill because of the weather, but at almost 40 degrees out at about 10 this morning, the great outdoors called my name.

I went out this morning with the goal of doing five miles. I charted a loop on google maps, taking me along the outside of Duke's West Campus to where my street dead ends, back through a neighborhood, and around the cemetary. At around 5.3 miles according to good old Google, I figured I'd walk the last two blocks or so to make it 5.

I set out, hoping that the course I mapped was mostly snow-free and had sidewalk. Much of Durham, unfortunately, is similar to the suburbs of Sacramento in that it often lacks sidewalk, even on heavily-travelled roads. About the first half of the way out was paved, but much of it was still covered in snow or ice, so I ran in the bike lane (at least I had that). Past campus, the bike land and sidewalk ended, as did any semblance of shoulder. I ran in the street, past a road-side memorial, hoping that facing traffic and being out in broad daylight would be good enough protection against speeding cars.

Luckily, I managed not to fall in snow or ice, and not to get hit by a car while out on my run. I'm planning not to test my luck again, so a new five mile route is in order. All told, the five miles were slow, but I was dodging obstacles along the way. Today's run matched my previous longest run since I broke my leg, and aside from the fear of cars and snow, felt fine.

I think I'll try this again tomorrow...

Changes

A lot has been going on for me in the past few months. While working my way back into running, as I've occasionally posted about here, I was also working my way toward moving to the East Coast. Well... now I'm here!

After our fun Thanksgiving race, getting ready and moving across the country forced me to put running on hold. Saying that feels like a cop out, but it really is difficult to fit a full-time job, time with friends (whom you will soon not see very often), and packing into the schedule. And to be honest, the rest didn't all fit, even when I neglected running. I didn't manage to finish packing before the day I filled my shipping container, and certainly didn't manage to get the number of visits in.

I did pack cold weather gear in the car for our cross-country drive, but running through a foot of snow in Michigan over Christmas just wasn't happening. Snow apparently makes my leg worse, and the conditions were pretty bad a lot of the time. Oh well.

The important thing is the move happened, and now I'm slogging my way back into running. No more excuses, right?

Being in Durham is certainly different. The weather isn't as mild as I'm used to, and it is seriously hilly. Nothing makes me feel more humble than attempting to run longer and faster on hills.

Truthfully, I'm having a bit of a pity party and not feeling "like a runner." Yes, this is silly. No, that doesn't make it any less true. I need to get over it, but it is hard to shake the feeling, especially after more than a year of not really running.

The good news is that I've found several groups to go run with, and a few people that may let me tag along. I just need to get the courage up (read: stop feeling too slow to go running in public) to go out with a group. I know it will make a difference. Joining the Buffalo Chips a few years ago got me to where I was as a runner, and finding a good group here is likely to do the same.

Lots of changes over the past few months, and certainly more to come.  The first big change in February will be getting back into running, for real this time.

And here is a goal to get me motivated: Mountain to Sea Trail 12M

"Let's Make Our Day Harder"

I just came across this excellent video, which explains (once again), how we would be much healthier and live fuller lives if we got off the couch, walked a bit more, and lived in walkable communities. This isn't my usual praise of running hundreds of miles a month, but an invitation to just get up and be active during the activities you already do. It is worth the four minutes to watch!

Don't Stop Believin'

Thanksgiving morning, a few miles north of Detroit. The temperature read 22 degrees Fahrenheit. We bundled up and drove to Cobo Hall in downtown and prepare to run. For the hour before the race, we waited in Cobo Hall to stay warm, then headed out onto the streets around 8:15AM.

It was actively snowing, and there is a good amount of snow and ice on the ground!

My first 5k since breaking my leg, I ran in a crowd of 11,000 (22,000 for both the 5 and 10k), on snow filled icy streets. I think the temperature maxed out at 23 degrees. It was absolutely beautiful. 

Downtown Detroit has such pretty old buildings, and the crowd waiting for the Thanksgiving parade cheered for the runners while they waited. We had decided not to try for any time, which was a good call since there was black ice. 

We came in at 28:33, my third slowest 5k time. We had a blast! It was great running with Neil, seeing a new city, and hanging out with Neil and Judy before the race, making fun of people in turkey hats.

I think next year, I'll try the Drumstick Double, where you run the 10k then the 5k...

Nothing's Gonna Stop (me) Now

I've been hesitant to write anything down in this blog, in case jinxing oneself is a real thing. Running has been going well since early October. I'm doing (a paltry) 3 miles 3 times a week, with no real problems to speak of. I even made it to 4 miles this past Sunday, and it felt great!

Taped up!

Every other week I've been going to the physical therapist for ultrasound in the hopes that it helps my LCL heal faster. With the guidance of my PT, I've been trying out kinesio tape instead of my knee strap, since the strap it tight on my calf and is likely to cause issues once I get over 5-7 miles. The tape worked well when he put it on, but when I tried on my own, not so well. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon.

Despite my rosy outlook, I'm a little bit wrecked. I'm sore all over, and yoga last night was a struggle! Perhaps running 3 times a week, yoga 3 times a week, and climbing 2 times a week is too much for my lazy body?

Well, I have one thing to say about that: suck it up, body! Because I'm not slowing down!