I BROKE THE BARRIER!!!!!

Well, it's been awhile since my last post. Being gone 2 weeks to St. Kitts in Nivember really set me back on getting ready for the holidays (but, I'll do it again next year). Some things just simly didn't get done and we all survived!! Christmas was wonderful....the weekend before the entire family was together and that was so very special!! There's nothing quite like little kids (and the Jayhawk) at Christmas!! We left on the 26th to visit my mom in Georgia (where we are now) and today was my first outside run/walk in quite a while. 4 miles has been my limit and I just didn't seem to get past that until today! Running in shorts, outside in 60ish weather is good for the soul!! And I FINALLY DID 5 MILES!! Not sure when that will happen again as we leave Wednesday for Buffalo and SNOW. Our older daughter Susan (our cancer survivor) is having surgery and as you can imagine we are all quite concerned. Please remember her and all of us in your prayers....she is part of our Berry Women team for the Palm Springs half and we're hoping she can get beyond all this before the 17th!

Hope all had a wonderful holiday and are busy getting your '08 races in order....Happy New Year!!

I did it!!!!!!

I did it and even 3plus minutes better than in Kansas City.....45:25....14:40 miles....if I can just get to 14 minute miles by Feb!!!!(dream on Granmommy)....Sat. was a horrible day in Chicago.......Cold, snow and wind that made the snow feel like nails hitting your face....we thought Sunday would be more of the same but, it was wonderful....mid 40's and the rain held off until after the race!!

A little sore this morning but sitting on the plane last night didn't help...oh, and I even won the Trader Joe's gift bag ( great since I have to take snacks to a girlfriends overnight tonight)

I am liking this process more....just wish it didn't hurt so much and I was better.....oh well, one day at a time!!!

Jingle, Jingle, Jingle

Tomorrow is the 5K Jingle Bell run here in Chicago.....just a week ago we were on the beach in St. Kitts sipping wonderful rum punch.....tonight we are here in Chi town FREEZING.....the outlook for the morning is more of the same....flurries, ice, freezing rain and35mph wind....oh, how I hope the weatherman lied!!!! Think we have enough layers to stay reasonably warm...inspite of everything I am looking forward to it!!

Jayhawk is trying hard not to watch the Mizzu game and as you can imagine is in a really foul mood!!!!

Here's hoping we all survive tomorrow.......................!! (and tonight)

Chicago 5K

wow...December 1st....only 24 days til Christmas!!!! (just realized that's TOMORROW...OH, WELL)

It's 3:30 in the morning, can't sleep so I'm playing "catch up" til it's time to go to the Airport. Sunday is the Jingle Bell in Chicago and at least this one I'm ready for.....having a hard time focusing on the half in Feb. doubting myself every day but if I can at least WALK it to the finish I guess that's ok....it may take me forever....my girls can all finish , come back and help their mother in!!

Not looking forward to the COLD Sunday but, Chicago should be beautiful!!! Hope to see some of you on the course!!!!

HELP

Well, today is our last day in paradise:( and we just got back from our work out....Bob is doing great but I am struggling......any ideas what an exercise heart rate should be for someone 62 and not in the best of shape. I get it up to 163 to 175 and truly feel like I'm going to die!!! Before going I use the e-stem on my knee, hip and back.....Bio-freeze the same ....take tynol....and use a leg brace....even with all that I can't seem to get beyond 3.5 miles (today 3 miles was at 44:11.....so I should do ok at Sundays Jingle bell)..

I just get so frustrated...I even do my inhaler before going and still have a hard time breathing....looking ahead to the Palm Springs half is really starting to concern me...

any help would be appreciated!!!

Sorry Jayhawk but we are going for a massage this afternoon
think we deserve it!!!!

6 miles next week and it seems overwhelming!!!!

OUCH

Jayhawk,Dr. Mike and Cathy left yesterday and I think Bob and I were asleep before they reached the airport!! We had such a good time with them last week, the next week will be quiet by comparison.

We did our workout today and must say I was pleased even though I thought I was going to die....still walking 2 running one BUT at a much faster pace.....even got my run up to 5.3mph....of course my heart rate hit 173 doing it so I think I'll slow it down a while.

I continue to be amazed that I'm doing this and really sort of enjoing it!!! Still not sure I can do the half but am determined to try!!!

Off for a swin in the ocean.......and remember, don't believe everything you hear about St. Kitts!!!!

THERE'S THAT YELLOW THING AGAIN!!!!!

OH MY!!!!!

A hard lesson learned today!!!! THERE REALLY IS RUM (AND TO MUCH OF IT) in tropical rum punch!!!!! I tried to tell Jayhawk and Dr. Mike it was the sun but, they really didn't buy it!!! I was so sick over the side of then boat....never again....think I'll stick to my favorite boubon and 7!!

Other than the sail back it was truly a wonderful day....every time we travel to some new destination I always think it is the best ever and the little island of Nevis we went to today truly is.....I think it is next years vacation!!! Nothing but sand, water, palm trees and quiet......the famous drink of the island is a Killer Bee and I am soooooooooooooooooo glad I didn't try it.....I was in quite enough trouble as it was.....Tiffnay..bourbon is so much nicer than all this fruity stuff....never again....Lord, I promise!!!!

It's been such fun having Jayhawk, Dr. Mike (though he was of no help today) and Cathy here....which the rest of our family were here to enjoy this (maybe I would have been better with my granchildren around)!!

Training has been a little slow....did walk one day and as Mike says cross trained the others. Tomorrow must get back on schedule!!! We'll see how it goes!!!

WHAT'S WITH THE YELLOW PRINT???????????????????????

It's been a while since my last post (I did try to post after a 3 martini girls night out and somehow lost it......and that was a good thing)!!!!

Still trying to get the hang of the training thing and doing ok for the most part. Have a hard time at the gym keeping track of miles....11 laps = 1 mile....so I walk/run 1 lap for each of my almost 6 granchildren, 1 for future baby "Rego", and 1 for my older daughter going thru some medical "stuff" right now and then I do it all two more times!!!

Now we have found a wonderful outside running/biking path and I did my first 4 miler.....these old knees are really on the sore side....today was water exercise and Christmas decorating....my favorite!!! Tomorrow this body will rest, one more 3 mile run then off to St. Kitts for two weeks.....walking the beach sounds great!!!!



Looking forward to seeing my favorite runners on Saturday and watch Jayhawk convince her sister to do this half thing in Palm Springs....just wish you could all see that one!!!



Off for more decorating..........................................................

First of all Congratulations to my amazing running jayhawk!!!! 50K, you never cease to amaze me!!! you keep going girl, I'm so proud of you!!!

Last Thursday a friend and I kidnapped another friend who was turning 60....we headed off to a beautiful lake house on Grand Lake, Ok. for two days of R&R....what more could one want but, good friends, good wine, a fire and wonderful conversation.....so glad my friends are joining me in their 60's!!! Now if they would join me racing!!!!

Today started training again in full force (coach Jayhawk sent me my schedule) and I really think I can keep up with it....she was very kind to her mom. It was a little difficult to start up again but we went to the track at the gym and walked/ran for an hour....music really makes the time pass quickly....though I must say I was wanting to dance along some of the time!!! I thought about cutting my run short several times then decided If I finished my time that I would start putting up Christmas trees ( I do 11 trees and was anxious to get started) so tonight I have 3 small trees with grandchildren's pictures up!!! I like bribing myself....I can hear oosg now!!!!!

Had a bid of a problem with my left knee and top of my left foot when I tried to jog, hopefully Dr. Mike can help me there (they're going to wish they had never gotten me into this)!!

I've also decided to fund raise for the jingle bell run so, if anyone wants to join team "Great Gran" just let me know!!!

Thank you all for your encouraging posts....can't believe just how much I am really enjoying this!!!!

oh my!!!

ok, guys.....didn't want to but I did it!! I never break a sweat "exercising" but, man I am drippy now!!!Pushed a little bit more than Monday (I guess that's what I'm suppose to do.....need my plan Jayhawk). I kno0w I'll feel great in about a hour or so... so off to the shower.....Yeahhhhhhhh for me!!

It's really bad when you have to goback to written directions to remember where and how to post on this site (oh, Lord, what HAVE I gotten into) anyway, today has started off a little rough!!

Yesterday I did my hour of swim arobics and hour of water stretch....loved it and did great, felt wonderful the rest of the day......TODAY, it hurts to move. Woke up with a head ache at 4:30 thinking of every excuse why I should just skip out on the treadmill BUT, when I finish this , my shoes will be on and my 3/1 beginning....would love any suggestion on what to do when you just feel crappy!!!! I know the answer JUST DO IT!! UCK!!!

I'm looking forward to the Jingle Bell but must say a little concerned about the half....may have bitten off more that I can chew BUT, I plan to be at the start line....after that who knows........Jayhawk....need my program

OUCH!!

Waking up this morning the body was stiffer than ever!! I toyed with the idea of taking a "rest day" but remembered that was YESTERDAY so onto the treadmill I went....this time I tried walking 2 minutes and running 1 and to my amazement it worked well!!!

I did that for 30+ minutes at 3.2mph (not much for most of you but, believe me it was MAJOR for me)!!! Even wore my new "running" clothes
which made it even better...I can see KUMike roll his eyes......but, it's just like golf....if you look like a golfer people think you are....and....if I look like a runner.... maybe, just maybe I can sortof become one!!

Anyway, one day closer to Jingle Bell!!!! HOHO!!!

Wow...what fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! finished in 48:10 which was 27 minutes faster than I thought I could do!!!! GO ME!!!!! now I have to work on at least 15 minute miles for the Jingle Bell run in Chicago!!!

Was a perfect day for a run ( even though Jayhawk told me my clothes were all wrong....we're going shopping tomorrow for runniung wear for mom....I thought what I picked out was CUTE but she said cute doesn't count)!! We even ran a fairly good portion of the 5K and I am really looking forward to Chicago!

I sprinted over the finish line before hubby but we ended up with the exact same time (that was a bummer)!!! Jayhawk and oosg both had personal best and was such fun to watch them finish....much more fun than Chicago this year.........on my way to bigger & better things......Granmommy to 5 precious little ones and Phog!!!!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M DOING THIS!!!!

Oh my, what have I gotten myself into.....for years Bob ( my hubby) has been trying to get me to exercise in any way ,shape, or form....my answer was always "you're kidding, right?" I'm too old, my bones hurt, my body aches, etc,etc,etc. then the least one of my children I never thought would get into this sort of thing became a runner... the "DIVA" ( running Jayhawk) has become an inspiration and OOSG has really helped me to understand I may be aging but not getting old!!

On our last vacation we met a couple,she was 72 and had suffered a stroke 10 years ago ( 62,my age today) and for the first time I realized how much more difficult things could be and so here I am on the eve of my first 5K WALK, a little nerveous, a little excited and a lot of wondering "can I really do this?" And so, tomorrow at the crack of dawn (did I mention I don't do mornings) I will be up and out the door praying to survive the next few hours!!

Funny how God always seems to throw a little humor when we really need it....when I picked up my packet tonight I found my Bib number 6969.....awful and unbelievable but also terribly funny!!! so with my first step tomorrow morning will be a big thank you to Dr. Mike and the Diva....till tomorrow.................Granmommy on the move