Time to start running again!

Once again I have signed up for the Charlottesville Women's Four Miler as well as its training program. The race itself is September 5. I had been doing well with running until just after the Charlottesville Ten Miler. Since then I haven't gone running even once, and sadly I've put on some weight because of that. In part because I stopped running, but kept eating the way I did when I was, and then also because once my back was out of commission, I haven't been able to do hardly ANYTHING physical. I am just now able to go to the gym again after almost 2 months, but I still have to take it easy, and can only do the elliptical or the treadmill--slowly and for no more than 30 minutes. Talk about frustrating!!!! Today is a bad back day, but I think it's a combination of the horrible chairs at work and forgetting my Rx at home.

Anyway, I'm excited about starting running again. I did enjoy it when I ran--oddly I think my favorite run was in the winter when it was 29 degrees out. Weird. But I love this race and it's a great charitable event as well. All of the funds raised go directly to the University of Virginia Cancer Center Breast Care Program. This program provides mammograms, including a mobile mammography unit, "care packages" of information, resources and encouragement for newly diagnosed patients, plus so much more. If you are interested in helping and supporting this event, you can either "sponser" me as a runner, make a flat donation, or even add to the Motivational Mile--the final mile of the race is lined with posters bearing the names of loved ones who have fought their own battles with cancer. Last year I slowed down to read as many of the signs as I could and was a bit choked up. It's very touching to see. I'm glad I signed up early!! Registration for the race has been open for just over 24 hours, and it has already reached 46% capacity!! Lots of fun and definitely worth every drop of sweat!!

Recasting in Iraq

My friend Ben, who is also the older brother of my good friend Mary Anna, is returning to Iraq in a few short weeks. He is a former Marine (as there are no EX Marines) and has already completed three tours. However for this foray into the war zone, he is going not as Marine, but as a journalist. I've been following his blog since I met him several months ago. He writes with passion and understanding for his fellow veterans, and uses his own experiences to try to better the system that supports them when they return home. Ben has a keen interest in people and their life experiences, and a special affection for vets. He is going back as a journalist, not for profit as he won't be earning a paycheck, but utilizing his talent to tell the stories untold. His latest entry explains what he'll be doing and why he desires to go. Since he is paying his own way entirely, he has also added a link for anyone so inclined to donate to help ease his burden. I encourage you to explore his blog and support him should you be so moved.

Pain in the.....BACK

For several weeks now I've had debilitating back pain in my lower back. It's not been consistent: some days I'm just fine with just a hint of discomfort, and other days I am pretty much an invalid. Today started out rough, got better...but then it got waaay worse. After more than two weeks of advil every 4 hours and ice packs not making any headway, I finally went to the doctor. Basically he told me I was doing the right thing, but did give me an Rx for an anti-inflammitory. At least he did assure me that it wasn't a back thing, but a muscle thing like I thought. However, it is extremely frustrating to not be able to do much of anything. I can't mow the grass, I can't do any yard work, I can't even do light housework!!! But my BF comes over to help me with yardwork when he can and helps keep my sane, because on top of it all, it's boring, too. But today is day two of Rx and Icy-Hot patches. So far I'm not impressed, but I've been told my multiple people, that I just have to wait it out. Patience is not the virture with which I was bestowed. I am going stir-crazy!!!

Yay, it's June!!

Wow, so if it hadn't been for mum's birthday, I do believe the entire month of May would have gone by without a single entry by yours truly. My humble apologies, as I've been rather busy and having loads of fun. :-)

Last week I went to the Henley Middle School Spring Concert held at the local high school. I hadn't set foot inside the HS since I graduated 14 years ago--a lot of new stuff there! But my reason for attending this concert made up of 6th-8th graders was to celebrate the retirement of Mr Fagan, band director of Henley for 32 years!! He was absolutely the BEST band director, and made it so much fun that no one else could compare. When I moved on to high school, band was such a drag that I dropped it just 2 months into my freshman year (even after having spent all summer in summer school so I could have a class period open for band!). Through Facebook and other means, word spread and the HS auditorium was packed on concert night! What Mr Fagan didn't know was that about 50 former students, including one who was in the 6th grade those 32 years ago and another who flew out from CA, had gotten together to practice and then perform at this concert. A comfy recliner was brought out onto the stage for Mr Fagan to sit back and enjoy the performance while the very man who offered him the job at Henley way back when was the guest conductor for the Alumni Band. The last piece performed that evening was the very first composition of Mr Fagan's that had been published. The Symphonic Band returned to the stage and joined the Alumni Band, and together, with Mr Fagan back as conductor, they played his song. It was really a wonderful, wonderful evening with an incredible turnout and many old friends.

On another note (no pun intended) I have let my running fade to nothingness since the Charlottesville 10 Miler. However, today I once again have signed up for the Women's Four Miler Training Program. Even though my friend bailed on me last year, it was a lot of fun and by the end of the summer I did the Four Miler. It's also raises money for a wonderful cause: the University of Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation which has the latest treatments and expertise offered through the UVA medical community. Later on I will post more information in case you are interested in sponsoring me for the race or simply donating to the cause.

Enjoy June and hopefully I'll be a more diligent blogger!!