I Think I'm Back Now...

It's been a very busy few months here in my world. My husband had his lumbar fusion. He was home for 6 weeks and just went back to work! He's feeling great and has no pain after 25 years of back problems. Very happy about that!

My daughter, Kirstin is having a baby!! Very soon, in fact. She saw the doc last Tuesday and she's 2 centimeters! (I cried) I can't believe we're going to be grandparents!!! His name is Collin Mitchell and I love him already.

I cut down on my work hours to spend the summer with my 2 youngest kids. They usually go to day camp for the summers but I see them growing up so fast that we decided to take this summer to spend together. It's not as fun/easy as I thought it would be (LOL) but I'm still happy to be able to spend this time with them.

I am still having problems with my legs etc. I'm about to begin a gluten-free diet. I also have 2 days worth of testing up in Tampa coming up which includes the dreaded spinal tap. I hope to have some concrete answers some time in this century.

I have been running with my friend Kayla 3 times a week, legs permitting. She has been a God-send because she keeps me going. Kayla leaves for Japan with her Marine husband next week and I will miss her so much!

We've been training for Kayla's very first 5K race! How exciting is THAT?? She had a goal of completing it in under 30 minutes and guess what? We ran a test 5k at race pace and she came in at 29:25!!!! I'm sooo proud of her!!! I honestly believe she will finish in 27:30. We do long runs every Saturday and have gotten up to 5 miles. I think Kayla is going to be a distance runner. She has all the signs and symptoms of loving the distance runs....lol. Before she leaves on Friday we plan to get a 10K run in. Maybe a little farther, we'll see. Kayla hopes to find some runner friends on base. I know she will, she's a sweetie!!!

We ran an easy 4 miles yesterday. Kayla doesn't usually talk when we run but this time we chatted the entire time. We finished the 4 miles without stopping and we both felt like we could have gone on forever. Proof this girl is a distance chick! She's fired up!!!!!! Mee toooo!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is "race day"...4th Of July 5K. I can't wait to see how Kayla feels about racing. I'm betting she's gonna LOVE it!!! I am also looking forward to seeing my fellow Zoomers Running Group. http://www.zoomersrun.com/ in case you're curious! I haven't seen some of them in a while.

I will be posting a race report tomorrow night. Hopefully I'll have some pictures too!!
I miss my blogging friends! Hopefully I still have some! =)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Summer Running In Florida

I cannot believe it's been a month since I've posted! My husband had his successful lumbar fusion May 5th and we've been soooo enjoying our time together. Until now. The kids are out of school for the summer. We are not alone anymore. We have to share each other with the kidlings. Sigh. It was nice while it lasted. Bobby goes back to work a week from Saturday. We are staying on Siesta Key Beach for a few days as our last hurrah! Kids included.

Now for my running news. I am slowly getting back into it. I work with a young lady named Kayla who is a runner! YAY! She mentioned that she hadn't run in a longggg time and wanted to do the Firecracker 5K. I just so happen to be on the committee for that race and I was thrilled to hear her interest. YAHOO!! I also have been in the market for a new runner friend since Reg went back to Canada (I have a little story about him...later)

Kayla and I have worked out a schedule where we can run together 3 times a week. She told me she was slow and hadn't run in quite some time. PPPFFFFTTT!!! Our first run together showed me a little of what this chick is made of! She can run!! I can see she is a natural runner. Her breathing, rhythm and posture are very good. She has such a quiet landing I can barely hear her. I am thrilled she is not in my age group. What??? I am competitive....lol. Kayla is only in Florida until the end of July. Then she goes off to Japan with her Marine husband. I won't think about that until the time comes! =(

This Saturday I'll run my 1st 5K race since Easter. Last year we had a young mother from our town get kidnapped, raped and murdered. The story is horrendous. Her husband has completely absorbed himself in keeping her memory alive for their two young boys. This race is for her, Denise Amber Lee.

Kayla is contemplating running this 5K and I hope she does. It'll give her a PR for the 5K in July. She's a little nervous and not sure she's ready, but I know she is. I'm so excited for her!

Medically, things have been really good. The meds the doc gave me are helping immensely. If things continue this way, I'll have new goals!!

Speaking of new goals...remember my Canadian friend, Reg? He jokes that every time I ask him a question about things he's done and he says he hasn't done them, he winds up doing them.

For instance,
I asked if he'd done a half marathon. He said no. Now he has.
Ever fall while running? Never. He fell during the half marathon.
Like to race? No, not competitive. Now he's thinking about speed.
Seen a snake yet? Nope (thanked God under his breath) Found a snake in the house he was renting!

Reg told me not to ask him anymore questions. They're like little omens I guess. So last week, I sent him an email. All I said was: Have you ever run a full marathon? He answered with one sentence: No, I have not run a full marathon.

TeeHee. I just sent him a book. I can't wait for him to get it! It's called "4 Months To A 4 Hour Marathon". Haha!! I'm taking a chance writing it in here, but I can't hold it in any longer! He'll be back in November, which is 4 months to the Sarasota Grouper Marathon. Perfect huh? I think so too. I wonder what Reg will think...lol...

Busy Week Ahead

Crazy-busy week...Bobby goes in for his surgery at 6am tomorrow. It should take 4-6 hours. He's ready! I told him I'd be the best nurse he ever had because I learned a few good tips from "Misery". I think that'll keep him from getting too cranky....lol

I saw the doctor Friday. He told me my MRI scans look awesome, so I might not have MS! He said the MS Specialists will know what to look for, as there are many diseases of the central nervous system. A lot of them have the same symptoms which makes it complicated to diagnose. Right now I feel awesome so I won't worry about it too much. The meds the doctor put me on help the neuropathy in my feet/legs immensely. I hope to be back to running soon. Right now my #1 priority is Bobby.

I am going to go update myself on my blogger friends right now. I feel so out of the loop!!!!

Feelin' Groovy

Thanks for all the kind comments on my current donut fixation! They are delish, eh???

I am having a glorious week! I feel good and even got in a fab yoga workout with my peeps at the YMCA! It was good to see everyone and get back in the swing.

I ran 1.5 miles right after that class and felt pretty darn wonderful!!! I haven't had a chance to get in any more running this week between my doctor visits and helping my husband get ready for his SPINAL FUSION this coming Tuesday. That's right, surgery for a man who hasn't missed a day of work in about 14 years. And that was one day where he was deathly ill. Still only missed one day, the maniac.

He'll be home with me for 6 weeks. He will be going ape shit within week #2, I just know it. I'm starting the "honey-do" list tonight. All joking aside, he's very healthy and he's soooo ready to have his surgery behind him. I'll just be here to keep him comfy and happy.

Gotta run...kids are coming!!!!!

Still On Break

I haven't been able to run since Easter.
I just ate 3 donuts.
That's all I have for today.