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March 2012

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Location:

Tucson,AZ,USA

Member Since:

Aug 30, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

PR's

5K: 21:26 (2005)

4 mile: 28:10 (2005)

10K: 43:33 (2010)

10 mile: 1:13:35 (2009) (1:12:15 split in 1/2 marathon, 2011)

1/2 marathon: 1:34:31 (2011)

marathon: 3:19:15 (2013)

Short-Term Running Goals:

 

3:20 marathon - Eugene Marathon, April 28, 2013 (can I say I really want a sub 3:20? but I will be happy with 3:20-3:23) -- whoohoo!

Some good intermediate races 15K - 1/2 marathon, to gauge my fitness level (done this, hit a 1:34:35 1/2 marathon in March 2013, on a hilly course)

Going after my 10 mile PR in Fall 2013

Maybe some good 10K races after the infernal Arizona summer is over! 




Long-Term Running Goals:

I want to be one of those runners who is still running in their 80s (or 90s?).  You know the ones, who look all grisley and fit?  That is what I would like!  Until then, I just want to work hard and be as fast as I can, for as long as I can.


Personal:

50 year old, trying to defy gravity and time

Used to be faculty at the University of Arizona (biostatistics).  Currently manager of the statistics and data management group for companion diagnostics (biomarkers) at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Roche diagnostics).  We evaluate protein biomarkers that can be used to direct drug therapy that would be most effective based on individual characteristics (personalized medicine).

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AM: (9 miles, 1:17:44).  Interesting.  I ran about 6.5 miles easy and then ran the last 20` at MP.  I ran this same "workout" last September, and the last 20` this time was near 15 secs slower (bummer), BUT, the overall run was faster by over a minute.  So, I guess I am happy ;-).  

I am still working on getting my eating back up to speed.  I kind of like that I have lost weight (I am still down about 8 lbs) - but I am still trying to get my nutrition worked out.  One of the things my doctor said was *don't skip meals* - and I try hard not to, but somehow two times this week I was not able to eat lunch until 3PM - which meant, of course, that I did not really eat dinner.  It is not really my fault, both days I quite literally had meetings for 6 hours straight and it just wasn't feasible to eat.  I think I just need to try to schedule things a little better.  Anyway - I am just happy to be feeling better!!  I am eliminating wheat gluten from my diet for the next couple of weeks, to see if this helps.  Alicia Shay and I were talking yesterday and she said that true blue celiac disease runs in her family, along with gluten sensitivity, and many of her family had similar problems to mine.   The problem, for me, is that being a vegetarian makes it difficult to ensure that I get enough protein and other things that are often in foods with high wheat gluten content.  The "gluten-free" stuff in stores is really not always that healthy, so I really believe that natural (not processed) alternatives are "best".  The problem is that we are so busy that planning meals (and, obviously finding time to eat them ;-) ) is not really that easy.  

 

PM: easy 4.

Happy March, bloggers!! 

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somewhere between 7 and 7.5 ... I just enjoyed the day.  1:04:02.  My hips hurt like a sommagun.  Not from running, but from the side planks and "superman" back exercises that John has me doing.  Can feel it in my obliques, and hips -- but I guess in a 'good' way!  I have been doing quite a few ab exercises for a few months now, so planks are pretty easy (though they are not the exercise I have been doing) -- but whooeee is my back weak.

Happy Friday bloggers, have two projects I have to finish today - I am really hoping to be able to take a whole day off this weekend (both days would be too much to ask, but one day?? I certainly hope so!). 

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AM: (8 miles, 1:13:13).  Easy run, nice and warm.  Brought carrots for Big Boy and CoCo.

PM: 4 easy.

 

Busy day -- but can't concentrate for lack of hearing about allie's race!  I was so depressed this morning, both because I was not able to race and because I was not able to spend time with allie.  BUT, I know she knows that I was with her in spirit!  Now I wish I knew how she did!!!

Happy Saturday bloggers, run far, run fun. 

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2:24:29.  Two ~8 mile loops in the desert (1:13:25/1:11:04).  ~82F and sunny.  A little too warm for March ... it has been such a warm winter that I had to be on the lookout for snakes already.  So far I haven't seen one, but if it really does get up in the 90s tomorrow like it is forecast it won't be long before they come out from hibernation.  This is bad, because it is almost 2 months early!  Not boding well for the summer, given that last "summer" lasted almost into November.

 

Happy Sunday bloggers!! 

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big fat goose-egg.  Dean has validated (meaning the lab diagnosed it and now he is a department of health statistic) H1N1 flu.  We are both on anti-viral meds - our doctor said that the full course of H1N1 is 8-10 days, but with these meds maybe 4-5!  modern medicine.  Dean is very sick - it is horrible, fever, chills, cough, the whole 9 yards.  I am not yet full-blown and hoping with all my heart I can fight this off.  So, I did not run.  I really can't afford to miss work this week, besides class I have two major presentations to make to external advisors who are here to evaluate our cancer research program.  

I am bummed beyond bummed.  Especially since I already knew I won't be able to run for a few days next week after my biopsy.  Did I mention, "I am bummed".  If Dean weren't so miserable I would be mad. 

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easy 45' to make sure I did not die ;-).  I am still a little sick, but I think that the Tamiflu is working!!! yea!  Dean is still sick as a .... well, as sick as someone with the flu.

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AM: (8 miles, 1:19:43).  Yes!! it was cool, I am sort of healthy, and it felt good.  Dropped by to see BigBoy and CoCo -- brought carrots.  Big Boy was super super upset ... running around, neighing, and kicking his back feet in the air.  Apparently CoCo was out riding, and BigBoy did not like her being gone one little bit.  He ate the carrots, but still was distracted and freaked out.  I actually got out of the corral because I was just the tiniest bit afraid of being kicked (especially with my luck lately ;-) ).  He is so big that even if he did not mean to, he could do some real damage.  Poor thing.  

PM: easy 4.

Hope all is well bloggers!! 

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Hilly, windy -- gusts up to 27mph -- but happy to be out and running.  Dean and I attended an early morning breakfast meeting (7AM), with a talk by the president of Ventana, a local biotech company (part of Roche).  It was pretty far from our house ... but I asked Dean to drop me back off at home afterward so I could run (~10AM).  It was beautiful (other than the wind) -- but chilly.

 Happy Friday bloggers, very happy that there is no class next week!!  I can get caught up on my work, AND, I don't have to prepare lectures this weekend!  Track and Field, all weekend long!

 

 

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AM: (8 miles, 1:11:59).  On the cool side (60F) -- opposed to hot, not opposed to cold -- and sunny.  CoCo was with Big Boy today, so he was not nearly as stressed out as he was on Thursday.  

PM: easy 4.

Trying to keep up with all the Track&Field results - both NCAAs and World Indoor Champs.  So far, the big news is that Lawi Lalang is the NCAA indoor champion for the 5K (yea Arizona!!), with Chris Derrick (Stanford) in 2nd and Stephan Sambu (Arizona, again!!!) in third.

The USA has taken golds at Worlds in the shot put (Ryan Whiting -- 22.00), in the 400m (Sanya Richards-Ross -- 50.79), in the 60m (Justin Gatlin -- 6.46) and HUGE props to Ashton Eaton in the heptathlon (new World Record with 6,645 pts!!!).

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2:22:59 (1:14:02/1:08:56).  Pretty funny, same route as last week where I ran 1:13:25/1:11:04.  Felt  a whole lot easier this week.  I did push it a little on the second loop, but still in the "comfortable" range (e.g., my "poor mans HR monitor -- when I can breath with my mouth closed").  Such a nice day ... perfect really, it just doesn't get better than 72F and partly cloudy.  Feel oh so lucky!!  

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!!   

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AM: (7.5, 1:05:48).  Very hilly, yet easy, run.  I had an early morning meeting, so I decided to run longer tomorrow ... since there are no classes and I won't be as pushed for time tomorrow.

PM: easy 4.

 

Even though this week is "spring break" -- it is messed up for me, as I have a whole bunch of deadlines and projects due, and Thursday afternoon is my follow-up biopsy with the breast surgeon.  Ick.  

 

The good news is that it is beautiful here right now!!  83F and sunny today -- who could ask for anything more??   

 

 

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Well, 9 "bonnie miles" -- borrowed from the great Badger Cross-Country team, where you run by time and estimate miles based on some estimate of minute-per-miles pace.   They are much faster so they estimate they are running 7 min pace, I estimate I am running 9 min pace.  So, I ran a very hilly 41:00 out and 40:42 back.  Some days I am pretty sure I run faster than 9 min pace, but other days, who knows, maybe I run slower.  Goal is training ... saving timed stuff for the track, and most importantly, the race!!

I am so busy.  I have a talk tomorrow morning - and then off to the doctors.  I then get to wait at least 4 days for results.  I will get valium for the procedure, but I think I need valium for the waiting game afterward more!!  I keep thinking (as a statistician does) 50% chance it is benign -- those aren't horrible odds.

Happiest of Humpdays bloggers. 

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Nice run ... very early in the morning (for me).  6AM.  Was the coolest run I have had in about a month -- 45F.  I had to run to work to give a talk to a bunch of biologist-types (they are nice, but statistics seems to bore most of them), then I snuck a valium about an hour before my doctors appointment ;-).  

The surgeon is pretty darn good.  It was  not pleasant, especially when I broke the first core needle (I am not joking! it was weird -- I told him that the tissue was very dense ;-)).  He was incredibly calm, so I did not freak out - externally anyway.  It took a longer time than I would have liked, but it was not that bad (the valium helped I think).  Last night, and today, is much worse than the last one .... he had told me yesterday, "you will be pretty sore".  I am surprised he did not laugh in my face when I asked him when I could run again.  I *might* be able to jog very slowly tomorrow .... but I am really not sure, he was extremely aggressive.  He did freak me a out a little ... he threatened that if this is negative he will go in surgically, apparently he seems to think it is something serious.  He seems pretty darn stubborn is what I think.  Now I get to wait a week for results ... almost worse than the procedure.  I just hope I can run soon.  Oh, and I hope I can get all this work that has piled up finished!!  Two grants, one paper, one book review, and a week of course notes and a quiz!!  what happened to my spring break????

 

Happy Friday bloggers.   

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1:19:45.  I don't know how far this was, but I don't think it was quite 9, so I will call it 8.5  -- ran very very slowly.  Ran hills, to keep in shape, but had to go super super easy down the hills, as not to "bounce".  Sore, but not as bad as yesterday, and not enough to keep me from running ;-).  I know my surgeon would be unhappy, but hey, whose life is this anyway?  I will compromise with him in absentia and only run once today ;-).  Mainly I am going to do this so I can run longer tomorrow (but don't tell him that!). 

I hope you are all doing well, can't wait to see the race reports come rolling in!  Run on bloggers!! 

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2:04:12.  Hilly run, ran pretty easy - I had to because last night I was pretty darn sore from yesterdays run.  I tried really hard to run easy peasy today.  It was raining and 43F, snow in the mountains.  Actually, my friend Merry was supposed to race this morning and they cancelled the race because of lightening.  Bummer, as I am sure it was going to be a fast race.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

 

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AM: (8 miles, 1:14:32).  Nice and hilly, 33.5F can you believe it??  awesome!

PM: easy 4.

 

Have to go to  lab meeting, write a quiz, and give a review session!!

Life is not dull here in Tucson! 

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1:02:43.  Beautiful run.  43F, perfect running weather.  I love where I live. Because there are not as many houses, and it is more "rural" people (ok, mostly older people) always wave and say hi.  Today, one of the older (probably mid-to-late 70s) guys who rides his bike stopped near my house to talk.  It was so sweet.  He wanted to say that he sees me all the time, "sometimes in the early morning, sometimes at 11AM!! and then, sometimes even in the afternoon!!!" :-).   I expected him to say "heavens to betsy!".  Anyway, it was really cute.  He was a chemist - well, I guess he still is, although I am pretty sure he is retired.  I am a lucky person.

So, since I started sharing the saga with you about my health, I guess I should finish it as well. Tomorrow I have a follow-up appointment with my breast surgeon.  Today, when I got back from my run, I had messages on all three phones (home, cell and work) saying he (the surgeon) wanted to talk to me.   I will admit I was freaked out.  Why couldn't he wait until tomorrow?  Well, don't freak out, but we finally talked and my biopsy results came back positive for early stage breast cancer.  It is NOT a super big deal.  Prognosis is excellent -- more than excellent actually.  Some people don't even count this as cancer (it is called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ - DCIS, it is malignant cells that are confined to ducts).  I will be meeting with him tomorrow morning to discuss treatment options, but I am pretty sure he will recommend surgery followed by radiation.  There is a very small possibility that when he does the surgery he will find "other" types of cancer that might be worse, but that  is a very slim possibility.  The main problem about this kind is that it does recur and it puts me at a much higher risk for the "worst" kinds in the future -- but that is not now ... right now, of all the bad news, this is the best news.  Well, except for my running.  I probably won't be racing any time soon, I will likely not run during radiation, and I don't know how long I will need to recover after surgery ... so, no running/training plans for a while.  BUT - I am fine, I will be fine, and it is not so bad. I will admit it is a little weird though.  And, a little scary.  

More later, don't worry.  

Run well bloggers. 

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AM: (9 miles, 1:20:34).  Nice run ... I was a little emotional.  

PM: easy 4.  

 

Processing.  Surgery is not scheduled yet, waiting on some more genetic testing to see if a simple (breast conserving) or more complicated (e.g., both breasts go) surgery is required.   The initial genetics of the tissue is of high risk.  But, in the meantime I get to meet my radiation oncologist.  I have a TEAM (e.g., medical team) we don't have t-shirts, or a name yet, but ... hey, I have a team!! ;-).

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1:03:23.

 

Had a mini-breakdown on my run, thankfully, I was running, and it was good therapy.  I am a type A person, I don't like not having a "plan" - I don't like waiting around for 2 weeks to begin to implement my plan.  And, I don't like to obsess about things that I can't change - but I am ...

And, it makes it hard to concentrate on the work that is piling up around me.  

Thankfully, I am a runner, and I can run.  So I will ;-).

 

Happy Friday bloggers. 

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AM: (8 miles, 1:13:23).  Nice and warm, Dean just said, "it is a nice summer day today ... too bad it is March" ;-).  It is 84F, and sunny, but I won't complain at all .... I ran, I saw Big Boy and CoCo (by the way, Dover bit me again yesterday -- he just doesn't know how to control those big teeth of his!) and ran some hills.

PM: 4 miles.

Although I am going to try to spend a whole 24 hours not obsessing about my disease, I do need to figure out how to get my appetite back.  Although there is a little part (ok maybe a bigger than little part) of me that enjoys being my new 13 lbs underweight, I am being told that I have to put on some weight in the next few weeks (so I can lose it again during treatment).  SOOOO ... I need to go and buy some stuff that really makes me hungry.  Maybe a little slim-fast and ice cream anyone? ;-)

 

Happy Saturday bloggers!! 

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My watch said 2:30:49, 1:17:39/1:13:10 -- but I don't think the 1:17:39 was right.  There was a snake on the trail, and I had to stop running, see what kind, and then give adequate birth to get around.  Since it was not a rattlesnake, I did not have to go too far off the trail to get around, but sometimes it is good to get out of their way even if they don't have rattlesnake characteristics.  Anyway, this probably took a couple of mins, and I might not have turn off my watch.  Regardless ... I was running slow, but it did not feel "that" slow on the first lap.  It was sort of a tough run though, the first lap I felt drained, a little unmotivated, and like I did not have enough blood sugar or something.  But, as soon as I started on the second lap I got into my "running zone" and just powered through.  

It is 84F and sunny!  Dean said yesterday, "it is a beautiful summer day, too bad it is in March".  he he.

 

Happy Sunday bloggers.  Thank you all so much for your support.   Even when I am not "running" during whatever treatment course is taken - I will still try to stay a part of the blog, because I consider you all to be my friends ;-) 

 

 

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AM: (8 miles, 1:11:34).  10 x 1` w/1` recovery.  Up and down hills on a dirt road.  My piriformis (or some other bum muscle) hurts like crazy -- I had to sit on a lacrosse ball all through lab meeting this morning - yikes.  

PM: easy 4.

 SO busy.  I am leaving for DC on Wednesday, and besides the "usual" stuff (teaching, meetings, etc) I am working on two grants that are due in the next 2 weeks.  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed ... but, good to see that life goes on here in the holding pattern of "hurry up and wait"  ;-).  I am going to hate the 3 hour time change - early morning meetings made earlier by a disconnect between body clock and clock-clock ;-).

Happy Tuesday bloggers!! 

 

 

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pre-blogging, I am assuming it will take me my usual 62 mins or so ... very busy day today, teach, seminar, rush to airport .... get in at midnight!

 

Happy humpday! 

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Beautiful day here in DC.  Ran on the Mt. Vernon trail -- the cherry blossoms are almost gone (way too warm here this spring) - but there were a few blossoms left.  I then traveled out to my where I had done my post-doc (National Centers for Health Statistics) met up with one of my best friends.  I went with her as she took her son to a doctors appointment at the Naval Hospital -- which was recently merged with Walter Reed.   It was very sobering experience being at the Hospital. Not only are all the active duty Army and Navy personnel in fatigues (a reminder that we are still at war), but level and number of severely (missing limbs) injured soldiers was more than I had anticipated.  Very sad, and, like I said, very sobering.

 

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My alarm did not go off this morning!  I woke up at 2:30 ET (11 PM "my time"), I did end up getting back to sleep and then woke up again, and saw that it was 30mins later than I was supposed to get up!!  Yikes.  All was well, I just did not get as much time as I usually need to stretch ... so the first couple miles were much much slower than usual.   Since I won't be racing any time soon, I do have to say I am much more relaxed about keeping my running body as healthy as I usually do.  I am just lucky to be running!!

Happy Friday bloggers ... long meeting day for me! 

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Dark, early, cool, but not cold ... so, karma might come back to me after this morning.  I am just past the turn-around (~35 min) and this guy comes up from an alternate path and passes me, well, he really wasn't that fast, and he had a really awkward gait, and I thought, "no way is *that* guy going to get away from me".  So, I was really running pretty easy, so I just picked it up so I kept right on him.  It was sort of mean of me, because I deliberately did not pass him (because I wasn't really running that fast, I was just running faster than 'easy' pace) - but just kept the pressure on, after about a mile he was making all kinds of grunting noises ... but he kept trying to pick it up ... I guess he was as competitive as me ;-).   We "ran together" for about 3 miles, and then he ran one direction and I ran the other when we came to a fork in the road.  It was sort of mean of me, but it was exhilarating, and it was his "fault" for thinking that I could be easily passed ;-).  

 

Another day of sitting on my butt all day in the meeting ... we vote alot, so at least I get to raise my hands every once-in-a-while ;-).

Happy weekend bloggers!

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