Each Day Is a Gift

76 days to Boston!!! :)

New month!!! :)  Shoes with over 500 miles started to nag at the top of tibialis last couple weeks.  Got 2 new pairs of Elixir for a song over the weekend.  Ran 10 miles in them yesterday and immediately could tell the difference!  Gotta LOVE new shoes!!! :)

Nice running temp with cloudy sky.  5 with Karen on Bull River and paved rail trail, 4.5 by myself to Smith and back!  Didn't eat or drink other than a cup of EmergenC pre-run.  A little dehydrated, mp felt harder than it should. 

Mrtyle (10-15 reps).  3 circuits CSE (30 reps or 30 sec. hold).  Bicep tricep with weights and resistant bands!

Blustery day!!!  Opted for home gym with Karen's company.  She did 25 min on the bike and 25 min. on the elliptical.  I did 20 min elliptical and 6 miles on the TM.  Finished with 12 reps Myrtle. 

My friends are so nice to run long with me today.  We started at 8:15 after their kids are off to school.  Ran a different route today.  Cold, no wind, lots of icy spots!  We ran on the dirt shoulder quite a bit...good thing I wore my Ascend.  Ran east via SR92 and south to Highland.  Explored the dirt canal trail and the neighborhood that Karen used to live 20 yrs ago; all over the gated community south of golf course, turned around at the creek north of Lone Peak.  Gu'd and pit stop at Mtn Ridge Jr High then west back to Karen's.  Wendy and Carolyn got 12, Karen got 13.  After bidding them goodbye, I continued on west to end of canal trail and home for 15.  Only had an EmgenC, one Gu with sips of water...am femished and a bit dehydrated.

Off to finish packing and head to airport.  Plan on running the kid mile with my granddaughter and 5K with my daughter tomorrow morning in Kingwood Tx.  Will take it easy next week, sorta mini-taper for Orphan Hope. 

:) :) :) Have a great weekend, fellow bloggers! :) :) :)

Lake Houston Bridge Fest 5K

Woke up numerous times, finally got up at 6.  Took one look at what Larissa (my daughter) was wearing, immediately ordered her to change into the cute RHPC shirt and skirt I brought over for her.  Jade wore the race shirt, a cotton T.  Put on a light jacket and grabbed couple of umbrellas then headed to pick up her neighbor, Beth and her daughter, Grace to the race.  It was raining cats and dogs, thunder, dark.  We got to the YMCA and parked fairly close.  They had already closed off the road.  The kid mile was supposed to start at 8.  But due to the thunder storm, it was posponed till 9:15.  We had 2 hours to sit around and visit and eat waiting for the thunder storm to pass.  

Plan was to run the kid mile with Jade and Gracie (both age 9), then run the 5K with my daughter.  But found out they have asked the adults to cheer the kids off-course and encouraged the kids to run the 5K with their parents.  So after sitting inside for over two hours, we walked outside and got the kids lined up.  There were 66 kids running the half mile race and 15 min. later 178 kids running the mile race.  The official gave some instruction of where to turn around, a prayer was said, then the gun was fired.  Oh man, I was so itching to run, instead we stood behind the start line, cheered and waited for them to run back.  Jade did awesome, 8:38 and took 11th in her age group (9-10 female).  Excellent for her first ever race.  So so so so proud of her :)

15 min later, I lined up with Jade, Gracie, Larissa, Beth and their friend, Julianne, Jill and Rhonda for the 5K.  I let Larissa wore my Garmin, giggled while hubby was beaming with pride.  A prayer was said, then gun went off and a huge downpour began.  It was SO FUN running in the heavy rain storm.  We stayed together for about 100 yards weaving around people and having a great time.  Larissa was the fastest among our little pack.  I'd run up to her and she looked at the Garmin and panicked when she saw that it read 7something and said: "Am I running too fast?"  I said: "No, that's current pace, your average pace is probably in the 8s and you are doing great."  She said they've never run that fast ever.  She's only started running the last couple months, 2-3 miles, 2-3 times a week with her friends running in the 11-12mm.  But I know she could run much faster than that.  I ran back and forth to get Jade and Gracie.  When Gracie started walking, her mom didn't stay with her, I debated whether to stay.  But I didn't want Jade to walk, so I told Jade to keep running and don't let her mom get away too far. 

We ran up the Lake Houston Bridge to the other side and turned around.  Saw the first runner soon after aid station #1 around mile 1.2.  Jade took a water.  I pointed to her that the winners are coming towards us...so let's run to the lane divider and cheer them on.  She would weave around those round metal bumps lane dividers and watched for familiar faces.  She saw her music teacher then her mom.  At the turn around, she said, "FINALLY!"  I noticed her shoe lace was untied and she was slowing down.  I asked if she's ever run 3 miles before to which she said, "No!"  She was such a trooper...she tried really hard to stay with me.  Whenever a boy would pass us, I'd say, "Don't let that boy beat you!"  Other adults passing would point to her un-tied shoes.  So to ease the minds of the adults, we stopped to tie her shoes.  That took at least 30 seconds, it was hard to untie a dead wet knot.  At mile 2, a little boy around the age of 6 was running with his dad passed us.  He was wearing a matching blue and black shirt, shorts and shoes, SO CUTE!!!  I could tell his dad was a runner...none of this wearing race cotton-T stuff.  Soon we passed them and I heard the little boy crying and saying: "I'm going to fall."  He didn't want to run any more.  So I ran back to hold his hand, while his dad held his other hand.  Together we ran and encouraged him.  He stopped crying and Jade was saying kind words to him.  With 50 meters to go I told him, we'll let go of the hands and it's up to him to run strong and fast to the finish.  I told him and Jade to raise their arms when they cross the finish.  I peeled off to get around the timing mat and high fived the kids.  Then I went back to look for Gracie.  So so so so proud of my daughter and granddaughter.  We were completely soaked from head to toes.  We waited freezingly for the rest of the girls to come in; then went inside the YMCA building to grab some refreshment.  Our shoes are still wet 2 days later! 

Larissa finished in 28:06, 11th out of 79 in her AG (30-39 female).  Jade finished in 30:55 13th in her AG (1-12 female).  There were 630 total finishers.  The overall winner was 18 yo male in 16:07.  The overall femaile winner was 16 yo in 18:24. 

It was a fun fun memorable run with my sweet daughter and granddaughter.  Later in the afternoon, Larissa and I went to the grand-opening of the Fleets Feet in Woodlands and got her a pair of running shoes.  Her friends came over and gave her a foam roller for her 33rd birthday (the next day 2/6).  :)

Ran 1.25 mile with Larissa, then 6 by myself around the neighborhood road and greenbelt trail.  It's perfect running weather with T in the low 50s, slight breeze, partly cloudy.  I saw blue birds flying and heard birds singing. Happy day! :) 

Earlier in the morning, we made breakfast for Larissa's b'day.  After breakfast, Bryan and his two friends, Christina and Rachelle performed their violin and violas for us.  They left for Houston Rice University to do an audition for the German International Summer Festival at noon today.  So proud of their awesome performance and talents.

Just got a call from Fleets Feet that I won a pair of Saucony shoes.  They said I can choose any Saucony,  so may be I will take the Kinvara!  :)  I will go pick them up when I go pick up my race packet on Friday evening.  Sweet!!! :)

Was so tired that I overslept.  Did not get up early to run with Larissa and her friend.  Felt colder this morning even though the temp is the same as yesterday may be due to the cloudy sky.  After the grandkids were off to school.  Papa and I walked little Luke to his neighborhood pre-school.  Then I went for a short run in the Kingwoods Manor neighborhood.  The cement road, side walk and bike path felt hard on the legs and joints.  Left quads and right knee pretty sore.

Spent the afternoon taking the little ones to the mall and shopping.  By night time I could feel a cold coming on...must've caught Baby Jett's cold. 

Woke up with a frog in my throat and achy back.  Larissa had a busy morning practicing her violin numbers at the church.  Papa and I babysat.  Nice day out with partly sunny sky, temp in the mid 50, slight breeze.  To give the legs/joints a rest from the cement road, sidewalk and Greenbelt pathway, I wore my Ascend and ran on the grass and dirt.  Definitely more work and slower on the thick crab grass, yet soft and nice on the dirt.  Legs are leadly dead.  Left quads and hip and right knee are quite sore.  It's gonna be a slow slow long run at Orphan Hope this Sat.  Am looking forward to my first ever forest trail run though, should be fun! :)     

Up at 6 to run with Larissa and her friends, Beth and Julianna.  Temp was in the low 40s, calm, full moon w/ a ring around it.  Walked for .25 mile to Julianna's as warm up.  Did some gentle stretches and off on the cement road we ran.  The girls wanted me to observe their strides and gaits. They wanted to know about running form, intervals, cross training and anything about running in general.  Larissa and I did couple of intervals of 1 min. on/off.  Before I knew it, we were done.  I really wanted to run some more.  But not feeling well and short on time, I decided to walk home with Beth and Larissa instead.

Got the grandkids out of school at noon so we could spend the day in Houston, visiting the Discovery Green Park and Weather Museum.  Not feeling well, achy and a little chilled. Picked up Brandon from this office in downtown and went to edge of Chinatown for a very nice Chinese dinner.

Feeling tired and achy by the time we got home in the evening.  It started to rain at night.  

No running today.  Woke up with tight chest congestion, back ache.  Raining cats and dogs.  Papa, Larissa, Luke and I went to Lex's kindergarten to have lunch with him.  Took Papa to the airport before heading to Fleets Feet in the Woodlands for packet pick up and got the Saucony that I won.  They only had two Saucony models in my size.  Luckily, Kinvara2 is one of them.  I'm going to love running in them! :)  

It rained all night last night and most of the day today.  The Race staff said the trail is going to be very muddy tomorrow.  Weather forecast says Temp will be 32 with 12mph wind making it feels like 29 at 8am and warms up to 42 (real feel 38) by noon.  So, looks like a muddy messy cold long run.  May be that's what I need to loosen up the congestion!?!  Am coughing up a bit after taking a decongestant this afternoon.    

I signed up for this marathon for couple of reasons.  It is close to where my daughter lives and her birthday is 5 days prior to the race...so I can come celebrate her b'day and spend time with the grandkids.  Another reason is the proceed of this race goes to building Safe House for the Orphan Hope International whose missions is to minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of orphans everywhere.  The race sponsor/organizer is the Masterpiece Fitness, a non-profit women's minstry in the Spring/Woodlands area.  They base their minstry on Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  GOOD enough reasons for me! :)

Got up at 5:30 after a sleepless night.  Forecast for temp at Huntsville at 8am is 28 w/ 12mph wind...too cold for the grandchildren so they stayed home.  Larissa and I left the house shortly after 6 for the 75min drive to Huntsville State Park where the trail marathon, half marathon and marathon relay take place.  Got there around 7:15, did the pop, checked in at the little lodge.  It was very cold and windy.  The race staffs had us go outside to make announcements and did warm-up aerobic dance, a first for me.  In fact there are lots of firsts for me today: 1st ever trail marathon, 1st ever Texas marathon, 1st inaugural Orphan Hope Marathon, 1st time hubby did not accompany me, 1st time my daughter come to a marathon, 1st time I sustained an injury during a marathon. 

The start and finish is right by Lake Raven.  The course is a 13.1 mi loop (x2 for marathoners and marathon relay) east then south to the south boundary and north to the northwest boundary of the State Park around Lake Raven.  The course is entirely on forest trails, rolling hills and lots of turns with two turnaround points (like an out-n-back where you can see those ahead/behind you).  There are no mile markers, 5 aid stations (repeated 2x for marathon) that are located about 2.5-3.5 miles apart, 6 port-a-potties at the start/finish and 2 at one turnaround point.  

I didn't have my fuel belt that carries fluid, nor my hand held which turn out to be a big mistake.  I wore my green windbreaker so I could carry an extra pair of socks, the inhaler, bandaids. gloves, gu and cell phone in the pockets.  I wore s/s top, capri pants, compression sleeves, running cap, sunglasses, double socks in the Ascend trail shoes.  I looked like I was ready to go for a hike.  I did see a marathoner with trekking poles.

After the National Anthem and prayer, about 400 runners gathered around the start/finish banner and with a 5,4,3,2,1 we were off.  Somehow I lined up right behind the fast guys and was quickly passed by all the runners.  I could not breathe, my legs and feet were lead.  I fumbled around with an ipod shuffle Larissa has loaded and loaned me.  

With zero experience in running forest trails I ran cautiously, picking up my feet and watched for roots, downed branches, pine cones and rocks.  There are a few muddy spots that I either hopped over or walked around.  Did I mention it was rolling hilly and a few wood plank bridges to cross?  I rolled my ankles slightly and tripped a couple times but kept my feet moving and never fell.  Not sure where perhaps between mile 6-10.  My right foot hurt bad with every foot-fall.  At first I thought it was tendonitis that finally thawed and hurting since my feet were frozen.  I tried to walk and stretch the feet a little.  I tried to land lightly but pretty hard to do with clunky trail shoes.  A runner in Fibram Five passed me and I envied him. Every foot fall felt like my foot would shatter to pieces.  Walking didn't help and eventually the feet just went numb. I was coughing, hecking up a storm and needed to take 3 puffs from the inhaler.  My nose ran faster than my feet. :)

The aid stations were too far apart.  I needed to pee bad, and finally got to one at the turnaround point around mile 16.5  First time I got to sit down, I thought about taking off one pair of the double socks to see if that's what causing my foot to hurt, but instead swallowed two ibuprofens w/o water.  I thought about pulling out of the race but how? I was in the forest.  The aid stations were too far in between.  In fact when I entered an aid station, I had to yell for water which comes in tiny 6 oz cups 1/2 filled.  The young volunteers handed out peanut M&Ms.  I had to ask for Gu, water or Gatorade.  After they got me a cup of fluid, they would say, KEEP GOING!  Geeweez, there are hardly anyone running close by.  We were pretty strung out especially after the half.  

The forest is so peaceful and beautiful. The are couple of stretches that are straight with soft clay or sand and pine needles.  I would pick up my pace and run like a road runner passing a few runners.  At around mile 10 (23) is a levy looking single track that's right next to the lake and one can see across the lake where the lodge is.  I imagined Larissa watching from there so I waved.  It was also very windy at this stretch.

At the half point, back to the start, a few spectators including my daughter were cheering, I forgot about the pain or to shed my extra gear.  The volunteers yelled at me to "run down and turn around".  I ran down to the start/finish mat only to be told that I turned around at the wrong spot, the timer guy asked for my bib# and said he would delete it.  I guess the marathoners and relay runners aren't supposed to cross that mat until finish.  In retrospect, I should have just called it quit.  

To run the same thing a second time over was hard because 1) I was depleted, 2) my foot was killing me, 3) the course got more muddy 4) the half marathoners are gone so less runners on the course and I had to rely on the orange tapes to keep me on course.  I don't know how in the world the RR100 people can run their loops 4 times. I thought about Crockett's agony running in the dark and over 24 hours and his enduring the pain to finish.  It gave me the umph and courage to keep going.

 Incidently the ipod shuffle had enough music for about 2 hours so I got to listen to the same songs again which was actually helpful.  Larissa had uplifting music, serene as well as upbeat music that came at the right time.  At one point, the lyrics came on: "My mouth is dry, my legs are weak....HEART ATTACK!!!  You give me a heart attack.  I must've died and gone to heaven..." So funny because right at that instant I felt like dying and the runner in front of me had his bib pinned on his back with the number 44 (double death).  I burst out laughing. :)

I tried to run with a smile...I think it helped.  There were couple of people cheering on the rollers about a mile to the finish.  They remarked, "You are STILL smiling!"  I was so happy to finally see the lodge.  I had both ear buds on and did not hear a girl sprinting past me at the last second.  She beat me by 2 seconds.  As soon as I crossed the finish, my daughter was right there and the first thing that came out of my mouth was:  "I did something terrible to my body!  This is the hardest thing I've ever done!" Not something you should say to a new runner...I think I scared her off from ever running again. :) 

The outside of my right foot hurt so bad that I was limping around before stopping to have my chip taken off.  I limped to get my food.  I was shivering uncontrollably.  The wind did not help.  Everyone was bundled up in coats.  I went to the park bathroom and had the hand-dryer blow warm air on me to stop the shivering.  I took 2 more ibuprofen and was able to walk normally to the lodge to check the result.

I took 1st out of 6 in my F50-59 division, 41st out of 82 total marathoners.  I went to pick up my award only to find that it was missing.  The race staff figured that the woman who took 1st in the same AG for the Half marathon must've inadverdently took it.  So they had me write down my info and said they would try and get me my award.  

When we got back to the house, my granddaughter had made and posted a *Congratulation* sign on the garage door!  So sweet!  I took off my shoes and immediately felt a lump on the bottom and outside of my right foot.  Upon examining it, I found a swelling about the size of an apricot at the base of the 5th metatarsal.  I fear that it is fractured.  I just hope it is an avulsion fracture not the Jones fracture or stress fracture.  I will go to the doctor when I get back to Utah.  I will heal.  

This trail marathon could've been a really fun and enjoyable run if I was feeling well or more prepared.  I have no regret for running and finishing even though I got injured running it! :) I will post my splits and may be some pix later. My half time split was 2:14:12.   Now off to get more ice for the foot. 

Swelling in foot increase.  Pain is surprisingly less, perhaps the edema acts as a cushion or natural splint? 

Thanks to wheelchair assist and golf-cart deliverance, I made it to the gate and got on the plane wonderfully.  Propped my leg up on the arm-side food tray on the flight home. 

Cold not better; but so nice to be home in my own bed! :)

Thanks to Lowell and his networking, the Spanish Fork Half RD emailed me the name and number of a podiatrist that his running group recommended.  I called him this morning and got an appointment this afternoon. :)

Dr. McKell took history of how I hurt my foot and asked: "You hurt your foot during the marathon?" "Where was this at?" "You kept running with a hurt foot?" Hehe! :)

He had me push my foot against his hands in various resistance; positioned tuning fork on different spots of the foot; examined the edema and palpate the length of the 5th metatarsal; pin-pointed the ouchie spot; did 3 views X-ray of the foot.  The verdict:  stress fracture at the base of the 5th metatarsal.  The sentence:  NO RUNNING for 2-3 weeks.  I have to wear THE BOOT in my waking hours.  I have to see him in 2 weeks.  The prognosis:  he says the sf site has a relatively good blood supply so it may heal quicker...good news!!! :)

My cold actually feels worse than the foot.  Head hurts with every cough.  Lots of icky expectorant.  But, I think this is the peak of it, and I should start feeling better soon! :)

Funny how tired one gets or feels with doing absolutely NOTHING!!!  

Karen and Wendy picked me up to drive to the District for their run with RAD on her birthday.  The sight of them in running clothes and me in winter coat and the hideous BLACK BOOT about brought me to tears!  Snow!  RAD's cute boys' smiles put a bright spot in my heart.

I sat in RAD's family room reading and watching the little boys play and waited for the girls to return from their running.  They came in drenched w/ sweat and melted snow and the familiar post-run happy glow.  We then piled in RAD's van and headed to Kneaders for breakfast!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Rachel!!!!

Got home, sat and read and fell asleep....prisoner to the boot....feeling very very tired! :(

With the company of Karen and Wendy.

50 min. bike (30 min P2, 20 in. E1)

105 min. elliptical (incline 15-30, resist 4, RPM 50)

The cold is not better or worse.  I am convinced that running helps with getting over a cold faster.  It's been ONE week since the marathon and the injury.  This is the longest I've ever had from not running in 6 years.  I have been very fortunate to avoid injuries having completed 35 marathons and other distance races the last 6 years.

20 min bike

40 min elliptical

10 min bike

The boot is so high that it hits the back of my knee/thigh on the recumbent bike.  Will make some adjustment next time.  Am getting around fine in the boot! :)

Attended Bryan's concert with the Philharmonic.  We sat by Elder and Sister Groberg.  Pres. Uchtdorf and his wife, Pres. Samuelson and Dean Jones sat in front of us.  The concert was fabulous.  The last number took up the entire second half of the program is Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben, A Hero's Life, wonderful tone poems depicting, the hero, his adversaries, his wife, his deeds of war, his works of peace and his retreat from the world and fulfillment of life.

Choir was supposed to sing last week when I was in TX.  Well, they couldn't get in the home where we hold choir practice and store the music.  So, we sang today instead.

My 5 yo Primary children are so cute.  They were curious about my boot.  They did not understand HOW I could break my foot running.  They asked if I won the race.  I didn't have the heart to tell them someone stole my award.  :)

I was alarmed to see my right lower leg has atrophied when I removed my boot after church yesterday.  This morning my hubs and sons confirmed that the right lower leg is indeed skinnier and smaller than the left.  I panicked and texted Teena, RAD and Lowell.  Felt much better after talking to RAD.  I was ready to throw the boot in the trash.  Hubby did remind me that it was a 200 bucks boot that I'd better get my money's worth by wearing it!  :) :) :) :)

20 min. bike

60 min. elliptical (10 min backward, 40 min gradual increase incline to 40 and back down, 10 min backward)

10 min. bike

Here's the plan:

I will focus on the healing of the foot and not worry about the atrophy of the limb by wearing the boot faithfully.  Next week when I see the doc.  I will ask him what limitations I have.  Until I get the okay to run, I will do exercises to keep up the cardio and core strength.  Any suggestions are welcomed!!! 

Reluctantly put on CoreLINE, the ugly black boot, but excited to get on the machines.

30 min. recumbent bike

105 min. elliptical (15 min backward, 75 min w/ incline increase, 15 min backward)

Myrtle

3 circuits CSE

Good sweat fest and NO coughing!  YAY!!! :) :) :)

The swelling at the sf site has decreased significantly.  It is now the size of a grape and just slightly tender to touch.  Heal baby HEAL!!!  :) :) :)

30 min bike (P1), 4 sets 25 reps biceps/triceps x2

120 min elliptical (30 min CWL1,  90 min progressive incline and reverse) watched 2 interesting documentaries to pass time.

Myrtle

Abs & leg lifts

Foam roll & stretch

With the company of Karen and Wendy! :-)

50 min bike (30 min P2, 20 min E1)

105 min elliptical (incline 15-30, resist 4, RMP 50)

40 min bike

60 min elliptical (20 incline, 2 resist, 55-60 rpm)

2 weeks post marathon foot injury = 2 weeks of zero running = 1 week of xtraining!

Movie #1: the Owl and the Sparrow

30 min bike

80 min elliptical

Potty break.   Movie #2:  Smile

30 min bike

90 min elliptical

Costco trip

I'm certain my running friends are having a wonderful day of racing and running!  :)

 7 weeks to Boston

16 days post marathon injury

Day 8 of cross training

45 min bike (E3, resist 4-16) 8 miles

120 min elliptical (manual, 17 laps) 4.05 miles

• 20 min forward, incline 30, resist 3
• 20 min reverse, incline 25, resist 3
• 20 min forward, incline 35, resist 3-4
• 10 min reverse, incline 20, resist 2
• 20 min forward, incline 25, resist 3
• 30 min forward, incline 20, resist 2

2 documentaries: Food Matters.  A day around the world on July 24, 2010.  (I think I started that day running the midnight moonlight marathon with Teena!)

Myrtle

3 circuits of CSE

60 min sweat fest on the elliptical, watching Man on a Mission, a  GREAT running 55 min documentary I highly recommend!!!  :)

Here's the good news from the follow up visit at Dr. McKell's this morning.  He examined the foot and had me push against his hand's resistance.  The only discomfort/tenderness was at the base of the 5th metatarsal when I pushed my foot outward.  Another X-ray was taken to compare with the ones 2 weeks ago.  He pointed out the area where little calouse has formed at the base of the 5th metatarsal.  He said I am healing at a very good rate.  Generally bone fracture takes 6-8 weeks to heal...but for a healthy person such as me...it can heal as quickly as 3 weeks.  WaHOOOO!!! :)

His recommendation is that I should remain in the boot for another week, mostly when I'm up for lengthy period and when outdoor.  When indoor/at home I need to wear sturdy shoes, NO bare feet.  I can begin walking this week.  And if no pain or discomfort I can introduce running in the mix next week!  How much and how soon is entirely up to my own judgement.  He cautioned the risk of re-injury, so I need to take things slowly.  He said to see him in two weeks but if things are heading the right direction then there's no need for another visit!  We then spent the next 5-10 min talking about running and bare foot running and my son's residency in Cleveland!  :) :) :) :) :)

So, here's the plan of action.  I will continue with my cross training on the cardio stuff and add walking on an incline treadmill.  I think I will borrow RAD's post-boot-TM workout! :)   THANKS RAD for being my *trail blazer*.  Hope I'll heal well enough to run Spectrum so I can complete the SG Runner Series.  And may be... may be well enough to run/walk Buffalo 25K that I have signed up for!  :)  If all goes well...I can do Boston with a goal to finish! :)  I'm SO happy! :)