and we have a winner...............

Yesterday, on Courtney's day pass home, I talked to her about raising money while training for the Chicago Marathon next year. I gave her about 5 different charity options, and explained what each of them are. After looking on-line at the charities, Courtney decided that the camp for kids with cancer is the best idea. I think she's right. The "One step at a time" programs operated by Children's Oncology Services, has camps for children coping with and surviving after cancer.

Last year, team runners made it possible for 80 children to go to camp. Money that I'll raise during training will have a direct and tangible impact within the organization and a sick child.

I think Courtney made a great choice. I'll be posting a link for donations, once I have it set up with them. (I think everyone is still getting things taken care of from the race 2 weeks ago)

Homecoming

Giving everyone an update with some GREAT news! Courtney is leaving the hospital today!!!!!!

She was allowed to go home yesterdays for 6 hours. I went to the Chase house to see the whole family--it was so great to see them together again! And even better to see Courtney's smiling face! She even showed me how she could take a few steps. Matt put all sorts of pizza ingredients in little bowls for the girls, and Courtney and Larissa got to make their own pizza--it was nice to watch them creating their culinary masterpiece. If only they ate it as well as designing it! It's important that Matt and Becca encourage Courtney to eat, and it was so smart of them to do so with the pizza.

Apparently yesterday went so well, (and she's getting better) that the doctors thought today would be a good day to finally send her home for good. I couldn't be happier for her and the Chase family. It's been a long month for them. Courtney should be able to resume her chemo treatment soon, and get back on track. Not only that, but it should only be a matter of days before she can go back to kindergarten!

I'm so proud of Courtney--she's a fighter, that's for sure.

the 2007 chicago walkathon

despite the heat, my brother finished yesterday's marathon in just over 3 1/2 hours, which makes him a rockstar in my book. He crossed the finish line before officials decided to cancel the race due to heat. So, good job Stephen! (I'll post a couple pictures as soon as my Dad sends them...hint! hint)

On another note, OW! So my muscles did not appreciate me using them in the heat yesterday, and they're telling me today. Because it's an "off day" in my training today I didn't have to run (THANK THE EXERCISE GODS!) so I just did a relaxing 2 mile walk with the dog tonight. It's a nice cool night, so he only complained that last 1/2 mile.

The girls are holding me back

The girls, the sisters, the twins, Laverne and Shirley, Thelma and Louise, Wilma and Betty......whatever your twosome of choice; my boobs are an issue. Sure you say, "I'd love to be that well endowed," but you know not the pain in the ass...well, chest they are. I need a traditional bra and two sports bras to keep them in check while exercising, otherwise I'm at risk of whiplash, or putting an eye out....without containment they could be considered WMD's. Nonetheless, I still feel pain in my chest when I run. Of course, some of that pain is my clogged arteries screaming for help, but the majority of it is the girls.
Any suggestions anyone? I know I may lose some of it as I lose weight, but even when I was thinner, I had the chest of a plus size supermodel, so there's no hope of suddenly becoming a dainty cup size.
On another note, I'm following a couple training programs, one of which is the "cool running, Couch to 5k in 9 weeks"....it does a lot of intervals-increasing the amount of run over walk over time. I was really happy to come across a great podcast by someone who also followed the program. He was nice enough to time it out to music, telling you when to walk and run, etc for each workout, so no need for a stop watch. I highly recommend it. Don't get me wrong, I still think running sucks and it's hard, but having the podcast along with me while I run is nice.

movin on up!

To the 8th floor! Courtney gets to move out of the ICU today!!! woo-hoo you go girl!
She's been in the ICU for nearly 3 weeks and we're excited to see her improving. She's down to just her fixed port in her chest, her bladder catheter and a feeding tube (which runs through her nose and down her throat) That's a considerable amount less of "accessories" (as her parents have come to call all the tubes and wires) than she's had over the last couple weeks.

Keep your prayers coming for Courtney and her family....they're definitely helping!

my current running partner

is really lazy. This picture about says it all. He'd much rather be in bed then out running and walking. 2 miles is about his limit, even when we just walk.......he takes his retirement very seriously. After going out this morning, he panted like he was dying for a good 20 minutes....I'm not even that pathetic! Oh Monty, I love you...but you're a horrible training parter.
So, I need a new one.....I'd prefer a human companion, but if need be I'll take a canine. (just a less lazy one)

So, I've made a decision

I'm going to become a runner. Sure, I've said it before....I've even bought some kick-ass running shoes. Turns out I don't have much motivation though. Sure, there's the whole "I need to lose weight and get in shape thing," but when it's about ME, it's easy to quit....I'm the only person holding me accountable, and I'm too busy thinking about ice cream to hold myself accountable.

I really do want to do this though. I want to be a runner. I've really been inspired by my younger brother-- not only is he a runner, but he runs marathons---without anyone chasing him with sharp objects. Not only that, but he's a do-gooder too. He ran a marathon with Team in Training and raised money for LLS. He's running the Chicago Marathon next week for The Alzheimer's Association. He does a good thing, and does good while he's doing it. (yes, I mean GOOD, not well...as in the mother Theresa kind).Hmmm, that got me thinking---maybe I can't motivate myself enough--but maybe a cause can. I can't turn my back on that once I start. It wasn't hard for me to decide on my cause, it's Courtney. Courtney is the 5 year old daughter of two of my best friends from college. I often refer to her as my niece. Technically, she's not my niece--well, not biologically. Courtney was the first born child of our group of friends from college. In so many ways, she was everybody's baby. We were all excited when she sat up, crawled, walked, said her first words, etc. It's been so wonderful watching her grow up.

In March, Courtney was diagnosed with Leukemia. Although she's now in remission, she'll be on varying intensities of treatment for about 2 more years, before she can officially be a survivor. She's been so brave through the last 7 months, still smiling even though she's now bald and on a myriad of different medicines and suffering aches and pains. Things got a little tougher lately, as her chemotherapy caused a rare but very serious side effect, VOD. Within the last 2 weeks, we almost lost Courtney twice due to this liver disease and associated complications. Through it all though, both her and her parents, Matt and Becca, have remained strong. Their strength and their faith amazes me.

Yesterday, they were able to take Courtney off the ventilator, after being on it and asleep for 2 weeks. It was a beautiful site, seeing her eyes again. We missed her. Her liver is looking good right now, and she's on track to make a recovery, going back to her scheduled Leukemia treatment. They say good things come in small packages..........this miracle came in a 32 pound package.

Courtney is so selfless, she amazes me. After her first day of kindergarten, and a tough time on the playground where some kids were afraid to play with her (she got a ride to the playground in a wheelchair, and the kids may have been nervous by her lack of hair), her Mom asked her if she'd like to have a nurse come to class and explain about Leukemia to them. Courtney immediately said yes, but her response as to why is what's amazing. Courtney said "because then if they ever get Leukemia, they won't be scared." She wasn't thinking about herself. She amazes me.

So, what can I do? Sure, I can (and will continue, don't worry Courtney) bring her presents, read her books, make her laugh......but how can I really make a difference? I can raise money for research. I can run. I can think about Courtney every time I want to quit.....because she's not a quitter. I can think about her every time I have a cramp, because she's suffered far worse. I don't need someone to chase me, because I have something to chase. A cure.


So, there it is. And here it is--my decision, I'm going to run the 2008 Chicago Marathon. It's just over a year away. (my brother is running the 2007 this coming Sunday). I guess that means I'm officially in training.

I'm running for Courtney.