Easter Weekend

My weekend started bright and early Saturday morning with setting up for the 2nd Annual Bunny Chase 5K and Family Fun Festival. I arrived at Medal of Honor Park at 6:30am and began setting up the face painting booth.

Race participants started arriving not long after we began setting up. The Easter Bunny appeared and really had a great time entertaining the children and racers.



I was not able to complete my long workout with my TEAM this weekend because they ran on Friday, the day of my high school's prom. So I completed my long workout this morning while everyone was just getting up and getting ready for the Easter celebrations. The mileage this weekend was 8 miles and I was able to walk the entire distance in 2.5 hours, with minimal knee pain. I am not sure when I'll be able to run again. I will be starting week 3 of physical therapy tomorrow. It is definitely working because my knee pain is diminishing slowly.

Azalea Trail Run

Today was the Azalea Trail Run in Mobile, Alabama. I have heard about this run since I moved here in 2007. So this year I signed up to be a runner. However, with my knee pain during this month I was just hoping that I could walk the entire 6.2 miles. Well I accomplished my goal and made a new friend in the process. Her name is Melissa and she completed the Nike Women's Marathon last October in San Francisco. I want to participate in that one too. I LOVE SAN FRANCISCO!!!

Anyway, she walked the entire marathon. So there is hope if my knee will not allow me to run...I can walk my marathon. My main objective is finish the entire marathon. I am a runner not a racer, so time is not a factor. When I participated in the 100 mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe, my goal was to finish. I finished...12 hours later...but I rode my bike 100 miles and finished strong!

So I am still optimistic about San Diego and I will get to test my strength in a few weeks at the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville.

Azaleas In Bloom

The azaleas are in bloom, just in time for the Azalea Trail Run. Today I helped out in the Team In Training booth at the Expo.



The bunny ears were to help promote the Bunny Chase 5K and Family Fun Fest that will be held next Saturday at Cottage Hill Park.



This year's t-shirt design!

Physical Therapy

This week marked the start of my physical therapy. I was put through the ringer yesterday, performing exercises and stretching for almost an hour.



My favorite part of therapy is the ultrasound treatment.



It always puts a smile on my face!



After the ultrasound, I iced my knee for twenty minutes!

Back again on Monday!

Not Quite Healed

My knee has prevented me from running. My last run was the McGuire's 5K on March 13th. Last week I saw the physical therapist that helps our student athletes at Murphy. He was able to schedule an appointment with on orthopedic surgeon on Friday. The diagnosis: patellar tendinitis.

I have been pain free since last Thursday. Stretching, icing, and resting have been key elements to my recovery. My doctor advised me to rest for 1-2 weeks.

Tonight I decided to test my knee, so I meet my TEAM at USA for track practice. My plan was to walk two miles around the track. I completed 5 laps before the pain set in. My final lap marked 1.5 miles. I'm not sure now if I will be able to finish the Azalea Trail Run (ATR) this weekend. It is a 10K (6.2 miles). My TEAM is planning on running 10 miles prior to the ATR. I am so frustrated and feel so alone. This endeavor has been one of the hardest challenges I have faced in recent years. I continue to think positively because I am doing something good for others. For people who need my help.

So tomorrow I begin physical therapy. I am optimistic that this will get me back on track for my marathon. Wish me luck!

Lastest Fundraisers

This week featured the conclusion of the Leprechaun For A Day fundraiser and Cheeburger Cheeburger fundraiser. Enjoy the slideshows from each event.

McGuire's St. Patrick's Day 5K

What a beautiful day for a run!
My sister and I started this tradition last year, but this year we wanted more flare during our run. Hence the costumes. We did have the best costumes and countless people stopped us to share their compliments. My sister almost did not wear her costume! What fun!