Success!!!

Here I am, a week after last week's post. I made it. 4 days ago I walked the Crescent City Classic for the first time. It was an awesome experience. My time was 2hrs:28mins:40secs. That's just under 25mins/mile. Yes I'm a turtle. But as I tell my patients all the time, slow and steady wins the race, that's what the tortoise taught the hare. Of course I didn't *win* the race! But I so completely feel like a winner!

I joined my friends/coaches/mentors Dave & Karen Massey at the CCC Expo on Friday. The Expo was interesting to say the least. More running clothes, shoes, socks, equipment, do-dads, etc., than I ever knew existed. Karen has partnered with a friend to sell Bondi Bands at various Expo's for running events for the next few months. Bondi Bands are kinda cool little headbands made of that wicking material that keeps sweat and sunscreen, etc from running in your eyes, and more importantly for me, keeps your hair somewhat under control while you move. Karen and Dave had picked out a cute one for me. It says: "Walking Girl". I wore it all day Friday and for the race on Saturday. It totally did help with pulling my head sweat away from my head. And my hair was out of my face the whole race.

Saturday morning I got up early and got dressed in my walking 'uniform'. Realize now, that they don't make cool running/walking clothes for people my size. So I wore what I have worn on most of my walks: a cute, pink, scrapbooking tshirt and lavender capri's. I put body glide all over my toes and the balls of my feet then put on my expensive breathable socks and my walking shoes. Last I put on my headband and my fanny pack. I met Karen and Dave down the street from my dad's in front of the Napoleon House, and we walked down past Jackson Square with the throngs of people descending on Decateur for the start of the race. After some quick pictures and hugs, Dave was off to join the running people, while Karen and I waited around for the masses of people to pass us by heading for the start line. Finally, after about 5mins we joined the pack walking toward the start. We passed the actual start line at 11mins:06secs. That means that by the time we had reached the start line, the elite racers (aka the Kenyans) had passed the 2 mile mark!!

We walked slowly at first because we were in a large pack of walkers. But slowly, and constantly we were passed by faster walkers. Finally the pack thinned out and before I knew it we were at the 1 mile point. I took some water and kept walking. My hip and knee (L) were achy, but I knew from my training, that if I kept going they would settle down and they did.

It was very interesting to walk through the streets of New Orleans. It certainly gives you a different perspective on our city. Mile 2 came and went and I felt like I was in a good stride. Karen who walked with me, commented that my pace was good. I was glad to hear that because I felt so slow since we were still being passed continually. Mile 3 and the 5K mark came up and I was glad to know I was halfway there. When I reached Mile 4 I was starting to hurt a little. I could feel a hot spot on the ball of my Right foot. This ticked me off because I had coated it with body glide and put on my expensive no blister socks. I told Karen that in the next few weeks I wanted her to go with me to get better shoes and also to check into an orthotic for my shoes because the blisters have been a problem for me every walk 3 miles or longer. I had blister band aids in my fanny pack. But, I didn't stop when I felt the hotspot and by mile 5 I knew if I stopped I would stiffen up and have trouble making it to the end. So, I just kept walking. I tried wiggling my toes and found myself walking weirdly trying not to aggravate the blister. (I have been paying for this in hip and back pain since the race . . .sigh I know better now).

Between miles 4 & 5 I started noticing people walking the opposite direction, back down the street I was walking up. At first I thought they were going backwards for some unknown reason. Then Karen told me they were finished and were leaving the park. The very same park I had not yet reached and did not have in sight yet. I told Karen "I hate those people!"

Somewhere around 5.25 miles I was hurting all the time. I got very quiet. Karen regaled me with tales from her training for and running her first marathon. I am soooo thankful Karen was with me. Because when it started hurting I would have lost my mind trying to keep going by myself. She kept reassuring me I was going to make it. I just nodded mostly. But in my head I was telling her back: of course I'm going to make it, I haven't worked this hard and told everyone I know to stop with less than a mile to go. So I plugged along.

Finally, we came around NOMA to Roosevelt. I knew the race ended on Roosevelt. I could see down the way a bit some kind of contraption across the road. I was hoping it was the finish, but realized we had not yet crossed the 6 mile mark. The contraption was the picture taking people. But the end was near. Karen had called Dave and he ran alongside the course for the last tenth of a mile or so clapping and cheering loudly. Dave's brother Marcus was at the finish line with their video camera to get the finish on tape! Karen and I walked across the finish line together with our arms around each other. We had done it. I had met my goal. I turned to ask her where the beds where and I was tacklehugged by Dave. He almost knocked me off my feet and he held me up in his hug til i got my balance back. He hugged me sooooo tight. He was so proud! I was overwhelmed.

We slowly made our way to the post race area. Dave got me a cold water but the fruit was all gone and the free beer lines were very long. Bag of Donuts was rocking out but I just hurt and wanted to sit. Karen and Dave decided we should go since i was so tired. It was such a great thing for them to do for me. They could have stayed to party a while longer. Marcus went to get the car and met us at Marconi & Marconi. Getting into the car was harder than I expected, because my whole left leg was hurting. But sitting down was worth it all. Just having the pressure off my hips and knees and back. We ended up taking a circuitous route back to the quarter (by way of River Ridge, lol). But, it was all good. Once I was sitting I was fine. I was worried about whether my legs would work when it was time to get out of the car. When we got to the Quarter my legs were stiff but had somewhat of a second wind. Karen came in with me while Dave went to park the car.

My dad told me later I was moving slow, and a little bent over, but I was smiling from ear to ear! Karen, Dave & I went to get food at Johnny's Poboy and sat in the courtyard of my Dad's place and ate together. It was great to get to spend some relaxing time with them while they talked to me about how well I did and about what we would work on next. When they left I went inside and peeled off my shoes and socks. My left foot as usual was fine. But my right foot had 2 HUGE blisters on the ball of my foot. I put on the blister band aids and laid down to try to rest. That was not as easy as I had hoped it would be, but I rested enough to shower and change to go out to dinner with my dad and Joann. I did have to wear my Crocs to dinner because my feet were still swollen and I couldn't get them in my black dress boots. My dad told everyone about my walking the CCC. He was really proud of me. That felt good. I was really proud of me. That felt awesome!

I'm still incredibly proud of myself. I'm still achy, esp my left hip and SI joint/back. But, I'm resting my joints and using ice and its almost back to normal. I haven't yet walked again this week because it's been a crazy week at work. But I want to walk to/at the beach this weekend when I head down to Ocean Springs to see the coast fam.

I did it. I walked my first 10K. I have so many people to thank. Karen and Dave Massey are at the top of my list. I could not have done this without their training schedule and support. They made the CCC all about me and my success. They are special people who are great coaches. My friend Ann has been a big cheerleader for me from the beginning. I took several of my early longer walks from her house, in her neighborhood. Maybe next year or the year after when you are completely recovered from your surgery you will walk the CCC with me my friend! My friend Michelle helped me find an indoor place to get in my 5 miles on a treadmill when it was rainy and in the low 50s in DC the weekend of Lucas' bday. She cheered me on as I struggled to get the 5 miles done on the boring treadmill, while she was doing her own workout. My brother, Rich, and my sister in law Barbara, as well as my friend Dee were all very supportive of my walking and their support meant alot. It meant so much that ya'll believed in me and supported my work toward my goal. My scrapbooking friends in Melbourne, Nancy, Sherri S, Sherry J, Rae, (oh I know I'm leaving out someone), these ladies supported me and cheered me on at crops after my Saturday walks. I truly had so much support. And I did it. I really did it. I walked my first 10K. Wow.

Watch out Crescent City Classic, here I come!

I can hardly believe its only 3 days until I will be walking the CCC! I'm both excited and nervous! But I'm also completely confident in myself! I will finish! I've worked really hard to get ready for this. Anyone who knows me, knows I am morally opposed to sweating for any reason! LOL And believe me when I tell you I work up a sweat walking longer distances. Exercise has not really interested me, in fact I find it completely boring. But I have really enjoyed training for the CCC. It's been a very goal directed process. And I've watched myself grow in confidence and ability over the last 13 weeks.

I want to take a moment to thank my coaches/mentors Karen and Dave Massey. Both of them are truly inspirational people in my life. And both of them are dear friends as well. They have played a huge roll in the success of my training for the CCC. They created my training schedule for me. And took a woman whose legs were screaming for relief after a 15 minute walk 3 months ago, and transformed me into a walking machine! And, I might add, they did all this long distance. Having Dave and Karen to coach and mentor me through this, has been a transforming experience. And I know they will continue to be there to work toward many other goals as I continue this amazing transformation. You can get more information about Karen and Dave the website for their non profit: A Good Day, Inc.

I would say the hardest part of the training for me was walking or exercising after work. I work very hard all day. Occupational Therapy is a very physical job. I start early with showering and other ADLs (activities of daily living) and then exercise my patients to prepare them to return home. I walk up and down the hallways of the hospital/nursing home all day. I lift people and assist them with all sorts of activities. I am TIRED at the end of my day. All I want to do is go home and collapse onto the sofa until bedtime. I wish I were more of a morning person, so I could walk before work. But to get up and walk 30mins, then shower and be at work by 7, geeze I'd have to get up at 530 or earlier! Of course now that I've written it, I'm sitting here wondering if I could do that for 2 mornings a week. Then maybe I could do some yoga on the other evenings after work. Hmmmm, its a thought. Can I really be transforming into a morning person? Say it isn't so! (have I mentioned I'm also morally opposed to mornings?)

So, tonight I'm packing my bags for my weekend trip home to NOLA! I head out tomorrow after my CPR class, which is after work. I'm off on Friday so I can go *REGISTER* (yes, I forgot to do it - I'm using my lack of internet service at home as my excuse! LOL) and attend the Expo for the CCC. Also going to the Odinet Crawfish Boil, mmmmmmmm my first boiled crawfish in over 2 years! I'm staying at my Aunt Rosie's house in Arabi and I'm excited to get to visit with her and all the cousins. I'm also hoping to get to see my friend Dee at Scrappersaurus this weekend. And of course walk the CCC with Karen (Dave is running so he will be waiting for us at the finish line). My Dad is taking me to dinner Saturday night if I can still walk! And then we are doing brunch on Sunday before I head back up here to Natchez.