See Adrienne Run: A Day of Rest

What's All This Then?

Greetings!

This blog has run its course, as it were. Actually three courses, but don't let that stop you from reading. Here's the skinny: I dedicated most of 2008 to running and fundraising for cancer research. On June 1, I ran the San Diego Rock n' Rock marathon. On June 21 I ran a half marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. Both of these feats were tackled with the coaching and support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for which I raised $5,725. The final challenge was the New York City marathon on Nov. 2. This time I trained with "Fred's team" on behalf of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where I was treated successfully for Hodgkins lymphoma five years ago. I raised another $3240 (maybe more).

It was a banner year in many ways. I celebrated 5 years of health. I raised a lot of money. I earned a Team in Training triple crown for completing a triathlon, century bike ride and marathon. I was featured on a show about three first time runners in the NYC marathon, aired on NBC in New York. And ....

You can read all about my journey in sneakers below. And remember:
"A journey of 26.2 miles begins with a single shlep."

(For the back story, check out the Sept. 29th entry.)

Monday, April 14, 2008

A Day of Rest

I earned a day off today fair and square. While my body has been resting, my mind has been preoccupied with physical logistics. There are two big puzzles to solve: The most immediate one is The Great Gotham Scavenger Hunt. The fundraising happening of the season is actually going to happen. Here's the story:

On Sunday, May 4, if the universe isn't too perverse, a good size group will gather at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park and embark on a rip snortin' good time solving clues, hunting for stuff, answering questions and getting from waypoint to waypoint till we all arrive at the same place--eventually/by 3 p.m. Seems easy enough. It's not, but it's fun and it can and will be done.

The other big puzzle isn't so easy to solve. It's the puzzle of my legs and how I'm going to manage the pain that comes with the accumulation of lymph during a long run. My legs are really swollen today--still. I know I need to deal with this, but I just don't want to. I want to go out there in a pair of tights (my nod to the need for some kind of compression) and run like everyone else. Why can't it be that way? Will petulance help? No, but I'm tired of dealing with this particular burden. I just want a break. I think running plays into a fantasy I have that if I just ignore it, it won't be an issue. That's not a strategy for living. Or should I say, that's not a strategy for living well.