See Adrienne Run: Lights Out

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.)

Friday, May 16, 2008

Lights Out

Well, I picked up the much ballyhooed orthotics this afternoon. At the risk of adding to the drama, I have to confess that I sat in the waiting area and tears just trickled down my cheeks. How could these things possibly address the problem when there is no more padding for the ball of the foot or near the toes than my pimped insole, which has none? I had asked the doctor about that specifically when he wrote up the order, and I saw him write something. So where the hell was it? He wasn't in the office and his assistant had simply handed these cockamamey things to me, so I had no one to ask. I left a message. I cried in frustration and I left.

I'm not going to launch into a screed about the orthotics--yet. Let me just say that I fear that the $500 worth of material I slipped into my sneakers are not the answer. Yes, it takes time to get used to them. I haven't tried to run in them. I may be wrong. Please let me be wrong. Please.

I've promised myself I'd turned the lights out by 11 so that I could get at least 6 hours of sleep before my run tomorrow. I have 7 minutes to wind down, but I just read a note from someone who has been campaigning hard for Hillary and now my head is reeling. Her email ended with this clip.

Just listening to Hillary Clinton's speech in Beijing about women's rights has my heart pounding. There are some illustrative quotes and powerful visuals about sexism in the video, but her words alone make me want to howl from the rooftops: this is what's important!

More orthotics and politics manana no doubt. Gotta cut out the drama now.

Gotta run.