Sorry it's taken so long for me to blog again. Work has been a bear!! And to make it worse, I have to start night shift next Sunday night until they hire a new night shift RN. It could be 6 days or 6 months.......
Saturday was a great day for a run. I enjoyed running with old and new faces. My weekends aren't complete until I go stretch everything out at Heather's yoga class. For those of you my age, you might remember the children's toy "Stretch Armstrong". That's kind how I feel after class, but boy do I feel better. I was in the clinic today showing the other nursing staff some of my yoga stretches, and they were yelling at me at how difficult they were. Heh, heh.....not to long ago, I wanted beat Heather, now I can't wait to see her on Sunday afternoons...........
Yesterday when I got home from yoga, I decided then would be a good time to clean out the gutters before it got dark. Remember one of my first blogs when I fell through the roof and everything went in slow mo in a deep bass voice yelling oooooooooooohhhhhh noooooooooooo! Well part two: ladder came out from under me and down I plummeted. Lucky for me it was the back yard grass and the fact that I have some 'cushioning' around my petite frame. I laid there for a second and realized that yes, I was stll alive and no, nothing was hurting too bad, so I got up and finished the gutters (with my son Chris holding the ladder this time.....)
I guess when you look at it, I should be pretty thankful for my large frame. I've been in car accidents and other such mishaps where the medical personnel would tell me a smaller individual would have broken or crushed something. It still gets a little discouraging to see people pass me on the running trails, but I have to keep telling myself, hey! how many 6'3", 275 pound men are out here pullin down 8 miles? Not to many by my count.
Maybe if this running thing begins to catch on, one day I too will be 5'8" and 175 pounds like the normal male runner (when I'm 106 or 107........ :-)
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Where were you when.........?
Ok, so I've come out of hiding now that this week is just about over. I just got through reading Mark's latest blog and it help me put things into perspective. Might as well write about it, huh?
This week for me has been one of the most difficult weeks in a long time. All of my emotions bouncing around in my head have made me feel somewhat schizophrenic! (No offense to my crazy friends out there.....) I have tried to hold my head high, but people keep calling, texting, emailing me asking me if I finished and every time I said the word "NO", I felt like a piece of me died again and again.
So today, I finally looked at my dog and decided to take him for a walk. What a beautiful cool day!!! 77 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. CJ and I went for a two mile walk. And you know what? It was great to "just start over". There I was admiring God's creations and enjoying the weather and there was CJ doing his business looking up at me like he wanted some privacy.....
Finally, I decided to give the jogging thing a try. Ok. Not bad. Not too sore and not too many twinges of pain. Maybe the body is going to be ok afterall. I jog a little more and walk a little more. We get home and I do my yoga stretches outside on the back patio. I think back to something my boss said on Tuesday. He said, "well, you know if you had of finished and the race was a normal race, then it would have been just another marathon. But you weren't allowed to finish in a marathon that will probably be remembered in running history, and you were a part of it."
Wow, part of running history. Now even though that's kinda bad because a life was taken, that still kinda blows my mind, doesn't it yours? You know you'll always remember where you were when Kennedy got shot, Elvis died, the Space Shuttle exploded and of course 9/11. I guess if we all keep running, we'll always remember Chicago-2007 as our greatest challenge.
But it is what it is. It is now history and I must look forward to each day as if it were my last. Just like when that Ape guy hit Cimba with a stick in the movie LION KING. Cimba asked, "Hey what did ya do that for?" and the Ape Guy, said, "It does not matter, it is in the past!" Well, Chicago was my stick. But, just like Cimba returning to his home to reclaim his life, by going out today for a walk/light jog.....I am reclaiming my health, determination, sanity, and MY LIFE. For I am STILL a marathoner!!
This week for me has been one of the most difficult weeks in a long time. All of my emotions bouncing around in my head have made me feel somewhat schizophrenic! (No offense to my crazy friends out there.....) I have tried to hold my head high, but people keep calling, texting, emailing me asking me if I finished and every time I said the word "NO", I felt like a piece of me died again and again.
So today, I finally looked at my dog and decided to take him for a walk. What a beautiful cool day!!! 77 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. CJ and I went for a two mile walk. And you know what? It was great to "just start over". There I was admiring God's creations and enjoying the weather and there was CJ doing his business looking up at me like he wanted some privacy.....
Finally, I decided to give the jogging thing a try. Ok. Not bad. Not too sore and not too many twinges of pain. Maybe the body is going to be ok afterall. I jog a little more and walk a little more. We get home and I do my yoga stretches outside on the back patio. I think back to something my boss said on Tuesday. He said, "well, you know if you had of finished and the race was a normal race, then it would have been just another marathon. But you weren't allowed to finish in a marathon that will probably be remembered in running history, and you were a part of it."
Wow, part of running history. Now even though that's kinda bad because a life was taken, that still kinda blows my mind, doesn't it yours? You know you'll always remember where you were when Kennedy got shot, Elvis died, the Space Shuttle exploded and of course 9/11. I guess if we all keep running, we'll always remember Chicago-2007 as our greatest challenge.
But it is what it is. It is now history and I must look forward to each day as if it were my last. Just like when that Ape guy hit Cimba with a stick in the movie LION KING. Cimba asked, "Hey what did ya do that for?" and the Ape Guy, said, "It does not matter, it is in the past!" Well, Chicago was my stick. But, just like Cimba returning to his home to reclaim his life, by going out today for a walk/light jog.....I am reclaiming my health, determination, sanity, and MY LIFE. For I am STILL a marathoner!!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The Cat in the Hat
Ok. So I'm tired of reading all of these heartfelt blogs and crying! My eyes can't take much more! So here it is 5 days to countdown and I'm looking at my last blog. What to write about?
Today, I will write about my white "TITANS" sun visor. Why you ask? Let's just say that both I and it have a lot in common.......
It was exactly around this time last year (Labor Day, 2006) that I was walking on the shore of Kentucky lake by my in-law's lake house. I happened upon this sun visor lying there on the shore. Like me this sun visor had "washed up" and was of no use to anybody. It was just lying there, feeling hopeless and worthless. I had just turned 40 and in the fashion as one who has a mid-life crisis would do. I looked in the mirror and asked, "Who are you? What are you doing with your life?"
I pick up this sun visor and examine it. It used to be a really good visor. Probably came from good stock. Doesn't seem broken or torn anywhere. I think it can be saved.
I take it back to the lake house, put it in the dish washer, and what do ya know? It comes out looking brand new! I try it on. It's a perfect fit. It has new life!!
I get back to Madison and decide during this mid life crisis, that I'm either going to purchase a convertible corvette or get back in shape. My wife being the bookkeeper that she is agreed upon the latter. So off we run....me and my new sun visor. Our motto is just like a traffic sign: New Life Ahead!! I begin to feel better both physically and mentally. My sun visor is still with me, mile after mile.
Fast forward to 2007. Marathon Makeover! 26.2! All of the training and sweating has begun to break down the sun visor and the runner wearing it. But the visor never loses hope that tomorrow may be it's last run so it better act right and keep looking good today. I take my sharpie and write on it ( we're friends now, so it was ok.....) I write things to remind the visor and myself what we are doing. I put, "I am a Marathoner!" and Chicago-Oct. 7, 2007 and "No Reserves! No Retreats! No Regrets". The visor thinks it's cool now that it has been tattooed.
So on Sunday, Me and that ole ragged sun visor are going to do the biggest run of our lives. I'm running for my dad, who was tragically taken from me in December, 2004 by a bullet that was meant for someone else at the age of 59. But before he was murdered, he had several heart attacks and cardiac related problems. That was the reason I became a nurse....to help him. And more specifically, a cardiac nurse (until the move to Nissan) to understand his condition. Thus the reason for running. I didn't want the same problems as my dad. But you know what? My dad is Heaven praising God with the angels and wouldn't dream of coming back.
My sun visor? It's running with me to remind me that while I thought I was washed up, I'm really just getting started. A little rough around the edges. A little worn down. But with lots of good miles to go!! So on Sunday when you see me with my White TITANS Sun Visor, remember that tomorrow is never promised and run like it will be your last. I love you, dad!
Kelvin Jones
Nissan Nurse
10/02/2007
Today, I will write about my white "TITANS" sun visor. Why you ask? Let's just say that both I and it have a lot in common.......
It was exactly around this time last year (Labor Day, 2006) that I was walking on the shore of Kentucky lake by my in-law's lake house. I happened upon this sun visor lying there on the shore. Like me this sun visor had "washed up" and was of no use to anybody. It was just lying there, feeling hopeless and worthless. I had just turned 40 and in the fashion as one who has a mid-life crisis would do. I looked in the mirror and asked, "Who are you? What are you doing with your life?"
I pick up this sun visor and examine it. It used to be a really good visor. Probably came from good stock. Doesn't seem broken or torn anywhere. I think it can be saved.
I take it back to the lake house, put it in the dish washer, and what do ya know? It comes out looking brand new! I try it on. It's a perfect fit. It has new life!!
I get back to Madison and decide during this mid life crisis, that I'm either going to purchase a convertible corvette or get back in shape. My wife being the bookkeeper that she is agreed upon the latter. So off we run....me and my new sun visor. Our motto is just like a traffic sign: New Life Ahead!! I begin to feel better both physically and mentally. My sun visor is still with me, mile after mile.
Fast forward to 2007. Marathon Makeover! 26.2! All of the training and sweating has begun to break down the sun visor and the runner wearing it. But the visor never loses hope that tomorrow may be it's last run so it better act right and keep looking good today. I take my sharpie and write on it ( we're friends now, so it was ok.....) I write things to remind the visor and myself what we are doing. I put, "I am a Marathoner!" and Chicago-Oct. 7, 2007 and "No Reserves! No Retreats! No Regrets". The visor thinks it's cool now that it has been tattooed.
So on Sunday, Me and that ole ragged sun visor are going to do the biggest run of our lives. I'm running for my dad, who was tragically taken from me in December, 2004 by a bullet that was meant for someone else at the age of 59. But before he was murdered, he had several heart attacks and cardiac related problems. That was the reason I became a nurse....to help him. And more specifically, a cardiac nurse (until the move to Nissan) to understand his condition. Thus the reason for running. I didn't want the same problems as my dad. But you know what? My dad is Heaven praising God with the angels and wouldn't dream of coming back.
My sun visor? It's running with me to remind me that while I thought I was washed up, I'm really just getting started. A little rough around the edges. A little worn down. But with lots of good miles to go!! So on Sunday when you see me with my White TITANS Sun Visor, remember that tomorrow is never promised and run like it will be your last. I love you, dad!
Kelvin Jones
Nissan Nurse
10/02/2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."
- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian
I came across this quote while surfing the web at work over the weekend. Considering this was my worst weekend ever to run, it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. It seems ever since my 'cramping episode' last Saturday, I have been in pain ever since. I didn't run Monday, tried to run 4 miles with Phil on Tuesday and about fell apart, and didn't run on Thursday due to being so sore and in pain. Saturday, I had every intention of doing 10 miles. I just had to leave early to be able to do it before I had to be at work by 8am. By the time I made it to the crafts cabin, I knew my day was over. I limped back to the car and went home doing only 5 miles. I find it ironic that with two weeks to go, I am actually going backwards while listening to everyone having great runs. Anyway, enough about the whine party.......
So I'm having issues and don't know what to do. Then I read that quote from General Patton. That is so true. My mind quit on me before I finished my first mile. My mind controlled my run. When I didn't want to get out of bed Saturday morning, I knew it was over before it started.
Here are a few more quotes that gave me inspiration:
"Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes his mind to do. We are capable of greater than we realize."
- Norman Vincent Peale, author
"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."
- Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and marathon finisher
"Hills are speedwork in disguise."
- Frank Shorter
"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat."
- Napoleon Bonaparte, legendary military leader
"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"
- Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian and Sub-2:12 marathoner
As Chuck likes to quote from the movie Cool Hand Luke, I'm gettin my mind right, boss! I will take these final two weeks and give it all I've got! No Retreats!! Reserves!! No Regrets!!
I AM A MARATHON RUNNER!!!
(a bit of a tired, broken down, achy, slow marathon runner, BUT ONE NONE THE LESS!! )
- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian
I came across this quote while surfing the web at work over the weekend. Considering this was my worst weekend ever to run, it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. It seems ever since my 'cramping episode' last Saturday, I have been in pain ever since. I didn't run Monday, tried to run 4 miles with Phil on Tuesday and about fell apart, and didn't run on Thursday due to being so sore and in pain. Saturday, I had every intention of doing 10 miles. I just had to leave early to be able to do it before I had to be at work by 8am. By the time I made it to the crafts cabin, I knew my day was over. I limped back to the car and went home doing only 5 miles. I find it ironic that with two weeks to go, I am actually going backwards while listening to everyone having great runs. Anyway, enough about the whine party.......
So I'm having issues and don't know what to do. Then I read that quote from General Patton. That is so true. My mind quit on me before I finished my first mile. My mind controlled my run. When I didn't want to get out of bed Saturday morning, I knew it was over before it started.
Here are a few more quotes that gave me inspiration:
"Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes his mind to do. We are capable of greater than we realize."
- Norman Vincent Peale, author
"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."
- Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and marathon finisher
"Hills are speedwork in disguise."
- Frank Shorter
"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat."
- Napoleon Bonaparte, legendary military leader
"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"
- Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian and Sub-2:12 marathoner
As Chuck likes to quote from the movie Cool Hand Luke, I'm gettin my mind right, boss! I will take these final two weeks and give it all I've got! No Retreats!! Reserves!! No Regrets!!
I AM A MARATHON RUNNER!!!
(a bit of a tired, broken down, achy, slow marathon runner, BUT ONE NONE THE LESS!! )
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!!
Ok, here are my comments and thoughts about Saturday's run:
1. If you take a benedryl the night before, make sure you take it early enough to wear off when you get up at 3:30am the next morning. When the alarm went off, I didn't know which way was up. It was amazing that I got there fully clothed and my underwear was on the inside!!
And being the astute nurse that I am, at 3:30am I decided to take a 2-liter of Dt. Mountain Dew in the car with me to try and wake me up not thinking clearly enough that the caffiene would dehydrate me later.........go figure.
2. With a full bladder at the start of the run, make sure your cap light functions properly when you have to make a pit stop in the woods.
It seems that I am now covered with a poison ivy rash all over my body from one of my little 'treks' into the woods in the dark. I had to take a decadron shot and start popping Claritin Antihistimines as soon as I got to the clinic on Monday.
3. And if you do drink a liter of Dt. Mountain Dew, be sure to replace enough liquids and electrolytes so as not to have a crushing headache the last twelve miles so that you don't see two of everybody from your dehydration. I apologize to anyone if I seemed rather short at the end of the run. I was in a lot of pain.
4. If you are dehydrated, don't try and drive until you have enough fluids to counteract the cramping that has been occuring the last twelve mile of your run.
It seems I cramped up when I got in the car. Ok, no biggee. It passed. Then, by the time I got home, it took upwards of twenty minutes to try and get out of the car without cramping. My wife had to come help me out of the car. Then she had to undress me in the bathroom because I couldn't bend my legs. But oh my Lord! Did that ice bath and cold shower feel sooooooooo good!
5. After cleaning up and feeling better, remember to keep drinking fluids and replacing those electrolytes. I hobbled over to the couch to rest, and watch a nice afternoon of college football. It seems I dozed off for about thirty minutes. I'm laying there on the couch and thinking, 'ok, I need to go to the bathroom'. I start to get off the couch and that is when the most miserable time of my entire life began for the next 6-10 minutes. I like to think that I died and went to hell and back. ..........
As I got off the couch, both of my groin muscles and my other "male associated" area locked up completely and I began what was the worst cramp of my life. I have had broken bones, passed a small kidney stone, and had MCL/ACL damage to my left knee and none of those things even compared to the pain and agony I was feeling at that moment.
I tried to get off the couch thinking if I could just 'walk it off', I would be ok. But NOOOOOOO! I took a step and fell to the ground on my hands and knees. Tears were pouring out of my eyes as I howled in agony. In the background, I could hear my wife and son laughing at me as they later said that I was "screaming like a little girl". I don't remember much of anything as I almost blacked out from the pain, but I do remember asking her to shoot me and put me out of my misery.......
Finally, by the grace of God, it subsided after what Tamara said was about 6 minutes. I lay on the floor afraid to get up. They helped me up to the bathroom, laid me on the bed, gave me some ice packs to the areas and popped a flexeril muscle relaxer down my throat to knock me out. About three hours later, I got up, and then proceeded to eat and drink for what seemed like an hour. I devoured almost a whole pot roast, all but one piece of a pan of cornbread, a loaded baked potato, a bag of cooked mini carrots, and all the liquids I could stand. And then I was still hungry that night before I went to bed.
Moral of the story, hydrate.......hydrate.......hydrate........even with the cooler weather. Take your electrolyte supplements and stay away from excessive caffiene before a long run.
Sorry to ramble for such a long story...... I just finished my afternoon Dt. Dew........excuse I have to go to the little boys room now........:-)
1. If you take a benedryl the night before, make sure you take it early enough to wear off when you get up at 3:30am the next morning. When the alarm went off, I didn't know which way was up. It was amazing that I got there fully clothed and my underwear was on the inside!!
And being the astute nurse that I am, at 3:30am I decided to take a 2-liter of Dt. Mountain Dew in the car with me to try and wake me up not thinking clearly enough that the caffiene would dehydrate me later.........go figure.
2. With a full bladder at the start of the run, make sure your cap light functions properly when you have to make a pit stop in the woods.
It seems that I am now covered with a poison ivy rash all over my body from one of my little 'treks' into the woods in the dark. I had to take a decadron shot and start popping Claritin Antihistimines as soon as I got to the clinic on Monday.
3. And if you do drink a liter of Dt. Mountain Dew, be sure to replace enough liquids and electrolytes so as not to have a crushing headache the last twelve miles so that you don't see two of everybody from your dehydration. I apologize to anyone if I seemed rather short at the end of the run. I was in a lot of pain.
4. If you are dehydrated, don't try and drive until you have enough fluids to counteract the cramping that has been occuring the last twelve mile of your run.
It seems I cramped up when I got in the car. Ok, no biggee. It passed. Then, by the time I got home, it took upwards of twenty minutes to try and get out of the car without cramping. My wife had to come help me out of the car. Then she had to undress me in the bathroom because I couldn't bend my legs. But oh my Lord! Did that ice bath and cold shower feel sooooooooo good!
5. After cleaning up and feeling better, remember to keep drinking fluids and replacing those electrolytes. I hobbled over to the couch to rest, and watch a nice afternoon of college football. It seems I dozed off for about thirty minutes. I'm laying there on the couch and thinking, 'ok, I need to go to the bathroom'. I start to get off the couch and that is when the most miserable time of my entire life began for the next 6-10 minutes. I like to think that I died and went to hell and back. ..........
As I got off the couch, both of my groin muscles and my other "male associated" area locked up completely and I began what was the worst cramp of my life. I have had broken bones, passed a small kidney stone, and had MCL/ACL damage to my left knee and none of those things even compared to the pain and agony I was feeling at that moment.
I tried to get off the couch thinking if I could just 'walk it off', I would be ok. But NOOOOOOO! I took a step and fell to the ground on my hands and knees. Tears were pouring out of my eyes as I howled in agony. In the background, I could hear my wife and son laughing at me as they later said that I was "screaming like a little girl". I don't remember much of anything as I almost blacked out from the pain, but I do remember asking her to shoot me and put me out of my misery.......
Finally, by the grace of God, it subsided after what Tamara said was about 6 minutes. I lay on the floor afraid to get up. They helped me up to the bathroom, laid me on the bed, gave me some ice packs to the areas and popped a flexeril muscle relaxer down my throat to knock me out. About three hours later, I got up, and then proceeded to eat and drink for what seemed like an hour. I devoured almost a whole pot roast, all but one piece of a pan of cornbread, a loaded baked potato, a bag of cooked mini carrots, and all the liquids I could stand. And then I was still hungry that night before I went to bed.
Moral of the story, hydrate.......hydrate.......hydrate........even with the cooler weather. Take your electrolyte supplements and stay away from excessive caffiene before a long run.
Sorry to ramble for such a long story...... I just finished my afternoon Dt. Dew........excuse I have to go to the little boys room now........:-)
Monday, September 10, 2007
And Now, The Top Ten List....
In the spirit of David Letterman, I would like to do the "Top Ten Reasons Why Chicago Is Going To Be A Better Run than Mississippi". Feel free to add to the list. Are you ready?
10. Humidity? What Humidity? Just like Lisa in California and myself in Kentucky, it was nice to actually be able to breathe again.........
9. Deep Dish Pizza. Cheesecake Factory. The miracle mile shopping extravaganza. I believe from a culinary experience, my stomach and tastebuds will thank me after all of the gels, and gatorade this year.
8. October!! I went to the doctor the other day and they asked me if I was allergic to anything. I said "Yes, August!!" I keep thinking back to the levee days......
7. Now is where you come in to finish.....Let's hear your thoughts!!
10. Humidity? What Humidity? Just like Lisa in California and myself in Kentucky, it was nice to actually be able to breathe again.........
9. Deep Dish Pizza. Cheesecake Factory. The miracle mile shopping extravaganza. I believe from a culinary experience, my stomach and tastebuds will thank me after all of the gels, and gatorade this year.
8. October!! I went to the doctor the other day and they asked me if I was allergic to anything. I said "Yes, August!!" I keep thinking back to the levee days......
7. Now is where you come in to finish.....Let's hear your thoughts!!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Kentucky, part II
Hey Everyone!
Sorry to have missed this weekend, but we are back at the lake house in Kentucky for the Labor Day weekend. I didn't run until today as my father-in-law wanted to play golf yesterday (how could I say no?). So this morning, I went back to my little high school track to do my 10 miles. I don't know how Saturday was in Jackson, but this morning, the car temperature said 70 degrees. There was a nice breeze blowing and very little humidity.
The problem is that it is really hard to do long distances without the group or running partners! I got so tired of going around in circles, but there was no safe place to run except the last place I wrote about (with all of the hills and blisters). So my legs were really sore from playing golf in the hills the day before when I got out of bed.
Needless to say......sore legs, running by myself with no motivation, and still tired from working doubles at work this past week, I managed to get 7 miles in before I gave up the ghost. But hey, 3/4 of it while on vacation is not too bad if you ask me.....
I have already decided that I will not run anywhere near the amount by myself as I do with a group. So I guess if I want to keep running, I better stay with all of you guys.
Well, gotta go, they are calling me to come have some cake and home made ice cream out on the dock by the lake. Suffering for the Lord, I am........
Sorry to have missed this weekend, but we are back at the lake house in Kentucky for the Labor Day weekend. I didn't run until today as my father-in-law wanted to play golf yesterday (how could I say no?). So this morning, I went back to my little high school track to do my 10 miles. I don't know how Saturday was in Jackson, but this morning, the car temperature said 70 degrees. There was a nice breeze blowing and very little humidity.
The problem is that it is really hard to do long distances without the group or running partners! I got so tired of going around in circles, but there was no safe place to run except the last place I wrote about (with all of the hills and blisters). So my legs were really sore from playing golf in the hills the day before when I got out of bed.
Needless to say......sore legs, running by myself with no motivation, and still tired from working doubles at work this past week, I managed to get 7 miles in before I gave up the ghost. But hey, 3/4 of it while on vacation is not too bad if you ask me.....
I have already decided that I will not run anywhere near the amount by myself as I do with a group. So I guess if I want to keep running, I better stay with all of you guys.
Well, gotta go, they are calling me to come have some cake and home made ice cream out on the dock by the lake. Suffering for the Lord, I am........
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