Continued and More (update)

It’s been so long since my last post that I ended “to be continued” I actually had to re-read it so I could figure out how I wanted to proceed.  I have some excuses, but in effort to move on we won’t talk about thoseJ.

So as I realized it was for real, I grabbed every piece of clothing in my car to put on hoping it would be enough to keep me warm.  Unfortunately, what I really needed were good cycling gloves and shoe covers, and there are no substitutes.  Nonetheless, again I was determined (thinking of the blog) that this wasn’t going to be the diary of the wimpy kid.  So I threw my 2 pairs of running gloves on and said goodbye to my feet that would surely be sacrificed to frost bite.  As we set off, my feet and hands numbed up pretty good, but not as bad as I expected.  When we hit the first hill, I couldn’t hang behind the leader anymore because I needed to get my blood flowing.  Once I attacked the first big hill, I felt some blood flow to my fingers (sorry feet).  After I concluded that I wasn’t going to be penalized my extremities, as if my very realization was the cause, the sun came out making things all that much better.  Against all odds…I made it out to the turn-around and (contrary to the wishes of the wind) made it back.

You forgot I had to run after this bike ride didn’t you…me too.  Upon arrival Coach Jen, after congratulating us (and razzing me a little), got after us to “practice our transitions”.  Ok lady...I’m not planning on having 3 pairs of gloves, a hat, socks, shorts, and a parka to worry about in my transition in Philly.  This wasn’t exactly a good trial run to work on transition, but I tried to hurry.  After I got my shoes on I started off running.  Have you seen “The Office” episode where Kevin goes to Jim and Pam’s wedding with Kleenex boxes for shoes?  Imagine those were filled with water and then frozen solid…that’s what it felt like to run after this bike ride.  Thud, thud, thud for at least the first half mile.  Once my feet began to thaw (or melt…I couldn’t tell), began the needles.  It felt like both feet were asleep, REALLY asleep.  That lasted for about a mile or so.  Once I finally got a little comfortable, I realized I only had a bit to go, so I reveled in the fact that although not a juggernaut in the distance category, this workout certainly was up there on the “bad-a$$” scale.

The week of 3/13 was particularly special.  It marked the “silent mile” and family fun event for TNT.  It was really great because Jen got to come with me to training to meet the team and to be honored as a cancer survivor.  After driving around for a couple minutes trying to find the mysterious entrance to this place, we arrived where we got rememberance/recognition ribbons and Jen got a balloon to recognize her as a survivor.  We listened to the honor patients explain what TNT and LLS meant to them.  We heard heartwarming stories of survival, and support assisted and provided by LLS.  It was really eye-opening to see the impact a handfull of people working at a task for a cause has on someone in for the fight of their life.  Fresh off the emotional presentations, we set off; vowing to reflect in silence for the first and last miles of our run.  I thought about why I decided to get involved with this (obvious), and thought about the thousands of people who weren't as lucky as Jen to get such a "curable" disease.  The kids we all see on the St. Judes commercials with ALL (leukemia), and their families' trials and tribulations.  Dealing with the emotional baggage of having a child with cancer combined with the real world consequences.  It all seemed so overwhelming.  It was somewhat bittersweet as I ran in silence;  you feel good that you're doing something, but it makes you feel a little helpless that you're not doing more.

After the silent mile training session we headed down to NKC to “sell” beads at the Snake Saturday parade.  I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t good, and didn’t take rejection well.  I figured everyone would be happily open their pocket books and throw me money upon request simply because I represented a wonderful cause and had a strand of green beads I knew they couldn’t live without.  Like I was the old creepy guy on the float at Mardi-Gras and they were the…well you get the picture.  It wasn’t like that at all, and it got to me.  Every “no thanks” I heard might as well have been a “What do you think I’m stupid…why would I ever give you money for such an unworthy cause, and stupid trinket” or (and not to cast judgment on the demographic) “Them ain’t Dale Earnhart beads, I ain’t payin’ no $1 for nuthin’ that don’t say Coors, Nascar, or Larry the Cable Guy”.  I felt rejected every time.  Jen was so much better, probably because she got rejected WAY less.  She was a fundraising rock-star machine.  Luckily she was willing to do most of the “heavy lifting” while I toted the loot and told my story when asked.  Overall the team raised over $1000 for LLS at the parade…way to go TEAM!

Next weekend came March Madness, and it honestly started off pretty good.  Jen and I always talked about taking off the first 2 days of the NCAA tournament that just-so-happen to coincide with St. Paddy’s day, because we don’t get anything done at work anyways.  So we called it a little celebration/vacation of watching basketball and drinking green beer.    To kick things off, I got up on Thursday and set out to run 6 miles.  Now, I’m not totally electronically dependent, and can usually tell about how far I’ve gone, about what my exertion rate is, and about how much more I can take.  However, on this particular run I decided to go “blind” and let my Garmin do the work.  The idea would be 3 miles out, and when Garmin said to turn back I would.  Only somewhere between my house and…my neighbors house, Garmin died.  I was on my own.  So I ran what I thought felt like 3 miles and turned back.  When I finally mapped it I had run 7.2 miles. 

GREAT!  What a way to start the vacation off…little did I know the slump was coming.

To be continued

No really – I made up 2 weeks this time, and I’ll make another post this weekend.  I promiseJ

I said...Burrr...It's cold in here!!!

Again, I've been slacking on my blogging.  Apologies to those of you who are keeping up. I've heard several people wondering how to get an e-mail notification when I post.  Unfortunately I don't think this is something you can do as a follower.  I can, however set up this blog to send a notification an e-mail every time a new post is made.  If you're interested - let me know (somehow...not necessarily through the blog) that you would like to receive post notifications.

On to the fun stuff…Jen is done with cancer treatment!!!  Ok - not totally done (you're never done once you've been diagnosed), but her last radiation treatment was a week ago.  I know she’s excited to feel in control of her body again, and it's great to think about what the next few months hold - looking forward to a fun year and beyond. 

I had missed the last 2 official TNT trainings leading into last weekend.  Not that I haven't been doing the work - I just didn't make it out to BFE (bum-fart-Egypt...AKA, outside the 435 loop) to train with the team for those trainings.  I missed a swim clinic (that I could have probably used), and a COLD 10mile ride.  I knew I had to make it to the next one being the first brick training of the season.  A brick (for those of you unfamiliar) is when you practice the most important transition in triathlon – bike-to-run.  I’m still not 100% sure why it’s called a brick, but perhaps it stems from the fact that when getting off your bike - running feels like Wylie Coyote mistook you for the roadrunner and replaced your legs with 40lbs of ACME product.  Regardless of the Warner Bro’s antics – I was going to make it to training….beep-beep! 

I think the multi-sport gods had decided to punish me for missing that first cold bike ride.  Knowing I’d be on my bike early in the morning – weather became an important player in how this training would go.  I began checking the weather all week, with mixed reviews.  I watched Lezak and/or Busby every night, I even got desperate and turned to that crazy Horner, but more for comic relief than a forecast.  I checked The Weather Channel, Weather Bug on my phone, and NOAA (for when I wanted to feel more scientific).  It was like eating a Lay’s potato chip – I couldn’t eat just one, or once I popped I couldn’t stop…maybe I was just hungry.   As I gathered the data from all the meteorological misfits throughout the week, my general assessment was that Saturday’s forecast was getting colder, but dryer.  Ultimately I couldn’t complain about that (yet).

 

The training session started at Roe Park.  According to my previous classification of BFE, I can't say this meets the criteria, but being a 40min drive - we'll say it was BTL (butt-toot-Libya).  A last look at the weather told a tale of a dry yet cold morning – 18 degrees at training start.  I put my bike in the truck and grabbed every piece of warm clothing I could think of that would be applicable to a bike ride and set it out the night before.  I was convinced that upon arriving I would be informed that because of the cold – we’d only be running. 

Again a 7am start – I got up at 5, grabbed my PB&H/banana, and headed out the door.  Pulling into the parking lot, I didn’t notice so many bikes (the prophecy was being fulfilled…running only).  I got out of the truck, and here comes the lead coach, Jen.  No doubt to tell me to put a lock on my bike, because I wouldn’t need it this morning.  Of course, I’d look disappointed while the decision, but the coaches know best.  All the while I’d be rejoicing like an elf who just got promoted from the old man’s house making shoes to Santa’s workshop.  “We riding today!?” I asked, a short little smirk on my face.  “Of course!” she replied.  No doubt a little humor to rev the engines on a cold morning.  “No seriously, we’re just running, right?” I laughed.  She only grinned at me.  Now, I’m no FBI profiler, but I was starting to wonder why she was stringing me along.  Was she a comic mastermind, or did she just like seeing me squirm?  It was time to end the charade…”really?” I finally asked.  I felt a shiver (literally…we were standing outside) trickle up my spine as she explained something about how the cycle group needed to get used to the cold…blah, blah, blah…whatever!  She wasn’t serious – hypothermia, frost bite, SARS???  Only she was serious – there was no back-up plan to run if the weather was below adequate temperatures.  We were doing this! 

I have never ridden my bike outside in temperatures less than 50 degrees, and really don’t have the cold weather riding gear one should possess when venturing out in weather of this caliber.  However, once reality set in that I wasn’t going to be the wimp who didn’t go-I decided to just try to make the best of it.    

So we’re going out to ride bikes when it’s 18 degrees outside...

I could go ahead and finish this story but it is bedtime and I have an early morning run, but mostly, I’ve always wanted to do this:

To Be Continued…

Sick and Injured?

There are 2 things endurance athletes can’t stand…being sick and being injured.  I say injured, because of that old cliché we all know from our favorite professional athletes that “if you’re hurt you can still play”.  Well, endurance athletes are no different from basketball players, football players or NASCAR drivers – we play hurt.  It’s apparent when you read Runners World, Triathlete, or any other magazine aimed at endurance events and you see at least 1 article per month on how rolling a golf ball under your foot aids in plantar fasciitis, and scrunching up a towel with your toes improves foot strength.  Each attempting to help keep “hurts” from turning into injuries.  It’s the injuries keep you on the sidelines and being sick just plain sucks (that last part isn’t limited to endurance athletes).

Well, I had my bout with both of them in the last 2 weeks.  Those of you keeping up read about my bout with a little head/chest cold that held me down for a few days.  In the midst of all that non-sense, I had a bit of a situation with a potential injury this week as well…

Potential because I couldn’t exactly explain what was going on, so I did what any logical resident of 2011 would do – I “googled” it.  When I didn’t get the answers I was looking for, I “hoo’d” it (Yahoo you can send royalty checks payable to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when that catches on).  After I expended my vast knowledge of search engine navigation without getting satisfactory answers from Al Gore’s contraption – I decided that maybe I should go see a Doctor.  I mean, if Jeeves doesn’t know what this thing is – I may be in real trouble. 

Now – I hate going to the doctor.  I’ll avoid the doctor like Lady Gaga avoids the norm.  I even have a low deductible health insurance plan because if I had to pay any more than $30 to see a doctor I’d probably die of complications from a bunion before I’d pay that guy to look at my….anyways – I don’t like the doctor.  So you know this is serious. 

Long story short – the doctor told me that the tingling/burning sensation I’ve been feeling when I…………….stretch my calf (was that enough dots to get the joke across?) is likely a nerve that runs along my Achilles that ends in my heel, and should go away on its own in a week or so.  By the way, the “injury” was feeling a funny sensation in my heel when I stretched my calf, but I wanted to make you sweatJ.

Bottom line – I’m fine, and over my illness and ready to break…it…down!  I’m getting ready to head to the gym for back/biceps, and to swim.  Then off to soccer.  I feel good about being able to hit it hard again, and am looking forward to the training this weekend (although not looking forward to driving out to 151^st street) into next week.

Jen only has 3 more radiation treatments!  The last one can’t come too soon, her throat is so sore that drinking water is difficult, although she is getting a nice little tanning (or should I say redding) base goingJ.  Remember my rant about being sick…I have NOTHING to complain about. 

Fundraising has slowed down, and I think I can safely say that the results of my initial campaign are in.  The results speak for themselves – WOW…46% of my goal.  Once again – thank you so much to those who have donated.  I’m looking forward to getting creative to knock out the remaining 54%, and then helping my team to reach its goal.

Stay tuned to see how I do it

Sick!

Boom – it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I’m sick…ugh, I hate being sick.  I guess I should count myself lucky that I didn’t get sick while Jen was in chemo with a weakened immune system.  Jen always laughs at me because I will never admit I’m sick, but I felt it coming on Monday afternoon with a sore throat, that turned into sinus pressure, that turned into a stuffy nose/heat, and has moved into my chest ending in an overall feeling of ickiness.  Last night I finally made the designation…it’s official.  It’s not the laid up in a used tissue infested bed, watching Oprah (NO…I don’t watch Oprah), chicken-soup and cracker diet, only thing that will help is a Nyquil induced coma type of sick…luckily.  I’m still going to work, but my workouts have taken a back seat for a short time, and although I’m trying to keep my diet on track, I haven’t felt much like making lunches or dinners.

Someone once told me not to push physical activity when you’re not feeling well.  Good advice.  I can remember one time I didn’t take that good advice and turned a head cold into a week long date with my sofa and (AWFUL) daytime TV while slipping in and out of “green haze” consciousness.  I learned from my mistakes and have taken the last couple of days off to recover.  The good news is I’m starting to feel better, and might get in a yoga session tonight.  The bad news is I’m missing out on a golden opportunity to take advantage of the groundhog’s gift to endurance athletes.  Oh well…my time will come.

Nonetheless, to get everyone up to speed – the official TNT kick-off was a week ago, and our first official training was on Saturday.  I got to meet my team.  There are 8 of us going to Philadelphia (9 counting our campaign manager).  Our honor patient (a recent Hodgkin survivor) is actually on the team!  He was just cleared by his doctor to participate and I’m very excited for him.  The rest of the team seems extremely well manneredJ, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better in the near future.

Our first training took place at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence at 7am.  Yeah, half way to Columbia (or so it seemed).  I guess I should get used to this, because most of the trainings are either out south or east.  Maybe I can convince them to hold one at the downtown airport, or better yet, up Interurban Road (more on that in following posts once the weather improves). 

So I woke up at 6, threw on my training garb, made a PB and H, snagged a banana, filled up my water bottle, and headed out the door.  When I got there, I was met by all the warm faces of the TNT spring team, the “newbies” of the summer team, the staff, and coaches.  The staff and coaches made a couple announcements, and sent us off on our merry way.   The goal was to run 3 miles, but I figured I’d go a little further.  I could feel the cold air in my lungs, but my legs felt good as I kept up with the 2^nd group (the 1^st group must have been out for blood).  After a few miles conversations started budding and I realized I was actually running with the marathoners.  Luckily, their training goal was only 4 miles today.  Friendly bunch (as is typical with all participants in/around this program).  I met a guy in the Air Force who just ran a half marathon in Afghanistan and a girl whose bucket list includes a marathon in each state.  Before we knew it – wrong turn…where are we?  Luckily we hadn’t gone too far off track, but the consequence was that instead of 4 miles we actually ran closer to 5.  I know now to bring my Garmin wherever I go so I can track my pace, effort, and distance, because it seemed like no one had any idea how far we had gone. 

My apologies – I’m realizing this is kind of a bland post, but like I said…not feeling too well.  I’m hopeful the next one will be livelier with me feeling better in the nicer weather.

In closing – Congrats to Troy and Shannon who brought their 2^nd bundle of joy into the world…Reid Michael (you can see posts on Troy’s facebook page…yeah he joined facebookJ)

Cheers!

Oh no...It's Cold Again!!!

My apologies to my new followers – I had vowed to have at least 1 post per week, however super bowl Sunday and the MUvKU “disaster” on Monday got in the way of my plans, and it was either my post or my training.  In the spirit of keeping my priorities straight, (although I’m starting to enjoy being a blogger!) I kept my training in line and waited until today between work and my 8pm soccer game to fulfill my commitment to you drooling piranhas salivating at my every keystrokeJ - Just kidding, and let me take this opportunity to thank you again for reading.

My joyous week of training was brought to a SCREEEEECHING halt.  The most diabolical winter storm in Kansas City’s history (or so the weather personnel would have you believe) hit with the fury of a cat-fish swarm chasing after those little dog food pellets at local marinas (gross!).  Are we still blaming El Nino for crazy weather patterns?  Remember Chris Farley as “El Nino”?  All other tropical storms will bow to El Nino – El Nino is Spanish for…the Nino.  That was funny!

 As I press into month 2 – once again I was forced indoors fending off the temptations to hibernate.  I changed up my strength training in accordance with Tony Horton’s desires to confuse my muscles, and have grown accustomed to my trainer workouts, trips to the dungeon for plyometrics, and bearing the “new year’s resolution” crowds at the gym.  I even took advantage of the 2.5 to 3 feet of snow that accumulated in my driveway by turning shoveling snow into a squatting exercise.  So I’m doing my part to make the best of this atrocity, and now it’s mother nature’s turn to reward me with an early spring.  Punxsutawney Phil is even doing his part by keeping his shadow at bay (although I’d be more afraid of all those dorks in top-hats whispering in my ear).  Come on spring!!!

Jen just started radiation and is feeling a little run down, but she got to travel for work for the first time since diagnosis, so she was pretty excited about that.  Only 12 more trips to KC Cancer Center to go (which is actually 2.5 more weeks)!  

A little cancer note:  It is certainly interesting how serious everything is with cancer – diagnosis, prognosis, staging, treatment, etc. (and rightfully so).  I mention this, because of some of the scheduling “issues” we have had throughout this experience.  For instance, it was imperative that when Jen got started with radiation – she was to go EVERY day……except weekends.  When I asked why not weekends, I got a “duh” kind of look, and an answer “because we’re closed on weekends”.  Ok – so this vital process to cancer treatment and survival is so important that you can’t miss a day – unless the clinic isn’t open…gotcha.  I guess it’s just one of those nuances that you don’t think about until you experience it, and in no way (to my knowledge) are these things a detriment to Jen’s eventual cancer ousting, so don’t take this for distain, but I promised to share thoughts about cancer in this blog as well.  Now, I certainly have respect for time off work (believe me), and don’t wish doctors/nurses/technicians to work 24/7.  I just found it kind of funny how critical things are, can be, or seem to be until it runs into happy hour (food for thought).  Lastly, this wasn’t an isolated incident either – there was also a similar situation with Jen’s diagnosis and again when starting chemo, but that’s a story for another time.    

Looking toward the future – tomorrow is actually the TNT kick-off for the summer team.  I’m pretty excited to officially get started, even though I’m almost 45% to my fundraising goal already (Thanks again everyone).  I not only get to meet who will be accompanying me to Philadelphia, but the rest of the summer team (marathon, century ride, and hike teams) along with our honorary patient and mentors.  This weekend is also the first training session…we’ll see how my preparations stack upJ.  The meeting is at 5:45, and they’re having pizza…seriously???  We’re supposed to be in training and our kick-off is a pizza party?  I know what you’re thinking – the answer is ‘yes’ – Diet Dr. Pepper does taste more like regular Dr. Pepper.  The place I figured to be safe from saturated fat, and monosodium glutamate is where I’ll need to test my skills on portion control.  Trust no one!

What a Week!!!

Hands down the best week so far this year (and may be tough to beat for quite some time) - Jen is in REMISSION!!!  As the icing on the cake; the winter weather cleared up (I like to think because of my last post of endless bellyaching) enough to get my new bike out on the street.  I also had a very successful week of training, especially considering I was out of town (something I typically struggle mightily with), and oh - look at that...2 new followers - welcome friends.

So let's start at the beginning (actually it was toward the end, but...) - We all know Jen had completed her last round of chemotherapy, and although this is the result we were expecting, the only thing better than saying the word is realizing its meaning.  We met with Dr. Sheehan on Thursday, and I actually must have glazed over when she actually made the "announcement".  I didn't figure it was official until the radiation was over, but nonetheless Jen filled me in that she was indeed in remission.  So there it is - a few weeks of radiation and life gets back to normal (if there is such a thing).  Regardless, we're excited to put this whole ordeal behind us, and one MONUMENTAL step is now complete.

Those of you who didn't have to work on Friday (which didnt' include me) were greeted with a huge treat in the middle of winter - an almost 60 degree day.  The night before, I didn't believe it even as Gary Lezak opened his arms and spouted off the expected high temperature in such glee that one only expects when Gary is forecasting "thunderstorms!".  I waited until 2pm to check the temperature (48).  Now that's a little cold to go biking (especially since I really don't have any cold weather cycling gear), but when you have a new bike burning a hole in your trainer - it may as well have been 75.  I negotiated a 3pm departure time with my carpool, and raced home to beat sundown.  I threw on my cycling gear like the kid from "The night before Christmas" threw up the sash (what does that mean anyways?), pumped up the tires, and headed out the door.  The first thing I notice - this is comfortable, and I can tell my trainer sessions haven't gone un-noticed.  When I get to the first big descent, I figured I'd just coast into it, still trying to get a feel.  Typically I hit around 23-24mph on this hill while riding my roadie - I hit 29mph on my new bike.  Maybe I'm hallucinating, or just misremembering because this isn't my favorite descent, but when approaching a favorite -2% grade, I decided to hit it a little harder.  Typically I'm pushing as HARD as I can on this decline to reach 30mph.  Without completely hammering my pedals as usual, I reached 32mph.  The synopsis - I LOVE this bike, and couldn't be happier with my purchase.  Jen got home and knew I had taken it out, not because it was covered with road grime (I cleaned it off afterwards), but because she said I had a huge smile on my face (I just love smiling - smiling's my favorite).  It was the perfect way to wrap up the work-week.  The weekend has a lot to live up to.

I think I've broken my promise of no long posts, but nonetheless I have to talk about my travelling experience this week.  We went to Chicago for 2 days of work.  I did a fantastic job of ordering soups, salads, and other fare that would not spoil my goals for the week. This was a big victory for me, because I typically hate ordering "healthy" food from restaurants since I know I can do a better job of creating more nutritional dishes.  When we got finished on site we went back to the hotel, and we discussed a 2 hour "break" before dinner.  I decided to cease the opportunity and get on the treadmill in the hotels.  About a mile into my run (I set out for 4), a (I'm not going to say "big") woman climbed aboard the treadmill next to me.  For around 12-14 minutes I didn't notice anything because I was engulfed in Harold and Kumar's light hearted journey to White Castle (was that Neil Patrick Harris?).  Over the numbing hum of the treadmill and Kumar's banter about how KFC just won't do - I hear a  faint "oh god".  Little had I noticed, but the "healthy" woman next to me had cranked up her speed to equal mine causing a heavy pant, and the occasional burst of language typically aimed at her deity.  I know what you're thinking...why were allowing Ms. Fitness 1984 to keep up with you...I'll remind you this is recovery week.  I was hovering around 3 miles when I noticed my plodding friend, and the remaining time on the treadmill I was just willing her to remain on the treadmill with all vitals functioning properly.  I could no longer enjoy the journey to White Castle, because I kept thinking the lady was going to fly off the treadmill "Biggest Loser" style and Ashton Kutcher was going to pop out of the closet to record my horrified reaction.  Alas, she maintained her pace, and backed off to a stop shortly after I did.  Sweet relief.  I finished up my abs routine and headed off to dinner thankful that I had finished my workout without having to explain to the paramedics that "no - I dont' know CPR".

That sums up my week thus far - and it was definitely a good one.  The cherry on top would be a Mizzou win over the evil empire known as Texas...Go Tigers!!!    

Winter Blues

It's happened, again.  Old fart winter (yes there is some disdain...keep reading) has reared his ugly head with ample snow, frigid temperatures, and oh-so wonderful driving conditions to/from work.  As a result, the winter training blues have grabbed hold and are doing their best to thwart my training efforts by enticing me with a warm bed, a comfy recliner, and re-runs of Family Guy.  As difficult as the training process is, it is further complicated (especially for me) by the fact that the first 2 months of the new year (for the most part) force training indoors.  Something you'll learn about me - I can't stand indoor training.  The rack (treadmill), and the torture wheel (trainer) have never been kind.  Even the fancy ones at the gym with a TV (where I can watch Family Guy) make me seasick to the point that I'd rather run into the nothingness with only my thoughts (OK thought). 

These facts give that little devil on my shoulder a little more pull than usual.  Come on - take the day off, sleep in, you've earned it, is that a cupcake??.  Alas, it seems every time 5am seems a little too early, my bike seat looks a little too hard, or I realize the treadmill hasn't magically been "misplaced" yet - I get that little e-mail notification that another kind soul has donated their hard earned $ to this cause.  I'm continually humbled by the generosity of others, and it keeps driving me on.  Thank you again to all who have donated thus far - I'm a little over 30% of my goal, and the season hasn't even "officially" kicked-off yet!!!

My training plan at this point is week-to-week, but nonetheless I haven't missed a session.  I'm now about 8lb down (which includes all of my holiday weight), I can finish P90x plyometrics without seeing spots, and I'm noticeably less winded during the workout warm-ups.

I did decide on Saturday that I (and more importantly Truman) had endured enough treadmill and deserved a break (no...not that stray cupcake).  We ventured outside to run the snow covered streets Rocky IV style.  Da-da dana-da-dana-da-dana-da...I was hoping to get chased by a Russian in a Mercedes (though I did almost get hit by an explorer - the driver looked French).  I threw on my hoodie, 2 pairs of socks, and shoes that have NO business being used as running shoes and hit the "mean" streets of Wildwood West.  Truman certainly shares my sentiment about indoor training, because he was smiling at me almost the entire time, I wish I had a camera.  Running in the snow is hard and probably a little dangerous, but sometimes unorthodox measures are the best means.  We got in about 4 miles that included a dead sprint up the steepest hill in the land to get a baseline of my maximum heart rate - 200bpm (Truman's pant rate got to 187 ppm...I still maintain I'm in better shape, but he has 4-wheel drive).

On another positive note - Jen has completed her last chemotherapy session, and survived both the "this SUCKS" phase and "no immune system" phase.  She's feeling better, and energy levels are continually rising.  She  had her follow up scans and we should get the results this week - expecting to hear no more cancer, and the radiation is just to "ZAP" any last traces.

It's week 4, which will serve as a bit of a recovery week.  I still feel pretty fresh, so I'm not planning to tone it back much, however I am looking forward to a shake-up of my routines.  I also am facing the first challenge of travelling for work - I'll be in Chicago for 2 days, and need to improvise to get my workouts in while avoiding fried food when eating out.  Wish me luck!