Just joined another team today - Save the Walnut - to run in the September 25 Dash for Dad, a 5k race that benefits prostate cancer research.
This one is a little more personal - my brother-in-law Greg, the balloon captain for Light the Night, is a survivor of prostate cancer.
One would think that prostate cancer and leukemia have nothing really to do with each other, but one would be wrong. As I've said earlier - research sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has led to discoveries of drugs that are being tested for treatment of other types of cancer. Specifically, Velcade®, Thalidomid® and Revlimid®, originally developed and approved for patients with myeloma are now helping patients with some forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and being tested for patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), acute leukemia (ALL and AML), lung and prostate cancer.
And so I run.
Still searching for that right combination of food and drink that will give me what I need to go the distance but won't upset the system. Right now, the best pre-run food is a slice of toast, with peanut butter, honey, slice banana sprinkled with flax seeds with a half cup of coffee. I won't even pretend that I know what benefits I'm getting from this combo, I just know it tastes good and it doesn't cause any stomach upset. If you have any suggestions - let me know.
Yesterday's run
Distance 5.5 miles
Time 12:48 minute/miles
Good run overall.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Heat wave - tropical heat wave!
I know I should be so grateful for this warm weather, we had such a long winter or so it seemed. I find that I much prefer running in cooler temperatures. Everything just works better.
The last three runs have all had their challenges. Each one was 5 miles (special thanks to Dwight J., Sharon C. & Sgt. D.!), two outside and one on the treadmill.
Dwight's run on July 15 was with Running Buddy through the city of Rosemount and was in the early days of the current heat wave. In general, it was a good run of 5.37 miles. We averaged 11:49/mile which now seems to have been a bit fast, since we were trying to keep it nice and easy as we were running with our dogs and the humidity levels were high. We've been running with our dogs for quite some time and now it's almost impossible to get out of our houses without them. Maddie, our golden retriever, will park herself so close to the front door the minute she sees my running clothes that I practically need a crowbar to open it. Josie, RB's drathaar, is the same way. Normally, the two do just fine during our runs, but with this change in the weather, we need to be mindful that they will do whatever we allow them to do - to their detriment - and we have to ensure that we protect them from themselves as I found out during Sharon's run.
Sharon's run was on Sunday morning when the temp was 78 degrees at 6 a.m. I was going to do 5 miles - 6 if it felt right. Running Buddy is on vacation but Maddie was right there, ready to go. After 4 miles, she had drained both water bottles in my fuel belt and she wasn't looking good. I felt horrible that we were still a mile from home and if there had been a way I could have twitched my nose ala Bewitched, I would have done so to get her home and into the shower as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, I don't have magical powers, so we chugged home as easily as we could and ran through every water sprinkler available. As soon as we were home, I got Maddie into the shower with me to cool her down. Funny - for a dog who loves to jump into the lake, she is not a fan of water sprinklers or showers and will do her best to avoid them however, she was very submissive and it wasn't long before she was cooled down and back to her normal Maddie self.
I should mention that the run was hard on me as well. I often wonder where all that sweat comes from. Seriously! I cannot believe how much pours out of my body, especially from my head. I couldn't keep my ear buds in for the sweat and my hair looked like I'd taken a shower even before I got into the shower. I think I may have dehydrated myself as I had a few muscle cramps later in the day in my calves and upper arm muscles. BTW, our time for the run was 12:17/mile. A little slower than the run on the 15th - a little more walking for Maddie's sake (and mine).
Today's run, Sgt's D's run was on the Dreaded Treadmill. As far as the last week of running has gone, this one was the worst. I HATE the treadmill. It feels so much longer and boring than running outside and I run slower!! 5.00 miles at a 13:10/mile! What's up with that!? Even though the fitness center has air conditioning, I still sweat up a storm and I'm completely at a loss when it comes to spitting! Where the heck am I supposed to spit? Yes, I spit when I run. Heck, I spit when I walk. I'm a spitter. It's not ladylike, it can be rude, but it's what I do. I spit. Sorry! Outside, it's not an issue, I can spit anywhere, but on the DT, it's an issue. Fortunately, I had a few paper towels at hand, a couple for spit and a couple for sweat. I seriously considered breaking up the run, half in the morning, the other half in the evening but I couldn't seem to make myself quit. I wanted to stop, I really truly did! I just couldn't! What the heck is wrong with me? I don't know!
I have two more runs ahead to keep up with my donors. Here's hoping the heat wave breaks soon so I can pound pavement rather than the DT.
The internet is an amazing thing - through it, I've befriended people who share an interest in camping, knitting, cooking and running. The post below is from a camping friend, Kell Johnson, who lost his son Alex 8 years ago to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Alex went through a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. He fought a valiant battle for 168 days. His parents were strengthened by their faith yet struggled with the questions that rattled their faith. Even now, eight years later, the ache in Kell's heart is still strong, his grief palpable. From Alex Johnson's Caring Bridge:
Friday, June 24, 2011 7:13 AM CDT
It has been a long long time since I last journaled here and not not sure how many people continue to visit the site, but I can tell you that we still continue to miss Alex everyday and carry his spirit with us where ever we go.
This year it will be 8 years since Alex was diagnosed and yet it seems like it was yesterday.
I long to hold him in my arms again, hear his voice and see his big smile. Some day things will all be made right again.
Kell
And so I run.
The last three runs have all had their challenges. Each one was 5 miles (special thanks to Dwight J., Sharon C. & Sgt. D.!), two outside and one on the treadmill.
Dwight's run on July 15 was with Running Buddy through the city of Rosemount and was in the early days of the current heat wave. In general, it was a good run of 5.37 miles. We averaged 11:49/mile which now seems to have been a bit fast, since we were trying to keep it nice and easy as we were running with our dogs and the humidity levels were high. We've been running with our dogs for quite some time and now it's almost impossible to get out of our houses without them. Maddie, our golden retriever, will park herself so close to the front door the minute she sees my running clothes that I practically need a crowbar to open it. Josie, RB's drathaar, is the same way. Normally, the two do just fine during our runs, but with this change in the weather, we need to be mindful that they will do whatever we allow them to do - to their detriment - and we have to ensure that we protect them from themselves as I found out during Sharon's run.
Sharon's run was on Sunday morning when the temp was 78 degrees at 6 a.m. I was going to do 5 miles - 6 if it felt right. Running Buddy is on vacation but Maddie was right there, ready to go. After 4 miles, she had drained both water bottles in my fuel belt and she wasn't looking good. I felt horrible that we were still a mile from home and if there had been a way I could have twitched my nose ala Bewitched, I would have done so to get her home and into the shower as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, I don't have magical powers, so we chugged home as easily as we could and ran through every water sprinkler available. As soon as we were home, I got Maddie into the shower with me to cool her down. Funny - for a dog who loves to jump into the lake, she is not a fan of water sprinklers or showers and will do her best to avoid them however, she was very submissive and it wasn't long before she was cooled down and back to her normal Maddie self.
I should mention that the run was hard on me as well. I often wonder where all that sweat comes from. Seriously! I cannot believe how much pours out of my body, especially from my head. I couldn't keep my ear buds in for the sweat and my hair looked like I'd taken a shower even before I got into the shower. I think I may have dehydrated myself as I had a few muscle cramps later in the day in my calves and upper arm muscles. BTW, our time for the run was 12:17/mile. A little slower than the run on the 15th - a little more walking for Maddie's sake (and mine).
Today's run, Sgt's D's run was on the Dreaded Treadmill. As far as the last week of running has gone, this one was the worst. I HATE the treadmill. It feels so much longer and boring than running outside and I run slower!! 5.00 miles at a 13:10/mile! What's up with that!? Even though the fitness center has air conditioning, I still sweat up a storm and I'm completely at a loss when it comes to spitting! Where the heck am I supposed to spit? Yes, I spit when I run. Heck, I spit when I walk. I'm a spitter. It's not ladylike, it can be rude, but it's what I do. I spit. Sorry! Outside, it's not an issue, I can spit anywhere, but on the DT, it's an issue. Fortunately, I had a few paper towels at hand, a couple for spit and a couple for sweat. I seriously considered breaking up the run, half in the morning, the other half in the evening but I couldn't seem to make myself quit. I wanted to stop, I really truly did! I just couldn't! What the heck is wrong with me? I don't know!
I have two more runs ahead to keep up with my donors. Here's hoping the heat wave breaks soon so I can pound pavement rather than the DT.
The internet is an amazing thing - through it, I've befriended people who share an interest in camping, knitting, cooking and running. The post below is from a camping friend, Kell Johnson, who lost his son Alex 8 years ago to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Alex went through a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. He fought a valiant battle for 168 days. His parents were strengthened by their faith yet struggled with the questions that rattled their faith. Even now, eight years later, the ache in Kell's heart is still strong, his grief palpable. From Alex Johnson's Caring Bridge:
Friday, June 24, 2011 7:13 AM CDT
It has been a long long time since I last journaled here and not not sure how many people continue to visit the site, but I can tell you that we still continue to miss Alex everyday and carry his spirit with us where ever we go.
This year it will be 8 years since Alex was diagnosed and yet it seems like it was yesterday.
I long to hold him in my arms again, hear his voice and see his big smile. Some day things will all be made right again.
Kell
And so I run.
Monday, July 11, 2011
A little something about my first 5 mile run sponsor...
Almost feels like I'm kicking off a commercial! First, thank you, Vicki K. for being my first run sponsor!
I have to tell you somethings about Vicki.
She got involved with LLS through her employer and her first event was a jello slide. (Way, way easier than running 5 miles)
She continues to support the mission of LLS and in particular Light the Night as a volunteer. She has schlepped more hot dogs than a New York street vendor and now, along side her husband Greg, is part of the Balloonatics Crew. (Way, way more fun than running 5 miles)
She has lobbied in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (Way, way scarier than running 5 miles)
She is the former president of the MN Chapter Board of Directors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society having been involved with the Society for almost 20 years. (Way, way - okay, I got nothing to compare with this kind of dedication and commitment)
She is my inspiration and my role model.
She is my baby sister.
Thanks Vicki for all you have done and all you continue to do! Love you!!!
I have to tell you somethings about Vicki.
She got involved with LLS through her employer and her first event was a jello slide. (Way, way easier than running 5 miles)
She continues to support the mission of LLS and in particular Light the Night as a volunteer. She has schlepped more hot dogs than a New York street vendor and now, along side her husband Greg, is part of the Balloonatics Crew. (Way, way more fun than running 5 miles)
She has lobbied in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (Way, way scarier than running 5 miles)
She is the former president of the MN Chapter Board of Directors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society having been involved with the Society for almost 20 years. (Way, way - okay, I got nothing to compare with this kind of dedication and commitment)
She is my inspiration and my role model.
She is my baby sister.
Thanks Vicki for all you have done and all you continue to do! Love you!!!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
What happens when a mileage junkie meets a time junkie?
Running Buddy is a self-confessed mileage junkie. She loves running and running and running - she's kind of like the Energizer Bunny! I'm content to be done after 3 or 5 miles, but she can keep going. She actually starts to get into her rhythm and get stronger by mile 3.
I'm a time junkie, I always want to see an improvement in our time during all that running and running. I don't think I ever get into a rhythm or stronger, I just want to get through it and the sooner the better.
It's a match made in heaven, I think.
I love the runs where we're both feeling good, where the bodies are performing as they should and I'm always so very grateful that we never feel crappy at the same time. When I'm having a bad run, she knows just the things to say, when to push me harder. Since she's always been the stronger of the two of us, I've not had a lot of experience with encouraging her. Lately, however, RB's had some tougher runs and I've been able to encourage her. It's brought a bit of balance to our relationship and I like that.
Having support like Running Buddy helps get one through the tough times, the hard miles and to finish strong. LLS is there to provide the same kind of support, education and other services to patients and their families. If you or someone you know have recently been diagnosed with a leukemia or lymphoma or are in the midst of the battle, check out your local LLS chapter. You can find them at http://www.lls.org/. If you want to find out more ways to help, that same site will point you to many of the programs the Society makes available, like Pennies for Patients, Team in Training and Light the Night.
Thursday's run -
4.63 miles
11:56 minute/mile
Temp. - 66-73 degrees
Humidity - 55%
Pretty comfortable!
I'm a time junkie, I always want to see an improvement in our time during all that running and running. I don't think I ever get into a rhythm or stronger, I just want to get through it and the sooner the better.
It's a match made in heaven, I think.
I love the runs where we're both feeling good, where the bodies are performing as they should and I'm always so very grateful that we never feel crappy at the same time. When I'm having a bad run, she knows just the things to say, when to push me harder. Since she's always been the stronger of the two of us, I've not had a lot of experience with encouraging her. Lately, however, RB's had some tougher runs and I've been able to encourage her. It's brought a bit of balance to our relationship and I like that.
Having support like Running Buddy helps get one through the tough times, the hard miles and to finish strong. LLS is there to provide the same kind of support, education and other services to patients and their families. If you or someone you know have recently been diagnosed with a leukemia or lymphoma or are in the midst of the battle, check out your local LLS chapter. You can find them at http://www.lls.org/. If you want to find out more ways to help, that same site will point you to many of the programs the Society makes available, like Pennies for Patients, Team in Training and Light the Night.
Thursday's run -
4.63 miles
11:56 minute/mile
Temp. - 66-73 degrees
Humidity - 55%
Pretty comfortable!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Ugh
Yesterday's run was awful. It started off well enough. Met Running Buddy at the corner and we determined we'd take it nice and easy. It was 85 degrees, low humidity, slight breeze, we knew it would be a bit of a challenge, but we both felt up for it.
The first few miles went by just fine, no real surprises. The heat wasn't overwhelming but it was a little on the dry side which seemed to make breathing a challenge. However, I was carrying my fuel belt so that we had water on the way and easily drained one of the bottles before our first planned stop at the local KwikTrip, the three mile mark.
The KwikTrip stop was "interesting". I knew I had to pee, but the rest came as a complete surprise. Foolishly, I thought I needed to get some energy going, so I tried a couple of strawberry Chomps, with a water chaser. Running Buddy also bought some Gatorade, from which I took a few sips.
BAD IDEA! About 5-10 minutes after the stuff hits my system, I started to experience mile 10. For your information, mile 10 was the moment when I knew I was in serious gastronomical trouble during the 2011 Get in Gear. And that's all I'm going to say about that! :)
The rest of the run was a struggle with feelings of nauseau and a strong desire to hurl. We ended up walking much more than running with me taking little side trips to the side of the sidewalks, once with an effort of sticking my finger down my throat just get it over with!
As I ran, I realized that I felt like this because I made a choice to run and to put something into my system that ultimately disagreed with me. Leukemia patients going through chemo don't have a choice. They are doing it because they have to, because they want to live and the chemicals being pushed into their bodies are their hope. That realization kept me moving forward, Running Buddy at my side.
Moving forward, I am going to try going without any GU or similar products and just rely on water during the run. I will have to fuel up properly before and will be looking at what foods will work without upsetting the system.
This run was a freebie. Still looking for that first donor. Remember, it's a simple process, completely secure at http://pages.lightthenight.org/mn/TwinCiti11/ReneeHedstrom#My-Fundraising-Page
Final stats
5.84 miles
12:58 min/mile
Temp. 85 degrees
Humidty low
The first few miles went by just fine, no real surprises. The heat wasn't overwhelming but it was a little on the dry side which seemed to make breathing a challenge. However, I was carrying my fuel belt so that we had water on the way and easily drained one of the bottles before our first planned stop at the local KwikTrip, the three mile mark.
The KwikTrip stop was "interesting". I knew I had to pee, but the rest came as a complete surprise. Foolishly, I thought I needed to get some energy going, so I tried a couple of strawberry Chomps, with a water chaser. Running Buddy also bought some Gatorade, from which I took a few sips.
BAD IDEA! About 5-10 minutes after the stuff hits my system, I started to experience mile 10. For your information, mile 10 was the moment when I knew I was in serious gastronomical trouble during the 2011 Get in Gear. And that's all I'm going to say about that! :)
The rest of the run was a struggle with feelings of nauseau and a strong desire to hurl. We ended up walking much more than running with me taking little side trips to the side of the sidewalks, once with an effort of sticking my finger down my throat just get it over with!
As I ran, I realized that I felt like this because I made a choice to run and to put something into my system that ultimately disagreed with me. Leukemia patients going through chemo don't have a choice. They are doing it because they have to, because they want to live and the chemicals being pushed into their bodies are their hope. That realization kept me moving forward, Running Buddy at my side.
Moving forward, I am going to try going without any GU or similar products and just rely on water during the run. I will have to fuel up properly before and will be looking at what foods will work without upsetting the system.
This run was a freebie. Still looking for that first donor. Remember, it's a simple process, completely secure at http://pages.lightthenight.org/mn/TwinCiti11/ReneeHedstrom#My-Fundraising-Page
Final stats
5.84 miles
12:58 min/mile
Temp. 85 degrees
Humidty low
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Meet Cole & Charlotte - our 2011 Honored Heroes
Cole Christian
Cole, age six, was diagnosed with ALL in 2008 and will complete treatment on September 4th 2011! He enjoys playing games and sports, especially hockey, eating macaroni and cheese, and spending time with his family and new puppy. Cole hopes to one day be a hockey coach.
Charlotte Grimm
Charlotte was diagnosed at age two with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and is currently undergoing maitenance therapy. Now three years old, Charlotte loves dancing and being a big sister.
ALL - Acute Lymphomblastic Leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in children from infancy to age 19. It's the most common form of cancer in children ages 1-7. According to the National Cancer Society, there is an almost 91% rate of survival in children under the age of 5 and an amazing 66.4% in all ages!
Cole is the same age as my grandson Ben, Charlotte is a wee bit older than my grandson RJ. It is hard for me to fathom not doing something if either of them or their brothers were diagnosed with any form of cancer or other illness.
Like most runners, I think about things when I run ...
I think about the usual work and family stuff.
I think about my commitment to the upcoming Light the Night Walk. Actually, it was while I was running that I got the idea to use my running as a way to raise support for this year's walk. I remembered that I decided after my OBX Half-Marathon, that if I'm going to continue to run, I'm going to run for a purpose.
I've received a lot of physical benefits from my running, but I really need more of a reason, one that's less self-centered than maintaining my weightloss or keeping my cholesterol down. I don't want to belittle those things, my health is very important to me, but I want my training and my races to count for something other than a couple pounds or a few cholesterol points.
Tomorrow the plan is to run 5 miles with my training partner, Sue. I was really hoping there'd be some movement on my donation page to motivate me, but it's early and I'm pretty sure I can get myself going fairly easily right now. I'll need those motivators later in the training.
Hmmmm..... maybe I could bank miles now and later, when the donations come in, I've already got them covered. I could give into the little voice inside my head that encourages me to stay in bed and get more sleep. No one would know, right? Ha - you, dear readers, would know and I would know and I'm pretty sure that knowing that you know will be enough of a motivator to get my lazy butt up and moving.
Thank you for stopping by. Please feel free to leave a comment or a message if you want to know more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Light the Night.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Why I run
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, the spongy center of bones where our blood cells are formed. The disease develops when blood cells produced in the bone marrow grow out of control.
Critical treatment innovations have originated through blood cancer research, including radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and new-targeted therapies. Significant progress continues to be made to improve the lives of people living with blood cancer:
Since I've become involved with the Light the Night, I've met so many people whose lives have been touched by some form of leukemia or lymphoma. One of my team leads/mentors at Thomson Reuters, Carla, lost her son Will after a 6 month battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) in 2009. My good friend Kent and his wife Rhonda lost their mother and mother-in-law, Tudie, in 2010 to lymphoma. Those are a couple of the losses... the success stories are found in my friend and Minnesota Light the Night Campaign Manager, Heidi G. and 2010 Honored Hero Noah - both now considered cancer free. Someone said that I'm blessed to not have a personal connection to the diseases, but they were wrong. I do, through each and every one of my friends, through Heidi and Noah and through everyone whose lives have been disrupted by the diagnosis of cancer.
I will run for those who can't because they're undergoing chemotherapy or undergoing a bone marrow transplant
.
I will run for those who can't because they are sitting next to their loved one, hoping and praying that the treatments are successful.
I will run for those who are grieving and for those who are rejoicing.
I believe that by supporting the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, we can make a difference in eradicting cancer from our vocabulary, for that reason I will run. Because someone's life may depend on it.
Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
Critical treatment innovations have originated through blood cancer research, including radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and new-targeted therapies. Significant progress continues to be made to improve the lives of people living with blood cancer:
- Nearly 50% of all FDA-approved cancer drugs during the past decade were for blood cancer:
- Five of those drugs have been approved for use in additional cancer indications; clinical trials are underway for the other 14 FDA-approved treatments for additional indications.
- Survival rates for children with lymphocytic leukemia (the most common childhood cancer) have risen from 3% to 90% since the 1960s.
- Hodgkin lymphoma patient survival rates have doubled (now 88%) since the 1960s
Since I've become involved with the Light the Night, I've met so many people whose lives have been touched by some form of leukemia or lymphoma. One of my team leads/mentors at Thomson Reuters, Carla, lost her son Will after a 6 month battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) in 2009. My good friend Kent and his wife Rhonda lost their mother and mother-in-law, Tudie, in 2010 to lymphoma. Those are a couple of the losses... the success stories are found in my friend and Minnesota Light the Night Campaign Manager, Heidi G. and 2010 Honored Hero Noah - both now considered cancer free. Someone said that I'm blessed to not have a personal connection to the diseases, but they were wrong. I do, through each and every one of my friends, through Heidi and Noah and through everyone whose lives have been disrupted by the diagnosis of cancer.
I will run for those who can't because they're undergoing chemotherapy or undergoing a bone marrow transplant
.
I will run for those who can't because they are sitting next to their loved one, hoping and praying that the treatments are successful.
I will run for those who are grieving and for those who are rejoicing.
I believe that by supporting the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, we can make a difference in eradicting cancer from our vocabulary, for that reason I will run. Because someone's life may depend on it.
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! It's great to have you be a part of my training as I prepare to run my third half-marathon!
First, some background...
I'm not really a runner. I'm too lazy and undisciplined to be a real runner. I started running one year ago in May and I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for running partner, my husband and my kids, I would have quit in June.
But -
I am passionate about the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and in particular the yearly Light the Night Walk. This year, I am going to use running as part of my fundraising efforts towards my goal of $2,000.
You can follow my training progress on this site. I promise to be entirely candid and honest about the training - you will get to know the good, the bad and the ugly of training and leukemia and lymphoma.
My fundraising site is http://pages.lightthenight.org/mn/TwinCiti11/ReneeHedstrom
Thanks for joining me on this adventure.
First, some background...
I'm not really a runner. I'm too lazy and undisciplined to be a real runner. I started running one year ago in May and I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for running partner, my husband and my kids, I would have quit in June.
But -
I am passionate about the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and in particular the yearly Light the Night Walk. This year, I am going to use running as part of my fundraising efforts towards my goal of $2,000.
You can follow my training progress on this site. I promise to be entirely candid and honest about the training - you will get to know the good, the bad and the ugly of training and leukemia and lymphoma.
My fundraising site is http://pages.lightthenight.org/mn/TwinCiti11/ReneeHedstrom
Thanks for joining me on this adventure.
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