Research for a Cure for Spinal Cord Paralysis

This 7 minute video was brought to my attention by the Team Reeve Facebook page.  Dr. Wise Young talks about the cure for spinal cord paralysis like it is just around the corner.  I hope that it is.  I would love to see my brother Brett walk again in my lifetime.  Of course, if he was able to use his arms well enough to drive would be wonderful too.  Please take a look at this video so you can see what donations to The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation pay for.  Your donated dollars can truly change the course of someones life.Click to view Dr. Wise Young's interview

4 Days and Counting

I had a pretty miserable last four miles on my last long run before the CIM.  We ran 22 miles but unfortunately I had to walk the last 3 miles because of knee pain.  It was cold out on the American River Bike Path with some parts colder than others.  It never seemed like we warmed up enough and then when we walked, we were starting over to warm up the legs. 

When I got home, I was so cold I couldn't stop shaking.  My knees were knocking together so I went upstairs and stripped and jumped into bed with all the covers on trying to warm up.  My hands never did.  I finally got up and put on a shirt, a sweatshirt, a knit cap and sweatpants.  I should have just jumped in the shower but my brain didn't seem to be working properly at that point.

I finally warmed up and got something to eat and then filled the tub up with cold water.  I got my handy half gallon ice block, made some hot tea and got my reading material together, rolled up my sweatshirt and then stepped into the cold tub.  As cold as it is in the beginning, miserable really, once you are totally in, it feels really good.  I stayed in for 20 minutes.  My legs felt so much better afterwards.

I felt like I needed to see my Physical Therapist so I e-mailed him and low and behold there was a mix up.  The receptionist had made an appointment the last time I was in for tomorrow so I had a slot ready for me.  Weird how sometimes serendipity steps in.  I went to my appointment and he did ultrasound and pressure point massage on the sore spots.  I felt better but not confident about the marathon in less than two weeks.  I managed to run about 2.5 miles the next day and 3.1 miles on Thanksgiving Day.  My left leg from calf to upper thigh continue to be sore.  Right now I am thinking I am a crazy person to run 26.2 miles on an already sore leg.  Maybe adrenaline will be just the thing to carry me through on Sunday.

CIM-Three Weeks Out

So for those of you not from the Sacramento area, the above picture is the course that I will be running on December 4th.  We start in Folsom and run 26.2 miles to the Capital in downtown Sacramento.  I will also be running very near my house.  It is maybe a mile away from Fair Oaks Blvd. and Oak Street which is around mile 5 or 6 of the race. 

Tomorrow, November 12th, we are running the last 15 miles or so of the race.  We will be starting at Fair Oaks and Sunrise Blvd.  Should be interesting as there are no sidewalks on parts of Fair Oaks.  Guess I better wear something bright so the crazy drivers on this road can see me.  I can say crazy drivers because I lived in that neighborhood for 6 years.  I once missed hitting a deer by about 10 feet on Fair Oaks between Sunrise and San Juan. 

At this point, physically, I feel like I am being held together by string and sheer will.  I have my I Phone timer working everyday at work.  It alerts me every hour and a half to get up and stretch.  I go through a regular routine of stretching calves, quads, hamstrings, hip flexors and glutes.  I had to bring my yoga mat to work so my knees wouldn't hurt.  I have a glass panel next to my door.  It's kind of embarrassing to have your boss walk by while you're in the middle of a glute stretch. 

Not many people understand why I am doing this.  The people I work with think I'm a crazy person.  My boss told me yesterday that he is happy with 29 minutes of cardio a day and that nothing could convince him that what I was doing was "fun".  I don't know if it is fun either.  Challenging, pushing me beyond my capabilities, setting and achieving a goal, it is all of those.  Truly if a 53 year old woman with a bad knee can do this, anyone can too with proper preparation and motivation.  I am motivated, very motivated.  I haven't raised the money I would like to with the fundraising.  My job situation became tenuous and I didn't want to threaten any professional contacts with a personal issue.  Still, money is needed to continue research into the cure for spinal cord paralysis and I am glad to raise whatever I can towards that end.