Around Colleen Lake

I walked at the fastest pace I could, the 5 miles around the lake.  My shoulder is still hurting pretty badly so I didn't do very much actual running today. But what a beautiful invigorating workout I had.  It's a beautiful sunny day with a 20 knot wind.  I thought I might find the wind to be too much, but it really felt kind of nice.  I saw a few geese and ducks and other birds.  Of course I also saw lots of trucks. 

I also drove down the Dalton Highway to Caren Pond, about 20 miles.  I only saw a couple of distant caribou.  Yesterday I saw the huge herd of thousands that were spread out over about 10 miles, but I guess they have moved on.  Here is a cute photo from yesterday.

Now to get to my fundraising.  I sold a digital photo yesterday and asked for a donation to my Team In Training site as payment.  But the buyer got confused and donated to the UNICEF fund instead.  Oh well, the UNICEF kids need lots of help. 

But I could sure use some donations to my race against cancer.  Please consider making a donation to my Team In Training site.

5 Miles Around the Lake

It was a beautiful day here in Deadhorse, only about 15 knots of wind and 47 degrees.  I walked most of the way around Colleen Lake because the jarring of running still causes a lot of pain to my broken collarbone.  But I did run about 1 mile of the route, or at least a slow jog with my right arm restrained. It took an hour and a half.  That's pretty slow but at least it's a start to getting back into running.

Only 14 days until the Hatcher Pass Marathon.  It looks like I will at least be able to walk it.

Working at it

I'm still hanging in there but the last two days have been especially painful to my chest, arm, and shoulder.  But I did force myself to do 30 minutes on the exercise bike.  I tried to take a walk outside but the wind was just too obnoxious.  I do hope I can get to at the very least, walk around the lake for 5 miles.  But not in these high winds.  Running, not sure when I can do it again. 

But I will still do my marathons no matter how slowly I have to do them.

Help me fight cancer - click on the Team In Training logo below.

No Pain No Gain?

Well I'm not so sure that saying really applies here but yes I am in great pain.  Pain in my right arm and shoulder, most likely the result of the broken collarbone after being stomped by that moose.  It doesn't seem to have any intentions of improving.  But I was able to have a fairly good 30 minute workout on the stationary bike today, keeping the right arm in the sling.  At least my legs got a workout and I think it was a fairly good aerobic workout as well.  But it was a far cry from what I would like to be doing to get into the marathon shape that I need to be in.

I took a nice drive down the Dalton Highway about 10 miles and got some interesting weather photos. This was my favorite of a storm in the distance behind the Alaska Pipeline and a tiny tundra pond.  We finally have some nice warm weather in the 60s and it brings with it some afternoon cumulous clouds and showers.  I so miss running along the road like I have always done in the past.

Takin' it Easy

My pain was a little worse this afternoon when I woke up so I decided not to push it too hard.  But I did do a short 15 minute ride on the bike.  Tomorrow if the pain is better I want to shoot for a 1 hour ride.  It is a delicate balance between keeping in shape, helping myself heal, and doing further damage.  The only thing I have to gage it by is the pain.

But I really want to run those marathons, it is my way of helping end cancer.  I don't mind a little pain.  Maybe this battle of mine is a gentle reminder of what cancer patients have to deal with.  Pain and disability are terrible things, and I am getting a small glance at what it must be like.

Great Cross Training

I am thrilled!  I just did 5 miles on the exercise bike.  Doesn't seem like much, I know, but it is a milestone.  It is an excellent alternative to running so I can at least keep my legs in shape and get good aerobics.  It should help me a lot when I do get back to running.  I am able to keep my right arm still but get a good heartrate, and not disturb the broken collarbone.  I feel so good about being able to do this. I am so hoping that somehow I can still do the Hatcher Pass Marathon on July 9th.

"You're never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true."
— Richard Bach

I'm not going to let this  little moose stomping injury destroy my dream of racing to cure cancer!

Baby Steps

Well it really wasn't much of a workout, but I dragged myself downstairs to the exercise room and tried again to use the exercise bike.  I only rode for 2 miles because I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing damage to the broken ribs and collarbone.  But I found I was able to work my legs without causing undue pain to my chest and shoulder.  I'm planning to ride it each day now until I go home the end of the month.  I don't know if I will be able to run any time soon, but who knows, it may be possible for me to at least walk that Hatcher Pass Marathon on July 9th.  I think riding the bike is good for my lungs because it's easy to get lazy and not breathe deeply enough due to the pain of the broken ribs.  Exercise makes me breathe harder.  And that's a good thing.

I sure need more donations to help with my fight to cure cancer.  Please go to my FUNDRAISING PAGE, and pass it along to others even if you can't make a donation.

Go Team!