Indoors Again

Another 5 mile indoor run.  I felt a little tired this time, so wasn't quite as fast as yesterday, but speed will come later.  I'm just happy running at all is possible. It looks like it will be a while before I'm ready for another marathon though.

Menard Center

It was my longest run so far, and only 5 miles, but I was happy to see that running is still possible even with a bit of arm pain.  I sure wish I could run outdoors but that might be disastrous considering the ice and snow and my arm that tends to throw me off balance.

Beautiful Snowy 4 Mile Hike

Just a nice hike through the new snow along the bike and ski trails in Anchorage with my best friend, Diane, I'm not quite healed enough to try skiing yet.  But hiking was a great alternative.

Menard Center

I was really tired and in a lot of pain so had just about decided to skip trying another run. But then Louise texted me to see if I would like to go on a short run. So I told her about the sports center. We met there around 3 pm and we had a nice chat and caught up on quite a few years, since she now lives in New Zealand.  I didn't feel quite as well as yesterday but did have a nice 3 mile run. I'm sure glad we have such a nice place to run when the weather isn't the best.

First Run

First run of 2017, but more importantly, first run since my injury in Cuba.
I've been in continual pain and I know I'm rapidly losing my fitness. So I thought it might be a good idea to try a short run indoors at the sports center. It's safe there, with no chance of falling on ice, or falling off a treadmill. I only ran 3 miles but felt fine. I didn't feel any additional pain to my arm or hand, so I think it was a very good idea.  I met my friend Kate there and we chatted for about 2 miles. I ran another mile, for three miles total.

Grounds of the Menard Center

Havana Cuba Marathon.

Well that didn't go so well!  What a fascinating and lovely place Cuba is.  I was having such a wonderful time with some o the nicest people I've ever met. This would have been marathon number 92. But it was not to be.

It started out beautifully and I felt strong.  The temperature was pleasant and not the blistering heat that we all expected.  I was so happy at the start line.

The Start line

But something went wrong at mile 15. One second I was running and a split second later I was flat on the ground.  I have no idea what, if anything I tripped over, but I was down to stay.  I was in excruciating pain and knew immediately my left arm was broken. I was screaming in pain. Several men came along and scooped me up and put me in the back of an old classic car and took me to some odd little building where some first aid people tried to help me.  There was no cell service so I couldn't contact our tour guide. Next I was in an ambulance, then at a Cuban hospital.

In The Cuba Hospital

They sent me on to the international clinic. From there I was able to text my tour guide. The clinic put me in a plaster half splint, half cast and the tour got me on a plane to Miami. From there I took a taxi to Ft Lauderdale to the trauma center where I had major surgery on my upper arm and elbow. My arm is now full of big chunks of metal. Two days later I flew home and am now up at work for all of December still in lots of pain.

So I don'y know what the future holds for my arm. A visit to an orthopedic surgeon on January 3rd should help me understand that.
But it's not looking good for the Egyptian Marathon on January 13th. But I haven't canceled the trip yet.

I promised myself though that I will be back with Kathy Loper next year to run that Havana Marathon again.

Eklutna Lake

All that lovely snow from a couple weeks ago has melted. So once again, I'm hiking instead of skiing at Eklutna Lake. With Diane and Tobi. Snow or no snow, it's still a heavenly place. We walked about 6 miles out and back.

Lakeside Trail