2008

2008 was a year of big ups and down.
I have a big void in my life without my sister in it. She was wrong when she talked about her future death- "you will be sad for maybe two weeks then you won't miss me at all". I miss her so much and I feel so guilty that she is dead. If only I had taken more time to make her feel like she was neeeded by me and my family maybe she would have decided to live. How can you argue with a person who is in pain and just doens't want to be in pain anymore though. I know I treated her like an inconvienece at times. I was so wrong. Could I have secretely wished this into happening? I am glad that she believed in God and that there was going to be an afterlife and a reunion with others who went. It would be nice if that was the case but I have big doubts on that.
Jan 1 2008 was the day of my back injury. It took me about two and 1/2 months before I was able to run again. I am proud that I fought back from that one, it was definetely a struggle When I couldn't even walk much I did the stationary bike then evenually was able to manage the eliptical then eventually the treadmill.
Chippewa 50k in April was a highlight of the year. The weeks before I had no plans to run it since I was still having back issues and had only squeeked out a couple of runs at 15 miles. The week before I thought what the heck and signed up the day before. I ended up feeling better during the 2nd half of the race than I had ever felt running before.
The other races I did were Trail Mix 50k(best time thanks to the shortened route), Ice Age 50 mile(the cut off times were brutal to me), Fans(ony 71 miles-embarassing), Grandmas(my last one), Afton(always great) 1/2 Vouageur Marathon(so much fun -great company) Vouageur 50 mile( I did bettter than the previous year- I love this course), Paavo Nurmi(this one is all about the friends), Superior(DNF- I stil can't believe it),Twin Cities Marathon(should have done better), Mother Road 100(loved it- can't wait to attempt another 100).
I added 11 races to my 50 by 50 total so I am up to 42. I did not of course count Superior.
I need 8 marathon or higher races before Aug 25.
I am looking to 2009 with a new view of healthy- no hiding my head in the sand. I have to face reality and take it up a step. I have already started and am feeling good.

Snowshoeing fun

Saturday I had a good showshoe run out at Lebannon Hills.I need to start building up for the snowshoe marathon next month.
Lebannon Hills has a great marked loop perfect for snowshoeing, lots of rolling hills meandering through the woods, all single track, around lots of lakes.
I had big doubts during the first hour if there was going to be a second hour, but thought if I can get in two hours I would be doing ok. Last week at Afton I only got in a little snowshoeing before I took them off and ran without them. Snowshoeing takes alot more energy and I can feel it. I did not bring my Garmin since I had forgot to charge it up. Good thing - I might have been upset with myself over the speed. I think I started walking about 1/2 the time but think that improved as time went. But my rule in running- never walk the downhills applied here too.
I ended up with a 3 hour run, no idea of the milage. Next week I will go 4 hours. I was totally caked in snow by the time I was done- was absolutley freezing by the time I got home.
I am back on the south beach diet, it is good for diabetics. I know I am not diabetic...yet -better start acting like I don't want to be one.
I also started cholesterol meds. I had one extra test- I think it measured the size of the colesterol itself and that one said I was moderate risk for heart attack. I guess you can run but you can't escape heredity.

Pre-diabetes

I am not happy this morning. I had some pre-physical lab work done last week and got the new today that I am still pre-diabetic. I was thinking that my activity level would have maybe got rid of it. My last test was in 2004.
Oh well something to work on.
Good news- I got my snoweshoes yesterday- Northern Lites sure are quick- ordered monday received on Thursday.
I'll head out to Afton tm am to try them out.