Challenges they don't tell you about...

They tell you about chafing, about toenails falling off, how to breathe, what to do about shin splints, how to drink, how to eat and how many miles to run. But there is no advice out there for what the heck to do when these songs get stuck in your head for six miles. Don't click on any of those links. You've been warned.

I Ran 16 miles today

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Red Baron Half-Marathon

This training stuff is great. My training partner, Sujini, and I ran the Red Baron Half-Marathon in Corning on Sunday. It was difficult, but we were prepared. Today I was able to run six miles. Only two days after running a hill-filled 13.1 miles, that is amazing! I ran a half marathon in 2006 after training on my own, and I was hunched over, limping and in pain afterward, in no shape to run. If anyone out there is looking for a reason to join Team in Training - the training plan really, really works.

We registered at the last minute, but still got a T-shirt. They provided gels and string cheese along the course. String cheese! That is a first. Lots of water, of course, but no Gatorade. The race is to raise money for the Spencer Crest Nature Center, and the volunteers were very enthusiastic and encouraging, so it must be a good cause.

I took a picture of the green race shirt, but I can't find the cable for the digital camera. Bummer.

LLS Fundrasing page from 9/4/08

Here's what it said on my LLS Fundraising page from 9/4-9/20

I am running in the PF Changs Marathon as a member of T/he Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training in honor of my grandfather. That's him in the picture (guess which one's me). We are holding our Christmas presents. And wearing gloves. I don't know.

Dad's update:
"The Christmas photo on yer website: You've got the gloves on because your Granny knit those gloves for you guys as part of your Christmas gifts. I think I have seen one of those floating around the house in recent years. She also knit us hats with our names woven in the yarn. I think that was Christmas 1983*, I will have to look through the other picts until I find one with a date to make sure, Granny was often dating the photos on the back."

*corrected 9/20/08

More from my Dad and pictures of my PaPaw here.

****Want to be famous? Platinum Donors get their logo printed on my team's shirt!****
Thank you, Pajiba!

I hope the wonderful writers and readers of www.pajiba.com will accept this Laurel and Hardy handshake for donating over $500. Pajiba: scathing reviews, b*tchy people, big hearts.


Thank you for donating. YOU are a hero.
The answer to the question "how's the training going"?

Gnats in your Belfry

During one of my training runs by the canal near my house, I ran through clouds of gnats. Then the sun started to go down, and I wasn't finished running yet. You know about muscle soreness and expect fatigue, but sometimes you forget about environmental challenges you might face. But, even as I ran, I remembered that some people are also struggling and the challenges they face are more than a gnat in the eye.

Let me introduce you to one of my inspirations, Manda (also known as Alabama Pink, beloved commenter at a certain bitchy movie review site) is blogging about the challenges of cancer treatment, movies, zombies, book reviews, and more. She is a really funny, smart lady. AND she is living where I grew up, small world.

Team in Training Runs are the Best Runs

Training was not the greatest this week. Running on my own, I mean. Running by yourself and running with a group of people is like night and day. Having people sweating it out with you makes all the difference.

This morning's run was fabulous. We started around West Onondaga Street ended up at a park near by, which was really beautiful, with a little lake and everything. I'm pretty sure it was Hiawatha Lake in Onondaga Park, but I'm not to familiar with the area. I just followed other people and tried not to get lost. Team Leader Kim was out wrangling runners so we didn't miss any chalk marks, water stops or Team In Training signs.

The weather was beautiful, too. Ending the week on a positive training note, what could be better?

PaPaw and Granny

"After World War II he married my mom and your grandmother April 1946"
-Dad


My grandmother (Granny) died of ovarian cancer after beating breast cancer.

**update: if you click on the picture, there is a surprise in the mirror**

Love for Alaska

(click to make larger)
"caption on back: "the expression reflects my love for Alaska"

another of the same photo says that the planes in the distance are a P-40 and a P-38, March 1943
Dadster"

Flying lessons, commentary by Dadster

"dated May 10th 1942 on back of photo, probably his Mother's handwriting

This photo was taken at the side of their house, the Roanoke airport "Woodrum Field" is at their back and would be visible in the distance if not for the big tree. Dad used to save his money and go to the airport for flying lessons as often as he could. He told me one flight took him over the house where he sighted his dad in their garden digging potatoes. He flew low and buzzed C.W. Senior and his dad threw a dirt clod at him because he knew it was him. He did love to fly."

Picture of my PaPaw as a teen, commentary by my Dad

Hi Karen, I am sending you images in cronological order. The back of this photo reads:

(probably in his mother's handwriting)

Walton Dyer
junior in High school
1933

15 yrs