Wednesday July 02nd 2008, 7:42 pm
Filed under: random, Home Life
We found out today that Tryna, our 11-1/2 year old Keeshond has a massive tumor. We took her in because she’s been lethargic and not eating as much as normal. She’s normally the first pup to the doggie bowl at 7 am and 7 pm, so we knew the lack of interest in food was a sign of something.
Of course, I didn’t think it would be something THIS big. Last time we were in, she had a thyroid and was put on medication. I was just wondering if her levels were still off. Unfortunately, the cause of her lack of appetite is a giant tumor that is squishing her intestines and organs. The vet said it was the largest tumor she’s seen in a long time. James was actually at the appointment today and he confirmed that there was no mistaking the huge thing in her body from the x-rays. When he described it with his hands, it looked the size of a football.
We could have an ultrasound and see how invasive the tumor is — we could consider surgery. But there are a lot of “what-ifs” and the unknowns and the vet is concerned about just keeping her alive during surgery because the tumor is so large and it could be pretty pervasive.
We haven’t made a concrete decision yet. But our gut is to let it go, check her daily and put her down when she is clearly uncomfortable. Keeshond’s typically live to 13 - 14 years. I really don’t know that surgery would be the right thing for her at this stage in her life. To put her through all that, for what?, another year. Especially if the tumor could very likely return (even quickly) after a surgery.
I feel cold and heartless that this is how I feel. But both James and I are leaning this way. This is what our guts are telling us.
So, I’m sad. She’s the bad dog. I complain about her all the time. But I don’t want to see her die. I certainly don’t want to see her suffer. And I feel guilty about all the times I said she’d live forever just to torture me. Clearly, that’s not the case.
I’m out on a corner in Washington County, MN volunteering for the
Birchwood Road Race. It’s a little boring. I get to tell the boys
which way to go a handful of times. I also get to give random
strangers directions when they stop to ask. I must look official in my
neon yellow vest. On second thought, I prob should have uploaded a
pic of the boys rather than my mug…
Tonight, I received an email from Brightroom photo advertising a clearance sale and it included links to photos from my 2006 finish of the Madison marathon. Ironically, this very same day, I received a link to my photos from last Saturday’s marathon in Duluth.
And it caused me to pause.
I’m so different in these finishes. I was so happy as I crossed that line in 2006. I don’t even remember BEING that happy. I only remember it was tough and hard and I was disappointed in my finish time because of the crazy heat we got that day. But, apparently, I was happy! I was proud. Look at those arms up in the air??!!
This year? I can safely say the marathon was easier than 2006. Not by much, but it was. It wasn’t nearly as hot and I had a pace group to drag me along those last 7 miles. Still, I don’t look very happy. I just look competitive as hell and I don’t look like I’m enjoying it at all.
Over the years, I have changed in my finishes. I’ve learned how to “leave it all on the course” and when I finish, these days, I usually want to puke as I cross the line. Still, there’s something to be said for having enough left to enjoy the moment. If I were ever going to purchase either of these photos, it would certainly be the first one. And what does that say?
[Note: I do still owe my final recap. Hopefully tomorrow night. And just as a teaser: it includes a celebrity and something monumental at mile 9.]
I have 30 minutes before bedtime to write this race recap. I have already uploaded my photos on Flickr. There are some finish photos from my girlfriend still to come, but these should be enough to illustrate the story for now.
And let me just get this out of the way ahead of time: In a moment of weakness and severe craving, I actually consumed a 12-piece order of Cheesy Tots from Burger King on our way home from Duluth this afternoon (it actually may have still been morning) and I’m not proud. Although, they did taste DAMN good at the time. Not in a traditional tater-tot way — but in a fried, greasy, I-earned-this-food-because-I-ran-a-marathon sort of way.
All right.
So, the weekend technically started off on Friday. I had a few easy runs during the week leading up to Saturday. A four-miler on Tuesday, a three-miler on Wednesday and short 2-mile jaunt on Friday. We left town around 1:30 pm after packing up the Buick. It was James, my buddy Kristy and myself. Kristy’s ‘band was supposed to run as well, but his work called and he ended up having to forfeit. Kristy graciously decided to join us anyway and I’m eternally thankful. I officially had two people who were along for the ride — just there to support me. That’s humbling.
We left town with a quick stop at Chipotle for a nice bowl for lunch. I munched on the way to Duluth. We also chatted. I thought I’d nap, but it never really got to that. Right before we hit the city, we stopped at a Holiday gas station right outside town so I could use the bathroom. Ironically, a trainer I knew from my gym was in there with a client. They were running the full marathon as well. Weird luck seeing her this way.
We arrived in town shortly after 4pm. Traffic was bad, but it turns out there was a wreck that was really backing us up. James was a smartie and suggested we park downtown. We avoided the $4 parking fee AND the traffic getting into the convention center, so bonus for that. The expo was crazy crowded and busy. I fought my way to the packet pick-up area. We only detoured to pick up a race belt that would carry my nutrition (6 Hammer gels, 9 endurolytes and a pack of Clif Blocks). I also found a super-cute Grandma’s Marathon pink hoodie that I paid way too much for - but it’s cute and much better memorabilia than the t-shirt I came away with — so money well spent.
After the expo, I wanted an early dinner. I also didn’t want to deal with crowds. We settled on Pizza Luce’ — it was easy. I knew what to expect. They only had a 20-minute wait and, while waiting, we actually ran into other acquaintances. Funny, that.
Our meal was good. Pizza Luce actually had a vegetarian option for meatballs on the spaghetti and that pleased me mucho. I could only eat half my dinner, though. Nerves were setting in.
After dinner, we had an hour drive to our B&B. Our host was gracious and another marathoner was staying there. It was his first marathon. It turned out he actually works out at the same club I do (small world!) and his goal was an 8-minute mile. We chatted a bit, but I had to excuse myself. It was 8:30 pm and I still had some race prep to do before bedtime.
I got my gear together. I assembled my nutrition and adjusted my new race belt to fit. I got out my HRM, my visor, sunglasses. I also pulled together my clothing and shower essentials for afterwards. I pinned my number to my jersey. I put my chip on my shoe. I laid everything out and kissed both James & Kristy good night.
I was in bed at 10pm, but I didn’t sleep well. Luckily, I had some good sleep the night before and they say that is the sleep that matters, so I tried not to stress out about being awake. I actually used some Afrin because I’ve never completely cleared up in the sinuses from my cold. I also took some Advil. I think I fell asleep for real sometime between 11:30 and 12am. I did wake up at 2pm to use the toliet. I fell hard asleep after that and had some SUPER weird dreams. The alarm went off at 4:10. RACE DAY!
I drug myself out of bed. I was glad my clothing was assembled because I was a zombie. I put it on. I put in my contacts. I got my shit together and we headed downstairs for quick breakfast. The host was gracious enough to get up for us — we had cereal and fruit at 4:30 am. We chatted a bit with Nick. But I was nervous and not very conscious of much else except for the fact that I had to run 26.2 miles today.
We left the B&B just before 5 am. I actually used this time to nap. I knew it was at least an hour drive to Two Harbors where I’d catch my start line shuttle bus. I dozed easily in the car because, when I opened my eyes, it was 5:40 and we were already in Duluth. I had 20 more miles so I used this time to apply sunscreen, body glide and get my final stuff in gear (and pack what I needed in for my sweat bag).
We hit Two Harbors at about 6:05 am. We passed the official start line. It wasn’t busy yet, but I could feel the energy. My nerves were also extremely high at this point. One more stop at a Marathon gas for the toliet and I was ready to head off. We got to the pick-up area for the shuttle, I kissed James & Kristy goodbye and I was off.
I met a nice woman on the shuttle. This was her 6th marathon. She calmed me a bit and the bus ride was short. Soon, we were out of the bus and I went straight for the port-a-potty line which was LONG. It was just short of 7am. I knew I had a half an hour. I tried to remain calm. Unfortunately, just when I got in the port-a-potty, the F15s aircrafts flew overhead so I totally missed them (although, they totally rattled the plastic walls of the p-a-p).
I was on my way to the start line chute during the moment of silence for last year’s winner who died in his home country of Kenya. I also got to listen to the national anthem. Then they played Chariots of Fire (appropriate) and then a dark song from Star Wars (not so appropriate?). The difficult thing was I couldn’t get any further than the “walkers” marker in the chute line-up because it was that crowded. I knew all the pacers and goal times were up ahead, but there were soooo many runners that I couldn’t advance. At this point, I assumed I’d just try and find both the pacers for 5 hours and 4:30 eventually.
The race finally started. I crossed the start line about 5:30 into the race. We were off!
[Okay, shit. I’ve spent my 30 minutes in pre-amble and I need to go to bed. The rest of the race recap will follow….]
[Another editors note: I found this blog entry on the race. It made me tear up. Finishes like this are what it’s all about. Until I finish my race entry, you should read hers.]
There it is. Proof I finished Grandma’s yesterday. The full report will have to wait because, honestly, I need some more rest — especially with a full, crazy week starting tomorrow after being out at a conference all week last week. But I did want to make sure I updated that I made it. I was shy of my 4:22 finish by a little less than 5 minutes. I finished in 4:26:57. But I’m pleased with my results — especially considering the month leading up to this race and my hesitation with having enough mileage on my legs.
I made it to the finish. In the recap I can elaborate more: but I found the 4:30 pace group around mile 18 and they literally drove me to the finish. Those last 5 - 6 miles were the LONGEST of my life. They hurt. It was a mental struggle. But I made it through and I’m very proud of the fact that I didn’t let that pace group go when I found them.
I’m hobbling around today. I feel pretty sore, but I don’t think as sore as from my last marathon. It’s still amazing how a marathon pounds the life out of your muscles. I’ve also been hungry as hell.
Here are the official results and I promise to have a recap soon:
Chip Time: 4:26:57
Chip Pace: 10:11/mile
Overall Place: 3586 out of 6874
Division Place: 181 out of 402
Sex Place: 1009 out of 2532
And, to all you Iron men and women out there, I don’t know how you do it. With two marathons on my legs now, the thought of doing this AFTER the swim and bike seems utterly outrageous. I’m in awe.
It’s a pickle martini. I told myself I wasn’t going to drink this week because of Grandma’s. But it’s my birthday and James brought me to The Craftsman. So there you go… It’s good, too. And I’m excited for my food.
After that last Grandma’s marathon freak-out post, this has been a good week. Sure, I’m still freaking out about Grandma’s and have more than my fair share of doubts about my ability to cross that finish within my goal time limits (if at all). But I know the work is done. There is nothing I can do now training-wise that will really affect the outcome other than proper rest.
So, this week, after taking the lead from a very thorough Three Week Taper artlcle on RunnersWorld.com, I proceeded with my week two suggestions of eating plenty of protein and running a few easy runs, most within the pace of 1-2 minutes below marathon pace. For me? That’s an 11-12 minute mile.
That means, after the brutal 18-miler, I went on an indulgent 3.8 mile run Monday night at this luxuriously slow pace. It was a beautiful evening. The sky was blue. The temperature was perfect (low 70s) with no humidity. There were loads of people out at the lake enjoying the weather just like me. I bounced along to some of my favorite tunes. At times, I actually sang along and I enjoyed it all. It’s been a while since I’d enjoyed a run and the stress of Grandma’s has made me lose perspective just a little bit. So, Monday was very appropriate and very much needed.
The same went for my 5.3 mile run on Tuesday as well as my short 3-miler on Thursday morning. All lovely runs at a pace slow and steady that allowed me to just enjoy the effort, the scenery and, best of all, the music.
Then, today, my 10-miler was just a pleasant. My final “long run” (although, only a fraction of what I’ll be covering next Saturday) I experienced the same love of the sport. The weather, again, perfect: breezy, 70s, sunny, low humidity. I just chugged along mainly in the 11-minute mile ball park. My heart rate rarely went above 140. And I was even treated early on with an eye-to-eye stand off with a doe.
She was less than 10 feet in front of me! I had just turned onto the Gateway and there she was — getting ready to cross — but obviously spooked by my person. I just stopped and stared into her large, gentle black eyes. She was so pretty. She was also so still. I’m not sure how long I stood there — seconds, maybe a minute. Then I looked back on the trail and noticed a cyclist approaching. I signalled gently to him to indicate the animal close to the trail and I continued my run.
“What a way to start a Saturday, huh? With wild life?” the cyclist said as he passed. I just smiled.
Funniest part? That wasn’t my only encounter with wildlife today. Granted, I always see loads to geese, cranes and little birds, squirrels and chipmunks on these runs. But, at about mile 4.5, there was a turtle in the middle of the trail. He was a small one — I don’t know my types of turtles, but he had yellow stripes on his body when I looked in his shell. He was in the middle of the pavement in the hot, shining sun and I was worried he was going to be run over by a cyclist or dry out in the sun. I actually wasn’t even sure if he was alive (he was in his shell the entire time I stopped to check him out). So, I nudged him over to the grass on the side of the trail that was closest to the creek. And when I passed the area on my way back, he was gone — so I’m assuming he was alive and, once I left him alone, went on on his merry way.
So, that was my morning. I choking down my recovery drink now. I’m going to rest a bit and this is it. A few short, short runs this week. But by this time next week, I’ll will (hopefully) be finished at Grandma’s.
