When it rains, it pours
March 18, 2009
Just as I was driving to get a much needed (and well deserved (in my opinion)) massage on Monday, I got a phone call that my grandmother (Nanny, my Dad’s mom) had been care-flighted to the hospital in Fort Worth. Although all was in order and she was recovering from several ailments (that turned out NOT to be a stroke) in ICU, there were bigger worries on my family’s minds. You see, my granddad recently had a total knee replacement and was now at home by himself. Usually there are a few pairs of aunts and uncles to juggle the madness when the relatives get sick, but this time everything came crashing down at once….just Friday my cousin Jon (who is fighting cancer) was readmitted to the hospital with pneumonia – his parents were taking turns being with him. My other aunt and cousin had already taken several unpaid days off of work to be with my granddad after surgery and now everyone was spread way too thin. So, off I went to DFW to see where I could help…except there was one snafu on the way. Monday morning I threw some new protein powder into my morning smoothie (what, I’m training for a ½ marathon and need my protein!) and within 20 minutes of doing so I was having severe stomach cramps. Soon after, my face and throat started swelling, I started having shortness of breath, and agonizing chest pains – when the pain caused me to double over the steering wheel I decided that I needed an ER…quick. On my way to the medical center area I had to pass my doctor’s office so I decided to stop there and see if they could help me. When I walked in, crying and hunched over, the receptionist immediately started asking me questions…one of which was ‘when did the hives appear?” Hives? I didn’t even realize I had hives, but they were there all over my body (even on the bottoms of my feet, weird)…just lovely, I was having another allergic reaction. After nearly 2 hours, 1 shot, a few oral medications and a breathing treatment, I was finally on my way. Thanks to Austin traffic I made it to Fort Worth in a grueling 5 hours (usually a 3 ½ hour drive).
I’m in Granbury now and my time here has been well spent. I’ve even been able to work an almost normal workday (thank goodness I work for a great company and bosses that allow for flexibility and understand the importance of family!), while also taking care of my granddad (Paps). Nanny is recovering slowly but surely and should be moved out of ICU by the end of the week. Jon is a fighter and I know he will continue to battle whatever is thrown at him. I can’t relax just yet, but I’m glad that I had the opportunity to come and help out for a few days. I know that my family living here in town does a lot of work to keep everything and everyone in working order. I am blessed to be a part of such a loving and giving family and to have such wonderful friends who kept us in their prayers these past few days. Don’t stop – much healing is still needed, but we are on the road to recovery.
Tough Cookies Don’t Crumble
March 18, 2009
It’s official…this past weekend 2 friends and I joined the ranks of some of the toughest women athletes in all of Texas…THE Tough Cookies. To do this, we competed in the Tough Cookie Duathlon in Copperas Cove, Texas. We left Saturday afternoon, bikes strapped in the back of Janet’s truck, and headed to the hill country where we would conquer one of the most intimidating races I have done thus far in my ‘racing career’ (I can’t speak for the other 2 ladies as they have many many more races under their belts!).
Loaded and ready to go
Following the first run was a 10 mile out and back bike ride through the rolling hills (and the hills did NOT stop rolling throughout the entire
course!) and then another run, this time 1.65 miles. For me, it was over in a matter of an hour and 19 minutes and it seemed much quicker than that. Other than an untied shoe and an un-ignorable bathroom break during transition #1, I would say that my first Tough Cookie event was a success! I actually REALLY enjoyed the competition and the dual sport experience.
Before and after the duathlon
Me, Sharon and Janet - Under the finish line balloon arch
58 Stories
March 18, 2009
Tower of the Americas
I’m not talking about bedtime stories, but I am speaking of one very tall tale – one that ends in the triumph of climbing one of the tallest buildings in San Antonio…step by step, no elevators, no stopping, just constant motion with the hopes of finding yourself on top when it’s all done. And triumph is exactly what my team felt as we stood atop the Tower of Americas in downtown San Antonio Saturday morning, February 28th, after a daunting 22 minutes and 48 seconds of quad-pounding, heart-racing step-step-stepping. The event, held to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of San Antonio, started with a 1 mile run around Hemisphere Park and ended with a race up the 58 flights of stairs (that’s 952 stairs) in the 750 foot tall tower. I won’t lie, the race was hard and it tested the endurance and strength of every participant, but the excitement and pride felt when making it to the top overruled any pain endured during the climb.
Team Pampers, Stephanie, Sharon, Julia & myself, made quite the showing and finished with a combined time of 1 hour and 28 minutes – were were the fastest all women team!
Team Pamers before the race, the start line, up we go!
Us with San Anotnio's finest
