Each Day Is a Gift

Discharged from IMC.

Back to ER at 04:00.  Lab at 07:00.  Long day.

Lab at 07:00.  Clinic at 09:00 to remove Foley.  Back to clinic for bladder ultrasound at 12:30.  Home at 1:30.  Back to ER at 3:00.  Admitted to 10th floor (#1032) for sepsis.

Ran in the hall of LL1 in IMC for 40 min.  It took average 60 seconds from one end of the hall by Outpatient Building 2 elevators to the north end of Radiology Building 5. 

Ran from IMC on Vine Street to JRP, south for half mile then north for another mile then back to IMC.  Didn't have my Garmin.  Estimated about 5 miles.

Did 1,136 steps on the stairway of the IMC in about 20 min.  Weather was too crazy to run outside.  Plus I was staying close to wait for the doctor making rounds.

She didn't come until 1:00pm.  We were discharged after nurse remove the staples and IV and change Foley down drain bag to leg bag.  It was almost 6pm when we left the hospital.

Legs were trashed from doing the stairs yesterday, so no running today!  Lots of house cleaning, vaccuming, sanitizing, which should count for some form of exercise, right!

Busy lab day, laundry, grocery shopping and more cleaning! Calves and quads still tight and sore.

Had a rough night so I slept in.  Spent the day orgainizng stuff and did loads of laundry so another zero running day!

Week 12 to Boston:

3 easy solo miles jog after got home from lab draw.  There were heaps of snow piles on road shoulder and the MCT had some icy spots. 
 

Ran 0.75 mile warm up to 300W then did 0.5 mile hill repeats X3 from 2100N to 2600N with 243 ft elevation gain/loss.  AP: 11:28.  So pathetic.  When I was a beginner runner training for my 2nd SGM at age 51 I would run this hill and goal then was to make it under 10:30.  Now goal was to jog up this hill without dying from asthma attack! 

There was a kennel in a yard with two mutts inside by the road around 2300N.  Those mutts would bark hysterically each time I went past, that's six times!  I just pretend they were cheering for me! :)  On my last hill up, some guys in a construct truck going down on the opposite lane honked and hollered some Spanish at me.  That startled me!  Running solo stinks! 

Easy solo miles after lab draw.  Road is clear and MCT much dryer.  AP:  11:38

Couple of construction workers working on the professional suites next to the trail by 1200E hollered some Spanish at me!  I just waved hello to them!  Running solo stinks!

16F. Met Wendy, Leslie and Karen for a much needed conversational run to "catch up".  How I missed these wonderful friends.  We ran east to Smith's tunnel then west to 1500W bathroom.  They had to hold way back to run slow with me.  AP: 10:35. 

No time to stretch, had to take hubby to the urologist where the nurses removed the Foley. We talked to the urologist about the history of this being hubby's 4th Foley with each removal, he'd be able to void initially but then hours later would have excruciating pain resulting to a trip to the ER to have the Foley reinserted.  Dr. told us that now is not a good time to do dynamic bladder study as suggested by their resident.  The bladder muscles have atrophied over the last two years, and the functions have to be relearned.  He would have his male nurse show hubby how to self-cath.  He removed the stent and injeted some fluid in the bladder to assess its capacity which is rather small at this time. 

Hubby was able to void 2 hours later, then every 90min or so thereafter, without pain!  Hallelujah!  That (pain and inability to empty the bladder) was our biggest worry/concern!  So glad he didn't have to self-cath! :)  Even though it makes for interrupted sleep through the night!

After lab draw I picked up Wendy at 8:20 to go to LC and met up with Karen, Leslie and Amanda for an hour of swimming.  Well, they swam in the regular lap pool while Wendy and I swam/walked in the 4' shallow pool.  :)  They're talking about signing up for a triathlon.  I would have to buy a trike to learn cycling first, haha! :)
 

Schedule says to run 1:20 3/1 today.  Well, that didn't happen!  There was a 20mph wind coming from the north, rain that quickly turned into a blizzard.  I had to go to Smith's to pick up some meds for hubby and gas up the Tahoe, my fingers nearly froze off even with gloves on. 

Anyhow, got home and ran on the dreaded treadmill instead.  Put on a Netflix (Little Boy) and headphone on my iPad and walked/stretched/jogged/walked 10 miles that took nearly 2 hours.  At this rate, it'll take me 6+ hours to do Boston!  Sigh!
 

Week 11 to Boston!

Crazy scary snowy drive to lab this morning!  4 dreadmill miles watching Usaine Boltz on Netflix!

Roads are slippery so dreadmill again. 1 mile warm up (4-5mph) then 4x800 (@6.5mph) with 400 jog & 1 mile cool down (@5mph).  This is so pathetic!  These 800s pace are now run at what used to be my recovery pace! Sigh! 
 

Lab and clinic day so ran in the afternoon at 2:15.  It was 21F with partly sunny sky.  Got a Karen sighting (she was driving out of her neighborhood) which put a smile on my face!

18F light snow.  It was supposed to be a tempo run but I have only one speed these days, SLOW!  AP 11:30.  Walked thru all the snow/ice slipperies at the trail access and tunnels.  Ran east on MCT to 1600 E then turned west to Oracle (1600W).  Saw Karen and Leslie on my way back at 600W, ran with them for the last couple miles home. 

WORST stormy drive to lab this morning ever!  There was a thin layer of white powder over patches of black ice that caught many early communters by surprise.  As a reault there were accidents and road closure everywhere.  It took us almost an hour to get to IMC.  Too pooped or wimpy to run outside so onto dreadmill again.  Ran 7 miles watching "Heart of the Country".  AP 10:37

I don't know how in the world and why I'm so so so lucky to have Wendy as my bestest friend.  She spent the whole morning running 14 miles with me when she has no reason to run other than to keep me company.  She also took me out to the Provo City Center Temple open house and the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the MOA Thursday afternoon.  One cannot ask for a better friend than her!  We stopped at the restroom at Mitch Hollow Park and at the Lone Peak trail park.  Ran into my BYU-H days Showcase Hawaii friend, Ruthie, who is also going to Boston (her first).  She's so energetic and excited!  I needed that! :)  Anyhow this 14 miler took us 3 hours!  Yep, at this rate, Boston is gonna be 6 hours funfest or torture fest! :)
 

So happy Leslie texted me last night to meet up for a run.  Foggy slow drive through early morning rush hour traffic, made it to lab at 7 but there were long lines of out patients always on Mondays.  Made it back home by 8:15, then out the door at 8:30.  Temp was 14F but felt much colder due to the humidity.  I'm so slow these days...super nice of Leslie to jog and do all the talking.  I kid you not, AP 10:38, is a tempo run.  (11:47, 10:39, 10:28, 10:15, 10:00)

Got the call from transplant coordinator at 4pm that hubby's UA is cloudy, white count is up, so yep, the UTI has returned!  Got him started on Cipro straight away!  He was running a fever of 101-102 and tachycardia of 114 in the evening.  He didn't want another trip back to the ER so I monitored him closely through the evening and night.  Jeff showed up at the door miraculously and gave him a blessing.  That brought us peace of mind and peace of heart!

Rough night last night with hubby's elevated vital signs.  Got about 2 hours sleep, mentally drained and physically exhausted.  So no running today!  I truly do not expect hubby's recovery to be this rocky.  It's almost 6 weeks post op. of which 4 weeks have been in hospitalization.   He's lost close to 20 lbs since transplant surgery.  He has many side effects from the 23 medications he's on.  Our only "outings" are to the IMC campus for lab draws, clinic and doctor visits which average about 4-5 trips a week.  I also make numberous pharmacy trips.  BUT!  I am grateful for medications and excellent medical care from the IMC Transplant Team.  I know that day by day he will get better.  
 

Foggy early morning drive to clinic.  When we got home around 12:30, hubby's sister and her husband were waiting in the driveway.  She brought us yummy BBQ ribs fro lunch. So nice to visit with them.  Another zero running day!

Foggy morning drive to 7am lab.  Drove hubby home so he could sleep for an hour then returned back (yep foggy drive) to urologist appointment at 10:15.  I nearly fell asleep waiting for the doc.  I was one grumpy grump all morning!  It was too cold and foggy to run outside so after feeding hubby lunch, I jogged on the dreadmill with Netflix.
 

Only had time for 3 dreadmill miles before going to visit teach. 

I am so slow these days that no one would have the time to run with me!  My friends are not training for any marathon, so they have no reason to run long.  Karen is in AZ for her daughter's soccer tournament.  Leslie is in Alabama.  I am forever grateful for a true and faithful friend as Wendy.  She is always there for me!  Once again she's willing to run with me.  She did 14 with me last Sat. but today she can only do 11.  We left shortly after 8:30.  Temp was 20F that felt colder because of the 90% humidity and foggy condition.  The air quality was so bad that you could taste it.  I took 2 puffs of Albuterol 30 min. before the run to avoid asthma attack.

We walked through all the icy tunnels and uphills and stopped at the restrooms to drink.  We gu'ed at the restroom by Lone Peak High (mile 5.5) then turned back for home.  After I dropped her home at mile 11, I continued west to 1600 W restroom.  I should've gone in the house to fuel but in my delirious mind I didn't, BIG mistake!  I hit the wall hard at mile 12+ and struggled to keep one foot in front of the other.  My PF in my left heel and medial calf ligaments were hurting bad.  Both legs were on fire after I got home 4 hours later.  Nearly FOUR hours for a measely 15 miler!  I seriously don't know if I can make it to Boston.  How did I get so fat, slow and old?!!!

I ate a quick lunch of oatmeal with berries, showered and watched the last 5Ks of the Women Olympic Trial Marathon!  Brought back memories of my first Boston in 2008 where I watched the Women OT Marathon on Boyslton.  These athletes are truly amazing incredible human beings! :)

On another happy, non-running note...our dear friend, Brent Estes, who was hubby's former executive secretary in the stake presidency and later became bishop of his ward, came by for a brief visit.  He brought me a dozen red roses knowing that hubby wouldn't be able to do so for Valentines Day.  He also brought me daily lunch at the hospital the second week after the transplant.  These acts of kindness mean the world to us.  We have felt the love and support of many of our friends, family and neighbors.  Their prayers on our behalf have continued to sustain us day by day, moment by moment!  We are blessed beyond measure!  THANK YOU! 

Early morning lab again.  I was so proud of myself getting hubby to lab in record time until I realize it was President Day thus there were minimal traffic!  Man, we used to go skiing on President Day! O Well!  Steven and Jia-fen are home over the weekend.  He borrowed hubby's gym shoes to go running and I thought he was going to catch up to me.  Apparently I went west and he went east! Ha!  One of these days we really ought to have a Ragnar race in the family! :)

35F wow that felt warm after weeks of running in the teens! :) Ran west to 1500W restroom and back AP: 10:35

32F 93%humidity calm.  Wendy joined me today.  We ran a mile warm up to MCT then I proceeded to do 5X800s going east and turned back at 0.25 mile just before 1200E tunnel. Jogged 0.25 mile back to and with Wendy east.  She turned around at 1200W tunnel while I continued on my 4th 800s and just barely past 1500W restroom where I had a quick drink before resuming my last 800s and chased down Wendy. 

I have not done any speedwork on the road since 2012 and it shows.  I think the fastest pace I could barely hold on to for 100m was 9:00.  So sad!  Instead of feeling "springy legs" on my recovery jog home (like I usually did after doing intervals) it was like death march at end of marathon!  I am SO SO SO terribly out of shape!  :( 

AP 10:32 (11:42, 10:00, 9:29, 11:16, 9:40, 11:03, 10:37)

32F Ran with Wendy easy.  AP:  11:32

Had first visit with our nephrologist (not transplant clinic) Dr. Cline this afternoon.  I was concerned that hubby still had no appetite, fatigue, and pain on his right side.  He gave him a thorough exam and based on Monday's lab results, he said everything is heading the right direction, that it takes time for the hematoma to be reabsored, the bladder to be expanded, the apptetite and strength to come back.  He said there should be no reason why he can't travel to Boston in April, by then the flu season will be done.

This evening, hubby didn't want to eat dinner, had chills and fever.  He took 2 Tylenol and I put ice wash cloth on his forehead.  I monitored him through the night and his vital signs came back down.  Other up every 2 hours to void, he was able to sleep.

After a rough night, I got hubby to lab early.  This is his first Thursday lab as we now dial down from 3X a week (MWF) to twice a week (MTh).  Anxiously waited for lab results so I didn't run outside and on the dreadmill with Netflix.

His WBC went up to 16!!! The transplant clinic nephrologist (Dr. Anand) had hubby changed his antibiotics from Cipro to Keflex a week ago when his lab results were out of normal range and he was having diarrhea suggesting that Cipro was too harsh on him.  He had been off Levoquin for a week which was to treat UTI that he eneded up hosptialzed for on Jan. 15.  On Feb 8 (after being off Levoquin for a week), his WBC went up to 10 and that evening he had chills and fever, so he was put on Cipro.  At that time I texted my children and called the afterhour nurse coordinatior.  The nurse suggested that I monitored him thru the night and let the Cipro takes effect.  Eric suggested I take him to the hospital as he might have something more that UTI.  Well, he felt better after Tylenol and cool wash cloth and didn't want me to take him to the ER (which I've done 3 times since transplant with the last one being admitted for possible spesis).  Anyhow, I didn't take him back to the ER.  In retrospect I should have.  Over the last 10 days, hubby has had less energy and appetitte and using a heated rice bag for some pain under the incision.  I also noticed a lump (swelling) on his right side the last few days.

Anyhow, when Dr. Morris called hubby about the elevated WBC, I told hubby to make sure to mention his chills and fever of last night.  Dr. Morris changed the Keflex to Amoxicillin/Autoclav.  After I picked up the antibiotic and readied to cook dinner, hubby went straight to bed and took his vital signs.  Once again he experienced chills and fever,  I called the after hour transplant coordinator and told her about the chills and fever same as he had on Feb 8 but this time I noticed redness in the upper half of his incision which is also tender to touch.  She agreed with me that I should take him to the ER.

We got to the ER at 7:45 (hubby took his 8pm meds enroute) and the place was packed with patients/families.  The ER doc examined him and ordered ultrasound of the kidney and area under the incision, took blood culture x2 and started IV.  We were admitted to the 10th floor (for the 3rd time) 5 hours later at 1:00am.

Zero sleep last night as we were admitted to the hospital room at 1am (the last time was 5 weeks ago for UTI and possible sepsis).  So every hour there on we had vital signs, weights, lab work done.  The Nephrologist (Morris) and transplant surgeon (Fujita) came in at 10am.  At 10:30 we were taken down to CTscan and straight to OR where Dr. Alonso talked to us about hubby's infected hematoma and incision.  There was no choice but to go back to OR and open up the previous transplant surgery's site to clean out the infection.  Antibiotics alone cannot do it.

The surgery lasted two hours. Dr. Alonso gave him one unit of FFP that brought the INR down to 2.2 and there was minimal bleeding.  She cleaned out the abscess and left a JP drain in.  Because of the amount of infected tissues around the incision she left the wound open so that it would heal from the inside outward.  The open wound is 14x3.5x3cm.  packed with saline saoked  Kurlex and covered with 4x4s under  an ABD and wrapped around with the binder (which was barely off 6 weeks post transplant).  Dr. Alonso said he'll need to wear the binder for three months and it will take about 6 weeks for the wound to heal.  So we are one step forward and two steps backward in hubby's recovery journey!  I was so hoping that he'd be getting better and I can start looking at airline tickets for Boston for the two of us. 

I had Steven bring me some running clotehs to the hospital so I could sneak away for my 16 miler today.  After waiting for the doctors to make rounds, getting hubby fed, up voiding and sitting in the chair and back to bed, I finally got out.  I picked up my car outside of the ED and drove to the JRP via Vine St.  It was 3:15pm by the time I got there. Weather was perfect 43F light breeze and parlty sunny.  I was a bit hungry.  For dinner I had some clam chowder and sour dough bread that Wendy brought me from Market Street Grill (my favorite Utah seafood restaurant).  At lunch today I had a yogurt parfait and dinner roll from the cafeteria.  I carried a 6oz water flask and 2 Gu's, cell phone just in case hubby needs me.)

Plan was to run 4 miles north then turned back to the car for water break (not knowing if any of the parkway's bathrooms would have drinking water turn on) and then 4 miles south and back to the car for 16 miles.  There were heaps of dog walkers, cyclists, families with children on bikes).  I Gu'ed at mile 6 and drank from the stale water bottles in my car at mile 8.  Running south got a bit slower and tired.  By 10 miles my legs were ready to quit.  When I reached the tunnel by Winchester park (I think) in West Jordan at mile 11, the tunnel was blocked and I walked up to the road and saw that there was a backhoe on the other side of the road.  Assessing my situation, the slow rate I was going, I knew it would be getting colder and dark by the time I finish so I turned back (cutting the run two miles short) Gu'ed and used the bathroom at the park which thankfully was opened.  That last 5K back to the car was a death march but I made it back to the hospital before it got dark.

AP: 2:41:23  (11:15, 10:57, 11:12, 10:56, 10:48, 11:06, 11:11, 11:47, 11:31, 11:51, 12:38, 12:26, 12:35, 13:13)  Yep!  Slower than tar!!! Believe me, I was not walking, these are my jogging pace.  :(

This run was a failure!  I seriously don't know if I can make it to Boston.  I am battling with chronic PF, 20 lbs overweight, stressed to the max, doing most of my runs at a snail pace and mostly by my lonesome.  Lowell and I talked later that night and he was leaning towards not going to Boston.  But hubby really wants to make the trip.  It's been three years since we went to Boston (or travel for that matter).  He had gone through so much with his illness that a vacation to celebrate our 38th anniversary in Boston is much needed and something he looks forward to every year.  So I will continue to put in the run whenever I can, howerver long my body let me and if I can't make it to the start line, I'll just have a much needed get away to Boston.  Who knows when I'll ever BQ again!  

No running today.  Still in the hospital.  Waited for doctors for their rounds and the wound service nurse to put in the wound vac with packed foam. 

Tonight hubby got a call from his nephew (who is a family doctor in Payson) that his 89 yr. old mother has colon cancer.  We were so sad, crying and didn't sleep much.

No running again.  Waiting for discharge orders, and finishing the magnesium IV infusion which took four hours.  Finally left the hospital around 4:30.

Got home around 5pm.  Had hubby settled in bed, unpacked, went to pick up 8 prescriptions from pharmacy (he's now taking 25 different meds daily), cooked dinner, on the phone, did laundry, finally in bed by midnight exhausted!

Took hubby to lab early morning.  I desperately needed a run after I got home.  Texted my friends who were all going to swim at the Legacy Center.  But my true and faithful friend Wendy came to run with me.  I was so slow that we only had time for 4 miles before she had to go to work.  AP: 12:33.  Yep I'm not a runner any more!  I should start a "slowjoggingblog.com".  Haha! 

Homehealth nurse came to do first dressing change with wound vac this afternoon. 

No lab, no doctor's appointment, no home health nurse to change dressing! So excited to have a run with my friends Karen, Leslie and Wendy.  It's been forever since we last ran together.  I was trying to talk but ended up huffing and puffing.  By the time we're at Karen's, I was done, we walked for half mile while we recited The Living Christ together!  Boy, I was rusty at that too.

AP: 11:57 (10:11, 10:28, 11:02, 10:13, 10:21, 22:22 [walking])

I slept in!  Took hubby to lab at AF.  Debated whether to do long run today or tomorrow.  By the time we were done with lab, fixed hubby a big breakfast (he's a breakfast eater, so I try to feed him the most protein then because he eats less and less as the day wears on).  He needs good nutrition especially heaps of protein in order for the wound to heal.  He has lost 20 pounds since transplant surgery whereas I have gained 5 (total of 20 lbs) not wanting to waste the food he wouldn't eat/finish.  I also ate way too much chocolates and nuts (out of stress and boredom). 

Well, now waiting for homehealth nurse to come so looks like another no run day.  I'll have to run either very early tomorrow morning or later after the Stake Women's Conference (which is 9-11am).  Wish me luck! 

Up at 4am. drank a cup of OJ, ate a yogurt and banana, out the door at 4:48.  Goal was to do 16 in 3 hours so I can be back in time to fix hubby breakfast, shower and make it to Women's Conference by 9am.  I do not remember the last time I ran alone in the dark.  I do not have a headlamp nor reflective vest.  It was 32F, calm, with a half moon behind thin clouds.  Wore l/s top, Boston jacket, UA tights, headband and gloves and a red flashing light arm band.  Carried handheld with gatorade and one Gu. Flip belt with phone, tissues, pack of Cliff bloks and a small flash light. 

During first 0.25 miles the flash light kept slipping out of the flip belt so I finally pushed it behind the opening which blocked about 50% of the brightness.  But between the faint moonlight and occasional street lights, I could see the road fine and once on the MCT, I felt very safe.  There were hardly any traffic this early on Sat. 

Running in the dark seems to heighten one's other senses.  I could smell laundry from dryer vents, pungent odor of burned fields, souring grains from barn/silo, horse/cow manua, aroma of breakfast.  I could hear the sounds of rustling leaves/weeds from rodents, melting ice water trickling down the streams and ditches, barking dogs, roosters crowing, alarm clocks blaring! 

I heard some hysterical barking as I approached the neighborhood going down to Highland Glen Park.  I couldn't see the dog until I got close, he was standing guard on his driveway.  I decided to keep my distance, walked tall swinging my arms high with my handheld bottle and the red flashing light arm band to make me look intimidating.  It worked!  He kept barking but stayed put.

I walked all the uphills, road crossings and tunnels where I could read my watch using the tunnel lights.  Got to the top of tunnel by Canyon Rd in PG at mile 8, my turn around point so I gu'ed.  I drank from my handheld and was glad that I didn't need to use the restrooms which might not be opened anyway.  By about mile 10, it was light enough that I turned off my flash light and arm band.  Saw two groups of runners, one cylist.  Got a text from Wendy at mile 14 so I called her as I walked up Dry Creek.  So happy to talk to her!  So happy to finish this 16 miler without death march!  Yes I'm super slow but got'er done!

3:02:05 AP: 11:23 (13:18, 11:29, 12:43, 10:43, 11:45, 12:22, 10:53, 11:04, 12:05, 10:38, 11:06, 10:32, 10:39, 10:45, 12:15, 9:45)

I have this painful burn in the medial ligaments on my left calf and the PF really hurts.  I couldn't go walking with hubby in the afternoon. 

Went for an easy recovery run after we got home from lab at 8:27 (41F, partly sunny).  My running friends had gone at 7:45.  It's always crowded at lab on Mon morning, not to mention rush hour traffic so I didn't make it back in time to join them which is just as well because they are running much faster than me these days.  AP: 11:34.  No lying, I am SLOW!

Wore the new pair of Inspire 11 (at a discounted $60 from Amazon) which is not as comfortable as the Inspire 10.  Mizuno added back the extra vinyl stuff around the lace eyelets and the Mizuno logo.  I tried on the 12 at Wasatch Running which has a stiffer heel cup that really bugs my PF injured heel.  I might have to search for the 10s which I've been wearing the last two years. 

36F cloudy slight breeze.  Ran a mile warm up to MCT then 6X800 with 400 jog.  East to first tunnel (.25mile) then turned west to 0.25mile past 1600W restroom and turned back up.  Ran in restroom for a quick drink during the recovery after the 4th interval.  Note to self to bring a water bottle next time.  The new High School on my block actually has a nice track around the football field (brand new!).  But the HS is still under construction (schedule to open this Fall), so I'm afraid if I go there to run, I'd be trespassing construction zone?!  AP: 10:16 (12:07, 9:41, 9:34, 10:26, 9:47, 10:03, 10:04)

37F at 8:15am.  Ran with Wendy wearing my new Altra.  Calves are tight and PF hurts so it was super slow.  AP: 11:42

Had lab this morning then went to the temple (the monthly first Thu temple date with my friends of 30 years).  After I got home, fixed lunch for hubby and I didn't go out until 2:40pm and the temp was 64F partly sunny.  Wore shorts (first time this year) and 3/4 zip l/s Ogden shirt.  Ran east down to bridge at Dry Creek (mile 2), stopped to stretch then turned back and ran west to end of MCT by freeway stopped at 1600W to drink.  There were lots of walkers, cyclists on the trail.  I thought I was running fast but the watch doesn't lie.  AP: 10:56 (12:15, 11:07, 11:33, 10:21, 10:14, 10:06, 11:40, 10:28, 10:41)

Left the house later than planned at 7:13am after eating one Greek yogurt, drank some gatorade, carried a 10z bottle of OJ and a banana which I ate while walking up from Dry Creek (after mile 2).  48F cloudy calm, wore Boston 2011 capri (green strips) and Pocatello green l/s top, UA bra, running cap with RUN headband just in case it gets windy or rains, Flip belt with phone, 2 pkgs of Cliff shot bloks, tissues. 

Plan was to leave at 7:00am and meet Wendy at the restroom/parking lot by Canyon Rd in PG (mile 8) at 8:30am and ran 5 out and back with her.  I wasn't as fast as I thought and with a 13min late start I got there at 8:40.  I dropped off my flip belt with the phone and running cap with head band in Wendy's car.  Went inside the bathroom to fill up the OJ bottle with water and off we went.  I forgot to eat until almost mile 10 and feeling sluggish.  Ate 2 Cliff bloks.  Turned around at mile 15 and stopped at the restroom (mile 15+) ate 2 bloks and used the bathroom.  It was supposed to be a short stop but ended up much longer (note to self, do not eat Mexican food the day before long run).  Now the legs got all stiffened up and the PF is killing.  Took the rest of the 2 bloks at mile 17.5.  Saw EmilyH and her hubby on the bike.  They stopped to chat with us.  Each time I stopped, the legs would stiffen up.  With less than a mile to go, a kid on a long board took a spill right by us so we stopped to make sure he's okay.  His board went flying down the dirt hill. 

So grateful for Wendy to come run 10 miles with me.  I don't think I could've finished without her!  18 miles done!!!!  20 miler in two weeks.  AP: 10:52 (11:33, 10:46, 12:12, 10:24, 10:31, 10:29, 10:17, 9:58, 10:27, 10:26, 11:08, 11:08, 10:49, 11:09, 11:11, 12:01, 10:31, 10:42)

AP: 10:50
Booked our flights to Boston.

AP:  10:21

Rough rough busy busy day!  Took hubby back to the ER tonight, 4th time this year, with chills fever and frequent urination (ever 30min).  So one week after he finished the last course of antibiotic (Levoquin), the UTI has returned.  Rocefin IV given.  Finally got discharged to go home at 1:30am (Sat.)

Didn't hit the sack until 4am.  Awoke at 6am.  Hubby's fever still hovering in the 99-100 range.  After taking Tylenol and first dosage of Augmentin, he felt better.  I was emotionally and physically drained when I texted my friends.  Wendy suggested we go for a short run in which I vented and cried, walked alot.  AP: 12:36

During the run, a thought popped into Wendy's mind.  Earlier that morning she was getting on-line tickets to see "Lamb of God".  The performances in Timpview High School were sold out so she looked into the other location in North Salt Lake and found available tickets.  She wanted to take her daughter, Katie, who will be visiting from Idaho.  When she printed out the tickets, she looked at the date...it's for March 12 at 2pm, that's TODAY, THIS afternoon!  Her thought was Oh NO, that's not going to work, Katie is not here yet, her husband is out of town and Stephanie already has other plans.  Anyhow, the thought came to her that it must be for Smooth!  So she asked if I could go.  It was 11:30 when we finished our run and we had to leave in an hour!  I checked with hubby who assured me that he'll be okay and I should go!

What a tender mercy!  I was so depressed and mad at God earlier this morning.  Watching and listening to the beautiful songs/music/narration of "Lamb of God" was exactly what I needed to calm and soothe my troubled heart.  I bawled, tears flowed freely when the solo voice of "Mary" singing "Make Me Whole" and the solo piece of "Thomas's "Sometime We'll Understand".  It was like an answer to my many many pleadings with God.  It filled my heart with hope and comforted my soul with peace.  God sent an angel in the form of my dear friend, Wendy, to minister to me!  Tender Mercy!

Lab day!  Jogged 9 on the treadmill watching Netflix on my iPad cause the weather was less than ideal.

7x800 with 400 jog.  Warm up 1.75 to MCT via 800 E to Dry Creek Tunnel f.  Then west to 1600W bathroom at the end of 4th intervals, went in for a quick drink and resumed east to 600E and home. 

AP: 10:04 (12:05, 10:32, 9:17, 9:47,9:16, 9:18, 10:08, 9:56)

Lab morning, got home at 8am, changed into running clothes.  Karen and Leslie who had already done 3.5 miles, met me at 8:15am.  These ladies are too fast for me now.  I was a huffin' n puffin' trying to keep up with them.  AP: 10:08 (10:17, 10:03, 9:42, 10:17, 10:18)

Dead legs today.  Went out mid-morning for a recovery run which turned into lotsa walking.  Legs/feet felt the last two days' faster runs for sure.  Ran to 1600 West bathroom via 800E and back on Center.  13:20, 12:06, 11:51, 11:52, 13:00, 12:30

T28 felt colder especially down at the Lehi JRP, calm, clear.  Leslie and Karen picked me up at 6:50 and we drove to JRP and parked the car at 1500N Parkside Dr. because the road was turn up. We ran north first.  Leslie was ready to take off fast because it was cold.  My watch finally caught satelite about 0.2 mile.  They dropped off their water bottle on a bench around 2.2 miles.  We turned around at 4.5.  When we reached the bench, we ate and drank.  My hands were so cold when I removed the gloves that I could hardly peel the wrapers off the clif blok.  It was 8am so we had to hurry back to the car where Wendy was to meet us at 8:30.  Anyway, I chased after them while trying to chew the frozen bloks and fingers couldn't work well enough to get the water flask out of my jacket pocket. Forgot to restart the watch until 0.25 mile in so my watch was 0.5 mile short of Leslie's. 

Got to the car at mile 9 and bid Leslie and Karen good-bye.  Ate two more bloks and drank some gatorade, used the road construction PoP on 1500N conveniently located a few steps from the car.  Then Wendy and I ran south, carrying a handheld with gatorade.  That little stop made the legs all stiffened up.  By mile 12 my lower legs were toasted, the feet also had this pins and needles feeling, may be they're thawing out?  Took walk breaks to eat and drink.  We stopped at the remote control airplane park to use the PoP.  When we reached the lake at the end of the paved trail, Wendy's watch said 5.5 so it was perfect spot to turn around to make 11 for her and total of 20 for me.  Couldn't have done it without the friends' company.

AP: 11:27 (10:54, 10:35, 11:14, 11:49, 10:44, 10:07, 10:13, 10:22, 11:24, 11:33, 12:05, 11:07, 12:01, 11:39, 13:00, 10:49. 11:04, 14:07, 12:26, 11:35)

Left lower medial calf and heel were so very very sore!

Lab day.  45F partly sunny calm.  Slow solo run on MCT from 800E to 1600W home via Center.  Saw some Lehi firefighters doing their annual fitness test runs.  They had to wear a 45 lbs weighted vest running an out-n-back 3 miler.  I cheered them on as I passed and crossed paths with them.  AP: 11:24.  (13:17, 10:57, 10:40, 10:26, 11:28, 11:51) 

Wind, rain, snow all day so I got on the treadmill and jogged 6 miles watching Larry Crowne on Netflix.  Gotta love Tom Hanks.

Got a massage this afternoon.  It was a birthday gift from all the kids and grandkids.  The certificate expires on April 16 so I had to use it.  Not too impressed with the massage, didn't feel more relaxed, in fact the PF and lower calf pain/tightness got worse.

Went to caucus with John and Wendy.  It barely stopped snowing but was very very cold.  There was a LONG line waiting to get in the Lehi JrHS.  There was a huge turn out of 287 in our precint.  It was much more organized and efficient compared to 4 years ago.

Lab morning. 38F partly sunny slight breeze. Wendy waited for me to come home at 8:20. Ran to tunnel at Dry Creek 1.75 mile. Did 7xhill repeats on the west side of Dry Creek hill.

Happy Good Friday!

37F partly sunny breezy NE wind. Easy solo run via 460 E to 1600 W and back via 600 E.

Central vac repairman was here to replace the 19 yo motor. After he left hubby and I went for a walk around the two small blocks in figure 8 direction.

Watched the Live stream of The Handel's Messiah performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Swuare in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. It began at 7:30 pm and concluded at 10:00 pm with two brief intermissions. I have never heard the Messiah performed in its entirety. This inspired oratorio was written in 23 days and 260 pages performed nearly 275 years ago! Awe inspiring! Great way to celebrate Easter weekend!

28F 10mph NNW wind. Leslie, Karen ran to meet me and Wendy at 7am to accompany me on the MCT for 9.75 miles. It was cold and windy the first 3 miles then the sun came up and was a pleasant run thru Highland to PG. We saw MelanieB and her running group on the Alpine Hwy. This is our last run with Leslie for awhile because she is moving to Alabama next week. When we reached the bathroom at 1100 N 800 E PG, Karen called her husband to pick them up and to drop Wendy off at the AF Rec Center where her daughter is participating in the Icebreaker Triathlon. I bid them goodbye and continued south to Lindon, Orem. Saw John Bozung and his wife at about the same location a month ago.

I ate two Clif bloks every 5-6 miles. Used the last restroom at mile 14 to fill up my water flask. I reached the Orem Cemetery at mile 15, at end of MCT 800 N 1400 E at mile 16. Running east towards Provo Canyon I called Steven to see if he could meet me at Will's Canyonstop, but he didn't answer so I called hubby and told him I am at the mouth of the canyon and have 6 more miles to go (3 miles up and 3 miles down the canyon) and if he could meet me there in an hour.

This is perfect training for Boston as the Newton hills come at mile 16. As I slowly made my way up the canyon, I saw Sasha and his son with a group of runners coming down. When I reached 19.6 miles I turned around, walked and ate 2 bloks and drank the 5oz water from my flask. As I slowly ran down the canyon, I again saw Sasha and his son running up! When I reached the ever flowing fountain, they passed me running down, the Pachev men are so speedy. I took a drink from the fountain and made it to Will's Canyonstop where hubby was waiting in the car at mile 22.75 in 4:26:15. I am slower than tar these days. It is what it is.

Had a nice hot-pot early dinner with the fam then we watched the General Women's Conference live on BYU-TV. Tomorrow Elder Quentin L Cook will be presiding and speaking in our Sacrament Meeting. What a blessing and privilege to heat an Apostle speak to us on Easter Sunday.

Hubby's kidney transplant surgical wound that was reopened a month ago is healing nicely and just has a tiny sliver open which will surely be completely closed tomorrow...our Easter "resurrection" miracle.

Rainy blustery day.  8x800 on the dreadmill watching Paper Plane, cute Aussie movie!

TT: 1:24:35 AP: 10:34

36F partly cloudy slight breeze.  Ran the entire length of the Lehi MCT (Access on 800 E >East to Dry Creek Hill 1.75 turned West to Triumph Blvd then East to 800E >home).  Got progressively faster when I realized I needed to take hubby to Dr. Cline's appointment.

TT: 1:32:32  AP: 10:16 (11:37, 11:02, 10:28, 10:05, 9:35, 10:56, 9:48, 9:34, 9:28)

Today marks exactly 3 months (13 weeks) since hubby's kidney trasplant on Wed. Dec. 30, 2015.  Over these months, he's had a few set-backs, first with post-op bleeding, inability to void, 4 bouts of UTIs, 4 ER trips with 2x hospitalization, back to surgery to drain the abcessed hematoma and under the incision.  He is feeling so much better now.  Three of the medications (Bactrim, Valcite, Fluconazoe) are discontinued, Phospha and Calcitral are decreased to half of the dose.  He is also off Gabapentin and weaning off Trazadone.  His appetite has improved and he is gaining some weight.  He is driving to the doctor's appointment and able to do some light grocery shopping.  We are excited to host our mission reunion of Friday.  Tomorrow we will meet with the Howes to finalize the shopping.  He will finish last dose of antibiotics (Augmentin) on April 9, do a urine culture along with regular lab tests on April 12, then see Dr. Cline on April 13.  If all goes well and it should, we fly out to Boston on a Sat. red-eye flight. 

Lab morning! Rainy, windy.  Dreadmill again.  AP: 10:34 

Pres. and Sis. Howes came.  Took them to Olive Garden for lunch.  We then went shopping at Costco for the perishable goods we need for our combined missions reunion tomorrow night.  It was so good to visit with them and talked about our mission days!  We love them so much and miss our friends in Sydney and our missionaries from all over the world terribly.  So excited to see many of our missionaires tomorrow! :)

Didn't sleep much last night.  Short slow solo run this morning.  Mission reunion day!!!

Annie brought over her roasting pan AND a binder of all my mission emails that I sent home.  She printed them out including pictures and put them in a binder as a gift.  She didn't want to give it to me when we first returned home thoughtful of our sad and tender feelings at the time.  But today is the perfect time to give that to us.  I thumbed thru and read some...wow! I've forgotten how busy we were on our mission, how much work we did and the amazing miracles we witnessed each day. 

Then my wonderful sis-in-law brought over the taco meat she had cooked and freezed.  She and grandma helped me take all the food and stuff to the church kitchen and helped me unload and stuffed the refrigerator. 

Brad and Beth Beeston, Sisters Harris, Bretzing, Elders Gardner, MacFarlane, Peterson came to the church at 4 to help me set up and chop, cut.  Sammi brought 2 missionaries (Watt and Guo) from the North Mission to help too.  We had such a fun time with all the help.  The combined ASM and ASSM missions reunion was a success.  We fed over 200 missionaries.  We had taco salad and fresh fruits.  The senior missionaries brought TimTams, cookies and other sweet treats.  The Levines helped us with re-filling the food table and water in the beverage holders.  They said there were close to 250 people when we all stood and sang "Called to Serve".  Larry and I spoke first, then Sister Rhodes (formerly Clegg) and an elder from the North mission, then Sister Howse and Pres. Howse. 

I'm so grateful for the miracle of healing that Larry was able to stand all day, visit with, hug our missionaires.  Each of these missionaires is a miracle to us.  They are amazing!  Larry left at 10pm.  By the time I cleaned up, loaded up the Tahoe, it was 11:30 and there was still a group of missionaires visiting with their mission parents, the Howse.  I was so tired yet not able to fall asleep...too happily exhuasted!!! :)

Got a total of probably 2 hours sleep.  I stayed in bed to chat with my sis-in-law from HK. Then got up to fix hubby a nice breakfast.  We then walked to the church to make sure everything was ok and it was and returned the church and library keys to Sister Miner. 

Conference talks were wonderful and surprisingly I did not fall asleep once.  Steven and Jia-Fen came over and watched the afternoon session with us.  We then met Jeff and Jen and the grandkids for dinner at China Isle in AF.  While the men attended to or watched Priesthood session, Jia Fen and I went with Wendy to Deseret Books for Lynne's and her mom's book signing.  Good day! So glad I ran long last Sat. because there's no way I would have the time nor the energy to run today! :)

Since I didn't run on Sat. I thought I'd run longer today, exactly 2 weeks out from Boston!  Conveniently it's Spring Break, so Wendy doesn't have to go to work this week!  She's such a loyal, faithful friend.  I tortured her on her day off, haha! :)  Schedule was a 20 miler for Sat but since I flipped the schedule with previous week, I should run 16; but deep down I knew I only have energy to run 12!  General Conference was awesome but my PF really really really hurts! 

What a beautiful gorgeous Spring day!  We started out at 7:40am with temp in the low 30s, calm, partly sunny blue sky!  MCT>Suncrest>Alpine everflowing fountain>Lone Peak HS trailside bathroom>Highland Glen Park>MCT>home---a perfect 14 miles hilly loop.   We walked, hiked, jogged, ran, stopped at the restrooms but never stopped chatting the entire time which was pretty much ALL morning!  Haha!  Our AP: 12:57 (hey at least it didn't dip down to unlucky 13).  Taper here on out! 

I could've gone out for a short recovery run...but why?! when I could go for a walk with hubby.  There was a pretty stiff north wind.  We walked to MCT thru 400E and bishops lane, east to 800E access and thru the 26th/28th wards neighborhood, 2+miles! Hubby is walking much faster now.  Then we went to afternoon movie, "Miracles From Heaven", good movie based on true story/events.  Then we drove to Spanish Fork to return Annie's roasting pan and stopped at a Lehi's restaurant that served Thai and Japanese food, that we've never been to before.  So happy hubby can eat anything now...he had chicken Domburi and I had Pineapple Curry!

Spring Break means Karen's home and joins Wendy and I for our run.  We ran to MCT and did 9X hill repeats at the west slope of Dry Creek.  Met a group of 4 ladies from Highland who invited us to join them in their regular AF Canyon runs! :)  On the way back, we saw LoraO so, walked with her and recited "The Living Christ".  Another beautiful gorgeous Spring Day.

Shout out to my youngest son, Steven, on his 24th birthday today!  I cannot believe my baby is 24!!!  I'm not getting older, just my kids are! :) :) :)

AP: 10:56

What a great morning!  So very lucky and happy to have RAD come run with me.  The original plan was to meet at my house at 7am and run 3+ miles to the start of the BurnRun 5miler race at the Elementary School mid-Suncrest Hill.  When we got there, we were informed that the race was canceled.  I was actually happy and relieved that I didn't have to jog/walk up Suncrest.  I have no lungs or legs power for that beast.  So we ran back down to MCT and ran east turned back and made it back to my house by 9:30am.  Beautiful weather with beautiful company and fun chats!  AP: 10:48.  I walked the Dry Creek hills!  Thanks Rachel for running slow with me!

One week till Boston!  Easy conversational run with Wendy to MCT west. Nice weather, wore shorts!
 

Left the house at 9:50 after hubby's lab results came in.  Did 4X800s on the MCT.  AP: 10:00 (11:05, 9:41, 9:15, 9:14, 10:14, 10:41).  Man, I'm SO slow! 

Short easy run with Wendy before visiting teaching, then doctor visit, then shopping.
 

Easy run with Wendy to MCT west.  We beat the rain/wind storm.

No running today.  Lab draw for hubby.  Laundry and pack for Boston.  Flying out tonight on a red-eye to Boston via JFK.

Zero sleep on the flight to Boston arriving at 10:30.  The only great thing about this was that Kelli and her running buddy Amy were on the same flights. 

Really wanted to take the Logan express shuttle to the hotel.  But nope, hubby is such a creature of habbit that not only did he want to fly the same 'ole red-eye flight, but take the same out public transportation.  But of course this being our 7th time to Boston (albeit that the last time was two years ago in 2013), we know the drill.  So we bought a 7-day T pass for $19.  Got on airport shuttle to the Blue T-station.  The cars on the Blue line are nice, handicap accessible.  Changed train at Government Center to the Green line which are not as nice and accessible.  We squeezed onto a two-cars Green line which was so crowded that we were standing on the steps with me holding our suitcase precariously.  Did I mention that hubby cannot lift anything more than 15 lbs (per doctor's order).  We got off at the Hynes Convention Center station, walked up the stairs, that station is not handicap accessible.  On the last four steps, the handle of the suitcase popped up and I had a hard time lifting it up.  A nice young man going down stopped to help me lift it up the last few steps!  We walked to our hotel, Hilton Boston Back Bay, crossing Boylston onto Dalton.  It was so crowded and the motorists were a bit impatient.

We arrived at the hotel at 11:30 and there was a long line at the lobby/counter.  Of course our room was not ready as check-in time was 3pm.  We were told that they will call me when the room is ready and we had the bell-boy stowe our luggage.  We walked over to the Expo meeting Gary and Lily at the entrance.  After getting my bib and packet/bag, I texted Marcie so she could meet us and I could give her the pre-race dinner ticket.  It was so crowded and noisy that she could not even hear me talk.  Anyhow, it was great to see her and her son Michael. 

We made our way into the Adidas booth, SO CRAZY CROWDED, hubby found an empty bench so he and Gary sat down while Lily directed me to the racks of jackets and shirts.  It was such a mad house that I didn't even try on anything.  I bought the jacket and a shirt that I will wear on Monday.  I still needed to get some Glide but I just wanted to get out of there.  By now, Maddi had contacted Lily so we went out of the Expo and met David and Lily who have driven four hours from New York to spend the weekend with us.  It's now 1:30, we were starving, so we walked all over the Prudential Center looking for a place to grab lunch.  There was 35-40 min waiting.  So we walked back to the hotel and grabbed sandwitches from the hotel's deli/coffee shop as their restaurant was closed.  After lining up in the long line for the third time at 3:30pm and was told that our room was still not ready, I was exacerbated.  I was stressed for hubby because of the crowds and having no rest the last 15 hours.  Maddi charmed the hotel staff and he got us a room on a lower floor.  Still we waited 30 min. before the luggages were brought in. 

Lowell called and wanted to meet me at the Expo.  I told him I was totally bushed and the Expo is too crowded and we'll just meet tomorrow.  He said he would pick up the Glide for me!  Such a GREAT friend.  We tried taking a little nap before heading to dinner.

Hubby made reservation for the six of us at Legal Seafood at Park Place at 6:30pm.  We should've taken the T, but David and Maddi hadn't gotten their pass and thought the restaurant was at Copley which would've been less than half mile away.  Well, we walked a mile in the cold wind.  But the dinner was well worth the walk and the wait.  Boston will not be right without having a seafood feast at Legal Seafood! :)  Hubby had his favorite lobser bake and I had king crab legs, and of course their famous New England clam chowder.  After dinner we took the T to Copley and walked to Newbury St. and found Lily's favorite eMack for ice-cream...yum!!!  Then we walked back to our hotels.  Gary had run the 5K earlier this morning and walked umpteen miles all day.  He's amazing!

Went to the 9am sacrament meeting at the Cambridge 2nd ward.  So great to see many runners there including our friends, Kelli and Amy, JoEtte, an old friend (Jana Mitchell) who's there to support her daughter.

After the meeting, we took the T back to Copley to the Blessings of the Athletes at the Old South Church.  The train had mechanical problem and stalled for 10 min.  and then it was packed at each stop as all the Red-Sox fans piled into the cars to get to the game.  Needless to say when we got to the Old South Church, we were late and they stopped letting us in.  Finally they allowed about 12 of us in to stand at the back foyer.  We were still able to hear most of the service.  I loved it. 

I waited outside after the service for Teena and Lowell.  We went over to the finish line where a group of runners from Utah gathered for photo-op.  Saw Ruthie and went over to talk to her and inadverdently photo-bombed Walter Brown's life video.  I had no idea he was filming a special proposal until after I left to find Teena, Lowell and hubby.  It was so crowded that we could hardly get a picture taken.  Teena headed to the Expo with her friends.  Lowell and his family and Larry and I went to grab lunch.  Again we walked and went in the nearest available restaurant, Whisky BBQ.  Meanwhile, Gary, Lily, David and Maddi had walked a mile from the church meeting house to a famous donut shop and they grabbed lunch on the north end.  Would've loved to have gone with them but it would be too much walking for hubby.

After lunch we walked back to the hotel so hubby could rest.  We visited with Maddi and David until they had to leave at 4pm for their drive back to New York.  It was so great to see them and spend a short visit with them.

Gary had made dinner reservation at 6pm in his hotel for us and his running partner Kara and her two sisters.  We had the all you can eat pasta but our server never came to refill Gary's.  I only ate half of mine so Gary picked at it a little.  The ladies talked about where to spectate so they could cheer Kara and Gary.  FUN!

Went back to the hotel, got my running gear ready and hit the sack.  I did not sleep well last night as hubby still has a bit of restless leg syndrome that causes him to move around alot in his sleep.  I tried sleeping on the floor and that was even worse.  I think I slept a total of 2 hours in the last three days.  So I took a Tylenol PM and set my alarm to wake me at 6:45am as I plan to meet Marcie at 8am at the Prudential T station. 

The theme in Boston this year was RUN BOLD.  I thought about the meaning of "bold" many times.  When hubby and I served in Sydney Australia, we taught our missionaires (what we've learned) to be "bold and loving" in their teaching and proselyting, to not be timid nor apologetic, but bear your message or testimony with your heart in a bold and loving way.  Do it like you mean it.  So I searched my heart: what is it that I want to "stand for "with this Boston run, what is the purpose of my 7th Boston Marathon?  About a month ago, I got an email from a friend, Lark, to me and Marcie.  He indicated that he has developed a bit of swelling and pain in his knee.  He went to see his ortho-doc who is a triathlete and talked him into postponing the MRI until after Boston and got a cortisone shot.  He said that he had worked too hard for this BQ and would crawl if needed to finish his 9th Boston.  He jokingly said he would hire me as his nurse.  I eagerly accepted the invitation to meet at the start and will run/jog/walk/crawl with him from Hopkinton to Boston.  The last time I saw him was at mile 19 of St. George 2014.  He was running with a lean to his left where he had had hip surgery from a bike accident previous year.  We ran together with a goal to BQ as we both have the same BQ time.  I actually had BQ'd at TOU a month earlier.  Anyhow so I was there to witness his "hard work". 

Woke up bright and early with plenty of time to get dressed and eat and meet Marcie at 8am at the Prudential T station.  We got off at Park St. and walked 100 yards to the bus loading.  This was the most lesisurely time I've ever had at Boston to get to the start.  I texted Lark to let him know we're waiting at the Welcome sign by an ambulance.  He had riden an early bus with his son who's starting in the early wave.  So here we are three friends of 10 years meeting up with 90 min to chat and get caught up on our happenings of the last three years.  Lark 71, me 60 and Marcie 50 all starting in the same wave.  This was the most orderly and timely start ever.

Lark warned me that he would be taking lots of walk breaks and I assured him that walk breaks are good for me.  By mile 1, we have lost Marcie in the sea of runners.  By 5K, the walk breaks became more frequent and Lark urged me to leave him.  I had heaps of stories to tell him.  I would ask him questions and when he was slow in answering, I knew he was hurting.  I'd tell him all kinds of motivational quotes and pointed out all the beautiful things that I hadn't noticed before.  He'd say:  "You are too happy.  You are having too much fun."  He insisted that I leave him and go run my race.  I said: "Why would I want to run with all these strangers when I can run with you, my dear friend."  He'd say: "They're not strangers to you.  I see you talk to all of them, you even know their names."  Haha!  He's like my other dear friend, Lowell, argumentive!  I love these "sibling type arguments".  He had no idea I can be very stubborn. 

I high-fived bazillion people, even the ones whose hands are not opened, including the cops and security personnel.  Took so many pictures that the battery on my phone died.  At Natick there were a zone of 20+ missionaires that I high-fived each and made them sing Called to Serve with me and then ran back to grab a hug and selfie with the two sister missionaries.  Kissed a Wellseley girl whose sign said: "NEVER BEEN KISSED".  Took picture with a bacon and a banana, but missed Santa who was mobbed by some crazies.  Texted Lowell around mile 14 the picture of the bacon and a sign that reads: "when your legs don't work anymore, run with your hearts".  Yep, today I was running (err jogging) with my heart which was filled with joy and gratitude, with thoughts of my hubby, Lowell and Sister Levine who for various reasons cannot run.  I ran/jogged/walked with a huge smile on my face.  I had this silly grin on my face the entire time even after I finished when walking back to the hotel.  My PF was killing and my 2nd toe was beaten numb), I was freezing cold, but it didn't show on my face...I was SO SO SO VERY HAPPY!

Anyway, back to the race, I don't know what possessed me, when we got to the last of the Newton's Hills, the infamous Heartbreak, I had a surge of adrenalin.  I decided to run up that.  I thought to myself, I got to "do it like I mean it".  I passed all these walkers and encouraged them to power up with me.  When I got to the top, I ran back down to get Lark.  He would not run no matter what I said.  Then I saw this guy with an artificial limb (blade) walking up, I decided to jog up with him.  When I got to the top, I turned back and said, hey, you almost beat me.  He then dropped on all four and did 10 push-ups and said "let me see you do that!" Ha!  The crowd went wild!

There were lots of red rose buds on the road along the stretch by the cemetery.  I picked up two handfuls.  When we got to Kenmore Square where we ran on some railroad tracks, I pulled apart the rose petals for Lark to walk on!  I hope he was not annoyed too much by my silliness.  He probably was and by now in too much pain to yell at me.  :)

Lowell had texted me that he would meet me with a mile to go and since he had cut out the timing chip from his bib, he would run with me the last mile.  I looked and looked after the Citgo sign and could not find him.  At the northwest corner of Hereford I spotted Susie and Kelsey, I ran up to them, hugged and kissed them and asked where's Lowell.  Apparently we both missed each other.  Then I ran back to Lark and tell him that I will go over to the southeast corner of Hereford and look for my hubby.  Admidst the loud cheers I heard my name and waved over that direction.  There were so many security personnel that it was hard to get passed them.  So I ran with arms raised and basking in this glorious stretch of Boylston.  I ran back to Lark and ask if he would run this last 0.2 with me.  At this point my watch was sending out a low battery signal.  He said: "Nope, I can't run."  I said: "Come on, you can do it."  He said, "What does it matter? Whether I run or walk, we're finishing!"  Yes, it does! You're a Boston runner!  Let's show it boldly.  You're the boss, tell me when you're ready to run.  "Ok, at the first cross walk."  So we ran from there, crossing the finish with a sub-6.  So very very proud of Lark with his courage and tenacity!  Yep, a well earned medal which by the way is different from years past that the unicorn is a cut-out!

After a quick shower, hubby and I met Lowell and his family, Marcie and his son, Gary and Lily at Jacob Wirth for dinner.  That restaurant is the oldest German restaurant in America.  I had my first German food, snitzel and German burger! Yum!

A shout out to my AWESOME brother-in-law Gary!!!  He ran a 3:08 just 3.5 months after donating one of his kidneys to my hubby!!!  He is my hero!  We are forever grateful for his selfless gift of life! :)  Am so so so very grateful that Larry was able to make this trip!  This is one Boston that I will treasure forever and ever! :)

AP: 10.52

The 2nd left toe is swollen and nasty.  So I wore the Altra Provision to give it more toe room and it was awesome!
 

AP: 10:46

AP: 10:30

AP: 10:44

AP: 10:55
 

Registered for the Mt. Charleston Marathon.
 

AP: 10:12

AP: 10:05

Signed up for this marathon last min. since I didn't race Boston and want to see where my fitness is.  We lucked out with pretty decent weather and this proofing to be a fast course, I decided to take a gamble for a BQ.  Well, I crashed and burnt but have no regret.

We camped out at a campground/RV park about 2.75 miles from the start.  Woke up at 5:15 and hubby dropped me off at the start at 6am.  Looked for Teena and Shelby as I waited in the PoP line.  Temp was in the mid 30s.  Race started on time at 6:30.  I walked the incline 0.2 mile to the road so I was way at the back of the pack.  It snowed the first couple miles or so.  High fived hubby as I ran passed the RVpark.  My breathing was labored from the get-go.  Wasn't sure what it's all about since I took 2 puffs of the inhaler 20 min. before start.  I wasn't running very fast or so I thought just taking advantage of gravity.  There was a turnaround at around mile 5 in the Mt Charleston Visitor Center/Lodge with the first uphill and wham! hit by a stiff headwind.  This is also where I saw the pacers.  Finally got into a groove after 10K, passed the 4:25 pacer, debated whether to stay with him.  It's getting warm and I chucked the arm-warmer and gloves.  Soon after that, it got cold with cloudy sky and a headwind, blah! 

Uphill to mile 12.5 and I walked to take in 2 Leg Cramps caps.  Reached mile 13 in 2:05:xx so I stopped at a car parked south of the aid station to stretch crossing the half at 2:07:07.  I began to worry that I might have banked too much time and going to pay for it later.  The brief stop and stretch refreshed me so I brushed aside the thought and just go with it. 

First sign of cramps came just before mile 18 as the course started to level out so I took the remainder 2 Leg Cramps caps.  At mile 21 aid station, I stopped to rub on the Leg Cramps ointment and took 2 salt caps.  Saw hubby at the mouth of the canyon turn off and told him that my legs are cramping up.  He said: "It's ok.  You're doing great!"  After the turn, a Korean family was there handing out small cups of Coke which I took because I swallowed the salt caps without any water.  That tasted so good! 

The next 5 miles to the finish was shear torture.  I was directed to run on the left side of the road facing traffic.  I could not see any runner ahead of me.  My calves were starting to cease up and my breathing was rapid and labored.  I fought with every ounce of my will power and energy to keep jogging but eventually succumbed to walking but my breathing would not slow down.  I reached mile 22 at 3:37:xx so I had less than 48 min. to make my BQ goal of 4:25 which means I cannot let my pace dip to 11.  Mile 23 came in at 11:14. 3:49:08.  The wheels completely failed after that, the cramps got worse and even my left foot was cramping up.  I walked in bigger stride to stretch the calves and tried to slow down the breathing.  It brought no relief.  I was in so much pain and in such delirious state of mind that I missed a right turn and a traffic cop had to yell at me to turn around! 

With about a mile to go, the 4:25 pacer passed me and invited me to go with him...I tried with all my might but could not latch on.  Then all of a sudden, Teena came running towards me!  What a beautiful sight!  I was so happy to hear that she got her PR.  My leg muscles were fatigued and cramping up.  She coached me to stomp on my heels as I walked.  It worked momentarily but wound start to cramp up when I tried to run.  When my watch reached 4:25 and I still had 0.3 mile to go, my BQ dream gone, I just gave up fighting and walked the rest of the way.  Teena pointed to the last turn where Larry and Ryan were waiting and encouraged me to run to the finish for the photo!  There was a guy cheering with his bull-horn telling me that I could do it and then there'd be no more running!  I wanted to tell him to shut up cause I was in so much pain!  :) 

Teena met me in the finishers corral to take care of me.  She wrapped some ice bags around my left calf and right shin.  I couldn't have done it without her!  After I collected my medal and drop-bag I walked to the road to wait for hubby driving the RV to pick me up.  We drove straight to St. George to the medical center where hubby could take his INR test.  So 3+ hours later, I went to the bathroom for the first time and realized how dehydrated I was.  By the time I got something to eat 4+ hours later, I was femished.

*Fastest mile was mile 8 at 8:46 and slowest was mile 26 at 13:44.  I failed miserably but now I know what I need to do!  

Hubby kidney biopsy in the IMC.  This is the 4th time we're admitted to the hospital this year. Sigh!

Still in the hospital.

In the hospital.

Walked 3+ miles with Wendy.

I think I forgot how to run! Toe nail on the left 2nd toe fell off!  The blood blister below the left big toe is flattened and blackened.

With Karen and Wendy!

Slower than tar.

Walked with Wendy again!  She's the best!

Solo run on the MTC.  Got rained on and completely soaked! 
 

Slow solo run.

With Wendy and Karen.  Love these two besties!

With Wendy.

Eric flew in last night and taking a test today.  Hubby had INR test then we went to Provo to meet up with Elder and Sister Haynes (John and Ann) who were our office senior couples from Queensland.  Had a nice lunch and visit at Sizzler.  Then we went shopping and got ready for Sireesha and Sudhakar to move in.  They and their brand new baby, Susanna Sudheekshar Seerapu finally moved in at 10pm.  Baby Susanna is beautiful, perfect...and LOVE all that black shiny soft hair! :)

With Eric!  My breathing has been labored ever since Mt. Charleston.  I have not been able to run without huffing and puffing.  Very discouraged!  But had good conversation with Eric today.  So grateful he jogged slowly with me!  What a good son! :)

Took the Torin 2.0 for a test run.  I like how light the shoes feel but the heel of the shoes seem very shallow and there's not a lace lock eyelet around the ankle so my heels kept slipping up.  I even bought a half size smaller.  I can tell that my archilles and lower calves are getting quite a workout.  AP: 10:05

We then went to the cemetery with Steven and took him and Jia-Fen to lunch at Texas Roadhouse and movie, X-men: Apocolypse.  Fun Mermorial Day.

With Wendy. AP: 11:08.  So discouraged to be this slow.

With Karen and Wendy. Got help in reciting "The Living Christ". :) AP: 10:51

No running today.  Accompanied hubby for his second Rituxan IV infusion which lasted 6 hours.  I've been feeling discouraged because he is not showing any sign of improvement from proteinuria/hematuria with the treatments of high dosage of Prednison and Rituxan infusion.  I guess I need to be patient.  He is taking so many medications which have so many side-effects among which are muscle wasting, hair loss, tremors in the hands, overall fatigue, increase appetite and puffy (moon) face.  Sigh!

No running today. Up early to go to one of our sister missionaries sealing in the Bountiful Temple.

Karen rearranged her schedule so she could run long with me today.  Wendy joined us for the first 4 miles.  What a great friend to run slow with me.  She always has encouraging and uplifting words.  How grateful I am for her friendship. 

We ran on MCT west to the bathroom then east to bathroom by Lone Peak HS then down to the pond at Highland Glen Park then to Highland City Park and connect back on MCT west of MtViewJrH.  I was supposed to run 10-12 but Karen somehow got me running longer.  She did find the shortest more direct way to my house.  (The table was turned today as I was usually the one who sneakily make her run longer). 

My breathing was labored.  It was getting warm.  How did the temp went from 50s to 80s in an instant.  Summer hit us like a ton of bricks! I guess it is June afterall. Got a new blister on top of the old blister.  I like these new Altra Provison (2.0 in sz6) for the zero drop, except it gets hot and not as breathable as my Inspire 10.  Still struggling with PF.  My left foot/heel was very sore.  It didn't help that I spent two hours cleaning and sweeping out the garage floor. 

To Dry Creek bridge and back.  AP: 10:27

To west MCT restroom and back with Wendy.  AP: 11:30

To Dry Creek bridge via 1200E and back via MCT with Wendy.  AP: 11:18

Didn't run today.  Hubby went and got another lab drawn today.  His labs were bad on Mon and showed that he had another case of UTI.  Today the doc. talked to him about the possibility of another kidney biopsy.

Steven came over to mow the lawn.  Chris brought grandma over.  After a quick lunch Chris took grandma, Jia-fen and me to the airport. 

We got to Houston around 6:30pm.  Larissa had a nice chicken dinner for us.  We planned what to do the next few days.

Up early for a 2.5 mile walk with grandma, Jia-fen and Larissa.  We dropped Jett and Jade off for swim practice and went shopping at Costco.  After we got home and put away the grocery, we drove to Bellaire (Chinatown) for dim sum.  We walked around the Chinese market and visited the Chinese Temple.  Then we drove through horrific traffic to Galveston.  First stop was Rainforest Cafe.  It was an interesting place/theme restaurant where the food was ok but over-priced.  We then walked along the beach and drove around downtown Galveston.  Evenings temp along the beach is lovely. 

We got back from Galveston kinda late last night so didn't get much rest/sleep.  Set the alarm at 4:30 but was up before that.  Larissa and I left the house at 5:30am, met Elie who ran the first 3+ warm up with us.  My breathing was fine the first mile or so since I didn't do any talking. 

By mile 5 my GI issue became so urgent that I had to make an emergency stop in the wooded trail.  We were eaten alive by mosquitos.  Made it to the swimming pool restroom (mile where I stopped for 15 min.  My body was done after that stop but we still had 4+ miles to go.  I should mention that temp was in the high 80s with 95%humidity.  I drank all the water from the three flasks that Larissa had frozen the night before.  I can't believe she hardly drank a drop.  My shirt, shorts and socks were soaked with perspiration when we got home, gross!!!  

We had 30 min to shower, change and make it to Jett's first swim meet.  I took the most delicious COLD shower ever!  Grandma and Jia-Fen were out on a walk and we finished at the same time, but they wanted to go for a little more and got lost so they didn't make it to the swim meet.  My amazing 89 year old mother-in-law walked for over 2 hours in that hot humid, sunny weather, wearing long sleeve shirt and dark pants, with no water or sunscreen.  She didn't even break a sweat and was ready to help cook lunch for a crowd who'd be coming to attend Luke's baptism.

We made my "mission special", taco salad, for 20 people for lunch.  It was so nice to visit with Erica & Patrick, Seidi and her kids.  We then went to Luke's baptism at 4pm.  Larissa gave a wonderful talk.  She also accompanied Jade and Grace and Emma who sang a beautiful song called "covenant is a promise".  After the baptism and confirmation, we went to Jason Deli which is just a mile from the house for dinner.  What a wonderful memorable day. 

Tomorrow, June 12 marks 55 years since I was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am so grateful for my membership and the covenants I have made!

I didn't set the alarm and Larissa woke me at 6:05am.  We were supposed to leave at 6am.  Ran with Beth, Angela and Larissa all over their Kingwood neighborhood.  Overcast sky which feels cooler although it had rained all day yesterday so humidity was like 100%.  AP:  10:18 (10:47, 10:49, 10:29, 9:19, 9:27).  When we were done, we saw grandma walking by herself on the road in front of the houses so we walked with her for 2+ miles.

Went to downtown Houston Discovery Green for lunch at a Taiwanese eatery and splash pads for the grandkids. 

To airport for our 7pm flight home, flight was 30 min delayed.  Arrived home well past 10pm.  A quick but fun trip.  Hubby was asleep so will talk to him in the morning.

With Wendy, chatty run!

With Karen and Wendy.  We did hill repeats on Dry Creek west hill.  Well, Karen did hill repeats, we jogged and she did twice as many as us.  Hehe!

With Karen on MCT to PG Silo Rd and back.  We started at 6am, 58F partly cloudy sky.  The cooler weather made all the difference.  AP: 10:18 with couple of bathroom stops and brief water fountain stops.  Ate a package of shot blocks, 2 pieces at mile 5+, then one piece every 2-4 miles. 

After a quick shower, I drove hubby to the hospital to be admitted for kidney biopsy.  He had a previous one on May 9 (39 days ago).  We got there just before 10am.  They drew a bunch of labs.  His poor arms were like pin cushions.  He had 5 needle pokes yesterday just for labs in the morning and at the oncologist (Dr.  Chipman) office in the afternoon.  The nurse couldn't start an IV, so they had the PICC specialist came to start a mid-line on his right arm.  His INR was 4.1 yesterday, so they gave him two units of FFP which brought the INR down to 1.4.  By 6:30pm (nearly 9 hours of waiting and NPO), they gave him a unit of DDaPT and another unit of FFP and took him to intervention radiology.  The radiologist, Dr. Bonk, and nurse (Wanda) was the same team that did his biopsy a month ago.  This time Dr. Bonk only had to do one pass.  

At 9:30pm, I went to the cafeteria to get some food for hubby and I for dinner.  Dr. Cline called and said that he would push for the pathologist to read the biopsy by midnight and if all goes well we can go home and be treated on an out-patient.  At midnight the call came that the biopsy mirrored the first one to confirm that there is probably no acute rejection.  He stopped one blood pressure med that might be the culprit in damaging the kidney.  He will have lab tests MWF to monitor his kidney functions closely.  I will give him Lovenox to bridge the Warfarin. 

No running today.  We got home after midnight last night.  I got up early to go shopping for a few items that Steven and Jia-Fen didn't pick up for me last night.  Thanks to their shopping for me last night, I was able to get all the food I needed for the bridle shower this morning, and Father's Day dinner tomorrow night.  Jia-Fen stayed overnight so she was here to help me with food prep and clean up.

Sis. Giada Pagnin,  Samantha (Burnett) Holt and Britton (Ketts) Allen arrived 30 min early so they helped me finish doing the food for the bridle shower.  Giada's 4 other friends came later.  The bridle shower was a success, so FUN!

Then Gary stopped by on his way from the airport from HK.  Lily and the girls continued ahead to BYU to check Jessie in the dorm.  Can't wait to see everyone tomorrow for Father's Day!  Steven and Jia-Fen stayed overnight.  We watched a movie, Race, but I fell asleep and missed most of the action.

With Wendy down 3rd West and back up.

With Wendy to Mitch Hollow via 800E MCT and back via 600E.

Tried out the new Saucony Guide 8 wide.  Had to stop numerous times to adjust the shoe lace tying to keep them snug but the tongue on the left shoe seems shorter as it keeps sliding down.  Not sure if they're the right ones for me.

Am battling with major plantarfacitis, especially on the left foot.  Went to Wasatch Running Center to look for something inbetween the Altra (zero drop) and Mizuno Inspire (12mm) that I've been training in.  I think my PF started when I first came home from my mission two years ago.  At that time I felt like I needed to "relearn to run" and bought a pair of discounted Altra Torin (at the Expo of Timpanogos Marathon, first marathon I ran since returning home), which felt heavenly on my wide and flat feet.  I transitioned into them and felt that they helped with better running form.  However, I never ran a marathon in them even though I ran 7 marathons during that time.  I first noticed PF pain during the taper of the Kingwood Marathon (Feb 2015); and determined that my calves were extremely tight as I had not done any proper stretching, recovery, strength training, etc.  Anyhow, I then went back to running/training in my Mizuno Inspire.  I have been wearing the old version Inspire 10 and find that the newer versions a bit too stiff.  Anyhow I ran Boston this year in the Inspire 11 and got a big bloody toe nail on the 2nd left toe.  I thought that the high toe-heel off set combined with the downhill course was the culprit.  For Mt. Charleston I decided to wear the Altra Provision 2.  They are fine except the toe box is too narrow for my wide feet (Altra tault WIDE toe box, but not these, go figure!) and caused giant blood blisters (new on top of old ones) just underneath the big toe where it rubs on the shoe's insole. 

So Becca at WRC sold me this Saucony Guide 8 and I was really hoping that it would work.  Well, see tomorrow's post on the verdict!
 

Got up an hour early at 5 for today's solo long run.  Gary is in town and running the AF Canyon Half.  I didn't know the course other than that it finishes at Art Dye Park.  Took me a while to get going and had to make a 15 min pit stop at Mitch Hollow Park.  When I got to Alpine Highway emerging from the MCT, I saw lotsa racers goint north, same direction as me, so I joined in.  They were running really fast so I asked one of the runners and she said they're at mile 1+ of the 5Ks and 10Ks course.  The 5Kers split up and turned down to Highland Glen Park to connect on the MCT which is where I was going.  As we got up to where the trails merge (bathroom south of Lone PeakHS), I decided to run with them to Art Dye Park.  I saw some fast bloggers walking back up the course and realized they must've finished and won the Half marathon.  As I got close I saw the clock reading 1:40, and realized I had probably missed Gary's finish (if I hadn't made that long pit stop, ugh!).  I peeled off and ran on the grass towards rolls of tables and found Gary sitting by himself about to eat his breakfast of Kneader's French toast.  He finished in 1:30 and won his division.  I hung around and went to the finish corral to see Kelly pacing the 2:00 in.  Saw RAD and she picked me up excitedly. 

It's now almost 8:30 and the sun has peeked over the mountains and getting warm and since I still have 9+ miles to go, I said goodbye to Gary and ran back up the course to the MCT.  Saw some of my neighbors and Brad on their way to finishing.  My legs got all stiffened up after that 30 min stop.  I had to stop numerous times to stretch.  I headed east and turned back at mile 9.5, knowing I was about 7 miles from home.  I should've turned back sooner.  My left lower calf was so tight that each step was painful especially going downhill.  I was in tears by the time I reached the last drinking fountain on the MCT and hobbled home the last mile which took nearly 30 min.  Couldn't wait to take the shoes off and lay down on the couch to die! :(  I couldn't even put weight on the left leg the rest of the day!  Definitely goint to take these shoes back!