That sounds kind of like a children’s book or something, doesn’t it? hahaha well, sort of.
Three hours, eight minutes, fifty seconds. That was how long it took me to walk the Virginia Beach Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon! If you’re a person of details and you’d like to know my pace for each mile, refer to my walkmeter report: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/4433/2b7b/4c54/3257/Walkmeter-Walk-20100905-0740.kml…looks like mile number seven was the best one, huh?! Right smack in the middle! It was an absolutely beautiful day for a race. I think Earl came just close enough to bring a cold front and stayed just far enough away to leave VA Beach out of harm’s way. Two different bands were playing the Dixie Chicks “Earl” song when I went by…it seemed quite fitting! If you haven’t heard that song, it’s a classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw7gNf_9njs!
As you’ll see from the many photos below, Katie and I are total champions. :) I already signed up for next year’s half, and I plan on using it as training for another full marathon. I would like to make this a Labor Day tradition! Anyone else want to join me? It was so nice to have Katie there doing the race with me for Team in Training. I was especially honored that she put my name on the back of her shirt. Two years ago at this time, I was just arriving in Seattle and getting acquainted with the Hutch, impatiently awaiting my “gift of life”. Now here I am, appreciating life for the gift that it is and logging mile after mile out on the trails. Sure, I dreamed that I would feel this good one day, but I couldn’t physically imagine it at the time.
Which brings us to the second part of the title: “the healthy bone marrow”. Today, I had my 21st bone marrow aspirate at the hands of my favorite bone marrow aspirate/biopsy expert (Dr. Kales, of course!). If you remember, I requested it (as I do with most of them). I have had some occasional bone aches (mainly in my spine), headaches, a rapid pulse…I wasn’t too worried because I never feel out of breath when speed walking. That was a major symptom each time I was diagnosed. Still, I needed to be absolutely-positively-no doubt-in-my-mind sure. Dr. Kales called tonight around dinnertime and said “your bone marrow looks great!!!!” I can taste the incredible sweetness of relief (but maybe that’s because I downed a Dairy Queen Reese’s Pieces Blizzard for dessert). I often take the time to thank my body for its strength, resilience and health (silently of course…otherwise, people might start to wonder. ), and tonight is one of those times. “Thank you for giving me time”, I think. “No matter how long it may be, I am so grateful.” Not that I’m a pessimist and worried about dying young, but I certainly understand more than most my age that health is fragile and life is uncertain. I will always worry about relapse, but I think it can be seen in a positive light to the extent that it engages me in the present.
Warning: the following material may be disturbing to some people (e.g. Lori). :) My mom and I were talking about the bone marrow tonight (she’s been there for all 21!), and she mentioned how it made her feel slightly sick. I was shocked! Apparently when they dig around in there with that big ol’ needle, it makes a crunching sound when they hit the bone. Why have I never heard this? I mean, I’ve never been sedated. One would think I could hear my own bones crunch! Good thing I can’t feel it!! Can you imagine? Crrrrruuuunch!!! hahahaha OK, now for the really graphic part. I found this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwM66oLQEiI…this guy’s such a wuss, all his deep breathing and what not! :) I just lie there …I almost feel like I could close my eyes and fall asleep. Especially at the Hutch where they play classical music! I’ll have to have my mom videotape it next time I request one. I know you’re waiting with baited breath! Except I’ll edit out my butt ’cause no one needs to see that!
In training news, I did fourteen miles this past Saturday (a break from the rest of the group…they were doing 18, but since I had done the Va Beach Half the week before, I only had to do 14!), the longest miles I’ve ever done!!!! It was an absolutely gorgeous day out on the W&OD trail, a trail I usually do not like for its lack of shade. The hours went by quickly, and before I knew it, I was back in the parking lot with the run and walk teams, scarfing down some donuts as a treat for doing so well…hmmm…do you think that kind of overrides the whole exercise thing? Oh well. C’est la vie.
I hope you enjoy the many photos below. Thank you all for your support, both financial and emotional. Now that I know I have a healthy bone marrow, I’ll kick it up a notch and get my butt ready for San Francisco!!!!! It is NOT too late to donate by the way…several people have asked. If you’ve been thinking about it, but just waiting for the right time, that time is now. All my funds are due October 1st…can you believe fall is here already?!! Woohoo!!!
Lots of love,
Julie
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Welcome to the beach!!!!!
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My mom and her famous sunglasses (she whipped them out for the first time in 2007 when I did my first Va Beach Half).
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Headed to the convention center to pick up our race stuff...what a gorgeous day!
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I started laughing out loud when I looked at this little pond in front of the convention center and saw that little duck's bum sticking up in the air.
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Katie and I sporting our team shirts for the pasta party! (I'm considered to be in the National Capital Area Chapter and Katie is in the Virginia Chapter).
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Time for some carbs!!!!
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Katie with Mindy, a fellow transplant survivor (her rebirthday is around the same time as mine!).
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You have to enlarge this to see the full extent of the TNT colors.
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I absolutely love this room at the Cavalier Inn. The whole time, I just kept thinking, "this would be a gorgeous room for a wedding reception!"
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This is the view just outside.
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Now that I work for a volleyball organization, I notice volleyball nets everywhere!
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The Cavalier Inn...they definitely take good care of us Team in Trainers!...have been doing so for years.
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I was surprised and quite honored that they mentioned my name and had me stand up as one of the survivors. They also put this picture on the slideshow at the pasta party dinner. Whoever arranged for that, thank you!!! I felt really special.
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The view from our room...not bad, huh?
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I love the neighborhood just on the other side of the pool.
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We were so lucky with the weather...honestly, we couldn't have asked for anything better.
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I'm ready for tomorrow!!
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Katie's coaches put a sign on each participant's door.
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We headed out to Harris Teeter, picked ourselves up some cider (among other, healthier things), and toasted to a good race!...
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...only a few hours later, I was up and getting ready for the day!! I woke up at 3:30 AM...well, technically, I didn't wake up because I never slept that night...my race singlet hangs from the door, ready for the day to begin!
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In the lobby by 5! Let's get this show on the road!
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At the convention center, relaxing before the race begins (this would be me).
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GO TEAM!!! Katie, thank you so much for doing this race with me. It was such a special day.
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Just a reminder of where I was two years ago at this time! Remember when I had some trouble getting a good breath when they gave me the test dose of radioactive iodine? Here I am with my "peace pipe".
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And back to this year...holding my list of donors that I carried with me in my fuel belt. I thought of all of you as I walked.
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I didn't realize my teammate, Karen, had added my name to her jersey until she put it on facebook...thank you, Karen!! Karen is a TNT veteran, and she's doing five races this year alone!!!!!!!!
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OK, are you ready? Waiting in Corral #25 (for 25,000...there were over 27,000 runners/walkers in the race!).
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It's shaping up to be a beautiful morning!
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This was on the military base...cool, huh?
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Katie stops at mile 10 to reload her Gatorade...lookin' good, Katie!! (and Mom too, of course!)
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Hey, look! It's me!
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And again, just a reminder of me two years ago. :) This was the extent of my exercise when I was in isolation...remember that?
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Everything was covered in plastic because I was radioactive? Remember? Good times. hahahaha
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And back to Va Beach!!
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At the finish line area.
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Aren't we cute? Still standing (and smiling) after 13.1 miles!
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Notice the tags on the back of our singlets.
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Man, my feet were SORE!!! Nothing a good soak can't heal.
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Katie decided it was a good idea to soak her tootsies too.
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And then...naptime!
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Thank you, Cat, for blinging out my visor!!! I think it brought good luck.
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Another angle.
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These are the little footprints of a seagull.
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I went for a relaxing walk on the beach when I got back to our hotel.
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There are some beautiful houses down here, and they're right on the water.
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Can you believe I never knew how beautiful Virginia Beach's beaches were until 2007 when I came down for my first half marathon?
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I could stand to live there.
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I love that they're on the water, yet they have beautiful green lawns.
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Which shot do you like better...this one?
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...or this one?
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Hurricane Earl made the waters rougher than usual, but it sure was pretty.
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These are serious fishers! They fish and then they gut it right then and there!
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I love this shot my dad took...just enjoying the afternoon with her dad.
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He took this one too...he actually took several of these. Beautiful sky, huh?
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"Red sky at night, sailor's delight!"
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That ferris wheel was really creepy...it moved ridiculously fast. I mean, I'm not a fan of ferris wheels in general, but this one was especially creepy.
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Katie and I headed to the beach for the main concert event: Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon.
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A gorgeous, gorgeous night.
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I like this shot.
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I love this old Bronco! It looks like it belongs at the beach, doesn't it?
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This kid was supercool...rocking out to Pat Benatar while making the "hang loose" sign with his hands. I hope my kids are this cool. :)
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Mmmmm...hooooorrrible picture, yet funny at the same time. Munchin' on some delicious funnel cake!
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The shot I'm sure you've all been waiting for...the medal from the race. Pretty, isn't it?
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I decided to bring it to work to remind me of the weekend. It represents more than just finishing...it signifies health, strength and commitment. I am very proud of it.
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So, back in Northern Virginia, but who says the scenery here can't be beautiful? I noticed this grass while sitting at a stoplight. The sun was hitting it at just the right angle.
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This is from this past weekend...this photo cracks me up because I look so confused!
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Micheline and I had a nice time walking and chatting.
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Beautiful, charming old town Herndon.
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Pretty, isn't it?
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Well, not all of it is scenic. :)
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It was Saturday, September 11th. It's hard to believe ten years have passed since 9/11.
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My not-so-good self-portrait.
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I thought these trees were especially beautiful.
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And these flowers smelled delcious? Does anyone know what they are?