Slimy Yet Satisfying!

Kyle got his braces off on Wednesday. He was thrilled, to say the least. His appointment was in the morning so he didn't go to school. We got there and they took him right back (amazing!) They removed everything, polished off the extra glue and cemented in a wire across the bottom teeth for a permanent retainer. He will get the upper retainer on Monday. The orthodontist gave him a gift for being such a good patient. The balloons said "Happy Get Your Braces Off Day" and they were tied around a giant bag full of all the candy he has not been able to eat for the last 9 months (yes, I said 9 months! He had them on for less time than he has been in 9th grade!) He said his teeth feel pretty slimy and he keeps trying to such food out of the braces that are not there. Just a habit he will break soon enough!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Race for the Cure

What a great event! I had never run the whole 3.2 miles until last Saturday. I was proud of myself. This was not a hard race for me. It became easy because of the people I was running with. The announcer said that over 18,000 people registered for the race (walkers and runners). Over 400 of them were Breast Cancer Survivors! How could I think 3.2 miles was hard.

It has taken me a few days to get the pictures from Jim's computer but here they are:

This was taken from the Trax station at the corner of 300 W and South Temple looking north to the starting line which was at 300 W and North Temple.

This was taken from the same spot but looking west toward the Gateway Mall. The line of people kept going south on 400 W past the Gateway. I was lucky to be close to the starting line!

This was before I saw Jim with the camera...

This was after!

Jim took this picture of the finish line from the top level of the Gateway. Just after the finish line, there were tons of volunteers handing out even more tons of bottled water, bananas and oranges. I am up there somewhere past the oranges.

Enjoying my after race treat!

Thanks to everyone that donated money to the Susan G Komen cause and thanks to those that supported me with good luck wishes!

Cancer Sucks - or - Does This Mean I'm a Runner Now?

Experts say that when you are trying to loose weight or become physically fit it is good to train for something so you feel like your exercise time has some meaning.  A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to walk in a Susan G Komen 3-day Breast Cancer event.  They have them in cities all over the country.  I thought it would be a great adventure and I would get in some good walking.  I have known a couple of people that have been touched by breast cancer and several that have been touched by other forms of cancer.  And, I guess because I am a woman, I chose to embrace the cause of breast cancer.  I figure if they know how to get rid of breast cancer it will be a step in the right direction toward getting rid of all cancers.  Unfortunately I was short on my fundraising goal and could not participate that time.  I still would like to one day but because of life circumstances it will have to wait a while.  Until then, I can help to raise money and awareness by participating in local events.

I got it in my head that I wanted to bump up the walking to running (thanks, Biggest Loser!) so I decided to run in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure here in SLC.  That was about a month ago.  Before that, I would go walking (almost) every day.  I have a membership at our local community center.  It has an indoor track.  So at 8:00 I drop the kids off at school and head over to walk in circles with all the "blue hairs" of Syracuse.  I would have occasional bursts of running to keep my heartbeat up but for the most part I walk as fast as I can.  Once I decided to run this 5K I started running more.  Last week I ran half way without stopping to walk.  That was a great day for me.  This week is race week so I planned out a little schedule:

• Monday - Brisk walking and then Yoga
• Tuesday - Run/walk the whole 5K
• Wednesday - Brisk walk then Yoga
• Thursday - Run the whole 5K
• Friday - Easy walk
• Saturday - Race Day!

Yesterday, Tuesday, I went the whole 5K only walking about a half mile in strategic places where I needed water or just to catch my breath.  I was so proud of myself!  Today, the weather is so beautiful, I wanted to exercise outside.  I walked to the end of the block and stretched.  I started to walk but I didn't feel like it was enough.  I had to start running.  I ran 1.5 miles before I decided I should walk.  I walked about a mile then had to run again.

Does this mean I am a runner now?  I used to think I hated running.  I used to think I could never run more than the length of a soccer field.  I would see runners going up canyons and think, "that person is CRAZY!".  Don't get me wrong, I am not sure I ever want to run a marathon and canyon running just doesn't sound fun.  I don't think my knees could take either.  But there is something about how I feel after running for a half hour, 45 minutes or an hour.  I feel better than not exercising and even better than just walking for an hour.

I think the whole cancer thing is a very motivating factor.  I also want my husband to be proud of me.  I want my children see me set goals and reach them.  But I also think I will continue to run after this race.  There are probably more races in my future.  Running makes me feel good.  And it will be a bonus if I loose some inches around my waist.  But maybe the bigger bonus would be for people in this world not having to worry about something like cancer taking their mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and friends.  I think that would make me feel better than the endorphin high I feel after running.

Wish me luck!  If you would like to donate, click here.