On Saturday, we attended the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Cycle for Life in Santa Cruz. Mike cycled 25 miles in honor of our son, and we met the staff of the CF Foundation and some other CF patients. It was an interesting experience to say the least.
After Mike left the starting area, Alex decided he wanted to go for a ride. He walked over to our SUV and started knocking on the door, and when I opened it and picked him up, he pointed to his car seat and said "seat". He helped me buckle him in, and then he said "Go!". This may not sound like much for a two and a half year old, but two months ago, Alex had a vocabulary of about 4 words. He had great difficulty expressing what he wanted and he would just have a fit. Now I'd say his vocabulary is probably approaching 20 words, and he is as expressive as ever. He wanted to go for a ride in his car seat, and, in his own way, he told me. This was a huge accomplishment.
We went to meet Mike and the turn around point for his ride. It was what they called the "Strawberry Rest Stop" on Highway 1. When we got there I understood why. It was a farm house with strawberries painted on the outside. I'm not sure if it was a market during normal business hours because it was only 8:30AM, if it was, it was not open, yet. We waited for Mike to arrive at the rest stop which was stocked with water, peanut butter, energy bars, and Sizzle Sticks (red licorice). The migrant workers were working in the background, harvesting what looked like green onions. Mike eventually arrived at the rest stop. Although exhausted, he was doing pretty well. He took some snacks and liquids, said hello to Alex and I, and then headed back into Santa Cruz. After Alex and I made a quick stop and changed a diaper, we met Mike back at the Finish Line where lunch and drinks were waiting.
As usual, everyone at the event adored Alex. He even got a special invite to be a representative of Cystic Fibrosis patients at another CF Foundation event, Broc Glover's Breathe Easy Ride - Bay Area on October 1. We met two very special Cystic Fibrosis patients, Brett and Katie. Both had lung transplants earlier this year. As Brett put it, they traded in one set of problems, for another, but also a huge extension of their lives. The lung transplant will not cure Cystic Fibrosis, but the CF had done such great damage to their lungs through pneumonia and bronchitis type sickness that they would not have survived without it. I could not have had the conversations with these patients or other parents of CF patients one year ago. It was still just too scary to think about the future. I'm glad I was able to talk to them today. They were very inspirational and gave me great hope for the future of Cystic Fibrosis treatments.
The best advice I got, was something you hear every day, but we all tend to forget. "You can only take it one day at a time."
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Running and more running
I still haven't solved the shoe dilemma. In the mean time, I'm still running. It hurts at times, but I'm not giving up and I'm not stopping.
I ran in my first 10K last Sunday in the Felton Race Thru the Redwoods. I've completed three half marathons, four triathlons and even a 5K, but some how I've never done a 10K. I figured it would be nice to have a real 10K time, but little did I know this was not the race to be basing my progress in training. In the middle of a nice, relatively flat and down hill race, there was ONE very steep hill climbing 300ft in about 3/4 mile. That ruined any opportunity to have a great time. However, it was a really fun race, and will be a nice annual event.
This week, I ran a great 4 miles on Wednesday, it was my interval run, 1/2 mile hard run with 4 minute rest in between for 6 repeats. I was exhausted, but it felt really good. Then on Thursday, I was supposed to run 5 miles. Well, I'm lucky I made it home. I ran 1.5 miles from home and then I hit a brick wall. I tried for another 1 mile to get into my rhythm, because sometimes it takes me 2 miles. Unfortunately, I was done physically, but was now 2.5 miles from home. I walked the rest of the way home, with little attempt at running. I figured at this point, I just wanted to make it home. My biggest mistake was trying a run on one of the hottest days in the mid-afternoon. I was just dehydrated. Oh well, lesson learned.
Tomorrow is my longest run to date. I will be running 14 miles. Let's hope I get my running legs back because walking 14 miles will take much, much longer than I'm planning.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Terrible Twos
I finally understand what people mean when they say "The Terrible Twos". This weekend we went camping with Alex. We had a great time, but we had a really hard time controlling him. Whenever we would say (or yell) "NO!", he would laugh at us and run away.
There was a road between our campsite and a big open grassy area. The first time we realized we had a problem, Alex was standing on our side of the road and looking at us. I told him "No, come here!" and instead of coming he decided to test me by taking a few steps into the road while giggling. He knew he was doing something wrong, we could tell by the look on his face. At this point, I got up and carried him back on to the campsite. No sooner did I sit back down in my chair, he was at it again, but this time when I said "No!", he was off and running away and giggling the whole time. This time I brought him back to the campsite and put him in his stroller, but he was completely content to just sit there and watch the world around him. This routine repeated multiple times on our trip. There just isn't a good place to put a two year old that is really punishment while camping.
Until this point, we have not really needed or used time outs. I'm not really sure he even truly understands that they are supposed to be punishment. The thing is the running away while laughing really scares me. What if there had been a car coming, or what if that dog he ran towards had been actually vicious? He's my little boy. I don't want anything to happen to him, and he doesn't understand that the world is not a friendly place.
There was a road between our campsite and a big open grassy area. The first time we realized we had a problem, Alex was standing on our side of the road and looking at us. I told him "No, come here!" and instead of coming he decided to test me by taking a few steps into the road while giggling. He knew he was doing something wrong, we could tell by the look on his face. At this point, I got up and carried him back on to the campsite. No sooner did I sit back down in my chair, he was at it again, but this time when I said "No!", he was off and running away and giggling the whole time. This time I brought him back to the campsite and put him in his stroller, but he was completely content to just sit there and watch the world around him. This routine repeated multiple times on our trip. There just isn't a good place to put a two year old that is really punishment while camping.
Until this point, we have not really needed or used time outs. I'm not really sure he even truly understands that they are supposed to be punishment. The thing is the running away while laughing really scares me. What if there had been a car coming, or what if that dog he ran towards had been actually vicious? He's my little boy. I don't want anything to happen to him, and he doesn't understand that the world is not a friendly place.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Running Shoe Shopping
For most of my life, I have avoided every opportunity to run. But here I am training for a marathon. I only have one issue, running shoes. Last November I bought a pair of Asics Kayano 16, which I loved. I trained for and ran two half marathons and two triathlons in those shoes. They gave me some minor blisters, but nothing unexpected after running 13.1 miles. They have over 300 miles on them, and now just plain hurt when I run in them.
I know it is time for new shoes, but it is not as easy as it seems. I went to one specialized running store. They video taped me running on a treadmill and they had me stand on a special pad to check how I stand. Then they put me in the Asics Cumulus 12 and off I went. I figured since I went to a specialty store and they went through all that to check me out, they had to be good. It couldn't have been further from the truth. The shoes hurt, from the moment I ran just 3 miles in them. I thought it would improve, so I ran another 3 miles. Then it was back to the store to get their advice. They sold me a pair of insoles which seemed to improve the feeling of the shoe, but after running 5 miles, I was sure it did not. So once again, it was back to the store. I told them that I just wanted to order the Kayanos again.
Little did I know, running shoes, like cars have newer improved models. So when the Kayano 17 arrived, I went running in them. For three weeks everything seemed fine. Then as I started moving into longer distances, I noticed that my arches and calves were aching a lot. At first I just thought it was from running more, but then it got extremely painful. So once again, my running shoes were hurting me. So I decided to go to a different running store. The only issue was they didn't carry my size in stock. No matter what shoe I wanted, I'd have to order it. So I tried on a couple of shoes in a close size, and asked them to order one for me. So now I wait, and in the mean time I get to choose between my Kayano 16 with too many miles on them or my Kayano 17 that don't fit right.
I have always hated buying shoes. I have odd shaped feet with a wide forefoot, narrow heels and high arches. But I've never really cared about running shoes before because I was only running a few miles. Now trying to train for a marathon without shoes is proving to be very difficult.
I know it is time for new shoes, but it is not as easy as it seems. I went to one specialized running store. They video taped me running on a treadmill and they had me stand on a special pad to check how I stand. Then they put me in the Asics Cumulus 12 and off I went. I figured since I went to a specialty store and they went through all that to check me out, they had to be good. It couldn't have been further from the truth. The shoes hurt, from the moment I ran just 3 miles in them. I thought it would improve, so I ran another 3 miles. Then it was back to the store to get their advice. They sold me a pair of insoles which seemed to improve the feeling of the shoe, but after running 5 miles, I was sure it did not. So once again, it was back to the store. I told them that I just wanted to order the Kayanos again.
Little did I know, running shoes, like cars have newer improved models. So when the Kayano 17 arrived, I went running in them. For three weeks everything seemed fine. Then as I started moving into longer distances, I noticed that my arches and calves were aching a lot. At first I just thought it was from running more, but then it got extremely painful. So once again, my running shoes were hurting me. So I decided to go to a different running store. The only issue was they didn't carry my size in stock. No matter what shoe I wanted, I'd have to order it. So I tried on a couple of shoes in a close size, and asked them to order one for me. So now I wait, and in the mean time I get to choose between my Kayano 16 with too many miles on them or my Kayano 17 that don't fit right.
I have always hated buying shoes. I have odd shaped feet with a wide forefoot, narrow heels and high arches. But I've never really cared about running shoes before because I was only running a few miles. Now trying to train for a marathon without shoes is proving to be very difficult.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Dogs and Tragedy
A friend of mine made a post today that upset me more than I thought it would, but when I thought about it, I realized why.
His post was about a woman who was killed by her pit bull type dog. From the post, I understand his opinion to be that this breed should be outlawed.
But what happens to the dogs if this breed were to be outlawed (let's say nation-wide). They would have to be put down or even worse kept illegally. I have a very hard time with the idea of a friend being told that their dog must be put down because it has been designated as part of an unsafe breed when her dog has done nothing to deserve to be put down.
I do agree that something needs to be done about dog related deaths that are increasing, but no matter what, I do not believe it is always the dogs fault. We need to look at the circumstances. In the case my friend was talking about, a woman was found mauled to death by her family pet. Which, of course, is awful, but they were keeping two pit bull type dogs on property that was less than 1/10th an acre and a house that was less than 590 sqft. This is not good conditions for such a large breed. There is no mention of the history of the dog or the circumstances. I still believe that in most cases the owner is at fault for the death in the case of dog caused injuries.
I do admit there are issues with pit bulls. They account for more than 23 of the 34 dog related deaths in 2010. Across the previous 5 years, they attribute more that 1/2 the dog related deaths to pit bulls and pit bull mixes. That's still only 85 dogs out of a conservative estimate of 450,000 pit bull mixes in the U.S. Even if you attribute 1/2 the annual dog attacks to pit pulls which would be about 250 per year over the last 5 years that still 1335 dogs out of the 450,000. Why should we blame the 448,665 dogs that did nothing wrong?
My resources for those interested...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States#cite_note-153
http://happypitbull.com/basics/myths-and-facts/
http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/ownership.asp
http://www.akc.org/
His post was about a woman who was killed by her pit bull type dog. From the post, I understand his opinion to be that this breed should be outlawed.
But what happens to the dogs if this breed were to be outlawed (let's say nation-wide). They would have to be put down or even worse kept illegally. I have a very hard time with the idea of a friend being told that their dog must be put down because it has been designated as part of an unsafe breed when her dog has done nothing to deserve to be put down.
I do agree that something needs to be done about dog related deaths that are increasing, but no matter what, I do not believe it is always the dogs fault. We need to look at the circumstances. In the case my friend was talking about, a woman was found mauled to death by her family pet. Which, of course, is awful, but they were keeping two pit bull type dogs on property that was less than 1/10th an acre and a house that was less than 590 sqft. This is not good conditions for such a large breed. There is no mention of the history of the dog or the circumstances. I still believe that in most cases the owner is at fault for the death in the case of dog caused injuries.
I do admit there are issues with pit bulls. They account for more than 23 of the 34 dog related deaths in 2010. Across the previous 5 years, they attribute more that 1/2 the dog related deaths to pit bulls and pit bull mixes. That's still only 85 dogs out of a conservative estimate of 450,000 pit bull mixes in the U.S. Even if you attribute 1/2 the annual dog attacks to pit pulls which would be about 250 per year over the last 5 years that still 1335 dogs out of the 450,000. Why should we blame the 448,665 dogs that did nothing wrong?
My resources for those interested...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States#cite_note-153
http://happypitbull.com/basics/myths-and-facts/
http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/ownership.asp
http://www.akc.org/
Monday, August 8, 2011
God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett
I admit, I have not read the book, but I have seen quotes from the lessons and the lessons listed in several places and have been wondering about the source. So I figure, credit should be given where credit is due. I know that nothing here is new, and it is definitely not ground breaking, but I think that it is a simple book with a simple idea and some real lessons that we should all carry through our lives.
God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett
Lesson 1 – Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
Lesson 2 – When in doubt, just take the next right step.
Lesson 3 – Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Lesson 4 – Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Lesson 5 – Pay off your credit cards every month.
Lesson 6 – You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Lesson 7 – Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
Lesson 8 – It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Lesson 9 – The most important sex organ is the brain
Lesson 10 – God never gives us more than we were designed to carry.
Lesson 11 – Make peace with your past so it doesn’t screw up the present.
Lesson 12 – It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
Lesson 13 – Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Lesson 14 – If a relationship has to be kept secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
Lesson 15 – Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
Lesson 16 – Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
Lesson 17 – You can get through anything life hands you if you stay put in the day you are in and don’t jump ahead.
Lesson 18 – A writer is someone who writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
Lesson 19 – It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
Lesson 20 – When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
Lesson 21 – Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save anything for a special occasion. Today is special enough.
Lesson 22 – Overprepare, then go with the flow.
Lesson 23 – Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
Lesson 24 – Start saving 10% for retirement as soon as you get your first paycheck.
Lesson 25 – No one else is in charge of your happiness. You are the CEO of your joy.
Lesson 26 – Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
Lesson 27 – Always choose life.
Lesson 28 – Forgive everyone everything.
Lesson 29 – What other people think of you is none of your business
Lesson 30 – The passage of time heals almost everything. Give time time.
Lesson 31 – No matter how good or how bad a situation is, it will change.
Lesson 32 – Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick, but your friends will. Stay in touch.
Lesson 33 – Believe in miracles
Lesson 34 – God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
Lesson 35 – Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
Lesson 36 – Growing old beats the alternative. Dying young looks good only in movies.
Lesson 37 – Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
Lesson 38 – Read the psalms. No matter what your faith, they cover every human emotion.
Lesson 39 – Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting for you to discover.
Lesson 40 – If we threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else’s, we’d fight to get our own back.
Lesson 41 – Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of now.
Lesson 42 – Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.
Lesson 43 – All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Lesson 44 – Envy is a waste of time. You already have everything you truly need.
Lesson 45 – The best is yet to come.
Lesson 46 – No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up for life.
Lesson 47 – Breathe. It calms the mind.
Lesson 48 – If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Lesson 49 – Yield.
Lesson 50 – Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Vancouver Friends
This weekend we had friends visiting from Vancouver and one staying at our house. It made for another crazy weekend.
Our friend John was picking Sonja and Zafira up at the airport and dropping Sonja off on Thursday night. Their flight was late, so they didn't make it to our house until midnight. Although I had spoken to Sonja on the phone and over e-mail, I'd never actually met her. When she arrived it was a hello, how are you, nice to meet you in person, here's the kitchen, bathroom, your bedroom, good night kind of evening. Alex had long been in bed, and I needed to hit the sheets as well. The next morning I got up at 6:30am for work.
Friday was a fairly normal day for us because they went to Napa for the day. I went to work and Mike, Alex and I had turkey burgers and corn for dinner. But Saturday was a bit nuts. I got up at 6:45am to go running, because I am training for a marathon and needed to get a run in before everyone got going that morning. I drove out to the trailhead only to find that my new Garmin Forerunner 305 didn't have a charge. Since it was half the reason I was looking forward to running on Saturday, I turned around and drove home to charge it. I left for the second time at 8:15 to attempt my run again. I ran 10 miles that morning in 2hr 21min. I was fine until about mile 8, and by the time I was done, I felt like most people were walking faster than I was running. I drove home showered, changed and went to lunch and shopping with the girls (Zafira, Sonja, myself and Robin). Then that night Mike and I made dinner for Zafira, Sonja and John. Zafira and Sonja adore Alex (how can you not). They had a blast playing with him the whole night.
Sunday kind of followed Saturday's routine. I went swimming in the morning at 8:30am. Then, home to shower and off to the farmer's market. We had lunch with our friends to celebrate John's son's birthday, and then back home for Alex's nap. We ended that night with dinner out with our friends in San Jose at La Pinata. Thankfully, they were very tolerant of Alex's need to get up and wander around a few times, and even our exits and entrances to keep him entertained.
If it sounds like we never stopped this weekend. We didn't. I need a vacation from my weekend.
Our friend John was picking Sonja and Zafira up at the airport and dropping Sonja off on Thursday night. Their flight was late, so they didn't make it to our house until midnight. Although I had spoken to Sonja on the phone and over e-mail, I'd never actually met her. When she arrived it was a hello, how are you, nice to meet you in person, here's the kitchen, bathroom, your bedroom, good night kind of evening. Alex had long been in bed, and I needed to hit the sheets as well. The next morning I got up at 6:30am for work.
Friday was a fairly normal day for us because they went to Napa for the day. I went to work and Mike, Alex and I had turkey burgers and corn for dinner. But Saturday was a bit nuts. I got up at 6:45am to go running, because I am training for a marathon and needed to get a run in before everyone got going that morning. I drove out to the trailhead only to find that my new Garmin Forerunner 305 didn't have a charge. Since it was half the reason I was looking forward to running on Saturday, I turned around and drove home to charge it. I left for the second time at 8:15 to attempt my run again. I ran 10 miles that morning in 2hr 21min. I was fine until about mile 8, and by the time I was done, I felt like most people were walking faster than I was running. I drove home showered, changed and went to lunch and shopping with the girls (Zafira, Sonja, myself and Robin). Then that night Mike and I made dinner for Zafira, Sonja and John. Zafira and Sonja adore Alex (how can you not). They had a blast playing with him the whole night.
Sunday kind of followed Saturday's routine. I went swimming in the morning at 8:30am. Then, home to shower and off to the farmer's market. We had lunch with our friends to celebrate John's son's birthday, and then back home for Alex's nap. We ended that night with dinner out with our friends in San Jose at La Pinata. Thankfully, they were very tolerant of Alex's need to get up and wander around a few times, and even our exits and entrances to keep him entertained.
If it sounds like we never stopped this weekend. We didn't. I need a vacation from my weekend.
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