Is basketball game XTing????

I haven't done a thing all week......except, I did play a female faculty vs jr. high girls basketball game on Thursday. It was a fundraiser for Relay for Life. And hey, it gave the band kids someone to laugh at, and cheer for. I couldn't shoot the basketball worth a flip, but I sure could run up and down the court without getting winded. I am a little sore though. The teachers won with a last second three pointer. Yea! It was a lot of fun.
Wanted to go to the meeting today, but I took some students to a jr high band clinic at Pearl all day and also had to take my son to his Taekwondo class at 10:30. It kind of irked me because they didn't have the usual 10:30am TKD class and I probably could have made it to at least the run part of MM today. Oh well, I've got plenty of time before my next race......I think. I might decide to do another half marathon before September. I really wanted to go to the meeting and get to know some of you. It is so nice that everyone is blogging a lot. It really helps the closeness of the group. I had to play a orchestra concert tonight. It was really cool hearing the wind blowing around the outside of the auditorium during the concert. I hope everyone is having a good time training. Just remember: It's a slow, easy journey. But, oh what a fun journey it is!!!! Just keep puttin one foot in front of the other. Hang in there.

Argh!! Life keeps on getting in the way

Hello Fellow Marathoners,

I finally made it to a meeting last Saturday. Wow, what an awesome crowd. It was great to see so many people. What would be even more awesome is if everybody who intends to go to Chicago, goes to Chicago and finishes the marathon. Yes, it is possible. You can do this. For those of you that feel like you cater to everyone else except you, be selfish, do this for you.
Saturday's run was a lot of fun. I always enjoy running on the levee. It was nice to talk to a few new marathoners and some old ones. I've temporarily fallen off the wagon since Saturday. I feel like I won't really get cranked up with my training till school lets out in May. Between my symphony schedule, teaching band, and my family's activities; life is getting in the way of my training. It's so different from when I was a part-time lab tech and could run before work at 10am. I'm taking a few students to a junior high band clinic at Pearl all day Saturday. I'm going to try to break away during their rehearsal and come to the meeting. Keep on putting one foot in front of the other.

Lisa D.
Chicago Marathon x 2

Don't start out too fast

I did a 3.5 mile run/walk yesterday. Both Chicago Marathons, I ran at least half of them at a 2:1 interval. I'm trying to increase my run time and speed by doing a 3 min run and a 1.5 min walk interval. So far, so good. Although, I have to remind myself that my body did take three months off. Sometimes, I expect myself to be able to do all of what I could do on Oct. 22nd, but that's not possible. Did I say in the last blog that a run helps clear my head after a long day of teaching band? Well, I guess I just said it again. I feel so much better after running. Kids' schedules, my schedule, and my Mark's schedule sometimes get in the way of doing it every day. I just signed up for Disneyland Half-Marathon which is on Sept. 3rd. It's already reached 60% capacity. I've never been to California. Well, it's time to get ready for tomorrow's school day. Hope everyone's training is going well. Remember, take your time, it's a long. slow, but fun journey to the finish line in Chicago. You can do it!

Here we go, once again

Yes, this will be you at the Cheesecake Factory after finishing the marathon this year. Oops, I hope my Chicago Hilton roomies don't mind me posting this great photo. Tough! Y'all are the best!


(Let me first say, I'm not an English teacher, and my grammar is horrible.)


I wish I could make it to a meeting, but life keeps getting in the way. Blah! Last weekend, we had to go visit the in-laws in N. Miss. Today, I had a rehearsal for a concert tonight. About mile 14 of last year's marathon, I started to have a pain on the right side of my right knee; which I found out later was my IT band. It didn't stop me from walking and running the rest of the marathon, but I did take three months off. My first run was on the three month anniversary of the marathon. It was great to get back out there on the road. Since then, I've been averaging three times a week in the afternoons; two miles up Spillway Rd and two miles back to my house. If there is anyone that lives near Spillway Rd who can run in the afternoon, you're welcome to run/walk with me. I like my itunes, but it's always nice to have someone to run with and help keep you going. I have enjoyed running in the afternoon. It helps clear my head of the junk that happened at school that day. One thing you will find out: life will get in the way of your running schedule. Don't sweat it. Remember this is a marathon journey, not a short trip down the street. You miss a day, jump back in as soon as you can. Yep, everyone will think you're crazy, but it makes you more determined to train for, start, and finish the Chicago Marathon. They won't think you're crazy when you show them your medal.
I decided to do the Disneyland half marathon with an old college friend who I inspired to start running again after a twenty year layoff. She did her first half marathon last October. Yes, you will inspire other people to do what you're doing, and that will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling all over. I look forward to meeting everyone at the next meeting......I hope. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.