2 days!

SWUMC News

Well the weather forecast for Chicago looks like a cold wet one on Sunday. I hope that it's dry by the time the marathon starts (or at least by the half way point:)--just kidding Staci.

I guess the race starts at 9 a.m. our time, 8 a.m. Chicago time. I can't wait to see all of those crazy runners! It's an awesome site. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. I wish I could be at the start line with Staci and the other 30 or 40,000 runners, but at least I get to go and absorb the wonderful atmosphere (and experience the many different odors).

I can't believe how good I feel. My biggest pain is a blister on my little toe that I got from wearing some new dress shoes...not even a sports injury! But Jennifer at Wal-mart hooked me up with some stuff to help that feel better too. Oh, Aunt Candy, I think my hair is growing b/c I could feel the wind moving the little strands today. 2 sweethearts from work are shaving their heads tomorrow, so they measured my hair and it's now 1 whole cm long! So hopefully that pink spray will stick!

I'm so excited about going tomorrow, I don't know if I'll be able to even sleep. Most of you probably think I'm crazy, but the Chicago marathon is like your Super Bowl or Final 4 championships, and I get to go and participate (hopefully).
Today when I was driving down Calhoun street to pull onto 205 (one of my running routes), I rolled down my window to smell the leaves and yearned to run that route today...but I didn't. Instead I worked a couple of hours, then came home and pigged out on Ravioli and made breakfast rolls! I think the steroids are really kicking in.
I hope to bring home some great stories...

PINK HAIR!

SWUMC News
I made it 10 miles this morning!! Thankfully there are still a few fields with corn still standing!!! I kept between 8:30s and 8:50s mile pace! I think I'm going for it--jumping in at the half way point at mile 13. I picked up some hair paint so I'm going to spray my head hot pink Sunday morning--I hope it doesn't rain!

I heard that people can sign up to be notified when runners pass over certain mile markers. If you are interested you can sign up for free. You can either receive an email or a text message.

Well I need to get ready for work. Keep moving!

Tuesday, sorry mom!

SWUMC News
An update, Taylor is in Whitley county hospital with pneumonia. Kyle and Emily could really use your prayers. She is doing well, they are giving her IV antibiotics and fluids and checking her oxygen levels. She's not too happy about that. We don't know how long she'll be there.


I am feeling just wonderful. I even forget that I have cancer, until I see my bald head! I worked yesterday, today, and will work tomorrow. I am wearing a mask and taking precautions. It's such an amazing realization just how powerful and mighty God is!

I LOVE that picture of mom and Traci in the newspaper. I thought it turned out pretty good. For those of you who haven't seen it, you can check it out here (just copy and paste): http://www.thepostandmail.com/articles/2006/10/17/news/sports/sports02.txt
I'm so proud of you two, and of all those who braved the cold and the camera that morning!

Well, I plan to run 8 or 10 miles in the morning. I had blood drawn this afternoon and I'm holding steady, so I feel comfortable that running 13 or 14 miles on Sunday should be "cake". Well, maybe not cake, maybe more like "road apples", but I'm really pumped up for this.

There are quite a few local runners who will be there, Denny Boggs from Oak Grove United Methodist is running it, Greg Lopsire (Paul and Nancy's son), and then a whole slew of people from Fort Wayne. I guess you can look on the chicago marathon website and go under registration--to find the bib number of anyone. Then you can put that number in at another place on the website to see how people are doing. SO, if you see that Staci is running a lot faster than an 8:30 pace, you'll know, I won't be!! I want Staci to run this race for HER--we can always meet up at the end.
Enough chatting, I'd better head home.

Great Day

SWUMC News

We had a super turnout for the 5K. Although the weather was chilly, at least it was dry. Everything went smoothly and we had 106 very kind runners and walkers, plus the dozen or so of 1 mile runners. Results have been sent to the Fort Wayne Track Club and runindiana.com
(as well as a few photos).

I ran the course Thursday morning without much grief, the wind made it a little difficult to breathe, but physically I'm feeling really good again. My mouth sores are nearly gone and my hair is growing again (I'm not getting too excited, as my hair should start falling out again this coming week). But at least I know that still works!

We won't be making it to South Whitley UM this morning, we got invited to Oak Grove UM--the Bishop is preaching today! Isn't that cool? I guess Pastor Gene (of Oak Grove) used to go to the Bishop's church before he was a Bishop years ago. So there's going to be a big celebration this morning. Don't you think every Sunday morning at any church should be a big celebration?

One week from this morning Staci will be running the Chicago marathon and I'll be trying to figure out how far I can make it so I can jump in with her. I'm so excited. I really want to be able to finish half of it, and then take my medal to my oncologist's office on Monday morning and say "look what God can do!!!!!" If I can only make it 6 or 8 miles, then I will jump in a bit later than mile 13 (but still take my medal to the Dr.) It takes a special person to let a friend jump in and only run part of a marathon with her!

God is so great!