WEEK 17 UPDATE

So this is the BIG WEEK! Yes the time has finally arrived. This Saturday, June
1st I will be running in my first marathon. What a journey it has been. I went
back to Physical Therapy yesterday. If you haven’t already heard, I was
diagnosed with Peroneal Tendonitis (basically inflammation of tendons that run
down the outside of my foot) a couple of weeks ago. The Physical Therapist has
given me lots of stretches/exercises to do with my ankle and yes, now for my
knee too. Ahhhh!!! I can’t fall apart yet, just got to keep it together one
more week. I ran about 9 miles this past Saturday. My ankle felt great but by
the end my knee was in a lot of pain. I think it is deferred pain up through my
knee now that the ankle feels better. The doctor also told me I could probably
benefit from orthotics…but, that’s the last thing he wanted to do two weeks
before my race and plus…I want to make my own orthotics :) . So this week
is all about Physical Therapy, a lot of icing, little running and a lot of rest. I’m
so close, I feel like I just have to push through it. Good news though the
doctor says he’s not worried about rupturing a tendon and the physical therapist
said out of 20 years practicing she’s only seen it happen once in a case where
someone fell down the steps or something. So, hopefully it will be okay in the
“long run.” The plan for this weekend is to head out of Atlanta at 9am on
Friday, rest up and enjoy a pasta dinner on Saturday, race Sunday, and head back
home on Monday. I’ve never been good about sleeping on planes, but who knows
after 26.2 I might not find it so hard anymore. Either way, I can’t wait to
report back next week about my San Diego running adventures. Also, I wanted to
keep you posted on Erin’s progress. She returned home this past Monday,
Memorial Day, from round 4 of chemo. I know she wants this to be over sooo bad,
please continue to keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery, minimal side
effects and please pray for injury free running and safe traveling for me as
well. Thanks for all your love and support throughout this adventure, like I’ve
said before and will say again, I could never have done this without caring
people such as yourselves. My final funds raised were $4,116.26. Wow! Thank you for being so giving and helping me to surpass my goal; you truly are a life saver.

:)Denise

Also, as promised I will be running with names plastered on my legs…special
thanks to these guys for “running a marathon with me” in sunny San Diego.

- Mom and Dad
- Uncle Karl and Aunt Carol
- Grandma Larkins
- Theresa and Joey Woodall
- Karen Larkins
- Aunt Debbie
- Chris Little and Ashley Day
- Karen Armsby

And thanks to my "2008 Official Erin Mile Sponsors":

VIP Mile 1: Grandma Larkins
Mile 2: Grandma Larkins
Mile 3: Grandma Larkins
Mile 4: Aunt Kathleen
Mile 5: Aunt Debbie
Mile 6: Aunt Debbie
Mile 7: Mom and Dad
Mile 8: Theresa & Joey Woodall
Mile 9: Theresa & Joey Woodall
Mile 10: Karen Larkins
Mile 11: The Armsby’s
Mile 12: Chris Little & Ashley Day
VIP Mile 13: Chris Little & Ashley Day / Karen Larkins/ The Armsby’s
Mile 14: Grandma D.
Mile 15: The Powell’s
Mile 16: The Nash’s
Mile 17: The Hickey’s
Mile 18: The Dewitt’s
Mile 19: Boris Prilutsky
Mile 20: Chris Hovorka
Mile 21: Zhen Liu
Mile 22: Mike & Dan Martin / Theresa Sheldon
Mile 23: Uncle Karl and Aunt Carol
Mile 24: Uncle Karl and Aunt Carol
Mile 25: Uncle Karl and Aunt Carol
VIP Mile 26: Uncle Karl and Aunt Carol
VIP Mile 26.2: Uncle Karl and Aunt Carol

* Erin Miles were assigned in no particular order except for miles 1, 13, 26
and 26.2 reserved for top donors.

And last but most importantly I would like to recognize the incredible Heroes
that I am running for:

In honor of…
- Erin Blonshine
- Erin Shmalo
- Aunt Kathleen
- Sidney Dewitt
- Gary Sandberg

And in loving memory of…
- Aunt Christine
- Alexander Larkins
- Susan, Cathy, and Lisa

WEEK 16 UPDATE

So this past week has been eventful. I made it through 18 miles on Saturday!! Yay! I wanted to try and run a couple more miles, but my ankle was feeling pretty sore and my coach told me to not run, anymore. She said I would be fine as far as mileage goes and to just go home and ice/rest my ankle. I was also told I should probably have a doctor take a look at my ankle. So, I did and come to find out I have peronneal tendonitis (basically inflammation of tendons that run down to your foot). It's probably being led on by a combination of the biomechanics of my foot, running on uneven surfaces, my running form and just general running a ton. But, at this point in the game it's too late to try and do any kind of orthotic intervention so I'm just going to physical therapy a few times today and next week to do stretches and for them to give me deep tissue massage/therapy to keep the inflammation down. Running workouts have been going well so far this week so hopefully the "good running streak" (no pun intended) will hold out through June 1st. I leave for San Diego in a week and a day from now so its getting closer by the minute! Today Erin starts round 4 of her chemo, she should be at Emory for 6 more days. So please continue to pray for her speedy recovery to the finish line. Thank you for your constant love and support. I'm being summoned to go help open up our pool, so I need to go. But, have a great weekend and I'll post again before I leave for San Diego.
Love,
Denise

WEEK 15 UPDATE

So yes this post comes a little late again. We'll just blame it on the lazy days of summer already :). Anyway, this past week has been a little rough as far as my running goes. Two Saturdays ago was the run where it was pouring down rain and I ran 14 miles. Despite the weather, the run actually felt pretty strong. Unfortunately my right ankle didn't really agree the following morning. I don't know what I did but it did not feel good at all. I proceeded to try and take it as easy as possible and I iced it like 3 times a day because I was on schedule to do 20 miles this past Saturday. Come Saturday, my ankle still didn't feel great but I thought it might be tolerable. However, after mile 10, I called it quits in fear of doing a lot of harm to my ankle because I felt like I was just running on numbed pain. So with less than 3 weeks less to go til race day you could see how this is making me a little nervous. I really need to get to 20 miles before I go out and try to do 26.2. I really wanted to keep going on Saturday but was afraid I was going to put myself at more of a risk of not being able to run later. So Sunday and Monday I rested it again and yesterday...I ran 7 miles on it and felt ok! Please pray that this trend continues I really want to be able to get my 20 miler this Saturday so I can start tapering next week.

Other than running, swim season started on Monday. I'm coaching the Dacula Dolphins this summer! I think its going to be fun :). And still in the process of tracking down a daytime job.

Yesterday I had fun hanging out with Erin. She's doing well. If all goes as planned she's on schedule to begin round 4 of the chemo this Thursday/Friday. Also if you're interested and in the area there will be a blood drive on Sunday at Lawrenceville 1st United Methodist church (Erin's church) from 8-12:30pm and a bone marrow donor drive which only involves a cheek swab! Be a lifesaver and give blood!

Well, I hope to report happy news to you about my progress next week. But til then have a good one and Happy Belated Mother's Day to all moms out there!
Love,
Denise

WEEK 14 UPDATE

Hi all. So this post comes to you a little late this week. I have just now finally unburied my computer after having moved out of my apartment this past weekend and back home for the summer. So, I'm finally taking the time to sit down and write. This past weekend was definitely busy but I still managed to get in my long run on Saturday. All day Friday/Saturday was spent moving my stuff out. I took a break on Saturday morning to go run but proceeded to get to run at least 14 miles in the pouring down rain. It definitely felt longer (and took longer) than what 14 miles should take but that's how long they said it was. I was supposed to get in 16 but I had to be back by noon to move out of my apartment before they fined me. After running I sat on the interstate for at least 40 minutes going less than 5 miles (they decided to pave I-75/85 in the middle of the day) and I got back late to check out but they were nice and let me get by without a fine. So this week has just been spent so far unpacking and looking for a job. It's hard to believe the marathon is less that 4 weeks away now! Wow - time sure has gone by fast. Upon waking up on Sunday morning I realized my right ankle was sore like my left one had been earlier in the season. I've just gone easy on it so far this week and I'm just praying that it is nothing serious and feels better fast, I can't afford to lose training time at this point!

But on a more happy note, schools out AND I have officially surpassed my fundraising goal!!! I have to admit starting out was a little intimidating thinking that I had to raise $4000 but with the help of such amazing people such as yourselves it all became possible! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER!! Be on the lookout soon for my naming of the Erin Mile Sponsors. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful and caring people in my life. Hope you have a week that is practically perfect in every way :).
Love,
Denise