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