Augghhh, no training again!

Ok, I am supposed to be tapering, but this is ridiculous.

Really, no time to train today. I had a doctor's appt. at lunch, and after work went to a trivia night which raised money for a scholarship in my cousin Jack Crimmins' name. Sadly, he died last year. It was great seeing my other cousins, though, especially Lou and Gera, because although I love them dearly and am so proud of being related to them, I really only see them every decade or so! We made plans to get together again soon, and I hope we will.

I am always STUNNED my how beautiful my cousins are, and wonder how the hell I missed out on these genes. They are tall and elegant, and Lou looks like Katherine Hepburn. Plus she's a fantastic singer.

The trivia game was totally fun, and an excellent idea for a fundraiser. I may do one myself! cuz I still have 1,000 to raise before The Big Race. Note to self: all Liver Trivia! here are some sample questions:
1. What is the largest gland in the body?
2. Zeus punished Prometheus by having a vulture peck away at which organ in his body?
3. But Prometheus survived because of what extraordinary capacity of this organ?
Answers: liver, liver, regeneration!
Hmmmm . . . only need about 50 more questions.

Good night

WE'RE ON THE WAY TO MEI MEI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought the big blog news today would be the report of how I was hit by a huge gray van, just before a lovely lunch with my friend Mary DePalma . . . but it has been totally eclipsed by the phone message waiting for me at home which said

WE HAVE TRAVEL APPROVAL FOR XI LE, AND WILL BE GOING IN MAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's all I know for sure now--have to call tomorrow for more details--but I know we have a travel meeting scheduled for April 14. I am SO happy and excited, can you tell??????

However, I did get hit by a van today, so I'm a little sore and stiff. No running tonight.

As I mentioned, my lunch with Mary was fun. She is a wonderful artist and children's book author. Anyone searching for a lovely book for an Easter basket should consider Mary's The Strange Egg. While not specifically an Easter egg, the "egg" in the story is something special, more than it seems, and full of revelations. Perfect for little ones. You can get it at amazon. Check out Mary's website at www.marynewelldepalma.com to see pictures from The Strange Egg, and other examples of her beautiful work.

Good night on this happiest of evenings!

Training grinds to a halt again!

No yoga tonight, because Husband is sick with whatever hideous virus Libby is recovering from, and the Girl (big one) was out celebrating with her boyfriend. Happy birthday Kevin!

So today was a rest day.

I have been neglecting the liver part of this blog. I have been thinking a lot about liver disease, though, and remembering all the feelings I went through when I found out about Libby's hep B status. From nonchalance, due to profound ignorance, to anger (at the agency, at the orphanage, at the state of the world in general), to trying to learn as much as I could about the illness, to trying to decide who to tell, and now . . . feeling I want to help Libby deal with her condition in as positive a way as possible-- part of that is accepting it, and taking the opportunity to educate others about hep B.

Because if I had known how prevalent Hepatitis B is in China, and in children adopted from China, Pierre and I would have gotten immunized before I went to China. (Julian and Kit were already immunized, as it is now a standard immunization.) The vaccine is given in series of three shots, and I had to wait till we got home to start them. I don't think wearing gloves while changing my new baby had any impact on our bonding, but I would have spared myself a lot of anxiety.

I've mentioned how helpful the American Liver Foundation's informational material, printed out by our travel physician, was to me. Once I got home, another incredible source was Dr. Jane Aronson. She's sort of famous now; apparently she's Angelina Jolie's pediatrician. But I was told she was an expert on adopted children with hep B. I emailed her, and got a comforting reply, with information on resources. Here is her website: www.orphandoctor.com Adoptive parents should check it out--Dr. Aronson has lots of information on all aspects of adoption.

Good night!

Six miles tonight

Another lovely evening for a run. Lots of stars tonight.

Pilates tonight

Fun on the reformer this evening!

And at lunch time, fun at the Y--weights and the cross-trainer. I love my Y--actually the pilates class is at a Y also. I go to two--West Roxbury at night, the Wang Y in Chinatown at lunch. I previously belonged to a horribly overpriced "health club", and it was not any better than my Ys--except for a really nice whirlpool and sauna. I found I was using my Y's more, so I quit the health club. And the West Roxbury one does have a sauna, too. I still miss the whirlpool, but it's a small loss, given the friendly, not-for-profit ambiance at the Ys. At the health club I felt like a client; at the Y I feel I am part of a community.

Ohmigod, I just looked at the Wang Y's website, and apparently they DO have a whirlpool!!! My day is complete. I shall search for it tomorrow. See for yourself: www.ymcaboston.org

Good night!

Yoga tonight

To recover from yesterday's long run, I made sure I got to yoga class tonight. And presto, my various aches and creaks are gone!

Of course, it hurt like hell while I was doing class. This is a bikram yoga class, meaning it involves torturing yourself in the company of far too many half-dressed people, in a charmless sauna-like space, under the direction of a drill masterlike teacher, who keeps up a steady stream of patter to encourage you as you contort yourself into unlikely positions. Her best line tonight: "It is fine if you feel dizzy and nauseous!"

But even though my face drips sweat all over my mat, and my arms and legs are so revoltingly slippery that I can't properly grasp my knees/elbows/whatever, and so slide unbecomingly out of every bizarre position I'm urged to hold--even though I constantly ask myself what the hell I am thinking of doing this to myself--I keep coming back, because it works! I feel better afterward. Much, much better.

The torture chamber--aka Yoga for you has method in its madness. Go to www.yogaforyou.net to read about the studio and about bikram yoga.

My poor Libby is sick tonight, with a high fever, sore throat, and aches and pains. The doctor said it is "just a virus." Hope it passes away soon. Good night!

21 miles today!

This is the longest run I will do in preparation for the Marathon. After this, the delightful period known as the "taper" begins, during which I will run less miles, building up (in theory) reserves of strength and energy for the Big Race.

Discovered the energizing effects of Starburst candies. Discovered that the last 5 miles of this thing are going to be brutal. Discovered I have to give up the dream of running up Heartbreak Hill; I will be walking at least part way.

After the run, I went to Ryles to hear my friend and songwriting partner Dorothy Clark. I say "songwriting partner" even though we have collaborated on ONE song, but it just is so fun to say it. Besides being my s.p. Dorothy is a fantastic vocalist. Check her out at www.jukeboxalive.com
just search under her name. I am sorry to say Dorothy has never recorded our song, which is called "Back When Our Love Was Just a Kid", BUT she might someday! I'm counting on those royalties, Dorothy.

Must rest now. Good night!

Lovely night for a run

Six miles tonight. It was such a springlike evening that I extended my planned 4 miles. I took it very slow, and really enjoyed myself. Sometimes it's fun to run!

I used my Ipod tonight, which certainly increased the fun factor. I don't usually run with music, but I think I'll use it on the long run Saturday. I love to listen to Steely Dan when I run, along with all my usual favorites (Bruce, Beatles, Stones, and yes, Bob Dylan!). I'm trying to come up with a special playlist for the Big Race. Suggestions welcome.

Liver nugget of the day: Milk thistle is the most commonly suggested herbal treatment for chronic hepatitis. I haven't tried using it with Libby, but know many parents of hep B children who do. It is recommended for liver health in general. So for all those herbal fans out there, here's a good overview of milk thistle: www.umm.edu/altmed From there, click on Herbs, and then search for Milk Thistle.

Good night!

I have a number!

It's official; I have a Marathon number: 18407.

Wow, now I HAVE to run it.

To prepare myself mentally and psychologically, I'm reading 26 Miles to Boston, by Michael Connelly, who is a West Roxbury guy. He tells the story of his Marathon run, in 1996 (six months after a heart procedure! makes me feel like a sissy), and traces the route, mile by mile. At the same time, it's a history of the race itself. Plus it is chock full of inspirational quotes like, "Don't do anything crazy in the first ten miles" and "I will sacrifice myself on the hills." (Ibrahim Hussein). Yipes. How about this one: "If you feel bad at Mile 10 you're in trouble. If you feel bad at Mile 20 your're normal. If you don't feel bad at Mile 26 you're abnormal." (Rob De Castella). Well folks, I know I will feel bad at Mile 10. So now I'm afraid. Very afraid. Perhaps this is a book I should stop reading.

Besides, anything I need to know about the Marathon I can find at www.bostonmarathon.org
presented in a much cheerier manner. No really, 26 Miles to Boston is a good book, and probably should be required reading for marathoners-to-be.

Liver links: For an article in an Emerson publication, an interviewer asked me why hepatitis B is so prevalent in the Asian American community, and for that matter, in Asia. Good answers to these questions can be found at www.hepb.org and http://liver.stanford.edu. The latter website also has information on the Jade Bracelet campaign, which raises money for free vaccinations and hep B education for rural Chinese children.

Good night!

6 miles tonight.

Nice night for a run. We are supposed to take it pretty easy this week, in preparation for the big 20 miles on Saturday.

I went to Marathon Sports and bought an Ipod holder; I've never used one before on a long run, but figure it may make it more enjoyable. Also bought hideously expensive sunglasses, and I hope to God I don't lose or break them for a good long while.

good night!

Happy Vernal Equinox!

"A little madness in the Spring/Is wholesome even for the King." Emily Dickinson

That must be why the Marathon takes place in it.

Training for the day was a lunch-time visit to the gym. Some weight lifting and 20 minutes on the elliptical machine. Not really much fun. Don't feel it made me much stronger.

Y'know, I just don't feel ready to run 26.2 miles. Of course, I have never been fully prepared for anything in my life, and most things have worked out just fine! I find that by toddling along in the general direction in which I want to go, I eventually get there, wherever "there" turns out to be. It's the journey, not the destination, as they say.

Here's a little first day of Spring treat for those who enjoy the process of finding out where you want to go: www.gracecathedral.com
Click on "labyrinths" and poke around till you find the "online interactive labyrinth"--it's fun, in the best possible sense.

Belated Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March 17 was an especially lovely day, as I celebrated with my friend Anne, her adorable daughters, and my precious Libby. Anne made clever hats for the girls, and we ate corned beef and cabbage (lie. we ate frozen pizza) and made Irish soda bread (truth. but not entirely successful. new recipe, bad time management on my part, necessitating stop and start baking.)
Hope everyone out there had a lucky, happy day!

Not to Harp (get it?) on the alcohol-liver link, but St. Patrick's Day for me is incomplete without a Guinness (ok, I had two that evening). Here's a good article on how you can balance beer drinking with liver health: it is at www.askmen.com --scroll down to the Health section, and you should see an article called something like "Liver health, a beer-drinker's guide."-- talks about the health benefits of beer drinking in moderation, versus the risks--to the liver, and obesity, and gives some good tips on drinking beer sensibly.

Wishing the luck of the Irish to all of those livers out there!

8 miles this morning

It was a windy, cold run along the Charles. The crew teams were out on the river, and probably colder than I was. Not exactly springlike, but on my way through the Common, I witnessed the melancholy sight of the Frog Pond skating rink packing up for the season. Libby and I had lots of fun there this winter. On to roller-blading!

One regret is that we didn't get to go sledding at all this winter--not once! True, there wasn't a lot of snow, but let this be a lesson to me that one should sled as soon as the snow stops. Snow doesn't last long in these days of global warming. Sledding is my absolute favorite winter pasttime. It requires no skill, extra weight gives you a better ride, it's a relatively risk-free thrill, and the walk back uphill is a mildly aerobic work-out! Plus it brings back all those carefree afternoons of childhood when, out of school and on our own as my mom was still at work, my brother and I would walk through the woods to "the Field", which was a long hill with a couple of bumps for added excitement. For extra excitement, we could pile kids on top of each other on one sled, or hook our feet through the steering bar of another kid's sled, who hooked his feet thruoght the steering bar of another kids's sled, and so on . . . We would go "sliding" (that's what we called it in those days) until the sun began to set. We were supposed to be home by dark, so we would walk home through the woods, pulling our sleds behind us.

I wish my kids could have the same experience. However, times have changed. No responsible parent would leave their kids usupervised for several hours after school, and if they HAD to, the kids would have to stay inside. No self-respecting parent would allow their children to go hiking alone in the woods. Not to mention sledding itself--no kid today gets on a sled unless under a watchful parental eye. But the best part of my sledding memories is the independence--to be able to come and go on my own, to spend the time exactly as I wanted, to be able to be in charge of my own fun.

And, in my opinion, sledding is not sledding at all unless on a wooden sled. I have my own sled, which I got in a sort of miraculous way (a story for another day), and I collect old ones, whenever I come across them at yard sales or whatever. Check out www.sledworks.com for some nice vintage sled photos from, apparently, a sledding museum I need to visit one day.

And for a lovely look at how sledding can be a metaphor for life, search www.jenniferinc.com, a very cool blog called The New Charm School , for her essayette "Me and Shirley and the Best Sled Ever.

Training grinds to a halt . . . and tremendous personal insight!

Ok, today I did NOTHING. Well, I went to work, and shepherded the Big Girl through a remicade treatment . . . and put out the trash and . . . you get the idea. I did everything except prepare for the Big Race. Here's the sad, sordid story: I planned to go to yoga, but when I told the Husband, he made a face of annoyance. Sensitive soul that I am, I was cut to the quick, and responded with a few fresh remarks, along the lines of "how come when I . . . but when you . . . it's not fair, etc." The Husband allowed as how he really didn't care if I went, but . . . The gist of it was the work was being unfairly divided, and I was a slacker, which I stoutly disputed. Moreover, I said, this was just another example of the low priority assigned my Marathon adventure by the rest of the household. The whole thing was so terrifically annoying (I missed the class due to time spent squabbling); I stormed out of the house and took refuge at Starbucks, where I cocooned myself into the biggest, softest chair in the place, and read about Pinter. Every so often I looked up from Pinter stuff to gaze into space and feel sorry for myself. Suddenly, as so often happens to me at Starbucks, I was struck with the tremendous personal insight: to wit, I myself have encouraged this disrespectful attitude towards my Marathon training, by squeezing it in around everything and everyone else. It has ever been thus. I decide to do these daring, wonderful deeds, and then I just squish them into the rest of the stuff I do. It's a messy way of life. Leads to confusion on everyone's part. How can I expect the other folks at home to respect my efforts when I don't even do it myself?

Therefore, I have resolved to write up a training schedule for the remaining four weeks, and to share it with the family. I will enlist their help in sticking to it, even if it means (gasp!) that they have to do a bit more around the house in the meantime. Only 4 more weeks folks! Time to get serious!
Good night!

6 miles tonight

Easy six-miler tonight. Very wintry out there! On the other hand, I spotted my first robin of the season this morning.

So spring is still out there, somewhere.

Libby and I stayed home again today; she did go to school yesterday, because I HAD to go to work. But she had a comfortable, easy day. She'll go again to school tomorrow, and then have St. Patrick's Day at home.

Today, of course, is the Ides of March. When I mentioned this at work yesterday, I had the disheartening chore of explaining to the work study staff what the Ides of March is/means. Alas, the youth are no longer forced to read Julius Caesar, more's the pity. guys, check this out: (just in case any of them are reading) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ides_of_March
(Ok, correction, Kit says the youth ARE forced to read J.C. "I liked it," she maintains. I guess the Emerson students just forgot the Ides of March part.)

And for our daily liver link, go to wikipedia again: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livers
Good night!

Pilates tonight!

After a lovely day spent with Her Royal Darling (Libby), I was more than ready for my pilates apparatus class. It is really fun. I think people are either yoga people or pilates people, and I am definitely one of the pilates people. I like the mechanical aspects of it--yoga seems more spirtual. Not that there's anything wrong with that!!!! I love yoga too, but pilates is easier. More systematic. You don't have to try to achieve inner peace, just optimal fitness. Just grit your teeth and suffer. Of course there's less suffering with the apparatus, though it does feel sort of torture chambery hitching yourself up to the rack. And the rack is called "the reformer", appealing to the part of me that wants to repent and do better.

For a much less idiosynchratic look at pilates, go to www.stottpilates.com

Liver gem of the day: For a lighthearted, but very informative, look at what your liver does, and how you can take good care of it, go to www.liverfoundation.org and search for How Can You Love Me If You Don't Know Me?

14 mile run

March 12, 2006 (my friend Sass's birthday! Happy birthday, and many more!)

The 14 miles on Saturday was fine. Even though I overslept (as usual). so started out at 9:00 am., instead of with the rest of the liver folk at 8:00. But the weather was incredibly nice, and I took it very easy, so it wasn't unpleasant at all. My first run this year in shorts! Spring is on the way!

After the run, and a shower, my friend Sarah and I headed to New Hampshire to celebrate Sass's birthday. As with all of our Three Old Chicks reunions, a great time was had by all! We had dinner at Beijing Tokyo Restaurant in Concord (yes, a place serving Chinese AND Japanese cuisine! I had excellent miso soup, tofu, and avocado rolls--all very liver-friendly foods!), then saw Forbidden Broadway at the Capitol Theater, which was very entertaining. The evening was capped off with mahjongg and celebratory wine consumption. Judicious wine consumption is definitely part of my training regime, though my liver may not completely approve.

Liver loving tip of the day: Many people associate liver disease with excessive consumption of alcohol. Really though, while its true that alcohol is one of the many causes of liver disease, the risk depends on how much a person drinks, and over how long a period. That said, there are some people (Libby is one of them, having hep B) for whom any amount of alcohol can cause liver damage.
But it is worth noting that while even moderate social drinking may increase the risk of liver damage, liver disease has MANY other causes, including viruses, hereditary defects, and reactions to drugs and chemicals.

If you don't have risk factors, however, and feel a little wine now and then improves the quality of your social interactions, check out these websites:
www.bonnydoonvineyard.com cool website!
www.daschecellars.com my favorite Zinfandels, and also a nice site. good night!

At home day with Libby

Libby continues to recover, and I guess she is feeling a bit better, as she is getting more like her queenly self!

Training was supposed to be yoga session, but The Girl (big one) didn't come home in time for me to get to class, so . . . today is another rest day. Not good. I will do a little yoga on my own before bed tonight, but don't kid myself that this in any way counts as "training."

Liver lover tip of the day: www.joyfullivingservices.com, which takes a sort of holistic approach to liver health, recommends the following for rejuvenating the liver: regular physical activity,
natural, high quality foods; massage therapy, breathing exercises, sauna, and whirlpool (well, actually they said hot and cold showers, but I substituted more pleasant activities); healing clay--here is where I say, what??? They recommend it be used internally and externally. Internally????? "Clay has never been properly appreciated even though its effectiveness is easily proven." What is this clay????? I heartily approve the first three suggestions, however, and give them the official liver-lover stamp of approval.

14 miles tomorrow. At this point, "14 miles" shouldn't sound scary, but . . . it does.
Good night and good luck!

Late nite run, March 8

back from squeezing in a late run, after a long, eventful day. Libby had her tonsils and adenoids removed today--it went well, but she took a long time to come out of the anesthesia. She looked so cute in her surgical hat and johnny. She was a very brave patient.

Run tonight was especially slow. 5 miles.

My personal and totally intuitive training strategy!

March 7, 2006

Ok, in the event that I actually finish the Marathon in relatively good shape, perhaps other old people like myself will want to run marathons also! (I admit that only crazy old people will be interested, but there are a few out there)

Here's my training strategy:

1. Run only three days a week. People over 50 should NOT run more than this!!! (my own opinion--no idea whether any authoritative source agrees) But I think older joints can't take the pounding.
2. But you have to do SOMETHING the other days. My personal cross-training choices are pilates, yoga (hot variety) and ice-skating. Ice skating, you might think, is a poor choice, and after last Sunday, when I fell backwards onto my head, I might tend to agree. But I survived, and it sure is fun.
3. Run slowly.
4. When you get tired of running, walk. Just remember to start running again after a bit!
5. Do something fun every day!!!!

Yesterday's fun: went to the Ralph Steadman retrospective at the Art Institute of Boston. I love Steadman, because he uses so many WORDs in his art!!!! And what incredible drawings! The exhibit is only up till March 19th, so go quickly!~see www.aiboston.edu for hours. Thank you again to my friend Jonathan, who always arranges the BEST spontaneous outings!
Then I walked back to work. does that count as cross-training????

No really, I went to pilates last night. On the machines. I love them, they are like playground equipment for grown-ups.

Liver Lover daily gem: Your liver is so cool! it can regenerate its own tissue faster than any other organ in your body. Plus, it can function with only 20 % of its mass before you start to notice any problems. So, a little TLC for your liver goes a long way!

bye for now!

Liver Lover . . . road to the Boston Marathon

March 6, 2006

I'm writing this blog as part of my preparation for running the Boston Marathon as a member of the American Liver Foundation team. I'm trying to raise 3,000 for the ALF. Not only is this a way for me to fulfill a childhood dream (always wanted to run the Marathon! and no way could I qualify, especially now that I've reached the ancient age of 53), but it is a way for me to raise money for a cause very dear to my heart. The last marathon I ran, three years ago, was to celebrate my darling daughter Kit, and I did it to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation, which helps kids like Kit, who have rheumatoid arthritis. This marathon is for the beautiful Libby, my pride and my joy, who has Hepatitis B. You can read our story at www.liverteam.org. If you go to "runner's stories", and I'm featured at the bottom of the page. You can also donate online at that site: go to "sponsor a runner" tab at the upper right of the page.

I'm running not only to raise money for research into treatment options, should my adorable one need them down the road, but to raise awareness of hep B and liver disease in general. To that end, I'll try to embed little gems of liver info in my entries.

Ok, for now I just want to report that training is going . . . just going. Ten mile run on Saturday a bit discouraging. Really only ran 9 miles, walked the last one. The old knees are no match for the hills of Newton. Note to self: buy big bottle of Ibuprofen.

More later . . .