Happy Memorial Day!

God Bless all those who have given their life so that we may live ours. I salute each of our brave men and women who have served or who are serving. I deeply appreciate their sacrifice as well as the sacrifices from their families and friends. Together, these patriots have helped protect our country for over 230 years.

Please remember those who have fallen. Live each day to the fullest and with love for your family, friends, and others.

May there be peace for all!

Congratulations Mackenzie!

My daughter, Mackenzie, graduated this week from grade school. I am so proud of my little girl.

Despite searching for the pause button of life, which would be fun to press to savor a moment, I have found that each day brings new joy from my ray of sunshine, Mackie.

She has been a good student, athlete, and all-around good person. I know I'm a little biased, but I just have to share that Mackie is such a wonderful girl.

While one chapter is ending, I am looking forward to what's next. Mackenzie is excited about high school. We have a summer to relax and enjoy before all the new experiences begin, but it will be a blast to see her continue to grow into a brilliant young lady.

Congratulations and God Bless you Mackenzie!

Love always,

Dad

Happy Birthday to My Son Alec!

Fifteen years ago today, my life was blessed with the birth of my son, Alec. What a great day it was! I'll never forget seeing him that first time! Alec was our first born. He has been such a good boy and now is growing into such a good young man.

Today, my family is celebrating Alec. It's his big day. An avid White Sox fan and Band of Brothers Easy Company enthusiast, Alec is also loading up with loot on both interests.

So Alec, I salute you! Thanks for all that you do and all that you are! I could not ask for a better son! Happy Birthday & God Bless!

Love,

Dad

Sports Doctor Results

OK, so I finally got in to see the sports doctor about my knee. He determined that I have a fissure in my meniscus. I was really bummed.

For those of you who may not know already, my left knee has been bothering me for a couple of months. After a lapse in running, I started back up and quickly noticed a pain throughout the inside of my knee. Rest, ice, compression, & elevation helped. However, the pain remained.

I remember when it first really flared up. I had driven back to Detroit from Chicago. I was in a great mood (my mom has been slowly recovering from respiratory problems - see earlier post). I decided to run in the light snow. It was a beautiful day.

I had no particular distance planned. I just ran and enjoyed the moment. In fact, I took a few videos that day (see them on RuncastTV). I was feeling so good, that the miles went by fast and before long, I was at 7 miles. I then felt a disctinct pain in my knee. I walked home concerned but hopeful that this would be a temporary problem.

Sure enough, the knee has been sore or painfiul ever since that run. Despite weeks of rest or limited activity, I was frustrated by the lack of recovery.

My primary physician thought I had some tendonitis. He referred me to a specialist. The sports doctor could not see me though until May 1st.

Last Friday was not fun. The doctor examined my knee and body mechanics and quickly diagnosed the meniscus problem. Running too long too early was a chief culprit. Also to blame, were a pair of running shoes with too many miles. The main cause of the problem, however, was that I had gained too much weight in the winter. As a result, he was very disapproving about the Marine Corps Marathon.

I explained how important this marathon is for me and he agreed to create a plan to make it possible:

• No running for 3 weeks


• Buy new running shoes - Done! Hello New Balance 1224s!


• Walk 15 minutes each day for flexibility


• Cross train - bike, swim


• Lose weight - no more late night dinners


• Core workouts, upper-body stength training, no lower-body strength training


• Stretching + RICE


• More sleep


• Naproxen 2 times per day


• Check-up appointment in 3 weeks


• Slowly get back into running after 3 weeks: Reduce initial training to 25% of previous training.

So far, after 3 bike rides and a swim, my knee feels remarkably better. I know I need to be patient, but I also am determined.

Don't get me wrong, I will be careful. I just need to heed his advice and take a positive step each day.

I remain optimistic. I'm visualizing the MCM finish line. I can see it clearly.

This is a new day for me. I am committed to transforming my life and to becoming a healthier person. The marathon will come, but I will be sure to enjoy and be thankful for each new day as I recover and achieve better health.

Please come and join me on this journey! I appreciate your well wishes thus far and will certainly continue to be thankful for your support! Together, we can cross any finish line!

All the best,

Eddie

It's Official: I'm Running the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon!

I am very excited to share that I will be running the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon! Yes, it's official. I have registered and am eager to get into training.

This year's race will be the 34th edition and will take place on October 25th. Canon fire marks the start of the race in Arlington, VA. The route winds along both sides of the Potomac and throughout the neighborhoods and monuments of Washington, DC. The finish is a spectacular one, ending at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

The Marine Corps Marathon will be my fourth marathon, but it will be my first since the 2005 Chicago Marathon. I am originally from Chicago, so the heart strings are always pulling for that race. However, my heart also beckons for my country and those who sacrifice for a better tomorrow.

This year, I felt strongly that I should run to honor those who have served or who are serving our country. For each step in training all the way through those last steps across the finish line, I will especially remember the wounded and fallen warriors and their families. May each mile ease their suffering and celebrate their life.

I am very grateful that so many have helped defend our country. I try my best to teach my children our history and current events so they may understand and appreciate the tremendous sacrifices made by our nation's finest.

Please join me and salute our troops. We are so fortunate because of these brave men and women.

Semper Fi and God Bless America!

Ouch! It hurts when I do this ...!

OK, I finally buckled down and went to the doctor.

No one likes doing this, but it's just not smart to avoid getting checked out, especially if you've got some pains or its just been awhile since your last visit.

As some of you know, I've been complaining about my left knee. In getting back into my running circuit after too long an absence, there are stresses that my (now older) knees are not used to enduring. This is why it's so important to build a base up slowly. Makes sense, yet my exuberance to get going again foiled my plan and now I'm paying the price.

I saw my doctor and he has recommended a sports doctor to thoroughly check out my knees, form, and fitness plans. In the meantime, it appears that I have a tendonitis problem. All will be well, it's just that my plans will now need to be adjusted for a slower period of building up my base. It also means saying goodbye to the Martian and Trail Half Marathon hopes (which were way too ambitious anyway). The Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon is still a possibility. I'll see what the sports doc has to say when I get checked out on April 22nd.

As for a more serious issue, I was really getting concerned about my heart. I have been having some chest pains for several weeks. As it turns out, my heart is fine (I always thought I had a good heart!). What is causing the discomfort is a combination of inflammation in the lungs from a winter battle with bronchitis as well as some pain coming from the cartilage connecting one of my ribs to my breastbone. Somehow, this cartilage was traumatized (I don't remember getting into any scuffles, but you should see the other guy!). This irritation is called costochondritis. I never have heard of this before, but now it's helped expand my vocubulary the hard way.

It was a relief to learn that all is fine and that these discomforts will soon pass. Had something more serious been diagnosed, we would have been on it pronto.

So you see it really makes sense to invest the time to go and see your doctor. Don't put it off thinking you could take the pain or shrug off lingering issues as something that may pass. Take care of yourself and as a result you'll be able to take care of others.

I hope your training plans are all going well. Let me know how you're doing by sending me a line at edmarathon@sbcglobal.net. Follow me on Twitter as edmarathon.

All the best,

Eddie

http://www.martianmarathon.com/

http://www.trailmarathon.com/

http://www.dexterannarborrun.com/

Michigan Trail Half Marathon

Happy Trails Everyone!

I thought I'd share an old race report in honor of the upcoming Michigan Trail Half Marathon in Pinckney, Michigan on April 26, 2009. The race primarily follows a rolling course through hardwood and pinewood forests along an old trail called the Potawatomi Trail, or "Potto" for short. The race is held in the Pinckney Recreation Area, a Michigan state park located about 60 miles west of Detroit.

To learn more about this year's race, please visit: http://www.trailmarathon.com/

I ran the 2007 edition as part of a 3-race half marathon circuit: Martian Half Marathon, Michigan Trail Half Marathon, and the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon. I love trail running and thought a trail race would really help in my training.

I can't help but chuckle now at how I had run this race. Despite my experiences with other races, I still messed up and began the race in a wave of runners whose pace was well beyond my own.

I had originally written this report to my friends in the Fdip Group over at Google Groups. To share a little more about me I thought you might enjoy my summary of the adventures encountered during this challenging race.

I hope you enjoy it!

2007 Michigan Trail Half Marathon Race Report

“On the left!”

Well fellow runners, this one’s in the books. I finished. I ran the hills, more hills, and even more hills. Up and down, over and over again. It was a tough course!

I’m now reliving this race more comfortably with my feet up and drinking a pint of Guinness! After today’s run, I figured I needed something more potent than a Sam Adams.

It was a gorgeous setting: lakes, rivers, and a lush forest on a sunny, 65ºF day. I had everything all set before race time: Getting there on time (an hour away from my home), race packet, water, gels, bathroom.

I have run two Chicago Marathons and one San Diego Rock ‘N Roll Marathon. I have also run quite a few shorter races including the Martian Half Marathon this last April 1st.

Yet was I ever an idiot! I should have known better. However, I made a big rookie mistake.

I decided to go to the bathroom one more time. The line was long of course. While in the bathroom, I missed some announcements about sending us off in “waves” according to our expected pace to ensure minimal passing on the trail, which was primarily a narrow singletrack.

When I left the bathroom, it was past the start time, and there was a lot of commotion as I saw the runners heading out through the starting line. My heart was already racing with excitement. Seeing all those people heading out, I jumped into the pack and was swept away. How dumb is that? I have a timing chip on my shoe. There were tons of people standing by lining the runners going out. Did I stop and check that most were other runners waiting for their wave? No, I just darted out.

First of all, I am not a fast runner. My plan was to start at the back of the pack, collect my thoughts, say a prayer, and “run my race”. Did I do that? No! That would make too much sense!

Instead, I flung myself into the running masses, crossed the starting line, and as I ran out, I heard the announcer remind the crowd that only the 7:30 minute per mile runners should be in this first wave. Oh crap! What did I just do!? She probably saw me cross the starting line, sized me up as caboose material, and reminded the crowd for what was probably her 3rd or 4th time to prevent the likes of people like me from screwing everyone else up!

Having “clocked in”, I figured it was too late to undo my dumb move, so I headed out on down the trail with my heart beating like mad.

Guess what my next rookie mistake was? You got it. I ran the first couple of miles at an insane pace even while screaming at myself to slow down and forget about my goofball start. At first, I rationalized the pace thinking these other runners sure don’t seem like 7:30 runners. I figured maybe my heart was just beating hard from excitement.

Well it didn’t take long for the starters to leave me in the dust. I then settled in and thought I should just mentally restart and enjoy being out on the course on this beautiful day.

Then came the second wave. It did not take long for them to hunt me down and pass me like a runaway train. At first it was a couple of runners. Then, it seemed like an unending mass of people all politely announcing themselves right behind me with the exclamation “On the left!”.

This was my punishment. I accepted it. I hugged the right side of the trail in shame. I started to get down especially when my right foot started bothering me due to the pitch on the right side of the trail when I tried to get out of the way.

I shook out of it. This was my race too. I had made a dumb mistake. So what! It was over. Now I had to get on with it and enjoy the race! I hardly slowed anyone down. Heck, I probably made them feel good as they blew by me!

I then focused on why I run.

When I run distance races, I don’t count up or down the miles. Instead, I dedicate each mile to someone special. I think and pray for and about them and ask them to help me through to the next mile. By the time I get through the race, I realize how blessed I really am. In the end, it seems more like life’s victory lap!

Well, I focused on my dedications and I ran through the beautiful woods. Everyone passed me. I do mean everyone! It was pretty funny after a while.

I got thinking about all our fellow Fdippers and decided to run Mile 10 for all of you. I thought 10 was a good number in honor of all of Steve’s listeners!

It has been really a great experience to learn more about all of you. What a great way to be connected with so many good people from all over the globe!

I am very thankful to Steve for all his time and dedication in getting Fdip off and running. I am very thankful to all of you for your well wishes and shared experiences. I am also looking forward to all of our new adventures as we cross more starting lines.

I finished the race with an unofficial time of 2:48. Slow, but sure. I think I was dead last or close to it. For me though, it was a success. I started. I finished. I enjoyed.

That’s my race report for the 2007 Michigan Trail Half Marathon.

Run long & strong!

All the best,

Eddie

4th Annual Worldwide Festival of Races

Join me and fellow runners throughout the world in recruiting and motivating others to join us in this year's running of the Worldwide Festival of Races. I'm putting myself out there to help organize runners in Michigan to run solo or together during this race - just run! We can all do our part in recruiting. Imagine connecting runners from town-to-town, state-to-state, country-to-country! Lend a hand and join us in creating a wonderful adventure for everyone!

See www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com for more information about the race. Registration opens March 20th!

The Real Starting Line

There are no crowds here. It's just me and the lonely, cold road. Winter in Michigan may not seem too inspiring, but to me, I'm pumped for a new season of running.

It's been a few years since I've run my last marathon. I've run half marathons in 2007 & 2008, but it's been since 2005 since I ran my last full marathon. Foot surgery in 2006 and work insanity since have been barriers. Not now though. No more sidelines for me. I'm ready to get back on track!

It begins now. Despite the unpleasant weather conditions, I'm thrilled to be outside and invigorated with a new mission. Why not? I can run. I can stretch to new limits. This is the beginning of a new route. Call it a renewal. Call it whatever, but the time is now to make the commitment and reach for new heights. I should do this everyday.

As many runners know, running is more than just running. The possibilities. The opportunities. There is so much to run for and so many places and experiences ahead. I feel great. What an exciting new adventure to look forward to!

It looks like this year's marathon for me will be the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. It seems very appropirate on so many levels. A victory lap through our nation's capital. Veterans. Runners. Family. Friends. I can hear the cannon fire now. Imagine crossing the finish line. I'll remember this beginning and all the points in between. The finish will be so sweet!

Join me on the journey. It starts now! Run with me as we head out on new adventures. I now know the endpoint to strive for, but I'm sure to enjoy the path from here to there. Thanks for pacing me. We'll be sure to enjoy the path along the way!

Do you believe in miracles?

What a day today has been. I received a call from my mom. This may not sound extraordinary but there is more to the story.

On Christmas day of 2008, we were gathered in the living room of my folk's house in suburban Chicago getting ready to pass out gifts to my family. I live in suburban Detroit and I really cherish the moments shared with my family, especially when we all gather together for such special occasions.

I have Irish twins, a boy (14) and a girl (13). My sister has four kids. We were all excited about Christmas and the kids were eager to tear into the presents.

Suddenly, my mom began to stagger and she rolled her eyes back, struggling to stay conscious. We called 911 and the paramedics arrived quickly. My mom had suffered from diabetic hypoglycemia. She was taken to the emergency room and was stabilized within several hours.

The doctors made her spend the night since they were worried that she had also suffered from a mini stroke or heart attack. She was put through many tests and sure enough, she had a blockage in her heart. They scheduled a procedure for a few days later so they could also get her kidney numbers lowered.

Two days after Christmas, my mom was still in the hospital. She was so sad to have missed Christmas. She was ready to go home. All seemed well relatively speaking until the next day when she suddenly stopped breathing. It turned out that due to the diabetes as well as sleep apnea that she was not expelling the CO2 sufficiently. She was in effect poisoning herself. The doctors revived her quickly with the aid of a ventilator.

Now in the ICU, my mom was heavily sedated and the doctors were not confident that she could recover from so many unhealthy conditions. They begn a weaning process, but my mom failed to get off the ventilator.

Within two weeks, the doctors performed a tracheostomy to ease the breathing and reduce the need for so much sedation. However, the weaning process was still not progressing.

After a month in the ICU, my mom was transferred to a specialty respiratory hospital. The weaning attempts contunued but without any significant progress.

Mom could not speak due to the trach. She was also incapable of demonstrating any form of vitality. She could not even squeeze my finger. She was able to smile and nod on occasion, but that was about it. At times, she would get upset and cry or kick her feet a bit as if to attempt a tantrum. It was so sad. We all felt helpless.

I was making the trip to Chicago just about every weekend. My sister was having a hard time coping and was completely stressed by the grim prognosis and the demands upon her from her own family. My dad was struggling to stay upbeat. He was fighting the blues at every turn.

The doctors painted a very dire picture and suggested we search out longer-term care facilities. They also made it clear that it would not be bad idea to ease her suffering by ending her struggles now. We were against this option and prayed that somehow things would work out for the best.

That upsetting doctor's conference was two weeks ago. Within days of that meeting, my mom's spirits started to improve. Her gestures picked up a bit. She began to remember conversations. She clearly started to show us hope.

For me, her newfound improvement was more noticeable since I was seeing her each weekend. My dad and sister could not as easily see the changes day to day.

Last weekend, my mom really surprised us in that she was more cognizant and full of good cheer. Despite the doctors' still grim prognosis, our family was encouraged by mom's new energy.

Our spirits were lifted even more when for the first time, she started to show some real progress in the weaning off the ventilator. It was almost overnight. The repiratory technicians lowered the settings on the machine day by day as my mom became more able to endure these settings for longer periods of time.

Then on Monday of this week, the doctor removed the ventilator! My mom had "earned" her improved breathing capabilities and this convinced the doctors to try seeing how she would do with just oxygen support alone. Sure enough, she has improved all week.

Then, today, February 19th, my dad called me at work and said someone wants to speak with me. It was my mom. They had tempoarily put a cap on her trach so she could attempt speech. It was a stunning turnaround. For her to talk again was such a miracle. It had been since right after Christmas. The doctors had run out of hope. Within the last two weeks and especially in the last several days, my mom had started to breathe on her own again and started to speak.

I can't descibe how happy I am right now. It's overwhelming. My sister is crying tears of joy. My dad is so relieved. The kids are elated. To hear my mom say she loves us was the sweetest moment.

I know we are not out of the woods, but this is a moment to cherish and be thankful.

I wanted to share this. Previously, I was not sure which part of my life I would share first with this new adventure into blogging. Now with this good news, it was clear that this was a story worth telling.

I'm sure those of you reading this may have similar situations now or have had some in the past. Although the outcomes can be different, I do believe that these events all occur for a purpose. Despite the tough times, it has been a time of togetherness and love. I am so thankful for my family. I am so grateful that prayers have been answered.

I do believe in miracles.

Welcome to my blog, "Eddie Marathon".

Stay tuned as I am setting this blog up to share my thoughts and aspirations on the running life.

I'm looking forward to meeting you.

All the best,

Eddie