SAYING GOOD-BYE

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me.. Now I’m free.
I’m following the path that God has laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day:
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I’ve found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remember joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah, yes these things I too shall miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me…
God wanted me now; He set me free.

Good-bye Dad! I love you and you've gotten your peace!

BACK SOON

ZERO

I'm in Cleveland right now. My father-in-law passed away Thanksgiving night after midnight. My hubby was there with him and it was peaceful. I drove up 3 hours from my dad's. Yesterday and today have been filled with funeral arrangements. The funeral will be on Monday. Obviously, my mind is not in the training mode but it's anxious to be back in the game soon.

I feel at peace and everything will fall into place. It will be so different.


Waddling with a heavy heart.....

EXHAUSTED

ZERO

I drove back to Cleveland(6 hours) early AM on Saturday. My f-i-l was at his house. My hubby was up all night with him. We called hospice to come in and check in. Saturday night,I slept with my hubby on the floor in my f-i-l's bedroom. He was restless and in pain all night. I tried controlling it with ativan and morphine but his liver functions are so bad ,they weren't making it through. By 7am we all sat down to talk and the decision was made to go to the hospice home for help at this time. We had him transferred and settled in by noon. What a wonderful place with some very special people.

After everyone was settled, the kids and I drove back to Chicago on Sunday evening.

In my training schedule,I already realized the Thanksgiving week was out. Weds. in the AM, I am heading to my dad's in southern Ohio with the kids to cook for Thanksgiving then I will head up to CLeveland on Friday to check in on my f-i-l. I hope to get back into training next week. As always ,flexibility is important.

Waddling slowly...............

PRIORITIES- TEMPORAY BREAK

ZERO

It's been a rollercoaster for the family. My F-I-L had improved and stabilized. On Wednesday we received the call things had gotten worse. He was in the end stage of his battle with cancer. He was just diagnosed on October 13th and 4 weeks later the monster had consumed his body. My hubby left immediately for Cleveland. I stayed behind with the kids to settle things at the house. I will head out Friday night. We are told we have just days left. Hospice helped take him home. Everyone in the family is at peace with what is going on. So my training is temporarily in a holding pattern and I will try to do what I can when I can.

WELCOME BACK-SPEED INTERVALS

SPIN: 60 MIN. / AVE HR=150 / MAX HR=177

In between the taxi service tonight ,I was able to find time to go spin. Tony coaches on Mon & Weds.. Usually I spin with Mary, who I also ride with. Tony is alittle competitive with Mary. I haven't been to his class since spring and was not looking forward to my first time back. It was okay-just a welcome back. His classes are different than Mary's. They take my heart rate higher. Although they are not as comparable to riding outside.

Tonight we did sections of speed intervals. First 30 minutes was really tough to settle in but then the last 30 minutes, I felt better. By the end, I was soaked with sweat and had a great workout.

I ran into to Iron Snoopy in class. She was heading to yoga after spin. You all know how I feel about Yoga. UGH! Sometime.......

Waddling away from yoga.......

END OF WEEK #1

RUN : 30 MIN / TREADMILL

I planned to get up this morning to go to the 8am spin class. I got called into to work for an emergency patient. I don't mind at all if it means I can help someone. I made it home at about 9am then got caught up in things around the house. Before I knew it ,the time was 4pm. I threw supper in the oven and hit the treadmill.

Today, running felt like I had never done it before. Legs were heavy and breathing was off. I was just glad to make it 30 min.

Looking back at the week:

• I went to Ohio unexpectedly but personal issues were stablized.
• I did run on the days that I could.
• Looking forward to a better week next week.

Waddling to week#2....

I'M BACK!

RUN: 60 MIN / TREADMILL / AVE HR=144

I got back in town Friday at 130 am. Things in Ohio were in serious shape but we were able to turn things around medically. My father in law is still in the hospital. He will be getting out next week and going to a hospice home. I think that will help everyone the most at this time.

I went to work yesterday because of several special cases and patients that I felt like I needed to be there for. Suprisingly I felt good even with the lack of sleep.
I came home and signed up for the Pig looking to the future!

This morning, I got up and headed for the gym and it felt good to hit the treadmill. Excercising always takes me to a peaceful place in my mind. I felt ready to take on the challenges of the days ahead.

Waddling off into Saturday...........