You are my sunshine

At the gym today, I heard a song that stopped me in my tracks.  It wasn't this exact song, but it was enough to cause a rush of memories start flooding back.  I am very fortunate because I remember every detail about every memory, starting at a really young age.  Because of this "talent," my family counts on me to be the family story teller.

This memory is somewhat blurry though, with only some of the details particularly vivid, so I assume I was very young.  Often when my dad would come up to tuck me in I would ask for a story or a song.  Sometimes he would make up and tell the amazing adventures of Tarzan, or the prince and the princess - and both stories always managed to include giant crocodiles!  If I got a song, it was my song:

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know dear
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

One day we were in the parking lot outside of Oxford Creamery, just my dad and me.  I can point out the exact spot in the back left, facing the trees, and we were both finishing out ice cream in the front seat.  It was a real treat to eat ice cream in the car, especially in the front seat.  I don't remember what car we were in, but I do remember that the sun was starting to set, just above the trees.  I wasn't ready to go home, so I asked my dad to teach me the sunshine song.  He sang one line, and I repeated it back, until I could sing the whole song back to him.  Whenever I think of that song, I think of him.

In a time when I was feeling low, thank you dad for giving me this bit of sunshine and to remind me what's important.

I ran today!

I ran today!  It may not have broken any speed or distance records, but I hopped on the treadmill at the end of my workout for a slow two miles, and I completed them with only mild irritation.  It may be only a small milestone, but it shows me that I'm closer to being back!

Moving Even Closer to My Goal

Thanks for the motivation!

January 28, 2012

Today is my 32nd birthday, and I have reached the most frustrating part of my training.  A few weeks ago, I woke up the day after a long run and noticed that my right ankle was swollen.  It was strange, because I did not remember twisting it or falling on it, and it hadn't bothered me at all the day before.  It didn't hurt at all either.  I took some Advil, and by the afternoon I ran on it with no issues.  I thought it was weird, but it seemed to be fine, so I didn't really think much of it.

As the weeks progressed, it seemed to be stiff when I started running, but after a mile or so, it would be warmed up and would be fine.  Well that was until this week.  It turns out I have achilles tendonitis, and after nearly a week on the arc trainer, I am still not ready to return to the roads.

I know that my coach told me that as long as I keep up with my workouts on the arc trainer I won't lose ground, but have you ever tried to do a long run on an arc trainer?  I have to keep telling myself - it WILL be worth it when I get back on the road!  Hopefully I will have my first run as a 32-year-old soon!

Passed the $5000 mark!

WOW!  I actually learned about passing the $5000 mark on facebook!  I'm now at $5054.68!!  There is still plenty of time to donate and help me pass my goal of $5390: http://www.runDFMC.org/2012/meganh!

Thank you all for all of your support.  This journey has been beyond therapeutic and life altering!

Ice Bath

So I just pulled my feet / ankles out of an ice bath.  They seem to be a little cold!  Hopefully it helps!

Fundraising Update

Last night we broke the $4500 barrier!  The Pats' win seemed to motivate some donors, bringing us to $4513.62 as of this morning!  It is not too late to donate: http://www.runDFMC.org/2012/meganh :)

Boston Prep - Derry 16 miler!

I'm not going to hold back - this was the most challenging run I have ever done! Those hills were NO JOKE! It was great meeting up with DFMC teammates Kerry and Heather, and my old high school teammate Allison to get some motivation. I am so glad that I went and got this workout in. Bring on heartbreak hill!

The downside to all of those hills is that my achilles are in tough shape. I'm planning on sticking to the arc trainer (major frown) this week to see if the rest helps them heal up.

I wouldn't trade in Derry, though. I don't think that I could get a better training session anywhere!  Final time = 2:19.00

Here is a picture with DFMC teammates Heather and Kerry before the race: