tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75524921541037856512024-03-13T14:12:59.395-07:00Pink &Plaid WarriorA journal of my fight with breast cancer and secondary lymphedema.Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-18126400378809930822014-10-01T17:43:00.000-07:002014-10-01T17:43:12.223-07:00Thoughts on "Awareness"<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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As we embark on Breast Cancer Awareness
Month 2014, here are some of my thoughts:
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October is a month that is dreaded by
many women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and gone
through treatment. Not all of them, but there is definitely a vocal
segment of the “survivor population” that detests all things
pink. I'm not one of them, although I do understand some of their
sentiments.
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I understand that numerous corporations
jump on the pink bandwagon all in the name of “awareness” to get
people to buy their product with the promise that money will be
donated to charities that support breast cancer research and support.
I understand that in some cases, not as much money actually gets
donated as the consumer may think. Its just a marketing scheme. I get
that. Buyer beware. If you are buying a product because you think its
going to help, make sure you know where you are putting your money.
As some critics urge, “Think before you pink.”
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I understand that just because breast
cancer is detected early with a mammogram, it does not mean that the
patient will survive. "Early detection" doesn't necessarily save lives. First of all, mammograms aren't the be-all and
end-all of screening. They don't always detect cancer, especially in
younger women with dense breast tissue. My mammograms and their
interpretations failed to catch a 3 1/2 centimeter tumor on my left
breast! Secondly, mammograms introduce cancer causing radiation to
your body. Thirdly, there is always the potential of recurrence. I'm
not saying women should not get mammograms. But it that is the focus
of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” we are missing something.
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Is anyone in this day and age “unaware”
of breast cancer? I understand that 20-30 years ago, it was a
disease that women may have been ashamed of and no one spoke of. But
those days have long passed.
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"Awareness”
is nice. I like the color pink. I appreciate the sympathy. But
I think everyone is “aware” of breast cancer now. Having football
teams wear pink is nice, but it doesn’t do anything to solve the
problem of breast cancer. Don't get me wrong-I really do appreciate
the sentiment and the desire that people have to support those
affected by this disease. I don’t want to poo poo on people’s
well intentioned efforts.
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But it is time to go beyond awareness. It’s time for action. Especially
when we consider those who are diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer,
which there is NO cure for. Even people diagnosed with earlier stages
of breast cancer can go through treatment and keep on living and think they are fine and then
have a recurrence. Once it has gone beyond the breasts, it is
incurable. That's scary stuff.<br />
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I get a quite annoyed at all the “save the ta ta’s, ” “I love boobies,” and “protect
2nd base” stuff I see during October. Or the pink bras, or dogs with balloon boobs, or any of it. It isn’t cancer in your
breast that kills you. You can live without breasts. I know, because I do. It
is when it moves into other organs or your bones that kills you. That is what I want people to be “aware” of.<br />
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We all know breast cancer exists and is bad. <u>But boobs are so not the issue!</u>
Some people think October gives some the license to talk about boobs...come on! How old are we? When I see a teenage boy with a shirt or bracelet "I Love Boobies" I cringe. Of course you do, dear! Most teenage boys do, after all. Grow up, people!<br />
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So what kind of action do we need to take beyond a squishy warm fuzzy
feeling of “awareness” that accomplishes nothing? I believe it means funding research on
Stage IV, or metastatic, cancer. 30% of all breast cancer
patients will metastasize, but only 2% of research funding goes into
Stage IV. Isn't that where the focus should be if we really want to find a "Cure?" We
need to fund organizations that give grants and money to institutions
that are researching cures.
Some organizations that are on my radar:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.noreenfraserfoundation.org/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">The Noreen Fraser Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bcrfcure.org/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">The Breast Cancer Research Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.metavivor.org/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Metavivor</a></li>
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I'm sure there are other worthy organizations. If you know of some, I welcome you to add them in the Comments section.<br />
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Finally, there is a lot of backlash against the <a href="http://ww5.komen.org/" target="_blank">Susan G. Komen</a> organization and its
affiliates among some in the survivor community. I'll say here that I do support Komen. I appreciate the advancements over their history that
they have made towards research and treatment of breast cancer. Most, if not all of the treatments I received probably had some origin from a Komen grant. They have a very informative website. I enjoy their events and lead a team for the annual 5k race here in San Diego. I've done the 3 Day Walk twice and enjoyed every moment. I've met survivor sisters who have become friends through Komen. Heck, I even appeared in some of their<a href="http://pinkandplaidwarrior.blogspot.com/2011/10/you-ought-to-be-in-pictures.html" target="_blank"> commercials</a>! But only a small percentage of the funds they raise goes towards research. The rest they use to help women who are in treatment and pay for their operating costs. Some women in treatment need the assistance. Some women can't afford mammograms. I'm not against these other
programs that Komen sponsors. They are helpful and there is a place for them. I am not a Komen hater. There is room for all kinds of organizations to address the needs and issues that breast cancer raises. I'm not one to tell people not to donate to Komen if they want. In fact, I'd be happy if anyone wanted to <a href="https://secure.info-komen.org/site/Donation2?idb=166949480&12982.donation=form1&df_id=12982&FR_ID=4395&PROXY_ID=14154798&PROXY_TYPE=20" target="_blank">donate to my team, the Pink and Plaid Warriors for the 2014 Race for the Cure</a>. <br />
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As we go through the month of October, I just hope that people move beyond the warm fuzzy, amorphous idea of "awareness." If you really care, go beyond wearing pink. Donate to organizations that are funding Stage IV research. Or volunteer to drive a cancer patient to chemotherapy appointments. If you know someone going through treatment, bring them dinner for their family. Call your local organization and see what you can do to help.<br />
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It's time to go beyond "awareness" and really make a difference.<br />
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Just my 2 cents!</div>
Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-20390254608429115722014-01-16T13:44:00.001-08:002014-01-16T13:44:30.793-08:00The best laid plans….<div>
Writing my blog is a bit like therapy for me. So forgive me if this is long and boring.</div>
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Nearly a year ago, I signed up for the Carlsbad Marathon. I had run the half marathon version in 2013 and felt like by January 2014, I would be ready for my first full marathon. I had a year to get ready, as well as plans for 3 more half marathons in 2013 and a handful of triathlons. I figured Carlsbad would be a great first marathon for several reasons: It is literally next door; I'm very familiar with the course; it's fairly flat; and they had a pretty generous cut off time. <div>
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I followed a 16 week training program from Runners Word Smart Coach. My mileage maxed out at 40 miles a week for a few weeks in December. I followed the rule of not increasing your mileage by more than 10% a week. I ran 4 days a week and cross trained with the bike and swim on the other 2 workout days. I ran increasingly longer "long runs." They started at 10 miles, then went to 12, 14, 16, 18 and even 20 miles a couple of times. Sure, I had to walk a bit on those long runs (I would run 4 miles, walk 1/4 mile). But I did it. I was going to do 26.2. </div>
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My last 20 miler was on December 23rd. I ran the Carlsbad marathon course. It went fine. Sure, the last couple miles were really hard. But that's the point, right? In the middle of the night, I got up and as I walked to the bathroom, my left thigh protested. Okay, I figured it was just sore muscles. </div>
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But sore muscles generally go away after a few days. This didn't. It was worse in the mornings and then would lessen, but not altogether disappear. I ran on Christmas Day and it was the worst run I've possibly ever had. It was hot. I was tired. I was dehydrated, and my dang leg hurt. </div>
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I went and saw a sports physical therapist on Saturday. I actually had a half marathon that I was signed up for on December 29th. It was intended to be a "tune up" race for the next month's marathon. The therapist was great-he told me that the muscle in question was my "sartorius." It's the longest muscle in the body, going diagonally from hip to inside of the knee. He also pointed out that I had pretty tight hips on both sides, but particularly on the left side. So he showed me some stretches to do, most of which I already knew. But I realized that I need to do a LOT more stretching/foam rolling than I have been. </div>
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The question was…do I run the half marathon? He thought I probably could if I warmed it up a lot. Of course, I wanted to run it-I had some friends who were also doing it and it was going to be fun. It was only 13.1 miles, after all. (Believe me, after training for 26.2, 13.1 isn't a big deal!) </div>
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So I went for it. The leg hurt for 7 miles, but I focused on my form and running straight. After 7 miles it went away. I ended up with my fastest half marathon time yet…2:03 and change. I decided around mile 9 that I might even be able to break 2:00, so I went for it. </div>
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I was REALLY sore for days after that. The course was a net downhill of 700 feet. I didn't realize the impact that has on those thigh muscles! Not just the sartorius, but my quads were not happy with me! </div>
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I decided to take a week off of running. It was taper time anyway. I figured that if I just cross train and give it time to heal, I would still be okay for the marathon. I even posted in the Runner's World marathon forum to have more experienced runners tell me that I would still be able to do it after taking a week off. They assured me that, "the hay is in the barn." Okay. Great. I would swim and bike, with good warm ups, good stretches and ice after each workout. I also was taking Aleve twice a day. </div>
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I had an excellent session with a skilled massage therapist who did some trigger point therapy on the muscle. She went from insertion point to insertion point on the muscles of the back and hips and really dug in there to get some of the tension released. I believe she actually pinpointed the origin of my problem. My left hip was higher than my right hip. Going up the chain, the muscles on the left side and back were extremely tight, which pulled the hip up. That in turn caused that sartorious muscle to have to extend further when I would run. The prescription: keep even in my shoulders and hips. Interesting side note was that it was tightness around my left side where I had the invasive lymph node removal. Ah cancer! The gift that keeps on giving!</div>
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My run break ended last Friday when I did 5 miles around a local lake with the kids. Well, they did a few laps and then played at the nearby park while I finished my run. I felt the leg, but it was okay. I did a lot of stretching and iced it and it didn't get worse. I can do it if it just is like this or better, I figured. I re-read my "Big Book of Marathon Training" and got assurances that crises in confidence are very common during the taper. The hay was in the barn. Rest up and look forward. </div>
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The next day my mom and I went to this fun event in Los Angeles for an upcoming TV series based on our favorite series of books, "<a href="http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/outlander/" target="_blank">Outlander</a>." It involved standing in line for hours. No biggie. I figured it was an extra day off. But the next day, my leg ached. Uh oh. Instead of my planned run, I went for a swim. </div>
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On Monday morning during my prayer time, I asked God to give me clarity in my decision making. I needed some guidance on what to do. Do I run through pain? Would it get better in a few days? </div>
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That day, in addition to everything else I was doing to treat the injury, I wrapped my thigh before the run. I did 5 miles and it wasn't that great. I was paranoid the whole time about my leg, and I did feel it the whole time. Monday night, my leg just ached. I realized that God had answered my prayer. There was no way that I was going to be able to safely run/walk 26.2 miles on this leg in 6 days' time. </div>
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So I've decided NOT to run the race. I know in my gut that it's the right thing to do, but a part of me is being resistant to the decision. So here is why I know its right:</div>
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<li>First and foremost, I don't want to injure it even worse. That would probably sideline me for months instead of weeks. </li>
<li>I've got things I want to do in 2014: A friend and I signed up for a 66 mile bike race in early March. It will be my first bike-only event. It has over 2,300 feet of elevation climb. I've got to be able to train for that. I've also got a half marathon in mid-March, the San Diego Half Marathon. I had been hoping to break my 2:00 time barrier. I don't know if I'll be able to do that, but at least I'd like to run it!</li>
<li>There are other races, even marathons. I had pretty much decided that I would sign up for the San Diego Rock & Roll marathon in June, regardless of whether or not I ran Carlsbad. Deciding not to run Carlsbad sealed the deal. I signed up a few days ago. </li>
<li>The 450 miles I ran in training are not a loss. It increased my running fitness. It gave me the confidence to know that I CAN do it. I just can't do it injured. It's funny when anything under 14 miles doesn't really seem "long" anymore. How twisted is that?! </li>
<li>I can keep my cardio fitness up while I nurse this injury through the bike and swim. Besides, I need to be doing more on the bike anyway with this race coming up. </li>
<li>I am an athlete, and injuries are part of the sport. I was reading in one of my magazines (I think it was "Triathlete") and they were interviewing an elite athlete who pointed out that injury is part of the sport. So is rehabbing and being smart about what you do. If elites go through this, I guess its okay if I do. I mean…look at<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Hall_(runner)" target="_blank"> Ryan Hall</a>. I'm in good company.</li>
<li>Next time around, I can make changes that will hopefully avoid injury. First and foremost, I will do more weight training to strengthen my hips and glutes. And I will continue focusing on flexibility and <a href="http://www.myofascial-release.com/" target="_blank">myofascial release</a> with the foam roller. Every day. I will also get regular massages to work the kinks out that I can't get myself. </li>
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So that's it. I think I've got it all out. I still plan on going to the Carlsbad race expo and picking up my shirt and other goodies. I did pay $70 after all. I'll feel a little "illegit" in wearing it, but it will be the most expensive running shirt in my collection! </div>
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If you've read this far, I appreciate it. I've accepted the disappointment, and am looking forward. Pray that my leg heals up so I can move forward as well. </div>
Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-51566004200999099062013-10-14T15:59:00.000-07:002013-10-14T15:59:25.274-07:00MilestoneConfession time.<br />
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I have been freaking out for the past couple of weeks. I didn't really share it with anyone because I didn't want other people to be freaking out as well. Besides, I knew it was probably all in my head. A little seed of doubt that is always present, exploited by the enemy to steal away my peace of mind, and dare I say it, my joy. Even though I knew that, I couldn't help but freak out. I filled out a prayer request form at church a couple weeks ago and knew people were praying for me to have peace that passes all understanding. I even met with one of our pastors yesterday for prayer. I would have some periods where a few hours would go by without my worry. But it would inevitably return.<br />
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You see, it is October. Every October, I am due to "check in" with my oncologist, Dr. P. I've noticed a pattern leading up to the appointment of increased anxiety. It seemed to be at its worst this time around. What do you do when you're freaking out in the middle of the night? Thinking that you are feeling tumors in your body, that really are your rib cage and sternum? Are they really that bumpy? I guess without breast tissue they are.<br />
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Two and a half weeks ago, I started serious training for my first marathon in January. The reason I bring this up is that I've been feeling the effects of the longer runs, especially in my lungs. It's not pain, just a sensation that they are being used, stretched. But that didn't help my peace of mind at all. After all, maybe that sensation was cancer in my lung tissue.<br />
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I wasn't really freaking out about how a recurrence would affect me. It was more playing out the scenarios in my head about how it would affect my family. I imagined Dr. P feeling around and coming to a bump and pausing with a concerned look and palpating. Then recommending further testing of some kind that would confirm my worst fear. It was back. I wondered how I would tell the kids that the cancer was back. I wondered how they would get to all their activities and school without me in the picture. How long could I make it with mets? Would it hurt? Would I be around for Olivier's high school graduation? What about poor Jean-Marc? What about Isabelle? To be the only girl in a house full of Jamois men. Oh la la. This is macabre, I know. But I even thought about what kind of memorial service would be held once I had gone to be with the Lord.<br />
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What a waste of energy and emotion. I knew that, but couldn't help but be drawn into that vortex of "what if." It sucked.<br />
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So today was the big day. I went on a 14 mile training run this morning-my longest run ever. It was on my schedule, and I figured why not? Can a sick person really run 14 miles? No. But maybe? <br />
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The appointment itself was pretty uneventful. Dr. P knows I like to run, and I mentioned that I started doing triathlons this year. He told me 3 years ago that he does tris, so we chatted about what races I had done this year as he started his exam. He felt the lymph nodes in my neck, checked my lungs and heart. Then he had me lie back while he did the palpitation part of the exam. He felt around on my chest, abdomen, internal organs, etc. Unlike my freak out scenarios, he did not stop. It was all over pretty quickly.<br />
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He wants me to take another estrogen level blood test to see where my levels are. As usual, I asked for a Vitamin D test too. He recommended a pap test-I haven't had one of those for 3 years. He also said to keep popping the tamoxifen, which I'm happy to do. He said recent studies recommend taking it for 10 years. That's fine with me. <br />
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Then he said, "Well, it has been over 3 years now. That is a milestone." Really? I didn't ask for specifics, but I'm assuming that its a milestone in the whole survivor dance. Maybe I should have asked about it. Does that mean my chance of recurrence goes down? Maybe I'll e-mail him and ask. Not that it really matters, but maybe it will make me less anxious come next April when I have to do this all again.Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-20859770585806065862013-09-25T15:05:00.000-07:002013-09-25T15:05:02.072-07:00Race reportMy first triathlon season was supposed to be capped off by my first Olympic distance race on September 7th-the San Diego Tri Classic. But as my last post described, I missed my run goal on the final leg of the race. I finished, but did not perform how I knew I could. I can make lots of excuses-heat, humidity, hilly bike course, whatever. The bottom line was that I didn't do what I had set out to do. I was kind of bummed to end my first season on such a note.<div>
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As I was loading up my car after the race, there was a small postcard that had been stuck on my windshield, along with all the others in the parking lot. Great. Another publicity ad that I'll toss. I looked at it as I threw it into the car and saw that it was advertising a race just two weeks away-<a href="http://trirock.competitor.com/san-diego/" target="_blank">Tri Rock San Diego</a>. Why not? I'm already in shape to go the distance. Racing on September 22nd would give me week to recover before I needed to start training for my first marathon in January 2014, so I wasn't going to threaten the next goal on the agenda.</div>
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So I signed up. 1,500 meter swim; 22 mile bike; 6 mile run.</div>
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In the two week interim, I focused a lot on my running. I did a lot of "brick" workouts where you combine two disciplines, with one of them always being the run. Honestly, I had a lot to overcome mentally about my run. I had signed up for a Half Marathon much earlier in the year-America's Finest City. It was in August. It is the third race in a 3 race series known locally as the "Triple Crown." I had already done the first two. (Carlsbad and La Jolla) The problem was, I was so into triathlon, that I let the long runs slide. I figured I was in good shape, I could eke out 13.1 miles decently. WRONG. After 8 miles, it started to hurt. I finished, but my time was pretty bad. </div>
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I was hoping to have a confidence building 6 mile run the Monday before this race. I did it the run, but I ended up walking a little the last mile, and the heat made it really unpleasant. Fortunately, a few days before the race, I had a great run-bike-run brick where I was able to keep a sub 10:00 pace. That was my goal-to keep my run at 10:00 or less.</div>
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I felt good going in. </div>
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I got to the race in plenty of time. The transition area had already been divided up by bib number, so getting there right when they open wouldn't have made a big difference. In the parking lot, I saw another athlete that I kind of knew from my summer ocean swims with the Tri Club. That was nice to have someone to talk to as we walked over. I knew from our workouts that she was a strong swimmer. </div>
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The race got a late start. We were in the 5th wave, females 40-44. The race organizers said they were waiting for the tide to rise over the steps that led down into the waters of San Diego Bay. It was fun to chat with the others in the corral. Finally they started sending the waves out. There were red, orange, yellow, and green swim caps that went out before we did. Behind us was powder blue. We had to swim out about 25 meters to get to the start line for an in-water start. </div>
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My swim strategy was to get on the outside and not worry about being in the front. I really don't like having to fight for my space in the water. Even if I had to swim a bit farther to have the water to myself, it would be worth it. The horn went off, and we were off. For the most part, my strategy worked pretty well. I was able to focus on my swim rather than avoiding getting kicked in the face. </div>
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The course had us swimming out to the far buoy, which was red/orange. We were to make a right turn and then keep the buoys on our right until the very end when we would make a left turn and head back to the dock. As I got farther into the swim, I found myself passing other colored caps. Cool! I liked that. But, at the same time, there were a few powder blues that would pass me. </div>
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The swim seemed to take forever. I can usually swim 1,500 meters in about 35 minutes. This seemed to drag on and on. I would pass a buoy with the mileage marked and see that I was not as far into the course as I felt I was. Whatever. Just keep moving forward. It was a beautiful race course. When I would raise my head to breathe on the left, I saw the Coronado Bridge arching over the bay to Coronado Island. When I would breathe on the right, I would see the beautiful downtown San Diego skyline through the multi-million dollar yachts anchored in the bay. At one point, I saw a silver cap. Silver cap? That must be a swim buddy. (They allow experienced swimmers who aren't racing who want to volunteer to give encouragement and tips to nervous swimmers). Another breath and I realized he looked kind of familiar. Sure enough, it was a guy I met over the summer during our morning ocean swims. He was instrumental in getting me over my fear of surf entries. (To see how that fear was developed, you can read about it <a href="http://www.pinkandplaidwarrior.blogspot.com/2013/05/live-to-race-another-day.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) I lifted my head and yelled, "Hi Chuck!" He responded, "Hey! I thought that was you! Have a good race!" It was cool to know someone and get a thumbs up. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I realized as I saw the last buoy on the long part of the course that we must be swimming against the current. Many swimmers were not able to keep that last buoy on their right side and were cutting the corner. I fought to make it around correctly, but the current pushed me into the buoy. But I did it right! We had maybe 150 meters of going with the current before we headed to the swim finish. </div>
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I was glad that the swim was over. I looked down at my watch as I got out of the water and was dismayed to see my time was over 52 minutes. I felt like I was going as fast as I could, and yet this was a pretty bad time for what I knew I could do. But no matter. Keep moving forward. </div>
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The distance between the water and the entry into the transition area was pretty far. Wet concrete is pretty slippery, so I decided to play it safe and walk rather than run. The last thing I needed was to slip and fall and hurt myself and not be able to finish. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I got to the transition area, I was happy to see that most of the bikes were still there. My friend's bike was gone, but I expected that-she's a strong ocean swimmer. For me, this was a great sign, and a first. The past races I have done, I'm the last one to get there. They have you rack up in your age group, so these are the people I am competing against. Even though my swim was slow, others were slower! As I peeled off my wetsuit, I commented to another athlete that the swim seemed to go on forever. She agreed, and that was the general consensus among everyone at the end. We were swimming against a strong current for a majority of the course. </div>
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I dried off my feet, put on my socks, cycling shoes, threw on my helmet and tried to get my bike out. Here is where I regretted not setting up differently. My stuff was set up at the rear of the bike rather than at the front. The two women on either side of me had done it that way before I got there, and to make the bikes fit, I had to put mine in backwards. I didn't have room to put my stuff at the front, because they had already set up that way and there was no room. Lesson learned-even if transition spots are assigned, get there first so you can set up the way you want. I didn't have enough confidence to point out to the women that it made more sense for us to move our stuff to the front of the bikes. Once I had my stuff on, I had to squeeze my way through the bikes under the rack to get my bike out, costing me several seconds of T1 time. </div>
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Fortunately, our spot was near the bike out, so I didn't have far to go in the cycling shoes. Real legit triathletes hook their cycling shoes to their pedals and run with their bikes barefoot. They jump on the bike and slip their feet in their shoes as they ride. There is no way I'm ready for that. I just click and clack to the mount line and get on. One other guy wasn't ready for it either, because he had fallen over on his bike in the middle of the road! I got past him and was on my way.</div>
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The bike course was pretty bumpy with lots of potholes. Once we were onto the San Diego Naval base, there were quite a few turns. It was a 2 loop course for those of us doing the Olympic distance. In the beginning of the ride, I would get anxious when I would have someone pass me. Then I realized that as long as they weren't females with a 40 on their calf, it was no big deal. I wasn't racing these young dudes on super aero tri bikes. So I stopped worrying about that, and when I would creep up on someone in my group, I would do my best to pass them! </div>
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<div>
Many in the the tri community are very nice. At one point, one of those guys who passed me complimented/encouraged me by saying, "You're doing great." How nice! There were lots of sailors out along the bike course cheering for us as well. At one point on the base right before I took a right turn, my front tire got lodged into a crack in the road. DANGER! It nearly made me fall over. Thankfully, I was able to get out of the rut and go on. I had a Gu energy gel taped onto my bike frame and took it as I was finishing up the first loop. I wanted enough time for it to hit the system before I started the run. In the end, my average speed was 17.2 mph. Not bad, considering all the turns.</div>
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When I got to the dismount line, I started to click/clack back through the transition area with my bike. But the bike-in area was far from my spot and that was going to be slow, not to mention hard on my cleats. So I took of my shoes and ran in my socks, holding my shoes in one hand and guiding my bike with the other. </div>
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My transition spot greeted me with another good sign...most of the bikes were still on the road. I slipped on my running shoes, grabbed my belt that had my race bib on it and tried to pull my visor on my head. Unfortunately, my visor strap was a bit funky since I had washed it earlier in the week and was twisted. It took me precious seconds to untwist it and put it on. But then I was off on my most dreaded leg...the run.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB-1u9LoEUCKKyQqq3TOScwgqSZ2AUdsNF1EMve3o2xM3ZKI_usrk6AP17yBiimqMZDVqtIG516cTR8HlksmYIhDN5hfIuBkxniAUJNpUUBKkPeZX_9OF3HBvWLzQQ7fRttcehkNlBC4/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB-1u9LoEUCKKyQqq3TOScwgqSZ2AUdsNF1EMve3o2xM3ZKI_usrk6AP17yBiimqMZDVqtIG516cTR8HlksmYIhDN5hfIuBkxniAUJNpUUBKkPeZX_9OF3HBvWLzQQ7fRttcehkNlBC4/s320/IMG_1332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finish line</td></tr>
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<div>
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The run was a 2 loop course around the Embarcardero Park and Seaport Village. The turnaround point was at the historic aircraft carrier, the Midway. The people doing the sprint distance just did one loop. It was hard to start out slow with all of the spectators cheering. I ran just to my feeling for the first mile, not looking at my Garmin. When it beeped, I saw that my first mile was 9:06. Woah! Slow it down and save some for the end. I didn't want to run out of gas. There was a guy in a "Team in Training" jersey that said "Embrace the Suck" on the back of it. I like that expression, but as I passed him (yes, I did!) I realized...this does not suck! But it was early on, so I wasn't going to be claiming victory yet. </div>
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The view was amazing. At one point we were running in the grass of the park overlooking the bay and I saw a neat old ship cruising in. There were amazing yachts anchored there. It was a gorgeous day. San Diego truly is a beautiful place. I thought how absolutely BLESSED I was to live here, to be able to do what I'm doing. My heart was filled with gratitude as I pressed on. Thank you Lord! I stopped a couple times at aid stations to walk through and get a drink. But nothing like my last race where I was so hot I was dumping entire cups on my head. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpQ_E3nboLBBgBjmtf75Wozcy3XEFnnmX4Q8fZfSDKnwCeiBNNqosypIAEDRsr8WppF_Ow9e5hhkfO4SpBlQxZpUBiWVWrf_pP71hqGnqVrK9wsARx_9FkbhzNvsutDU1UCL56x2T4K0/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpQ_E3nboLBBgBjmtf75Wozcy3XEFnnmX4Q8fZfSDKnwCeiBNNqosypIAEDRsr8WppF_Ow9e5hhkfO4SpBlQxZpUBiWVWrf_pP71hqGnqVrK9wsARx_9FkbhzNvsutDU1UCL56x2T4K0/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
About 50 yards from the finish line, there was a final aid station. I was a bit thirsty, so I took a cup to wet my mouth without slowing down. That was a mistake. The water went down the wrong tube and made me gag the last bit of the run. No matter. I was able to cross the finish line strong! In the end, my splits were 9:09, 9:23, 9:18, 9:34, 9:43, 9:24. Goal attained! I got my medal and waded into the crowded post-race expo area. </div>
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I was pleasantly surprised to see that Eric had brought the kids down and they were looking for me. They didn't get down there fast enough to see me race at all, but it was still nice that they made the effort. </div>
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I was pretty happy with the official results. My overall time was 3:13:49. I was 13th out of 35 women in my age group. When I looked at the women who came in 11th and 12th, I saw that #11 beat me by 36 seconds, and #12 got me by 33 seconds! Less than a minute! The time I fiddled with my bike facing the wrong way, and with my visor would have more than made up for that! Sheesh! No wonder they call transition the 4th discipline! Every second counts! The women at the top were simply amazing. I'm pretty sure at least one of them (who I've seen before) is sponsored by a local shop. Racing is her job. She looks like it. </div>
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All in all, I am thrilled with my first season attempting the sport of triathlon. I ended up doing three USAT sanctioned triathlons, one sprint and two Olympic distance. I also did one duathlon. I now am going to focus on my running during the off-season. I've signed up for my first marathon, which is in January 2014. I want to do a solid 4 month training program for that so I am healthy, confident, and able to do it. So that is the next goal on the horizon. I hope to do some more triathlons next year. Who knows...maybe the year after that I'll be able to do a 70.3 (also known as half Ironman)! </div>
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Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-56225388949582749092013-09-07T14:28:00.001-07:002013-09-07T14:28:31.758-07:00This is how I survive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIofLKMV128oJVMS7Ek4A5x6jTUCg51Gzpv9IGjN1Hifhyphenhyphen5SqjWKkFGqICNgSFmUXXJYbjAiK3hYkBma3g8Ha-jSnJuw8HXcBtAsDuRQ6pfRPtwI2H0NyCjfV2wfSIruZbBIjtevU27nc/s1600/116440-054-024f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIofLKMV128oJVMS7Ek4A5x6jTUCg51Gzpv9IGjN1Hifhyphenhyphen5SqjWKkFGqICNgSFmUXXJYbjAiK3hYkBma3g8Ha-jSnJuw8HXcBtAsDuRQ6pfRPtwI2H0NyCjfV2wfSIruZbBIjtevU27nc/s320/116440-054-024f.jpg" width="213" /></a>I know it has been quite awhile since I blogged-a whole season has passed! Summer was busy and all too short. We didn't go on any vacations, but the kids kept me busy with all of their activities. I took advantage of the longer days to really get into my triathlon training. After that disaster at the Encinitas race last May (described in my last post, "<a href="http://www.pinkandplaidwarrior.blogspot.com/2013/05/live-to-race-another-day.html" target="_blank">Live to Race Another Day</a>"), I had a bit of anxiety about open water swimming, particularly surf entries. I took advantage of the San Diego Tri Club's standing biweekly workouts on Tuesday and Thursday mornings here in North County. Lots of practice going in and out of the water. I was really blessed by a few of the other members who took the time to really teach me about surf entries, even to the detriment of their own workouts!<br />
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In July, I successfully completed my first triathlon. It was a sprint distance course: 1k swim (ocean entry), 20k bike, 5k run. I did the race with a fellow breast cancer survivor, so it was really cool for us to do it together and stick it to cancer in that way!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy and I show off our body markings in July</td></tr>
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I had decided early in the year that my goal distance for triathlon was going to be the Olympic distance. Sprints were a bit short, and Ironman or even half Ironman distances were nuts. (Although the more I do this, the more I wish I could do those longer courses!) An Olympic distance race is typically 1,500 meter swim, 40k bike and a 10k run. So that was my goal for the year.<br />
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Earlier in the year, I signed up for an Olympic distance race, the <a href="http://www.sandiegotriathlonclassic.com/" target="_blank">San Diego Tri Classic</a>. My training going into the race was pretty good. My goals were to do the swim in about 40 minutes, 90 minutes for the bike, and maintain a 10 minute mile pace on the run.<br />
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That race was today.<br />
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I got to the transition area at around 4:45 a.m. Yikes! Early, isn't it? I woke up at 3:15 a.m. to get there in plenty of time. On my way to the racks, there was a guy doing athlete body marking. I figured I might as well get it done first, so I showed him my bib number so he could get to work. They typically mark your biceps, quadriceps, and put your age on your calf. He went to mark my left bicep, but saw my compression sleeve. "You can't mark that." I said. I suggested he do my shoulder instead where there were a few inches of skin between my singlet and compression sleeve. A girl was standing there in line and said to me, "You're a breast cancer survivor." I looked at her and said, "Yes. Yes, I am." She was really nice and congratulated me.<br />
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I racked my bike and made small talk with another woman in my age group who was competing.<br />
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At 6:00 a.m., they let us get into the water for a warm up before they started sending the waves out at 6:15 a.m. My wave was scheduled for 6:27 a.m. It had been a few weeks since I had done any open water swimming and the wetsuit made me feel really buoyant.<br />
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The swim leg was okay, although it is kind of hard to swim with hundreds of other people in the water. There were moments where I got kicked, swam over, splashed in the face while trying to breathe, but these are all parts of the sport. I was happy to have the swim over with so I could get to the bike.<br />
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The bike course was a challenge-pretty hilly. But I live around hills, so I managed it okay. I felt bad for those competitors that I saw on the side of the road with mechanical issues. I'd be hard pressed to fix a flat, although I could with time. But one guy had a more serious problem and ended up pushing his bike 6 miles at the end!<br />
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The run was the tough part. I had done a training session with a 40k bike and 10k run. But it was really hot and humid today. I ended up having to do a fair bit of walking. After 4 miles, I decided to do an "empowered walk." Rather than see it as a defeat, I started to walk as fast as I could, swinging my arms and feeling like I was racing with it. As I did, I started to gain on one lady who was ahead of me, doing a slow jog. As I got closer, I saw from her calf that she was in my age group. I decided that MY race today was going to be to beat that particular woman so my name would be above hers in our Female 40-44 standings. I kept up the walk, and then picked up a run here and there, making sure that once I passed her she did not pass me back. A lot of people were walking-it was pretty hot. Even young, fit looking people were walking. I saved some mojo for the last .2 miles so I was able to run it in across the finish line. <br />
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My official time was 3:22:41. I pretty much met my swim and bike goals. My swim was 35:08, bike was 1:30:58. The run faltered a bit, and I came in at 1:09:47, an 11 minute mile. But whatever. I did it!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96kJS5UWIGwzEO6yl3ZgDonwo1wXq27tlnnbFMhbogPYPUmkaN0cZ-CfP5oQFTwdcYHSAQASHo-OCYeAMyEgteZRhFrHUjVg7w4Vy-eK1ZbBh0FevQLE40I6XmS6RR8STjDp25qCrVSI/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96kJS5UWIGwzEO6yl3ZgDonwo1wXq27tlnnbFMhbogPYPUmkaN0cZ-CfP5oQFTwdcYHSAQASHo-OCYeAMyEgteZRhFrHUjVg7w4Vy-eK1ZbBh0FevQLE40I6XmS6RR8STjDp25qCrVSI/s320/IMG_0965.jpg" width="240" /></a>My post-race included a lot of water, some orange wedges, 1/8 of a bagel and more water. I got a free massage from some physical therapists that were there. That was awesome. Then I made my way over to the beer garden. Yes, the popular races feature a complimentary beer garden for competitors. I got myself a cold one (Stone IPA) and made my way over to the stands to watch the other racers who were still finishing the course.<br />
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A girl struck up a conversation with me while we were sitting there. This was her first triathlon, her boyfriend had done a few Ironman's and that is how she got into the sport. Then she asked me what got me started doing triathlon.<br />
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Hm. Why indeed? Why did I start racing at all? Not just tri, but half marathons? Why AM I doing this? It can be physically painful, time consuming and expensive. I told her that it seemed like something really hard to do. Then I confessed...that a few years ago I was going through treatment for breast cancer. Of course, when you say that you usually get a shocked expression. But it is true-pushing the bar to the next "hard thing" is how I survive. It is how I move on, making a new kind of life. Leaving cancer behind, pushing my body that has been cut, poisoned and burned beyond anything that I ever thought it was capable of doing. This is how I survive. Strongly. Always looking to the next thing to tackle. By the grace of God, this is how I survive.<br />
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This was all confirmed for me while I was driving home. I was listening to a local pop station which usually plays contemporary songs. Then they played Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." Woah! They always play that song at the end of closing ceremonies at the Susan G. Komen 3 Day. It's quite an emotional moment, because you are physically tired and you are there celebrating with hundreds of other survivors. It really is something. Well, today, I celebrated by myself on Interstate 5! I cranked up the volume and sang at the top of my lungs with tears running down my cheeks. Yep. I will survive.<br />
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And this is how I do it. <br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-68340449282743240242013-05-19T13:30:00.000-07:002013-05-19T13:30:12.522-07:00Live to race another day!Today was supposed to be the day of my first triathlon. I've been sporting a "Tri Club of San Diego" sticker on my back window and an "I'd Rather Be a Triathlete" license plate frame on my car for several weeks. Time to prove it. I trained for distances much farther than I was supposed to do today: 750 meter swim; 10k bike; 5k run. No sweat, I figured. Granted, I'm a novice when it comes to open water swimming. But I have gone to a few sessions of the Tri Club's open water swim workout, and I did complete a aquathlon last week that consisted of a 1,000 meter swim and a 5k. I knew that I needed to get out in the water before the race start to warm up and get over that initial panicky feeling I seem to get at first. Bike and run? Snap! No problem! I wasn't overly concerned about time. With this being my first tri, no matter how fast (or slow) I was, it would be a PR. I'm here just to finish the race. No pressure!<br />
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With it being my first triathlon, I had a lot of stuff to put together to get ready. I have a great new <a href="https://www.desotosport.com/product/TP6" target="_blank">transition bag from DeSoto Sports </a>that is flat out amazing. I had to figure out where to put all the race numbers I got in my packet yesterday. I packed my gear and my bike into the van last night. I was ready! Transition area opened up at 5 a.m., my race start was 7:20 a.m. I had a crazy dream in the night that I woke up at 6:19 a.m. No way was I going to make it to the transition area before it closed before the race! I also remember snippets of a dream about duathalon and my fellow cancer survivor friend (and co-racer teammate). In any event, I woke up 10 minutes before the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. and was ready to go. I even got out the door 15 minutes earlier than my planned time! Things were rolling smoothly right along!<br />
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I got to the parking area at the Solana Beach Coaster station and was bummed to find that parking was pretty much full. I managed to squeeze my van into a dirt row between two SUVs. I got my bike wheel put on, hefted my cool transition bag onto my back and started out toward the transition area. On the way, I saw several athletes riding their bikes there. Good idea, but I'm so short with the big bag on my back, it would have created drag on the back tire. So I walked it. When I arrived, they pointed me toward the area where my age group was racking their bikes. I found a spot, and set up my stuff. I was glad to see someone had brought a big helium Angry Bird mylar balloon at the row right in front of my bike. It is so easy to get lost in a transition area if you don't have a landmark. All I had to do was look for the red Angry Bird! <br />
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One thing I really like about the triathlon community is just how nice everyone is. As women started to gather and get their gear ready, we all chatted. So nice. Most people turn out to be members of the Tri Club of San Diego, which is cool. I found my friends, Nancy and Matt, who were also going to be racing. We were ready to go!<br />
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I got into my wetsuit and went over to the start line to watch the first waves of athletes. The announcer commented about the surf pulling you one way or the other. That wasn't a big surprise, usually the current will do that to you. Several people had worried looks on their faces. I wasn't too concerned-the buoy that we were to swim to didn't look that far away. I'm a pretty strong swimmer in a pool, and besides, I had just done that duathlon. I got out into the water and got used to the temperature, and even felt I was okay with the surf. Granted, it was stronger than I had gone through before. But once you get past the crashing waves, its fine.<br />
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When it got to be my age group's turn to go, we all lined up in the corral. There were several volunteer "swim buddies" there for people who were anxious about the swim. I didn't ask for one, but there was one standing near me and he told everyone that he had been out a few times already in the morning, and that anyone who wanted could basically stick around him. He commented that the announcer was saying one thing, but he wasn't in the water feeling the currents. He suggested that we actually run a bit up the beach diagonally as we entered the water. He also suggested walking as far as you could (as opposed to <a href="http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Dolphining" target="_blank">dolphining</a> and swimming in shallow water) since the currents were so strong. Since he had already been in the surf, I followed him into the water as the gun sounded. Experience counts for something!<br />
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As we went in, I heard the announcer saying, "Don't make the same mistake that they are making!" Well, that could be bad, but like the swim buddy had said, the announcer wasn't actually OUT there doing it. So I was fine. Besides, the surf was going to pull you all over the place. So be it. <br />
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As I got out there, I looked around and recognized someone from the Tri Club in a light blue swim buddy cap. I yelled over to him, "You're Ian, right? I've been to a couple of your beginner open water swim sessions!" He smiled and said, "This isn't anything like the Bay is it?" I yelled back, "Hell no!" (Sorry!) I decided to stick with Ian as we went out there. He was great and encouraging, telling me to dive under deep (and grab sand) as the big waves came. The thing was, the waves came one right after the other. Ian kept yelling something like, "Look out for the follow up!" At one point, I heard him yell to another woman, "Go back, switch to the duathlon!"<br />
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It was exhausting. I dreaded diving under the waves because they crashed to the bottom and buffeted me around. But standing firm against them was equally bad because you are being pushed back to shore in such a violent way. <br />
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So I kept going, I was determined. I knew that once I got past where the waves were breaking it would be fine. But the waves were such that the entire "swim" out to our buoy was all in crashing waves. One big one hit me and tumbled me around like a rag in a washing machine, and I got separated from Ian. I kept going. But they kept going. At one point, I thought...this is going to totally exhaust me for the bike and the run. At one point, when I was panicked, I remember a quick prayer-God help me! <br />
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It was exhausting. I remember a panicked moment where I thought, I'm in trouble. Fortunately, there were lifeguards in the water. All I had to do was yell "HELP!" and wave my arm and out of nowhere, a good looking angel came and asked if I needed help. I said "YES!" He grabbed me and together we made our way back to the shore. It took awhile. He would coach me through each wave and pull me back. He asked if I was okay. I said, "Yes, but I'm pissed." And I was. I was really mad that I couldn't do the swim. On top of that, my awesome new <a href="http://www.sportchalet.com/product/water/swim+goggles/302198_3077490.do" target="_blank">Zogg goggles</a> got separated from my head and lost. When we got back to shore, he asked if I needed a medic. No, I said. I'm okay.<br />
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But really. Thank GOD for the lifeguards today. They were kept very, very busy. As I limped back on the beach, I saw many other women in my age group who also were conquered by the surf. More of us than were able to finish the swim from my point of view. We all were going to switch to the duathlon. Run-bike-run. While it felt pretty bad not to be able to do the swim, at least we all were in like company, and were able to share in each other's misery. A fellowship of suffering.<br />
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So duathlon it was. My friend Nancy also switched to the duathlon. We went back and got out of our wetsuits and into our running gear. <br />
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The first leg was a beach run. The bike was the super sprint bike course-one lap up coast highway to the turnaround point and back. The second run was likewise the supersprint run-one lap on the run course on coast highway. <br />
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So on the bright side, I was able to improve on some issues that I had in my first duathlon. I managed to work my Garmin correctly. My transitions were faster, and I managed to do the course. I was pleased to see my bike speed was over 15 mph and my second run pace was 8:30. So it wasn't a wasted day at all. I met a lot of really nice people, most of whom are part of the Tri Club. I just can't call myself a "triathlete" at this point. Sure, I got into the water, thrashed around, rode my bike and ran. But it wasn't legit.<br />
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Afterwards, everyone was talking about the swim. My friend Matt managed to get out there and do it, although he said it was really hard. He related to me something he heard some guys saying who had done full <a href="http://www.ironman.com/#axzz2TlvJx1yJ" target="_blank">IronMan triathalons</a> saying that this was among the worst/hardest swims they had ever experienced. That made me feel better to think that guys who could swim 2.5 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a full marathon felt that this was really tough. In any event, it was in no way a "swim." It was fighting the surf. <br />
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So, I live to race another day. I'm signed up for another sprint triathlon in Carlsbad in July. I've also singed up for an Olympic distance race in September (San Diego Tri Classic). I also hope to participate in some of the Tri Club's beginner races to hone my transition skills in the meantime. Triathlon is a great sport, I'm having a great time. I just kinda feel a bit like a poser still...<br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-63042941697689877512013-05-03T17:00:00.002-07:002013-05-03T17:00:20.897-07:00I can do this!Last night I made my second attempt at open water swimming with the Tri Club.<br />
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I may not have been the fastest, but I did it. I swam about a mile, and could have gone farther. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that the workout was over and that my wetsuit was chafing the back of my neck.<br />
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I still have a lot to learn, (like putting Glide on the back of the neck.) But after about 15 minutes, I managed to get rid of the panicky feeling that I had before. I started being able to breathe every three strokes bilaterally like I do in the pool. I got into a zone. We weren't breaking any speed records, but that wasn't the point. I wanted to get to a point where I felt like I was actually swimming rather than flailing around like a freak. <br />
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I started to feel like....I will be able to do this after all! I wasn't so sure after my first attempt a couple weeks ago. I'm getting my bearings in the open water. I was "sighting" much better. Rather than lifting my head up and out of the water, I was able to just peek with my eyes forward on the object in the distance I was sighting on. In this case, it was the Hyatt Islandia in one direction and the Belmont Park roller coaster in the other. If you don't sight, you end up swimming crooked, off course, and end up swimming way more than you have to. Sighting is open water swimmings version of that darling black line that graces the bottom of the swimming pool lanes.<br />
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This is where the swim was. The cove is behind that row of palm trees-if you look you can see the line of white buoys we were swimming around to make a "lap."<br />
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I even felt like I was getting it in relation to coordinating my gear and stuff. I got a large plastic bin to transport my wet wetsuit which worked like a charm. Bonita cove had showers, so I was able to rinse my suit (and myself) right there.<br />
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My first triathalon is 2 weeks away. The swim portion is off of the beach in Encinitas. I need to practice some beach entries! Fortunately, the race organizers are hosting a course preview next weekend. I'll probably go to that so I can get a sense of it. I've done some scuba diving from the beach in La Jolla, so I'm hoping that it won't be too stress inducing for me to get out there.<br />
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Tri Club also is starting a weekly beginner swim at La Jolla Cove that I would like to go to as well. Once I feel more confident, I think I'll be able to participate in some open water swims that happen in Carlsbad off Tamarack beach....much closer to home!<br />
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This triathalon stuff is a ton of fun! A totally new challenge. It feels a little strange not to be running 5 days a week, though. I'm trying to get at least 2 swims (1 pool, 1 open water), 2 bike rides, 2 runs and a bike/run brick workout in each week. A brick is when you ride your bike and then immediately run afterwards. I've signed up for an olympic distance event in September-the <a href="http://www.sandiegotriathlonclassic.com/" target="_blank">San Diego Tri Classic.</a> (1,500 meter swim, 40 k bike, 10k run). Before that, I've got my first sprint distance race in 2 weeks. I'm also going to do a second sprint in Carlsbad in July. Whee!!<br />
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Thanks for all of your support!Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-19006246554407513012013-04-19T13:04:00.003-07:002013-04-19T13:04:59.681-07:00But I LIKE the black line!!<div>
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But, as you know, I've decided that 2013 will be the year I break into the sport of triathalon. Living in San Diego is a great opportunity for this sport. We have great weather and lots of water. The only catch is this....that water isn't a pool with tidy black lines on the bottom. It's either the Pacific Ocean, or a Bay that is right off the ocean. </div>
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That's right. OPEN WATER.</div>
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If I'm going to ever make myself into a triathalete, I'm going to have to get used to swimming in the open water. The first step was to get a wetsuit. Even with the warm weather, the water can be cold. A wetsuit really is necessary. I got a pretty good deal on an <a href="http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/index.php/home/us" target="_blank">Xterra</a> suit through the <a href="http://www.triclubsandiego.org/" target="_blank">Tri Club of San Diego.</a> I was thrilled when it arrived at my house all squeaky clean and rubbery smelling. Smooth and nice. Aaahh. I'm one step closer. I tried it on, admired myself in the mirror. I even ordered myself a cool pair of polarized goggles that should arrive any day. I'm almost there!</div>
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As the date for my first tri approaches, I have this nagging reality that I really need to get into the open water. I'm even too chicken to try a club triathalon without some practice first. (Especially if it was like the duathalon where I showed up and it was all young guys in their 20's! I'd be sure to be the slowest of the slowpokes!) </div>
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Fortunately, the Tri Club hosts several different swim, bike, and run workouts throughout the week. On Thursday evenings at Mission Bay, they have a beginners open water swim. The only requirement is that you have a desire to get out of the pool (check!) and can swim at least 50 meters without stopping (check!) It was a little bit of a challenge to arrange the family dinner and rides for the two older kids for their evening activities, but I managed to go to make it to my first session last night. I was a little nervous, since I knew I wouldn't know a single person there. But...this is what I have to do to get to where I want to be. </div>
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I figured with my strong skills in the pool, it would be a snap to transfer into the open water. But I'm such a newbie, that I'm not even sure how to put ON my wetsuit, much less swim in it!</div>
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As I found my way to Ventura Cove in Mission Bay, I saw all of the preparations for a big triathalon that is in San Diego this week, the <a href="http://sandiego.triathlon.org/" target="_blank">Omega Wave World Triathalon</a>. How exciting! As I pulled into a spot by the Cove with my TriClub sticker on my car, I felt like...yep! I belong here. I saw athletes in the water, swimming back and forth between buoys. That would be me soon! I was anxious, but excited too. </div>
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I had my wetsuit in a bag, and was wearing sweatpants and a 3 Day shirt over my bathing suit. I walked over to the group assembling on the grass and saw a lady with the same wetsuit as me. I introduced myself and we chatted a bit. I was relieved to see a wider range of ages, sizes and abilities at this session. This wasn't going to be too bad. After all, I can do 3,100 yards in the pool! </div>
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I struggled my way into my wetsuit, trying to look like I <i>kind of</i> knew what I was doing. As I looked around, it was funny that at least 80% of the swimmers also had XTerra suits. Yep...I fit right in all right! The group was fun, one guy in particular was a jokester. It helped for me at least to break my inner tension.</div>
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The coach came over and got into his XTerra suit and gave us all tips. A few of the participants were going to be racing this weekend, so a lot of his tips were about getting in and out of the water during a race. I learned a lot. One of his tips was to always warm up before the start. Get in the water to get over that initial chill and do a few dozen strokes at least. So he told us....Get in!</div>
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Gulp. Okay, its now or never. I ventured in and it was pretty chilly on my feet. My legs felt okay since the suit covered them. The others and I waded in up to our thighs and the coach yelled, "START SWIMMING!" </div>
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I launched forward onto my belly. Or, perhaps more aptly, into the abyss. </div>
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It was cold, but I knew it would be. What I didn't expect was that my breath would freeze up. I literally could not exhale. In the pool, I breathe bilaterally every 3 strokes. I had to breathe every stroke, and even then, felt like I was dog paddling. It induced a kind of panic in me. Even worse, the goggles just protect the eyes from salt water and that's it. Because it was murky and dark. Kind of freaky, actually. You take it for granted in the pool that you can see underwater. That comforting, familiar black line is there to guide you where you need to go. I found I was squinting my eyes, which made the seal on my goggles break and water seep in. I don't know if my extreme eye squint was because of the cold, anxiety, fear, or a mixture of all of it. I did several "strokes" and then turned around with the rest and went back to shore. I described this to Eric and he thought it sounded like claustrophobia. Perhaps.</div>
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The coach had us jog down the shore about 40 meters to where our imaginary start line was. Actually, it is where the start line is going to be for the official races this weekend. We practiced getting into the water in a supposed race situation. I was not looking forward to getting in the water again, but I knew that it had to be done.</div>
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It did get better this time. We all swam out about 100 yards and met out in the middle of the cove. They talked to us about "sighting" an object on the shore to keep going in a straight line. Sounds good in theory. At this point, I was just trying to survive! Another thing I learned was that triathalon is a "full contact sport." We were bumping into each other all over the place, but that is normal. The coach told us that is to be expected, so don't stop and say "I'm sorry." It will only slow you down and annoy people. We then swam a longer route to practice getting out of the water, sighting on one of the race tents that was set up. The key to exiting efficiently is to wait until you are in very shallow water to stand up. It should be below your knees. Even if you are pulling yourself along the bottom, you are faster horizontal than vertical. Then we practiced getting in again, swam a longer bit to the original shore where our gear was. All in all, we swam a little under a half mile. Actually, I was surprised it was that far-it did not seem very far when I looked at the area from shore.</div>
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The longer swims <i>did</i> get better. For awhile, I was able to calm down enough to bilaterally breathe. But swimming in a wetsuit was more difficult for me and I reverted back to breathing every stroke. While it was nice to be more buoyant, the effort to get my arm up and around took more energy. Perhaps I didn't have my suit pulled up all the way? Perhaps I should try some <a href="http://www.bodyglide.com/" target="_blank">Glide</a> next time.</div>
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We all got out and stripped out of our wetsuits. The group was really nice and I didn't feel out of place at all. I mentioned to a few people that I had just had my very first open water swim EVER. They were very supportive and said I did well-they had no idea how inexperienced I really was. </div>
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I made it back to my minivan and was able to get out of my bathing suit and put the dry clothes on. It was really neat to be down in the pre-race atmosphere with "USA Triathalon" emblazoned all over the place. Although it was not pretty, I did make it one step further to really fitting in. </div>
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Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-28518047187992280322013-04-12T10:50:00.001-07:002013-04-12T10:50:32.281-07:00Mind gamesIt is April. <div>
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To many, April means springtime, flowers, sunshine. Summer is right around the corner! For me, it is these things too, but I have an added event...my six month checkup with my oncologist, Dr. P. </div>
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I am going on 3 years since my diagnosis in June 2010. It was in April 2010 that I had my first mammograms that were declared "all clear." Ironic now that it just happens to be the same month of my biannual checkup. </div>
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In the past, Kaiser had called me in advance to schedule this appointment. This past Monday, we were a week into the month and I still had not heard, so I called. They were able to get me in today. Goody. </div>
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I realized this morning what a head trip this gives me, even if I don't recognize it at first. My workouts since making the appointment have been tough. I was supposed to run 12 miles on Wednesday. I knew that I wasn't going to get that far, since I had taken a week off to nurse a shin injury a week or two before. I had done 10 miles on the <strike>dreadmill </strike> treadmill the week before. But it had been awhile since I had attempted 10 outside. So I was aiming for 10-11 miles. The first hour was fine, but it <i>was</i> a hilly route and I lost energy around mile 6.5. I ended up jog/walking the last few miles. Grr. I have a hilly half marathon coming up at the end of the month-I NEED to be able to do this. Anyway, yesterday was a bootcamp class at the gym. The regular teacher was on vacation and there was a sub. It was a tough workout. I stuck it out, but man. I just did not have that feeling of inner strength that I usually do. Today was supposed to be an easy 4 mile run. Because I cut my mileage short earlier in the week, I did 5. The first 3 miles were great, but the last 2 were hard. I kept my overall pace under 10:00, but still. It should not have been that hard.</div>
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As I was taking Jean-Marc to preschool, the teachers all asked me the typical greeting question, "How are you doing?" I had to admit I felt kind of tired, and blah. The problem is, when <i>I</i> feel kind of tired and blah, that little voice in my head pipes up and taunts me with....<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"Psst....this isn't normal for you. Maybe its cancer!"</span> </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why can't I just have an off day?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aW06mZZiY0JXAPKjRxnMxrIZ_zBEtT8GdKL69LPLw0Dylnij7Pd0yTs59MEm80zqChLazIrSVpOCcY_2pOSM2cH2JHYlXLFvC0F1zbeyogy1YQlV5VwpRajS39q_K5KCOvi1oev9Yyk/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aW06mZZiY0JXAPKjRxnMxrIZ_zBEtT8GdKL69LPLw0Dylnij7Pd0yTs59MEm80zqChLazIrSVpOCcY_2pOSM2cH2JHYlXLFvC0F1zbeyogy1YQlV5VwpRajS39q_K5KCOvi1oev9Yyk/s320/IMG_0614.jpg" width="240" /></a>Then it hit me. I've been feeling this way since I made that oncology appointment on Monday. On paper, I should be feeling fantastic. I had a great 5k race last Sunday and ran my fastest time ever-I even scored a top 250 medal! I'm excited about my upcoming race plans-I'm getting into triathalon and am motivated. I've been doing great on my nutrition this week, I even weighed 3 pounds less today than I did a week ago! I've been getting 7+ hours of sleep each night. Spiritually, I've been spending more time in prayer and devotion and reaping the benefits of drawing near to my Abba. Yet despite all of these positives, I've got this oppressive "thing" hanging over my head.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now that I recognize it for what it is...spiritual attack, I will address it head on. Yes, I'm going to see Dr. P today. Big deal. We'll talk about how to get my body to stop producing estrogen, and he'll do his exam. I'll let him know I'm getting into triathalons, too. (He told me awhile back that he does them.) It will all be fine. Not exactly like visiting an old friend, but not a meeting with the grim reaper, either. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll look at a silver lining of it too. At least I was able to get my appointment within a few days. Imagine if I had this appointment hanging over my head for several weeks! Getting it in a few days is a blessing! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll get this appointment behind me for another six months, and tomorrow I will KILL my planned run of sub 9:00 speed intervals around Discovery Lake! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If anyone out there wants to pray for me, you still can. I need all of the help I can get to deflect these attacks. </div>
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<br /></div>
Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-13010027089155033432013-03-27T16:59:00.002-07:002013-03-27T16:59:19.970-07:00Thorn in the flesh updateSo after throwing myself a pity party on Monday night, I got a good night of sleep. Things definitely felt better in the morning, even if my arm was still puffy. It helped to go to bible study the next morning and be supported by my sisters in Christ there. I realized that lymphedema is my thorn in the flesh. We all have one. This one is mine. It's a bummer because it reminds me of the fact that my body has been forever changed by what happened three years ago. I can run miles and miles, do things I never thought I could physically do. But I will forever be changed because of breast cancer.<br />
<br />
I've been pretty aggressive about staying wrapped in my full set of bandages most of the time. I let my arm out for air for a few hours in the late afternoon. Otherwise, I'm all wrapped up, or at a minimum I have my compression garments on. It is hard to move the arm all wrapped up, but I think that is what helps move the fluid through-the combination of compression and movement.<br />
<br />
Is it working? I think so. I just had Eric re-measure my arm. This is now 48 hours since the last measurements. Here is where I stand as of this afternoon:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="5" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="74"></col><col width="74"></col><col width="74"></col><col width="74"></col><col width="74"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="74"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="74"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">goals</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="74"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">best</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;MM/DD/YY" sdval="41358" valign="BOTTOM" width="74"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">03/25/13</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;MM/DD/YY" sdval="41360" valign="BOTTOM" width="74"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">03/27/13</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Knuckles</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 20.0 </span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.3" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.3</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Wrist</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 16.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="15.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">15.8</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="16.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">16.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="16.1" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #ff950e; font-family: Calibri;">16.1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">5 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 17.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="16.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">16.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="18.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">18.8</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">19</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">10 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 21.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="21.3" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">21.3</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="23.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">23.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="24" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">24</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">15 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 25.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="24.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">24.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="28" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">28</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="26.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #ff950e; font-family: Calibri;">26.5</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">20 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 26.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="25.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">25.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="27.3" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">27.3</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="26.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #ff950e; font-family: Calibri;">26.5</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">25 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 26.6</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="26" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">26</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="28" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">28</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="27" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">27</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">30 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 28.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="27.9" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">27.9</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="29.4" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">29.4</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="28.7" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #ff950e; font-family: Calibri;">28.7</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">35 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 30.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="29.7" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">29.7</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="31" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">31</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="30.6" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #ff950e; font-family: Calibri;">30.6</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td sdnum="1033;1033;General" style="text-align: center;" valign="BOTTOM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /><br /><br /> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Numbers in black means that the measurement is on target.
Numbers in orange mean that it has improved (gone down), but still is too big.
Red means they have increased.
<br />
<br />
At first I was bummed to see a couple of reds, but when you look at it, they are only up .5 cm at most. My physical therapist always said that a change of 1 cm was the threshold of being significant. So a .2 and a .5 increase isn't a huge deal-in fact, it can be attributed to variances in the measurement. (Yeah...let's blame Eric for bad measuring, lol!) But when you look at the orange numbers and compare them to the reds from 2 days ago, the decrease is significant in several places.<br />
<br />
So we are going in the right direction. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing for awhile longer. Ideally, I'd like to be back in the black in all spots. I'm not sure where I started, honestly. I had gotten lazy about taking care of it and I know my arm was bigger in some places.<br />
<br />
I appreciate everyone's prayers and support. I have been blessed this week with so many friends showing concern and love. Thank you so much.Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-66477534147160515892013-03-25T18:41:00.001-07:002013-03-25T18:43:00.892-07:00I guess this is why it's called "chronic."Well, my lymphedema has decided to rear its ugly head. Sigh. I don't really know what triggered it. Perhaps it was me riding my bike more last week? (I took a week off of running to let my right shin get rid of some discomfort. I rode my bike over 84 miles last week.) Perhaps I jammed my hand during my duathalon? Perhaps the weather? Who knows. It is what it is.<br />
<br />
It has been quite awhile since I've had a flare up. Sure, my arm and hand would swell a bi† while I was training and doing the 3 Day. Walking 6+ hours a day will do that to anyone. But aside from my ini†ial flare up back in December 2010, this is the worst it has ever been.<br />
<br />
I think I've been kind of slowly swelling in my arm. Nothing major, and I just decided to live with my left arm being a bit bigger than my right. But then about a week ago, my hand started puffing up. I started back up with the manual drainage massage at night and bandaging. I didn't see a whole lot of change, but kept it up. Last Thursday night, I was particularly tired. Rather than bandaging, I used my Juxta-Fit sleeve and glove. The next morning, my hand was like someone had blown air into a surgical glove. Not pretty.<br />
<br />
Last night, I decided to give it a rest overnight and see what happened. I dreamed that my arm blew up like a balloon. When I woke up, it didn't seem too bad. I went on a 10k run and was feeling good, not focused on my arm at all. (I always wear compression sleeves when I work out, by the way). <br />
<br />
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c88.0.403.403/p403x403/165440_531206863588745_1378435140_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c88.0.403.403/p403x403/165440_531206863588745_1378435140_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>My in laws are visiting from France right now. I thought it would be fun to bring my mother in law with me when I picked Jean-Marc up from preschool today. I figured she would enjoy seeing a slice of his little life. I was right. He enjoyed showing her around his school and introducing her to his teachers. They took a picture of his teacher and us in his classroom, it was really sweet.<br />
<br />
A few hours later, I saw the picture. My left arm is front and center and my lower arm/hand especially looks foreign to me. Oh my gosh.. <i>that's</i> how it looks? Really. Look at my wrist/hand. Thankfully, the worst part is cut off in the photo.<br />
<br />
I need to do something. Now.<br />
<br />
I had Eric help me measure my arm. I have always kept track of my measurements on a spreadsheet. When I opened it, the last time we measured was September 2nd. I started the spreadsheet back in early 2011. We measure at various points on my hand and arm: knuckles/palm and wrist. Then from the wrist, every 5 centimeters up my arm. For each measurement, I have an "ideal" that my physical therapist and I set way back when. The bottom line was that I am up significantly in all but one measurement....my hand.<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="6" frame="VOID" rules="NONE">
<colgroup><col width="74"></col><col width="92"></col><col width="92"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="78"></col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="74"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="92"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="92"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="83"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="83"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM" width="78"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">goals</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">best</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;M/D/YYYY" sdval="40735" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">7/11/2011</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;MM/DD/YY" sdval="41154" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">09/02/12</span></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;MM/DD/YY" sdval="41358" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">03/25/13</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Knuckles</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 20.0 </span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.8</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.7" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.7</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="19.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19.2</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Wrist</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 16.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="15.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">15.8</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="15.6" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">15.6</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="16.1" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">16.1</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="16.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">16.5</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">5 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 17.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="16.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">16.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="17.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">17.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="17.7" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">17.7</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="18.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">18.8</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">10 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 21.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="21.3" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">21.3</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="21.6" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">21.6</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="23.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">23.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="23.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">23.5</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">15 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 25.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="24.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">24.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="24.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">24.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="25.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">25.8</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="28" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">28</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">20 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 26.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="25.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">25.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="25.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">25.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="25.5" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">25.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="27.3" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">27.3</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">25 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 26.6</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="26" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">26</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="26.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">26.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="27.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">27.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="28" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">28</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">30 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 28.5</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="27.9" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">27.9</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="28" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">28</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="29" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">29</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="29.4" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">29.4</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="19" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">35 c.m.</span></b></td>
<td align="LEFT" sdnum="1033;1033;General" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">under 30.0</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="29.7" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">29.7</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="29.8" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">29.8</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="31.2" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-family: Calibri;">31.2</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" sdnum="1033;1033;General" sdval="31" valign="BOTTOM"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">31</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<br />
I went upstairs at 5 p.m. and did massage and wrapped my arm up. I was a little disappointed not to feel the tell-tale "tingle" that the massage is actually moving the lymphatic fluid. But whatever. I'm going to either wear the bandaging or compression sleeves for a few days and then re-measure to see if its helping. If not, I guess I'll give the physical therapist a call.<br />
<br />
So your prayers would be appreciated. Frankly, it sucks to have to wear bandaging when I'm not sleeping. Poor me, pity party. Sorry. Lymphedema is something that is part of my life. I've had a stretch of several months without being symptomatic, but it looks like that is over. At least for now. I guess that is why its called a "chronic" condition.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-9655328836301695772013-03-16T10:39:00.003-07:002013-03-17T06:52:15.167-07:00Poser no more!I know it has been quite awhile since I blogged. In a way, its a good thing. While not a day goes by where cancer/recurrence does not cross my mind, I have been able to kind of move on and be busy with life. God is good!<br />
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One of my goals this year was to get into doing triathalons. As part of that, I joined the <a href="http://www.triclubsandiego.org/" target="_blank">Tri Club of San Diego (TCSD)</a>. I first heard about the Tri Club when I bought my bike last fall. The guy I bought it from recommended it since they have group workouts, practice races, and was full of nice and helpful people to a newbie like me. I went to a informational meeting last January and joined that night. At the meeting, I got the cool "Tri Club of San Diego" sticker and put it on my car. Time to start thinking of myself as a triathalete, right?<br />
<br />
But I felt like a poser.<br />
<br />
I wasn't a total slug-I was training for my first half marathon of the year after all. Who had time for the biking and swimming. I finished the <a href="http://www.carlsbadmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Carlsbad Half Marathon</a> on January 27th at a respectable pace. Not a personal record, but not too bad. (I still would like to break the 2 hour mark-this time was 2:08 and change).<br />
<br />
Then I took a daring step and signed up for my first sprint triathalon. That is coming up in May-the Encinitas Sprint. I'm doing it with another survivor friend of mine, one that I met doing the Komen commercial awhile back. (Hi Nancy!) <br />
<br />
Time to seriously think about training, even though I still am focusing a lot on running, since I have the <a href="http://www.lajollahalfmarathon.com/" target="_blank">La Jolla Half Marathon</a> in April-a notoriously tough race. Those who have done the San Diego 3 Day-it is basically that first half of the first day up Torrey Pines from Del Mar to La Jolla Shores. But I still needed to start doing more biking and swimming. (Don't even get me started on my need to get used to swimming in the OCEAN....)<br />
<br />
One of the cool benefits of TCSD is club races. They are free to sign up, they are timed, and its a way to race/practice/work the kinks out. This morning, I participated in my first club race-the <a href="http://www.triclubsandiego.org/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=42350&Itemid=260&year=2013&month=03&day=16&title=carlsbad-coastal-duathlon&uid=8915d509754dc5a9e2142235357e3a05&catids=43" target="_blank">Carlsbad coastal duathalon</a>. A 2.5 mile run, followed by an approximately 12.5 mile bike ride, finishing up with the 2.5 mile run again. On paper, it didn't sound too bad. And honestly, on the road, it was doable. My main goal was not to be last.<br />
<br />
I learned a lot from it!<br />
<br />
I showed up early-they said to check in between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., with the race starting at 7 a.m. I am always early to stuff, being late stresses me out. So I showed up at 6:15 a.m. They aren't even set up. I didn't know a soul, and they all looked like serious athletes. Intimidation! Not that they had attitude, not at all. They just knew each other and did this a lot. I felt my goal of not wanting to finish last and not totally humiliate myself slipping through my fingers! I felt like a dork just standing there, so when everyone started helping set up, I went over too. They were unloading these long wooden boxes with pieces to put together. It reminded me of a challenge you would see on "Survivor." Turns out they were racks to put bikes on. It was kind of funny to be putting it together, when I had never even seen one before, but I just faked it and did what everyone else did. When they were open for signups, I checked in and got my timing chip. You're supposed to wear it around your ankle. Cool. But the note that came with it said it needed to be activated online. Okay--I have an iPhone. So I entered the code and all on the TCSD site, but it didn't recognize it. Sheesh. Okay, well, I have my nifty new <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=419&pID=90671" target="_blank">Garmin 910XT</a> that can tell me my time, and this is just for practice anyway, right? So I left the timing chip in the car.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and me pre-race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My friend, Matt, showed up with his wife and one of his kids. It was great to have someone to talk to. Matt helped me program the Garmin for the duathalon so I thought I was all set. After a quick trip to the bathrooms, we were ready to go! There were not that many women-I would say 10 or less. And most of them looked uber-fit as well.<br />
<br />
The first leg of the race was fine. I actually did a pretty awesome pace for me-in the 8:30 range. That made me happy. I came back to the transition area to get ready for the bike. I hit the button on my watch and started changing my shoes. My bike shoes are easy to get in/out of, no problem. Helmet? Check. Sunglasses? I didn't wear them for the run, but I like to wear them on the bike because it protects my eyes from the wind. I put them on and they instantly fogged up. Ugh. That'll go away-just keep moving. Gloves? I start to put them on and THEY ARE INSIDE OUT! Argh! So I'm messing around with turning them right side and sticking my hand in one. I'm halfway into putting on my second one and I realize I have them upside down! That is, the palm is on the back of my hand. Too bad, so sad. I'm not taking the time to change it now. So lesson #1: MAKE SURE YOUR GLOVES ARE RIGHT SIDE OUT!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struggling with the gloves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hopped on the bike and took off. I was glad for wearing long sleeves because it was cloudy along the coast. I wasn't a half mile into the bike ride when my Garmin beeped at me, signaling a lap. Wait a minute....its not supposed to do that when you bike. Did I hit "stop" instead of "lap" at transition? What does Garmin think I'm doing? Still running? I started pushing stop/pause/lap to try and get Garmin into sync with what I was doing. Not a good idea while riding a bike. First of all, its dangerous. Second of all, it slows you down. After awhile, I just figured, to heck with it. Which leads me to lesson #2: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "LAP" AND "STOP." MAKE SURE YOU HIT THE RIGHT BUTTON IN AND OUT OF TRANSITION!<br />
<br />
I was a little concerned that I would get lost on the bike course, so I made sure to keep up with the couple in front of me, the woman was wearing fluorescent yellow. Not much to report on the bike course, other than marveling at how fast people can go on bikes. I was pushing it for me, and people still passed me. Of course, by now, I felt like I was probably very near the rear, but I didn't take the time to look back-I just kept pedaling. One of the participants had some kind of accident-I'm not sure what happened, but one of those fit looking dudes I saw in the beginning ended up being tended to by paramedics by the side of the road. I hope it wasn't serious. As I was coming up near the end of the ride, I saw that guys were already out on the second run lap. Not too surprising, but still. I didn't want to be last!<br />
<br />
I came back into the transition area after the ride, and saw that many of those fit dudes were already done and were snacking on apples and bananas! I got back into my running shoes as fast as I could, put my ball cap back on and took off. As I was taking off, I heard someone yell..."The first female finisher is in!" Oh man. I don't want to be last, I don't want to be last! At that point, I didn't see anyone behind me. Oh well. Worrying about it isn't going to do me any good. Just keep going.<br />
<br />
Well. I have never run immediately after biking. It is a sensation that is hard to describe. I wouldn't say your legs feel like jelly. More like wooden. I felt like I was clumping down the road at an incredibly awkward gait and slow pace. I hoped that after a half mile or so it would go away. It did kind of, but was exchanged with an overall "my legs are really tired" feeling. I know that feeling, I can work with that. I was happy to be able to pass a couple of men on the run, one of whom I know was just taking it easy. He was one of those fit guys from the early morning. (He actually is one of the ones doing a "real" <a href="http://www.active.com/triathlon/coronado-ca/superseal-triathlon-2013" target="_blank">triathlon</a> tomorrow in Coronado.) But who cares? If I could stay in front of them, I wouldn't be last! As it turned out, I was going about a 9 minute mile. For me, that's pretty good. Not as fast as my first run, but still decent for me.<br />
<br />
As I came in, there was a TCSD volunteer who asked me for my chip number. Chip? Uh, yeah. I left it in my car because I couldn't activate it. Turns out, he was recording times and I could have been "official" in the race. Lesson 3: WEAR YOUR CHIP NO MATTER WHAT! By that time, I figured...whatever. My times are all screwed up anyway. This is all about learning lessons so I don't make the same mistakes in a "real" race. My friend Matt and his family were there to cheer me on over the finish line, which was nice. His son hi-fived me as I crossed the finish. And it was done! We made our way over to the snack table to get some water and stretch. After a few minutes, I realized I hadn't stopped the Garmin. Oh man! Lesson 4: STOP YOUR GARMIN AFTER YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC0icEcU_-JVSA83FwegvlRDxwFuC-HOnyEHIRPiFxjAExeOJIKsNHz1i0yML11O4ajBoefT-nYDpdKrayFhl8XkvElziKQvypOcwBeax_2vCnruyLRp5C-FZNknO81zf4uiHXADqAQQ/s1600/IMG_0406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC0icEcU_-JVSA83FwegvlRDxwFuC-HOnyEHIRPiFxjAExeOJIKsNHz1i0yML11O4ajBoefT-nYDpdKrayFhl8XkvElziKQvypOcwBeax_2vCnruyLRp5C-FZNknO81zf4uiHXADqAQQ/s320/IMG_0406.jpg" width="240" /></a>I am happy to say, I saw at least 3 people (all men) come in after me, so at least I wasn't last. Boy, I have a lot to learn. And a lot of room for improvement in my fitness. It was a pretty fun event, and I'm glad I did it. There is a club practice triathlon in April that I would like to sign up for. Lord knows what kind of goofy mistakes I will make trying to transition from swim to bike! Not to mention that I'm not that experienced in the open water swimming department.<br />
<br />
I got home, and Garmin uploaded my data to the website. As I looked at it, it thought I did an hour and 32 minute run that went 16.88 miles. What? Just a run? Which brings me to the final lesson 5: MAKE SURE YOU SET GARMIN FOR MULTI-SPORT! I had programmed it for run-bike-run, but never actually switched from just run to the multi-sport. At least I know my total time, although it did take me a few minutes to stop the watch after coming in. So my time was probably around 90 minutes.<br />
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In any event, I can sport the sticker on my car now without feeling like a total liar. Maybe just a little since I haven't actually done a "tri" athalon. But I am no longer a complete poser! In the coming months I'll make it all the way. I may be near the back of the pack, but I will cross the finish line, Lord willing!<br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-21890888129276837662013-01-24T10:22:00.000-08:002013-01-24T10:22:17.017-08:00What ifsI've been training for my first half marathon of 2013, which is coming up this Sunday in Carlsbad. I use a training app from Runner's World called "Smart coach" which tells me which days to run, how far, and how fast. <br />
<br />
Getting back into running after training and doing the 3 Day last November hasn't been easy. I felt like I lost my "base" of running fitness. The first few weeks were brutal, but I stuck it out. After a month (late December), I started to feel pretty good again. I was no where near as fast as I was last Spring, but at least a run didn't feel like torture! For the past month, I've been doing about 30 miles per week, with my longest run being 11+ miles. By all measures, I am ready for 13.1 miles on Sunday. I know I won't set a personal record (PR), but I should be able to at least be competitive with my times from last year. If I could maintain a 10 minute mile, I would be thrilled, but I think 10:30 is more realistic.<br />
<br />
But this week I feel like lead! The training app had me run 4 miles Tuesday and Wednesday, then a tempo run of 5 miles today. Tuesday's run was great. While I wasn't really trying to run fast, I did. (Which made up for a bad run on Sunday that I have legitimate excuses for: it was hotter than normal; I had eaten lunch just an hour before; and it was a hilly route). But yesterday's run was tough. Then today at the gym, I barely hung on for the 3 miles at a tempo pace. When I finished, I was beet red and annoyed at myself. What the heck? The trainer is telling me to run an easy 4 tomorrow and rest on Saturday. I think I'm going to rest tomorrow instead, although it will be hard not to run because I have a new Garmin to try out.<br />
<br />
I've been getting plenty of sleep and eating very well this week. Actually, better than most weeks. I've been drinking more water. I would have expected to be feeling on top of the world instead of dragging myself through workouts. I should be wanting to run MORE because I feel so strong, not less. What's up with that? I was hoping to end this race training feeling like I could kick some serious bootie.<br />
<br />
The point of this post isn't the nitty gritty of my training, though.<br />
<br />
It's the mental skirmish that has started because of it. You see, I just can't have a bad day or two. My mind instantly goes to....am I having bad workouts because I'm sick? Could I be fighting one of the myriad of viruses that is going around right now? Olivier did comment about feeling a little "off" this morning. Or even worse....has cancer has come back? Is my body using its energy to fight evil mutating cells?? I have enough energy to get through my day otherwise. But what if....what if....what if....<br />
<br />
I hate the what ifs. <br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-89837902236373447622013-01-01T10:52:00.001-08:002013-01-01T10:52:07.174-08:002012 by the numbers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really enjoy my Garmin GPS watch. Not only does it give me my pace and distance information, I am able to upload it to Garmin's website and track my workouts and progress. You can really "geek out" on some of the data you can get.<br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In short, I covered a total of 1,631.09 miles! (It took 350 hours, 15 minutes, and 15 seconds....over 2 weeks, lol!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For data geeks like me, here is how Garmin breaks it down:<br /><u><br /></u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Running</u><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-size: 13px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="rich-table dr-table" id="j_id14:j_id16" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; empty-cells: show; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><colgroup span="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></colgroup><tbody id="j_id14:j_id16:tb" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr class="rich-table-row rich-table-firstrow dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Count:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">158 Activities</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">834.99 mi</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Time:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">148:48:23 h:m:s</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Elevation Gain:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">45,602 ft</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Speed:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">5.6 mph</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg HR:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">153 bpm</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Run Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Bike Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calories:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">54,968 C</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">5.32 mi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><u>Walking</u></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="rich-table dr-table" id="j_id14:j_id16" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; empty-cells: show; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tbody id="j_id14:j_id16:tb" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr class="rich-table-row rich-table-firstrow dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Count:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">77 Activities</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">478.06 mi</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Time:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">148:39:47 h:m:s</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Elevation Gain:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">60,078 ft</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Speed:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3.2 mph</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg HR:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">99 bpm</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Run Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Bike Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">0 rpm</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calories:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">28,081 C</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">6.21 mi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><u>Biking</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="rich-table dr-table" id="j_id14:j_id16" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; empty-cells: show; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><colgroup span="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></colgroup><tbody id="j_id14:j_id16:tb" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr class="rich-table-row rich-table-firstrow dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Count:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">19 Activities</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">289.33 mi</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Time:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">29:42:05 h:m:s</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Elevation Gain:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">19,111 ft</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Speed:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">10.2 mph</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg HR:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">119 bpm</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Run Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Bike Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calories:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">11,084 C</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">17.02 mi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><u>Swimming</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="rich-table dr-table" id="j_id14:j_id16" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; empty-cells: show; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><colgroup span="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></colgroup><tbody id="j_id14:j_id16:tb" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr class="rich-table-row rich-table-firstrow dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Count:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:0:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">25 Activities</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:1:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">28.71 mi</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Time:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:2:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">23:05:00 h:m:s</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Elevation Gain:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:3:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Speed:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:4:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.2 mph</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg HR:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:5:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Run Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:6:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Bike Cadence:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:7:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row dr-table-firstrow progressRow" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calories:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:8:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</span></td></tr>
<tr class="rich-table-row progressRowAlternate" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id17" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportHeaderColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Avg Distance:</span></td><td class="rich-table-cell dr-table-cell " id="j_id14:j_id16:9:j_id19" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="reportValueColumn" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1.15 mi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For Christmas, Eric gave me a Garmin "upgrade," which I haven't cashed in yet. I've pretty much decided on which model I want-one that will track swimming better, I just haven't made the purchase yet. I can only IMAGINE how much data I'll have for 2013!! </span></div>
Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-90101133476494064702012-11-12T14:57:00.003-08:002012-11-12T14:57:42.697-08:00Who will be my mom?Jean-Marc, who is four, and I have a little cute word game that we play from time to time throughout the day. It is kind of based on the book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guess-How-Much-Love-You/dp/0763642649" target="_blank">Guess How Much I Love You</a>" by Sam McBratney. He'll tell me that he loves me up to the stars and back a hundred seventy eight times (the exact number varies each time...he's trying to get as high as he can go.) Then I'll top it. Then he'll try to make up an even bigger number, and so on. It's cute and inevitably ends up with hugs and him declaring that, "I'll always love you!" Or, "I'll never ever, ever stop loving you!" Heart melting, to be sure.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1TEmPzx3nlgt3wAAsc0unUe0s2Vnvz1xoedkjUGs9bHRLWq6hFqdF8hJD5TAyZrnyWAasOQB0A7r8G8hCFsA_oLJYfZEQUWw4MNjMj_TV35ttx66U0kymwO7K7YdLceGZIp4djchyphenhyphen_E/s1600/scan0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1TEmPzx3nlgt3wAAsc0unUe0s2Vnvz1xoedkjUGs9bHRLWq6hFqdF8hJD5TAyZrnyWAasOQB0A7r8G8hCFsA_oLJYfZEQUWw4MNjMj_TV35ttx66U0kymwO7K7YdLceGZIp4djchyphenhyphen_E/s320/scan0040.jpg" width="254" /></a>Last night as I was getting him ready for bed, he started the Game. It's especially nice when he's fresh from a bath and getting all cozy and ready for bed. When he said that he would "never, ever" stop loving me, I made some comment like, "Wow...even when I'm an old lady?" <br />
<br />
That stopped him in his tracks. His little lips started to quiver and he was visibly worried. After a pause, his little voice asked, "But....but who will be my mom when you die?" He was on the verge of tears, and this sudden turn of the Game almost had me there on a dime as well. <br />
<br />
"Who will be my mom when you die?"<br />
<br />
Who said anything about dying?? Oh man. I assured him that I wasn't going to be dying anytime soon and that even when I was old and he was a grownup, that I would still be his mom. That satisfied him enough that we were able to settle in for a good telling of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hop-Pop-Dr-Seuss/dp/039480029X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352760775&sr=1-1&keywords=Hop+on+Pop" target="_blank">Hop on Pop</a>" before final goodnight cuddles and bed.<br />
<br />
But I can't help but think over the question. While I am not facing the death sentence that a recurrence would mean, it is always in the back of my mind. It's a constant threat that I live with. Having my innocent little four year old ask me the question that I hope he never has to really ask kind of freaked me out.<br />
<br />
And while I'm okay, there are so many other women who <u>do</u> die and leave small children. My heart just breaks thinking about those little children who are left wondering who will be their mom now.<br />
<br />
I pray that mine never have to.Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-84936732191243634372012-10-15T15:52:00.002-07:002012-10-15T15:52:41.599-07:00Status update...all clearI had my 6 month oncology checkup today. Every April and October I'm supposed to go and visit Dr. P. Last April, they called me to set it up. This time, I didn't get the scheduling call. I put it off and finally last week called to make the appointment. I'm not a big procrastinator. It just stresses me out.<br />
<br />
It's really strange to go back there to the internal medicine department at Kaiser. It wouldn't be accurate to say that it "reminds" me that I had cancer, because every day the thoughts of "what if it comes back" invade my thoughts. It's worst in the middle of the night when I have moments of sleep that are "less deep" (for lack of a better term) than others. During those times, I have to call on the name of Jesus in order to fight off the fear. Talk about a spiritual battle! The strange thing is, that I'm really still asleep while I'm doing this. Weird.<br />
<br />
I managed to get my 6 mile training walk in before my appointment. I parked my car in the Kaiser parking lot and walked from there. Training for the 3 Day certainly poses some challenges for life. It takes a long time to walk, especially after I got used to running earlier in the year. Our mileage plan for this week is 44...including an 18 mile day and a 15 mile day. So squeezing in doctor's appointments around the kids' schedule and my training schedule can be tough.<br />
<br />
Dr. P never changes. Knowing that he does triathalons, when he asked me "What's new?" I told him that I bought a road bike. (This is old news to my Facebook friends.) We had a discussion about my speedplay pedals and he assured me that EVERYONE falls from time to time. I told him about the walk training. He asked me if I wore enough sunscreen. Probably not, I told him. It didn't help that I was a bit flushed from just having walked 6.6 miles! I like to tell him about my race goals and let him know how much I am able to do. Like it will put another notch in the "healthy" side of my file.<br />
<br />
Looking at my medical record, he saw that I'm coming up on my 2 years on <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000678/" target="_blank">Tamoxifen</a> in December. Now the decision is....do we switch to another hormone therapy that is for post-menopausal women? My estrogen levels were "low" last April. He suggested that I get them checked again in December and then we would probably switch to <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000982/" target="_blank">Anastrozole</a>. I assured him that I haven't had a period since September 2010. Silver lining? Maybe. Maybe not, though, because I've been having hot flashes ever since! This new drug has a potential side effect of muscle soreness and osteoporosis. We'll see how it goes. I'm going to go for it as soon as I can because Dr. P has told me in the past that it has better outcomes than Tamoxifen alone.<br />
<br />
After that, he examined me. Listened to my lungs, heart, etc. Felt around to see if there were any lumps or bumps that shouldn't be there. For the first time, he did not ask me about reconstruction.<br />
<br />
And then it was over.<br />
<br />
For another 6 months.Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-2801346420787918622012-09-07T13:40:00.002-07:002012-09-07T13:40:31.158-07:00Complacent no more!I'm happy to report my lymphedema seems to have gotten under control. All it took was taking the time to take care of it: doing the massage nightly; wrapping; and staying bandaged longer. I also started using "<a href="http://pinkandplaidwarrior.blogspot.com/2010/12/all-that-and-bag-of-chips.html" target="_blank">chip bags</a>"as part of my bandaging on my hand and forearm. I can once again wear my wedding rings without worrying that I will be unable to get them off!<br />
<br />
It was a wake up call for me, though. I had spent most of the summer not massaging, and only wrapping a fraction of the time. Even with our trip to France, I was spared swelling. So I began to take it for granted. This latest episode has shaken me out of my complacent place. Especially now as my mileage for the 3 Day begins to increase. This week was a "rest' week with only 20 miles, but next week I'm in for 30! Keeping my arm bandaged for some of these long walks has definitely helped, although it has been difficult with the hot weather.<br />
<br />
I was not so happy to see that I've crept up a few pounds on the scale today. Yikes. Another place of complacency that is being shaken. Considering all of my exercise, I haven't been careful about what I'm putting in my mouth, and the scale doesn't hide it! So I'm back to counting calories. I'll admit...the past couple weeks, I've indulged in wine, dessert, and too many snacks. (Like the huge bag of yogurt raisins I bought at Costco and pretty much finished off myself in a week!) I've gone past my "no go" number by a pound and its time to get serious again. Its ridiculous considering the amount of exercise I do! If I'm careful about what I put in, I should be feeling good again in a few weeks. (Just in time for my 25th high school reunion in October!)<br />
<br />
I still am dealing with bursitis in my hip, but that I'm told takes a very long time to go away. I can't exactly stop using it. So I'm icing it, taking anti-inflammatories, and not sleeping on my left side. On the good side, my left foot/heel seems to be dealing with getting back into walking and running. I've added foot stretches and rolling my feet on a golf ball as part of my cool down. I guess this is another area where I am no longer complacent!<br />
<br />
<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-60470622637819874562012-09-02T14:11:00.002-07:002012-09-02T14:11:26.503-07:00Status updateIt has been a busy few weeks. The kids started school again 2 weeks ago. Isabelle and Jean-Marc are each doing swimming 2 times a week, so I find myself on the road being the taxi again.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My plantar facitis seems to have abated, thank God. However, when it first flared up in July, I compensated by walking on the outer part of my left foot, which caused my hip to have problems. I saw my chiropractor last week to make sure that it wasn't cancer. (I know, I know.) But Dr. P's way of monitoring in between check ups is to tell me, "If you have a pain that doesn't go away, come see me." This hip pain is officially bursitis. My chiropractor nailed it right off by comparing my right and left side. I also got a really good adjustment in the process. He did tell me that my foot felt much better than the last time I was in. Yay! Anyway, Dr. Google tells me the remedies for bursitis are ice, anti-inflammatories, and rest. Hm. Okay, well 2 out of 3 should help, right? If it got really bad, I could get a cortisone shot in the hip. I don't know if I would ever go there, though. I had one once...and it is a very traumatic memory. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYEXhiPhADpyILxFvtemBGkp8rqH9izPTsb5EIwOnaSPPy1gjDG3bWsP_clv3tMmYF3kn-p1iYdc82xzYjgj3YIQZwpbsk5JQY-SkMgveWujVpx92NDbogIyQZCagx6lf7WbzNcrWTq8/s1600/Aug2012Activities.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYEXhiPhADpyILxFvtemBGkp8rqH9izPTsb5EIwOnaSPPy1gjDG3bWsP_clv3tMmYF3kn-p1iYdc82xzYjgj3YIQZwpbsk5JQY-SkMgveWujVpx92NDbogIyQZCagx6lf7WbzNcrWTq8/s640/Aug2012Activities.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
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The thing is, I don't want to rest. I love to exercise. Plus, I officially started my 3 Day training a few weeks ago. While its not as rewarding as running (burning half the calories in twice the time), I do know that it is important if I want to be able to walk the entire 60 miles. So I've been walking a lot more the past few weeks. Rest really isn't an option at this point. I'm in a groove! Here is my Garmin calendar to prove it for the month of August. </div>
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With my foot problems, I've gotten into other forms of exercise more. I took 3 weeks off of any impact and for cardio did stationary bike riding and swimming. Now I'm all inspired to tackle a triathalon at some point. Yesterday, I swam 2,300 yards in an hour. 1,100 of them were freestyle, non-stop. This morning, a friend from church loaned me a bike that I can try out. I'm excited to give it a try. Cycling is a whole new world for me. I half-jokingly told my parents this morning...I need a cycling outfit! Maybe something in pink? :-)</div>
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Anyway, one problematic issue that seems to have cropped up is my lymphedema. I had a small pain on my left hand for a few days. I'm not sure where it came from, but it definitely felt tender, like a bruise. It also has been very hot, and I have been walking, which tends to make me swell. I noticed last week my hand was puffy, so I started being more diligent about wearing bandages or my custom Juxta-Fit sleeve at night. I even did the manual drainage massage a few nights. But when I do, I'm not getting that "tingly" feeling that tells me that the lymph is moving. So far, it does not seem to have helped. I wore my nighttime wrapping/bandaging the last 2 mornings walking to no avail. Today, I'm wearing my compression sleeve and glove during the day. For the past year or so, I've only worn it while exercising. But I can tell through the glove (even more coverage/compression than the gauntlet) that my hand is puffy. I'm thinking that maybe I need to go and see my physical therapist to get "unstuck" from where I am. She's good at the drainage and can probably get it moving for me. It's not life threatening, but it is a bummer to look down and see my hand all puffy. Eric and I measured my hand and arm today for the first time in about a year, and I measured a centimeter up at most points on my arm. Sigh. So I guess I need to get more aggressive with my bandaging. Great.</div>
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It's a pain, but its okay. I can deal with it. That's life, and it could be so much worse. I'm grateful that at least I know to be on guard for this and can spot it as it happens. I've been given the tools to deal with it too, which is something that many women do not have. In any event, any prayers that you all could lift for me on this would be greatly appreciated. </div>
Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-68767415813157897632012-07-23T16:41:00.001-07:002012-07-23T16:41:18.876-07:00Being gratefulOne song I enjoy running to is Kelly Clarkson's "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger." I've always believed that to be true in life. Each situation we face makes us adapt, change and grow to deal with and, hopefully, overcome it.<br />
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I spent several years working with an birth education and advocacy group, <a href="http://www.ican-online.org/" target="_blank">The International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)</a>. My involvement grew out of my own bad experience with Olivier's cesearan birth in 1999. As I became more aware of the physiological and political issues surrounding the birth industry, I was able to go on to have two amazing home births with Isabelle and Jean-Marc. I got involved in ICAN, a group that I found much support and information from during my subsequent pregnancies. I like to think that I helped other women avoid some of the same mistakes that I made the first time around. My cesarean experience definitely made me stronger, but it took me a long time to get to the point of saying that I was grateful for that experience. But now, I can honestly say that I am grateful for my cesarean and for the person it forced me to become.<br />
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A new friend, (who found me through this blog), mentioned an interview with "Soul Surfer" Bethany Hamilton. Bethany was asked if she could do her life over, would she have not gone surfing that day or gotten out of the water before the shark came? And she said, "No", because she has been able to reach so many more people to tell them about her faith and God's love than she ever would have if she'd remained a normal surfer girl.<br />
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That got me to thinking...will I ever be able to say that I am grateful for my cancer? Maybe not grateful, but would I ever wish that it didn't happen to me if I could have it all to do over?<br />
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Honestly, I don't know right now. Sometimes I look back on what I went through and it doesn't even seem real. Did that really happen to me? It doesn't take long before I have a glance in the mirror and see my scarred body to confirm that, yes, it did.<br />
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If it weren't for the lingering specter of recurrence, I probably could get to the point of being grateful someday. Even with the lymphedema that will always be an issue in my life, I could probably get to that point. But the thought of the cancer coming back at any time really plays games with your head, because its never really over. <br />
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That being said, I can think of some things that I appreciate having gone through cancer and treatment that I would not have necessarily experienced if I did not have the experience. First of all, I have been able to experience the love, care and keeping of God in a way I never had before. It was experiential at times. It was palpable. I think of my biopsy or my surgery, when I could actually feel the presence of the Lord with me, keeping me, whispering scripture into my mind to bring me peace and calm.<br />
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I learned through experience that God's promises in the Bible are true. Things like, "I will not leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5-6) Or the promise from Joshua 1:9 that I wore on a necklace to every chemotherapy appointment: "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Even simple things like being able to sleep at night because "He gives to His beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2) I KNOW these things are true because He did them for me. Based on that, I can rest assured that the rest of the promises in the Bible are true as well. (Which really puts one in a place of peace during these crazy times.) Even if the cancer comes back and is what ultimately makes this body die, I know based on the promises in His Word where I'll be, because "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)<br />
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Another thing I appreciate is the fellowship of other breast cancer survivors. What an amazing bunch of people they are! Most of them not only have or are going through treatment, but they all try to help others in some way. Many do help through participating in walks or events and raising money for cancer charities. Others have informative blogs, or give back by volunteering to help run support groups and working one on one with women as they go through treatment. We don't all see eye to eye on all issues related to breast cancer, treatment, pink ribbons, etc. But we all respect each other's experience and I always feel a genuine warmth from all of them.<br />
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Having had breast cancer has certainly put the women in my family on alert, as well as many of my friends and acquaintances. If it could happen to me at 40, it can happen to anyone. Hopefully this heightened awareness will lead every woman to check her breasts regularly, know what they feel like, know what is normal so if there are any changes, she can alert her care providers immediately. I believe that is even more important than mammograms. (Remember...I had a "clean" mammogram a month before I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer!)<br />
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While I will never reach the celebrity of Bethany Hamilton, I hope that my experience has reached out and helped others. I hope that people can see evidence of God's love through my experience and be strengthened in their own faith.<br />
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So while I am not "grateful" that I had cancer, I am beginning to see how God has used it for good purposes. I know that He works all things together for the good (Romans 28:8). I pray that this list of things that I have come to appreciate grows as I reflect on the past 25 months and move forward in my "post-cancer" life. <br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-38605609057204615432012-07-11T08:09:00.001-07:002012-07-11T08:09:49.881-07:00Sidelined....and it stinksI'm forcing myself to take a few days off of exercise, and its creating a very unsound mind in me. <div>
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During our trip to France, we did A LOT of walking. But after 60 miles in 3 days and all the running I do, it should be a snap, right? Well, all of <i>those</i> miles I did in stability running shoes. My tourist miles were logged in flat sandals with hardly any support whatsoever. So it should not have been a bit surprise when, 2 weeks into our trip, my left heel started to hurt. I popped a few Advil and kept going. </div>
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France is the land of food. Literally. It is seeped into the culture. My mother in law was determined to show my parents (who went with us) all that France had to offer in that department: champagne; limitless cheese; souffle; quiche; desserts......you get the picture. I wanted to enjoy myself and not worry about every calorie I ate, so I set out to get as much exercise in as I could. Besides, going on runs in new places is a great way to discover things.</div>
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I did get in some very excellent runs. An early morning 4.3 miles in a village in Normandy called Isigny sur mer was awesome. A 7.7 miler in Strasbourg followed by 25 miles on a rented bike. My last run was 10k through the park attached to the gardens of the chateau in Versailles. That was awesome-to run through places where kings and nobles spent their time. It was great, and I was keeping in as good of shape as was possible given our schedule. </div>
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The problem was, at least 3 of my runs were done on my hurt heel. </div>
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It didn't take long for my left hip to start hurting. At first I blamed it on the old saggy mattress that we sleep on at my in laws house. But...duh. I realized that perhaps I was compensating for a hurt foot by altering my stride. </div>
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The first morning we were back home in San Marcos, I went for a run. Not a long one-just 4 miles and change. After such a long travel, I don't feel "normal." Getting some exercise, getting my heart rate up, makes me feel like myself again. Not to mention work off some of the carb-laden airplane food from the day before. </div>
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After that run, my hip hurt more than ever. I can't even sleep on my left side. So I took yesterday off from any exercise, hoping that perhaps today I could go for a swim. That is stress-free, right? But it still hurts today. So I'm taking yet another day off and going to see the chiropractor to see what he has to say. </div>
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Needless to say, this is NOT good for my mental state. Its not just the lack of endorphins, although that is part of it. Another part of it is needing to work off some of the weight that I probably put on during our 3 weeks in <strike>Food-land</strike> France. But the real thing that really gets me is that I feel less healthy. After cancer, you just can't have a pain anywhere without wondering in the back of your mind if it is the cancer that has come back. Side ache? Maybe it's metastasized to my liver! Hip pain? Boney mets! It sucks. I can't just be a normal person with a whacked out joint, I will forever be wondering if it is something I should call my oncologist about. </div>
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Bummer for me. </div>
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I just pray that this goes away soon, that the pain in my heel is NOT plantar facitis, and that I can at least start logging miles in the pool very soon!</div>
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<br /></div>Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-82535637015794229372012-07-06T13:37:00.002-07:002012-07-06T13:37:50.578-07:00They said it wouldn't last....I remember when I was in that terrible time frame of knowing I had breast cancer, but not really knowing how bad it was. I was in the throes of trying to learn a new vocabulary, make decisions about treatment, figuring out how not to go crazy with worry. I remember meeting with Kaiser's breast cancer care nurse, Judy. She coordinated everything for the newly diagnosed: breaking the news; surgeons; chemotherapy orientation classes; support groups; mastectomy products; post-surgery camisoles, etc. She was our first point person to ask questions of. <br />
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When I was diagnosed, we already knew the cancer had spread into my lymph nodes. Based on that, they were recommending chemo for systemic treatment of cancer. One of the first things I was told was that I would most likely lose my hair. When I met with Judy in person, she mentioned that when my hair grew back, it could quite possibly be curly. The "chemo curl" she called it, but she also added that it probably wouldn't last.<br />
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Sure enough, last year when it started to come back, my hair was in waves. As it grew longer, it was curly. It was a new thing for me. I spent a lot of money in the 1980's and 1990's perming my fine straight hair into waves! I didn't do much with my new curls, other than trying to keep it from being too frizzed at the ends. I always got lots of comments about the curls from people who knew me "BC" (before cancer). Even though it was kind of wild, I kind of liked it. It was easy to deal with, for the most part.<br />
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I happen to be on vacation in France right now. My mother in law happens to be a trained "coiffeuse." That is, she has spent most of her life doing other people's hair. After over 15 years of marriage, she had never cut my hair. She's done all the kids, but never mine. This trip, however, the top of my hair was driving me nuts. It was clearly too long and I couldn't do anything with it. Out of desparation, I made a comment about it. She recognized the open door and offered to help. <br />
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What the heck. Even if I hated it, I figured it will grow back, right? Besides, I've been BALD. How bad could it be? She took me downstairs, sat me in a chair and went for it.<br />
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She gave it a good whack, but had a vision in mind. In her words (roughly translated), she gave it a "shape." It is short, but again, I've been bald so its been shorter. The thing is....the curl seems to be gone. <br />
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So Judy was right. The upside of it is that it kind of mentally puts me on the road of being another step past cancer and treatment. The downside is that I'm having to spend more time on it so it doesn't look ridiculous! There are mornings when I wake up and its sticking straight up! Not so easy when not at home with my own hair "stuff," no matter how long it had been since I used them. <br />
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They said it wouldn't last...and they seem to have been right!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Paris train with my new 'do</td></tr>
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-39359807214248854582012-06-12T13:46:00.003-07:002012-06-12T13:46:58.056-07:00Tough ChicksAs a breast cancer survivor, I have several new "notable" days to observe each year. Not all of them call for a celebration. On Sunday, June 10th, I observed the second anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. It was the day I learned for sure that I had the disease. I had to have had it for awhile, so it wasn't anything new to my body. But to my mind and spirit, it was a day that changed my life forever.<br />
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When I got off the phone with the nurse who broke the news to me two years ago, I went upstairs and did a Jillian Michaels level 3 workout. I didn't cry or freak out. I just exerted myself to nearly my max. I sweat like a dog. When I got tired, the word "CANCER....CANCER...CANCER...." reverberated in my head. Each repetition was like taking a punch. As I was stretching out afterwards, I did shed a few tears. But my mindset was not that of being a victim. I had become a warrior. Working out was training for the bigger battle for my life. <br />
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I learned through the course of my treatments that my strength did not come from myself, but it came from the Lord. If it were not for His strength, comfort, and sustenance, I would not have been able to cope with it all, physically, mentally, or spiritually. That is why when I hear this particular song, "My All in All" I literally can break into sobs. It pierces my heart. It is like "our" song. God's and mine, that is. <br />
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You are my strength, oh God.</div>
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You are my help, oh God.</div>
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You are the One on whom I call.</div>
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You are my shield, oh God </div>
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My life I yield oh God</div>
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For you will always be my All in All</div>
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Wouldn't you know it? On Sunday, June 10, 2012, that was the last worship song we did in church. I couldn't sing, I just meditated on the words with my hands upraised in praise and tears rolling down my cheeks. There are no accidents. God was observing this day just as I was.<br />
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After church, mom and I drove up to Orange County to attend an event put on by the Komen affiliate in Orange County. It was a celebration of survivors with a luncheon and fashion show. One of the women I met doing the 3 Day commercial last fall invited us. (It was so fantastic to see her again, and meet her family!) I can't think of a better way to have spent that day but in the company of dozens of survivors and co-survivors. Some survivors had 20+ years. Others were still in treatment. But all of us were bound together by a common bond. One speaker referred to it as a sorority of sorts. Perhaps. I never was in a sorority in college. If it is, it is one with one heck of an initiation, to be sure. You get a two survivors together, and they can talk for hours comparing their histories, their surgeries, and all that they have done against their common enemy. And they genuinely care for one another. We live with so much in common.<br />
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One thing I am struck by so many of the survivors I meet is their strength. To get through the emotional, physical, and mental gauntlet of diagnosis, surgery, chemo, radiation, reconstruction in most cases and then living with the specter of possible recurrence requires strength. Especially to do it well. We all do the best we can do. So many of the women I met and saw on Sunday are surviving with strength and panache. It was like IN YOUR FACE, CANCER! It was so inspiring. Some of these women had battled cancer several times. One woman had a recurrence after 20 years and it was now in her bones. But she was amazing. She was a active, she was smiling, she was beautiful. She was kicking butt. I loved her.<br />
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It is one of the things that motivates me to push myself physically. It's not vanity that makes me get out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to run for an hour. Instead, it is my way of being stronger than cancer. To kick its butt. To show the world and cancer that it doesn't have me. I may have had it, but with God's strengthening and grace, I won. Even if it comes back, I won. I won't go down weak. Like other survivors, I am a tough chick!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOUGH CHICKS!</td></tr>
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-7141307757912742782012-06-04T20:39:00.001-07:002012-06-04T20:39:58.167-07:00In the can...One of my goals for 2012 was to complete three half-marathons.<br />
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Yesterday, I was able to check that one off my list. <br />
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I ran in the San Diego Rock & Roll Half Marathon. I had been planning on running with my best friend from my Junior and High School days. Sadly, she let me know a few days before the race that the situation on her end just wouldn't work out to travel to San Diego for the race. Dang! Now I had no excuse not to run fast! I had been training all along like any other race, averaging about 30 miles a week for the past month. My longest training run was 12 miles. In the last week, my "hard" runs (the long run and tempo runs) went really well. I felt strong!<br />
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My best time before yesterday was 2 hours 10 minutes, 30 seconds. My minimum goal was to beat this time. I figured if I could keep my pace around 9:30 minutes per mile, that would be no problem. Deep down, though, my ultimate goal is to complete 13.1 miles in under 2 hours. A little part of me thought....maybe I could do it today??<br />
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I woke up at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. I had been hydrating well all week, and adding a few extra carbs for the past few days. It was hard to rest the night before the race. Partly because I didn't go down to San Diego to check in and get my bib and swag bag ahead of time. I paid an extra premium to be able to check in on race day. I also got to park at the finish line (Sea World), and take a shuttle to the start line (Balboa Park). I probably got only 4-5 hours of sleep the night before. That was the one thing that I wish I could have made different. It's not for a lack of trying...I went to bed plenty early. But drinking 3+ liters of water in a day has its effects, if you know what I mean....<br />
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Anyway, I got down to the parking okay. The shuttle was uneventful. However, it took a LONG time once he got off the freeway. That clued me in to how crowded it was going to be. There were over 30,000 runners registered! Everyone started at the same time...so you can imagine the congestion.<br />
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I managed to get my bib and timing chip. Once I got it on my shoe, I decided to make a pit stop at the porta potty. Even though there were dozens of them, the lines were incredibly long. I was going to have to go before the start in an hour. I figured I would wait in my corral, or wait in the toilet line! It took a long time, and I realized as I got near the front that I didn't have any kleenex. What if there wasn't any paper?? Oh man. Something to bring next time. But, as I tell Eric....Don't worry about things that aren't going to happen! There was paper, so it was all fine. I checked my bag with my sweatsuit and headed over to the corrals. <br />
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By the time I got to my corral (#25), it was just about time for the race to start: 6:15 a.m. When I signed up for this race, I had never run a half marathon, so I estimated my finish time to be 2 1/2 hours. Based on that, they assigned me to the appropriate corral, which was farther back from the faster runners in front. Corral #1 got started right at 6:15 a.m. Then every 2 minutes or so, the next corral would be let go. I figured I could overcome my position by getting in the front of my corral. Then I wouldn't have to run around everyone who might be slower than me. It sounded good in theory. <br />
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As we started to slowly creep forward, I began to think....Do I need to go to the bathroom again? Or is it mental? I waited awhile as they earlier corrals got started. I heard group #21 get let go and realized that I really DID need to go. If I didn't, I would have to go during the race, and that would affect my time. So I made a quick dash to another set of porta pots that lined the start line on Sixth Avenue. Even if I started with the next corral, it wouldn't matter. My race would start when the timing chip on my shoe crossed over the starting line.<br />
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I got out and managed to get back in my proper corral. But this time, I was more in the middle. Maybe I should have just gone to the front of #26. Who knows. I decided to stay where I was assigned. (Am I not a good girl?) By the time I got started, it was 6:52-over 30 minutes after the race had started for the elites.<br />
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During my past two half marathons, my strategy has been to pace myself. I wasn't sure I could even do 13.1 miles, so I started slow. This time, I was ducking and weaving in and out of people in my way. It was by far the most populated race I've ever done. I decided to change my strategy. I decided to run fast when I could. Usually, the first few miles are the hardest for me. Once I get 3-4 miles behind me, I go on automatic and, if its a good day, feel like I can go forever. When my first mile beeped on my Garmin at a pace of 9:26 I thought...Yes!! With all the zig zagging, I managed to make 9:26 and feel good. I can do this! <br />
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I had a really cool experience early on in the race. It was early on. I was on Park Avenue and I got this overwhelming sensation that people were praying for me. I was so overcome with emotion that I almost started crying as I ran. It's hard to explain, but it felt like a dump of Holy Spirit adrenaline. I found out later that a group of friends from church were indeed praying for me and another friend around that time. I knew my parents were praying for me, as well as other friends as well. I felt it! It was amazing!<br />
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The course itself was okay. I enjoyed the beginning when we were on city streets and running through Balboa Park. Every mile or so there was a live band playing music. It was great. Around mile 3, we went onto the 163 freeway. That was fine, but around mile 5 it started to hurt. The street was never level, it was always at a slope. Plus, I continued to have to bob and weave in between slower runners. I never realized that the 163 freeway between Balboa Park and the 8 freeway is an incline. Towards the end, one of the singers with a band commented about how we were almost at the top. Ah. That explains it. Its not that I don't do hills, but it does make it harder. (I live on a hill, so running in my neighborhood requires me to do hills.)<br />
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To make a sub-2, I knew I would have to be in the low 9 minute mile area each mile. The first several miles, I thought I could do it. I even clocked mile 4 at under 9 minutes! <br />
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I was pleasantly surprised around mile 8 to see my mom and dad by the sidelines, cheering me on. That was awesome. They parked at Qualcomm stadium and took the trolley. I knew they were planning on being at the finish, but I didn't expect them in the middle!<br />
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I kept pushing on, and felt like I was passing a lot of people. Of course, with everyone starting at a different time, that didn't mean a thing.<br />
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As the race went on, it got harder and harder. I just wanted it to be over. I still had a few miles to go. I knew I could finish...but at what time? Having my Garmin was great-I could see where I was and if I needed to speed up to make that split a better time, I could. But by mile 11, I was running out of gas. I tore open a Gu that they had given me on the route. Strawberry banana. Kind of gross (I prefer chocolate or coffee flavors). I had some and tossed the rest to the side. Mile 12 was the worst. You can't say that its your last mile, and the scenery wasn't that inspiring. I even (gasp) gave into the mind and walked a few yards. That mile was my slowest, as you can see. By then, I could do the math. I knew that I wasn't going to make 2 hours, unless something utterly miraculous happened. Honestly, me running like this was already pretty darn miraculous! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done....I passed the Chinese dragon!</td></tr>
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Those last miles were hard. I found myself praying....Lord....lift me up on wings like eagles.....run and not grow weary.....run and not grow weary....You're my strength and my shield....You give me strength...set me up on high mountains....and stuff like that. Scripture, really. Not so much original thought, other than ....God get me through this!<br />
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As Sea World came into view, I tried to keep up the pace. I knew it was going to be over soon. I decided to scan the crowd and look for my parents. I saw them right around the 13 mile mark. They were situated on a corner. I was able to wave to them long before I got there. It really does give you energy to have a friendly face in the crowd. <br />
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I managed to have a little bit left in the tank to push it a bit at the very end---you can see my last split was under 9 minutes per mile. But I was so glad when it was done! I knew I would be glad to have done it, and I am. But man, a lot of it was hard, and hurt! But you know, anything in life worth doing that is going to pay off is going to be hard. Otherwise, what is the point? If everything comes easy, then nothing will make you stronger.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and dad found me after the race...a miracle!</td></tr>
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Cancer made me stronger. It sucked. It was hard. It was scary. It has made me appreciate what I am able to do today. I never will be the same as I was before my diagnosis. It's always in the back of my mind. But I'm stronger for it. That's not to say if I could go back in time and divinely decide not to have it happen I would choose it. But God has a plan for me, and cancer was part of it. I hope I am able to glorify Him through all that I do because He has given me the strength to do whatever it is I do post-diagnosis. Whether that is recovering from surgery, making it to chemo, or exercising with radiation burns. HE is my deliverer!<br />
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So I finished. I accomplished my first goal...to beat my time. I finished in 2:04:10. I was a little disappointed not to break the 2 hour mark. But out of my age group of fortysomethings, I came in at 209th out of 1,443. I can't complain about that! In fact, I'm pretty exited about it.<br />
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Where do I go from here? <br />
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Well, this is my last "long" race of 2012. I've signed up for a few 5ks, and I've got the 3 Day Walk in November. The family and I are going to France in a couple weeks. Once I get back, I need to start to transition my mindset into walking rather than running. It's going to be hard. Running is so awesome. Not to mention efficient-I burn twice the calories in half the time. This year, I want to keep running a little, even through walking season. I want to keep at least a 5k in me. I've signed up for the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon in January, and I don't want to be starting from scratch! I've also decided to do what's called the "Triple Crown" in San Diego in 2013. It's a series of 3 half marathons: Carlsbad in January; La Jolla in April; and San Diego (America's Finest City) in August. <br />
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People keep asking me....do you think you'll ever do a full marathon? Gosh. The idea of 26.2 miles seems way out of reach. But you know? Not too long ago, 13.1 sounded ridiculous! Heck, I've walked 60 miles in a weekend! So maybe in 2014, that will be a goal. One thing I know for sure. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!! <br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-83785524325374111872012-05-25T12:36:00.002-07:002012-05-25T12:36:27.781-07:00What every woman should knowWhat every woman should know is....what her breasts feel like.<br />
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I'll be honest-I never was good about doing breast self exams. I never even considered breast cancer a possibility for me. None of my female relatives, save one of my dad's sisters, had it. I was young, I had breast fed three babies at least a year each. I figured I was "safe." I would fib when health care providers asked me if I did them.<br />
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But no one is safe.<br />
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I even had a clear mammogram! <br />
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When I did feel the lump under my arm (two years ago this weekend), I didn't know what to make of it. I didn't know what "normal" was for my breasts. Part of it was because I had lost 50 pounds and went from a D cup to a B. I figured that a good bit of the fat melted away to reveal lumpy breasts like I had heard my grandmother had. <br />
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But it was a cancerous lymph node. One of five, as it turned out. The mammogram and its interpretation missed a 3.5 centimeter tumor in my left breast. While I am in favor of mammograms, they are not the be-all and end-all in breast cancer detection. I know way too many women who had clean mammograms like I did and had breast cancer.<br />
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So feel your breasts, gals. Do it regularly. Know what they feel like so if you notice ANY changes, you can alert your health care provider.<br />
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To learn how to do a breast self exam, check out this <a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp" target="_blank">link</a>.<br />
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<br />Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7552492154103785651.post-32831160823945773372012-05-10T17:24:00.000-07:002012-05-10T17:24:01.365-07:00Attack!When it rains, it pours.<br />
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I've been having one heck of a time lately. Things just keep piling on. In the midst of it all, I have been having renewed fears of recurrence. <br />
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Where to start? First off, an uncle that has been a part of our family all of my life died suddenly last week. It came as quite a shock, even though I had not seen him in many years. With Facebook, our family feels very connected, even if we don't see each other that often. Of course, I wanted to go up to Oregon for the celebration of life and to spend time with the family. Making arrangements is kind of stressful, especially when you are trying to coordinate with others. That alone would be enough, right?<br />
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Jean-Marc has been having this cold that never ends. I'm usually very low-key about minor illnesses. Last Saturday, his eyes started oozing and were red. I immediately thought...pink eye! I started using some homeopathic drops that I have, as much as he would let me. He hates the drops and squeezes his eyes shut tight. But a little gets in, and it seemed to help. Nevertheless, I kept him out of Sunday school on Sunday and preschool this week. Right there, that upsets my "routine." I know it sounds petty, but I am a creature of habit. I have my workouts and things I <strike>like </strike> need to do while he is at school. Like get out of the house and RUN. Running is my way of feeling like I am beating cancer. The runs I did take were later in the afternoon and I just felt sluggish. I did the miles, but it was tough. <br />
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Today, Jean-Marc started complaining of a sore throat. Considering that I'm going out of town in two days and Eric is already grumbling about having to pull my weight as much as his, I thought I'd take him in to see if it was strep throat. We spent the morning at Kaiser. Luckily, it wasn't strep. However, it was diagnosed as an "acute sinus infection." Maybe I shouldn't have, but I opted for an antibiotic. With me going out of town for a few days, hopefully it will knock out whatever he is dealing with so he can be in shape for the weekend with dad.<br />
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Now for confession time. Our family has been battling head lice for the past few weeks. It's not a complete secret-the school knows about it. The whole 5th grade got checked the day I reported it and the news spread like wildfire. Poor Isabelle. But she coped with it pretty well. It is hard to see your kids be ostracized for something like that. It isn't as disgusting as I thought it would be, but it is persistent, frustrating, and time consuming. It started with Isabelle. She had been complaining of an itchy head for awhile, so I took her to the doctor. She has always had dandruff, so when the doctor said it was that, I didn't second guess her. When the itch didn't stop, I e-mailed and asked for a referral to a dermatologist. Another doctor responded with a prescription to a medicated shampoo called "Derma smoothe," saying that a dermatologist would prescribe that anyway. Fine. We did it. The itch went away for awhile and we thought all was well. When the itch came back, we did another treatment. The next morning, Isabelle showed me the shower cap that she had slept in and there were dead bugs in it! Still in denial, I googled, "bugs in hair that are not lice." Bottom line, there ain't such a thing.<br />
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Off we were to the pharmacy for the over the counter treatment. We did everyone in the house. The shampoo is the easy part. Then you have to stand there and comb out the nits. The first night, I spent nearly 4 hours on Isabelle. We checked daily for a week and then re-treated her 8 days later. It all seemed to be fine. We went ahead and treated everyone in the home. Jean-Marc had a few, as did I. I thought we had put it behind us, but then about 5 days ago, I notice nits in Isabelle's hair. This time, they are smaller and are slipping through the comb. We are spending hours a day at this, seemingly to no avail. I realized today that this has really taken a toll on Isabelle and I particularly. I found a service called "<a href="http://www.thehairangels.com/index.php#.T6xYce3zh5g" target="_blank">Hair Angels</a>." They will come to your house and guarantee to get rid of it for you. Granted, its not cheap. But we've already invested nearly $100 in over the counter poison that we are putting on our heads. Eric hasn't consented yet. Hmm. Let him spend a few hours this weekend with Isabelle's hair and maybe he'll change his tune.<br />
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For the past few nights in the middle of the night, I've been having moments of panic, even while semi-asleep. Fears of recurrence. The first night, I tried a trick that has worked for me in the past. I just imagine Jesus. Or I'll repeat in my mind, "Jesus...Jesus...Jesus." It didn't work. I just kept imagining the stitch in my side being an internal organ riddled with cancer. (I did a pretty intense Jillian DVD on Monday that has made me sore all week.) But this middle of the night battle has made me a bit on edge. The strange thing, is that this all goes on while I am asleep. But I'm aware of the dialogue in my head. It truly is a spiritual battle and I am under attack by the enemy. He wants to destroy anything good and rob me of my joy. Last night, I started mentally singing a song from church, "Jesus Messiah, name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel. The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven, Jesus Messiah, Lord of All..." I remember having to do this two or three times throughout the night. But it worked.<br />
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Today I realized all of this happening together is definitely a spiritual attack. Just being able to identify it as such has helped me cope, although I'm still frustrated with the hair situation. So please pray for me as I continue to battle on. He who is within me is greater than he who is trying to come against me!Tonya Graham Jamoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861314802113910657noreply@blogger.com1