On Giving Thanks...

I woke up this morning at 6:30, and, for those of you who know me, you must be wondering, "What in the world would actually motivate Alyse to get out of bed at that hour, especially on Thanksgiving day?" Surprisingly, it wasn't a pair of shoes, a designer handbag, or anything materialistic. Well, in fairness, they did give me a tech t-shirt that is pretty neat, but that really wasn't it. I decided two weeks ago that I wasn't going to let my injury preclude me from participating in the Turkey Trot, as I had intended when I started Operation Slim & Fit Alyse. Of course, back then, I would not have predicted that I would participate as a volunteer rather than as a runner. Nevertheless, I'm glad I did it. I did have a tough time watching all of the runners go by and thinking about how much I wanted to be with them. At the same time, it makes me appreciate what running has/had become in my life. It is the best way for me to deal with life's stresses and successes. It is how I balance things. It is the best way for me to challenge myself. PattiSue Plumer, a U.S. Olympian, once said, "Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about." It is my hope that recovery will hasten for exactly that reason. As many of you know, I've been injured since August 5, which means that today is day 111 of being injured. I'm ready for it to be day 111 of being able to run again. Here's hoping it comes sooner...your prayers and concern have not gone unnoticed, I assure you.

On this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things and many people, but, rather than attempting to list all of them, I'll just say thanks. Thank you for supporting me during the good and the bad, for putting up with my idiosyncracies (and even enjoying them sometimes), for sharing parts of your life with me and for making my life better simply because you are a part of it. I raise a glass to everyone who has touched and will touch my heart. Keep being you.


Un monton de gracias,
A

Keeping My Head in the Game

Since I last wrote, surprisingly little has changed. I had been making some steady progress with my leg to the point where my physical therapist, Rebecca, had me jogging on the treadmill. It felt good enough that she said I could and should jog the following day on my own. Given my excitement, I followed her instructions and jogged a little at the gym, only to discover that I could no longer walk at the end of my exercise. Since then, the injury seems to be neither progressing or regressing. Of course, there was a rather major setback after I walked the Hot Chocolate 5K this weekend with my college roomie, Lizz (pictured below - Lizz's sister, Lizz, and me) . Hours after the race, I suddenly couldn't lift my leg. Same old same old.



I'm hoping that I'll be fully healed by Thanksgiving, but I'm having my doubts. Rebecca has confidence that I'll be ready to go by December 4 and even encouraged me to sign up for the Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk, a charity fundraiser for arthritis. If you're interested, please feel free to make a donation at http://jinglebellchampaign.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=484804&lis=1&kntae484804=ADDF5E87CC2242778620352ABF164D0D&supId=344819835.

Otherwise, not much else is going on recently. Hope to have more news (and better news) soon.

Besito,
A