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The Versatile Blogger Award

I was tagged by AJH at Age Groups Rock with The Versatile Blogger Award.  The rules are to share 7 things about yourself.  Then to tag 15 people.  If you have been following me for awhile you may know the 7 things I am sharing but here goes.

1. I started running in April 2008 at the age of 55!! Since then I have run 72 races.  In January 2011, I ran my first of 5 half marathons.

my first half in Naples, Fla.

2. Second to running is my love for tennis.  I started playing seriously about 12 years ago.  The best thing about tennis is the friends that I have made.  Now we do lots of things together that doesn’t even involve playing tennis.

group photo wtih our instructor Billy Bob

3.  My first profession was that of a French teacher.  I did that for 22 years.  I spent my junior year of college in Nice, France.  I love anything and everything French – art (Monet), music (Celine), food (pain au chocolat), drinks (kir), cafe au lait, Les Miz, etc.

 

4.  I play mah jongg once a week with a great group of ladies.  My favorite game, however,  is still Scrabble.

playing mah jongg by the Schroon River

5.  I love to travel.  I would do it more if I had the time and the money.  I have been to most countries in Europe (except Ireland) & Israel, Greece & Russia.  China and an African safari are on my bucket list as well as Alaska.

3rd trip to Kursk, Russia

6.  I’m a computer geek.  Luckily I went back to school and got another Masters and I have been working as an Instructional Technologist for the past 14 yrs.  Digital photography is my passion.  I never leave the house without a camera.

7. Finally, Dec 29, 2011 was one of the worst days in my life.  I fell avoiding an ice patch while out running and broke my ankle in several places.  I have a plate and screws and am convalescing still at home…. It’s a very long recovery.  The doctor says I may play tennis again but probably will not be able to run.  I say that I will prove him wrong!!  I am so glad that I ran those halfs last year,  You never know what the future will bring…..

 

I am tagging some runners who have commented on my blog recently:

Happy Running!  Tag yourself if you are reading this post & I haven’t tagged you.

 

 

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Summer in the City

That city is Lake George, NY.

Yes, we celebrate Christmas in the summer…

So why not celebrate SUMMER in January when it is 10 degrees??

The occasion was my friend Kathi’s birthday. Of course, I made her a digital photo collage mug.

It was a fun time.  Nice to get out of the house. (Again I had to be carried up a huge flight of outdoor stairs!)

Tonight a group of tennis friends went out to dinner at a restaurant (it was on the ground floor – yay!)

So I’ve been getting out and I have been eating A LOT!!

Happy Running! If I can’t weigh myself, does that mean I’m not gaining weight?

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TTT: Week 3 Update

  1. I  have left the house 4 times since last week-
    1. haircut,
    2. wheelchair trip to the mall,
    3. carried up 30 stairs to a party at a bar,
    4. visit to work
  2. I still have (pity) visitors everyday bringing food.
  3. I may go back to work soon!! (I can’t stand sitting home… reading stories online about people who broke their ankle and never were the same…)

Happy Running! Know anyone who broke 2 bones & had surgery and actually ran again??

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Wordless Wednesday

Things I still can do:

EAT

KNIT (my first hat)

DREAM (Jan 2013)

Happy Running!

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Reliving the Memories

72 races from 2008-2011…

Such great memories!  Since I got a $20 gift code from Shutterfly, guess what I made?

Staying busy and missing running…A LOT!!

Happy Running! How do you capture your racing memories?

 

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Hope and 2 Anniversaries

Today I cannot walk.  Today I cannot run.  Eventually I will walk.  Evenutally I will run.

1 year ago today, I ran my FIRST HALF MARATHON!!! 

Half in Naples, Florida

I had doubts about my ability to do it but I gave it a shot even though my longest race before that was a 5K.  And I did it.  I also ran 4 more during last year.   And I hope to run another in the future.  Boy am I glad, that I took on this challenge!!!

13 years ago, I married my current hubby.

I also had doubts since both of us had been married before.  Both marriages ended poorly.  But we did it.  And I couldn’t get through this injury without him!  I am glad that I took on this challenge too!

Happy Running!  What challenges have you taken on that have changed your life?

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When there’s will, there’s a way…

lg gang 12-09

Last night, there was a going away party for two of our best friends, Mary Ann & Bob.  They are moving to Florida!  I made them a photo album (of course) and I REALLY wanted to attend.

They chose Brown’s Brew Pub and made reservations for 20.  I called the restaurant to make sure that it was handicap-accessible and they told me NO, the room was upstairs and there were about 30 stairs!!!!!!!!!!!!

How would this be possible for me???  I was planning on going in a wheel chair so I could keep my leg elevated. Would I be able to hop up all those stairs???????

I crutched my way from the parking lot to the restaurant. Then friends to the rescue!!!  Ross & Pat, the youngest men in the group practically carried me up the stairs.

Ross with MaryAnn

 

Kathi with Bob

So it was fun to see my friends and get out of the house. My photo book was a hit! They loved it!!!

Next up…a visit to work on Thursday!

Happy Running! It’s cold here!  Are you enjoying any outdoor runs?

 

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My Beautiful Ankle

A friend posted this on my FB status:

When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe when something is damaged and has more history, it becomes more beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful ankle!

Week 2 Update:

I have gotten gifts, cards and lots of visitors. Everyday a different friend has brought me over lunch. I feel “special.”

I even learned to knit.  I finished several e-books and Catching Fire.  My favorite activity is still reading blogs and playing Scrabble on my iPad.

I went to the doctor for my Post-Op visit.  They took off my splint and removed all the staples. I took photos just so I can see the progress as it heals.  I was shocked at how long the incision was on the left side (fibula) and how swollen the right side was (malleolus).

They took x-rays and the doctors said it looked good.   He made no promises but said that they did the best they could.  I asked lots of questions and got no definitive answer except that it will be painful and swollen for 9-12 months. YIKES!!!!

(Epic comeback to running may have to wait until 2013!)

He put on a brace instead of a cast.  So I can take it off to shower.  Some good news, at least.

I have to keep it elevated or it will swell.  I cannot put any weight on it.  Next appt is Feb 13.  More x-rays and then…. Who knows?  If it is healing, I may be able to start putting weight on it.

So I’m off from work for the next 4 weeks or so. I can go on Disability but I hate sitting home.  My hubby & I are trying to figure how I can work…possibly having him drive me to & from work and me sitting at my desk in a wheelchair with my leg elevated.

We’ll see…

Happy Running! Good luck this Sunday to my friend Mary running 13.1 in LA and Rebecca in Naples! 

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Wordless Wednesday

before

 

after

 
 
 

now and for the next 8 weeks

 
 

I decided not to gross you out with pictures of my ankle without the brace & sock on.

Happy Running! Not running but following your blogs so keep them up!

 

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Two for Tuesday

Thanks to Daily Mile for their stats on 2011!

2011

1.  Hmmm…burned 26 lbs but I gained 8???

2. I knew I loved Sunday … it’s a day off from work but apparently, it’s also a long run/race day!  Also I only ran slightly more in the spring & summer than the fall & winter and I HATE the cold!! Cool!

Happy Running from your still on bed rest “runner!” Do you use Daily Mile?