Hello,

I want to begin with gratitude today.  I could not have done as well without the support of everyone.  Erik and

I are so grateful for all the food, the calls, the cards, the texts, the prayer circle and walk, the personalized

t-shirts and sweatshirts and the walks.  Thank-you.  

Are you like my family, wondering what you are going to do for dinner tonight? I'll ask my family and they say 

that they don't care, but it then leaves me to come up with something.  It was honestly nice not having to even 

toy with the idea of what kind of food to order/make.  Here, cheery people would pop over to my house

with delicious food.  It was always way too much so that meant we could eat it for lunch or dinner the next

day.  Now, I understand.  Now, I get it.  Thank-you.


Last Friday, I went to see Dr. Jordan.  The first words out of his mouth was "Have you been running?".  I looked

down and said that I had not, but quickly pulled out my typed color coded report of all my activities.  He 

was impressed with my 24 miles of walking that week.  He said that he wants a picture of me crossing the

finish line (pressure is on).  He said that I'll have CT Scans 2x a year for 2 years, then yearly.  He said that

the type of cancer found in my right lower lobe was not an aggressive type and he and the tumor board

do not think that it will come back!  Just amazing!  Grateful!


The next day, I met a friend for my first run.  My minimum mileage run had always been. 3.1 miles (5k).  So, 

that was my goal.  It was hard.  Trying to figure out breathing and pace.  I had to stop 3 or so times to catch

my breath and have a drink. My gait was off as well but I finished 3.1 miles, very slowly and frustrated.


The next day, I went out and tried it again.  The first mile was good and it was down hill which is easier. I 

 stopped and paused after that mile to breath.    The next two miles were slower and going up hill was hard.  

I felt like my legs were not moving and I could not find my rhythm.  Talking was out of the question.  I had to

stop and breath quite a few times and my pace was slower each mile. Finished 3.1 miles super slowly and then

walked to cool down.  Walking was joyful and I could breath and walk fast.



So, on Monday, met a friend for a flat run.  After 1.25 miles, I was struggling again.  I just couldn't get the 

breathing and moving the legs in sync.  I feel like I am taking smaller steps.  And, then it hit me and I figured

it out.  I put my "Interval Timer" on my iphone.  I had it programmed to beep every 30 seconds.  So, I ran

"hard" for 30 seconds and then I walked for 30 seconds.  While walking, I can catch my breath and get back 

to normal.  Then the 30 second beep would go off and I'd run at a good pace...one can do anything for 30

seconds, right?  So, I finished my 3.1 miles 25 seconds faster than the day before! My pace was better and my 

mood was even better!  I had found my solution.  (Third time!)



So, this is what training will look like for me.  I am okay with that.  I just needed to find my groove.  I am sure

that it will change and that I'll be able to run longer, but for now, I am ecstatic!


For now, I won't post on this CB site b/c I plan on having no new medical news which is the best news to have!

Love,

Julie 

#oakbarrelhalfmarathon
#londonmarathon