Five Miles, the VP, and a Huge Shout-OUT!

Crazy Legs was SO fun! Okay, the night before I didn't think it was going to be all that fun. All I could hear was rain bouncing heavily off of our roof. The dawn broke and just a little mist emerged...Yeah! Got to Madison with time enough to pee for the zillionth time! Why is it that when I even have the idea I plan on running, I have to go to the bathroom? I will admit that I was nervous. The longest I had ever run before this race was 4 miles and I was running with Kimberli LongLegs (see below, but you can't see her legs. Trust me, they are long). The pavement was wet, but the football players were young and hot--great idea to have the athletes high-fiving. This was perfect incentive!!!! And, I was "off". I'll admit it, I couldn't keep up with the long-legged lady and the hill-of-death kicked my butt. But, after the burning sensation in my thighs wore off, I was able to keep a good pace; I mean shuffle. I did pass a man that looked to be 100 years old. Almost felt guilty. At mile 4, they played the Rocky theme--Trainer Tim is now my God...this theme made me laugh and know that I was going to make it to the end! Who doesn't run a little faster when you hear "Gonna Fly now......Flying high now..... Gonna Flyyyyyyyyy----yyyyyyyyyy!" Running into the stadium and knowing that I did it in less than an hour with friends waiting was absolutely invigorating. Look at all these phenomenal women. The margarita senoritas are IN THE HOUSE! Now for the Team Challenge section: I wore my shirt. I am proud as punch to wear my Team Challenge shirt because I know that running in spirit with me were all my teammates. And, for whomever shouted, "Go Team Challenge" at mile 3...you rock! I even heard my name yelled. I don't know if the name shout-out was for me because if I try to look at people when I run or walk, I tend to trip or run into things. Seriously, almost ran into the speed limit sign on Maple Avenue. However, it doesn't matter because I was running and I was doing it...yes! Team Challenge is that angel's whisper pushing me to keep going. I am so thankful for the TEAM. Go Team Challenge; Go Team Wisconsin!



This blog is kind of late in the making because I was in Chicago rubbing elbows with authors who are seriously like ROCK STARS in my mind. And, you will see in the picture below that I got to meet former vice-president Al Gore. His message was about Going Green--you gotta know that. He was talking to the choir there...who's a total foodie? Anyway, another great message was one of needing women to lead, to teach, to educate. Here's a man who truly gets it. Without women, there are no solutions to global problems. I cannot understand any nation where a woman runs the risk of imprisonment for being able to read. I need our kids to get it! To think that my students are surrounded by mountains of books they choose not to read, when women in other countries long to be able to read them...frightening.
Finally, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, we made our goal this week! While I will continue fundraising, I don't have to freak out that I haven't made my minimum. I will be forever in awe, for the rest of my life, of all of the people who donated money to this cause. The economic times are scary, but this disease is too. Thank you for every penny that you donated. I am confident that the money will be used well! I am living proof that new medicine and a controlled diet can help some of us who are suffering.

Next week I will be making an appointment for another colonoscopy. I am nervous, but so hopeful as well. I have felt healthy for several months and I am confident the procedure will show that my body is responding favorably to the treatment. If not, the circle of friends around me has certainly shown me that I won't ever be alone. I really need Dr. Khanna to help me with the anxiety of having to clean my colon out...I think a nice dose of valium is definitely in order--not that I recommend random drug taking, it just makes the whole process seem, oh....less harsh. Happy Thought, Happy Thoughts!

Going to be waking up early to run tomorrow morning...if you are traveling through Sussex at 5:00 am, give me a honk or two :) Saturday, please take time to join one of the walks to fight breast cancer. If you will be at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Discovery World, stop by the Children's Tent. We will be face painting and making ribbons!

See the Team on Sunday at Lake Park--looking forward to a great run!

Inspiration and Attitude--This is a Sugary Sweet One!

Who am I running for? Wow! Now that is a loaded question. I started this Half Marathon with my own condition in mind. I am realizing that this condition is so much greater than my stinkin' colon. I am also running for my friend, Jean who has Crohn's disease. She had to have surgery to remove part of her colon. She's got the same doctor as me...I think you guys realize that I love this guy! Whooooo Hooooo Dr. Khanna! As I went around Templeton Middle School to collect money for CCF, I heard so many stories! Wow! Moms and fathers, brothers and sisters, daughters and sons. I am running for the families of everyone who shared your story with me. I am overwhelmed to know that so many suffer in silence. I am overwhelmed to know that so many people were willing to share their stories. Please know that each story has a special place in my heart--it's this place that helped me run this week.

Yup...I was Rocky this week. I made it past the albatross of 3 miles! I ran 4 miles on Thursday and felt great. I loved the honking horns and high fives from each passersby. Every high five gave me the energy to keep going. When I was feeling done, the song "It's a Beautiful Day" came on my ipod! I started to sing outloud and throw my hands in the air. Yup! It was a beautiful day...and now today I exceeded my goals again.

Trainer Tim seriously has a smile that lights up even the brightest morning. My goal was 4 laps and 4 times up the stairs today. That's 4 miles with Lake Bistro stairs. His smile and the lovely conversation from Mary really was motivating. Found a dog person who likes to talk--gotta love it! Mary's son is suffering from Crohn's disease. He is so young and has so much life ahead of him. Really feeling blessed to help him find a cure. Mary's mother also suffers from Crohn's. Mary's motivation motivates me.! Couldn't even feel that it was only 43 degrees being surrounded by such a great team--Go Team Challenge!

Now to the really sappy part...I am crying just trying to type this up. Thank you to everyone for contributing what you have from the 13 cents in your desk to the $250 donation. I appreciate EVERY penny more than any one of you will ever know. I also enjoyed watching my colleagues delve through their desks for change. I collected over $300 in change. Some of it was sticky and I had some lint and old rubber bands to pick through, but seriously, can you believe we have that many pennies, nickels and dimes sitting in our desks? The family support feels fabulous! I have said this before, but my family really ROCKS! Thank you for not just the donations, but also the wonderful inspirational notes.

Next Saturday I will be running with a group of phenomenal women in Madison for Crazy Legs. Get to check off another goal--5 miles! Pray for a beautiful Spring day.

If you are following my blog and want to make a donation, please go to: http://active.com/donate/napa10wisconsin/napa10PSankey

Shuffling, Lake Park Bistro, and Complete Thankfulness

So, yup...the shuffle is my stride. Trainer Tim agrees that perhaps this it the way to go. And, though I don't get anywhere fast, I eventually get home. This week's training went well after the snowfall--erg! I love my new Sussex route (Maple to Good Hope to Waukesha Ave. to Main to Maple and Home Sweet Home) Thank you to all of you who hang out your windows and wave, whistle, or just hoot and holler. I get SO motivated and energized when I know that people are supporting me. I am seriously ROCKY BALBOA--next I will be jumping over park benches!

Lake Park Bistro is a wonderful restaurant! Here's a big shout out to the lovely blonde bartender there--Hey girlfriend, thanks for letting me use your bathroom and inviting me to use it any Sunday morning that I need to--you Rock! I will take you up on that offer every Sunday morning. I don't know what it is but whenever I even think about running, I gotta pee. I think I am psychologically freaking out that I will run too far away from civilization and not find an indoor toilet to my liking---gotta get over this mind game I keep playing.

Now for a description of our training on the Lake Front. First, I bought a beverage from The Outpost that was described as a "Revitalizer". Thought it would be a great thing to drink before running. I needed REVITALIZING in a major way--so what if I couldn't recognize the ingredients, right? The GROSSEST Tasting drink in the ENTIRE world! I was far from revitalized and had nothing in the car to get the flavor out of my mouth (water was in the trunk). Blech---never drink an unidentified fruit type drink with a revitalization guarantee that has floating orange strings, smells rancid, and has a fruit that is unheard of. Good advice kids.

Anyway, Trainer Tim was as always a very smiley fella. He is such a nice guy. He gets us going and we run along a beautiful park, past a field for lawn bowling, down a hill toward the gorgeous lakefront on a beautifully sunny 50 degree morning. AHHHHH! Can you hear the music? Then, THE STAIRS! Analyze the picture above, would ya? That is a crapload (no colitis pun intended) of stairs. Did them 3 times, thought I would vomit if I had to do a fourth. My goal for next week--at LEAST 4 times! I know I can do it!

I will be running on Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday this week. I think it is 30 minutes each run. I know that tomorrow is 30 minutes. If you are driving along my new route, please give me a beep or shout out! I love it.

I have been brought to my knees. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for believing in me; thank you for being my friends; thank you for smiling; thank you to my TMS family for sharing all your stories with me; thank you for helping me do this. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by your generosity.

There's a bit of a competition this week--AND, I have one lady who really has it "out" for me. I don't know why. I am as spirited as the next guy, but why pick on me? Anyway, she has brought out my competitive nature. I wanna win raising the most money AND I want to wear that cork necklace again! Help me out and YOU might make it into my blog!!! Woot Woot!

Quick question...please comment with what you think: The Sankeys are going to be hosting a "TP for TC" party in May. It's a family fundraising event where you can either sponsor a tree that you and your family get to toilet paper or buy individual rolls. We will provide beer, wine, and soda. Would you come? Would you be willing to sponsor a tree? Do you want to come the next day to help clean up?--just throwing that one out there!

Snow, My Foot, and Fundraising

This a picture of snow...okay, we haven't gotten this much snow, but there is enough on the ground to make me go "ERGGGGGGG!" I am supposed to run an easy 20 minutes today. I don't want to even put my baby toe out the door this morning. Luckily, my father-in-law has offered the use of his treadmill. I just can't get over the feeling of running to nowhere when I run on it :) Snow, snow go away...come back in WINTER!

So, I have this right heel problem. It's not a throbbing pain or anything, but when I rest, and try to get up, my heel hurts. Ready for a funny...very Patty...story? Remember those new shoes? Well, I put them on to go out with my family and stretch them out a bit. My right foot was squeaking. Paul informed me that it was my sock. Apparently his foot squeaks all the time. I walked around Emery's Bicycle Shop with a right foot that was squeaking figuring that eventually my foot would sweat enough to stop the noise. After our trip to the shop, I ran 2 miles. Yes, the squeak was still there. Next, I drove to my chiropractor appointment. He took off my shoe to look at my foot. Guess what! A piece of plastic/cardboard came out. I was walking and running on a piece of shoe stuffing for hours and squeaking all over the place! Now my heel hurts and has a raw spot!

Went to a meeting on fundraising. Becky rocks at keeping the atmosphere calm and cool when we are talking about so much money. She really motivates me! I have some plans in the future for fundraising that I thought I would share...and a goal. First for the goal, I would like to have raised all the money I need by May 30th, so I can concentrate on training during the last month before the half marathon. Here are some of the ways I hope to raise money (feel free to attend any one of the events or donate ANY time!!!!):

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  Collecting CHANGE to make a CHANGE. On April 16th, I will be asking everyone to empty their pockets! Expect to see my shining face at your door step :)
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  I will be having a rummage sale at my house during Mother's Day weekend (weather permitting). Come and buy or send people over!
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  "Run with Me" t-shirt signing. For an initial donation of $26.20 ($2 a mile) or an extra $5 from those who have donated $25 or more, you can sign my shirt and run with me on the day of the race.
• 
  
  Silpada party on May 20th from 4:30-7:30 at my house. Donations will be made on jewelry sold! I will have snacks and wine--Mmmmmm....

AND remember that any time you want to make a donation, you can donate at my website:

http://www.active.com/donate/napa10wisconsin/napa10PSankey

or you can give me a check or cash ANYTIME!!!! I will take anything.

Cross Training, New Shoes, and Video Inspiration

I know we need rain, BUT, I am supposed to run today. I am a fair weather runner...and my heel hurts. WebMD told me that I probably injured the heel muscle a bit. I took their advice and did some foot stretching; this is new to me. AND, I made an appointment for a massage. Any excuse to get a massage works for me! Mmmmmm...Ahhhhhhh....hope I get a gorgeous man with big hands......

I rode my beautiful blue bike 18 miles yesterday...ahhhhhhhh...it felt great. What a great idea to have a 70 degree day be a day for cross training. Thanks Trainer Tim! My only beef is with people who drive REALLY big vehicles like Hummers, Expeditions and Titans. Did you know that people in big vehicles are supposed to stop at stop signs? Apparently, they feel the rules of the road don't apply to them. Hope I didn't just offend any future donations...but seriously, isn't it bad enough that no one can see around you? Do you have to act like signs don't apply as well???? ERG!

Yesterday I bought new tennies. I found out from Barb L. that sneakers need time in between running to recover. I got my second pair of Asics--love the cushy heels and airy way they feel--Asics rocks my socks! And, teachers get a discount...so totally worth it! Gotta love being an educator of the young!

Thank you to all who have helped me financially so far this week! I checked out some other people's websites and determined that I need to get a young person to help me know how to do a blog! Wow! I really don't think in sound bytes. I need some inspiration, so if anyone has some flashy ideas for ways that I could fundraise without getting naked, please help!

Trainer Tim (he actually goes by "Coach Tim", but it's not alliterative enough for me!) sent us a video inspiration today. It made me laugh...so I guess it inspired me. Let's see if I can get it to upload...if so, here it is: Crud! I have spent 20 minutes of my life trying to make this work. It was a clip from Rocky II called Gonna Fly Now. Remember it? Anyway, the whole town is following Sylvester Stallone as he trains and jumps over park benches, runs up tons of stairs and progressively gets faster and faster as he becomes more inspired. Just clip my head on him...and that is SO me!

Easter morning Rum...I mean Run--Ha, Ha!

What a gorgeous day that God created! The birds are chirping, my bassett is howling, my kid is actively looking for Easter treats, and hubby made coffee.

I started the morning by looking at the temp. online. Said it was 43 degrees. So, I wore two layers, winter tights, gloves, and a knit hat...At mile one, I was stripping...luckily, my family was trailing me in the truck. I was REALLY hot by mile 2... Took off the shirt...now down to only one layer and ready to risk the sports bra, but decided I didn't want to scar children leaving for church in their Easter outfits. At mile 3, I thought about Trainer Tim and his huge, graceful stride. Decided to try it...ouch! Not only did I look ridiculous, and peed a little in my pants, but now my right inner thigh is throbbing...I think I am meant to be a shuffler type of runner. I have 3.5 miles down. Let's see a Half Marathon is 13 miles...only 10 more to go! Holy Crap.

Good thing I am cross-training tomorrow...where to go, where to go. My daughter wants to ride her bike, but she associates all bike riding with food. Her suggestion was to wake up and ride to Webb's tomorrow. I was thinking of some trail riding, but she won't hear of it because she has never seen a restaurant on the Bugline! Ha!

I can't wait to see my Team again next week. I love my "busty new girlfriends"--Napa or Bust!

Thanks to so many who are sharing in my journey by helping me raise the money to fight Ulcerative Colitis! As I downed my meds this morning, I was able to not only praise God for lifting me up, but praise Him for letting me have so many wonderful, beautiful people in my life. I am truly blessed. If you are interested in making a donation to the foundation to help me make my goal, please visit my donation website at: http://www.active.com/donate/napa10wisconsin/napa10PSankey

The Why's and Wherefore's

I am starting this blog after my first week of training with Team Challenge. It is my intention with this blog to keep everyone in the loop. I am always told that I should write a book. Okay, so maybe this is my chance to get those words down.

I joined Team Challenge because quite honestly, last year I thought that I would be less one important organ in my body--my large intestine. Okay, I know that people can live without a large intestine. It's just storage for the poo. However, I really like mine. It fits really nice in my body cavity, and I have this strange attraction for it. It's like my small intestine and large intestine are twins...I feel like my small intestine would be really lonely.

Anyway, last year at this time, I thought that I would be undergoing a major surgery to take out my large intestine. The surgery didn't scare me as much as the thought of wearing a bag attached to my side. I discovered that I am vain. When I heard that the bag would blow up and leak odors, I freaked out! Seriously, everyone would know that I had onions for lunch by my very presence in the room. Did I mention that I teach middle schoolers? As smelly as some of them can be, I couldn't help but think that my stink would outrank them. Then, would come the "reattachment" surgery. Mentally, I couldn't even wrap my head around it. The diagrams were all cartoons, and when I saw the "real" photographs, they looked all oozy and gross.

I made the decision to change my habits. I exercised more, ate all organic foods, and challenged my doctor to understand how much I loved my ulcerative colon--ugly and diseased, yes--but, I wasn't ready to get rid of it quite yet. Miraculously, biopsies from my colonoscopy showed what no one expected. The severity of the ulcerative colitis changed to mild. Back up the truck! With consultations and rethinking, I got to keep my poo storage facility. Because of the research that the Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation funds, I was able to switch my medications and keep the colitis controlled--dare I say it. I think I am in remission!

What does one do when she feels like she has a new lease on life? This is what I did; I talked my friend, Monica (pictured with my hubby and her hubby on the right) into supporting me and going to an information meeting for Team Challenge. At the meeting, Monica learned a lot about how serious Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis can be. I saw my friend look at me in such an interesting way. She couldn't believe what people with this disease go through; she had no idea what pain I have been in for so many years; and, she had no idea that Ulcerative Colitis could kill me. I asked whether she thought I could do it. Without even batting an eyelash she said, "Of course you can." Wow! What faith she has in me. I joined Team Challenge and decided that I need to run a Half Marathon in California. I feel healthier today than I have in more than 20 years.

So, this week I biked to work and ran 3 miles on Sunday (got to meet awesome Team Challenge people and Trainer Tim), Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I will admit that bowling screwed up my intention of running at the crack of dawn this morning (Saturday). I feel slightly guilty, but I did bike 13 miles on Friday too...that makes up for it, right? In case anyone cares, I bowled my average. The problem was that the gin and tonics (J&Ts to my BFF Larau) tasted REALLY good. And, when the liquor tastes good, the game's going well, and friends abound, I usually feel pretty sick the next day...it's a worthwhile bummer, though. I also met a man whose wife died of Crohn's disease. He's such a kind man who lost his wife too early in life.

It's Easter tomorrow, and I will need to get my caboose out of bed bright and early to run before my baby girl looks for her Easter eggs. I'll update everyone on how that goes!