Thanksgiving Exercise

Yesterday was a great day! I started off with my favorite 9 mile loop. On that loop there's a 1 mile uphill and lately I've been slowing up for that. Yesterday, I felt strong and bounced up that hill. My breathing was under control and I could finally get a good deep breath.

I know that I am on the road to recovery. I just didn't think it would take this long. At the end of my run I saw over 100 cars...people getting ready for the 5 mile turkey trot. They were all looking for a place to park and hogged the road as I flew by. Well, I had to look good too!

After my run, I taught my annual 1 1/2 hour spin class at NYSC. There weren't any bikes available and there looked like people were going to fight over the ones that were there. Over 10 people were waiting for the class. The group exercise coordinator made an announcement that if people didn't get to their bikes 15 minutes prior to class she was going to give up the bike. Now that wouldn't been right. All the bikes were taken 40 minutes prior to class.

They made my girlfriend Doreen get off a bike because she's an instructor. The energy of the room was crazy the first 15 minutes. Someone yelled, "hey only 85 minutes more to go!" I knew we were in for a hard workout. A fun time was had by all.

When we were done, someone asked how many calories we burnt. I told her that we burnt of 1 pound, about 3,500 calories. All I know is that I really enjoy starting my day off like that.

My Birthday

Saturday was my 37th birthday. I'm one step closer to 40 and still am in a hard age group. I don't think it will get any easier. People are working out longer and well into my 50ies I hope to still be racing, but so will everyone else.

Saturday was a great day. It started out with a run at Rockland Lake. It was very cold out and I was happy when it was over. When I got home, all I could do is curl up to a cup of coffee. I didn't want to get out of my car as it was so warm there with the heated seats.

I went for lunch with friends at one of my favorite restaurants. We went for Sushi. Now that's my favorite food! It turns out that I had over 8 people for my birthday. That's a nice turn out. I was so full that I didn't have dinner. My presents were simple: bottles of wine and vodka. Yes, now that's a party.

After lunch, Dad called and told me that he had a bottle of wine breathing. Now that had my name on it. It was a nice Italian red. It went down so smooth. So after watching some college football and drinking wine, I went to bed early and didn't wake up till the next morning.

We only have 1 birthday a year. But everyday should be a birthday.

Feeling Better

It's been a long week. Lots of tests done on my lunges. It turns out that I only have scaring on my lunges and no other diseases as originally thought. I feel a lot better knowing that.

I hope to go for a long run tomorrow. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! Let's see if I can really test myself.

My health and 9 mile run

As you all know, when I was away I was told that I had a chest infection. I thought it would be a great idea if I followed up with my primary care physician when I returned. Last week I went to him and he sent me for a chest x-ray. I got the results yesterday and it showed severe scaring on both my lunges and the technician feels that I might have developed lunge disease.

Tomorrow, I go for a CT-scan and hopefully the results will be good. I am still having a hard time catching a deep breath. Only time will tell. I did push my body today for 9 miles. I was slow, but made it all 9 miles.

Today's Run

Well, I made it out there today. And I did forget that I'm a much happier person after I've run. Today, my spring in my step was there. I was more energetic and could deal with the daily events and it seemed that I had more time to do what I normally do. Boy, it's great to be a runner. Everything is better.

It was tough going though this AM. I was painfully slow and didn't enjoy much of that, but was very happy even though I seemed to be moving like an ant. 4 miles later and I'm already hoping to do 9-11 tomorrow. Let's see if the weather holds up.

Running

I think I've spent enought time resting and tomorrow will start running again. I've finally unpacked most of my suitcase and my running sneakers were looking lonely this morning. I will go out tomorrow morning for a few miles and see how it goes.

Anyone game?

Update On Mom

Mom came home while I was away and recently got on the cane. Good Bye Walker. She is still slow moving but can get around better and faster. Now she can carry simple things and even get her shoes on by herself. She has made a lot of progress these last few weeks.

I want to thank those of you who came to my house and help out while I was away. It turns out that my sister wasn't able to stay and do everything as promised. I really appreciate everything that was done by you guys.

New York Bound

I got in early this AM and got home 6:30AM from the airport. Unfortunately, I had to go to work by 11am so I will be unable to adjust to the time difference. I am glad to be home. I took a long shower followed by a bath. I must have washed for over 1 hour.

I am finally clean.

Anyone up for running this weekend?

The Race Was Over

I awoke not of the monks or dogs barking but of a bus trying to get up the mountain where I slept in a lodge for one night. I liked it here. You could easily see the sunrise and sun set. It was much warmer then when I was at 12,000' and I think the lodge had heat as I only needed the blankets.

I took a few photos as I knew that this would be the last time I would be in the Himalayas. Sounds of silence filled the air while the sun was rising and I knew I had to switch gears and get back into NY mode. Within moments, my speech quicken and my walking pace was that of a girl in NYC.

I was ready for the change and ready to go home. I did what I came here to do. So what, I didn't complete 100 miles. I did over 3/4 and that's good enough for me.

After a short breakfast, we went to the airport. At the airport, I sat with some people from England to a nice Indian Dinner. I ordered buttered chicken. It was filled with amazing spices and was the best dinner I had here yet. I guess they couldn't have all those spices where we were. The spice stayed on my tongue and made it tingle.

I know that I don't want to see eggs for a long time. That is what we had every day for breakfast. We had very little meat and I am looking forward to to a steak when I get home. Even rice and potatoes have very little appeal to me after eating it endlessly for 1 week.

Our flight was indirect. 4 hours long. After a few good byes, a bus took us to our respective hotels. All I wanted to do is sit, eat and relax. That wasn't possible as the group wanted to get together. I had to sit with them.

We ate at the 24 hour cafe. I wanted red meat, but there wasn't any on the menu so I had a lamb burger...they called it mutton American burger. After 2 hours of hanging out, I retired to my room. It turns out that the rest of the group stayed there for 5 hours while others left and we into Delhi for dinner.

Day 5: 100 Miles Down

Day 5
November 7
17 miles
6,500' up to 7,500' to 6,500'

We had a great meal last night. It was like home cooking. It was the first time I'd seen salad in a week. Plus we finally got some meat. I was tired of eating Dal, rice and potatoes. I can see why the people are so skinny. There isn't any food for them. We were lucky that where we were staying they were also farmers so we had salad last night. What a treat!

This AM I was awoken again by the monks. They started really early today as I was up at 4:30. I was eager to let today be a good day. The race started where we ended yesterday. So we took a long bus ride 13 miles to the end of the road which took over an hour. Does that give you any idea of what the run is like?

It was a 8 mile climb then rolling and a good downhill. I saw Cam at the start of the race and suggested that we run together today. It would be good to have some company. Even though we ran together, she didn't speak much. That surprised me as when we hung out during the day, she was always talking. For some reason I thought it would be like that when we were out there. It didn't really matter if we spoke much, it was just good to run with someone.

Over the 17 miles, you can hear the sounds of the river and the insects. These must be very small insects as they made loud noises. Even though we were on the road, we didn't pass thru any villages until we came to the finish line.

We crossed the finish line together hand in hand. The race made a circle and we finished right where we started on Day 1. I was glad the race was over. My health still wasn't great, but it was the best I had felt all week. I enjoyed today's run. It reminded me of home. I was happy to see that I was one day closer to going home.

After the race, we had a long bus ride back to Mirik where I could have a hot shower. The second one all week! The hot water didn't last long...5 minutes, but I was happy to have it. I even washed my hair.

Monks

I was lucky that in both Rimbik and Mirik the monks were there and started their prayer early in the AM. I really feel that it put my mind at easy. This was so prevalent that, I couldn't use my walkman. I felt that the music was inappropriate for the mountains. I should have been listening to the sounds of nature. I quickly stopped listening to the ipod and walkman.

On November 7, I was awoken but the music of the monks. Their sounds must have been heard throughout the valley. It was them who made the mountains sacred. It is their peace that makes the mountain speak.

Time And Distance

In the Himalayas time is relative. Things happen when they do. If someone says that it will take 15 minutes, it takes more like 30 minutes to an hour. Being from NY, you can get impatient with that. Remember day 1 when we started over 1 1/2 hour late. It is the mountain that demands the respect and the time just goes by.

The distances on this trip have been confusing. Why is it that we're doing a 100 mile stage race and everything is in kilometers? I can't do math at altitude! And even when you ask them how many kilometers to go, they end up telling you a wrong number.

Day 4: 13 miles

Day 4
13 miles
6,500' to a steep down hill at 3,000' to a long uphill 6,5000'
This was no easy task.

I awoke tot he sounds of barking dogs during the night. Then finally the monks rang their bell at 4:30 AM. I knew today would be a day to run. I again asked them to watch after me and give me a safe journey. I vowed that I would run today.

People still said that I looked ashen. Being of darker disposition it is easy to see that I don't have any color. I didn't care either way. Today, I would run!

We started off fast with a screaming downhill which took us 4,000' down. This must have been 6 miles down and 6 miles up. I was running so fast that I forgot to drink. That was not the way to start today's race. The sun was very high in the downhill and with that salt clinged to my face. I did everything that I could do to keep fluids in me.

At the aid station Gavin caught up with me and told me that I looked dejected. He suggested that we'd run together. It was nice to have the company. We made in up the hill back to 6,5000'.

It was a tougher day then I thought it would be. I'm glad I had the company.

Day 3 Marathon

Day 3
26 miles
12,000' to 6,500' to Rimbik

Last night, I was again given hand warmers and vics vapor rub. The people who came here to trek were really prepared for everything. I only brought the bare essentials for running and injury prevention, but they had it all. I have learned that you need to prepare for everything and make sure that you have what you need regardless of the weight in your bag as it was already over 24 kilos.

The doctor checked my pulse, it was still high but going down...now at 84. I was glad it wasn't over 100. He gently told me not to run the marathon but to do the 15 mile trek today as we had to get off this mountain and the only was was to trek. I agreed that I would trek. This trek was not easy...

They took us 1,000' down to 11,000 feet where we started on the goods path. This path was used to get goods from Nepal to the villages of Rimbik. 15 miles long. These people are really in shape and you can get lost on some of these trails. Most of the locals who use the roads don't have the proper shoes but seem to know how to get around everything easy. They must have been doing this as kids.

The trek was not easy and had the jagged rocks, stream crossings, wet leaves, and muddy down hills. I feel only once, but didn't get hurt. It took us over 4 hours, but I was happy to make it out of the altitude and could breath better. At 6,500 things seemed much better. My chest was still heavy and I had a little color but now looked ashen. The walk really took a lot out of me. But I made new friends with the trekers.

Day 2

20 Miles to Molle

Doctor said I had to walk or do nothing, I wouldn't listen and got the the starting line and tried to get to Molle. Today didn't end up the way I wanted to do. I couldn't get my breathing under control and it would have taken days for me to make it there. The mountain won! I found myself on the side by a rock crying, "you won today, you won." This was very hard.

The jeep picked me up and took me to the doctor on the course. My resting heart rate was increasing and now at 104. He gave me more medicine and I took the jeep back. The infection had settled in my chest. It was very scary on the jeep as the jagged rocks from the day before were also here as well. Plus it was a very narrow path and you could fall. I hoped that the jeep would get me back safely.

Race Day 2

November 4
Day 2
Rolling hills all in the 12,000 range
20 miles to Molle

I still couldn't breath. I was out of breath trying to go up the hill for breakfast. I wasn't very social and face was yellow. I was coughing all the time and was very sick. I tried to eat and drank water. I knew that I had to see the doctor on staff.

I asked him to take my resting heart rate. IT WAS 101 when it normally is in the 70ies. I knew that was out of control. I did try to think positive on the situation. I told him about the chest pains and heaviness in the chest. My roommates told me that I sighed in my sleep....I think it was due to the pain, I was in.

The doctor suggested that I walk for the day and gave me an antibiotic. He listened intensely to my lunges and said it wasn't mountain sickness and to drink a lot of water. He also said I looked dehydrated and noticed the blackness under my eyes.

Today is to be a long day.

Start Of The 100 Mile Stage Race

November 3rd
Day 1
24 Miles
Total Elevation Gain 10,00 Feet, I guess there was some downhill but you couldn't tell by me
Climb from 6,500 to 12,000

We started out late today, by over 1 1/2 hours. That meant that I might still be out there when it got dark. I did not pack my flashlight in my drop bag so I hoped that wouldn't be the case. A band played. When they finished there was a ceremony where the little children gave us scarves and wished us luck on our journey ahead. I took the scarf from around my neck and wrapped it around my stomach. I hoped that it would give me luck.

Today was a very long day. The road climbed steeply for the first 10 miles. I'd say we climbed 2,000 feet. The road was clear of rocks making this part much easier than the other areas. You couldn't run. There wasn't anything you could do besides walk. It was so steep at times that I thought I would topple over. You could never get into a rhythm but I tried.

After that first 8 miles, things seemed to be runnable. I was happy to finally be running. Now started what they called cobblestones. This was no cobblestones if you ask me. The road was filled with jagged rocks of all different shapes and sizes making it almost impossible to run or walk. I couldn't figure out how to maneuver.

Footing was almost impossible. I wished I knew what to do. I was lucky as one of the guys, Gavin, I met last night from South Africa was there and he gave me pointers on how to get up with these rocks. "Take long steps and push off," he said. With that, it finally clicked and I was moving a lot quicker. It seemed that I was going to get up this thing!

I started singing, You gonna build a mountain, you going to build a hill. That was some mountain if you ask me but more of that later. Every time you went up, you went down a little. They call this thing switch backs. I don't know what it is, but it made it a long day!

I somehow missed the aid station with my warm clothes and still had to climb 1,000 feet. I was upset and getting cold, but there wasn't anything I could do. The aid stations weren't numbered even though in our drop bags we put the # aid station. I didn't realize it until the last aid station where I must have had 7 miles to go climb those 1,000 feet making it 12,000 feet.

As I went up the mountain, it got cooler and cooler. That was hard with the sleeveless shirt I had on and the sun was soon to set. My goal was to reach the top by the time the sun set.

Now started my troubles. Ever so often I had to stop climbing and get my breathing under control. I didn't realize it at the time, but the altitude was really effecting me. All I wanted to do is get to the top.

That last 7 miles was the toughest, but I made it to the top! It took 9:01 hours. Too bad I didn't break 9 hours, but I did get there before the sun set. When I arrived, the other South African friend, Troy congratulated me and asked about Gavin. I didn't think we was going to make it. I was sure they wouldn't let anyone do this in the dark....but I was wrong.

It must have been in the 40ies and I was very cold. Our accommodations SUCKED. There was no heat. We were in a 4 room housing. There was a coal fire that didn't do anything but blow in smoke. Fortunately for us, the bathrooms were inside. Not a sit down, as swat. Well, I was going to do that anyway. No running water. No shower. I was really camping.

Finally, I changed out of my clothes, and was shivering and you could see my breath. It must have been 30 degrees in there, but I needed food. After changing, I had to walk up a small hill to get dinner. I was out of breath. I barely ate and came back to the room shivering.

The sleeping bag that was given to me didn't do the trick. Somehow, I didn't get the zero degree one. I was screwed for the night so I slept in a fleece jacket and gloves. I coughed all night and only had about 4 hours of sleep.

One of the girls in the other room, gave me hand warmers and chest rub, but nothing could help. I only hoped not to keep everyone up all night.

Sight Seeing in Mirik

November 2
Today was a day excursion to Mirik. I could have gone to Darjeen but dreaded the bus ride down the mountain and 6 hours of walking. I figure that I'd be doing enough of that the next few days so I opted for the tour of Mirk.

Most places you travel around the world you expect a tour to be by bus. This was a walking tour and none of us knew about it. I don't know if I would have done it if I knew I'd be walking for over 3 1/2 hours. But it was worth it!

The thing that stands out the most if that we saw a Catholic Church, Hindu Temple, and a Monastery. I liked the Buddest Monastery. The outside was painted with beautiful bright colors. A gate enclosed the worshiping area, square, and housing. On the square there were numbers and you put your shoes down at the number and then walked into the monastery.

Inside there must have been over 200 people all dressed in red with shaven heads. There were only 4 foreigners there dressed in regular garb. They chanted and it sounded like a choir. Gongs, bells, horns and drums were heard. It was a true performance. I think the youngest was 5 and am unsure of the oldest. In my mind, I asked the monks to look after me for the next few days. I hope they will.

I know there will be times that I won't want to go on and will need all the support that I can get. I will allow myself to ask for help and inner strength to make the next few days easier. Please monks, guide me the next 5 days. Let me have a safe journey. Keep me safe. Allow me to enjoy the special moments. Most of all, make the disappointments as few as possible.

Tomorrow, I go on a quest of life. I will see what I am made of. It will be a true test of spirit. I will let myself be the focus of all my attention so I can succeed. I will succeed. I will finish my 100 miles. But I will not let my quest end there. This must be a commitment to myself. I must think of me and put myself first. I know it will be hard, but it is a task I must do.

Tomorrow starts a new day and a new beginning on this challenge we call life.

November 1st: Delhi to Bagdogra to Mirik

I arose early to get breakfast. There were many traveling from my hotel for the race. A big bus picked us up and took us to the airport. At 3:30 we were still traveling. We ended up getting to Mirik around 5pm.

I remmber the bus ride. We started at the base of this mountain and climbed to 8,000 feet. It was a long 2 hour bus ride to the top of the mountain. The roads look like one lane, but they aren't. All the cars and busses are more narrow, otherwise no one would be able to drive here. But with a big bus there were many near misses with other cars. Thank god that the road isn't traveled much by car. You could see some people walking though when you neared town.

Most of the locals can not afford to buy a car and walk everywhere. There are very few people who are fat here. Being a porter, I'm sure you can make a lot of money. Mirik is a less polluted area. I found that I could breath easier even though we were about 8,000 feet. The streets are clean.

What I did notice is that there weren't any speed limit signs and that the roads defied the 'running laws of nature'. When running, it is the faster person who has the right away. The slower person must move out of the way. When running down hill, they get the right away since the uphill runners are slower.

Here in the mountains, it is the bus who is climbing that gets the right away and the others must move out of the way for the bus. Even thought the roads are narrow and are 2 way. There aren't and markings on the road. Many fast moving vehicles will just beep you and pass you on the right. Yes, the drive on the opposite side of the road as well.

October 31: The Plane Ride To Delhi

The plane ride was endless. Even as the hours changed, it seemed that you have gone almost nowhere. The ride was smooth and there weren't any children near me screaming so I was happy. I did end up having a little boy sitting behind me kicking the seat every so often.

When I arrived, my luggage was one of the first to come out so I didn't have to wait long. The transfer was easy as there was a man with a sign, Himalayan Run and Trek so the anxiety wasn't there. I did have to wait for 3 more people that took over an hour. These girls were on the same plane as me and were from NY.

2 by 2 we went in the car to the hotel. The proved to be a scary ride. There was lots of traffic out at 11pm. Every car beeps their horn to get around others and there are very few road signs. I think if I had to drive, I would have been lost of hours.

The car took us to a wrong hotel that looked like a bombed out shelter. It was the local YWCA. I was glad we weren't staying there. The driver apologized for the mix up and delivered us to the hotel.

The girls had a friend who was living in Delhi and wanted to go for a drink and food. I was up for the food, so I said I would come along. There are many restaurants here at the hotel, but this was the only on open so late at night. It was the 24 hour cafe. I had a chicken burger.

Being tired, I told them that I would retire. Tomorrow was to be a long day.

I