Category: Run

Covering a lot of Ground

~ Jamie ~ Leave a comment

on the run

I’m definitely not running as far, as frequently, or as quickly as I would be without chemo.  But Sally and I have been making it a point to meet up at least once a week to run together.  We’re a good pair—she’s got a two year old in stroller slowing her down, so we’re always so relieved when the other wants a walk break!  It was so uncharacteristically warm today, the perfect day for a run.  The other great thing about running with a stroller (or a friend with a stroller, that is) is that I can shed gloves, my jacket, even my hat when it gets too warm.  And while I don’t carry it along with me in the stroller, I did still put on some lipstick before leaving it in the car.  If I’m going to be bald, I want to look healthy and bald.  (The Dior Lip Addict my mom gave me for Christmas is just the perfect amount of natural color.)  Running along the Mt. Vernon trail is always lovely, but Sally and I have some fun chats when we’re together.  You can cover a lot of ground—figuratively and literally—in an hour on the trails.

Race Report

~ Jamie ~ Leave a comment
What a great day—today’s race will definitely go down as one of my favorite runs ever.  We arrived early enough that Emma Clare could decorate my head before we joined the rest of the girls from Tuckahoe.  We sat in the comfort of our warm car and she busted out the washable markers and emblazoned my head with the Girls on the Run logo.  photo 3
We had fun with friends before the race.  It was a cool morning to stand around, but perfect weather for running.  We had a good race—we ran the whole time and I only had to slow her down a couple of times. Better yet, we finished strong and could have run another mile!  We both worked hard and I couldn’t be prouder.
photo 4

My Prayer

~ Jamie ~ Leave a comment

I’ve said it before, but it really is overwhelming knowing so many are praying for me. I have to say, though, I’ve struggled at how to really pray for myself. I took solace in the passage from the Bible that talks about how the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf when we don’t know the words.

But on my run Sunday morning, I had time to really be by myself and think. I needed to know what to pray. And it occurred to me that God made my body, and he knew what it would need to go through. I have this cancer, and I have to go through the treatment. That will not change. So my prayer is that God will make my body strong. Strong enough to withstand these treatments with good health and a good attitude.

And so I’ve decided not to worry so much about the fact that I still feel pretty well. It seems wrong to be almost done with the second “bad” day still feeling ok. I’m going to enjoy my good days, knowing that the chemo is doing its job, and that God is making my body strong to withstand it longer than anyone expects.

Me and Lance.

~ Jamie ~ Leave a comment

So it turns out that I now have a couple of things in common with famous, or should I say notorious, athlete, Lance Armstrong. Cancer diagnosis as a young adult and a love of performance enhancing drugs.

I’m a little bummed, today is my first day without steroids. Yes, there are side effects that make it undesirable to take them long term. But this weekend, even after getting all those nasty chemo meds, I felt good– great, even. Yesterday I rocked out my 5k– well, I ran the whole thing, at least. I feel pretty sure that I’ll make it to the Girls on the Run race in two weeks, but I don’t think I’ll earn any first place prize that will have to be stripped from me later. And the steroids cause me to be a little flush, like I’ve been in the sun or just finished a good workout, which Sally said was perfect for family photos yesterday. I’ll share a few of those here later on, they turned out great!

So today I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m running a couple of quick errands this morning and then I’ll be ready to hibernate for a few days if I need to.