I did it!!!

Hi Everyone~ Some of you know that I've been training for a half-marathon since last May. My last big walk before the race in October was last night. I was to walk/ run 14 miles. I told DH that I was actually scared of this walk, because I truly didn't know if I could fini**** I still had blisters from my last 8 mile walk on Monday. And, the time limit on the race is 4 hours. So...off we went, starting at about 8:15 p.m. The good news is~ I DID IT!!!! Not only did I do the 13.1 miles necessary for the 1/2 marathon, but I did 14.4 miles. And, I completed it in 3:58. I almost started crying as I was passing the 13 mile mark. All I could think was, "Thank you God for helping me and giving me my life back". What an unbelievable blessing. DH and I finished the walk, hand in hand, as we walked into the driveway. I couldn't have done it without him. I am truly blessed. To boot, I weighed in this a.m. at 175~ something I haven't seen since early college. I'm going to enjoy it for the 2 seconds that I'm at this weight, because I know that I'll gain between 2-5 lbs. this next week as has happened after every big walk. I guess it's the body's way of healing itself. The other good news is that I'm still upright! Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Hugs, Kerri

Hi Kerri! I'm able to check my emails and come to the OH site at my conference. WOW, is all I can say! Walking 14.4 miles in a day. My mere walk of a 5 K coming on September 30th is nothing to yours. You must be very sore! My conference starts today and I'll be home on Wednesday afternoon. Congratulations on your success Hugs, Lucy

Hi Lucy~ Hope you're having a wonderful time at your conference! I've been off of the boards for a while due to the beginning of school. Didn't realize that you were gone. What is the conference for? I think it's WONDERFUL that you're doing a 5K walk!! OR, maybe you're doing it as a run? I did my first one in February and it was an awesome feeling of accomplishment. I'm thrilled for you! Make sure you take pics going across the finish line~ I want to see! Have a great time and a safe trip home. Hugs, Kerri

Kerri, my conference is work related. All medical staff professionals from the United States and some international ones are here. It should be a fun conference. The 5K walk on the 30th is for the Walk Against Obesity.My surgeons are one of the sponsors. I'm off to the pool for some sun and fun. It's supposed to be 86 degrees today. I hope so! Hugs, Lucy

Wow Kerri! Congratulations. I finally took my dog for a walk!!! LOL!!! You truly are an inspiration for all of us. You must be so proud...you should be! Hope you are not too sore and your feet not blistered. Also, hope your Sunday is filled with some rest. Love, Diane

Thanks for the support, Diane. I started off walking my dogs...who knows~ maybe it will lead you to a 5K sometime? As for the wish for relaxing today~ yep, I'm pretty much doing just that. The blisters are going down and I'm taking it easy . I hope you have a great Sunday as well. Hugs, Kerri

Congrats Kerri (wine for me, protein for you for your muscles). Make sure you get some rest and take care of those feet! Sharyn

Hi Sharyn~ How are ya doing? Are you feeling okay, recovering from your PS? I bet it will be a little while before you are able to resume that incredible workout schedule of yours, huh? Thanks for the support~ and I am absolutely going to take it easy today. And yep. a monster size protein drink for me!! Let me know when you have a chance how you're doing. I've been thinking about ya. Hugs, Kerri

I'm doing great Kerri, thanks. I had my drain tubes removed last week and this week I had a huge seroma that had to be drained. He took about a dozen large syringes of fluid out of my side/abdomen. Talk about relieving some pressure!! I started filling up again right away, so I will probably go in tomorrow and he'll but a drain tube back in. I wouldn't care, except that it is keeping me from being able to get my maid of honor dress altered and the wedding is the first week of October. But yeah - it will still be at least 3 weeks before I can do anything except walk, and I can't even do that very well right now. I'm still slouched a little bit, but the stiching is beginning to dissolve and making things looser. I really do miss my workouts. Since I will have to take it easy, I plan to do a lot of swimming and walking while slowly working my way up to jogging. Sorry I was so long winded. You're doing great!! Love ya Lots Sharyn

Hurray for you Kerri!! You have done so great this year! I am so proud of how well you are doing and sticking to it! Every time I get a big excersize burst I fizzle out! I am gonna start moving again soon! I can only walk right now anyway because of the hernias and all, but walking is good, maybe it will get me over the Onederland hump! I'm stuck at 207!!!!! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!! Of course I have been a very naughty girl this week in Orlando, I pretty much ate nothing but carbs! But back on track today since I am home! Wendy