BOOK END

THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS, FOR ME, WAS A PERFECT BOOK END TO THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS. AS YOU ALL KNOW BY NOW, JUST SEVEN MONTHS AGO I HAD BRAIN SURGERY (A CRANIOTOMY). I WOKE UP FROM SURGERY LATER THE NEXT DAY AND NOTICED I COULDN'T SEE THE HUGE CANVAS PICTURE OF MY KIDS THAT THEY PROMISED TO PUT AT THE END OF MY BED, SO THAT THEY WERE THE FIRST THING I SAW WHEN I WOKE UP. I WAS HALF BLIND, AND BEGAN TO PANIC. THEN, I OVERHEARD THE DR'S TELLING MY HUSBAND THAT ALTHOUGH THE SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS, IT HADN'T GONE EXACTLY AS PLANNED, SO THEY HAD TO GO BACK IN AND DO ANOTHER VASCULAR SURGERY (COILING) JUST 7 WEEKS LATER, AFTER I RECOVERED A BIT FROM THE CRANIOTOMY. WHAT A BLOW. IT'S BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY, AND THERE'VE BEEN SOME REALLY TOUGH MOMENTS. BUT, WE GRASP ON TO THE THINGS WE CAN, LIKE: THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT; THE DINNERS THAT WERE DELIVERED BY FRIENDS FROM ALL PARTS OF OUR LIVES FROM AUGUST 30 THROUGH DECEMBER 1; THE PRAYERS AND MESSAGES AND FLOWERS AND CARDS AND EMAILS AND CARINGBRIDGE SITE MESSAGES AND VISITS AND WALKS AND RIDES AND LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP AND DID I MENTION ALL THE PRAYERS??? THE BEST GIFT OF ALL, THE PRAYERS. WE TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD, AND MUST FORCE OURSELVES (AT TIMES) TO MAKE A CHOICE: BE BETTER OR BE BITTER.

I CHOSE TO BE BETTER. I CHOSE TO SEE ALL THE BLESSINGS. I CHOSE TO BE GRATEFUL. AND, I CHOSE TO TAKE WHAT I COULD GET. I COULD RUN. I WAS ABLE TO RUN, AFTER 3 MONTHS OF RECOVERY. SO, I RAN.

NOW, I DON'T MEAN TO MAKE THIS SEEM EASY. IT WASN'T. IT RARELY IS. AND, I COULD NEVER HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO MAKE THIS DECISION ON MY OWN. IT WAS BC OF ALL THE PRAYERS AND LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP OF ALL OF YOU, MANY OF WHOM ARE COMPLETE STRANGERS, THAT GAVE ME STRENGTH.

IT WAS BC OF MARK KNUTSON. HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN ME, WHEN HE ASKED ME TO GIVE THE SPEECH DURING THE PASTA FEED LAST FRIDAY NIGHT. MARK BELIEVED IN ME, WELL BEFORE I THOUGHT I'D BE STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY OUT HIS REQUEST. MARK ASKED ME TO DO THIS MANY MONTHS AGO, BEFORE I HAD EVEN DECIDED TO DO THE MARATHON, ANY PART OF IT! MARK SAW IN ME SOMETHING I HADNT SEEN IN MYSELF AT THAT POINT. MARK HELPED GIVE ME HOPE AND TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF. HIS REQUEST WAS A GIFT, AND I AM GRATEFUL.

I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR KEEPING TABS ON MY PROGRESS AND FOR CHECKING THIS BLOG. I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR PATIENCE, AS YOU READ THROUGH SOME LONG ENTRIES. :)

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU ON YOUR PERSONAL VICTORIES LAST WEEKEND. AND, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP BEING KIND. IT'S A WONDERFUL GIFT. YOU'VE BEEN KIND TO ME, AND YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THAT KINDNESS WILL IMPACT ANOTHER PERSON.

YOUR KINDNESS HELPED ME REACH THAT FINISH LINE. I PROMISE YOU, IT GOT ME THERE THROUGH SOME VERY TOUGH MILES AND SOME SEVERE LEG CRAMPING, STARTING AT MILE 10!!! YIKES. BUT, I THOUGHT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE STRANGERS WHO I'VE MET AND SPOKEN TO THIS PAST WEEKEND AT THE EXPO OR THE PASTA DINNER ON FRIDAY NIGHT. YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND KINDNESS RANG THROUGH MY HEAD THROUGHOUT THE 24 MILES (I WAS DELERIOUS AFTER MILE 24 AND VERY WEEPY, SO I'D BE LYING IF SAID I REMEMBER WHAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT THEN!!!).

MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A SIGN IN HER HOUSE THAT READS, "BECAUSE NICE MATTERS..." IT DOES, AND YOU ARE. I AM HUMBLED BY THE OVERWHELMING COVERAGE AND SUPPORT I'VE RECIEVED THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY. I AM GRATEFUL, TOO. AND, BLESSED.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY STORY, AND FOR SHARING YOURS. NOW, WHAT BETTER WAY TO BOOK END THIS LAST SEVEN MONTHS....

WITH LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP AND THANKSGIVING,
KATHLEEN

HARPER'S FIRST RACE!

THIS IS HER PICTURE FACE! WHEN SHE SEES A CAMERA, SHE BREAKS OUT THE SMILES. :) APPLE DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE, I'M AFRAID. IT'S IN HER DNA. HOPEFULLY, I LOOK AS HAPPY PULLING INTO THE DOME TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY...MUST GO PREPARE FOR TONIGHT. THIS IS JUST NUTS. HOPE I'M NOT DEHYDRATED TOMORROW BC OF ALL THE TEARS I'VE SHED THIS WEEK. PEOPLE ARE STOPPING ME IN TARGET AND WISHING ME LUCK WITH ALL SORTS OF BEAUTIFUL KIND WORDS. IT'S A BIT OVERWHELMING. OURS IS A SPECIAL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU...

BRING YOUR OWN STORIES TO THE LINE-UP TOMORROW. EVERYONE'S STORY MATTERS AND THEY'LL GET YOU TO VICTORY.

WE ARE BLESSED. I LOVE FARGO!

KATHLEEN

CONGRATULATIONS, KIDS!

THE KIDS RACE WAS SUPER! WELL ORGANIZED. FUN. FLAT. FRIENDLY. ALL THE ADJECTIVES MARK AND HIS TEAM BOAST ABOUT!

ALL THREE OF OUR KIDS AND MY NIECE AND NEPHEW COMPETED. YES, EVEN HARPER (WHO IS ONLY TWO) RAN HER FIRST RACE. AND...SHE DIDN'T WEAR HER PRINCESS SHOES.

MANY PARENTS I TALKED TO MENTIONED THE WAIT, BUT ONLY IN PASSING. THEY WEREN'T COMPLAINING. WE TALKED ABOUT THE DETAILS THAT GO IN TO PLANNING SUCH AN EVENT WITH SO MANY CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES AND THE SAFETY REASONS BEHIND SOME OF THE STRICT RULES. THEY WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE A FUN EXPERIENCE, WHILE KEEPING THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED.

EVERYONE WAS HAPPY. EVERYONE WAS IN THE SPIRIT! ALL HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!

THANK YOU MARK AND TEAM! YOU'RE REALLY PHENOMENAL!

KATHLEEN

KIDS' RACE

GOOD LUCK, KIDDOS! OUR 9, 7 1/2 AND EVEN THE 2 YEAR OLD ARE RUNNING TONIGHT...HOPEFULLY WITHOUT HER PRINCESS SHOES.

HAVE A NICE RUN!

MARATHON T-SHIRT FINISHED! THANKS, SHIRT SHOP...GREAT JOB!

WEAR YOUR GLASS SLIPPERS AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY...

WE'RE ALL NERVOUS, RIGHT? I MEAN, I KNOW I'M THE ONLY ONE OF US SPEAKING TO 700 PEOPLE ON FRIDAY NIGHT (GULP) BUT, WE'RE ALL CLOSELY WATCHING WEATHER.COM AND TRYING TO GAGE THE WIND AND THE TIMING OF THE THUNDER STORMS THEY'RE PREDICTING. I HAVE TO ADMIT: I'M MORE NERVOUS TO SPEAK THAN I AM TO RUN. THERE I SAID IT. AND, THIS WEEK'S BEEN MORE BUSY THAN MOST: HUSTLING KIDS AROUND, FIGHTING A TERRIBLE COLD, SHUFFLING SCHEDULES TO DO PRESS INTERVIEWS (AGAIN,HELLO, OUT OF MY BOX!).

SO...I'VE BECOME RATHER SHORT-TEMPERED (AT TIMES) AND IMPATIENT WITH MY KIDDOS. THE TWO OLDER ARE ROLLING WITH IT, AND REALIZE THIS STRESS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON, AND VICTORY AWAITS US ALL.

BUT, FOR A TWO YEAR OLD, IT'S TOUGHER TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE HUB-BUB.

I HAD A CRAZY BUSY MORNING PLANNED. AND, DREW'S OUT OF TOWN AGAIN. BUT, BEFORE I COULD GET TO ANYTHING ON THE LIST, AND AFTER DROPPING KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, HARPER AND I NEEDED TO STOP BY THE GROCERY STORE.

HARPER IS TWO. SHE LOVES ANYTHING "PINCESS" (PRINCESS, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T TALK 2 YR OLD). AND, WELL, SHE'S HER DADDY'S GIRL: SHE'S STUBBORN AND LOUD. :) SHE INSISTED ON WEARING THOSE GLASS SLIPPERS INTO THE STORE. AND, WALKING ALONE ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND THROUGH THE STORE TO SHOW THEM OFF! AGAIN, DADDY! :) HELLO: MOM'S ON A STRICT, CALCULATED SCHEDULE HERE, HONEY!!!!

AT FIRST, I STARTED TO PICK HER UP. THIS WAS GOING TO TAKE FOR-EVER!! THERE'S NO TIME FOR PRINCESS SHOES THIS MORNING. THEN, I REALIZED: THIS IS SO DANG CUTE. SHE IS VOICING HER INDEPENDENCE. SHE'S PROUD OF THOSE SUCKERS. LET HER CLICK CLACK HER WAY THROUGH THAT STORE AND HOLD HER TINY HAND, MOM!! DO IT! THIS MOMENT WILL PASS TOO SOON.

AS WE MADE OUR WAY THROUGH THE STORE, SHE STOPPED TO CHIT CHAT WITH ALL HER ADMIRERS. AND, THOSE WHO DIDN'T STOP WERE WAVED TO, JUST LIKE A PRINCESS. I COULDN'T HELP BUT TO COMPARE OUR JOURNEY IN THE GLASS SLIPPERS TO THE JOURNEY OF OUR TRAINING AND THE TAPERING WEEK BEFORE THE MARATHON.

WE NEED TO SAVOR THIS WEEK. EMBRACE THE FACT THAT I, AND OTHERS WHO ARE DOING SO, GET TO HONOR SO MANY WHO CAN'T EVER OR WON'T RUN A MARATHON (IN MY CASE BC THEY'VE SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM). I GET TO TELL THEIR STORIES. PEOPLE ARE ASKING TO HEAR. AND, THEY'RE LISTENING.

SO, WHATEVER YOUR WEEK LOOKS LIKE, HOWEVER BUSY YOU ARE--AND WE ALL ARE--SAVOR THIS WEEK. YOU'VE SPENT FOUR MONTHS TRAINING FOR THIS WEEKEND; YOU'RE SO READY.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT...

SO, WEAR THE DANG PRINCESS SHOES AND FLAUNT THEM AND DRINK IN EVERY OUNCE OF THIS WEEK. IT'LL BE OVER SOON, AND WE'LL BE SITTING PRETTY FROM HEAD TO TOE...WITH OUR PRINCESS SHOES AND OUR FINISHERS MEDAL DANGLING AROUND OUR NECKS.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY...

KATHLEEN
PRINCESS HARPER'S MOMMY

6 DAYS TO GO...

OK, SO TWO OUT OF THREE OF MY KIDS ARE SICK. PATRICK IS HEALTHY, BUT SORE AFTER HE NEARLY CUT HIS FINGER OFF WITH HIS NEW BOY SCOUT KNIFE HIS DADDY GIFTED HIM YESTERDAY. HE HAD IT, APPROXIMATELY, 2 HOURS BEFORE HE TEARFULLY CAME RUNNING IN THE HOUSE TO TELL ME HE "MADE A BAD CHOICE." HE WAS GOOFING AROUND WITH IT, AND SLICED HIS POINTER. I WAS FINE, UNTIL I NOTICED THE TRAIL OF BLOOD HE LEFT ALL OVER THE HOUSE, AND THE ARM-LOAD OF BLOOD-SOAKED PAPER TOWELS HE TOSSED IN THE GARBAGE CAN! I REMAINED CALM, AND WAS PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH THE TURNOKIT HE MADE FOR HIMSELF WHILE SEARCHING THE HOUSE FOR ME (I WAS IN THE BASEMENT CHANGING THE SPARE BEDROOM SHEETS FOR OUT MARATHON GUESTS...MY FOLKS FROM PHILLY...YAHOO!).

SO, I WASHED HIS OWIE AND TRIED NOT TO LET ON HOW SHOCKED I WAS BY ITS LENGTH AND DEPTH. NOT LONG AFTER, WE TREKKED TO THE E.R. BUT THE SWEETEST MOMENT WAS WHEN HE SADLY SAID, "I'M SO MAD AT MYSELF, MOMMY. I'M AFRAID YOU AND DAD ARE GONNA THINK I'M"...ARE YOU READY..."IN-RESPONSIBLE!!!" IN-REPSONISBLE. I LOVE WHEN THEY TRY TO USE BIG WORDS AND THEY COME OUT ALL JUMBLED. WELL, I TRIED TO HIDE MY PRIDE AND STOPPED MYSELF FROM EATING THIS CHILD UP RIGHT THEN AND THERE, AND EXPLAINED THAT HIS KNIFE IS A TOOL NOT A TOY, AND THAT HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD IT OUTSIDE AND THAT I DON'T THINK HE'S IN-RESPONISLBLE (WHAT? I LOVE THAT WORD. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE HIM A COMPLEX AND CORRECT HIM. PRIORITIES, PEOPLE!). ANYWAY, HE SAID, HE THOUGHT HE WAS "IN-RESPONSIBLE AND WAS SORRY." LITTLE BUGGER.

HE'S FINE AND HAS BEEN GARNERING MUCH ATTENTION SINCE HIS E.R. VISIT. BIG SISTER HAS BEEN COLLECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS AND TAKING THEM ON A TOUR OF THE BLOOD SPLATTERS, TRYING TO PIECE THE SCENE TOGETHER. AT LEAST SHE'S NOT SELLING TICKETS. I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER.

SO, THAT'S HOW OUR TAPERING WEEKEND WENT AT THE WRIGLEY HOUSEHOLD. THE GIRLS ARE COUGHING AND SNEEZING ALL OVER MOMMY. DADDY'S STEERING CLEAR OF THEM. AND, MOM'S STARTING WITH HER OWN STUFFY NOSE AND ACHES. PERFECT TIMING...

DID YOU KNOW...

*AN ESTIMATED 6 MILLION PEOPLE ARE LIVING WITH AND WALKING AROUND WITH AN UNRUPTURED BRAIN ANEURYSM...TO PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE----THAT'S 1 IN 50!!!!!

*AN ESTIMATED 25,000 RUPTURES WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR, PUTTING THOSE PATIENTS IN SERIOUS LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION

*40% OF THOSE PATIENTS WILL DIE!!!

*OF THOSE WHO SURVIVE 4 OUT OF 7 WILL LIVE WITH SOME TYPE OF DISABILITY!!!

*BRAIN ANEURYSMS ARE MOST PREVALENT IN PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES 35-60!!! TAKE NOTE: THAT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE WHO RUN MARATHONS.

*ANEURYSMS ARE USUALLY DETECTED IN THE 3RD OR 4TH DECADE OF LIFE: I WAS 34, WHEN I HAD MY FIRST VASCULAR (COILING) SURGERY IN MARCH 2004...MY BABIES WERE JUST 3 AND 1 1/2 YEARS OLD.

*AND, WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO HAVE AN ANEURYSM, AT A RATIO OF 3:2!!!

*FINALLY, RUPTURED, OR BURST ANEURYSMS, ACCOUNT FOR 3-5% OF ALL NEW STROKES!!!

HELP!

GO TO THIS LINK (OR CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW WILL BRING YOU RIGHT TO THE SITE:

www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html

CLICK ON: NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER & ST. JOSEPHS'S NEUROSCIENCES FUND to donate. Please specify "In honor of Kathleen Wrigley," so I can keep track of proper thank yous.

Every dollar helps! As I mentioned in previous posts, I'm not comfortable pounding the pavement for donations, but this is important to me.

Thank you for reading this blog over the four month course of our training. Thank you for sharing in my journey. Thank you...
Kathleen

FOR THEM...

THE FOLLOWING LIST OF PEOPLE HAVE EITHER DIED OR SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM. THEIR STORIES MATTER, AND I WILL HONOR THEM AND THEIR JOURNEYS ON MAY 22ND. TOGETHER, WE HAVE A VOICE. AND, TOGETHER WE'LL RUN 26.2 MILES

Shirley Bakke
Becky Pfau
Joe O’Connell
Joan Samuels Briggs
Chris Sutton
Linda Wanttie
Kari Okerlund-Wolf
Shirley Kuhn
Clark Coleman
Terry Shanley
Barbara Ladd McNamara
Loren E. Smith
Peggy Wolf
Megan Grady
Bill Kelliher
Diane Arthurs
Gwen Sannes
Mark Milligan
Mary Lou Cote
Scott Toenies
John Mastel
Mark Johnson
Sam Dubois
Sharon Steinbach
Terry Lalonde
Shirley Kuhn
Yvonne Torvik
Mary Ann Bonniwell
Cindy Kirkorsky
Chris T
Margaret Ann Shotwell
Jean Schnell-Vickie
My Aunt, Kathleen Riley
Bernice Malone
Tena Shultz
Barbara Bertel
Terri Lalonde
Linda Wanttie
Mary Kelliher
Danny Grady
John Grady
Terri Reick
Marie Kellett
Flo Harty
Brad Bergum
Mary Beth Schuchard
Bernie Gordon
Lynette Oswald
Bernard Sattler
Gene Sieben
Sharon Stone
Bret Michaels
Stess Sletten
Elaine Schwandt
Delia Williams
Howard Clemens
Leroy Clemens
Florri McMillan
Kathryn Wilhelm
Sharon Knutson
Amber Bonander
Casey Leitch

Betsy Rodiles – 2007 Fargo Marathon Finisher

EIGHT DAYS...

OK. SO I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF...

I HAD THIS SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT IDEA THAT I'D DO A CUTE LITTLE DIDDY OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, WHILE COUNTING DOWN OUR DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE FARGO MARATHON. I ONLY DID TWO BLOGS, AND THEY WEREN'T CUTE...OR FUNNY. I HAVE NO CREATIVE JUICES LEFT, AND WASN'T BLESSED WITH A HEARTLY LOAD TO BEGIN WITH...

CLEARLY, I'M NO SONG-WRITER. AND, ONCE THE MARATHON'S OVER AND THE BLOGGING STOPS AND ALL THE COMMITMENTS CEASE, I'LL GO BACK TO MY FULL-TIME DAY JOB: MOM AND WRITER FOR MY COLUMN IN "ON THE MINDS OF MOMS!" UH HUH, YOU LIKE HOW I WORK A PLUG IN THERE, SHERI AND DANI?! TO THE THREE PEOPLE WHO READ THIS BLOG, CHECK IT OUT: WWW.ONTHEMINDSOFMOMS.COM!! I'VE GOT YOUR BACK, GIRLFRIENDS.

ANNNYWAY, IN CASE YOU'RE UNAWARE: THERE ARE EIGHT DAYS LEFT...EIGHT DAYS...

BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, MY SPEECH WILL BE SAID. TEARS WILL BE SHED. AND, I'LL NEED TO SHAKE OUT SOME SERIOUS LEAD...FOR 26.2 MILES OF SMILES. WHAT? IT'S THE BEST I CAN COME UP WITH.

I ASSURE YOU I WON'T TRY TO RHYME OR SING ON FRIDAY NIGHT, DURING MY SPEECH. I MIGHT HYPERVENTILATE FROM NERVES, BUT YOU HAVE MY WORD...NO POEMS, SONGS OR DIDDYS.

NOW IS THE TIME I GO. DREW'S NEARLY HOME FROM THE AIRPORT, AFTER BEING GONE ALL WEEK. HIP HIP HOORAY! WE'RE SET TO WATCH 20/20, AND READY TO SETTLE INTO A NICE GLASS OF WINE. NO, WE'RE NOT 80. WE JUST FEEL LIKE IT.

ENJOY THE SUN!
KATHLEEN

ON THE NINTH DAY BEFORE THE FARGO MARATHON...

MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME...NOTHIN. HE'S IN NEW ORLEANS FOR WORK ALL WEEK. BLAH.

I'VE GOT TWO SICK KIDS COUGHING ALL OVER ME. WAHHHHHHHH...I'M PRACTICALLY BATHING ALL OF US IN HAND SANITIZER! I DON'T WANT THE SNIFFLES OR THE COUGHS. YUCK.

NINE MORE DAYS.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

NAMES AND PICTURES, PLEASE

HELLO! I'M WORKING ON MY SLIDE SHOW. SO, IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS DIED OR HAS SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM, PLEASE PASS THEIR NAMES ON TO ME. IT WOULD BE MY HONOR TO RUN FOR THEM AND TO INCORPORATE THEIR NAMES AND PICTURES INTO MY SLIDE SHOW FOR THE SPEECH AT THE PASTA FEED, FRIDAY, MAY 22ND...WHICH, BY THE WAY, I'M MORE NERVOUS ABOUT THAN ACTUALLY RUNNING THE MARATHON. GULP. NO THROWING TOMATOES.

MY DEADLINE FOR PICTURES AND NAMES IS MONDAY AFTERNOON!

TOODLES!
KATHLEEN

ON THE TENTH DAY OF THE FARGO MARATHON COUNTDOWN...

MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME...GONE ALL WEEK WITH THREE LITTLE KIDS AND A PASTA FEED SPEECH TO WRITE...ALLLLLLL BY MY SELF......

THE TAPER...

TOMORROW'S MY LAST SPEED WORKOUT! HIP HIP HOORAY! ACTUALLY, I'VE ENJOYED THE SPEED. IT'S HELPED ME GET MY ENDURANCE BACK, AND HAS EASED SOME OF THE BOREDOM THAT ACCOMPANIES "MILL" TRAINING FOR SPRING MARATHONS. BUT, I CAN'T SAY THAT I'LL DO IT FOR FUN.

TAPERING IS TOUGHER THAN IT SOUNDS. IF YOU'VE DONE IT, YOU KNOW. IF IT'S YOUR FIRST RACE, YOU'LL SEE. AND, IF YOU'RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU'LL HAVE A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TAPERING PHASE OF OUR TRAINING. I LOVE TRAINING...AND EATING! GOBBLE GOBBLE. YOU KNOW IT'S BAD WHEN MY KIDS WON'T DARE LEAVE THEIR PLATES AT THE DINNER TABLE, EVEN TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! BUT, AS WE TAPER, WE MUST WATCH OUR CALORIC INPUT. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS CARRY A FEW EXTRA CHEESEBURGERS (OR SHAKES, OR BLIZZARDS, OR SOFT PRETZELS, OR APPLE PIE ALA MODES...MMMMMMM) WITH US FOR 26.2, OR 13.1 OR EVEN 3 MILES. BE WEARY OF THE TAPER...

EAT RESPONSIBLY :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

LOVE,
KATHLEEN

15 MILES=BAD DAY

OK. SORRY TO BE A WENDY WHINER, BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

SOMEWHERE AROUND MILE 6, I STARTED TO FEEL BAD TUMMY PROBLEMS SETTLING IN (GIRL STUFF). THEN, AT MILE 11.5, I DECIDED "FINE, I'LL GO THE EXTRA DISTANCE AND PUSH IT TO 15." LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES!!!!!!! I DIDN'T TODAY. IT HAS MADE FOR A VERY LONG DAY.

I'M SMARTER THAN I ACTED TODAY. I'M MORE EXPERIENCED THAN I BEHAVED TODAY. PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE AND DONT' PUSH IT. THIS IS A FUN RUN, RIGHT? THIS IS RECREATIONAL? YES! CROSSING THE FINISH LINE AND FEELING GOOD IS OUR GOAL...AMEN!

I'M FINALLY UPRIGHT. MY ELECTROLYTES ARE BACK WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, AND I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER. NOTHING ABOUT TODAY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY BRAIN. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT. NOTHING. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU COUNT THE NOT-BEING-SMART-THING. JUST A DEHYDRATION DEAL.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES. BE PREPARED TO REPLENISH. AND, HAVE FUN.

HERE WE GO...

15 MILES, OR IS IT 12? I THOUGHT I WAS GOING 12, ACCORDING TO MY PLAN, BUT SOME ARE GOING 15. WHAT'S 3 MORE MILES, RIGHT? I'LL MAKE MY DECISION AT MILE 11 1/2, MOST LIKELY.

HAVE A REALLY GREAT MOTHER'S DAY, IF I DON'T CATCH UP WITH YOU BEFORE TOMORROW!


OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH THE SUN'S OUT. HOORAY!

KATHLEEN

BAPTISM BY FIRE...

Pictured: 2 wks post-surgery in my favorite t-shirt (thank you, Karen!) It reads: "NOT TONIGHT DEAR, I HAD A CRANIOTOMY." :)

HI FRIENDS. OK. I THINK AFTER ALL THESE MONTHS READING MY POSTS, I CAN CALL YOU FRIENDS, CAN'T I?... WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE JOHN McCAIN? SORRY, BUT THOUGHT I'D START WITH SOMETHING LIGHT AND FUN.

ANNNNYWAY, IT'S BEEN QUITE A WEEK. IN THESE TWO WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE BIG DAY, MAY 22ND, I FEEL LIKE I'M RUNNING A DIFFERENT SORT OF MARATHON: THE MEDIATHON. I AM SURPRISED BY HOW MANY MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE THOUGHT THIS STORY INTERESTING ENOUGH TO REPORT ON IT. AT FIRST, I HAVE TO ADMIT, I WAS FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THIS IS WAAAY OUT OF MY BOX! AFTER ALL, THERE ARE MORE THAN 16,500 (SO FAR) PARTICIPANTS TAKING ON SOME PART OF MARATHON WEEKEND. THERE ARE 16,500 DIFFERENT STORIES & DIFFERENT FACTS.

BUT, WHEN I DECIDED TO (ATTEMPT) TO CONQUER ALL 26.2 MILES SO SOON AFTER SURGERY, I SIGNED ON TO BE OPEN ABOUT MY OWN STORY (GULP) AND TO CARRY THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED OR DIED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM WITH ME DURING THE MARATHON. TOGETHER WE'D HAVE A VOICE. TOGETHER WE'D MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE WANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT BRAIN ANEURYSMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FACILITIES, LIKE THE NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER IN ST PAUL, WHERE THEY SAVE AND IMPACT LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY. YES, THE DOCTORS AND NURSES DO THE HEAVY-LIFTING, BUT THEY RELY ON RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TAKES FUNDING. THERE IS MUCH WORK TO DO IN THAT FIELD. THEY NEED OUR HELP, OUR FINANCIAL HELP, TO SAVE LIVES. THEREIN LIES MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHAT I CAN TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS OF BRAIN ANEURYSMS AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DONATE.

IT'S SOMETHING I'M NOT OVERLY COMFORTABLE ABOUT DOING, BOTH SPEAKING PUBLICLY ABOUT THIS JOURNEY OR ASKING PEOPLE FOR DONATIONS.

BRAIN ANEURYSMS ARE (RELATIVLEY) EASIER TO FIX, IF DETECTED EARLY. HOWEVER, MOST OFTEN, THEY'RE NOT DETECTED UNTIL THEY BURST AND BECOME DEVESTATING. DETECTION IS EASY, BUT IS COSTLY AND ISN'T ALWAYS COVERED UNDER OUR INSURANCE. I AM NOT GETTING INTO ANY POLITICAL DISCUSSION HERE, BELIEVE ME, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE ANSWERS LIE. IN A PERFECT WORLD, WE'D ALL GET A QUICK & EASY SCAN AT OUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE, HORNBACHER'S, AT THE CHECK-OUT, TO BE SURE OUR BRAINS ARE SAFE AND THERE AREN'T ANY BALLOON-SIZED VESSLES READY TO BLOW.

BUT NOTHING'S PERFECT. SO, UNTIL THEN, I WILL DO MY (SMALL) PART AND USE MY EXPERIENCE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TAKE A PRO-ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE AND ASK YOU TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES. SEEK A DOCTOR'S OPINION, FOR ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE & DON'T BACK DOWN.

I'M ALSO GOING TO ASK THAT YOU HELP ME, HELP OTHERS. PLEASE CONSDER MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO THE NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER, SO THAT NEWER, BETTER, PROGRESSIVE TREATMENTS AND TOOLS FOR DIAGNOSIS CAN BE FOUND, THEREBY SAVING LIVES AND AVOIDING TRAGIC OUTCOMES.

SO, I END THIS WEEK HAVING LIVED COMPLETELY OUT OF MY BOX. I'VE GIVEN TWO SPEECHES (BOTH WITHOUT HYPERVENTILATING!), THREE INTERVIEWS, AND SCHEDULED FOUR MORE, AND MET MY DEADLINE FOR MY COLUMN IN "ON THE MINDS OF MOMS." BY TOMORROW, I WILL HAVE LOGGED 33 MILES OF RUNNING (TAPERING...AHHHHH LOVE THAT WORD), AND KEPT MY THREE BABIES ALIVE AND HAPPY. THAT'S BAPTISM BY FIRE, FOR THIS STAY-AT-HOME MOMMA.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS JOURNEY WITH ME...
KATHLEEN

TO DONATE, CLICK ON, OR CUT AND PASTE:

www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html and click on the link: National Brain Aneurysm Center & St. Joseph’s Neurosciences Fund to donate. Please specify “In honor of Kathleen Wrigley,” just so I can send a proper thank you!

TWENTY-ONE FOR TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-ONE MILES WITH ONLY TWENTY-ONE DAYS LEFT BEFORE RACE DAY!

GOOD RUN WITH GREAT FRIENDS!

KRISTI, TOM, JODI, KIM, LIZZIE, RYAN, CORY, NICOLE, AND EVEN NEW-GUY, JEFF, JUMPED IN FOR A FEW (S)MILES OF FUN!

GREAT RUN, DESPITE THE WIND GUSTS AND RAIN. I HAPPEN TO LOVE RUNNING IN RAIN, SO I DON'T NECESSARILY MIND BEING WET, BUT COULD DO WITHOUT THE WIND! SO IT GOES. TRAINING IN FARGO. FLAT, FRIENDLY, FAST AND WINDY.

"TO WIN, YOU'VE GOT TO STAY IN THE GAME..." CLAUDE BRISTOL.

WE'RE IN THIS NOW. THERE'S NO OFF-RAMP. STAY ON COURSE, AND EAT YOUR CARBS...

SEE YOU IN THE DOME.
KATHLEEN

HAPPY MAY DAY!

OK. FIRST OF ALL, WHO THOUGHT-UP MAY DAY? HELLO. I LOVE ALL THE KID STUFF. I GET INTO HALLOWEEN, MUCH TO MY KIDS' DISMAY. I'M THEIR ROOM-MOM AT SCHOOL AND DRESS-UP ACCORDINGLY (MICKEY MOUSE-QUINN WAS MINNIE; MARY AND HER LITTLE LAMB NAMED HARPER; EVEN LAURA BUSH ONE YEAR),BUT MAY DAY? CANDY? JUST ANOTHER THING FOR PARENTS TO DO.

OK. SO, MAYBE I'VE BEEN A BIT PREOCCUPIED THIS YEAR. OK. CLEARLY, I WAS A BIT PREOCCUPIED THIS YEAR. IT WASN'T UNTIL MILE 6, 7, OR WAS IT 5...ANYWAY, SOMEWHERE IN THE BEGINNIGN OF OUR RUN, I DISCOVERED IT WAS INDEED MAY 1. MAY DAY. CANDY DAY. WOW. WHAT HAPPENED TO APRIL? THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN MY PARTY-POOPER ATTITUDE: I FORGOT. I WAS UNPREPARED. I HAD NO CANDY. SHOOT. MY KIDS WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED. BAD MOMMY.

SOOOO, AFTER 21 MILES, I CALLED DREW ON MY WAY HOME AND ORDERED HIM TO GO BUY CANDY AND CUTE CUPS, FOR MAY DAY. LOTS. WE USUALLY DISTRIBUTE 60, OF THOSE SUCKERS, I MEAN BASKETS. WE HAVE TONS OF LITTLE TYKES IN OUR DEVELOPMENT. HE THREW THE KIDS IN THE CAR, AND DUTIFULLY OBLIGED.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: WE ASSEMBLED THOSE PUPPIES WHEN I GOT HOME AND SHOWERED, THREW THEM INTO OUR WAGON, AND FOUGHT THE WIND AND SPRITZ OF RAIN TO RING DOOR BELLS AND RUN FOR THE HILLS FROM THE SMOOCHES AND HUGS. WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS AGAIN?

I SHOULD MENTION THAT LITTLE HARPER, WHO IS JUST 2, DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND MAY DAY, EITHER. WELL, EXCEPT THE "TANDY" PART. IT WAS TOUGH FOR HER TO HAND-IT-OVER, AFTER RINGING THE BELL. I HAD TO GUIDE HER TINY HAND TO GIVE UP THE GOODS, THEN SHE STOOD THERE PERPLEXED BY THE HUGS AND KISSES BESTOWED ON HER. "MY TURN," SHE YELLED AS WE WALKED AWAY FROM THE HOUSES. FOR HARPER, IT IS BETTER TO RECIEVE THAN TO GIVE. WHO GIVES "TANDY" AWAY...FOR A LOUSY HUG AND KISS.

HARPER THOUGHT MAY DAY WAS A RIP OFF...UNTIL SHE REALIZED ALL THE BASKETS LINING OUR FRONT PORCH. "OOOOHHHHHH MOMMMMMMEEEEE YOOK AT DAT. HA-PA'S HOUSE."

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ON THE MENU: 21 MILES, ONE BLISTER, A SORE KNEE & PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE

WE'RE NOW INTO THE MILES OF PAIN. MOST OF US HAVE SOME PAIN, AT THIS POINT. GOD BLESS YOU IF YOU'RE PAIN-FREE. POOR DREW IS IN GOBS OF PAIN. I THINK HE NEEDS AN X-RAY, BUT INSTEAD HE SPENDS HIS NIGHTS DRAPED IN FREEZER BAGGIES FULL OF ICE. WE'RE SO OPPOSITE. I HARDLY STRETCH AND NEVER ICE. TSK TSK..

AHHHHH, BUT THIS IS IT! OUR LAST REALLY LONG RUN BEFORE RACE DAY, MAY 22! TWENTY-ONE MILES AT 7. SEVEN AM, THAT IS, NOT 7 PACE. :) JUST TO CLARIFY. WE IRISH DON'T RUN THAT FAST. THEN, AN EASY 12 OR 13 NEXT WEEKEND. WHEN 13 MILES BECOMES A QUICK AND EASY RUN, YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO... TAPER, BABY! WHAOOO...I LOVE THE WORD, "TAPER."

I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU TOMORROW, AT SOME POINT, IF MY FINGERS AREN'T TOO TIRED...

BEFORE I GO I NEED TO THANK MY DEAR FRIEND, MICHELLE, FOR HELPING ME ALL MORNING WITH MY SLIDE SHOW FOR THE MARATHON SPEECH (AND A COUPLE OF OTHER SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS I HAVE COMING UP NEXT WEEK). MICHELLE, YOU'RE A GIFT. I LOVE YOU AND AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU. THANK YOU FOR ANSERING THE PHONE EVEN WHEN YOU SEE IT'S MY NUMBER. :) YOU MAKE ME GIGGLE.

GOOD NIGHT...MUST SET OUT MY CLOTHES, CHECK THE WEATHER AND WIND, AGAIN, POUR MYSELF A GLASS OF WINE EXTRA CARBS :) AND CLIMB INTO BED...

PS I HEAR THE ICE BAGS BEING FILLED, EVEN AS I TYPE. POOR THING.

With a head full of metal and a heart full of gratitude, I am...

RUNNING WITH A PURPOSE...PLEASE HELP ME
Hi Everyone! Don’t be alarmed: the bold print is for my benefit. Yes, my sight remains an issue. The progress is slower and more subtle than I'd like, but I have moved forward, in so many important ways! Aside from feeling remarkably blessed, I feel wonderful and very strong! We've all adjusted well. Even Harper's getting used to mommy walking into her and knocking her over! She doesn't look up at me with a shocked look on her face anymore! Hooray! Progress!!

Once my doctors gave me the thumbs-up to start running again, I decided to continue our tradition of participating in the Fargo marathon, May 22nd. Little did I realize how much endurance and muscle-mass I had lost while recovering. Needless to say, I sucked air for months. But, I am so excited to report that Drew and I are still (somewhat) upright, upbeat and closing in on the last few weeks of our training. I'll be running with a wing-man on my right side, to avoid getting hurt or hurting anyone who enters my blind spots. Please don't be alarmed, if you spot me on the course and I'm sobbing. Every milestone brings tears of joy and celebration. So, unless I indicate I need one, don't call the medics. :) It's weird, but I'm just celebrating...

Along the miles, each step I take will be for a purpose. I want to remember and honor those who have suffered or died from a brain aneurysm.

I am running this year’s Fargo marathon for them. And, I am running in an attempt to raise money and awareness for brain aneurysm research and cutting edge treatment options for brain aneurysms, insuring the very best care for patients and their families.

PLEASE HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTICLE CHARITABLE DONATION TO:

www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html and click on the link: National Brain Aneurysm Center & St. Joseph’s Neurosciences Fund to donate. Please specify “In honor of Kathleen Wrigley,” just so I can send a proper thank you!

Also, if you know of anyone who has passed away or suffered from a brain aneurysm, please email me their name and a picture, so I can honor them.

And, if you're in town on May 21 @ 5:30 pm, stop by the Fargodome for the pasta feed. I am one of the speakers that evening. I'm quite sure I was still sedated when Mark Knutson, the race director, asked me to share my journey! Gulp! Friendly faces in the crowd would be a treat! I will have a slide show scrolling behind me with the names and faces of my fellow brain aneurysm friends!

Finally, your prayers and friendship have comforted us and carried us through some really dark moments and we are more grateful than we can describe. Some of our biggest blessings are seen through our toughest battles, and through the dust, our family has witnessed beautiful, kind acts that are imprinted in our memories and on our hearts forever.

With a grateful heart and a brain full of medal, I thank you!
And, with love &, of course, tears of joy always,
Kathleen (my turn: on behalf of Drew, Quinn, Patrick and Harper)

PS check out our blogs at: www.fargomarathon.com (click on the featured runners, and click on our pictures. Drew's a lame blogger and doesn't have many entries. :) Also, go to www.onthemindsofmoms.com to read some of the articles I've written along the way...

IF IT'S NOT YOURS, DON'T DRINK IT!

I SET OUT THIS MORNING TO DROP WATER AT APPROPRIATE MILES, FOR HYDRATION ALONG THE 13.1 MILE COURSE. TO MY ABSOLUTE SURPRISE, THE WATER AT MILE 4 WAS GONE. VANISHED. ZIPPO. SOMEONE HAD TAKEN IT FOR THEMSELVES. I WAS SHOCKED, AND THIRSTY.

NOW, I DON'T MIND SHARING. HONESTLY. IN FACT, I PRAYED THAT THE WATER I DROPPED AT MILE 6.6 WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE...AND IT WAS...HALF OF IT! I COULD'VE BEEN GROSSED OUT, LIKE MY HUSBAND WAS WHEN I TOLD HIM I GUZZLED IT AFTER SOME OTHER PERFECT STRANGER HAD DOWNED HALF OF IT, BUT I WAS DANG THIRSTY AND DESPERATE. SEE, I DON'T MIND SHARING.

BUT, LEAVE SOME FOR THE DESPERATE FOOL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO DRIVE HER COURSE THIS MORNING TO PLANT WATER STOPS ALONG THE WAY OF HER LONG RUN! GEESH. I COULD'VE USED MORE THAN 3 BIG GULPS OF MOISTURE FOR 13.1 MILES OF TIMED RUNNING!

NOTE TO ALL RUNNERS: WATER BOTTLES JUST DON'T SHOW UP ALONG THE WAY FOR YOUR LONG RUNS. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBITY TO PLANT THEM, OR CARRY THEM, OR WRAP THEM AROUND YOUR WASTE, OR DROP BY A BUSINESS TO SIP OFF A WATER FOUNTAIN. MARK KNUTSON AND HIS WONDERFUL TEAM WILL HAVE WATER AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS THROUGHOUT THE RACE. BUT, UNTIL RACE DAY, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN!

IF IT'S NOT YOURS, DONT DRINK IT...OR AT THE VERY LEAST, SAVE SOME FOR THE POOR, THIRSTY FOOL WHO PLANTED IT!

SORRY, BUT I HAD TO VENT. MY RUN WAS MADE MORE DIFFICULT THIS MORNING BC OF DEHYDRATION.

THE NIGHT BEFORE A LONG RUN...

PREPPING FOR A LONG RUN TAKES TIME. I ONLY (IT'S ALL RELETIVE) HAVE 13.1 MILES (HALF MARATHON) TO DO IN THE MORNING, BUT MY TRAINING SCHEDULED WANTS ME TO DO IT IN 1:50 (UGH).

HERE'S HOW I PREPARE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE:
*WATCH WHAT I EAT SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE LONG RUNS (NO REALLY SPICEY STUFF, YOU KNOW!)
*START HYDRATING...WATER WATER WATER!
*MAP OUT MY ROUTE(EITHER IN MY MIND OR DRIVE A COURSE) OR DEFER TO MY WING-MEN :)
*CONSIDER AVAILABLE/POSSIBLE BATHROOM AND WATER STOPS IN THE ROUTE
*CHECK WEATHER.COM FOR TEMPS, WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION

EVENING BEFORE:
*CHARGE MY GARMIN WATCH & IPOD
*CHECK THE WEATHER AND WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION...AGAIN
*SET OUT WATER, CLIFF BLOCKS (MY NEW FAVORITE ELECTROLYTE SUPPLIER-STRAWBERRY-YUMMY)
EXTRA PIECES OF GUM, A COTTON SOCK (WHICH I USE TO BLOW MY NOSE, AFTER I FARMER-BLOW (SORRY, I DO)
*TAKE IBUPROFIN
*CHECK WEATHER...AGAIN
*TEXT MY PEEPS TO CONFIRM TIME AND PLACE
*HAVE A GLASS OF WINE OR A BEER (WHAT? RUNNERS NEED CARBS)

MORNING OF A LONG RUN:
*COFFEE
*LIGHT BREAKFAST OF TOAST WITH BUTTER AND JELLY
*WATER, WATER, WATER
*CHECK WEATHER...AGAIN :)
*PUT GLIDE ON ANY UNSUSPECTING SPOTS WHERE SEAMS OF SHORTS OR TIGHTS CAUSE CHAFFING. USUALLY, THERE ARE PLACES I FORGET TO GLIDE AND FIND OUT WHEN I STEP INTO THE SHOWER AND FEEL THE BURN OF THE CHAFFED SKIN---OWEY
*TAKE A PILL TO RELIEVE ANY TUMMY ISSUES. THIS IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR, FOLLOWING MANY LONG RUNS AND RACES. IT'S REALLY A WONDER DRUG THAT HELPS RELAX MY TUMMY. OTHERWISE, I SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY ON THE COUCH...ISN'T RUNNING FUN.
*SIP MORE COFFEE
*START GETTING DRESSED
*ASSEMBLE MY GARMIN WATCH TO CATCH THE SATTELITE
*LACE UP
*AND DRIVE TO OUR START DESTINATION!

WE'RE OFF...

TRAINING TAKES GOBS OF TIME AND PREPARATION. IT'S WORTH IT, THOUGH, WHEN YOU RUN PAST THE WONDERFUL FARGO SPECTATORS THAT LINE THE STREETS WITH THEIR SIGNS, WHISTLES AND HOOTS, GALLOP (OR CRAWL) THROUGH THE FINISH LINE AND SLIDE YOUR HEAD INTO THAT BEAUTIFUL MEDAL! INCIDENTALLY, FARGO HAS SOME OF THE BEST MEDALS YOU'LL FIND IN A RACE.

SO, GET GOING. SET OUT YOUR STUFF, CHECK THE WIND DIRECTION, AND CRACK OPEN A BREWSKI...IT'S PART OF THE GAME PLAN...RELAX AND ENJOY!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
KATHLEEN

RUNNING WITH A PURPOSE...PLEASE HELP ME

Brain Aneurysm Awareness
I am running this year’s Fargo marathon in an attempt to raise money and awareness for brain aneurysm research and cutting edge treatment options for brain aneurysms, insuring the very best care for patients and their families.

PLEASE HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTICLE CHARITABLE DONATION TO:

www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html and click on the link: National Brain Aneurysm Center & St. Joseph’s Neurosciences Fund to donate. Please specify “In honor of Kathleen Wrigley,” just so I can send a proper thank you!

The other side of 20...

NO, IT DIDN'T TAKE ME 24 HOURS TO FINISH. :) BUT, IT'S BEEN A PRETTY HECTIC WEEKEND, WITH BACK-TO-BACK FAMILY THINGS ON THE SCHEDULE. THIS IS MY FIRST MINUTE (SO, IT'LL BE A QUICKIE) TO TELL YOU HOW THINGS WENT...

CAN I START BY SAYING..........."YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" JODI ROPER AND I HUFFED IT OUT FOR THE FULL 20. THANK YOU, JODI. I WOULD'VE BEEN WEEPY AT THE END, IT BEING ANOTHER POST-SURGICAL MILESTONE FOR ME AND ALL, BUT I THINK I MIGHT'VE BEEN DEHYDRATED AND NUMB BC I HAD NO TEARS...UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY, THAT IS.

WE LOOKED LIKE A FORMIDABLE RUNNING GROUP! WE WERE A HERD: JODI, KRISTI, CATHERINE, CORY, KIM, PHYLLIS, NICOLE AND OUR TOKEN MALE: RYAN. SOME HAD 10 TO DO. SOME 6. THERE WAS ONE 15 MILER. AND, A 4. IT WAS SUPER FUN. NOW, GRANTED, I KNOW HOW MORBIDLY RIDICULOUS THAT SOUNDS, "20 MILES OF 'SUPER FUN,'" BUT, REALLY IT WAS!

JODI AND I FELT GREAT! WE PUSHED THROUGH THE FINAL 6 MILES, JUST THE TWO OF US.

HONESTLY, I NEEDED THIS ONE! THE LAST 3 WEEKS OF TRAINING HAVE BEEN A BUST FOR ME. OF COURSE, I'VE CHECKED OFF EVERY STEP, ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. MY LONG RUNS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, MOSTLY BY FIGHTING WITH THE WIND. AND, ALTHOUGH THE WIND DIDN'T WIN, IT NEARLY CHOKED ME.

I HAVEN'T FELT STRONG OR CONFIDENT...ALL PART OF TRAINING, I'VE BEEN TELLING MYSELF. BUT, AFTER YESTERDAY, I AM BACK IN THE GAME, AND FEEL REALLY GOOD (EVEN TODAY, I'M NOT LIMPING OR MOPING, OR ANYTHING). HOPE I DON'T SOUND TOO BRAGADOCIOUS, I REALLY DON'T' MEAN TO. HOWEVER, I'VE BEEN STRUGGLING, AND AM AS SURPRISED AS ANYONE TO BE ECSTATIC ABOUT HOW GOOD I FEEL. HENCE, THE "YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..."

ENJOY TODAY! GOOD DAY FOR A RUN OR BIKE RIDE, OR THE DINOSAUR SHOW! THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND US, AT THE DOME, ENVISIONING MY SUCCESSFUL FINISH LINE!

20 miles this morning...

TALK TO YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE OF 20...SO SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPY. UP TOO LATE. WE HAD THE OAK GROVE GALA LAST NIGHT. GREAT FUN, BUT PAYING FOR IT ALREADY. WISH US LUCK!

Check it out: "On the Minds of Moms" on stands now..."just a thought" column, by kathleen wrigley, that's me. For my grandmother, Grace (Kelly) Boyle

just a thought

imprints
story by: kathleen wrigley

Our grandparent’s, or family elders, are uniquely positioned to influence us. Most often, they aren’t saddled with the daily rut and responsibility of raising their grandchildren. The culmination of their history and experience and placement in our lives, provides a nice recipe for us to learn. It’s up to us to tap into that expertise!

Eight years ago, I was in Ashland, Pennsylvania for the annual Kelly family reunion. My grandmom, Grace [Kelly] Boyle, and I sat in a bedroom and talked. She invited me to ask her anything. We chatted about family members and family stories that we’d never discussed before. It was the closest I’d ever felt to grandmom Boyle, and it paved the way for the relationship we have today.

My grandmom is not the type of grandma that most our kids know. Oh, she’s a good grandparent. She loves each of us dearly. But, she didn’t play with us when we were growing up, or dole out many hugs and “I love yous’.” Her generation, sometimes, had a different idea of their roles. I remember many of our elders shushing us, saying, “Children should be seen not heard.” Can you imagine the crooked looks we’d get from kids today?!

Gracie Boyle turns 91, on May 29th. Anyone who’s lived that long has endured. She has always been proud, practical, tough, and quick with an opinion or advice and never minces words, similar to many of her generation. Grandmom’s stoicism and strength have guided her through a large share of heartache. She lost her mom to breast cancer, when she was just ten. She’s lived through the deaths of all six of her siblings, nursed her husband through lung cancer and lost him to the disease. Her only daughter was killed in a car accident. And we witnessed her age before our eyes, as our family endured the loss of her oldest grandchild, my brother, Danny, who was killed in the line of duty as a rookie Philadelphia police officer.

Childhood memories float into our consciousness. They’re often influential, allowing us to consider those moments, again.

I can recall grandmom sitting at the kitchen table, deftly handling a ciggy in one hand [fingers pointed and nails perfectly manicured], and sipping on her one cold mug of beer a day. Her house was filled with Irish accents and memorabilia that told visitors, “I am 100% Irish and proud of it.”

Incidentally, Grandmom quit smoking at the age of 80, right before gall-bladder surgery. When I asked, “Why stop now?” she answered, with a grin, “I wasn’t ready to before.” She definitely called the shots!

Grandparents of her generation were practical, too. She fit the mold. Our Christmas gifts year after year, were winter coats. We needed them, and she provided them. I don’t remember a toy. As we grew older, the coats were replaced with a card and a check, to “buy something we need.”

I remember the smell of grandmom Boyle’s roast beef dinners. She made the same thing, every visit, knowing it was our favorite: roast beef, home-made coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and corn. I used to mix them all together! The 7-up bottles we drank were a treat, too. To this day, I don’t pass the green 7-up cases in Hornbacher’s without noticing and smiling. She’d be pleased, knowing I hold these memories close to my heart.

Across the decades, she stiffened her back through pain and sadness. I have spent my life, watching grandmom from the periphery, until that visit eight years ago, when I began to absorb her. There was an invitation to share these memories, our pain. And, sitting together we cried and laughed, as we zigzagged through our life-lines, and I welcomed her imprint.

Since then, grandmom and I have had some of the most memorable conversations and have built a relationship, much deeper than I would have predicted. The years have changed her. As she aged, her shell has softened. Or, is it that I grew up and grabbed my chance to learn from her? Either way, our relationship blossomed. And I connected to her wisdom and history. I hesitate to think what would have happed had I let that opportunity slip away from me.

Now, time has just about run out for us. She’s frail, can’t hear, and is mostly confused. Still, in true grandmom Boyle style, she continues on, at peace, knowing her mark is indelibly imprinted.

Recently, we flew to see grandmom. I recognize this may be one of our last times together. Despite her hearing deficit and memory lapses, the conversation flowed loudly, but easily, and we laughed, even giggled, at times. Each visit is a wonderful souvenir for my kids, whom she doesn’t remember, but enjoys as they yell into her face asking if she needs anything, “a sip of iced tea, tissue, or how ‘bout your walker?” My nine year old daughter drinks in every ounce of her great-grandmother. She sits next to her and holds her hand, examining the wrinkles, rubbing them gingerly. This kid gets it. At nine, her intuition is one of her most astonishing gifts.

Our visit was special. At one point, for a moment, grandmom looked up at me and pointed, with a twinkle in her eye and a mild gasp, that told me, “I know you. I remember you’re woven in my life, somehow.” It was gone as quickly as it came, but I won’t forget that look for as long as I live.

Grandmom has spent her years living a simple, practical life. She focused on her responsibilities and provided for her family. Yes, she’s endured, and built a legacy of strength and perseverance. And somewhere, along the way, probably after bringing another generation into our family, it struck me that grandmom is an enduring influence in my life, a vital part of my narrative.

She’s left her imprint on me...my heart...my family. When life throws me unexpected curveballs, I don’t duck. I try to stand tall, hang in there and endure, just like Gracie Boyle would expect. I’m doing my best, grandmom. Thanks for leading the way.

We will always love you…

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

MORNING! PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, OR EVEN STRANGERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR'S MARATHON! IF YOU NEVER HAVE, COME OUT. I KNOW IT APPEARS TO BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATING, BUT IT'S REALLY GREAT FUN TO BE SUCH A PART OF SOMETHING SO BIG FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I CAN COMPARE THE CAMARADERIE OF OUR COMMUNITY TO, IS THE FLOOD FIGHT LAST YEAR. IT'S LIKE WE'RE ONE HUMONGOUS TEAM, ALL IN IT TOGETHER, WHETHER YOU'RE A RUNNER, WALKER, WHEELER, OR A VOLUNTEER. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND, AND I PROMISE YOU WON'T REGRET IT. PLUS, MARK AND HIS TEAM GIVE THE BEST GOODIE BAGS OUT FOR PARTICIPANTS!

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, GLORIA WRIGLEY, HAS WALKED THE HALF-MARATHON JUST ABOUT EVERY YEAR! GLORIA'S 70 SOMETHING. SORRY, G, I PROMISE I WON'T TELL. SHE GROWLS EVERY TIME SHE CROSSES THE FINISH LINE IN THE DOME, AND THEY YELL OUT HER NAME AND AGE! IT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND WE'RE PROUD OF HER ALWAYS! SHE'S SIGNED UP AGAIN THIS YEAR! GO, G!

AND, THEN THERE'S MY MOM, NANCY BOYLE, WHO IS UNABLE TO RUN THESE DAYS BC OF HORRIBLE KNEES, BUT TREKS OUT FROM THE BIG CITY (PHILADELPHIA) AND SPEED WALKS THE HALF-MARATHON, MOST YEARS. MY MOM'S 60. SHE'LL BE HERE AGAIN, THIS YEAR!

THEY'RE BOTH JUST SOME OF THE STUDETTES PARTICIPATING!

GO NOW TO WWW.FARGOMARATHON.COM TO JOIN THE FUN AND SIGN UP FOR ONE OF THE RACES! IT'S WONDERFUL FUN, AND I PROMISE YOU'LL FEEL SO PROUD.

KATHLEEN
PS DREW AND I ARE STILL ON COURSE FOR THE FULL MARATHON. OPTIMISTICALLY KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED...WE GET TO DO 20 MILES THIS WEEKEND.

what a difference a year makes...

OK. SO, THIS ISN'T REALLY ABOUT RUNNING. I DECIDED TO TAKE A BREAK...FOR JUST THIS BLOG. BUT, I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU.

I'VE BEEN OBSESSED WITH MY HAIR. FIRST, MANY OF YOU WHO KNOW ME, HAVE KNOWN ME TO HAVE SHORT, CHOPPY HAIR. IT'S EASY. IT LOOKS FINE...AND DID I MENTION HOW EASY IT IS? REALLY EASY. SO, SINCE MY SURGERIES, I'VE LET IT GROW BC:
1. THE LONGER THE HAIR THE MORE IT HID MY SCAR AND THE GROWTH OF HAIR FROM THE INCISION. AND,
2. I LOST A BIG PATCH OF HAIR IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD, FROM THE RADIATION THEY USE DURING THE 2ND COILING SURGERY, AND THE LONG HAIR COVERED THAT PATCH NICELY.

SOOOO....IT'S LONG-ER...FOR ME. ANYWAY, NOW WITH SUMMER ON ITS WAY, THE EASE OF MY SHORT DO IS TEMPTING ME TO CHOP IT ALL OFF AGAIN.

WHAT TO DO...

IN THE MIDST OF MY OBSESSION, I REALIZED... WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!!!!

LAST SUMMER I/WE WERE TRYING TO GATHER RESEARCH AND ADVICE AND SEARCH OUR SOULS FOR DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE AS TO WHETHER WE NEEDED TO GO THE "CRANIOTOMY ROUTE" OR GO IN THE "COILING DIRECTION" AGAIN. TRY AS WE MIGHT TO BE IN CONTROL, WE'RE NOT ALWAYS THE DECISION-MAKERS. IN MY CASE, I ENDED UP GOING THE CRANIOTOMY ROUTE, FOR WHAT I THOUGHT TO BE A CURATIVE END TO MY BRAIN DILEMMAS, AND ENDED UP WAKING UP WITH PARTIAL BLINDNESS AND BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE COILING 7 WEEKS LATER, ANYWAY!!! HOW'S THAT FOR PLANNING?!

SO, INSTEAD OF OBSESSING, I EMBRACE MY NEW DAUNTING, DECISION-MAKING TASK OF WHETHER OR NOT TO CONTINUE TO GROW MY HAIR OUT, OR GET IT CUT SHORT AND EASY AND CHOPPY AGAIN. OR...EXTENSIONS. JUUUUST KIDDING. OH MY GOSH, DREW WOULD DIE!!!

CRANKY AND TIRED

OK. THIS IS THE TIME THAT I COMPLAIN ABOUT TRAINING. WE'RE TIRED. CRANKY. MOODY. DID I MENTION TIRED?

MY ALARM SOUNDED THIS MORNING AT 5:10. I WANTED TO PUNCH SOMEONE. INSTEAD, I SNOOZED...3X'S. SORRY, DREW.

I STARTED TO FEEL THE EFFECTS KICK IN OF THE SAME BUG THAT MY KIDS AND HUSBAND FELT THIS WEEKEND. WAVES OF NAUSEOUSNESS. STILL, I PULLED MYSELF OUT OF BED AND TREKKED TO THE GYM, FOR WHAT SHOULD'VE BEEN SPEED WORK. INSTEAD, ALL I COULD MUSTER WAS 3 MILES OF A MILDLY SPEEDY RUN. I DECIDED THE SMOOTH LINES OF THE ELLIPTICAL TRAINER WOULD BETTER SUIT MY CONDITION. THAT LASTED ANOTHER 20 MINUTES.

WAHHHH...EVERYTHING HURTS AND I DON'T FEEL GOOD.

TOMORROW'S ANOTHER DAY. SPEED WORK, HERE I COME...IF I'M NOT THROWING UP, THAT IS. :)

KATHLEEN

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY, PATTY DONAT!

WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR OWN BLOG, YOU GET TO POST FUN NOTES, LIKE THIS ONE! :)

NOW, GO SHINE YOUR STUBBY NAILS WITH THE RAINBOW POLISH JANEY GAVE YOU. LET YOUR INNER PRINCESS SHINE THROUGH FOR YOUR KIDDOS TODAY! FANCY PANTS.

YAHOOO...

LOVE YOU,
KATHLEEN
(ALIASES: SPECIAL K, SPEEDBUMP, K-WRIG)

17 TOUGH MILES = SIX CRANBERRY SCONES

OK. SO I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE TOUGH RUNS. BUT, STILL IT'S FRUSTRATING. TODAY WAS MY TURN FOR A BAD ONE.

WE SET OUT TO RUN OUR 17 MILES ON "GOOD" FRIDAY. I WAS ILL-PREPARED. THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN MY FIRST CLUE. RUSHING TO GET OUT THE DOOR TO MEET MY FRIEND, KRISTI WHO REARRANGED HER SCHEDULE TO BE MY WING-WOMAN (THANK YOU, K!), I WAS GRABBING AND THROWING WATER AND GUM AND MY GARMIN WATCH INTO MY BAG AS I LEFT THE HOUSE. TYPICALLY, I LAY EVERYTHING OUT THE EVENING BEFORE A LONG RUN. NO TIME TO PROPERLY PREPARE THIS WEEK. AS I STRAPPED MY GARMIN ON MY WRIST, I REALIZED I HADN'T EVEN RE-CHARGED IT, AND IT ONLY HAD 2 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE IN IT. TURNS OUT, SO DID I. :(

FORTUNATELY, DREW AND THE KIDS FOUND US AT MILE 12.63, JUST BEFORE MY GARMIN WATCH WENT KAPUT. THEY CAME ARMED WITH FRUIT SNACKS, JOLLY RANCHERS AND WATER. THAT JOLT OF SUGAR GAVE US THE BIT OF ENERGY NECESSARY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MILES.

NOT SURE OF OUR PACE OR EXACT MILEAGE, SINCE MY WATCH STOPPED AT MILE 13 SOMETHING. BUT, I AM SURE OF THIS: WE FINISHED OUR DUMB LONG RUN THIS WEEK, AND IT WAS THE TOUGHEST ONE YET FOR ME. EVERYTHING HURT.

SO, I STOPPED AT BREADSMITH'S AND ORDERED 6 CRANBERRY SCONES (WHAT? I ATE THEM PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY). I THINK THEY PUT CRACK COCAINE IN THOSE PUPPIES. I'M ADDICTED.

BAD RUN. GOOD SCONES. SOMETIMES, WE TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET...

Go, Carmen, Go!

MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, CARMEN, IS TRAINING FOR HER FIRST MARATHON! SHE'S OUT THERE, IN THE WIND AND COLD TEMPS, HUFFING OUT THOSE MILES, ONE AT A TIME...LIKE A CHAMPION, I MIGHT ADD. SHE DID 18 TODAY! EIGHTEEN MILES! FIRST-TIME EVER! I DON'T THINK SHE CAN BELIEVE HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EITHER.

I CAUGHT UP WITH CARMENT TODAY. SHE WAS ON MILE 5 OR 6, AND I WAS JUST STARTING MY FIRST OF 17. WE RAN A BIT TOGETHER BEFORE BRANCHING OFF. HER STEPS ARE METHODICAL AND DELIBERATE, LIKE ANY CHAMPION.

CARMEN, EVEN OUR KIDS ARE CHEERING YOU ON. THEY COULDN'T WAIT TO TELL ME HOW WELL YOU DID, WHEN I RETURNED HOME, AFTER MY 17 MILES. THEY'RE PROUD OF YOU, TOO.

YOU'RE A STUD...AND AN INSPIRATION!

HAPPY EASTER!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL EASTER WEEKEND AND HOLY WEEK!

I NEED TO DO ANOTHER 17, BUT HAVE NO WING-PEOPLE TO GUIDE ME THIS WEEK, SINCE WE'RE ALL ADJUSTING OUR SCHEDULES FOR THE HOLIDAY. SOME OF MY PEEPS RAN THIS MORNING, BUT I DID SPEED WORK YESTERDAY, SO COULDN'T ADD ANOTHER 17 A DAY LATER. THEN, OTHERS ARE DOING SATURDAY MORNING. BUT, I DON'T DARE MISS THE TRADITIONAL EASTER EGG DYING AT MY IN-LAWS ON SATURDAY MORNING. :) MOSTLY, I DON'T WANT TO MISS THE YUMMY TREATS MY MOTHER-IN-LAW SETS OUT FOR US.

SO, I'LL DO MY LONG RUN ON FRIDAY TO ACCOMADATE FOR MY SWEET TOOTH...AND FAMILY TIME, OF COURSE! UNFORTUNATELY I'LL BE ON THE DREADED TREADMILL, WITHOUT MY WING-MEN. WHAT I WON'T DO FOR A SUGAR FIX. SUCH IS LIFE...

ANNNYWAY....HAVE A BLESSED EASTER!

KATHLEEN

Running for a Reason

Brain Aneurysm Awareness

I am running this year’s Fargo marathon in an attempt to raise money and awareness for brain aneurysm research and cutting edge treatment options for brain aneurysms, insuring the very best care for patients and their families.

PLEASE HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTICLE CHARITABLE DONATION TO:

www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html

and click on the link: National Brain Aneurysm Center & St. Joseph’s Neurosciences Fund to donate. Please specify “In honor of Kathleen Wrigley,” just so I can send a proper thank you!

ONE MORE THING...NOTHING MUSHY!

I DO NEED TO SHARE SOMETHING A BIT LIGHTER WITH YOU. I MIGHT HAVE MENTION BEING A CRY-BABY. WELL, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT. I'M A BIG BABY ABOUT ALL THINGS SENTIMENTAL. I CRY AT THE STAR SPANGLE BANNER.

SO, KRISTI AND I WERE ON MILE 16, OR SO, WHEN I HEARD A CAR BEEPING WILDLY AND TINY VOICES STRUGGLING TO BE HEARD AGAINST THE GUSTS OF WIND, "MOMMEEEE GO...MOMMMMMEEEE!"

IT WAS MY HUSBAND AND THE KIDS! WHAT A TREAT! WHO NEEDS GOO, FOR ENERGY, WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR FANS CHEERING YOU ON, HUH?

ANYWAY, THEY SLOWLY DROVE PAST US AND MY OLDEST DAUGHTER LOOKED SURPRISED WHEN SHE POINTED OUT, "WOW, MOM, YOU'RE NOT EVEN CRYING YET!" THIS EVEN MADE THE STRANGER ON A BIKE NEAR US, LAUGH.

FEWER TEARS OF JOY TODAY...JUST JOY!

WAHOOOO...

THAT'S AS GOOD A TITLE AS ANY, AFTER FINISHING A WHOPPING 18 MILE RUN THIS MORNING! DID I MENTION THE SECOND HALF WAS RUNNING DIRECTLY INTO THE WIND...HELLO. OK, WE'RE NOT VERY GOOD AT NAVIGATING.

KRISTI, MY FRIEND, AND I WERE IN IT FOR THE WHOLE 18. JEN AND T-BONE SAW US THROUGH THE FIST 7. THEN, CATHY PICKED US UP FOR 6 OR 7 OF THE MIDDLE MILES.

KRISTI AND I SHARED AND SWAPPED INFORMATION ON KIDS' BEHAVIORS (SHE'S A MOM OF THREE, TOO!), PACIFIER USE, SCHOOLS, KIDS' DIETS, AND SO ON...

BUT, THEN TOWARDS THE FINAL MILES, KRISTI ASKED ME ABOUT HOW I GOT THROUGH THE NIGHT BEFORE MY SURGERY AND HOW AND IF I FOUND PEACE IN THOSE MOMENTS LEADING UP TO SURGERY. I COULD'VE TAKEN HER ANOTHER 20 MILES, IN ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS...

I WILL SAY THAT PEACE WAS A HARD-FOUGHT GIFT. IT DID NOT COME EASY. I ONCE WROTE THAT I "PRETENDED TO BE BRAVE, UNTIL I FELT BRAVE." HONESTLY, PEACE CAME, FOR ME, THROUGH MY FAITH...THROUGH PRAYER...THROUGH BELIEVING.

THE EVENING BEFORE SURGERY, WHILE DREW SLEPT, I SAT ON THE COUCH IN OUR HOTEL ROOM AND JOURNALED MY PRAYERS, MY BLESSINGS AND MY WISHES. I WEPT AND WILLED FOR PEACE.

AND, IT BECAME CLEAR TO ME THAT HAVING PEACE WAS WITHIN MY CONTROL. IT'S A CHOICE. THE SURGICAL OUTCOME WAS NOT IN MY CONTROL. MY FATE WAS ULTIMATELY NOT IN MY CONTROL. BUT, CHOOSING TO RELY ON MY FAITH FOR PEACE WAS A CHOICE. I CHOSE TO BELIEVE RATHER THAN BECOME BITTER.

I FEEL LIKE MY JOURNEY HAS MIRRORED TRAINING FOR A MARATHON, IN MANY WAYS. I'M A LONG WAY FROM THE FINISH LINE, FOR SURE. MY SIGHT IS STILL A MAJOR ISSUE. I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU A PICTURE OF HOW I SEE.

AT ANY RATE, LIKE MY RECOVERY JOURNEY, MY MARATHON TRAINING JOURNEY IS ACCOMPLISHED TAKING ONE STEP AT A TIME WITH A GRATEFUL AND PEACEFUL, ALBEIT POUNDING, HEART!

HERE WE GO...

18 MILES ON THE MENU TODAY...ISH. CATCH UP WITH YOU ALL LATER.

I'M BACK....

HI EVERYONE! HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A NICE WEEK OF RUNNING AND SWEATING. SO HAPPY THE FLOOD HAS CRESTED AND IS RECEDING.

THIS WEEK, WE HAVE: SPEED INTERVALS, A FEW "EASY" (HAH, IT ALL BECOMES RELEVANT!) 6-8 MILERS AND A LOOOONG ENDURANCE RUN OF 17 MILES.

AHH...IF THAT'S NOT BAD ENOUGH...I HAVE MY HUSBAND, DREW, WHO IS ALSO TRAINING FOR THE WHOLE SHEBANG. HE IS SO FUNNY, NORMALLY, BUT NOT WHEN HE'S TRAINING. POOR THING. JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY, HE SAYS, "THIS IS IT. THIS IS MY LAST MARATHON." HE'S LESS ENTHUSED AND INVIGORATED BY WHAT HIS BODY IS CAPABLE OF.

IN HIS DEFENSE, SINCE HIS OCCUPATION HAS CHANGED, SO HAS HIS RUNNING HABITS OF RUNNING AT LUNCHTIME ON THE SAME PATH, FOR EIGHT YEARS. CHANGE IS HARD. AND, BLESS HIS HEART, DREW'S RESISTANT TO CHANGE. MOST NIGHTS YOU'LL FIND HIM STARTING HIS RUN AT 9, 10 OR EVEN 11 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. UGH. HE DOES THEM, THOUGH.

I GUESS WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO KEEP ON TARGET. KEEP IT UP. THERE AREN'T' REALLY TOO MANY MORE WEEKS BEFORE OUR BIG DAY!

AND, SIGN UP FOR THE PASTA FEED! I'M SPEAKING AT THE 5:30-6:00 PASTA SEATING. I HOPE IT'S NOT JUST OUR FAMILIES. :) ALTHOUGH, THAT WOULD PUT ME AT EASE. :)

NEARLY ANOTHER WEEK BITES THE DUST...KEEP PRESSING ON, AND TRY NOT TO COMPLAIN, LIKE DREWSKI.

TEARS OF JOY AND THANKSGIVING!

HI GANG! THIS MORNING I RAN MY FIRST (POST-SURGERY) LONG RUN OUTSIDE. I WAS NERVOUS. AND,WEEPY AND SCARED OF FALLING IN ONE OF THE GAPING POTHOLES, EVIDENCE LEFT ON OUR STREETS FROM A LONG-HARD WINTER. BUT, I FINISHED MY 15, AND EVEN NEARED 16! I WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN TOM DONALDSON AND JODI ROPER. MY "WING-MEN" PROTECTED ME, AND EVEN HELD ON TO MY HANDS AT TIMES, IN THE ROUGHER TERRAIN AND CURB STEP-UPS. WE LOOKED LIKE WE REALLY LOVED EACH OTHER, AND WE DO! BUT, WE MUST'VE BEEN A SIGHT TO SEE: THREE RUNNERS HOLDING HANDS AND SMILING. WE LAUGHED AT WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING WHEN THEY DROVE PAST US.

WE HAD A NICE PACE (AVERAGE OF 9.05, BY MY GARMIN), AND A REALLY NICE RUN. THEY KEPT ME GOING WHEN, TOWARDS THE END, I WAS CRAMPING AND MY LEGS AND SHOULDERS WERE SHOT. THEY WENT ON TO FINISH THEIR 20 MILER. THEY'RE TRAINING FOR BOSTON IN APRIL.

NEARING OUR FINISH LINE, WE SPRINTED INTO COURTS PLUS, AND I BEGAN TO SOB. I THINK I SCARED A COUPLE OF PEOPLE, WHEN THEY SAW ME CRYING. ONE WOMAN CAME RUNNING UP TO HUG ME AND TO SEE IF I WAS FEELING OK. I QUICKLY REASSURED HER HER, "I FEEL AMAZING. TIRED, BUT GREAT." TOM CHIMED IN, "THESE ARE TEARS OF JOY," AND THEY WERE. I SAT IN MY CAR, AND CALLED MY HUSBAND, THEN MY MOM AND JUST BAWLED. TEARS OF JOY AND HAPPINESS AND THANKFULNESS...

I NEVER DREAMT I'D BE TRAINING FOR ANOTHER MARATHON, JUST 4 MONTHS AFTER TWO BRAIN ANEURYSM SURGERIES AND WITH THE VISUAL DIFFICULTIES THAT UNEXPECTENTLY CAME WITH THEM. WE'RE ALL A GREAT DEAL STRONGER THAN WE REALIZE. WE CAN DO THIS. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAS IT IN US. OUR BODIES AND MINDS ARE FULL OF WONDER AND SURPRISE.

BY THE WAY, MY TEARS OF JOY HAVE BEEN FLOWING QUITE FREELY TODAY. I ONCE WROTE: "CRYING IS A GIFT..AND I'M VERY GIFTED." IT'S TRUE. I ADMIT IT. I'M A CRY BABY. A SISSY LA LA. BUT, I WALK HUMBLY, KNOWING I WAS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AND I WILL KEEP DOING JUST THAT...AND CRYING, ALONG THE WAY, TOO.

IT'S ALL PART OF THE PACKAGE...

BLESSINGS TO EACH OF YOU, AS YOU LIVE HARD AND KNEEL OFTEN!

KATHLEEN

HERE WE GO....NERVOUS.

HI. GOOD MORNING. I AM ON MY WAY TO MEET TWO DEAR FRIENDS, JODI AND TOM, WHO HAVE AGREED TO BE MY WING MEN TODAY. I'VE BEEN ON THE TREADMILLS FOR ALL RUN, SO FAR, AND AM FINALLY GETTING OUTSIDE THIS MORNING.

I HAVE 15, TO GO. AND, I AM VERY NERVOUS. NERVOUS ABOUT NOT SEEING SOMETHING AND FALLING. NERVOUS ABOUT 15. NERVOUS ABOUT MY SIGHT, MOSTLY. MY TUMMY'S IN KNOTS.

I FEEL SO DISORIENTED, IN SO MANY SITUATIONS, BC OF MY DUMB VISION.

I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT WENT.

SNIFF SNIFF.
KATHLEEN

JUST A THOUGHT ABOUT CHOICES

WE ARE CONSTANTLY MAKING CHOICES IN LIFE. MANY OF THOSE CHOICES ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, AND SOMETIMES OUR OPTIONS ARE NOT INITIALLY APPARENT. BUT, WE CROSS LIFE'S INTERSECTIONS. WE (HOPEFULLY DO AND SHOULD) PROCEED WITH CAUTION, BUT STILL WE CROSS. EVERYDAY.

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. CHOOSE TO LIVE EVERYDAY TO THE FULLEST. CHOOSE TO BE KIND. CHOOSE TO BE HEALTHY. AND, CHOOSE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FARGO MARATHON. DO IT...FOR YOU. AND, CHOOSE TO HAVE FUN TRAINING FOR IT. IT'S SO FUN TO SAY YOU WERE/ARE A PART OF THIS EVENT.

THEN, CHOOSE TO SIGN UP FOR THE 5:30 PASTA FEED SEATING. :) I AM THE FEATURED SPEAKER, AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE ME CRY LIKE A BABY WHILE TELLING MY STORY, COME. AND, CHOOSE TO BE PATIENT AND KIND TO ME. :) I'M NOT A PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER, AND MY EMOTIONS STILL RUN PRETTY RAW, SINCE MY BRAIN SURGERY, SO IT'S LIKELY I'LL BE BAWLING. ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY...

HOPE YOU'RE SIGNED UP AND TRAINING'S GOING WELL. OUR BODIES ARE AMAZING. IT'S YOUR RACE. YOUR CHOICE. GO GET 'EM.

ENCOURAGED AND INSPIRED BY...YOU!

HI AGAIN! I POSTED MY PREVIOUS NOTE, SO THAT I COULD ADD IT TO MY LARGER NUMBER OF POSTS THAN MY HUSBAND's. HE DOESN'T KNOW IT, BUT WE'RE IN A RACE FOR THE MOST POSTS...IT'S THE ONLY TIME I CAN BEAT HIM IN SOMETHING. :)

WELL, ALTHOUGH NOONE REALLY RESPONDS (HO-HUM), MANY PEOPLE SAY THEY'RE READING THE BLOGS OR HAVE READ MY RECENT COLUMN IN THE "ON THE MINDS OF MOMS" MAGAZINE (WWW.ONTHEMINDSOFMOMS.COM) "MARATHON TRAINING FOR THE SEXES..." I'VE HAD GOBS OF CONVERSATIONS, AND HAVE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY SO MANY OF YOUR STORIES. YOUR JOURNEYS. THEY RUN THE GAMUT OF TRAINING FOR A FIRST-TIME-EVER 5K RACE, TO 26.2 (S)MILES OF FUN...I LOVE HEARING, SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE!

YESTERDAY, I WAS RUNNING AT GOFAR WOMAN, MARK'S NEW GYM IN SOUTH FARGO (WOW! I'M LIKE A WALKING, TALKING ADVERTISEMENT!). ANYWAY, I RECOGNIZED THE FRIENDLY-FACED WOMAN RUNNING NEXT TO ME, FROM SEEING HER HUFFING IT OUT ON NEIGHBORING "MILL." TOWARDS THE END OF MY RUN, AND AFTER MY NEED TO FOCUS ON NOT FALLING OFF THE BACK EASED, I STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION WITH HER. I'LL CALL HER "D" SINCE I DIDN'T ASK PERMISSION TO TALK ABOUT HER. CAUTION: BETWEEN WRITING A BLOG AND A COLUMN IN THE "MOMS" MAG, NO CONVERSATION OR SITUATION IS OFF-LIMITS. :) ANYWAY, "D" TOLD ME SHE'S RUN 10 MARATHONS, WITH 8 OF THOSE ENDING UP IN QUALIFYING TIMES FOR BOSTON!!!!! EIGHT!!!! HELLO. SHE IS NEARING 50 (NOR SURE HOW CLOSE), AND HAS ONLY BEEN RUNNING SINCE TURNING 43!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LISTENED TO HER IN AWE AS SHE RECALLED SOME OF HER GRUELING MILES, DURING RACES, AND HOW SHE STRUGGLED TO OVERCOME "HITTING HER WALL," AND GLORIOUSLY FINISHING. I WAS PRACTICALLY HANGING OVER MY SIDE-RAIL ON THE TREADMILL, AS SHE TALKED. SHE WASN'T BOASTFUL AT ALL, JUST ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS. I AM SURE SHE SENSED MY PRIDE IN HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SINCE I WAS STRADDLING MY MILL AND PRACTICALLY HANGING ON HER EVERY WORD! SHE'S AMAZING. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE QUALIFYING ONCE, LET ALONE 8 X'S!! SHE'S NOT A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE (ALTHOUGH, SHE QUALIFIES AS ONE, IF YOU ASK ME :)). SHE'S JUST A WOMAN WITH DETERMINATION, SPIRIT AND GOALS. LIKE ANY OF US...ONLY FASTER, CLEARLY. I AM INSPIRED BY YOU, "D!" I AM CHEERING YOU ON, AND WISH YOU MILES OF SMILES AND LUCK!

THEN, THERE'S A WOMAN WHOM I REALLY THINK IS NEAT AND HER STORY BROUGHT ME TO TEARS LAST NIGHT. SHE'S LONG-SINCE HUNG UP HER RUNNING SHOES FOR MOTHERHOOD AND A CAREER. BUT, SHE'S DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE THIS YEAR. SHE'S RUNNING THE 5K WITH HER DAUGHTER. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT. A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR HER LITTLE GIRL. A GOAL THEY'VE SET TOGETHER. SOB. THIS WOMAN IS NERVOUS AND EVEN A BIT SCARED. IT'S BEEN A LONG WHILE SINCE SHE'S RUN ANYWHERE. BUT, GUESS WHAT? SHE'S REGISTERED. THEY'RE REGISTERED. TAKING THE PLUNGE...TOGETHER. THEY'RE DOING IT, AS A TEAM. WHAT A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, TO LEAN ON EACH OTHER AND TO GROW AND EXPERIENCE THIS TOGHEHER. NOW, I KNOW DREW REALLY DISLIKES WHEN I SHOVE MY FINGERS IN MY MOUTH, AND WHISTLE LOUDLY. BUT, GUESS WHAT, HONEY? I PLAN ON FILLING MY LUNGS TO THE MAX AND LETTING OUT THE BIGGEST, LOUDEST, MOST PROUD WHISTLE I CAN MUSTER FOR THIS TEAM, WHEN THEY CROSS THAT FINISH LINE ON FRIDAY NIGHT. THIS MOMMY IS FIRST-RATE.

I HAVE TO ADMIT, I REMEMBER RUNNING MY FIRST RACE, A 5K, TOO. IT WAS THE BREAST CANCER ONE, IN PHILADELPHIA, MANY MANY YEAR AGO. SO MANY PEOPLE. I THOUGHT, "WHAT HAVE GOTTEN MYSELF INTO." I WAS SWEATING WELL BEFORE THE GUN WENT OFF TO START! MY BLOOD WAS PUMPING, AND I WONDERED IF I WOULD FINISH. THE RACE MUST'VE OFFICIALLY BEGUN, BC I CAN REMEMBER EVERYONE PUSHING AND MOVING FORWARD, ALL AT ONCE. IT WAS EXHILARATING, AND SCARY, TOO. BUT, THE FINISHERS T-SHIRT WAS IN SHAMBLES, BY THE TIME I RETIRED IT. I WORE IT ALL THE TIME. I WAS PROUD OF THAT RUN. THERE WERE NO RECORDS SET. THERE WERE MANY WHO CROSSED THE FINISH LINE BEFORE ME...AND AFTER. BUT, ONCE I GOT INTO A GROOVE, I REALIZED, "THIS IS MY TIME. MY RACE. MY RUN." TALK ABOUT GLORIOUS. YOU'D THINK I JUST WON A GOLD MEDAL!

MY POINT IS SIMPLE. WHETHER YOU RUN 3 OR 26.2: VICTORY AWAITS ALL OF US! WE ALL WIN! GO GET 'EM! BUT, DON'T FORGET TO SMILE FOR THE CAMERAS, WHEN YOU CROSS THAT LINE!

MOMENT TO SPARE...SORTA

MORNING! I LOST COUNT AT HOW MANY TIMES I'VE SAT DOWN TO POST A BLOG, AND THE BABY FALLS OFF THE TABLE, OR STRIPS DOWN TO HER BIRTHDAY SUIT AND GOES POTTY ON THE FLOOR, OR THE TWO OLDER WEE-ONES ARE WRESTLING AND SOMEONE GETS AN ELBOW TO THE NOSE & MOMMY'S NEEDED TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE VICTIM. SO, HERE I AM...

THE GOOD NEWS: I AM STILL BEATING MY HUSBAND, DREW, IN THE NUMBER OF TIMES I'M COMMUNICATING WITH ALL OF YOU, SO THAT BRINGS ME COMFORT. IT'S THE ONLY WAY DREW WILL EVER BE IN MY DUST, SO PLEASE INDULGE ME HERE.

ANNNNYWAY, HERE I AM WITH (JUST) A MOMENT TO SPARE.

REMINDER...

HELLO! I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT MY SIGHT ISSUES, ONLY SO YOU DON'T THINK I'M BEING RUDE! ALL (BUT A FEW) OF MY MILES HAVE BEEN ON THE TREADMILL BC OF THE ICE AND WIND-CHILL. I'M DEATHLY AFRAID OF FALLING AND HITTING MY HEAD...OR HURTING ANYTHING, REALLY. I'VE DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE FOR ONE YEAR, AND WISH TO STAY HOSPITAL/DOCTOR/EMERGENCY ROOM FREE FOR A WHILE.

ANYWAY, I REALLY HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT I'M DOING (WE ALL DO, BUT I NEED TO BE ESPECIALLY VIGILANT) WHEN I'M RUNNING ON THE TREADMILL. BUT, THIS MORNING, I SAW A FIGURE WALK PAST ME AT THE GYM & I DIDN'T/COULDN'T LOOK UP TO SAY HELLO. I STEPPED OFF TO TAKE A SWIG OF WATER AND NOTICED THE FAMILIAR FACE.

THEN, I WENT TO HORNBACHER'S AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED...ONLY I WAS WALKING DOWN AN AISLE. THEY DON'T' HAVE TREADMILLS AT THE GROCERY STORE. :)

IF YOU SEE ME, PLEASE SAY HELLO. I'M NOT IGNORING ANYONE. I JUST SIMPLY CAN'T SEE YOU, IF YOU'RE ON THE WRONG SIDE, SORT A SPEAK...

I WAS FEELING RUDE AND HAD TO CONFESS. WHEW. THANKS. NOW, I CAN GET ON WITH MY DAY. :)

Brain Aneurysm Awareness

I am running this year’s Fargo marathon in an attempt to raise money and awareness for brain aneurysm research and cutting edge treatment options for brain aneurysms, insuring the very best care for patients and their families.

PLEASE HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTICLE CHARITABLE DONATION TO:

www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html and click on the link: National Brain Aneurysm Center & St. Joseph’s Neurosciences Fund to donate. Please specify “In honor of Kathleen Wrigley,” just so I can send a proper thank you!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO...15 mile(stone)

Just a quick update (the baby's crying!) on my 15 miler! I DID IT! wahoooo....yeah me. sorry to be bragadoshish, but this was HUGE for me. My first really long run, post-surgery. I was nervous. I was scared. I was doubtful. But, after putting all those thoughts on the back-burner and focusing on the task at hand (and getting a pep talk, or scolding, from my husband), I finised. I ran on the treadmill at GoFarWoman (what a beautiful facility...nice job, Mark!). I broke the run up into 5 mile races. It helped for my sanity. Each 5 miles i thought..."I can do five miles. Piece 'a cake." I will admit those last 3 miles weren't fun, but i kicked the speed up a bit, just a bit. anyway, yeah, it's done.

i would've blogged sooner, but i think even my fingers were tired and crampy. :)

ran 7 this morning, and felt ok, but pretty stiff from Sunday's run.

how're your runs going?

allllll righty...tomorrow's another day, another run...

I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!!!! This is bascially a post for me to vent. No need for you to read. It's mostly jibberish, caused by complete frustration.

Went to Concordia track. Got nearly 5 miles into my run, feeling great, and was flagged off the track by a man who was closing the gym and locking up!!!!!!!!!! What??? On a Saturday morning at 11:30???? Are you kidding me.

He told me to take my run OUTSIDE. HELLO! Doesn't he know that Drew and the kids dropped me off here. I don't have a ride to get to another running destination. i don't have the clothes with me to bundle up and "take it outside," as I told to do. And, to say nothing of the energy and enthusiasm and giddy-up I had to muster to even get in a runniing mind-set today.

I finally tracked Drew for a ride. By then, of course, the baby was so tired and falling asleep in the backseat of the car, and Quinn had a birthday party to go to at Skateland. My only option was to go home, and finish my 15 mile run at home, on the treadmill...in our storage room. Alone. Eleven miles in the storage room surrounded with Christmas, Halloween, and Easter decorations and bins of kids' clothes. I dont' have that in me today. Somehow I managed to train for the Disney Goofy Race (half and full marathon) in that dang storage room, just last year. But, in my defense, my poor brain's been fried and messed with since then. Can't do it.

I made it three more miles (I needed to do 11), and jumped off in a huff.

TOMORROW I WILL DO MY 15 MILES, FOR REAL THIS TIME. I can't run 4.75 miles, wait 45 minutes then run another 11 or so, and call it a good, long run. I felt like I was cheating! So, I gave up.

LESSON LEARNED: GET UP EARLY AND JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tick tock tick tock...

OK. So, it's 9:15. I'm dressed to run the track. My water's ready. My pile of "must-haves" sits on the counter, waiting for me to grab them and go...but here I sit, blogging. :(

I told myself and Drew (last night, as we climbing into bed) that I wasn't going to set my alarm. That dang thing beeps at 5:15, every morning. I wasn't going to listen to it on Saturday, too. I needed to sleep in.

Sorry if you logged on for motiviation this morning. Not today. I am soooooooooo not looking forward to running 15 miles. Blah.

The bottom line: I'm feeling very unmotivated, yes, but more nervous about today's run. Another milestone run. My longest run, post-surgery. Shoot. My tummy is already doing flip flops, in anticipation of 15 miles. I meant to call my drs. this week, for further reassurance that all is well and that my brain is ready for this adventure. I didn't connect with them, and wish I had.

So, now I sit making excuses for why I've procrastinated and how I'm going to fit this long run into our family's schedule today, between birthday parties, errands and Drew's run.

FINE. I'm going at 10. "Just Do It," isn't that what they say? Stay tuned...

Tomorrow...

15 miles tomorrow morning...stay tuned. I'll likely run at Concordia, on the track. Ugh. 120x's around. Gulp. Good night...
By the way, this is Kathleen writing this blog, not Drew. :) He messed with my settings. Grrr...

My latest column from "On the Minds of Moms..." pick one up at Hoarnbacher's!

Post-surgery column for On The Minds of Moms Mag

Hurts so....good? Holy crap!

5K pace for 5 miles. This was my task for this morning's run. I ran my tail end off at an 8.2 pace. This speed crap is going to kill me. Anyone else? I feel the toll on my body with adding the hills and speed.

Why am I doing this to myself? BECAUSE I CAN! I AM ALLOWED TO. I AM ABLE TO. I AM NOT FRAGILE. I WANT TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT I AM BACK. AND, I AM FIXED.

That said, I probably should go to bed at 8, tonight. :)

Keep truckin'. We can do this!!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend.

The need for Speed...and little conversation...

Ok. So WHAT if I like to do marathons and races for the medals (left: Jen & Kathleen, after finishing the 2009 Goofy Run in Disney last year. Two races (1/2 & full marathon) for three medals) I'm more of a social runner. I like to visit. But, for the very first time, I am including speed work in my training program. My friend, Marilyn, hooked me up with this program. It has hill training, too. Yikes. I've learned, just this morning, that serious speed & hill work (or any!) and visiting are not possible...for me.

The reason I need speed and hill work for this marathon is that I'm further behind on my base training bc of what my body's been through the past several months with my recovery. I wasn't permitted, nor could I muster the energy, to run for three months, following my craniotomy. Heck, I couldn't even lift our baby (1 1/2 Yr old Harper), for what felt like an eternity! Anyway, I need to get serious and follow a program that increases my endurance so that I make it through the 26.2 (S)Miles of fun. :) Like that one...

So, my alarm went off at 5 am. I'm listening to one of my doctors (opthomologist: Lance Bergstrom is a dear friend)tell me how important rest is and how my eye sight and recovery will benefit from 8 full hours of sleep every night. My husband's a night owl, so that leaves little time for us, when we're both training, and he does his shorter distance runs in the evenings during the week. That's a whole other blog post...anyway, I'm up and ready for speed.

With my homegirl, Jennifer...or JLo, as I call her), next to me (she's doing hills this morning), we chart our course...on the treadmills. :) Less laundry and less of a chance (not zero, but less of a chance of slipping and getting hurt, like on the ice). I'm off for my first interval of speed. Here's what I did: warm up 10 minutes, 4 x 60 second alternating intervals of 6.7 speed and 8.0 speed, increasing the speed .1, for every interval. Then, it breaks down into 4 x 30 second intervals @ 8.5 speed (JLo pushed me to do 8.5). Am I explaining that correctly. At any rate, I am happy to report that I didn't fall off the back of the treadmill,a nd got to chit chat through my cool down.

Mission Accomplished!

The Wrigleys are no techies...

OK. So, my husband, Drew, and I are both featured runners in this year's marathon. We've been asked to blog. BLOG? Huh? Well, that, in itself, has been a funny journey. Drew is a very smart man. But, seriously. He keeps messing up my blog site!! I'm no techy, but geesh, Drew. All of my posts are now signed or posted by "Drew." I have no clue what he did, but do know he didn't mean to. :) Anything posted on ("S)Miles to Go..." is posted by moi! kathleen, that is. Anything on "Cold Train," Drew's blog, is posted by Drew, himself. Now...if I can just figure out how to fix this blog-problem...

Also, I have lots to add regarding my training, but will do so in another post. For now, check out "On the Minds of Moms" website, and read my column about the marathon. It's titled, "Marathon training for the sexes..." My column is called, "just a thought," by Kathleen Wrigley. I can only speak for our family, where both mom and dad are training for the full 26.2. But, it gives a glimpse into the difference (for us) of how our family trains. Ahhh...I may be the only person who thinks this is funny, but is you can't laugh at yourself with yourself, who will? Ahhh, it's nice living in my bubble...

FOR READERS OF THIS BLOG: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS SURVIVED A BRAIN ANEURYSM OR HAS DIED FROM AN ANEURYSM, PLEASE PASS ON THEIR NAME TO ME. I WANT TO REMEMBER THEM, WHILE I'M TRAINING. I'D LIKE TO KEEP A LIST OF NAMES WITH ME. I AM RUNNING FARGO TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER. THESE TRAGEDIES CAN BE PREVENTED. THERE ARE CUTTING EDGE TREATMENTS AND MORE RESEARCH TO DO, TO ENSURE THE VERY BEST CARE FOR ANEURYSM PATIENTS. THE CENTER IS IN ST. PAUL, AND THE INCREDIBLY TALENTED DOCTORS SAVED MY LIFE, WHILE THEIR STAFF AND NURSES TOOK EXTRAORDINARY CARE OF ME AND MY FAMILY.
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO THE NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER, BY GOING TO THE LINK BELOW AND CLICKING ON THE "NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER AND ST. JOSEPH'S NEUROSCIENCE FUND." BE SURE TO CLICK ON "IN HONOR OF" AND PUT MY NAME IN THERE (KATHLEEN WRIGLEY), SO THAT I CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHO TO SPECIFICALLY SEND THANK YOU NOTES TO! HERE'S THE LINK: http://www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html
WITH A VERY GRATEFUL HEART, KATHLEEN

I think WE can...I think WE can...choo choo...

OK. SO BEFORE WE BEGIN THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER, YOU MUST KNOW SOME THINGS ABOUT ME. I AM NOT YELLING AT YOU! I AM VISUALLY IMPAIRED, AND NEED TO TYPE IN BIGGER, MORE BOLD FONT TO SEE.

MY NAME IS KATHLEEN WRIGLEY. I AM 39.5 YRS OLD. A YOUNG-ISH :) MOM OF THREE (QUINNY, ALMOST9; PATRICK 7 & HARPER ALMOST 2). I AM A RUNNER. IT'S MY THERAPY. MY "ME" TIME. MY INDULGENCE. I HAVE RUN A HANDFUL OF FULL MARATHONS, GOBS OF HALFSIES, AND LOADS OF OTHER RACES THROUGH THE YEARS.

I WON'T BORE YOU WITH ALL THE PARTICULARS, BUT I AM JUST 4 MONTHS OUT OF TWO BRAIN ANEURYSM SURGERIES (CRANIOTOMY SEPT 1 & COILING (VASCULAR SURGERY) OCT 20). I WOKE UP FROM MY CRANIOTOMY WITH BLINDNESS IN THE RIGHT FIELD OF VISION IN BOTH EYES. I CAN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE WHAT I SEE LOOKING OUT OF MY EYES. BUT, SUFFICE IT TO SAY, I'M GETTING ACCUSTOMED TO THE MOTION SICKNESS AND NAUSEA I EXPERIENCE FROM THE BLURRED, DISTORTED, SPOTTY, LIGHTENING FLASHES THAT CAN BEST DESCRIBE HOW I SEE OUT OF THE RIGHT OF BOTH EYES. IT'S DISTURBING, BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MY BRAIN IS ADAPTING TO IT. NOT EVEN THE BEST DOCTORS CAN TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED OR WHEN THE SIGHT WILL RETURN, OR EVEN IF IT'LL NORMALIZE. THEY ALL SEEM TO AGREE ON ONE THING: IT'LL TAKE TIME, UP TO A YEAR OR MORE TO SEE HOW MUCH SIGHT I RECOVER, IF ANY. SO, I WAIT. AND, I PRAY. AND, WAIT AND PRETEND TO HAVE PATIENCE.

OTHER THAN MY SIGHT, I FEEL GREAT. REALLY. MY NEUROSURGEON SAID I NEEDED TO WAIT 3 MONTHS FOR MY BRAIN TO HEAL, BEFORE RUNNING. I DUTIFULLY DID "MY TIME."

WHILE WAITING AND HOPING, I DECIDED TO JOIN THE RANKS OF ALL OF YOU AND PARTICIPATE (AS OUR FAMILY DOES EVERY YEAR) IN THE FARGO MARATHON. AT FIRST, MY HUSBAND AND MOM TALKED ABOUT WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IT WOULD BE TO TACKLE THE HALF MARATHON. OF COURSE, 13.1 MILES, FOR ANYONE, IS NOTHING TO SHAKE A STICK AT, SO I AGREED. IT WOULD BE A HEARTY GOAL FOR ME. BUT, THE STRONGER I FELT, THE BIGGER MY ASPIRATIONS BECAME AND THE MORE I WANTED TO PROVE TO MYSELF AND TO EVERYONE THAT I AM INDEED "FIXED." THAT MY ANEURYSM IS FINALLY CURED (AFTER 5 YEARS AND THREE SEPERATE SURGERIES)!

I KNOW I HAVE 26.2 MILES IN ME. SO, LIKE SOME OF YOU, I AM NOW A BEGINNER RUNNER. I AM STARTING OVER. I NEED TO BUILD A BASE, WHICH I RECENTLY BEGAN TRYING TO DO, RUNNING 2 MILES, THEN 3 MILES, AND NOW I'M UP TO 5 MILES. MORE ON THE SPECIFICS OF THOSE HUFFING AND PUFFIN MILES LATER. I KNOW 5 MILES IS A FAR CRY FROM 26.2, BUT THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT "TRAINING!" BABY STEPS...

WE'LL GET THERE. JOIN ME. YOU HAVE TIME. LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER. BABY STEPS. I'M NOT IN IT FOR A SPECIFIC FINISH TIME. I'M NOT INTERESTED IN RUNNING WITH A PACE GROUP. MOST OF MY TRAINING MILES WILL NO DOUBT BE ON THE TREADMILL, OUT OF THE COLD AND TO PROTECT ME FROM FALLING & GETTING HURT. HECK, I'LL, MOST LIKELY, NEED TO STOP AND WALK SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE COURSE. BUT, THAT'S OK. THE BEST PART ABOUT RUNNING IS THAT IT'S YOUR PERSONAL RACE.

BY THE WAY, I MIGHT ENLIST YOU TO PULL ME INTO THE DOME AND ACROSS THAT FINISH LINE, BUT I WILL CROSS IT. I WILL GET THERE. AND, SO WILL YOU. ARE YOU IN????