4 months post Vegas

It may be a little hard to believe, but the first picture of me is was taken at the end of August. Seven months ago. No I didn't get them backwards, this isn't a weight loss photo. This is a weight gain photo. In the first photo, I was about 150lbs and had signed up for the Rock N Roll Half-Marathon in December. I didn't know at the time that I would be having emergency surgery just a week later. Amazingly I did manage to complete the half marathon just a mere 3 months post surgery. I've only run a few times since.

When your bowels aren't working right because of a stricture, like mine were, they are really in overdrive mode because they aren't getting enough stuff through to absorb all the needed nutrients. When the stricture is cleared through surgery, the bowels don't just reset right away. They are still in overdrive mode and you gain a lot of weight, really fast. I was 140 lbs when I got out of the hospital and 185 about 2 months later. Insane! Things have calmed down and I now weigh about 185 and have been this weight since December. It feels nice to be steady at a comfortable weight.

Recently though I've been really thinking about my fitness level. When you gain that much weight that fast, it all sticks around your belly. So while some of it may show in my face, I look like a woman in her second trimester. I don't necessarily want to lose the weight. I'd rather keep it if I could, but I want to redistribute it. So I have started running and cycling. In the midst of this it was suggested that I join some friends for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride I decided that I really should go for it. I have many reasons for doing it besides the benefits of getting fit.

A buddy of mine was diagnosed with Colon cancer at age 32 and had surgery to remove in in July. He just finished his last Chemo treatment and things are looking up for him. He is one of the primary reasons that I decided to take on this ride.

I know plenty of others both family and not that have had Melanoma, breast cancer, bladder cancer, and more. I ride for them as well.

One final reason is that because I have Crohn's disease, I have a much higher risk of getting Colon cancer myself.

Please help me raise money for the American Cancer Society and help fight cancer.

I did it!

I managed to go the distance and complete my first Half-Marathon with a time of 3:33:32.

While I do realize that it is quite an accomplishment, it just doesn't feel satisfying. I had major surgery three months ago and could barely train for the run. I ran, albeit at a relatively slow pace, for the first few miles, made a pit stop and walked the rest of the way.

I want to be able to run a full race. It wouldn't be hard to do another and get a time below 3 hours, but I want to aim for 2.5 hours for my next run.

Update!

I've been cleared to go back to work on Monday. I can also start running and exercising again. Just 8 weeks left to get ready for a half marathon.

Fundraising letters out.

Today I dropped off my fundraising letters. Hopefully I get a good response from these. I saw a neat idea for sponsors earlier.

In effect anyone who donates $50 can be the Official "whatever" of Team Darrell. The person making the donation gets to pick their title.

My mother would be the Official Cake Maker of Team Darrell. In her case, there can be no other.

There could also be Official Psychiatrist, Official Guard, Official Realtor, Official Chicken Farmer, Official Chemistry Professor and so on.

Donate today and reserve your Official Title.

Boredom is setting in.

I go back to my doctor on Tuesday and find out about how light or rigorous my training can be. In the meantime it is getting pretty boring around the house. I can't lift anything heavy, so I'm the one doing the dishes and Camille is the one that has to deal with taking out the trash.

In the meantime I'm getting in at least 2 15 minute walks a day, my legs and back don't ache anymore from laying in a bed for 10 days.

Update: Doc says no running or lifting for now. Basically anything that involves contraction of the abdominal muscles is bad for the next few weeks. Walking is good though. So walking I am.

Roasted Tomato Soup.

Today I stopped by the farmers market in Bellevue Ky and picked up some fresh tomatoes.

Dinner for tonight!!

Olive oil

kosher salt

2 pounds tomatoes, cut in half

1 large yellow onion

4 minced garlic cloves

28 ounces chopped tomatoes with juices

1 ½ cups roughly chopped basil leaves

2 cups low-sodium chicken stock

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

2. Add the tomatoes to a large bowl and toss them with the olive oil and salt. Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 35 minutes.

3. In a large pot add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until the onions turn translucent. Add the tomatoes, basil and chicken stock. Then, add in the roasted tomatoes and simmer for about 45 minutes.

4. Use an immersion blender to roughly chop the roasted tomatoes in the soup. Or, scoop the soup into a blender and puree it to desired consistency. Taste for seasonings and add a bit more salt and pepper if desired. Serve.

Major Setback. Not letting it stop me from going.

So I Had a major setback the last couple of weeks as I wound up having a bowel obstruction and having to have another 6 inches removed. As far as work goes, this means that I'll be off work for the next 6-8 weeks because I can't lift anything and I have to lift some pretty heavy items at work. As far as training for the run goes, I go back to see the surgeon in another week. I'll find out then, when I can start training again.

I'm not letting this stop me from going for multiple reasons.

1. Its only 13.1 miles. A half marathon.

2. I'm not competing for time. Its a fundraiser, not a race for me.

3. I can still walk.

So until I find out when I can start running again, I'll just take several 15-30 minute walks to get my legs back.

On an odd note, since I can't bend over as much so soon after surgery, I wind up squatting down to pick up socks and stuff off the floor. My legs ache because its like I'm doing lunges all day. I'm already getting more exercise in my legs than I do sitting in the van driving around all day.