Renewed Motivation!

It is the middle of the semester, and while Spring Break is but a couple days away, my motivation has been waning. I haven't yet started any "real" training, because unlike years past, my season this year will not really begin until July. I've got a tough semester to get through, which is sapping all my energy and willpower as we speak, and then it's up to BFE, Wyoming for 2 months on clinical rotation. I figure starting training in March instead of January is not only smarter, but will keep my motivation going well into the fall, when it really counts during 'cross season.

Speaking of 'cross, my favorite sport ever... my present motivation has just been sparked by the discovery of 2 spring 'cross races! I have never heard of a spring 'cross race, but alas, they do exist! Now I don't have to starve and whine until next fall without a 'cross race; I get a little taste of paralysis by lactic acid early in the year! March 15 & 22, I will surely be racing (and suffering) in Eagle, in the mud and snow... and loving every high-altitude, lung-searing, energy-zapping minute of it!!!

Check out Cult 'Cross, and come join the fun!

Coughing up a Lung or Two

This morning I competed with my fellow DPT classmates in the Run the Republic stair climb, benefiting the Colorado chapter of the American Lung Association. It was supposedly "just for fun," but my competitive nature took over, and I took off sprinting up the 56 flights of stairs!

If you've ever tried "running" up 56 flights of stairs without stopping, you'll quickly realize how fast oxygen debt hits. After 6 flights I stopped sprinting, after 8 flights I stopped running, and for 48 more flights I alternated between jogging and walking, all while preparing my last will and testament! To say the least, I was in a horrific state of hypoxic pain!After reaching the top in 10 minutes 13seconds, I couldn't stop coughing and hacking up all the fluid in my lungs, and spent the next 25 minutes vomiting water and foam. Mmm! I finished 26th female and 168th overall... not too bad out of 1,500 people!


Too bad these guys weren't there to save me!!!

As a team we had a fun time, especially getting countless questions 'What is PT?' from people pertaining to our "I Love PT" shirts.
PT = Physical Therapy. Duh!!
Thanks to everyone who sponsored me... I raised $185, and received a fleece vest!
Chris, Liss, Kathy, Millie, Candace, Dale, Dan, and Dave S!



It's now nearly 12 hours after the race... my chest aches, my throat hurts and I'm still coughing...

Help Me Run the Republic!!

Next Sunday, February, 22nd, I am participating in Run the Republic stair climb with my fellow PT classmates. It is a race up 53 floors to the top of Denver's tallest building, the Republic Building, benefiting the American Lung Association.


Please visit MY HOME PAGE and make your donation for this great cause!




Thank you!

Back to "Real" Life

Just got back from my 4-day experience in Vegas. Felt like I'd been there for 4 long weeks! I went with most of my class to attend the APTA Combined Sections Meeting Conference. While I definitely got some "culture," I can't say I'm a big fan of the Sin City.
The week got off to a bad start when I got sick the day we left. I was feeling extremely tired, achy, and had a sore throat. I envisioned the worst, so I stayed in the hotel the first night and slept, while everyone else went out, and stayed out until dawn. After attending the conference the next day, I was still feeling pretty low, but rallied for a night out.

We went to the MGM and saw the Cirque du Soleil show, Ka. No doubt it was COOL! Expensive, but worth it. We continued to hit up the town, going to a couple bars and then to a club at the Palazzo.I felt surprisingly better the following day, and whether it was from the heavy course of medications I was slamming, or alcohol's anti-microbial effects, I was happy to be feeling a bit more chipper. After the conference we socialized at the Jesuit school reception for awhile before hitting up the casinos again. I can't say I'm much of a gambler, and the lousy $2 I did spend provided me with about a half hour of mindless entertainment. At midnight we watched the fountain show at the Bellagio, which was nothing short of spectacular!
2am rolled around quickly, and I was bushed. I headed back to the hotel and promptly fell into a deep sleep, only to be awoken 2 hours later when my roommate brought back some sleezy dude and proceeded to do what Vegas is known for. I was a wee bit annoyed (understatement)!! So with a mere 2 hours of sleep I packed up my stuff, left my drunk roommate passed out to fend for herself, stashed my bags at the front desk and headed to the final morning of the conference.

When my plane finially landed back a DIA, I couldn't be happier to be back home, and back in my element! I guess the lights of Vegas appeal to some people, but it was nothing but smoke and mirrors to me. One big stupid facade, and one big stupid money sapping, ruthless, fake town. Good thing I fulfilled my conference requirements for school, and good thing I don't have to set foot back in that town anytime soon.