100 Miles in May

My dear dear friend, Stephanie, posted a challenge on Facebook last night. She is going to run 100 miles in May. I don't have to run all 100 miles. I can bike, step, use the elliptical or walk. No brainer. I'm in. What a great way to motivate some more cardio. It's the third and I'm already at 5.65. All I have to do is average 3.6 miles a day. I figure on the weekends or evenings when I have extra time I'll so some extra. I've been averaging about 2 miles maybe a little over a day. Increasing to 3.6 will be a great boost for the metabolism. I'm always up for a challenge and I'm quite excited about this one. When I say Stephanie is a dear dear friend...I mean it. I've known her since Kindergarten. She always makes me smile. It is rare you find someone as humorous, caring, and loving as Stephanie. Friend, thank you for the 100 Miles in May. I really appreciate it. Great idea! I haven't the time nor energy to go back through this blog and figure out how many times I have said I'm going to be a runner, but I've been running a bit. No distance. I do 2-5 minute sprints. Those of you who have been reading since the start know that running triggers anxiety for me. I haven't put any pressure on myself. On days when I go to the gym and feel like it, I hop on the treadmill and go for it. It relieves a lot of stress for me. And there is still that challenge word. Jeez I'm motivated by a challenge. Grandpa Update: Grandpa was diagnosed with prostate cancer close to ten years ago. The cancer was maintained by oral meds and shots for a long period of time. Shortly after my uncle passed away from cancer in 2010 the doctors found the cancer had spread to Grandpa's bones. Again the numbers didn't grow a lot with the oral meds and shots. Recently, the cancer has started growing. A few weeks ago Grandpa underwent his first chemo treatment. The treatment almost killed him. He ended up in the hospital for a week and then rehab for another week. Last Saturday I went and had a wonderful visit with him. I really wish I could bottle Grandpa up. He is one of the finest people I have ever known. When he has had every right to complain, he doesn't. When others question God or their faith, he turns deeper to prayer and the Bible. On Saturday we had an hour long discussion about faith. I spent my childhood years raised in a Quaker church. Since then I've attended baptist and a variety of non denominational churches. I told Grandpa that I still struggle with finding the right church. He explained things to me about the foundation of the Quakers of which I had not been aware. These fundamental beliefs are what have been at the heart of my unsatisfaction with other churches. I've felt more at peace about this aspect of my life since our conversation. If I could bottle some of Grandpa's spirit I would. We need more of it in this world. My prayer is that Grandpa will not suffer with the nastiness of cancer. I love that man. Dissertation Update: I'm now waiting on my district to let me know if the study is a go or not. IRB is at a standstill until I get approval from the district. I'm trying everything I know to keep my mind off of the fact that we are ticking away at the days in May when I am supposed to be interviewing. Job Search Update: One interview. I felt it went well. The district is much smaller and pays way less. I haven't heard anything yet. More applications are out. I'm trying to keep my mind off of this as well. Ha! After writing this, I realize it's no wonder I've been compelled to run. Want a little stress with your life? Alright...I need to wind down. Tomorrow is 5k Friday. The day before the 5k I chair. Lots of prep to be done. Lots of packets to be handed out. I can't wait. This is year number 5. It started as a small dream of mine and now it's grown into an annual tradition!