My Mom

Since I am running on behalf of my mom, you may think she was a great runner who participated in lots of events, including perhaps a marathon. And you would be wrong. She occasionally swam, but never ran. I, however, am the opposite I run, but I don't swim. Well, I can swim enough so I won't drown in the pool or anything, but dump my ass out in the middle of the ocean and I am shark kibble.

My mom was one of those awesome moms that all my friends wished they had. She was fun loving, 

mischievous (in a good way), caring, and very open. I could talk to her about anything and everything without a problem. Even the dreaded S-E-X was acceptable. (To discus, not act upon--don't want to give you the wrong idea here!) She was not only my mom, but also my friend.

 

Throughout my entire childhood, mom was always a bit forgetful and easily confused. She would always play it off with a laugh or a joke. Sometime at her own expense. My brother and I grew up thinking--that's just mom, you know how she is. We never thought twice about it. Perhaps we should have,

In 1993 my dad had his first heart attack and it was also at this time we discovered that he was a type 2 diabetic. My mom became his primary caregiver while working full time. So any mix-ups about times or dates, etc. were chalked up to having too many balls in the air. Again, we didn't think anything of it, it was just mom being mom.

After my dad passed away in 2004, we noticed changes in mom, but chalked it up to her losing her partner and being on her own for the first time in her life. Mom had gone straight from her father's place to dad's. There were days and times when she was aware, she called both my brother and I to ask what should she do now that she was alone. Hobbies? Outings? Trips? There were also times when she tried to pretend all was fine and she was doing well. Maybe she was protecting us?

 

A few months before my wedding in 2006 things came to a head and we realized something was really wrong and this wasn't normal "mom" stuff. She called me one night to tell me that she had picked out her dress for the wedding and to let me know the color. However, what she told me was "The adults have finished having breakfast and now the kids can come eat." I was completely confused. When I asked her to repeat, thinking I must have got it wrong. She said the same thing. I asked her again and she repeated it very slowly and all I could think of was go as slow as you want I'm still not gonna get it.

After explaining the odd call to Scott, we called my brother Shawn to discuss. We were able to talk mom into giving us medical proxy, so we could talk and work with her doctors. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and after a few events which included a $200 cab ride and disappearing on a trip for seniors it was deemed she couldn't live alone anymore,

 

We found an assisted living facility that both my brother and I loved. We arranged for mom to get a tour and speak to the head of the facility about possibly moving in. Mom loved it and when we left she was soooo excited to be moving. She even told all her friends that she was leaving. However, moving day turned out to be completely different.

Everyone else had to work, so I helped mom pack a few boxes and took her over to her new home. She was happy and excited. When we got there she told the head of the facility that she wanted to be there and was looking forward to it. After the paperwork and a visit with the facility's medical department to go over her medicine regime we were unpacking in her new room. She began to get ancy and said she wanted to unpack later. She told me she was hungry, so we went downstairs where they distracted mom by getting her a snack and then got her involved in an activity. They said it might be easier if I left while she was distracted.

 

An hour later I received a phone call that she had tried to leave the building three times to go home. Since they are an assisted living facility and the folks who love there want to be there, they are not equipped to be chasing escapees. So I came back and had a discussion with the head of the facility. It seemed that the best option would be to have mom taken to the hospital for an evaluation, if it was determined that she couldn't live alone, or in an assisted facility the hospital would place her. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make, but I knew something had to be done and this place was the only one Shawn and I could find that would take an Alzheimer's patient with no insurance.

The paramedics insisted on putter her on a stretcher and taking her out to the ambulance through the front door. This took her past the dinning room where dinner was being held. Everyone turned to look--not that I could blame them. Like mom I use humor, so I turned to the room and said "This ends the floor show portion of the evening." and just kept going. The folks at the facility gave me directions--which included you can't miss it (which anyone who has been on a run with me knows I will in fact miss it and will become lost) and when you come around the corner you will see a Jesus statue.

Of course once alone in the car, I began to cry as I drove (always a good combo). When I came around the corner though, sure enough there was a huge Jesus statue with a spotlight on it. I vaguely remember yelling Jesus! at the top of my lungs when I saw him. I grew up in a religious house hold so it was a very comforting sight. It also meant I didn't get lost. Miracle!

To make a long story short, the hospital placed mom in a facility where she resided until we found her an even better place in Montrose, NY. She lived in Montrose until her death in February, 2012.

I still miss her and every now and then I catch myself using one of her expressions or mannerisms. It both frightens and pleases me. However, one thing is definite--I love my mom!

 

Scavenger Hunt

On a chilly, damp Sunday morning three brave souls set out to explore Central Park and uncover thirty-some-odd treasures. It soon became clear that while our warriors have lived and run in the area for at least twenty-something years combined, they were not the most observant bunch. They have been so dedicated on running and becoming better runners that they have missed the significance of the some of the statues in the park. (Actually, they never realized there were that many statues in the park, but let’s not split hairs.)

They began strong, quickly finding the carousel (audio tour by Kelly Rippa), Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Cleopatra’s Needle. Here I would like to point out that we purposely lined up our shot to include the wheelchair(?) racer in the background—we like to support our fellow runners. (We also thought it would be safer than photoboming the race.)

 

As one explorer was climbing down off the Sir Walter Scott statue, she noticed a woman off to the side patiently waiting to take a photo of the statue. To explain she said "The things we do for a scavenger hunt!". With the ice broken, the woman asked about the hunt and the warriors explained that they are training for the marathon and run on behalf of the Association. She was happy to hear this and explained that she did a Memory Walk the day before. Small world.

As time went on and the clues either became harder (Jeanine who?) or they knew the who or what, but not the where (Hans Christen Andersen), they began the age old custom of when in doubt take a photo! For a couple of items this actually worked! However, there were a few other images that made it into the montage that had absolutely nothing to do with any clue (The Falconer, anyone?).

You will also notice several bridge images. Bow Bridge did not readily come to mind, so they got inventive. While running to the fountain, our explorers noticed paintings of Hindu Gods under the bridge. Since Legolas is a character from Lord of the Rings, we thought lords/gods—semantics! They also came across a bridge in the Bramble that looked like it could fit right into the movies, so bridge picture number two. They also took that moment to snap an image or two of the surrounding area. Look Ali they ran trails!

It was then they discovered Bow Bridge and made the correct connection. Check out the Vanna White action by the sign! Not only did they get the sign, but they also got the bridge. I think it should also be noted that one of our brave souls (who has no sense of direction) not only went into the Bramble, but actually came out without getting lost—of course that was due to her teammates!

At the statue of the Polish King, our runners decided it was a good time to pose and check to see if their deodorant was working. Multi-taskers! They also decided it was time to earn some extra points (cough-brown-nosers-cough) by photographing a water tower for Coach Brian!

When all was said and done, it was evident that while our members may not have found all (or most) of the items, they did have fun! They discovered where each other lives, their running histories and even traded stories on why they run for the Association. There was also some riveting conversation that included a discussion which posed the question are Sweedish people also considered Danes? (This what happens when you try to make random things fit the clues.) Could Jeanine remember her parents by a memorial bench? And if so, do we need the actual bench? Or can we just take a photo of any bench? (Will Ali really check?)

So I think we can consider the adventure a win.

Queens 10K

On Sunday, June 21, I decided to celebrate Father's Day by taking a 6 point something romp with a few thousand of my closest friends, as a participant in the NYRR Queens 10K. I did this race for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. Well, except for the brain fart at the end. While running I kept thinking six miles, all I have to do is six miles, so when I came across the six mile marker, I thought great I'm done. When I started to slow down I realized I was the only one doing so. Everyone else was continuing to run. Hummm?? Oh shit, wait a 10K is actually 6.25 or something like that. I have to run more. I kicked it into gear and when I came around the corner I found the real finish line. This year I would be prepared.

The first three miles or so were great. I was feeling good and was beating my time from last year. Unfortunately, the sun decided to come out at that point and while I was already dealing with a reported 94% humidity, I was now dealing with the heat beating down upon my head. I tried to continue running, but the humidity was starting to get me. As I was approaching an overpass over the L.I.E. (I believe, or it could have been the Sunrise Highway--never can tell in L.I.--they love their highways) I looked around and it was almost as if everyone suddenly became of one mind. Everyone stopped and proceeded to walk over the incline and then start running again on the other side. It sorta reminded me of the Borg for a moment.

During each race I run, my competitive nature rears its head an picks a target. Now, this is not done in a mean "I'm going to crush you" sort of way. Nor do I plan to do the person any actual harm. It is more of a motivational tool. This is done entirely unconsciously. I select my victim by some little quirk that I notice about them. Once, I choose them my goal becomes to finish the race before them.

This time I choose two folks, a man and a woman (check me out, very pc--equal opportunity all the way). Now, I give both of these folks big props and a lot of credit for being out their and running this race. The man had one leg and was running with the use of crutches and the woman was a devout Jewish woman wearing a long black skirt and a grey long sleeve shirt. Again, I give them a lot of credit and points, but there was also no way I was letting either of them beat me.

At one point, when the humidity was really getting to me I began to do a run/walk combo. It was then that I saw the woman. She was plugging along concentrating on running. I felt like, okay if she can run with all that clothing on in this heat, I better get my butt in gear. So I began to run again. My muscles started to cramp up and I had to revert to a run/walk combo. I was also feeling a bit dehydrated.

Now, I realize I am a woman and I should say "I glisten", but no "I SWEAT!" During this race I was sweating a good bucket size amount. At the fluid stations I kept hoping for Gatorade, but alas only one station had it. I began to take multiple cups of water at every station. Unfortunately, the humidity was still really getting to me. At the time I felt like I had no choice to run/walk and I comforted myself with the realization that I was not alone. At lot of other runners were doing the same thing.

However, on later reflection, I wonder if I gave in too easily and if I should have powered through and continued running the entire thing. I wonder if I let the race defeat me mentally. Should the weather have played that much of a factor? However, I would like it noted that I only finished 13 minutes over last year's time. So perhaps I didn't do that bad?

There was a woman at the last part of the race who had a megaphone and was cheering the runners on to the finish line. I however, was plotting to get the device away from her. She kept yelling about pushing past the pain and while I realize she is right and you shouldn't give up when things get tough. But on the other hand my calves were screaming at me and I was so thirsty all I wanted to do was concentrate on getting to the finish so I could walk and find my car (where my Gatorade was waiting for me). She is lucky I didn't have any extra energy. I did end the race on a finisher sprint though, not sure where that came from. Must be the lure of the Gatorade.

After the race I met up with my husband and we set off to run two errands before going to see my father-in-law, Russell. As part of the never ending charm of Long Island we kept getting stuck in traffic. While sitting in the car I kept drinking tons of Gatorade. Now what happens when you drink a lot in heavy traffic? Yup, we needed to make a pit stop before we could finish the errands. Now, I love my husband very much, but when he drove us to a mall (the Macy's end no less), I was going to kill him. I am all hot and sweaty and oh so fashionable and he takes me to Macy's of all places. Luckily for him, he led me around the corner of Macy's and in through another entrance. I did have to pass a some folks and wait on a line in the restroom, but I thought what the hell, I'm gonna be sassy and embrace this moment. After all, I thought, I ran over six miles in the heat this morning. What did you do? (I will give the two women on crutches a pass though. However, the one legged man may beg to differ.)

I do have one last question. This race was what I feel was one of my worst, however when I looked at the photos of me--my form is awesome! I actually look like a runner! Perhaps I should buy them and look at them before other races for motivation.