Susie's Cause 2012

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, prior to the start of the Susie's cause 5K run for Colon Cancer I stood outside a Port-O-Potty with my wife, Susan, wrapping a very large ACE bandage around mt waist to support my six week old Ostomy Bag. Bound as I have said before, “Tighter then a Southern Bell going to a Cotillion” I ran and unbelievably won my age group.

A year later, nine months after loosing “Frederic”, I returned and once again won my age group. It was amusing as this year as I got lost for almost two tenths of a mile. Yes, the “Great Trail Blazer” of Gambrill State Park lost his way on a well marked five kilometer road race course. If not for the lung power of my running friend Kristen, I might still be running circles in the streets of Towson and Baltimore. Even after adding almost two tenths of a mile and something more then a minute to my time I finished in twenty two minutes and twenty seconds.

My recovery is far from perfect but standing in the Courthouse Square after the race. I found myself as relaxed as I have been in some time. The morning was perfect, cool but not cold, low humidity with white billowing clouds circling overhead. I was with friends and hundreds of possible friends. Once again I had run “Within Myself” and performed well; it felt good to be alive.

Walking back to the car I could hardly wait to call Sue to let her know how I did, I was “pumped”.

One frickin minute on the phone and then ream-ality set in. Mr. O'Grady, Mr. O'Grady call from the never regions, please proceed to the Port-O-Potty four blocks from here.

Oh well, it's just a process, if that's the price I pay then I intend to continue paying up.

Stay Strong, Stay Happy........... “Mike O”

Stick To The Ribs

Yesterday I went for a short run with Molly, “Hog Dog”, after just a short distance I sat down to remove something sticking me in the side of the foot. It's happened before, nothing in the shoe, just sleeping nerves waking up.

A mile later I was impressed with “phantom” stabbings emulating from my foot. Pollyanna would have been proud, “Just a nerve waking up Mike, deal with it”. It seemed a long two and a half miles, so soon after returning home I jumped to the opportunity to remove the offending shoe. As before, nothing in the shoe, but as I started to remove my sock from the top down , peeling it off inside out, there it was, a single sticker most likely from a Raspberry or Blackberry Bush. UGH!

Still undecided about Steamtown, I ran a good training run on the C&O Canal on Saturday (Twelve Miles) and a fun nine mile trail run on Sunday. While running I felt good but once I stopped it wasn't long before GI issues reared their ugly head. Fortunately neither experience lasted for more then a couple hours, but even so.

`

I will be trying some new foods this week to see if they might make a difference. This morning it was Irish Oats, “This stuff will Stick to Your Ribs”, Sue proclaimed as she placed a bowl in front of me. “Trust Me Sue, Sticking anywhere is the last thing I want from these”, I replied.

Let's hope Sue is dead wrong.

Mike

Mid September

It's been a while since my last post and while a lot has gone on there is little I want to actually write about.

My recovery has decided to take a hiatus, sending me back to a time of half numb feet and aching hands. I really noticed yesterday, running an eight mile trail loop, the technical sections felt awkward and off balance. This mornings run was better and I'm hoping to go out again this evening with good anticipations.

The decision to run the Steamtown Marathon will most likely be made at the very last minute. I know I'm in good enough shape, it would be a pleasure to see my college roommate Bill and his wife yet I'm wary of the possible aftereffects of the race. Having GI issues at home is one thing, away, another.

While I'm on the topic of running, this past Sunday Morning, after our group run I was presented with the gift of a shirt and armband. As you can see by the photograph, a very relevant and timely gift. Timely because next Sunday the 23ed I'm scheduled to Run Susie's Cause, a 5K race to raise awareness of colon cancer and money for research. I hope I have enough “Guts” to wear my shirt at the race.

To close this entry out I must write about my Mother. The news that her cancer has spread certainly was not what anyone wanted to hear. I was glad to be with Mom and Dad when they found out, just to be there for them as they have been for me.

Speaking with my Mother I saw nothing other then courage, dignity and a desire to take full advantage of each day. It is still difficult for me to wrap my head around all of this but her attitude and strength has had a calming effect for which I am grateful.

Mike

Twists and Turns

Such a strange combination of twists and turns the past few days I just need to simply admit that I have no clue as to what the hell is going on.

Long weekends are always a chance to relax and renew and so I thought it would be for Sue and I. So I thought........

Friday morning started off with a short three mile run with Molly followed with a trip to the FMH cancer center for a Reiki treatment. As always it was a pleasure to see Dee and Lorette, my time with them rewarded me with a calmness I hadn't felt for several days. As I left the center I looked ahead to the weekend, my sister Kathy and my Brother Bill would be at Mom and Dads, we would be joining them on Sunday with a Half Bushel of Maryland Blue Crabs. I was ready for a good weekend.

Everything seemed to be pointing up until late Friday afternoon when out of the blue my guts rebelled, sending me dashing from the couch to the can for several hours. I was miserable and by seven o'clock I bit one of my pain pills in half for relief. Before the medication could even kick in the phone rang and I found out that Dad was on the way to the hospital, perhaps with internal bleeding. Thank God my brother Bill was already there to handle things as I was in no shape too.

Saturday morning I felt well enough to head out for a short run. The weather was “iffy” but as I ran clouds parted, drizzle stopped and rays of sunshine occasionally drilled their way to the ground. Three miles turned into five, five to seven, seven to nine and would have been more except, something “Downstairs” started talking to me again. I made it home only to spend hours, again in the “Loo”. It would have been a totally miserable day except for good news that dad was doing well and most likely would be released from the hospital on Sunday.

Sunday morning I woke up feeling “Empty and Light” from the bashing I took the day before. A quick trip to the bathroom scale confirmed what I thought, one hundred forty six pounds. With that, I whispered to my half awake wife, “Sue, I'm going to run the Thorpewood 10K this morning, I'm light so I should be able to run pretty fast”.

Thorpewood, in addition to being a beautiful place for a wedding or corporate meeting serves at-risk youths. The run is a double loop on very runnable trails with one steep and challenging switched back hill. My plan was to take it easy, after all I was going to head to my parents soon after the race and I didn't want to spend my afternoon in their bathroom.

The race was small, perhaps seventy five runners with me standing near the front of the line at the start. As the race started the “speed” people quickly passed placing me somewhere around fifteenth place. About a half mile into the race I started passing people, the trails were wet and slippery slowing down the “road runners”. Around the two mile mark I caught a glimpse of the leaders, Lance (one of my trail running friends) and another young gun were leading, it was then I realized I might just be running in third place. At this point I was still running well within my limits.

At the top of the hill volunteers at the water station confirmed that I was in third place, fourth place seemed no where near. I thought I'd enjoy my moment as I was sure some young guy would zip by me in the second lap. One mile, then two into the second lap I just didn't see anyone closing in.

Once again at the hilltop aid station I decided that if someone were going to pass me if would have to hurt and I took off. There was no Garmin to record my last mile but I'm sure it was run under seven minutes. Soon after I crossed the finish line I wandered over to the Tag board to see if Lance had won, sure enough he had but my name was right under his. I was shocked but apparently the other "Young Gun" had gotten off trail and I passed him along the way. I finished second. My time was respectable but normally would have placed me in the top five or seven runners even that small a race. I imagine the lesson to learn is that just showing up is part of the battle.

I stayed a little longer then I should to welcome friends to the finish, partake of a nice cold beer and receive my second place award. A quick trip home, a quicker shower and off we were to pick up crabs before heading to Berkeley Springs.

While we drove for crabs Bill and Kathy drove to the hospital to “Spring” dad. This might be a good day after all.

Arriving before they could return with Dad, we unpacked our treasure and prepared for a feast. I sat down to relax and was pretty content until my daughter's voice announced, “Dad, Mom's in the Bathroom, she's throwing up”.

Sure enough, after a gentle knock on the door, I peeked inside to see Sue face down in the toilet, hardly able to move, obviously in great distress. There was nothing I could do except prepare a cold compress and promise I would check on her every few minutes. I don't know how long it was before she could move, movement, even the slightest made her sick. I imagine it was at least two or three hours before we could get her into a bed. Later that evening I returned home with the kids, leaving Sue so we could take care of the dog and other chores that needed to be done. I would pick her up Monday afternoon but by then the relaxing weekend we had hoped for turned out less than perfect.

Of course everything was not a bust, my Dad returned looking OK, Mom seemed to be doing all right after the first treatment and it was great to see my brother and sister. Sue seems better but not one hundred percent today, ..... as normal for Sue she was more concerned about missing work then anything else.

The Twists and Turns of life, ain't it Great ?

Mike

One Thousand Miles

January first, Two Thousand Twelve ........................................................

I logged a two mile run which left me standing barefoot in the cold as my feet burned. It would be another twenty eight days until I ran again.

That same day I opened up my running log spreadsheet to set new goals and log the painful run. Staring at the computer screen I could not but help but wonder how everything would work out, after all it was just a week away that my reversal surgery would occur.

Too much time has passed to fully know what I was thinking but I imagine it was something like, “Oh, what the hell, just put down one thousand miles.

How truly strange that I should meet that mark the same day my mother started her treatments for her cancer.

This morning when I awoke I knew I needed four and one quarter miles to meet the “impossible” goal I set in January....... I ran four miles this morning, ending up one quarter mile short ..... I had mixed feelings about going out again to complete my goal until Susan came home from work.... we spoke about it and her words, “Your Mom would want you to finish this” led me to lacing up my shoes and getting it done.

How Strange Life Can Be

Mike

One Week Later

An entire week has passed since my last post; as I sit here thinking back it amazes me how much has happened but more importantly how much will simply fade into the background as future weeks reveal themselves.

This week mimicked a roller coaster with it's head jolting fast turns, slow climbs and rapid descents. Physically, I was “all Over The Board”, feeling great some times, terrible at others. I ran the least number of miles I had in months at just twenty one. I probably averaged fifteen trips to the “can” each day, thankfully early in the morning and later at night. This led me to consuming the most pain pills in a single week I think I have ever taken outside of right after surgery (a total of three and one half as I bite them in half) , trust me when I say if I didn't need them I wanted them. I believe I even took a half pill in my sleep.

Steamtown, a fall Marathon held in Scranton PA approaches in a little more then a month and I sit on the fence as to whether or not I will go. I'm really not a fan of Marathons but Steamtown is something different, a point to point run through small towns who roll out the red carpet for the runners. Scranton is also the home of one of my former college roommates, so I also have the pleasure of spending some time with him and his wife. My hesitation is two-fold, first, can I run twenty six miles in control of my guts. There will be Port-o-potties along the way but they are spaced out. (Running in the woods is far more convenient) Second, I pay a price with each hard run, requiring many trips to the “Loo” after-ward, that's not bad if I'm at home, I'm not sure I want to go through that at a friends house. Who knows, a month from now I may be much better, I am hopeful.

Great friends showed up this past week but the elation of spending time together seemed fleeting. As we said goodby I wanted to say, “No ........ you’re not going, we have more golf to play, more trails to run”. We will...... we will play more golf.... we will run trails together ............I'm sorry but I am getting greedy with my time and I would rather have it now then later. 

Last week I found out that my blood work has gotten better, the Oncologist was pleased that my white blood cell count is back in the normal range. We also discussed the pain in my hands and numbness/pain in my feet....... no surprise there, it may be permanent. I dismissed discussing drugs to help, after all the drugs would simply mask symptoms, not help with a cure. I'm not against medication but I will avoid it as long as possible. After all, I'd rather dance with the Devil I know then the one I don't.

This morning I have a follow up with my surgeon, Dr. Berg, I'm looking forward to seeing him but hope I don't hear the words, “OK, I'm going to give you a digital exam”. Being in the technology field I often think of digits in terms of bits and bites. The first time I heard the Doc tell me I was going to get a Digital Exam I thought of a modern day probe, pencil like (nice thought) until I saw him snap on the gloves, then and only then did I realize that digits, ARE ON YOUR HANDS !

My thoughts are with my Mom and Dad, Mom's treatments start in just a couple days. We all are praying that her response will be good with minimal side effects. While no-one can predict how this will play out, I know the power of love... the love we receive and the love we give to others ... it is a blessing and comfort to our journey regardless of the final destination. There is an abundance of love surrounding my parents.

Mike

5K Success (almost)

The end of summer approaches; Patrick returns to college, Sue starts back to work Tuesday and Maggie starts her senior year of high school a week later. It will get too quiet around here too soon.

Today I ran the Saint Jude 5K held in Baker Park. After looking at previous finishing times I hoped I might finish in the top twenty. I was so close …...... finishing twenty first out of about four hundred in a time of twenty one minutes fifty seconds. I ran well but had trouble pacing myself. I would look at the Garmin seeing a six fifteen pace (too fast), slow down to seven ten (too slow). This only proves that I need track work, hopefully I can make myself do it. I would like to think I can improve but as I mentioned to my Buddy Larry, after the race, “Anything I can run is just a bonus”.

This past week was difficult as I could not get my head back into work after returning from Chincoteague. Perhaps mental stress added to physical challenges I went through. My normal four to five day cycle repeated every other day. My hands and feet, often serving as a barometer for my overall health have staggered backwards. My feet in particular are taking on a new twist, painful numbness... unnerving.Still I managed to log almost forty miles of training.

I missed an appointment with the Oncologist but have reset it for next Thursday, I will be getting full blood workup and suspect that my red blood cell count should be better. I will probably also find out when I'll be scheduled for my next CAT scan.

Friday I had a Reiki session, the first in a month and I have to admit I was “Out of Practice”. Normally it takes just minutes for me to clear my mind and relax, not this time. Only near the end did I start to “Zone Out” to a different level of consciousness.

Driving home from Chincoteague last week I passed on of those “Church Signs”, you know, one of those with a “Catchy Phrase”. Well this time, this one hit home …...... it read.

DON'T CRY FOR WHAT IS OVER

REJOICE IN WHAT YOU HAD

Later …..... Mike

Beaching It

I laid on the Beach Towel watching my wife, daughter and sons playing in the Atlantic Ocean off of Assateaque Island. An occasional wave, if caught with good timing provided a short ride back to the beach. The water was chilly, the air was warm, partly cloudy skies with a gentle breeze kept the beach from getting too hot. In a word, perfect.

Earlier in the day I opted for a four mile run to gauge if there was any speed left in me after Catoctin training. I was encouraged to run fast to avoid the need for a blood transfusion as hoards of Hungry Mosquitoes were waiting for a feast. I hadn't thought this out too well and had left the house without the aid of bug spray. At one and a half miles I was pleased to see that I was running a sub seven minute pace and just as quickly displeased to realize that the keys to the rental car were no longer in my running shorts. I had very little doubt about the keys being found, but by who was my concern. If the keys had fallen on the paved section of the trail it would have been likely seen by another runner or biker. While the trail loop wasn't too busy, it was busy enough; thankfully I found the keys a half mile later sitting just along side of the trail. Taking no further chances the keys were placed in the zippered section of my hand carried water bottle. Except for the excitement of dropping keys I had a good run but know that I need some work on the track.

My body has not worked it's way out of a four to five day cycle it's stuck in, soon after I returned the floodgates opened up. Three hours later, sore and tired I decided to take a pain pill for relief and to quiet things down. Normally I never take a pain pill during the day, that is reserved for nighttime use but today I knew I would miss out on the Beach without it. A half pill worked wonders, actually better then I could have imagined, as I played in the surf I felt no pain in my gut, hands and the ever present numbness in my toes was absent. I will have to resist the temptation of using the pain pills during the day as I could see getting use to it quickly.

Timing is everything they say, in this case my timing must have been perfect, for after leaving the beach less then an hour passed before the second round of the “Grand Slam”. The return of the evil intestine kept us from going out to dinner but carry out from “Captain Zack's Seafood” was a tasty alternative. (Thanks Beverly)

As I sit here writing this I can still visualize Sue, our daughter and boys laughing and playing I the surf. I can see hundreds of families with their old and young staking out a piece of beach to build memories upon. What a grand day.

Mike

Hope

The car was stone quiet as we drove down Route Eighty Seven towards Albany. It was the quiet of those deep in their own thoughts as we each dealt with the news that Mom's cancer had metastasized to the liver.

A day earlier I had formulated a “self challenge” of running to the summit of Phelps Mountain and back in two and a half hours.. The trail, about eight and a half miles with two thousand feet of vertical climb would be mostly runnable with the exception of the mile up and down from the summit.

Bets were made with a generous addition of half hour to complete the run. My only doubt would be the condition of my legs. Had they have recovered enough from a hard 50K four days earlier to allow me to power up the steep Un-runnable sections of the Mountain.

After a decent nights sleep, my legs felt little effect from race or hikes already taken. I knew three hours was “In The Bag” so I canceled all bets with the excuse that I did not want to be put in a position of doing anything stupid. (The question, Why stop now might be appropriate)

Starting out easy, I figured to cover the distance to the Phelps cutoff in forty minutes or less. I managed thirty eight, inclusive of a short stop to offer directions to a hiker. The last mile to the summit has places which can be run but I held back a bit to stave off fatigue in my quads. With only a quarter mile left some indication of tiredness appeared, by then however I knew there was no need to slow down. One hour eight minutes after I left our Lean-to at Heart Lake I stood on the summit.

Standing on a rock outcropping, looking over mountain tops playing hide and seek with clouds, I prayed. I prayed for good news from the tests my Mother would have later in the day. I could not imagine selecting a better place. A gentle breeze cooled then dried me off and soon enough I was on my way back down the mountain.

The site of someone bounding down over rocks brought looks of “What The Hell” from more then one hiker moving up the trail. At the Phelps cut off I once again stopped to offer directions only to bounce from boulder to boulder soon after. The mile and a quarter to Marcy Dam was traveled without thought, just effortless reaction to vision and foot placement.

Returning to Marcy Dam in one hour forty minutes I knew it might be possible to break two hours if I could maintain something around an eight and a half minute pace. “Stretch it out a bit Mike”, I thought. For a while I managed to run hard but a nagging hip flexor convinced me otherwise. Still, as I ran in to camp in two hours five minutes I had bettered my goal.

The car continued to click off miles in complete silence. My mind wandered from thoughts of our trip to Mom..... Dad …... times past ….... times to come. Who knows how prayers are answered, in this case the outcome was not what I prayed for but certainly not as bad as it could had been.

I remain full of hope for my Mother and Myself. This journey, which is difficult, leads us to new awakenings and appreciation for the bountiful life we have already passed through and that which is yet in our path.
 

All my Love Mom …... Mike

The CAT

“Never again” was the response I heard more then once as runners completed the hot, humid, mind numbing Catoctin 50K.

Cooling Off At The Finish

My race went well for twenty nine miles, it's a shame we run almost thirty three. With three and a half miles left my body rebelled, forcing me into the woods to seek relief. Ten minutes after stumbling off the trail I returned feeling worse not better. Kristin, who joined me for the last six miles, later commented, “When Mike's not talking I know he's not feeling good”.

I am pretty sure a PR was in reach for me until nature took over. Even so, my time of seven hours twenty one minutes was competitive and extraordinary satisfying. Crossing the finish line did not end my day of running. Slow and steady was replaced by sporadic sprints to the bathroom while I waited for running friends to complete their day.

Jumping into the car the next morning for a ten hour drive may not be best way to treat sore and beat up legs but how else does one get to Lake Placid for a few days of hiking?

In addition to the legs I had concern about the drive itself, particularly my ability to make it without incident.

I am happy to report the drive went well.

Monday morning I woke to sore quads but everything else seemed amazingly happy. Our plan was to hike Giant Mountain, a climb of over three thousand vertical feet in three and a half miles. I wasn't concerned about the uphill sections of the trail but I knew the downhill's might produce “screaming quads”. The ones that talk to you with each step, yelling when you have to stretch those legs out. All in all the hike went well.

Everything tastes better in the mountains and our spaghetti and meatball dinner tasted like a gourmets feast. Even the Carlo Rossi jug of red wine purchased for the occasion tasted splendid with yours truly tastefully drinking (more then I should) out of my water bottle. It would later prove to be a monumental mistake in judgment.........

Lets just say that I will be returning home with one less pair of underwear.

Pre Race Doc Visit

I am lucky and perhaps a bit crazed.

Yesterday I had a visit with our family Doctor to discuss Pain Management, the "Main" pain I deal with comes after I get "Slammed". That term for anyone new to my blog refers to a day in which my running is directed to short sprints to the "Head" "John" "Loo" "Bathroom" or whatever happens to be available at the time. I imagine I should just buck up and take it but after a mere ten or so repeats, things get sore downstairs and I would just assume take a pill then "Tough It Out". 

Anyway, I explained to the Doc that I intended on running a 50K+ in hot humid weather and then turn around to drive ten hours the next morning to add four days of hiking in the High Peaks Area near Lake Placid, New York. She was kind, agreeing I may not be feeling quite "Peachy" as I arrived in New York; she prescribed something that might help.

So..................On with the unknown. I'm apprehensive especially since I tweaked my Achilles tendon carrying something heavy a couple of days ago but I'm as ready as I have ever been.

I would like to recognize a few of my training partners for all the hours we have spent together over the past couple of months; Craig, Larry, Randy, Steve and Dennis. I have enjoyed the hours, heat, hills and conversations that made time fly and training fun. Of course I also enjoyed a cold beverage and good conversation after our runs concluded !

Good Luck to Me and To All

Mike

Jitters

I always get a “Case Of The Nerves” prior to a big race, with a week to go before the Catoctin 50K the self questioning and doubts begin.

Most runners I imagine struggle with pre-race jitters questioning their training, resolve and for this race their sanity. This race is thirty two plus miles of hot humid hills, rocks and bugs. It is hard enough on anyone of any age in good shape. At last years finish I assisted several friends walking around babbling after the race had taken it's toll.

Why am I doing this?

To be honest I just don't know. 

Mike 

Friday the 13th

Feeling sorry for yourself is useless waste of energy.

As ludicrous as it sounds I got up yesterday planning to run eighteen or twenty miles only to realize that my insides were reluctant to comply, I was to say the least very unhappy and border line depressed. After several morning trips to “The Can” I decided I'd head out with Molly for at least something. Something, ended up being five miles, actually, dispatched rather quickly, I felt relief.

Relief did not last, so a couple of hours later sprints to thee loo replaced L.S.D (Long Slow Distance, for any of you wondering)

Around noon, I just couldn't stand it anymore so I headed out for another run, this one somewhere around six miles. It helped,  but running, while normally suppressing a lot of bad feelings doesn't last. By eight o'clock last night I was “Toast”, the seat of my toilet and my “Arse” would connect about eight times prior to midnight. I was getting sore, pissed off and feeling sorry for myself. Having pain pills left over from surgery I downed one and finally sometime after midnight got to sleep.

Today, my hands hurt, my feet are going numb again. I realize I am ahead of the curve but do not have the ability or strength to shake everything off .

Tomorrow, tomorrow is another day and probably will be better. On second thought tomorrow is Friday the 13^th. Yikes !

Mike

PS> Not trying to be a “Debbie Downer” but I think I should be honest

Good Results

Last night I woke up chilled, pulling a light blanket over me to get back to sleep. What a great change after multiple one hundred degree days and hot muggy nights !

There is much I could write since my last post but perhaps the most important tidbit of information are the results of the latest “Journey Up The Colon” came back and they are good. I can admit now that I was on “Pins and Needles” since the Colonoscopy but now I breath a little easier.

Training is almost over for the Catoctin 50K, I am hoping that time spent here instead of Michigan will pay dividends. Last week I managed fifty five miles, most miles coming from three jaunts in hot, humid, bug biting conditions. This week I'll probably get in at least one long one of fifteen plus miles and then start a two week taper before the race. Overall, I'm pleased with my progress, still, “The Price To Be Paid” after some of these runs is difficult to deal with. Even so, I am pretty sure that as I push my limits it slowly extends them, I see no reason to change course.

My hands and feet are a concern as I see no improvement, there are times in the morning it feels as though progress is made but as the day wears on my hands hurt more and my feet loose feeling. Most of the numbness in my feet is limited to my toes but on occasion it can extend back to mid foot.

As I have posted before, Reiki has been instrumental in my recovery and every so often I have an experience, almost “Out of Body”, this happened Friday. I had started the day, taking the dog for a few short miles feeling good. Later, while getting ready to leave for my Reiki session I got a headache, one of those thumping temple types that informs you each time your heart beats.

Just before my session started I mentioned the headache to Dee and Lorette. Lorette started reflexology on my thumbs, minutes after Dee started Reiki a chill descended upon me, almost like stepping outside after a hot summer storm into “The Fresh, Cool, Clean Air”. The headache was completely gone and had there been a bed nearby I could have been completely out on it.

Summer is halfway through, it won't be long before leaves start to turn, cooler days lead to crispy nights nights and I may wake up one morning realizing I can feel all my toes. Now that's something to look forward to.

Stay Happy All............ Mike

Dis and Dat

The storms that rolled through our area Saturday Evening caused widespread damage leaving more then a million people without power.

Saturday evening we were entertaining, good wine, food and company was followed by this storm. This proved to be great entertainment for my best friend Joe, his wife Mel and daughter Laura, back east from San Hose. The lightning show was exquisite, bolt after bolt providing a stroboscopic effect, raindrops frozen in mid-air as claps of thunder echoed across the hilltop. Soon, we became part of the million people without power but flashlights, quickly located kept our evening rolling on.

After twenty some odd hours power was restored, only to have it knocked out again by a UPS driver backing into our driveway Monday afternoon. We have a backup generator that allows us to power some devices, but, as I tried to complete a job involving a computer (not on the generator circuit) it's uninterpretable power supply could not handle the generated power. Damn, UPS I hollered out loud..... Kevin..... managed to catch the irony that I had missed. UPS (United Parcel Service) and Uninterpretable Power Supply (UPS). Well, it made me laugh.

All right on other matters, my training is going well even if there is a “Price to Pay”. It seems that any run over fifteen miles will send my guts into some sort of satanic rite for a few hours afterwords. To be honest I am amazed that I can possibly carry so much undue and unnoticed weight for everything exiting is some sort of solid. Sorry guys, hate to talk “Bathroom” but it's a normal part of my life now.

We are not going to Michigan this year which is just tragic, I had hoped for three weeks but it simply won't work out. Kids have different needs, money is tight and JP simply is not available. The “Good News” is that instead of running early in the morning in fifty or sixty degree low humidity temps of Michigan, I'll get to train for my “come Back Catoctin 50K” in the wonderful hot and muggy conditions of Maryland in July. As “Bill Murray” once said, “Caddy Shack”, “I've Got That Going For Me and That's Nicccccce !

So, July the Fourth, instead of being at the “Log Saw” at Amasa MI, I'll be out on the trails running a relaxed twenty with friends.

The past week returned me to the times whom I was prior to cancer, it is amazing how the presence of a special friend can make you forget the present and transport you directly into the past. This was my week with Joey, I was no longer “Cancer Survivor” I was just Mike, we just played golf, drank some beers and enjoyed a couple family dinners . I only wished the “Golf Gods” had been kinder to my friend, but with a bum elbow they punished Joey, .... until and until ..... they decided they should entice him back with some stellar play on our final two holes.

Thanks Joe, I had a blast !

Mike

Up the Butt Again

Yesterday I was put to sleep with the same drug that took Michael Jackson to his permanent sleep. Perhaps that explains why I woke up with echos of “Thriller” ringing in my head. Perhaps however they were playing Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits while I was under. I can just picture the Doc “Moon Walking” across the floor just as he “Wanna Be Startin Something”, it could get worse as later the tracks move on to “Beat It”. Yikes, glad I was asleep! I imagine it's good no one would have thought “Pretty Young Thing” as my bare ass hung out on the edge of the table. Whew...Got by that one.

I imagine the outcome of yesterdays Colonoscopy was good but it will be two weeks before I'll know anything definitive. As it sits today, I know I have added Hemorrhoids and Diverticulitis to the new me. Dr. Yang removed some unwelcome visitors but did not seemed concerned. “Got that going for me and that's ..... nice”.

This morning was one of those rare Maryland June mornings, crisp and cool, blue skies with white fluffy clouds. I went out for a short trail run with Molly but the cool air and the feeling of being alive compelled me to add a few more than planned. Another gift added to the pile of them.

I am a Gemini, supposedly having “Dual Personalities”, two rounds of golf this past week exposed both. First came “Stone Hands Mike”, a gent capable enough with a wood or iron but the proverbial eight hundred pound gorilla with a chipping device or putter. Yes, I was able to turn a low eighties round into a smooth ninety three. My second round exposed a somewhat more capable gorilla who actually made a couple of birdie putts and could keep a chip shot on the putting surface. This gorilla shot a seventy eight something.

Seventy eight something? “What the hell is that”, you might ask.

Well, on the last hole I had eighty yards to the green, perfect for my sand wedge. As the club smacked into the ball it also smacked something lurking just under the surface of the grass stinging my hands propelling the golf ball one hundred percent sideways.

Justification is a wonderful think, “I'm not taking that crap, it's the "Month of Mike”; I dropped another ball and struck it twenty five feet from the pin. Ahhhhh... that's better, I'm happier and what the Hell does it matter anyway. Guess I'll have to turn in my USGA membership but worse things have happened.

Stay Happy and Recognize the simple pleasures we receive are gifts.... Mike

Stuff on My Plate

There is much on my plate today, more then I would like to deal with but that's just the way it goes.

This past Saturday, after a really good sixteen mile training run I got slammed and spent four long hours in and out of the bathroom. This was a total surprise as I had no indication that I was hauling around some extra “training weight”. Needless to say, after-wards, I was quite sore in the “Never Regions”, concerned about my hosting duties for the F.M.O. (Fathers Mothers and Others) picnic / run.

A good nights sleep, aided by one of my Root Canal Pain pills, erased my concerns about my picnic with the day going off without a hitch. In fact, with the exception of falling asleep on the couch later in the evening, missing the end of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament, it was perfect.

Joey flies into town and we'll head up to Cacapon on Saturday for a round of golf.

Looking ahead, I have a Colonoscopy scheduled for Monday. I am not worried about the procedure, it is the results that concern me.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed since my legs won't be.

Mike

Month of Mike Update

The “Month of Mike” rolls along bolstered by the news that tests my Mother had earlier in the week went well.

This week I savored Maryland Blue Crabs, celebrated my birthday and perhaps equally important sit at my desk today with the title of “Family Golf God”.

Yes, as confident as my brother Tim might have been, the Golf Gods are fickle, there was no smiling down on him Sunday. Though my play was far from stellar it was good enough to pad my wallet with a five dollar bill transferred from the vanquished. I am not making predictions but I was pleased if not shocked by how well I (sometimes) hit the golf-ball.

Following an ugly day yesterday our fortunes reversed with a picture perfect morning. I headed out with my running pal Randy for a nine mile run and started to feel like I have in years past, as if I'm floating along instead of running. Randy noticed it as well when he announced, “Mike you look real smooth today”. Our nine miles completed I was ready for more yet common sense held me back, I have to teach this evening.

The only discomfort felt while running came from the surgical incisions. Sunday morning I stumbled on the trails, not falling but extending my trunk forwards in a jolting move pulling at scar tissue. Top that off with the twisting and turning from a golf swing and there you have it. I suspect it will be quite some time before this will fully heal but I tell myself each time I do this will be, “One Less.”

FMO (Fathers Mothers and Others) run this weekend, really looking forward to hosting again.

Stay Happy All..... Mike

Every Thing Relative

Today I was fortunate enough to have a Reiki session with Dee; these are always a blessing.

After we finished, I met and spoke with another man, just about the same age who had a Rectal Cancer and has been through almost exactly the same experience as I. The difference...... after six months of his reversal, life is either fighting chronic diarrhea  or constipation. Tall and thin he looked in good shape, albeit somewhat tired but nothing to indicate the turmoil he has gone through.

At six months he wears an adult diaper and returns from work exhausted and couch bound.

He does not suffer from some of  the other side effects of chemo as I but even so..... Good lord, I am so fortunate.

Last night with the aid of a low end pain pill, (one I got for my tooth ache)  I slept the entire night, I think it's the first time in a year I have done so.

Progress My Friends

Mike

Month of Mike II

For years the month of June has been “The Month of Mike” in the O'Grady household.

Typically the month kicks off with the annual Mount Saint Mary's Alumni Golf Tournament, followed by my birthday, fathers day, Joe and Mel's pilgrimage back home, several charity golf events, lots of good eating, running and beer drinking.

Last year, “The Month of Mike” came to an abrupt stop; the month that I always looked forward to and enjoyed with reckless abandon withered like a crop in a drought. Individual events brought joy and happiness yet my head simply could not revel in my month.

A year later I am pleased to report that “The Month of Mike” is back ! There are changes, I can't hit a golf ball as far (I'm fifteen pounds lighter), regulated beer drinking is the norm and cautious optimism replaces reckless abandon.

The first two days of June found me recovering from an infected jaw and an emergency root canal. If I were “into” pain I certainly would have described it as exquisite, an unrelenting rhythmic stabbing timed to each beat of the heart. Pain pills were almost useless but the shot of antibiotics in my “bum” and the two different prescriptions have reversed the infection.

The annual alumni golf outing revealed Jekyll and Hyde golf swings; a smooth swing produced excellent shots, albeit shorter then normal, while a little added oomph in the swing produced mind boggling dead right to right bullets leaving one less ball in the bag. Similar to previous years, our team performed well enough to have fun and enjoy our day.

Yesterday (June 3ed), Sue and I headed for the North Face Trail Half Marathon. Last year just prior to the start of the race I “Graced” a Port-O-John praying that I would get through the race without any accidents. At that point I had completed five weeks of Radiation an Chemotherapy treatments feeling remarkably well... considering. My Nephew Matt and I had a good race yet on the ride home I remember breaking down wondering if I had run my final trail race. Now, a year later I was here again, more confident, lighter and better trained hoping to break two hours and finish in the top one hundred runners.

No two trail runs are ever the same, even when they cover the exact same ground, the North Face would be no exception. Heavy rains late in the week combined with feet from of hundreds of Saturday runners churned portions of trail to resemble well used cow pastures. Perhaps due to the number of runners in the Half Marathon (almost six hundred) the organizers would “Wave Start” runners. While this makes a good deal of sense if the waves are based upon projected times, it penalizes faster runners placed in a second or third wave when assignment is random. Once runners reach the single track trails it's often difficult to pass slower runners and you must adjust to their pace whilst looking for a safe place to attempt to get by. I was “second wave”

As the second wave started I ran near the front and managed to catch some of the slower first wave runners before we merged onto the trail. Occasionally glancing at my Garmin I noted paces from eight and a half to eleven minute miles as I worked my way through runners. Finally, at about four miles the only hill on the course slowed most runners to a walk while I ran passing a dozen or more to get to a faster group.

All in all starting in the second wave cost me a few minutes, having to tie an unlaced shoe cost me another but I ran well finishing in just under two hours six minutes, winning my age group and finishing seventy-sixth.

With a little over two miles to go two “young guys” passed me wearing water bladders on their backs. I have nothing against those packs, many of my trail running friends use them all the time but for this race, on a cool morning they spoke to me of “inexperience”. As soon as we were off single track I saw the young guns fifty or sixty yards ahead and closed the gap. Their breathing seemed labored and their feet sounded loud (perhaps indicating fatigue), though I was pushing myself I was comfortable. “OK, here we go Guys”, I thought and picked up the pace. For a couple hundred yards we ran together until I kicked up the pace again. It worked and I started pulling ahead. With less then a half mile to go I figured I was clear of them until I heard their feet. Looking over my left shoulder I verified they had caught me.... though I didn't say it...... I thought, “Guys, if you are going to beat me it's going to hurt”. They didn't beat me and yes it hurt; just after crossing the finish line my belly complained with dry heaving since I had been “bad”. Well sometimes “Bad” is “Good” and I was happy.

Sitting in the Beer Garden with a cold beer, my loving wife, brother, sister in law, nephew and friends the world was good again. To fully restore my Universe I'll have to beat my brother Tim at Golf to reclaim my title as "Family Golf God". That goal Tim annouced, "Will be a while".

The Month of Mike has started well.