Just an update on Anna - they ran some tests today to see if they could pinpoint why she has been so ill with fever, etc. They knew it wasn’t solely attributable to the cancer b/c her AFP count was down (I have never asked what that stood for - I just know it goes up and down with cancer). Anyway, it turns out that she has pneumonia. She is on oxygen now and has perked up a little but she is apparently miserable. Her mom said that they will have to scope her to find out what kind and how to treat it. I don’t know what that entails, please just pray that they can schedule it quickly and that she’ll feel better soon. Until then, it’s another stay in the hospital.

16 miles. The second half of which ranks high as one of the hardest (physical) things I've ever done. If not for my teammate running with me, I have no doubt that I could not have finished. I have not been able to train as consistently in the past two-three weeks for various reasons and boy, could I tell it today during the endurance run. Luckily, things have calmed down now so I can get back on schedule. The first nine miles were so easy that I thought it was going to be okay but the last seven were incredibly difficult. Running with a team that is so supportive of each other makes such a difference.

That's it to report today as far as running. Tomorrow I suspect my stiffness is going to be even worse. Yikes. I sat in an ice bath after the run, I'm not sure how much it helped.

Anna is not feeling at all well and they can't find a specific cause. Please keep her in your prayers.

Hi, all. First, let me explain that my home computer has caught a nasty virus and cannot go to the doctor for a while and I can’t sign on to my blog from my work computer. So, this is why I have not been posting. However, I’ll be sending posts through my friend, Lisa, who is also doing the marathon so cheers for her.

Training is going well - the longer miles are tough. Tomorrow is 16 miles. 16!! Earlier, I map quest (is that a verb?) my current address in OKC to my former in Norman, to see how many miles it was in comparison to the marathon. it's only 22.7 miles. it's actually shorter to run b/w those two towns than I'll be running in the marathon. As I told some others, I just can’t think about it that way - until after, and then it will be cool. ; )

I signed the recommitment form today - meaning that I’m committed to the marathon no matter what on fund-raising. If I don’t meet the $3500 minimum (although $500 short of my goal), I’ll cover the remainder. It’s a cause I believe in so I don’t mind the giving - but it won’t be easy for me either so hopefully, we can make it. I’m currently $655 from my goal. Although, I am working an event in September that will add $60 to the fund-raising. So, it’s $595. There will be some more efforts in September, I’m confident that it will be fine.

Now, on to more important topics, Anna got to start kindergarten! Her family doesn’t know how long she’ll be able to go but right now, she has been able to go a little. It’s half-day so that helps. She doesn’t always make it the full half-day but she tries hard. She isn’t feeling well right now and it isn’t clear whether she’s going to feel better at any point. It’s a just a wait and see game. She recently told her mother, who said she was flabbergasted since she always concentrates on being strong for Anna, "I like it sometimes when you cry, because it makes me think you know how bad it hurts." And yet she’s still so miraculously determined. She wants to go to school even though she is very tired. She sat in her jog stroller one day the whole time, but she was in the circle and answering questions. She answers questions for me all the time, without even trying.

Another injury ... although not really an injury in a real sense. I have hesitated to run this week as I unfortunately seem to have strained my flexar muscle ... or some muscle, that could be the wrong name. But I saw the orthopedic dr. today - who knew I'd ever have one of those for my very own, and he said it was nothing about which to be concerned, more or less. So, all is well, I suppose.

A short run this Saturday, as I mentioned, and then we're leaving for vacation. Yay! We go to the same place every year and every Saturday morning they have a 5K - I've never participated before but this year, I'll definitely be doing that.

I'll post after the run on Saturday.

Anna and her family came home from their vacation. She had a marvelous time and her family was told by so many what an inspiration they were. I wonder if they really have any idea the magnitude of their strength.