"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Thursday, April 19, 2012

Fall, Funeral, Fun

Okay...the only thing that relates to each other is the stupid word "fall". It all began when we left for a funeral for a dear friend, Bill Gasparrini. He had been battling cancer since September and he fought back hard. This was a sad thing to have to do. He touched our lives in ways we honestly can't explain. Guess it was all about his character, who he was, what he believed in and his strength, perservance and fervor for life. He seemed to be a quiet man and somehow you're drawn to love, admire and want what he was made of. We decided to go to the funeral kinda at the last minute. We knew we wouldn't know anyone there except for our running friends in the Gulf Coast Running Club, but that wasn't why we were going.

We woke up that morning and decided to go for a run since the funeral was close to lunch and we weren't far. After all, I could see Bill doing the same thing. I love the run and challenge the Biloxi/Ocean Springs Bridge gives me, so, off we went. Thuoght I'd go to the top and back again to the room to get ready. When I got to the peak I just couldn't not go all the way over. After all, all I could think about was what would Bill do? When I completed the bridge, over and back, I was back on the road to finish. I began to pick up the pace a little since I was running flat. As I got near the end with about .20 of a mile left, it happened. I was airborn and took a nasty fall. Oh, yeah, it was asphalt for breakfast. I had crossed the road and was stepping up onto the sidewalk again and my toe grabbed the curb and sent me flying. I'm a toe-runner and this is one of the disadvantages...or at least, it's mine. I hit the ground hard. Having on shorts and a short sleeve shirt exposed me to more man-made, unforgiving materials. While still on the ground the hurt began! Oh, my, even my left shoulder was hurting. I stood up and saw blood all over my left leg, knuckles and right hand and arm. It seems I fell on my knee, slid on my shin and falling onto my forearm all the way down to my shoulder. My right hand began to burn BAD. Looking at it, I knew I had left DNA all over the place. A little chunk of flesh was missing and there was a bad place on my elbow. Pain was all I could think and I wanted to cry REAL bad!! Thankfully, I was not in a race because I couldn't run any more and would have had to walk. I limped across the 4-lane to the hotel. This really messed up my good run for the morning. When I got into the shower, I was burning from shoulders to shin. Of course, I had NO bandaids, antibiotic creams or anything. Since we almost didn't even go, we came with the bare necessities. Putting ice on my knee and hand really helped until I could get to a drugstore to buy something I already had plenty of at home.

Shortly, we were on the way to the funeral except that I wasn't able to wear my black hose with my dress. I took a picture but couldn't bare to share it. I looked terrible! Thankfully, it wasn't about me or what I was wearing. The funeral was an honorable one. Many that were close to him, running with him for the last many weeks at his home every week, were there.

Now, on to the fun, right?? The next day was the Diversity Dash 5k [re-named from the Color Run]. I was so excited about this race as it was the first time I was going to get to run with my granddaughters. Shelby runs a mile at cheer practice but the other two had never run before. Either way, I knew it was going to be a challenge since I was still hurting a lot. At least, I knew we would walk some and I'd definitely not be running like I would be if I was really racing. Boy, was I glad that they've never raced! It was necessary to put a large bandage over my knee and palm to keep out the colored powder cause I knew I was going to be drenched. Knowing we were going to walk and run, we started in the back of the pack of over 500 to avoid anyone falling over us trying to pass.

Here are some of the photos taken at the Dash starting with me and my girls. Oh, yeah, the girls and I wore ribbons written in rainbow colored letters spelling "AWESOME" and that's what we were that special day!

All clean and ready to run: Bailey, Me, Shelby and Kyra

My bestest running buddies: Jan, Frank, Me, Deleica and Serina

Action shot BEFORE we got to the colored powders: Kyra, Me, Bailey

Shelby and Bailey coming in to the Finish Line

Me and Kyra taking the last few strides

Me, Serina and Deleica after the race

Me, Serina, Shelby, Bailey, Frank, Jan and Deleica in the very back. This was a lot of fun to do with all my running friends and granddaughters!

The girls and I all "colored" up. I am SO proud of them!! Remember, they've never run or raced before.

A final picture of all us girls.


And it wouldn't be complete without the photographers...Kent and Myssey. Thanks for everything!!

One final thing. After my minor procedure on Monday, I had the doctor to look at my boo-boos. I was still so very sore and continue to hurt a lot. Guess it was because the worse places were on bone. He had a question as to whether I had broken a bone in my hand. Said to keep an eye on it. Due to the procedure, I can't run for a few days. But this time, I'm working on walking in order to keep going during this time. So far, it's worked after 48 hours of healing. I'm fine...nothing's wrong; just something that has to be done 4-5 months. It's really hard to work through these times, being a runner and wanting to be on the road every day. So, as each beautiful day pass, I'm looking forward to when I can again

Run 4 It

1 comment:

Ed Wheeler said...

Another great Robbie post! thanks for those descriptions and especially for all the grest pix! Hope those injuries have quickly disappeared---see ya'll soon! Ed

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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