Behind the Scenes

I'm Coming Back!!

Hey Guys --

I know many of you may have given up on me -- why not? -- I have let you down and haven't written since the marathon in November -- well in case you haven't noticed --  alot has happened to me since then - there is work to be done and a wedding to plan!!

So, in an effort to jump onto a new routine - a bridal bootcamp if you will - I'd like to return and could really use the support -- this is going to be short for now, but updates are coming --

I promise I'll be back soon....

Best,

Schully

November 5, 2008: 38,355 Runners and Me!!!

So it is done -- after all the training and complaining and running and running and running -- after 5 hours 12 minutes and 6 seconds, I completed the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday.  It was the most exhilirating, ambitious, amazing thing I've ever attempted to do and I had fun, am exhausted and very sore but if you ask me if I would do it again -- I would say yes without blinking an eye.

Saturday night, David took me to the famous pasta dinner at Tavern on the Green -- throughout the day on Sunday I grew more and more nervous at one point making myself so ill, that I almost threw up -- I followed an eating plan of all carbs and protein - no fiber or vegetables which would screw up my system before the race..   -- it was crowded at Tavern and I was feeling nervous and ill so I tried to have some pasta before David rescued me -- but not before taking a souvenir photo -- we then went home -- he bought me my favorite pasta from Quattro Gatti for the 3rd night in a row and I was able to fall asleep on the couch after he forced me to eat -- it is crucial to carbo-load....

Needless to say, I didn't sleep very well and with the time change and worrying if I had set my clock back (I set 3 alarms before I went to bed) -- but I got up -- took Molly for a walk and then at 6:00am set out for my great adventure -- thanks to ASICS (where would we be without the generosity of ASICS!!)  I got to go on a special VIP bus which left the city at 7:00am -- I sat next to some very nice Dutch guys who helped distract me on the way asking me to point out different NYC sites   -- but as we neared Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island -- my nerves were definitely in full force ---

I have to say it is all so organized - different villages depending on what color your number is - Elyssa and I were both Green - Cindy was Orange -- this was my view from the bus as we approached including a view of the (gulp!) starting line...

Once we arrived -- it was freezing cold -- I had worn extra sweatshirts and sweatpants, but it was so cold - Cindy wound up taking comfort in a garbage bag for warmth ..

Thankfully, my trainer Sid (god bless him) -- got up early and travelled to Staten Island just to stretch me so that I would be properly warmed up before the race -- he has been my personal trainer since the first fitness challenge, so he has stuck by me (helped me win twice) and wanted me to do my best -- he is a true gem -- my grandmother would have called him a "mensch!"

Then, before we knew it, the announcement was made to line up in our corrals -- so after taking some last minute photos - lined up and looked at each other when we heard a loud boom and realized it was the starting gun!! -- then off we went -- sadly the two of us were on the bottom of the Verrazano Bridge so we were freezing and I could barely feel my legs when we started to run -- but as soon as we started all the nerves and butterflies went away and I just was able to run and have a good time -- and as we passed the first group of spectators on an overpass (after passing all the clothes and people going to the bathroom on the side of the road) I realized this was going to be the coolest thing I would ever do...

Then the running started -- through the streets of Brooklyn -- really one of the highlights for me -- crowds on either side calling out my name -- cheering me on to keep going -- I was feeling strong - the training actually works!! -- It was amazing -- words cannot describe it -- then finally, I hit my first spectators --- my friends Tara and Bill were my "outer borough" cheering team -- stationed between mile 10 and 11 in Brooklyn -- all of a sudden I saw Tara's red balloons and ran over --   it was just the lift I needed to carry me through the remaining miles to Queens -- and Manhattan was only a few miles away...

Then after 2 hours and 28 minutes - I got to Queens and the halfway point   -- I was thrilled --- and then not long after that -- I was running through Long Island City and spotted what would be the turning point of the race for me -- the Queensborough Bridge (also known as the 59th Street Bridge) -- I was so excited --- because I knew the crowds of First Avenue were on the other side --

But it turned out to be much longer and much harder than I thought -- my legs felt like they were in quick sand - I was ready to walk -- my phone rang -- it was my friend Jan from work on the phone - she was telling me where she was on First Avenue -- I told her I was losing it -- she told me I wasn't -- and then before I knew it I started to hear the cheers and then end of the bridge and then I saw the crowds -- I actually started to cry I was so happy -- 16 miles down and I was finally in Manhattan!!!!

   Now I was lucky enough to have someone waiting for me every 10 blocks or mile depending on where I was -- I was on 60th street and Jan was on 71st street -- in my head as each block went by -- "7 blocks to Jan, 6 blocks to Jan....." until finally -- there she was!!!      

Jan has a good friend Amanda who was with her and who I also know and before I knew it -- she jumped the barricade and told me she would run with me -- it was a godsend!! -- she got me going - adrenaline racing and off I went up First Avenue -- next stop -- David, my brother Jason and stepmother Carol -- I was so happy to see them I started to cry!! -- Not the greatest photo I know -- but the best I have -- you get the idea --

Next up on Team Schully -- were my friends Joan, Rich , Rhonda & Jill -- who greeted me with tons of signs and cheers ---

Then came my friend Rainy who was at 115th and First Avenue at mile 19 -- now comes the hardest part of the race - your legs are starting to give out - I was eating "Gu" like it was going out of style to replenish my body and the crowds were getting thin -- she surprised me by dressing in her running clothes and she joined Amanda and me as we continued running out of Manhattan and into Borough #5 -- The Bronx ---  it was tough -- but the two of them kept me going --you are only in the Bronx for one mile but it is brutal -- but thanks to Rainy, Amanda and the return of Tara and Bill -- I made it through --

Now you are in the home stretch -- 6.2 miles to go as Rainy said to me it is an episode of "Desperate Housewives" -- but it was definitely starting to take its toll - I was slowing down -- but these two kept me going -- just in time to see my next cheering squad -- the return of David along with his mother and her husband Gary -- David's mother made me a banner complete with a sketch taken from my SELF magazine photo --  I was moving -- not stopping - only walking a short time at each water stop -- switching between gatoraid and water -- and then I got to see my college friends Celia and Lori and then finally my Dad, Barbara and my sister and her family - again complete with signs (I am very impressed with everyone's artistic instincts) --

Right after my dad -- the route turned into Central Park -- I was now felt that I had home field advantage -- I know every turn and every hill as I made my way south to the finish line -- along the way - Carol and Jason brought their dog Casey to the park who greeted me by rolling over for a rub and wanting to follow me --   

By this time -- Rainy had left me, but Amanda stayed with me(she ended up running 10 miles!!) -- I needed her to stay -- I can't tell you how tremendously helpful it was to have her there with me -- it truly kept me going and at a decent pace --

then came the sign I was waiting for --- 1 MILE TO GO!!!! ---   

With 400 meters to go -- they kicked Amanda off the course because she didn't have a number and then it was all me to the finish line -- there it was just like I had seen it a few days before ---

And then -- just like that I put my arms in the air and crossed the finish line

5 hours 12 minutes and 6 seconds after starting -- I was the 33,677th person to cross the finish line -- I had run the NYC Marathon!!!!

After you cross and you stop running, they keep you walking to keep the blood flowing in your legs -- but believe me you do not want to keep moving and my legs almost buckled right under me -- I then had to walk quite a ways with my medal around my neck and my coveted mylar blanket wrapped around me and met David -- All in all, it was a tremendous experience  - one that cannot be duplicated but if you ask me if I would do it again -- partway through Brooklyn I already knew the answer to that -- it is a resounding YES!!! -- the people of New York are amazing, I saw parts of the city I had never seen before and I tested myself and my body in a way I never had -- I still kind of can't believe I did it -- from years of watching it -- to now running it -- there are no words to describe how I feel --

Actually three days later there is one word.....SORE!!!! -- Monday I couldn't barely move - Tuesday my muscles were not my own - and tonight I'm going to get a much needed massage --

To all those who have been cheering me on - Thanks -- and to my family and friends who had to listen to me talk incessantly about it and then came out in force to cheer me on words can't express my thanks and love - especially my running bodyguards Rainy and Amanda -- and to David who took the biggest brunt of my stint in "Marathon Crazyland" -- I couldn't have done it without you -- behind every runner there is a cheerleader and he is definitely mine -- complete with a dozen red roses!!

Sorry for the long blog, but 26.2 miles is a long way to go -- thanks for reading -- thanks for the support -- we'll talk again soon -- Schully   

November 1, 2008: Tomorrow......

So it is Saturday morning at about 10:30am and I am realizing that tomorrow at this time I will be with 38,999 other runners crossing the Verrazano Bridge starting (gulp!) The ING NYC Marathon.....

If you ask me how I feel right now... scared, excited, nervous, anxious, .....ready? -- don' know about that last one, but as the say.. here goes nothing!!

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions -- having to go to work, run a little bit, trying to eat right and just having to deal with the constant butterflies in my stomach which don't go away.

There has not been much training this week -- I ran 5 miles on Sunday, then 3 miles on Tuesday and 3 miles on Thursday and that is about it -- most people might jog a little bit today, but my body has never agreed well with running 2 days in a row, so I 'm going to wing and just go for it tomorrow.

Running on Sunday in the park - I couldn't help but notice the banners indicating the marathon route and I have to admit I got a little thrill running through the bleachers where the finish line is going to be...

This week has also been about Halloween -- I hope you all saw me with my nephews in the Kids of "Live" Halloween Fashion Show - that was a good distraction but once that was over it was just about Sunday.

Thursday, Cindy, Elyssa and I trooped off to the Expo at the Jacob Javits Center to pick up our numbers -- that was the moment it all became real...

Once the number is in your hand - you know you are really going to do this thing --

Friday, after the spectacular Halloween show (good job Elyssa!!) -- Elyssa and Cindy and I ran over to Tavern on the Green to meet Rachel and Heather from ASICS who had shirts and stick on letters so that I can put my name on my shirt while I run (ASICS has been our saving grace and have taken very good care of us throughout the training) -- I'm going to put Lori on the front and Schully on the back -- figured I could use all the help I can get -- after we met up with them I forced them to walk over to see the finish line --

seeing it made this thing made it very real -- odd to think the next time I see the finish line will be hopefully when I'm crossing it.   I think it made us all a little excited.

Today is all about rest, catching up on the television shows I didn't get to watch all week and eating lots of carbs and lean proteins.  I did start the carbo-loading and had pasta and the best meatball I've ever eaten from our favorite restaurant Quattro Gatti last night.   Parts of training - like eating anything you want is definitely one of the perks... that will all come to an end on Monday I'm afraid.

Anyway - tonight David and I are going to the big pasta dinner at Tavern on the Green -- I figure if you are going to do this thing... do it right! -- who knows if I'll ever do it again and you only have one first time.

I guess the next time I'll write will be after it is all over -- thanks to my friends and family who have all been assigned to their spots along the route -- my friend Fran checked in with me from London this morning to wish me luck and a delivery of flowers just came from Colette in Denver --

And for those who checked in with my blog and were pleasantly surprised to find I had actually written thanks for your support and Nancy who said I almost brought her to tears, well your comment did the same thing for me.

See you on the finish line!!! --  Best, Schully

October 23, 2008 - Running, Running and More Running....

I know, I know -- where have I been? -- why no blog from Schully -- so after several complaints from family members, friends and a few of you... here I am, back in my blogging seat to get you up to date..

I don't know when it happened, but sometime in the past month, I became a runner -- I don't feel like a runner, and I don't live to run, but what started as a pasttime and a way to lose weight, has turned into a rather time consuming pursuit.   I am currently in the home stretch of my training for the NYC Marathon and am happily doing what is lovingly called "the taper." which I am finding to be the best part of the training -- but I'm getting a little ahead of myself and since I haven't written since August!! -- wow -- has it really been since August? -- I will catch you all up a little --

Before I begin, let me tell you that training for a marathon, any marathon but maybe especially the NYC Marathon is a grueling, amazing, awesome and horrible task -- you don't run because you want to run, you run because you HAVE to run and if you don't run, you know you won't be able to complete those 26.2 miles on November 2nd -- did I say that is only 9 days away!??!!?

In the beginning, it wasn't that bad --3 runs a week which got progressively longer -- I, along with Elyssa and Cindy have been following a training plan sent to us by ASICS, we are all part of the ASICS Editor's Team -- the long runs are always on Sunday.  Like I said, in the beginning it wasn't that bad 8 mile sunday runs, 10 mile sunday runs -- and since I ran the half marathon in July, it especially didn't seem that bad -- although the mileage kept going up as the weeks continued -- then, just in time to help me out.... my prize arrived....you guessed it.... wait for it... -- the TREADMILL!! - Thank You Star Tac and ASICS -- (I actually kept putting off getting it because I didn't quite know where it would fit in my NYC apartment)  --But it arrived and after being taken apart and then put back together has found a permanent home in my bedroom -- it is huge!! -- but I have to admit, I love having it and there were many days during this training that I never would have gotten my mileage in without the help of the treadmill and my TiVo!! -- I took some before and after photos of the area in my bedroom -- the room definitely got a lot smaller once the treadmill moved in!

  -- no question it has definitely saved my training!!

When the Sunday came when I had to do 14 miles, I had a horrible run -- it was an unusually hot September Sunday and I opted, having grown tired and restless with the Central Park loop, to run along the West Side Highway -- I ran from Central Park through to the West side and then got to 26th street from 95th Street,only about 6 miles, and then my legs wouldn't move -- I was completely discouraged -- bought some gatorade and somewhat worn down, took a taxi home where I only was able to run 3 more miles on the treadmill -- I was miserable -- how would I ever be able to do this thing!!?!!

Two weeks later, the mileage went up to 16 -- the day before I ate right - had lots of water and told myself if I couldn't make it through the 16  then I would bow out of the marathon -- I actually took a taxi to the westside from my home on the east side and started running -- it was an overcast cooler late September sunday morning and about 6 miles in, it started to rain -- but Schully did NOT give up -- after 3 hours, I completed the 16 miles -- wet, hobbling a bit -- but the run was done!!   Now I knew I had a chance at the marathon and so my training continued.....if I could run 16 miles in the rain, I could do anything and I knew that along the marathon course -- 16 miles gets you over the Queensboro Bridge into the screaming throngs of First Avenue in Manhattan..

The next week, the mileage went up to 18.. and I had a weekend planned to visit my brother in California and also to see my friends Fran and Steve who were travelling through the west coast from London -- I decided running 18 miles along the Pacific Ocean in the California sunshine would do me some good so Sunday morning I headed off -- it was gorgeous and made me want to move to California although I slowed down toward the end of the run and walked uphill from mile 16 to 17, but the 18 miles were done! -- another milestone accomplished.  -- Fran and Steve were staying at the very posh "Shutters" right on the beach and snapped some photos as I ran by -- clearly I am smiling because this was the beginning of my run - also I am wearing one of those "fuel belts" with gatorade and water -- essential when you are running long distances -- David likes to call it my "utility belt" like I'm batgirl or something.... but that and some "Gu" in my pockets defintely do the trick..

Following the long run of 18 miles -- I rewarded myself with a porterhouse steak at The Palm where my brother is the assistant manager -- I shouldn't have eaten it, but I i did -- all 20 ounces!!!    

The final long run was the following Sunday and was for 20 miles -- this is the longest run you do before you actually run the marathon.  Friday night of that weekend, I came down with a cold and Saturday I laid on the couch all day pretty sick.  I woke up Sunday morning with a plan to run with Elyssa and after much hemming and hawing and phone calls to more experienced runners - David kicked me out of the house and told me to get running!! (everyone needs a David in their corner - but you can't have mine) -- In the end, I figured if I could run 20 miles with a head cold, I could run 26.2 miles healthy -- so Elyssa and I met up on the west side and off we went - 4 hours later we had done it!! -- I felt good had a good run and feel like I can actually do this thing!! --

Now we are in "the taper," -- the runs are reduced by half every week leading up to the marathon -- last Sunday I had a lovely 10 mile run and returned to Central Park -- it was a beautiful fall day -- and you know that every runner out there was doing the same thing as me -- all trying to physically and mentally prepare.... On Tuesday, Elyssa, Cindy and I did a 3 mile run-- it seems like nothing! -- it is weird how your perspectives on distance changes as you train -- this Sunday is another 5 mile run  and then ....... well you know..

I definitely have had an ongoing relationship with the Marathon -- the very first year I lived in New York City, i volunteered and handed out water to runners on the 25 mile marker -- it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had in New York -- little did I know that 23 years later, I would be one of those runners --- it is something I never thought I would want to do, yet here I am --- a year ago, my friend Rainy celebrated her 40th birthday which coincided with Marathon Sunday and I remember sitting with David and he asked me if I would ever want to do it .. I emphatically said NO WAY!! -- so you never know what could happen to you in a year -- and never say never --

Thanks to anyone who sent in your solutions to my chafing problem -- they were very helpful -- i have found a product that really works -- actually ASICS, the sneaker company sent out their brand of chafing cream and it definitely works like a charm and someone said that before putting on your undergarments to use a blow dryer to thoroughly dry the troubled areas -- this works too and if you add some cornstarch - you will be all set....

On other fronts in the life of Schully -- David has hung in there with me as chief cheerleader ..losing me for hours at a time every Sunday and also helping to kick me out the door when I start to procrastinate and I think the big de-cluttering may be almost finished -- there is still much to do, but I have been doing the hard part lately -- going through boxes of old photos and memorabilia -- every Monday night when Kathleen and I get together it is an unbelievably hard walk down memory lane.

David continues to travel every week and last week arrived home with 13 pounds of cooked lobster from his travels in Maine -- so over came some friends and we had our own "Lobsterfest," -- complete with risotto and a lobster roll that bested my favorite lobster rolls from "4 Seas" in Osterville, Massachusetts and "The Rotary" in Nantucket.  David, as you can see was very proud of his lobsters.. and he even set them out on display so our guests could appreciate the $4.00 a pound buy he made -- and he was quite the visionary on his trip -- there was a news story today which said that lobsters are a good buy..  

Right now, though -- it is all about the Marathon -- it is pretty much the only thing there is room for in my brain -- with 9 days to go it is ever present .....and there you have it -- most of the trials and tribulations of my training -- I'll let you know how it goes...

Anyway, sorry for the absence, I won't make any promises, but if you only could read the blogs I've written in my head you would know I've been thinking of you --

best to all --

Schully

August 10, 2008 : The NYC Half, the Rocky Mountains and More!

So guys.. I did it!! -- In 2 hours 30 minutes and 8 seconds I ran 13.1 miles through Central Park and the streets of NYC - it was hot, it was humid, but the important thing is I did it and now I look forward towards the NYC marathon in November.

I was nervous about this race, because as many of you know I had been suffering from tendonitis in my achilles tendon and have been in physical therapy for the past 7 weeks.   After not running for a month and quite honestly not doing much of any working out, three weeks ago my physical therapist gave me the go ahead, to not only start running, but gave me permission to run in the half!!

I was shocked and scared -- how would I be able to do it with only 3 weeks preparation.  I contacted Heidi Jones, the local WABC-TV weather person and avid runner and a great running role model as well as Michael Conlon who had been working with her to train for the half.  They were terrific and Michael, through e-mail, literally talked me through the process week by week -- I started slow and slowly built up more mileage.

A week before the race, I became discouraged -- I was supposed to run 10 miles -- my last and really only long run outside prior to the race -- it was terribly hot and humid in NYC on that Sunday -- we were still in a heatwave -- but I was determined to run the 10 miles -- Well, wouldn't you know that about 30 minutes into the run I completely lost steam -- I started walking which I NEVER do and I just felt sick. It didn't help that the night before, David and I went to see "The Dark Knight" and only had popcorn for dinner -- not exactly the meal you want to have prior to a long run in the heat -- so I ended up walking some of the way--

Once I got home, I was beaten and discouraged, but managed to run 4 more miles on the treadmill that is in my building's basement. -- With that as my last long run I wasn't even sure if I could run the whole thing!!

The day before the race I did eat the right thing -- here is too much info for you -- it is a known fact that some people who run get the "runner's runs" -- I'll let your imagination figure that one out -- well I did not want that to happen to me, so I contacted my good friend Joy Bauer who was the nutritionist from the first challenge and she gave me a "diet" and some advice on what to eat and not to eat on the Friday and Saturday and even the morning of the race --

Friday consisted of eating a lot of vegetables and fiber -- to completely clean me out -- Saturday I completely carbo loaded -- I had a bagel with some cheese for breakfast, a turkey sandwich on white toast for lunch and spaghetti and meatballs for dinner which was shared with David (of course) as well as Tara and Bill -- Tara is my WABC-TV running buddy -- we did the More Magazine Half Marathon together in April and I helped talk her into this one and Bill is her boyfriend who also works at Eyewitness News -- with all those carbs (when do I ever eat all those carbs!!!) -- I was set for the run and thanks to Joy's advice the "Runner's Runs" were a thing of the past!!

That morning I woke up at 4:30am and walked Molly -- and much to my chagrin we were greeted with thunder and lightening -- we got home without being rained on, but I was set to meet Tara and Bill at 6:10am and it was pouring -- they were not letting 10,000 people into Central Park in a thunderstorm, but miraculously at about 6:30am, the rain subsided and we got in our corral -- I met up with Elyssa and Barbara Warren as well as Tara and Bill and we all waited to begin the race.   

Before we knew it we crossed the starting line (it took about 15 minutes to get to the start line from where we were) and headed around Central Park for the first 7 miles of the race which also proved to be the hardest thanks to the hills at the north of the park

I tried to keep up with Tara and Bill, but they left me after the first mile -- thankfully I had told David and my stepmother Carol to be waiting around mile 6 and also just as I got there, my good friend Rainy (who ran the marathon last year) -- called me -- yes  I carried a cell phone --

I said hello and then I was on my way! --

The highlight of the race was running out of Central Park and running down 7th Avenue and through Times Square -- it was a thrill!! -- The hard part was over and now literally the course was all downhill from there -- I couldn't resist pulling out the camera and taking some photos -- it was fun!!

 After going through Times Square, the race took a right turn down 42nd street to the West Side Highway -- I have to admit I was struggling from miles 9 - 11 -- but just as planned, my Dad and other members of my family was standing complete with signs to cheer me on at mile 11 -- it was awesome -- you don't realize how important it is to have those spectators along the route -- it keeps you going -- and gets you to the finish --

I got to the finish line at 2:30:08 -- which was what I was hoping for -- not as good as my first half marathon, but I was happy that I didn't lose a lot of time considering I really only trained for 3 weeks -- so I was pretty happy -- and the best part is, is that you get a medal --- and seeing everyone at the end!!

That last photo is of me with my brother Jason who made the effort to wake up early and come down to Battery Park to see me finish.  Special thanks to my family who came through yet again -- under the direction of chief cheerleader David -who went from uptown to downtown quicker than me!  It was a good day and got me excited for the NYC Marathon in November -- I'm not sure how I feel about running twice as long or twice as far as I did on July 27th, but there is no better feeling that being cheered on in the streets of New York City!!

After another busy week at work -- we are starting to wind down for the summer, I took last Friday off and headed west to Denver, Colorado to visit my friend Colette and her husband Tom -- David stayed home and was in charge of watching Molly for the weekend, which he did with flying colors!

Colette and Tom come to NYC every few months or so, so  I haven't gone to Denver very often since she moved there 8 years ago - in fact I only went once - so it was time to go and what I found in Denver was not only one of my best friends, her husband and her dog, but the real beauty in America. Sounds corny I know, but the Rocky Mountains were beautiful.

On the second day of my visit, we hopped in the car and headed to Rocky Mountain State Park - no hiking on this day, but we drove to the top of the mountain where I found elk and lots of snow in the 100 degree heat of the Denver summer --

It was a fun day and the high altitude made walking difficult -- it is crazy that when you are 2 or miles above sea level makes you so short of breath.   

The next day, we all went hiking -- I thought that was pretty good exercise -- since the race the weekend before, I kind of took the week off from running - just needed a break before the intense marathon training begins -- We took Colette's dog Galley (a portuguese waterdog) -- as well as Galley's best friend Ben (a chocolate lab) -- and his owner Maryjo - it was time for Schully to embrace nature which I did -- it was a fun day --

It was a great weekend -- and like I said -- the rockies are beautiful, I can see why Colette lives there -- not to mention she has a backyard with her very own garden!! -- complete with corn on cornstalks which she grew from seeds!! -- and I wish that Galley and Molly could meet -- I know they would be best friends too -- it made me feel bad that Molly only has the rambles in Central Park and Galley has the whole of the Rocky Mountains!! --   

Once home, I arrived at 2:00am on Monday morning and then got up at 5:00am to go to work -- we had an interesting week of co-hosts with Kelly.   On other fronts, the clutter clean up is continuing, I promise to include photos of the progress in my next blog entry (yes -- there will be another blog entry!!!) -- and as far as my eating and exercise regime goes -- I have to admit to you - my weight has gone up a bit, but my clothes still fit and now with the marathon on the horizon, i think the weight will come off as well --

This week I started marathon training in earnest -- essentially I run 3-4 days a week -- Tuesdays are usually about 4 miles with some sort of drill - either uphill or aerobic which helps increase your speed and helps you with the hills - Thursdays have a shorter run -- usually about 6 miles and Sundays are reserved for a longer run -- today for example I ran 9 miles -- I'm hoping to increase my speed a little, but mostly I'm just hoping I can run the thing -- crazy!! -- I can't help thinking that I won't be able to make it -- but I guess that is what the training is for -- I am folowing a training schedule provided by ASICS for me.

Well, for the non- believers, I hope this catches you up on what I've been doing - and I still apreciate and read your comments and hope to check in more -- things have lightened up considerably, so I hope to write in regularly -- I hope you will have the patience to hang in there with me -- I appreciate it --

And just on a side note -- David is still cooking for me -- tonight he cooked a lovely chilean seabass with white artichokes and morell mushrooms -- it was amazing -- I ate it before I had a chance to take a photo - but it was right off a menu!! --

I guess you are all caught up -- thanks for your support as always -- sorry if you've felt ignored -- just because I'm not writing, doesn't mean I don't want to or have forgotten about it --

Have a good one ! -- Schully