Free at last, free at last. I thank God I'm free at last.

Liberating words indeed from a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King. These words came to mind a week ago for reasons other than what Dr. King used them for. I finally was able to cast off the “medical chains” that have held me back for months from confidently training for my upcoming marathons in Europe and surprisingly, enjoying day-to-day activities with my family and friends. Let me explain.

For months my two doctors (Dr. Mues and Dr. Ireland) and I have been trying to find a blood pressure medication and associated dosage that would protect my heart and control my marginally high blood pressure without causing adverse side affects. The beta-blocker (Metoprolol) I started with caused fatigue, dizziness when standing from a sitting position, circulation problems, etc., and they are famously known to hurt running/athletic performance. Frankly, while on this medication I wasn’t the most fun person to be around … my family can attest to that! I couldn’t effectively complete my workouts. Luckily, cutting the dosage in half gave me an opportunity to run and complete my first marathon in August (see prior blog post about that adventure). Because some adverse symptoms remained, Dr. Mues prescribed a non-beta-blocker (Cozaar), which is supposed to be more athlete-friendly. Well, things went from bad to worse. All the adverse symptoms I had with the beta-blocker returned PLUS the new medication dropped my blood pressure too low (in the range of 75/55 to 90/70), so much so that I couldn’t finish most of my workouts and I was lightheaded all day. After another doctor’s visit I was prescribed yet another drug (Bystolic), a beta-blocker, a drug that supposedly got good reviews from athletes … WRONG! With this drug, I couldn’t even finish one lap at the Dome without gasping for air or feeling fatigue. Now, I’m beginning to think I’ll never run again; my trip to Europe should be canceled; I should give away my Alpine and Nordic skis, etc. … I wanted to go hide somewhere and mope. During this time I also was feeling despair, probably some depression, grumpy as hell…I was an asshole! OK, confession is over.

It was time to visit Dr. Mues (again). I arrived at his office with my carefully prepared written notes. He congratulated me for keeping my notes to one page this time, as I previously had provided him 8 pages of notes (and 3 tables charting my blood pressure measurements) the last time I visited him … at that time he jokingly (I think) said I had a obsessive compulsive disorder. (Aside: Dr. Mues told me that teachers come in with their notes in a spiral notebook, lawyers come in with their notes on the back of napkins --- Bill, is that true?---, and scientists like myself come in with bells, whistles, charts, diagrams, encyclopedias, and the kitchen sink). Anyway, Dr. Mues told me that he wanted me to try using a half dose of the Cozaar, if that didn’t work; we’d try a half dose of the Metoprolol. He also suggested that maybe all I need to do is lick a pill and maybe that dose will do. He said that in a joking manner but he wanted to make the point that athletes are difficult to treat because most of the medication and dosages designed/prescribed are intended for over-weight, out-of-shape people, and not for 150 pound runners. So I buy a fancy pill splitter on the way home and at home start making a huge mess splitting these tiny pills.

I waited 4 days before going back to the Dome to see how things would shake out. I haven’t any great expectations the first “trial run” on the day before Thanksgiving. I run my first lap cautiously, then my second, third, fourth, and so on. Before I know it, I’ve run 3 miles without any hardship … hooray! I stop at 3 miles, afraid to push it any further. I’m thinking on the way home that maybe, just maybe, good fortune is headed my way. I was correct. I proceeded to add 10K runs on the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving … I was so excited that I called my fellow “European Trampathon” buddy Bob Bowker to tell him the good news. Bob offered strong words of encouragement and was happy to hear the joy in my voice. He had sensed the last few times we talked that I was depressed about my predicament and that I was no longer excited about planning our European adventure…I confessed that he was right.

Since that phone call with Bob, my training has steadily improved without experiencing ANY adverse symptoms. I’d also like to think that my disposition has improved and the only fatigue I feel now is properly related to my weight training and running regime. I’m regularly running 10Ks as my base run and my once-a-week long run is now up to 10 miles. Once a week I’m plugging in some speed work also…something I couldn’t have dreamed of doing just a few weeks ago.

Yep, I’m free at last! Free from the medication’s adverse symptoms, free from feeling depressed about my inadequate training, free from feeling fatigued, free from the grumpiness, thank God, I’m free at last! I still have a long way to go to get back where I was athletically before the January 13 heart operation, but I now I have the renewed confidence that I’ll get there eventually. Rome, Paris, Madrid…here Bob and I come!

Blog Birthday ... Happy 1st Year!

One year ago today I started this blog at the urging of fellow running buddy Bill Parady. I spent a few hours reading my past entries and the many heartfelt entries my wife Marian made on my behalf. Too much to cover and too many emotions to adequately put to words what has happened over the past year. Ups, downs, and arounds! There was initial excitement about my retirement and plans for my European marathon adventure...then the disappointment of heart surgery in January and canceling my European Trampathon. Through it all, my family and I had lots of loving support (understatement) from many friends and family. Optimism started to build when I successfully completed my 12 weeks of cardio-rehabilitation and peaked when I completed my first post-surgery marathon in August (Humpy's Marathon). Now the excitement is building again! I'm marathon training again but still have some medication issues that need to be worked out. Trip planning is ongoing with my running buddy Bob Bowker, who has successfully recovered from his cancer surgery and is running 4:15 marathons again at the age of 68! Bob will join me for Rome and Paris and my friends Bill and Salome Parady will join Bob and I in Paris. I'm on my own for the last leg of the trip, which is the Madrid Marathon.

I have lots to be thankful for, especially this Thanksgiving ... I thank God for my family and loving relatives, my many friends, renewed health, and living in Alaska. Happy Thanksgiving and remember, train hard and run far!

Real Iron-men!

Two running buddies are in today's Arizona Ironman ... both their first full Ironman. Bill Parady (Bib # 1872) and John Clidas (Bib # 1819) have finished their 2.4 mile swim and are now on their bikes. Soon the marathon. Check out their progress at http://ironman.com/events/ironman/arizona?show=tracker&y=2010&year=2010

Goblins in Dublin

Two years ago today I was in Galway, Ireland with fellow running buddies Bill, Salome and John celebrating our successful Dublin Marathon run the weekend before and Halloween. We were in Ireland to run the marathon and tour Ireland with Marathon Tours. My God, the Irish sure know how to celebrate the ghoulish event...we, and our newly made running buddies, sure had to work hard to keep pace. We probably spent more energy doing that than running the damn marathon! However, the free-flowing Guinness and occasional shot helped replenish lost calories. The trip to Ireland ranks in my top three marathon-touring experiences...one worthy of repeating. Check out the photos I posted as a slide show...having a Guinness while you watch it will enhance the experience! Cheers!

Alanis Morissette Kicks Butt

This was posted on MarathonGuide.com. I'm a HUGE Alanis Morissette fan!!

Yes, even before this weekend we loved Alanis Morissette. But now we just can't stop saying enough about this superstar who completed her first marathon and wants to use it to inspire others. Morissette completed the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon in 4:17:08, raising money for the National Eating Disorders Association. Before the marathon, Morissette wrote this on her website about her training: "it's been a gift to use my body for something bigger than the ego-me... to offer the training and the run itself up to all people on this planet who have had a fraught relationship with themselves, their bodies, their souls, their emotions, their place in this funny world, their food, their relationships...." After the marathon she wrote this: "wow! that experience was truly beautiful and electric and traumatic and exciting and horrifying and surreal and moving and unforgettable..." We are truly inspired by Morissette's songwriting/singing - and now by her spirit as a marathoner. Read more and then donate! at Morissette's website: Alanis Morissette's Website

Not much to add...her after-race feelings says it all. Train hard...run far!

The Europe Trampathon is in full swing!

Now that I'm back into training regularly without experiencing any medical problems (knock on wood), planning and "tempting" others to join me on my excursion can proceed in confidence...hooray! The marathons I plan to run between mid-March and late-April are Rome, Paris and Madrid. Between the runs will be lots of beach time, museum hopping, eating, drinking lots of wine, and generally hanging out in little towns along the way. My buddy Bob Bowker has recovered from his prostate surgery and plans to join me for the Rome and Paris portions of the trip. Both Bob and I completed this year's Humpy's Marathon, the first since our respective surgeries. For Rome and Paris, we'll be joining up with Marathon Tours. We'll also be joined in Paris with my running friends (and fellow tempters) Bill Parady and his wife Salome. I have lots to do to nail down an itinerary, flights, BnBs, etc....it'll keep me busy during the dark, cold, snowy Alaska nights. Actually, they'll be here soon, as the leaves are falling, nighttime temperatures are dropping, and termination dust (snow) will be on the Chugach Mountain peaks really soon...like tonight! Stay tuned for details and those interested in joining us on the trip, JUMP IN!

I finally posted my photos from my trip with Hannah to Washington, D.C.. Check out the slide show at the right.

Mission: Impossible…NOT! Possible…YES!

My mission, which I chose to accept, was a secret one…known only to a very few. The mission I accepted and accomplish -ed successfully was to complete today’s Humpy’s Marathon. With today’s accomplishment, I have declared my recovery from open-heart surgery in January complete (well sort of). For months I’ve been dreading this day because I was putting so much pressure on myself to participate, but I never really knew what I would accomplish. I registered to run the full marathon months ago, knowing that I could run something less than the full and even drop out if things just didn’t click. Dropping out was the likely scenario today because I’ve been (up to today) reacting badly to my beta-blocker medication, which is designed to keep my heart rate down and to some degree also my blood pressure. All my previous runs this summer have been a real struggle…just a week ago I painfully completed the 5K Musk Ox Farm run and nearly died…a pure disaster! Fortunately, I had a visit with Dr. Linda Ireland (my cardiologist) on Thursday and I presented a two-page summary of everything “going wrong” (poor running, dizziness during the day, cold fingers, fatigue, etc.). She agreed to cut in half my beta-blocker meds, in concert with doing more medical tests next week and keeping a daily log of how I react to the decreased dosage. Well, if today’s event is any indication, I’m reacting favorably!

I promised Marian and my running buddies that I would drop out of the marathon at the first sign of trouble, well; there were no signs of trouble to be had. The marathon time limit was six hours and I really didn’t know if I could finish before then because I had only run two 13-milers before, I hadn’t really built up my base, and I didn’t know how I’d react to the new medication dosage. Running with a full fanny pack was a real pain also…I had a cell phone and emergency numbers, an extra long sleeve tek-shirt, 8 Gu packs, a chocolate chip Cliff bar, three Ipod shuffles, tp, and a water bottle…I had to be prepared because I really had no idea how long I might be out there. Running conditions were perfect…temps in the upper 50s, slight breeze, and overcast skies.

I carefully planned to, and started slow and steady. It was a strange feeling to be at the back of the pack after only running 6 blocks (there were only about 250 marathon runners). I had intermediate goals…get to the half marathon milepost and do a reality check…got there with a time of 2:39.59. I was real happy with that, as I normally would run my half in 2:10ish. Next goal, get to mile 16.5, that’s where I’d have to make a decision to go left (which would be a 2 mile detour back to the starting line) or go right (which takes you out to the furthest point – mile 21 - from the finish line and double back to the finish line). Going right would give me about 2 ¾ hours to run 10 miles…I could do that, I was at 3:17.38…I went right (not politically). Beginning around mile 22 on my way back along Chester Creek Trail, I began to realize that my running pace, although steady, had slowed considerably. So much so that I thought I could walk as fast as I was running…I tested it out. I walked mile 23 in 15 minutes, about 1 ½ minutes slower than I was running. I decided to run/walk the remaining 3 miles and was glad I did. I tested it out and walked mile 23 in 15 minutes, about 1 ½ minutes slower than I was running. I decided to run/walk the remaining 3 miles and was glad I did. I believe the walking helped move the build up of lactic acid out of my legs. The only hiccup occurred at mile 24 ½ …a strong wave of nausea hit me: I almost lost it. I had to concentrate real hard to get through that. Luckily the mile 25-aid station had some Gator Aid, which really help get rid of the nausea. About mile 25 ½ I began to feel euphoric and emotional, especially when I started to see runners doubling back on the Coastal Trail already wearing their finishers medals. I knew I was going to finish…I couldn’t believe it!!! Upon reaching the top of the steep H Street hill (the bastards) and with only a few blocks left, I lost it when I turned left onto 6th Avenue…there was the finish line 100 yards ahead and my friend Sandy Bowker screaming support my way…the emotions flowed freely and I welcomed it. My mind began to play back the many months of recuperation I went through and all the associated family and friends support. I thanked God for the medical professionals who saved my life back in January. I also never thought back in February when I started my rehabilitation at Providence Hospital with Hal and his crew that I would be where I am today athletically.

Approaching the finish line I heard my name being announced…I puffed up my chest, cleared my mind and waved victory signs proudly over my head as I crossed the line: time 5:42.19. I kissed the finishers medal as soon as it was placed around my neck. Coming out the shoot, my buddy Bob Bowker (who finished his first marathon since having prostate cancer surgery in March: time 4:36) and I embraced and again he and I let the emotions flow. The tears turned to smile soon afterwards, especially when we went to Humpy’s for mass quantities of food (and for me, beer).


I did it! Bob did it too! We both came back from surgery...hooray! How the hell I did it I’ll never know. Funny thing, I really didn’t have any physical problems: no black toenails, no sore ankles, no cramps in my calf muscles or in any leg muscles, no side stitches, no lower back ache, no racing heart rate, no fatigue to speak of, no dizziness, no nothing (except the slight nausea at mile 24 ½). I’ll let this all settle in for a few days and do a reality check about my physical fitness…I’m not sure what my next “goal” will be but after today, Trampathon 2010 to Europe sounds like a real possibility…stay tuned!

Check out the Humpy's Marathon slide show to the right.

Hurricane Hannah's neverending adventures: Part 4

What an adventurous summer vacation Hannah has had! It started the first day of summer vacation when she was attacked and trampled by a cow moose (Part 1). Mid-summer she made a trip with me to the Jersey coast (Part 2) and Washington, D.C. (Part 3). Part 4 began this past Thursday morning when Hannah complained of abdominal pains and she stayed home from camp at the Campbell Creek Science Center. Pain pills worked somewhat through the day. Actually, Marian and I thought that Hannah may be experiencing her first menstrual cramps. I took off to a late movie (Terminator: Salvation I give it 3 stars) thinking things were under control...not! As soon as I got out of the movie I received a call from Marian that she and Hannah were at the Providence Hospital emergency room. They were advised to go there immediately after going first to our local Doc-in-the box. After arriving there at 9:30 pm, the tests began...blood work, poking here and there, CT Scan, etc. Yep, it's appendicitis and at 3 am she went into surgery. The laparoscopic surgery was over at 5 am and we accompanied her to her room. It was amazing how strong Hannah was through this entire ordeal. Her weakest moments were related to her fear that she would not wake up from the general anesthesia...she was pretty scared about this and it actually made me have flashbacks to my fears of not waking up from the pain/sleep medicine that was administered to me during my heart surgery hospital stay. The entire Providence staff was very supportive and treated Hannah tenderly. We had been given the impression that Hannah would come home on Saturday but that didn't happen. Dr. Jolly (yes that is his real name) wanted Hannah to be more pain-free and digestively active before being discharged...that happened today, hooray! Hannah has 1 1/2 weeks before school starts and should back to Hurricane Hannah strength before then.


Thanks so much for all the supporting calls and visits from our family friends...it was much appreciated.





She is now home resting comfortably and has us under her thumb for a few days living the good life.

Alaskan Summer..."Scotty, I need more power." "That's all she's got Captain. Anymore and she'll blow!"

The past seven weeks have been a blur. Colorado, New Jersey shore, Washington, D.C., Kenai River, etc... So much going on this summer, as it should be. Not much quality time to keep the blog up to date and post photos of all the adventures. I'll get there sooner or later...stay tuned.

Short story is that we are having a wonderful summer in Alaska. The weather is sweet, no mosquitoes, fishing is hot, and my running is improving each day. I recently ran the Alaska Mens 5-mile race to help raise funds for men's cancer research.

I ran in support of my friends Bob Bowker, Bob Lipsy, and Jimmy Fuhrer...all are prostate cancer survivors. I was happy with my time (around 54 minutes) because I finally ran faster than an 11 minute per mile pace, plus the course was hilly. Slowly and steadily my running is recovering from my January heart surgery. Getting to a 9:30 pace before the snow falls (sometime in Sept/Oct) would be amazing!

"Scotty, we'll need everything you've got." -- Kirk, "Aye. Warp drive standing by." -- Scotty, Star Trek III: The Search For Spock

Colorado Rocky Mountain High

I'm catching my breath today because after being home only one week since returning from our 12-day family trip to Colorado, Hannah and I are preparing to head to the east coast tonight for an extended trip to visit family in New Jersey and tour Washington, D.C. The trip will be wonderful but leaving Alaska in the summer is insane, especially when we've been having bluebird days and the salmon fishing is hot! Trading dry, 60 degree days for hot and very humid days on the east coast will be somewhat mitigated because my Mom lives only 15 minutes from the Jersey shore; my sister is only 5 minutes away! Lots of beach time in store for us. Hannah is super excited about the trip to DC, as she really got into the Presidential election last year. She has put together a list of must-sees...the Air and Space Museum is top priority, especially after seeing the latest Night at the Museum - Battle of the Smithsonian movie...in it was an epic battle. The movie also featured other classic DC places/monuments. While in DC I'll also be visiting dear friends I worked with when I was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the first time). Trips to New York City, sailing, a July 4th celebration, a round of golf, and high school buddies visiting over a serving of my Mom's famous lasagna dinner are in store for us.

Back to Colorado. Fantastic trip, fantastic weather, fantastic family of in-laws! The 12-day trip was loaded with adventure. My brother-in-law Charles organized the entire Lilley Family reunion, which was held in Breckenridge. Before going there, however, Marian, Hannah and I traveled to Ft. Collins to visit with my daughter Laura who is a Senior at Colorado State University. We toured the Ft. Collins area with her before going further north to visit with Marian's Uncle Roy, who was going to have open heart surgery. After that was a visit with Marian's friend Lanore, who lived in Anchorage at one time. I spent another day visiting with my friend Larry Gamble who I worked with at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...after a lunch in Golden we toured the area including the famous Red Rocks Concert Arena.

So much happened at the Lilley Family Reunion that I thought it best to put together a slide show illustrating the highlights of our many adventures...the slide show is located in the blog's right margin. The short story is that a great time was had by all. Lots of great meals, scenery, weather, laughs, conversation, outdoor adventures, and camaraderie. I can't wait until our next family reunion in 2011...the planning has already begun.

Holy crap! I have yet to pack! Off the to the Jersey shore!

P.S. Running/fitness update: The running is going well. I had a great week of 5 mile runs and yesterday I posted my first 8-miler. I did not have any fatigue feelings in my legs this week and the only time I slowed down during my 8-mile was to drink water and take my Gu packet. I'm hoping that I can keep up my running in Jersey, but I fear the heat and humidity will take its toll on me. My strength training continues to be very rewarding and my tennis game is slowly improving thanks to lots of matches with my friend Jon Spring. Upon retuning to Alaska, I'm scheduled to run the Mens 5-Miler for Mens Cancer Research...I'm running in honor of my friends Bob Bowker, Bob Lipsy and Jimmy Fuhrer, all are survivors of prostate cancer. Update on my friend Mark Schroeder's effort to Boston-qualify (BQ). Mark had hoped to BQ running the Mayor's Marathon on June 20 but had to cancel out because during his last long training run he was run over from behind by a bicyclist. Badly bruised, he hated to bow out because he had trained real hard over the long Alaska winter to BQ at the Mayor's. However, he now hopes to BQ running the Humpy's Marathon in August.

Twilight Twelve K in the Greatland!

Well, it wasn't a stellar performance but it did a great deal for strengthening my resolve to get back into marathon shape. Running the Skinny Raven Sports Twilight 12K last Friday was lots of fun, primarily because my buddy Mark ran (I mean jogged/walked) it with me...thank God he did because I may have taken short cuts along the way! The race was sponsored by the city's premier running store, Skinny Raven. Jerry Ross, the state's top distance runner and Olympic hopeful, was the organizer. Prior to the start of the 12K, a 1-mile running event was held pitting against each other the top high school and college 1600 and 3200 meter runners. Predictably, Trevor Dunbar won in 4:10ish...I featured a blog entry about him a few months ago.

Back to the 12K. Joining Mark and I in the race were my friends Judy Blake and Jim Gamble. Jim has run marathons here and abroad. Judy is an amazing runner who occasionally places in her 55-age group. Judy regularly trains with a group and likes to run trails and half marathons.

The very sunny 12K route began downtown and worked its way to the Government Hill area where there were nice views of downtown and old neighborhoods. I didn't have any trouble running up to this point. From Government Hill the route went back through downtown and on to the Coastal Trail. It was at this point that I felt like I needed to walk more often...boo. It was also now becoming cloudy, cool, and breezy. Mark kept my spirits up with great conversation. The Coastal Trail is Anchorage's running route jewel...beautiful views of Cook Inlet and the mountains beyond. I think the thought of eating

all the furnished pizza I wanted at the finish line keep me motivated from this point on. Approaching the 6 mile route marker, I reminded Mark that I hadn't run more than 6 miles up to this point...I ceremonially stepped past the sign and kept going. By now it was easy to see that Mark and I were probably some of the very last runners left on the route...the other 500+ runners were by now eating all my pizza! As we ran along Westchester Lagoon, up Bootleggers Cove, and approached the finish line on the Delaney Park Strip I couldn't help but wonder why the hell I entered the race. I was not running well, I was tired, cold and hungry as hell. Luckily I had Mark with me to remind me that running with friends is always fun and given my situation, I should be proud that I was out there doing it. How strange it was to enter the finishers shoot and hear Jerry Ross call out Mark and my bib numbers and names while hundreds of runners gathered around the finish line cheered us on...I was embarrassed for my time.

I wanted to go somewhere and hide, but instead I shot over to the pizza boxes only to see that there weren't any pizzas left!!!! However, my wife Marian saved the day. For God knows how long, she saved one slice of pizza for me. Despite it being as cold as my hands and being as stiff as a board, I devoured it...along with one other piece that someone found while picking up the pizza boxes to throw away.

Mark is a special friend and I really appreciate him running the race with me when he could have run it probably at a 8 minute per mile pace, or faster. Mark is training very hard to run the Mayor's Marathon on June 20 and hopefully qualify for Boston. He has come to within a minute of doing so on a number of occasions. I wish him luck on his upcoming marathon and I hope there is enough pizza at the end of the race for him...run fast Mark!

Close encounters of the MOOSE kind!!

What probably lasted only a minute or so, seemed like hours on Friday when Hannah and I had a harrowing encounter with a cow moose (defending her calf) while finishing our 11 mile bicycle ride on Anchorage's Coastal Trail. Here's Hannah's account of the adventure, which she emailed to some of her friends...I'll add my observations afterwards.

Hi ! It's Hannah! How's your summer?

On Friday (the day after school ended ) My dad and I were biking in Kincaid and all of a sudden a mother moose jumped out of the woods and attacked me! She knocked me off my bike and I was knocked on the ground. I was yelling and crying. The bike landed on me sort of. She then started trampling me and kicking my bike. My dad came next to me and chucked his bike at the moose to get her off of me. She ran away finally. my dad helped me up. I wasn't hurt too bad. My leg was cut and bleeding. She kicked my head (good thing I was wearing a bike helmet) so I had a goose egg there. My bike had a huge dent in the metal from her kicking it. the thing that holds the wheels on was broken. We had to walk a mile to the car. We later got a new bike helmet. I'm doing pretty good right now just really sore. I'm lucky I'm alive!

Hannah

From my perspective, it truly is amazing that Hannah did not get seriously injured. A few years ago a University of Alaska Anchorage student was trampled to death by a moose when he attempted to walk between a cow and calf to enter a campus building. This type of incident happens to others, not to me and my family...wrong! I've lived in Anchorage since 1982 and this incident with Hannah is the first of its kind for us.

With only a mile left in our bike ride and approaching the huge hill leading to the Kincaid Chalet where our car was parked, Hannah decided to build up some steam to help get up the hill. Just as she passed me on my left, a cow moose appeared out of nowhere from my right and charged after Hannah. Why it didn't charge after me instead, I'll never know. I yelled to Hannah to look out and just as she stopped to look back at me, the moose hit her, knocked her off her bike, and she and the bike fell off the trail into a low lying area. The moose was over her in an instant and began to trample her, primarily with her front legs. Luckily Hannah was pinned under the bike so it took the blows (for the most part) instead of Hannah. Upon seeing the moose charge after Hannah, I followed the moose as fast as I could peddle. In one sweeping movement I jumped off my bike, picked it up, and using it as a shield, I attacked the moose who by now was standing over Hannah and her bike. Yelling and screaming, I stood over Hannah while attempting to push the moose off Hannah with my bike. It appeared to work because I was able to turn the moose around and get it off Hannah. I yelled to Hannah to get up, which she did after crawling out from under the bike...she hugged my waist hanging on for dear life. What was weird is that when the moose stopped trying to kick us, it just stood there staring at me though the frame of the bike...eye to eye. The moose blinked first and it lumbered back onto the trail, all the while keeping her eye on us. Once on the paved trail, with its ears still laid back, it ran back into the vegetation towards where Hannah said her calf was last seen.

Needless to say, Hannah was terrified but not in shock. She did sustain some bruises on her legs and has a few bumps on her head from where glancing blows landed on her bike helmet. Her bike took all the major damage...so much so that it was not able to be ridden. We walked the final mile back to the car with me pushing both bikes and trying to console Hannah. The walk actually did us some good because we were able to process the event together and we warned others about the "mad moose" that was on the trail. On the way home, we stopped at McD's and used junk food to help us feel better. We also stopped and bought a new bike helmet for Hannah.

It's now two days since the incident and Hannah is doing fine, although she is still sheepish about walking around outside fearing another moose will attack her...understandable. I think the huge BBQ we had yesterday also kept her mind off things. It truly is amazing how fast potentially deadly events can occur. One accurately placed kick from that moose and Hannah could have been history, just like that unfortunate University student. Thank God everything worked out, including me being healthy enough to ward off the moose...my heart was truly tested in many ways. I suspect Hannah's brush with death will affect her in ways still unknown...it sure as hell affected me.

The Crayton-Lilley family adventures continue.

Graduation!

No, it's not high school graduation! It's my graduation from the Providence Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Thursday, May 14, I finished my 36th (12 weeks) session at the facility and I tell you, it was worth every dime (actually thousands of dollars) Blue Cross/Blue Shield had to pay. I can't begin to tell you how important it was to me to reach my rehabilitation goals which were to gain my weight back, improve my stamina to participate in the Alaska Heart Run, build up some upper body muscle mass, finish the program having run a 10K distance, and overall being "subsistence fit." I accomplished all but the 10K distance...my longest run was 5 miles and not 6.2 miles.

The commitment and patience the staff (Hal, Jennifer, Christine, Marie and others) exhibited was top notch. It was amazing how they were always in a good mood and eager to answer questions. Don't get me wrong, they were tough when they had to be, especially if someone was goofing off too much or distracting others. Every Wednesday there would be a 30 minute presentation before our session covering a wide variety of fitness topics to help make our life more healthy. NOTE: I always seemed to arrive late for the presentations ... must be the semi-retired person coming out in me. A special thank you goes to Hal who provided me encouragement when I was in the ICU and PCU, coached me during my first short walks in the hospital hallways, and supervised my full recovery during the 12 week rehab session. Thanks again!

I lost track of how many folks I met over the 12 weeks. All types of professions were represented: policeman, writer/editor book publisher, nun, retired Air Force officer, real estate agent, tile craftsman, oil field workers, city vehicle maintenance supervisors, and city, state and federal workers. It was most interesting to hear the stories told by the many Anchorage sourdoughs who went through the program. Stories about the Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964, political scandals, hunting expeditions all around the state, fishing adventures, personal tragedies, and stories about how Anchorage use to be before all the development.

This week marks the first week since the January 13 operation that I truly feel like I am on my own, and I welcome it. Now I am totally responsible for keeping up my weight training and cardio work outs and having to schedule sessions around family activities and my part time work at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. My plan for 3-to-4 days a week is to head to my local hole-in-the-wall gym (Polaris Gym) and weight train for an hour. I'll be able to run 4-to-6 miles at noon each day I work at the Corps, which is 3 days a week. I hope to run a long route once a week on the weekend. I don't work on Monday or Friday so I'll use those days for lots of things, like playing golf, maybe some tennis, doing chores, and planning family adventures.

If all goes well, I should be in good shape to seriously start planning my 2010 European Trampathon by summer's end. I'll continue to use this blog site to "tempt" others to join me on my European adventure...hopefully some of you will allow yourself to be tempted!

Sleeping less in Seattle!

Ok, Seattle is not Europe but I was determined to get out of Anchorage and pretend that I was actually living a (semi)retired life. Circumstances were such that I was itching to visit my 24-year-old son Michael who lives in Seattle and a movie of mutual interest was about to premier. Being Trekkers, both Michael and I were pretty excited about the release of a new Star Trek movie. I raised Michael on Star Trek movies and TV episodes (not to mention all the Star Wars stuff too) so it was a no-brainer that we should use the movie’s premier to join forces and experience the new adventures of the new USS Enterprise and its reinvented crew. NOTE: No movie review provided; however, seeing it twice will help you understand more about what happened and why.






My trip lasted 3 nights/4 days and it was certainly was a “sleep less” adventure. Long days lasted to 1, 2 and 3 am! The action-packed trip included a midnight showing of Star Trek at the Seattle Center’s IMAX theater, a second viewing at the Downtown Cinemax Theater, touring Pike Market, bicycle riding, tennis, long walks in the University of Washington Botanical Gardens, watching a movie or two and playing video games on Michael’s entertainment center, playing chess games, mini-golf, hiking in Discovery Park, playing pool, and eating, eating, eating. Throw in a beer or two or three as well. Bluebird weather occurred each day…for me it was almost too hot!

It was a real special treat to have great conversations with my son and to meet and spend time with Michael’s girlfriend Jamie, who is attending Bastyr University and studying to get a BS in Herbal Science. Michael, who is a design engineer with Pathway Medical Technologies, learned earlier in the week that he would be laid-off in July…that put a damper, somewhat over things but Michael is looking forward to the challenge of regrouping and charting a new course for his future. I also had a chance to meet his other housemates who are also attending college…one (Chris) is pre-med, Tommy is in a math doctorate program, and Travis will be attending the Seattle Film Institute this fall. Michael is hoping that they'll all be able to remain roommates when the lease runs out in August and they have to move from their wonderful location.

My Florida buddies Bill and Yianni (John Bob) are planning to run the inaugural Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon in June. I had hoped to scope out the entire course but much of it overlaps with what is the Seattle Marathon course, which I ran in 2003. I think they'll find the course pretty easy, as it avoids most of the large hills east of downtown Seattle and the stretch along Lake Washington will be very refreshing (that is if there isn't a north wind blowing). Sorry Yianni, I couldn't find a good hiding place for the bottle of ouzo...too many homeless folks camped out along the route! Maybe you guys can hoist a brew with Michael while you are back there.

I put together a slide show of my Seattle trip and it is posted in the right column of my blog. Seattle and its surroundings are very photogenic, so it was hard to limit the number of photos I wanted to take. Enjoy the shots and certainly come to the west coast and spend spring time in Seattle. My guess is that you'll sleep less in Seattle like I did.


Live long and prosper!

Kyle Garlett...Heart Transplant Recipient and Triathlete

What an amazing story Kyle has to tell. I have to thank my buddy Ron Skinner for sending me the story, and now I send it out to you all. This man has conquered several bouts with the cancer Hodgkin's Disease, the affects of radiation and chemotherapy, has a heart transplant, and other related aliments. The audio story is about 10 minutes long but it is well worth listening to...you will truly be inspired by his strong desire to accomplish his athletic goal of participating in the Hawaii Ironman.

http://www.enduranceplanet.com/public/281.cfm

the other woman; me or her?

Gosh, you'd think he'd be a little more discreet on his blog about his crush on Uta. I thought I was the only one back in '94 but apparently I was wrong. (Not able to post a comment so glad I have access to the blog...in case it gets out of hand with Uta type material)
Marian :-)

Uta...sweet Uta has been found!

One of my major winter time/post heart surgery goals was to sort through all my running paraphernalia and make room for more paraphernalia to come. My God, the stuff I collected over the years was amazing. Everything from racing bibs, photos, 10 year old energy bars, every kind of gadget invented to secure your timing chip to your shoe, rock-hard sport jelly beans, posters, loads of first aid items, etc. etc. etc. It's amazing what one can collect at all the marathon expos. It's like Halloween...you know what I'm talking about. You and your running buddies gather in your hotel room, dump on the floor all the crap you collected, and you start trading. I'll trade you a travel size can of Adidas deodorant for two of your Snickers bars.

So what's up with Uta? Back in the early 1990's when I was getting back into running marathons, I started paying more attention to what was going on in the world of marathoning and how to train properly. I also started to read about world class marathoners...thus enter Uta Pippig from Germany. It was her accomplishment in 1993, winning the NYC Marathon, and in 1994, winning the Boston Marathon, (and her killer smile and good looks) that caught my attention...but it was her July 1994 Runner's World cover story and photo-log that made me a captive fan. One of the few Runner's World issues I did save and found in one of the boxes was that July 1994 issue.

Travel 13 years into the future to the 2007 Boston Marathon. I was running the 2007 Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) in support of raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. My buddies Bill Parady and John Clidas were also running Boston and I invited them to the Dana-Farber pasta feed, which included a number of presentations and ceremonies. I totally freaked out when I saw that Uta Pippig was a major speaker and supporter of the DFMC...actually, I think I began to sweat and my face turned red. I also think my excitement was a little obvious! You can only imagine how excited I was to meet and chat with her later in the evening. I think I sweat more while talking to her than I did running the marathon!

Boston 2007 was a marathoner's dream come true for many reasons. Not only did I meet Sweet Uta but I had a chance to see and hear many other Boston Marathon legends speak....that's another story for another time. Gee, I wonder what else I'll discover in the boxes I have yet to unpack...stay tuned.

Start of something good!

Boy, it sure felt good to be back into the running community. Alaska's largest running event, the Alaska Heart Run, was held yesterday and it was a grand event. About 6,500 runners and walkers participated in the event. Among the participants, and wearing bib #1, was a young boy named Shawn who received a heart transplant in summer 2008. My running the race was meager compared to Shawn's; however, this event marks the start of my official running comeback...hooray!

Marian and I joined Hannah and the other students and families from her school (the Huffman Huskies) who were running the race. We entered the non-timed event, which started 30 minutes after the timed event. Because I was a Mended Heart runner, I got a real cool Alaska Heart Institute cap.

It was amazing watching the real fast runners go by. The winning time was 15:25.5 (mens) and 18:25.8 (women). A few of my friends ran in the timed 5K event....Mark Carr's time was 20:11.3 (finished 55th for men); Ellyn Brown's time was 21:44.0 (finished 22nd for women); and Mark Schroeder's time was around 23:00.

The winning time of the Mended Heart Division was 20:15.3. Hannah tells me that she and her friend Anna ran the 5K in about 30 minutes...WOW! They finished before I did!

After finishing his timed run, my buddy Mark Schroeder (with cheese bagel in hand) joined Marian, Hannah, the Huffman School crowd and I at the start and ran along side me for the entire race. His companionship and encouragement along the way was really appreciated. Marian was running with us as well but we lost her when she stopped to pick up a little child who fell and was in danger of being trampled.

I'm really excited about getting back into running on the road and rubbing elbows with other runners...hopefully they won't run me over as they go by. I hope to train hard and run far real soon. Nike!

From Vienna to Boston

The last of the three European marathons I had hoped to run this spring occurred yesterday...nearly 20,000 runners participated in the running events surrounding the Vienna Marathon. Amazingly, I was able to watch the start of the marathon on the site's web page...(10 pm AK Time, 9 am Vienna time). It was a beautiful day for a marathon but somewhat warm (around 70 degrees). Oh how I wish I could have been there...maybe in 2010. Checking out the Marathon Tours web site, I learned that in 2010 the Rome Marathon will be March 21 and the Paris Marathon will be three weeks later on April 11. I'm guessing that Vienna's will be a week later on April 18.

With the Boston Marathon scheduled for tomorrow, I thought I'd post a few thoughts and photos from my experience with the marathon. In 2007, I ran it for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and in memory of many friends and family who are/were affected by cancer. I raised about $13,000 as one of 500 Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge runners. My friends Bill Parady and John Clidas joined me and also ran the marathon. Bill was my running photo journalist and entire support team. The total experience was very emotional and moving but we also had a blast sharing a hotel room, attending the star-studded expo, attending Dana-Farber functions, and experiencing the wonders of Boston and the nor-easter that threatened to cancel the marathon. My Boston adventure was a very special one, one never to be forgotten. I hope to build on those memories the next time I run it...when, I don't know but it will happen!

Three months ago...

It has been three months since my heart operation on January 13, which is a milestone according to my two doctors Linda Ireland (cardiac specialist) and Gregory Misbach (cardiac surgeon). Both have told me that after three months I should be back doing what I was doing before the operation...they were kind of close. Both did give me a clean bill of health this last week but I'm still not "normally" healthy. I'm still limiting what weight I can safely lift and I have lingering soreness in my right side of my chest...nothing serious however. I'm told to be patient, it'll heal...sound familiar? So, there isn't too much medical drama left to report about my rehab or in my blog.

My weight is back to where it was before the operation...156, hooray! As for my running, I have a long way to go yet. I'm ready for the 5K Alaska Heart Association Run on April 25...it's the distance beyond that which is making me nervous. Now that I can run outside (because of 40+ temperatures and snow/ice-clear road shoulders and sidewalks) I should get back in shape sooner. Running on the treadmill and elliptical at cardiac rehab makes me sweat but it can't totally prepare me for running outside in the elements. I have about 5 weeks left in my rehab sessions...I know I'll miss them, the staff, and classmates when it's over.

I hope to soon be doing what I remind my fellow runners to do, that is Train hard...run far!

Odds-n-ends

I had a weird experience running at the Dome yesterday. Tuesday's Dome schedule (posted on their web site) showed no one using the track that day so I planned to have a nice relaxing run after work at 4 pm. You can imagine my surprise when I approached the Dome parking lot and saw three high school buses parked in a completely packed lot! What the hell!?!? People were flooding in and out of the place like honey bees leaving and entering their hive. Once inside I saw that the track was packed with 3 practicing high school track teams, hurdles thrown everywhere and the infield was being heavily used by countless baseball, soccer, and football teams. Garbage and athletic gear were thrown everywhere. Dino, the manager, greeted me and told me he saw all the Providence Hospital ads and tv commercials I have recently appeared in and asked me how I was doing. I filled him in and he told me that even with the chaos, the track is actually open for members use. I mentioned how the web site indicated that no one was suppose to be here...he said they screwed up royally. Anyway, I did dress out and ran through the gauntlet of harriers, but for only two miles. The place was very hot, dry, and noisy...way too many people in there. Lots of jerks running amok trying to impress girls and not leaving any room for me or anyone else using the track. Actually, it would have been fun to crack open a 6-pack, grab a chair, and watch the goings-on...I'm sure glad I'm not in high school anymore. My guess, however, is that I was probably as goofy and jerky when I ran high school track and cross-country. Say it ain't so!

The good old days!

Breaking the tape in first place, 1/2-mile, time 2:02.7

Wayne Valley HS, 1970.

P.S. The locker room was filled with a bunch of kids when I went to change. The boys were all talking about how they can't wait to get out of high school. I just had to say something to them, so I butted in and said, "Hey, don't rush things. Enjoy high school now because when you graduate you'll be thrown into reality and it's not necessarily fun out there." All I got were blank stares. The world is doomed!

Spring time in Paris...not!

I celebrated "not being in France today to run the Paris Marathon" by running 3 miles at the Dome. It was a lonely run but I ran well and took 2 minutes off my Friday 3-mile run. Check out the 2009 Paris Marathon at:

http://www.parismarathon.com/marathon/2009/us/index.html

I'm halfway through my cardiac rehab program and thoroughly thrilled with my progress. My weight training is steadily improving, my body weight is near pre-surgery numbers, and I'm ready to trot the 5K Alaska Heart Run on April 25.

Had a really nice weekend, Hannah's 11th birthday was Friday, it was sunny all weekend, and temperatures reached into the 40s. Life is good!

A Note from Marian

It has been awhile since I have written on Wayne's blog and that is just as well. Today is a bittersweet day in this whole saga of Wayne's post retirement events (and I include my sweet dog, Bailey). Backing up a bit, last October 1 I started a 3 week stay at home vacation which was heaven. Then when I "returned" to work, I was asked to stay home and work on some projects. "Would that be okay?" they asked. It was an answer to a prayer I hadn't even prayed! It was a gift and a blessing from God who knows what I want and need more than I do. Anyway, I enjoyed 5 months working from home but Wayne wasn't always exactly thrilled about it. He thought they could easily strike the line item on the budget that was me. Well they didn't and then he retired and well, you know what happened after that. It was such a blessing be able to work from home and be here to do the things Wayne couldn't do and for his healing and all that stuff. (I also had help, and you know who you are!!) But 2 weeks ago, when my sweet friend and co worker, Casey, gave birth 2 months early (all is good there!), I had to come in and resume her duties which used to be my old duties...(it's all a very complicated situation) I was sad to give up such a good thing but knew I couldn't complain. So I have been adjusting to being back in the office and it has been good. I have a great boss and we have new management and I am so much happier there. But enough about me!!! (this is what I hate about blogs...) What I am getting to is that today marks the first day of Wayne going back to work--real work...I am kind of bummed about it because he finally got to feel a little retired the last couple of weeks and now he has to work. Not that it is a bad thing because we are grateful for the privelege of working, but there were some goals and now they will just take longer. The whole time he was off he felt like he was on sick time. He is actually doing fine considering he isn't in Europe. There is enough other fun stuff to keep him occupied. Not that it compares, mind you, but Wayne's life is hardly boring. For instance, worrying about ash getting into the house for a day and a half was a project for him to consume himself with (he is a real neat nick for those of you who don't know but don't get me started on that). Hannah even said, "If dad wasn't here, you'd be letting ash get all over the house." I don't know how I earned such a bad rap. Just because I live with the King of Clean doesn't make me a slob. But I know and accept I pale in comparison. And so be it. I can live with that. So today Wayne begins half time which in addition to his rehab makes almost FT being out of the house M-Th. I have the day off today for Sewards Day and tomorrow poor Bailey (where all of this comes full circle from the first sentence) will be out in the cold for the first time in 6 months without someone home to spoil his little springer self!!

Below is a yesterday picture of our yard with the ash and today is the after picture with new snow. It looks all innocent as if nothing happened...yet I know not only is there ash underneath but also all the leaf piles that I couldn't pick up before the first snow. Last fall, while Wayne was off running his last marathon (for now) he left me home to contend with the end of autumn and the simulaneous beginning of winter in one afternoon. It was the first and only time I raked and shoveled in the same day.

There she blows!

Soon after January 28, the day I arrived home from the hospital, the U.S. Geological Survey started issuing alerts that Mt. Redoubt may be ready to erupt. Mt. Redoubt is about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage. Well, last weekend it finally erupted and deposited ash north and west of Anchorage...that was until today.

The latest eruption around 3:30 pm deposited ash in the Anchorage Bowl area.

The fresh snow we received over the last three days is now covered with with ash...a strange gray hue covers everything.

Check out the cool info about the eruption and Mt. Redoubt at

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php