My Mom's Story

Each person who has had breast cancer has their own, unique story to tell.  I am no different.  My mother survived breast cancer twice before passing away from lung cancer, so I was always very diligent with exams and checkups.  In 1989, after numerous biopsies, pre-cancerous cells were found and I opted for a double mastectomy.  Biopsies revealed no actual cancer and my risk of later developing breast cancer had dropped to less than 5%. Great news! But still cautious, I continued with all my exams and annual checkups for the next 18 years.

In 2007 I discovered a new lump.  But my obgyn as well as a well-respected surgeon both determined that it was nothing to be concerned about.  I was surprised that, with my history, neither felt concerned. But I trusted their opinions and continued to see the surgeon every 3 months until December when I insisted on a biopsy.  It was performed in January and the results showed cancer cells.   The surgeon opted for outpatient surgery, but it took 3 outpatient surgeries (over 3 weeks) to finally get a “clean edge” biopsy.  The diagnosis was Stage 4 cancer and chemo and radiation were recommended. 

Good fortune helped us find a wonderful oncologist, Dr. John Link at Breastlink in Orange County, and for the next 6 months we traveled back and forth for my chemo treatments.  That was followed by radiation with another great doctor, Dr. Mundt at UCSD Moore’s Cancer Center here in San Diego. Once that was completed I opted for a full hysterectomy to avoid the possibility of later ovarian cancer.  And two weeks later our entire family arrived for a joyful Christmas celebration!  It had been almost exactly a year since I’d asked for the biopsy and it had led to a life altering year for us.  Paul had been amazing…my rock, my support and my biggest cheerleader, our family and friends had been lovely and absolutely indispensible, and my daily walking throughout the entire year had been so helpful in keeping my mind clear and my body as healthy as it could be.  

I’m now 3 years out from diagnosis and still with my same wonderful oncologist.  He continues to keep a close watch on me with regular checkups, blood tests and scans and so far the news has been good.  I’m still walking regularly, attempting yoga (with varying degrees of success!), working part time, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, enjoying our family and friends who have been such an incredible joy and support to us, and making the most of each and every day.  

Paul and I are in awe of Amanda and the commitment she has made.  I hope that in our daughter’s lifetime breast cancer will become a curable disease and in our granddaughter’s lifetime it will be ancient history.  Cheers and good luck to each and every person who participates in this very worthwhile endeavor!

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please click here and visit my fundraising page.  So far I have raised $450.00 towards my $1,500.00. 

Hot Humid Hills

Today was a hot and humid day for Holly's Hills plus we added almost a mile.  It was 87 but with the humidity it felt like 105 (per AccuWeather.com).   All that aside we had some special people join us - Ada, Lise and Jill - friends/colleagues from CSE.  Each of us went at our own pace and I'm very proud of all of us for finishing and not giving up.  Of course we all decided that we should probably be doing this run earlier in the day, say 8AM.  We may try and meet up early Tuesday if everyones schedules allow.

So I have a bit of a surprise and I may never do this again, but I made a video with our Flip camera during the run.  I will admit I'm someone who shies away from (actually runs away from) anyone filming me, but I thought this run was something you all needed to see with your own eyes to truly appreciate the run.  I will add a disclaimer on this video that I had less than a mile left to run, it was hot as I already stated and I was alone so I'm doing my own camera work (hopefully it doesn't make anyone sick.  Enjoy!

Thank you visiting my blog.  I hope you are enjoying it.

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please click here and visit my fundraising page.  So far I have raised $450.00 towards my $1,500.00.

Marathon Shirt Names:
Mom & Dad
Linda B. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)
George S.
Don and Candace W.

First Run w/ Annapolis Striders

Last week I joined the Annapolis Striders to be a part of the "Moore's Marines" Marathon Training in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon in October.  We meet each Saturday morning at Jonas Green Park just over the Naval Academy Bridge and head out for the long run of the week starting at 7AM (6:30AM when it gets super hot).  Today's run was for first time marathoners only. This took a lot of anxiety out of going since we were running 10 miles.

The alarm went off at 5:10, which is an hour before I get out of bed on a work day.  I had my pre-run meal (2 eggs scrambled, a piece of toast w/ peanut butter and a small glass of orange juice), then got ready and headed out the door at 6AM.  My drive is a little over 30 minutes so when I arrived I had time to stretch and meet a few people.

Once everyone arrived, Susan and Bob explained the course for the day and where there would be water and Gatorade along the course (click here for a map of the run).  We all headed out together right at 7AM and within the first mile everyone found their comfortable pace.   I ended up running the first half by myself which was kind of nice because I was working on my breathing (belly breathing) to help me run longer with less effort.  Chatting while focusing and running at the same time would not have worked, but I think I have it down now.  By the way the belling breathing totally works.  (click here for an article on belly breathing).  About a mile after the turn back I was joined by a woman from Bowie (I apologize I did not get your name if you're reading this) and we had a very nice conversation on the way back.  Her pace was a bit quicker than mine but it helped push me all the way to the end.

There was a nice surprise when we got back to Jonas Green Park: there was more water, Gatorade, animal crackers (my favorite), pretzels and everyone was stretching and chatting about how they did.  It really was an amazing morning and I cannot wait until next week when the group will be bigger.

The total milage ended up being 10.27 and I finished in 1 hr 43 min 58 sec, which gives me a pace of 10 min/mile.  Just where I want to be right now.

Kids having lunch during play date (from back: My son Ian (2),
my daughter Paige (4 until July 17th), Cooper and Jane.

After my run I jumped in the car (covering my seat with a towel because I was drenched in sweat) and met James at Annapolis Town Center to grab the kids to head back home for a play date with the Dove Family while he played basketball.  I got home in time to clean up and start packing lunch before they arrived.  We then headed to the park to play, have lunch, enjoy little fun in the water and catch up.  Three hours later we were back home with tired kids having had a great time.

Tonight we are going to stay home and have a backyard fire to have smores!  Good thing I burned a lot of calories today.

Until next time!

Adjusting for the unexpected

I'm a Mom who has the day planned out before I go to bed the night before.  The Benson's run like a well oiled machine (most days) and when something unexpected something that throws off the plan, I can get a bit frazzled.

To understand our lives here is a "normal" weekday for us: James and I each get up and take turns getting ready to get out the door, including getting the kids dressed.  We have a set time I need to be out the door with the kids to get them to daycare and me to work on time (8AM).   I schedule my workouts in during my lunch breaks (because my boss is awesome and gives us an hour instead of 45 minutes if we workout) in between meetings and day to day things.  After work I pick up the kids (by 5PM) and we head home to color, do puzzles, mess up the house, convincing them to eat what I made or hold them off until James gets home so we can eat as a family (which I prefer). This,  all while I emptying lunch bags, loading the dishwasher, making lunches for the next day, and doing what ever it is I have on my daily cleaning chart (which by the way has made my weekends more enjoyable because I'm not spending hours cleaning on a Saturday or Sunday).  Once James gets home from work and the gym, I'm usually heading back out the door for a second workout (or a first if the work day got hectic).   Then, back home and dinner is on the table (James is an amazing cook if you haven't already heard), wash the kids, read stores and put the kids to bed hopefully by 8 or 8:30 at the latest.  After this it is quiet time for James and I which we usually spent watching TV or reading.   Then its bed to get up the next day and do it all again.  Now some people like variety in their day and it may not sound like we have much but we get plenty of that from the kids.  No two days are ever the same.

So to the title of this blog, adjusting for the unexpected.  It has happened to all of us, we have our day planned and we get a phone call them makes us juggle a little bit and make adjustments.  Today that call came at 10:30AM.  Daycare called and told me she needed to close by 3PM.  Now, I wasn't upset, things happen but I needed to scramble a bit.  I looked at my schedule and was happy to see my day was mostly free of meetings so I could leave at 2PM to pick up the kids by 3PM.  I made sure everyone knew when I was leaving and started working like a mad women to get done what had to get done.  I had to skip going to the gym to do my strength training for the day, but figured I could get in a quick run tonight.

I got out on time and on the way to pick up the kids I thought, "What are we going to do with our extra time together?"  As I thought of simple activities, maybe go to the park but the weather looked iffy, I remembered we were going to get the kids haircuts this weekend.  If I could get them today we could free up some time this weekend, but did I really want to take both of them to a hair salon.  It was a possible mayhem hour I was willing to chance.

I picked up the kids and went home for the afternoon snack.  I called a salon in the area, Shearly Unique, that I had never been to before (hey, its just the kids hair) but had seen their booth at the South County Festival a few weeks before.  When I told they had two openings at 4:45.  So I kept the kids busy playing until it was time to head out so I could get the lunches made for tomorrow and straighten up the kitchen.  Paige and Ian were both were in great moods, listening and following directions wonderfully.  I crossed my fingers and put them in the car.

When we arrived at Shearly Unique the kids held my hands walking in, had smiles on there faces, sat down and waiting for their haircut.  The hairdresser took Ian first and he got right up in the chair, giggled the whole time, and was a perfect angle.  Then it was Paige's turn.  She got her first shampoo and laughed the whole time saying it tickled.  She got right into the chair, sat still and followed direction as the women cut her hair.  Ian in the meantime played in the front of the salon, flirting with the women there and playing with the fan (he kept lifting up his shirt to show his belly which always gets him a laugh).  The women in the salon both mentioned they had never seen two children so well behaved and so happy.  I was so proud of my kids.  They both said thank you and good-bye as we left.  I will definitely be going back for their next haircuts and probably mine as well.  The staff was so wonderful, prices were AMAZING and the kids look great. (I should have taken a picture to post but they are already in bed).

When we got home I made them dinner.  When James got home I asked Paige if she would like to go for a short run with me.  She has been asking me a lot lately to go running.  Paige can only make it down the block but it is fun and special time for us.  She put on her sneakers and came with me for a 14 minute walk/run, all while holding hands I should add.  I dropped her off and did a quick 2.26 mile run and then James had a fun new exercise for me to try - walk up and down the stairs in the house five times carrying two 25 lb. dumbells.   Now that may sound like a lot but 2 years ago I was 69 lbs heavier so it really wasn't that bad. It just hurt my shoulders a bit with the weight pulling on my arms...but my legs rocked it!

So adjusting to the unexpected today was wonderful.  I got more time with the kids, they have nice haircuts, I got to run with Paige and I still got a small workout in.  Everyone had a fun day.

Hopefully tomorrow we will be back to normal.

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure please click here.

Holly's Hills

Today I completed what I'm considering my first official training run for the Marine Corps Marathon as part of the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure. Going forward, this run will be referred to as "Holly's Hills". The run is 4.06 miles of rolling hills and is now apart of my training program every Tuesday. After running my first Half Marathon on June 5th I learned that training hills is very important (and your calves will be much happier with you).

I have given this run the name Holly's Hills for two reasons:

Reason 1: I was shown this run by Holly Buckner, a colleague and good friend. She has very graciously offered to assist me with my training for the Marine Corps Marathon by running hills with me each and every Tuesday. She is a long time runner and has been very helpful in setting my training program and assisting with nutrition.

Reason 2: For those of you that live in the Annapolis area you will be familiar with the road we run - Harry S Truman Parkway. Yes, that is the street off of Riva Rd. with the MVA. For those of you not from this area take a look at the map that includes the elevations. MAP (I may take my flip camera with me in the coming weeks for a video so you all can get the true feel of this run.) There are a LOT of hills - actually you either run up or down the entire 4.06 miles.

When we first did this run, last week, I made it without stopping. Something about today being the first day of summer, with temps in the upper 80s, and humidity above 60% the run was a bit tougher. Plus, it didn't help that I hadn't eaten correctly today due to some meetings at work, so I ran out of steam on the run back.

We made the first 2.03 miles in 18:40 (9:20 min/miles which is fast for me). Unfortunately the second to last hill knocked me down to a walk just feet from the top. I need to come up with a name for this hill as it starts off gentle and then gets steep to finish. If anyone has a suggestion, please comment below.

So with Holly's Hills today I have officially started my training and for the next 19 weeks I will give it my all.

A big thank you those of you have already donated. I have raised $400.00 towards my $1,500.00. If you would like to donate please click here. Every dollar makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Be sure to stop back every few days for updates...including my Mom's story

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)

George S.

My New Challenge

Just a few weeks back I was trying to figure out how I wanted to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. After two fun summers of riding my bike and raising over $2,500.00 I was thinking I wanted a new challenge.

I was starting to get frustrated because I couldn't find anything that incorporated my new love of running...that is until Monday morning last week. I received an email from Active.com listing all the races in Baltimore this season and down at the very very bottom was an ad (for a lack of a better word) for the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure. I clicked on the link and instantly I got very excited. I knew this was just what I was looking for. I took some time (24 hours) to think it over and then registered to raise $1,500.00 to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon.

Now, some of you are going to think I'm crazy. I mean I've only completed one Half Marathon (with another planned in September) but it isn't about the run, it is about raising money to help support finding a cure for breast cancer. My goal for the marathon is to cross the finish line...no time goal!

Tuesday evening I Skyped with my parents to tell them my plan and inform my Mom that I would be running in her honor. Her strength during her battle with breast cancer is what truly drives me with each fundraiser I do. She has agreed to share her story in one of my upcoming blogs, so stay tuned!

Over the next 4 1/2 months I will be training and raising money. I will post on my blog ever few days to keep everyone posting on my fundraising and how I'm balancing training with being a wife, Mom of two amazing kids and working full time.

If you would like to donate today please go to my fundraising page (http://www.info-komen.org/goto/amandarunning) and click donate. Every dollar counts, but for everyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write their name on my race day shirt!

Thank you for your support!