The 5k that wasn't, then was

Amy and I traveled to the Cleveland area to participate in the Lifebanc Gift of Life 5k Run and Walk on August 8, 2015.  So we thought we were participating in a 5k.  We arrived early to check in and get our t-shirts and see what else was happening.  We had a chance to talk with different sponsors and exhibitors while we awaited the Legacy Garden ceremony.  Included in this was a chance to talk with the folks at the World Transplant Games table.  This event will be held in Cleveland next year.  Perhaps I'll be a participant.  After all, they do have a trivia competition and a poker competition. 

The Legacy Garden Ceremony allowed me to have a poster in the garden for others to see.  As it turns out, most of the others were people who had either received a transplant or who had a loved one who was an organ donor.  There were a handful of family members of people who died waiting.  However, I was the only one who was represented as currently awaiting an organ transplant.  I was very humbled by this.  I know there are many more out there who are in need.  It made me realize how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to function reasonably well while I wait.

One of the speakers recounted the story of her son being both a recipient and a donor.  He received a transplant as a 13-year-old, but then died tragically in an accident shortly before his college graduation.  His organs were then donated to others in need of a transplant.  Talk about paying it forward!

At the end of the ceremony, there was a balloon launch of all the participants in the Legacy Garden.

Finally, it was time for the race to begin.  The runners went first and had a different course than the walkers.  We didn't think much of it and we were on our way.  After having a bit of trouble getting my phone and playlist to cooperate, we were finally moving and I needed only one short break to catch my breath.

After about a mile, we realized we were coming back to the starting point of the race.  Everyone else seemed to be wandering around to get food and other items off the exhibitor's tables.  Amy and I both asked each other, "Was that it?"  Apparently it was.  We decided we weren't finished.  I told everyone I was going to complete a 5k and I intended to do so.  So we walked the grounds some more and ended up walking well over 5k for the morning.  So it became sort of a DIY 5k, but we did it.  Of course we had to finish with a photo in the chair at the course, which is symbolic that no chair be left empty.  

Please continue to keep Amy and I in your prayers.  Your support has been amazing!

Help me build my playlist for the 5k on Saturday

The day is almost here where I will attempt to complete the Lifebanc Gift of Life Walk & Run on Saturday, August 8, 2015.  Of course, I will be walking it.

I am looking for song suggestions for my soundtrack for this event.  I'm thinking songs that have a walking theme to them, but I'm open to suggestions of just fun songs that people think would go well.

Please feel free to post any ideas you have on my blog page, Facebook or Twitter.

Please also pray that I manage to complete this.

I'm doing a 5k on August 8!

When it comes to races, my wife Amy likes to say she's "not fast, but not last."  I may put that to the test next weekend at the 2015 LifeBanc Gift of Life Walk & Run.  I have decided that I am going to attempt to participate in this event instead of just watching as I did in a similar event in Columbus that Amy ran a few weeks back.  Make no mistake, we will be walking this one (insert my usual disclaimer that I will indeed run if there is a snake or a bear in the vicinity).

Since I was brought out of atrial fibrillation a couple of weeks ago, I was eager to get back into a better exercise routine than I was in during the four months or so that I was waiting for my heart rhythm to be brought back to normal.  Unfortunately, although there was a noticeable increase in my stamina and ability to comfortably exercise, it was a far cry from where I was in January and February.

I have been able to increase my speed and duration quite a bit on the exercise recumbent bike.  On the lowest resistance, I was able to do five miles in a little over a half hour.  My last crack at the bike saw me hit 11 miles in just over an hour.

Amy and I have been walking along part of the bike trail that runs through Dayton.  Unfortunately, I did not notice a great deal of difference in the distance I could go without taking breaks along the way.  Although I did feel a bit better.  Today, I went to the exercise room at our apartment complex to see where I was at on the treadmill.  Unfortunately, I found it startling how much slower I was able to handle  and how often I had to take a break as opposed to back in February.  I managed to do about half of a 5k, but my speed was down to about 2.6 mph where I had gotten to an average of about 3.3 mph.

I will continue to "train" in advance of this 5k and hope to lessen the number of breaks I need to take and increase my duration.  I'd like to at least get one actual 5k in prior to the event.  I really don't know what the course will be like, but I am hopeful for a flat course.

Although this event is a fundraiser for LifeBanc in Cleveland (an organization that promotes organ donation in the Cleveland area) if you would like to make a donation to my HelpHOPELive campaign, it would be appreciated as well.