I just LOVE that saying, “I get by with a little help from my friends” (yes, I’m aware it’s actually a “song” and not a “saying”, but since it’s the only words of the song I know, and I’m not even quite sure who sings it – The Beatles? The Monkees? The B-52’s? – anyway, it was before my time & I call it a saying;-)

I think it would be an understatement to say that my friends have been my life-line this past year! They were there when I was in pain, when I was waiting those long agonizing months for surgery, when I was in the hospital, when I came home from the hospital (visiting me, bringing yummy meals, and getting me out of the house!) and alas…as I am rehab’ing - they are STILL there.

So it really came as no surprise when making the choice to do the Disney Princess Half Marathon, that I would want them THERE with me too (besides, as another REAL saying goes… “Misery LOVES company”!) I currently have 4 friends (including my mom) who have already signed up to do this race with me! This is great for so many reasons – most importantly, ACCOUNTABILITY!  But also, it makes training more fun and when you get discouraged it is so nice to have someone who really understands.

As for my training, the best I can say right now is that it’s “going”. These cold snaps we’ve been having haven’t been the best thing for my back (while “most” of my back problems were helped by the surgery, I will always have arthritis which can’t be treated until I’m 6 months post-op, that’s January 14^th…not that I’m counting!

Something to do with anti-inflammatories messing with the fusion, & as the doctor says “we want to fuse with strong bone”. See Dr. Vale, I really was listening!). For now, I’m still just trekking around Lake Hollingsworth. Several of you have asked Whitney about Lake Hollingsworth – so for those of you who don’t live in Lakeland and don’t know about our little treasure… Lake Hollingsworth is a lake (oh yes it is, REALLY!) that is 2.84 miles around. Now for those extreme “A” personality types (like myself) there are markers around the lake, so I always go up to the next mile number (if I hadn’t sworn off doctor’s I might have wanted to see one for this!).

My goal still remains…. to finish the race! I will admit to you though – this is going to be a lot harder than I originally thought! My body has really been through more than I was admitting to myself. Lucky for me, I am pig-headed and if I say I’m going to do something than I try my best to do it! I think for this week I will try “visual” exercises…. I envision myself sittin’ back, enjoying a glass of something, with my tiara medal on my neck, another tiara on my head, and living….

HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER,

~Trish