NYC Marathon!

For anyone unaware, I'll be running this year's NYC marathon for the Arthritis Foundation. Training's been difficult since I had to take off a little time due to my bike accident and the fact I'm still recovering from a broken wrist, but I'm finally starting to feel a bit more like myself when I go out to run.

The recent heat wave hasn't made it any easier and I find myself looking forward to the fall more than ever, especially now that I'm not doing any more triathlons this season. I also happen to be one of those freaks who prefers working out in the cold weather over heat no matter what. This is how I ended up with frostbite on three toes, matter of fact, but you live and learn, right?

So, since this will be my first marathon, my goal is to improve my running for the 2010 triathlon season and not get injured along the way. But more importantly, it's to raise $3,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis affects over 43 million people in the US, including someone I love very dearly. If you can help me reach my goal, even if it's just with a small donation, please visit my fundraising page: http://afnycmarathon.kintera.org/jenniferplace.

Thank you!

Team Lipstick Pride

After a boat trip to Westbrook, CT this weekend, I arrived back in NYC last night to see that Team Lipstick turned out another fantastic race performance in Harriman, NY. I'm so proud to say I coach this team and excited to think about how for many of these women, this is their first season of racing. I see many of them becoming known in the tri community as someone to watch and I hope they realize they motivate me as much as I try to motivate them. I just spent an hour on the bike trainer so I can keep up when I get back outside!

One Month Post-Op

Since my accident on July 4, I don't think I've stayed in one place longer than five days. I had a vacation to Block Island and Sag Harbor and spent a lot of time with family and friends. Now, one month later, I'm out of the brace and working on gaining full mobility. This will take many months, but I see improvement every day. I need to be vigilant about massaging the area to decrease scar tissue build up (which my honey is doing for me above) and stretching my hand across the full range of motion even though it really hurts to do both these things. I'll be going to physical therapy three times a week to hopefully speed up this part of my recovery.

At my follow up with my surgeon, I mentioned my thumb was still hurting. What? I didn't mention the thumb before surgery? I guess I figured what's a thumb when your freakin' wrist is busted? Well, it turns out so was my thumb. Luckily, not so bad that it didn't heal just fine on its own. Actually, the surgeon said I'm probably lucky I never mentioned it because if he had known, he'd have immobilized me even more!

Instead, he's "letting me out of the gate." I can do pretty much anything I feel comfortable with and the more I use my hand, the better off I'll be. I know I can't safely ride my bike yet (I'm still not comfortable reaching for the brake or putting full weight on that hand), but I swam in the open water for the first time since the crash this weekend. Though I moved a bit slower than I usually would move at this time of year, I couldn't have been happier to be out there again.