Thursday, June 29, 2006

Giving Blood...

I gave blood on Wednesday. I actually like giving blood. The needle doesn't bother me, the personal questions don't bother me, the people are always very nice, friendly and thankful that you have come to give, and the knowledge that I could be saving someone's life when I walk off of that bus (or out the door if I'm at one of the donor centers) makes me feel good. Sure, now that I'm working and they come to my office, I get out of work for a bit to go give, but I've gone to the centers on my own time to do it as well. It's something I feel good about. I also put my name on the bone marrow list, I have never been contacted about it, but if I was, knowing that it can be painful, I'd still go...it might save someone's life, and how can you not be willing to do that?

Anyway, that all said, it does make me feel drained after. I gave last somewhere mid-training and it slowed me down, thankfully only for a week though. Today was my first run after giving this time (thankfully this trip by the blood mobile was actually perfect in my training cycle since I'm still recoverying and then will be building up again) and it was definitely not one of my better runs. It was a bit warmer, my diet today left something to be desired (I had a good lunch of chicken caeser salad, but also had dessert, it was my friends birthday, chocolate cake, vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate fudge...yummy!!) and then the lower blood count...that along with the stress I'm feeling over this rooomate thing. Seriously I get shaky and blood pressure probably goes up when I think about it, thankfully he's gone tomorrow and I can get things back to normal...I need to find a normal roommate!

The run though, it was a 9:15 average for 4 miles...not too bad, I did have to stop and tie shoes during it, so it as slightly faster and as I said, I did give blood...

I'm still feeling a bit down though. I really need more miles that's for sure. I was reading RW tonight and had a few articles just make me teary eyed, either because of the triumph of the person, or just the story itself...now I should not be weapy over a magazine!!

5 comments:

mg said...

Good for you for donating! I used to donate in college (and volunteer monthly at the drives), but I'm a little selfish with my blood now. I had a bad experience after donating in high school, so I'm a little paranoid about donating while training. I took a strange sort of pride in how fast I could fill the bag, I think I once was done in 5 minutes. I should go donate in October, it's been too long.

Yay for roommate being gone tomorrow!

Kurt said...

Good grief DG! You just ran a kick ass marathon, your donating blood, please give yourself a break and some recovery time. You need it if your going to kick butt at the MCM.

As far as the roommate I am thinking send him to the beach and we will feed him to the bull sharks that are hanging out here this weekend. (Yep we had some sightings so not a lot of water time for me but will send the roomie in for you)

Danielle said...

Hmm....sharks...now how to get him out your way!!

That's scary though. So much for enjoying the water on the 4th.

I know, I know, I'm still recovering, although it has now been 13 days since my marathon, I should be good!!

SRR said...

You gave blood and then ran all in the same day? Jesus H!

Danielle said...

No, I didn't run that day, but I have done that before...:) First time I gave I went and strength trained and did cardio work!! :) I know, I'm stupid...