Autopsy Guidelines Revised for Alzheimer's

Autopsy guidelines revised for Alzheimer's
For many years, an autopsy done by a pathologist was considered the best way to confirm the presence of Alzheimer's disease.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43787995/ns/health-aging/t/autopsy-guidelines-revised-alzheimers/from/toolbar

Paint the Park Purple

Last Thursday, John, Dad, Mom, and I went to Paint the Park Purple at AutoZone Park.




I am very grateful that the Memphis Redbirds and AutoZone park hosted the Alzheimer's Awareness night. 40% of the ticket sales (if you specified the Alzheimer's Association) went to the local chapter. The Memphis Redbirds' players wore special uniforms. They were white, with purple sleeves. On the front (where the number would usually go) there was a purple ribbon. They auctioned off the game worn jerseys too!

This was the 2nd year for Paint the Park Purple. This year was earlier in the season than last year's...I feel that this is a good thing. It is advertisement for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. The more people that know about the walk, the better then walk will be.

The Memphis Walk to End Alzheimer's will be on November 11 at 9am starting and ending at AutoZone Park. This will be my 6th Walk to End Alzheimer's (formally Memory Walk). Every year, the walk has grown. I still hope that it can become even bigger. Whenever I participate in other charity walks/runs, I am amazed at the number of people at the event. The Walk to End Alzheimer's just isn't there yet. I don't know what it will take to make it as big as other events in town. Hopefully, word of mouth and events such as Paint the Park Purple will put Alzheimer's awareness in the spotlight. I know that I will never stop fighting and advocating until there is an end to this horrible disease.

Quote for the Day

"Running has given me an opportunity to reach out and be a benefit to a fellow human being." ~ Mark Goldstein on the Komen Race for the Cure

I really love today's quote. When I ran the Chicago Marathon, I ran it for all people affected by Alzheimer's disease. When I remind myself that my running is not just a benefit to me, but millions others, it inspires me to achieve goals I never before thought possible.

Coffee and Alzheimer's

This morning, as I was drinking my coffee, I read the following article.

http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/28/6968218-coffee-buzz-protects-brain-from-alzheimers

Now, I'm very glad that I can't live without my morning coffee!

Alzheimer's Association Longest Day

I received an e-mail from the Alzheimer's Association stating, "We can see an end to the longest day. Living with Alzheimer’s disease or caring for someone who has it requires endurance, patience, love and strength — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On June 21, the longest day of the year, participate in an activity that shows your commitment to going the distance in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Run, walk, bike or get active as part of the Alzheimer’s Association Longest Day™, a sunrise-to sunset-relay that raises funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research."

I took up the challenge. After work today, I ran a 5K. I wish that I could have run further, but my endurance took a beating after no training for 8 months. I know that Grandpa would be proud of the 3.1 miles that I did run in his memory today.

Running Quote for the Day

I received my quote of the day from Runner's World this morning and thought it was too good not to share.

"If you run every day until you're 90 years old, I guarantee that you'll live a long life." ~ Bill Rodgers' Lifetime Running Plan

It definitely made me smile today. :)

I'm Back

I know, I know...I have been away for a very long time. Let's just say that after the Chicago Marathon, I lost every bit of motivation I had. I thought after watching all the marathoners at the St. Jude Marathon in December I was motivated again. I was wrong. We returned from a 2.5 week vacation to Australia in January, and I thought I would start running again then...wrong again. I basically stopped running and pretty muched stopped working out all together. I finally started feeling very bad about myself for my lack of workout motivation. I forced myself to start being active again.

I just realized I never posted any pictures of my Chicago Marathon experience. Here is a picture of me before the race. Notice my purple for the Alzheimer's Association.




I do have good news to report: I am now working out about 4 times a week. Most weeks, 2 of these workouts are runs. They are only 2-3 milers, nothing like the double digit runs that I used to do on a regular baasis. It is a start though. :)

I am not currently training for any races. I want to get back into the swing of running before deciding what race to tackle next.

I am however raising money for the Alzheimer's Association again this year. For those that don't know, my grandpa passed away in March. Although we know that he is in a better place and now remembers us again, it has been very hard for me and my family. Please visit my "Walk to End Alzheimer's" webpage and consider a donation. I feel guilty that I'm not running a marathon for Grandpa this year, but I am doing my best to raise money in his honor. http://2011walktoendalz.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=457023&lis=1&kntae457023=E1A8B7C4BBD54BDFB783A3442352054F&supId=293082473

Here's a picture of Grandpa in his Cardinals shirt. Oh, how he loved his St. Louis Cardinals!