Summer in Upstate New York is GRRREAT!!!

Since the last update, Courtney and I have been getting settled into life back home in Horseheads, New York. After such a great trip in Atlanta (in May and early June), we were eager to return to upstate New York for summer! We left the warm and humid southern weather for slightly less warm and humid weather back home. The weekends in late June were spent at our cottage on Keuka Lake, where I began getting acclimated to the fun and fine waters of the Fingers Lakes! As you can see from the blog pictures, I have been in our motor boat, driven the boat, been swimming and enjoy hanging out in the sun on our dock! I have long said I would rather be in the Fingers Lakes in June, July and August than anywhere else…the lakes, sports, wineries, sun and activities are fantastic!

Of course the biggest event of the summer on the Finger Lakes is 4th of July weekend. The holiday is a buzz with family, friends and neighbors enjoying the great weather, company and spirit that we have found exceptionally welcoming and enjoyable at Keuka Lake. Our weekend was highlighted by a large family gathering, fireworks, good weather and of course great food!

After the fun in the sun, the following weekend it was time for a tradition (the last 7 years) in Utica, New York at Boilermaker Weekend. The Utica Boilermaker is the nation’s largest 15 kilometer (9.3 mile) running road race that averages over 10,000 participants yearly! Before my accident, I competed in the race running under 55 minutes and finishing around 100th place for six straight years. Before the Boilermaker weekend, I thought I would be able to compete in the 5K portion of the event, but a pulled muscle on the left side of my upper back prevented me from competing :-( However, my spirits were not dampened, as I was the guest speaker at the wheelchair reception held Thursday night before the race on Sunday. I was asked to share my story and the audience thought it was awesome to see my progress in less than one year’s time from the accident! I was asked several times after the presentation if motivational speaking is in my future. Who knows…perhaps that is a possibility some day! The cap of the Thursday evenings events, was the presentation of the William Coughlin Memorial Award to a runner whom represents courage and inspiration, and to my surprise, yours truly was the winner! What’s more, I was the first non-able bodied person to receive the award; it was quite an honor!!!

After an enjoyable weekend in Utica (Courtney’s hometown), we visited the Albany Medical Center to meet up with Dr. David Kuehler, the doctor who we credit with saving my life with a risky procedure that was my only hope for survival the night of the accident. I was eager to meet Dr. Kuehler so I could shake his hand and say a heartfelt thank you! Our meeting was slightly emotional and it was great to catch up with each other’s progress! Amongst other things, Dr. Kuehler is an expert in abdominal surgeries, so we consulted with him to inspect my belly, as Courtney thought I have had a hernia for the last several months. Dr. Kuehler thought I did as well and testing confirmed it! At least I know my belly, which Courtney named ‘Bruce’, is an abnormality and should ‘go away’ with a minor surgery scheduled this fall.

The following weekend, Courtney and I traveled to a good college friend’s wedding in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. As you can see from the blog pictures, Mark and Regina’s reception was a lot of fun! It was a beautiful weekend and the ceremony and reception were great; it was a blast celebrating with my alumni running teammates from Bucknell University! Fun was had by all and we wish Mark and Regina well on their honeymoon in Hawaii!

Those are the highlights of activities in June and July. The other large task I have been undertaking is selecting a vehicle that I can have modified for transportation. I have recently selected a mini-van as my vehicle of choice. Although I am not a soccer mom, lowered floor mini-vans with hand controls equipped for driving are VERY convenient and surprisingly technologically equipped! So, with good luck, I could be cruising around town in a Honda Odyssey soon, but don’t think I am rude for not waving…my hands will be very busy!

That's all folks! Again, Courtney and I thank everyone for their help and support and we look forward to meeting up with more friends, family and co-workers as the summer continues on!

Stay tuned for another update next month!

Best Regards,
Dana