Donation

I just received my first donation!!!

I haven't made any official donation requests yet but I have some great ideas.

My friend Abby, a marketing genius, is helping me plan a couple of events and I have a cousin who makes (and sells) cookies who has offered to make my pink ribbon cookies at cost to sell at event.

I am open to anyone's ideas - but thanks to Renee I have 1% of what I need to make the walk!

Thanks, Renee. I really appreciate your support!

Perspective

Today's workout was tough, I'm not going to lie.

I tried to walk 4 mph for at least two miles of it, but had to drop back to 3.9 mph. And even that was giving me problems. I just couldn't find my stride and then my ankle started spiking with pain. There I had a cramp in my side. Then I was having trouble getting enough oxygen.

When I found myself thinking of going slower than 3.9 mph, however, I suddenly remembered that today is Thursday - the day my friend's mother has her Chemo treatments.

A "moderate" workout is nothing compared to what she is dealing with!

Once that clicked in my silly little brain things went a lot easier. I finally found my stride and pumped out the last mile with few problems. My ankle is still smarting, but I won't worry about that until tomorrow.

Bummer!

I was all set to go to the gym between classes today. I was even in my car and had given up my coveted parking space in order to drive to the gym (yes, it's funny I wasn't walking, but it's booger-freezing cold outside!).

However, while en route, I realized that I left my student id at home this morning. Without it, I am denied access to my treadmills and my 3-mile walk today.

I am truly frustrated by this because I was all set to go! So, I am going to cross train today and hit it tomorrow. I'm not sure how things will pan out since I am supposed to walk 4 miles on Friday and another 3 Saturday, but I won't let myself do any damage this early on.

So, I shall take today to tell you about the training schedule I am following.

It is available here(pages 31-32), thanks to the Susan G. Komen organizers.

I have adjusted the plan to my own schedule. Instead of taking Monday as my day of rest, I take Sunday (call me traditional). This means that the longest walk of the week isn't on Saturdays, but Friday afternoons. It works best with my schedule because I am free most Friday afternoons and can walk worry-free.

Nontraditional training

So, technically, I have not hit the training regime since Friday afternoon. However, the past weekend was spent moving so I know I have worked out my muscles plenty!

There is still a lot to do at home and I just joined a carpool (thanks to my new location!) so it will mean working out a workout schedule between classes rather than after.

Last Monday I was shocked by the time that it took to walk three miles. It just seemed weird to think it would be almost an hour. But now, I understand why. I just wasn't doing the basic math. At 4 mph, it takes 15 minutes to walk a mile. Duh.

When things warm up, I fully intend to conduct my workouts outside - not only will it be more pleasant, but it will be more like the actual 3Day and it will give me a bit more scheduling freedom.

A leisurely 3 miles

You know, going into today's workout I wasn't too excited.

I stayed up late and woke up early to finish a paper due this morning and only had one class. When my freedom was granted at 12:20 I was really tempted to go home and take a nap.

But, today is the first day all week I haven't had something else to do later, so really there was no excuse.

And when I stepped on the treadmill and set my course I realized just how nice it was to have nowhere to run off to after my workout. There was no rush and no worry. So I set the treadmill for an hour, started at 3 mph and worked my way up to 3.5 mph.

I wouldn't call it leisurely, but it certainly wasn't the same pounding session as Monday's 4 mph session. Overall, I walked 3.34 miles today.

I checked my heart rate throughout and it was always between 130 and 145.

Training Day 2

Today was Day 2 (or 3, depending on your perspective) of Week 1 in my 3-Day training.

I almost didn't make it to the gym, I was just so busy, but I knew I would be upset with myself if I slacked this early in the program. I was only able to squeeze in 20 minutes of treadmill time (1.52 miles), but that is definitely better than none and I am proud of myself for making it a priority in a really busy day.

It would be a lot easier if I had a treadmill at home, but as it is I used the gym at school. There are a lot of young 'uns there, but I just remind myself that I am doing this for a good cause and have no reason to be embarrassed by my shiny, new shoes or the fact that I walk rather than run.

I am thinking of having a shirt made that says "I'm walking to fight breast cancer. You?"

Physically, things today weren't nearly as hard as Monday. It only took me half a mile to get up to my 4 mph speed and the time flew by pretty quickly, considering I forgot my iPod.

My shins are sore right now, but I know of better ways to stretch them tomorrow.

Training Day 1

Less than a mile into my first session on a treadmill in a couple of years and I was calling myself many names - none of which was very nice.

However, after 53 minutes and a grand total of 3.2 miles ... and an hour-long drive home, I have changed my mind.

This is going to be fun!

Questions for you active people: Can you explain why I started bloating up after about a mile and why my last vertebra hurt like crazy?

If the shoe fits ...

Ok, Ladies, tomorrow is the big day!

Training Day 1.

Yep, tomorrow I start training for the most athletic event of my life: the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure!

Since August 6 will find me stretching my muscles in Chicago, prepping to walk 60 miles in three days, tomorrow will find me starting the first workout of my 24-week training.

In order to be fully prepared for training (and limit the possible medical issues I may encounter), I visited a specialty store for runners this afternoon. For the first time in YEARS, I was fitted for a new pair of training shoes. The sales woman was a VERY pregnant former cross country coach who told me all about the issues I might encounter (including chafing on my boobs ... ouch). She also taught me things I never knew about the way running shoes should fit. It truly was fascinating.

Apparently, I have been buying the wrong size all along. Traditionally, I am a size 8.5. However, this means that I should buy size 9.5 in running shoes. Reasons: feet swell and you need more wiggle room for toes in running shoes.
Most of the shoes I tried were just too loose in the heel. I felt like my feet were flopping around, but there was a certain pair that fit almost perfectly. Toe room was great, width was perfect (apparently, I am an 8.5 wide - the idea of having fat feet is depressing), but the heel was just a tad too loose.

Then I was shown a trick ... using the last eyelet hole, make a loop of the shoe string to make a hole for lacing. Lace the string through that and it will tighten the fit on the heel. Kevin, who has run 4 marathons, didn't even know this trick, so I made a slide show to share.



Perfecto!

So, new shoes in hand, gym bag packed for a week of workouts (that way I can't say I forgot my clothes and skip a day), I am ready to start this newest challenge.