Aftermath

It is amazing to me the change in me since the 3-day.  It has now been 4 months, and my foot has healed.  I am working out more than ever, and enjoy it more than before.  I am riding my bike and still getting some walking in.  I am not logging it on to my Fitness journal, which is why the line hasn't moved in a while.  It still amazes me that I have walked that far!

November 11

NOTE:  Pictures are up in a separate gallery! 

My apologies for not getting back here sooner, but last minute training and getting my commitments in a row before the walk kept me offline for a bit.

The walk was the most incredible experience I have ever had.  At no time did I feel like I was less than anyone there, even if they walked faster than I, were skinnier than I, whatever.  Everyone nurtured everyone else, and the crew made us all feel like queens!

November 5

I did  a total of 38 miles!!! That's 75,986 steps on the pedometer!

Thank you all for your support!

 You may need a tissue before reading the following!

 I am back from what has to be the most wonderful experience I have ever had. I walked 35 miles of the course, and was deeply impressed by the support of so many people along the way. Not only at the organized cheering stations that were published ahead of time, don't get me wrong these were incredibly uplifting, but the impromptu ones along the way. The man with the misting machine on a trailer that found us 2-3 times a day to cool us off in its fog, the 3-pigs construction company that scooted along the course handing out humor and snacks, the “Boobaliscious” ladies that told a story in installments (and changed incredible evening gowns) several times each day, ending with the crowning of “Ms. Boobaliscious”! The reaction when you thanked a crew member for their work and the smiling response that "No, you are the one doing all the hard stuff".

I can't stop tearing up when I think about the generosity and support I received from y'all, and everyone around me! There are no words to describe how it feels to accomplish such a thing.

The Opening ceremonies were held at sunrise. It was cold, and we were expectant. We didn't know where we were walking to, or how far we would go that day. We knew that the average we would walk a day would be 20 miles. We had trained for it, we were ready. I had a bruised metatarsal joint, a training injury, so my goal was just to go as far as I could. After opening ceremonies, they let us out of the enclosure in a steady stream of walkers. The path wove up the hill, and it was like a line of ants going up the hill. We walked from Mesa to Tempe, a total of 18.3 miles. I got a total of 12.5miles in. When I caught the sweep van to rest and ice my foot, I got so many congratulations for doing that many miles, and thanks from the crew. The medical crew checked my foot, dressed a blister, and once I had iced my foot, I was off to complete my 12.5 miles.

Camp was in Tempe. It is hard to describe. There were semi trailers parked in a quadrangle that were our showers with UNLIMITED hot water. There was a huge dining tent and kitchen area. The medical area was well staffed with doctors and nurses who could help with any issues you had. They had an ice pool where you could soak your feet each night. There was a lounging area where you could pick up any mail that had been sent to the 3-day post office or read a magazine or just sit and chat. During dinner, there was a wide variety of entertainment from Mexican folk dancing, to singers and groups, to a Native American shaman that came and did a prayer song and the tribal ladies that did some dances for us.

I accomplished 14.5 miles the next day. We walked from Mesa up to Scottsdale and back. The walk was through some wonderfully scenic areas, including one park where the path crossed the water in such a way that it looked like the walkers in front of us were walking on water. There was a long period of time where we were out of reach of the sweep vans, but it was beautiful next to the water.

Day 3 we walked from Mesa up to downtown Phoenix. Unfortunately, after the first rest stop, about 4 miles into the walk, my foot felt like someone had snapped it with a rubber band on the bruised joint, and I had to quit. Luckily, we know it is not a stress fracture, but I cannot do any walk training for 3 weeks! They pampered me in their medical tent, making sure I had ice for my foot, and food to eat (way too much now that I wasn't walking much (4 miles not much??) and water and gatorade to rehydrate. I caught a van to lunch, then a bus to closing ceremonies.  I would not have stopped, but my team were worried about my foot and circled me as I walked to the van, assuring me that I had done great doing what I had done.  A total mileage for the 3 days of 35 miles!

I can't describe the end of the trail and closing ceremonies without getting teary. As each of us came across the finish line into a holding area, you walked through a corridor of volunteers, families, other walkers all cheering you. They didn't care that you hadn't done the whole 60 miles, they just cared that you had tried. The noise as each walker came in was deafening. Closing ceremonies opened up without us in the knoll where it was held. After a bit we walked in, holding hands in the air, 10 abreast. This took a while as there were 2,200 walkers! Then came the volunteer crew, and we cheered them as hard as or harder than they had cheered for us all weekend. After a pause they were followed by the breast cancer survivors who had either volunteered or walked. We each held up one shoe in salute of them and everyone they represented as they walked in. They were the reason that we did what we did.

As you can see, it will be hard now to get back into the "real" world. I have been cheered for just walking across the street; I have been patted on the back as I walk to the shower. I have been greeted like I was the queen of everything rather than just one of 2,000.

Will I do it again? Yes, I think so. Maybe I will go as a part of the crew. Not next year, it will be too much to ask of everyone that contributed this year to do it again next, and it is my goal for next year to ride in the state championships with my horse.

It was all very moving and life changing.

November 4 - Day 2

I now know why I don't camp.  I woke up tangled in my sleeping bag and off my pad.  My back was also sore and.... Who turned off the heat??

After getting up and stretching, I felt better and had a good breakfast fo biscuits, a little bacon, scrambled egg and fruit.

Today the route wound its way north through the ASU campus and across highways 60 and 202 into Scottsdale.

We took a long walk along a lake to the stop before lunch.

I have developed a sizeable blister on my heel from the insole in my right shoe, so I changed it back to the original insole and bandaged the blister.

Lunch was a really nice affair in Papago park.  We sat under the mesquite trees and ate our lunch.  We then starting walking up the only true hill so far on the walk.  It wasn't steep, but it was long!

After the descent, we crossed the old bridge over Town Lake into old downtown Tempe.  It is a beautiful area with a lot of neat shops and restaurants. At rest stop 4, I had the blister on my heel checked, and it was huge! After having it dressed, and the ice put on my foot, I had to stop walking.  I couldn't get my foot into my shoe!  I took the bus back to camp.  But I had done 14.5 miles!!!  Just 7 from the end!!

We showered fairly soon after we had cooled off.  I suppose I should describe taking a shower in these circumstances.  First of all, you walk across the park to the shower area and pick up your towels (which I was happy I had subscribed to) and you take a chair in line outside one of 8 halves of a tractor trailer.  As each person comes out of the shower, the eager question is "Are there any empty?".  The sharper people coming down the stairs already know the answer and shout it out before the question is asked.

After you shed your shoes at the bottom of a set of steep stairs, you find a place on a narrow bench to store your stuff and make sure none of it will fall onto the damp floor. You claim your shower stall.  This is actually the size of a hall closet with a curtain on the long side. The upside is that the water pressure is glorious and there is a never-ending supply of hot water. When you are done, you get dressed, trying not to get anything wet, and exit.  And the cycle continues...

After my shower, I went by the medicine tent and had my blister looked at.  They lanced it since I couldn't wear my shoe with it, put antibiotic ointment on it, and a band aid.  I am supposed to go in tomorrow at 6:00 to get it covered for the walk.

Then came dinner which included a wonderful piece of cheesecake.  The entertainment during dinner was really good. First were dancers from a Mexican Folk Dance School, ages 8 to 16. The costumes were beautiful and the dancers were very good.  They were followed by a group from the Akchin O'Odom tribe that did a blessing prayer in English, then a blessing chant for us. They then did 4 dances that were very interesting.

I have finally found out that if you aren't interested in what is going on in the dinner tent, the choices for entertainment don't end.  One group is standing outside watching the Portapotties being cleaned and hoping to be the first in one of the 9 that are near our tent. Another group has gathered and are comparing blisters and walk war stories.  Then there is me.  I am in my tent, with Biofreeze on my back and left leg which has become sore.  I am writing about this amazing experience.

The volunteers and crew have been absolutely amazing and will go out of their way to help you if you need it, or see that you need something.

Tomorrow will be an early morning.  By 6 we have to have had breakfast, packed, rolled up our tent, and taken our equipment to the truck. At 6:00 I have to be at the Med tent to get my blister checked and be ready to start walking by 6:45.

They say we will only do 16.3 miles tomorrow.  We will see how my foot holds up.  I did 14.5 today, so maybe I can get more in tomorrow.  We will see how the bruised foot holds up!

Good Night!

November 3, Day 1

It was cold this morning, cold enough at the opening ceremonies to see your breath.

Opening Ceremony was moving.  The neatest thing was watching the beginnings of the line of walkers rise up the hill to the southeast of the part where the ceremonies were.  It resembled a line of ants making their way out of their hole.

The walk to the first stop seemed like nothing, and after getting a snack and refilling my camelback, we went on to #2.

Each rest stop has a theme, and the volunteers seem to go out of their way to make our journey fun and memorable.

We walked through downtown Gilbert to a chorus of honking and waving cars.

The afternoon got warm, and at a rest stop after lunch, I stopped and iced my foot.  I have a bruised metatarsal, and despite the gel pad under it, it is not happy.

1 mile after the rest stop, I caught a sweep van (The candy Van) to the next rest stop. When I took my shoe off the toe looked better, but the joint at the base of the toe was swollen.  After 10 minutes of icing, I caught the bus back to camp.  Only 12 miles today. I am disappointed, but I could not have gone any more. I would probably been pulled from the walk, and that would have been worse.

The tents were ready to set up when I got to camp, and I was assisted by 2 of the ASU Baseball players! Marcia, my tent mate came in and was surprised that our home away from home was all set up, ready to decorate.  She had made the whole walk today.

We decorated the tent with pink inflatable flamintos.  They look cute against the blue of the tent.

Next on the agenda was a welcome shower, back to the tent, and then to dinner.

I am sitting here in the dining tent across from 2 ladies from Bermuda.  Way Cool! I learned that there are 2,200 walkers here this weekend. I have no idea how many crew members there are, but they are an incredibly helpful, encouraging and cheerful lot.

Although it is only 6:30 at night, I am tired and ready for bed. We were up really early (4:00) this morning.

Well, the show is about to start, and I think I may wander back to my tent.  Hopefully, tomorrow I will get more miles in.  We will see!

October 30 - 3 days out!

Had Pilates today.  We did some challenging movements, and I accomplished them!

I went by Fleet Feet about my shoes.  We have added a gel pad under my right foot to try to cushion the joint that is sore. They think the joint may actually be bruised, and I'll need to rest it when this walk is over. 

I need to finish John's project for delivery tomorrow, then start packing. THe time is going so fast, and I am still a little nervous about all this.  I have trained, physically I am as ready as I can be.  Mentally, I am nervous.

Well, gotta get to work!

October 27

Has it really been a month since I have been able to get on here?  It doesn't seem that long.  The walk is now next weekend, and I can't believe it is that close!

The longest walk we did was a 19 mile trek, which went from Kolb and Broadway into downtown. I had some foot problems and had to finish the walk later, but that problem is solved thanks to the crew at Fleet Feet who helped me cope with a toe that digs into the ground when I push off and was turning black and cracking the toenail as a result.  NOT comfortable to walk on!

I have bought 2 new pairs of shoes and the new insoles, and am breaking them in.  I have walked Reid Park a few times, and find that I really like it.  The scenery is nice, and even though it's only a 2.8 mile loop, I find that if I alternate directions each round it doesn't get boring.

The plan for the remaining time before the walk is to do 9-10 miles tomorrow, 8 on Sunday and on Tuesday 5.  Monday I have a Pilates class that will be mostly stretching, and a water session that is again walking and stretching.  The remainder of the week will be resting, carb loading and getting ready to head up to Phoenix on Thursday.

I cannot believe the time is here!  I can't believe the amount of support I have gotten both monetarily, but more importantly, personal and moral support from everyone around me.  I cannot get over the heartwarming messages and encouragement I have been getting, some from people I have never met!

Financially, I am now officially OVER my goal of $3,000.  When the check I will mail in the morning gets totaled in, I will be at $3,004.  Incredible!  When I made this goal, I said, "What the heck, if I do it great, but I am not sure I can do it".  Now I know that I have a marvelous group of people around me that help to make it all happen.

I have a list of 59 people to carry with me.  Some commercial firms, some clubs, and a LOT of individuals, some who gave twice to make the goal.  I know a lot of people have made sacrifices to contribute, and that has really touched me.

I will also honor the requests that I have had a couple of people make for my walk.  I certainly will not forget every one of you that made it all possible.

As soon as I can after the walk, I will post pictures and a recap.  I will email those of you I have emails for so that you can join in the victory!

THANK YOU!!!  You all have made me feel loved and supported.  You have helped me make this challenge a reality.  I could not have done it without all your support.

September 23

 Now that the mileage is getting longer, it is getting hard to get online to do my blog.  It is almost 10:30 at night, and I am more than ready for bed.

The most interesting walk we have done so far is a hike in the Chiricahua mountains.  It was so beautiful, and the hills challenged me a lot.

I went with a group of 7.

Top row left to right:  Katherina, Sandra (both from Germany), Me, Kay and Sandra.  Bottom row is Kristie and Robert.

Here is another shot of us ladies (Robert is taking the picture)

The rock formations there are incredible. You can see them from the car, but they are well worth the walk to get in among them.

We got a little bit of a sprinkle just before we finished, but it didn't dampen our spirits.  We had lunch up at Massai Point and later walked down that trail just a bit to see the views.

I will definitely go back!

It is so hard to believe that the walk is now only 5 weeks away! I have checked in online and I am beginning to assemble my gear.

The opening ceremonies are to be held in Gilbert.  I will be sending out invitations to both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the location of the cheering stations in case you would like to attend.

There will also be a post office where you can send encouragement to me, and I will post that this weekend.  All letters need to be received no later than October 15th to be at camp during the walk.

This weekend I will be walking 8 miles on Saturday as well as riding in a little schooling show.  Sunday it looks like I will meet a group of friends to get some mileage in around Saguaro East.

The steps go on!

September 13

Things have been extremely busy.  I am getting my training walks in, but it has been difficult to do much else than walk, work and ride.  I have been involved in a riding clinic with an international judge the last week, and getting time in to walk, and the energy to do it, is a challenge, but one I have managed to meet.

Here is a picture of Falcao and I in the clinic.

I thought you  might like to see what Falcao and I do when we are together. The cooler weather has made it much easier to get out to do the horse, and to do my walking. Even the rain has been pleasant!

This weekend is another clinic weekend, but the goal is to include 8 miles on Saturday and another 8 on Sunday. 

The fundraising is going well, but I am getting a little nervous.  My donations all need to be in soon, and I am still short on my final goal.  I am short $101 from being able to walk, and $901 short from reaching my set goal.  I hope I can do it!

Here is the goal ribbon as it looks now!

I can't believe it is only 51 days now until the event!  I am ready.

I haven't figured out the logistics, but I would like to put an entry into my log each evening.  The problem is storing the computer in a safe place.  I will continue to look for a solution to this, and if you have any suggestions, please contact me and let me know your ideas.

September 3

Yesterday was a really good day, and I got some good mileage in.  This week has been good altogether.  But this morning was a different story.  Not sure what happened. 

Robert walked the first 6.3 miles with me.  There were some hills, but no serious ones.  We walked a good pace (21 minute miles), and had a good time.

This is my husband, Robert.  This is also his walking uniform.  It doesn't seem to matter what the temps are, he is in a long sleeve shirt and his khakis.  But he is so great for going out with me.

The day today was overcast and breezy, with a temp of only 75.  Perfect weather for walking.  We took a new route and saw some interesting things.  Down on Golf Links there are some Desert Willows and some Palo Verde trees that are blooming out of season.  Here's one of the Desert Willows.

We also saw a wonderful old Saguaro that despite the fact that it already had more arms than we could count, we found buds for at least 4 more arms.

There was also a couple of cactus wrens up at the top that used the Saguaro as a scolding platform.

All in all today, we got in a good 8.2 miles.  My ankle held up well without being wrapped, but I couldn't walk as far as I was really hoping. 

I will go out tomorrow and try again at a slower pace and see where that gets me.

I hope you are all having a good Labor Day holiday.

Oh, BTW, here is how my fundraising is doing!

August 26

Wow, postings only 2 days apart!  Will wonders ever cease?

Yesterday I followed Kim around. She is 16.  We ended up walking about 8 miles at her speed, and it was a lot of fun.  My ankle didn't bother me, and I got some of my mileage in.

Today I went up to Phoenix for the 3-day Expo.  It was a great experience, and I met a lot of the walkers and staff who will be there.

Check-in was in the hallway outside the meeting rooms, and it was well organized.  It was outside, and following a training walk (which I had to miss because of the ankle), so some of us looked fresh off the road.

This is Donna Goldberg, our Team Captain

She is just back from the walk, so she looks a touch hot.  She is a sweet lady who will be working as crew for the walk.  They work as hard as we walk.  Without their efforts, we couldn't do this, and they have to raise the money, too.  Our team name is "The Tao Girls" after Donna's mother's book about staying young despite stereotypes about being "older".  Fits me, I think.

There were a lot of vendors there, and information tables.  They also gave away door prizes, but I didn't win anything.

The classes were interesting.  There was a great one given by Dr. Nick about before & After the event care, and I learned a new strengthening exercise for my ankle.  It will strengthen my muscles so the tendons and ligaments aren't the only thing holding it together, and this will prevent future injuries.  YEAH!!

This is a class on shoes and socks.

It was taught by a fellow from REI, and he gave us some great info on shoe types, and care of the socks and shoes.

In addition, there were classes on how to pack, how to set up the tent, and one on general tips for the walk.

All the classes were full, some people opted to sitting on the floor as opposed to standing in the back.

I still have some walking to do this afternoon, and then a 10-miler to do tomorrow.  I will post more pictures as I get them. 

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  They are fun for me, and I think they give you an idea of what I am experiencing.

Oh, the coolest thing?................ When Donna came up to me after not seeing me for a month and a half, and her first comment was "You've lost so much more weight!"  I could only grin from ear to ear.  It's good to know that the work shows.

August  24

I finally got permission today to start some serious walking again.  Up to now, I have been limited to walks no longer than 7.5 miles in length and then with my ankle wrapped.  I have finally reached the point where my ankle is tolerating these distances very well, and tomorrow I will go out for a 10 mile walk, ankle wrapped, followed by another 10 mile walk.  Saturday is the Expo in Phoenix and I am very excited to see what is in store for me at the walk.  Here we will see the facilities, meet other walkers, get packing lists, and other adventures.  I have completed online check-in, and it is very final now.

Fundraising is over $1,900 now, and I am only $300 from being able to walk, and less than $1,100 from my ultimate goal of $3,000. 

I continue to ride my horse and work out in both Pilates and with Brenda at the Gym.  Brenda has proved to be a great resource, and I feel confident that I will be ready for this challenge.

As an added bonus, I have lost an additional 12 pounds since starting the training, and look forward to getting on the scale tomorrow.

I will take pictures tomorrow on my walk, and also in Phoenix to let you in on what's going on.

We do know that the walk starts in Gilbert, winds through Phoenix and ends in downtown Phoenix.  I will post more info on the route as I get it.

I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

August 9

A rest day today.  I guess I need it for my ankle, but I no longer like to just sit still.  I could think of a lot of things I would rather do. 

To make things worse, Robert is in jury duty this week so I can't talk to him.  But enough of this whining.

Today was the drawing for the quilt I was raffling off.  There were over 100 tickets in the box, and we drew the first name.  We tried to call, but the number was disconnected and we couldn't really read the name, so we drew again.  SO the official winner of the quilt is Carol Ann Keck of Tucson.  She has been called and is thrilled.  I am happy for her, but I will miss the quilt.

My fundraising got a big boost today with several of my friends chipping in.  I am now up to $1,812!!

We have been informed of some of the route for the walk.  It will start in Gilbert and end at one of the parks in downtown Phoenix.  I will post where the cheering stations are when I find out where they are.

Now if I can just get back on the road!

I promise more pictures tomorrow!

August 7

Drat!  I had my workout with Brenda this afternoon and did some walking.  Weather was wonderful. 

Kim and Hannah, the girls who are visiting from Germany got back into town from Flagstaff, and we decided to swim rather than shop before dinner.  Well, to make a long story short, I fell getting into the pool and twisted my left ankle.  I spent some time in the pool to cool it off, and did some treading of water, but I must admit it really hurts.

At least I got some good mileage in this last week, and last weekend.  I will meet with Brenda tomorrow to work out and we will work around the ankle.  I'm sure she'll find things for me to do.

It is only a minor twist, so I should be back to walking soon.

Just 13 more weeks!

August 6

I had a wonderful weekend.  Saturday I woke up to find that I had no clean socks, so I had to wash and dry some before I could go out to walk.  That meant that I missed the organized training walk.  I was bummed, but I went out on my own and got the job done.  Going out on my own is not as much fun as the group, but it gets the job done.  And the weather wasn't hot at all.

I sure miss being able to walk in Sabino Canyon, though.  The area is so much prettier than here around my house. 

On Sunday, I slept in a touch, getting up at 7:00.  Robert surprised me by asking me if he could walk with me part way.  I was thrilled!  I love company when I walk.

I tried to take pictures with my phone, but obviously I still don't understand how it works.  I will have to get the girls to show me how.

There are a lot of cactus blooming out here, and of all things, we found mushrooms growing in full sun on the sand.  I had never realized that we had that much rain!

We did 6.5 miles on Sunday, and Robert  did the whole walk with me. 

It was a beautiful day!

July 31

Time has a way of getting away when you are busy.  I have been busy walking and training.  The recent rains have made it difficult, especially with Sabino Canyon now flooded and hiking limited, I have had to turn to the treadmill for my workouts. Even my options with the horses have been limited because the road out to the barn has been running, too.

Last week I did 20 miles for the week, even including a couple of rest days.  This week it is my goal to do 23 with 10 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday.

The above picture is the dam at Sabino Canyon.  At the present there is 8,000 cubic feet of water going over the dam a minute.  Amazing.  You can hear the sound from a mile away!

I am off to the treadmill.  Will post tomorrow with more pictures!

June 26

I must apologize for not updating this site earlier.  I have been extremely busy putting volunteers together for the horse show this past weekend, training and working.

Even though I was unable to do  formal training walks this weekend, I still managed to get 14 miles in.  I wore a pedometer at the show and did 4 miles on Friday, 6 on Saturday and another 4 on Sunday.  This puts my weekly total up to 19 miles. My trainer told me that some days of training where I am on my feet all day, and walking is a good regimen.  I have regularly attended my Pilates and water aerobics classes.

Last week, I had a small setback when I tweaked my knee on a training walk.  We changed my training into the pool, and I walked in the pool until my knee quit popping.  It is now 100%, and I am still in training.  Now I know the value of listening to my body.

My fund raising is moving along, albeit a little slow.  I raised another $100 this weekend, and the quilt raffle is now up to $90. 

I have put posters for my fundraising at the gym and Simply Dinners.  I have also sent out another 50 emails.

I won't lie to you that it is fun training in the heat, but I now know how valuable this physical training has been to me, and how much it has boosted my confidence.

Well, I am off to go to Pilates!

June 10

 This has been one busy week.  Between training, riding horses and working, my days have been extremely full.  I have managed to get 13 miles in this week, and I hope to get another 4-5 in tomorrow.  It all depends on how I feel when I get up.

Today was a "Training Kick Off" training walk with the 3-day staff.  It was fun walking with that many people.  There were about 20 walkers and we "only" did 5 miles.  I put the "only" in quotes because the 5 miles was up in the foothills around La Encantada Mall.  We started by going north further into the foothills and faced not only the uphill, but 2 washes in  succession that were a little steep sided.  I handled this well, and knew that although this was going to be a tough walk, that I could do it.

We averaged a whopping 3.2 miles per hour.  There was one woman there with a GPS strapped to her wrist, and when I was walking with her I was up to 3.4 miles per hour, and that was 3 miles into the walk.  At 3 miles we crossed Sunrise and walked the neighborhoods south of La Encantada.  There was a long, slow slope up to the mall.  Performance Footwear had water and a shoe fitting seminar after the walk, as well as a cool place and ice to cool off in. 

I am very happy with today, and am glad I went.  I met a lady (I'm sorry I have forgotten her name) with whom I will be walking in Sierra Vista.

I wish I had remembered to take my camera so that I could share some of the beautiful views of Tucson we got on the walk.  Absolutely marvelous!

June 4, 2006

 Today Robert walked with me, and we did the route up Spanish Trail to the School Crossing again. Here is a picture of me setting out on the walk.

It was rather warm this morning, but we did the walk 10 minutes faster total, for an 18 minute mile! Tomorrow is an active rest day, which means that I will only do Pilates. 

This means I have logged 14 miles this weekend, and 17 for the week.

Oh, we noticed this morning that a mourning dove has built a nest in an orange tree, here is her picture.

I think I like having photos on this page, I will try to remember my camera when I go out.

I need to finish this up and get it online so I can go out and ride Falcao before it gets too much hotter!

June 3, 2006

 Yesterday I walked from my house up past 22nd to the school crossing, a distance of 5 miles at an average speed of 3.0 mph, or a 20 minute mile.  Not bad, and at the pace required for the walk.

Today, I took part in a training walk in Sabino Canyon and we did a good 4 miles.  It was a little humid, but not too hot.  It was a good walk, and I learned a lot about stretching.  Along the way, we found a neat snake, a Ringneck snake.  Here is a picture

It was already 78 degrees when we finished the walk, but it was very pleasant.  I have been invited to join "The Taogirls" team, and I did.  It will be nice to have a group of ladies to walk with, and they are quite nice.  Right now there are only 4 of us on the team.

I can't believe I am having fun with this.  A year ago, walking was NOT my exercise of choice.  Things do change!

June 1, 2006

 Well, the figures are now done for May.  In May I logged a total of 66.25 miles walking, and 45.2 hours working out.  In April, the figures were 38.5 miles walking, and 36.4 hours working out. As a note, treadmill mileage is not included in the walking totals. If it were added in, it would add an additional 9 miles to May's totals.

The goal for this weekend is to do 5 miles at a moderate pace from my house east and back on Friday, do a training walk in Sabino Canyon with a 3-Day group for 4 miles Moderate, then on Sunday do another 5-7 mile walk at my own pace from my house toward Saguaro. 

It is hard to believe that before March of this year, a workout to me was simply an hour 2X a week of Pilates, and riding my horse.  Now I do a weight circuit and endurance training with Brenda, my trainer, Water Aerobics 2X a week, Pilates 2X a week, and riding my horse 3-4 times a week.  All this and still getting the miles in on my feet, and working and finding time with Robert.

The funny thing is that I am actually looking forward to most of my workouts.  Sometimes there is a small slip backwards to the old, lazy me, but so far I have been able to keep myself on track, even on those days.

The hardest part for me is still the fundraising.  I get to post a bulletin board at the Gym to try to raise the remainder of my goal.  I now have $1,124, leaving $1,876 to raise.

May 29, 2006

This has been a very busy weekend!  On Saturday I did a moderate 5 miles, not too fast but a good pace.  Sunday I did a brisk 9 miles.  I was walking with Diane, who is training for the 3-day in Boston in September, so she is very fit.  She is a good walk partner as she keeps me talking and also pushes me to push myself.  We walked around the track at Udall, then headed out and did some of the neighborhoods in the area.  There are some gorgeous houses out there!  We started early so it wasn't too hot when we finished.

Today I will rest a bit, only doing Pilates and perhaps riding Falcao.  I developed a blister on my left foot, so I have to be careful of that.

But I did my first back to back!!!!! WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

May 24, 2006

Pilates yesterday was challenging but lot of fun.  I think Brenda is as excited about this 3-day as I am.  I asked her about increasing the sessions with her to increase my accountability for getting to the gym, and she suggested that we wait until June to up the workouts a notch, and to add a Pilates session with Nancee.  This will get into a lot of mat work, which is great for balance and general strength.  Plus, she challenges me a LOT!

Today I did elliptical for 5 minutes on a good slant, and spinning for 10 with a good pace and resistance.  I also had a 50 minute session with Brenda on circuit and we worked on my leg strength as well as my upper body.

Topping it all off, I had a very vigorous workout in water aerobics.  We had a new member join the class, and she is just the motivation I needed to work harder.  Tomorrow my goal is to walk 7 miles, and then ride my horses.  Saturday will be a training walk somewhere in Tucson, which will give me another back to back walk.  Plus the motivation of working with others is always great!

May 22, 2006

Today I met my sister up in Phoenix and we walked there.  The Arizona Mills mall is built like a track, and it is cool, so we walked 2.5 miles there before having lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.  We walked another 2 miles, then headed for the pool.  Tomorrow is Pilates and riding the horse.  I found out this weekend that I can ride him in a show in Albuquerque in July, so the work there is up, too.

Are we having fun yet?  I know I am!! I notice that I am almost up to 100 miles on my new shoes!

May 21, 2006

I can't believe it has been 5 days since I posted last.  Time is just flying by!

The weekend in El Paso was good, and I managed to get some walking in.  It was really hot, and it became really easy to just sit in the shade and read a book.  I was definitely looking forward to getting home and working in home territory.

May 16, 2006

Today was Aerobics, weights and endurance day.  I had a lot of fun and was pleased that I woke up feeling better than yesterday.

Brenda had me work not only on weight circuit today, but spinning for 20 minutes at a tension set by her, and elliptical.

Tomorrow evening I need to find some time to get out and do another 5 miles.  It should be easy after Bee tomorrow.  I wish I could have walked in the rain sprinkles this afternoon.  The humidity has been high, and the smell of the rain has been a wonderful payback for all the months with no rain.

May 15, 2006

Today is not my usual rest day, but with a sore foot, I could only do 1.5 miles.  I was disappointed, but made sure I got into my Pilates session, and that helped.  I was very stiff on my left side, and this was contributing to my soreness.

Tomorrow I will do my treadmill work early, my session on circuit with Brenda and my water Aerobics class.  I hope that I can get back out on the road this week.

The weekend will be a challenge.  I am going to El Paso to volunteer at a show, and I hope I get an active job. Otherwise, I will have to spend time in the gym since there is no area to walk around the hotel.

I got my sponsor pins in today, and will begin to distribute them. 

Fundraising is going slowly, but it is going.  I have decided to raffle off a quilt that I made.  I will post pictures and info on getting tickets by Thursday.

Onward and upward!

May 14, 2006

I am posting my blog a little early today since I will be spending the remainder of it in my quilt studio trying to finish my commissions.

I didn't get my second walk in yesterday due to the length of the meeting I had to attend in Sonoita yesterday.

Today in Sabino Canyon was warm but really nice.  I walked 4.5 miles and had my husband Robert and a friend of mine with me.  We met Roxanne, my Pilates coach, on the way and she gave me a hard time, but it was all in good fun.  We walked a brisk pace, and enjoyed it tremendously.  We saw lots of saguaro blossoms, cardinals, squirrels, and at the end there was a deer in the brush browsing on the mesquite bushes.  Very nice!  I was a little tired so we didn't go as far as I had planned.  I will evaluate what I have done so far and try to understand why today was a harder day.

But I had fun!!

Today I added the training walk across America Map.  I still have to add the mileage from April to the log, but it will be an easy way to see how far I have walked.

May 13, 2006

Today was a quiet-ish day.  I did a short (3 mile) walk which went well.  I rested a short time and then went out and rode.  Tomorrow I plan on another short walk at Sabino Canyon.  I will just go until I am tired, and then quit.

I am very pleased that this is going so well. 

I probably should add pictures to this Blog to make it more interesting.  I will take my camera with me tomorrow and see what I can do.

Happy Mother's Day, y'all!!!

May 12, 2006

It will soon be the beginning of week 24 before the big day.  I am now feeling like I am a professional exercise person.  I walk 3 times a week, for a total of 18 miles a week.  I have a strength training session with Brenda, my personal trainer, on Tuesdays, Water Aerobics on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Pilates on Monday and Friday.  Active Rest days (days where I do a small amount of exercise as long as it isn't walking, are scheduled for Wednesdays and Sundays.  This schedule may change as the days get hotter and the walks longer.

I did a walk today of 5 miles, and it was easy even though it was done at 3.3 mph.  It was funny.  I was walking the course between my house and the school crossing just before Houghton Road and had gotten to the crossing. Just as I turned around, I heard clapping and looked around to see the crossing guard (who has seen me walk to this point several times) standing outside his car clapping for me.  It had to be for me, there was no one else around at that moment.  I was wearing my 3-day T-shirt, and perhaps he recognized it.  It really made me feel good.

I have managed to raise $1,024 as of today with pledges from several sources that add up to another $500.  There is still $1,476 to meet my fundraising goal. Tomorrow I will try for another 5 miles, my first back-to-back walk.  I should do well if I don't push up into the 3.3 mph range again.  I need to become a turtle!

Later!!!