On Monday, I went to Marathon Sports, an official 3-day outfitter, to buy me some new sneakers - hoooo-ray! As I mentioned before, I have been transitioning from mostly elliptical workouts to treadmill time and my sneakers are d-e-a-d, DEAD! I learned a lot at Marathon Sports, like some of the differences between walking and running shoes; that my right ankle rolls in when I walk; that the wearing on the outside of my old sneakers indicates that they were too narrow across the widest part of my foot; and a crazy lacing technique I can use to stop my left heel from sliding. I also learned that wearing the wrong sneakers was what was causing my horrible blisters! I am not going to get into it too much, because I HATE feet, but suffice it to say that 1 toe on my right foot and 3 toes on my left are more blister than actual toe. Eewww! I learned 2 other things from my trip to Marathon Shoes. First, if you are serious about walking or running, you cannot go to the mall and ask the advice from the folks in the referee stripes. Secondly, not everybody remembers Mars Blackmon from the 1986 film, She’s Gotta Have It. Every time I talk about the difference two days in new sneakers has made on my feet, I end up doing my Mars Blackmon impression from the Air Jordan commercials of the late 80’s and early 90’s. “Do you know? Do you know? Do you know?”
So Sherri just keeps getting more and more famous! Monday, I finally got my registration packet in the mail and there, on the cover of the official walker’s handbook, is my tiara-clad teammate! I am so excited for her. This is a big deal. But don’t tell her that. We don’t want her to go and get all “red carpet” on us just yet! (Proud of ya, Sher…you deserve it!)
The first week back to school after vacation is always insane, so I have not been getting out in time to get my full time in the gym. Yesterday and today, I had just less than an hour, which means I am getting in just about 4 miles. Booo! Time is a huge factor in this training. I will talk more about the timing thing in another post. For now I am off to finish some work and fold laundry.
Thanks for reading. More later...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
More than a quarter of the way there!!!
Wow! In less than one week, YOU have put me over the 25% mark in my fundraising. Amazing. THANK YOU!
Well, it is the end of February Break and tomorrow it is back to reality. A couple of unreal things have occurred since my last post. Sherri (my teammate and fellow fundraising goddess) called me all excited the other day. She found her national campaign brochure in the mail after a phone call from a friend who walked with her last year, and not only is she in the national campaign brochure, but she is REALLY in it! It is a tri-fold type thing and when opened, the top third is a picture of Sherri and other survivors with their hands raised. It’s AWESOME! The best part is that she has on her 3-day baseball cap with a tiara on top of it. Their team name last year was Tough Warrior Princesses. Love it!
So then a day or two later, I get another excited phone call from Sherri. She makes me go to the main webpage (www.the3day.org) and watch the slide show of pictures on the top of the page. So the last picture says, “Take the ultimate power walk” – and there she is! Second from the left! Crazy, huh? I couldn’t believe I have the honor of being teammates with an official posterchild! : )
Go check it out.
Thanks for reading. More later...
Well, it is the end of February Break and tomorrow it is back to reality. A couple of unreal things have occurred since my last post. Sherri (my teammate and fellow fundraising goddess) called me all excited the other day. She found her national campaign brochure in the mail after a phone call from a friend who walked with her last year, and not only is she in the national campaign brochure, but she is REALLY in it! It is a tri-fold type thing and when opened, the top third is a picture of Sherri and other survivors with their hands raised. It’s AWESOME! The best part is that she has on her 3-day baseball cap with a tiara on top of it. Their team name last year was Tough Warrior Princesses. Love it!
So then a day or two later, I get another excited phone call from Sherri. She makes me go to the main webpage (www.the3day.org) and watch the slide show of pictures on the top of the page. So the last picture says, “Take the ultimate power walk” – and there she is! Second from the left! Crazy, huh? I couldn’t believe I have the honor of being teammates with an official posterchild! : )
Go check it out.
Thanks for reading. More later...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More recalcitrant than recumbent
It is still school vacation week and I don’t know about you but being at home and out of the daily routine makes it hard not to eat all day. Granted my food allergies limit me to a sorry excuse for snacking, but I am still snacking more than usual. I am not going to beat myself up over it but it is worth my being aware of it. The autoimmune difficulties I have are being controlled by diet right now but that means that there is a lot that I cannot eat – and mostly I don’t cheat because it makes me so sick. I am allergic to/intolerant of milk (and milk products), gluten, and soy. Therefore, when I find myself camped out by the light of the fridge with my sweatpanted butt sticking out from behind the door, I am often reaching for celery & hummus, or jelly for the rice cakes, rather than chips, cookies, and ice cream like in the good ol’ days (up until a year ago). So again, I cannot beat myself up but I do need to be aware that it is not a big 1800’s water wagon that I am trying not to fall off of – it is a little red Radio Flyer and I need to hold on tightly!
Tuesday and Wednesday some of my cousins were here from New York. It was awesome to spend time with them, just visiting and chatting and watching the kids interact with extended family. We had a blast. Not to mention the fact that my cousin, Jackie helped me fold fundraising letters…thanks, Jack! I did get to the gym Tuesday morning for an hour. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and 40 on the treadmill for a total of 4.75 miles. On the elliptical, I get a good workout if I hover around 160 strides per minute. Gotta have good motivating music for this. On the treadmill I am trying to stay at 4 mph or faster. I know that once I hit the streets this will be harder to do. I have found on the treadmill, that if I go much faster than 4.2 mph, I start to get that crazy, speed-walker, twisty hip thing goin’ on…not at all attractive. I also get shin splints so I try not to overly embarrass myself.
“If you don’t like swimming, you could try the recumbent bikes.” Yup…the orthopedist again. If you don’t speak gym equipment, the recumbent bikes are the ones where you sit with your legs out in front of you, therefore putting less pressure on the knees. I have tried (not hard) to use these and hate them only second to swimming. Like most women, I am glad that my butt is on the back of my body so that I do not have to look at it regularly. Therefore, using an exercise machine, of all things, that reminds me during the ENTIRE workout just how big my butt is…well…no, thank you! The seats on the recumbants are much bigger than on the upright bikes…not “pink Huffy with a banana seat” big but more “office chair” big. However, not too many office chairs can accommodate my keister without some overspill. When they make a Lazy Boy reclining model, then maybe we will talk. Until then, no sitting workouts for me.
Wednesdays are typically my days off from the gym but I was back in this morning for about an hour and 20 minutes. I did 5.75 miles (elliptical and treadmill). I will be bummed to head back to work next week because it will limit the time I have in the gym. I’ll keep on truckin’ though.
Thanks for reading. More later...
Tuesday and Wednesday some of my cousins were here from New York. It was awesome to spend time with them, just visiting and chatting and watching the kids interact with extended family. We had a blast. Not to mention the fact that my cousin, Jackie helped me fold fundraising letters…thanks, Jack! I did get to the gym Tuesday morning for an hour. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and 40 on the treadmill for a total of 4.75 miles. On the elliptical, I get a good workout if I hover around 160 strides per minute. Gotta have good motivating music for this. On the treadmill I am trying to stay at 4 mph or faster. I know that once I hit the streets this will be harder to do. I have found on the treadmill, that if I go much faster than 4.2 mph, I start to get that crazy, speed-walker, twisty hip thing goin’ on…not at all attractive. I also get shin splints so I try not to overly embarrass myself.
“If you don’t like swimming, you could try the recumbent bikes.” Yup…the orthopedist again. If you don’t speak gym equipment, the recumbent bikes are the ones where you sit with your legs out in front of you, therefore putting less pressure on the knees. I have tried (not hard) to use these and hate them only second to swimming. Like most women, I am glad that my butt is on the back of my body so that I do not have to look at it regularly. Therefore, using an exercise machine, of all things, that reminds me during the ENTIRE workout just how big my butt is…well…no, thank you! The seats on the recumbants are much bigger than on the upright bikes…not “pink Huffy with a banana seat” big but more “office chair” big. However, not too many office chairs can accommodate my keister without some overspill. When they make a Lazy Boy reclining model, then maybe we will talk. Until then, no sitting workouts for me.
Wednesdays are typically my days off from the gym but I was back in this morning for about an hour and 20 minutes. I did 5.75 miles (elliptical and treadmill). I will be bummed to head back to work next week because it will limit the time I have in the gym. I’ll keep on truckin’ though.
Thanks for reading. More later...
Monday, February 16, 2009
PERRY…HUH!…PERRY…HUH!
Sherri and I do not live close to each other. According to Google Maps, we are just over 60 miles apart. Maybe we could train by walking to each other’s house. We would have to map it carefully though, because I think you can get arrested for walking on I-95. My point is that it is going to take some effort to train together, which we are both looking forward to. I think we will eventually drive to a halfway point and walk together on weekends. I cannot wait. Sherri and I have such great laughs together. Our cries are equally as good. I called her today to admit that I am already an emotional puddle. I have cried twice reading her web page and she just put it up yesterday.
During one of those crying, bouts looking at her page, I realized that she made me the co-captain of our team, Teachers for Ta-ta’s. When we were registering I really wanted Sherri to be the team captain, not realizing we could share the title. I was glad she had promoted me. Then I received this message from the smartass: “FYI--I promoted you to co-captain, but if you act up you can be demoted just as easily. LOL.” My husband got a big kick out of this one. I wonder what I would have to do to get demoted, because the truth of the matter is that right now, Sherri and I are the only ones on our team! Ha!
Today’s training began around 6:30ish this morning. It is school vacation week so I can carve out some extra time for training. I did just over 6 miles today – woohoo! – most of it on the treadmill. As I mentioned before, I have to be kind to my knees. The treadmill is NOT particularly kind on the knees. But as I also mentioned yesterday, knee-friendly exercise sucks! “The best, low impact thing you can do is swim,” said the orthopedist with an enthusiastic smile. Seriously? Swim. Seriously? Do I look like I have time to swim? I had instant flashbacks to high school when I did like 3 months of “AM Swim” to make up PE credits so I could graduate (dumbass). Most days in high school I looked like a cross between something you might find on Revere Beach Parkway and a Whitesnake groupie. Even though I am no longer sporting the Great Wall of Bangs, my hair takes time…and product…lots of product. I am not swimming. Seriously? Bathing suit? No. I also have issues with the woman’s locker room. There is far too much nakedness for my taste…and it ain’t like a sorority movie or carnivale type nakedness. It is far more geriatric in nature. God bless ‘em. Is it like this everywhere or is it just the YMCA?
Speaking of the YMCA…many of you know that I spent my childhood summers at Camp Chickami, a YMCA camp in Wayland, MA. I was also a CIT, counselor, and even the Arts & Crafts Director (Ace!) there. Now, I am a Chickami parent. For those of you who have gone to summer camp, you know that the friendships you have with your summer friends cannot be explained – there is something really special about that bond. If you know anyone who has a connection to Chickami, you know that this bond sores into the stratosphere. So it is only right that I send out major props to MY FIRST DONOR! Perry is a current staff member extraordinaire at Camp Chickami. It is so cool that you were the first to dig deep, buddy! I am beyond honored. You rock!!!
Perry is also a freshman at BU. I don’t know about you, but I was saving my pennies for 30 packs of Keystone Light back in the day. It is crazy cool that he made a donation! Who is next?
Thanks for reading. More later...
During one of those crying, bouts looking at her page, I realized that she made me the co-captain of our team, Teachers for Ta-ta’s. When we were registering I really wanted Sherri to be the team captain, not realizing we could share the title. I was glad she had promoted me. Then I received this message from the smartass: “FYI--I promoted you to co-captain, but if you act up you can be demoted just as easily. LOL.” My husband got a big kick out of this one. I wonder what I would have to do to get demoted, because the truth of the matter is that right now, Sherri and I are the only ones on our team! Ha!
Today’s training began around 6:30ish this morning. It is school vacation week so I can carve out some extra time for training. I did just over 6 miles today – woohoo! – most of it on the treadmill. As I mentioned before, I have to be kind to my knees. The treadmill is NOT particularly kind on the knees. But as I also mentioned yesterday, knee-friendly exercise sucks! “The best, low impact thing you can do is swim,” said the orthopedist with an enthusiastic smile. Seriously? Swim. Seriously? Do I look like I have time to swim? I had instant flashbacks to high school when I did like 3 months of “AM Swim” to make up PE credits so I could graduate (dumbass). Most days in high school I looked like a cross between something you might find on Revere Beach Parkway and a Whitesnake groupie. Even though I am no longer sporting the Great Wall of Bangs, my hair takes time…and product…lots of product. I am not swimming. Seriously? Bathing suit? No. I also have issues with the woman’s locker room. There is far too much nakedness for my taste…and it ain’t like a sorority movie or carnivale type nakedness. It is far more geriatric in nature. God bless ‘em. Is it like this everywhere or is it just the YMCA?
Speaking of the YMCA…many of you know that I spent my childhood summers at Camp Chickami, a YMCA camp in Wayland, MA. I was also a CIT, counselor, and even the Arts & Crafts Director (Ace!) there. Now, I am a Chickami parent. For those of you who have gone to summer camp, you know that the friendships you have with your summer friends cannot be explained – there is something really special about that bond. If you know anyone who has a connection to Chickami, you know that this bond sores into the stratosphere. So it is only right that I send out major props to MY FIRST DONOR! Perry is a current staff member extraordinaire at Camp Chickami. It is so cool that you were the first to dig deep, buddy! I am beyond honored. You rock!!!
Perry is also a freshman at BU. I don’t know about you, but I was saving my pennies for 30 packs of Keystone Light back in the day. It is crazy cool that he made a donation! Who is next?
Thanks for reading. More later...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Journey Begins!
Sherri and I registered for the 3-day today. We had confirmed with each other in January after I got the okay from the orthopedist (knee trouble) but my stomach still flipped a little as I said it out loud today. The website, the letters, finding the right picture, all made it so real - not to mention the non-refundable registration fee. But I know Sherri and Sherri knows me...as soon as she said last year that she wanted me to walk it with her - it was on! When someone that close tells you about a life changing event and then talks about wanting to have you by her side when she does it again, believe me, it gets your behind off the couch. She knew what she was doing. Sherri has been my biggest supporter in my health quest this year and for me that is just as huge as my supporting her through her cancer battle.
There is a lot to tell. I am hoping you will let me share my story through these blogs. It is a little scary thinking about staying up on posting but I have inspiration. Steve Slotemaker, Bridget's husband, began a blog shortly after B's diagnosis last May which he still maintains. He is an amazing writer and a generous, courageous man. If he can write through the earth-shattering loss of his wife, the miracle of new life in Chloe, and the awe-inspiring wisdom of his 2 yr old, Grace, I can certainly write through this journey.
My intent is to keep you up to date with my training and fund raising and to maybe share a tale along the way. I hope you will join me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I traveled 5.75 miles. I say "traveled" because it was partly on the elliptical and partly on the treadmill. Finding gym time can be hard during the week so I try to push a little further on the weekends (it's Sunday). I am still trying to reach a weight loss goal so I am using the elliptical to burn calories. It is also easier on the knees. As I get closer to the 3-day, I will increase my treadmill time and once it gets nicer out, I will hit the streets.
My knees hurt like hell. Two things have led to some knee trouble. One is the prolonged use of steroids to treat an autoimmune illness I developed after the birth of my 3 yr old daughter. That's corticosteroids, not "A-rod"-abolic steroids, just to be clear. The other factor is all the extra weight I was carrying around for years. For training, the orthopedist says to exercise and strengthen my hamstrings and to avoid running (not a problem). Since this is a 60-mile street walk, which is brutal on the knees, I will need to train carefully. I will admit, I do have actual conversations with my knees, trying to explain to them that I am finishing 3 consecutive twenty mile walks whether they are coming with me or not. I *will* crawl.
For the record, knee-friendly exercise sucks. More on that another day.
I did not mind the gym today. I think I knew I was registering for the 3-day and would be starting this blog so I felt confident and motivated. I know the accountability of this blog will help tremendously! And so begins the journey. I am excited and nervous, and grateful to be able.
Oh yeah, fund raising. I haven't raised a penny. I haven't sent anything out yet though. I am not worried because I have incredibly generous people in my life. You'll know if I am starting to get worried.
Thanks for reading. More later...
There is a lot to tell. I am hoping you will let me share my story through these blogs. It is a little scary thinking about staying up on posting but I have inspiration. Steve Slotemaker, Bridget's husband, began a blog shortly after B's diagnosis last May which he still maintains. He is an amazing writer and a generous, courageous man. If he can write through the earth-shattering loss of his wife, the miracle of new life in Chloe, and the awe-inspiring wisdom of his 2 yr old, Grace, I can certainly write through this journey.
My intent is to keep you up to date with my training and fund raising and to maybe share a tale along the way. I hope you will join me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I traveled 5.75 miles. I say "traveled" because it was partly on the elliptical and partly on the treadmill. Finding gym time can be hard during the week so I try to push a little further on the weekends (it's Sunday). I am still trying to reach a weight loss goal so I am using the elliptical to burn calories. It is also easier on the knees. As I get closer to the 3-day, I will increase my treadmill time and once it gets nicer out, I will hit the streets.
My knees hurt like hell. Two things have led to some knee trouble. One is the prolonged use of steroids to treat an autoimmune illness I developed after the birth of my 3 yr old daughter. That's corticosteroids, not "A-rod"-abolic steroids, just to be clear. The other factor is all the extra weight I was carrying around for years. For training, the orthopedist says to exercise and strengthen my hamstrings and to avoid running (not a problem). Since this is a 60-mile street walk, which is brutal on the knees, I will need to train carefully. I will admit, I do have actual conversations with my knees, trying to explain to them that I am finishing 3 consecutive twenty mile walks whether they are coming with me or not. I *will* crawl.
For the record, knee-friendly exercise sucks. More on that another day.
I did not mind the gym today. I think I knew I was registering for the 3-day and would be starting this blog so I felt confident and motivated. I know the accountability of this blog will help tremendously! And so begins the journey. I am excited and nervous, and grateful to be able.
Oh yeah, fund raising. I haven't raised a penny. I haven't sent anything out yet though. I am not worried because I have incredibly generous people in my life. You'll know if I am starting to get worried.
Thanks for reading. More later...
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