Congratulations Boston Walkers!

The Boston 3-day took place last weekend. As I did my training walk Saturday I thought of the women and men who were participating in the first Breast Cancer 3-day walk. This "Boston girl" was excited to hear that the walk started in Framingham ... the town next to my hometown Natick, and made it's way through Cambridge ... my last address before moving to New York.
I am sharing this little travelogue with you from 3-day. You can get a feel for the mileage and the way the walk works:

July 24-26, 2009
It all began on a rainy Friday morning at Farm Pond, where participants braved the wet and the mud and faced the first day with excitement and smiles. The 19.7-mile route featured many memorable highlights, including some incredible support at Bertucci's in Wellesley. After a long, wet day of walking, we settled in to camp.
Saturday's 22-mile day also featured some great support along the route, including the Granite Angels at the top of Belmont Hill, the cheer-leaders at Arlington High School and numerous cheering stations at Horn Pond, Heritage Farm and the YMCA in Woburn. We were cheered on by the Minute Men in Lexington, the Pink Posse and the Fallen Angels. Thanks also to the Candy Castle in Lexington and Shaw's Supermarket.
Sunday's 15.3-mile route wound through Cambridge, including a picturesque walk through Harvard Square. Along the way, we enjoyed free donuts at Sofra and support at the Mt. Auburn Star Market. On the way into Boston, we walked through Boston Common and the public garden, through Downtown Crossing and along the waterfront and past JFK Library. It all ended with a celebratory Closing Ceremony at the University of Massachusetts.

Congratulations Boston Walkers ... "One of the great things about the Breast Cancer 3-Day is the spirit of kindness that we create for three days while on the event. It's like living in a bubble - the world the way we wish it would be. It's a world where every walker, from the first to the last, gets a cheer as she or he enters camp. Where a stranger may help you set up your tent, or carry your bag. Where a long line to wait in just becomes another opportunity to make a great new friend." I will always remember the kindness I've experienced in the past walks and I look forward to my walk in October when I will once again share the spirit of kindness with my fellow walkers.

...

Training Schedule for This Week:
Monday Rest
Tuesday 4 miles Easy walking
Wednesday 30 minutes Moderate cross-training
Thursday 5 miles Moderate walking
Friday 45 minutes Easy cross-training
Saturday 14 miles Easy walking
Sunday 10 miles Easy walking

what's in YOUR fanny pack?

Thought you would like to see what I carry in my fanny-pack (I hate the sound of that) on my long walks:

*keys to the house (notice the Chamberlain key ring that Mike bought last year for my birthday!)

*driver's license, atm card, and insurance card

*cash for water

*band-aids ... just in case

*moleskin to cover that one l-a-r-g-e blister I have on the side of my foot

*extra pair of socks

I also carry my phone (not pictured) and sometimes I carry my camera (for which I can't find the battery charger ... hmmm.)

This fanny-pack has been with me for the past 10 years. It's not pretty ... but it does the trick. I also have a water bottle carrier that fits on it to make it even more attractive. The longer the training walks ... the more I will appreciate that water bottle carrier.

...

Saturday I walked 12 miles ... just short of the 13 I was supposed to walk. I was disappointed but I made up for it with a great walk on Sunday ... 11+ miles!

...

I found out that I have degenerative disc disease (as do many people my age) and I went to a physical therapist who gave me stretching exercises to help me out. I was pretty bummed when my doctor told me after an x-ray. I have been dealing with lower back pain for about a year. My back never bothers me when I walk ... only when I stop to talk to someone ... then I have had everything from stiffness to spasms. Hopefully the therapy and continued stretching will help that.

Long Walk Home

Last song on my ipod as I finished my walk this morning ... "Long Walk Home" ... the song that helped me make the decision to take this long walk in October.

"Everybody has a neighbor ... everybody has a friend ... everybody has a reason to begin again."

My mom was the reason for my beginning this training again. I'm so glad I listened to Bruce!

...

Today I was going to try out the stationary bike, but I have an early doctor's appointment tomorrow so I decided to switch my schedule around a bit. The bike isn't fixed, of course ... but we'll cross that bridge later today ... harharhar!

The best $4.29 + tax I have spent

I bought this moleskin for my blister.

I cut a piece to cover it ... put on my socks and shoes ... and went out for a nice walk.

It's like I didn't have a blister!

Ah ... comfort!

Worth every penny!

...

It's raining today. I pulled out my new rain poncho (that looks like a clear plastic bag) and did my 4 miles (which was really more than 6 miles ... but I'm following my training schedule aren't I?!)

Feeling great!

Training Schedule

Countdown: 11 Weeks

My Training Schedule for This Week:
Monday--Rest
Tuesday--4 miles--Easy walking
Wednesday--30 minutes--Moderate cross-training
Thursday--5 miles--Moderate walking
Friday--45 minutes--Easy cross-training
Saturday--13 miles--Easy walking
Sunday--9 miles--Easy walking

...

ok ... I got the rest part down today ... and I start my week of training tomorrow with 4 miles.

I'm wondering how the stationary bike is going to work out on Wednesday. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, so I'm going to have to leave very early in the morning to get in my 5 miles first! I look at the 13 miles for Saturday and I'm already trying to decide where to walk to add an additional mile.

NO MORE BLISTERS!

Max has a raffle ... and I have a new way to cross train!

"What's Max doing on this blog?" you might be asking.

Well readers ... I visited his blog today and saw that he is donating an Acer Aspire One 8.9" Netbook to the cause! For $5 a chance ... you might win this "slightly used" netbook ... and in the words of Max himself ..."You want this. You really do."

I want this ... so I'm going to check out my PayPal account and take a few chances!

Max (and his woman Karen) are accepting donations through August 1st.

So ... whaddya think?

take a chance ... click here!

Thanks Max and Karen!

...

I'm glad that today is a "rest day." I don't want to aggravate my blister. I dusted off a very old stationary bike the other day. I think I finally found my "cross training!" Pictures to be posted soon.

uh oh ...

My first blister!

Yikes!

yeah ... that's more like it!

today's walk

11.97 miles!

(I call that 12!)

use "map my walk" to measure yours!

The 60 Mile Men are awesome! Click and take a visit! You'll be glad you did! (And there IS a calendar!)

Here is a post written by Mr. May about his walk in San Francisco.

September 14, 2008
From Mr. May in San Francisco
Congrats to Mr. April and Mr. May, both of whom completed the San Francisco 3-Day, bringing the 3-Day back to northern California, and introducing San Franscisco to the 60-Mile Men.
In the words of Mr. May 2009, Robert:

I enjoyed every minute of the walk. Our camp was right near the Golden Gate Bridge and what a sight to see when you wake up and when you go to sleep. For me I was overwhelmed once again with the one of the best times in my life. For me it could not have gotten any better. I got to see some spectacular sights, have some wonderful conversations, meet some very nice people. I met up with Mr April Thursday night at the hotel and then again Saturday evening at dinner. We took a moment to capture a picture of the two of us.

I received so many compliments on the walk about the calendar. I was referred to all weekend as Mr May. Even as I walked into the finish line all the spectators were congratulating Mr May for walking and supporting Breast Cancer. When some of the walkers got a chance to see the calendar immediately there were giggles, oohs and ahhs. First I would show them Barry's picture and they would laugh at his cute tush and then onto my picture and they would say very nice Mr May.

I am honored to be a part of 60 Mile Men and honor all the men who took the time to shed their clothes and help raise money for such a worthy cause. As for myself this is just the start, I plan on walking at least one walk each year. Next year it is on to Seattle. All I know is that I am ready for the challenge and welcome it.

We are one step closer to our goal of a world without breast cancer

As you know ... I reached my fundraising goal the other day. The Breast Cancer 3-day just sent me this letter of congratulations ... and reminded me that it was my "fundraising minimum!" I am posting it so you ... who have made this possible ... can read it ... because it's to you, too!

Congratulations - you did it!

You’ve reached your fundraising minimum for the Breast Cancer 3-Day®. Thank you for your determination, selflessness and commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Your efforts are making a significant difference in the continuing effort to find a cure.
Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The majority of the funds that Komen for the Cure receives through this event go to fund innovative breast cancer research that no one else is funding. A portion of the money also stays right in the local communities where the events take place to help Komen Affiliates fund outreach programs that meet the needs of women and men today.
Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Komen for the Cure has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill their promise to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Because of you, lives are being saved. Because of you, we are one step closer to our goal of a world without breast cancer.
Fifteen percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefit the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, a special field of interest fund that will provide support for breast cancer initiatives including research, treatment, prevention and education. The NPT Breast Cancer Fund is a long-term fund, which will ensure the cause receives continuing support irrespective of gifting activities in years to come.
We understand the kind of hard work it takes to get to this point, so let your efforts keep working for you and the cause. Don’t stop now! Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back - and then set a new goal. Keep talking with people about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, about your experience fundraising and training, and about breast cancer. You will continue to raise awareness and funds in the weeks to come.
Please extend our thanks to your donors. Every dollar makes a difference.
Sincerely,

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund

That girl wearing heels

I wrote this on my 3-day blog ... but nobody reads it (!) and a few of you do read this blog ... so here it is ... a repeat.

...

I was walking at, what I thought, was a nice clip yesterday. I was about 5 miles into my walk when I could feel someone coming up behind me. It was a girl carrying a bag ... wearing a purse over her shoulder ... and walking in heels (ok ... they weren't stilettos ... but they weren't New Balance size 8s.) I was horrified to be overtaken like this for about a minute. Then I thought about the girl who must have been 1/3 my age ... and weighed considerably less than I do. I watched her walk ahead of me wondering if I was able to do that once upon a time!

Here's the thing. I walked an additional mile or two ... and thought how it's not how fast I'm walking ... it's how far I'm walking ... and why I'm doing this.

I took my walk today for that girl wearing heels who zoomed past me yesterday.

I walk for her ... for you ... for us.

California Dreamin'

I woke up from a very unsettling dream this morning.

They say "If you tell it ... it won't happen."

So here's the dream.

I was at my friend Lynne's house ... getting ready for the walk.

I didn't have my sleeping bag ... I didn't have a pillow.

Lynne was disappointed with me that I was unprepared ... then she gave me her son's sleeping bag and a pillow.

That's it.

Can you believe that was my unsettling dream?

Well ... I think it was the "unprepared" part. But I can assure you ... I will be prepared in October. I will have my sleeping bag ... my pillow ... my broken in shoes ... and the determination to finish 60 miles without putting one foot on the "sweep van."

And that's the truth!

I'm following you :)

'twas all she wrote ... then she took me over the top!

...

Before I do anything ... (well ... after I feed the cats)... I run down to the computer to read my emails, do some blogging, twitter, and catch up on facebook. This morning, as I was deleting my emails from all the stores I'm not going to visit online, I saw that I had a donation. I just put the new 3-day fundraising application on facebook ... so I was sure it was in response to that. Might have been! My friend Tracy (aka "Ray") helped me reach my goal ... and now my progress-o-meter says "100%! Thank you again and again Tracy ... for putting me over the top ... Bee and Charlie for making that first $100 donation ... AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN for getting me to this great place!

Am I excited?

YOU BET!

69 Days to go!

New shoes and prayers for Lisa

Here they are ... my NEW SHOES!!!

The shoes on the left are from The Super Runner's Store in Huntington.

I ordered the shoes on the right from New Balance.

The shoes in the middle are officially retired!

Brand new and beautiful.

The new shoes haven't takin a beating yet!

...

Yesterday Lisa's brother's bone marrow was harvested. Today is Lisa's big day. If you are reading this, take a moment to send my friend some positive energy. Today truly is the first day of the rest of her life. I hope it is a long and healthy one.

worn out!

These shoes were purchased January 30th.

Look good, eh?

Here are the same shoes July 12th.

Duhr!

So ... on my "rest day" ... it's off to the Runner's Store!

For Lisa

This post is for Lisa ...

As you wait for your BIG DAY ... I will walk with you in my heart.

You're so much fun and upbeat. I know that's half the battle!

You WILL BEAT THIS!

I love you ... R

Perfect!

It's a perfect day here in New York.

Here's the temperature ... and the number of miles I walked this morning.

(It was probably 11 miles because I couldn't drive some of the walk.)

I need new sneakers. I bought a pair on-line from New Balance (ON SALE!!!) but they won't be here until next week. I think I'll have to go back to the Runner's Store Monday to get another pair. When sneakers wear out it's bad for your feet and mine are almost worn. I need two pair for the walk in October.

Tomorrow I'll show you my current pair ... and what they looked like when I first got them!

What I'll be doing next week

12 weeks?

doesn't sound like a lot does it ...

here's my training schedule for next week:

Countdown: 12 Weeks

Your Training Schedule for This Week:
Monday-Rest
Tuesday-4 miles (Easy walking)
Wednesday-30 minutes-Moderate cross-training
Thursday-5 miles (Moderate walking)
Friday-45 minutes-Easy cross-training
Saturday-12 miles (Easy walking)
Sunday-7 miles (Easy walking)

Next week I'm going to stick to the schedule ... nothing more and nothing less.

This can be done!

...

The weather in New York is perfect for walking ... 60's-70's ... very different from Florida, which is still in the 90's. I hardly work up a sweat here!

(watch ... next week we'll have a heat wave!)

I know I'm not supposed to listen to my iPod while walking ... but I could walk a million miles with Bruce serenading me!

Walking in the Funshine State

This is not a great picture because I was shooting into the sun (duhr!) but you can almost feel how hot it is just by looking at it!

Walked for a few hours this morning.

It is HOT!

It's time for new shoes!

That will be the FIRST thing I do when I get home.

***

I was telling Mom about the closing ceremonies and I choked up. I haven't posted pictures of that part of the walk ... wanted to leave that for just before San Francisco. It's an extrememly emotional time.

***

Took Mom to the hematologist yesterday. She got a great report!

Knock wood!

Monday in the Funshine State

By 8:00 it was pretty hot and humid here in the Funshine State ... but I had Queen serenading me* and I could have walked the full 11 miles that I'm supposed to. Had to get back to take Mom to the hematologist, though, so I only walked for an hour-and-a-half. It's so FLAT here ... the walk was easy.

***

A very generous donation was made on my behalf last night ... and another was promised. As soon as they clear ... I'll just about be at goal.

Amazing!!!

*I know I'm not supposed to be listening to an iPod while I walk ... but it keeps me company on the long walks. Someday I'll download a greater variety than Springsteen and Queen ... for now they are the ones who keep me going!

4th of July

Wish I had a scanner so I could post a picture of my dad. It was 19 years ago today that he passed away, too young, after many years of suffering with Parkinson's Disease. I miss you Dad.

PinkCauses.com™ is a shopping portal that allows you to lend support to a pink cause with every purchase. With over 600 participating top-name national and local retailers, you won’t have to compromise on price or quality to support the cause. You pay nothing extra. Plus, it's registration and hassle free.

Click on the PinkCauses badge (Shop at www.pinkcauses.com) on the right, enter the mall, and shop in support of my team ... and the 3-Day!

Wednesday walk

I live in such a lovely community.

I left my camera home this morning ... but took this with the cell phone.

I was walking past a gaggle of geese.

All the gosslings are growing up.

It made me think of how much I've grown since I started this journey.