Saturday, August 27, 2011

13 Miles!

On the weekends I have been getting up at the 'unholy' hour of 4 am and preparing to walk for the Komen 3 Day training. We leave the parking lot of a local grocery store at 5 am and make our loops and meet back at the cars in case someone can't come at 5am. Every week we are increasing our miles by a mile or 2 and then when it gets to be a couple of weeks out from the November 4th weekend then we will scale back our miles, similar to the way a marathoner trains.

I had never really thought about the work that it would take to prepare for this walk, I guess I just thought I would walk and walk some more and then walk more! But the Komen organization has a training plan set up and the group I am walking with is following it pretty well, although I think they are a week or 2 ahead of schedule, but that's ok...I've got to put the miles in to be prepared.

This week's walk was supposed to be 13 miles on Saturday and 9 miles on Sunday. But as one of the ladies I am training with says, "Our leader has long miles!" Yes,
'mam she does! Today's 13 mile walk was 14.21 miles!! It was a really good route in my opinion although some of the walkers complained that it was boring! But, really is 14 miles of walking going to be "not boring?" unless you are walking in the woods or around bodies of water? I don't think so! There will always be someone that complains about something during an event like this.

My only complaints?! It is too stinkin' hot here in Texas! and I am continuing to get blisters on my feet EVERY freakin' week! I don't get it! I have good shoes, good socks, orthodics (but I didn't wear them this week cuz I thought they might be the cause of the blisters)! I guess my feet just sweat too much! I'm gonna try corn starch or powder for tomorrow and see how that helps! There has been little to no breeze on our walks and I come in from the walks a hot, sweaty mess! But really these things are NOTHING compared to the pain and suffering that women going through breast cancer endure. Given the choice of breast cancer or heat, blisters and a lot of miles I would take the latter EVERY TIME!

I'm guessing that you would too! You can donate to my fundraising page here and help me raise the $2300 that I am going to raise for breast cancer research. Every penny counts!

I posted on facebook about my walk this afternoon and Melissa made an interesting observation. She said, "You just walked OVER a 1/2 marathon!" Very true...although it didn't really occur to me till after she said it! Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Melissa!

By the way, on October 22 the Sisterhood is hosting the 3rd Annual Virtual Race! You can walk it, run it, or wog it! The point is to just move your body! I'm planning to walk it with That Other Kid! He's been wanting to do a race with me since I first started racing and this is a great opportunity! They even have swag, T-shirts, and other great prizes! Sign up here. I'm planning to sign That Other Kid and I up for the 5k portion! If you are in the DFW area and want to participate with us let me know and we will do it together!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so stinkin' proud of you, Ann! Seriously! You are amazing!!

What do you mean by "good socks"? Are they cotton?

*Lissa* said...

That sucks about the blisters. Wish I had some good advice, but I am the last one to dish out foot advice... I am currently missing 3 toenails from my last 1/2! Hah!

Keep it up! You are doing freaking FANTASTIC!! xo

Bacardi Mama said...

That is so funny because that is exactly what I thought when I was reading this...you just walked a freaking half marathon. I am so proud of you Ann. You are a rock star in my book.

Brooke said...

and walking the distance can be harder because it takes so much longer! you're good people ann! :)

Adah said...

wow...a half marathon! You are doing such a good job. I'm in awe of your dedication and determination. Keep up the good work!

Laurie said...

I did the Avon 2 day in May. I hear you on the blisters. You do have wicking socks, I assume. You may want to try Body Glide on your feet before you walk. They suggest switching socks in the middle of a big walk.
Good luck.