One of the first things that people do before starting on their 60-mile walk at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is dedicate their walk to friends and loved ones who have fought breast cancer, in the form of little handwritten notes.
Showing posts with label Keep Going Blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keep Going Blogger. Show all posts
Written
One of the first things that people do before starting on their 60-mile walk at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is dedicate their walk to friends and loved ones who have fought breast cancer, in the form of little handwritten notes.Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, Day 3 -- The End. Or is it The Beginning?
My leg muscles ache, even the ones I didn't know I had. My right knee is swollen. My toenails feel like they're all going to fall off. My feet feel like they've grown 2 sizes and my right heel is in shreds. But I'm still on an emotional high from finishing the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, and walking every single one of those 60 miles. It's going to take some time for me to process all of my photos and experiences and feelings from the weekend, so I'll probably have to do a few more 3-Day posts.
For now, let me close my weekend of live blogging (well, semi-live; since we weren't allowed to use phones on the course, the best I could do was sneak a Tweet or Facebook posting at pit stops, or on street corners when the event staff weren't looking) with a few thoughts on my experiences over the 3 days:
Desires I had to suppress and control:
Day 1: The urge to break out into a run.
Day 2: The urge to hitch a ride on one of the sweep vans.
Day 3: The urge to lie down on the sidewalk and never get back up.
My porta-potty protocol:
Day 1: Expertly squatted over the toilet seat.
Day 2: Lined the toilet seat with paper and sat on the seat.
Day 3: Plopped my bottom on the unlined seat and leaned back, too tired to care.
The best pick-me-up food
Day 1: Frozen peanut-butter-and-graham-cracker sandwiches and chocolate eclairs
Day 2: The eggs and sausages we had for breakfast... and chocolate eclairs
Day 3: You guessed it... chocolate eclairs! (Safeway, you sneaky people, you knew that by feeding me chocolate eclairs during the walk you would turn me into a hopeless addict)
The best views
Day 1: The Pacific Ocean:
Day 2: The Golden Gate Bridge
Day 3: The FINISH LINE
Feelings I experienced:
Day 1: excitement, nervousness
Day 2: exhaustion
Day 3: Pride upon finishing, gratitude towards the 3-Day Crew, humility at the extreme courage of breast cancer survivors everywhere.... and determination to Keep Going, long after the walk has ended.
And before I collapse on my bed, I have a few last things to say:
To my fellow walkers: Congratulations, we did it!
To the San Francisco 3-Day crew: I couldn't have done it without you!
To the people who cheered: Ditto!
To the people who sent me words of encouragement and support via twitter, Facebook and this blog: Double ditto!
To walkers for the remaining 3-Day events in 2010: Good luck!
To would-be-walkers who are nervous or unsure about signing up: You can do it!
To Energizer: Thanks for your sponsorship!
To the Susan G. Komen Foundation: Keep Going and please find a cure!
To myself: I give you permission to drive, not walk, the kids to school tomorrow.
Check out my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Flickr Photo Set for more photos of Day 1, 2 and 3.
Great Mammaries from Day 2 of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
Don't let the smile on my face fool you. I won't lie to you, Day 2 of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in San Francisco was, um, how shall I put it?
TOUGH.
The day started out cold and foggy, which is NOT what you want when you're walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Still, looking down into the San Francisco Bay and seeing a dolphin weave its way in and out of the water kind of made up for it. So did walking through the charming town of Sausalito. I felt fine until mile 15, when my legs really started aching, and despite a great massage at the Energizer tent, they still haven't recovered from today's walk.
I'm still optimistic that a good night's rest (and more ibuprofen) will get me through Day 3, but I'm going to take it Very. Very. Slow. I will make sure I stretch and hydrate at each and every stop, and rest as long as I need to. I may even hitch a ride on one of the sweeper vans (not because I need to, oh no, only because I'm blogging the event and I have a journalistic interest in how the sweeper vans pick up walkers who can't go on, which doesn't include me.... does it??). Anyway, who cares if I'm the very last person to finish? I'm the Energizer Keep Going Blogger, and I need to keep going.
Instead of focusing on my aching calves and quads and hamstrings, I'd rather focus on the people who made the day more enjoyable -- the cheering squads and crew members along the route. It's amazing what an energy boost one gets from seeing so many people out there to support you!
This trio showed up at various locations throughout the day, no less than SIX times. By the end of it I felt like we were fast friends.
These hotties had the funniest slogans on their posters. I know they were probably there to support their girlfriends but when you're delirious with exhaustion and pain it's easy to convince yourself that they're there for you.
The Coast Guard showed up all dressed up in pink, just for me and my friend Robin (delirium can be a fun thing, you know).
The Hookers for Hooters are an absolute hoot! Their madam is a 2-time breast cancer survivor, and every year this group comes out on each of the 3 days to cheer people on.
See, I knew this event would be challenging. I knew it would be meaningful. I knew it would be fulfilling. But I had no idea it would be this HILARIOUS, or so much FUN! Just the thought of running (okay, walking) into people like these is enough to make me get up tomorrow and Keep Going for Day 3!
Check out my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Flickr Photo Set for more photos of Day 1 and 2! You can keep track of my progress tomorrow via Twitter and Facebook, and I'll be posting my Day 3 thoughts at the end of the day. Wish me a good night's rest, pain-free knees and a great Day 3, and I'll see you at the Finish Line!
The Breast Day Ever -- Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, Day 1
Day 1 of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in San Francisco is over, and I'm feeling tired, achy, and more than a little proud of myself. I actually walked 20 miles today! I don't know if it was my training, or the adrenaline, or the music blaring from the boomboxes strapped on the bikes of the policemen who were patrolling the route, or the wonderful volunteers and crew members and families who were cheering us on, or the stories of the walkers I talked to, or the beautiful San Francisco scenery, but somehow I found the energy to keep going. Maybe it was a little of everything.
Physically, I'm still amazed I didn't have to flag a sweep van and ask them to drive me to camp. I certainly felt like doing it at one point, but fortunately I got my second (or was it third? or fourth?) wind when I saw the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. I was actually pleasantly surprised that I had no problem whatsoever on San Francisco's notorious hills; whereas others were huffing and puffing, I tackled those babies easily. It's a good thing the town where Alfie's parents live in (and where we stayed for 4 weeks in the summer) is so hilly!
Mentally, I felt even stronger. Since I'm not walking with a group, I thought I would be spending the whole day wrapped in my own thoughts, but there's something about this event that turns perfect strangers into best -- I mean breast -- friends. I'm not the most social person in the world, but I had no trouble at all approaching my fellow walkers and saying hello. I met and spoke with so many great people along the way, each with his or her own story. Here are some of them:
* A team walking in honor of a husband and wife who both lost a battle with breast cancer;
* A crew member who is helping out at 4 of the 15 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure events in 2010 (he's on his 22nd over a period of 10 years);
* A man who is walking each and every one of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure events in 2010;
* Two two-time breast cancer survivors;
* A woman who dyed her hair pink when she raised all her money;
* A man who lost his wife to breast cancer last November;
I even met several people who do not personally know anyone who is fighting or has fought breast cancer, and are walking simply because they are passionate about the cause! The Keep Going Spirit was strong throughout the walk; you could see it in the bunny ears the people were wearing, the boomboxes that people hung on their necks to give everyone some music, the fun outfits and accessories that people were wearing, the hilarious themed sweep vans that patrolled the walk, even the cars we passed that honked and tooted in support.
Now that I've done Day 1, I feel a lot better about myself -- although I have no idea how I'll feel when I wake up tomorrow and do my second 20-mile leg. Let's hope I've soaked in enough of that Keep Going spirit to keep going!
Check out my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Flickr Photo Set for more photos of Day 1! You can keep track of my progress tomorrow via Twitter and Facebook, and I'll be posting my Day 2 thoughts at the end of the day. Wish me a good night's rest, pain-free knees and a great Day 2, and I'll see you at the Finish Line!
Here We Go....
And so it has come down to this. Soon I'll be getting out of bed and going from 0 to 60 miles in 3 days. I've had fifteen weeks of training and countless miles (okay, I could probably count, or at least estimate them, but I'm afraid to do so because it will just make me think I haven't trained enough) walking around 8 cities in 4 countries. I've had blisters and sunburn and headache and heel pain and swollen knees and drawers dropped on my foot and just plain Boy Am I Tired. I feel like I've already been on a journey, but as Karen Carpenter sang, We've only just begun!
If' you're doing the event this weekend as well, stop by the Energizer tent -- they'll be providing charging stations and sponsoring massage stations along with the American Massage Therapy Association, so you'll get to recharge your cellphones, your aching muscles and your spirits. And as San Francisco's Keep Going® Blogger, I'll also be there with my plush Energizer Bunny, busy blogging and tweeting about everything that's going on. I'd love it if you drop by and say hi! We can compare stories and blisters, share hugs and band-aids.
If you're not walking but happen to be in the area, check out the San Francisco event page for a list of cheering stations along our route. For everyone else, keep reading my blog throughout the weekend for photos, videos and updates on my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure adventure! As always, any words of support you leave are welcome and cherished. Finally, I wanted to give a huge, loving, pink THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation (wow, this is sounding more and more like an Oscar acceptance speech).
I'll see you at the finish line....
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
If' you're doing the event this weekend as well, stop by the Energizer tent -- they'll be providing charging stations and sponsoring massage stations along with the American Massage Therapy Association, so you'll get to recharge your cellphones, your aching muscles and your spirits. And as San Francisco's Keep Going® Blogger, I'll also be there with my plush Energizer Bunny, busy blogging and tweeting about everything that's going on. I'd love it if you drop by and say hi! We can compare stories and blisters, share hugs and band-aids.
If you're not walking but happen to be in the area, check out the San Francisco event page for a list of cheering stations along our route. For everyone else, keep reading my blog throughout the weekend for photos, videos and updates on my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure adventure! As always, any words of support you leave are welcome and cherished. Finally, I wanted to give a huge, loving, pink THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation (wow, this is sounding more and more like an Oscar acceptance speech).
I'll see you at the finish line....
Packing for the Cure, Part 2
Last week I mocked myself for packing so early for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, which starts tomorrow. Now I'm actually glad I started preparing so early, because there are so many little details which I completely forgot about, and with everything else going on -- relatives visiting, getting our car fixed, dentist visits and our regular, hectic life -- I needed a whole week to get everything together. I've been doing laundry every single day (which is like a world record for me) and consulting my checklist time and time again, because I'm terrified of forgetting something that will make the difference between a good experience and a painful/wet/sunburned/altogether wretched 3 days. But now I think I'm done, down to the pink Energizer Bunny cutouts that I plan to decorate my pink tent with.
Check out my waistpack, which I'll have with me on every step of those 60 miles. I've been walking with it almost fully-loaded for the past couple of weeks to make sure that I'd be comfortable. Here's what's in it (clockwise, from bottom center):
* Medication (ibuprofen, antacids, antihistamines) and band-aids.
* Hat -- check out the shiny princess crown on the front! I'm also taking pink fluffy bunny ears; hey, what else would the Energizer Keep Going blogger wear?
* Energizing jelly beans, to make sure my energy stays high all day. They've also got elecrolytes so I don't sweat all the salt in my body away.
* Sunscreen stick, blister stick, lip gloss stick.
* Extra pair of socks (with pink designs, naturally)
* Water bottle (again, pink).
* Wallet -- Mine is too thick and heavy so I borrowed Jammy's Spiderman wallet. I would have borrowed The Pea's pink Hello Kitty one, but it doesn't have a zippered coin section.
* Pink rubber bracelet -- because every gal needs to accessorize, even on a grueling 60-mile walk.
Have I forgotten anything??
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Check out my waistpack, which I'll have with me on every step of those 60 miles. I've been walking with it almost fully-loaded for the past couple of weeks to make sure that I'd be comfortable. Here's what's in it (clockwise, from bottom center):
* Medication (ibuprofen, antacids, antihistamines) and band-aids.
* Hat -- check out the shiny princess crown on the front! I'm also taking pink fluffy bunny ears; hey, what else would the Energizer Keep Going blogger wear?
* Energizing jelly beans, to make sure my energy stays high all day. They've also got elecrolytes so I don't sweat all the salt in my body away.
* Sunscreen stick, blister stick, lip gloss stick.
* Extra pair of socks (with pink designs, naturally)
* Water bottle (again, pink).
* Wallet -- Mine is too thick and heavy so I borrowed Jammy's Spiderman wallet. I would have borrowed The Pea's pink Hello Kitty one, but it doesn't have a zippered coin section.
* Pink rubber bracelet -- because every gal needs to accessorize, even on a grueling 60-mile walk.
Have I forgotten anything??
Packing for the Cure
I can hardly believe that this time next week, I'll have begun the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in San Francisco. After all these weeks of walking and waiting, I'm going on a 60-mile walk! Don't mistake that exclamation point for pure excitement, though; I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. In fact, I'm beginning to feel the stirrings of panic.
To quell my impending Freak Out, I've decided to focus on the relatively mundane aspects of the event like printing out my event credentials, writing out contact information for Alfie and starting to pack. Yes, it's a week away and I'm almost fully packed. I make fun of my dad for packing his suitcase a week before he travels, and here I am, doing the same thing.
But truth be told, I'm actually glad I've started so early. I usually pack for a trip one or two nights before. This trip, however, requires a little more forethought because participants are limited to a single bag that weighs 35 pounds (because event crew members and volunteers will be hauling our bags to and from campsites and we don't want anyone wrenching out their backs). Thirty-five pounds doesn't sound like much until you consider what we need to take with us:
Sleeping bag
Air mattress or pad
Pillow
Plastic sheets or tarp (to keep tent and gear dry in case of rain)
Clothespins (to secure the plastic)
Flashlight and batteries
Towel and washcloth (although you can purchase towel service so you don't have to deal with damp, stinky towels)
Two pairs of shoes
Two pairs of socks per day (that's a total of 6)
Sweat pants / long pants
Warm fleece or sweater
Sleepwear
Hat / visor
Shower shoes / flip-flops
Waterproof jacket
Underwear and sports bras, one pair per day
T-shirts and shorts for walking, one outfit per day
Something to change into after we're done with the day's walk
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizer, soap, shampoo, etc..)
Are you kidding me? I consider myself a light packer, but this is going to be a challenge. BigFoot that I am, my 2 pairs of walking shoes will probably take up half of that 35-pound weight limit. And I definitely need space for the giant jar of painkillers I'm going to be taking at the end of each day.
And how am I going cram in that giant plush Energizer bunny?
I guess I'll probably leave those National Enquirer magazines behind. I'll probably fall asleep as soon as my head hits my pillow (or maybe I'll leave the pillow behind too -- I'll just prop my head on a plastic bag filled with my dirty clothes). And I'm going to have to ditch the after-dinner outfit and the two separate coats I was hoping to take. My color scheme for the weekend will be pink and black, and I might just sleep in grey sweatpants instead of my pink-and-white hot-lips pajama outfit, so I can change into my sleep clothes for dinner.
(See, I've successfully distracted myself from how woefully unprepared and inadequate I feel about walking the 60 miles! Nothing like a little outfit planning to cheer oneself up).
Check back soon to see which items made it into my 35-lb. bag!
A Bump in the Road
All of last week, I had been planning to write my weekly Keep Going Blogger post on Sunday night. We spent the weekend at the Disneyland Resort, so my intention was to write a "Walking Around Disneyland" along the same lines as my Walking Around Manhattan, England, Paris and Amsterdam posts. It would have made a great addition to the series, because we did walk a lot during our 3-day stay, and the scenery around the resort during the fall is actually quite picturesque:
But this isn't a post about walking around Disneyland anymore. Because on Saturday morning I noticed a pain in my right foot, and by Saturday night the pain was so intense that I was hobbling around like Quasimodo in my attempt to keep up with 3 kids intent on riding as many attractions -- always on opposite sides of the park, naturally -- as they could. I don't recall any particular event in the park that could have caused it, but I do remember that on Thursday night, as we were packing, 3Po dropped a plastic bin full of clothes on my right foot. Could this be some kind of delayed reaction? By the time our return flight landed on Sunday afternoon, my poor foot was swollen and bruised, and all I could think was, Ten days to go until the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, and I might have a fracture in my foot.
Oh, just swell. And yes, pun intended.
My mind was racing: No way I can walk 60 miles with a broken foot. Could I walk a few miles in a foot cast? Is there a wheelchair division? Can I still be the Energizer Keep Going Blogger if I can't keep going?
So I went to see a doctor earlier today, who ordered an x-ray. You can all breathe a sigh of relief: it isn't broken.
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, here we come!
The doctor did have a couple of caveats. She suggested I wait about a week to decide whether my foot was well enough to walk the 60 miles. She suggested keeping it elevated and iced throughout the week. And she said No Training This Week.
Uh-Oh.
This is the home stretch. I'm supposed to be doing 10 mile walks without breaking a sweat, and going for 15 miles, back to back! How am I supposed to do anything when my foot is letting me down?
Oops. Sorry, foot, I know I promised to be nicer to you, so I'll cut my lecture short and give you some extra love this week to help you get better for October 1. At least you're not broken. It's just a little bump. So what if we end up taking a little bit longer each day? It's not about the walk, it's about the journey.
I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed....
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
But this isn't a post about walking around Disneyland anymore. Because on Saturday morning I noticed a pain in my right foot, and by Saturday night the pain was so intense that I was hobbling around like Quasimodo in my attempt to keep up with 3 kids intent on riding as many attractions -- always on opposite sides of the park, naturally -- as they could. I don't recall any particular event in the park that could have caused it, but I do remember that on Thursday night, as we were packing, 3Po dropped a plastic bin full of clothes on my right foot. Could this be some kind of delayed reaction? By the time our return flight landed on Sunday afternoon, my poor foot was swollen and bruised, and all I could think was, Ten days to go until the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, and I might have a fracture in my foot.
Oh, just swell. And yes, pun intended.
My mind was racing: No way I can walk 60 miles with a broken foot. Could I walk a few miles in a foot cast? Is there a wheelchair division? Can I still be the Energizer Keep Going Blogger if I can't keep going?
So I went to see a doctor earlier today, who ordered an x-ray. You can all breathe a sigh of relief: it isn't broken.
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, here we come!
The doctor did have a couple of caveats. She suggested I wait about a week to decide whether my foot was well enough to walk the 60 miles. She suggested keeping it elevated and iced throughout the week. And she said No Training This Week.
Uh-Oh.
This is the home stretch. I'm supposed to be doing 10 mile walks without breaking a sweat, and going for 15 miles, back to back! How am I supposed to do anything when my foot is letting me down?
Oops. Sorry, foot, I know I promised to be nicer to you, so I'll cut my lecture short and give you some extra love this week to help you get better for October 1. At least you're not broken. It's just a little bump. So what if we end up taking a little bit longer each day? It's not about the walk, it's about the journey.
I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed....
All About Feet
I hate my feet.
My feet are large (Divulging my shoe size is like divulging my weight -- you'll need to torture me to get the information. Oh, hang on, I may have revealed it during a weak moment in one of my blog posts. But please don't Google my blog to find it). They're wide. They look funny. They hurt in the mornings (plantar fascitis in the heels, the doctor says). Some people wish for whiter teeth, more hair, bigger boobs, flatter tummies, muscled calves. I want prettier feet.
But in a very short time, I will be taking the journey of a lifetime, and I won't be able to do it without my feet. So I need to start showing some serious love towards these tootsies of mine, and start treating them like pampered princesses. I make sure I rotate my ankles and stretch my heels every morning, and before /after exercise. I like to ice my heel down on nights following a particularly long walk.
Next up -- dress my feet up in some pretty pink socks! No, I'm kidding -- what makes these socks great aren't their color, but the fact that they're thin and lightweight and made of some magic material that pulls moisture away. Moisture, feet and long walks don't go together because that combination results in some nasty blisters. Oh, and you end up with stinky feet. So for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event on Oct. 1-3, I'm taking along 6 pairs, 2 per day so I can change socks halfway through the day (along with some thick socks for nighttime, of course!). In fact, I'll be taking along more pairs of socks than underwear.
Finally, to walk all those miles, I need the Right Shoes. These Nike Air Zoom Vomeros make my feet feel like they're running on clouds. Okay, maybe not clouds, but definitely extra-soft cushions. They are the best running shoes I've ever owned, but I've had them for over 2 years now. They still feel great, but they have seen a lot of use, so I decided to get a new pair.
When you're buying new running shoes, why mess with success? I got exactly the same kind as my old one (just a newer version). You don't realize that your old shoes are old until you get a pair of new shoes. All that cushioning must have gotten compressed over the years, because you can really tell how much more cushion-y the new shoes are! In fact, the only thing wrong with these new shoes is that my old ones have pink trim and my new ones have yellow trim (when you have feet as large as mine, you can't afford to be too choosy). And they're a bit too shiny-white for my taste. I need to break them in so that by the time October 1 rolls around, walking with them will be like walking with an old friend. I'm also in the market for a second pair of shoes, maybe walking shoes this time, so I can alternate and see whether walking or running shoes are better, or whether they don't make a difference to me.
They may not be Cinderella's feet, but (with apologies to Nancy Sinatra) these feet are made for walkin', and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these feet are gonna walk a mile or two (or sixty), and if they get me through the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, they're going to look like the prettiest feet in the world.
My feet are large (Divulging my shoe size is like divulging my weight -- you'll need to torture me to get the information. Oh, hang on, I may have revealed it during a weak moment in one of my blog posts. But please don't Google my blog to find it). They're wide. They look funny. They hurt in the mornings (plantar fascitis in the heels, the doctor says). Some people wish for whiter teeth, more hair, bigger boobs, flatter tummies, muscled calves. I want prettier feet.
But in a very short time, I will be taking the journey of a lifetime, and I won't be able to do it without my feet. So I need to start showing some serious love towards these tootsies of mine, and start treating them like pampered princesses. I make sure I rotate my ankles and stretch my heels every morning, and before /after exercise. I like to ice my heel down on nights following a particularly long walk.
Next up -- dress my feet up in some pretty pink socks! No, I'm kidding -- what makes these socks great aren't their color, but the fact that they're thin and lightweight and made of some magic material that pulls moisture away. Moisture, feet and long walks don't go together because that combination results in some nasty blisters. Oh, and you end up with stinky feet. So for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event on Oct. 1-3, I'm taking along 6 pairs, 2 per day so I can change socks halfway through the day (along with some thick socks for nighttime, of course!). In fact, I'll be taking along more pairs of socks than underwear.
Finally, to walk all those miles, I need the Right Shoes. These Nike Air Zoom Vomeros make my feet feel like they're running on clouds. Okay, maybe not clouds, but definitely extra-soft cushions. They are the best running shoes I've ever owned, but I've had them for over 2 years now. They still feel great, but they have seen a lot of use, so I decided to get a new pair.
When you're buying new running shoes, why mess with success? I got exactly the same kind as my old one (just a newer version). You don't realize that your old shoes are old until you get a pair of new shoes. All that cushioning must have gotten compressed over the years, because you can really tell how much more cushion-y the new shoes are! In fact, the only thing wrong with these new shoes is that my old ones have pink trim and my new ones have yellow trim (when you have feet as large as mine, you can't afford to be too choosy). And they're a bit too shiny-white for my taste. I need to break them in so that by the time October 1 rolls around, walking with them will be like walking with an old friend. I'm also in the market for a second pair of shoes, maybe walking shoes this time, so I can alternate and see whether walking or running shoes are better, or whether they don't make a difference to me. They may not be Cinderella's feet, but (with apologies to Nancy Sinatra) these feet are made for walkin', and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these feet are gonna walk a mile or two (or sixty), and if they get me through the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, they're going to look like the prettiest feet in the world.
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
In which I almost get thrown out of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
Okay, that's a sensationalist title. I just wanted to get your attention. But I probably would have gotten myself thrown out of the walk, or at least given a very stern slap on the wrist, had I not been paying attention to the informational video that I had to watch in order to complete my online check-in for the event. Had I been distracted by some blog post that I had to do, or some hilarious new video on YouTube, or had one of the kids complained that they've run out of underwear (meaning I neglected to do the laundry yet again), I might have missed three Very Important Rules of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure:
1) Follow all signs, all rules, and all volunteers' instructions during the event.
2) No running while on the course.
3) Do not use headphones, iPods, MP3 players or cellphones while on the course.
You're allowed to walk at a snail's pace. You're allowed to munch on a burrito while you're walking (if you can get your hands on one). You're even allowed to wear colors other than pink. But if you break these Cardinal Rules, you'll be asked to leave.
I had every intention of complying with the first rule; as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't even need to be a rule. Of course I have to do what the volunteers and staff say!
I have to admit that I was thinking about running a couple of miles for each of the three days. Once I get all warmed up and the endorphins kick in, it's hard not to break out into a run, especially when a particularly inspiring song comes up on my iPod (Not everyone may think Phil Collins' songs from the Disney Tarzan movie are inspiring, but hey, to each his own). I had no idea that running was not allowed -- but I completely understand why they have this rule. It's not a race and it's not about who's first to the finish line. It can be dangerous for runners and walkers when a runner is weaving in and out of a bunch of walkers. I have no problem at all with walking the whole way.
The third rule is going to be the most difficult to stick to. When I first read it, I couldn't believe it -- I can't listen to music while I walk? I'll be alone with my thoughts for 7 hours each day? For three whole days?? Oh man, that's harsh. It's okay for people walking with friends, but I'll be all alone. What a bummer.
I do get it -- it's a safety thing. When you've got those headphones between your head, it's all too easy to get lost in your own world. I get that you need to be able to hear not only announcements from volunteers and staff, but also the noise of the road. I know that from personal experience -- on one of my training walks last week, I almost got run over by a bike coming up behind me on the sidewalk, because I couldn't hear him shout, "On your left!". That doesn't make me any happier about having to comply. But of course I'm going to, because I want to do this, with or without Swing Out Sister and Madonna. I'm just going to have to make some new friends along the way!
By the way, you simply must check out all the lovely stuff that Energizer sent me! Check it out on Bonggamom Finds.
1) Follow all signs, all rules, and all volunteers' instructions during the event.
2) No running while on the course.
3) Do not use headphones, iPods, MP3 players or cellphones while on the course.
You're allowed to walk at a snail's pace. You're allowed to munch on a burrito while you're walking (if you can get your hands on one). You're even allowed to wear colors other than pink. But if you break these Cardinal Rules, you'll be asked to leave.
I had every intention of complying with the first rule; as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't even need to be a rule. Of course I have to do what the volunteers and staff say!
I have to admit that I was thinking about running a couple of miles for each of the three days. Once I get all warmed up and the endorphins kick in, it's hard not to break out into a run, especially when a particularly inspiring song comes up on my iPod (Not everyone may think Phil Collins' songs from the Disney Tarzan movie are inspiring, but hey, to each his own). I had no idea that running was not allowed -- but I completely understand why they have this rule. It's not a race and it's not about who's first to the finish line. It can be dangerous for runners and walkers when a runner is weaving in and out of a bunch of walkers. I have no problem at all with walking the whole way.
The third rule is going to be the most difficult to stick to. When I first read it, I couldn't believe it -- I can't listen to music while I walk? I'll be alone with my thoughts for 7 hours each day? For three whole days?? Oh man, that's harsh. It's okay for people walking with friends, but I'll be all alone. What a bummer.
I do get it -- it's a safety thing. When you've got those headphones between your head, it's all too easy to get lost in your own world. I get that you need to be able to hear not only announcements from volunteers and staff, but also the noise of the road. I know that from personal experience -- on one of my training walks last week, I almost got run over by a bike coming up behind me on the sidewalk, because I couldn't hear him shout, "On your left!". That doesn't make me any happier about having to comply. But of course I'm going to, because I want to do this, with or without Swing Out Sister and Madonna. I'm just going to have to make some new friends along the way!
By the way, you simply must check out all the lovely stuff that Energizer sent me! Check it out on Bonggamom Finds.
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Staying Safe
Last week I blogged about preparing myself mentally for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®. Another important aspect of mental preparation is being informed -- knowing beforehand what you'll be doing and where you'll be going. We all start out knowing we'll be walking 60 miles in 3 days, but then what?
That's why the event website, www.the3day.org, is one of the most valuable preparation tools I can think of, whether you're thinking about joining or have already signed up. The site is filled with information about what to expect during the 3 days, how to sign up, what you need to do, what you need to bring, how you can prepare, etc.... There are FAQs, videos, a calendar, contact information and more. Once you register, you'll have access to even more information, like a training schedule and safety videos.
Frankly, I can't say enough good things about their safety video. Every single person who participates in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® has to watch this video so they know how they can avoid injury and what to do if an injury does occur. I'm not a big online video watcher, so I thought I'd play the video and multitask (i.e. check email, fold laundry, etc..), but it was so interesting that I couldn't help give it my full attention. The video gives some excellent advice all Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® walkers; in fact, it's advice that anyone doing long-distance walking or running should take. For example, did you know that.....
* The two biggest medical problems that walkers are likely to experience during the event are blisters and dehydration. Both could render a walker unable to complete his or her mileage for the day -- yet both can be prevented. To help prevent dehydration, it's important to keep drinking fluids throughout the day (don't forget to drink fluids with electrolytes, like sports drinks, so you don't lose too much salt when you sweat all those fluids out). If you aren't urinating every 3-6 miles, you should increase your fluid intake. To prevent blisters, make sure you lubricate your feet with petroleum before you stick those tootsies into your socks and shoes. And speaking of socks, carry an extra pair so that you can change into them when your first pair gets too sweaty.
* We're not walking in a vacuum: throughout the 3 days, walkers will be sharing the road with cars, trucks, bikes and each other, so observing safety rules and practices is more important than ever. Look both ways when crossing the street (it's surprising how many streetwalkers I see who don't do this, and I don't mean the tarty kind!) and follow all traffic signs.
* There will be pit stops along the route, around every 3 miles. Practice the Three R's every time you get to one -- Refuel, Rehydrate and Relieve. And remember to stretch for about 5 minutes every hour so your muscles don't cramp up.
I've really taken these guidelines to heart; for example, I never set out for a walk without a bottle of water, and I always stretch my heels, calves and legs for each hour that I walk. The longer my walks last, the more of a difference those tips make to my body afterwards! And the longer I walk, the more I remind myself to look both ways when I cross the street, because after walking for several hours my mind and body are tired, and I find that I tend to stumble blindly off the sidewalk unless I keep road safety at the front of my mind.
That's why the event website, www.the3day.org, is one of the most valuable preparation tools I can think of, whether you're thinking about joining or have already signed up. The site is filled with information about what to expect during the 3 days, how to sign up, what you need to do, what you need to bring, how you can prepare, etc.... There are FAQs, videos, a calendar, contact information and more. Once you register, you'll have access to even more information, like a training schedule and safety videos.
Frankly, I can't say enough good things about their safety video. Every single person who participates in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® has to watch this video so they know how they can avoid injury and what to do if an injury does occur. I'm not a big online video watcher, so I thought I'd play the video and multitask (i.e. check email, fold laundry, etc..), but it was so interesting that I couldn't help give it my full attention. The video gives some excellent advice all Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® walkers; in fact, it's advice that anyone doing long-distance walking or running should take. For example, did you know that.....
* The two biggest medical problems that walkers are likely to experience during the event are blisters and dehydration. Both could render a walker unable to complete his or her mileage for the day -- yet both can be prevented. To help prevent dehydration, it's important to keep drinking fluids throughout the day (don't forget to drink fluids with electrolytes, like sports drinks, so you don't lose too much salt when you sweat all those fluids out). If you aren't urinating every 3-6 miles, you should increase your fluid intake. To prevent blisters, make sure you lubricate your feet with petroleum before you stick those tootsies into your socks and shoes. And speaking of socks, carry an extra pair so that you can change into them when your first pair gets too sweaty.
* We're not walking in a vacuum: throughout the 3 days, walkers will be sharing the road with cars, trucks, bikes and each other, so observing safety rules and practices is more important than ever. Look both ways when crossing the street (it's surprising how many streetwalkers I see who don't do this, and I don't mean the tarty kind!) and follow all traffic signs.
* There will be pit stops along the route, around every 3 miles. Practice the Three R's every time you get to one -- Refuel, Rehydrate and Relieve. And remember to stretch for about 5 minutes every hour so your muscles don't cramp up.
I've really taken these guidelines to heart; for example, I never set out for a walk without a bottle of water, and I always stretch my heels, calves and legs for each hour that I walk. The longer my walks last, the more of a difference those tips make to my body afterwards! And the longer I walk, the more I remind myself to look both ways when I cross the street, because after walking for several hours my mind and body are tired, and I find that I tend to stumble blindly off the sidewalk unless I keep road safety at the front of my mind.
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Going Mental
Preparing for an event like the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® involves a whole lot more than physical training. One has to deal with logistics (i.e. figuring out what Alfie is going to do with the kids for three full days), equipment (what I'm taking with me, and the all-important issue of what to wear??), and I'm not even going to attempt to go into the pre-event preparation that has to occur (at least not in this post).
One of the biggest things on my To-Do list is mental preparation. Every time I've done some organized physical event like a half-marathon or a daylong hike I've found (and every long-distance runner I've talked to tells me) that half the battle is really all up in your mind. Once your mind gives up, the rest of your body will follow.
Today, for instance, I received an auto-generated email informing me that there are 6 weeks left before the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® San Francisco walk. When I saw it in my inbox, I felt a rush of panic. OMG, 6 weeks to go! I'm not ready! I need to train more! I need to find a good duffle bag (and train more)! I need to make a list of things to take (and train more)! I need to get a new pair of shoes (and train more)! I need to think of some cool pink walking outfits (and train more)! What if I totally collapse halfway through the first day? How's it going to look if an Energizer Keep Going® Blogger stops? Oh, the shame!
So I play little mind games with myself. It's not easy for me to find five minutes, let alone five hours, in the day to leave my life behind and go on a training walk, so I do what I can and tell myself that every mile counts. Every mile I walk is making my legs and lungs and heart stronger. When I've trained for events before, I've told myself that if I can get halfway through the mileage, the excitement and adrenaline during the event will see me through the rest of it. Whether that's true or not, it's a comforting thought, and I've finished every run or walk or hike I've ever done in less time that I expected. Of course, I've never been able to walk the next day, so I'll have to figure out a way to get up on Day 2 and Day 3 and walk that extra mile (or twenty).
Right now I'm going to get over my minor panic attack in the best way I know how -- go for a walk.
I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can.......
One of the biggest things on my To-Do list is mental preparation. Every time I've done some organized physical event like a half-marathon or a daylong hike I've found (and every long-distance runner I've talked to tells me) that half the battle is really all up in your mind. Once your mind gives up, the rest of your body will follow.
Today, for instance, I received an auto-generated email informing me that there are 6 weeks left before the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® San Francisco walk. When I saw it in my inbox, I felt a rush of panic. OMG, 6 weeks to go! I'm not ready! I need to train more! I need to find a good duffle bag (and train more)! I need to make a list of things to take (and train more)! I need to get a new pair of shoes (and train more)! I need to think of some cool pink walking outfits (and train more)! What if I totally collapse halfway through the first day? How's it going to look if an Energizer Keep Going® Blogger stops? Oh, the shame!
So I play little mind games with myself. It's not easy for me to find five minutes, let alone five hours, in the day to leave my life behind and go on a training walk, so I do what I can and tell myself that every mile counts. Every mile I walk is making my legs and lungs and heart stronger. When I've trained for events before, I've told myself that if I can get halfway through the mileage, the excitement and adrenaline during the event will see me through the rest of it. Whether that's true or not, it's a comforting thought, and I've finished every run or walk or hike I've ever done in less time that I expected. Of course, I've never been able to walk the next day, so I'll have to figure out a way to get up on Day 2 and Day 3 and walk that extra mile (or twenty).
Right now I'm going to get over my minor panic attack in the best way I know how -- go for a walk.
I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can.......
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
My new Walking Companion
Here I was, thinking I'd have to do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk in San Francisco all on my own. Not that it bothered me; I'm perfectly comfortable with the idea of spending 3 days by myself. Besides, as Energizer's Keep Going Blogger for the event, I'll figured I'd be socializing over at the Energizer tent after completing the day's walk. And I get to share a tent with someone (who I hope does not turn out to be a knife-wielding sociopath, but I doubt if that kind of person would be raising money for breast cancer research anyway). And I'm hoping I meet lots of new people on the walk, hear all their stories and learn about why they're walking.
But I when arrived home from BlogHer on Sunday night, this furry little guy was waiting for me. Energizer sent me a travel companion, inspiration and sleeping-bag warmer to keep me company during the event! I like to pack light, and luggage space for the 3-Day for the Cure will definitely be at a premium, what with the sleeping bag, extra socks, and fifty-one adhesive bandages I need to take with me. But I think I will definitely need to make some space for the Energizer Bunny.
But I when arrived home from BlogHer on Sunday night, this furry little guy was waiting for me. Energizer sent me a travel companion, inspiration and sleeping-bag warmer to keep me company during the event! I like to pack light, and luggage space for the 3-Day for the Cure will definitely be at a premium, what with the sleeping bag, extra socks, and fifty-one adhesive bandages I need to take with me. But I think I will definitely need to make some space for the Energizer Bunny.
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Walking around Manhattan
I'm in New York this week, attending the BlogHer 2010 Conference, and the streets of Manhattan couldn't be more different from the dirt paths of Marlborough. In most of my walks around Alfie's parents' town, I encountered just as many animals and plants as I did people, but around Manhattan the wildlife is decidedly of the human variety.
Neither of those things bothered me as much as the temperature change: the cool morning air and cloudy skies are far, far away now. Yesterday I walked over 50 blocks in the sultry summer heat. It was like walking into a hair dryer! You'd think that a Filipino like me would toss my frizzed-up hair and wonder what all the fuss was about, but years of living in the cool climate of California have wimped me out. Actually, Filipinos avoid being outdoors as much as possible and seek out airconditioned homes, offices, malls and cars. No sane Filipino would walk around in the sun -- which was my precise thought as I trudged up and down midtown Manhattan. Then again, walking 60 miles in 3 days is not quite sane anyway.
In any case, whatever the ground is like, whatever the weather is like, I have to make like the Energizer Bunny and keep going, going, going. The San Francisco leg of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® is less than 8 weeks away!
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Walking around England
Our trip to the UK is over, and I've had a fantastic month of walks around some of the most beautiful countryside on the planet:
I've got more than 8 weeks of walking until the San Francisco leg of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and I'll be doing most of it along the streets of Palo Alto. It's not the ugliest place on the planet, but I've got to admit I'll miss walking on dirt paths and green meadows, in the fresh country air, with hardly a soul in sight. Somehow concrete sidewalks, crowds of people busy tapping on their iPhones, and storefronts like Starbucks or The Gap, just don't compare.
I've got more than 8 weeks of walking until the San Francisco leg of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and I'll be doing most of it along the streets of Palo Alto. It's not the ugliest place on the planet, but I've got to admit I'll miss walking on dirt paths and green meadows, in the fresh country air, with hardly a soul in sight. Somehow concrete sidewalks, crowds of people busy tapping on their iPhones, and storefronts like Starbucks or The Gap, just don't compare.
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Walking Around Paris
Earlier this week Alfie and I took the kids to Paris, and just like on our previous trip to Amsterdam, we shunned taxis and buses in order to explore the city on foot. 3Po, Jammy and The Pea were real troopers: we were on our feet for two full days, nonstop. Oh, I'll admit we chickened out and ascended the Eiffel Tower via elevator, and hopped aboard the funiculaire (cable car) to get to the Basilique du Sacre Coeur. But we climbed every one of the 206 steps it took to get to the top of the Pantheon:
And the views of Paris from the top made it all worthwhile.
We roamed the streets of Paris, searching for La Maison Berthillion, which sells the best ice cream in Paris:
We roamed the cemeteries, searching for Oscar Wilde's grave:
We wandered through the underground tunnels of the Paris Metro, connecting from train to train in order to get to various points around the city.
We even went around the Place de l'Etoile (where the Arc du Triomphe is located) and down the Champs Elysees, desperately searching for a toilet.
Unfortunately we couldn't find any -- apparently the police have closed down all the public toilets and there were no pay toilets nearby, so Alfie freaked out at a Metro employee and managed to get access to the Metro employees' toilets -- but at least this Energizer Keep Going Blogger got a good walk out of it. And since the San Francisco Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® event is only 9 weeks away, I need all the walks I can get!
And the views of Paris from the top made it all worthwhile.
We roamed the streets of Paris, searching for La Maison Berthillion, which sells the best ice cream in Paris:
We roamed the cemeteries, searching for Oscar Wilde's grave:
We wandered through the underground tunnels of the Paris Metro, connecting from train to train in order to get to various points around the city.
We even went around the Place de l'Etoile (where the Arc du Triomphe is located) and down the Champs Elysees, desperately searching for a toilet.
Unfortunately we couldn't find any -- apparently the police have closed down all the public toilets and there were no pay toilets nearby, so Alfie freaked out at a Metro employee and managed to get access to the Metro employees' toilets -- but at least this Energizer Keep Going Blogger got a good walk out of it. And since the San Francisco Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® event is only 9 weeks away, I need all the walks I can get!
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Preparing for The Walk -- Rainy Day Gear
10 weeks to go until the San Francisco's Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and I'm starting to think about what I need to take on my 3-day journey. I've been walking around England for several weeks now, and around here there's always a big chance that you'll end up walking in the rain. October in San Francisco is usually cool and dry, so it's unlikely that we'll be seeing any rain during the walk, but having to walk in wet weather has certainly gotten me thinking about some things I might want to pack in my 3-Day for the Cure equipment bag:
* A baseball cap -- having that peak is important for me because I wear glasses. Even a small drizzle can get really annoying; without that peak, I'd need a mini-windshield wiper to keep my lenses raindrop free!
* An extra pair of shoes -- Of course I'll be packing one pair of socks for each of the 3 Days that I'll be walking, but I never really thought about throwing in a couple more pairs, and even an extra pair of walking shoes, just in case they get damp in a drizzle or drenched in a thunderstorm..
* A rain jacket -- A couple of days ago we went to a free event and I picked up a goody bag that contained a lightweight rain slicker. It will be the perfect thing to take to the 3-day walk! Having said that, a friend of mine who walks half-marathons all the time has a different solution -- she likes to take along a plastic garbage bag liner, cut out neck and arm holes and wear it like a potato sack. She says it keeps her from getting chilled in the early stages of the walk, before she warms up, and keeps her dry in case it rains. When she doesn't need it anymore, she simply tosses it into one of the garbage bins lining the route. I'm tempted to follow her example and swap the rain slicker for a garbage bag. However, next week we'll be traveling around Paris -- and seeing all the chic, well-dressed people walking around might just strike shame into my unfashionable self and cause me to change my mind.
* A baseball cap -- having that peak is important for me because I wear glasses. Even a small drizzle can get really annoying; without that peak, I'd need a mini-windshield wiper to keep my lenses raindrop free!
* An extra pair of shoes -- Of course I'll be packing one pair of socks for each of the 3 Days that I'll be walking, but I never really thought about throwing in a couple more pairs, and even an extra pair of walking shoes, just in case they get damp in a drizzle or drenched in a thunderstorm..
* A rain jacket -- A couple of days ago we went to a free event and I picked up a goody bag that contained a lightweight rain slicker. It will be the perfect thing to take to the 3-day walk! Having said that, a friend of mine who walks half-marathons all the time has a different solution -- she likes to take along a plastic garbage bag liner, cut out neck and arm holes and wear it like a potato sack. She says it keeps her from getting chilled in the early stages of the walk, before she warms up, and keeps her dry in case it rains. When she doesn't need it anymore, she simply tosses it into one of the garbage bins lining the route. I'm tempted to follow her example and swap the rain slicker for a garbage bag. However, next week we'll be traveling around Paris -- and seeing all the chic, well-dressed people walking around might just strike shame into my unfashionable self and cause me to change my mind.
Energizer is sponsoring my participation fee and fundraising requirement for this event, but I would love to be able to raise more for breast cancer. Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
Walking around Amsterdam
I've got 11 weeks till I walk San Francisco's Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® on October 1-3. Sixty miles in three days is no joke, and as Energizer's Keep Going® Blogger for San Francisco, I want to make sure I actually finish the walk instead of wimping out and hitching a ride with the help wagons. But I'm on vacation with Alfie's family in the UK, and when you've got a full schedule of family activities, it's not easy to find time to take long walks. Despite my jet lag, I've been able to wake up early enough to take hourlong walks nearly every day -- I know, not exactly walkathon distance but as my aching leg and butt muscles keep reminding me, I'm not in the best shape of my life and it will have to do for a start.
This week Alfie and I left the kids with his parents and took a 4-day trip to Amsterdam. I was pretty worried that with all the canal cruises and bus tours and museum visits and lounging around cafes and restaurants, I'd fall off my newfound walking schedule and never get back. I needn't have worried.
We arrived in Amsterdam on the same day that all of Amsterdam (and probably everyone in the suburbs) showed up at the City Center to cheer the Netherlands national football team, who had just finished second in the World Cup. The whole city was a mass of orange, and all the trams had been cancelled, so we had to walk to our hotel. We spent the rest of the day walking around the city, trying to catch a glimpse of the team, who were parading around the city's canals. Our perseverance paid off -- we saw them just after the rally finished, as they were being driven away in big tour coaches.
On Day 2, we took a tour of the countryside, and spent 4 hours walking around quaint, picturesque villages like these.
On Days 3 and 4, we walked all around Amsterdam, looking at museums and buildings and monuments in squares. You don't really notice how much you've been walking when you're surrounded by beautiful buildings, cafes and canals like these.
Or these. The city center is so small and compact that it felt silly to take a tram, so we just walked everywhere. At the end of the trip Alfie and took stock of our adventures and figured out that we had actually walked about 4 hours each day!
If only I were rich enough to visit 11 different cities for each of the 11 weeks leading up to the walk, training would be no problem whatsoever.
This week Alfie and I left the kids with his parents and took a 4-day trip to Amsterdam. I was pretty worried that with all the canal cruises and bus tours and museum visits and lounging around cafes and restaurants, I'd fall off my newfound walking schedule and never get back. I needn't have worried.
We arrived in Amsterdam on the same day that all of Amsterdam (and probably everyone in the suburbs) showed up at the City Center to cheer the Netherlands national football team, who had just finished second in the World Cup. The whole city was a mass of orange, and all the trams had been cancelled, so we had to walk to our hotel. We spent the rest of the day walking around the city, trying to catch a glimpse of the team, who were parading around the city's canals. Our perseverance paid off -- we saw them just after the rally finished, as they were being driven away in big tour coaches.
On Day 2, we took a tour of the countryside, and spent 4 hours walking around quaint, picturesque villages like these.
On Days 3 and 4, we walked all around Amsterdam, looking at museums and buildings and monuments in squares. You don't really notice how much you've been walking when you're surrounded by beautiful buildings, cafes and canals like these.
Or these. The city center is so small and compact that it felt silly to take a tram, so we just walked everywhere. At the end of the trip Alfie and took stock of our adventures and figured out that we had actually walked about 4 hours each day! If only I were rich enough to visit 11 different cities for each of the 11 weeks leading up to the walk, training would be no problem whatsoever.
Please help me reach my goal of $1000! Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. You can click on the widget below to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
60 miles? Piece of Cake. Pink-Frosted Cake.
Who walks 20 miles one day, goes to bed, then wakes up and does the very same thing the next day -- and the day after? A masochist? A lunatic? How about one who's fighting cancer? Or one who wants to honor a loved one who fought cancer? Or one who's raising money for the cure?
Starting October 3, add me to that list of crazy, motivated people. I've been selected by Energizer® as San Francisco's Keep Going® Blogger for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® 3 day, 60-mile walk. It's an event where participants walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days and raise funds in support of breast cancer research. I will be walking in the San Francisco Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure which will take place on October 1 - October 3, 2010. I will be blogging throughout my training and during the actual event, and you can follow my progress here, on Bonggamom Finds, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
I was one of only 15 other bloggers in the nation chosen, so I'm honored, happy, excited, and a little nervous, all at the same time. I still can't imagine how I'm going to get through this -- but it can't be any harder than what my aunt and my grandmother went through. Both of them had breast cancer. My grandmother beat it in her 50's and went on to live a long and happy life until she passed away at age 80. Her daughter, my aunt beat it about a decade ago and she's still going strong. If they can fight breast cancer and win, I can walk 60 miles.
I've got the sponsorship of Energizer, the example of my aunt, and the memory of my grandmother to help me -- and I'm also hoping I'll have the companionship and camaraderie from all of you, my family and friends and blog readers. Whether it's a donation to the cause (you can donate via the widget above), or a tip on how to avoid blisters on such a long walk emailed to me, or just a "Way to Go" comment left on any of my future Keep Going® Blogger posts, I will cherish and appreciate any and every form of support!
Update: Energizer no longer has the list of Keep Going® Bloggers on their site, so I've listed the bloggers here:
- Boston – Caitlin Thayer
- Cleveland – Tesa Nicolanti
- Chicago – Paula Krueger
- Michigan – Shawn Ann Griffith
- Twin Cities – Rachael Coe
- Denver – Laurie Cooper
- Seattle – Heidi May
- Washington D.C. – Holly Zegalia
- Philadelphia – Jennifer Quintua
- Atlanta – Stacie Connerty
- Dallas – John Welsh
- San Francisco – Ana Picazo
- Tampa Bay – Julie Deily
- Arizona – Catherine Holland
- San Diego - Rhea Tabler
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