In Home Walk Tonight

Holy Cow! I did an in-home walk tonight that I bought called Walk Away the Pounds, Intensity Walk with Leslie Sansone. I have several of her DVD's and each time I have tried to walk while at home for some reason Ammon my 16 month old wants to be held and cries until he gets his way. I did figure out though that I can do them at night once he is asleep and I can make it through the entire thing. I thought I would try this new one as something different and thought since I have been doing the 3 miles out on the road that I would be able to handle one more mile in the house. Yeah that didn't happen tonight. I barely got one mile done when I was ready to collapse. On her other DVDs she didn't go quite so fast or intense quite so soon. Needless to say she kicked my bumba lumba (word that Anthony has taught Araya our nearly 3-year-old to say instead of butt). I have a lot of work to do before I can master the intensity walk.

I sent out a letter to a lot of people that we know from here, there and everywhere in hopes that I can get some donations towards the $2200 goal that I have to reach in order to walk in the event. Honestly raising this much money is almost more intimidating than the walk itself but my hope is that we have enough time to get it done.

Thanks to all those that are reading our blog and posting comments. It is really fun to do this. Toodle Loo for now!

Feeling The Pain

Okay, so the hard work is starting to catch up to me. I knew it would eventually but, now it's here. The first few days of walking, my leg muscles were letting me know they were there. A little ibuprofen and away I went.

So, now I'm starting to get some knee pain and tendon soreness. It worries me a little bit. I've never really tried to do something like this and honestly this is really the first time I've really set myself on a course to be truly physically active. I'm sure most of it will pass but, my body is definitely waking up.

I'm holding at walking three miles a day for now but, next week I need to get onto at least one four-mile walk. I couldn't imagine being able to do three miles but, aside from the soreness, the walks, though slow, are getting easier.

Thanks to those of you that have expressed your support in word and in contributions. I feel like we are all doing this as a team and your actions and words help motivate me to keep on going - for you and especially those we are walking for. No pain, no gain - right? :-)

If It Ain't Rainin', It Ain't Trainin'

My husband has been a soldier in the US Army for twenty years and he and his soldiers always say, "if it ain't rainin', it ain't trainin'". I think I finally know what they are talking about. Today I walked three miles in a rain storm. It started to clear near the end of my walk but, during the downpour I thought, first that I must be crazy to be walking out in the rain and second, this is what it takes to dedicate yourself to something worthwhile.

Too many times in life we choose the easy route; we stay inside till the storm passes by. But I'm learning that somehow being out in the storm makes you stronger. Not that we should look for a good storm to go out and walk in but, that when the storms come we shouldn't compromise our determination just to take an easier path.

Again, I think about the women in my life that have fought the breast cancer battle. They didn't have a choice - the storm came to them and caught them without an umbrella. I have a worthwhile goal here. The least I can do is keep my commitment to those I am walking for and to myself. Just keep on walking.

I have to admit that as I was walking and people driving past were giving me that look of "what an idiot", I was having a lot of fun. While Anthony and the kids were following me around in the car, they kept giving me the thumbs up sign and cheering me on - it just made the experience that much greater. I know I couldn't do this without them.

As I continued on in the rain tonight and saw my family right there with me I couldn't help but think of all of those women and men who fight or have fought this battle; my prayer is that they have this kind of support and love. I am just walking for this cause and my family is supporting me so much. I can't imagine the kind of support it takes for a family that is battling breast cancer. I know I'm the only one who can make this walk happen just as the cancer patient is the only one who actually battles the disease but, I can't help but believe that our families act as the umbrella to shield us from some of the storm.

Another Day ... Another 2 Miles

Well I went another 2 miles today. For some reason it seemed like I went faster but when I got home it took me the same time as it did yesterday...45 minutes for 2 miles. I have a long way to go before I am at the 3 to 4 miles per hour mark. Anthony...my husband keeps telling me that I shouldn't worry about the time right now but, that I just need to get the miles in and be consistent with walking. I guess he is right but it's hard not to think of how slow I am going regardless.

I've received so much support from my husband and two wonderful children...ages nearly 3 and 16 months. They are great! I couldn't do this without them.

I've been thinking a lot about the people I am walking for lately. I hope to share with you some of the memories I have of them and the love I have for them as well. I hope that in some small way they will know that this really is for them.

The Longest Journey Begins With the First Step

Here they are - pristine and untested. They will be one of the many treasures I will take on my journey to walk 60 miles in just 3 days. Tonight I walked my first two miles. It took me 45 minutes it seemed like forever.

The ladies we walk for? One second probably felt like a lifetime - the second they found out they had cancer. I can do 45 minutes, we can do 45 min, we can do more. We still have many miles to travel together. Stay with me, we have just taken our first step together.