I'm Alive and Walking...Still

Hi friends! It's been awhile, I know. Where has the summer gone? I've been busy training, I know that much. Here's a little recap of what's been going on in my 3-day world....

I completed my first 10-mile walk with Mom in early July. It was tough, but we stuck it out. We even got the chance to "practice" using porta potties (above). We walked five miles in one direction down the C&O Canal path, stopped to split a hamburger and a Gatorade from the local "pub," which we enjoyed outside on the picnic tables (below) before making the trek back to our car.

The trail got a little boring because it was the same-old, same-old, but we kept ourselves entertained (for example, by taking silly pictures).

A week or two later, I got a surprise package in the mail. It was from my Dad who had made Mom and me shirts to wear on the walk (below). How wonderful! The package even had a letter of support from my Grandma! I've already been putting my bubblegum pink shirts to use training.

It says "60 miles to go" and is for us to wear on Day One!

A week or two after that, my brother and his girlfriend came up to visit. Us ladies walked six miles on Saturday and  the guys joined us for another six miles on Sunday! It felt really good to have so many supporters walking with me just because. 

This past Saturday, I joined an official Susan G. Komen training walk for a 13-mile adventure. Oh man, my feet were tired. Good news though, no blisters yet. Then on Sunday, my husband joined me for a six-mile walk to the local dairy farm and back. Stopping half way for ice cream sure makes the walk a tad more fun! Just saying.

And yesterday, I went out to get another pair of sneakers to start breaking in. I hear you want two pair for the 3-day and now is the time to start breaking in number two. I opted for a different brand and a half size bigger. I hope this will make my feet happier!

Needless to say, I've been a busy bee in my walking shoes and fanny pack! I laugh when Mom tells me she feels like Forrest Gump sometimes (but walking, not running). I can relate though. I've had a pretty good bit of quality time with trails and pavement this summer. But, we put one foot in front of the other, for hours on end, when neighbors are sleeping in on the weekend or relaxing after a day of work, all in hopes for a cure!

I promise not to disapear for so long again. With only two months to go, I'm sure I'll have many more stories to share about my experience and questions for you 3-day pros!

60 Miles is FAR!

As I start to increase my training miles, I'm realizing that 60 miles is a whole lot further than you think. After the 3-day, I will have finished close to two and a half marathons. I'll have walked the length of a football field 1,056 times. 60 miles is walking 3 miles an hour for nearly 24 hours. Planes usually fly at about 30,000 feet... 60 miles would be flying 316,800 feet in the air. It's slowly starting to sink in that this is a LONG walk and my body is going to be very tired. That's why I'm staying on top of my training.

This weekend we spontaneously packed our bags and headed to Penn State. It was a fun, unexpected trip. Some 40,000 students go to PSU, so you can imagine how big their campus is. The hubs and I went for a two and half hour walk around campus stopping only for water, stretching, bathroom breaks and of course photos with our favorite icons--the nittany lion (above) and Joe Pa (below)!

It was the first time I did 6 and 7 mile back-to-back walks. I feel really good. I haven't had any troubles with blisters or sore muscles. I can tell when I hit that 6th mile though... all the sudden my feet really start to feel it. I'm hoping that will get better as I get used to the longer distances. I rested today, but will do 3 miles tomorrow, some cross-training Wednesday and a long 6-mile walk on Thursday.

Back In Action

Yesterday, in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness month, the hubs and I participated in the Greater Philadelphia NAMI Walk. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness - a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

On our deck re-hydrating after the walk.

Don't you love how my guy is showing off his flyers cup?!

This fundraising event helps to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness and build awareness about improving our country's mental health system. Mental illness is just like any other disease - cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. - but many don't view it that way. I'm glad we were able to step up and support this cause.

It was the first weekend since my April 2 surgery that I did some serious walking. Well, I have to be clear when I say "serious" on my 3-day blog. I maybe totaled 3 miles for the weekend, but since I'm still in the healing stages, that's pretty serious for me at the moment. Getting back in my walking shoes feels like home - so comfy and familiar. It's good to be back.

So, we're officially 24 weeks away from the big event in Philadelphia!! I'm $1,890 away from reaching my fundraising goal and have 580 miles of training ahead of me. I thrilled about the challenge. Bring it on!