Training Update!

So I'm back! Sorry I've been gone for so long, part of it was because I got bored with the whole "walking thing" and figured you didn't need to be bored too. Most of it was life getting in the way. In any case I'm back and promise to try not to fall off the face of the earth again.

Since my last update (assuming my math is correct) I have walked 67 miles. I don't feel like it's been that far. The walking aspect of this is actually getting much easier. The hardest part at the moment is finding time to walk. Hopefully this will get easier once school is finished because the daily mile requirements are only going up from here.

Like I said the walking itself is getting easier. I find that I hit a wall around 5 1/2 - 6ish miles but if I can make it to 6 1/2-7 I can make it to the 8 mark no problem. This allows me to challenge myself in other ways. I've been starting at about 3.8mph and going at that speed for as long as I can, though it usually drops down to about 3.5 by the 3mile mark. Also on Thursdays, the "moderate" walk day I turn up the incline to about 3% which absolutely kills my speed. In any case on "easy" days I have managed to shave a solid 10 minutes off my first three miles, which is not something I'd ever thought I would get excited about.

Wednesdays and Fridays are supposed to be cross training days and I must admit I haven't been keeping up with these. Partly because I got a little off track so I'm walking every day to catch back up to the training schedule without loosing any miles. Although a big reason this is so hard is because it is so vague. It's not like the walking days that the training program tells me exactly how far to walk, at what minimum speed, and how hard I should push myself. It just says "Cross train!" The suggestions of things you can do include biking, elliptical machines, or stair steppers, but this just doesn't feel like cross training to me. I really want to work on my core and upper body for this, I just don't know how. I desperately want to go back to yoga, I just simply can't afford it. There's a gym somewhat near my house that is pretty inexpensive, has good hours (at least during the week when I'd need it), and has free personal training, I'm just avoiding signing up there, and I don't really know why. I guess once I get caught up again and cross train days need to be used as cross training again I will need to reevaluate my plans.

As far as fundraising goes I have been slacking. The walking is easy. The asking for money is tough. I need to start sending out emails and making calls. I know there are plenty of people out there willing to support me, I just need to ask. I'm also considering putting together some cute little boxes/cans with information (and my blog URL) and asking local businesses if I can leave them at their registers for people to donate. I feel like this might work nicely, people can put in whatever they have, even if it's just their change, but still can come here and really see what they are donating to.

I need to update the blog a little bit. Add some links down the side to important posts and the 3day website maybe. I am also going to include a running list of those who have donated as a sort of thank you. I also need to sign up for more walk related events, I know there is a meeting coming up about event prep. I think they are going to be talking about shoes and how to pack and that kind of stuff. Couldn't hurt to check it out.

Speaking of shoes, I think I need to invest in some better ones. Although the neat athletic socks my mom got me (that I need to go buy more of) are great, they only go so far. My shoes are ok for shorter 3 mile days but by the time I hit 6 (which isn't even the farthest I've walked at one time) my feet are killing me. Once I have some spare cash I'll hit up one of the places giving discounts to participants and see what they have to suggest.

I got a pedometer/odometer the other day (thanks mom & dad!) it's nothing fancy but it will help now that the weather is getting nicer since it will keep track of distance for me. I'm also curious to see how many step I take per mile. I think it will be a cool stat to add to the blog!

Well it's getting late and this post is getting long. I have lots to do tomorrow including my first 10 mile walk. Wish me luck!

Distance since last post: 67 miles
Total Distance: 82 miles

"Get Started" Meeting and Training day's 3, 4, and 5

Saturday morning I went to a "Get Started" meeting. Although the group there was pretty small (8 of us including me and the two people running it) it was pretty eye opening. The number of people affected by this walk is astounding. I am amazed at how many people go out to support the walkers even though they don't know any of them. How much just the act of walking these 60 miles gives hope to the women affected by the disease. I am no longer doing this for myself. I am doing this for all the women that have breast cancer now, the young girls who don't even realize that breast cancer could affect them, and, even though this research won't be able to change anything for her, Grandma, I can do it in her honor so that more women don't have to have to live though, what I am assuming is, absolute hell.

In other news training is going fairly well. Friday (day 3) was cross training so I did 30 minutes of Wii Fit activities. Although that seemed to work well enough, it didn't feel like I was working hard enough. I am not sure when I'll be able to afford it, but I want to join the gym and start going to yoga again. Yoga is such a workout but also makes me feel fantastic. An added benefit of joining the gym is that two of the nearby branches have indoor tracks so I could walk on not a treadmill even when it's gross outside.

Day 4 was really hard. I was tired, had a headache, the blister on my foot was hurting, and I had basically zero motivation to walk five miles. But I bullied myself into walking, and it was hard. I ended up having to slow down for the last mile or so, but I did it and that's what's important.

Day 5 was a breeze comparatively. I still didn't have much motivation, but I only had to walk 3 miles which was much easier to talk myself into.

Walking Total: 15 miles
Next Training Day: Tomorrow

Let the Fundraising Begin!

As of last night, I have officially registered for the Susan G Komen 3-day walk for the cure. This means I need to start fundraising! The minimum to participate is $2,500 however my personal goal is $3,000. If I raise $3,000 that will be about $50 a mile. If you go here you can donate directly to my account! (if that doesn't work for some reason just go to www.the3day.com, click "donate to a participant" on the right side and then search for my name)

Any donation is greatly appreciated and will help me reach my goal and possibly save a life.


Side note: I have my first 3-day related blister! Who knew the title of this blog would be so accurate?