Today is a rest day. That means I do not have to walk any set miles.
It has been fun when I talk to individuals about committing to a marathon. Many of the responses have been "You are going to run a marathon!" I reply, "No, I'm not a runner, I am walking it." They snicker and ask, "How far?" I reply, "26.2 miles." Then the statement comes, "You are only walking it?" Some of you who have done a marathon, know that you are not only walking it. Walking takes as much commitment and training as running. It has been interesting hearing the different responses and the conversations this brings around. Just recently, a co-worker asked if I remembered the "Hunger Walk" we used to do as kids. Where we would walk 30 miles, carry backpacks, stop for lunch and take all day to walk the route. We discussed how we used to walk that barefoot, in sandals and the worst we ever came back with was blisters. What a memory.
When I decided to train for the marathon, I sent an e-mail to family and friends. My brother, Don IM's me and lets me know he forwarded my e-mail to everyone in the company he works for. I was surprised, but grateful. I asked him if he introduced me when sent out the e-mail. Sure he says and he sent me a copy of the e-mail. It was great... His introduction was, "Brenda is my youngest sister. If anyone would like to send in a couple bucks towards her goal, I would be mighty grateful. thanks." This just made me smile. Thanks Don, since I know you are critiquing my blogging.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23
It is Tuesday morning and it is dark and cold and I decide to walk before heading into work. I grab a jacket and Dan's MP3 player and head out the door. As I walk, I listen to the FISH (105.3) radio station and laugh at the comments of the DJ's. The subdivision is pretty quiet in the morning. The only hustle and bustle is kids waiting for the school bus. This was a very uneventful walk, but I am definitely awake for my ride into work.
It has now been one month since I started training for the marathon. I have walked approximately 100 miles. As I train, my muscles are getting used to the work out and I am finding I am not as tired after walking each evening. I never thought I would say this, but I actually like some fo the Powerade flavors.
It has now been one month since I started training for the marathon. I have walked approximately 100 miles. As I train, my muscles are getting used to the work out and I am finding I am not as tired after walking each evening. I never thought I would say this, but I actually like some fo the Powerade flavors.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, October 22
Well, it is raining and I still have to walk. Dan with his lame foot decides he will keep me company for the four mile walk. He has only been coming with me on the short walks because the bottom of his foot is swollen and sore. He finally sees the doctor tonight. I may lose one of my walking partners after tonight.
Finally, we put on our shoes and jacket and head out. It is just sprinkling at this time. We walk in in the subdivision across the street from our house. It has some good routes with hills and flat areas (sometimes it feels like mostly hills). We take this time to catch up on our days and maybe think about what we might want to make for dinner. As we walk, Dan is always looking for deer or wild turkeys. Tonight, in the one place we usually see the turkeys, they were not there. Dan makes a comment about them not being there, my comment back to him was: "They are smarter than us and took cover in the rain." At this time, we were getting a little goofy and decided to sing, "We're Singing in the Rain." Good thing nobody was out, they wouldn't want to hear us sing. We are coming to the end of the walk, now the rain is coming down harder; we can see it in the headlights from the cars that pass. A few times we were able to get some shelter from the trees overhead. By the time we arrived home, we were wet, but having fun.
Finally, we put on our shoes and jacket and head out. It is just sprinkling at this time. We walk in in the subdivision across the street from our house. It has some good routes with hills and flat areas (sometimes it feels like mostly hills). We take this time to catch up on our days and maybe think about what we might want to make for dinner. As we walk, Dan is always looking for deer or wild turkeys. Tonight, in the one place we usually see the turkeys, they were not there. Dan makes a comment about them not being there, my comment back to him was: "They are smarter than us and took cover in the rain." At this time, we were getting a little goofy and decided to sing, "We're Singing in the Rain." Good thing nobody was out, they wouldn't want to hear us sing. We are coming to the end of the walk, now the rain is coming down harder; we can see it in the headlights from the cars that pass. A few times we were able to get some shelter from the trees overhead. By the time we arrived home, we were wet, but having fun.
Sunday, October 21
On Sunday, Dan, Erin, Mackenzie (grandaughter) and I traveled to Babcock, WI, to help some friends reconstruct a garage on their ranch (Jeremiah's Crossing). During the reconstruction, we were using a phone truck to help lift the sides of the garage. During one of the lifts a strap hook lost a piece. Dan and Roger were able to rig the hook for we could continue to move the walls and set them in place. Near the end, when trying to move the front wall out of the way, the wall got tangled in a tree and slipped out of the straps. Erin and I were below the wall guiding, so as the wall started to slip we both started to run as we watched the wall turn in the air and start to fall. Erin ran one way and as the wall shifted, it started to move the way she ran. To protect herself, she put her hands up and pushed the wall. Her pushing, actually settled the wall into place for it did not tip any further. Well that was the end of working on the garage for Erin. At this time, she decided to go and get the pony (Journey) out of the paddock and take him to the round pen for training. She worked with him for awhile, then Eli was showing her how to get him to move without the harness and trot around the round pen under his direction. Kathleen, then worked with him, then of course, since Dan and I committed to learn to train the horse, I attempted to work with Journey also. Then Roger stepped in and demonstrated some techniques in training Journey. With what Roger demonstrated, I was able to end on a good note in training Journey.
I know this is suppose to be about my training for the PF Chang marathon. The training of the horses has taught how important it is to keep training and bettering oneself it what they commit to do.
Finally, Erin, Mackenzie, Kathleen and I went for a walk on the property, back into the woods over some rough terrain. Even though this walk did not consist of many miles (only about two) it still helps in preparation for the marathon. I have always enjoyed walking in the woods and on trails. If I do another marathon, I may have to think about the one held in Anchorage, Alaska. I hear there is more nature during the marathon route.
I know this is suppose to be about my training for the PF Chang marathon. The training of the horses has taught how important it is to keep training and bettering oneself it what they commit to do.
Finally, Erin, Mackenzie, Kathleen and I went for a walk on the property, back into the woods over some rough terrain. Even though this walk did not consist of many miles (only about two) it still helps in preparation for the marathon. I have always enjoyed walking in the woods and on trails. If I do another marathon, I may have to think about the one held in Anchorage, Alaska. I hear there is more nature during the marathon route.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Saturday, October 20
On Saturday, I was scheduled to walk 8 miles. I wanted to start walking by 10:00 a.m. for I could be home between 12:00 and 12:30 for I had time to get some things done before having to bowl at 4:00 p.m. In waiting to see if a friend was going to be available to walk with me, I decided to wait until 10:15 a.m. I guess there was a reason for this delay. During this time, Scott called stating he was running out of gas on the way to our house to do his laundry. So, I had to take some gas to him for he could get to a gas station. When he finally makes it to our house, he realized he forgot the diaper bag, so he had no diapers or formula for Peyton (granddaughter). As a good mother and grandmother, I went to the store to make a few purchases.
Finally, Sarah and I are ready to walk and it is 11:45 a.m. We decided to take along some powerade and sport beans and started on the walk. We walked from my house through Sussex and past Quad Graphics. Usually, when Sarah and I walk she is more prepared, because she trained for a triathlon this past summer, and she was scheduled to participate in the marathon with me in Phoenix. Today, since Sarah has not been walking much due to her college classes, for once I was more prepared. Walking long miles with Sarah, always gives us a chance to catch up and have some fun. As we stopped to stretch along the way, we laughed as we attempted to work out some cramps. Since neither of us had a big breakfast, the smell of food kept tempting us to stop, but we kept going and eventually made it back home where Sarah crashed on the lawn. I always enjoy walking with Sarah, because we have fun and the time flies by. I am going to miss Sarah during the marathon, but she has a great opportunity to travel to Africa with school and earn 3 credits towards her nursing degree. As she is excited for me to go the Phoenix and participate in the PF Chang's Rock n Roll marathon, I am as excited for her to visit Africa.
Finally, Sarah and I are ready to walk and it is 11:45 a.m. We decided to take along some powerade and sport beans and started on the walk. We walked from my house through Sussex and past Quad Graphics. Usually, when Sarah and I walk she is more prepared, because she trained for a triathlon this past summer, and she was scheduled to participate in the marathon with me in Phoenix. Today, since Sarah has not been walking much due to her college classes, for once I was more prepared. Walking long miles with Sarah, always gives us a chance to catch up and have some fun. As we stopped to stretch along the way, we laughed as we attempted to work out some cramps. Since neither of us had a big breakfast, the smell of food kept tempting us to stop, but we kept going and eventually made it back home where Sarah crashed on the lawn. I always enjoy walking with Sarah, because we have fun and the time flies by. I am going to miss Sarah during the marathon, but she has a great opportunity to travel to Africa with school and earn 3 credits towards her nursing degree. As she is excited for me to go the Phoenix and participate in the PF Chang's Rock n Roll marathon, I am as excited for her to visit Africa.
Basics of Training
Since I started training on September 23 I have walked approximately 100 miles in preparation for the 26.2 marathon to take place in Phoenix, Arizona on January 13.
In preparation for this, I attended a Team In Training meeting to learn about the purpose of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. What the expectations are of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and each individual. With the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 75% of what is raised is used
I met with coaches from the Team In Training program who set a training schedule, gave instruction on stretching and nutritional guidelines. Also, we have group walks a few times a month to meet with coaches and get the opportunity to get to know other team members. The team walks have been very encouraging, remembering our mission and purpose.
In preparation for this, I attended a Team In Training meeting to learn about the purpose of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. What the expectations are of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and each individual. With the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 75% of what is raised is used
I met with coaches from the Team In Training program who set a training schedule, gave instruction on stretching and nutritional guidelines. Also, we have group walks a few times a month to meet with coaches and get the opportunity to get to know other team members. The team walks have been very encouraging, remembering our mission and purpose.
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