Amanda's Training Journal

My Training Journal

"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."
-Steven Wright

August

8/7/01 - I got my registration info today! Pallotta TeamWorks, the company that actually puts on the 3-Day walk, sent me this fancy binder filled with all kinds of information about the walk. It has some great training info, including a schedule of how far I should be walking and when. Although the 20 miles a day two days, let alone three, in a row seems pretty far away right now!

Oh, I also got my 3-Day t-shirt :) SWEET! I'm ready to get going.

8/9/01 - Today I officially started my training. This week I walked a grand total of 12.7 miles over three days. Not too bad for the first week.

8/28/01 - Blister #1. Yuck. But good news - the New Balance shoes I ordered are in and I plan on getting them next week. Everything I've heard says that shoes are very important.

This week so far, I've walked 7.6 miles this week. I skipped a few weeks. Now that summer is almost over, I should be able to be more consistent with my walking.

September

9/21/01 - This month has been a busy one for me! I have been training even though I haven't been so good about updating my journal.

I am now up to 4-5 mile walks, twice a week. According to the 3-Day binder, that is right on schedule.

I called the Avon 3-Day office in downtown Boston but they aren't ready to start consultations for the 2002 3-Day just yet. They should be soon! The consultation is a meeting with myself and my "walker coach" who will help me get ready in every way. He/She will give me fundraising ideas and will also keep me on schedule with my training. I'm looking forward to finally getting some well-needed advice.

In addition to my walking each week, I'm also going to my kickboxing class - my favorite! All in all, I think I'm in good shape for now. Adding miles is on the schedule for October!

My New Balance shoes are working out great. I have my first pair almost broken in and so far, no problems at all. My foot doctor will be happy to see me!

9/30/01 - Over the past week, I have done two 4-mile walks. The weather is getting cooler - which makes me happy about walking outside. I'm ready for October!

October

10/2/01 - It's only Tuesday and I've already gotten 10 miles in this week. Just in two days! We also paid more attention to how long it takes us to walk. It's recommended that we walk about 20 minutes a mile. Today, we did just that. If we continue to walk 20 min/mile, we should have no problem maintaining our pace during the actual 3 day.

Awhile ago, I found a packing list on the Internet. There's a lot of stuff to get for the 3-day weekend. I've started scouting out some of the clothes and other things I'll need. Santa said he'd bring me some of the stuff for Christmas. Pallotta TeamWorks said they will send out a packing list a few months prior to the event, but I'm glad I have one now so I can plan ahead.

I'm also working on our walking schedule. I have talked with several people who have done 1, 2 and even 3 3-days before to find out how they trained. I'm going to combine them all to make one for Kathey and I. It's still in progress.

10/12/01 - Yesterday I got an email and information about all kinds of 3-day events I can attend. I'm psyched! Monday night Kathey and I are going to an informational meeting and it's going to also be our orientation. Pallotta TeamWorks puts on walker expos, meetings and practice walks but most of them are on the weekends. We'll have to see what I can do about that.

Walking, walking, walking! That's all I seem to do these days. I'm still aiming for my two walks a week, 4-6 miles each. We're going to up the miles soon. Until then, a walking we will go!

10/22/01 - Our orientation meeting was cancelled so we're signed up to go on Thursday night in Portsmouth. I've heard really good things about them and I hope to get some good information.

Training is going well but slow still. I'm holding off until after Thursday to make our walking schedule. I have questions for the trainer and I am really looking forward to getting some guidance with the training. We're still out and walking 4-6 mile walks twice a week! Plus our kickboxing and other gym classes so I think it's going well.

I have a pedometer and I'm finally using it. This way I can see how far in "miles" I walk on a daily basis. Today I'm up to 4.2 miles already including my hour at the gym. I'm surprised!

Fundraising is well underway - check out our sponsors! Thank you to them. I'm also collecting names to put on my t-shirt which I will wear day two of the walk. I have seven names already! To add someone, just email me!

10/2701 - Our walker orientation on Thursday was okay. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. But, I did learn more about the basics of the 3-Day and what it's really all about. It wasn't one-on-one at all and this year, they are changing the walker coach program so I won't be assigned a particular one. If I have a question, there is an 800 number I can call and speak to any walker coach. I will be taking them up on the offer as I still have some questions about my own training plan.

This week was really great for training. We did two 5 mile walks in about an hour and 45 minutes. One of those days, I also walked another 3.5 miles around the mall (which counts in my book!) so that was an 8.5 mile day. I think it was about a 10+ mile week. I also went to the gym twice this week, one aerobic and one weight class. I'm really pleased with it. I have no complaints yet (knock on wood!) and other than some soreness in the front of my ankles, nothing to complain about. I'm going to the podiatrist in a few weeks and I'm anxious to see what he has to say about my "foot health" as they call it.

I'm ready for November!

November

11/13/01 - Preparing for the 3-Day is going really well. I made the training schedule for Kathey and I. Although the last few weeks have been more cross training and weight training, it's going great. We are walking one day a week and that is our 'mileage' day. Then, we have weight training, kickboxing and aerobics the other 3 days a week. Our mileage on the walk day is going to stay the same through December. Then, we'll add miles in late January and continue to do so until the walk in May. I did the schedule that way so we weren't adding a lot of miles until walk gets closer and we will have several 10+ mile walks two days in a row.

I also am finding the weather is becoming a challenge. Walking outside in the cold isn't going to be as easy as I had thought! Training for a walk in May while walking bundled up for the cold weather isn't exactly the same.

We are going to sign up for mall walking. The training advice we have says not to do all your training inside or on the treadmill but I'm preparing for a snowy winter. I'd rather walk inside during the really cold winter months then chance getting hurt on the ice or falling and not being able to be 100% in May.

Also, I tried a Pilates workout. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it. I have done yoga several times and thought it would be similar but it's not. It had a different approach that I like. I am taking a Yoga Flex class once a week but my gym offers Pilates too. After taking the intro to Pilates workshop, I'm going to add a Pilates class once a week to the schedule. At this rate, I'm going to be spending most of my winter in the gym!

Fundraising has slowed down a lot. I am hoping to send out another round of letters and hopefully bring in more money soon. I'm 1/3 of the way to my goal.

11/21/01 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I went to the podiatrist last Wednesday. To sum up what the doctor said, my feet are a big mess. I only went in to see him to get new arch supports for my shoes and to see if he had any advice about the walk. It turns out that each of my feet have 2 bunions - which sound really gross, but are actually extra bone in your feet - one of which is on the top of my big toe on my left foot. He took x-rays of it and I also have two bone spurs near it. The doctor couldn't believe my toe wasn't hurting!

To correct the problems, I have to get custom orthotics. They aren't covered by my insurance and are very pricey but are worth every penny if they keep my feet (and back and legs too!) from hurting. I go back on December 5th to get "casted" for them and I should have them in four weeks.

This is all not good news for someone training! He also put my Celebrex, arthritis medication for the swelling of my toe and - worst of all! - told me no extra activity at all for at least a week. No walking, no kickboxing, no aerobics. Ugh!

So that's how that is going. Today is the end of my one week rest period. I have been doing Pilates, which I am growing to love. I can't wait to get back into the training!

December

12/30/01 - Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Where is the time going? I barley made it to have an update this month! The holidays are a busy time of year for everyone, including me!

As far as training goes, I am doing very well. My busy gym schedule is working out great and I am really enjoying it. I am still keeping up with aerobics, kickboxing, strength training and now Pilates. The gym I go to added another Pilates classes so I'm doing it twice a week - I love it. They also opened a new facility that has a weight class that is my favorite so I always go to that too.

Mileage-wise, I'm not adding any for right now. Actually, other than walking on the treadmill before my classes, I'm hardly walking at all. Other walkers I've talked to have said that's okay and I feel good about it. I plan to add miles (and lots of them!) in February, when I'm going to kick up the actual walking a lot.

The plan is to walk inside on the treadmill until the weather gets a little better - we have no snow but it's been freezing! But, we have had a few warm days and on those, I try to make it outside for a short walk. In January, I'm going to start looking for clothes to wear during the 3-Day. I plan to buy them and try it all out - it has to all be comfortable.

I also have to take on the problem of my feet. I'm starting the New Year with a visit to my podiatrist on January 2nd to pick up my new, custom orthotics. I'm looking forward to getting them and trying it out - I hope it brings some comfort! I also might have to start from scratch to find new walking shoes. It turns out the shoes (all three pairs!) I bought might not work for me because of the foot problem. Only time will tell!

The walk is only 5 months away! I'm almost halfway to my fundraising goal. Along with more walking, I plan to do more fundraising in 2002. Thank you to all my sponsors!

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2002!

January 2002

1/4/02 - Happy 2002!

On Wednesday, I got my orthotics. I've had a few people ask me how they are. So far so good! I wore my New Balance Running Shoes #1021 which is the pair I plan to wear during the 3-Day. The doctor fit the orthotics to my shoes and they were perfect. I'm on a "graduated" wearing schedule, so I add an hour each day to break them in without causing pain in my feet or legs. I think they are going to be well worth it all.

I hear there is going to be another 3-Day Expo in the Spring. They are a great way to get all kinds of information and to buy some essentials for the walk. Along with finding comfy walking clothes, I have a whole list of other things to shop for too! Santa brought me a sleeping bag and mat. Along with all the walking, we'll be camping outside so I have to be ready for that, too.

This week I did really well with training. The New Year is off to a good start!

1/16/02 - 4 MONTHS TO GO!

Wow, 4 months from today I'll have already walked the first 20 miles. It's coming up fast!

Fundraising has hit a lull and I'm going to kick it up a notch to get it going again! I'm 43% of the way to the $1900 goal. Not that I'm counting! :-)

Training is going great. I'm going to an official training walk on January 29th in Portsmouth, NH. It's only 4 miles but I'm hoping to meet some other 3-Day walkers so we can trade stories and ideas for training and fundraising. I'm looking forward to it.

1/30/02 - The training walk last night was great! It was scheduled to be about a 4 mile walk so to get some extra miles in, we went early and walked another 2 miles ourselves. Mileage total for last night = 5.9 miles. Not too bad!

Today I feel great and we're going to walk on the treadmill later this afternoon. My feet are a little sore but I see the podiatrist this week so maybe he can give me some suggestions to keep them from hurting. Otherwise, everything is going well!

I'm going to sign up to be a Training Walk Leader. Pallotta requires walk leaders to go through a training session either in person or over the phone. It sounds like a great way to meet other walkers near me! I can organize walks anywhere and at any time. I figured that if I'm out walking, why not invite others to walk with me too?

I'm kicking up my fundraising another notch in February. It has been five months since my first fundraising letters went out and I'm still less than halfway to the $1900 minimum. My plan is to send out 2nd letters next week. I also want to update everyone on my training progress and thank my supporters! I want to raise as much money as I can for breast cancer.

Also in February, I'm going to start shopping for my 3-Day apparel. I plan to visit a few of the stores that are 3-Day Outfitters. They are supposed to have a good selection of walking clothes and they give us walkers discounts! That's what I like to hear.

A big thank you to everyone who is supporting me and sponsoring me! Thank you!

February

2/6/02 - New England Patriots are Super Bowl Champs! (OK, nothing to do with the 3-Day but still very important)

Everything is going great! My second round of fundraising letters went out last week. I'm now at $980 total and I'm over halfway to the minimum. Yippee! I'm so thankful to everyone who is supporting me.

Training is on track and still going well. I plan to order a new pair of my New Balance shoe. My orthotics are working miracles on my feet and I feel better than ever. I just need a half size bigger and I think it'll be perfect. I'm stockpiling the Thorlos socks that I plan to wear during the walk.

There is a training walk leader certification class on Wednesday Feb. 13th in Boston. I'm going to try to make it. I want to learn more about it but I have to find somewhere safe near me to walk. That's the biggest challenge!

I'm starting to get really excited! We got our packing list from Pallotta in the mail last week. It's not as complete as the lists I have gotten online but I added it to my binder and I'll make sure I get everything on it.

We should be getting information on travel plans and registration for the walk, aka Day Zero information soon as well. I have my confirmation number for the hotel we're staying at in Fitchburg the night of Day Zero, May 16th. Walkers have to be ready to go on Day One at 7am. That's early for me!

I don't know when we will be getting route information. Pallotta doesn't say too much about the route until right before for security reasons. Also, we'll be getting info about official Cheer Stations, which are designated areas where family and friends can see and cheer on walkers. Plan to come and cheer us on!

That's all for now!

2/18/02 - Three months and counting!

Three months from today I will have walked 20 miles, be walking 20 right now and have 20 more to go.

This week I walked 8 miles, two 4-miles walks in a row. Not all that long distance-wise but I still did it! I've been fighting a cold so it's been hard just getting to the gym. I walked the second 4 miles at home on the treadmill. I've discovered that it's so BORING! I've watched TV, listened to the radio, my CD walkman, read magazines...ugh. I'd love to hear any ideas you may have of ways to keep myself entertained while walking indoors!

I'm going to walk at another 4 miles today, but I'm hoping for a little more. My right foot was sore after the second 4 miles, my shoes are definitely too small. I am going to order my new pair this week from my favorite shoe store in Nashua. It takes two weeks for them to come in and I have to get them as soon as I can so I can try them out. I'm running out of time to get them broken in!

Next Thursday I plan to do another training walk in Portsmouth. Depending on the weather, of course! It's a 6 mile walk but we can do it twice for 12 miles. That would be a great start to my longer walks - which I'll be starting very soon.

I have good news! My fundraising total as of right now is $1,270! WOW! I'm so happy and thankful for everyone who has supported me, financially and otherwise!! I can't believe that my wonderful family and friends have given that much money to breast cancer and to support me. I only have to raise at least $630 more to hit the minimum to walk! I know that I can do it.

Kathey and I together have, so far, raised OVER $2,300! All thanks to our wonderful sponsors.

2/26/02 - 11 weeks and counting!

Wow, when you put it that way, the 3-Day is coming up fast! I'm almost ready for it. Today we did a 3.5 mile walk outside and it was so awesome. I think my training is paying off because any walk under 6 miles seems so short and almost easy! That's good. I can't wait for the 12 mile walk on Thursday in Portsmouth. The only thing I'm concerned about is the weather - it's supposed to be cold! The walk doesn't start until 5pm. It's going to be great to have done 12 miles!

I went to order my new shoes and the store was closed! So I'll go either this week or early next. I have to say that so far, in all my training, I've only had one blister. Knock on wood - that's not too bad.

We ordered some merchandise from Pallotta and it finally came. Kathey and I each got a t-shirt and a fanny pack. I hate, hate, hate anything I have to wear around my waist so it's going to take some getting used too. I know there's no way I can get through the 3-Day without a fanny pack so I'm going to start training with it. The one I got is actually not all that big and with some practice, I think it will work out great.

Big fundraising updates! We're each getting close to the minimum!! I hit the $1,555 mark today!! Kathey is now at over $1,400. Amazing!

The minimum we need to raise to walk is $1,900 EACH. And we're ALMOST there! But now we want more!! We are going to raise as much as we can for breast cancer. Our sponsors have been awesome and we're so thankful for everyone's support.

See you in March!

March

3/6/02 - 10 weeks! Have I mentioned that I'm getting psyched about the 3-Day?

We ended up not being able to do the 12-mile walk last Thursday because of the weather. But we are planning on one next Thursday! I have done 3 4-mile walks in the last week and I'm very happy about that.

The next 3-Day Expo is coming up! It's Saturday March 23rd. I don't know if I will be able to make it but it's a great way to get tons of info about the 3-Day and preparing for it. If I don't make it, one of my 3-Day friends is going to fill me in on all the good stuff.

Yesterday I went to the shoe store. I ended up with a totally new shoe! It's a Asics Nimbus III running shoe and I'm very happy with it. It's a new shoe and the person I talked with suggested that I try it. It's awesome! I'm going to wear it all this week and if it works out, I have to buy two more pairs next week.

I'm looking forward to the warm weather so I can walk outside! Happy Spring.

3/8/02 - Blister #2. And almost #3! My new shoes weren't as great as I had hoped. I have been wearing them for two days now and they were fine. But when I wore them to walk on the treadmill this morning - ouch! I only walked 2.5 miles and had to stop because they felt like they were shredding my heels. Not good! I'm going to wear them more this weekend to see if I can break them in. If they still hurt, I will go back to the New Balance shoe. I can't seem to get the shoe problems fixed!

My last fundraising letters are going out on Monday. All donations have to be in to me by the second week of April so I can get them to Pallotta. After April 19th, I'll have to hold onto any donations and turn them in at Day Zero. Otherwise, they may not post to my account balance in time!

I have plans next week to really get my long walks going. The weather is supposed to warmer and that's good news! I can't wait.

3/18/02 - Good news all around today!

First, I hit the $1,900 fundraising minimum!! Today's mail brought me to my total for today of $1,975! Amazing!! Kathey has not yet hit the minimum but she is past the $1,700 mark and counting. I have raised my goal to $2,500! Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored and supported me. I want to raise as much as I can and it's YOUR donations that are allowing me to walk!

Second, we went on the training walk last Thursday....and we walked 12 miles. It took us 3 hours and it was a fast pace but we did it and I feel great. My shoes were fine and no blisters! The only soreness I had was in my lower back - I think it was a combination of my lumbar pack and the number of miles. But I felt great after and I'm looking forward to next Tuesday's 15 mile walk!

I also went shopping for my 3-Day attire. I purchased a few different types of clothing and I'm going to try it all out and see what works and what doesn't. Because I have no idea what the weather will be like, it's hard to plan! Today is the 2nd day in a row that it's snowing, which is making it very difficult to get into the Spring mode.

8 weeks to go!

3/26/02 - Kathey and I have now BOTH hit the fundraising minimum of $1,900 each. We are now hoping to each raise $2,300...for a grand total of $4,600. I have never fundraised for anything before and I'm so happy that I have raised almost $2,000 already for the breast cancer crusade. Thank you to all our sponsors!

Just a side note - I read in our newspaper that a local hospital received a $30,000 grant from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade program. They are going to use it to offer services to underprivileged women in New Hampshire. Great news!

Training is going really well. Today I did a 75-minute cardio/weight class at the gym and a 3.5 mile walk. Last week, I did several 4 mile walks along with my regular schedule. Tomorrow is the first 15-mile walk but it might be cancelled due to the weather - the forecast is calling for sleet and freezing rain! Yikes!! It's supposed to be warm later in the week and Kathey and I are going to do at least a 12-mile walk on Thursday if tomorrow night's walk doesn't happen. Our training walk leader in Portsmouth is going to have 15-mile walks once a week for the next month and that is great news! After we finish a few more, we'll try our first 15-mile back to back walk. That is the goal - if we can do that, we're ready for the 3-Day!

Saturday we went to the Think Spring Expo put on by Pallotta TeamWorks. We went to several different informational sessions and got some great tips on how to pack, what to bring, what to wear, ect. Also, there were several "official outfitters" and they had some great products for us to try and buy. I am working on my packing list for the 3-Day...I'm getting all of the stuff I need together and it's helpful to have those tips.

7 1/2 weeks and counting...

3/31/02 - Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

The training walk last Tuesday was cancelled because it was freezing rain and sleeting. Yuck! But today it was warm and sunny - in the 50s so I'm hoping that weather stays around for the training walk this Tuesday. We now have them in Portsmouth every Tuesday for the next month and they are 15 miles each week. It's going to be a great way to increase the number of miles I'm walking and it will also give me the chance to start increasing my back-to-back walks. I only have 6 weeks left to train.

Wednesday we went to one of the "official outfitters" in Arlington, MA and I got some great stuff. I found out at the Expo that the pack I already have for the 3-Day isn't going to work. They are changing the system of water and sports drink for this year's 3-Day. They are providing water and Gatorade but we will have to have our own water bottles to put the liquid in - they are eliminating cost and waste by not having to supply them for the walkers. What does all this mean?? It means that it will be 2-3 miles between 'bulk water' stations and that I need to have a pack that holds two water bottles since I drink a LOT when I'm walking.

I bought a new one at EMS, it was very pricey but if it works, I'm going to keep it. The two bottle packs are very awkward - talk about feeling like carrying a suitcase around your waist! It's going to take some getting used to.

I'm also still working on my packing list. It's harder to find wicking clothes than I had first thought! I think it might take me the next few weeks to collect all my stuff.

We got our travel information from Pallotta last week! It made me realize how fast the walk is coming. I'm lucky because we already booked our hotel for the night of Day Zero. At the start of Day 1, we walkers have to be ready to start the Opening Ceremonies and walking at 6am. I am glad to be staying right at the host hotel! That's pretty early in the morning for me, even with everything going on!

Since both Kathey and I have reached and now exceeded the walking minimum, I can really focus on training and preparing. I'm so excited! I really appreciate the support from all of our sponsors. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Happy April!

April

4/4/02 - 12 miles again! We went to the training walk on Tuesday night in Portsmouth and we did 12 miles. It was faster than I think I'll walk during the 3-Day but I'm glad to have done it again. Tuesday April 9th is the next training walk - another 12 miles. Kathey and I are going early to walk 4-6 miles before we meet up with everyone else. The walk starts at 5:30 pm and it's much harder to walk in the dark (and cold!) than during the day so we're going to get in some extra miles earlier. We'll do between 16 and 18 miles.

Sad news - our training walk leader, Veronica, is on the ski patrol for a mountain near us and over the weekend she broke her left leg. She won't be able to walk in May! We hope you get well soon, Veronica!

I'm still working my way up to the longer back-to-back walks. Wednesday I felt good, but I never made it to walking more. My feet - knock on wood! - were fine. No problems at all! My lower back was sore again and I think I pulled my hamstring on the previous training walk and it's still a little sore...but no major problems.

The Easter bunny brought me some great things for the 3-Day. Mostly camping things and some things for my pack during the walk. I think I have most of the small things I need - now it's just rounding up the rest of the clothes I need. It's hard to do because I don't know what the weather will be like! I think I'll finish that up at the last minute.

My fundraising total is going up, up, up! I'm now at $2,035 and still going. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am hoping to raise $2,300 but I want to get as much as I can. That's the reason I'm walking!

6 weeks and 1 day to go!

4/8/02 - According to the April 2002 newsletter from Pallotta, there are 5,054 registered walkers in the 3-Day. WOW!!

Walking is going great. I walked this weekend and a few days last week and we have plans to walk 12-16 miles tomorrow night. We're watching the weather but I hope we can walk. Why does it turn out to only rain on Tuesdays??

I'm working on my packing list for the 3-Day. With only 5 1/2 weeks go to, I have to get an idea of what I have already and what I need to buy.

I have gotten several more donations which bring my total to $2035. I am so happy! I hope to break the $2100 mark. I can't say thank you enough for my sponsors. I'm looking forward to sharing my 3-Day experience with everyone after I finish the walk!

Also, I'm working on my shirt with the names of people I'm walking in honor of. I have 13 names. Do you have someone you would like to add to my list? I have friends, family members and other important people who have fought or are now fighting any type of cancer. It's very special to me.

4/10/02 - Our training walk yesterday went great! Kathey and I did one 6 mile loop in the late afternoon before meeting up with our training walk leader for another loop. He's not actually walking in the 3-Day and we wanted to walk during the daylight hours and it worked out perfect. What a difference walking in the afternoon as opposed to walking at night!! It was really warm yesterday and once we started walking it got hot. It was easier because it was light and much easier to see - obviously - but it was also harder because of the heat and all the traffic. I'm glad we have another 12 mile walk under our belt!

My feet were tired after the walk but they didn't really bother me until I stopped walking and took my shoes off. Today they feel back to normal! Nothing in particular hurt this morning - I just felt tired. I think now it's time to start working on increasing my activity - or miles - on the second day after our longer walks. I'm not a morning person at all so I need to work on being able to walk 20 miles, get up at 5:30 and walk another 20 miles....if I can do that, the third day will be cake! Actually, I realized yesterday that I can do the walk - all 60 miles - and I will.

I've added a few more names to my sponsors list and thank you to everyone again and again and again.... I got an email today from Pallotta saying my account balance shows $1930 and congratulating me for hitting the minimum needed to walk. Yippee! It is taking about 4-6 weeks from the time we send donations to the bank until they show in our account so that's good news!

Packing....that is still an ongoing challenging. I think the walk will be easy compared to getting all my gear in one bag that weighs less than 35 pound. I think my sleeping bag weighs that alone! Haha. Actually, I am going to get everything on my big list together and start buying things that I still need. If you have any advice for me, I'll take it!

5 weeks and 1 day till we start walking!

4/17/02 - We walked 18 MILES yesterday! Woo-hoo!

Today I feel great except I'm very, very stiff. My legs just don't want to get moving today. I'm going to go for a short walk later today and get things working again. I hope I'll be less stiff after next week's walk because I want to do another longer walk on the second day.

I also have a blister right on the joint of my big toe (aka my bunion) but it popped and it's not really sore at all. It bothered me yesterday and when we stopped for a break after the first six miles, I put a band-aid on it and I think that helped keep it from getting worse.

Only 4 WEEKS to go! Actually, one month from today I will be in the process of walking the first 20 miles. I hope it's cooler then because today it's supposed to hit 90 degrees!

I am almost done with my packing list. I have everything I need with the exception of a few small things - now it's just a matter of rounding it all up. Because I use everything during my training walks, it's hard to keep it all packed in my bag!

I'm getting really excited. I've raised $2,070 and I've walked 18 miles. I'm *almost* ready to go!

4/22/02 - I'm learning the importance of the three B's - Band-Aids, BodyGlide and bags (as in Ziplocs!)

Packing for the 3-Day is almost as challenging as the training! Okay, maybe not :-) But I'm still working on it and in the next week, I'm going to buy the last of the things I need and then it'll just be a matter of rounding everything up clothes-wise and getting it all together.

We are going on a training walk Wednesday afternoon. Our walks have been changed from Portsmouth, NH to Newburyport, MA. That means I have training in three states - NH, MA and ME. (We walked into Kittery, Maine on our Portsmouth training walks!)

I have met some awesome people on the training walks and they are such an important part of my training! It'll be nice to walk somewhere new and different - I'm hoping the sidewalks and terrain we walk on is better than that in Portsmouth. Walking almost 4 miles an hour on cobblestone sidewalks is no fun after a couple of miles!

I still don't really like my lumbar pack but it's important and I have to admit, I'm getting used to it. I ended up with the one from EMS, which was pricey but it's doing the job well so I can't really complain too much about it!

There really is only 3 weeks left to train since we shouldn't do any long distance walks the week of the 3-Day. Kathey and I will be leaving mid-morning on Thursday, May 16th to head to Fitchburg for Day Zero. Check-in and registration begins at 1:00 p.m. but we are staying in the Day Zero host hotel so we can check in and learn our way around before heading to check in. Plus, I'm so excited I just want to the whole registration process underway!

We are going to meet up with two people I have met who are also doing the 3-Day on Day Zero, which will be great. We'll stay in the hotel that night and then we'll start walking the next day! All walkers have to be ready to go at 6 am on Friday, May 17th. Don't forget to come and cheer us on!

I received an email from the Boston Pallotta office saying that my fundraising minimum has been met and my account balance reflects so. Yippee! The bank in charge of all donations is about four weeks behind on posting donations to our accounts so that is great news to me. I don't have to self-pledge nor do I have to stand in the donation line. I am so happy to have raised $2,070 for breast cancer programs. Amazing! Thank you to all my sponsors!

4/26/02 - This week our training walk was only 9 miles. ONLY 9 miles :-) It took us about 2 1/2 hours and this time we walked in Newburyport and it was wonderful. The weather was perfect for me - a little on the cool side, especially when we were walking by the ocean. I'd much rather have it cool during the 3-Day than hot, it's much easier to deal with and dress for!

It's almost the home stretch with three weeks to go. I'm making all of the last minute decisions about what to buy, what I'm going to need and what to pack. Last night it snowed and the week before it was 90+ degrees, so the weather is playing a huge part of planning for the 3-Day weekend.

We bought some crazy things to decorate our tent (and ourselves!) with. There will be over 3,500 tents in the amazing Tent City so it's recommended that you decorate yours to know which one it is in the sea of blue tents. Ours will be the one with bright pink feather boas and balloons tied to it. Of course, it will have light sticks on it too but then again, everyone has those! It was great to get all of the fun stuff together and it reminds that the 3-Day, along with being challenging and a lot of work - it's also going to be a lot of fun!

I got my 5th - and final! - pair of running shoes. I went with the Asics and the pair I have comes in a few different colors so I got the same shoe in a blue/black color. It's actually nice to have them different - I can tell them apart. Now I just have to break in the last pair! They will be my reserve shoes during the 3-Day.

4/30/02 - Today we walked 7 miles. It was nice and sunny when we started but after one of Derry walk loops, it started to get really cloudy. We thought it was going to rain so we headed to the gym and did 1.5 miles on the treadmill! At least we got the miles in. Sunday we walked 4 miles inside too. So far so good.

It's funny that walks of 5-9 miles really don't seem all that long now! Before I started training for the 3-Day, walking 4 miles was a long time. Now, I think nothing of spending two hours walking!

16 days and counting. I can't believe it....16 DAYS!

Pallotta released the designated "Cheering Stations" for the 3-Day. Come and cheer us on! Because of the large number of walkers - 6,000+ - they expect the Cheering Stations to have a lot of people. That's good for us walkers! We need all the encouragement and support we can get.

As of today, we have raised over $4,200 for breast cancer. Thanks to YOU!

May

5/9/02 - ONE WEEK UNTIL DAY ZERO!

And that means...only 8 days until we start walking!

I'm really excited (in case you can't tell!) Everything is coming together and I feel prepared for the walk. I have been doing short walks (2-4 miles) every day this week. We might have one final "official" training walk on Monday night, we'll see. Next week is going to fly by!

My second pair of shoes are broken in, I figured out how to attach my sleeping bag onto my rolling duffel bag and I have bought everything on my need-to-buy list.

The only problem I'm having is my allergies! Because the weather has been so nice and warm (and because it's Spring!) the pollen count here in NH is really high. I'm very allergic to it. I've managed to stay inside for the better part of 4 days now and I feel much better today than I did two days ago. I'm hoping I get this out of my system before next week! Walking with a sinus headache isn't the most fun thing to do.

Today I got an email from Pallotta giving me all the info I need to know about Day Zero. Kathey and I will be ready to start the registration process (which takes 3-4 hours!) at 1:00pm. We are meeting up with another walker friend of mine, Karen and we're going to get our tents near each other. The first step of Day Zero is to watch a 44 minute safety and informational video. After that, we have to make sure our medical release forms are in, we get our tent 'address' and turn in any pledges we still have. Then we get our credentials - which we have to wear around our necks during the 3-Day.

I have only heard one thing about the actual route we'll be walking - we are going to be shuttled via bus in the beginning of Day 2. I guess this happened last year, due to construction. It kinda sounds like a disaster waiting to happen (shuttling 6,000+ people?!?!) but I have no doubts that Pallotta will have it all figured out.

I can't say thank you enough to all our sponsors!

I'm counting down the days....

5/13/02 - This is it! The final week to go!

This morning I spoke on the phone with Karen, my 3-Day friend from Connecticut. We made plans to meet up Thursday morning so we go to registration together! Karen's tentmate, Nancy who is from Alaska will be meeting up with us as well, along with Nancy's two friends. Karen got me totally psyched and we shared our ideas for the 3-Day.

The weather forecast has gone from rain all three days to partly cloudy two of the days and rain only one. It's getting better! I wish it wouldn't rain at all - but if it has to, I'd rather have it rain on the last day. I don't mind walking in the rain. That I can deal with - I just don't want to be sleeping in the rain after walking in it all day! Just give me a chance to get dry!

Kathey and I are rounding up our last-minute packing items and double-checking our lists to make sure we have everything. I'm not planning on totally finishing my packing on Wednesday night - I want to hear the weather before I pack everything up. Everyone do the no-rain dance!

Everything is finalized! We're leaving NH to head to Fitchburg at 9am on Thursday. Then we'll meet up with Karen at 10:30am and find her tentmates at 11:00am. We're hoping the General Store at registration is open so we can do some shopping (ah, there always has to be somewhere to shop - HA!) for 3-Day gear and then we'll get in line. Hurry up and wait!

I've gotten some wonderful words of advice and tons of support from my family and friends. Thank you to everyone - what a difference it makes!

3 days till we start walking!

5/14/02 - With only several days to the walk, it seems like all I think about is 3-DAY 3-DAY 3-DAY!!

Now that I have an idea of the weather for the weekend - even though I don't like the forecast! - I went through my bag last night to make sure I have everything I need. I put everything in it, strapped my sleeping bag to it and VOILA! It all fit and it's going to work just fine. Ah! Pallotta recommends that you get a duffel bag big enough to put your sleeping bag in but I really didn't want to buy another bag. So I made it work and I'm psyched!

Tonight or first thing tomorrow we are going to spray everything with Scotch Guard. I hope that helps with the rain we're supposed to be getting! After everything is dry tomorrow, I'm going to put it all back in my bag and double-check my list. Then it's off to Fitchburg on Thursday!

I made my shirt last week with the names of the people I'm walking in honor of and it came out really good! I plan to take a picture of it before I leave. Kathey wrote the names of all our sponsors on her shirt - it looks awesome! We have over 70 sponsors!

Only one more day until we leave and two until we start walking!

5/15/02 - This is it!

I'm packed up and totally ready to go. I just have a few things to throw in my bag in the morning and then it's off we go!

I can't believe I first started training and fundraising for this walk in August 2001. It's been a long almost ten months and I feel totally ready for this whole experience!

I really can't say thank you enough to my sponsors and all the people who have supported Kathey and I. It's really the reason I am walking! I'm so thankful for everyone's generosity and encouragement.

Wish me luck! I'm going to walk the entire 60-miles as long as I physically can. I can't wait! I'm just going to keep thinking about that finish line in Boston Common.

5/20/02 - WE DID IT!

Yes, we did it! And we're home now. It was an amazing three day journey - actually four day journey because it all started when we got to Day Zero. Even with Saturday's crazy weather - rain, hail, sleet and snow - we did it.

I'm going to write about my entire experience and put up pictures from the 3-Day. Check back soon - I should have it up by mid-week!

Thank you to everyone who gave me thier support and encouragement. I couldn't have done this without you!