We have back to back fundraisers this weekend…we will be at the Mitchell Ranch Publix (Little Rd & SR 54) in New Port Richey on Saturday from 10-2pm, and Sunday from 12-4pm. If you are in the area…come on out and meet us, drop some money in the bucket, tell us your story!

I got my lazy butt on a 5 mile walk this morning at 6:15AM and it really felt good! I couldn’t believe how chilly it was - I had to go back in to get a jacket!

Dana and I attended a local Focus Meeting last night, it’s not mandatory, but it was informative and I would encourage others to attend one in their area. You can find the schedule on the 3 day website, and even though we are walking in another city, we can attend 3 day events in our home city. It was run by one of the Tampa 3 day coaches, and she went over fundraising tips, where you should be with your training at this point (the 24 week training schedule started this past Monday), what gear you will need (GOOD socks and shoes!), that you should be training in the gear you are going to walk in..so there are no surprises when you get to the walk, and what to expect at the actual walk.

We got to meet some nice women, and there were previous 3 day walkers who had some good tips to share (#1: Don’t overstuff your fanny pack, you’ll start throwing things out of it quickly!). Overall I came out feeling pretty good about where I am, we seem to be ahead compared to others as far as our training, and I am right where I need to be with my fundraising. We gave out our blog info, and shared our Saturday morning training route with others from the area who may want to join us.

I won’t have to map out anymore routes with the car odometer thanks to Map My Run.  You can plug in a starting address and then click on the map to plot our your course.  I tested it using our 10 mile route from last weekend and it said it was 9.6 miles.  Pretty cool!

7AM - still very foggy out and I was off for an adventure this morning.  My pack was full of good snacks and a water & gatorade today.  I decided to walk up to SR 54 to Little Rd.  The open fields were very foggy and then out of nowhere all the cows started mooing, but I couldn’t see anything out there.  I was hoping nothing bad was happening! By 8:00 most of the fog had burned off and I could see all the cows eating their breakfest in the field. 

(4miles) I had made it up to Little Rd and stopped at Panera Bread to have quick breakfast bagel w/butter.  Didn’t stop to eat, just got it to go and off I was - down Little Rd to Trinity.  I felt like a teenager walking on the side of the road since there was no sidewalks.  I came across more cows this time I saw about 6 calves playing in field, running around and chasing each other.  They were so cute! I stopped to watch them play which was at the 5 mile point.  I did see several dead snakes and thought of Cheryl.

It was 6 miles and I finally made it to main enterance of Trinity.  I was amazed that it was only 6 miles.  Continued on through Trinity and when it was all said and done it was 11 miles - 3 hours!  I really didn’t stop to rest only stopped for about 5 minutes when I got a bagel and 5 minutes to watch the calves play.

I did wear my new socks.  However I have several issues - 1- those great socks don’t come in small and 2 - they only had one pair left that Cheryl & Colleen recommended.  I ended up buying that one pair then bought the other pairs in level 3. I also found walking socks that New Balance makes in size small, so I bought a few pairs of them too.  Well, I like the NB pair, just don’t have as much cushion.  I wore the level 3 socks today and I really liked them.  I’m all set for socks…. $60.00 worth!

Next week it’s money raising time!  But, I’ll push to get my walks in. 

I put off walking all day, then decided at 8:00 pm to just go.  I didn’t get in my 5 miles, but 4 was better then nothing. 

I finally got in a weekday 4 mile walk.  I actually attempted to wake up at 5:30 AM yesterday to walk, but turned the alarm off and slept in until 7:00, so I had no time.  Although, I was determined to get a walk in, so I finally walked 6:30 with Krista.  I found a new place to walk on other side of my community where there is playground for Krista and 1/4 walk track for me where I can watch while I walk.  I walked 2 miles pushing her and then 2 miles on the track.  My legs were tense which is unusual, but I feel good this morning.  I’ve also found a neighbor friend who wants to walk with me during the week, which will be great for my weekday training and some weight loss!

Thorlo socks are on sale at Sports Authority until this Saturday - buy 3 get 1 free!! For those who are not aware, these are the socks that were recommended by a previous 3 day walker, and I cannot walk without them! I wear the Womens Lite Walking Mini Crew, they DO make a difference and are worth the price ($10.99/pair)! Get them while they are on sale!!

We did it again and it was good to have Colleen & Catherine join us.  It’s good to have Colleen there - she has a fast pace and it helps keep the rhythm going.  I had all my snacks this time, so I didn’t get hungry this week.  I have discovered that if I’m not talking, I get bored real easy and have to eat, so I make sure I have plenty plenty of snacks - which sure weights my pack down! 

I had no pains at all, but I’ve discovered one issue I keep getting headaches after these long walks.  I’m going to consult with my doctor to what they suggest.  If I get one of these headaches on the 20 mile walk I’m not sure if I could make it. 

It’s time we schedule some back to back walks - 10 mile & 5 mile. 

We did another 10 miles on Saturday, this time Colleen and Catherine joined us. Got a late start due to someone’s husband not re-setting the alarm properly, but still bested our time by 15 minutes! I think it was because Colleen has longer legs, therefore a longer stride, and walks faster, so she set our pace a little faster…..but on the last 2 miles Catherine and I were bringing up the rear!! No aches or pains to report by me…after a 20 minute rest period I usually feel great the rest of the weekend! I am getting some sort of a heat rash on the tops of my feet, it ends where the sock ends….so I know it’s from my feet being trapped in there for 3 hours! I may have to start letting them breathe at our rest stop. I also noticed I am getting a “farmer tan” on my legs, from the top of my sock to the bottom of my shorts! I hate that!! I have to find shorter shorts!!