Busy, Busy

I should have posted so much sooner but it seems like every time I turn around there is something to do. Between swimming lessons, dentist appointments, hair appointments, doctor appointments, work and training I am exhausted! But I gotta keep moving.

I had a pretty slow week last week with my training but it might have been just what I needed. I have been having a lot of knee pain and left foot pain. Last Thursday, I was supposed to do five miles. The only time I would have had would have been at 5 in the morning. My walking partner was all for it but when I got up at 4:30, I really wasn't feeling it. I told myself, you made a promise and a commitment to do this 3-day challenge. I really needed the extra sleep but I got in the car and drove to her house. When I pulled in her driveway the house was completely dark. I said a little prayer, "If I am supposed to go home and get more rest just let me know." I waited for 10 minutes and decided it was time to go back to bed. It turns out her son had been playing with her phone the night before and turned the sound down. I'm telling you, these kids can really mess up your phone now! Mason almost made a purchase on mine the other day! Anyway, I didn't do the 5 on Thursday and then I didn't do Sunday either. Sunday we went to the indoor pool so I did a little bit of water aerobics to try to strenghten some muscles. Today, I felt much better when I was walking so I think it was a good idea to rest some last week.

I had a very challenging walk a week or so ago. It was raining cats and dogs outside so I just decided I would go do my miles at the gym. I got all my stuff together and when I walked in the gym, all the TVs were off. I was super bummed because without the TV, I wouldn't have anything to look at. There weren't a lot of people at the gym either so I couldn't even people watch. I turned my iPod on and started walking. About a half of a mile into my walk, my iPod battery died. Seriously? It was the absolute worst workout ever! BUT, I finished all four miles!

So, the walks are going great. I am feeling great. The closer it gets the more excited I get and it will be here before I know it!

me with my sisters and brother

I want to end this post by thanking everyone that has donated to Susan G. Komen 3-Day on my behalf. I want to give a big shout out to my sister, Maureen for putting me at the $3,000 mark with her donation tonight!! My family has been so supportive during this process and I definitely couldn't do any of it without them!

Jill Montgomery

Jill and Marti

As you know, my friend, Marti Scarborough started this team. Unfortunately, because of her own health reasons, she is unable to participate. Marti was inspired to do the walk by her dear friend Jill Montgomery. I have met Jill and she truly is an amazing person. Below is what Marti wrote about her friend, Jill Montgomery.

"This journey is about this most AMAZING woman I know, Jill Montgomery. I was blessed with her in my life after our youngest children, Emily and Josh, now age 15, became friends years ago. We have developed a friendship that blesses me daily. I truly smile everytime I think of her. She is so inspirational that I would never be able to do her justice by trying to use words. There are so many that come to mind when Jill is involved. Jill and her family can literally "light up" an entire room when they enter. All of them radiate true beauty. A beauty that will never fade because it comes from within.

Jill and her husband

Jill, is a 45 year old Wife, Mother,Daughter, Aunt, Cousin & Friend to hundreds of people in our community and throughout the State of Alabama. She has been involved in helping others with cancer for over 25 years having worked in Hospice, General Surgery nursing and The American Cancer Society. She is the mother of two girls(ages 15, 18) but actually is the mother to every child who enters her home. She loves having fun with all her "kids" and their 2 dogs are the joy of her life.

 

On February 14, 2012 she was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carinoma found on self exam. Biopsy revealed a 1cm tumor of high grade which will respond to immediate chemotherapy and surgery in the future. Her outlook is so inspiring and positive but she knows the times ahead will be difficult. Please add Jill, Frank, Anna and Emily to your prayers. We know that God will use this trial for His glory and to help others as this disease continues to "try" to destroy God's beautiful creation of women. Jill loves to make others laugh and now it's our turn to help her keep that smile throughout each phase of treatment. "

 

Jill just finished up her chemotherapy treatments yesterday!! She is now on to Phase II of her treatments. You can donate today to help Jill and thousands of other women beat this fight against breast cancer at www.the3day.org. Please make a donation toward Jessica Mitchell's or Edie Kyser's fundraising efforts. As Jill and Marti would say, "WE GOT THIS!"

Jill and her family

 

Holy Cow!!

Happy National Running Day! I always celebrate this day with a run. Today, on my training schedule, I had to do 15 minutes of cross training so I thought what better way to cross train than with my old running workout. Holy cow!! I felt like I was running through mud. My shins were hurting so bad that I started to wonder if I would be able to lift my feet because those muscles just wouldn't work! I continue to be surprised at how different running and walking are. When I laced up my running shoes today they felt so different from my walking shoes. I also didn't realize that walking and running used such different muscles. I don't think I will be running again anytime soon. Today's little jog made me realize how badly I need to do some strength training. So, it looks like I will be spending some time in the weight room! Wish me luck!

4 Weeks Down...

...20 to go! After a full month of training I have done a total of 49 miles. The longest walk I have done so far in the training is 5 miles and this coming weekend I will move up to 6. Things are going great. I have horrible knees but I'm hoping in the coming weeks and months I will lose a little weight and I think the pain in my knees might ease up. It's amazing what extra weight will do to all parts of your body!

I have been doing my shorter walks on the treadmill at the gym and then my longer ones I do around town. Having someone to walk with really makes the time go by so much faster and when you get done you are surprised that you have just done 5 miles. My team partner, Edie has been doing the long walks on Saturday with me. She said it was a good thing she was such a chatter box because we will have no trouble finding something to talk about for 3 days! I am very thankful for that. My friend, Taffy has been doing my Sunday morning walks with me. We both agree that these walks can be a very good source of stress relief besides the yoga we are already doing. We also spend the entire time talking and it is nice to have someone to complain to or to help sort out a problem or just to be able to ask each other questions that we wouldn't ask anyone else.

I never realized how nice walking can be. When I run, I really can't have a conversation with anyone because I will run out of breath way too fast but walking gives me the luxury of exercising and talking and I am loving it!

My original fund-raising goal was $2,300 and in my letter writing campaign I said I really wanted to be done with my fund-raising by May 30. As of May 30, I had raised $2,810!! WOW! I couldn't ask for better friends and family to help me with this experience. Don't worry, I haven't stopped! I would love to make it to the $3,000 mark!