Whoo-hoo!

My non-fanny pack has arrived!

It's NOT a fanny pack!

I went to REI and looked at the packs they had there but they were really expensive. I was looking at a few other stores when an email came from the Susan G. Komen folks. They must have magically sensed my frustration. It was letting us know about a sale on 3 day-themed gear included...drumroll please.....a waist pack! So I ordered the pack at a great price and its just the size and style I was looking for. Tada! It should be big enough to carry my water, snacks, camera, first aid stuff, sunscreen and chapstick. So I'm going to start wearing it on our training walks so I can get used to the weight of it, etc.

Laura

Tips from the Experienced Walker

I'm lucky to know someone that did the 3 day last year and was able to have dinner with her this week to pick her brain a bit. Kris, long-time Stokes family friend, reiterated the NO COTTON edict given us by the Komen trainers. I'm definitely going to have to get some more workout clothes that are nylon and spandex (Let's all try to avoid the mental picture of what that's going to look like!). She also gave me some tips about making 2 nights in a little hot pink pup tent a little more comfy.

The final day of the walk is concluded with a closing ceremony. The ceremony doesn't begin until all walkers are done with the walk and have arrived at the ceremony location. Kris recommended sleeping in a little on that last day rather than getting an early start so that we don't spend several hours at the ceremony location waiting for the other walkers to finish.

It was great to get some inside info from someone that has been there and done that. Kris helped ease my mind a bit and make me feel better prepared as Jenn and I continue our training.

Thanks Kris!!

On the training front, I'm checking routes and calculating mileage in other areas Jenn and I can walk so that we don't get bored from walking the same route all the time. Plus it will be good to test ourselves on different types of terain.

I'm going to REI later to check out some of the waist packs they have (NOT fanny packs, mind you). We'll have to carry several things with us during the walk - water, sunscreen, snacks, first aid items, camera, etc - so we'll need to have packs that can fit everything but hopefully not be too obtrusive. I want to get one soon so I can wear it on our training walks and get used to the weight and feel of it.

Laura

Vanity Fair

You just aren't going to see many pictures of me right before, during, or right after a walk. I'm generally not a vain person. I can leave the house without make-up on and not worry about it. But I rarely get photographed without it. Something about the glare of the flash does not do any wonders for my appearance! Not to mention, I'll also be in Spandex/polyester mix and my hair slicked back into a ball cap. I'm not so vain as to refuse a picture taken of me training for this. And there will be tons taken during the 3 day... I'm just warning you, there won't be many until then!

Laura and I met up at Lake Murray again this morning . She had tickets to see "Phantom of the Opera" and needed to get downtown later on. The last half mile of the lake has been closed off the past two times we've gone. Making it a 5.5 mile loop instead of a 6.4. Laura went 5.5 before heading home to get ready, I determined that I'd do 12.

Laura mentioned that I'm having problems with my new shoes. Last week, I figured I just hadn't broken them in well enough. They weren't bad when I was working out at the gym. But I still had problems with them today. My body seems to be fairly content with me going 8 miles...so the last 4 miles were killers! I am sporing several new blisters, unfortunately. There are several factors to consider as to why my feet are so "jacked up", but in all, I just didn't have problems like this until I tried these new shoes. So, back to RoadRunner to take advantage of their 60 day return policy. I'll give another pair a try on for size, and hope for the best!

8 Miles

Jenn and I are up to walking 8 miles at a time now. We walked 8 at Lake Murray this morning and did so with a minimum of whining. =) It took us about 2 1/2 hours.

My new shoes are awesome - New Balance rocks! Jenn isn't so sure about hers. She may have to return them to Road Runner - luckily they let you trade in shoes for a new pair for up to 60 days.

I got a knee brace this week and it is helping a lot with my tweaky knee (sorry, to throw such technical medical terms at ya). It just adds a little stability and that seems to be doing the trick.

Laura