Back to Back Training Walk!

This weekend Jen & I will take on our first high mileage back-to-back training walks of the 2011 season. On Saturday we are scheduled to walk 18 miles at Stoney Creek and on Sunday we will walk 15 miles in the Metro Beach area. This is our "dress rehearsal" for the 3-Day event (which is only 1 month away!). This is when we will get all our whining out of our system, find out the nuances of long-distance walking, and know what our bodies will feel like “the next morning”. Right now the forecast is typical for July in Michigan – HOT! So, we will adorn ourselves in pink tanks and ball caps, lube our feet, lace up our shoes and head out during the wee hours of the morning in hopes of finishing before any oppressive heat and humidity sets in.

Our fanny/hydration packs will be packed with everything we will carry on event which includes: Vaseline, extra pair of socks, lip balm, mini first aid kit, wet wipes, sunblock, hand sanitizer, bandanas & buffs, tissues, poncho, camera, binder clip & zip ties. We will load up a cooler, to keep in the car, filled with water, Gatorade, lunch and snacks.

Undoubtedly, the most important thing we will have is each other!

Only 4 weeks to go until Michigan walkers hit the pavement in one of the biggest and boldest challenges to put an end to breast cancer. I know that many of you who read mine or Jen’s blogs know other walkers participating in this year’s event, so don’t forget you can send a letter or card to your walker which they will receive at camp during the event. Your words of encouragement really help keep the walkers motivated!!

Must be postmarked by August 2, 2011
3-Day for the Cure
ATTN: Participant’s Name
PO BOX 699
South Lyon, MI 48178

Bitter Sweet

As Jen & I wrap up the final preparations for our last team fund raising event this weekend, the feeling is bitter sweet. We have had a lot of fun planning and executing the events and we have raised a lot of money for a cause that we are committed to, but the work that’s involved can be a little overwhelming and time consuming. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family on weeknights, camping on the weekends and concentrating on getting our training walks in.

There are two large components to signing up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure…raising a decent chunk of change ($2,300) which means putting all your creative efforts and energy forward and getting your body trained to walk 60 miles in 3 days! We have 92 days left until the walk…3 months, to reach both of those goals!

Staying Positive!

I’m feeling a little crabby today so I need to put into perspective all of the great things that have happened this week to get out of this funk!

Let’s start:

~ Our NCAA Brackets 4 Boobs ended on Monday night which brought an overwhelming total donation of $400 to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure! Kyersten Helsel was the winner who generously donated back to the Sistahs!

~ I had a great training week and stayed on track, Jen & I made it to the gym every morning by 5:30 a.m., put in 10+ walking miles, 60+ minutes of strength training, 1 hour of cardio, plus a little bit of Zumba time @ home (thanks to the PS3 Move!) and it’s only Thursday!

~ I received 2 online donations –I can’t tell you how exciting it is to watch the little thermometer climb and to get the e-mail notifications “A donation was made on your behalf”!

~ I called my doctor’s office and scheduled my yearly physical – all the ladies out there, have you scheduled yours?? If not, call now!!

~ The kids were home for Spring Break, so I was welcomed home with smiling faces and a clean house each day!!!!

~ Jellybeans have been in full stock on my counter (thanks to the dear hubby) for my continuous consumption throughout the evening --- and this morning ‘cause I was starving when I got home from the gym!

There that did help! A little bit reflection therapy does a mind some good! Here’s to a good weekend!!

Infomercials Galore!

Okay, so you probably know by now that the 24-week training started this week for the Michigan walkers. Well, when you live in Michigan it can be a little dicey to get a 3-mile walk done the first week of March, especially when you work during the day so the sidewalks/trails re-freeze in the early morning hours & in the evening. So that means it’s either mall walking (not bad) or hitting the treadmill (boring!), I’m planning to do both this week, trying to mix it up a bit – ha ha ha!

So while I was doing my 3-mile walk at the gym on the treadmill Tuesday, during the wee early morning hours, I noticed how many darn infomercials are on. You can by the Ninja (a $300 blender that you’ll rarely use), Wen products for your hair (you’ll look like Alyssa Milano), or the Booty Pop (you know you want to be Kim Kardashian!) Wouldn’t it be nice if one of these stations could put on some CSI or Law & Order re-runs to entertain me for the hour, is that too much to ask? Until then, I’ll keep checking The Weather Channel website in hopes of a good thaw real soon –this week is 12 miles, next week is 13!

Quick reminder:
For those that want to participate in the Euchre Tournament fundraiser this Saturday, if you have not paid or made arrangements with Jen or myself – PLEASE do so ASAP! We’ve had a great response and want to make sure we accommodate everyone!! You can reach me by email at smithstef.5@gmail.com or Jen at jen.carbary@gmail.com

Last Free Weekend

This is not a negative comment - but I just enjoyed my last "free" weekend for the next 6 months! Which means each weekend over the next 24-weeks will be filled with fundraising, training walks & preparation for the 60 mile journey that I'll be taking with Jen in August!

I read a great blog post last year from a fellow 3-Day walker titled "You know you're a 3-Day walker when..." one of the "whens" was sleeping past 7am on the weekends is a thing of the past. Which is so true, majority of our training miles will be put in during the weekend. The first couple of weeks aren't too hard, 3-4 miles each day on Saturday & Sunday. But, it won't be long before I will get up at 6am to get to a training walk that will be 10+ miles, with a bunch of amazing other 3-Day walkers!!

So I took today and didn't go to the gym - I slept in, enjoyed my coffee watching t.v. and didn't leave the house - - - because I could, this one last time until August :)

Gratitude!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our family and friends, Jen and I have filled all of our “volunteer” spots for the two Tigers games! Our 3-hour training will be next month with our first game on Saturday, April 9th. I’ll have our booth number the week of the game so if you’ll be at the Copa to see the Tigers whoop some White Socks butts you’ll have to stop by and say “Hi!”

Two weeks from now I’ll begin my “official” 24-week training schedule. I remember last year how nervous I was when I began this schedule – this year I’m excited! Although, now I realize that 24 weeks is not a lot of time to raise $2300 and get into the best shape I possibly can while maintaining a healthy family life, and working full time. I think I need to take the next 2 weeks and concentrate on balance!

I’ve posted the 24-week training schedule under the Accountability tab – let me know if you’re up for a walk!

Let the Season Begin!

Happy New Year! Now with the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind me, it’s time to get down to business. Let the 3-Day season officially begin in the Smith household!!
I’ve headed back to the gym for my pre-training after a couple of month hiatus, and it feels good to be back in the groove. Before I know it it’ll be time to start “Mall Walking” and my feet can’t wait. Training season is exciting, there are new goals each week to meet, as well as new challenges. One of the best things about training season is going SHOE SHOPPING!!!!

Jennifer and I have been working on our fundraising ideas over the past few months and are starting to solidify some events and dates. Of course we are always collecting bottles/cans so just shout if you have a pick-up!

Currently, we are selling Pistons tickets for next Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies (Jan. 12th @ 7pm). The tickets are only $5 each and 100% of the sales go directly to our 3-Day accounts! So if you are interested, send me an email at smithstef.5@gmail.com It’s a great, cheap way to go see a game with friends, the kids or your neighbors!