Panda's Journey: The Road to Huston.

[windwalker]

As most people know I'm a fifty something racewalker with dreams of being a great fifty something racewalker. The next major competition I'm shooting at is the 2011 National Senior Olympics. Should I medal there I would get a ticket to the first ever World Senior Olympics. The medal winners of the European Senior Olympics and our winners would meet for the first combined games.

There are going to be lots of smaller races between now and then. This log will be my journal of training, leading up to taking my shot at Huston. Each post will be a weekly log.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Monday, 16 June 2008:

I had a nice LSD, 6 miles with my princess Erica. The pace was slow but it was a good change of pace.

I push mowed the .5 acre yard. My achillies hates this since it's like an hour of calf raises.



Tuesday, 17 June 2008:

Guys I had one of those workouts that make you just tingle all over it was so good. I did my 4 mile hills route, 1st mile was warm up at 13:42, last three miles 36:03 for a pace of 12:03. I was doing a comfortable cruise, when I stopped I almost kept going to do the route again, I felt so good.

I finished up with some stretching and weights.



Wed, 18 June 2008

Today was one of my normal treadmill routines:

.25 mile at 3.0
.25 mile at 3.5
.5 mile at 4.0
1 mile at 4.5
1 mile at 5.0
.25 mile at 6.0
.25 mile at 3.0

Then an hour of calistetics, stretching and pilaties moves.

I was feeling a tad tired so tomorrow I'll do less walking, upper body weights and then pool fun.


Thursday 19 June 2008

Ended up doing a 3.5 mile walk just like yesterday on the treadmill, but last quarter at 5.5. Then a good upper body weight workout. Finished up with my regular calistetics, stretching and pilaties routine.


Friday 20 June 2008

Today was easy pool/theapy day. I did 20 laps of sprints with high knee raises. This helps strengthen the quads, lower back and gives aq good stretch to the hip flexers and glutes. The water is 300 times the resistance of air so the whole range of running/walking muscles get a good workout from a different angle than from running/walking in air.

After the sprints, dynamic stretches in the pool and some upper body strengthening exercises. Basicly what you would do with weights but using the resistance of the water instead.


Saturday 21 June 2008 First day of summer

Today was a fast non stop hour so I could meet Erica after she got off work:

30 min treadmill with walk speed up to 12 mpm pace

30 min of weight training, upper body.

As soon as I finish this post I need to do my stretching and rolling pin exercise. I use a rubber rolling pin instead of a stick to massage my leg muscles.


Walking Panda:hippie:

[postesf]

Welcome to the Journals Panda!!!

I'm so glad you had a great workout!

Stacie

[windwalker]

Welcome to the Journals Panda!!!

I'm so glad you had a great workout!

Stacie


Thank you for the welcome princess.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Panda. I am Stacie's sister, Susan. She inspired me to do my first ever 5K last month at Disney. I have been following your posts on the Events board and I am so impressed with how consistent you and your wife are in your training! Gives me hope that I can keep going with this exercise thing.

I am looking forward to reading about your journey to the Senior Olympics. Welcome to the Journals board - have a good day!

Susan

[windwalker]

Hi, Panda. I am Stacie's sister, Susan. She inspired me to do my first ever 5K last month at Disney. I have been following your posts on the Events board and I am so impressed with how consistent you and your wife are in your training! Gives me hope that I can keep going with this exercise thing.

I am looking forward to reading about your journey to the Senior Olympics. Welcome to the Journals board - have a good day!

Susan

Susan, thank you. Your sister and I have been buds for a long time. She is good people and a super role model.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

I'm logging my workouts by the week, but I had a moment during my walk worth remembering:

As I was getting ready to crank the tready speed up to 10:54 per mile pace, Hank Williams Jr came on the CMT channel I was watching and sang "A country boy can survive". That is a great 'push the pace' song for a Ky fellow.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[postesf]

Glad all is going well Dave! Thanks for the nice comment!

You are such a great example to really keep pushing! Your routine is really to be admired!

Stacie

[windwalker]

Glad all is going well Dave! Thanks for the nice comment!

You are such a great example to really keep pushing! Your routine is really to be admired!

Stacie

You have come a long way yourself princess. During the last year you have even done a 15K.

Impressed Panda:hippie:

[bubba73]

Panda Dave

You are a role model and an inspiration to everyone on the events board, the competition's threads and anyone here that has given thought to doing any type of race. Just going off the tutorials that I have been able to get from you from these threads, you have already taken my down from a 20 minute pace to a PR of 13:45. Knowing that I have been able to do that this fast gives me hope and encouragement that I will be able to get down to the 12 minute pace before January. I usually can do better if I am training with someone who is going at the same pace with the same goals that I have. Well, here in my "hicktown", I don't have that so I use the "Panda Spirit" to keep me going during my walks.

Keep it up, Sir Panda! I know you will medal!!

Bryan

[windwalker]

Panda Dave

You are a role model and an inspiration to everyone on the events board, the competition's threads and anyone here that has given thought to doing any type of race. Just going off the tutorials that I have been able to get from you from these threads, you have already taken my down from a 20 minute pace to a PR of 13:45. Knowing that I have been able to do that this fast gives me hope and encouragement that I will be able to get down to the 12 minute pace before January. I usually can do better if I am training with someone who is going at the same pace with the same goals that I have. Well, here in my "hicktown", I don't have that so I use the "Panda Spirit" to keep me going during my walks.

Keep it up, Sir Panda! I know you will medal!!

Bryan


Bryan, that was a very nice thing to say, it means more than you know when I hear stuff like that.

There are a lot of things in our lives we can't control, but we can take responsibility for our own health and fitness. I'm older than you so I can say this without reservation; A strong healthy body is far more precious than anything else than you possess.

When I went to ToT last year I had the opportunity to walk part of the race with several different wish walkers. Erica and I started in the back so we could go from group to group as the race progressed. That was easily the most fun I've ever had in a race.

Your coming along strong and your decision that you can do it is awesome. A good doctor will realize that you can acomplish way more for yourself than they could ever do for you. There is an old medical saying that a Doctor can treat but you and God do the healing.

Happy Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Good morning, Panda.

First off, I LOVE Hank Williams music and "A Country Boy Can Survive" is one of my favorite songs that he performs. That's great workout music, for sure! And what an awesome pace you set - whew, makes me tired just to think about it!

Second, I totally agree with Bryan's thoughts. I have been on the WISH journals board for several months, but have just started reading some threads on the events board in the last few weeks. You were one of the first people who stood out to me as someone who is serious about good health and fitness, and just as serious about encouraging and supporting other people to start the journey towards those goals. It is amazing to see how much time and energy you devote to helping total strangers on these boards - I am in awe of that, truly.

So thank you for your kind and compassionate interest in those of us who are battling for better health and longer, more joyful lives. You rock!

Susan

[windwalker]

Wow Susan, that was so nice, but ya know what I get a lot more back than I could ever give. I draw strength and motivation for you guys to.

The payoff for all of us is the wonderfull time we actually get to spend together at our Disney meets. It raises the fun and excitement of our vacations to a whole new level.

Happy Panda

[windwalker]

First week of Journal:

19 miles and 10 hours of exercise.

Made some new friends:yay:

Happy first day of summer:cool1:

Walking Panda:hippie:

[bubba73]

First week of Journal:

19 miles and 10 hours of exercise.

Made some new friends:yay:

Happy first day of summer:cool1:

Walking Panda:hippie:

Way to go Panda Master! Sounds like you have had a very successful week. :worship:

[windwalker]

Week 2 of Journal:

Strange start to this week. Up at 4am for drive to Loiusville for continuation education classes. So 6 hours of sitting in little chairs listening to very dy lectures on optics and refraction.

When I got home I got about 2 hours o exercise push mowing my .6 acre yard. Then tons of water since it was hot and humid out.

Journaling Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Wow, I'm impressed that you had the energy to mow your lawn for two hours after such an early start and all-day lectures. That type of thing exhausts me, so I think you did an awesome job getting in that much activity at the end of your very long day.

Thank you again for your kind words and great ideas in my journal. I SO appreciate it!

Hope you have a great day!

Susan

[windwalker]

Today was a great day. It was raining so it was a treadmill day.

Nice 3.5 mile walk with last part at 10:54 pace. Then weights, working on sides, biceps and chest today. After the weights I did my mandatory stretching and calistetics routine.

A thought I had while I was in the aerobics room doing my stretching and calistetics, I thought how no one else here works out the same way I do. They do the weights or they do the treadmills or elipticl or they will do the machines. Very few even combine the cardio and the strength training in the same workout. No one else is combining all three, cardio, strength and flexibility.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

My lady had to get a few well princess checks including an upper and lower endoscopey. So we just got done not long ago and we are both bushed. So today is a rest day.

Tests were all good so that was nice.

Tomorrow the journey will continue. I did trim a tree and edge along the sidewalk today after we came home.

Journaling Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Awesome walk today. I was stiff and a little sore from so much sitting yesterday so first mile was an easy 14:00 to warm up. Then I shifted into Power Panda for the last 3 miles on the hills. Time for the 3 miles was 35:19, that was an 11:46 pace. Felt great and could have kept going.

Weights and calistetics for upper body and finished up with stretching.

Power Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Dave. Glad your wife's tests went well.

Interesting that you felt stiff from sitting all day yesterday. I think that's a big part of the muscle aches I have after working hard all day. More movement is the answer, obviously - you had a GREAT workout today. Congrats!

Hope you have a good one!

Susan

[bubba73]

Oh Great and Benevolent Panda Dave, I come to you tonight to speak to you and hold you in the highest regards as I tell you that DW and I have decided that in honor of you, the movie that we are going to go see tomorrow is "Kung Fu Panda". (Plus it is the only movie out right now that we both want to see.)
Seriously though Dave, I am astonished and in awe of your times today. You did a warm up in 14 minutes. For me, that is gettin' to steppin', if you know what I mean. I don't know what kind of goals you have set forth as far as times go but it seems like you are really getting after it.

Way to go, Boss!!!

[windwalker]

Oh Great and Benevolent Panda Dave, I come to you tonight to speak to you and hold you in the highest regards as I tell you that DW and I have decided that in honor of you, the movie that we are going to go see tomorrow is "Kung Fu Panda". (Plus it is the only movie out right now that we both want to see.)
Seriously though Dave, I am astonished and in awe of your times today. You did a warm up in 14 minutes. For me, that is gettin' to steppin', if you know what I mean. I don't know what kind of goals you have set forth as far as times go but it seems like you are really getting after it.

Way to go, Boss!!!


You will love the movie, good message in it to. Let me know how you like it.

I'm experimenting with a new training theory, if it continues to work I will gradually get better and better without getting injured. That's the plan anyway. I'll go into more detail about it when I'm off next week.

Comparing notes over a beer at the brewery will be a pleasent way to end an evening of park hopping also.

Training Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Dave. Looking forward to hearing about your new training plan.

Are you going to WDW soon? Park hopping sounds like a lot of fun to me. If so, we want PICTURES and a trip report the second you get home!::yes::

Hope you have a good day!

Susan

[windwalker]

Susan our Disney plans for the foreseeable future are the ToT race in Oct, a 9 day trip and the Marathon in January an 11 day trip. After that we are just going to see what the rest of our rowdy friends are planning. The January trip for the marathon is a must but the other annual event could change.

Today was an easy 4 mile walk on my hills. Yesterday I pushed it just a bit so today was easy schedule. Time was 56 min.

Had to have daughters car towed to the repair shop. It wouldn't start yesterday. With my luck it will be the most expensive part on the jeep that is broken. When the tow truck driver and I were pushing it to line it up for the tow bed we ran into the tow truck and dented the tailgate a little.

Car Repair Challanged Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Ever wake up thinking you haven't accomplished anything in the fitness department, then do your workout and you feel invincible? I hope that is how today goes. Woke up with one of those blah moods and I'm hoping that working out today will take care of it.

I had a weird dream last night also. I was doing a half marathon somewhere and it was accross a long long bridge with a seafood restraunt underneath it. I was going to stop at the restraunt while I was racing, have dinner, then continue on. The race must have had a generous time limit. That's what I get for sleeping without adult supervision.

Anyway, had a good workout and that brought me back to the positive. I walked 3.5 miles with a little 10:54 thrown in. The tready has a HRM so I check my rate after I slow down. I was pleased to note that my rate for 10:54 pace is 154 that is where I was for 12:00 pace a couple of weeks ago. That needs I'm improving, :cool1:

Then I did my weight routine, that felt really good after my BLAH feeling this morning. I lost that yucky feeling and started feeling the love again. Finished off with stretching and then home for coffee with my princess before she went to bed. (Night Nurse)

Happy Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Panda Dave. Sorry for your daughter's car problems - I have had my share of them, and they are never any fun. Here's hoping the repairs were minor and relatively inexpensive.

Congrats on your great workout - you are so consistent and do so well with your training plan. You're an inspiration, sir!

And I feel for you and your wife - I worked third shift for many years, and the hardest part for me was sleeping without my husband. I finally got to a point where I needed to go to a day time schedule, and was so happy we had the same wake/sleep routine again. 10 months later, his company put him on third shift!! And that's where we are now. I still hate sleeping without him.

Hope you have a great weekend - take care!

Susan

[windwalker]

Today is relax day. I'll just walk a bit this morning while I'm waiting for my breakfast date to get off work and mowing the yard this evening. Of course this is a work day for me also.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[bubba73]

Enjoy your day Resting Panda! You have earned it. You are truly an inspiration to us all here on the WISH and events boards. What a burden that can be at times but you seem to be able to handle it with such grace and happiness.

Rest well and take care!

Bryan

[windwalker]

Enjoy your day Resting Panda! You have earned it. You are truly an inspiration to us all here on the WISH and events boards. What a burden that can be at times but you seem to be able to handle it with such grace and happiness.

Rest well and take care!

Bryan


I'm a retired Air Force First Sgt, I had to keep 450 Docs, medics and techs motivated to get their steps in so this is a breeze Bryan.

I started as the First Sgt of the Comptroller Squadron and because of what I accomplished there I was promoted to the First Sgt of the Hospital Group. For an fitness geek it was a dream job. I had the use of everybody in the hospital for help in planning programs. I had Ken Cooper at the human performance center in Dallas on speed dial also. He was the daddy rabbit of the Aerobics idea and was advisor to the Air Force on fitness.

Anyway, Erica and I are off for an 8 mile walk this morning, it's a pleasent 64 degrees. She is working her way back up to 20 mile weeks. The new feet are working well and she is getting used to her new arches.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

We did the 8 miles together. I don't mind doing her distance with her at right about 15 mpm because it forces me to do LSD. As she gets faster again the LSD pace will increase also. She should be back to 12 to 13 min per mile in another month.

After walk I push mowed the yard. I was to tired to do it yesterday.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Erica and I did 6 miles of LSD together. Easy but she is coming along.

Off to see Wall-E now.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Wall-E was interesting and worth the trip. The concept was thought provoking. Could this be a vision into the future if we continue on?

I had to buy Erica new shoes, her gait and feet are different since the surgery and the old ones didn't cut it any more. She has the Mizuno WaveRiders now.

The nike+ wrist band she bought a week ago has already quit working.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Panda Dave. I just wanted to say that it's wonderful to see you supporting your wife in her recovery. I'm sure she appreciates it greatly.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan

[windwalker]

Hi, Panda Dave. I just wanted to say that it's wonderful to see you supporting your wife in her recovery. I'm sure she appreciates it greatly.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan


Good morning Susan, and yes we do as much as we can together even though we have different goals right now the overlap works well for us.

Another perfect day here in Hooterville. 60 degrees and a sun shine and a gentle breeze. I hope this weather stays, it's nicew in the morning and doesn't get hot till late morning. Perfect for morning exercisers like me.

I did a first mile of 14:30 to warm up then a 3 miler in 36:14 for about a 12:04 pace. I was happy with that since it was very comfortable and hilly. I still need to do some intervals but just can't get excited about that right now. Intervals are 2 min 20 sec of pain followed by 4 min of recovery, followed by 2 min 20 sec opf pain...... Fun Huh?

I did a nice upper body workout after the walk and stretching.

Walking Pnada:hippie:

[windwalker]

Relaxed walk up to WKU and played on the hills. Total time was 1:01:36, distance was a little over 4 miles.

After walking I played in the pool for a bit, doing stretches and calistetics and some sprints.

Good workout, I'm tired now but have to get ready for work in about an hour.

Nice fish and steamed veggies lunch.

Training Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Yesterday was rest day, did nothing but work.

Today will be back at it with walking and weights.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Today was a good day. I walked 9 miles with Erica and then push mowed the yard for about 4 hours of exercise.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Since yesterday was 9 miles and the mowing I did an easy day today.

Walked 3 miles on the tready, last mile at 12 mpm pace. Weights for arms and chest, calistetics and stretching.

Tomorrow will be more LSD with Erica.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[bubba73]

Dave:

You are truly an inspiration to us all. I only hope by the time the 1/2 comes around in January, I can do a 12 minute mile. (I really just hope that I don't make a fool out of myself.:confused3 )

Bryan

[windwalker]

Dave:

You are truly an inspiration to us all. I only hope by the time the 1/2 comes around in January, I can do a 12 minute mile. (I really just hope that I don't make a fool out of myself.:confused3 )

Bryan


I entered a run race once as a walker and I finished dead last. I was determined to get faster and the next year at that same race there were 53 runners behind this walker.

I decided that I'm doing my thing and earning respect as I'm doing it. I'm not worried about making a fool of myself at all. Athletes recognise one of there own.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Panda Dave. You are so consistent with your exercise schedule - a model we should all follow!

And I agree with you - in my book, the fool is the one who recognizes they need to make changes in their lifestyle, but doesn't even try to get moving and do the best they can to make progress with the state of their physical health. Those of us who are struggling with that (and there are many of us, I'm sure) look to people like you (who used to be us) and take courage from the fact that it is never too late to make positive changes in the state of your health if you really want to make it happen.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan

[windwalker]

Hi, Panda Dave. You are so consistent with your exercise schedule - a model we should all follow!

And I agree with you - in my book, the fool is the one who recognizes they need to make changes in their lifestyle, but doesn't even try to get moving and do the best they can to make progress with the state of their physical health. Those of us who are struggling with that (and there are many of us, I'm sure) look to people like you (who used to be us) and take courage from the fact that it is never too late to make positive changes in the state of your health if you really want to make it happen.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan


Susan a lot of the WISHers don't know that I was really badly out of shape 6 and a half years ago when I turned 50. I have haunting memories of getting winded trying to wash my car window at the gas station. I was a smoker for 35 years besides.

I've learned, do everything right, be patient and it will happen. Now I have memories of being in the lead pack in tough walk races.

http://bgrr.com/photos/04PurpleStrider/IMG_0096.jpg

Here is a shot of 2 racewalkers in our local club finishing a race, who says walkers are not competitive.

http://bgrr.com/photos/04PurpleStrider/IMG_0096.jpg

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Hi, Panda Dave. You are so consistent with your exercise schedule - a model we should all follow!

And I agree with you - in my book, the fool is the one who recognizes they need to make changes in their lifestyle, but doesn't even try to get moving and do the best they can to make progress with the state of their physical health. Those of us who are struggling with that (and there are many of us, I'm sure) look to people like you (who used to be us) and take courage from the fact that it is never too late to make positive changes in the state of your health if you really want to make it happen.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan


Susan a lot of the WISHers don't know that I was really badly out of shape 6 and a half years ago when I turned 50. I have haunting memories of getting winded trying to wash my car window at the gas station. I was a smoker for 35 years besides.

I've learned, do everything right, be patient and it will happen. Now I have memories of being in the lead pack in tough walk races.

Here is a shot of 2 racewalkers in our local club finishing a race, who says walkers are not competitive.

http://bgrr.com/photos/04PurpleStrider/IMG_0096.jpg

Walking Panda:hippie:

[postesf]

Hey Dave! Glad to see all is well with your training!

Hope Erica is still revovering nicely!

Have a great weekend!
Stacie

[windwalker]

Hey Dave! Glad to see all is well with your training!

Hope Erica is still revovering nicely!

Have a great weekend!
Stacie


Hi Stacie. I'm getting slack about keeping my journal up to date. With my other threads I keep up with and DisneyRunning.com it's sometimes hard to find the time.

I had a nice 4 mile walk yesterday and then pool fun. Today though might be a full rest day, except for going to work. I haven't taken a rest day for a while so it's due.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Dave. First of all - LOVE the picture!! You guys look great - and really focused on what you're doing! Thank you for sharing.

And I totally understand about lack of time for journaling. I don't get to mine nearly as often as I would like, but don't worry - we'll keep reading whenever you get around to yours!

Hope you have a great day!

Susan

[windwalker]

Susan that wasn't us. Here is a picture of me walking in a run race and passing some high school girls who are running. The people in the other pics where other walkers from our club.

http://www.bghstrack.org/photos/PurpleStriders5K/pages/ps5k_174_jpg.htm

Walking Panda:hippie:

[disneyrunningnut]

Great picture. Looks like you are flying. I enjoy reading about your progress. You are really dedicated to your goal.

David

[windwalker]

Great picture. Looks like you are flying. I enjoy reading about your progress. You are really dedicated to your goal.

David


I'm a dreamer David, but no matter how close I come to my goal I will enjoy every step of the way. There is never shame in giving it your best shot.

Daring to Dream Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Okay, I'm GOBSMACKED!!!

There is no way you belong in the SENIOR Olympics! You look WAY younger than I pictured you - WAY younger. Oh, my word, I am flabbergasted. My DH and I look older than you do, by far, and we are several years younger chronologically (but not in any other way, I'd venture to guess). Oh, wow - your level of inspiration to me as I keep plugging along just went WAY up!! You look like the picture of health - that's what I'd love to achieve one day before my life is over.

Sorry for the assumption I made earlier - I just assumed (and you know what they say about assuming) that you and your wife were the folks in the first picture you posted. Thanks for the clarification (and the GREAT picture)!

Susan

[windwalker]

Okay, I'm GOBSMACKED!!!

There is no way you belong in the SENIOR Olympics! You look WAY younger than I pictured you - WAY younger. Oh, my word, I am flabbergasted. My DH and I look older than you do, by far, and we are several years younger chronologically (but not in any other way, I'd venture to guess). Oh, wow - your level of inspiration to me as I keep plugging along just went WAY up!! You look like the picture of health - that's what I'd love to achieve one day before my life is over.

Sorry for the assumption I made earlier - I just assumed (and you know what they say about assuming) that you and your wife were the folks in the first picture you posted. Thanks for the clarification (and the GREAT picture)!

Susan


No worries dear friend. I get that alot form forum friends who meet me for the first time. I practice what I preach and everything I say has been learned by my own trial and error.

Thanks for the compliment.:hug:

Shy Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Most of my energy is back but workout still felt harder than it should this morning but getting better all the time.

4 miles on hills in 54 min. Slow for me but easy and smooth. Weights for biceps and shoulders then stretching. Not much energy left after the walk. I'm watching the liquid intake real close now.

Tested a new shoe on the market. I wrote a report on he WISH E/C section.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Did the same 4 mile route as yesterday in the new Brooks Mach 10s. Today feeling even better so time was 3 min 15 sec faster for the 4 miles with the same effort. Total 50:40 for 4 miles, relaxed but steady walk.

I'm feeling better and better everyday, that dehydration knocked me for a real loop for about a week. Us senior citizens have to be carefull don't cha know. Total for the week so far 24 miles.

Hydrated Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Panda Dave. Glad you are feeling better. Thanks for the reminder about the importance of getting the water in. It's really easy to forget about that, especially when we get really busy.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan

[postesf]

HI Dave! How's it going? Glad you are back to yourself now that the hydration issue has been resolved. I think I stay dehydrated so my body never really know what it is like to go from being hydrated to dehydrated.

I had a 5oz tuna steak at lunch today. I thought of you. Seems tuna is becoming my lunch now since I can't really have sandwiches and all that gluten stuff anymore.

Hope your training continues to go well!

Stacie

[windwalker]

Hi Susan and Stacie, how's it going pretty princesses?

Well I'm definately back to normal:

It was forcasted to be close to 100 degrees and as we were doing our 4th mile on the way to 10 miles the themperture was already 88 humid degrees at 8:00 am. By the time the 10 miles were over it was an even more humid 96 degrees.

After a break for pancakes with blueberries, a coffee and lots of water. Then I went home and push mowed the yard for 2 hours. I took 2 5 min breaks and drank 20 oz of G2 sports drink on each break.

Then after a shower and another bottle of water I vacuumed the house and mopped the kitchen floor. Now I'm relaxing. I still have a ton of energy and that is normal for me.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

4 hot huggy hill miles yesterday. Weights for arms and shoulders.

6 miles this morning with Erica. Very pleasent since it was overcast and flat route. Most of it was in the shaded cemeteries.

20 mies for the week so far and it's only wed.:eek:

Walking Panda:hippie:

[postesf]

Hey Dave! How's it going???

[larry's girl]

Hi, Dave. Your energy and the miles you put in are amazing - very inspirational, you are!

Totally understand about lack of time for journals - run into that myself on a regular basis. Hope things are going well for you and DW. Have a good week!

Susan

[windwalker]

Hi, Dave. Your energy and the miles you put in are amazing - very inspirational, you are!

Totally understand about lack of time for journals - run into that myself on a regular basis. Hope things are going well for you and DW. Have a good week!

Susan


Hi guys, I haven't been posting much but the training is going very well. I'll find out this weekend how I'm doing. I have my first competitive race on saturday since last Oct.

Last Oct I won the walking division of the 10K Classic and the next day drove for 12 hours to Disney. Then walk all those miles at the parks and finally did the ToT. I was sore the whole time from the race before I left and the drive down. I should have just rested the day after we arrived at Disney and drink lots of water.

This year I'll not do a race but rest a couple of days before the drive. I don't want to repeat that last years mistake. I was fighting achillies tendonitis all the way through to January when we did the goofy. I have finally beaten that with of all things the stretching and push off involved with pushing the mower.

So I'm at a 100% and gaining strength and power every week. I expect to have a good race this weekend and also get a look at my fitness level. I will rest and rehydrate well reguardless of the outcome.

Racing Panda:hippie:

[larry's girl]

Hi, Dave. Sounds like a great plan. Hope you have a SUPER race this weekend. Can't wait to read all about it!

Take care.

Susan

[windwalker]

Picture of me at the 8/8/08 race I hope.


http://www.disneyrunning.com/davesrace.jpg

[bubba73]

Panda Dave,

We may have to change your nickname from Panda to Superman. You look pretty in shape to me so get out there and have fun!

Bryan

[windwalker]

Panda Dave,

We may have to change your nickname from Panda to Superman. You look pretty in shape to me so get out there and have fun!

Bryan


I did have fun today. Did you read my race report? I dropped my PR for the 5K walk from 35:10 to 33:58. I'm tickled for my first race back this year. I was wondering how the new training was going to work out, I'm very happy with the results and wil go at it even harder now that I know it's working.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Link to USATF 5K open championship race in NYC Central Park. Interesting to see where I would hve come in with my 33:58 race time.

http://www.parkracewalkers.us/

Click on the News at the left, results of 5K a 10K and a 20K.

I really want to get sub 30 min for the 5K, that's where I have to be before I'll consider myself a national class walker. We all have to have our dreams or how will we ever have a dream come true. I love that saying.

I have been lax about posting in my journal, "Bad Panda".

Today I started doing my last quarter mile of my walk at 10:00 min per mile pace, within a month I hope to have adapted to that pace and be able to maintain it.

Walking Panda:hippie:

[postesf]

:banana: for the PR! That's fantastic Dave!!! You are so consistent in your training! A good model for us all.

Your pace is amazing! I can't imagine going that fast.

Keep it up!

Looking forward to meeting you IRL in January!

Stacie

[larry's girl]

Hi, Dave. I know you aren't posting in your journal much anymore, but I just wanted to tell you that I read your blog and you have some very thought-provoking things to say there. And you stand behind everything you say as a living example - that's what makes you so inspirational! Keep it up - we need all the encouragement we can get out here!

Susan