Walking for my Dream (Comments welcomed)

[hockeygirl]

Hey Carole--I hope your race went well today!! I can't wait to hear about it!

The pre-race festivities definetely sound like fun and you got some cool freebies!

I would love to hear what you think about POFQ also, that is where I want to stay for the marathon weekend. I have heard great things about it!

 

[goldcupmom]

Hope your 5K went well today, Carole! And that the weather cooperated!

Sounds like you will have a lot of fun!

Have a GREAT week this week!

Thanks for all your support!

 

[CaroleD]

Thanks Denise, Laurie and Julie. Its great sharing this with my DisWish friends.

It was raining hard when I went to bed and my DH was shaking his head saying it was supposed to rain all day. I said to him "Nope...its going to be sunny and dry. They've got it all wrong" And I woke up to sunshine and blue skies. How is that for the power of positive thinking! It was about 4 degrees (40 F) which I think is a little cool but not horrible.
My friend and I got to the park, got out race signs on and the chip ankle bracelets to get our times. It was cool watching the half marthoners going off before us. We cheered them and the ten K group on. Before the races a local singer sang "Oh Canada" Very moving. Then our race. We stayed at the back being walkers. The volunteers cheered us on all along the course and we never got off really to top speed for me because my race buddy got shin splints for the first half. I didn't care, I enjoyed her company, the atmosphere and the trail. My DS joined us for the last half of the race. walking along chatting wirth us. He had seen me off at the start and caught up with us along the trail. Our time was 53:31 for the 5 K. For Disney it would have to be 8 minutes less or get swept. Our aim next year is to just improve our time. I got a little misty coming up to the finish line. We got cheered in...very cool. And I did the arms in the air thing when crossing!
It was an awesome day! My friend, Holly is now going to join me in the 10K I'm doing in June. Plus she is taking the 10 K clinic with me. My DD is doing that one too with me. I'm loving this. Its a positive domino effect. And I saw a 1/2 marathon coming up in Sept that looks good. But first the 10K.
I had no idea I would enjoy this as much as I did! We were again pumped to walk more after the race so we hit the trail again and added 2 more miles on. Though I will admit I had a nap after. lol.
I'm addicted now!

 

[hockeygirl]

WAY TO GO CAROLE!!! You did awesome at your race, and more importantly it sounds like you had a great time!! I know the feeling about being addicted, I feel the same way, after my 5k race awhile back, all I could think about was the next race!! Keep up the good work!!

 

[CaroleD]

Thanks Laurie. I want to hear all the details of your marathon. I'll live vicariously through you until I get to that point. I love the orderly way this forces one to train. No jumping to the next level until you've trained up to it. Well I guess you could but I bet it wouldn't be comfortable. I started training for the 10K about 5 weeks ago figuring it would make 5 K easier. Which is likely why I wanted to keep walking longer after the race. When I think presurgery that I could not walk to the corner store without knowing that it would make me need more Codiene for the rest of the week I am in awe of what my surgeon has given me. I think today I'm sending him a thank you note and let him know how my life has changed. BTW I'm still high from the race!

Gym day for me. I meet with my personal trainer for a workout change.

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go, Carole! You did a wonderful job on your race! That's great that you and your friend had a great time and signed up for another one. Way to go!

I like the part of your report where you talked about the weather and positive thinking! I need to do that for the weather here in Ohio.

Have a great week!

 

[CaroleD]

Today my DD and I skipped the gym and hit the streets walking. We meant to do about 3.5 miles but ended up doing 5.5 miles instead and we were quick. Generally a 15 minute mile with and ice cream break in the middle. lol. Felt really good.

And I signed myself and my DD up for a half marathon in Sept in Toronto. Just a little scared but really want to do this. I've booked the hotel right beside the start/finish line so we can be into all the pre and post excitement. Now to train for a half. Its a nice flat course all along the waterfront. My friend and one of my daughters friend might join us. And they don't have sweepers!!!!!

Tracy I have a friend who swears by positive thinking. Sure can't hurt.

 

[CaroleD]

Today was the first day of my Running Room clinic for 10K walkers. I learned alot. Good stretches and proper walking technique. And we did a 5 K walk at an easy pace. We meet three times a week and on Thursdays there is always an instruction type meeting before the walk. I really enjoyed this and my friend joined too which is great.

Before the clinic, although it was supposed to be a weights day at the gym my DD convinced me the weather was too good to be indoors. So we did a 5 mile walk. Again at an easy pace. Took my dog Maggie too. At one point while we were beside the river I thought I'de let my dog drink from the river....well she was not ladylike at all. She hauled most of her body into the river for a cool down. She did look like it was the only way to drink. lol.

All in all I think I walked about 9 miles today...because my friend and I walked home from the clinic as well. Suprisingly I wasn't tired or sore. The next two days are rest days for me because I work the next two nights. My plan is to attend Sundays clinic which is at 8:30 Am after my night shift. Hopefully I'll feel as keen then as I do right now.

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Carole--sorry to be MIA for a few days! Congrats on signing up for the half in Toronto....you are going to do GREAT!!! That is great that you are taking hte clinic, I sometimes wish there was something in my area like that, but unfortunately there is not!

You are so right about living vicariously through others on the boards. I always can't wait to hear about everyone's training, it is definetely very motivating!!

Keep up the good work!!! You are doing sooooooooo.... awesome!!

 

[goldcupmom]

That was a BUNCH of walking, Carole!

I'm hoping to find some kind of walking group here soon.

Have an AWESOME week this week!

Hope the weather is good for you to get outside!

 

[CaroleD]

Thanks Laurie and Julie. The weather was awesome this weekend. I work about 2 miles from my house and on Friday decided to walk it. It was such a pleasant walk there and back and I can log some miles on workdays. Then on Sunday morning when I got off work I walked to the Running Room where my group meets for their long walk on Sunday mornings. They open the doors at 8:00 am to accomadate the walkers and runners doing the morning practice times. We walked 6 K. I felt surprisingly good. Usually after nights I feel kind of icky. But doing the walk made me feel energized. Then when I did get home to sleep I slept deeply and awoke refreshed after just 5 hours. I'm hoping this will help me turn around quicker to days. I hate wasting my days off doing the turn around to days.

My DD has my gym days mapped out for me this week. Its nice having a gym partner thats keen. I'm hoping to get an 8 mile walk in this week and plotted out a route for us.

My poor neighbour who did the 5K race with me developed blisters that day. She has since bought really good shoes an extra 1/2 size bigger and is going to the walking clinic with me. But her blisters although not as bad are still healing. So our walks are slower than either of us want. I'm really happy she is doing this activity with me. She is great company. And I really think she needs this too. I notice she gets out of breath far quicker than I and she is 8 years younger than me. She is about 80 pounds heavier than me but just with the walking has lost 8 pounds already. She has signed up for the 10K and the half marathon with me and its going to be great watching her get healthier as well as myself. She has been incredibly supportive of me during all the years I couldn't be active due to pain. So its fun for us now to be doing something active together.

 

[CaroleD]

Aside from making it to the gym for weights with DD and doing a 6K walk with my friend at the Running Room I also had my DD move home today. It was really nice saying goodnight to her as she headed for her bed. Remind me I said that when down the line I'm angry with her for being messy. lol. We have been empty nesters for two years. DD had moved in with a friend and until 6 months ago they got along fine. Then the friend got into a serious relationship and treated DD like she was in the way being in the apt. It started getting nasty about two months ago. They had planned anyway to be moving out of that apt as her "friend" was finishing school and moving home. So it really didn't have to get nasty. DD was supposed to be moving home Sat but I told her not to wait...to just get home. Actually I told her that two months ago but she got stubborn about having to pay for an apt she wasn't using. Her plan now is to work for a year staying home and save money for a 4 month trip to Europe. Then come home again and save money to further her education. Its a good plan. I just hope our relationship stays OK now that she is home. We get along so well now though I think its partly because she lived away. For me I have to remember she is an adult now.

 

[miranda1979]

Thats great that you guys get along so great. Me and my mom get along great to we are great friends! I love being able to talk to her like a friend and a mom! Hope it all works out for you and your DD.

 

[wdw4us]

Yes my daughter and I get along (miranda 1979) because she lives out of the house and we don't see each other that often. Hope it works out for you.

We're both older now which makes it easier.

Did a 4 mile walk on the TM last night and 1/2 on the ellip at 4:30 AM! But I feel great today. Some day I'll make it up to 5 then 6 miles. Small steps for me.

Have a great day, nice that the weather is finally warm enough for us to train outside when we want!

denise

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Carole,

You are doing a great job getting your walks/ workouts in! Keep up the good work!

Have a great weekend!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Carole--That's cool that your DD moved back in with you, and I think it is awesome that you have such a great relationship! My mom and I have a great relationship also, that is such a great feeling!! WTG for keeping up with your workouts!!

Hope you had a great day!!

 

[CaroleD]

Basically my DH and I have gotten into such a relaxed life since the kids moved out and I think I was nervous that adding DD back in the home life would change that. But really she is an adult and a good person besides with a busy life of her own, so I was probably just worrying for no reason. I'm not big on change I think. She has been very sweet helping out with meals for DH because I have been running off to my Walking Clinic at 5:30 the last two nights. Having another cook in the house is GREAT!
I did another 6K walk again tonight and it was in a light rain. Now if you had told me I was going to walk in the rain even 6 months ago I would have told you "NEVER". I got myself a rain hat this afternoon and really enjoyed my walk. Go figure!
Tomorrow is my Ds's fiancee's shower. My sister is putting it on and DD and the other bridesmaid are doing the food and other showery stuff. I guess this is the beginnings of the wedding stuff. Gee I've never been a mother-in-law before. And the last wedding I had to put an effort into was my own 30 years ago. I'm a little rusty. Thank goodness Laura (fiancee) is very organized. I'll be happy just to be told what to do and pay bills. I can do that. lol.

 

[wdw4us]

11 days for you!! Almost the single digit dance.

I don't mind walking in the rain. We are not the wicked witch we will not melt, but then again if you saw the play Wicked, you'll know that is not entirely true....

Did the track last night 4 miles, I feel great, DH is about ready to collapse. He's not used to it at all. He'll thank me come January.

Friday at last, my day off of training and have a dinner date tonight at my daughter's restaurant, I'm sure she's planned all sorts of fab desserts for Mark and I to try. There goes that 4 mile walk, out the window!

Have a good weekend!

denise

 

[CaroleD]

My DH kept balking at walking and he has been doing the couch potatoe thing again. I'll have to get him out again (hmnn...that rings of taking out Maggie, my dog). I'll word that different. I'll see if he'll want to walk with me again. We had a spell of bad weather and then my clinic started so its partly me not encouraging (nagging) him. Probably I can let the golf games do the trick with walking. Once our season opens which is now he is happy to walk towards the ball.
Just think of the desert as a free calorie as you've cancelled it out with the 4 miles already. Guilt free desert.
I've waited so long for this trip and 164 days has passed fairly quickly. This last month I find my snail is getting very slow.

 

[toystoryduo]

Only 8 more days till POFQ! Woohoo! Sending some to help speed the time along.

Hope you have a wonderful week!