Saturday July 28

Martha, Danielle, LouLou and Me after 5 miles!

Today we did just over 5 miles at the Arboretum, Lake Washington.  Martha, Danielle and LouLou (Danielle's daughter) and I did a combination of run/walk.  Still way more walking then running but we are getting there.  We need to start increasing it a bit more or it will take us 4 hours to do the half!!  
Ally, my mentor, invited me to join a group of them for breakfast.  I didn't know anyone else in the group but decided to join.  One of my reasons for joining this program was too meet people.   I figured this is how it's done.  There were 10 of us total and it was a lot of fun.  Of course I don't remember any ones names except for Ally and her husband Zack.  I believe the guy who sat across from me is Bruce.  He was running that evening in the Seafair 5 K.  I wish I had seen the race because I understand a lot of people dress like pirates and run.  Nothing like a running pirate. 


Salted Caramel and Chocolate Coconut cupcake

 After breakfast I picked a couple of Cupcakes from the little bakery on the corner.  Then headed for a pedicure.    After a stop at Target and walking the dogs, I checked my pedometer and it showed 7.5 miles.  16,500 steps for the day is not bad for a couch potato. 
Next week....  vacation.  I will need to run on my own.




This house was on our route.  Love the yard



4 Miles and no beer

Let's start this post with a reminder that the donation link is on the left hand side of the page.  Feel free to head right over there.

This Saturday we did 4 miles out in Woodinville at the Redhook Brewery.  It's a beautiful area.  I hadn't been out to Woodinville so I had no idea what to expect.  We parked our cars in the lot and headed for the trails.  As we walked out of the Brewery area I saw The Herbfarm!  For those Non-foodies, it is one of the most famous restaurants in the Seattle area.  Seattle Met called it the "Holy of Holies" in their Best 25 Restaurant issue.  Now I need to come back and check it out.  The run/walk was nice.  I did the entire thing with Martha who is back from her trip.  Danielle and her daughter did not show up but I'm not surprised because so many folks are on vacation.  I felt good at the end but my legs felt a little weak.  I don't think I'm doing enough run/walks during the week.  I can't just expect the Saturday training to prepare me for the 13.1 miles.  This week,  I need to get in 2-3 other runs.  I had thought I might check out the Brewery since I was already there but it turns they aren't open at 8am on a Saturday.  Go figure....  no one wants a beer at 8am? 

After training I headed to the Redmond town center for the farmers market.  Picked up some very cool looking carrots and beets and of course flowers. There was a car show happening at the mall.  I'm not much of a car fan and know very little about them.  I pretty much just know how to drive and nothing else.  But they were some pretty cool Ferrari's and even I had to stop and look.  After all that effort, I stopped by Claim Jumper for a burger.  (check out my review on the burger blog- link on the right) .

Got home around 2pm and walked the dogs.  After that I WAS DONE!  With the exception of fixing the carrots and beets for dinner, not much else was accomplished for the day. 
2 new things on my To-Do list-  tour the Redhood Brewery and eat at Herbfarm!



Statue on the trail.  One side was a fish .
Other side was the man in the moon!

 



Dragonfly on the bridge

 


Flowers from the market

Multi colored carrots

Car Show

 

July 14th

This week we did just over 5 miles.  It was a bit tough because I missed the previous week.  I went to Sacramento for a long weekend and I had every intention of doing a walk/run on Saturday while there. But, it didn't happen.  The weather was hot and I was busy.  Next thing you know, the weekend was over and I didn't walk anymore then a trip to the grocery store.  So I knew I would pay the price this week.  It wasn't too bad.  I walked the majority with Danielle and her daughter.  Also a new woman joined us (whose name I didn't catch) and she helped us keep the pace up.  Martha was away on vacation but will return next week. 
Each week before the walk, there is a Mission Moment.  Typically someone on the team or  a friend will speak about why they joined Team in Training.  They may be a cancer survivor or a friend of a cancer survivor.  This week the woman who spoke is the #2 fundraiser in the US.  She is running for a 3 yr old boy in her child's daycare.  The little boy, Quinn, has cancer and is not doing great.  Her run has helped motivate the community to help the family.  The story was so moving that I was crying by the end.  After a story like that, you can't complain about walking 5 miles!   She gave us all photo's of Quinn to pin onto our shirts.  I was proud to wear it.

We started at Genesse park and end at Seward park.  Both beautiful and once again I discovered a new part of the city.  The weather was a little overcast and muggy so the photo's are fabulous.  I'd definitely go back on a sunny day.
Still sitting at $200 for my fundraising.  only 12% there.  I need to be at $1000 by Sept. 1.  That is only 7 weeks.  I have to get moving! 

Once again I had a burger after practice.  If I don't stop eating burgers every Saturday, I'm going to gain weight with this program instead of losing it!