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!

60 minutes

Today was practice #4.  We only did 60 minutes and I walked the majority of it with Martha and Danielle.  We added a couple of short runs for a minute at a time but kept it pretty easy.   Today we held practice at a lovely location called Golden Gardens.  It is in Ballard and was right on the water.  Sometimes I forget that there are beaches all over the Seattle area.  When I think of Seattle I always think about the market, the vibrant green of the surroundings and the water surrounding the city.  But I never really think about beaches.  I guess that's because it is not sunny very often and the sun makes me think of the beach.  This park was right on the water.  It was slightly overcast and quite beautiful.  By the time we ended practice the boats were starting to come out.  We sat afterwards for a nutrition clinic which I found challenging because it just made  hungry.  

I left practice and went to Red Mill Burger.  Probably not the healthiest choice but I was starving!  I had a delicious burger which I will add to my burger blog (see the link to the right).  Then it was time for a pedicure followed by grocery shopping.  What I love about getting out early for practice is that I finished up all my errands and made it home by 2pm.  I have the rest of the day to do whatever I want!  Love it. 

This week I have to get a little more serious about the fundraising part.  I want to hit my goal by end of August so I don't have to worry about it anymore.  - Post on Facebook, send an e-mail to my non-facebook friends, apply for the Partner match at work, put up a sign at my desk at work.  That should be a good start. 

Also this week....  a little more walking during the week.

70 minutes!

Today I completed my 3rd TNT run.  We went for 70 minutes which is my longest walk/Run so far.  I have admit it is mainly walking at this point.  I've been trying to add some running to get use to it but it is hard.  When you haven't run a step in years, it takes a while to get the breathing right.  
Last week I walked the entire 50 minutes with a woman named Martha.  She is a cancer survivor and this is her first race ever.  Martha is signed up to do the same half marathon as me in November.  We talked about her cancer, her kids, my job, my move to Seattle, etc.  And all of a sudden, the 50 minutes was done.  It goes by much faster when you have someone to talk to.  I walked with her again today.  We added some running and I'm hoping we can continue to add running.  I would like to get the entire 13 miles in at 3 hours.  That means the walking needs to be at 14 minutes for a mile.  Right now we are pacing more like 15-16 minutes.  I think it's completely doable. 

I received my first donation this week.  One of my dearest friends in the world, Jim, donated $100.  Way more than I expected.   it makes my heart sing.   I'm counting on most donations being closer to $20 which means I need 75 folks to make a donation.  Sounds like a lot but I have plenty of time to make it happen. 

I sent out an e-mail last week to 20 friends and family members informing them that I signed up with TNT.  A lot of people wrote back notes of support.  I'm starting to hear stories of loved ones who have fought cancer and especially Leukemia.  The stories are heartwarming and make me more committed to the fund raising.  I joined group to help myself but I'm beginning to feel the need to help others.   It's a good feeling!

This week I need to buy new running shoes.  My old shoes don't feel so great these days and since they are 5 years old, it might be time for something new.  

I am going to try to update this blog every weekend after the Saturday training.  I'll do my best to keep it interesting so it's not just -  today I went for 50 minutes etc.....  

Stay tuned !

(If you want to donate.... the link is on the left side of the blog :)  Thanks