Reality check

So, it's impossible that this whole thing is going to go smoothly. I keep reminding myself of that unsavory fact. I'm going to injure something. I will definitely have some blisters. I will never want to walk anywhere ever again.

But so far, it's been totally enjoyable. Granted, the mileage is low, and the indoor temperature at the Y is quite pleasant; it's also been pleasant running into a couple folks from work while working out. Normally, that would be the sort of contact I'd eschew, but with this new goal, I feel like I have great purpose, and am, you know, *training.*

I did tear up a little during today's workout, but that was entirely related to the Obama Express' stop in Wilmington, and watching the crowd react to Obama & Biden, and listening to Obama's speech. We are truly a part of history, and that is pretty spectacular.

5K

Walked my first (well, not ever -- but as part of this new adventure) 5K last night, and it was fabulous. After walking for just about 60 minutes, I was totally ready for another 60 minutes. 

We'll see if I'm still so perky after the first 15-miler.

For now, though, I'm feeling pretty awesome. Yay me.

Hot cocoa

So -- after my first outdoor training walk (man, it was cold -- only 34*!), I warmed up with some homemade hot cocoa this afternoon. Two thoughts on this.

First -- hot cocoa made with milk on the stovetop is one of life's small but great pleasures. Especially when you use a little salt and really good-quality vanilla. 

Second -- the new Hershey's (yes, I have Hershey's -- not something hoity-toity as some might predict) Special Dark cocoa powder makes delicious albeit unattractive cocoa. Dark chocolate flavor? Good. Muddy-gray cocoa? Less appealing. Try it for yourself and see what you think.

The training walk was good, though I can see that Hadley will not be a regular participant in them; the constant peeing (his, not mine) slows down the walking, and generally causes agitation (mine, not his). My pedometer seems to be a little off of the odometer in my car, and I would hazard that the car is probably more accurate. Good to know, though -- the pedometer registered about 1/4 mile less than the car did. 

This week's training schedule:

M: Rest

T: 2 easy miles

W: moderate cross train, 30 minutes

R: 3 moderate miles

F: easy cross train, 30 minutes

Sa: 2 easy miles

Su: 2 easy miles

Same as last week. All good.

A funny thing.

I bought a pedometer, thinking that it would be helpful in tracking distance when I'm not on a treadmill (since it's unlikely that the 60 miles in October will actually be on a treadmill ...) and when I can't drive the route ahead of time. 

It was definitely fun today -- apparently, without trying, I walked two miles. I'm thinkin' those don't count. :)

Complete tangent -- there's a new reality show called 'True Beauty' (I think that's what it's called) and it is totally vapid and disgusting. It's 10 people who think they're the most beautiful person on earth (none of whom I found to be incredibly attractive) and all of whom thus far appear to be wicked shallow. Great. At least it's on at 10 p.m., not 8 ... The worst part is that I've now watched about 10 minutes of it.

Week 40 and counting

This week's training schedule: 

M: rest

T: 2 easy miles

W: moderate cross train 30 minutes

R: 3 moderate miles

F: easy cross train 30 minutes

Sa: 2 easy miles

Su: 2 easy miles

Cake, right? Definitely. But this is week 40 ... counting down to week 1, and 70 miles total. 

A couple of the guys I work with are marathoners; it'll be interesting to talk about training with them, since their goal is similar, but radically different at the same time. 

In other news, ironically my dog-walker starts this week. Yes, in the midst of all of this walking talk, I'm going to start *paying someone else* to take Hadley on an extra walk a couple days a week. There are many reasons that this makes good sense, but putting it on 'paper' makes me sound a little crazy -- not that we should be entirely surprised by that revelation.

Off to the Y for a pre-walk-training workout. 

Getting started ...

Too bad this won't read like Jennsylvania (see http://www.jennsylvania.com for a very, very funny and often inappropriate read on life by author Jen Lancaster). 

I was driving to work on Friday (yes, I worked the day after New Year's), and heard the radio promo for the 3-Day in October. I've known people who have done it in the past, and I've been impressed, but never really thought I could *do* it.

But -- I've had a few blind-siding moments in the last week or so, and in addition to making me feel like crap, they've also made me realize that I needed to do something in 2009 to reclaim my life and move past the sheer nonsense that was 2008. 

So -- in that spirit, I decided that not only *could* I walk 60 miles in 3 days, but that I would. I will. 

I registered. I'm in.

Now the training begins. Get ready. 2009 is going to kick my ass ... in a good way.