Cheers and jeers

Cheers to:

- Barack Obama. In four days, he's signed orders to close Guantanamo, make presidential records accessible, end the ban on funding to groups that provide abortion services, and frozen pay increases for senior gov't staff. 

- Beyonce, who looked incredibly classy at the Neighborhood Ball, but also has become a fixture on my iPod with the song 'Single Ladies.'

- Fox's new show Lie to Me. I'm hoping that I'll pick up some tips for interviewing staff during investigations. I *know* they're lying, but I'm not sure how to prove it. Yet.

- Mount Holyoke's Alumnae Club of Delaware. It exists, I'm having lunch with some of the ladies tomorrow, and I'm excited.

Jeers to:

- the supervisor who gave an email I sent to her to one of her subordinates about whom the email was written, asking the supervisor to provide disciplinary feedback and questioning the veracity of the staff's call-out. Seriously? How did you think that would end but badly?

- American Idol for being mean to people who don't know that they're bad singers. Screen them OUT -- not in, for America to laugh at.

A beautiful day

Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America today. With tears in my eyes, I stood in the living room at the dorm, watching the inauguration and being surrounded by my kids and staff, all watching. 

It's uncommon for most of my kids to pay attention to much for very long, but it was absolutely amazing to see how the kids responded to both the emotional atmosphere created by the staff, but also to Obama himself -- several really aggressive kids were totally transfixed, intently watching and listening. I sort of wonder when the awestruck feeling will wear off -- but I hope it takes a good long while, because right now, I just feel hopeful.

True, Rick Warren is not who I would choose to speak for this new President, but if there's anything to be learned from Obama, it's the acceptance of those with different views; I just struggle to truly have a mind that is open enough to accept those whose minds seem so closed.

But -- back to the joyous feelings: a neat New Yorker profile about Barack & Michelle Obama; these people just seem too wonderful to be true.

And, in training news, a really great 5k tonight. My last mile was 2 minutes faster than the pace for my first two. Yay.

This week

First, a hearty congratulations to President Obama. Can't wait to watch the inauguration tomorrow. Actually rescheduled a meeting so that I could be sure to be watching.

Also, a well-written NYT article about the books that shaped Obama's thinking. Good stuff.

Oops -- forgot to post my training schedule yesterday ...

In case anyone's interested, this week's schedule is as follows

M -- rest (this is good, because Secret Life of the American Teenager is on, and I can't miss it)

T -- 2 easy miles

W -- rest

R -- 3 moderate miles

F -- 30 minutes easy cross-train

Sa -- 2 easy miles

Su -- 2 easy miles

Total of 9 miles this week. Piece of cake.

By the numbers

Because I'm basically a nerd, here's a little summary of what getting ready for the 3-Day means, numbers-wise (well, and geographically & such ...).

1,035 = approximate number of miles of training

2,173,500 = approximate number of steps that equal those 1,035 miles

20,700 = approximate number of minutes that those 1,035 miles will take to walk

345 = approximate number of hours of walking

14.375 = approximate number of days of continuous walking

$569.25 = reimbursement for mileage if calculated at 2009 IRS rate

3 = pairs of shoes that I'll wear out

Des Moines, IA = about where I'd get to if I walked west

Sarasota, FL = about where I'd get to if I walked south

Halifax, Nova Scotia = about where I'd get to if I walked north (ooh, and then I could take the ferry to Prince Edward Island!)

Unfortunately, walking east isn't really an option from Delaware.

On the other hand ...

10 million = number of women around the world who could die of breast cancer in the next 25 years

$1.2 billion = dollars that have been invested in breast cancer research, education & early detection since 1982, thanks to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

1 in 2 = women that will develop bone or breast health issues in their lifetime

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.