www.avonwalk.org/goto/Dana.Stewart
Follow my journey for the 2011 Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer....my training (for up to 40 miles should be an interesting adventure), all the excitement and adventure that goes along with it. I'll be blogging along the way. Feet? Um, get ready. This is your only warning. I'll get good socks. I promise.
2011 Avon 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer - Chicago June 4-5
When I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I learned about the annual Breast Cancer walk in Milwaukee and immediately committed to take part in that for the rest of my life. I have since decided to attempt my first marathon-type run, walk, crawl, whatever you want to call it. It's the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 2011. It's the first marathon type breast cancer run/walk I am able to do since my diagnosis. In fact, it's the first time the word marathon has crossed my lips and actually had my name signed up next to it. Its a two day event that you walk anywhere up to 26.2 miles to 39.3 miles between the two days. Bottom line? I need to start training fast.
Participants Fundraising Pledge Requirement - $1800
I am in the walk to raise $1800 for Breast Cancer Awareness, finding a cure, and helping others. Everyday I am grateful for the research that has already been done to help understand my disease. Everyday something new has been used to save my life thanks to others who have raised money like this for Breast Cancer. My goal is to make sure someone doesn't have to suffer because of Breast Cancer or die because the right treatment wasn't available for them. Breast Cancer does not have to be this way!!
Thank You For Your Continued Support of Breast Cancer Awareness!!
I can never say enough to thank all the people that have supported me through my Breast Cancer journey. There are simply no words. I appreciate everything you do and there is a reason why I can still get out of bed everyday to face this disease. I love and thank every single one of you!!! I thank you for your support. I think my feet may never forgive me after this, but that's a different story. Sorry in advance my twin friends.
4/16/11 - Getting There
Back on the training wagon, hopefully soon. For starters, it doesn't help that winter has continued into April. We had 5 days of spring, I think. That might be being generous. Plus, I had to throw in some surgery that knocked me back in terms of training. I am not worried though. The walk will go on and I hope so will my feet. I am feeling better and hope to be back on the training track within the month. It's getting closer and I can not wait to take the first steps in the biggest walk of my life!!
2/22/11 - Walk Chicago
Training walk #1 complete! Wendy and I pulled on our walking shoes last Saturday and hit the streets of Chicago. Finally a nice, but not snow filled, day. The weather did turn a little colder so our walk was cut a little short. We were only able to complete about 4 miles. It only took a little over an hour. Not bad for round one. After readying some details on the official walk, we need to be on pace to complete just under 3 miles and hour to hit the 26 mile walk on day one. I think with a little warmer weather, a little practice and we are good to go.
2/12/11 - The Blizzard
So this snow is really putting a damper on my walking training. I had actually started to walk outside. Yes it was cold. Yes there was still some snow on the ground. However, after the blizzard, the sidewalks are almost impossible. I guess its hard to try to get rid of 5ft snow drifts, but that pretty much put a damper on my outside walking. Plus, the negative windchills haven't helped much. It looks to be warming up and I am hoping that some of this will melt so I can get back to my outside track and start walking again. I like it so much better.
1/28/11 - The mall walk
This past week marked the first time I did the good old mall walk. Yes, I joined the groups of other people who laced up the shoes and walked lap after lap through the mall. I have to say it was pretty fun. It was early in the morning and the stores weren't open. There weren't many people lurking around either. I found it is pretty entertaining to walk and window shop at the same time. Makes the work out a little easier. It's a nice place to walk while it's cold, but I am counting down the days until I can start my walks outside everyday again. I guess it would have to get a little lighter too. Almost there, almost there.
1/9/11 - The first test
Yesterday was my first big walking test of training. Wendy and I hung out in Chicago for the day which meant lots of walking around. Granted we were doing fun stuff like shopping on Michigan Ave, but walking is walking. So, I put my pedometer on my belt and started stepping. To my surprise, our walking tallied up to 8 miles and I felt great at the end of the day. I know we have to do five times that in two days, but it was nice to know that it felt good and I could handle it. Now I just need to get that tally up a little bit higher for one day's worth of steps. At least I have until June!
1/3/11 - The training has begun
Lucky for me, the training at the beginning the week is pretty low key. It doesn't really pick up until mid to end of the week. So, needless to say, day one of training was a success. I only have six days left to see if I can make it through training week one. I walked every day over the weekend to work out the kinks and soreness so I could start fresh and ready to go. This week's total mile count requirement is 14 miles. Today's total count is 3.6 miles. Not bad!
12/31/10 - I've sort of started
I guess you can say I have started to train. I've looked at the training schedule. I figured out to use my pedometer. Oh, and the best part: I've set foot on a treadmill. Okay, only once, but that's good in December!! December is the time to eat and be merry, not exercise. That's saved for January. So, I started early!! Today is my last day for exercise excuses. I have a lot of walking to do in two days of June. I need every day of the next six months to prepare.
12/5/10 - Pre-count down
I'm still in pre-count down mode. I have a 24 week training schedule so the good news is, I don't have to start until after the new year. I am glad it worked out that way as it lets my body recover a little more from chemo. I am afraid if I start while I am too tired, I'll give up to fast. It's going to be tough enough to train for 40 miles as it is let alone with a body that isn't fully healed. Good news is I have the training schedule set, countdown ready to go, pedometer ordered and blog started. I keep warning my feet that their time is coming, so after the new year, they better not even start complaining. Everything else has been through trauma in the last year, now it's their turn.
