Mea Culpa and More

About the lack of posts for the last two weeks - I did walk on the weekend of the 18th, but I was getting ready for a trip (working extra hours and getting things together) so I didn't have a free minute to post.

Here is what I remember - On Saturday, I was out at 6:15 with my flashlight and my knee brace tightly in place. It was about 86 degrees and 95% humidity. I walked the full 10 miles and my knew was really painful for the last mile plus. It just screams at me - or I scream at it - on the downhill sections of the trail. I made it back to the car, but my knee was really uncomfortable. The one really outstanding thing about the day was that on my way to the park I heard a story on the radio about an organist at a major league baseball stadium. She was retiring and they had her playing a number of songs - one of which was "Take me Out to the Ballgame." Because I heard it, I kept humming it for the entire walk.

On Sunday, I was out a little after 6:30 and it was really humid again. I walked 10 miles again, but my knee recovered a lot faster after using the brace. A very nice man who was power walking gave me some advise about my walk. I think he has been doing this for a long time. I was very tired and much of the day I was walking with my eyes closed. I didn't know that I could walk while partially asleep.

Last weekend was dedicated to cardio - I was in New York helping my daughter with her new apartment. We schlepped a lot of IKEA furniture and materials from Home Depot. Just getting this stuff up the stairs was worth 36 hours of cardio kick boxing and I have the bruises to prove it. By the time everything was put together and in place and the plants re-potted and the lattice up on the fence the whole apartment looked great so I think it was worth it. My body is still recovering - the sciatic nerve down my right leg is hurting. I"m hoping I can work the kinks all out before the walk on the 16th.

Weekend of October 2

Part 1

I didn't get out this morning until 7:00 so I started walking about 7:15. The difference today was that the temperature was 68 degrees and the humidity was nearly non-existent. I barely even worked up a sweat. I decided to walk only 7 miles today. I'm hoping that by going a shorter distance today I'll be better prepared for tomorrow's 10 miles. The plan is to avoid the knee pain all together.

I understand the Race for the Cure was this morning. That would explain why so few people were out on the trail. A lot of people have been training for this race. It will be interesting to see if they are back out next weekend.

I saw a beautiful red wildflower. There was only one and I haven't been able to identify it. I'm guessing it is a garden flower that has seeded itself in the undergrowth.

There was a lot of water on the trail and in the low lying parts of the park. I thought that was weird because we haven't had any rain this week. I don't know where it came from. Hmmmmmm.

I saw the bravest man I have ever seen today. He was out on the trail with four small children and no other adult. Two of the kids were riding bicycles with training wheels, one was walking by his side and the other one was riding on his shoulders. He was just starting out as I was getting to the end of my walk. There is no way I would try that. I would rather wrangle four spirited Jack Russell Terriers that four small children.

Part 2

Not out until 7:30 this morning. It was even cooler than yesterday at 63 degrees and again, there was little humidity. There was a nice breeze that frequently turned into a good wind. It was pretty clear that heat wasn't going to be a problem today.

There were even fewer people out today. Even the leg of the trail between Dairy Ashford and Eldridge (that I hate because it is so crowded) didn't have very many people. I'm sure part of it is due to yesterday's fun raiser (Race for the Cure). I think a lot of the participants took today off. It is weird though, I figured that there would be more people out now that the weather has cooled off.

I walked the entire 10 miles today - without any pain in my knee! Hurrah! The plan worked! This is a first for me on a 10 mile walk. I have an appointment with my rheumatologist the day before I leave for the walk. I'm hoping he will be able to tell me what the issue is and how I can keep it from happening.

The day was nice and as the morning progressed, there were more and more families on the trail. I saw several couples with multiple children on small bicycles and scooters and strollers. One little girl (about 7) was getting a lot of encouragement from her parents to make it up a steep hill without walking her bike. She made it and I was impressed. I'm not sure I could have done it.

I had several firsts today. I saw not one, but two cyclists who were singing while they rode. I saw a guy on roller blades with three relatively large dogs on leashes - I'm not sure how he got them to go where he wanted them to go. And best of all, I saw a guy riding a unicycle with a tire that had to be at least 38" tall. Just the size of the unicycle is shocking, but I don't know how he could handle all the hills with one tire and no gears. It was pretty amazing.

I was home before 11 and was able to begin my household chores right away since there was little sweat and no pain. Yeah me.

A Note About the Walk

The Avon Walk is coming up in just two weeks - October 16 - 17. I want to thank everyone who has already donated to this cause through a direct donation or by buying raffle tickets and bracelets. I really appreciate it. This is an important cause that effects so many of us.

For those of you who have not yet made your donation, but still want to - now is the time. All my donations have to be in by October 11. You can just go to the DONATE NOW button on this page, follow the directions and make your donation.

Thanks for helping me meet my fundraising goal and supporting me for my walk.