Stone Mountain 15 Miles...twice

Summer is over and now its back to school, well, that's why it's been a while since my last blog post.  I went back to school the last week in July and my kids went back the first week of August.  It has been a real transition for us since Wesley started middle school and Graham began PreK.  Now things are starting to get settled and I hope to have more time to blog.

The big event is getting closer only 48 more days!!  Since my last blog post I have had two big training walks.  They were 15 mile walks around Stone Mountain.  I love walking there.  The scenery is beautiful, most of the time there's a breeze, and half of the trail is shaded.

My first 15 miler was actually suppose to be a 10 miler, but I decided to try one more lap.  The training walk was held on July 23.  We started out at 6:15am, so early.  I had to leave my house at 5:30.  It was still dark when we started walking.  During the first mile we actually saw some deers.  I was honored to walk with a survivor.  Her name was Joann.  This was her 5th 3-Day for the Cure walk.  She was walking with her friend who lives in CA that will be flying to Atlanta this October.  It was so amazing to here her story.  When she first started walking she had not had cancer, but later developed it and has continued to walk year after year. 

I am doing better with  my walking.  The first 5 miles was really easy and 10 came quickly.  So, I decided to make my 10 miler a 15 miler.  5 bottles of water, a protein bar, a pit stops, and two very tired feet got me through that day.  I learned that 15 miles is more rough than 10.  I had walked 10 many times, but there were some surprises on the last 5.  Mile 13 is the hardest for me, but I made it through.  I was so proud of myself when I finally made it back to the car.  When I got home is when I really started to feel the burn...I was a bit sore, had a rubbed spot on my arm and back, and a huge blister on my heel.  I know you want to see that picture...

I hurt for a couple of days, but healed quickly and I continued to walk, even worked at school without it bothering me.  I had never gotten a blister there before and had taken preventive measure to insure no blisters in my hot spots on my feet, well for this walk, I found a new one.  These things are great to know in preparing for the actual event.

On August 6, I attended the Event Prep Gathering.  At this event they had several stations with veteran walkers talking about everything from blisters to packing to everything that goes on during the 3-Day.  It was so much fun and I finally got to spend my gift card that I won at the last New Balance Training Walk.  I didn't win anything this time, but got some new gear and lots of good information.

I got in a sample tent that I will be sleeping in for two nights of my journey.  I am more excited about this event than ever.  New Balance is a huge sponsor for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Proceeds from the Lace Up for the Cure Collection goes toward SGK for the Cure.  I have tried to buy a lot of my items needed from NB since they are giving back to the cause.

On August 27, I attended another training walk at Stone Mountain. This one was a 15 mile training walk. Again, another bright and early start at 6:00am. I was so excited that I finally got to use my new Camelbak. I believe that it is the best thing ever!! Much more comfortable than my fanny pack and I can carry more thing and most importantly, more water!  I love attending the training walks and talking to the people who have walked before and meeting others like me who are walking for the first time.  Everyone has an amazing story to tell.  During this walk, I met a man who has done the walk since its very beginning.  He walks for his wife.  He gave me lots of good advice and said if I need help to let him know.  He said he would be easy to find that he would be the oldest man walking.

I was better prepared for this walk than the last one.  I did a great job preparing my feet.  I used my mole skin and body glide.  I decided to try out my second pair of shoes for this walk.  I have been alternating my New Balance shoes and had not walked a 15 mile walk in my second pair.  I am glad I did this and not so glad I did this, you'll see why later.  Once again, we saw deer on the trail and it was a beautiful day.  The first 5-10 miles were great!  I have learned that if I stop and stretch every 3 to 5 miles, it make the journey a bit easier.  The only thing that felt wrong was my shoes.  I had never had problems with them before, but I had never gone 15 miles in them either.  I felt like my feet were sliding around.  After the 10 miles, I just knew I was going to be covered in blisters.  Mile 13 came and it was difficult due to the shoes, but I continued on and finished.  No, pushing it for another lap this time, my feet were toast!!  I got to the car and quickly changed into my wonderful Nike (yes, I know a different brand, but oh so comfortable) Flip Flops.  To my surprise my feet were blister free, even with all the sliding.  The Body Glide saved the day.  I was so happy!!

I left and went home with an accomplished feeling.  However, an hour after I got home, I started having a pain in my knee.  Thursday, before the walk I had done a leg workout with my personal trainer.  I rested on Friday, and walked Saturday.  I'm not sure if that had anything to do with my knee pain or if it was the shoes.  Late Saturday, it hurt to walk so I iced it and elevated it. I took some medicine and went to bed.  I was unable to do a training walk on Sunday, and continued to rest it.  Monday, it was better.  I have still had some pain in it off and on throughout this week and I'm praying than it will go away soon.

I am still very excited about this event!  I have already checked in online and can't wait till October.  I have many more training miles to continue to prepare and I'm learning more and more every day.

 He who limps is still walking.  ~ Joan Rivers