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Entries from May 1, 2012 - May 31, 2012

Monday
May142012

"So how are you feeling about the AVON Walk?"

Last Thursday, I arranged a meeting with the Board Chair of the corporation where I work. She is a strong, smart, and engaging person who I admire very much. In our brief meeting time, I shared with her my participation in the AVON Walk, and that she was one of the reasons why I was walking (she is battling cancer, and I am praying that she will be one of the survivors). It was a special moment for both of us, and I will carry it with me on June 2-3.

Last Friday, I ate dinner at a restaurant and pub in Chicago called "The Garage". I went with my good friend Ron so we could meet the owner of the restaurant, who is another good friend who we haven't seen in over four years. That friend, Lisa, is a great person with a brilliant smile and a heart to match. Of course, being the owner meant that we only got a portion of her time because she was busy keeping the place running smoothly. But nevertheless, it was a great evening and a special treat being able to share it with Lisa and Ron. Oh, and the food was excellent as was their 100+ selection of beer.

Lisa is well acquainted with the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer. She has participated in the fundraising event for many years, and I had the privilege of supporting her. She has a passion for the cause. So it was awesome being able to hear her talk about her experiences, and to feel her support for my walking the Walk this year. Her enthusiasm and support mean a great deal to me.

Sunday was Mother's Day. And for many families, this is a day of celebration and thankfulness. A time to give flowers, candy, cards, and have special dinners. But for others, it can be a day of mixed emotions. Grief, sadness, loss, and pain can mix with memories of pleasant, more happier times. It was like that for my wife, who lost her mother to breast cancer over 20 years ago. In a private moment that afternoon, she came over to me and we hugged. And she proceeded to cry. And when she could speak, she said "You'd think after 20 years, I'd be over it."

No sweetie. I don't think that at all.

Today, one of my friends on my Disney racing team asked me the question in the Headline of this article. On any other day, I would have responded with an immediate "Feeling good! Training is going well. I am really looking forward to the experience!" And all of that would be true. But today, the question hit me differently. It made me think not about the training, the preparation, the logistics, and the challenge physically; but of the emotional and personal reasons I am engaged in it.

Those who know me will tell you that I am all about the logistics and planning and training and achievement of my goals. Am I ready for the Walk? Yes, I believe I am ready for the AVON Walk. I have two more Long Walks this weekend (8 miles on Sat before our 'Bark for the Cure' fundraiser, and 18-20 miles on Sun) and then I get to rest. Yet I know AVON is not a race. It is not timed. But for me it feels like my first Full & Half Marathon challenge (I guess it is... from a 'distance' point-of-view) -- like an untimed 'Goofy Challenge' event. Certainly, it is an endurance event that will test my ability to go 39.3 miles.

But the experiences over the past five days remind me that AVON is so much more than all of that. Completing this Walk will be very emotional for me on many different levels. Walking with my team of Pink Angels, many of whom have done this for 5+ years, will be something I cannot even imagine right now. Lisa tells me that it will be life-changing to share this with so many others who have been touched by this disease and are united in a common goal to bring an END TO IT!

I am not usually the most emotionally expressive person when it comes to public displays. I'm no Vulcan, but I tend to share my feelings in a more 'one-on-one' type of setting. But I have a feeling that won't be the case after this Walk. What I will have accomplished on June 3rd will make a difference. And I want to feel that deep satisfaction and share it with my wife, my team, and everyone else who walks the first weekend in June. I want to laugh, and smile, and cry, and reflect.

And when someone asks me on June 3rd, "So how do you feel about doing the Walk?", I want my answer to be "AWESOME and AMAZING and THANKFUL!"

Sunday
May132012

Back-to-Back Training Walks

Today was the first 'real' back-to-back set of distance walks. I need to do these to get a sense of what it will feel like when I have to do this for both the upcoming AVON Walk, as well as Disney's Goofy Race and a Half Challenge in 2013 (where I will be running, not walking).

For the past 5 weeks, I have been doing my Long Runs on Saturday mornings, followed by a 10-mile Walk on Sunday. That was still good training for me, but that was when my focus was on the Illinois 5K and Half Marathon at the end of April. Now it is May, and it is all about the walking! (except for one 10-mile race on the 26th).

When I woke up this morning, I could tell that my body was still tired from yesterday's exertions. But I had to be disciplined and get out of bed to take care of my training objective for the day. So I got up, got dressed, and headed out for my 10-mile Walk. Because my legs were tired, it was hard keeping to a 15:00/mm or better pace. So after a while, I just decided to walk at whatever pace felt sustainable, and enjoy the beautiful morning sunshine. I was comfortable (other than my hands were cold) and I had several podcasts lined up - this time it was the Once Upon a Time podcast, the WDW Radio Show, and the Alien Nation podcast.

I walked to my church and back for a total of 10.3 miles. It was funny to wave to my wife and son as they were driving to church while I was walking down McHenry Avenue on the homeward leg of my route. When I got home, I had to immediately jump in the car and drive 'back' to the church to pick up my son who, by then, had just finished serving at the 8AM service. Okay, so getting in the car right after the walk was not the best of ideas. Getting out of that car was not pleasant as my legs had stiffened during the trip. Foam Roller to the rescue (right after I finish this post, in fact).

That makes 25.3 miles for the week (I only hit the pavement on Saturday and today this week so I could rest my left hip). Not too bad as mileage goes. Next week will be fun -- I plan on an 8-mile Walk on Saturday, followed by a 20-mile Walk on Sunday (plus a couple of 'runs' during the week). That next 'back-to-back' will be the last test to see if I am ready for the AVON Walk. I am confident that I am. After that, it is taper time!

Now with the walk 'in the books', I can focus the rest of the day on celebrating Mother's Day with my wife and family.