My first Long Training Walk for AVON

It was a cool day today. It was 53 degrees when I started my walk so I wore running pants, gloves, and the fleece shirt I got from the Polar Dash Half Marathon back in January. I was warm and my new Brooks PureCadence shoes felt comfy. I started at a good 15:00/mm pace, listening to my favorite running music playlist. I decided to walk a modified version of the route I ran yesterday.

With this walk, I wanted to determine two things. First, I needed to get in a Long Walk to see how my legs would do in a substantial distance and time under foot. Up until now, my longest walk has been 4.55 miles. Second, I wanted to see how the legs would feel after having run 10 miles the day before (and a 1.10 mile run this morning). Never having run long distances on consecutive days before, this would be a good thing to experience.

The good news is, everything felt fine. My legs didn't really feel fatigued during the Walk, so I guess the previous day's run was not enough to make my legs tired enough to affect things today. I suppose that is an indication of the positive results of my training up to this point. Or maybe I was just lucky. Either way, the Walk felt good. My only issue was that the temp dropped quite a bit so by the time I was done, my hands were pretty cold (even through the gloves).

I walked for 9 miles at a 15:23/mm pace (2:18:36 hours). Not a bad first time out. Between now and the end of May, I will be increasing my walk distances to 20 miles, and continuing to plan consecutive runs and walks so that I get used to what it feels like (before I have to walk the "real thing" on June 2-3 when I walk 39.3 miles over two days).

So this week ends with a total of 34 miles of combined running and walking. The most miles I have accumulated in a single week! W00t!!

Help me "Fight the Fight" against Breast Cancer!

Last fall, I ran a 10K to support Breast Cancer research. The race was great, made even better because I was running for a cause, something that meant a lot to me. I have experienced first-hand how cancer kills. I have both witnessed and experienced the pain it leaves in its wake. I have also seen the spiritual renewal and joy of its survivors.

After that 10K race, I committed to participating in the 2012 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to be held on June 2-3. It's a big commitment, one that will require me to spend many months training and fundraising. But breast cancer is a big disease, one that still affects far too many people, and I'm determined to do everything I can to help put an end to it.

My Fundraising Goal: $1,800.00Breast cancer is something very real in the life of my family. We have many friends who are survivors and we are thankful. But we have others who fought hard but not been as fortunate. Many women -- going back generations -- in my wife's family have died from this disease, including my mother-in-law Barbara. We have learned that this runs in families, that there is a genetic component to this. So it is a fear that my wife and I live with. And we pray that someday, there will be a cure. We are still praying.

The money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures. I will be just one of thousands of people that will walk a marathon and a half (39.3 Miles) over a weekend, raising awareness of the cause and educating even more people.

I can't do it without your help. Though I'm required to raise at least $1,800 in donation, I plan to raise much more! I hope that I can count on your support.

You can make a donation to my fundraising campaign right here on the website by clicking on the "SUPPORT ME" button above on the Navigation Bar. If you prefer to write a check, just contact me and I'll send you the information and form. It is easy, and it WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Albeit a two-day 'walk', this is indeed a "race". A race to put an end to this disease that claims so many men and women every year. This is an event that goes beyond medals and personal accomplishment. This is a larger journey with a destination that would help heal an ailing world. I am proud to walk in remembrance of Barbara and in solidarity with all who are "IN IT TO WIN IT".

As I prepare for this exciting event, I plan to post about my progress and various fundraising events that my team, The Pink Ribbon Angels. If you live in the Chicagoland area, perhaps you can participate and further support this important cause. We have two special events coming up in May:

• Thursday, May 10, 2012
  Pink Ribbon Dinner at La Petite Creperie, Woodstock, IL
• Saturday, May 19, 2012
  Bark for a Cure Dog Walk at Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry, IL

Thank you in advance!