A Writer Afoot

Un-training log

CR considerately shared his flu with me, so I spent my Sunday in my little den down in the basement, curled up with comforter, tea, and one very happy dog, two cats, and plenty of oranges.  We watched many, many episodes of Six Feet Under, Season Four.   

HB is redesigning the look of the blog.  I really loved hers so asked her to give me one like it.   We are almost finished.  Check back soon.

Training log, week three

m training for the Avon Walk for breast cancer.   I'll be posting weekly updates on my progress.

Last week, total miles: 22

Miles this weekend:  9.5 yesterday, at the Santa Fe Trail. Perfect day for walking.  Blue sky, slight breeze, temps in the fifties. (Cyclists by the zillions, racing through the mud.  I realize I have a slight hostility about bikes on the trails and I really don't mind polite ones who ring the bell or say, "on your left!" or say anything at all, really. Only the Tour de France wanna be bad boys in their spandex, zooming by without any warning and scaring me half to death (I do, for the record, only put an earbud in one ear).  It makes me happy to see the little spray of mud on their butts.)    I listened to my favorite favorites on the Shuffle.  Sometimes, I sing, but first I look around to be sure no one is there.

Today: On the schedule for today was to start doing the second long walk, so despite a brisk and bitter wind, I bundled up and headed out.  4.5 miles.  It would have not bee that much fun except....

On the Ipod:  Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett.  Why oh why has it taken me so long to get to this book?  It's music.  It's love. It's a marvel of precise, exquisite execution.  I'm in pain, having to leave it for the next walk, but it's eleven hours of tape, so that will see me through a lot of walking. Must....be....disciplined.....

Snacks: Just a Gu yesterday, at the halfway point.  Nothing required today.

The pitch: I have committed to raising $2500 by June.  It isn't a sponsorship, but direct donations to each walker's tally.  The money goes to helping provide screening and care for women who are under- or uninsured, a cause about which I am passionate.   If you feel moved to donate, you can do so, here.

The disclaimer:  We all have things we care about and no one can give to everything, in time or money.  xoxo,
Barbara

Long walk day #2

I am training for the Avon Walk for breast cancer.   I'll be posting weekly updates on my progress.

Last week, total miles: 21

Today's walk:

Miles:  10 and a bit, at the Santa Fe Trail, which is a very long trail that runs from Wyoming to New Mexico. Very pretty. 

On the Ipod:  Exercise mix #1, which consists of some Laura Love and Mellencamp and other things for the first half.  Then switched to Letting God of God, by Julia Sweeney, which is so funny I was praying that none of the runners on the trail thought I was off my meds or something.

Snacks: Peanut butter, apple, Luna bar.

No real aches and pains, though my neck is a little stiff from carrying the heavier pack.  (It's challenging to get the clothing correct for a long walk on a February afternoon in Colorado.)

The pitch: I have committed to raising $2500 by June.  It isn't a sponsorship, but direct donations to each walker's tally.  The money goes to helping provide screening and care for women who are under- or uninsured, a cause about which I am passionate.   If you feel moved to donate, you can do so, here.

A Writer Afoot....for the cure

I've been trying to figure out all week how to set up a little icon for this, but programing is not my strong point, so let me just make my announcement:

I'm walking in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk this year.  It is 39 miles--26 on Saturday, and 13 on Sunday.  I wouldn't be nervous about the first half, since I've walked that far in the past, but the second day is a teeny bit daunting. 

Still.  Walking is what I can do, and I've wanted to participate for several years.   This year, I made the leap and sent in my registration.   Every walker must make a commitment to raise a substantial sum, and that's why I'm announcing it here.  I hope some of you will be game to donate, and maybe together we can raise a really juicy sum, in the name of our friends and siblings and relatives, and most especially, our daughters, granddaughters and all the others in the future who WON'T get this disease if we can figure out a way to get rid of it forever.

Once a week or so, I'll post a note about my progress and the sum we've raised together.   I will be offering some prizes (yet to be decided).  Perhaps you work in an office or have a book group and can take up a one-time collection and I can send a set of autographed books to you to distribute.

I also know that it isn't always possible to donate anything, so cheerleading will be much appreciated, too.

There are walks in many cities around the country.   For more information, go to Avon Walk.

To make a donation to my walk click here

Questions?

PS  If anyone can help me figure out how to make an icon with a link to the donation site, I would be very grateful.