7 and we're over half way to Heaven...

Okay, I know that was a lame title, but you try to have something creative every week...

So, today I walked 7 miles in...drumroll please...2 hours 6 min. and 10 sec. That was a little anti-climatic since I was actually over time by 10 sec. but I don't feel bad. I would have liked to have shortened my time not lengthened it, but I'm pleased. I had several different factors today that could have attributed to my longer time. First, Sue was unable to walk with me today. So, I walked with my friend, Kara, from school who is also doing the mini. The second factor is that we walked at Taylor which is not my normal spot. The track at the wellness center is 11 laps for a mile. The track at Taylor is 8. It seemed ENORMOUS to me when we started walking. I think there were some head games going on that I had to overcome. 3rd, Kara wanted to walk my pace so she didn't really know how much to push me compared to Sue. If I slow down, Sue picks up the pace. When we were on the last mile, Kara finally said, "We're going to make up these 45 sec. and you are going to finish at an 18 min. mile....even if I have to be a butt (she didn't use that word, but I'm censoring here. :) So, we kicked it in gear and even ran the staights on the last lap. We did make up time, but were still 10 sec. over. Overall, I feel great. I did over half the race today and I feel good. I'm tired, but I could have kept walking. That's ultimately what matters. The most you walk in this training is 10 miles and I was only 3 miles from that today...pretty cool.

6 miles long...

Holy Moly! 6 miles is a long way! Today, I had myself a little psyched out. I was so overwhelmed before it ever started. I had myself convinced that 6 miles was farther than I could go. Tears were in my eyes before I ever started. Sue convinced me to do a little praying while we were stretching out and that seemed to calm me down. We took off and 1 hour 46 min. later, we were done. I wasn't overly impressed with my time. It was under, but I didn't gain any time this week. But, I finished, so I'm glad about that. I came home and went straight into the bath with the jets. As I'm typing this, I am hurting. My feet hurt, my back hurts and my hips hurt. It's weird how it's worth it. I've always wondered about people who train for big things...marathons, iron man competitions, etc. I didn't understand what could drive a person to endure pain just to complete a task. But, I have a small taste of that now. Even though it hurts, I want to see how far I can go. It's hard to imagine that today was not even half the race, but a few weeks back, I was crying about 3 miles and today I doubled that. So, I have to assume that the same will happen with 6.

Last week, I thanked all the people praying for me and while I still appreciate that soooo much, I have to thank a specific person this week. Sue has been a tremendous friend. She walks with me every week and encourages me when I think I can't go on. She does all this, just to help. She is not doing the race. There is no need for her to do these walks. She's sore too and I just want to let her know how much I appreciate her.

New Shoes and rug burn...

Well, Sat. I walked my five miles with no problems. Every week, I feel at the end of my endurance, and I can't imagine how I'll go a mile further the next week...but so far I've just kept going. This week there was very little pain. I had to walk indoors, so it was a little harder than the outside walk of last week, but not too bad. I was able to stay under the 18 min. mile which is the required pace for the race. My goal was to be under 90 min. and I finished in 88 min. 45 sec. I wasn't much under, but still under. My ultimate goal is to get down to a 16 min. mile so I can afford a bathroom break during the race. :)

2 complications:

First, my very expensive shoes that I bought specifically for the training and race, were falling apart. So, Sue and I made a trip to Indy Sat. afternoon to see what the Good Feet Store would do for me. I was very pleased when they gave me a brand new pair of shoes with no hassels.

Second, I have rug burn (I guess it's actually underwear burn) all the way around my waist. 5 miles officially put me over the distance where clothing rubbing against my skin left a mark. Ouch! I'll have to figure out a plan for next Sat's 6 mile walk!

I'm going to take you outside your comfort zone...

Let's talk about the things that take me out of my comfort zone...

15 min. on the elliptical followed by:
Stepping up on a box (approx. 1 1/2 ft off the ground) while holding 15 lb. dumbbells
Bench pressing 60 lbs.
Squats while holding 15 lb. dumbbells
jogging 3 laps
and so much more. I don't know the technical names for the rest of the exercises. There are 5 other grueling things that I don't know how to describe.

Then... repeat it all again.

Tuesday, Ryan, the trainer at the gym, ramped up my workout. When he told me he was going to take me outside my comfort zone, I thought, "Okay..that's fine. Just being here is outside my comfort zone." Boy was I wrong. I was so comfortable before and I didn't even know it! I think he's trying to kill me off. I don't know what I did to annoy him. I rarely speak to him. Tonight I asked him as I was dragging by the desk on one of my jogging laps if he was certified in CPR. With a smile, he assured me that he was. Actually, while I am so completely outside my comfort zone, I feel so incredibly strong when I finish. I'm amazing myself.

8:00 am tomorrow morning: 5 mile walk! Whoohoo! Can't wait!

2 quick things...

First: Had a wonderful time with Kenzie Jo last weekend. This was her first big adventure to Aunt Kelley's without Mommy. We had a ball. She was so sweet and well behaved. By that, I mean, she slept all night and didn't cause Aunt Kelley to lose any sleep! These pics are backward so the one above is after bathtime and ready for bed.

Kenzie is never short on smiles. She's even doing it on cue now when you get out the camera. I love it!

Awe...Kenzie loves her Aunt Kelley!

She's kind of fond of Sue too!


Okay Second thing: Marathon Training Update!
Today I walked 4 miles outside in the freezing wind! I completed my 4 miles in 68 min. which is a 17 min. mile! WHOOHOO!! I literally am amazed, but I want to say that I know a big part is the prayers I know go up for me every Sat. afternoon. I got a text from a friend just a little past half way that said, "Keep going Kel! I know you can do it! I'm praying for you right now as you walk." I was so encouraged. I want to say A huge Thanks to everyone who thinks of me on Sat. and prays for me. The prayers are definitly working. Some might not understand what a big deal this is for me, but if you could have seen what I was like in Nov. you would understand. I can't even believe how much I can do now compared to Nov. when I started this process. I couldn't walk 1 mile in 25 min. much less 4! The most amazing part, is that I felt no pain in my legs today at all. That is the first time and it felt amazing. Can't wait to do 5 next week!