Training by the Numbers

January 36.7 miles
February 30.5 miles
March 22.1 miles
April 31.1 miles
May 33.5 miles
June 48.0 miles
July 54.5 miles
August 99.6 miles and there is still one day left, so you know I'm doing something tomorrow!


It all adds up to 356 miles so far in preparation - today we did our first 15 mile walk, and our legs felt tons heavier those last three miles. We felt we did well since we did 15 miles in 4.5 hours with one break to eat yogurt and one additional potty stop. We tend to stay at 3.5 miles per hour which will be a great pace for the 3Day. The worst today was the sun, it was almost 90 when I got in the car at 11:30 a.m. to head home. We are looking forward to a little bit cooler temps in September.

Personal Postscript: Kate and Ky just hopped in the car...the fastest August on record this year. Sad Mama here.

Whirlwind Catching Up to Do

The weekend Mana arrived we headed up to Ellijay...the birthday started when we returned...

First, brave Kyla walking the metal grid steps up Amicalola Falls. She did the first 175 steps and we decided it was too hard on the girl so Kate and Mana took turns with her so each of us could go up the additional 425 steps to the top. Yes, I carried Tink to the top and back down again. I know, I'm pathetic.

After we returned from Amicalola Mana started my birthday off 11 days before with a dinner out at a terrific Thai place. All the kids were there but Paul as it was a weeknight. Jen and Nick and Teresa were very brave trying new things.

Jen made my cake! Since Nick had vacation the kids decided to do my actual celebration on the Sunday before, and did they ever treat me. A feast of crabcakes, homemade pasta, delicious marinated portabellos, grilled chicken, spinach stuffed mushrooms, and homemade chocolate cake! And roses! And a new faucet! And all kinds of other goodies (See Tink in her Flyers collar from my sister, Krisie, on the right)! My kids outdid themselves! And then the shoes and flowers arrived...and lots of cards - my Goddaughter Beth sent her card to work! What a great surprise, Bethie!

Thank you all so much for the best birthday ever...my kids then took me out on my birthday eve (sushi and hibachi with Kate, Nick, and Teresa) and then a great surprise by Jenny on my birthday - a trip to Houston's and my friend, Patty, was there to surprise me. Nick had to work so that was Jen and Paul, Kate, Patty, and I. Sorry so wordy here but then I got phone calls...from friends and family and singing with the piano from the Fitz's and singing with lots of cha cha chas from Zach and David.

I am a blessed daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, friend, niece, Goddaughter, and Godmother.

As to the training - it is going fantastic. I have my two new sets of Brooks sneakers - one set is a Christmas gift from my kids. The pair I trained with up to now was a gift from Gene. We had terrific rain this week so I missed out on one planned walk, but the dogs and I did 4.5 tonight. Work is closing early tomorrow so Ky, Tink and I are going to climb Kennesaw twice for 6 miles. On Saturday Karyn and I will do 15, and probably at least another 7 on Monday.

I have another $325 I am mailing off to the 3Day tomorrow. If you haven't made the decision to walk with me yet through your donation, well, now is the time!

WHEW!

I am having such fun spending time with all my kids and doggies...this is the best August ever, but it will probably be September before I get all the pictures here.

Amicalola Falls and Ellijay were beauteous and over 650 steps! Crazy.

Kate, Ky, Tink, and I did Kennesaw Mountain this morning. Running about is the order of the afternoon. Tomorrow is another family day since Nick is on vacation. Yay! I promise, pictures are coming!

Sorry so short...

Ellijay, Georgia

Here's Kate, Ky, Tink, and I after this morning's walk. Karyn and I did seven starting at seven a.m., then Kate, Ky and Tink and I did three more. It's impossible that Katie is here seven days! They have flown by! Today Mana arrives and after lunch with our Anniversary couple, Jen and Paul, we head up to a cabin in Ellijay, whose name comes from the Native American, probably Cherokee, meaning "earth green there" for two nights.

I am looking forward to hiking up there, we will be just a bit away from Amicalola Falls, where the Appalachian Trail starts. THE BEST HIKING!

Walking: I didn't get as much mileage this week as I hoped - too much fun at my house - but after Kate leaves I'm heading up to 15/12 weekends in mileage. So, that is my next goal.

Fundraising: I have gotten some fabulous notes from my donors - you know who you are. I want you to know I'm going to be keeping them forever. It lifts me to know you are all walking with me. I have the most amazing family and family of friends. Truly blessed.

Fundraising Part B (aka the part I hate): I am not quite half way there, so if you are surfing blogs and you've happened upon this one, and you know or love someone with boobies - please click on that widget there on the sidebar and walk with me through your donation. And then come back and visit here. You will be a part of my walk. Thank you in advance!

Pictures - Happy Anniversary, Jenny and Paul

Here's my new Grand-dog, Jameson. Nick and Teresa adopted him from an older lady who could no longer keep him. He's adorable and so well behaved!

The picture on the right is our dinner table after Nick and Paul's latest cooking contest - meatballs! I felt they were both winners - Paul's had sausage in it and his sauce was deeper and denser with sundried tomatoes. Nick's meatballs were all beef and his sauce was lighter - onions and bits of tomatoes throughout. Next will be a collaboration while Kate is here - chicken and fish. Yum!

Speaking of Katie - I made my Gram's Dobosh recipe to celebrate her birthday. I think it was a winner - Paul licked his plate! We put it back in the freezer so we can share some with Mana when he arrives Saturday.



Jen and Paul celebrate their first anniversary today. I know a Mom up in heaven who is just as happy they found one another as the Mom here on earth. They are truly a wonderful couple.