Still Standing (and walking)

It's hard to believe that we're now less than a month away from the 2009 Twin Cities 3-Day. I could swear that just a couple of weeks ago, there was still 90+ days to go. I guess it's true that the older you get, the faster time goes by.

In fact, it goes by so fast, that I'm just now sitting down to report that last weekend, my Angel Wings teammates and I put in nearly 40 miles of training - over just two days! We had been planning to do back-to-back 20-mile training walks and we actually did it. (Ok, our team captain/slave driver thought it was a good idea and the rest of us weren't smart enough to tell her she was nuts.) I had never done that in five previous years of training for the 3-Day, so I wasn't entirely sure I needed to do it or wanted to do it, but I really didn't have anything else to do, so what the heck.

Fortunately, the weather was good, if not great, and my feet and legs (and other body parts) held up just fine. Saturday was mostly cloudy and breezy and cool, perfect for walking. We walked around Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis - twice around each lake. I definitely want to thank Selina, Lori, Teresa, Katy, and Jolie (our honorary teammate for the day) for all the wonderful conversation and laughter. Granted, most of it can't be repeated in order to protect their reputations, but as all of us who spend so much time walking all summer know so well, the stories and jokes and banter are what make hours of tedious walking so enjoyable. That and the eye candy we see jogging, rollerblading, and biking around the lakes. God, I love Minnesota. :-)

At the end of our day - which started around 7:15 and ended nearly eight hours later - I was indeed tired, but had no significant aches or pains. Even after several years of doing this and knowing what shoes to wear and how to stretch and take rest breaks and all that stuff, I'm still amazed (and thankful) that I'm able to walk that much without getting blisters or other injuries. I have to remember that not all 3-Day walkers are that fortunate, which makes their effort so much more admirable...or insane - I haven't decided which.

Sunday was (finally) a gorgeous, sunny summer day - clear blue sky, temps starting in the 60s and rising through the 70s to near 80 during the afternoon. It seems like we haven't had enough of those days here in Minnesota this summer. Our group walked through a large portion of suburban Inver Grove Heights and even managed to include a few "gently rolling hills", of the type that have become somewhat notorious in recent years on the Twin Cities 3-Day. Yes, we stopped plenty of times for rest(room) breaks and to stretch and refill water bottles. And we (almost) always walked on the left side of the street, when we weren't on a sidewalk or walking/biking path. I wouldn't the 3-Day Training Police to chastise us veteran walkers for not obeying the rules designed for our own well-being.

I'd write more about what we talked about during our second consecutive 8-hour day of walking, but I simply don't remember much, if any of it. No, it isn't because everything my wonderful teammates said was mind-numbingly boring. It's more likely due to the combination of short-term memory loss and early Alzheimer's, which I self-diagnosed several years ago. Considering what 3-Day walkers talk about on training walks, maybe that's a good thing.

After a combined 40 miles of walking, I spent a relaxing evening on the couch - butt down, feet up, as I like to say - followed by a relaxing day off from work on Monday. (I felt it necessary to not only simulate two actual days of walking on the 3-Day, but to also simulate what the "day after" would be like, as well, when I take my traditional day of vacation to relax and recover.) Yes, my simulated vacation also went well. So I do believe I'm ready and rarin' to go for the big event.

We're in the homestretch now, my friends...Stay with me!


Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 28 days until Day 1 (only four weeks left!!!)

2009 Twin Cities Route Info

Every year, we walkers speculate on where the route will be - what part of the Twin Cities will be walking, where we'll be camping, where our friends and families can see us. I know my supporters ask me "So what's your route?" And I can't tell them much, since, until last year, "they" don't tell us anything, other than the locations of the opening and closing ceremonies and the designated cheering stations, the latter of which aren't publicized until a couple weeks before the event. There definitely hasn't been a great deal of information provided this far in advance of the big weekend.

But this year, I'm able to pass along the following, which is available on the 3-Day website at http://www.the3day.org/. I especially want to share this with first-time walker, Barb T., who posted a comment here a couple of weeks ago, asking about the route. Barb, you're in for a real treat and one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Here's the latest "offical" scoop:

Opening Ceremony - Friday, August 21: Southdale Shopping Center in Edina (no, the mall is NOT open at 6:00 AM!)

Day 1: We'll be walking through the suburban Edina neighborhoods, around the Minneapolis chain of lakes, past the Sculpture Gardens, and the University of Minnesota. We'll finish the day walking along Summitt Avenue in St. Paul, home to the city's historic mansions. Our campsite is still a secret...(at least that's what I have to tell you)

Day 2: According to the website, we'll make our way "through the smaller communities in the area as we take in the hidden gems the Twin Cities have to offer." I don't know what that means. But I know we'll be on "great trails and pathways" as we make our way back to camp. At least they're not telling us we'll be on "gently rolling hills". (All you past participants know what I'm talking about!)

Day 3: More trail systems, magnificent views, and wonderful parkland, as the route brings us into downtown St. Paul for the emotional closing ceremony at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Closing Ceremony - Sunday August 23: The State Capitol grounds, a fabulous location, once referred to by one of the 3-Day organizers so perfectly as "Minnesota's front porch".

So it looks like we will once again have a route that will be considered one of the most scenic in all of the cities where the 3-Day is held. I'll be sure to share more as it becomes available.

The Heat Is On

Ok, well it hasn't really been that hot and steamy here in Minneapolis this summer - and that's a GREAT thing for all of us who are preparing for the Twin Cities 3-Day. But Day 1 is rapidly approaching; our training is becoming more intense, we're getting our gear and supplies in order (well, some of us are - me notwithstanding), and we're putting a bit more pressure on our potential donors to bring in those much-needed funds. A personal reminder to those who haven't made their donation on my behalf: I know where you live. ;-)

Since I haven't posted here in a while, here's an update on my progress:

My weekend training walks are now regularly in excess of 10 miles - this past weekend consisted of 14 miles on a gorgeous Saturday at the chain of lakes in Minneapolis and 10 miles, including a few serious hills, in the quiet suburb of Inver Grove Heights this morning. I'm in good shape, physically - no aches, pains, blisters, or improperly dislocated body parts. (I have to say, though, that skipping weekend housework and yard work for an afternoon nap is a wonderful aspect of training!)

Next weekend, my teammates and I are planning back-to-back training walks of 20 miles each day. Yes, we are a little crazy, but it's good motivation to see if our bodies have a point where they would be really unhappy with this excessive walking. I've been fortunate enough to be able to walk 8-10 miles without feeling a great deal of discomfort, but I know that up in the 12- to 15-mile range, I need to pay attention to stretching, rest breaks, and continued hydration and nutrition.

My donors thus far have generously contributed nearly $1800 - THANK YOU!!! I'm confident I'll raise the rest of the required amount to reach the minimum of $2300...and more. "You" are the real heroes of the Breast Cancer 3-Day - because of you, millions of women will be diagnosed earlier, have more treatment options, and will have the long, healthy lives that they and their families so richly deserve.

Thanks for the continued support and well wishes (especially for all of this fabulous training weather). Keep those good thoughts coming. And I'll try to post updates more frequently!


Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 40 days until Day 1...can you believe it?