Slacking!

I haven't walked in um...well...a few days now. Like um...well...five or so.

My left knee had started hurting all the time. Especially after I'd been sitting for a while. I couldn't decide if it was switching to sandal weather that caused it or all the walking. It's finally stopped, so that's a good result of my slacking at least!

I think the real reason I haven't been walking is I'm just taking it easy before the official AZ training schedule starts in a few very short weeks.

Mmm-hmm. Yeah, that's why!

Oops!

I'm still so embarrassed! The other night when I went with my mom to vote, a woman was seated beside some people I know really well. We greeted them, and my mom was all "Oh hiiiii, how on earth are you?" to the woman beside them. And I recognized her right away.

Or at least I thought I did.

I grinned really big and said, "HEY! Thank you for your donation!"

She was saying, "Hey, I haven't seen you in sooooo long!" at the same time. But she sort of froze and looked confused by my donation comment.

I was still beaming and almost said, "Huh? I just saw you at at the grocery store a few weeks ago." But I kind of froze, too.

When we walked on in to vote, I asked my mom, "Wait a sec...who was that?"

My mom told me it was our old neighbor! I hadn't seen her in years. I had thought it was a friend from church who had donated recently to my walk! The only good thing is, my mom could see the resemblance and why I had confused them.

So I thanked someone for a donation who I hadn't even asked for a donation! I'm seeing donors where there aren't any! I may be a bit obsessed. Or is it possessed?

You know, after I voted, I should have gone back out and asked her for a donation since I'd already thanked her for one!

Six Miles and Miles of Memories!

I think I experienced a miracle on Saturday. I walked six miles with absolutely no breaks. Six entire miles without stopping!

I'm pretty sure this is the first time in my life I've ever walked six miles without stopping! And I know it's the first time while training for the 3-Day that I walked six miles without my sugar crashing, my feet exploding with hot spots or me having to dash off for a potty break!

Yesterday, I set out determined to do four miles, but yowza! It was 90 degrees! The first truly humid walking day of the year. So I managed two. As I sweated buckets and fought off the urge to toss my cookies, I decided two miles was pretty dang good.

Then last night I heard that Frank, a wonderful friend from church, died. He was in his 80s and had been battling emphysema, but he was the kind of person that, no matter what, you kind of thought would be around forever.

I've known Frank almost as long as I can remember. He had a jolly, booming voice I hope my memory will always be able to hear. He was a kind soul and very generous. He and his wife donated huge to my walk just a few short weeks ago. It seems surreal that I won't get to tell him how the walk goes. At least not face to face.

I remember years ago after he had a heart attack, he stopped smoking and started walking. We'd often pass him walking all over town. I know--despite the fact the miles are so not as long in your car as they are on your feet--that he walked several miles a day. We'd wave, and he'd flash us a big grin and wave back.

Now I know, when I'm trudging along about to keel over on Day Two (or hey, probably on Day One), that I'll picture him walking, flashing that big grin, waving and supporting me. Like he's always done.