Sorry for the delay... I was learning to readjust to Eastern Standard Time! ;)
Ok....Day 3! Well, Sunday was a bit chillier than the previous days and everyone was moving a LOT slower....a LOT! I arrived at camp at 5:45 to find not many tents down....interesting. Maybe everyone thought that Saturday was a bad dream and they could do it for real! No luck! A beautiful sunrise started the day... I must admit, San Diego does know how to start the day right...even the portapotties had a great view! :)
Well, Liz and I started off the morning in the front 1/3 of the pack...yes, Amy up front! Something must be wrong. :) No, everyone is still in their sleeping bags.
We made our way through a few cute little neighborhoods with cute little yards...very little yards...two passes on a lawn mower would be all it took to mow it. Then back along Mission Bay to a great cheering station with lots of early morning support. Along the water we continued to met up with this cute guy cheering near the Hilton! Yes, that is Jeff! :)
Yes, still along the water and more water and more water and over some bridges and under some freeways and finally into Old Town San Diego. Sounds pretty beign...yeah right! That's when we saw THE hill! I turned to Liz and asked if they were joking! Nope, they weren't! So the gradual slope turned into a steeper peak but about 40 people with pink pompoms and signs were enough to make you at least want to try the hill....and try we did. Ok...I stopped twice just to stretch those poor little calf muscles...they were screaming! So we conquered that hill...yes! Down, yes, down hill now through some great neighborhoods. Lunch was in a quaint park. I was amazed to see so many people in line for the medical tent. Lots of strained muscles and blisters. See, training does help! :)
So we were back on the route by noon and only 4 miles to go until Petco Park...only 4 miles...damn at that rate we could have stopped at every bar along the way and still made it! :) At least this part was ALL downhill. We snaked through sections of Mission Hills and down near Balboa Park and near the Zoo. The support along this section was INCREDIBLE. They must of known just how tired we all were by then! One final pitstop...the chair massage was tempting but I was more afraid of not being able to get back up afterward. So down, down, down the hill we continued...over the freeway and working our way through downtown. The support was still there every step. Finally, we arrived... PETCO Park! Thousands of family and friends waited outside of the stadium. That feeling of crossing the finish line and entering the tot lot section of the stadium was intense. Only walkers and crew allowed in....5,000+ people was plenty...adding family and friends would have been overload! As we entered the tot lot a line of walkers greeted us offering Hi-5s and cheers! That's the way to finish! Hugs and tears everywhere! We did it!
Closing ceremonies began with the long walk. Arm in arm 12 people wide we walked into the stadium's parking lot. Each of us knowing we had accomplished something extraordinary, something special, something that would make other people question our sanity! For 3 Days we walked together as one...for the same cause and same purpose. Intense, yes. Insane....a bit.
This event has made me realize that to do this walk again, you would have to follow the training schedule to the T! 4 days a week of walking plus crosstraining for 24 weeks. Be warned... this area is not for the faint of heart of casual trainer. This walk even made people from the San Diego area weak in the knees and even put them in the medical tent.
All things considered, it was a great experience and something that I can cross of my list plus I got to hang out with the San Jose Bike Cops. Gotta love those boys in Pink! :)
HUGS!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
San Diego 3-Day - Day 2
Ok...I am back. Rested and wide awake! ;)
Day 2~ Well, my morning started with a line...yes, line at the medical tent. There was at least 50 people in line ahead of me...no lie! But lucky me...I have the red ticket..I mean card so I get to cut to the front of the line...yeah, me, I'm in the front of the pack! ;) So now Captain Jack's first mate gave me the once over and told me to drink, drink, drink...duh! Once I took the oath never to visit them again, I was given my credientials back..YEAH!
Julie and her team were already out on the route, enjoying the great views along the way. As I set out with Liz, sweep captain from Tampa, we took in all the sites, waves, sand, cheering kids, cute joggers ;) The pit stops were great and the cheer stations were incredible. There is nothing to get you motivated to conquer another mountain like a little boy holding a sign that says "Go Walkers I love you mommy".... come on, how can you not at least try the mountain!
Well, try the mountain we shall....up the hill, up the hill, up the hill. :) Lunch was at a great park on the ocean where Saturday soccer games and rugby matches were taking place. Lots of people and support. We then passed a dog beach with lots of dogs wearing pink to show their support. :) We then turned onto Sunset CLIFFS Blvd...we should have known by the name we were in trouble. Yes, it was a cliff! Up the cliff we went, one step at a time with lots of supporters along the way. It's amazing what chocolate and smiles can do to weary feet and legs. :) At the top of the cliff....ooops Hill, I hooked up with the Diversity sweep team...supporting everyone from AA-DD! Gotta love them! ;) Thank goodness for them...they saved me from...yes, get this... Hill Street. It's great that the city of San Diego was kind enough to actually name their street as a description of the terrain! No lie the incline was at least 45 degree angle...ouch! Well, I swept to the top or at least what I thought was the top....there was more! So up Hill Street I go and then down, down, down. The views of downtown San Diego were incredible. I met with some amazing women on the downward trek from the hill. Their stories and great attitudes definitely keep you going. Plus I had the opportunity to talk some of them into crewing as well. :) GO CREW!
There was also another great pheomenon that happens on the San Diego 3-Day...the San Jose Police Department Bike Squad. 32 of San Jose's finest on mountain bikes and in pink...what is there not to love! For those unfamiliar with the geography of California...San Jose is located north...way north near Sacramento. These guys use their vacation time every year to come down here and ride along with us...with boomboxes and lots of smiles...plus they do have a calendar...which I still need to find out where I can buy one! Yes, it's hot! :)
Well, Day 2 ended with a great sunset near SeaWorld. Absolutely beautiful. The sea of blue tents was a welcome sight after a long hard day! Camp is incredible...just imagine 2,000+ tents taking over a state park! Incredible!
Ok...Day 3 to come later! HUGS! :)
Day 2~ Well, my morning started with a line...yes, line at the medical tent. There was at least 50 people in line ahead of me...no lie! But lucky me...I have the red ticket..I mean card so I get to cut to the front of the line...yeah, me, I'm in the front of the pack! ;) So now Captain Jack's first mate gave me the once over and told me to drink, drink, drink...duh! Once I took the oath never to visit them again, I was given my credientials back..YEAH!
Julie and her team were already out on the route, enjoying the great views along the way. As I set out with Liz, sweep captain from Tampa, we took in all the sites, waves, sand, cheering kids, cute joggers ;) The pit stops were great and the cheer stations were incredible. There is nothing to get you motivated to conquer another mountain like a little boy holding a sign that says "Go Walkers I love you mommy".... come on, how can you not at least try the mountain!
Well, try the mountain we shall....up the hill, up the hill, up the hill. :) Lunch was at a great park on the ocean where Saturday soccer games and rugby matches were taking place. Lots of people and support. We then passed a dog beach with lots of dogs wearing pink to show their support. :) We then turned onto Sunset CLIFFS Blvd...we should have known by the name we were in trouble. Yes, it was a cliff! Up the cliff we went, one step at a time with lots of supporters along the way. It's amazing what chocolate and smiles can do to weary feet and legs. :) At the top of the cliff....ooops Hill, I hooked up with the Diversity sweep team...supporting everyone from AA-DD! Gotta love them! ;) Thank goodness for them...they saved me from...yes, get this... Hill Street. It's great that the city of San Diego was kind enough to actually name their street as a description of the terrain! No lie the incline was at least 45 degree angle...ouch! Well, I swept to the top or at least what I thought was the top....there was more! So up Hill Street I go and then down, down, down. The views of downtown San Diego were incredible. I met with some amazing women on the downward trek from the hill. Their stories and great attitudes definitely keep you going. Plus I had the opportunity to talk some of them into crewing as well. :) GO CREW!
There was also another great pheomenon that happens on the San Diego 3-Day...the San Jose Police Department Bike Squad. 32 of San Jose's finest on mountain bikes and in pink...what is there not to love! For those unfamiliar with the geography of California...San Jose is located north...way north near Sacramento. These guys use their vacation time every year to come down here and ride along with us...with boomboxes and lots of smiles...plus they do have a calendar...which I still need to find out where I can buy one! Yes, it's hot! :)
Well, Day 2 ended with a great sunset near SeaWorld. Absolutely beautiful. The sea of blue tents was a welcome sight after a long hard day! Camp is incredible...just imagine 2,000+ tents taking over a state park! Incredible!
Ok...Day 3 to come later! HUGS! :)
Sunday, November 12, 2006
San Diego 3-Day ---- DONE!
Ok... First of all I want to apologize for not getting this posts up sooner. This 3-Day has been a definitely challenge! Challenge being the key word. First of all, Julie and I are fine and we have finished the walk basically unscathed. Not the say things didn't arise along the way.
If you are thinking of doing San Diego in 2007, one word of advice...MOVE! To San Diego! Despite all of our training walks and days of incline treadmill training and even some walks in Clermont, nothing could prepare us for what we would encounter. Even people who live in San Diego said this walk was tough!
Day one~ Getting over 5,000 participants and their family and friends into one location can be a challenge. Opening ceremonies started 30 minutes late, thus pushing everything back. Then getting everyone out on the route...which was absolutely goregous, was interesting. We started the route with a hill..surprise, surprise. We then made our way up to the Pacific Coast Highway and along the coast up to Torre Pines Reserve. Well, that's when the fun began. There was a pit stop at the bottom of the hill who should I say...mountain. Well, after some refueling we trudged up that hill. Well, I unfortunately got a touch of food poisoning on Thursday night, thus proving that even the training walk leader is subject to visits to the medical tent. By the top of the hill, my "refueling" efforts were left at the top of the hill...if you know what I am saying. ;) Thank goodness for the medical director at the top of the mountain..I mean hill. Well, that's when I got to experience the another aspect of the 3-Day...the medical tent! I was bussed to lunch where I then sent the next 2 hours with Captain Jack Sparrow...AKA the Head of Medical Services. During this time, the captain and other mates of the ship pulled my credientials and red carded me...blasted squally wags. So before my journey on the medical transport express, I touched base with Julie, being the trooper she is up those hills and more hills. She was doing ok...just some aches and pains of all those hills. So as Julie started another hill...way to go Julie, I climbed into a Chevy Impala and was chaurferred back to camp. I was welcomed at camp by a lovely staff of red shirted medical angels...or devils. They ushered me back to my own personal burrito wrapper and hooked me up to the blood pressure cuff from hell. Well, other 2 and 1/2 hours in the wrapper, they cut me loose! Thank god! There is nothing that 10 hours of sleep won't cure! Thank goodness Jeff was here to take care of me! :) Julie finished Day One with a new appreciation of bio-freeze and motrin. Way to go Julie! You ROCK! ;)
Ok...enough about Day One...and I am pooped so I am off to bed. Day 2 and 3 tomorrow! :)
If you are thinking of doing San Diego in 2007, one word of advice...MOVE! To San Diego! Despite all of our training walks and days of incline treadmill training and even some walks in Clermont, nothing could prepare us for what we would encounter. Even people who live in San Diego said this walk was tough!
Day one~ Getting over 5,000 participants and their family and friends into one location can be a challenge. Opening ceremonies started 30 minutes late, thus pushing everything back. Then getting everyone out on the route...which was absolutely goregous, was interesting. We started the route with a hill..surprise, surprise. We then made our way up to the Pacific Coast Highway and along the coast up to Torre Pines Reserve. Well, that's when the fun began. There was a pit stop at the bottom of the hill who should I say...mountain. Well, after some refueling we trudged up that hill. Well, I unfortunately got a touch of food poisoning on Thursday night, thus proving that even the training walk leader is subject to visits to the medical tent. By the top of the hill, my "refueling" efforts were left at the top of the hill...if you know what I am saying. ;) Thank goodness for the medical director at the top of the mountain..I mean hill. Well, that's when I got to experience the another aspect of the 3-Day...the medical tent! I was bussed to lunch where I then sent the next 2 hours with Captain Jack Sparrow...AKA the Head of Medical Services. During this time, the captain and other mates of the ship pulled my credientials and red carded me...blasted squally wags. So before my journey on the medical transport express, I touched base with Julie, being the trooper she is up those hills and more hills. She was doing ok...just some aches and pains of all those hills. So as Julie started another hill...way to go Julie, I climbed into a Chevy Impala and was chaurferred back to camp. I was welcomed at camp by a lovely staff of red shirted medical angels...or devils. They ushered me back to my own personal burrito wrapper and hooked me up to the blood pressure cuff from hell. Well, other 2 and 1/2 hours in the wrapper, they cut me loose! Thank god! There is nothing that 10 hours of sleep won't cure! Thank goodness Jeff was here to take care of me! :) Julie finished Day One with a new appreciation of bio-freeze and motrin. Way to go Julie! You ROCK! ;)
Ok...enough about Day One...and I am pooped so I am off to bed. Day 2 and 3 tomorrow! :)
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 8th - Disneyland
Ok, day two of our time away. Well we were wide awake way too early this morning....like 5:20am...a lovely wake up call from the East Coast! Lovely!
So there we were off to a great breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen however, Wallie and Faith had a slightly different idea of how to start the day. They stoled our camera and went on a little adventure of their own. Be on the look out for their photos to get online really soon.
Well, we finally caught up with them there were running around California Adventure and causing trouble...yes, they must be from Lakeland! :)
We went to Disneyland later in the day and did a whole bunch of fun things...Indiana Jones, new Pirates ride and the haunted Manison all decked out for the holidays...way cool.
Back to the room for a quick rest of the feet and then off to dinner at the ESPNZone.
OK...it's now time for bed.....I must sleep.
HUGS! :)
So there we were off to a great breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen however, Wallie and Faith had a slightly different idea of how to start the day. They stoled our camera and went on a little adventure of their own. Be on the look out for their photos to get online really soon.
Well, we finally caught up with them there were running around California Adventure and causing trouble...yes, they must be from Lakeland! :)
We went to Disneyland later in the day and did a whole bunch of fun things...Indiana Jones, new Pirates ride and the haunted Manison all decked out for the holidays...way cool.
Back to the room for a quick rest of the feet and then off to dinner at the ESPNZone.
OK...it's now time for bed.....I must sleep.
HUGS! :)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 7th - Orlando-Chicago-San Diego-Disneyland
Day 1 - Travel Day!
Well, our day started bright and early at 4am to get up and running to make our first flight at 6:25am to foggy Chicago. After the past few busy weeks of final preparations, the flight was a great opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. I missed the drink cart twice while I was catching some zzzz.
We landed early in Chicago to some chilly weather...it was only 48 degrees and yes, Jeff was wearing shorts! Yes, everyone was checking out those legs! :)
After a little layover, we were back on the plane and on our way to San Diego. It was much warmer weather! As we approached San Diego, we got a lovely view of all those HILLS here in San Diego. Oh boy.... :)
We then picked up our rental car and our other friendly Florida traveler, Liz (sweep vans in Tampa) and we were off to Disneyland! Yeah! After 1 1/2 hours on Interstate 5 and dealing with lots of wonderful California traffic...yes, Jeff LOVES driving in California ;)
We checked into our room and then we were off to Disneyland for some people watching and some parade watching.
OK...the time change is catching up with us so it's off to sleep!
See you all in the morning!
HUGS! :)
Well, our day started bright and early at 4am to get up and running to make our first flight at 6:25am to foggy Chicago. After the past few busy weeks of final preparations, the flight was a great opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. I missed the drink cart twice while I was catching some zzzz.
We landed early in Chicago to some chilly weather...it was only 48 degrees and yes, Jeff was wearing shorts! Yes, everyone was checking out those legs! :)
After a little layover, we were back on the plane and on our way to San Diego. It was much warmer weather! As we approached San Diego, we got a lovely view of all those HILLS here in San Diego. Oh boy.... :)
We then picked up our rental car and our other friendly Florida traveler, Liz (sweep vans in Tampa) and we were off to Disneyland! Yeah! After 1 1/2 hours on Interstate 5 and dealing with lots of wonderful California traffic...yes, Jeff LOVES driving in California ;)
We checked into our room and then we were off to Disneyland for some people watching and some parade watching.
OK...the time change is catching up with us so it's off to sleep!
See you all in the morning!
HUGS! :)
Internet issues...
ok...I have lots of fun photos from this great travel day but I am having trouble getting the pictures uploaded.....so, I'll just share what we are doing and get the photos up ASAP... :)
Friday, November 03, 2006
Last Walk of 2006 - Saturday, November 4th - 7am
Ok...it's the last official training walk of 2006... We will be walking in Clermont at Lake Minneola starting at Waterfront Park. The park is located between East Avenue and Eighth Street. There is a $2.00 parking fee.
We will be meeting at 7am. I have a 6 mile walk through the area planned.
Please RSVP if you are attending!
Thanks for a great year of training! :)
We will be meeting at 7am. I have a 6 mile walk through the area planned.
Please RSVP if you are attending!
Thanks for a great year of training! :)
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