Kick-Off!

So Sunday was the 16-Week 3Day Kick-off event. Can you believe it is only 4 months away? I can't. Last year I didn't do this event, but this year Trace and I decided it would be a good way to walk together. Sometimes Framingham and Amesbury seem on opposite ends of the universe.

We met at New Balance in Burlington at 7:45AM for a 3 mile training walk. There were probably about 25-30 other people there. It was the first time Tracy and I were able to walk together. When you do something like this you get kind of nervous--what if she is a really fast walker? what if she is really slow? what if she babbles on about nothing? Knowing Tracy I figured we would have good conversation. Although we are best friends, we really don't get to talk too much. When we do talk, it is on the phone, and we are usually talking about something school related. It was the speed I was unsure of. Well, we started out and we both felt great. I got to hear about the kids, and we didn't huff and puff too much on the hills. I almost think this training walk had more hills than the entire 3Day last year. I feel that we made a great pair. Our speed was very comparable, and we got to catch up about our families.

After the first walk there was a shoe fitting clinic and New Balance was open just for us. We both bought the cutest t-shirt. We'll be sure to post a photo when we wear them. The initial plan was to look for sneakers. One of Tracy's feet has been bothering her a bit, but of course we saw an adorable pair of sandals. Who knew that New Balance made something other than sneakers? Of course they were $140, so they were out for us. We didn't end up finding sneakers, so we just went to get ready for the next walk.

At around 10AM we did a second 3 mile walk. There were only a few of us who did both. We were pretty proud of ourselves. As we started out, Tracy decided she would start blogging. I warned her that she would get scolded. I knew from last year that these training walk leaders were hard-core. She's walking along thinking she's all that. Then the leader turns around. Sure enough--busted! The leader stops everyone and gives the big "safety" lecture--thanks Trace! I always knew that she was a trouble-maker.

The rest of the walk was uneventful, but we did decide that we would be getting together to walk again after the 3Day Expo, Sunday April26th. I am looking forward to it. If Tracy acts up again, I may just have to demote her as co-captain. LOL

Ta-ta for now!

The best laid plans...

Okay, so I had full intentions of going on a 7-8 mile walk this weekend with my friend Sue. (I think you can see where this is heading.) I don't feel too badly about missing it because I have been really good lately, and we still haven't reached the 16 week mark. When you do the 3Day they send you a handbook, you know, the one that I told you is emblazoned with my photograph? Well, in this handbook there are 2 training schedules--a 24 week one and a 16 week one. Last year I did the longer of the two, and I was so done with walking by the time August came. Granted, this year the walk is almost one month earlier, but I keep convincing myself that I will be fine. Last year, I was more than prepared and sailed through the 3 days with the exception of my blisters caused by the torrential downpours on the first day. This year, I will be bringing my own supply of moleskin, second skin, and powder. Other than my feet screaming, "Are you on crack?!?!" I felt really well. As you can see from my photo, I was even able to smile. This was on day 3 in Quincy. (I am with two of my teammates, Mary, on the left, and Sue on the right.) So now that I know what to expect, I have started to train a little more slowly this time. I know that I can go out and walk 10-15 miles no problem; its the other 45-50 miles that concern me. I walked 3 times last week and of course did my Wii Fit every day. Again, it is the weather. 30 degrees today! Are you kidding me? Once it consistently stays warm I anticipate being out there almost every day.

So like I said, I planned to walk 7-8 miles yesterday. The reason I didn't wasn't because of the freak snow squalls at my house, or the fact that we had an impromptu visit from two of Andy's brothers. No, Tara is completely to blame, well her husband Woody too. Tara is my sorority sister (AXO), roommate, and best friend from college. She had to go out and turn 40 on Saturday (Happy Bday, Sis!) and her husband had to throw her a rockin good time including a pimped out party bus, Chinese food, the "king pin suite" at the bowling alley, and after hours at their house! (Did I mention he also gave her a trip to Ireland?) After an evening this exciting, dancing in the kitchen til 2AM, I was hardly ready to get out of bed and shower, never mind walk 7 miles. Needless to say, my day consisted of visiting with family and napping on the couch.

So in terms of my social life, this is probably the last you will hear of it. I really don't have one. Looking at my most recent posts, one would think I am a socialite; however, those are pretty much the only 2 times I have been out in the last year. I usually spend most of my week working and driving in my car, so that when the weekend comes, I am ready to chillax, to quote my six year olds.

Thanks again to everyone who has donated. I will continue to keep you all posted. I am almost at the $2000 mark! I can train until I look like a supermodel, but I couldn't do this walk without all of you. You are the best!

Ta-ta for now!

Video Games Aren't Just for Kids

I am so excited that the weather is continually getting nicer; the only problem is that baseball is starting, and it tends to be more difficult to find time to walk between gymnastics, practices, and games. If you know anything about my family, especially the Ziomek side, you understand the importance of baseball. If your last name is Ziomek, you NO QUESTION, MUST, ABSOLUTELY, HAVE TO play baseball. My father-in-law has been the President of the Amherst Little League for over 50 years, if you can believe that! I, like the rest of my family, do love baseball, it just makes training a little more difficult, but I think I may have found a solution.

Last weekend our family went over to Sue and Cliff's house for yummy food (Sue is a great cook) and thirst quenching libations (Cliff is a great wine connoisseur). Sue and Cliff are our former neighbors, and Sue was a Tough Warrior Princess with me last year on the 3Day. Sue loves to workout, do yoga, and she is a great walking buddy. After dinner, the kids started playing Wii. We have Wii at home, but we do not have the balance board or Wii Fit (something that Zach has been saving up for). Cliff and Zach came up with the brilliant idea that Sue and I should box. That would be a sight to see! What we did do however, was play Wii Fit. Everyone was taking turns, and before you knew it, it was almost 11:00! We had so much fun! Thanks Cliff and Sue! As I said earlier, Cliff knows his wine, so when Zach caught Andy and me in a weak moment and asked, "Can we buy Wii Fit?" Both of us immediately replied, "Sure, we'll go get it in the morning."

Understanding the importance of following through on what you say (doesn't that usually just have to do with punishments?), on Sunday morning it was off to Toys R Us to find it. Luckily for us they had a few in stock. I guess it can be difficult to find. We brought it home, and surprised Zach when he got home from a birthday party. Since purchasing it my only concern has been, will the kids be able to share and take turns? Anyone with kids knows how trying this concept can be. Well, fortunately it really hasn't been an issue because Mommy wanting to use the Wii Fit trumps everyone else! I have been using it daily and I must say that I am quite the hula hooper! I never thought that using a hula hoop would be such great exercise. My butt and thighs are really feeling it. It has been great for me to get a few minutes in, here and there, while I'm cooking dinner, or before PTA. Believe me, it has not taken the place of a good 4 or 5 mile walk (which I did on Sunday). It is just being used to supplement my daily training.

Anywho, it is beautiful today, so the plan is to get out there for a few miles after school. Wish me luck!

Ta-ta for now!

More fame...

Well, I was really happy with the weather this past weekend, but since then it has all gone down hill. After coming home from work on Monday I started to feel lousy, and by the end of the night I had a 102 fever! Needless to say, no training has been going on here. I have been out of work for 2 days, but am starting to feel slightly better now.

However, I did receive some good news. It seems my "poster child" fame is ever increasing. I'm sure my teammate Tracy is going to love that! LOL See her blog for her thoughts and comments on my fame--http://tracys3day.blogspot.com/ (If you read hers you will see that she is a much more interesting and funnier person than I am.)

Anywho, my old, I mean former, college roommate, Annie, told me that my photo is in a 3Day advertisement in this month's Shape magazine. Thank goodness Annie is a fitness guru, because there would be no way that I would be getting Shape! Next time you are at the news stand or grocery store, check it out. Of course I went to the store and bought a few--you can never have enough fame, as far as I am concerned.

Not much else to report as of now. I am trying to post a slide show of pictures from last year's 3Day, but am still having some trouble. Hopefully it will be up and running soon!

Ta-Ta for now!