We've had a lot of storms here, too, but so far my power has only gone out for a few minutes at a time, thank goodness.

The "campsite" is temporary and right in the city of Cleveland. I can't quite visualize the whole thing. And it gets even worse, at least from my perspective--I have to be there at 4:30AM the first day!!! Are you kidding me? So I got a hotel room for the night before, which is costing me almost $200, even at the "special discount rate" for walk participants. And I can leave my car in the hotel parking lot for the whole weekend, for a mere $20 a night. Oh, and no breakfast is served at the event on the first morning, and I've been instructed to eat a hearty breakfast before arriving. Just where am I supposed to find a hearty breakfast prior to 4:30AM? ACK. But I'm sure you're right that my "roomie" is likely to be pretty cool. I'm trying to look forward to the idea of meeting new people and maybe even making some new friends.


Probably not. But I still want to lose at least part of what I gained, because some of my clothes are a little snug.

She sounds like a real charmer! I'm sure you were regretting bringing up the topic of Michael's history major! She sounds completely clueless about the job market and the role of education. She must not have had very good advising, to say the least.



No, I haven't, because every time I've been called, I've been excused on the grounds of my teaching schedule. I had to fill out a questionnaire, including a question about whether or not I've ever been party to a lawsuit. I have--I was the defendant in a personal injury suit that I firmly believe was completely fraudulent, which pretty much soured me forever on the so-called "justice" system, so I am hoping that I will be disqualified!





I know of several people who have had really good results from tummy tucks, although they are all considerably younger than I am. I will definitely think about it, and I'll probably at least go for the initial consultation/evaluation, but I think it is unlikely that I would opt to put myself through all of that. The first thing I need to find out is whether my insurance company would pay if complications occurred and additional treatment was needed (I know they would not pay for the tummy tuck itself).



Not your fault!
SLIGHTLY frantic? You're a lot calmer than I would be!


I decided to try the 3-Day walk today, tomorrow, and Sunday to see if I can do it. So today I walked 23 miles (the distance I have to walk on the first day of the actual walk). Because the weather was iffy and I wanted to be close to shelter in case of a storm, I decided just to walk laps around the outside of the local mall. The security guy kept watching me, undoubtedly wondering why I was walking around and around for 8 hours! But I did it with minimal pain and without getting winded. It will be interesting to see what I feel like tomorrow!

As Jane said, I don't mind the darkness, the no internet or tv, even the hassle of food. But no ac in 100-degree weather is just a pain.



Okay, I know this probably isn't your thing, but:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/34466

She looks to be a woman our age, teaches at a Catholic school, Kent State grad, owns a duplex and rents out the upstairs apartment for $85 a night, no minimum stay. Full kitchen, so you could bring your breakfast items with you. She has 22 reviews, all positive, and from reading them it sounds like she totally goes the extra mile for her guests so you might even find her offering to drop you at the race and let you park at her place for the duration. I didn't know what night you needed it for -- Aug 2? -- but it looks to be available then. If you decide you want to do this, she'll likely want to see some sort of profile so fill yours out with pic, connect to your fb account if you have one, and request a reference from me before you book, and consider contacting her before booking to explain that you're brand new to airbnb, blah blah blah about why you're looking to rent from her, Komen race, etc., to give her a chance to feel okay about you since she's a woman living alone in the city.

I'd have a difficult time with the idea of a sleeping next to a stranger in a 2-person tent, too. Do you still have time to find someone to do the 3-day with you?




Yeah, that's not a good feeling!



That was my thought! I mean, I would have thought graduate classes in any liberal arts field would be mostly filled with people who intended to get a PhD and trust fund babies and not much else!





Here, it worked like this: I showed up Monday morning. They assigned me to a group. Everyone in that group had to sit around all day Monday, then after that we had to call in each afternoon to see if our group was needed the next day. If it wasn't, we were off for the day. If it was, we went in and sat around all day until they released us, usually about 2:00. We got called to form one jury on Tuesday of the second week. Seating the jury took several hours and we were supposed to pay nominal attention, so that was the only time I couldn't just work or read to pass the time. But I was at the back of the pack and the jury was seated before they got to me. It actually sounded like an interesting case, and there was some funny stuff as the occasional reluctant juror tried to get out of jury duty for silly reasons and failed. After that, they released us completely and I didn't need to go in the rest of the two weeks. I took my laptop with me every day and actually got more done than usual because I couldn't procrastinate work by deciding to go do some weeding or laundry or whatever, and we were allowed to check ourselves out for lunch for an hour so I got to have lunch with my husband several days.

Yes, I'll be interested too! What kind of minimal pain were you having?

We're off to take Jane back to camp today, will be back tomorrow very late. Not sure I'm going to bother taking my laptop as I won't have much time to use it, so if you don't hear from me before Monday, don't worry!

Val

That's putting it mildly! I don't know how we ever survived with no AC in the house or car! Of course, that was before global warming.....



Thanks for investigating that for me. I'm not opposed to the idea and will check it out, although in this instance it seems like a good idea to stay at the hotel associated with the event so that I am close to the starting site and have access to the shuttle that will take me right where I need to go.

No. Actually, the day I signed up was the very last possible day for doing so. The email I got telling me that it was my last chance to sign up was what pushed me into a decision, after hemming and hawing about it for months.




YOU clearly know how it works!!





OH! Well, THAT I could handle, and I'd have time to do plenty of schoolwork while waiting around, too! Sounds perfect. My number is 14, so I'm guessing I probably will end up on an actual jury of some kind. In a way, I hope I do, as I have always thought it would be an interesting experience to be a juror, and the perfect venue for observing group dynamics and influence tactics.
Yesterday, during the last few miles my legs, hips, and lower back were aching a little, but nothing major. I expected to hurt a lot more when I woke up this morning but actually felt reasonably good. And I slept HARD. Today I walked 22 miles and once again was getting a little sore near the end. I just took a hot bubble bath (the first bath I have had in at least 30 years, because I was always so concerned that I wouldn't be able to get myself out of the tub--YAY!!) and feel a lot better. I'm going to go to bed now, since I have to get up early for church. Tomorrow I will walk 16 miles, which will complete my dry run for the actual walk. I'm pretty confident at this point that I can do it!

OK, have a safe trip, and check in when you get back!

I weighed myself this morning after not doing it for a few days and was down 1.2 since my last weigh-in. YAY!

SUNDAY: Down another 1.2 this morning. I did walk 16 miles today, but this time I was really hurting, especially in the last five miles or so. By the end I was barely picking up my feet and walking at a geriatric pace. But after taking a hot bubble bath, I already feel much improved. I'll see how I feel in the morning. I felt fine this morning, amazingly. I have an appointment for a deep-tissue massage in the morning. I also have a personal training session, although I suspect I won't be able to do much with this poor boo-boo body! Anyway, now I know two things: 1) I am capable of walking 60 miles in 3 days, and 2) it's really HARD!

I think so too! I was actually hoping I'd get on the jury for the case we were called in for selection for.


YAY! I should say so!





I'm surprised the third day was so much harder! I wouldn't have expected that. But yep, you can obviously do it! I wonder how your performance will compare to others doing the actual walk!

Got up sick this morning. John is, too, so I guess it must be some bug. Got dressed for class but just couldn't make it, and I'm glad I didn't. I was feeling dizzy and nauseated just sitting in front of the tv drinking coffee. Giving myself credit for at least getting up and dressed. Weighed (.4 under goal). Ate semi-reasonably yesterday (was at a party and mostly ate veggies without dip, ate only the salads and veggies for the meal, skipped the pulled pork sandwiches and the desserts, had three glasses of wine.

Hope your day was a good one!

I just wish the timing was different. But I guess there really is no "perfect" time for it.








The third day was three times as hard as the other days put together! I am VERY curious how I will compare to the other walkers. I'm especially curious about how many people will actually be able to complete the entire walk. There are "sweep" vans that drive around to pick up stragglers and take them to the next check point if they start to get behind, so there are multiple opportunities to miss part of the walk and yet still finish with everyone else.

So sorry to hear you and John are not feeling well. It's a good thing that you didn't try to go to your class. YAY for reasonable eating at a party.

My weight was down .2 yesterday and up .8 today. I had a personal training session yesterday and another one today (ACK). Neither was my most ambitious ever, but I was still impressed with myself just for being able to exercise at all after all that walking! I did have a deep-tissue massage yesterday, which definitely helped. I made an appointment for another massage the day before the walk begins (at the suggestion of the masseuse) AND for the evening following the walk.

Hope you are feeling better!

WEDNESDAY: Weight was down .8 this morning. Spent the day doing errands in preparation for leaving tomorrow for the Longaberger Bee in Columbus. I am not going to take my computer with me so will not be able to check in again until Sunday. I hope you are feeling better! Take care.

Oh, that's a nice way to run it!



I'm impressed you could get in two training sessions after all that walking, too! Great idea about the massages!



Oh, it's the Bee again already! Hope you're having a great time!

Report: weighed (1.4 under goal), made striped bass and grilled zucchini last night, delicious! Michael actually liked the zucchini better than the fish! Went to my class and it was an upper-body heavy workout -- today my arms are really sore.

I guess I won't see you until Sunday!

FRIDAY: went to class, didn't weigh.

SATURDAY: weighed (no change)

SUNDAY: did nada!

MONDAY: weighed (.6 under goal), went to class even though I could NOT wake up this morning. Hope you had fun at the Bee!

I'm pretty amazed at my strength and endurance these days! And my legs and butt are as solid as rocks!





We definitely had a good time. Each Bee is significantly smaller and less extravagant than the previous one, though, which is a sign that Longaberger is really feeling the recession . But there was one very exciting announcement: the company is going to work over the next few years at being able to say that every product is 100% made in the US.

All good news! Your bass and zucchini dinner sounds absolutely delicious. YAY you for being well under goal and going to your class.



YAY for going to class even though you definitely didn't feel like going!

I haven't weighed since before the Bee but ate reasonably. We didn't get as much exercise there as usual, because instead of having a choice of hotels, everyone was in the same hotel, which was part of the same complex where the Bee was. So we didn't need to walk much. I did make it a point to take the stairs every time, though, instead of the escalators that were available.

Yesterday I walked 12 miles and went to the gym for an hour as well. Tomorrow I am going to walk at least that far and also have a training session. I probably will take it easy on Wednesday, and on Thursday will have a massage in preparation for the walk. I'm feeling pretty confident of my ability to do the walk but very nervous about the logistics of it all. Possible rain is in the forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, as well as temperatures in the 90s (although of course the forecast could change a dozen times between now and then).

Hope things are continuing to go well with you!

I would imagine products like Longaberger's really take a hit in a down economy. Kind of the opposite of something like toothpaste! Did many of your Longaberger friends make it to this one?

And then Thursday night you go to the hotel in Cleveland, is that right? I wonder if the hotel is planning to offer breakfast early for the Komen people, since there'll no doubt be others staying over? Your plan sounds like a really thoughtful one! Is that what your trainer has been recommending for your preparation -- long walks in the weeks/days ahead, then a short rest right before? Hope the rain holds off for you!

Report: weighed (gaah, up to just under goal, must have a low day as we're headed off to camp Saturday and I usually manage to gain a little at camp even though the food is terrible), didn't go to class because I was up so late that I decided not to set my alarm.

Longaberger is definitely not one of the necessities of life, LOL!! The attendance at this Bee was the poorest ever, and many of the people I know weren't there.

I've been following the advice of the training program supplied by the Komen Foundation as well as the advice of my own trainer. Both recommended a rest the day before the walk. I hope you are right about breakfast at the hotel AND about the rain! The weather forecast just keeps getting worse as the weekend gets closer.

I weighed yesterday (up 1.2 compared to the day before I left for the Bee) and today (down .8). I'm getting very very nervous about the walk itself and especially the logistics of it all, particularly the overnights. But I am going to feel such a sense of accomplishment when it is all done!

Hope you managed a low day like you plan and that camp won't have too much of an impact on your weight! Sounds like we will have a lot to catch up on when I finally can get back on here. I may get home too late on Sunday night to post, and I may have to go to jury duty on Monday, but I should definitely be able to check in on Monday night. In the meantime, wish me luck and strength!!

Oh, that's too bad!



And I guess your own experiment supported that idea, too, since the walks you did got more difficult as they built on each other. [quote[ I hope you are right about breakfast at the hotel AND about the rain! The weather forecast just keeps getting worse as the weekend gets closer.[/quote] Ugh! And off we go to camp Saturday morning, too. Hate it when it rains during camp.

I bet! And with the sweeper vans it sounds like they're prepared.



Good luck and good strength! I hope you have great weather, a great tentmate, and a great time!

FRIDAY: Bleah, still just under goal. Didn't go to class this morning. I can't believe I'm thinking, "I can't wait until this summer's over and I can just get back into my rut," because of course it means both kids will be gone. Hope things are going well for you at the walk today!

My training program must have been on target, because I did great! I hope you got the long email I sent to all of my donors, with a recap of the events of the weekend. The 3-Day was definitely a peak experience!

I hope you had a lot less rain than I did. And if not, I hope you at least danced in the rain!

I was incredibly impressed by the organization of the whole event. The logistics were mind-boggling. The Komen Foundation must be a well-oiled machine.



Well, I guess two out of three ain't too shabby!!

I understand what you mean. I suspect we both associate routine with structure and control and therefore anticipate that getting back into the daily rut will enhance our weight maintenance efforts. I think we're both doing well, but I also think we both believe we can and should do better.

report: I actually GAINED 1.2 pounds over the weekend. I couldn't believe my eyes, despite the fact that several people I talked to this weekend, who had done the event before, told me they had gained weight, too--in some cases, a substantial amount. Maybe it just takes a little time to recover from the extreme stress and restore normal hydration.

On the positive side, I went to my doctor today for a check-up and am in such good shape that my doctor told me there is no longer any reason to continue to be monitored so often, and I don't have to return for a full year! My blood sugar over the past three months was at my lowest level EVER--in the low part of the normal range! My blood pressure and resting heart rate are also in the low part of the normal range, and my cholesterol has finally reached the normal range for the first time since adolescence. The nurse who took me to the examining room spontaneously commented that I look a lot more fit and toned than the last time she saw me. That helped compensate for the fact that I had gained 3 pounds since my last visit!

I had a deep-tissue massage this evening, which helped a lot with the residual soreness from the walk. I am just astonished that I am feeling so good, which tells me just how physically fit I have become. It's all good!!

TUESDAY: Weight was unchanged. I really hit a wall today. The accumulated fatigue must have finally caught up with me. I wasn't very productive and took a long nap.

WEDNESDAY: Weight up .8. I don't get it. Went to the gym on my own and worked out for an hour and a half.

THURSDAY: Weight up another .2. But I went shopping today and still easily fit in size 2's and got several new tops in size XS. I also went to the high school track to see what it would feel like to run laps. I am thinking of entering a 5K race in October. I will need a lot of practice, though! My running is both slow and awkward and leaves a lot to be desired! I have a personal training session tomorrow. Because I am a little freaked out about my weight, I stayed under 1400 calories today and am very hungry right now but am going to bed. Hope you are doing well!

I did get it, and the photos! What an awesome experience you had! It sounds like you met some very cool people, too. Bummer on the rainstorm interrupting your sleep, though.


We got a little rain Saturday night, and then a good rain Sunday -- we were actually happy to get it because on Saturday the dust and the biting flies had been a big problem, and rain takes care of both -- and then it was great all week until yesterday.


Yeah, but in this case the 'routine' includes both kids being gone, so I'm torn!

I would think you'd have muscle inflammation making you retain water. I'm sure it was a shock, though!

Wow! NSV for sure! Three pounds seems like normal variation. It would probably be a little weird if anyone's weight record was -exactly- the same year after year after year, even a "naturally thin" person.

I bet! I'm sure the thought of voluntarily walking 60 miles in three days would have been impossible just a few years ago. Now it's a challenge you took on and completed with relative ease! Next year you'll be running a 5K!

LOL! After the amount of sleep you were down, that must have felt good!

I don't mean to keep harping on this, but are you measuring?

LOL! GMTA! We're back from camp. It was fun to see everyone, but my mind and Jane's were so distracted by all we need to accomplish in the next two weeks that I really never felt THERE like I usually do.

Weighed this morning, up half a pound, so not too bad for camp. But it means some low days, and I tend to not cook much when I'm crazy busy like I'm going to be until the end of the month. I'll have to plan the cooking in so I'm not tempted to just order takeout.

Hope your low day and hungry-to-bed paid off for you!

It was the BEST in every way!


Sounds like you couldn't ask for much better!


I am sure it will be a big adjustment for you to have BOTH kids out of the house. How is Jane feeling about living away from home?

I don't know. I just couldn't believe it when several people told me they'd gained weight while walking 60 miles! But they fed us--practically force-fed us--a LOT. The first day I ate everything they pushed at me. It was the second day at breakfast that I started hearing people talk about having gained weight, so I started to be much more careful about what I ate.

For sure. My doctor just laughed at me when I expressed concern about being three pounds heavier.

Actually, with any luck, I'll be running a 5K in about 6 weeks! Or, more likely, I'll do it partly running and partly walking. But I'm going to do it. And you are right, the mere thought of walking 60 miles would have once seemed on a par with walking on the moon. I am feeling pretty proud of myself (and trying to ignore my mother's voice in my head, telling me that pride is a sin).

That's an understatement!

No. I haven't measured in a long time. But like I said, I did do a little clothes shopping this weekend and still wear size 2 bottoms. I even got a couple of size XS tops. I know for sure that at least part of the gain is muscle. But some of my clothes are a bit snug, so I do want to take off a couple of pounds. I don't think I need to get back to the 127.2 that was my absolute low, though. My body has changed a lot, and my waist in particular continues to get tighter. And I don't think there is an ounce of fat on my legs or butt.

OK, I'm showing my ignorance of texting language again. What does GMTA stand for?

I'm sure. I'm feeling a little distracted by all I have to do in the next two weeks, too!

A half-pound gain sounds pretty darn good to me. I know you must be just under your goal, though, and that probably concerns you.

Yes, I was down 1.6 all of a sudden this morning. Don't know why, but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth! I stayed under 1400 calories again today. I find it almost impossible to do 1200 now. My experience seems to bear out Beck's point about being able to maintain a low calorie intake forever. I also had a personal training session today, and my trainer said we can work more on running if I really want to try a race so soon.

Welcome home!

Coming in just to do a placeholder because I'm going to be on the run all day -- if I get a chance I'll be back to respond, otherwise I'll respond tomorrow. Didn't weigh this morning, off to the fm in a bit and I have some work to do first!

Hope you had a good day! I spent most of the day cleaning and doing laundry (joy, joy). Weight was up .4 this morning.