When walking: Look both ways!

When out walking, strolling or running make eye contact before crossing a street. This is my message for the day. Do not cross the street before making eye contact with the drivers!!

As a walker you have the right away. As a human being you are at a distinct disadvantage in weight and protection. You may be right, but if a car hits you, you will not win this fight.

Drivers are focused on the road, sometimes they are not even doing that. As I walk-jog-woggle... I have seen so many drivers texting, chatting on cell phones or just rushing and not even seeing me or other pedestrians.

I love the cross walks, stop signs and traffic lights but I do not trust drivers, until we make eye contact. Over the past 20 years, I have learned to trust my instincts and wait for the all clear!

Saturday my girlfriend and I walked around Federal Way for 5.5 hours. The day was absolutely gorgeous. Autumn colors spectacular and we were incredibly lucky with sunny skies- thank heavens!! During this beautiful walk we also had multiple close calls with traffic.

When we walk around town, we cross streets- lots of streets. During our walk we passed walkers, joggers, families, dogs, cars, bikes, motorcycles etc. It's easy to get lulled into a false sense of safety. Never loose respect for traffic when crossing the street. In one day, there were at least three times we would have been in trouble if we had walked before checking the drivers!!!

Incidentally, I was also reminded to pick up my feet as I walk. On our Saturday travel, I tripped on a slight sidewalk bump. I ducked and rolled. My knee is free of skin, my ego slightly bruised and my body feels kind of irksome but all in all I was very lucky! Thankfully, I had band aids in my fanny pack. After checking for broken bones and blood we stuck some band aides on my knee and walked another 6 miles. (My tuck and roll must have been an act of God, I'm not known for my smooth tumbling skills: )

Trust me, in car or sidewalk accidents, it only takes a second for a hard knock. Pay attention to what you are doing and do not cross a cross walk or street before carefully checking traffic. When in doubt wait until all is clear.

In case you are wonder why in the world I was walking for 5.5 hours, I have a great reason. My girlfriend and cancer survivor is training to walk the San Diego 60 mile 3 day walk for a cure. She is incredible and I walk with her to help her train and support her mission. She would probably walk with or without me but walking and training with a partner is so much more fun. I support her completely and want to make sure our training is safe and healthy.

Wishing you a happy and safe journey
Denise

Crazy like a fox

Posture, posture, posture those words were said over and over this morning. Once again I find myself walking long distances. My girlfriend is walking the San Diego Susan G Komen 3-Day walk. In less than one month, she will be walking 60 miles. I'm not doing this walk, but I'm helping her train, we are a training team.

To some, walking 18 miles or 60 miles is a drop in the bucket of extreme distances. Last year, I visited with a window washer who was going to be traveling with his wife and 18 year old son 80 miles- over mountains -while camping. In the book Born to Run, the ultra runners run races of 50 -135 miles in one day. Others, I have visited with think an 18 mile walk borders on the crazy side of life.

What do I think about an 18 mile walk? I think we were are made for this kind of distance and I also think you have to be a bit nuts to do go this distance. Consider this morning: 7:00 am, it is pitch dark and raining. Oh-yeah crazy is dancing around the conversations. Later in the morning, the sky's were dry, the leaves of autumn spectacular, us walkers were walking admiring and chatting away. Crazy would be stitting it out.

As we walk we talk about everything and sometimes nothing. the most common word said is posture. We have found the better our posture the less fatigue felt. Keeping our hips under our shoulders. Walking not leaning forward but with our core muscles. Tonight, I do feel a bit tired. Tomorrow morning we will be back out walking/training for her walk. Sunday night I'll sleep sound and hard. I am surprised in walking, the more I walk the stronger, healthier and happier I get. I think my girlfriend feels the same.

As we walk, we see houses decorated for Halloween, we see orange/red/yellow/iridescent leaves on trees. As we walk, we build deep bonds of friendship and kinship. As we walk, we get to go on micro road trips seeing a step by step view of the northwest. Walking is a gift. Getting wet is part of life.

As always, wishing you a healthy and happy life,
Denise

Running with Scissors and eating Chia Seeds

Dallas wants to name our next dog "Scissors". He will then be able to say " Denise is out running with scissors"! Running with scissors is kind of how I feel about my running. Over the past 20 plus years, my running has been a bit irksome. I have a calf muscle that has given me fits, it randomly cuts my runs short. Still, I never give up because not running would be an unknown thought in my head- it doesn't exist.

The sun is out and I'm running again. Last year when I walked 60 miles for the Susan G Komen 3 day, I learned the better my posture the healthier my body was. I even ran/walked the Seattle 1/2 marathon last fall -with no calf trouble at all! The lessons I learned while walking, I'm taking to running: good posture, effortless movement and body awareness. (I find if I keep my legs under my hips it takes the pressure off my calf!!)

Besides my form, I'm building strength and eating some new foods. Still, just like running with scissors-paying close attention when moving and eating is essential for good health.

This morning, we ate Chia Fresca. I first learned about this recipe from the book: Born to Run. It is made from Chia Seeds. Apparently, Chia seeds was a food used for endurance and health by the Tarahumara - the running people of Mexico. Some of it's many health benefits are: endurance and healthy energy, balance blood sugar, add fiber and nutrients!

The actual recipe I used was:

Chia Fresca
1 cup spring or filtered water
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 teaspoons fresh lemon or lime juice
2 teaspoons agave nectar or honey

Whisk the chia seeds into the water and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the lemon or lime juice and agave and whisk well. Drink Immediately. Makes 1 serving
This recipe comes from The Huffinton Post. Christina Pirello's wrote a blog called Change your life with Chia.

Will my healthy running posture and new food make my running as good as ice cream? Only time will tell, but the chia seeds were yummy and I love to run. It is so worth the risk of running with scissors!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy summer!
Denise

The 3-day event and pictures

Wow! That was an amazing journey. My whole summer has been about training, preparing, fund raising and "the walk". This weeked we finally did it and it was incredible. Thankfully, we were able to walk all 60 miles, camp in little pink tents at night and finish the weekend healthy, strong and happy. We got two tiny blisters - which are pretty much healed already and a bit of fatigue but overall we are incredibly lucky.

There is so much to tell, but for me it was about supporting my great friend. One year ago she was having her breast cancer surgery. This year she walked 60 miles and past the very hospital that surgery took place. She was always my inspiration. Along the way we meant so many incredible women and men. The volunteers who took care of us were angles!!! The supporters along the way were a gift. The whole journey was one I will never forget, one that touched my heart in a million places. But mostly I was in awe of my friend with her inner strenght and determination to do this walk. She walked in memory of her friend she lost to breast cancer one year ago.

Over 6 million dollars were raised to be used for research and community programs to help find a cure for breast cancer.

For all your prayers, words of encouragement, donations, and support I send you my thanks from the very bottom of my healthy and happy feet!!!

Denise

The eve of the 60 mile walk

1 day before the walk, but who is counting? I am!! At the moment, it is pouring rain outside and I have a cold, not a great start!

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My incredibly supportive and kind husband came home today with a rain coat- guaranteed for all weather!! If that isn't love, then I don't know what is.

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Today, the walk may seem a bit dreary for me as I down lots of garlic, eat oranges and look out the window at one drenched street. No matter the start, there is an incredible amount of support for me. I can't tell you how this is going to go, I have never walked 60 miles in three days while sleeping in little pink tents. Nor have I done it with a cold in the rain. I am a rookie. I can tell you I feel surrounded by good wishes and kind thoughts.

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For me, this journey has been about the support of my good friend who went through cancer this past year. I'm a little freaked out about the walk, imagine how she felt when she was diagnosed with cancer. She found a way to get through the fear, the treatments, the pain and the ongoing side effects. If she can walk this walk with a giant oven mitt on her arm to help her lymph drainage, I can muster enough strength to walk this walk with her.

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This weekend there will be about 3000 people walking 60 miles, from Redmond to Everett and back to Seattle. Please keep us in your heart and prayers.

Thanks a million,

Denise

Relax it is only a little walk...

It is Monday morning and only 4 days until the start of the Susan G Komen 60 mile walk. Guessing the weather is like guessing how many hairs are on my cat. As we get ready and pack for the upcoming 60 mile walk, the weather is a major factor. So far in the last week it has called for clouds, sun, and rain. This weekend the forecast for the 3 day was rain, rain, rain. This morning it is looking like partly cloudy and sun! If I have a say in the matter, I pick partly cloudy and sun. I like walking in the rain, but 60 miles and then camping at night-in the rain???? I hope those little pink tents are waterproof!!

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As the event gets closer I'm starting to feel a few butterflies. My sister has a theory: It is only when you feel butterflies in your stomach does it mean you are doing something big enough to have an impact on your life. Her theory is comforting.

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Maybe if I put the walk into an different perspective it wont seem so daunting. In 4 days, I get to stroll around the NW on the first days of autumn, with a good friend. Along the trail there will be lots of kind strangers, all dressed in pink, who will feed, water and care for us. At night, we get to camp under the stars, surrounded by a few thousand friends and probably just as many port a potties!

Ok, that did make it seem like a fun outing!

Denise

The sidewalk to no-where

Is it really only two weeks until the big walk?

Monday, I was out walking 12 miles. Normally, that would be a big thing, but lately it is kind of normal. Life is crazy!

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I was strolling down a 4 foot wide sidewalk when I looked up to see this fence. End of the road. Not really, I took a picture, crossed the road and kept going. Who runs a large sidewalk into a dead end on a major road? There is always the unexpected and unexplored on these walks- love it.

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It's easy for me to get caught up in my own training that I forget why I'm doing this. It is for the awareness and prevention of breast cancer. Long after the initial diagnosis, chemo, radiation is over there are still so many hurdles to go over, or like this fence, around.

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This is a tough disease and one we hope to avoid, prevent and cure!

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Thanks for all your support and happy walking,

Denise

Blue Sky Services

Invictus

19 days and counting.....

Yesterday, my 8 mile walk felt more like 21 miles. It is easier to walk with someone than to walk alone. Don't get me wrong, I love my solitary walks and runs. Being quite gives me time to reflect, to think and just be. But when you are pressing yourself, past your comfort zone, having a companion makes the trip easier. If you are pressing yourself for a cause greater than yourself, that also helps.

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Last night we watched the movie Invictus. If you haven't seen it, I'll give you a quick summary. It is based on the true story of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and their rugby team winning the world cup. To me it was the story of how a group of men were able to do more for a cause than they ever could have ever done for themselves.

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Of course, I realize my walking 60 miles isn't exactly as big of an event as uniting of a country but still, for me, pretty big.

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Invictus is a poem Nelson Mandela used to motivate and inspire himself while in prison. I have copy of the poem from the book : one hundred and one famous poems. Out of this book, my grandpa, Aunt Velma and mom have memorize poems. My mom gave me my own copy years ago. If you are interested here is the poem Invictus.

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Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

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In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

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Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

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In matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

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William Ernest Henley

( born August 23, 1849; died July 11, 1903)

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If you get a chance, watch the movie it was a series of amazing events. Hope you enjoy,

Denise

An Act of Discovery

25 days and counting down.....

This past Sunday we took the ferry to Anderson Island and walked 17 miles. The Friday prior, we walked 10. I figured the beginning of this week I would be less than peppy.

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Yesterday, I mowed the lawn. Dallas reminded me my walk was going to be 3 days of solid walking, I might consider doing something physical on Monday. So I mowed the lawn. Within the first few steps I noticed something incredible... my legs felt fresh!!!!!!!

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My upper body was a little tired but my legs felt great! This walk is more than just 60 miles, it is an act of discovery. Prior to walking this weekend I was diligent about being hydrated: water, ginger water, fruit, green drink and electrolytes. I've noticed when I'm fully hydrated my muscles don't hurt or ache. I'm definitely getting in better shape but I was amazed how healthy I felt yesterday. Today-still feeling good.

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The walk on Anderson was beautiful, lots of fir trees, madrona trees and long hilly roads. Walking this far is not boring but relaxing - like a very slow road trip. It took us 6 hours to walk 17 miles. That is a good road trip.

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Thanks for all your support!

Denise

Somewhere between crazy and amazing

29 day countdown to the 3-day

I have to be honest, I sway between thinking this walk is a gift and it being a act of crazy. Most likely it will be both. One of my concerns is not having trained enough, as I started the walk late into the year. Luckily, I walk or run most everyday, but I in no way have been covering this kind of mileage. In fact, I had gotten into the rut of taking Sally and Reggie-our dogs- for little-speedy walks. Reggie is 17 and can only go about .5 miles. Sally could go all day, but I had been only taking her for about 1-3 mile walks. This is not exactly training for a 60 mile walk.

When I visit with people- friends, family and customers- I get a mixed opinions: nuts, amazing, crazy, kind, insane, tough. I understand all the above and I think most of these opinions at least once throughout my day.

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Yesterday, I was at a job. There was a window washer doing his job and we got to talking. He, his wife and son will be going to Scotland to hike 80 miles in 4 days!! Not only did my walk seem smaller in comparison it seemed infinitely more doable after taking with this ultra-walker. Our walk is only 60 miles with incredible support along the way. He will be out in the middle of no where and they are their own support. This is one fit family!

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I asked for walking and training tips this is what he advised: develop a very strong core of muscles; great shoes/ not brand new shoes; using different shoe inserts than the ones that comes with the shoes; and finally lots of training prior to the event.

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Great tips and I guess there is a lot of crazy and amazing going around.

Thanks for all your support-

Denise

30 days before the big walk

I was visiting with my mom yesterday and she gave me some info that was news to me. Both of my great-grandmothers had breast cancer. My great-grandma Stella died from it. This all happened when I was young and un-aware.

Now that I'm older, I guess I'm still probably

un-aware. But the fact remains, this is a dangerous and deadly disease.

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Journal- today is 30 days before the big walk

My hat is off the the thousands of women and men who have walked before me. This is a big deal. It is kind of like the iron man of walking. We will almost be walking 3 marathons in a row while camping in little pink tents!!!!! (I know, I can't seem to shake my wonder of the 1500 little pink tents.)

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A friend of mine will be walking this Friday in Colorado. She did all her training and fund raising without a team. That is both amazing and tough. These walks are scheduled all over the US, with thousands and thousands of walkers at each event. Good Luck this Friday!!!!

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There are probably thousands of reasons we are all walking. I'm walking to support a friend who had cancer this spring, she is walking in memory of a lost friend to breast cancer last fall, some walk just to feel like an athlete instead of a cancer patient, others walk because a family became ill. I can't even imagine all the reasons but over this summer thousands and thousands of people will take this challenge in hopes to do some good in the face of something so dreadful.

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For all who help us in this journey-thank you. (even if your think we are crazy-thank you!)

Denise

Little pink tents

Journal:

Did I mention, during this walk we will not only be walking 60 miles in three days but at night we will be camping and sleeping in little pink tents?!!!!!! Over the last couple of weeks I have rotated which part of this walk gives me the most butterflies. Raising $2,300 in 6 weeks, walking 60 miles or camping in little pink tents with 3000 other women. Somehow catching up on my rest while camping doesn't sound that rejuvenating.

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A couple of weeks ago, when my friend and I did the training camp on Whidbey we also camped. Over 3 days, we walking 38 miles and camped in a little green tent. On Saturday night, it down poured. We were a sad little pair... tired from 21 miles and sitting in a little wet tent, in the dark. Come to think of it, that wasn't as unsettling to me as showering at the campgrounds. I'm not fond of being cold. Somehow walking 21 miles and then getting your shower kit to go to a cold and maybe not so clean shower may be the worst part of camping.

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This walk is not for the faint of heart!!!!! But I guess surviving cancer makes you pretty darn tough. On the happy side, I am discovering a like for pink and an humbling discovery of the generosity of others.

Good intentions and a little bit of garlic

While contemplating my zillion miles of training for the 60 mile walk, I created a most yummy lunch. Here is my recipe.

7 second garlic and fresh kale

Kale

Edamame

Garlic

Walnuts

Raisins

Olive oil

salt

The ingredient amounts depend on how many are eating. I cooked enough for one, but should have made enough for 3.

Cut up some fresh, out of the garden, kale. Put it in a medium hot pan with a bit of water to steam. Add frozen or fresh edamame and a dash of salt, cook until tender.

While the kale and edamame are on one steaming, start another little pan and add a glop of olive oil. Put 2 cloves of garlic in the microwave for 7 seconds. Take out smash, peel and mince. (the 7 second cooking of garlic is a tip my mom gave me in AZ this summer. Takes the bite out of garlic- tip of the year) Toss in the pan with olive oil the: garlic, raisins and walnuts. Add a dash of salt. Saute until tender. Add the garlic, walnuts and raisins to the kale and edamame and serve.

A girl can not walk only on good intentions, sometimes you need good fuel and a little garlic.

Hope you enjoy.

Denise

Thanks for your support

The kindness of strangers...

A picture of tonight's walk

Walking Journal...
I'm beginning to realize how kind women are. Wednesday night, Dallas and I were out to dinner celebrating his b-day. I got to visiting with the restaurant owner, who runs marathons, about my upcoming 3-day 60 mile walk. Keep in mind, we were at a restaurant where you always visit with other restaurant goers. Anyway, there was a lady next to me who had walked the 3-day several years ago. She asked me to send my fund-raising info so she could donate to my walk.

Yesterday, I sent her the info and today she donated $60 to my walk!!!!! She also responded to my e-mail with support and suggestions to help me reach my $2,300.00 dues.

Her kindness is incredible and I'm starting to see how women are truly supporting each other in this walk for the cure. Tonight, I feel humbled at Cindy's donation and very lucky to be able to participate in something so big! Thank you Cindy!!

Happy walking to all, may you have health and happiness
Denise

Dont panic when running up a hill

This is Oscar and he looks like I feel today. Not so much the chunky part but the wiped out part. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Lots of traveling, walking 38 miles- over 3 days, committing to raising $2,300.00, plus I gave a talk to the NWIDS last Tuesday night.

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Today I'm just a little tired. Nothing a good night sleep and a day in the office to catch up wont fix but still when you are tired the path ahead of you seems a little more daunting than when you are rested.

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Here is my philosophy: When you are running up a hill, do not decide how far you are going to run. When the run is a struggle, your perspective will be too near sighted. Today, I'm running up hill. I will not panic about my fund raising efforts or my ability to walk 60 miles while camping at night. Instead, I'm going to write about my feeling and share the experience of a this walk for a cure. Later today, I'm going to go eat dinner with Dallas and some great friends.

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I can always panic tomorrow, but today I'll just put one foot in front of the other and get to bed early!!

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Wishing you all a good nights sleep!

Denise

1 in 8

Thought of the day:

One in eight is the statistic for a women's chance of getting breast cancer. I don't doubt that statistic, as I have been visiting with others about the Susan G. Komen's 60 mile 3 day walk. I have been blown away by how many families have been affected by breast cancer: mothers, sisters, fathers, neighbors, aunts, friends and wives. It's not just women either!

Journal:

Today, I went for another walk. I think I walked about 6 or 7 miles. That is a far cry from the 60 miles I'll be walking with my friend come Sept 24-25-26. 60 miles- talk about crazy!!! I've been a runner most of my life but recently more of a 2 mile stroller with our dogs. My comfort zone has been dramatically altered, but this change isn't a fraction of the change that happens in the life of someone diagnosed with breast cancer.

As I walk, I'm feeling stronger. When I started walking in the end of June, my feet hurt more walking 5 miles than they did walking 21 miles. Still, 60 miles seems a little crazy!

Wishing you health and happiness,
Denise