Had breakfast with a friend and we decided our goals would include running the Turkey Trot this November and doing a triathlon next summer.  I have a little unfinished business in the triathlon world and its time to start moving in that direction.

Testing radio equipment and GPS this morning.  Foot is feeling much better, so I'm going to get a few miles in.  Went out on day 6 route yesterday and found a much less travelled way to walk for the day.  I still have one section of road I'm nervous about.  Would love to get out and find an alternative this week.  Just not sure I'll have time.

Lots of good stuff coming up on Universal Sports this week.  The dvr will be working overtime  getting some good winter training viewing together.

So glad yesterday is over.  I really don't like talking to reporters and posing for pictures.  It will make a difference in getting my word out and raising more money for Camp, so it will be worth the effort.  The hardest thing I've had to do relating to the walk has been talking to people.  When I'm with friends, I don't shut up, but I get so uncomfortable talking to people I don't know.

New WAO blog post. 

OMG, a model, I ain't!  Completely uncomfortable with the photographer and what seemed like a hundred shots.  So glad it is finished!

Happy Friday!  About a hundred things going on here this morning (yeah, so what's new?)   Trying to get the maps updated on the WAO website.  Washed the motorhome since we're using it for the pic for the story.  Fred is making fun of me for fussing over it, but the guys from the newspaper and I discussed picture ideas and this sounded like our best option.  I figure it's my responsibility to make it look as good as possible.  

Had a great time at Fred's award program last night.  He was completely surprised.  The grand poopah took him to the front of the room - didn't tell him why - and Fred thought he was in trouble.  While he was standing there, a dozen boyscout friends, Fred's mom, and I entered the room.  The look on his face was priceless.

I REALLY need to get my office work done before the walk, but I feel like there are a million things to do before we head out one week from today.  Guess I'll need to prioritize.  Making money to pay bills while I'm gone may win.  

I "heart" my Sports Doc.  Nothing broken.  Just jammed my toe a good one.  He gave me a pad to put in my shoe to relieve the pressure on the toe joint.  Of course, I want to immediately go out and see how it feels after a few miles. ;)  Supposed to go easy on it the next week.  I should be in good shape by walk time.  The assistant gave me a direct number to call if I need to reach them while I'm out on the road.  Good people.

Busy day on tap.  Need to get some office stuff done, shop for food for an event tonight, run some errands, see the doc about my toe.  At some point, I'm going to get in some strength training and stretching.  Probably going to be the extent of my workout today. Fred is receiving an award tonight from the Masons for his work with scouting.  Its a total surprise and he hasn't a clue that something other than his regular Masonic meeting is happening.  I and several friends will sneak over to the lodge and surprise him. 

Local paper is doing a story on the walk.  My goal is to talk to the reporter just like I talk to a friend.  A couple of times this summer I've spoken to people and felt like a complete idiot.  The last time, I was so mad at myself because I was so nervous.  I believe in what I'm doing and I'm excited to do it.  There is absolutely no reason for me to get flustered.  I posted this yesterday on facebook, but I like it so much I'm putting it here.  


 

Doing some more route study today.  I have a section of WAO that I'm not happy with, so I'm going to search out an alternative route. 

Watched a great show on Universal Sports last night called Inside Endurance.  Evidently its a new series.  This episode was on recovery.  It's on again tomorrow night.  I'm recording it.

I don't know if its the surgery, the fact that I quit taking one of my meds, or what, but I feel a definite upturn in how I feel.  It was very encouraging on the bike yesterday to get up some hills and put a little effort in that I haven't been able to in the past.  I really think if I buckle down, clean up my diet and start a little strength training, I'll see a noticeable difference in my performance abilities.  I'm getting the itch to do another triathlon. ;)

Riding this morning.  Group lunch, then getting things straightened up in my office this afternoon.  Crazy how quickly things pile up.  Not in the mood to shuffle paper, but I want it done and out of the way before we leave on the walk.  Thinking about making one more run down south tomorrow to change the section of the route I don't like.  Next week, I'll take Fred with me on a run-through so he can see the whole thing before the real event.  Its just crazy how quickly time passed.  I don't feel nearly as prepared as I want to be, but I'm going to try and concentrate on having a good time and not worrying about it. Sending out the press releases today and ordered the banners to put on the motorhome yesterday.  Still need to get the rest of the posters put up, and start thinking about what I'll need to take with me, but I think the bulk of the work is done.

Reading "The Long Walk" again.  For some sick reason, I read that book before I do a long run/walk event.  Motivation?  I was in sports heaven yesterday.  Recorded an Austrian olympic distance triathlon, watched part of the TdF, (time trials = yawn), swimming, and gymnastics.