1st Fundraiser - Rummage Sale net $2121
WE DID IT!!! With the help of many friends and family, I held a rummage sale at my house. We made $2121.60 toward my $2300. I am now over the minimum and still have two more fundraisers planed.
I never expected this sale to do so well, and am so proud and happy that my great friends, Candyce and Jenny spent the entire weekend working so hard to support me. My Mom and Step-Dad spent Friday and Saturday working hard too. My mom spent two days just folding and pricing clothes. I had many other friends and family who stopped by to help or donated treats for my bake sale; Faye, Benny, Candyce, Jeanette, Merry, Jerri, Randy, Sonja, Dillon, Logan S, Logan E, Kayla, Tia, Cheryl, Barbara and the other Jenny, Becky, Nina, and Gwen. A special thanks to Gwen for having the guts to make boobie cupcakes. They were a big seller. Also to Nina who baked for two days.
Lastly a big grateful thank you to my husband Todd and son Logan. Todd put up with other peoples junk in his garage, and patio for a long time. They both were very patient with the house being a wreck and no dinner many evenings. I feel very happy to have such support in my life.
The hard work of everyone paid off in a big way. I never expected this.
This whole thing has been a wonderful experience.

by Tamra Stich on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 @ 11:02 AM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

June 13 - Training Walk - 10.9 miles
On June 13, I walked 10.9 miles. We started at Shorline CC and went to North Gate, and then came back. It was a nice walk. I got to be in a picture of walkers stuffing into a portapoty (don't ask-you had to be there).
I am still whining about my shoes. I just need to get some high performance ones.
I don't worry anymore about if I can do the longer walks. I know I can. My biggest hurdle is my feet. I guess like any muscles, the ones in the feet need conditioning too. I will see if there is a way to strenthen them.

by Tamra Stich on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 @ 1:27 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

June 6th - I missed one
I missed today's walk because I was out of town visiting my mom. We did go on a small walk in her town. There were lots of hills, so we got a good workout. My mom did really well. Good Job Mom.

by Tamra Stich on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 @ 10:18 AM CT

 Permanent Link   1 Comment 

May 30 - 12 mile training walk
I WALKED 12 MILES!!!!
I am meeting so many wonderful people on these walks. It's so inspiring to hear the stories of beating breast cancer. These survivors are truely inspiring.
The weather was beautiful today as we walked today. We started at Narbeck Wetlands Park across the street from Boeing in Everett. Then we headed toward Howarth Park. Man were there LOTS of hills. I actually think I like the hills. On one hill, I was about 20 yards behind a 17 year old. I pumped up the hill, and PASSED her. I was also huffing an puffing a lot louder than her. I recovered from the huffing and puffing fairly quickly.
One thing that became crystal clear to me today, is that my walking shoes are not adequate for long walks. The New Balancne walkers I have been wearing, were $44 on sale at Freddy's, and have served me well since March. However, now that I have passed the 10 mile mark in training, I need a higher performance shoe. Time to go shopping. Another thing I need to remember now that I am walking longer distances is that I need more than water on these walks. I need to start bringing Gatorade so that I keep my body in balance. I did those things today, and had a delicious protein bar. It felt great today.

by Tamra Stich on Sun, May 31, 2009 @ 2:39 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

May 23 Training Walk
Today we met in Mill Creek to do an 11.2 mile training walk. As usual, I was at the back of the pack. I don't know why my pace is so slow, but it is. I get there eventually.
We started at Starbucks at the Fred Meyer on 128th. We headed south on the Bothell- Everett Hwy down to 164th. Then we headed up the hill toward the golf course in Mill Creek. For those of you who don't know the area, once you head up toward the golf course, it is up hill for a long long way.
I just want to say that I ROCKED up that hill. It felt really good on my gluts, and thighs. I was using muscle groups that aren't really used that often with just regular walking. I was so surprised at how easy the climb was for me today. Back in March I would have been dying by the time I got to the top. I did the Rocky dance when I got to the top.
My walking partner and I continued on our way. Since we were bringing up the rear, we had lost sight of the other walkers. We made a left instrad of a right, and ended up cutting our walk short to 6.7 miles instead of the 11. By the time we realized it, we had already gone over a mile in the wrong direction. Oh well.
I was ready to stop anyway. I was wearing new orthodics, and had not done any training walks last week. Let this be a lesson for me to remember... That I can't just walk on Saturdays and not during the week if I want to keep getting better at this.
I had a great morning, and really love these training walks.

by Tamra Stich on Sat, May 23, 2009 @ 6:27 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

May 16 Training Walk
Today we walked 10 miles around Everett. It was a beautiful day with not too many hills. when we stopped at McDonalds on 41st street, they gave us free iced coffees. Yummy and guilt free bacuase of all the calories I was burning. From 41st and Colby, we walked south until we met up with the Boeing freeway. The we cut over at Cascade high, and meandered back to the park where we started. this walk did not wear me down like the last 10 mile walk did. I think I like the hills better than the flat path of Centennial Trail.
After the 10 miles today, I went and hung out at the Relay for Life in Lynnwood. I was able to help my friend JP who was there as the DJ.

by Tamra Stich on Sat, May 23, 2009 @ 6:15 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

I WALKED 10 MILES
Saturday May 9, 2009, I walked 10 miles in a training walk. No blisters. I did have some muscle pains, but pushed through them, and they went away. I need to listen to my feet. Because of my foot surgeries and the form of my feet, I get a lot of pain in the balls of my feet. I have orthodics ordered, so hopefully they will give the balls of my feet relief. Note to self - Advil helps on a long walk.
What a confidence builder this walk was. Even though the route was flat, it was challenging. Luckily we had beautiful weather. In every walk I end up at the back of the pack. My goal has been a 3 mile and hour pace, and I think I am doing that. My goal is to step it up a bit more.

by Tamra Stich on Tue, May 12, 2009 @ 11:43 AM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

I walked 8 miles
Saturday May 2, I walked 8 miles. I was concerned about my ability to actually do 8 miles, because of the difficulty I had last week walking 6.5 miles. I did have a better balanced breakfast this week, and I think that made the difference for me.
I really wasn't sore in the legs, but my feet were starting to need a break.
Later on Saturday, I took my hubby out on a date, and danced like a maniac. Still was not sore.
I also really noticed that my pants are having a bit more room these days.
Doing this walk and training for it is a win-win situation. I win because my body benefits, and people with cancer benefit because we are helping find a cure.

by Tamra Stich on Sun, May 03, 2009 @ 9:57 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Harder than I thought
Saturday April 25th, I walked a 6.5 mile training walk. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I started out only having oatmeal for breakfast. I should know better, and should have made sure I had protein on board. My blood sugar dips too sharply without protein. So shortly into the walk, I was hitting a wall. Luckly, we walked by Jumba Juice, and I was able to run in there and get some protein bars. That helped. I walked the 6.5 miles in about 2.5 hours, with a stop at McDonalds (I know what you are thinking, and we stopped there for the potty only).
That walk pretty much did me in energy wise for the day. I felt sore and stiff when I moved.
However, on Sunday, I wasn't sore or stiff like I thought I would be. I guess this is good news.
It is just going to get better and easier... Right?

by Tamra Stich on Tue, Apr 28, 2009 @ 9:56 AM CT

 Permanent Link   1 Comment 

The need to train
One challenge I seem to be facing is finding the time after work to walk. Tuesday, I was able to walk 3 miles. It took me an hour, but I felt really good about it.
I will be missing the training walk this Saturday, because of kid stuff. Hopefully, I will carve out the time and get at least 2 hours of training time.
I find it kind of funny that I am even thinking about exercising. In just a month, I have lost some weight, my clothes are fitting better, and I feel better.

by Tamra Stich on Thu, Apr 16, 2009 @ 12:07 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

My Second official Training walk
I attended my second training walk yesterday. We met a the Starbucks next to Fred Meyer in Mill Creek. About 30 people were there to train. The walk was 5.5 miles. Again, I met some really nice ladies. I did fine on the walk, and could have gone longer. This is good. I was a little sore, but is was a good sore.
During the week, I have been trying to get in 3 miles every other day. It's hard sometimes with my schedule. Cody said he is proud of me because he wants me to be healthy and active.
I feel so happy to be apart of this fundraising walk. It's gives me the feeling of paying it forward, and helping raise awareness.

by Tamra Stich on Sun, Apr 12, 2009 @ 1:56 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

My first training walk
I did my first training walk on Saturday April 4th. It was 4.9 miles, and I could still walk when it was done. I met a lot of nice people. I realize that I have a lot more to go to be ready.

by Tamra Stich on Thu, Apr 09, 2009 @ 6:05 PM CT

 Permanent Link   1 Comment