Getting to know you

While I am pursuing completing 100 miles by March 13th and working up to being able to do 100 consecutive pushups, I am also training to complete a half-marathon in April.
Following today's 6-mile training outing (walked in mostly sunny, but cold conditions ... I think it was 5 degrees when we started at 9:30, but probably 15 by 11 AM when I finished), 22 of us stayed at the local fitness center afterwards for a well-deserved "potluck brunch" and a getting-to-know-you session.
Trainer Lynn had us divide up into groups of 4 and then come up with 6 questions to which we all had a common answer, i.e. in my group: all over 30 yrs. old, all been to Europe, all have had a pet at some point in life, all own a car, all have a nephew and all like to drink wine.
After the initial groups did this, another 6 people returned from their miles, so they had to do same - but there was one person you still did not have all 6 questions answered in common. So we played another "round" and ultimately everyone belonged to a group.
Funny to learn just how many people had been to a casino (albeit not necessarily gambled while there). One group found out they all had hiked at Yellowstone Ntl. Park!!
We sure are a diverse bunch of women - all with a common goal of completing a half-marathon in New Hampshire in April!

there's no turning back ... well, maybe just today!

Today was one of those days when the phrase, "There's no inappropriate weather, there's just inappropriate clothing!" came to mind.
I watched it snow on and off all day (and one white-out!) and I kept thinking, "Am I really gong out to walk in this at 4:15?"
Well, at 4:15 it was not snowing. It was almost sunny ... but it sure was windy!
After 6 hours of childcare in the school library during Parent Conference Day an outing was sounding pretty good - even if it meant going in the wind!
I layered. I scraped the windshield. I met up with my walking partner Patty ... and off we went. Short of the usual 1.5 turn-around spot the sun was sinking (as we had started a whole hour later than usual).
We had been watching our footing even with Yak Trax as the rural route was ice-coated. Intrepid we are (stupid we are not!). It was time to head back.
Now here's the kicker ... for months we have been walking a route measured for... wait for it... a 5K race. That's 3.1 miles folks, not 3. So every walk we actually went 1/10 of a mile further than we needed to (or had been recording).
With that in mind, we turned around (into the wind!) at what was probably 1.3 miles today. Let me tell you that upon return to our starting point (completing for what was I suppose 2.6 miles) it sure felt like a full 3 miles after facing the wind and concentrating on footing!
I am recording 3 miles today and I don't care who knows it!

I need a nap!

It's almost 9:45 PM and I need a nap! Well, sure it is almost bedtime, but really I could just do with a "cat nap".
You know the feeling you get after exercising and then the cool down ... yeah, you know the one. Yawn! Stretch. I just need to relax for a few minutes and shut my eyes.
I got in the stretching part after the 3 mile night walking session. And I am sure I have yawned a few times.
It really just is too early to go to bed. I just need a nap.
Before settling in to write this, I decided I needed to counter the nap syndrome by doing my Week 3, Day 2 pushups. 5 sets, in various amounts, over 6 minutes ... amounting to 100! Not bad.
Now I really do need a nap!
Wait - I need to bake something for tomorrow ... I guess a nap just isn't in the cards and I will just have to settle for going to bed once my baking is done (and the house will smell like chocolate)!

Exhaustion Test

The 6-week Hundred Pushups program is designed to let you be the master of your own fate.
You are asked to do an initial pushup test to see how many consecutive pushups you can do to start off. Based upon this initial result you then select the category you fit into.
After one, or two weeks, you are encouraged to preform an exhaustion test. This test, like the initial one, is for consecutive pushups. No rests like in the program sets.
So after two weeks - 6 days of sets and rests - I decided to perform an exhaustion test.
Encouraging news! I have added 10 pushups to my consecutive routine. This means I fall into column 3 for this coming week's workouts. Hmmm.
Day 1: sets of 14, 18, 14, 14 and then a minimum of 20. With rests of 60-90 seconds in between sets. Days 2 and 3 are slightly more demanding.
I think I am exhausted just thinking about them!

Did I mention my shower issue yet?

Per the title of this blog, 100 miles is easy (I have logged 49 thus far) and I though I have questioned working up to doing 100 consecutive pushups, I have completed two weeks of the program and did 226 pushups this week. True there were done in sets, with rests, but hey, 226 in one week.
But all of this exercise is NOT easy with my showering situation!
Let me explain. At Thanksgiving we had an issue! Following Thanksgiving we put in a new septic tank to solve said issue. You would think that would solve all the issues.
Ah, but not if you have a husband who would like to put in a separate gray water tank! And it is now winter with frozen ground.
Currently, all household members shower with a large bucket in the tub to catch the tap and shower water (let's say 95% of it). There's also a showerhead shut-off so as not to waste water during soaping up or shampooing. Rinse cycles are to be as fast as possible. My husband empties the shower bucket on a regular basis. Oh there's a small catch-bucket in the sink too for toothbrushing and shaving sessions.
Don't even get me started on what it is like to only wash one's hair (esp. my daughter's mane of red hair) over the tub catch-all bucket!
This water-conservation issue extends to the laundry!
For the time being, washing is taking place off-site at the Manchester laundromat. I wonder if my walking pals are noticing the repeat usage of exerciseware. Thank goodness for out-of-doors exercise!
My husband promises that there is light at the end of the tunnel with regard to the laundry situation. New washing machine some time ... soon. Can I have that in writing please?!

All about my day ...

This morning is was all about the fresh baked Wells Store muffins ... by late morning it was all about teaching ... by Noon it was all about distributing Community Calendars (finally) and heading off to the mountain ... by early afternoon it was all about the groomed slopes and sunshine(!) ... by mid-afternoon it was all about a skinny vanilla latte ... by late afternoon it was all about a 3-mile walk ... by early evening it was all about watching JV basketball ... by mid-evening it was all about Chinese food ... and now it is all about bedtime as 7 miles await me beginning at 8:30 AM and then there's the Day 3 of Week 2 pushups!

as I said, 100 miles is easy ...

Chalk me up for 3 miles last night (yes, night walking!) and then 4 miles today on a winter's sun-shiny afternoon! I am up to 39 miles towards my goal of 100 by March 13th. Those 39 miles have been walked (with a little running) and logged in 13 days. So, I should hit 100 miles no later than February 12th. Even with a day off or two. That leaves plenty of days to log extra miles.
But enough about mileage. Let me address night walking. It is NOT my favorite thing to do. Even if I am walking under street lights. Even if I am wearing my hat with LED lights (thank you Patty!). Even if I am wearing a headlight (no more comments about having nice headlights - thanks David!).
There is something different about going for a night walk here. I think it's too quiet. Or maybe right now it's just colder (yes, it has been cold during the daytime this winter, but that feels different than night cold). Maybe it's the isolating feeling of being in the dark. But I am not going walking alone at night. I go with training group people. The dark makes me feel as if I am going slower. Can you tell I am looking forward to lighter evenings as Spring approaches?!
Today's afternoon walk began around 3:20 PM. Plenty of afternoon light - plenty of sunshine! I felt peppier. There was noise on the country road. Some traffic. Ducks in the pond. Noisy birds in trees. It was so pleasant at the usual half-way point of 1.5 miles, that I urged by buddies on to a half-way point of 2 miles in order to do a total of 4 miles. Agreed.
And what will tomorrow bring? Pushups! Stay tuned!

Word of the day: Commitment

It is one thing to say you are taking part in a challenge and it is another to actually do it.
This whole 100 Miles and 100 Pushups is an "on your honor" challenge. It has a Facebook group and a few non-FB members. And, based on the previous FB group challenge of 100 miles (which also had non-FB members), I would have to say that the people who are taking part are honorable.
I say this because out of 132 Facebook members who joined the 100 mile challenge, 21 posted their completion of 100 (+ in some cases) miles. Afterall it would be easy enough to post fake mileage.
But I have the impression that anyone who takes the time to join this type of challenge is, well, like me - for real.
So today I added another 3 miles having walked with my Dutchies buddies. And after dinner I faced the music (or floor as it were) and completed Day 2 of Week 2 of the pushup program. Yes, I did 74 pushups in around 6 minutes, with rest breaks. 74 pushups! That's almost 3/4 of 100. Okay, so I get breaks. But it is only Week 2 of 6.
I am encouraged. I am committed.

Sunday ... not always a day of rest!

Sleeping in until 7:15 AM is a luxury on Sunday since during the school week I usually wake up at 6 AM.
Today's so-called "day of rest" included going to an endurance training session for a 6-mile walk.
A year ago this was a daunting idea! Ah but today it was a chance to stretch my legs on a beautiful winter day, while chatting away with a new walking buddy.
One and a half hours later - 6 miles accomplished. And there was definitely gas left in my tank.
A good thing since I will be adding a mile to the endurance walk each week!
After this week's endurance walk I remember that 6 miles is a little less than half of the 13.1 miles that make up a half-marathon! I tell this to the new walking buddy who has not walked a half-marathon before. She smiles and I tell her that I was in her shoes (or sneakers as it were) a year ago. 6 miles! Wow! That's almost a 10K race!
How do I reward myself? I go for a vanilla latte and a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich at a favorite spot - The Spiral Cafe! I sip. I eat. I read my book. I look up and I am greeted by another training group member. She has her latte and she is getting her sandwiches to go! We smile conspiratorily! What happens at the Spiral Cafe, stays at the Spiral Cafe. Oops. Unless one of us is a blogger!

keeping up with the Joneses (as it were)

Today's walk was all about keeping up!
The training for the spring half-marathon called for 4 miles today ... and in order to make my quota towards the 100-mile challenge I needed to complete at least 2 miles. Now one would think I might opt for the middle amount of 3 miles ... wrong! Optimum mileage folks! Especially when the temperature is above freezing.
If you are keeping score (and who isn't?!) I completed 13 miles for the week and, as noted yesterday, I completed Week 1 of the pushup challenge.
Now prior to starting this blog I had logged 10 miles, so I have 23 towards the 100 challenge.
Am I only about mileage and pushups? No way! I thoroughly enjoyed watching my daughter's high school JV basketball game this afternoon and an uneventful drive home.
Why do I mention that? Because the JV basketball playing daughter is also a new holder of a learner's permit! And that could be a whole other blog in itself!

fabulous Friday

So this might sound like bragging, but in reality it really is making up for yesterday!
First of all, I did go skiing ... snow was great, visibility questionable! Felt good though while picking my way through the fog and I saw lots of people that I only see "at the mountain"!
Oh and then there was the man I rode the lift with who lives in Norwich, VT and I told him I knew people who lived in Norwich. Okay then ... time for the name game ... and yes, he knew them. His daughter babysat for them! Very cool!
Second ... I did go for a 3-mile walk/run with many of the women who are training for the Half-Marathon in NH in April. This too felt good. Right pace ... but overdressed in the low-30s temps.
Last - I did my Day 3 pushups this evening ... after a good glass of Finger Lakes wine I might add. The session amounted to 57 pushups, with rests of 60-120 seconds in between sets. I am feeling confident having completed Week 1 with regard to the pushups.
But my mileage is a bit low right now for a week - only 9. Thank goodness there's tomorrow with the Dutchies group. As we learned from the last 100-mile challenge, one really needs to average 11 miles a week to comfortably reach the goal within 2 months.
If any of you are interested in this challenge yourselves you can check out the group "Bring it" by 03/13/10 on Facebook.

An impromptu "day off"

I had the full intention of walking this afternoon after my school day. I brought my gear. I had my hubby set up to pick up the high schooler. I even "watched" what I ate for lunch so I wouldn't be sluggish. But as the temperature rose and the sun peaked out I lost my momentum (maybe my mojo) just when I should have been saying to myself, "Yes! It is finally over 30 degrees and there's no wind and the sun is shining!" What gives?
As 3 o'clock approached I was still in my school teaching clothes and I sat in on meeting getting underway about our proposed school budget (for FY 2011). Is there anything more draining than talking facts and figures? I kept looking at my watch and knew I had to at the very least show up at the meeting place - Dutchies Store - so no one would be left hanging around, wondering where I was.
AS it turned out, only one other person showed up this afternoon, my pal Joanne. I got out of my car and she looked out to see me still in a skirt and very obviously NOT walking shoes.
I apologized for my malaise and said, "How about coffee?" She quickly said sure and there you have it - instant "no guilt" - just coffee and talk!
As for the temporary malaise - I'll make up for it tomorrow by going skiing at 1 PM. Walk training group at 4:30. Oh - and doing my Day 3 pushup routine before the day is through. Hey - I never said I was perfect.

sticking with the program

Today was Day 2 of the 6 week pushup program and with only 3 hours sleep under my belt and a school day I wondered, "Do I have it in me today?" Enter the competitive spirit, "Yes you do. Now get down there and start!" I got down on hands and knees with the program paper nearby because apparently I can't remember the numbers in the sets for more than a minute at a time! (I think I had better start doing "brain gym" on a regular basis too.)
Back to the pushups. I did 10,12, 8,8 and the min. number of 12 for the 5th set. So, ta da 50 pushups ! Okay, so there were the recommended rests of 60, 90 or 120 seconds inbetween the sets ... but my arms feel like they were consecutive.
Can't forget the miles ... I logged 2-3 miles towards the 100 mile challenge. Exact mileage unknown as the training group was cruising the streets of Manchester.
And for the record, according to my hubby, who saw the evening walking group go by the restaurant where he was staying warm and having dinner, I have nice headlights. Hmmm.

If it's Tuesday it must be West Pawlet ...

Every Tuesday afternoon two or more of us meet up to walk (or walk-run) 3 or 4 miles. This has been going on since, oh, late last Spring. So Monday night when I asked my 21 1/2 year old daughter, Kate, if she wanted to join me and my group for a walk Tuesday afternoon I was nonplussed when she replied, "I don't really like walking over there. Can't we just go to Manchester?"
I was thrown for a loop. "I always walk in West Pawlet on Tuesday afternoons!" I replied. "But I'm leaving for New York this week," she countered. "Yes, I know!" Silence. Hmmmm. "Well, okay. But you have to commit to going with me. I have to walk Tuesday afternoon," I challenged. "I'll commit," she promised. Deal.
I went to school Tuesday morning knowing I would not be going with my usual Dutchies walking buddies, Patty and Joanne. I found Patty at school and gave her the news. "What?" she exclaimed with a look of surprise. I explained. She understood. But I felt my whole day was "off" just knowing I wasn't going to be showing up at Dutchies.
Right at the end of the school day I saw Patty again. I wished her a good walk and to keep track of the next meet-up (which should be Thursday).
I left school and I was encouraged upon arriving home to find Kate already dressed to leave. I changed quickly and we left for Manchester. Now Kate thought we'd be able to use the rec center's walking path (a one-mile loop). I had my doubts, but I figured I would not be negative and that we'd check it out upon arrival.
After picking up my other daughter, Sarah, from her high school I drove to the rec. It became immediately apparent that there was way too much snow for walking.
Now what? "We could do a 3-mile loop around the sidewalks of Manchester," I suggestd. Kate countered with the idea of going on the road used for the local VT-NH Race for the Cure 5K event. Fine. But I am immediately wondering if I can park off the road itself. Will any of Hildene Meadows be plowed?
I am pleasantly surprised to find a nice swath has been plowed. I park. I leave keys for the radio with Sarah. Kate and I depart on foot.
It is around 3:45 and the 3 miles should take about 45 minutes. There's not much traffic and the route is pretty. The late afternoon light lingers. A bit of sunshine remains and the hillsides display a new dusting of snow. It is a different experience than the crowded July fund-raising walk. It is different from being with the gals on the West Pawlet route. But it is 3 miles of uninterrupted time with my daughter who is leaving after 4 months here in Vermont to return to school in NYC.
The 45 minutes goes by quickly. It is time well-shared. And I can't help wondering why we didn't walk together more often? Oh yeah, I walk in West Pawlet every Tuesday afternoon.
I love you Kate. Walk many miles for me in New York and we'll have a walking date down there soon!

Ready or not pushups, here I go

Hurrah - I can still feel my arms! I'll get right to the point - I completed the suggested 5 sets of pushups for Day 1 of the 6-week program that is supposed to enable me to do 100 consecutive pushups.
Now then for you pushup purists, I admit I am doing "modified" (knee) pushups! There I said it, or rather I wrote it! And I don't feel bad about it - not one bit. It is still all about the arms!
To set the scene here, I will tell you, proudly, that for my initial test last week I was able to do 20 "modified" pushups. According to the www.hundredpushups.com program that puts me in column 3, for those completing 11-20 pushups, for suggested repetition sets.
Others at my elementary school are taking up this challenge and a log-in sheet has been posted in the teacher's workroom - for all to see. This morning I entered my name and the initial test amount of 20, noting that they were "modified" pushups. We're a pretty close knit staff and I don't want to appear to be bragging, but, yes, I am very happy to be able to do 20, even if they are from my knees.
All through the school day I keep having thoughts of "Day 1 of the Pushup Challenge". I know when I leave school I will have to leap into the fray, or rather get on my hands and knees and push up into the fray!
I took my time leaving school. I played with my daughter's cats. I had an orange. I looked at the mail. "Stop stalling woman," says the competitive spirit side of me. "Okay, okay," replied the more complacent , let's sit down at the computer side.
With no one home but the cats I find the program printout and lay it on the floor in my exercise space and breathe. Here goes. Set 1 - 10; rest a minute; set 2 - 12; rest a minute; set 3 - 7; rest a minute; set 4 - 7; rest a minute; set 5 - as many as possible (min. 9) - I manage 12. Whew! 48 pushups.
Okay - that wasn't so bad. During the rests I shook out my arms or did tricep stretches. Knees held out okay on the rug.
My initial reaction ... I am going to be The Little Engine that Could, "I think I can! I think I can!"

ah- Sunday

Sundays are usually my "day of rest" which is a good thing because even the half-marathon trainer, Lynn, works in days of rest into our schedule. And I try very hard to follow the schedule. With this in mind I am laughing at the fact that it is finally 1 degree above zero at 10:35 AM and I am still in my pajamas.
Another reason for being glad it is a "day of rest" is the fact that my leg muscles are very tight. I take this as a sign that I am not stretching enough after my walks and the fact that I have been walking in COLD weather. Therefore I resolve to be more attentive to stretching afterwards and making sure my clothing is appropriate for the temperature.

An introduction to "100 miles is easy... but 100 pushups?"

What is this blog all about? It is pretty much about setting a personal, physical goal and seeing it through. In this case the goal is completing 100 miles in 2 months and ... doing 100 pushups in a session. Now for some background leading to this blog.
One year ago, at age 49, I joined a walk/run training group in order to prepare my body (and mind) for taking part in the 2009 MORE Magazine Half-marathon in New York City.
Where did that idea come from? It came from watching friends, fellow teachers, do the training a year earlier (2008). I remember laughing to myself as I watched them go out in 10 degree weather to walk 3 miles to train.
Later that spring I watched those same women cross the half-marathon finish line in just 3 hours! "Well," I said to myself, but actually outloud on the busride back to Vermont, "I can do that!" The training group leader heard me and replied, "I'm going to remember that for 2009!"
Whether she remembered or not, I did! And on New Year's Eve 2008 I logged onto the MORE Magazine Half-marathon website and registered for the 2009 race. No backing out now! I grew up in NYC. I know Central Park. I actually biked around the park - well, once my senior year of high-school. I have always been able to walk city blocks and, for the past 24 years, I have been walking country roads in southern Vermont.
But was I actually going to be able to walk 13.1 miles?
New Year's 2009 began and so did my training. I walked ... and walked some more. I walked in all kinds of weather following the trainer's mantra, "There's no inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothing!" I trained with friends and coworkers. I trained with women from my area whom I did not know. But we all had a common goal. And on that April day, in what turned out to be record-breaking heat, I completed 13.1 miles in Central Park!
What followed? A lot of continued camaraderie and more walking. Beginning in May of 2009 I added a little bit of running. But I am a walker make no mistake about that!
My core group of walking/running buddies and I began taking part in 5K races (walks and runs) in southern Vermont and nearby eastern New York.
I was getting a bit faster at walking. I consider 5K (3.1 miles) a standard distance for me now. Throughout the summer and fall I went out 2-3 times (sometimes even 4) a week with one or more group members. Completing 3 miles - sometimes 4 - two times a week and then 5 or 6 miles on weekends.
It began to get a bit harder to get in 3 sessions a week once the teaching year began. Then the nurse at my elementary school threw down a challenge just before Nov. 1st ... 100 Miles by 01/01/10. A friend of hers suggested the challenge and the nurse decided to create a Facebook group describing the challenge: walk, run, treadmill or eliptical 100 Miles between Nov. 1st and New Year's Day! She also challenged our school staff.
Well, that was all I needed - new motivation to keep up with walking and staying fit! November was relatively mild here in southern Vermont and racking up the mileage was easy and I completed my 100 miles on December 3rd. And before I could become complacent ( and winter reality hit), I quickly set another mileage goal for completion by New Year's Day... another 40 miles! Done! Whew! But now what?
Ah - reenter the training group! Time to start preparing for another April half-marathon ... this in Newmarket, NH.
Now after completing the MORE race I knew I could walk 13.1 miles, but this time around there will be more inclines. Okay, I'll just call them what they are - rolling country hills! I better make sure my training walks include hills at least once a week!
Ah- but this is not the challenge I mentioned at the very beginning of this blog, is it?
Here's what this blog is really all about (and you thought I'd never get there!)
It is early January 2010. Reenter the school nurse. She has thrown down a new challenge. She has formed a Facebook group called "Bring it" by 03/13/10. The challenge? Walk, run 100 miles (again?) ... wait you didn't let me finish ... and ... work one's way to doing 100 pushups in a session!
Are you kidding me? Seriously? I'm 50 years old!
Yes, she's serious. And so far 79 people have joined the group!
While completing the 100 miles I will be using the website www.hundredpushups.com to help me, over 6 weeks, condition my body to the point where I can complete 100 pushups! I join the challenge on Facebook because then I am then accountable. To whom? Well, at least to myself.
How do I feel about this new challenge? I am skeptical. I am excited at the prospect of actually being able to do this. I am daunted by the fact that I can not do real pushups (from my toes that is), but the challenge allows for modified pushups (in my case from my knees). I can do 20 right now and I believe I owe that to a full year of walk training. Really!
So here I go. The "Bring it!" challenge officially begins Monday, January 11th. My purpose in blogging about this challenge is to give myself (and you) the opportunity to remember this physical journey.
I will be honest. I will be wordy (as if you hadn't noticed). I hope entries will be amusing and faithful to the experience.
And for the record - I am a wife of 25 years and a mother of 3 kids (the youngest a Freshman in high school) and a paraeducator in an elementary school. I am a freelance writer and I write PR for non-profits.
I will save my thoughts on exercise (and a brief history of my involvement in sports) for another day.
Meanwhile, if this blog has peaked your interest in the challenge visit "Bring it!" by 03/13/10 on Facebook. I hope to see you there!