Only 6 days until my "epic" walk at Avenue of the Giants. Can't believe it's here already. I have a mix of emotions as the time draws nearer. I'm mostly excited, but there is a bit of apprehension and fear mixed in there, too. While I feel completely confident that I have been trained properly for this event, I am still going into this with absolutely no knowledge of what to expect.

Mom and I leave on Friday for Fortuna which is where we are staying. And although the race isn't until Sunday, this will allow Mom and I to drive up leisurely and take our time exploring the area. Part of my plan to keep myself calm before the big day.

On Saturday, my fellow teammates gave, those of us who are participating this week, a great send off. Lots of good food and conversations. I have to admit it was really hard to walk away from everyone and go home. As tears formed in my eyes I realized I was really going to miss everyone...that I truly enjoyed seeing them every Saturday morning. Guess I'll just have to do another event!!

Did you see the amount we raised!! Thank you to everyone who donated...we far exceeded our goal!!

So my next entry will be AFTER I've walked 13.1 miles. Hopefully I'll have wonderful pictures to share.

Love to all...GO TEAM!!!

Last Saturday was my longest walk to date. I was out for 3hrs and 15min and walked a total of 9.6 miles. The last two miles probably being the longest of my life. Still battling the blisters...this time they were in a new spot due to the new shoes I bought in hopes of stopping the other blisters. (sigh)

Don't get me wrong, I'm still thoroughly enjoying being out in the beautiful countryside. This time we were in Windsor. Some really pretty farms out there...and really cute goats! This coming weekend we'll be in Point Reyes...hoping for good weather!!

The cape...if you're wondering...it went to Mary-Colleen my wonderful mentor. She has literally been with me every step of the way. Walking sometimes 1/2hr longer than she needed to for her training. She has also answered all of my inane questions and put up with all my "whining". (Though I told her I just like to whine...I don't really mean it!)

This next Saturday I will start tapering down my training sessions to prepare my muscles (and mind) for my upcoming event. Can't believe it's only about 2 weeks away!! Where does the time go?

Thomas update: last I heard he was going through his final rounds of chemo before his stem cell transplant. Keep your fingers crossed and the prayers going that all will go well.

Love to all...GO TEAM!

Confession time: I'm not the cheerleader type. I don't get into the whole rah-rah thing, especially with people I don't know that well. Even the mass cheer of: "Go Team! This is the best day ever!" that we do before our Saturday walks, makes me uncomfortable. So imagine my surprise when fellow teammate, Mark, selected me as his inspiration and passed the coveted "spirit cape" over to me. Honestly, the first thing that went through my mind was "really, I have to wear a purple cape while I walk through the Napa countryside?" But then I stopped myself and remembered what this was really about. This was about all the loved ones whose photos were pinned to the back of the cape. It was about the millions of people struggling to overcome blood cancer. And it was about inspiring someone just by walking and pushing forward.

So I completely embraced my new attire and proudly walked the Napa countryside wearing my cape. And I have to say, that one little act of passing on a cape, really put me in a different mindset. I'm sure the others noticed as I yelled out "Go Team" as they passed me and I'm sure I walked a little taller, at least I felt I did. Thank you, Mark for inspiring me.

So on to other good news. To date I have raised $3,310!!!!! So let's try for $3500 or even push it further to $4000. Again a huge thank you to all that have donated.

8 miles are now under my belt!!

Love to all...

PS -- I'm looking for a good superhero name to go with my cape...I was thinking Spirit Girl...but I'm open to suggestions.

PPS – GO TEAM!!!

Saturday was another day of training in the rain. However, the little bit that came down was on our way back and felt wonderful. Besides when you are walking in the beautiful countryside of Healdsburg a little rain isn't going to get you down.

I made it over my half way mark....7 miles!! Only 4 more Saturday's to walk before my event...scary!!

Enough about me, I have a little update on my nephew, Thomas. He is scheduled for a stem cell transplant in mid-April. I am so excited for him! He's a strong boy (I should say man) and I know he will come through this even stronger. I'm very proud of him.

Again, thank you all for the donations. Keep them coming in!! I don't have a total to share this time, but will by next week after I gather all my checks together.

Love to all....GO TEAM!!!

After two weeks of being sick and not training, I was a bit apprehensive about walking on Saturday. I walked 6mi in 2:15hrs in the rain! It was wonderful. I'm now nursing massive blisters, but I don't care...it was so worth it.

A big thanks to Mary-Colleen, my mentor who kept me going and gently urged me to finish the last 15min.

I am also happy to announce that I have met my fundraising goal of $2400...but that doesn't mean I won't continue to accept more donations!! Let's see if we can get to $3000 if not more!! A huge, huge thank you to all that have donated, I so appreciate your donation and all of your words of encouragement.

Love to all...and GO TEAM!!