Feels like I'm cheating...

It does. I feel like I'm cheating on my treadmill.

I used the treadmill at the gym the other day. I hadn't used it yet, since I have one at home. I figured if I'm going to the gym (I know, a shock), I might as well use equipment that isn't easily accessible to me at home.

But on Monday, I had about 10 minutes left in the workout session, so I decided to hop on the treadmill and get in a quick half mile or so. It was like the heavens opened up and the sun shone through. Who would have ever thought I could enjoy walking on a treadmill so much!

I don't know what it was about that treadmill, but it was glorious. Smooth. Firm. Silent. It was lovely.

And that's where the guilt set in. I have a treadmill at home. A nice Weslo. It's an older model (I bought it after Emma was born!), and it has a few "issues," but overall it's a solid treadmill.

So I feel like my love for the new treadmill is at the expense of my trusty companion. I can't wait to go to the gym on Wednesday morning, to use the new treadmill. I haven't used my treadmill since this experience. I'm nervous. Afraid I won't love it as much. Will it miss me? 

Fortunately, there's a recumbent bike sitting right next to it, so it won't be lonely.

Confessions of a gym-a-phobe

I stepped into a gym today. No, the roof didn't come crashing down. And no one pointed and laughed. (They may have snickered a little when I tried to figure out that dang elliptical thingy, but at least there was no pointing.)

And I actually enjoyed it. Despite the fact that Stef picked me up at 5:15 a.m. (egads!), I enjoyed the morning. I did a 30-minute circuit, then spent 15 minutes on the recumbent bike and 15 minutes on the elliptical machine (now *that* was a nightmare -- I started out going in reverse, and couldn't figure out why it was so dang hard).

As I mentioned the other day, I'm "in training" to be in training. Sad but true. It means that when my work schedule permits, my goal is to go to the gym three days a week.

Fortunately, I have great motivation for working out now, and a really good inspiration in Stef -- she'll send Alyssa over at night to stay with the kids when Keith's working (bless her heart) and come pick me up at 5:15 a.m. (egads ... did I mention I'm not much of a morning person?). And when I go backwards on the elliptical, she won't laugh.

Thank heaven for sisters!

Dollars and "sense..."

In my mind, there are two main goals for successfully walking the 3-Day for a Cure: 1) Raise at least $2,300 for breast cancer research and community programs; and 2) Don't collapse on the sidewalk.

Let's start with that... my first goal is to be fit enough to make it through 60 miles in 3 days. It's not a race, but I have to have the endurance to do it. And right now, that's quite the stretch. To say I'm not physically fit is, well, an understatement. Fortunately, the Komen group provides guidance and detailed 16- or 24-week training programs. Since that comes up in February-ish, and given my physical condition these days, I've decided I'm in training to be in training. Good thing Stef's a patient walker :)

Second up on the list is the fundraising. $2,300 isn't chump change, but I figure in addition to hitting up all my friends and family (yes, that means you!), we'll put the "fun" in fundraising and host a few events .... Bowling for Boobies anyone?

So that's where I'm at. I'm walking a bit (6 miles this week, wahoo!) and researching a lot. I'm finding lots of neat ideas for fundraising, checking out the many blogs and tweets from walkers (Michigan was one of the first sites, so the Komen walk season is really just beginning!), and generally trying to become as educated of a walker as I can be.... so that I don't pass out on the sidewalk. Because, well, that would suck.

Why?

I've spent some time today letting friends and colleagues know about my choice to participate in the 2011 Susan G Komen 3-Day for a Cure. The predominant question has been "why" ...

This afternoon, a friend asked if I had been touched personally by breast cancer. It led me to tell her "my story" ...

I have no family history of breast cancer. And although I'm a woman, and therefore at risk, I've never considered myself to be uniquely at risk.

I am walking because of my sister.

When she started her adventure in February 2010, I didn't quite get it, but I wanted to be supportive of her. I figured she got some wild hair up her ass (sorry Stef!), since we hadn't been personally affected by breast cancer. Regardless, I love her and wanted to support her and her endeavor.

So I was there to help with fundraising. I made modest donations. I went to the cheering station. Attended the closing ceremony. And generally cheered her on during her personal quest.

It's an understatement to say the ceremony (and even the cheering station) was an incredibly emotional experience.

What hit me the hardest: The Susan G Komen Foundation was established by one woman (Nancy Brinker) whose sister (Susan G Komen) died of breast cancer at age 36.

To me, this event , and these efforts, are about sisterhood. And on a personal level, it's about my sister. Supporting her. And honoring the millions of women who don't have a sister to walk with.

Because I have a sister to walk with. I'm lucky.

Fast forward to the conversation with my friend this afternoon. As I'm telling her this story, I get a little teary eyed (sap!).

I get to the end and say, "So I'm walking with my sister because I have a sister to walk with. And so many women don't."

She looked at me and said, "I don't. My sister died of breast cancer."

Amen.

And it begins...

Just one day after the 2010 Susan G Komen 3-Day for a Cure, and I'm registering for the 2011 event (Aug. 12 - 14!). Stef is my inspiration for doing this -- I want to support her in her efforts, and am confident that together we can make a difference.

What I'm not so confident about? Can I reach my fundraising goal? $2,300 is a lot to raise, especially when we have so many mutual friends. We'll see ... I'll do my best... and hope that it's good enough.