Last Saturday Training...WhooHoo!

Today, Saturday, May 24th was our last training walk! I walked for 80 minutes. We started again at Matthews Beach and headed north. The weather was perfect, clear, warm in the 70s and it was just exciting to realize this was our last Saturday to train. I walked with Janet and Stephanie (whose dad had died of leukemia years before.)

We wore signs for Neil (one of the Anchorage runners whose dad died of leukemia last year at the age of 61) and Grant (one of our honorary ambassadors who is struggling with leukemia now. He has really been having a tough time lately. There was also the poster with pictures of those of us walking and for whom we were walking. I am so proud to be walking in memory of Ron Hamilton.

At the end of our walk I stayed until the Anchorage runners came in after their 20 mile run. It was fun helping hang the checker flag, write with chalk on the walk way and then ring the bell and shake the flags welcoming them to the finish line. It brought back memories of two weeks ago when I did my long walk...you are just so glad you made it.

This week will be the send off party on Wednesday and then late morning on Friday boarding the airplane for the trip to San Diego.

I still can't believe I am going to walk a 26.2 marathon walk.

Hot weather but training is winding down

Today, Saturday May 17th at 8 a.m. we began walking on the next to the last Saturday before the Marathon, beginning at the Redhook Brewery. I only had to walk for 100 minutes but it was 80 degrees as we finished at 10 a.m. I wore my half size larger walking shoes today and think maybe that has been my problem. When I got done my feet did not hurt as much.

There was some Wisteria blooming at the Herb Farm Restaurant next to the brewery. It was really beautiful. I just love Wisteria.

It was so nice to have only a short walk today partly because it was so humid with the high temperature and partly because it is just getting time to do the real thing...bring on the marathon!

I then went to Harry and Tordis' home. Tordis and I had planned to go to the 17th of May Norwegian Parade in Ballard. This was the 119 annual parade. Tordis put on her festive buna and off we went. As we walked along the street a young man came up to Tordis and spoke to her in Norwegian. He recognized the design of her buna as being from the same area of Norway where he was from. He is studying here in Washington. That was really exciting for Tordis to have some one from her area of Norway spot her in the crowd! David (Tordis' nephew) his wife, Terry, and their son found us so we watched the parade with them. The parade was two hours long but we were in the shade and there was a slight breeze although standing was tiring. Next year we should bring chairs. Harry didn't come as his knee is causing him pain. He has surgery on Tuesday to get a new knee. We stood right across from the center stage so we had a good view.

Harry picked us up after the parade and we all went out to dinner. It was a nice afternoon.

Then it was home to bed after a long hot day.