3-Day Komen Expo and Atlanta Training Walk

This weekend I went to Atlanta for a 3-Day Komen Expo and another Training Walk. Ten women from various teams met and walked 12.5 miles around Stone Mountain Park on Friday. Another Tutu, Judy, met me on Sunday and we walked 7.5 miles at Stone Mountain Park again.

On Saturday, I went to the Expo at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta. There were vendors with shoes, t-shirts, and "assorted accessories." I did get my team shirt and hat, but my tutu wasn't ready yet (more about that later). We also got to sign a tribute banner.

They had a PINK tent on display like we'll sleep in for 3 nights. Reggie, also a Tutu, will be my tent mate! We'll decorate our tent...for fun, but also so we can FIND it in the "sea of pink!"

I also got a handful of Susan G. Komen for the Cure rings. "The two-color band symbolizes the unbroken Promise of two sisters to end breast cancer forever."

I went to an Expo 101 class and a class on Training. My friend Ellen and new friend Dana had already told me a lot of what was said in the 101 class. I did learn several things in the Training Class: 1.) that my fanny pack was good one because it has a place for TWO water bottles and 2.) that I need to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds I weigh EVERY day, and 3.) how to take care of blisters. Unfortunately, I got my very first training blister on the walk Friday :/

Ready to Walk!

I also learned the "porta potty stretch"...known as "hovering" in our family. Dana, our training walk leader, is demonstrating here.

Atlanta Training Walk

Last weekend I went to Atlanta for a training walk with a few members of the group I joined up with, Tutus for Tatas. We walked 8 miles on Friday and 7.5 miles around the base of Stone Mountain on Saturday...and I kept up with no trouble the whole way! Whew! I stayed with my sister, Mary Anna, and we had a fun time shopping and catching up.

Anna and I had searched for a "fanny pack" (yes, I know those aren't what you go to the mall wearing) but decided on a backpack (out of necessity not out of coolness...we couldn't find any fanny packs!) About half way through the 1st training walk, I realized WHY I shouldn't have a backpack! I'm not supposed to carry anything over my right shoulder (due to the sentinel node biopsy to take lymph nodes that they did during my surgery to remove the lump). So...needless to say, my left shoulder is quite sore from carrying my backpack containing two water bottles on one shoulder the whole walk!

And now I've found "the" fanny pack of fanny packs! The purpose of carrying one is to have 2 bottles of water, an extra pair of socks, and anything else you might need on a 20 mile hike! So here it is: the the Kelty Oriole Lumbar Pack

We are working on my support letter (probably as you're reading this), and you'll be receiving one soon, via email or snail mail! I am looking forward to a Montgomery training walk on July 19th at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival/Blount Park.