Update

April 23-I walked 2.65 miles.  I found a nickel along my route.

April 26-I walked 2.74 miles.  

I joined more challenges on Nike+ , and set a goal there.

April 28-I walked 2.82 miles.  I felt bad so I thought maybe I wouldn't be able to walk, but I was.  

April 29-I did 15 minutes yoga.

April 30-I walked 3.04 miles.  I found a quarter at the McDonald's in our Walmart.

May 1-  I went to the Training Kick-off at New Balance North Point.  I got there a little early, but there were already a lot of people.  Star 94 had a radio truck there, which actually helped me find it.  Karen, who ran the Get Started meeting I went to, was there.  I got shoelaces and a magnet set free.  They had water, pink lemonade and breakfast, too. First we went in the store and the staff talked to us about choosing and buying shoes.  I used their computer and found my instep and heel are my main pressure points.  I met some nice ladies.  

At about 8 45 we went outside to prepare for our walk.  We did stretching and a little aerobics to music from the radio truck, including All The Single Ladies.  Then we set out.  We walked all the way around the mall.  I had several nice conversations with fellow walkers.  The one I talked to most was a lady named Kristen.  She's a biologist, and we talked about genetics and peoples' predisposition towards diseases, including addictions.  Later I gave her my business card, and she said she knew me from Twitter .  

I also walked with a couple ladies who had the 3day lumbar pack -  they said they liked it and it was large and comfortable.  We walked 3.46 miles -I finished pretty close to the front.  I got to show some others my iPod and the Nike+ system, and they all seem to really like it.

I also met a lady named Heidi, who lives in Cleveland. We talked about fundraising and other things.

I got a pink water bottle that came with a pen in it.  It was a giveaway to those who spent more than $100, but one of the staff had pity on me and let me have it for $10.

I beat my best distance ever, at least as long as I've had Nike+.  Yet it wasn't that difficult and seemed to go really quickly, because I was talking to everyone.  All in all it was a wonderful experience, and I'm very glad I was part of it.  I think it was kind of a preview to the event itself; it was awesome to be a part of that long line of walkers.

I noticed that my hands swelled during the walk.

Later, when I got home, I found the beginnings of blisters on my heels.  I think that between the distance and my new shoes I got blisters.

Heidi found me on Facebook and added me.  Both she and Kristen sent me nice tweets.

May 2-This morning my heels were hurting.  Friday evening my legs really hurt, but all that did last night was my feet.  

Tonight I read Kristen's blog about this year's training.  She's got some great posts, with one that really encouraged me about fundraising.

I showed my mom the lumbar pack, and she said we could get it when she get paid.

May 3-We went to Cumming.  At Office Max I got some stationery for my letters.  It has orchids on it.

Kristen wrote about me today in her blog , and included a picture with me in it.

I walked 3.16 miles .  I thought it was going to rain all day, so I didn't think I'd be able to walk, but it cleared up about 2.

May 4-I walked .52 miles with Levi.

 

May 5-I walked 3.23 miles .