November 11, 2009

[Healthy Lifestyle] 007. Walk across the USA (5048 mi)

Posted in healthy lifestyle at 7:54 am by Heather

When I started this journey, I originally planned on walking the miles associated with the American Discovery Trail – 5043 miles.  And then I realized I have issues with math, and was setting myself the rather unachievable goal of 5 miles / day of walking.   So I modified it based on some suggestions, and am now logging every 1000 steps as 1 mile; 1000 of my steps is about 2.5 miles, so I’m planning on going half the distance.

At this point I’ve walked 337,000 steps since September 1st.  It’s actually more than that, as I frustratingly forgot my Pedometer in Chicago during my trip to Dallas where I did a lot of walking, but que sera sera, I guess.   I’m still on pace for my goal as I have 7% of my steps done with 7% of the 1001 days elapsed, although with winter coming on, I am going to have to make some modifications in my routine so that I can keep that pace up.

My 337 miles has taken me from Cape Henlopen State Park, across Delaware into Maryland, to the Chesapeake Bay, over to Greenbelt Park and then through Georgetown in DC to Old Town, Maryland.  At this point, I’m 20 miles into West Virginia, and am heading towards Streby.

September 16, 2009

Save the Boobies! [Race for the Cure]

Posted in healthy lifestyle at 3:05 pm by Heather

So, I have decided to participate in the Susan G. Komen race for the cure on Sept 26th a week from tomorrow, by request of my friend Liz in honor of her mom, who is a breast cancer survivor.

I think we ALL know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, or someone who knows someone affected by breast cancer – that’s only 2 degrees of separation, way less than the Kevin Bacon game!

Liz’s story is below, but I would like to try and raise $500 for my walk – I know that’s a LOT to ask for in these economic times, but every dollar would be appreciated, even $5 or $10 would make a difference.  Plus, it’s all tax deductible as well!

You can donate at my page here: http://komenchicagoraceforthecure.kintera.org/heathernorton

Liz’s story:

As many of you may, or may not, know; my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 16.  I came home from my first real date to find my mother crying.  She tried to pretend nothing was wrong because she didn’t want to ruin my evening.  She had just learned that she had a malignant lump.  It was all very sudden, and what seemed a few days later she was in the hospital to have a mastectomy.   The next year was filled with chemotherapy and radiation appointments, and all the after effects of said treatments.  Throughout it all my mother was still…well…my mother; she still was there when I needed her, and she still got mad when I got in trouble.  She let me shave her head when her hair started falling out, and when I had a party at our house for a friend’s birthday she surprised us all by putting temporary tattoos on her head.  She sweltered through the long, hot Texas summer in a wig, and wore only high collared shirts to hide the bruises the treatments left behind.  I realized how serious the disease could be, but my mother never let it show that she knew.  Five years after the treatments ended, she was declared a survivor, and now, more than ten years from when the treatments ended, she no longer has to have the regular cancer appointments.  My mother is a survivor, as is anyone who has had to fight the battle with cancer.  So, it is in celebration of my mother, Sarah Tomes Smith that I have not only agreed to participate in the Race for the Cure, but to personally do more to help find a cure.

I have formed a team for the Race and named it “Clique for the Cure”, so called because my small “clique” of friends have helped me form the foundation of the team.  To quote Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Thank you in advance for anything you can donate!