Thursday, February 19, 2009

02.19.09: The World At My Feet

The World At My Feet.
As I train to run/walk the Flying Pig Marathon – my May challenge for the American Heart Association – I have to cover a lot of ground.

So far I’m up to 11 miles on my long run day, and that means going beyond my neighborhood and into neighboring towns. It is neat discovering new side streets and occasionally getting lost. (I typically carry a little map with me to I know how to get back home).

Life on my feet allows me to connect to the world around me. I get to see the tracks of other animals that have traveled the path before me.

Sure, sometimes it can be a bit unnerving sharing the street with vehicles not used to seeing someone trotting along the side of the road. But it keeps me on my feet, alert and aware of everything around me.

To read more about my Save the World Diet, and about my story go to: www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

Sunday, February 8, 2009

2.08.09: In and Out of the Cold

The greatest thing about the Penguin Plunge? Running out of the water and getting a towel from one of the Special Olympics athletes.

Sure it was cold (bone-chilling doesn't begin to describe it) but it was so much fun. The staging area, the tent where you wait for your number to be called, was filled with people pumped and ready to take the plunge. The Vermont Rugby Team -- the largest contingent there -- had bagpipes playing to usher them in the water in formation.

My plunge wasn't so organized, I made it to about my armpits, when a rush of my fellow plungers started heading back in to dry land. So I turned around and got out, got a towel as a jogged back to the changing tent.

A few moments of my time, a bit of discomfort, and a lot of fun for a great cause, Special Olympics Vermont. Many, many thanks to my supporters, who allowed me to take a long walk off a short pier and reminded me that sometimes you just have to jump in.

www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

Saturday, February 7, 2009

02.07.09: Plunge Day

It's the morning of the Penguin Plunge, a dip in the icy waters of Burlington, Vt., to benefit Special Olympics Vermont. It's kind of a tradition around here -- and everyone seems to know someone who is going under for a good cause.

Most people who aren't doing it just commend you saying you're brave, courageous (read: Crazy). Last night, I went to workout at a local gym and membership coordinator told me that he had to cross a cold river once when he was out hiking. He couldn't breathe until he made it to dry land. Even now, he has trouble going in pools that are too cold. Yikes.

I'm trying to think of it as an invigorating experience -- one of those things that if you let the fear build up, you'll never do it. But once you do it, it will be done before you know it.

I've handed in my donations -- about $200 in total, have a "3" on my hand to indicate that I'm in one of the first "waves" going in the water, and I'm ready to take the plunge.

Like all of my Save the World Diet challenges, this one has a theme for me. It's all about jumping in and having fun. I'm glad to be supporting an organization that allows so many special athletes to do just that.


www.firstgiving.com/savetheworlddiet
www.fatwomanonthemountain.com