9 Miles Down

For those of you who don't know, I signed up to to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure walk this year. This walk covers 60 miles in 3 days. There are walk locations throughout the US, and I am doing mine in DC. Why am I doing this? I have thought about doing this walk many times, but always backed out because of the fundraising commitment. I decided this year that I want to be a person who takes action, instead of just the person who talks about how great things would be. The fundraising commitment is $2300.00, and so far, I've raised $720.00. It's a scary amount, but I'll get there somehow. I walk in honor of those of you I know who have won the fight. I wish I could say I walk in honor/memory of no one. There are similarities to this training and marathon training--great people, lots of training, but the biggest difference is that those of us doing marathons had something to prove to ourselves. Those of us doing the walk have something to prove to the universe.

Taken from the official event site: "The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is an amazing 60-mile journey that helps mothers, sisters, spouses, and friends get one step closer to a world without breast cancer. Join us for three inspirational days where together we’ll walk so long, so far, and with so much hope, the world will hear our footsteps.

Everyone who participates in the Komen 3-Day for the Cure discovers her (or his!) own personal meaning, regardless of their size, age*, athletic ability or lack thereof. For some, it’s the overwhelming pride that comes from completing what they thought was impossible. For others, it’s the joy of doing something so big and bold they know they have made a difference. And for many, it’s the opportunity to bond with loved ones or forge new friendships that last a lifetime."

I have participated in several training walks so far, and so far, it's been a great experience. In addition to trying to do a great thing for a great cause, the two best things about this are the training walks and the people you meet during training. It's very easy to make friends, because the most obvious ice breaking questions are: Have you done this before, and what made you want to do this? On my first day, I walked with AR (I won't use names, for their own privacy), who is also a first time walker. She is walking in honor of friends who survived breast cancer. AR was great company, and we talked about everything from dogs to husbands.
We walked 4 miles together, from Belle Haven park in Alexandria, under the Wilson Bridge, and looping through Old Town. It wasn't super hot yet, so it was nice, relaxing morning. I LOVE walking in places I've never been before--you notice so much more on foot than you do when you're zooming around in the car.
My second walk was a few weeks later, in Falls Church, VA. We were supposed to do 6 miles, but our route was miscalculated by googlemaps, so we did about 7. On this walk, I walked with L for a while, and then I met JJ. JJ and I walked most of the route together--she is also a first timer, and doing the walk in San Diego. She is walking both in honor of and in memory of those who have fought the fight. JJ was a great walking partner--very funny, and great conversations ranging from running marathons to belief in God.

I was lucky enough to meet up with JJ and AR for my next walk ~6.5m which started at Belle Haven and crossed the Wilson Bridge to National Harbor, and then back. What a great walk! It was pretty warm (the hottest day so far at 93 degrees), but walking across the bridge that connects VA to MD isn't something I would normally do! HUGE blisters this time--attributed to new shoes :( I walked with both AR and JJ for a bit, and then also walked with K. K is a pretty quiet woman, but definitely a sweetie. I learned at the end of the walk that 2 years ago she was involved in car accident. She was in the back seat of a car of 4 and they were hit by a drunk driver. Thankfully all were okay, but she has permanent steel rods in her back! I was honored to walk with her.

My most recent walk was yesterday, and we did 9 miles on the Mt. Vernon trail. I am happy to report that I am feeling good, and blister free. JJ was away this week, but I saw K and AR. AR's awesome husband G came out to walk to help support her! What a great guy! AR and I have decided to be tent mates!! What a relief! During the walk, I stopped at a pit stop early on and had to wait for the 'comfort station' to be available, so I fell far behind the group. Surprisingly, this wasn't so bad--it was such a beautiful walk along the Potomac--so many people out enjoying the trail--it was great. I caught up with the group for a bit at the turn around point, and somehow ended up walking the entire way back by myself---I did pass some people---I guess slow and steady does win the race :) What a great experience for me to clear my head, give thanks, and reflect. I'm not sore today, and I'm blister free, so how can I complain?


Next up, an 'easy' 6 in McLean this weekend. I can't wait to see who I'll be walking with.



PS..If you want to donate, please go to www.the3Day.org, click 'Donate to a Participant' on the right side, and enter my name.

Driving Etiquette for the DC metro area (and beyond?)

First of all, let me start by saying that I'm not Wonder Woman, and therefore do not use an invisible plane (or car!) as my primary means of transportation. My car is black, and although the same color as the pavement, it's not camouflage--in fact, it's rather easy to see. That said, please don't pull out in front of me when I'm *this* close to you. Also, it seems that some of you can't see my car in parking lots--that would explain all the dings I have in it from your car doors ramming in to the sides. Also, if you can't parallel park by now, you shouldn't move here. BOTH rear bumpers are smudged with white paint from what I guess would be people trying to parallel park. I didn't learn how to parallel park in driver's ed, but I did somehow learn to do it growing up in Franklin County, where there is really never any need to to so.

It's against the law to use your phone in DC (without hands-free devices)in the car, and against the law to text in VA...seriously, stop it---we can see you doing it--you're not hiding it by having the phone on your lap---plus the fact that you're not paying attention and driving really slow is a dead giveaway. As an aside, if you're using blue-tooth or any other hands-free while not in the car, you look like an idiot. No one is that important.

Aaahh, the direction signal (or indicator, blinker, depending on where you are from). Such a simple gadget. This handy feature comes standard on ALL cars for a reason--if you don't know, it's a little stick looking thingy--usually attached to the steering wheel---it's the thingy that doesn't clean your window. How appreciative I would be if you told me your intentions to turn or switch lanes by using this handy gadget. This reminds me---you CAN'T SWITCH LANES IN TRAFFIC JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO!! YOU DO HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE IF A CAR IS COMING (SUCH AS MINE!).

The courtesy wave: If you need to get in to my lane at the last minute, or when traffic is tight, and you are using your signal, I will almost always let you in. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE give me a little wave--it means so much. I find it also seems to absolve you when you do something really dumb, too. (While driving, of course--in regular life you would just look silly). My only exception to this might be if you are a hot male (or female, to be fair) in a military uniform--then, cut in at will.

Please don't cut me off when there is no one else coming! Wait that extra second and go behind me. Another thing I hate is when you are behind someone who is waiting to make a left turn, and all the people behind you pull out of the lane before you to go around--not nice. Even worse is when they pull out and go around, only to make the next left turn! These are times when I wish my car shot nails.

It may come as a surprise to many of you, but all of the exits on 270, 66, 395,and the Beltway are now LABELED!!! And, what is really great is that sometimes there is a sign that will tell you that the exit is 'coming up in 1 mile'! Therefore, does it really make sense to cross 4 lanes of traffic and cut in at the last minute? Even a courtesy wave from a hottie in uniform can't save you on this one.

If you are driving a car with vanity plates, with a name of a business on the side, or a sign that says 'How's my driving?..call 1-800-etc..' don't be a douche bag.

There are ways to drive with purpose without driving aggressively. Riding my bumper in any circumstance is not going to make me go any faster. This also applies to drivers in Massachusetts. (which reminds me...did you ever notice when driving on 91 that sometimes when you go to pass people, they will speed up and try to race you?).

For the love of God, stop waiting for 'close' parking spaces--especially in parking garages. You are holding up about 20 cars behind you. The irony is that I bet you are the same people who can't wait 5 seconds for the walk signal at a crosswalk.

Your hazard lights are for.........HAZARDS! They are not to tell someone you'll 'be back in just a minute so it's OK to park in the fire zone, handicapped spot, double park, etc'. Find a spot, get out, and walk.

**I almost forgot....when a traffic light turns red, it's not just a suggestion!! STOP!!!

Vehicle maintenance and repair--when to take your car in for repair:

If your car has a window made of tape and plastic
If you are driving on more than one spare tire
If you have a bungy cord holding the door shut
If it produces visible clouds of dark smoke
If you have to tape a sign to the rear window that says 'brake light not working'
If the high pitched squeal your car makes shatters glass and frightens small children
If you happened to park near an exploding manhole cover in Georgetown.....


Happy driving, everyone!

Top tips for successful trip to Washington DC

As the summer tourist season begins, I thought I would offer a few 'do's and dont's' for those of you considering a trip to DC.

For the love of God, please do not come dressed all alike. You might as well wear matching T-shirts that say 'rob me'. (I have actually seen this more than once, and I thank Liz for the 'rob me' idea.) You need not dress entirely in red, white, and blue for any trip, but especially not for Fourth of July--you will look like a dork. In addition, if you buy a T-shirt or cap that says "FBI"--no one will actually think you work for the FBI.

Please don't ride the metro during rush hour---especially with a stroller that is bigger than a Smart car. Rush hour isn't the best time to familiarize yourself with the metro system...before your trip, consult www.wmata.com. While on metro, don't eat, drink, or put your feet up on the chairs..it's gross. If you want to look like local, act like you are asleep, read the paper, or listen to your headphones while wearing sunglasses. And, never, ever make eye contact.

Don't cross against the lights, and then look at me like you have no idea why I'm coming towards you in my car. When you see the flashing orange pedestrian light, that means don't walk. I believe this is the same throughout the US. Trying to scrunch down and scurry doesn't really make you go faster.

Don't litter. Last year someone visiting from Michigan wrote in to the Washington Post and complained about litter in the mall area, the amount of goose poop, and the trash bins overflowing with water bottles. Guess what? We didn't put it there! Do yourself (and the planet) a favor and bring a reusable water bottle and/or coffee mug on your trip. Don't feed the ducks, and they will go away.

Don't EVER try to 'hold' a parking space by standing in it. That is just asking for trouble.

Don't ever pick the cherry blossoms, or climb the trees. Don't sit on, or walk on parts of monuments that you know you shouldn't be sitting on. I shouldn't even have to explain this one.

If you're coming to DC to protest something, that is totally cool. Just don't vandalize, riot, or be disruptive.

Don't eat at chain restaurants when you are here--no offense meant to chains, but there are SO many good places to eat here! If you are worried about budget, go to www.washingtonian.com, and search for their 'cheap eats guide', or browse all the great places on www.restaurant.com.

Have a great trip!