Dehydration.....and then some!

I learned a lesson the other day....preventing dehydration isn't just about drinking water DURING training walks, but you need to be hydrated BEFORE you start! This lesson was learned the hard way.... I suffered through it! Last Saturday, I walked 13 (well, 12.75 ish, but I'm rounding) miles with a training walk. I got home, took a shower, took a nap, and woke up suffering symptoms of dehydration. At first, I thought I had gotten the flu or something, but my research has me thinking more and more that I was dehydrated.

During the week leading up to the training, I failed to consume my daily goal of 72 ounces of water. I set this goal a few weeks prior and had been drinking the 72 ounces in addition to my normal routine of a morning cup of tea, an afternoon drink (unsweet tea or soda), and a drink with dinner (milk, wine, or water). But, I couldn't find my favorite water bottle (a fancy one that counts the refills) all week. Without the water bottle, I neglected to drink more than 48 ounces of liquid on any day - mostly tea, coffee & soda - in the week leading up to the walk. During the walk itself, I drank 24 ounces of water every 5 miles, and then immediately following the walk, I drank 32 ounces of G2. I thought (stupidly) that I was drinking PLENTY of fluids.

Yet, my research shows - I did not drink nearly enough......At the Shoe Clinic at the Big Peach, the shoe guy called us "Endurance Athletes" - which at the time I thought was ridiculous, but as the training has increased, I see his point. After Saturday, I am a believer - we are endurance athletes. Here's how endurance athletes are a "special risk" for dehydration:


"- Endurance athletes. Anyone who exercises can become dehydrated, especially in hot, humid conditions or at high altitudes. But athletes who train for and participate in ultramarathons, triathlons, mountain climbing expeditions and cycling tournaments are at particularly high risk. That's because the longer you exercise, the more difficult it is to stay hydrated. During exercise, your body can absorb about 24 to 32 ounces of water an hour, but you may lose twice that amount in hot weather. With every hour, your fluid debt increases. Dehydration is also cumulative over a period of days, which means you can become dehydrated with even a moderate exercise routine if you don't drink enough to replace what you lose on a daily basis."
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561/DSECTION=risk-factors

So, by having a goal of drinking 72 ounces of water daily had been my prevention for previous walks because I was overly hydrated prior to the walks. But by neglecting this goal, I was losing more fluids than I was taking in during the ENTIRE week leading up to walk and the cumulative lack of fluids caused my dehydration on Saturday. Let me tell you, suffering from vomiting, dry heaves, dizziness, and sinus issues is not fun, especially when you want nothing more than to participate in "Pirates Night Out!" I missed a fundraiser due to dehydration, so I learned my lesson and then some!

Here are some additional tips from the Mayo Clinic for prevention:

"Prevention - By Mayo Clinic staff

To prevent dehydration, consume plenty of fluids and foods high in water such as fruits and vegetables. According to the Institute of Medicine, letting thirst be your guide is an adequate daily guideline for most healthy people. Fluids can be obtained not just from water but also from other beverages and foods. But, if you're exercising, don't wait for thirst to keep up with your fluids."
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561/DSECTION=prevention

I'm taking this seriously now, and I am uping my intake of daily water!!!!


Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Pirate's Night Out!! August 14, 2010

Team Treasured Chests is headed to Midtown Atlanta on August 14, 2010 to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We will pillage our way through Flip Flops, CosmoLava, Cosmopolitan Lounge and Door 44 raising money for breast cancer education, treatment and research!!!!

Please read our Pirate's Night Out Press Release! 

Be on the lookout for PIRATES -- AARRRGH!


Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

3rd Time's The Charm....

or so they say! Well, in the case of RSVP'ing to a training walk and ACTUALLY attending said training walk, that 3rd time charm thing actually worked! Whoo-hoo!!

Oh, wait - do I really want to say "Whoo-hoo!?" I am SORE! Of course, I should have expected as much being I fell off the training wagon last week due to a root canal and seriously oppressive heat. If I don't walk a little during the week, how am I going to survive the longer weekend walks? Horribly - that's how! But, surviving I am doing, even if it is surviving in pain!

Here is the low down on the training walk I RSVP'd to... The 3 Day Training Walk blurb hailed it as an 11 mile Stone Mountain walk. Being I had never been to Stone Mountain, I inquired about the terrain only to find out that the walk was completely paved and only slightly hilly. At first blush, it seemed more like walking around a city block rather than a mountain because where I come from, mountians have elevations of anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, come in ranges, and are only paved with two lane (sometimes one lane) highways, not sidewalks. They don't stand by themselves at 2,306 feet or have a paved walking surface circling it. But, I'd never been there before, so who am I to judge? 

On the day of the walk, I met up with Michelle, training walk leader, and Sarah for a car pool at 6 AM. I am not a morning person and actually surprised myself by being there only 5 min late (thank you unexpected traffic at 5:45 AM on a Saturday)! I showed up a little sleepy, but really excited about arriving before my carpool! Once we arrived at Stone Mountain, the three of us met up with other walkers at the Walk Up Trail bathrooms at 7 AM. I surprised myself again this morning - first by being up so early and second by being awake enough to smile for this photo!

The plan was to walk the 5 mile loop surrounding Stone Mountain twice, but on our second loop we were supposed to walk the little bit to the carving, for an upclose view and extra mileage. Somewhere along the way, I'm not sure when, we lost Amanda, who headed to wait for us at her car, as her back prevented her to continue. Sometime after that, we ended up taking a left at Albuequerque and walking (hiking?) a stunning mountain trial  for 6 miles.

Being we were on an official 3 Day walk, we didn't stop to take pictures along the way (although I think I will talk my husband into this sometime soon so that I can have photos - it was AMAZING!), except for the one taken above. Thank you Sarah for stopping and snapping the photo!

The first loop went by fast due to the fact we were all talking and having a great time. The second loop (which included 2.5 extra miles) went by fast even though the conversation was completely at a stall due the fact we were getting tired and in a single file line. There is nothing that makes a walk more enjoyable than great friends and awesome scenery!

And here we are at the end of our 11 miles:

We are sweaty - walking through a heat advisory will do that - but we are smiling, even after tackling 11 miles. At this point, we sent for Amanda to pick up those that couldn't take the heat - 100 + degrees is no fun! I pushed to walk the rest of the way to the car, another 1.5 miles past this picture!

The best part of the day was after all the walking was done, Michelle, Amanda, Sarah, and I ate at Subway for lunch. We were so out of it, someone tried to order Starbuck's, and none of us could move the chairs! But, we had a great meal, plenty of laughs, and great camaraderie! I wouldn't exchange this experience for the world!  

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Preview Expo Day - Atlanta! Saturdy, July 24, 2010

So, my Saturday didn't start off well at all.....Friday night my WiFi system broke, which left me without the internet. Talk about cutting me off from the world....but I need to take you back a week to show you how this affected me this particular Saturday more than any other day since. You see, I had RSVP'd to a training walk led by my team captain for Saturday morning at 7 AM on Tuesday. At the time I RSVP'd, I put off getting everything together until Friday night - maps, phone numbers, etc.- thinking "if I do it now, I won't be able to find it on Saturday morning." When I lost the internet Friday night, I was flying blind. I sort of knew where the walk started (SBUX), and I knew the time I was supposed to be there (6:45 AM), but I had never been to that particular Starbucks before AND I didn't have my team captian's phone number. Procastination, it is a KILLER! Anyway, to top off being cut off from the world, I set my Saturday alarm for weekdays, not weekends, which just left me to oversleep by 1/2 hour! So, there I was, rushing to a place I didn't know how to get to hoping beyond hope I'd catch up with someone who I couldn't reach. How lame is that? Yeah, exactly! The reason I went anyway - I didn't want to let my team down AND I didn't want to go by myself to the Preview Expo...because the whole point of the "Join A Team Day" walk was to recruit new members and get the team together to carpool to the Expo!

What happened? Well, I got to an empty parking lot with no sign of anyone, anywhere. But, my car needs work, and I have to keep my driving to a minimum. So, I stayed hoping I was in the right place. I waited, and waited and waited. At 9:15 AM, I freaked out. The Preview Expo started at 10 AM and I was at least 45 min away....I still had no sign I was in the right parking lot and had NO idea where the Preview Expo was, because in my mind, I was getting there by carpool. So, I texted a teammate who was meeting us at the Expo hoping to get the team captain's phone number. She called to give it to me, only to hear my sob story that I had no idea where I was going or how to get a hold of anyone. What does she do? She RESCUES ME! She drove out of her way to pick me up, all for the price of a Diet Coke! And, wouldn't you know, as I walk out of the store with her Diet Coke, I run into my team captian returning from the walk! (Almost quite literally!!) For some unknown reason it all worked out perfectly as I had just enough time to meet a few new team members from "Join A Team Day" before my ride showed up. All smiles by 9:30 AM.

And all smiles it stayed during the Preview Expo! We played Expo Trivia - visiting all the stations on the Expo Hall Floor. We learned that DeKalb Medical is our local affliate hospital from the Education Station. We learned how big our tents will be, the set up of the route, and that our packs can only weigh 35 lbs - sleeping bag & all - at the Camp Station. We read interesting news articles from local 3-Day Teams (one such article was mentioned in this blog a few months ago), at the Inspiration Station. We learned about and shared fundraising ideas, teams, and other inspirations at the Ask The Expert Station. The best part of the Expo Trivia? We found our team's Co-Captian manning the Ask The Expert Station! While there, we introduced her to the newbie my ride recruited the day before and she filled us in how we got 3 more members through "Join a Team Day!"

Overall a great Expo - even though we didn't attend any of the Clinics - see schedule ..... Reason: too many people in rooms too small to hold them. I guess it was both a blessing and a curse: a blessing that so many are championing the cause to put an end to breast cancer and a curse because the space did not allow everyone to attend. I am very grateful that what I couldn't learn in the clinics I either learned at American Red Cross in 2009 (I'm certified in First Aid) or at the REI booth (my teammate had a blister that the people at the REI booth dressed, and while dressing the blister they gave an impromptu talk on what they were doing and why they were doing it.)

While at the vendor booths, I met up with Mike from THORLOs socks again. He said "Hi" and thanks for the shout out. The guys from Big Peach were also there. Along with REI, THORLOs and Big Peach were New Balance, Phidippides, and SHOPTHE3DAY. We entered contests to win such items as a pink iPod Nano from New Balance and a $50 gift card to REI. We didn't win any of the give aways, but we did get lots of discounts that will help pay for items desperately needed on our 3 Day Journey!

After the vendor booths, a mishap involving GPS & Starbucks, and the raffle drawings, we headed back to the parking lot where my day ended with smiles, hugs, and new friends!

The most important thing I learned from the Preview Expo: bring duct tape!!! Not only will it fix holes in your tent (should there be any) but it will also keep the moleskin on your blisters from slipping off!! The most important thing I learned during my day: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Canning

I learned a new term on Saturday (July 17th): "canning." When I first heard our team would be fundraising by "canning" I thought we'd be adding fish to metal cans. But, as I have learned (on several occasions), Georgia is a LONG way away from California, especially when it comes to canning! The Georgian definition of canning is: begging people for money in front of a store with cans, usually tin. So, that's what our fundraiser was: begging people for money in front of "disco" Kroger's!

Upon figuring out that we would be begging for money, I couldn't imagine making any money. I know that people that beg for money on the street sometimes make more than I do in a year, but in my mind I couldn't translate the homeless guy on the freeway off ramp into a group of women dressed as pink pirates in front of a grocery store.

I mean, how much money could we really make here?

Answer: over $700 in 5 hours!

But this fundraiser wasn't just about asking people for money. It was about being visible to the neighborhood, because being visible shows survivors there are people out there fighting a good fight for them, and it shows former walkers that their cause lives on. It was about being audible to the parking lot so that we can share statistics of the disease (1 in 8 women will be diagnosed) to people who aren't necessarily shopping in our store but elsewhere within the shopping center. It was about  handing out flyers to people interested, but not willing - giving them a souvenir to take home to read in order to understand the enormity of what we are doing. It was about learning how much we mean to people who have been through it, and how much we are admired by people who have walked it.

It was about having fun, because life wouldn't be fun without a couple of laughs!

We harrassed the money truck......

We rode carts through the parking lot......

We danced..........

We held signs.........

AND We screamed "We have boobies, yes we do, we want to keep them, how about you?" back and forth, across the lot as well as across the store. We gained a lot of attention, pillaged a bunch of cash, and went home exhausted but fulfilled. Hearing the stories of survivors, relatives who have lost, and former walkers, I am now so much more committed to this cause! I even walked 5 miles by myself on Sunday - without any prompting by teammates or my husband. (And I did it before 9:30 AM!!) So, I guess it was about motivating ourselves as well. I can't wait for the next one!!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Switching Teams.....

Finding a 3-Day team is like picking a church once you have moved away from home: you have to look at all of the pieces that make up the team (the celebration, the support system, the fundraising, and the communication) in order to pick the right one for you, even when the choices look the same from the outside. Sometimes, you have to go in and experience it before you can really tell if the fit is right or not. (Sort of like walking in 7 different pair of shoes....) And sometimes that experience may point you out the door, even if you don't know why.

Out the door was where I was headed, and I didn't know why. But, I didn't want to give up on the cause, just like I didn't want to give up on God when I stopped liking the church I atteneded in Dallas, GA. And, like church (I now attend in Douglasville, GA) I just found a new team instead of giving up completely.

It wasn't just one thing or another that brought on my switch from the Sisterhood of The Pink Sneakers to Treasured Chests, but rather a different way of doing the same thing. Treasured Chests has a way that fits my personality, my needs, and my life a little better. That's it and nothing more.

Granted, I may not have gone about making the switch in the right way, because I called the 3-Day without calling the Sisterhood, and I am posting here rather than communicating directly with them, but it took me almost a month to figure out what I was going to do, and I still haven't figured out why I am doing it. I just know that I have an overall feeling that this is the right thing to do for me, and it wasn't brought on by anything other than my own feelings of incompatibility. I also feel that others can learn from my experience, as picking a 3-Day team seems to be the 3rd most important decision of this adventure - the first being the shoes and the second being the socks.

The 3-Day handbook rallies for the importance of finding and becoming a member of a team, but doesn't tell you how to handle issues regarding teamwork breakdowns, emotional differences, and other things that happen when working together as a team. They talk about how great it can be, and it can, but it doesn't talk about how bad it can get. From my experience, I have learned that teamwork is the part that can save you from complete and utter failure - and it is something that needs to be part of this adventure. However, when the team thing goes bad, what do you do?

I didn't think of this option until I after I called the 3-Day number ((800) 996-3day) to switch teams - but we have a WONDERFUL resource to turn to when we have issues or questions - COACHES!!! When I called to switch, they talked to me regarding my experience, listened to my problems, discussed my options, and asked if there was anything they could do to make my 3-Day experience better, and offered their support should I run into anything like that again!

So, for all of you out there who are not having the BEST time ever - struggling with fundraisers, missing out on a positive team experience, fighting a shoe/sock/foot issue, or training debacles - CONTACT A COACH!!! That is what they are there for - to help us to walk the greatest distance we can to put an end to breast cancer!!!

Coaches are available via email: coaches@the3day.org; via phone: (800) 996-3day; or via message boards in the participant center at the3day.org. Do not be afraid to approach them, they are the nicest, sweetest people who want to help!

Remember - you are not in this alone, and together we can overcome anything, even breast cancer!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Big Peach Running Co Event! Winner!!

I went to the Big Peach Running Co. in Kennesaw, GA for the 3 Day Clinic on July 13th to get intel on socks, and I walk away with a FREE pair of Saucony shoes!!! How cool is that!?!? Way cool!

Well, I also walked away with two pairs of the BEST socks I have ever worn, a full stomach (the clinic was catered by Sweet Tomato), a light heart, and a new found love for my 3-Day journey!

Pictured in this post is the table of all the beautiful socks I had to choose from. Manning the table was Thorlos representative, Mike. He gave an awesome presentation during the event on the importance of wearing socks that are not cotton. First, cotton holds water and wet socks will rub your feet raw. So, as your feet sweat, the cotton socks will get wet, and eventually they rub your feet raw. (Go figure! Wasn't that my complaint a few days ago? Wet socks? Hmmm...) Thorlos socks are built for distance walking: they have thick padding, are made of fibers that wick water AWAY from your feet, and have a band around the arch area that keeps them from slipping and sliding. I tried a pair on and let me tell you - my feet LOVED them! They had one slight downside: they made my shoe size go from 7.5 to 8.5 - so it is a good thing I got a pair of new kicks, otherwise I would have been up a river w/o a paddle! I am a convert, even though the price tag is hefty....one pair will cost $110.00 ($15 for the socks & $95.oo for the shoes!) but the benefits outweigh the costs BY FAR!!!

I bought two pairs of socks - using the best deal! The 3 Day arranged a 15% discount to 3 Day participants during the clinic. On top of that, the store put Thorlos socks on sale with a buy one, get one at 50% off! Then, Thorlos has an additional deal (click HERE to get it for yourself): if you buy a pair of Distance Walking Thorlos socks, they will donate a dollar to cancer reasearch, education, and awareness! So, I got two pairs of socks for a fraction of the price AND got to donate $2.00 to the 3-Day! Yey!

As for the shoes, I have to admit, after attending the clinic, I would have bought another pair, even if I didn't win a pair or need a pair. You see, they not only fitted me to my proper size (that included the socks), but they watched the way I walked in the shoes to fit me to the right pair for me. They had me put on the Thorlos socks and stand in this machine that measured the pressure points on my feet, my center of gravity, and my shoe size. They put me in a pair of shoes and had me walk on a treadmill to show my pronation - the natural twist of my ankle during my stride (everyone has one, even you) - to see if I needed special support for my ankle, knees, hips, or back...because your stride affects your entire body! Armed with all this knowledge, they hooked me up with the best shoes I have ever worn. Of course, this was AFTER they had me try on 7 different pairs of shoes, and made me walk through the store and the parking lot for each pair (I think I got all 3 of my miles in! LOL). It was sort of overwhelming (as I have never had anyone ever pay that much attention to my purchase of shoes at Payless Shoe Source), but I got over it once I got into the rhythm of trying shoes on and taking them off. Reports from the girls sitting next to me were 9 pairs and 5 pairs, so I know I wasn't getting attention by myself!


MY BIG RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Get the right socks. 2. Get properly fitted for shoes @ Big Peach (located all around Atlanta) or any nearby shoe store that will fit you properly!!! Your feet will thank you, your knees will praise you, and your back will love you!


Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna