Long walk home from school - 20.95 total miles

I picked Vinny up from school on foot today, and we took a long, roundabout way home. The total walk was 2.16 miles. I didn't end up walking yesterday because I went to church and was really disappointed in how robotic the whole service was, and now I have to go to a different church next week and continue my "church crawl" to find the right one for me and my family. So I was bummed, and since I parked badly (really close to someone else's door), I booked out of there, and got right on the road. Also, nothing is open on Sundays, so I couldn't even walk down mainstreet and try and have a cup of coffee.

So I think this local website is going to be a great way for me to meet some folks. I even have a person or two interested in walking! Lunch is this Wednesday, and then Thursday, I'm going back on Weight Watchers Core. It is going to be hard, because I just started using the breadmaker, plus the holidays are coming, but I guess that's no reason to eat like a crazy person. As a matter of fact, the one year when I did stick to my diet during Thanksgiving, was the only year I ever felt human after eating. And I ate a little of everything (key word being "little").

This year, it's just going to be me, Mat and the boys, so I'll be making a small turkey, stuffing (or dressing if you're so inclined), gravy, garlic mashed potatoes and candied yams (no marshmallows though, I don't understand that tradition!). One thing is for sure, I will NOT be making a green bean casserole. I never even heard of these until I moved to Arizona. I'm not a fan. Instead, I'll probably make some other kind of green veggie plus some kind of salad. I figure that I'll stay on program every day except Thanksgiving, and then, I'll count points, but I"m not going to beat myself about the head if I have an extra bite of pie. (Ohhhh yeah, I'm making homemade pie).

We are starting off Thanksgiving day with the 2 mile Health Run (and Vinny will do a kids' race that morning as well). I figure it's a great way for us to get out together and get moving. The more I think about it, the more I want to work toward doing real races (not that the fun walks aren't a blast!) I'm going to do the next March of Dimes walk in my area, and I'll keep looking for this type of event to combine philanthropy with fitness. Someone on Myspace posted this link about a father and son who compete, and I think it's one of the most inspiring things I've read/watched. Read the whole thing and take the time to watch the video at the bottom of the page.

Another thing I'm concerned about lately stems from my having watched Chernobyl Heart, an HBO Documentary. I think most people (around my age and older) remember when the Chernobyl disaster happened back in 1986. What I didn't realize was how that disaster continues to affect the people (and particularly the children) in that area to this day. If you want to learn more, visit the Chernobyl Heart film website and also check out the related charity site for Chernobyl Children's Project International. You can find the film on HBO and if you have DVR or Tivo, you can record it. It's not easy to watch, but I had no idea, and I hate being ignorant about the world around me. Anyway, if you decide to donate, post a comment so I know I'm lending a hand. Short of becoming a doctor and heading over there, I feel a little helpless over the whole scenario.

Anyway, I'm feeling good about my walk today, and though I realize I have not been as consisitent as I would like (or as I said I would be), I'm pretty proud that today:

I BROKE 20 MILES IN 22 DAYS!!!
(That's almost a mile a day!)