Who I am, why I'm here

The title of my blog refers to a quote from Will Rodgers: "I represent what is left of a vanishing race, and that is the pedestrian.... That I am still able to be here, I owe to a keen eye and a nimble pair of legs. But I know they'll get me someday." And so will I be vanishing. Pound by pound, inch by inch...step by step.

I am not by nature an exhibitionist; I'm normally rather private. But I have set myself an ambitious goal, and that is to complete the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Sixty miles in three days. Blogging my progress will keep me honest - that is, if I know I've got people out here that are going to ask me "So, how's that walking thing working out for you?" I know I'll keep it up, if only because I know I'll feel dumb if I have to say, "Oh, I gave up on that."

I'll be honest with you all - I'm overweight. By a large enough margin that I'm not comfortable posting the number. I am not, at this moment, capable of walking sixty miles in ten days, let alone in three. So, training it is. And whatever it takes - no excuses. Not the weather, the time it takes, the obligations at home will keep me from this. I'm stubborn, and I'm determined. I'll find a partner, walk in the mall, run up and down my basement steps a couple hundred times if I have to.

My absolutely wonderful significant other has given me further incentive. He presented me with a pedometer yesterday, and said that he would match me step-for-step. So that's one of the things I'll be keeping track of here, along with weight lost and inches around my waist that have vanished. Since we live some distance apart, this is the best way we know of to work out together.

So...come on along, if you like, and live vicariously as I walk, train, sweat, swear, blister, complain, rise above, and overcome. Feel free to let me know how you react to my story - I'll be looking forward to seeing what you all think.

Steps taken: 0
Weight lost: 0 lbs
Inches lost: 0 in.