Winter Warriors Take 2

Tonight was the 2nd time attending Winter Warriors. 

Earlier today there were snow flurries in the valley and more snow predicted. Lucky for me, it stopped snowing without any accumulation on the ground. The walking path was clear.

When I saw the snow, I was wondering if I really wanted to do this and be outdoors in the snow, sleet or rain. 

But, that is why I signed up for the Winter Warrior program, to encourage me to go out and move during the dark winter months.

Because I ran with my walking group on the hike this past Saturday, I was encouraged to do walking / running intervals.

I did 4 minutes of walking and 1 minute of running intervals.  I did it!! Woo Hoo!

I dressed really warm ... too warm. In fact, all my clothing and hair were soaking wet from the sweat. 

Next time I won't wear as many warm clothing. I guess it will be trial and error until I know what works for me to stay warm but not too hot. 

Every time I go I meet new people. This is a very fun lively group! It's been a great journey as I get fit and the weight off. 

Eagle State Park Walk

On my quest to stay active during Thanksgiving, I had planned on doing some walking and hiking. 

Thanksgiving day I went on a good hour walk in the late afternoon to burn off the calories from Thanksgiving dinner. 9134 steps

Friday I took down all the Thanksgiving decorations and put up all the Christmas decoration. It kept me active all day long and I ended up with 9283K steps. 

Thanksgiving day I received a message from Kathy asking if I'd like to get together Saturday morning to do a trail called the Rabbit Run. Located at Eagle State Park 11800 N Horseshoe Bend Rd Eagle, ID 83714

Here is our messages to each other via facebook:

Sondra: A run? Ummm. I don't run.

Kathy: Barb is going so it is probably a walk. Rabbit Run is the name of the trail.

Kathy: Really I think we are planning on walking it.

Kathy: We plan on walking Rabbit run trail and the junk yard trail the two together equal 5 miles.

Sondra: Yes, I think I'd like to join in, so plan on me being there. If by chance I can't I'll send you a text.

Kathy: great

Kathy was able to round up a few extra people to join in. I absolutely love meeting all these new people and being active. 

I asked Brady if he'd like to join the walk and he decided to come along for all the fun.

 Back: Maxine and Brady

Middle: Kathy and Sondra

Front: Nancy, Loni and Barb

I love the "before photo" before I'm all sweaty.

Nancy and Kathy did a running 5K practise before this trail. They are machines!

Brady, Sondra, Barb and Maxine

 I had never been on this trail before. I love getting to know all these new places in the area.

 I love the we stop now and then to catch our breath.

 It was a nice November morning. I am enjoying not having snow and frosty weather.

 It was also nice that the trail wasn't wet and muddy. 

 I was sweating and had to take off my jacket - that is how nice of a November day it was. 

The trail wasn't too steep, but it did go up hill. It is good for me to have an incline, but I do lose my breath quite easily going up hill. Great conditioning on my quest to get fit. 

 I'm also pretty proud to say that I did run quite a few times. 

 Brady was SHOCK and proud that I can run/jog now. I've been working really hard this year to get in shape. It's nice to see that I am increasing my endurance.

 Another group shot and no more beautiful hair - ha ha ha. I'm all sweaty.

Back: Maxine, Sondra and Brady

Front: Barb, Loni and Nancy.

I have to say that Nancy is a machine. She is a fast runner and had to keep waiting for us. She is also 72 years old!! WOW! I want to be running and looking so young when I am 72. I'm so impressed and motivated just by meeting her. 

Brady took this picture so Kathy could join in the group shot.

I love going on these walks!

I love that I was able to run today!

I love meeting all these new people every time I join in.

It's a great group to associate with. 

It is also very motivating to live an active lifestyle. 

I am also very thankful that Brady was able to be here and go with me!!

Blessed Beyond Measure!

One of my customers just moved into a smaller house. She asked me if I wanted any of the furniture she couldn't use. I said I'd love to have a few items. She gave everything she didn't want for FREE!

Yes, I am so blessed. There were quite a few items I couldn't take because I don't have the space for it and I don't believe in paying for storage. 

Here are the items I am now the proud owner of!!! Yippee!

 A beautiful dresser! I put this in my bedroom.

 Another dresser! I put this in my TV room and put my flat screen TV on it. I have all the extra blankets tucked inside the drawers. 

 A night stand! I put this in the TV room too. I put it between the 2 lazy boys. I put extra DVDs in the drawers. 

I love the extra storage that helped make the room look cleaner and more organized. 

The little table that was in the TV room between the chairs is now a night stand in Jason's room. 

 I didn't take the 2 twin beds, but I took the night stand. 

I put this night stand in my bedroom and put the older night stand in Jason's room. 

And these beautiful outdoor lounge chairs and table!! I can't wait until next summer to start laying around outside on these nice lounge chairs.

 I'm very excited about all of this beautiful furniture.

I'm such a lucky girl... All of those blessings for FREE!

Also while I went and cleaned my business customer, a trucking company, the owner asked me if I wanted some trout he caught over the weekend. Of course!

I brought them home and ran them through my food saver machine and put them in the freezer. They are some BIG fish. I'm so excited to eat them! 

I am so blessed!

Fleet Feet Winter Warrior

One of the great things about having friends who are active and runners is the pressure they put on you into joining activities they are involved in. 

Kathy told me about a program Fleet Feet winter warrior program. 

Fleet Feet Sports offers running/walking footwear, sports bras, athletic apparel, arch supports, training programs, race teams, fun runs, weight loss programs, personal coaching, and much more!  

The Fleet Feet Sports network shares new and innovative ideas to better serve you and your unique needs while continuing to build a culture that puts health and fitness to the forefront of your life.

Located in the Village at Meridian, Fleet Feet Sports serves the larger Boise running community from a very convenient and central location. 

Program Dates: November 2016 - March 2017

Program Goals: Keep you active, outside and motivated with a group during the Idaho winter

Program Cost: $12.  Registration closes November 17th.

How the Program Works

The Winter Warrior Program is an incentive program to keep you active and outside enjoying the winter weather. Check-in and participate in weekly workouts and races to earn points. These points will earn prizes (and bragging rights) along the way. Let's layer up, lace up your trail shoes and have some fun this winter!

Attend any of Fleet Feet Sports or Team Run Boise weekly workouts and earn 5 POINTS every time you participate

Attend any of our approved winter races and receive 10 Points.

Prize Point Values 

50 points- Good Prize

75 points- Even Better Prize

100 points- Great Prize

125 points- Raffle for a super fantastic prize 

As a Winter Warrior you will receive:

Prizes and incentives for attending workouts and earning points

Fun events and themed workouts

I signed up. I need motivation for the upcoming months.

Tuesday the weather was cold and dark at 6 pm. What was I getting myself into?

We met at Fleet Feet and Brandon the owner gave us some instructions. Then we headed to Kleiner Park for the walk/run. I left with the ladies I hiked to Table Rock with and quickly understood that they were gong to be running. 

Again, I thought "What have I gotten myself into?" I am not a runner and was assured that there would be walkers there too. While I was warming up with the runners, a group of people asked if I was Sondra and a walker. YES!!! Kathy sent them to find me so I could walk with them.

It was very dark and scary. I was so thankful to be walking with a group of people. I couldn't do the walk in the dark by myself. Way too scary. 

We had flashlights, but I quickly knew that if I was going to do this I needed to get some reflective gear. I ordered some and it's on it's way. 

I had a great time meeting new people, Jessica, Nick and Jay. 

Now I am signed up for "Meet Me Monday's" for a 7am walk at the mall and Winter Warriors at 6pm on Wednesdays outside. 

I am excited and determined to stay active and motivated during the cold dark winter months.

My Spark People Biggest loser challenge starts again December 7th. We are still the Scarlet Dragons!! However, within our Scarlet Dragon team we have mini-teams to increase the challenge aspect of the challenge. 

The Mini-teams are:

  Hungarian Horntails

Romanian Ridgebacks

Swedish Short-Snouts (my team)

It's going to be fun having an new Biggest Loser Challenge, along with the 2 walking programs I'm doing. This year has been a journey to enjoy being an empty nester and find a great new life as I age. 

Continuing to find "Joy in the Journey" - after your children are grown. 

Boise Police Candle Light Vigil

I feel very determined not to sit on the sidelines to make my community better. I am going to be one of the driving forces in spreading love, kindness and support to make my community and world a better place. It takes action and I'm stepping up. 

Tuesday night I grabbed my umbrella and braved the rain to attend a "Thin Blue Line Candlelight Vigil".  "Let Your Light Shine" for our Brothers & Sisters in Blue as we come together in unity to show support, encouragement, care, and offer prayers to all our law enforcement families. 

I decided to walk instead of drive over to the vigil even though it was raining (I love walking in the rain). I wanted to show my support for our Boise Police and law enforcement nationwide. 

 When I arrived on the street toward the Police station I was greeted with multiple police cars with their lights flashing. 

 It was an awesome sight!

Our officers to go out every single day, every single call, to unknown areas, never knowing what they are going to face. I know that the Boise Idaho Police are some of the finest officers nationwide. It's reassuring to know they are good men and not corrupt like we see in other parts of this country.

Last Friday, two Boise Police Officers were shot and wounded in an attempt to apprehend an armed suspect in a Boise neighborhood. The two officers, along with a Boise Police K9 who was also shot, were immediately rushed to hospitals. The shooting suspect was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Police had been searching for Romero since Tuesday, after Meridian police said they believed he shot a man and woman around 10:45 p.m. that evening in the 300 block of East Gruber Avenue.

The two victims, who are both 29, were known to Romero. The woman was shot once in the chest and remains in a local hospital in fair condition.

Police received a citizen tip at 12:45 p.m. saying a person believed to be Romero was spotted in a car that had been reported carjacked. A second report came in minutes later.

Officers searched for the vehicle in the neighborhood north of Orchard Street and Overland Road. They were aided by bystanders who pointed them in the right direction, the department said.

Officers later found the suspect walking down the street. He took off running through the neighborhood. Officers secured the area of Irving Street near Roosevelt and Wilson, and the Special Operations Unit came to search the area.

Shots rang out after police encountered the suspect, who had been hiding. Neighbors reported hearing at least 10 shots.

The Thin Blue Line Candlelight Vigil was organized to give the community a tangible way to show their support and love for three Boise police officers who were injured in a shootout on Friday while searching for a wanted suspect. Those officers are Cpl. Chris Davis, Cpl. Kevin Holtry, and police K-9 Jardo.

 Officer Jardo made an appearance at the Vigil.

A police dog, Jardo, who was injured in the attack. He was shot through the chest and lost a lung, Bones said. He was treated and released Saturday from WestVet Veterinary Clinic.

Unfortunately 2 days later we lost Officer Jardo. It's so sad. There will be a memorial for him next week. 

A smiling Cpl. Chris Davis was released from Saint Al's and was escorted home by officers. 

The other officer, a 17-year BPD veteran, remains in critical condition. We are anxiously awaiting the day when we can watch him be released from the hospital as well. 

I signed the banner - my note is above the "ye" in Prayers in green. 

 The event was put on in part by a group of women whose husbands and sons serve in local law enforcement. During the vigil, they had the public write get-well-soon cards for the injured officers, took donations, and had the public a sign banner that will hang in Corporal Holtry's hospital room. For many of the women, they know there is a chance their loved ones may not come home from work one day.

 A selfie in the dark with my candle. 

I've never been to a candle light vigil before. I didn't know if I was suppose to bring my own candle and asked on the event page. I found out the organizers provide candles for a vigil and they did. 

It was not just the public that came out to show their support during the candlelight vigil; Peace officers from agencies all over the Treasure Valley came to show their support.

The music was beautiful and very touching.

I'm very glad that I went to this event to support our Police enforcement. It was amazing to see all the people who were there offering their support to these brave men and women. 

Thank you for your service. 

Meet Me Monday

While on my hike to Table Rock on Saturday, Kathy motivated me to join with her on a walk at the Boise Towne Square Mall at 7:00 am Monday Morning.

On Monday's I don't work because holidays usually occur on Monday's and it's nice to have a day I can move customers around or schedule special cleans if needed. I have a Trucking Company I clean every Monday night - which leaves Monday mornings open for an early morning walk. 

It's nice having my schedule clear to join Meet me Monday free walking group / movement. 

The mission of "Meet Me Monday" is to ... 

GET OUT for the health of our mind, body and spirit.

GET OUT to spend time with family and friends

GET OUT to support our community

Incentives for participation and raffle prizes!

Discounts at local business. 

There is also a "Meet Me Monday" in downtown Boise

5:15 pm - sign-in at Bandanna Running and Walking (5th and Main). Announcements and Prize drawings at 6:45 pm.

Kuna has one at 5:30 PM

Sign-in at Kuna Visitors Center (first right off Swan Falls Road from Avalon)

There website: meetmemonday.org

I met Kathy at 7:00 am. I admit it was hard to pull myself out of bed on a day I could sleep in - but I need to do these things to move my body. It's nice that the traffic isn't too bad that early in the morning.

Also with winter coming up, I need extra motivation to keep moving.

There are a lot of senior citizens walking the mall in the mornings. I loved seeing friends walking together and enjoying the quiet mall to start the day. None of the businesses are open and there isn't any temptation to spend money - huge plus to walk early in the morning.

I really enjoyed the walk. It goes by fast when you have someone to walk and talk with.

At 7:45 a.m. I signed up at the food court area. You sign in every time you walk. After consistently showing up and walking you get a T-shirt, then a sweat shirt. Plus there are raffles for lots of fun prizes. When you check in there are tickets to put your name on and throw into a jar. 

I love all of these activities I've been encouraged to join in! 

Still motivated to make 10,000 steps every day.

Another Hike To Table Rock

I know I haven't been publishing my weight loss. I'm at 250 days on Spark People and my weight loss journey. I am down 40 pounds. The last 10 have been a struggle. I go down and then up and then down. I'm happy to have lost 40 pounds and am still active on my weight loss journey. 

Saturday, November 11, 2016 I went on a hike to Table Rock with the Boise Spark Team and friends. It was really nice to meet new friends and have a bigger group - 5 people. I have really enjoyed getting to meet new people and going on hikes. 

This post has a photo overload - beware. There were so many great photos that I couldn't choose just a few. 

Loni, Lisa, Barb and Kathy

I am trying to have more pictures of me in them and to feel beautiful even at this weight. I've went through to many years not having my picture taken and I'm trying to just go with it. It is my life and even though I am heavy right now, I still need photos with me in them.

One of the things I read a lot when people lose a ton of weight - they wish they had more pictures to compare in the journey. Even though I don't enjoy looking at pictures of myself - I'm trying to transform my thinking into self love at any weight. One day when I'm gone and my children go through my blog books - they'll be happy to have photos of their mom. 

Here is a look at Table Rock - it's a huge cross that looks over the Boise Valley. The hike takes about an hour to hike up to it. 

It was a beautiful November day - short sleeve T-shirt and no jacket for me. 2016 Fall weather has been wonderful.

We took a detour to see if we could find a different trail and found these fun rocks stacked. Even though the trail didn't take us anywhere near the trail to table rock - it was a fun adventure. 

Lisa, Kathy, Barb and Loni on the trail to nowhere. 

Barb and Sondra

Even though the trail didn't lead us where we wanted to go - these were cool rock steps and it was a fun little hike before we had to turn around and go back to the beginning of the "Trail to Nowhere". 

 At look down to where we began the hike. 

 A view of the Boise Valley a little way up the trail. 

 Taking a little break to catch our breath. This ladies all participate in running programs and run a lot of 5K, 10K's and marathons. It's very motivating to find a group that encourages me to do a little better all the time - not to mention get out of my comfort zone and live.

Getting closer to Table Rock and seeing the "B" on the mountain.

 Another stopping place with a view. Picture time!!

Lisa, Loni, Barb and Kathy

 Lisa, Sondra, Barb and Kathy

It's kind of weird to be the tallest person - all 5 foot 3 inches of me. 

Ta Da... I'm being brave getting my picture taken. 

Kathy, Lisa, Barb and Sondra

 We made it! There was a dog that decided to do a photo bomb. He is in between Barb and me. 

It made us laugh that he just sat there getting his picture taken. I wish it wasn't so dark so you could see how cute he was. 

While we were there, a group of ladies doing a service project cleaning up the litter and they were owners of the photo bombing dog.

 We made sure to thank them for their service in cleaning up this beautiful landmark. 

Although it's sad that anyone should clean up litter and that people litter. 

 More photos of these wonderful woman providing service. Thank you!!

A selfie! 

It was a beautiful walk with wonderful women. 

I'm so happy to have found people to walk and hike with. 

Lucky Me!