Cathy Miller

I spent the weekend of September 9th cheering on my Fight Like A Girl teammates who participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, 60 Mile Walk for the Cure.

A couple of the crazy ladies are doing the San Diego 3-Day Walk with me in November – in addition to the San Francisco Walk.

If ever I needed a boost for training for my November Walk, the San Francisco Walk is just what the doctor ordered.

The San Francisco Stars

The San Francisco Walk boasted walkers of every size, shape, age and gender.

• San Francisco raised $3.9 million
• They had 1,500 walkers
• And had 375 crew members

I loved all the “seasoned” walkers. You inspire me.

The San Francisco Fight Like A Girl teammates were fabulous – Diane, Jamie, Kristin, Lauren, Penny, Sue

• There were two newbies – Lauren & Jamie
• And only one small blister amongst the whole group
• You rock!

Teammate, Julie, is unable to walk this year, but she joined me in the cheerleader role.

The City by the Bay

The weather totally cooperated and who wouldn’t love a Walk that includes crossing the Golden Gate Bridge?

The Walk ended on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Many of the walkers wore American flags, honoring the day.

After soon-to-be 8 Walks, you’d think it would be old hat for me, but it never is. There are always new stories of inspiration.

Next Stop – San Diego

As walkers, we need to raise a minimum of $2,300 to walk. I am slightly less than $1,000 short with two months to go.

If you can help – and no donation is too small – please click here or on the donate button in the right sidebar.

Also, send me the name(s) of loved ones who are battling cancer, are survivors or who you lost to cancer. I will wear their names on the Walk. They are the reason why we walk.

I’m so excited for my 8th Walk. Thank you to all my contributors and walk on!

Thank You Contributors!

• Aaron Davis
• Blue Shield of California – company gift match via Preddis Sullivan
• Carol McCaffery
• Debbie Ressler
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Dyann Bartus Calder
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Jennifer Mattern
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Julie Ewert
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Nicky Parry
• Preddis Sullivan
• Rachel Marturello
• Rita Wiggins
• Suzanne Whitlock
• Tammy Reed
• Terri Parsons

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Live…Laugh…Love

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Training for my 8th 3-Day Walk for the Cure has been going well.

But, today, I am taking a day off.

• Work calls
• A sleep-deprived body snores
• And it’s already 70 degrees at 6:30 in the morning

In the past, I’ve shared what it’s like training to walk 60 miles in 3 days. I’ve even compared Boise training to San Diego.

Allow me to share my training experience for 2011.

Training Tribulations

No matter how you prepare, there are always a few mishaps or minor irritants you put up with.

1. Muscles That Don’t Snap Back

Remember the days when minor injuries healed seemingly overnight? It was the same time where unwanted pounds faded away with very little effort. Well, all that’s changed.

Welcome to training in the year you turn 60.

• A strained back muscle from pulling on a hose nags constantly
• Even though the injury was three months ago
• My water bottle holder hits right in that sweet spot of pain

I’ve taken to carrying the water bottle in my hand and putting it in its holder after it’s empty. Only problem is that it freezes my hand when I first start out as it comes fresh from the refrigerator.

Right now, the main reason I wear the bottle holder is to have a place for my 3-Day pins.

And still that back muscle screams.

2. Running Water Everywhere

I don’t know which is worse, the tears and runny nose that spring to life on a training walk or the home owners who love to water their sidewalks.

I tell you, we have the best-looking sidewalks in Boise. The grass may be dying as sprinkler systems shoot over the grass to drench sidewalks – you know, the ones where you are walking.

It’s good practice for wearing your rain poncho, so vital to last year’s walk.

3. Pebble Magnet

I did not know it was possible to attract pebbles as you walk.

After many years of testing out all kinds of blister-busting shoes, I landed on MBT sandals.

• No more blisters
• No more blackened toenails
• Sweet comfort at last

Until this year. I don’t remember having this problem before. Due to the open sides of the sandals, I am constantly picking up pebbles, causing major foot blow-out.

• I limp to the side of the road
• And attempt to dislodge the offensive beast

It’s a comical site as I try to balance on the curved sole of the sandal to rip at the velcro strap of the other shoe.

It’s like failing the straight line sobriety check when all you’ve had is ice cold water from a bottle that numbs the hand ripping at the strap.

4. Kamikaze Flies

Speaking of magnets, what’s up with the kamikaze files?

• They’re the size of Kansas
• And love nose-diving at your face
• They buzz your head for miles

Picture this, an almost 60-year-old walker, decked out in 3-Day attire, balancing on one rocking foot while madly swatting at nose-diving flies.

Where’s America’s Funniest Home Videos when you need them? I could use that prize money.

5. Nature Call

Perhaps one of the biggest differences between my training in San Diego versus Boise are the gifts left behind.

• San Diego dog owners that don’t clean up after their pets have nothing on Boise
• Try avoiding the offerings from a horse that walked your same path
• Or its cousin, the flattened cow patty

And the 3-Day coaches warn you about looking out for traffic. At least I know the source of the Kamikaze flies.

Triumphs

For all my whining, there is a lot to love about training for the 3-Day Walk.

1. The Beauty of Nature

It’s only fair to share the other side of nature –

• The changing seasons
• The variety of birds and other animals

It never ceases to lift my spirit – despite #4 and #5 above.

2. The Mental and Physical Benefit

Not only is it rewarding mentally, but I actually exercise regularly during training season. Now, if I can just keep that up the other six months.

3. The Cause

It always comes back to the cause.

My sister, Terry, a 10+years breast cancer survivor, my teammates, and all the survivors and individuals affected by cancer are my inspiration. Their story is the truly fascinating one.

They are the reason why we walk.

What’s a few minor irritants?

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Live…Laugh…Love

P.S. I need to raise just under $1,000 in 2 1/2 months to reach the minimum required to walk. If you can help, click here or at the button on the sidebar to donate. Thank you.

Thank you all my contributors.

• Aaron Davis
• Blue Shield of California – company gift match via Preddis Sullivan
• Carol McCaffery
• Debbie Ressler
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Dyann Bartus Calder
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Jennifer Mattern
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Julie Ewert
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Preddis Sullivan
• Rachel Marturello
• Rita Wiggins
• Suzanne Whitlock
• Terri Parsons

I drafted myself as captain of my team’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure in San Diego.

Hey, someone has to do it.

It’s my 8th year as a participant and I am thrilled to join my Fight Like A Girl teammates once more. This year, some of the ladies are participating in both the San Francisco 3-Day, 60 Mile Walk and the San Diego event.

• The San Francisco 3-Day Walk is in September
• The San Diego 3-Day Walk is in November
• That’s 120 Miles in 6 days – just 2 months apart

Are my Fight Like A Girl teammates awesome or what?

Pink Power

The Fight Like A Girl theme is a popular team name, but there is only one F.L.A.G. team as far as I’m concerned.

So, I decided we needed our own logo – not one of the cookie-cutter ones out there.

I contacted Thrive Web Designs, the graphic designer of my business logo. And they did an awesome job.

• Pink boxing gloves
• One from San Francisco
• One from San Diego
• Together crushing cancer

I just had to share the results.

I am slightly over half way to raising the minimum $2,300 each walker needs to walk. Thanks to all my contributors!

Walk on!

Thank You Contributors

• Aaron Davis
• Blue Shield of California – company gift match via Preddis Sullivan
• Carol McCaffery
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Jennifer Mattern
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Julie Ewert
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Preddis Sullivan
• Rachel Marturello
• Rita Wiggins
• Suzanne Whitlock

If you would like to contribute, click here or on the Donate button in the right sidebar.

Thank you.

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Live…Laugh…Love

I have a little over one month of training under my belt – or should I say my feet?

That’s training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

• It’s 60 miles in 3 days
• It raises money for breast cancer research
• My sister, Terry, is a 10+ years survivor
• It’s my 8th time participating
• It happens in San Diego in November

Just a little over one week before my 60th birthday.

The last time I admitted that, a colleague wanted to connect me with her mother – ouch.

I still love you, Danielle – especially now that you are going to be a grandmother. 🙂

60 is the New 3-Day

In order to participate as a walker, we need to raise a minimum of $2,300.

Leave it to my great contributors to come up with a new theme.

• $60 for 60 miles for this (almost) 60-year-old
• One contributor did 2 times the $60 theme
• Another did 4 times the theme

I’m loving this theme.

To date I have raised – drumroll please – $1,185!

Don’t miss out on the fun. You can donate any amount here or click on the donate button in the sidebar. Thank you for your consideration and generosity.

In the month of June I walked 143.3 training miles (that point three counts – really)

Thank You Contributors

Thank you to all of my contributors – many who are repeat givers. I appreciate your generosity and support.

• Aaron Davis
• Blue Shield of California – company gift match via Preddis Sullivan
• Carol McCaffery
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Jennifer Mattern
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Julie Ewert
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Preddis Sullivan
• Rachel Marturello
• Suzanne Whitlock

Why We Walk

Each year I ask contributors and non-contributors for the names of loved ones battling cancer, survivors or those you lost to cancer. I wear their name on the 3-Day Walk for the Cure to honor them.

These are the names from last year, plus some new ones. Let me know if you have names you would like to add.

In Memory of:

• My Dad, Doug Miller
• My Aunt Mitzi Forester
• Des’ Dad, Kenneth Landers
• Bridget LePage
• Deb Hall’s Grandma & Aunt Lou
• Hazel Patraca
• Herb Bryant
• Kirby Boehner
• Louise Barney
• Lynn Flynn
• Marina Angeles’ Aunt Melanie
• Mary Janczewski
• Mary Sanger
• Maureen Martin’s family members
• Myrtle Miller
• Nan Cralle
• R. Petronio
• Rebecca Lyall
• Robert Dean Peace
• Ruth Sabian

In Honor of:

• My sister, Terry Dietz, a 10+ year survivor
• My great Fight Like A Girl teammates – breast cancer survivors: Martina Scanlon, Penny Rammer. Sue Peterson
• Abigail – Jenn’s friend
• Ann Blackwell Clement
• Arlene Toro
• Barb Bryant
• Bo Lebherz’s Mom
• Bobbie Harris
• Carol House (B-P’s sister)
• Carol Tellish
• Chris Marlow
• Cindy Darling
• Connie Meninno
• Crystal & Beth
• Dave Duenas’ Mom
• Emma Tookey
• Holly & Michael’s friend, Laurie
• Joanne Fiedler
• Juanita Durham
• Judi DiMatteo
• Judy Forsythe
• Kara Rogers
• Kim Ostrom
• Leslie (cousin of Boise man I met on training walk)
• Marianne Jaehn
• Maritza Hurley
• Marsha Lindbeck’s Aunt JoAnn
• Mary McDonald
• Michelle Hand
• Nancy Scherer
• Patti St. John
• Sondra Parks
• Theresa Frith
• Thomas Bittner
• William Tookey

Thank you again for your support and feel free to continue the 3-Day 60 theme. 🙂

Live…Laugh…Love