Cathy Miller

In 2015, the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure celebrates 12 years of sponsoring the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk.

The organization started in 2003, and so did this walker. Who knew I would be celebrating a dozen years of Walks?

The best part is I get to celebrate it with my teammates.

A Dozen Reasons

In celebration of our dozen years, I came up with a dozen reasons I am thankful for the 3-Day Walk.

1. For my sister and all survivors – I am thankful my sister, Terry, has been a survivor even longer than I have been walking. I am thankful for all survivors (including three of my teammates) who get to live their life to the fullest.
2. For those we lost – We honor all those we lost to cancer, like my beloved Aunt Mitzi. We remember you. We cherish you. You are the reason we walk.
3. For my teammates – I am thankful to my teammates for the laughter, the tears, the sharing, and most of all, your love. You mean the world to me.
4. For the crew and volunteers – Your endless support and mile-after-mile of smiles, high-fives, and hugs make 60 miles seem like a walk in the park. Thank you.
5. For San Diego residents and supporters – Even in the monsoon of 2010, San Diego residents and supporters braved the elements to be there when we needed a cheer most. You mean more than you will ever know.
6. For my health – The 3-Day Walk shattered all my excuses for not getting healthy again when I left my corporate days behind. What started out as training for the 3-Day became a regular routine of walking.
7. For all my contributors – You humble me with your generosity. Some of you have stuck with me from that first step in 2003.  I could never do this without you and I am so grateful for your generous spirit.
8. For those willing to share their story – When you share your story, you let others know they are not alone. No one battling cancer should be alone. No survivor with that whispering fear during remission should be alone. No person touched in any way by cancer should be alone. Know you are not. We do not need to know your name – but would be happy to – we but share our hope.
9. For virgin walkers –Like our newest teammate, Holly, and all of us who took that first step. The 3-Day has a way of hooking you. You may never do another Walk but you will never forget.
10. For the road warriors – For walkers who walked every Walk in the days that meant 14 Walks. 60 Miles/3 Days Times 14 = 840 Miles/42 Days. Unbelievable. And many did it over again – and again.
11. For an endless supply of t-shirts – I will never have the need to buy a t-shirt again – even though pink is not my favorite color.
12. For discovering the secret to blister-free feet – It took me to 2006 to discover MBTs. Now I panic as my 12th Walk nears and the blister-busting sandals are in short supply. I tweeted to Abeo to convert their rocker shoes (R.O.C.) into sandals. Please answer my prayers.

If you would like to follow as I prepare this old body for another 3-Day Walk, sign up using the form in the sidebar. Pray to the No Blisters gods for me.

Walk on!

Another 3-Day Walk is under my feet and I am happy to report they are feet without blisters.

It was another stupendous 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure.

• We had a new teammate, Holly, who fit right in with our crazy bunch
• Early morning rain was chased away before the start of Day 1
• And we enjoyed 3 glorious days of San Diego weather

I came back home to tons of work and my annual cold. Now, how could that happen?

• Maybe 2,400 San Diego walkers
• 300-plus crew members
• Packed airplanes

So, I’m a bit slow in sharing some of the pictures from this year’s Walk.

I created a short video of some of the highlights.

• We raised $7 million for breast cancer research!
• Thank you to all of my contributors!
• I could not do this without you!

Enjoy your holidays.

3-Day Walk 2014

Walk on!

Next week I leave for my beloved San Diego.

For those of you who don’t know, I lived in San Diego for nearly 20 years.

It was there I experienced my first 3-Day Walk for the Cure − way back in 2003.

I will be participating in my 11th Walk with my fabulous team.

As we have been finalizing travel details, I find myself getting more and more excited. Let me tell you why.

3-Day Walk #11

I often wonder what it is about this event that will not let go.

My initial motivation was fueled by my sister’s diagnosis of breast cancer. I am happy to report that Terry is still going strong as a long-time breast cancer survivor.

But even before Terry’s diagnosis, I marveled at walkers from the then Avon 3-Day Walk going down the coast of California. I kept promising myself I would try it, although at the time I didn’t know anyone who had breast cancer.

When I finally got my rear off the couch, I figured I would do the Walk once. Silly girl.

Walked Straight into my Heart

I shared the story of my first encounter with the women who would later become my teammates.

The connection had a cosmic, meant-to-be feel about it.

Words cannot express what these wonderful women have meant to me. I cannot imagine my life without them.They have all made me a better person. Each one walked straight into my heart.

The biggest reason I get excited every year to do another Walk is the knowledge we are going to be together again.

I love you, ladies.

The Challenge Continues

It’s rather funny to me that in the last few years, the Walks have gotten easier. Lord, I hope I haven’t jinxed myself.

Despite passing the age of 60, I have remained free of some of the earlier troubles.

• Blisters galore plagued me until I found my MBTs
• Lost toenails had me banishing closed shoes forever
• I breathe much easier on hills – heck I actually get up those hills – since I lost the tons of weight corporate life packed on

But let’s face it. It’s still 60 miles. In 3 days.

The challenge still exists. Last year, I challenged myself to walk up Torrey Pines without stopping.

See the hill behind this sign? That’s Torrey Pines.

• It goes up and up
• And on an on

I had asthma as a teenager and always had to take a breather about half way up. Usually to pick up a lung.

Last year I made it in one fell swoop. No stopping!

Ah, little victories.

The Cause

If you are like me, you know too many people affected by cancer.

• Those we’ve lost like my dear Aunt Mitzi who had lung cancer
• All the survivors like my sister, Terry, and teammates, Sue, Martina, and Penny
• And the friends and families of the survivors and those lost to cancer

The good news is – my list of names of survivors gets longer.

As I told teammate and survivor, Penny, I will do this as long as this 60-plus-year-old body permits me to. And when it won’t, I’ll volunteer.

Pray to the great No Blisters gods for me!

Walk on!