3-Day Walk for the Cure

For those of you who know me – yes, it’s that time of year again. I started training for my 8th 3-Day for the Cure, 60-Mile Walk for breast cancer.

Here’s what’s different about this year –

• I turn 60 the week after the San Diego Walk – this is where you say – You don’t look 60!
• I am writing a book about my experience with this great event
• I will once again be playing cheerleader at the San Francisco Walk
• I am the captain of our Fight Like A Girl team

Full Disclosure

Yes, the book was supposed to be released already.

• I want to use it for raising the minimum amount walkers need for participation
• I am working on it – honest
• I found out I had so much more to say

I hope to have it before this year’s event, but if it gets too close, I’ll just add a chapter on my 8th year.

Now, about the Captain job –

I nominated myself. Pretty pathetic.  Fortunately, my teammates are very understanding.

Let the Training Begin

The weather did not cooperate on Memorial Day weekend, so my training started the first weekend in June. I was pleasantly surprised to find I made it up the first slight hill without sounding like the asthmatic wheezer of past years.

Last year was my first year training in Boise, Idaho. In the past, I lived in San Diego (the location of the event). There are some definite adjustments to training along the beaches of San Diego to Boise.

Weather – Boise weather is unpredictable – especially this year. One week it’s 80 degrees, the next it’s 50. And it has been raining – a lot. Not many people know that Idaho is considered a desert region. It can get very hot in the summer so I will have to figure out how to adjust training time.

Cheering Section – If there is a feathered or four-legged animal, it is probably found along my training route in Boise. These are just a few examples –

• Horses, cows, goats, llamas, sheep – oh yeah, dogs, too
• Geese, pheasant, quail, doves, chickens, roosters

It makes for a very interesting cheering section. And, nothing personal guys, but also a very fragrant crew.

Pitch Time

In order to even participate, each walker has to raise a minimum of $2,300. I already have two donations!

Any amount is welcomed. Last year was my toughest time ever raising the money. I appreciate your support. I wear the names of people affected by breast cancer (or any cancer) so be sure to send me names you would like honored of those fighting the disease, survivors or loved ones you lost to cancer. I would be honored to add their names.

You can donate by clicking on the Donate button in the right sidebar or by visiting my personal page.

PLEASE NOTE: There are two Cathy Millers (like that never happens) participating in the San Diego 3-Day. When donating, use one of my links or make sure you have Cathy Miller on the Fight Like A Girl team-the ones with the Pink Ribbon head bands.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you to my contributors!

• Carol McCaffery
• Kim Lemon

Those we honored at the 2010 3-Day Walk

In Memory of:

• My Dad, Doug Miller
• My Aunt Mitzi Forester
• Des’ Dad, Kenneth Landers
• Bridget LePage
• 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
• Ann Blackwell Clement
• Arlene Toro
• Barb Bryant
• Bo Lebherz’s Mom
• Bobbie Harris
• Carol House
• 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
• 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

How appropriate to have “feet” in the headline for a post about a 3-Day, 60-mile walk.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am an ardent supporter of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. I am participating as a walker in my 8th event.

I want to write an eBook about the previous 7 walks for a few reasons.

• To help raise at least the minimum ($2,300) required for participation
• To get my first eBook as a writer off the ground

Out of the Frying Pan

As a business owner, I have a tendency to put my personal writing on the back burner. That’s why I’m asking you to help hold me accountable for finishing the eBook.

I figured since this is a cause near and dear to my heart, it would be a great motivator. After all, it’s about a cure for cancer.

Okay, so my eBook probably won’t cure cancer –

but it’s little eHeart is in the right place.

A Month of Maybe

The plan is to get the eBook released in May. It might be May 31, but May is the target.

Here’ your job –

• Ask me How’s the book going?
• Nag me when I need nagging
• Remind me about the Cause
• Boot me in the derrière

See, you have the fun part.

If you REALLY want to motivate me – click on the donation button in the right sidebar.

You didn’t think you would escape without one plea for donations, did you? Hey, it’s for a great cause.

I really do appreciate it. Remind me of that when I complain about your nagging.

Live…Laugh…Love

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BigStock Photo Credit

After extolling the beauty of San Diego weather, the Susan G. Komen, 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for Breast Cancer decided to throw us a curve.

• Monsoon-like rain
• Blowing winds – I’m sure I saw Shamu go flying by
• All of it pelting a sea of brightly-colored ponchos
• Oh yeah, the ponchos covered 4,000 3-Day Walkers

You know what – we all survived – no, thrived.

The Unselfish Journey

Each walker there had his or her own reason for walking.

• Some lost a loved one to cancer
• Some knew survivors
• Some are survivors
• Some just care

We started with a single step —

Then another —

• We stepped in puddles
• Winds ripped umbrellas apart
• We picked up walkers crying in pain
• We laughed at the silly way we looked

I had so many dry socks in my zippered windbreaker, I looked like a pregnant kangaroo.

A Rainbow of Hope

What we endured cannot touch on the courage of those dealing with cancer – patients, families, caretakers.

After a brutal day of weather, as we neared tent city, the skies cleared.

A giant rainbow crossed the sky —

As if to say – there is hope – there is always hope.

Follow Your Passion

The 3-Day has become a passion for me and many others.

My business is the pursuit of a passion.

If I have learned anything from the 3-Day, it’s this —

• Follow your passion
• Share the journey
• Take pride in what you accomplish

It all starts with a single step.

Thanks again to all my contributors who made my 7th Walk possible.

Thank you to my teammates of Fight Like A Girl —

• Abby Widman
• Beth Greenberg
• Julie Ewert
• Martina Scanlan
• Penny Rammer
• Sue Peterson

The back of our t-shirt said it best —

Blisters heal

Muscles recover

Friendships last a lifetime