3-Day Walk for the Cure

Purple Toenails Don’t go Well With Pink

In the course of participating in six 3-Day, 60-mile Walks for Breast Cancer , I have had numerous blisters, lost my left. big toenail twice and the right one once. That was before I discovered my MBT Sandals .

I thought I left those days behind me. It isn’t the 60 miles causing the injury-that’s a piece of cake-well perhaps “piece of cake” isn’t exactly accurate. But, I found out it is not smart to take a heavy Chinese restaurant door and slam it into your toe. See the evidence.

Today is the 1st day of training in a long time that the weather is supposed to be under 90 degrees. So, I have to go and get a 3-Day-type injury-without the 3-Day!
Help Me Check In for 3-Day

My lovely injury occurred shortly after receiving notification that we can now check in online for the 3-Day.

The problem is I have not raised the minimum so I can’t check in until I get closer to the minimum of $2,300, where I can afford to cover the difference.

This is the 1st year I didn’t have the minimum by the time the online check-in became available. This is also my 1st year walking after leaving Corporate America.

I am hoping some of my former contributors will help even if we no longer do business together – although I am always available for ALL your business writing needs.

So, please, help if you can. You can click on the Donate button on the 3-Day picture in the sidebar. You can access the same button on my business blog Simply stated business .

I need to raise another $1,300. So, if I can get:

• 130 people contributing $10 each
• 65 people contributing $20 each
• 52 people contributing $52 each
• One Sugar Daddy – on no-wait-that’s for me

Thank You to All My Contributors!

• Aaron Loring-Davis
• Alan Hamilton Swing
• David Ott
• Debbie Ressler
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Heather Woodruff
• Jan Shapard
• Jeff Whitman
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Karen Fondaw
• Ken Lautsch
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Marsha Lindbeck
• Rita Wiggins
• Rose Morrison
• Rosemary Lopez
• Terri Parsons
• Vicky Richards

You, too, can join this elite group with a simple donation-no amount is too small.  Thank you to all my contributors, many who are repeat contributors, for supporting me in my quest to once more take part in this great event! I really do appreciate it!

Also-please remember to send me the names of loved ones you want honored on the Walk. I will proudly wear their names on the 3-Day, 60-mile trek.

Please help and thank you!

Live…Laugh…Love

Previously posted at blog.millercathy.com

Things Are Heating Up

I would love to tell you that I’m smoking the trails in training, but it’s more like melting. I admit the 90-degree and 100-degree days definitely put me off my training plan.

I am a morning person. I usually hit the keyboard by 6:30 AM. My training plan for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, 60-mile walk for breast cancer, consists of weekday training walks at 3:00 PM. On weekends, I walk in the morning.

So, as a person who HATES heat-I don’t care if it’s dry, humid or mild – I HATE heat – I quickly stopped my weekday walks. I thought about taking my training walks in the early morning, but that’s my most productive work time. As a writer, you go as the words flow.

See my dilemma? Any ideas?

Plan B

I am trying to come up with a Plan B to get some kind of weekday training in during the summer months. What I am thinking about is keeping my early morning walks on weekends.

I’ll fill in the week with training on my Air Stepper – no, I don’t plan on walking on air – unless it’s air-conditioned air.

The Air Stepper uses air pumped into flat, long pedals for resistance. Here’s a picture – it gives you a much better visual than me trying to describe it. And I call myself a writer!

I guess they’re calling it an Air Climber in some circles. Does climbing air take more effort than stepping on air? Hmmmm…
Let the Begging Begin

I want to thank all my contributors for donating so I can participate. Right now, I call them my Sweet Sixteen! I hope it will turn into much bigger numbers.

I have to raise a minimum of $2, 300 even to be eligible to walk. I’m way off target.

In my past 6 events, raising the minimum was not a problem because 1) times were better for everyone, and 2) I had a lot of corporate contributors.

Now that I am a freelancer, the fund-raising has been tough. I am so thankful to all who contribute, as I know how difficult it is these days. If you can help, I would really appreciate it.

You can click on the 3-Day Donate button on the right or click here . I also have the Donate button on Facebook and on my two business blogs, Simply stated business and Simply stated health care .

Loved Ones

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Also, please remember to email me with the names of loved ones you would like remembered. I wear their names on the 3-Day Walk and so far, I have not received any names. You don’t have to contribute for me to wear their names, so please let me know. After all, they are the reason we walk.

My sister, Terry, a 10-year breast cancer survivor, is my inspiration. We also lost my Aunt Mitzi to lung cancer. and my Dad had prostate cancer. Let’s help find a cure for cancer!

Thanks to my Contributors

• Linda Barney
• Elaine & Joe Conway
• Aaron Loring-Davis
• Karen Fondaw
• Ken Lautsch
• Marsha Linbeck
• Rosemary Lopez
• Rose Morrison
• David Ott
• Terri Parson
• Vicky Richards
• Jan Shapard
• Lori Widmer
• Laura Wiggins
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Heather Woodruff

Live…Laugh…Love

Originally posted on blog.millercathy.com

Remember the 3-day – Apparently I Need a Reminder

Well, color my face the color of this scroll. The plan was to post about my training for the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for Breast Cancer at least once a month. It’s been 81 days-oops!

I didn’t want to bombard supporters with posts, but I think even you would agree I’ve fallen down – but I can get up!

You’re Not in Kansas Anymore

My first post had to do with 5 Things I Forgot About Training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk . Well, this time, I thought I’d share what I learned about training for the 3-Day in Boise, Idaho. It’s much different from my 6 years of training in San Diego.

1. Weather-Weather-Weather – Did I mention the weather? Have you ever noticed when you move somewhere how everyone tells you that “this is really unusual weather for this time of the year”? I really am not so egotistical to think I have anything to do with it, but come on – training here. I would prefer not to deal with hail on multiple days, continuous rain, and even snow in May. Okay, it didn’t stay on the ground, but it’s the principle of the thing. And yesterday we had a tornado warning!
2. Animal Kingdom– My last post  included a video of some of my cheering section. It has expanded beyond the horses and geese. I have been cheered on by ducks, doves, quail, goats and more horses and geese. They eye me as I walk by with a “what are you doing out here” quizzical look. When the weather gets crazed, I ask myself the same thing. In San Diego, I trained near the beach, so I saw sea gulls, but I didn’t have such a variety of fine, feathered friends. I definitely did not run (or walk) into four-legged friends, beyond cats and dogs.
3. Garage Sales – Okay, it’s not that San Diego did not have garage sales, but I swear it’s a religion in Boise. On many a weekend training walk, I encountered signs for Garage Sales. Let me tell you, you better not get in the path of a garage sale shopper. Those are some serious fanatics. Since a good part of my training route does not have sidewalks, I’m taking my life in my hands when I near a sale. On one walk, there were 5 garage sales on one block! It sure got the cardio going – and that’s from dodging shoppers – not hills!
4. Apparel Shift– This follows closely with #1. Did I mention the ever-changing weather? The thing is, the morning can start with pouring rain and then the sun comes out and it’s in the 70s. So, I race to grab my training togs and head out for my walk. A block from home, the only thing I’m racing for is cover, as I start getting pelted by hail – really! Now how do you plan for hail? Carry a football helmet? Hmm, wonder if they come in pink. I’ll have to talk to the Shop 3-Day.
5. Race for the Cure – This has nothing to do with my training, but I wanted to give a shout-out to the Boise Race for the Cure . They had nearly 16,000 participants and raised (so far) over $365,000! Way to go, Boise! I have to be sure to participate next year.

Thanks to my Contributors for supporting me in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. I really appreciate it.

I have a long way to go in raising the minimum I need to walk. So, please help if you can. Donate here  – or – click on the button in the sidebar. If you get the 3-Day Home Page by mistake, you can search by participant – Cathy Miller-Fight Like A Girl team in San Diego.

You can also donate at my business writing blog, Simply stated business  or my health care blog, Simply stated health care.

Well, now comes the begging part. Since leaving Corporate America to freelance as a writer, I’ve lost some of my big corporate sponsors. That means the amount of donations are lower, so I just need more contributors. Didn’t know I was so good in math, huh?

You can also send me a check made out to: Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure. I swear that gets longer every year. You can send it to me and I’ll get it mailed to the right place. Let me know if you need my address.

As always, thank you for your support. Remember to send me the name(s) of loved ones you would liked remembered on the Walk as survivors or those you lost.

Thanks again to my Contributors!

Live…Laugh…Love

Previously posted at blog.millercathy.com

I have a few weeks under my belt-or maybe under my feet would be more appropriate. The biggest challenge has been the weather. My training for the past 6 Walks took place in San Diego. The biggest news was my 1st year when air quality was the concern from major fires. Not so in Boise, ID.

We have literally had snow, rain, hail and wind – not to mention temperatures below freezing (after the 1st day of spring!) Isn’t there a law that spring means no more winter temperatures or precipitation? I’m sure I read that somewhere. I was forced (and it comes so easily in the beginning) to delay training outside. No excuses – I start again. The weather is back to gorgeous!

Back to my Training

You know you are in trouble when just stretching before the 1st day of training causes pain. Undeterred, I put on my sweatshirt with the pink ribbon, my baseball hat with the pink ribbon, my pink & white socks (don’t think I’m overdoing the pink bit, do you?) and my MBT sandals. Yes, I had pants on but they were just plain old black-but drywick! Does that count? I’m such an athlete!

It didn’t take long into my 1st day of training to have past training memories rushing back. Here are 5 things I forgot about training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walks.

1. Running-not Walking– What is it about walking outside that gets the nose running, the eyes tearing and whatever other places I don’t want to think about? We have always teased my Mom about her habit of stuffing kleenex in every pocket she owns. Who’s laughing now? Note to self-take kleenex. You never know when a hot guy may jog by – as if kleenex would help – not even if I stuffed it in my bra!
2. Hills Hurt – I’m not talking about the big Torrey Pines-type hills in the San Diego 3-Day. At this stage, street curbs are challenging. Even the slightest incline has me wondering how my lungs dropped out of me when I wasn’t looking. I’ve always hated hills. My Fight Like A Girl teammates are hikers and just love hills. Hills are their favorite part of the 3-Day. I’m sorry, that is not normal – but they love me anyway. They take pity turns by trading off who lags behind with Cathy on the hills.
3. Muscle Mania – The body is an incredible machine – or so I’ve heard. But, really, does it have to have so many muscles? So many just waiting to pull, strain, spasm and generally whine! And then I had to inherit Dad’s big calf muscles that I swear have a bulls-eye on them in case the pain forgets to grab them.
4. Isolated Bliss – Once I get warmed up, the muscles stop screaming and I’m actually walking upright like a fully evolved human being. I am strong – I am woman – I am so lame.
5. Reality Bites – So wrapping myself in the bliss of a training session where I actually feel good, I then make the mistake of sitting down. Oh, the sitting’s okay. It’s the standing up where reality returns. Did I really think after one training walk I would be turned into the lean fighting machine of an Olympic athlete? With my MBT and socks on the floor, I drag my body to the shower and let the sweet heat of the water beat my muscle mania back into place.

Just another day in my journey towards the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.I took some pictures so you can see part of my Boise training environment – really just awesomely beautiful! Later I may try video – after I can walk and talk without sounding like I escaped from a T.B. ward.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. If you can help with a donation – no matter how small – please do so by clicking here. And even if you can’t donate, let me know the names of loved ones you would like remembered on the Walk. Thank you as always for your continued support. Walk on!

Live…Laugh…Love

Previously posted at blog.millercathy.com

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

I’m thrilled to announce I signed up for my 7th 3-Day Walk for the fight against breast cancer. I’m back with my team,Fight Like A Girl. I can’t wait to do the Walk again. I had to miss 2009, so I am excited to rejoin my team.

Starting Early

I need to get myself back in 3-day, 60-mile shape so I have next Saturday, March 6th, as my start date for training. The Fight Like A Girl team is participating in the San Diego Walk. It’s not until November 19 -21, 2010, but, hey, this old, out-of-shape body needs all the time it can have!

Since the whole point of this blog is my journey since taking on my second life, I’ll use this blog (instead of my usual 3-Day Newsletter) for keeping everyone up to date on my prep for the 3-Day journey. Now my supporters and contributors can just ignore the link to my blog instead of my newsletter!

Need Your Support

I plan on starting with my pleading, begging, pitiful tugs at your heartstrings for contributions soon. You didn’t think you would get off that easy, did you?

We have to raise a minimum amount (this year it’s $2,300) to even participate in the Walk. I have always had the most supportive people in the world. Even the smallest amount helps. But, if you are unable to contribute, I do ask you for your mental support – Lord knows I need all the mental help I can get – but I was thinking more along the lines of “think good thoughts.” Like no blisters!

Honoring Your Loved Ones

Whether you contribute or not, I would be honored to wear the names of loved ones you would like remembered on the 3-Day Walk – survivors or those you have lost to cancer. They are the reason we walk. I am happy to say my sister, Terry, is doing great as a multi-year breast cancer survivor. So, send me your loved ones’ names and they will take the journey with the Fight Like A Girl team.

Details…Details

So, I’ll let you know when I post an update. If you would like to help, just visit my Personal Page of Cathy Miller at the San Diego 3-Day for the Cure.

There are all kinds of payments accepted – credit cards, debit cards, monthly payments.

If you want to pay by check, I would be happy to handle the paperwork. Just make  the check payable to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure and send it to me. I fill out the paperwork and take care of the mailing. If you need my snail mail address, drop me an email at cathy@millercathy.com or give me a call at (858) 344-9959.

Thank you, as always, for your support. Walk on!

Live…Laugh…Love