3-Day Walk for the Cure

My 11th 3-Day Walk for the Cure is fast approaching.

I always get antsy as we near the date for the Walk. Primarily because I am so anxious to see my teammates again.

We are now up to 15 team members. We don’t all walk every year. But once a team member, always a team member in our book.

These ladies walked straight into my heart and mean the world to me. The above photo is of our original team who met in 2003 – Penny, Sue, and I − minus one original team member − Diane (Sue’s sister) who had serious back surgery.

We hope Diane will be back for another Walk soon.

3-Day Walk Team Adjustment

Penny, Sue, and I walked every year since 2003, except one. Overachievers Penny and Sue also walked two Walks in one year.

• I missed 2009 because my Mom was having foot surgery so I stayed home to help her through rehab
• Penny and Sue missed 2004 due to Penny’s breast cancer diagnosis – as if we need more reasons to walk
• Sue is also a breast cancer survivor

Since that initial walk, we’ve had the following join us.

• Abby
• Beth
• Jamie
• Jana
• Jenn
• Julie
• Kristin
• Lauren
• Martina
• Michelle

Many of the team members are related. I started walking for my sister, Terry, who is a breast cancer survivor. We are all sisters in our hearts.

The 600-Plus Mile Club Welcomes Another

Martina (another breast cancer survivor) graciously hosted our 10-year anniversary reunion in 2013 at her beautiful home in Lake Tahoe.

Martina is also the fabulous mind behind our creative team t-shirts like one for our 10th anniversary  − the 600 Mile Club − and the Make Tahoe Pink shirts we wore at the reunion.

In 2014, we welcome Penny’s friend, Holly, to our team. Holly has the distinction of being the teammate who will travel the farthest for the San Diego 3-Day Walk. Holly lives in Connecticut.

We also have team members from Chicago, Salt Lake City, one who is studying medicine (so proud of Kristin) at Michigan State University, several from the Bay area of San Francisco – and me. A transplanted San Diegan to Boise, Idaho (not Iowa).

Curei-Missing

Alas, we lost one team member. See the pink monkey in the photo?

That’s Curei Osity. She travels to every 3-Day Walk across the country. She has more frequent flyer miles than top CEOs.

• Curei joined our team for 2012 and 2013
• Although I offered, she left us for another in 2014
• Sounds like a bad country song – the little pink floozy

Thank You

I am so grateful to my contributors who put up with my groveling so I can raise at least the minimum required to participate.

Without you, I would never known this life-changing event. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Stay tuned for more stories as once more my teammates and I walk 60 miles in 3 days for the cure.

Walk on!

The hardest part of the 3-Day, 60-mile Walk is not the walking.

• It’s the fund-raising
• At least for me

I’ve never liked asking for money, no matter how worthy the cause.

For the 11th year, my contributors have helped me raise the minimum required to participate in the 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

I love my contributors!

Contributors Through the Ages

When I first started walking in 2003, I had returned to San Diego for the third time.

• And the last, I said
• I did not plan on leaving again
• Never say never

Alas, I left my beloved San Diego again in 2009. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

In 2003, I was just beginning to know new coworkers, local industry colleagues, and new clients. Because I hate asking for money, I probably made fundraising that year a bit harder than it had to be.

Fundraising was much easier in the years following that first year. Matching gifts by corporations made it even easier.

Then I left my corporate job behind.

I started my own business around the time of the 2008 Walk.

• Matching gifts were gone
• As were some of the corporate contributors

It was tough going for awhile.

But my contributors have never let me down. Many of them have supported me from my very first Walk in 2003 − including several of the colleagues from the insurance world who no longer work with me.

Bless you all!

Contributors to the Rescue

Last week I sent a pre-groveling fundraising email. After 11 years, groveling has become easier.

I was $540 short of the required minimum. Within two hours, my contributors made sure I had what I needed.

Have I told you I ♥ my contributors?

Every year, I am humbled by the generosity of my contributors. Each of you holds a special place in my heart. I could never take this journey with out you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks to all of my contributors!

1. Ada Kersey
2. Anne Wayman
3. Barb Lewis
4. Creighton Forester
5. Debbie Ressler
6. Dianne Wingfield
7. Dyann Bartus Calder
8. Jackie Harris
9. Jan Shapard
10. Jeffrey Friedli
11. Joe & Elaine Conway
12. John Soares
13. Judi DiMatteo
14. Judy Craig
15. Julie Ewert
16. Ken Lautsch
17. Kim Lemon
18. Kristin Adams
19. LaVerne Richards
20. Linda Barney
21. Lori Widmer
22. Marina Angeles
23. Marjorie Miller
24. Mitch Allen
25. Nicky Parry
26. Rachel Marturello
27. Sharon Hurley Hall
28. Tammy Reed
29. Vince Williams

Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I already signed up for the 2015 San Diego 3-Day Walk.

You can contribute any time (subtle, right?) by going to my 2015 Personal Page. Donations made in 2014 can be deducted on your 2014 taxes (for my U.S. friends).

Stay tuned for news about this year’s Walk, which takes place in November.

Walk on!

BigStock Photo Credit

I bow at the altar of my MBTs.

The sandals saved me from 3-Day, 60-mile Walks filled with blisters and lost toenails.

Like a spurned lover left with her partner’s debt, I feel betrayed by the company’s financial ruin.

What are MBTs?

MBTs − The Shoe

MBT is an acronym for Masai Barefoot Technology. They are those funny, curved bottom shoes shown in the picture (the sandal version).

The shoes became wildly popular, and as commerce is known to do, were ripped off and reproduced in knock-offs and imitators.

The Skechers Shape-Ups sealed the fate of the funny-looking shoes.

They still exist. But with different models and a dwindling supply.

Blister Mania

I thought I did everything right.

• I visited a sports store professional to fit my shoes
• I purchased socks designed for walking 60 miles in 3 days
• I trained according to the 3-Day plan

And it worked. For my training walks.

By Day 2 of my first Walk in 2003, blisters popped in to join my feet. The blasted demons took total control.

I decided the professional screwed up. My shoes were two sizes bigger than my normal size. The accepted recommendation calls for shoes that are one to one and a half sizes bigger.

So I tried again for the next Walk. This time with shoes only one size larger.

And it worked − again for my training walks.

Day 2 of my second Walk was more of the same. Only now I added the delightful effect of losing my big toenail.

In 2006, I tried my first pair of MBTs.

Mind Your MBTs

What is it about a seemingly intelligent person who goes into a store knowing exactly what she wants, then leaves with something else?

I forget how I discovered MBTs. Perhaps someone else was wearing them on the Walk. However, I knew I wanted sandals. I figured open toes − toenails intact.

I visited a local specialty store for shoes. I told them exactly what I wanted.

Oh, they sold me MBTs. The problem was I walked out with the closed shoe model.

At least I was halfway there. The first year I wore those shoes − Ta-Da! No blisters! Can I have an Amen?

The problem was, I still lost a toenail. The pavement-slapping 60 miles is brutal on toenails.

• Why didn’t I ignore the retailer’s suggestion?
• And why was she so bent on selling me closed shoes?

The price was the same − $$$ − expensive.

In 2007, I insisted on my MBT sandals. Nirvana was mine.

From the first time I put those sandals on, my feet sang in joyful delight.

• I never have blisters
• I never lose toenails
• 60 miles never felt so good

Then the curved bottom fell out.

Missing MBTs

The company discontinued the model I loved.

I tried a different model (as shown in the picture).

I hated them.

• I hated the thin strap dissecting the top of my foot
• I regularly fell off the shoe − me − a veteran MBT-wearer

I went in search for a different model for the next Walk.

Men’s MBTs

This time I found one similar to my original sandals.

Once again, there was a problem.

The model only came in men’s sizes.

Fortunately, I found a size small enough to fit my feet.

One good thing about a dying breed, I was able to buy two pair for the same cost I had paid for one.

Nirvana was mine once again. For awhile.

Remember how I said the supply was dwindling?

There is not a pair in my size to be found. Anywhere.

The newer models are made of leather. Leather and 60 miles? I don’t think so.

Down and Out

As I prepare for my 11th 3-Day Walk for the Cure, I realize I am probably walking without my best friend, my MBTs.

I am test-walking a new sandal. What it lacks in curves, it makes up for in fashion.

Check out the pink soles.

 

I can only hope my feet accept this new stranger. Lord knows I’m too old to change but what choice do I have?

Walk on!

 

Who knew that walking 60 miles in 3 days would get easier?

• Wait.
• Did I say that?
• The girl who used to drag her feet at signing up for another year?

Yep, that was me.

Now, I am already signed up for 2014.

Cannot Walk Away

I cannot believe 2013 marked the 10th anniversary of our Fight Like A Girl team’s participation in the 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

My, how time flies.

I know I never looked beyond that first 60 miles, yet here I am – a proud member of the 600 Mile Club.

Great name, huh? Thank teammate (and survivor), Martina, for that brilliant name.

None of this would be possible without the support of our contributors who generously donate to keep this old lady walking.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I hope you enjoy the brief video of our 10th anniversary Walk.

See you next year!

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Live…Laugh…Love

 

This is one time the event lived up to the hype.

My Fight Like A Girl teammates and I celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our team’s participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

• We had a 10-year reunion in beautiful Lake Tahoe
• 6 of 14 team members walked another 60 miles in San Diego

All in all, our celebration was a lot of fun.

Why We Walk

After so many years of participation, it is easy for the newness to wear off.

• The opening ceremony has been done before
• All the stickers and commemorative pins have been worn

Just when you think you may be taking the event for granted, the true meaning is restored.

• You meet someone who is walking for the first time
• That walker shares a story of loss or fear of what’s to come
• You link arms with teammates who walked into your heart

I cannot imagine my life without this event.

It has shown me courage, strength, and the love of sharing joy, grief, and most of all hope. With my 62nd birthday fast approaching, I once again believe in the human spirit.

We can do anything we want in life. We only need to believe we can.

• Take one step at a time
• Climb hills without fear
• Embrace the love of a special team

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I have much to be thankful for.

The 3-Day Walk for the Cure reminds me of that each and every year.

Walk on.

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Live…Laugh…Love

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A special thank-you to all my contributors who make this happen every year. You rock!

• Alan Sakal
• Anne Wayman
• Bruce Cutting
• Cindy Simmons
• Debbie Ressler
• Dyann Calder
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Janet Shapard
• Jeffrey Friedli
• Jessica Hurley Webb
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• John Kahle
• Judi & Joe DiMatteo
• Judy Craig
• Julie Ewert
• Kathy Slothour
• Ken Lautsch
• Kevin Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• LaVerne Richards
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Marina Angeles
• Marjorie Miller
• Marsha Lindbeck
• Mitchell Allen
• Nicky Parry
• Rachel Marturello
• Rita Wiggins
• Rosemary Lopez
• Sharon Hurley Hall
• Sharron Reed
• Tammy Reed
• Vicky Richards
• Vince Williams