3-Day Walk for the Cure

What started out as training for the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure has turned into a routine.

Five to seven days a week, I walk five to six miles each day.

Sounds good, right?

I thought so, too, but there seems to be a conspiracy against my walks.

Record-Breaking

I wish I could say the record-breaking is my pace.

But, instead it’s the heat – 70 days of 90 degrees or more.

I – HATE – HEAT.

Maybe it was too many years in southern California (mostly San Diego). For nearly 20 years, the farthest I lived from the ocean was three blocks.

Temperatures in the 70s are my idea of nirvana.

My walks have been getting earlier and earlier in an effort to beat the heat. I’ve missed more days this year than I have in awhile. Bummer.

Sheep’s Clothing

I don’t know when I started resembling a sheep.

On three separate occasions (and three dogs), I have been attacked by a sheep-herding border collie.

The snarling, snapping surveyors of sheep circled me, one throwing his body against my leg. It even snapped at its young owner who tried to grab him before it took a chunk out of me.

I-LOVE-DOGS.

But, I now find myself freezing when I hear the sound of a barking dog on one of my walks.

Being Invisible

That’s the only explanation I can come up with.

How else could someone NOT see me when I am in the middle of a crosswalk? Crossing with the light.

Much of my route is in less traveled areas. Yet, the one area where I must disappear is at a major intersection with a working stoplight.

More than once, I ran to get out of the path of a car.

I – HATE – RUNNING.

So, I guess I have to figure out how to remove th cloak of invisibility.

Fall For The Future

With a little more than two months until my 10th 3-Day Walk for the Cure, it’s time to step it up.

Fortunately, that coincides with the approach of fall.

• The hope is for cooler weather
• With dogs behind gates and doors
• And drivers not blinded by light

Isn’t walking supposed to be good for you? Walk on.

A huge thank-you to all my contributors!

I have a bit over $500 left to raise on the $2,300 required to walk. If you can help, I would appreciate it.

Click on the sidebar or go to my Personal Donation page.

Thank You, Contributors

• Ada Kersey
• Alan Sakal
• Anne Wayman
• Bruce Cutting
• Cindy Simmons
• Debbie Ressler
• Dyann Calder
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Janet Shapard
• Jeffrey Friedli
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• John Kahle
• Judi & Joe DiMatteo
• Julie Ewert
• ken Lautsch
• Kevin Miller
• Kim Lemon
• LaVerne Richards
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Marjorie Miller
• Marsha Lindbeck
• Mitchell Allen
• Nicky Parry
• Rachel Marturello
• Rita Wiggins
• Rosemary Lopez
• Sharon Hurley Hall

BigStock Photo Credit for dog – no, I didn’t take a picture of any of the little herders.

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Live…Laugh…Love

 

The 10th anniversary of our Fight Like A Girl team is cause for celebration.

Next month we plan to do just that.

We are having a 10-year reunion in beautiful Lake Tahoe.

I can’t wait.

A shout-out to our teammate, Kristin Moschetti, who as we speak, is representing Fight Like A Girl, Michigan style.

She is walking the 3-Day in Michigan this weekend. You go, Girl!

Training for me for this year’s Walk has hit more than one bump in the road.

Hey, I’m Walkin’ Here

Training is too formal of a word.

With my 10th 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk fast approaching, saying I don’t train the same way is putting it mildly.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t call it training at all.

Since moving to Boise, I have gotten into the habit of walking 5 6 miles a day. Turns out, that has been the best preparation for my 3-Day ordeal *er* Walk.

I remember my first Walk way back in 2003. What got in the way of training then was traveling for business throughout the U.S.

But, even then, I hit treadmills while traveling and did 10-15 mile walks on weekends.

The following year, I religiously followed the suggested training of the 3-Day coaches that gradually built you up to 20 miles.

• Yet I still got blisters on the Walk (never while training)
• And lost a toenail or two

Then I hit my fat years where training was a lost thought, and the 3-Day was something I hope I survived.

Fit and Raring to Go

My daily walks in Boise put me back in 3-Day shape. The first year I participated after I had started my daily walks, I had the best 3-Day Walk ever.

Sticking with my consistent 5-6 miles has made the last few Walks a delight – body wise.

But, this year has met with all kinds of obstacles.

• Temporary stops due to removal of lesions on my back
• Running around for a family reunion that took place in July
• Scorching heat that shifted my walks to VERY early morning
• A fall from a ladder that landed me on my rear and the disabled list
• Dangerous air quality levels from smoke from fires in the area

Let the Walking Begin

The good news is ~

• The air quality is up to Moderate level today
• My ladder debacle is behind me (Ha!) – mostly – better walking then sitting
• And I’m raring to go – bring on the fit part

I hate to think any of this has to do with the dreaded as you get older.

The other really good news is the generosity of my contributors. Not that it is a surprise. They come through every year. Amd for that, I am very grateful.

There are only 90 days left for the Walk. I have $695 left to raise to meet the minimum required to walk. If you would like to donate, you can click on the picture in the sidebar or click here to go to my Personal Page. Thank you! Walk on!

Thank you contributors!

1. Ada Kersey
2. Alan Sakal
3. Anne Wayman
4. Bruce Cutting
5. Cindy Simmons
6. Debbie Ressler
7. Dyann Calder
8. Harriet Rotter Bell
9. Heather Woodruff
10. Janet Shapard
11. Jeffrey Friedli
12. Joe & Elaine Conway
13. John Kahle
14. Julie Ewert
15. Ken Lautsch
16. Kevin Miller
17. Kim Lemon
18. LaVerne Richards
19. Linda Barney
20. Lori Widmer
21. Marjorie Miller
22. Marsha Lindbeck
23. Mitchell Allen
24. Nicola Parry
25. Rachel Marturello
26. Rosemary Lopez
27. Sharon Hurley Hall

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Live…Laugh…Love

If you would have told me in 2003 that I would still be walking 60 miles in 3 days, I would have laughed at your silliness.

All I wanted to accomplish that first year was making it through all 60 miles.

• And indeed, I did
• Little did I know what was in store
• I simply cannot walk away

So, my Fight Like A Girl team celebrates its 10th anniversary, right along with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

Team Blessing

Hands down, the biggest blessing for me has been the addition to my life of all my wonderful Fight Like A Girl teammates.

Over the years, some have walked once, others have walked multiple years, and Penny and Sue have walked every year PLUS more than one in a year.

Unbelievable.

I missed only 2009 when my mom was having foot surgery.

I like to say that these ladies walked into my heart and took up permanent residence.

• Abby Widman
• Beth Greenberg
• Diane Moschetti
• Jamie Rammer
• Jana Haertl
• Jennifer Lazzarini
• Julie Ewert
• Kristin Moschetti
• Lauren Rammer
• Martina Scanlan
• Michelle Rumberg
• Penny Rammer
• Sue Peterson

Sharing a Promise

The 3-Day Walk started with a promise between sisters.

I share that promise with my own sister, Terry, a 12+ years breast cancer survivor. And how fitting is it that Terry arrived here last night for a family reunion? The same year that marks our Fight Like A Girl 10-year anniversary.

I also share the promise with my three teammates who are breast cancer survivors and all survivors of cancer and the loved ones who support them.

Ten-Fold Thanks

So, once again I start on my 60-mile journey.

I am eternally grateful to those who contribute to keep this old lady walking. Many of you have been there for multiple years, and some every year – even when financial times were so tough.

I share the promise with you and thank you for your generous support.

We need to raise $2,300 to participate in the 3-Day Walk. So far, my generous contributors have donated $955. Thank you!

• Ada Kersey
• Alan Sakal
• Bruce Cutting
• Debbie Ressler
• Jan Shapard
• Jeffrey Friedli
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• John kahle
• Julie Ewert
• Ken Lautsch
• Kevin Miller
• Kim Lemon
• LaVerne Richards
• Lori Widmer
• Marsha Lindbeck
• Nicola Parry
• Rachel Marturello
• Rosemary Lopez
• Sharon Hurley Hall

If you would like to help keep this old lady walking, you can click on the picture in the sidebar or go to my personal donation page.

Thank you for sharing the promise. Walk on.

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Live…Laugh…Love

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What a fabulous 2012 San Diego 3-Day Walk for the Cure!

• No blisters, no injuries*
• Outstanding San Diego weather
• And $6 million raised for breast cancer research

* no injuries during the Walk – just bruises from Spa Day – my masseuse left bruises – seriously

Thank you to all of my contributors who made this another stupendous event.

My Fight Like A Girl teammates and I are already signed up for 2013 – our 10th anniversary.

I created the slideshow video to share some of the fun.

Pink Teammate

 

You are going to see a new teammate featured throughout the pictures.

Her name is Curei Osity.

• She is a pink monkey
• Our team hosted Curei on the Walk
• Curei did all 14 3-Day Walks for the Cure
• She was shipped from city-to-city

Please don’t tell her owner that on Day 1, I dropped Curei. I totally freaked when I looked down and she was gone.

All I could think was she had been shipped around the country, participated in 13 Walks and I lose her on her last Walk!

Fortunately, I turned around and a fellow walker had her. After that, Curei was securely strapped in with a pink scarf around her waist and attached to my water bottle holder.

Oy – the drama!

You can friend Curei Osity on Facebook to see all her photos from her nationwide tour for the Cure.

Why We Walk

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Live…Laugh…Love

 

Mention list-building in the online world and email marketing comes to mind.

I had a major list-building of a different kind – the 3-Day Walk for the Cure kind.

And, boy, it sure is long.

Day-Tripping

I remember the days when I packed the morning of a trip.

I was a road warrior in my corporate days, so packing a bag was something I knew how to do.

Now, I make a list.

Okay, to be fair, it’s only this specific trip where I make a list. By the time you read this, I’ll be back in my beloved San Diego.

This trip has turned into an annual three-in-one trip.

1. Participating in my 9th 3-Day Walk for the Cure
2. Visiting San Diego-based clients and prospects
3. Vacation time with friends and lovely beaches

I like to blame the three-fold reason for the list-building – rather than Boomer Brain.

Think about it.

• I need professional attire for my business trip
• I need knock-around garb for hanging out
• And I need everything that goes with the 3-Day Walk

My list ended up on 2 1/2 pages of an Excel document.

The following is just the 3-Day portion.

3-Day Gear

This is a partial list. I kept off some unmentionables – hey, raised in a different era.

• Avis rental info
• Bathing suit for spa – 1 of the best parts of the Walk (the spa-not me in a bathing suit)
• Camera, Capri, Caps, Code/Contract for house
• Drywick workout pants
• Flag for Car
• Gloves
• Headbands
• Kleenex packs
• Lanyard/Credentials
• Names for Walk
• Pins
• Rain poncho
• Safety Pins, Scarf for names, Spa shoes, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
• Team addresses, Team gifts, Thorlos-thick/thin, Toe pads, T-shirts
• Vaseline/lip balm
• Water bottle, Water bottle holder, Windbreaker

And this is a shorter list. As you get more and more Walks under your feet, you leave out what you don’t need.

• I used to wear a fanny pack, but it kills my back by the end of the 3rd day – Gone
• I took band-aids, antibiotic ointment, etc. – medics have all you need – Gone

And since this old lady no longer sleeps in Tent City, that cut out a ton of stuff – like a sleeping bag – huge.

The Walk is next weekend, November 16-18.

• If you live in San Diego, come cheer us on
• Everyone can think Happy Feet thoughts for all of us

Thank you again to all my contributors. Walk on!

BigStock Photo Credit

NOTE: I will be in San Diego from November 7th through November 20th. Part of that time will be spent walking 60 miles for the 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

I will respond to Comments as soon as I can. Walk on! And thank you.

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Live…Laugh…Love