Fundraising Challenge... April 20 - May 4!

Yesterday I received an email from the lovely folks from Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure. They are starting a fundraising challenge...it runs for two weeks, till May 4th.
     The first 50 people to raise $585.00 will receive a pink ribbon iPod touch, specially made for 3 Day Walkers. The $585.00 is in addition to money already raised up until this point. The reason they chose $585.00, is because the average 3 Day Walker will walk 585 miles between training and the actual event! Isn't that AMAZING??? So far I am up to about $120 today.
     If you have been thinking about supporting me in the 3 DAY, this would be a great time to donate. Click HERE to check out my donation page. And if you need a little inspiration - or wonder why we walk...watch this video...and THANK YOU!!!! This will be my 3rd Walk in 4 years. You are making a difference!!!

24 Week Training Program... Ready, Set.. Walk!

(Taken from the 3-Day Walker Handbook)

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®  is an endurance-type athletic event. The more prepared you are, the better experience you will have. This training program was designed for someone who can already walk 3 miles at a 3 mph pace without difficulty. It is only a guideline. If you cannot currently walk 3 miles then start with 1 mile, build up over the next 2 weeks to a 3-mile walk and then join the program. If you can walk much further than 3 miles then you can skip down the program or wait until the program catches up with you. The key is to listen to your body. If you feel pain during or after a training session then you have done too much and should stop training and rest for a week. If things do not improve seek medical advice from your primary care provider.

This training program is geared to increase cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance over 24 weeks. Remember: this schedule is offered as a guideline. If you can’t fit the entire walking schedule into your week, try to do as much as you can. The important thing is to increase your mileage safely. Good luck and have fun!

The 24 Weeks started on Monday, April 11!

1st Official Training Walk ===> HUGE SUCCESS!!

OMG!!!  I am sooo excited!  Today was FANTASTIC!
I hosted my first official training walk and it was a HUGE SUCCESS!!! 

      When I registered to become a training walk leader, I just wanted to "help others get ready for the 3day".  I enjoy walking so much, and I thought it would be great to share my excitement and experiences with others that are walking or may be planning on walking in the 3day.  So, I registered, got my training and became a training walk leader.

      Well.. I knew I had to post at least one walk a month (that's part of the requirements to stay an active leader) and my schedule is sooo crazy busy.. I was a little worried about getting in my first walk.  When I realized that this weekend was going to be "free" I thought.. well.. if I'm gonna walk anyway...might as well post it and make it a training walk.. and I did.

      I went on "MapMyWalk" and found the trail that we (me, Candice, & LeeAnne) walked the previous weekend and "extended" it a bit.  When we did it, we only went out 2.5 and turned back.  I wanted this to be a bit more challenging so I made it 4.25 miles out planning on looping back to our starting point.  Once I got everything planned out, I went to my my 3Day training page and posted my first official walk.. AND PRAYED!  I didn't know if I would get anyone to register.  I mean it was 7 days away and that isn't a lot of notice.  AND I PRAYED.... Then I when to the "share" list on the 3Day site, did a search for participants in the "area" and sent them (100) invitations to join my walk.. AND PRAYED!  What if nobody RSVP'd?  Oh man, there would be nothing worse than posting a walk and having no one show up.... AND I PRAYED!  Then I thought.. got to get the word out so I posted a link to the walk on my FaceBook page and Tweeted it... I was going to make sure someone knew I was doing this and wanted/needed walkers to join me... AND I PRAYED!

      Then... it happened... I got my first RSVP!  YEAH BABY!!!  I was sooo excited and what made it even better.. it was my girlfriend Rhonda!  How cool is that?  My first walk and my first RSVP is a friend!  COOL!  Then came another, and another, and another, and before I knew it.. 9 people (7 strangers & 2 friends) had registered for my walk!  I DID IT!!!  I was going to be hosting my first walk and there were going to be people there!  I knew LeeAnne & Candice were going to be walking with me, but now I had a GROUP!

       So this morning.. I drop off Alexis at practice, pick up LeeAnne and Tonya, Wanda and Annette join us too!  My group just got bigger!  YEAH!!  We get to the meeting spot (golf course) and there are some of the walkers there already... YEAH!!  I introduce everyone, pass out the "waiver" and we all "mix & mingle" as we are stretching.  I go over the safety and security guidelines of the walk.. tell them a little about me.. and we are ready!  It's 8:50 am and I have 14 people (more than what originally registered) ready to walk with me!  Oh wait... here comes one more!

      So.. at 9:00am we were walking!  Perfect walking weather.. not to hot, a little chilly, not raining, with a light breeze!  Couldn't have asked for anything better!  Everyone was happy & upbeat and I was ecstatic!  This is just what I hoped for and wanted and it was happening!     When we got to our "turnaround" spot (Giant in LaPlata) my husband was there with "snacks" and "drinks" (banana's, granola bars, and Gatorade)!  FANTASTIC!  The ladies were happy to see him I think and it was a nice "break"... time to "pee" and "refuel" and KEEP IT MOVING!  We were back on the road headed back to the golf course around 10:35 -- but wait... got to take a group picture!

My first training walk group!

Now we are on our way!  4.25 miles back to the beginning!  Everyone was doing fantastic and we were walking at a great pace.  I was the only "experienced" 3Day walker in the group.  For everyone else.. this was going to be their first time.  That was great... I tried to answer as many questions as I could about the 3Day and what it was like.  Gave some of my ideas and suggestions on fundraising and how to meet your goals, and just tried to make everyone feel comfortable, relaxed and happy. 

      When we made it back to the golf course it was 11:35 and we were done!  2hours and 35 min (including the pit stop) and we walked 8.5 miles!  AWESOME!!!!!  I was super happy and very proud of everyone!

      The "icing on the cake" so to speak was when we got back and one of the ladies asked me, "So are you going to do this again next weekend?"  WOW!!!  They liked it so much they want to come back and do it again!  YES!!!!

So, with this first one done and a success... it's official...

I AM A SUSAN G. KOMEN 3-DAY FOR THE CURE

 TRAINING WALK LEADER....

let the walking continue!

1st Official Training Walk -

It's official... I've created and posted my first official training walk!  I'm super excited and hope I get a good turnout!  Check out my training walk page, and register to join me on this walk.  It's gonna be a lot of fun!

8.5 Mile Training Walk - White Plains Golf Course to La Plata (out and back) - Sat, April 9, 2011

This is an 8.5 Mile training walk. We will be starting at the White Plains Golf Course (White Plains, MD), and following the bike/jog/walking trail (asphalt) to the Giant in LaPlata, MD. There are moderate hills throughout the walk. We will take a "pit stop" at the Giant in La Plata (4.25mile) for bathroom break, rehydrating, and stretching before heading back. 

Can I be a Volunteer?

     Sometimes I do things and don't think about them until after I do them.  (Yes, I really did say that out loud and admitted to it!)  Well, I did it again, but this time, there are no regrets, second thoughts, or wondering.  This time.. this was right!
     I woke up one morning, a few weeks ago, and there was something heavy on my heart.  I don't know if I can explain it, but it was something that had been in my head and heart for a long time (a really really long time).  You know that feeling that is inside of you that you just can't get rid of.  You try to ignore it, reason through it, rationalize it.. but it doesn't go anywhere.  Yeah, that's what this was.  I had this feeling in my heart that I needed to do more. I needed to try to make a difference.  I needed to VOLUNTEER.
    OK.. so it's no secret that I am passionate about Breast Cancer and the need to educate, inform, and hopefully one day find a cure!  Ummmm... that's what this blog is all about right?  Well, I've done things over the years (you may have even gotten an email or 2 from me).. but on this particular morning I had the feeling that I needed to do more!
     So on this particular day, I made a decision.  A decision that I think in the long run will change me and my life.  I went online to the Susan G. Komen website and looked for an affiliate office in Maryland.  I knew there was one, but I wasn't sure if there was one close to me.  You know you do it too.. you want to "volunteer" for something, but it needs to be "convenient" to your house or work. Heaven forbid you have to "travel" to volunteer right?  :)  Anyway... so I went online and searched the Komen website for the "closest" affiliate to me.  Well, at first I thought it would be in DC.  OK.. not to far right?  I mean I work in the city and could get there right after work.  Perfect!  Uuuuuhhhhmmmm... NO!  The affiliate for Maryland is in Towson, MD.  OK... so if you are not from the area you may not know where that is... near Baltimore!  Yup, it's about 1hour away from me (on a good day with no traffic!)  WOW... hmmmm OK.. so this means if I am going to volunteer, I would be driving on average 2 hours each time (to get there and back).  Did I really want to do this?  I mean, I've been "talking" about volunteering for a while, but never have... so if I change my mind now .. who will know?  I WOULD!
    So.. I clicked on the link for the Komen Maryland affiliate office, went to the "Volunteer Center" and clicked on "Volunteer Application".  I printed it, looked at it, put it down, picked it up, put it down again, and then picked up my pen and started writing!  DONE!  I made a copy (just in case) and took it home.  OK.. so now I just had to mail it (if you know me.. I am not very good at putting things in the mail). So, if I was really going to do this.. I had to give it to the one person that I knew would make sure it would get mailed.. my husband!  DONE!
    And the waiting begins.  Will they read my "application" and feel that I am "qualified" to be a Komen Volunteer?  I mean, yeah, I've done the walks and races, but is that enough?  What were they looking for?  And I wait.  Are they going to send me a message?  Will I get a call?  And I wait.  And then it happens... I GOT AN EMAIL!!  YEAH!!!!  They want me, they want me!!  OK.. so next steps.. reply to the message, schedule the phone call... and get this process started!
    Well, yesterday (Thur 3/31) I had my "phone interview" with Komen Maryland.  It was great!  She was so supportive and encouraging.. and "WANTED" to hear my story.  I think she was just as excited as I was to talk about being a volunteer.  The call went great, and now I'm getting ready to take the official "training workshop" in May.  After that ... I will be an official Komen Maryland Volunteer!
   So.. that feeling that I had in my heart.. that feeling of needing to do something... yeah it's still there. but now it's a little different feeling.  Now it's a feeling of.. .DOING!  Yup,  I've decided to step up my game and put my body where my mouth was... I'm going all in... I am making a commitment to do all I can do to help spread the word, educate, inform, and support ....
I AM VOLUNTEERING!!

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Ambassador & Training Walk Leader 

Komen Maryland Volunteer