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!
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| 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!
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