Pearls are Forever...

As many of you know, I am very active with Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. For the past 8 years I have participated in this event ... walking, crewing, stalking... It's very near to my heart. During this time I have meet thousands of people who have left a permanent mark on my heart. Their stories, their smiles, their tears... we have shared together. We are all connected by one disease and the desire for a cure. We support those who have fought the battle and continue to, for those who lost someone to the battle and for those who should never have to fight the battle. We are a 3-Day family!

Yesterday, one of our family members posted her good-bye.

Ms. Bridget Spence has been a huge impact in all of our lives. She was diagonsed at the age of 21 with Stage IV Breast Cancer with no family history of the disease. Today, she is 29 years old (an age no doctor thought she would see) with a wonderful husband, adorable puppy and incredibly loving family. But what is truly amazing about Bridget is her infectious smile and undetered courage and strength. She has gone through treatments and surgerys and clinical trials to find a cure... not necessarily for her but for all ofus.

Her blog post has hit me like a ton of bricks.... "It is time for me to ask each of you to let me go. It is time to say goodbye." Wow! This courageous, brave soul is asking our persmission to let her go. This request shows us the kind of woman Bridget is... totally self-less. Well, Ms. Bridget, it's time for you to be a little selfish... time for you and your Big Man to spend that time together. No matter where it is - tropically beach or living room couch - it's time for you!

Her last line is what haunts me - "Please, don't forget about me." We all have a legacy we leave, a mark with make on the world no matter how big or small. Ms. Bridget, your mark is HUGE! You are like the sun the greets us every Friday morning of event... there to fill our day with light and love! You will never be forgotten.

And yes, to prove that Right Place, Right Time is so true - this morning after donning my pearls (double set for strength), my morning commute was capped with the great Simple Minds song "Don't You Forget about Me" on the radio... fate or Right Place, Right Time!

Peace and Love Ms. Bridget! You will never be forgotten!

47 days til Tampa! Are you ready?

OMG... only 47days!



Are you getting excited?  How is fundraising?  How is training?  Check out the message boards on the 3-Day page... There are lots of people here to help!  Check it out!  :)

Best walking shoes...

Here's a great article of the Best Lightweight Walking Shoes according to Good Housekeeping!

http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/best-lightweight-walking-shoes.html

Now is the time to find the right shoes and socks to make your 3-Day a great experience!

Happy feet, happy walker!

136 Days until Tampa.... Are you ready?

Have you started fundraising? Have you started training?  Still trying to recruit people for your team? 

Now is the time!  Ask everyone, ask BIG, ask OFTEN!!  Walk, walk, walk... learn to love the heat!  Tell your family and friends how great the event is... of course, most times we can't put the feeling into actual words... thus, they MUST experience it with you!!   

Getting Started Meeting - April 30

Mark your calendars for April 30

It will be our LAST Getting Started Meeting here in Orlando!  And bring everyone... walkers, crew, spectators we make recruit!  ;)  Katie will be here to share everything you have ever wanted to know about the 3-Day and then some!

RSVP here

Getting Started Meeting... February 22!

That's right!  It's meeting time!  Time to come find out what the 3-Day is about! 

Date:  February 22
Time:  6pm
Location:  Darden Restaurant Corporate Headquarters

You must RSVP
http://www.the3day.org/site/Calendar/470546709?view=Detail&id=278734



See you then!

Happy New Year... Time to Make the Commitment!

It's a new year and a new year to find a cure!  Sign up to help us find a cure against Breast Cancer and save $25 in registration!  

Go to www.the3day.org and use the discount code SAVE25. 

Here's to a New Year without Breast Cancer

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday season! 

In 2012, we will all be another step closer to a cure!

How to Pack for the 3-Day!

It's time.... time to pack!  Here is the cliff notes version....

First of all, soft sided duffle bags work best. Leave the suitcase for your next vacation. Be creative with your bag. You will see lots of pink bags and finding yours in a sea of pink is not fun! Also black is another popular color. Buy a cheap bag and decorate it! Make sure your name, participant number and tent address are on your bag as well!

Once you have the bag, get another….garbage bag that is! Line the inside of your duffle bag with a garbage bag. Trucks get unloaded even in the rain, so be prepared. There’s nothing worse than rain while you walk but then add wet clothes to change in to…yucky!

I suggest packing all your stuff into 2.5 gallon Hefty zipper bags. Why you ask? 1. You can keep each day’s clothes together so there is no digging in the bottom of your bag for stuff. 2. Dryness …again! 3. They work great to put the stinky walking clothes back into after your shower. You have no idea what used walking clothes that have been fermenting for two days smell like! Why risk it before putting them in the washing machine on Monday?

As far as sleeping accommodations, pool floats work great. This time of year they are usually on clearance so keep your eyes peeled. Plus a hand pump works fine to inflate them. But a battery powered pump would be easier. Just remember…it adds weight to your bag and stress to our Gear and Tent Crew. Please be kind…35 pounds per bag. A couple pounds over is fine….double the weight limit…nope!!

Also remember, everything must be in your duffle bag. You can not attach anything to your bag…ie sleeping bags, etc. This has happened before where folks have attached their sleeping bags to their duffles with bungee cords. Please avoid doing this. The hard working crew handles every piece of luggage and 9 times out of 10 the bungee cord comes undone and hurts someone.
The other great debate is sleeping bag vs. sheet and blanket. You need to talk to the weather man on this one. If it's looking like warmer weather, I would go for the sheet and blanket. However, if you are seeing lower temperatures on the forecast map, consider a sleeping bag. Just make sure the either choice is able to fit INSIDE your gear bag!!

Other things to think about - flash light for those late night bathroom visits (headlamps seem to work best - hands free and no risk of falling in the portapotty!), bug spray for early mornings, flip flops for the showers and maybe, just maybe a sweatshirt... so when the cooler weather arrives you will be ready! ;)

Also the $12 towel service is a MUST! You could take 4 showers a day and always have a clean, dry towel! :)

Use the check list on the 3-Day event info page for reference. They have a really great list.
Remember, the 3-Day is not a beauty pageant. Leave the blowdry at home - besides, there are no electrical outlets. Also remember, no using cell phones or ipod while walking on the route. We are looking out for your safety!


Also make sure that you print your credentials before you arrive at Opening Ceremonies. You can get a lanyard and holder when you arrive!


If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)


Walk Smart, Walk Safe, Walk Strong. :)

Stretch much?

Ok... you've done the miles... you are a walking fool!  :)  You stretch every hour of walking for 5 minutes....but have you thought about those sore, tired muscles after you are done walking?

Check out this great article about yoga poses for walkers!  Yoga Poses for Walkers

Your hips will thank you!  ;)

Are you drinking enough?

Water that is!!! 

With the FABULOUS weather that we just had this past weekend, you may not have realized you were losing fluids!

When you walk, you should be going through one water bottle of gatorade and one of water per hour!  No, you won't float away!  That's why we have port-a-potties at every pitstop and lunch! 

Remember - Drink, Pee = No IV! 

Bye bye September...

Hey there 3-Dayers~
Sorry for the delay in posting.  Let's kick off Breast Cancer Awarness Month together!  I will be posting lots of stuff in the next couple days to help get you ready for your 3-Day experience.

Stay tuned!

A Great Way to Kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi all~
This great article to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month tomorrow!

Your Best Breasts at Any Age

Week 16 Training Schedule

Wow... time flies... sorry for missing last week.
But...

Here's the schedule for the week
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 3 miles - easy pace
Wednesday - 15 minutes - moderate cross training
Thursday - 5 miles - moderate pace
Friday - 30 minutes - easy cross training
Saturday - 8 miles - easy pace
Sunday - 6 miles - easy pace

There is a back to back training walk this weekend.  Check out Don Eash's event page









Happy Walking!

Still looking for the right walking shoe....

Haven't found that "perfect" shoe for the 3-Day yet?  Check out Prevention Magazine's favorite shoes!

Find Your Sole Mate

Week 18 Training Schedule

Happy Hump Day!  
Here's the schedule for the week
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 3 miles - easy pace
Wednesday - 15 minutes - moderate cross training
Thursday - 5 miles - moderate pace
Friday - 30 minutes - easy cross training
Saturday - 7 miles - easy pace
Sunday - 6 miles - easy pace

Wowy!  Holy Rain!  Training in the rain is no fun... but a little walk in the rain actually is good training!  Of course, not on a night like tonight... ;)  When doing your training remember that you may actually have rain on event.  Be prepared for it no matter what!  


Happy walking!  ;)

Week 19 Training Schedule

Sorry for the delay getting the blog updated yesterday....

Here's the schedule for the week
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 3 miles - easy pace
Wednesday - 15 minutes - moderate cross training
Thursday - 5 miles - moderate pace
Friday - 30 minutes - easy cross training
Saturday - 6 miles - easy pace
Sunday - 5 miles - easy pace

Yes, the mileage is starting to go up...  Consider breaking up your mileage during the week.  On Thursday, consider doing 2 miles at the gym on the treadmill and 3 miles after 7pm when it's a little cooler.

Keep hydrated and be safe!  :)

Blisters Happen....

OK... plain and simple.... Blisters Happen!

I know, you’re thinking, “I’m not gonna get blisters” or “They have medical at all the pits so I don’t need to pack my own stuff”, well… guess again! You WILL get at least one blister between training and the event! It’s just the way it is! YOU need to be prepared to take care of your feet. (Emphasis on YOU!... even though there are medical personnel on event, you are responsible for you! Learn how to protect your feet and leave the hard cases for the doctors!) Blister packs are very easy to make and you probably have everything you need already in your medicine cabinet.

BLISTER PACK

1. Bandaids – The fabric ones are the best. Make sure they have the good adhesive!

2. Neosporin – The “secret” healer of 3-Day blisters.

3. Moleskin – you may not have this in your medicine cabinet but it’s worth the stroll down the footcare aisle at Walgreens or CVS. Buy the thinner kind.

4. Baby powder – the travel size is perfect. Dry feet = happy feet!

Here are a few other options you may find helpful.

1. Travel size first aid kit – They are 99 cents at Target. The plastic case is worth the price of admission. It can hold everything you need. Plus it comes with some bandaids and antiseptic wipes.

2. Manicure or sewing kit scissors – these are perfect for cutting moleskins as needed.

3. Toe sleeves – Another little wonder that has saved several toes… including mine! Another find in the footcare aisle.

4. Blister bandaids – these are a bit more specialized and are available at pit stops or Walgreens again. Use the Travel First Aid Kit to hold the bandaids, toe sleeves, antiseptic wipes, moleskin and scissors… yes, they will fit. Everything for the Blister Pack will fit nicely in a Quart sized Ziplock bag.

Use the FREEZER type… they are thicker. Now, that you have all the stuff for the Blister Pack, let me share the “3-Day Way to Protect Blisters.”

1. Never POP, lance or drain a blister! NEVER! Why? This is the body’s way of protecting the problem area.

2. Gently clean the top of the blister.

3. Apply Neosporin to the top and cover with a bandaid.

4. If the spot still rubs once you put your shoe back on, add mole skin over the top of the bandaid. If you use moleskin just be aware that you need to leave it on until it’s ready to come off. You may pull skin off… ouch!

5. If you have a large blister or one under your toenail, go to medical. They will lance it and bandage it. 

A prepared walker is a happy walker!  And happy feet make for happy walkers!  My team always giggled at me because of everything I would keep in my fanny pack, including my blister pack... but the things in my fanny pack have saved us all, either on event or during training!  :)

Next week:  Fanny packs!  :)

Week 20 Training Schedule

Here's the schedule for the week
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 3 miles - easy pace
Wednesday - 15 minutes - moderate cross training
Thursday - 4 miles - moderate pace
Friday - 30 minutes - easy cross training
Saturday - 6 miles - easy pace
Sunday - 4 miles - easy pace

yup... it's HOT!  It's humid!  But keep up with your training.  Consider doing some of your training inside... malls are great!  :)

Drink.... for PINK!

It's that time again.... Drink for Pink!


Come out this Thursday, June 9th to Urban Flats in Downtown Orlando from 6-8pm.  Unlimited wine and heavy appetizers for only $25! You’ll also have a chance to enter a raffle to win several amazing prizes like a dinner party for 8 people prepared and served by professional chefs as well as theme park tickets.  


Check out their FB Event Page.