Day 57

It's been a very snowy week, also nearing the end of my 2nd official week of 3Day training. The training has been a bit challenging to fit in around a full time work schedule. I can't walk outside yet ... it's dark in the morning and in the evening. I've been relying on my walking dvds & the gym during the week and hitting the mall on the weekend. It's getting done somehow, but did I mention that I'm REALLY looking forward to the springtime ... warmer temperatures and longer amounts of daylight? I'm sure I did.

Fundraising has been going really well. I've almost reached my minimum required goal which means I'll be able to walk in the event. But I've upped my goal and probably will again before it's all over. I've got a personal fundraising event coming up on March 14th at a local Buffalo Wild Wings and then we have a team event (silent auction & bake sale) scheduled for April. My hope is that any of my fundraising event donations (that are cash or check) I will be able to put aside til the event gets closer then apply them to any other teammate who made need a push to hit their goal. I'm extremely fortunate to have had the response that I've had. I'm not exactly sure why people have been so generous unless it's because I am SO passionate about the cause because of my own personal cancer experience that perhaps they sense that. I am truly thankful for everyone's support, but like I told my husband last night ... 'It is about the money because every donation could bring us one step closer to a cure, but also about the fact that EVERY person that make a donation (no matter how big or how little) ... well it means that I've extended the awareness'. If EVERY person who makes a donation, comes to an event, or goes on a walk with me gets a mammogram or makes sure that they talk about breast cancer with their wife, their mother, thier sister or their daughter ... just think of the possibilities.

I survived cancer because I detected it early and then I had choices. I had stage II cancer AND it had already traveled to my lymph nodes. If I had ignored the symptoms til later, my Stage II could have easily become Stage IV because my cancer grew very quickly. If that had happened you might not be reading this blog.

Day 53

Today is definately a SNOW DAY. I made it in to work this morning without too many problems ... slow & steady wins the race. Tonight I will have to do my 3 miles at home using my walking dvd but that's ok.

It was a good weekend for fundraising. Got a few more donations in. People have been very generous. I decided that I would change my fundraising goal from $2500 to $3000. I've had an excellent response so far to the emails and letters. I figure since I have my Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser day set for March 14th and the team fundraiser (silent auction, bake sale) set for April 24th that increasing the goal is doable. I did receive my Buffalo Wild Wing flyer email today so I hope to start emailing that out this week some time. I will try to hold my cash donations (from the BWW 50/50 raffle & my pop cans) aside and hold on to them in case any of my teammates need it to get them to their goals. It's all about the cause and not an individual contest (although I won't say that I don't have a competitive streak in me).

All in all, things are moving along smoothly so far - which is a good thing.

Day 52

Yesterday we had blue sky and sunshine and I was able to take my walk outside for the first time this year. I'm now starting the 2nd week of my actual 3-Day training program. The first week went good. Sundays are my scheduled day of rest, which is great. I went to church this morning with my family, was given a donation after service, and am now home getting things caught up. I've got my favorite flannel shirt on and my new pink fuzzy slippers. Feeling pretty good right now about everything (the fundraising, the training, and the excitement of everyone on our 3-Day team)... guess this is why they give you one day of rest a week. It's good to recharge.

Day 50

I found this week's training to go pretty well ... of course, this is the easiest week of the 24-week schedule. I think my biggest problem is going to be trying to get all of the training in, work full time and still keep up with all my regular (wife & mother) responsibilities. And that doesn't even include the fundraising aspect. Fortunately that part is moving along at a good pace. I still have a ways to go, but feel confident that I'll get there.

One of my problems (or strengths, depending if you're a 1/2 empty or 1/2 full kind of person) is that I have what a friend of mine terms 'Gene 126'. That's the extra gene that can either make you REALLY organized or REALLY anal about stuff. If the minimum fundraising goal to walk in the 3-Day walk is $2,300, then I want to start with $2,500 (it's a more well-rounded number) ... and if I'm shooting for $2,500 ... well $3,000 sounds so much better. I'm sure my friend (who shall remain nameless) and I probably aren't the only people out there with this extra 'gene', but who really knows for sure.

On a positive note, I did get up early this morning and walk my 3 miles before coming in to work. I knew I'd be busy tonight and didn't want to feel guilty when I was trying to have a little down time and little fun with friends.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support with fundraising, walking, motivation and prayers. I certainly couldn't be doing any of this without you.

Day 48

According to my 24-week 3-Day training schedule, yesterday was my cross-training day. The first couple of weeks they have it set as 0 minutes (meaning it's another day of rest), but I went to the gym and got in about 40 minutes of strength training. Today I should walk another 3 miles. Since it's Ash Wednesday and I'll be going to church tonight, I think I'll get to do my 3-mile walking dvd in the comfort of my basement.

When you work full time it's difficult to get the walking in during the evening ... I won't go out and walk in the dark (I'm not that much of a diehard ... YET). I will definately be glad when the weather warms up and it stays daylight out a bit later. I can't wait to start getting some fresh air. Until then it'll be the mall, the gym, and my basement. HURRY SPRING ... PLEASE!!!

Day 46

I was able to do my walking at the mall tonight (4 miles). My new shoes seem to be doing ok so far. My daughter has the week off of school so I told her if she'd tag along and be my walking partner for the night I would take her to her favorite store (Forever 21). She had a gift card she'd received for Christmas that apparently was burning a hole in her wallet (lol). Ahhh ... to be 14 again!

I received a donation yesterday at church which was very encouraging. I have 4 donations that I've mailed in now for a total of $145. It seems to be taking a little while to get them processed (but that's normal). But it is a good feeling to look at your 3-Day participant page and know that you've raised more than what is currently reflected on the page. Kind of like having a little bit in reserve.

I ordered 2 3-Day tshirts yesterday. I figured it would be nice to have one to wear in time for my fundraiser event at Buffalo Wild Wings on March 14th. I hope to receive the flyer back from their office this week so I can start putting the word out there for it.

Day 45

Today is the first 'official' day of my 3 Day 24-week training schedule, although I've been 'pretraining' for about 6 weeks. Last week I attended a 'Getting Started' meeting and discovered that if I follow the mileage of my training schedule I will have walked 544 miles in preparation before the 3Day event. Pretty cool. That doesn't even include the 50+ miles I did in pretraining. I suppose after 24 weeks 60 miles won't look so bad (at least that's what I'm hoping). Of course that'll all be in 3 days, completely different scenario, I know.

Day 44

Went on a 'get to know you' walk this morning. I walked 4 miles with my sister and one of our 3-Day teammates, Stefanie. It'll be good for everyone on the team to get acquainted. Might be difficult sometimes for all 5 of us to get together at the same time, but every time we can mix it up only helps us all to get to know one another. It's a good time for walking and a good time to bounce ideas off each other.

Although on mornings like today when we walk indoors at the mall there's always that threat of wanting to go back for the kelly green spring trenchcoat that was in the window (lol).

Day 42

Today was another BUSY day. I'm wrapping UP a big project at work and I had to take my daughter to her high school orientation this evening. I was able to send out a few emails this afternoon for potential silent auction donations for our upcoming team fundraiser in April.

Saturday I plan to walk at the mall with my sister and another teammate, Stafanie (who just joined our team this week). For now I seem to be the common denominator of the team (my sister, a fellow church member, a lady from the community that I haven't actually met yet and another woman I met at the Getting Started meeting). I'm anxious for all of us to get together soon to not only talk about the upcoming team fundraiser event but also for everyone to get to know each other a little.

This is all very exciting ... working on fundraising, beginning my 'official' 3Day training this weekend, and meeting new women who all share a common goal.

ALL IS GOOD!

Day 41

Today was a snow day for many people, including my daughter ... but not for me. Although, having so many people off of the road made my drive to work much easier and a lot less stressful. That was a good thing.

Today I received 2 donations toward my 3-Day goal. I've now raised $1,150 of the required $2,300. That's very encouraging. I'm working on a personal fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings for March and as a team we'll be having a silent auction/bake sale in April. I feel confident that everything will come together for all of us. I truly believe that it's our turn to do something positive and help to make a difference.

My official 24-week training will begin this weekend. I've got my shoes, my water bottle, my Ipod charged, and my schedule ... so I guess I'm ready for the next phase to begin.

Day 40

Last night I went to a 3 Day Getting Started meeting. It was awesome. I went to one last year, but it just didn't feel like it was the right time for me. This year the event seems to be 'calling' me. I take that as a sign that it's the right time. The meeting last night was even more inspirational and motivating than when I went to one last year. I met some nice people, got some questions answered, and couldn't wait to move on to the next part.

My donations have been coming through nicely. I am up to a little over $1,000 (not quite half way to my goal). I do have 2 fundraisers in the works and a lot of people who haven't responded to the emails and letters yet, so I'm feeling good about everything, all things considered.

Day 37

I took my daughter walking with me at the mall this morning. Apparently it'd been a while since she'd done some 'consistent' walking ... after 2 miles she was like "don't we get to sit down and take a break?" We took a short one and got back at it for another mile and a half. Next weekend I'll walk with my sister and we'll get more mileage in. I still managed about 15 miles this week, which isn't bad considering I had a really long week of late nights and projects.

I did have to return my new tennis shoes, though, last night. I think I got a defective pair. So I went to a running shop and got a new pair. Tried them out this morning. My feet did OK, but my legs were a bit tired.

Other than that, things are progressing along. I'm up to about $920 so far in my fundraising, which is just plain AWESOME!!! And I have 2 fundraisers in the works. I'll let you know once the details are all ironed out, but one will be in March and the second one in April.

Day 35

Yesterday was a long day at work. Got to work an hour early and then took my daughter to a youth event in the evening. By the time we dropped her friends off I didn't get home til nearly 10pm. I must not be quite as young as I used to be (or at least not as young as I think I am ... in my mind, that is). I did walk 2 miles yesterday (kind of a cumulative walk). I have done some great networking though this week. Through the 3 Day site (share list), I was able to contact 2 women in my area. One is willing to do some training with me, and the one the other is going to join our 3 Day team (and walk together once a week). Changing the routines up and walking with different people on different days I think will go a long way toward keeping the training from getting monotonous.

Day 33

Kind of a slow day yesterday. I worked all day, then made it to the gym for a workout after work. Trying to stay active (10-12 miles a week) until my official training begins the week of February 15th. It will be a challenge once the lengthy Friday workouts kick in. I'm not sure how people who work manage to work (especially those who work full time) and get the training in, but I'll figure out a way. Realistically walking 10-15 miles on a Friday when you work 8 hours could be considered a challenge. Those may well be the days when the walking is done in shifts ... before work, on my lunch hour and after work. Either way it'll get done.

Wouldn't it be great if by the end of my 24 week training period, I've taken off 5-10 pounds? Do you think that's doable? Because I sure don't seem to lose any weight sitting at my computer for 8 hours a day. Would sure make for a nice side benefit!