tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28591970877207298772024-02-07T15:30:17.311-05:00For Every Season - 3 DayDaily journal of a breast cancer survivor training and fundraising for her first 3 Day breast cancer walk. 3 days ... 60 miles > for the purpose of raising research funds and awareness.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-11883565589850044992010-08-30T16:26:00.005-04:002010-08-30T16:43:04.343-04:00Day 241<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xECb75-oGgHRSDlLSejf1SXHxMZ0MNPc4fxe8iUZFakElSLPGyfB52gxNq3yB_wi3uYXM-ovoJxi1VEiFfLfarVFpIkyaNWUjzEY4vSm8w43Aj2kK9VVFBBL7fNEhNEvJllUUjhyphenhyphenxFJW/s1600/indecision.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xECb75-oGgHRSDlLSejf1SXHxMZ0MNPc4fxe8iUZFakElSLPGyfB52gxNq3yB_wi3uYXM-ovoJxi1VEiFfLfarVFpIkyaNWUjzEY4vSm8w43Aj2kK9VVFBBL7fNEhNEvJllUUjhyphenhyphenxFJW/s200/indecision.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511306194903466738" /></a><br />It's been 2 weeks since I completed my first 3Day walk. My feet are getting back to normal, my duffle bag is unpacked (well mostly anyway), I've looked at lots of 3Day pictures from the event, shared stories with friends and families ... and now I wonder 'what do I do next?'. <br /><br />I received an email from another walker over the weekend. It was nice to hear from her. She said her feet were nearly healed and wanted to know what I thought of my first walk (I think it was her 2nd). She said she promised herself that she wouldn't decide about the 2011 walk on an impulse. She said it'd be like being in the delivery room and trying to decide if you wanted to have another baby. I loved the anology. I had promised myself and my husband before I went on this year's walk that I would NOT commit to the next one while being under the emotional (& hormonal) effects of the current one. Of course ... then I also got an email last week from Susan G. Komen reminding me that I can apply a $35 discount to my registration fee if I register before November 23rd ... no pressure huh?<br /><br />I admit I had a bit of a rough time getting through the whole walk because of the heat. I'd walked more than 500 miles in my training, but only got in about 38 of the 60 on the walk. To say I was disappointed would be a HUGE understatement. The fighter in me is ready to jump right back in and say 'let's give it another whirl and try to do better on the next one'. Then the doubter in me (I hate when it rears its ugly head) says 'maybe you should try crewing next year instead of taking on the walk'. I must admit I'm a bit confused. Of course I do have plenty of time to make that decision (well ... at least til November 23rd).<br /><br />Any suggestions? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-48595020888457265692010-08-19T15:59:00.011-04:002010-08-19T16:47:13.629-04:00Day 230The Michigan 2010 Susan G. Komen 3Day for the Cure walk is now complete. Ironically enough it was one of Michigan's hottest weekends of the summer so far. To share a bit of the experience with you, it's probably best to just start at the beginning.
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<br />Thursday I headed out to Farmington Hills to the site of the Opening Cermonies for the rehearsal. I was nominated and chosen to carry an 'In Honor Of' flag. I carried the 'In Honor of Myself' flag, symbolizing to me that I am indeed a survivor. We were given instructions as to which flag we would carry, which side of the stage we would enter from, where we would post our flag, etc. It was all very helpful. Next I headed to my sister Cindy's house to help her pack her duffle bag before our two other teammates (Kristen & Stefanie) would arrive later for our Pre-3Day slumber party (it was most helpful that my sister lived just a couple of miles from the opening ceremony and the 3Day campsite.
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<br />Friday morning we were all up bright and early. We arrived at the Opening Ceremony site just a little past 5:30am. The ceremonies were energizing. The 1800+ walkers were dressed in varying shades of pink, feather boas, every combination of clothing you can imagine. The energy level was definately on the high side. The 21+ mile walk for Day One began. We walked through the Farmington Hills & Livonia area through business districts & residential neighborhoods. Cheering stations were filled with clapping supporters, sprinklers, bottles of water, snacks, ice water for dipping our bandana scarves, and A LOT OF SIGNS AND PINK!! Everyone from the crew & volunteers to the supporters were amazing. The weather was HOT & HUMID which made for an exhausting first day. I made it through 20.5 miles the first day, but the heat apparently got the best of me. My heart was all 'aflutter' ... literally. I made it back to camp and saw the medics to find my heartrate & BP were way too high. For me it meant a discouraging detour to the local emergency room. 3 IV bags & a potassium cocktail later and I was heading home (or at least back to my sister's air conditioned house) for the night. The doctors said my electrolytes were good and I wasn't dehydrated, but the heat had temporarily stressed my heart. I felt pretty defeated when the doctor said I couldn't walk on Saturday. I felt like a hormonal failure who was letting my donors down. Everyone reminded me that the $5000 in donations I had raised were just that ... 'donations to breast cancer research' - they were NOT 'per mile pledges'. Of course try telling that to someone who is about to watch her teammates walk through the Plymouth cheering station on Saturday. The doctors tried to remind me of the 500+ training miles I had already walked during the past several months. I assured them that I would agree with them (later ... after I got home).
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<br />Saturday (Day Two) I went (like a good little soldier) to the cheering station and cheered my teammates on with their families. It was difficult to do, but the most sensible thing nonetheless. By Saturday evening I arrived back at the 3day camp and was finally cleared by the medics to walk again on Sunday if I promised to watch for the warning signs and take it easy in the heat. I had dinner at camp with my teammates and enjoyed a mini concert from Candy Coburn (who sings the 3day theme song 'She's A Pink Warrior'.) It was an enjoyable evening, then back to my sister's air conditioned house for the night.
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<br />Sunday (Day Three) I was feeling much stronger and was able to walk 14 of the 16.6 miles en route to the closing ceremonies. We walked through Livonia, Redford, Hines Park, Dearborn Heights and Dearborn. Overall it was a great day! By Day 3 I discovered that while many were fortunate enough to walk all 60 miles many others (for various reasons) were not able to do the whole thing ... which let me know that I was no longer a failure. We can train correctly for months, hydrate-hydrate-hydrate, eat our prescribed salty snacks, slather on our SPF50 sunscreen ... basically do everything that we can control. But there will still be those things like the hot weather or rainstorms that we simply cannot control. Gosh I hate the fact that I'm not the Wonder Woman that I like to think I am.
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<br />The closing ceremonies were at the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn. There was a great turnout from family and friends. I was on stage with my 'In Honor Flag' while Candy Coburn sang the 'Pink Warrior' theme song. It was a wonderful ending to an overall great weekend. The Michigan event alone raised $5.4 million dollars for breast cancer research and community awareness programs. Well done everyone!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMAQbhtpUsWEv2N69gtlT7x4EGeBqnITsoc-8ANME4asMtFdpRBmmxowSdvn5doUP1iDqh1mFFYFgxF7DSSxqGNuI6RWlkTFK-miRCDF79AVnSiHKjAnQJoa0Rj-UK9em55mzCytFmHjP/s1600/Candy+Coburn.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMAQbhtpUsWEv2N69gtlT7x4EGeBqnITsoc-8ANME4asMtFdpRBmmxowSdvn5doUP1iDqh1mFFYFgxF7DSSxqGNuI6RWlkTFK-miRCDF79AVnSiHKjAnQJoa0Rj-UK9em55mzCytFmHjP/s200/Candy+Coburn.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507224116140147666" /></a>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-87579196358441384402010-08-10T10:44:00.004-04:002010-08-10T11:07:03.565-04:00Day 221<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzeRILo8V0X6Izxhh33PmBsxcWNJ8RoassyoQYk31KjxKsiMawoKp1JyFKF5J9hubUbjqUcH3V2eugQJtp7TKMgmsuzbq7Xk2Xq15XrhzMoGag7xfMlIG7cgb9_Y_lDyCX-OtKeHIgJxX/s1600/black+duffle+bag.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzeRILo8V0X6Izxhh33PmBsxcWNJ8RoassyoQYk31KjxKsiMawoKp1JyFKF5J9hubUbjqUcH3V2eugQJtp7TKMgmsuzbq7Xk2Xq15XrhzMoGag7xfMlIG7cgb9_Y_lDyCX-OtKeHIgJxX/s200/black+duffle+bag.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503797920467723650" /></a><br />Well it's almost here ... the Michigan 3Day journey is now just 3 days away. 221 days ago when I started this blog it seemed so far away and now it's really just around the corner. Last night I started my preliminary packing and found that to be a little bit overwhelming. I'm notorious for being an 'over packer' and think that as I was trying to follow all of my checklists for what to pack, how much to pack, how to pack it, etc. I found myself feeling anxious. Finally I decided to call it quits for the night and turned on some 'mindless' TV. Lucky for me 'Dating in the Dark' was on and I found that to be just what I needed. Watching 6 young people having first time meetings in total darkness (so as not to judge each other on their appearances), then progress was interesting - but enough of a distraction to help get me past my first round of packing dilemmas. Tonight I will start fresh and dig in again. <br /><br />Tonight I will also do my last training walk before the weekend. 4-5 miles. If the weatherman is right (well he has a 50-50 chance) after work it should still be muggy and in the mid 80s, so I brought my walking clothes with me to work. My logical husband suggested a cooler walk in the mall. And who said he wasn't smart? Certainly not me.<br /><br />Thursday I will head out for the rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies (since I'll be carrying a banner), then have a nice dinner with my sister, before the rest of our team shows up at my sister's house for a pre-3Day slumber party. We're fortunate that my sister (also on the team) lives about 15 minutes from the opening ceremonies. We figured that made more sense than the other 3 of us driving the hour+ ride in on Friday morning (especially when we need to arrive by 5:30am!).<br /><br />Once again, I want to thank everyone for your support during this journey. I've had tremendous support with my fundraising, my training, and motivating me when I needed it most. I couldn't have done any of this without all of you. At this point all I can ask for is your prayers for good health for all of the 2500 participants (walkers & crew members), NO rain, not TOO HOT of temperatures, and perhaps some cooler nights for sleeping in our little itty bitty pink tents.<br /><br />If any of you are in the area Friday, Saturday or Sunday we'd love to see you on the route, at a cheering station or at the closing ceremonies. Just go to the3day.org and click on 'event information'. It gives you times, locations, directions, parking suggestions, basically all you need to come by and show your support.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-9239421807094882342010-08-02T16:30:00.004-04:002010-08-02T16:44:40.227-04:00Day 213<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfEqyfGEoy5xfF9iI_T3eQUq3XoSSw3ZlWRQkwzMbxfyM7H2z1JsHCtH1JUsXqT3eTbhyphenhyphenjHesk_1YV7TCU85zvlS7xbia5h8MsUXrueNMjYIdJCheGN8qcYhkomFPbsHMA8ZCfGMQncLe/s1600/3day+logo.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfEqyfGEoy5xfF9iI_T3eQUq3XoSSw3ZlWRQkwzMbxfyM7H2z1JsHCtH1JUsXqT3eTbhyphenhyphenjHesk_1YV7TCU85zvlS7xbia5h8MsUXrueNMjYIdJCheGN8qcYhkomFPbsHMA8ZCfGMQncLe/s200/3day+logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500916075738366114" /></a><br />I can't believe the 3Day walk will be here next week ... only 11 more days. On one hand I'm nervous and a bit anxious (Have I trained enough? Can I handle the heat? Am I really strong enough to tackle this 60 mile journey?). On the other hand I'm excited and a bit anxious (hmmm ... anxious again?). I can't wait to finally experience the walk, meet the other walkers, see first-hand the exhiliaration of a cheering station, and be a flag bearer for the opening and closing ceremonies.<br /><br />I did my 18 mile training walk on the weekend and got through it pretty well this time. No 'new' aches or pains or blisters. Of course the weather helped. It was in the mid 70s (maybe 80) and the sun rarely showed its face. Made for a welcome change to the routine training walks I've been doing. Now I just read on the 3Day message boards that the expected weather for the Michigan 3Day is 90 degrees, humid and sunny. Wow ... when it rains it pours (figuritively speaking, of course). The good news is Michigan weather tends to change at least every other day, if not daily. So it'll be whatever it'll be. Time will tell. But saying an extra prayer or two for no rain and no heat exhaustion certainly wouldn't hurt.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-37148006278936340272010-07-27T11:50:00.004-04:002010-07-27T11:59:06.792-04:00Day 207<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmpWm4UPFDJJ-VUF8uq5hsQ5dtRB3nUz8mrSW7sEa7ttb4iGab490GO2rkcWFroPsAg7qS_RKSEXClHckZK7O7CLIBlnhLpmkaSz-Hu5vTPqxwIulrTH8_8EhWOhzfTrwF4mIvV3QjQR_/s1600/hat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmpWm4UPFDJJ-VUF8uq5hsQ5dtRB3nUz8mrSW7sEa7ttb4iGab490GO2rkcWFroPsAg7qS_RKSEXClHckZK7O7CLIBlnhLpmkaSz-Hu5vTPqxwIulrTH8_8EhWOhzfTrwF4mIvV3QjQR_/s200/hat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498615960230498338" /></a><br />A lot has happened in a week since my last blog entry. I took a small training break and let my knee and heels heal (no pun intended). My feet are feeling much better this week. So my training is on track.<br /><br />My fundraising hit a huge milestone this week. I went over $5,000. Thank you to everyone who has supported me (in so many ways).<br /><br />I also received some great news this week. I was invited to carry one of the 'inspiration flags' for both the opening and closing ceremonies at the 3Day event. There will be close to 50 flags all with messages of 'hope', 'dreams', 'events' and several 'honor flags'. Walking in honor of a 'mother', 'sister', 'friend', 'aunt', 'neighbor', etc. I will be carrying the flag marked 'myself'. I feel very honored to carry a flag that indicates that I am survivor. If you are at either of the ceremonies watch for me.<br /><br />The 3Day event is now less that 3 weeks away. I've been prepping my packing list, washing & wearing my walking clothes and socks, etc. We have our new team hats ready to go. At this point there's just lots and lots of details and excitement.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-21015113769629193282010-07-19T11:26:00.006-04:002010-07-19T11:49:47.517-04:00Day 200<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgtQmOqwA8mHmeoDrs5z45yElW5cxH-T7szm8_ERXpDh3yQD5YM1gWuyxfCxMimnIgDPG96-YDRksVBG4loCrNd6MLQJHgtokWEynszqv3fsmAGRNXSbL7YAWL-UZgeZfcOPI-f_4d6gV/s1600/hot+sunshine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgtQmOqwA8mHmeoDrs5z45yElW5cxH-T7szm8_ERXpDh3yQD5YM1gWuyxfCxMimnIgDPG96-YDRksVBG4loCrNd6MLQJHgtokWEynszqv3fsmAGRNXSbL7YAWL-UZgeZfcOPI-f_4d6gV/s200/hot+sunshine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495644641130081634" /></a><br />It's been more than a week since my last post and I apologize. What can I say? It's been busy, it's been tiring, it's been eventful ... basically just more of the same.<br />This past weekend was the 2nd of our 2 long back-to-back weekend training walks. Last weekend was 18 & 15. I managed the 18 on Friday without too much difficulty, but settled for 12 (of the 15) on Saturday. <br /><br />I am still nursing the blisters on my heals (mostly my right foot). I was so proud of my training so far and the fact that I was blister-free ... I'm hoping I didn't jinx myself. Until 3 weeks ago I was doing awesome, then I tried breaking in a new pair of shoes for the walk. The salesman insisted I needed a 1/2 size larger and I figured he was the expert, so I listened to him. Obviously it didn't turn out so well. After about 10-12 miles (I never wore them for more than 6 miles a day) I discovered that they were slipping just enough around my heals that I was getting friction. I tried tieing the shoes differently, etc. but the damage was already done. I returned the shoes and went back to another pair that was a 1/2 size smaller and they seem to be working. My problem now seems to be that I keep re-inflaming the existing blisters each week when I walk. In a perfect world I would take a few weeks to let them properly heal, but my world isn't perfect.<br /><br />I need to find a way to protect them the best I can while still walking & training. I'm using vaseline, moleskin, good socks, good shoes. I just need help finding the right combination I guess. <br /><br />The walk is now only 4 weeks away. I'm hoping that we will catch a break with the heat. We should be accustomed to walking in the heat by now that we'll be used to it, but it would still be kind of nice to not be so hot & humid for the 3 days. Although it will be August and it's still Michigan (which can be unpredictable), so we kind of already have 2 strikes against us.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-26285846760494550142010-07-08T19:51:00.006-04:002010-07-08T20:08:59.308-04:00Day 189<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MjWYvtqKCeqKLFmUwrn0hMG6BoHex95sWXHsqfn5_BcmGl4smo9bxUVsUcTe8CeYRbniZAu7tXYFUXdF1wY2lLo3k3cFY9j0Q1wNxzCJKa18SqdM0K7hm0oy9N5YXox_TRNuRzwwYX9q/s1600/hurting+feet.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MjWYvtqKCeqKLFmUwrn0hMG6BoHex95sWXHsqfn5_BcmGl4smo9bxUVsUcTe8CeYRbniZAu7tXYFUXdF1wY2lLo3k3cFY9j0Q1wNxzCJKa18SqdM0K7hm0oy9N5YXox_TRNuRzwwYX9q/s200/hurting+feet.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491691778554913874" /></a><br /> Sorry, it's been over a week since my last post. It was a busy and crazy week - that's for sure. Last weekend I walked my 17 miles & 12 miles back to back on Friday & Saturday. I fared pretty good on the 17. I mapped out 4.25 miles in my subdivision and walked it 4 times with 10 minute breaks at home in between. It was a pretty good pace. At the end of the day my feet were tired and my heals had a couple of borderline blisters. I was attempting to break in my new shoes that I'd purchased at the Preview Expo. I was being smart and only wore them for the 1st half of the walk, then changed into my back up pair. On Saturday I walked the first 6 miles in the new ones, then changed socks and shoes for the 2nd 6. I made it about 3 miles and discovered that not only were both heels killing me but my right knee was really starting to hurt. I was having shooting pains up and down my leg with each step. I sent the rest of our walking group on without me and took a break at the 1/2 way point. Unfortunately it was 3 miles back to my car. I made it back but with a lot of limping and at a record-slow pace. By the time I got home I was limping badly and my heels looked horrible. Ouch, not a good experience (physically or mentally)!<br /><br />I decided the new shoes (which the salesman had insisted I buy a 1/2 size larger than my other pair) were too big and causing too much sliding around my heal. Needless to say I took the week off of walking to give my feet and knee a chance to heal up & I exchanged my shoes last night. I walked 3 miles in the new ones tonight. They're a bit stiff yet, but we'll keep our fingers crossed that I can break them in. This weekend I'm supposed to walk 10 & 6. I'm gonna shoot for 6 tomorrow and then maybe do another 4 later in the afternoon - maybe break it up in shifts. Next weekend is a big 18 & 15. I need to pace myself this week, but build back up to it at the same time. Let's hope for a better week.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-67086974466755158782010-06-30T12:15:00.003-04:002010-06-30T12:22:10.936-04:00Day 181I got my 2nd pair of New Balance shoes at the 3Day Preview Expo and gave them a try last night for a 5 mile walk. They seemed cushy, but stiff, but overall I did ok. My right heel has already calloused but seems like it can't decide if it wants to get a blister or not. I'll have what looks like 1 or 2 small white blisters on my heel after walking, but by the end of the night they've disappeared. Maybe the callous is just defining itself. Not sure. I haven't tried the moleskin yet, because I've heard that once it's on it'll take a few days for it to wear itself off. I may just try covering the area with a bandaid for Thursday's 6 mile walk. This weekend is the big 17-13 back-to-back walks. Once I complete those my confidence level should be good. <br /> I really need to give myself more credit. People a lot older than me have walked in the event, as well as people a lot less healthy than me. If they can all do it, I'm sure I can too.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-68869588073838749602010-06-24T20:41:00.005-04:002010-06-24T20:54:46.363-04:00Day 176<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuyLFiwm8xjL7l8UfUIFh9RybfzBEK9Cia4q4PoZQb4PKsvopieWzfbJhddk4JvmpG90Uz3HiwTCh9wblMwFWP6qJKPoJJEAJXFmme_HzmQ60iBl-oR44qHHhusp5xtk5HMnJJ-jqZE85/s1600/athletic+socks.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuyLFiwm8xjL7l8UfUIFh9RybfzBEK9Cia4q4PoZQb4PKsvopieWzfbJhddk4JvmpG90Uz3HiwTCh9wblMwFWP6qJKPoJJEAJXFmme_HzmQ60iBl-oR44qHHhusp5xtk5HMnJJ-jqZE85/s200/athletic+socks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486508380227829410" /></a><br /> It's day 176, can you believe it? 176 days since I started this blog and writing about this 3Day journey that I signed myself up for. I'm less than $200 from my fundraising goal of $5,000 - still hoping to make it. My training is going well enough. <br /> Last weekend I took my daughter to the 3Day Preview Expo. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it seemed smaller than I'd imagined. Don't get me wrong, it was all good information about packing, blister prevention, hydration, fundraising and what to expect on the 3Day adventure. I was also able to buy my 2nd pair of New Balance shoes at $30 less than what I paid for my first pair. That alone was a major perk for going.<br /> My walking is going well. Bought some new socks today to try. I desperately need a sock that has wicking, but also has some CUSHION. Let's cross our fingers that these work. The 'shoe guy' at Dick's Sporting Goods swears by them. Today I walked 6.2 miles this morning by myself. If there's one part of training I'm majorly not fond of it would be walking by myself. Walking and talking definately makes the walks go by faster. Tomorrow morning I'm walking 8 miles with Laura. Next weekend is a big back-to-back walk (17-13, I think). I'd love to have good socks for that one. Not 'if', but 'when' I finish the walks next weekend, my confidence level will get a huge boost.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-79910917422493272882010-06-17T16:42:00.004-04:002010-06-17T16:48:46.079-04:00Day 169<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLognIxFHDTEnnBPU6Upcj2ud3nvnPSQMMuqufq-nGRisyFAsrkoS1fKk4thBo-koij-LtBEhpUQ_n7UxwKqGbKluUDePHXovZfwtgcrgbMGbntVwF3kf_oqyJs2h9ewpljOArMQEUsO6/s1600/pink+tents.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLognIxFHDTEnnBPU6Upcj2ud3nvnPSQMMuqufq-nGRisyFAsrkoS1fKk4thBo-koij-LtBEhpUQ_n7UxwKqGbKluUDePHXovZfwtgcrgbMGbntVwF3kf_oqyJs2h9ewpljOArMQEUsO6/s200/pink+tents.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483847395674320546" /></a><br /> It's a beautiful day outside. Clear blue skies & temps in the low 80s (I think). I will walk 5 miles tonight after work and am shooting for 14 miles tomorrow morning.<br />Saturday I will walk (unofficially) at the 3 Day Preview Expo event in Pontiac. I'll be meeting my sister there and bringing my daughter along as well. Am hoping to expose my daughter (who's almost 15 yrs. old) to the 3Day excitement. I'm sure she'll laugh when she sees the 2-person pink tents ... who knows? I may laugh when I see it too!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-49986931355708636612010-06-14T16:01:00.005-04:002010-06-14T16:12:03.128-04:00Day 166<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OGKqSBSbK6Fev3A4i7_ek4tNjO7MYUAd8r7E3kG73wQDLEgafmpdMzEUcvfbg-XmRglr1K27riU_mRVj3O2GUtIzglEArkLJOhL6sU8joAPf-2OeApV9fHnzSVWgUlglvfH6DYh1hE5i/s1600/calendar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OGKqSBSbK6Fev3A4i7_ek4tNjO7MYUAd8r7E3kG73wQDLEgafmpdMzEUcvfbg-XmRglr1K27riU_mRVj3O2GUtIzglEArkLJOhL6sU8joAPf-2OeApV9fHnzSVWgUlglvfH6DYh1hE5i/s200/calendar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482724396008730594" /></a><br /> Today is Monday and the start to a new week ... hopefully one that is productive! Surprisingly my training wasn't bad last week. I needed to walk something like 32 miles and managed to come in around 30 miles. I walked 12 miles on Friday but was unable to walk 10 on Saturday due to my niece's wedding festivities. Good thing I walked extra on the other days. It all added up in the end, but I'm still trying to get things coordinated so I can get in a couple of long back-to-back walks. I walked 5 on Thursday and 12 on Saturday, but that's not exactly where I want to be.<br /> This weekend I'm hoping to walk 14 or so on Friday, but Saturday I'll be attending the 3Day Preview Expo. I'm sure I'll get lots of walking in there and I even promise to park <strong>REALLY REALLY </strong>far out in the parking lot!<br /> Hopefully the following weekend my schedule eases up and I can get a few weeks in of walking long ones on Fridays and Saturdays.<br /> I am looking forward to attending the Preview Expo though. It'll do me good to take some photos for the team members who aren't able to attend, and see for myself just how small a 2-person pink tent is.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-26020701385256874742010-06-09T16:51:00.005-04:002010-06-09T17:02:37.002-04:00Day 161<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4P4Lwc7g6g3DM2uzikxzju9DGt5C-EYeNPLL6yK9POf5ciXOgb2rnVtYr-Lq-Bwm6EjWxpqJT32Z_QFQBBRJmeScE7jv1T8g4jZgYAASccewptch7o46zBgB8ai2G-G8nQ-WuNbky6Xs/s1600/airport.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4P4Lwc7g6g3DM2uzikxzju9DGt5C-EYeNPLL6yK9POf5ciXOgb2rnVtYr-Lq-Bwm6EjWxpqJT32Z_QFQBBRJmeScE7jv1T8g4jZgYAASccewptch7o46zBgB8ai2G-G8nQ-WuNbky6Xs/s200/airport.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480882283709700178" /></a><br /> The past week was one with training challenges. I went out of town for a few days and was unable to walk my longer training walks on the weekend. I did wear my pedometer to keep track of my walking at the airports and while out sightseeing in downtown Boston. I was also able to walk 2-3 miles on the treadmill in the mornings at the hotel fitness center. While I realize that 'something' is better than 'nothing', I can't help feeling like I underachieved in my training for the week.<br /> This week will be better but still not where I want it to be. Due to summer cutbacks with my job, beginning this week I will have the next 12 Fridays off. I plan to make the best of it and walk my longer walks on Fridays and my secondary longer walks on Saturday so that I will begin having my back-to-back longer walks. Unfortunately while I will walk at least 12 miles this Friday, I will not be walking on Saturday due to a family wedding.<br /> My back-to-back training schedule will have to wait yet another week. Hopefully by the end of June things will slow down. At least I should have 5-6 weeks where I can walk the longer back-to-back walks before the 3Day event ... I just hope that it'll be good enough. I am still walking on Tuesday and Thursday nights, so that part of the program hasn't lacked.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-58352051677619692942010-06-01T10:06:00.005-04:002010-06-01T10:22:39.276-04:00Day 153<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKB8_rTaJ0nNAEojnu2saZhhhLa9l8Ro33RwPqfCjPrh3u75emWGR9O3VSNi71pUUltWu-SIY3uMVHwC8cGtT0-fCTbl0CLisMpTfkXwEz2ejBj5NOeGrf3M0a2B4r4-7EF2qd9AHHN7W/s1600/suntan+lotion.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKB8_rTaJ0nNAEojnu2saZhhhLa9l8Ro33RwPqfCjPrh3u75emWGR9O3VSNi71pUUltWu-SIY3uMVHwC8cGtT0-fCTbl0CLisMpTfkXwEz2ejBj5NOeGrf3M0a2B4r4-7EF2qd9AHHN7W/s200/suntan+lotion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477810489486962626" /></a><br /> It was a busy Memorial Day weekend, one that was filled mostly with sunshine and blue skies. Last week was my best training week yet, just over 32 miles in walking <br />(12 miles on Saturday morning). I have yet to walk back-to-back days which concerns me a bit, but beginning next week I will have Fridays off which I am hoping will make the walking schedule more doable.<br /> If I learned one thing on my first 12 mile walk it was the importance of sunscreen. I think because I left my house at 7:30am & starting walking at 8:00am I wasn't thinking about the sun getting hot. But we didn't finish our walk until about 11:30am and needless to say 'OUCH'. I was careful to add lots of sunscreen (too little, too late perhaps) and a short sleeved shirt that covered the worst of it once I got home. Unfortunately my husband and I had a lot of outdoor yard projects planned for the weekend that still needed to get done. 52 bags of mulch & a patio of flowers later and it's all done.<br /> Thank you Lord for Aloe Vera!!!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-37408537839385336872010-05-28T10:00:00.004-04:002010-05-28T10:07:43.774-04:00Day 149<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz6fNfVtWUCgmsJVT9k3E8U2h2pPNZjtMdG3X_u1s7IE3NbqnO2Cq14XJrCA9ZHd0-u5E0FUS7B9TaPxLdlMtZ_bnIIwHj4OZWA0pMd3IXaWAS6LhN_9nhQGUM3lVOEIIXUBcjEE45fl-/s1600/flowerpot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz6fNfVtWUCgmsJVT9k3E8U2h2pPNZjtMdG3X_u1s7IE3NbqnO2Cq14XJrCA9ZHd0-u5E0FUS7B9TaPxLdlMtZ_bnIIwHj4OZWA0pMd3IXaWAS6LhN_9nhQGUM3lVOEIIXUBcjEE45fl-/s200/flowerpot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476322345906433986" /></a><br /><br /> It's the start of a beautiful Memorial Day weekend and the weather looks great. My 3Day training is on schedule. I walked 5.5 miles last night after work. It was a bit warm (ok ... HOT), but thank goodness for the Macomb Orchard Trail and the occasional shady spots.<br /> Tomorrow I'll meet up with some other walkers and do 12 miles at Stony Creek in the morning(2 laps around). I'm dreading the bit of hilly surfaces, but also looking forward to the challenge. 99% of my routes on been on sidewalks and trails ... all flat. Time for a new challenge. <br /> After the walk my weekend TO DO list will begin. Putting down mulch, mulch and more mulch at home. Planting some flower pots ... basically gearing up for summer. Bring it on. Hopefully after the next 3 days, I'll acquire a little bit of color and my legs won't look quite so pale in my walking shorts.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-71444477525739975982010-05-26T10:38:00.005-04:002010-05-26T10:59:44.828-04:00Day 147<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVkq1SERzyMNk1NaeFRqGDoqp2lQPffHVzjDCAcbSKfV1bxtge6Esfu3aBguAMO5CXyy3d946Sy9vTXCniLhRy7a6H3-p-qqdWhTf42BL-TAmDyVnFfC3R6xOKtDHpaPlHwNhIUQ-I7vn/s1600/hot+sunshine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVkq1SERzyMNk1NaeFRqGDoqp2lQPffHVzjDCAcbSKfV1bxtge6Esfu3aBguAMO5CXyy3d946Sy9vTXCniLhRy7a6H3-p-qqdWhTf42BL-TAmDyVnFfC3R6xOKtDHpaPlHwNhIUQ-I7vn/s200/hot+sunshine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475593556882881074" /></a><br /><br /> The weather this week has been a bit hot. Michigan always seems to be one extreme or the other. Hard to believe that just 3 1/2 weeks ago I did a 10 mile walk on a Saturday morning when it was 37 degrees, drizzling and had 35 mph winds. Last night's 4-mile walk after work was 86 degrees. I must tell you though, it sure was a nice breeze when the bicycling group of 20+ bikes went by us on the path all at once! It's important to look for those little positives.<br /> The first 1/2 of last night's walk felt a bit challenging with the heat. Even though I stretched beforehand, my muscles just didn't feel loose enough. Fortunately the 2nd half of the walk I felt better. Maybe I didn't drink enough fluids during the day. I don't know ... alot of this is still a major learning process for me. I'm also working on buying some proper shirts with 'wicking'.<br /> As they say 'proper training is everything'. In my case, it definately is.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-37050220621613896732010-05-21T16:02:00.005-04:002010-05-21T16:09:35.636-04:00Day 142<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mEt3bUX3YvUg1zSwgXU3k_7NoI6Udu0X7Fs5DT3jHNUYpyj9Yre95qEB2goeXVF3A1WM_0r5ABXnI9fMtzkyzNyBu3xfXrcCjVBxktWvnGbqtJJkDMO-44ZZ-N3RJY06M36jBfN6xilD/s1600/walking+feet.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mEt3bUX3YvUg1zSwgXU3k_7NoI6Udu0X7Fs5DT3jHNUYpyj9Yre95qEB2goeXVF3A1WM_0r5ABXnI9fMtzkyzNyBu3xfXrcCjVBxktWvnGbqtJJkDMO-44ZZ-N3RJY06M36jBfN6xilD/s200/walking+feet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473817997582009874" /></a><br />Wow ... it's been 142 days since I started this blog to document my 3Day journey and now we're less than 90 days til the actual event itself.<br /><br />My fundraising is going wonderfully, so much better than I could have ever anticipated. I am still completely amazed as to how the cause touches so many lives.<br /><br />My training is on target as well. I've been consistent with my walks and am meeting so many new people in the process. It's definately a win-win situation. Don't get me wrong ... the idea that I'll be walking 60 miles in just 3 days still intimidates the 'you know what' out of me, but I'm getting stronger every day which only increases my confidence. (Thank goodness for that.)<br /><br />My best approach remains 'taking it one step at a time'.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-77433298799990925602010-05-17T15:53:00.005-04:002010-05-17T16:01:35.126-04:00Day 138<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC2zi86uOWo-3O1fBaRdI9DDPbdZbIGqY55Nc3uzRoRtmKLgfAwI5udFayyHX6OOCkYgzetfTfuWoMyG0i6lkOin3WLH1Q24WRmw8_ymTlWJbSwGJbb1fhshv6mVtWf_8Dqvrmx6YsmLW/s1600/cupcakes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC2zi86uOWo-3O1fBaRdI9DDPbdZbIGqY55Nc3uzRoRtmKLgfAwI5udFayyHX6OOCkYgzetfTfuWoMyG0i6lkOin3WLH1Q24WRmw8_ymTlWJbSwGJbb1fhshv6mVtWf_8Dqvrmx6YsmLW/s200/cupcakes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472331601126055570" /></a><br />It's Monday and the start of a new week. Met my walking goal for last week which was good. But this is a new week. I've been taking the occasional Friday off in order to get a couple of longer walks in. When possible I prefer to take care of my longer walks on Friday & Saturday so that I can have my Sunday off. Beginning in mid-June I will have every Friday off of work for 12 weeks (cutbacks ... Ugh). I'm going to make the best of my time off and get those longer back-to-back 3Day training walks in. I'm still not sure exactly how other 3Day walkers handle it. Trying to be a wife and a mother, work full time AND meet the training schedule has been a little trying at times to say the least. Maybe we should have made our team name 'Wonder Women' ... I figure I need to be Wonder Woman to get it all done without something suffering for it (like my family). Although this past weekend I DID make it to the grocery store (finally) and I baked cupcakes. I think I may be back in their good graces, at least for a little while. Good thing Kroger had Betty Crocker on sale this week. I'M STOCKED!!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-55564651123797545422010-05-14T15:11:00.004-04:002010-05-14T15:18:25.157-04:00Day 135<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Oc74oXXXSfAX0cZha8v_ab0FS-pnRPhmC26b6mCa3oWVc9t8Za36Z_9snYjndLgg7n-y-Pdr2zhSz8WahyphenhyphenndhVBYO8gKg6N6HQnTjr9U9faeYk-C3tIUVR9nkxfZ4npHSYkkHH6ZDt7/s1600/sunshine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-Oc74oXXXSfAX0cZha8v_ab0FS-pnRPhmC26b6mCa3oWVc9t8Za36Z_9snYjndLgg7n-y-Pdr2zhSz8WahyphenhyphenndhVBYO8gKg6N6HQnTjr9U9faeYk-C3tIUVR9nkxfZ4npHSYkkHH6ZDt7/s200/sunshine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471207218407121762" /></a><br />It's a BEAUTIFUL day today. Got a 10.6 mile walk in this morning since I took the day off. Hope to walk at least another 6 tomorrow. My shins held up pretty good today, nothing that stretches didn't work out for me. The weather was perfect (low 60s, sunshine & blue sky) - gotta love it, especially after the all the rain we've had this week. A little anxious to see how I'll hold up once the heat of the summer comes. I suppose the trick will be wearing the right clothing and staying hydrated.<br />I'm a work in progress and trying to listen to all the helpful hints I'm getting and then just going through the process of seeing what works for me. But so far, no blisters! I feel VERY lucky.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-65799051752700642162010-05-09T17:19:00.004-04:002010-05-09T17:34:47.312-04:00Day 130<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5DEQDzaGeKNwboPKeZgfUHau-eU2xiGKrbDbTuu-7WiwkAnIuQpJaKpIGJqzbbTBXOy62miRk7TfhpXwwvxhHDEGLpIx1ZdKsVuXge-oMfgU5FPDyXTC5WA5Fm9N5ZrxVZYxeqxUmsHn/s1600/rain+puddle.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5DEQDzaGeKNwboPKeZgfUHau-eU2xiGKrbDbTuu-7WiwkAnIuQpJaKpIGJqzbbTBXOy62miRk7TfhpXwwvxhHDEGLpIx1ZdKsVuXge-oMfgU5FPDyXTC5WA5Fm9N5ZrxVZYxeqxUmsHn/s200/rain+puddle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469386939547214258" /></a><br /> So I did it. I survived my first 'longer' 3-Day training walk. I admit I was more than a little nervous. Saturday I walked with a few other fellow 3-Day walkers and walked 10.5 miles ... my longest single one yet. Just to make things interesting it was 47 degrees, drizzling, and had occasional wind gusts of up 35+ mph. A friend told me later that we should have gotten credit for at least an additional 2 miles since we were fighting the elements most of the time. But the good news is 'I did it'. No blisters and no leg cramps. Overall, a good experience. I'm anxious to get a few more under my belt. I figure that every longer walk I accomplish my confidence level should increase by at least a notch or two. The real test will be when I can get in the longer walks back to back. Weather permitting I'm hoping to do that this coming weekend.<br /> A big thanks to Chris, my training walk leader, for setting these walks up. I'm not sure that I'd have the motivation or discipline to do them on my own. The bonus is that I'm meeting so many new people. It's been both fun and exciting to hear all of the stories about why each person has taken on this challenge.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-44398950863068151402010-05-05T09:34:00.003-04:002010-05-05T09:40:27.993-04:00Day 126Good morning everyone. I feel optimistic that this week my 3Day training is starting to get back on track ... but ask me on Sunday after my first 10 mile training walk. I was able to take a 3.6 mile walk last night with Chris (my training walk leader). Once again the weather was beautiful. Not sure how I keep getting so lucky, but you know the old saying about 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth'. Thursday night I'll meet up with Chris and a few others to to a 5 mile walk. The in between days are just 2's & 3's to stay loose. Wow, I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about (lol).<br /><br />Donations are still trickling in a little at a time. I got a nice one yesterday that I needed to mail in. I continue to be completely amazed at the generosity and support that people have shown toward myself and the breast cancer cause.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-21420438927182379682010-05-02T17:39:00.005-04:002010-05-02T17:50:44.352-04:00Day 123<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbVjs_87gtAZDIyKACyC2oH2xD9BjxIwNIziow2gejMCbnBa-qb-oFf_wMWttB5khUnCdaFEeFZOv7OIppqtNhrjTI68njdyzmFd9t69U5O37RIfWYhe4f1SbFpDrYdt9fq1f_joTiG24/s1600/may+calendar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbVjs_87gtAZDIyKACyC2oH2xD9BjxIwNIziow2gejMCbnBa-qb-oFf_wMWttB5khUnCdaFEeFZOv7OIppqtNhrjTI68njdyzmFd9t69U5O37RIfWYhe4f1SbFpDrYdt9fq1f_joTiG24/s200/may+calendar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466793444284413026" /></a><br /> Overall it was a productive week. Got the last of my auction item donations mailed in to the 3Day to be processed and posted. Now I need to send some thank you letters out to my bakers and auction item donors. The event was good, but a lot of work. <br /> The good news is that I was able to clock in 20.5 miles this past week in walking. I took a vacation day last Friday and was able to meet 2 other women (one of them a fellow 3-Day walker and survivor) for an early morning walk. Got 6.5 miles in for the morning and another 2.5 in the afternoon and evening. Come the middle of June I will have Fridays off of work and will finally be able to get back to back days of longer walks in. Right now it's been difficult to accomplish that with my daughter's school events, work schedules and family obligations. I'm hoping that if I get the mileage in during the week in increments whenever I can now, that if I can finally do longer back to back days every week for the 8 weeks prior to the event that my body will be accustomed enough to the length of the walks. I keep telling myself I need to do more than I am, but at the same time I'm doing the best that I can while still keeping up with regular reponsibilities.<br /> I'll just continue to take it one step at a time.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-74451931949835945942010-04-25T20:50:00.003-04:002010-04-25T21:05:23.021-04:00Day 116<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BaXsMi5FwmlFQUMVPn_XhUne86rnIxgQdJesaLmDlMqrqFocspwx3yS4NAThkaslWBVArr-l5LlEmGYHCteWbERUv2ZuvX1qCSRZDqBrcEv7wPCqFXmqDgzSgYtfy1lnCG87qf_wZbNz/s1600/tennis+shoe+graphic.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BaXsMi5FwmlFQUMVPn_XhUne86rnIxgQdJesaLmDlMqrqFocspwx3yS4NAThkaslWBVArr-l5LlEmGYHCteWbERUv2ZuvX1qCSRZDqBrcEv7wPCqFXmqDgzSgYtfy1lnCG87qf_wZbNz/s200/tennis+shoe+graphic.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464246015426438802" /></a><br />I'm so sorry that it's been nearly 2 weeks since my last posting. I can say that it's been very busy and very hectic, but also a very productive two weeks. As you know our 3-Day team has been gearing up for our 1st team fundraiser (our Silent Auction / Bake Sale). The event was yesterday and for all basic purposes went great. We advertized, we prepped, we got the word out, we got some awesome auction donations (67 of them to be exact)and more baked goods than I could even count. We really had no idea what to expect. The turnout was lighter than we had hoped for, but it was dreary and drizzled out all day. I don't know if that played a factor or not. Overall, though, I was impressed with the final outcome. As a team more than $2600 was raised for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. People were very supportive not only of the event and the walkers, but also for the cause itself (which to me is the most important).<br /><br />I want to thank each of my teammates and their families. Every one there worked very hard and displayed nothing but genuine 'niceness' (if that's the right way to say it). So thank you to my teammates: Cindy, Stefanie and Kristen. Thank you to Cindy's family, Kimmy & her friend, Emily. Thank you to my family, Steve & Emily. Thank you to Kristen's family, John & Natalie. Thank you to Stefanie's family, Kraig, Alyssa, Jacob & Pam. And thanks to our friends Nancy & Michelle. None of this would have been so successful without everyone's dedication to the cause.<br /><br />For me now it's time to get serious about my training. No more excuses about event preparations.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-67816213716525333622010-04-11T20:11:00.004-04:002010-04-11T20:24:51.822-04:00Day 103<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_I0rW2UPI76oeCZdPi6POs8a2cl3IE9GdUbj4oROvsDENzEyWtPbKKeXa_Eunk794nXcIJf-kRQC_PAI0za6uQagnBzzJ3xXnbW0Nr3NilC_p1D6jAZ3EfgS7vXsNzefJKVW6Lb52AvZ/s1600/walking+trail.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 147px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_I0rW2UPI76oeCZdPi6POs8a2cl3IE9GdUbj4oROvsDENzEyWtPbKKeXa_Eunk794nXcIJf-kRQC_PAI0za6uQagnBzzJ3xXnbW0Nr3NilC_p1D6jAZ3EfgS7vXsNzefJKVW6Lb52AvZ/s200/walking+trail.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459040379076856370" /></a><br />Well, it's now been more than 100 days since I started this journey. My, how time flies. It's been a busy and productive week. Even though our 3Day team is busy prepping for our Silent Auction / Bake Sale fundraising event in 2 weeks, this past week was my best week in training so far. I joined up with some new local women who are also registered 3Day walkers and did a few training walks. On Tuesday of last week I joined 4 other women and walked 3.3 miles on the Macomb Orchard Trail. We'd had some weird weather earlier that day, but by the time we walked after work it was actually a very nice night. On Thursday the Training Walk Leader (from Tuesday) and I chose to walk indoors at the local mall (because the temps had dropped in to the <br />30s and was really windy). We were able to walk 5.25 miles in 1 hr. 20 min. which was really good. On Saturday morning I joined up with another woman I hadn't met face-to-face yet (Laurie) and we were able to walk another 5 miles. Laurie is an 8-year survivor so we had lots to talk about and compare. Overall, last week I walked 21.25 miles which was my best mileage yet. <br /><br />Today is Sunday (my day of rest) and it marks the beginning of a new week for me. Monday I'll hit the gym (I haven't been there in 2 weeks due to the Easter holiday), then Tuesday I'm meeting the other women for another training walk on the trail. I'm so excited to have people to walk with now that the weather is getting nicer and it's daylight out longer. It not only makes the miles go by faster, but I'm getting to meet so many nice people. It's definately a win-win situation.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-69637776731920377632010-04-06T09:52:00.005-04:002010-04-06T10:05:10.241-04:00Day 98<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bMG07bO1_psK29Ia2Nkg_bBdhLX4GOsUFucrY7MlfaHlsYIzEudN2XOsCopDVYi9pNOw2PGi-ukyZoavX9CmDlppNZkf2ERuKrbCZfDv5A-IU4Ytmxh3-achCapQVYg8vpy_TpikX3ZR/s1600/daffodils.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bMG07bO1_psK29Ia2Nkg_bBdhLX4GOsUFucrY7MlfaHlsYIzEudN2XOsCopDVYi9pNOw2PGi-ukyZoavX9CmDlppNZkf2ERuKrbCZfDv5A-IU4Ytmxh3-achCapQVYg8vpy_TpikX3ZR/s200/daffodils.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457025259658108674" /></a><br />Sorry I got a bit behind last week. I realized this morning that it had been a week since I'd posted to my blog. Last week was Holy Week and a busy week for me since I'm an Administrator at a church. Good Friday ... Easter ... egg hunt ... Easter lily delivery ... you get the idea.<br /><br />On the weekend we drove to Indiana to visit our son for Easter. It was wonderful to get away for a couple of days. Everything there was green and blooming, leaving me very hopeful that Michigan would not be too far behind. Although my 'white' legs left a little something to be desired in my shorts, but that's ok. Everyone else looked the same. :0)<br /><br />It was a bit difficult to get my walking in over the weekend since I spent a total of 14+ hours in the van. I was only able to get 2 miles in on Saturday and 2.5 on Sunday. However I have signed up for 2 outdoor training walks this week (today & Thursday). 3 miles & 5 miles respectively. I've grown tired of walking laps in the mall and am looking forward to walking with some fellow 3-Day walkers. Walking with others always makes the time go by so much faster. I'm optimistic that this group of women will be a good match ... the location of their walks is convenient and so are the times. I get off work at 5:00 and can get there for 5:30.<br /><br />I also picked up my proceeds check on the weekend for my recent Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser ... $184.53. I think it was a good response. So, as they say, the 'check is in the mail' and just awaiting posting from the 3Day staff.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2859197087720729877.post-59880478096606677802010-03-28T17:08:00.004-04:002010-03-28T17:22:31.599-04:00Day 89Today is Sunday (actually Palm Sunday). Had a nice morning at church followed by a celebration birthday lunch with some good friends. I had a really nice time. Ironic that they gave me a summer Vera Bradley purse. Here I am training for the 3Day event and I got a new purse. Getting a purse isn't odd, but the ironic part is that Vera Bradley (the designer) puts a lot of her profits into breast cancer research. Very admirable in my opinion. We're all doing what we can for the cause with the tools we have. Doesn't matter how big or how small ... it's about being productive and making a difference.<br /><br />We had our first 3Day team meeting yesterday to review some stuff for our upcoming team fundraiser on April 24th. Mostly everyone seems to be enthusiastic and excited about the event. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good event with a good turnout. The team spirit is definately there!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067860711870970503noreply@blogger.com0