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3 Days / 60 Miles

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It’s October, which means Fall is here! But it also means that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am sharing with you a two part blog on my training for the 3 day, 60 mile walk in support of breast cancer awareness.. this is part 1.. look for part 2 on October 16th! Thank you for joining me on my journey!

I’m a breast cancer survivor (5 years cancer-free this month). When my friend & jewelry designer, Carolyn Pollack, found out I had battled breast cancer, she asked me to do the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk with her. She had already walked 420 miles (that’s 7 walks) and I promised her that one day (that was 3 years ago), I would walk with her. I was working at the kitchen table in early February, listening to 92.5 WXTU (my fav country station), when I heard the ad for the 3-day. I immediately sent a text to Carolyn to see if she was “in”. She said “yes”. So, this year, I made good on my promise.

Carolyn Pollack & I tailgating (with coffee & Gatorade) before our training walk:

Look at my cute tshirt Carol Orkis made this for me for my 3-Day BC Walk training. I love it! Thank you Carol!

Super cute boots Carolyn Pollack found for me:

60 miles is a long way! Having run the Disney Marathon in 2000, I knew training was key. My goal was 2-fold: to finish the 3-Day & finish it without injury. I downloaded a training app specifically designed for the event to keep me on track. In mid-February I began to walk & walk & walk & walk some more! I was so grateful for all the people who walked with me over the 7 months! Albany, Carolyn, Janice Marie, Kristen, Susie, Cindy, my mom, Sarah, Becky, Shelly & even Isabella shared tons of time & miles with me. Beyond training, it was awesome to have all that girl time!

Albany Irvin had just met me for a walk. We did 14 miles this day. Bless Albany for her company!!!

Albany Irvin had just left, she just sprayed bug spray in her eye. Goofy girl! She left with a laugh & a smile. So, I think she's going to live! . I have to do aAnother 9 miles or so...so Natalie Grant is going to keep company with her album Awakening!

More training with Janice who met me to walk at Q!

The most important part about the 3-Day is to raise money. Each participant was required to raise $2300. I’m the worst fund-raiser on the planet! So, I thought I should make “training” t-shirts to advertise the walk. My hope was that people would ask about my t-shirt & offer to make a donation. I ask you, did that happen? Not even once! LOL! I’m guessing there were no inquires because they looked like they were made by a 3-year-old. Oh well, it was a fun project, & it makes me laugh when I look at them.

Fast forward to August. Carolyn & I decided we should have a team name & reached out for help from our FB Friends. They offered suggestions (which were so fabu) & ultimately voted on Gemtastic Q-Ties! Because I was already experienced in the art of t-shirt making, I set out to make the “real”, “official”, “perfect” shirts for Carolyn & me. (These actually turned out pretty well!)

Once the t-shirts were made, we turned to our FB Friends again. This time to find out for whom you wanted us to walk…a survivor, someone in the middle of the battle or a loved one who had lost their battle with breast cancer. Unfortunately, there were so many names. We filled the back of 6 shirts. Suddenly, it became clear why I was walking. It was for you & those we love.