My first 3-Day blog!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to post a quick blog about some stuff I just posted in my MySpace blog ;)

I love to blog, first of all, so I hope that I am able to keep everyone updated on here often! I am really looking forward to this event, as this has been something I have wanted to do for years!
I did my first actual 3-Day training walk Saturday morning. I did not get much sleep Friday night, mostly thanks to my crazy cats, but I am so glad I forced myself up at 5:30am and went to the walk. I really thought I was physically prepared for a 6.5 mile walk. I just registered for this event less than a week ago, so I hadn't done any training so far, but I thought 6.5 miles would be no problem. I mean, I go rock climbing 2-3 times a week regularly and weight train. I was jogging almost 2 miles on a 10.0 incline just a while ago! I never have problems on climbing trips when we're hiking around with 35+ pound packs on. So, I thought 6.5 miles would be no problem.

Boy was I wrong! I am still sore all over! I realized that I am really going to have to train for this event. Regularly train. This is going to be a big physical challenge, especially just getting my joints and feet capable of walking an avg. of 20 miles a day, 3 days in a row, without pain. I don't want to be miserable during the walk - I want to enjoy it! I was thinking before that the majority of my physical sacrifice for this cause would be the actual event. But now, I think that the months of training leading up to the event are more my physical sacrifice!

I was going to go for a 5 mile walk tonight, but I took a 2 hour nap instead...hahaha. I will start my training tomorrow night ;)

The training walk and Expo were awesome and really inspiring. I walked with Nikki, one of my Chestie Bestie teammates. I am so excited to walk and get to know everyone! I am just so excited to be in this environment, to be an inspiration to people, and to be inspired. I think this will be so far beyond the other charity events I've done, just because we are all enduring such a great physical challenge. I am so thankful to be a part of something that brings not only awareness, but also inspiration to others. I'm sure we will get to meet so many other amazing people including survivors. I am so pumped now, I can't wait!

For anyone reading this, I would LOVE if you all would write me letters for me to read at camp!! Anything you want to send - words of encouragement, things to make me laugh or cry...I would appreciate any kind words or things I can share with my teammates. You can address the letters to the address below and I will get them delivered to me while we are on the walk! I am not sure if you have to put my name and info on the envelope or not, but I'm putting it anyway just in case.

3Day Camp Post Office
PMB 319
Stephanie Gagne, 183598794
5100 Eldorado Pkwy, Ste 102
McKinney, TX 75070-9172

Hopefully I will be posting another blog soon of my training experiences....hopefully! And a huge thanks to anyone that has donated!

~Stephanie G.

What is your name? Nickname? Cheryl
Where do you live? Houston, tX
When is your birthday? December 11
Cup size? Shoe size? 34D --- 7 1/2
Favorite brand of walking shoe? Mizuno
Favorite place for body glide? Haven't had a body glide experience yet
What are you most looking forward to on the 3-Day? Meeting new people
What are you least looking forward to on the 3-Day? Showering in front of strangers
Have you ever showered in an 18-wheeler with 2,000 other women? Nope
What are your top 5 songs to listen to while training? I'm an '80s music freak!
Most importantly, why are you walking? In honor and remembrance of family and friends.

The Expo!

I attended my first official training walk with a 3-Day group today as part of the Expo. Stephanie G. was there when I arrived (although I was running late she promised to wait for me - talk about a great teammate!). I arrived just in time for us to begin our 6.5 mile walk. The first half always seems to take longer (especially when you indulge in as many fluids as I do) and our rest stop was a much needed break. We sped along on the last half but as the day wore on the heat increased and the sun was pretty intense, this was only at 9am! I realized I am not protecting my face well enough with sunscreen, I lather it on but I need to find a stronger SPF chapstick - any suggestions?

After the walk we refreshed with bagels and gatorade and relaxed before hitting the main floor of the Expo to view vendor tables. I purchased some shirts from new balance and wrist band as I newly discovered would be necessary for the longer walks. Besides little extras like car decals and some fun flair to wear with our 3-Day credentials we then walked through the process of packing, viewed the tent set up and received packing lists. We then attended a seminar on the basics of staying healthy and taking care of yourself physically through training and the event itself, I found this info incredibly helpful! We went through a series of blister-prevention aids that I am eager to start using in hopes of avoiding the pain I endured a few weeks ago.

I am very excited to walk again tomorrow, the Expo was a great spirit-booster and I'm ready to push forward. Today was the longest walk I have been on and next Saturday I look forward to going further. I have begun collecting names of survivors and friends/family that have been affected by breast cancer. Each name gives me another spring in my step, it is inspiring and heartbreaking to see the list of loved ones grow, my heart and prayers go out to all of the the men and women we met and saw today and those I hear about daily, I know we can make a difference by doing this.

Nikki

Audio Books

My pups Buffy (on left) and Pirate (on right) are camera hogs - here they are with my new 'New Balance' walking shoes. The shoes have seen about ten miles so far, tonight I will add another five. Buffy and Pirate have been with me on about 4 miles of training but Buffy's 8lb body tires quickly and I end up carrying her back to the house. New Balance offers 15% off to all 3-Day participants, they also carry body glide!

Melissa gave me the wonderful suggestion of Audio Books! Now I can listen to my Harry Potter favorites while walking. I already finished the last book but it never hurts to read them again ;-). If you see anyone walking around Frisco armed with an iPod and a ridiculous witch hat - please stop and say hi... it's me.

This weekend I am attending the 3-Day Expo and I'm really looking forward to it. I will also be participating in the short training walk before the event - 6.5 miles. I will have to wake up at 5am in Frisco to make it to Arlington in time but I am sure it will be worth the expereince. On my own, I am still building up to longer walks. So far my longest has been five miles - which is the same distance I am walking tonight. I am alternating between my neighborhood and the gym to accomplish these long walks, most of them are in the evening and the gym seems to be the best option.

I am getting a little nervous regarding time management with my new semester coming up, longer hours at work and the time it takes to walk several miles. I am hoping this experience will turn me into an early riser and I'll be able to wake up earlier to accomplish my walking goals rather than squeeze them in during the evening.

Until next time - keep moving forward!

Nikki

Walking with a Purpose...

I am writing today to update my progress with the 3 day experience and share with you all some of my adventures so far – I am so thankful to be welcome among a great group of women to make a difference.

I began walking towards my 3 day goals on June 15th – day 134 in my countdown. This was a brief two-mile walk but the reward of my surroundings was overwhelming. I noticed the subtleness of the sounds around me. Items such as ropes clanking against a flagpole, sights of bunnies and squirrels playing, children walking with their families and caterpillars’ slowly slinking along the ground. I recently moved to Frisco and this walk was a welcome introduction to my community, neighbors and the future challenge of working up to twenty miles per day.

Since that time I have yet to push over 5 miles following the sixteen week training program but have already developed a new found love for checking out the town on foot! I recently spent several days in Toronto and was thrilled to wake early and explore the city with an early morning walk. My dogs can no longer keep up with my spirited pace and as the humid Dallas weather is finally welcoming some time outdoors I have begun researching training walks (thanks Melissa!) with fellow 3-day participants. I am hoping to attend my first group walk sometime this weekend – amidst traveling - for the longer walks.

I did purchase a new pair of sneakers and enjoyed a 15% discount from New Balance as an official sponsor of the 3 Day. I also picked up – BODY GLIDE! I wasn’t sure how I would be using this item but it works on ankles/feet/heels! I’m all for an extra barrier of protection!
Tonight I have another 5-mile trek and Saturday marks the advancement to six miles. I just have to figure out how to read the new Harry Potter book while walking…

Photos will soon follow!

Good luck to everyone training and big thanks to all that continue to support our efforts!!!

Nikki

About the Chestie Besties-Melissa A.

Name/Nick name - Melissa Alvarez / Missy / Mel
Live - Houston
Birthday - December 29th
Cup / Shoe - D / 8.5
Walking shoe - My running shoes (Adidas)
Body Glide - Haven't tried the Glide yet, not real sure about the glide.
Looking forward to the most - the camaraderie! Passing through the finish line with some great friends! Over coming this HUGE Challenge!
Looking forward to the least - Blisters and shin splints!
18 wheeler shower - Can honestly say I have never been in a BIG RIG, much less one with 2000+ ladies!
5 top running songs
Hung Up
Wind it up
Glamorous
Shake your moneymaker
Crash

it's that time...

have you done your monthly self-breat examine? don't forget.

-elise

About the Chestie Besties-Linda

My name is Linda

I live in Santa Fe, NM.

Bra Size is 36B, Shoe size 10 (Big Foot, Big Broken Foot)

Favorite Singers: High energy music.. You Better Be Good To Me, Tina Turner,

Born in the USA, Bruce Springstein, Bon Jovi, Sting, Cheryl Crow.

I'm looking forward to hanging out with my best friend, Kay and all the other girls on our team.

I'm not looking forward to being sore all over.

I'm walking because we can make a difference. With enough money for research a cure can be found.

and then there were 10!!

ATTENTION, PLEASE!!!!

we have 10, count them, 10 chestie besties!! that means we will raise a minimum of $22,000 for breast cancer research!! not bad, ladies, not bad at all. we'll get more details about the newbies and pics up soon.

so of course, the bar has been raised. now, we want 15 chestie besties! so if you have been debating about joining, do it today! the 16 week training program start tomorrow. we will make sure you are in shape and ready to go by the walk in october.

About the Chestie Besties-Kay

My name is Kay but I will answer to Nana, Mom, or Ginney (don't ask).

I live in McKinney.

My B-day is August 9th.

I am proud to say my cup size is down to a C! Shoe size 7 & 1/2.

Haven't decided on walking shoe yet, wearing New Balance now.

Body glide? I have some but so far have not had to use it "anywhere"!

I am looking forward to the camaraderie of the Chesties!

I am not looking forward to drinking luke warm water. (and they say I am
high maintenance)

Thank goodness I have never had to shower in an 18-wheeler much less
standing in line to do so.

I listen to Aerosmith, Fergie, and Dixie Chicks.

I am walking to honor all survivors but first and foremost to honor Gail, my
friend. She was so very brave while dealing with breast cancer and taking
care of two great sons. Helping her through chemo was a very humbling
experience for me. It really made me realize that life is too short for
even one negative thought or action. And so, I will push myself as hard as
I can to help fight this disease and celebrate Gail as a seven year
survivor!