Miles Walked: 6 :: Miles to Go: 639

My "official" 24 weeks of training started this past Monday. When the week is over, I'll have walked 12 miles, with a bit of cross-training in between. I've actually had to slow down my pace to 3 mph, aiming for endurance, which is sometimes challenging when the clown on the treadmill next to you is walking at warp-speed to get their workout over with in the least amount of time. Overall, not really a tough week, except for ironing out my shoe issues and accepting that I'm going to be droppin' some dough on professionally fitted shoes for a change...my littlest toes are protesting. Thorlo sent me a free pair of uber-distance socks (pink-trimmed, of course); if I wear those, I'll be needed a full size larger shoe. But, man, are they comfy. As an official sponsor of the 3-Day, they are offering to donate $6 for every 6-pack anyone buys. They are pricey, but if you need cushy socks and can afford it, buy them here. I also hit CVS and stocked up on band-aids, moleskin, and Advil. :-) I'll be walking the canals here in Phoenix tomorrow and Sunday, really early as it's in the triple digits here now. Starting tomorrow and for the next week, the challenge will be to keep up with my training schedule in light of my Mom's arrival and our all-kitsch Vegas/LA/Pacific Coast road trip next week.

miles walked = 6 | miles to go = 639 | days till 3-day = 161

Why I'm Walking

Barmy adj.
1. marked by spirited enjoyment
2. eccentric; daft

It's hard for me to believe that a decade has passed since my family lost the gentlest member of our lot, Carlyn. She lost her recurring battle with breast cancer in 1997 at the age of 37. In kin terms, Carlyn was my aunt, although she was just two years older than me (that's us in the pool at the top of this page). Her death was a rude introduction to this disease; I had my first mammogram done that fall, at 35. Since 1997, my screenings have become increasingly difficult to read given the nature of my anatomy and physiology (multiple kinds of annual screenings and weeks of waiting for definitive results). Since 1997, too many other people I know have been affected by breast cancer. I wish none of them had endured this horrible disease, but happily they are survivors.*

In light of this experience with cancer, I decided several weeks ago to walk the Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day (November 2-4, Phoenix) to raise awareness about early detection and to personally raise $3000+ to help a fabulous organization support essential research for a cure and improve services for those affected by the disease. Over the 3 day, 60 mile course, I will spend time remembering Carlyn. Remembering some of the daft things we did: our infamous room painting episode; stalking the lead high school stage band trumpet player in Ocean Grove; taking three little kids hiking in the Shenandoah's; seeing Graham Parker at the Stone Pony (ok, not so daft); other barmy escapades that will come to me later. I'll spend time thinking about the survivors I know; remembering that if they can beat cancer, I can easily survive 60 miles with the support of a few thousand other people who really believe individuals can make a difference.

*More about the survivors I know when I get their okay to write about them.

Eight Ways You Can Make a Difference

60 miles? 3 days? Barmy, you say? This is perhaps daft, but it will be an adventure marked by spirited enjoyment. That's one reason you should get involved. You should get involved for all the people you know affected by cancer. You should get involved because it'll be more fun for me to share a tent with someone I know, who is willing to bandage my blisters and coat my feet in Vaseline (I would do the same for you). If that's too weird for you, there are other ways you can get involved. Follow the links below, read, watch, take up the cause...

1. Register to walk with me (watch the '06 Phoenix video).
2. Register to be part of the Crew.
3. Subscribe to this blog, follow my training and fundraising progress, and respond with some good things now and again (see the subscription options in the left column).
4. Become my friend on MySpace, make me a top friend so all your friends see this, and forward my bulletins to all of your friends.
5. Read my list of creative ways for individuals to give, then donate generously.
6. Read my list of creative ways for businesses to give, then donate generously.
7. Come out during the week of November 2-4 and sit at a cheering station or come sweep me up at the end (details later).
8. Most importantly, feel yourself (or someone else) up. Early detection saves lives.

Six Creative Ways for Individuals to Give

$5...$10...every dollar makes a dent in my $3000+ fundraising commitment. Please consider giving anything you can afford. Following is a list of ways to increase your gift at no cost to you, ease the burden of giving all at once, and some creative ways to honor people you know affected by cancer.

1. Before you give, check with your employer; many companies have Matching Gift programs that will double your contribution! If your employer offers this, I will guide you through the process.
2. Give over time - the Komen donation system allows you to set up four equal installments. $10 or $25 per month (the cost of one dinner out) over four months really makes a difference!
3. Donate $1 for every mile (60) I will walk and I'll add your name or the name of someone you want to remember to my shirt, shoes, pink tutu, pink wig, wherever you choose (safety considered) during the 3-Day.
4. Donate $2 for every mile (60) I will walk and I'll add the picture of someone you wish to remember to an article of clothing or in the form of a temporary tattoo someplace (visible!) on my person during the walk.
5. Donate $10 or $20 per day I will walk (3) in honor of someone you know who has been affected by cancer.
6. If you are an artist or a musician, donate your work or time for a fundraiser I'm planning for October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Email me for details.

If you have other creative ideas for individual giving, please add a comment here or email me. If you want to make a contribution by check instead of online, contact me (checks must be received before October 2nd in order to be applied to my $3,000 goal).

Who benefits?
Read here if you want all the nitty gritty on donating.

Six Creative Ways for Businesses, Artists, Musicians to Give

Thousands of people participate in the Phoenix 3-Day, and thousands more come out to cheer us on. Below are a few ideas for donating creatively if you are a business owner, artist, or musician, but I'm always open to suggestions!

1. Place your logo on my tent, on this blog, or on my t-shirt during the 3-Day for one day for a $100 donation.
2. Have your business verbally acknowledged during all of my public activities related to the 3-Day for a $250 donation.
3. I will wear your logo on the full back of my t-shirt for one full day of the 3-Day for a $500 donation.
   
4. Donate your space, food, music, or time for a breast-oriented fundraising event I'm planning in October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Email me for details.
   
5. Donate products, services, art, music, poetry, etc., for an auction I'm holding in conjunction with the October fundraiser (it will begin online). Email me for details.
   
6. Donate a percentage of sales some night during which I guest bartend (I have experience) or DJ (my musical knowledge is crazy and I have the evidence to prove it!). Contact me.
   

Really, throw out any idea and I will listen.

Who benefits?
Read here if you want all the nitty gritty on donating.