53 days

I am really not sure how we got here, but we are 53 days away from the Atlanta 3-Day! How exciting! When I first started this blog, I made a list of topics that I wanted to write about. I've managed to write about a few of those topics, and I've had a little help along the way from Erin & Amy; but somehow this summer has slipped away from me. But, I plan to make the most of my 3-Day wisdom in the next 52 days!

The Highlights:

Fundraising Tips & more recent Bunco for the Cure 

My 2010 Thank You Letter

3-Day Memories

Importance of a proper Shoe Fitting

Hydration & Socks
Bridget: A Journey you should know about 
The Garmin, How far have I walked?


For the Future:
Why you need duct tape
You know your a 3-Day'er if...
Being Prepared for Camp
Punching it Out-Attack those Hills!
3-Day Men
The Night Before 
Walker Stalkers, part 2
Making the world a little smaller, the 3-Day way!
Thank You

Finally, as we are all waiting for our route information to be posted, (September 2nd!!)  one address that has been posted in news letters, is where to send mail to the Atlanta 3-Day participants. 

3-Day for the Cure Post Office
ATTN: INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT
12195 Highway 92
Suite 114-36
Woodstock, GA 30188

Bunco for the Cure

How is fundraising going for you? If you haven't met your $2,300 minimum here is a great idea for you, you just need a friend that knows how to play Bunco and is a regular Bunco player!

Our idea for a Bunco fundraiser came to us earlier in the year, when Amy and I's boss was talking about her monthly Bunco game in her neighborhood. We asked if she'd be interested in helping us out with a Bunco for the Cure night. I hate to even take credit for this idea, because these wonderful ladies took our idea and did all the work for us! Prizes were donated, food was prepared and the neighborhood club house was ours for the night. The whole neighborhood was invited and Amy and I were overwhelmed with the hospitality and sense of community we felt! We had over 50 people come out and support, which was amazing!

If you have never played Bunco before,  there is no need worry, because it is an easy dice game based on chance & luck, and you will pick up fast! We got lucky to be with several experienced Bunco players. It was key to have someone explain the game and an experienced player at each table to help and keep score. But trust me, you catch on quick.

I just love seeing a room filled with Pink People!

Bunco served as a great fund raising event, because it gave everyone the chance to interact. We only knew our boss and her husband, another co-worker and of course my husband, Mike. Part of playing Bunco involves you moving tables when you win/lose (depending on if you're at the head table) and you really get the chance to play with almost every player if you have a large crowd. It's a time for people to ask you specific questions and get to know a little more about the SGK 3-Day and why you're doing it. You may even be able to pull off a little recruiting when you explain how things work. And, reassure once again that 60 miles is nothing! Plus raising $2,300 is easier than it sounds!

A Big Thank You to all who came out and supported us, we were able to raise over $600 and with a corporate match over $1200 for the CURE!

Clean Up Crew! Notice the pink shirt :)

A journey you should know about...

If I didn't have a personal connection to take a stand against breast cancer, reading Bridget's story would be all I needed. I first talked about Bridget a few months ago when I volunteered for a 3-Day Get Started Meeting. The info session introduced to two new personal stories this year, that got my attention. One of those stories was about Bridget, a 27 year old woman who has been battling metastatic breast cancer since she was 21. Bridget and I are the same age. Cancer does not age discriminate. Cancer does not discriminate, period. She has no family history of breast cancer, and makes me ask, why her? Why not me? This could be me or any one of my friends.

I hadn't seen Bridget around much in the blog-twitter-sphere in the past months, and last week I found out why. A Huge Blow. I read Bridget's blog Friday night with tears in my eyes. Bridges blog, is a blog that needs to be read and publicized. Friends, I walk for my grandmother, my mom, for Toni, for my sisters, for our future and Bridget. This year and for the future, Bridget's name will be added to my pack. Hugs to you Bridget, and many thoughts and prayers coming your way.

If you didn't click the links above, add Bridget's blog to your reader and your thoughts:

http://mybiggirlpants.blogspot.com/

How far have I walked?

As we are approaching the 2011 Atlanta 3-Day, our training plan mileage is climbing.  By now you've probably found a few walking routes and you know the mileage. With those miles increasing, I know the repetition of routes are getting pretty boring. I've been there! In the past, I used to plan out routes using Google Pedometer. It works, but it takes a little bit of time, you have to remember the route, and sometimes  your route changes mid-walk and your left to estimate your miles. Not that this is a bad thing, but there is a way to take out the guess work, allows for route planning, and gives you the ability to just walk. Meet the GPS watch! 

 I own the Garmin Forerunner 305. (Best Christmas present ever!) There are several different models of this watch, and several other brands you can check out at your local running store or sporting goods store. This watch is my insurance when I walk and has made a huge difference with training walks. While training this year, I can tell you I am getting extra  mileage in, and often if I am without my watch, even on those usual routes, I feel lost. 


After walks I download my stats. I am able to see my route, and can even sync it with Google Maps. I can also see that I am staying with Komen's recommendations for mileage time and pace.

 On Sunday, my teammate and friend, Amy & I walked 12.03 miles in 3 hours and 46 minutes. Our average pace was 18:49 minutes per mile with an average speed of 3.2mph. We burned 733 calories, and as you can tell from the chart, we had a pretty hilly walk towards the end!

If you do best by mapping out a route instead of using a watch, go for it and keep it up! The gps watch just takes out the guess work and allows you to walk with assurance that you are getting those miles.

Happy Training!