Post about not Posting

Its been a while hasn't it? I have opened up a blog posted and started to write 11 times in the past four months. Each time, lacking words and passion. 

Rewind few months... I was excited, full of my 3-Day passion, I had my fundraising letter ready to send; everything was coming together perfectly. I was confident and ready to hit that send button for my 4th fundraising letter. But I wanted my husband to proof read the e-mail for me one more time before I sent it out to my 100+ contacts. The next day my feelings changed. I think I experienced every emotion that day. No need to re-hash those feelings today, but I thought for a day or two, my 3-day days were over. I realized we still needed that fight for the cure and these days are not over and I won't let them be over until we have a CURE! I sent a revised fundraising email out two months later, and while I did receive a little hate mail, the response was overwhelming and as of today I am less than $1,000 away from the $2,300 it takes to participate!


I haven't been blogging and I wasn't invited back to be an Ambassador this year. I'm not questioning it either, just a fact. Life can get in the way sometimes. Not to mention, I've been so busy, it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago I put two and two together on why I missed that email.  Or maybe I received the email but because I was drowning in the abyss known as grad school and I never read it. But hard work pays off, because I can officially say I have a 4.0 in grad school! (First time in this girls life!) 3 hours down 33 to go! Don't laugh, its the small things. After all of the reading and writing I was doing for class, and my full time job, it was hard to find any extra words. Not to mention the desire to sit in front of my computer to write more wasn't there.

While many days I did feel like this I still made my rounds to a few events!

Attending and Volunteering at a couple Get Started Meetings!


I did have a fundraising event at Canvas By U.

Amy & I went to visit a friend in Little Rock, Arkansas and went to an event Komen Arkansas sponsors known as Fired up For the CURE. AKA, firemen without shirts. I think more cities need an event like this!

Amy & I with Mr. August

Events coming up, Pampered Chef for the Cure, Yard Sale for the Cure, and Bunco for the Cure! And two summer classes that start this week. I hope that I can walk one night during the week and a long walk on the weekend. Until then, maybe I'll see you all again in August!

My New Planner

I think I am a pretty organized person, but I need help. I have to have a calendar in front of me at all times, or I am lost. Literally, walking the streets not knowing where I should be, lost. Normally, I settle for the cheapo planner that my office purchases for each employee. Except this year, budget cuts and no planner. It was a sad day. I tried using google and my iphone but it just doesn't work for me. I had seen all of the buzz about Erin Condren Life Planners, particularly the Awareness Planner. I was sold at Pink Ribbon and we donate 50% to a charity of your choice. I made an investment, and I'm in love! Not only do I have an amazing planner, and there is a nice little donation to kick start 2012 fundraising.

Check out their video too!

**Erin Condren has no idea who I am other than I ordered a planner and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Just wanted to show support to a product that I love!**

2012

My last post was in November. I have not disappeared, I am still here! I have you know, I've started a post several times, but my heart just wasn't in it. To tell you the truth, heart really wasn't the the last post I wrote in November. I was busy, sick, angry, tired and ready for a vacation from work, just all around burnt out. I know, in perceptive, small issues. But time heals all, and I'm back for more 3-Day, as in 2 events in 2012, Chicago Crew & Atlanta Walker. New Year, New Experience, New Friends to be made & a the same Fight to continue Fighting. 

As of now, this year holds many new challenges. Not only having two walks ahead of me this year, I am starting grad school this week! You may not see me around this blog too often, but don't worry I will be volunteering for as many 3-day event preps as I able and I'll try to put in my insight when I can! Who knows, you may see me around here a little more often when I am avoiding writing a paper! 

Now to get the focus back to what is important, more anniversaries, tomorrows, birthdays, celebrations, victories, adventurers and the future. 

2012, Here we come! And to work on my fundraising letter I go!

Day 3

Last night, I finally unpacked my 3-day bag. Yes, the Atlanta 3-day was 3 weeks ago. Don't worry, I did take out all of the clothes and threw them in the wash as soon as I got home! I walked past my bag several times a day, but didn't have the energy to put everything away. Nor, did I have the energy to put my thoughts and experiences together for my blog. Life doesn't always go as planned, and my 3-day didn't go as planned. If you know me, you know that I eat, breath and sleep SGK and when I couldn't walk, I was devastated. I walk for those who can't, and not walking on day 3, I was defeated, I felt I let down my team and more so, I let down all of my supporters. 

I'll start with the end. After an amazing Day 2, we all got back to camp, took showers and headed to stretch and dinner. I was feeling good, no blisters and ready for day 3! I have always bragged about the great food that is served in camp. Saturdays night dinner was less than thrilling, and I am not just saying that because I got sick. We all had dinner and stuck around for the beginning of the dance party. Everyone was tired so we headed back to our tents to settle down for bed. I couldn't sleep and wasn't feeling my best. I got up to look for a sprite or seltzer water. I couldn't find one and asked one of the crew members. Before they could find me a sprite, I was sick. I will spare you the details, other than I was up no less than fifteen times throwing up. Around 2 am, I realized I couldn't keep doing this. I sent one of my crew friends a text. About 30 min later she showed up at my tent. In a matter of moments she woke up a the med crew and had Amys husband up to assist me to the med tent. I spent the rest of the night with an IV and telling myself I'd be ready to walk.

 

I realized when I left the med tent, I wasn't going to be able to walk many miles if at all. I sent my team off and headed to the showers and to pack. I was exhausted and emotional. I put my bag on the gear truck and headed to find Ashley, my crew and savior. She arranged for a sweep van to pick me up and take me to the first pit stop. I got in the sweep van, my first sweep ride ever, and started crying all over again. Thankfully, I had amazing ladies who had me laughing by the time they got me to the pit stop. I managed to walk the 3 miles to the next pit stop with my team. Exhaustion was setting in, and I knew if I was going to walk later I needed to rest and get to lunch. I arrived at lunch and hopped on a coach bus for a nap. But there was no sleeping for me. About the time my team met me, I knew there was no way I could walk anymore. I called Mike to pick me up. The defeat that I felt at 4am was no where near the defeat I felt when I left my team and all of the walkers behind. 

Mike and I headed to Turner Field, where my family met us to cheer the walkers in to the finish. Being a cheerleader was something new for me, and sitting there cheering on walkers and telling them "Its all down hill from here" gave me a bit of my 3-day spirit back!

 I walked in with the team. We did it, and my amazing friends walked for me and finished strong for all of our supporters!

 I spent the next three days recovering from (apparent) food poisoning. I've yet to eat chicken since, and I have a feeling I'll never eat poultry again. But you know what, none of that matters and its taken me a while to come to terms, this is life and you can't control everything! No matter what, if I walked on day 3 or not, we raised awareness and made a huge impact on Atlanta. Along the lines of 6.5 million dollar impact! The impact to live in a world without breast cancer is all that matters and we succeed. One day it will be more than just 3 days, it will be every day.

Day 1 & 2 wrap up coming soon!

Final Thoughts

I remember my first 3-day walk three years ago, I had nerves, anxiety and apprehension  of the 60 miles that were ahead of me. Here we are, three years later and the nerves, anxiety and apprehension I once had are replaced by excitement. Susan G. Komen for the Cure had become part of who I am, and I wouldn't change a thing.

If this is your first 3-Day, try to put any nerves or anxiety behind you and know that the 3 days and 60 miles ahead of you will be life changing. You will not be alone at any point over the next 3 days. Don't be afraid to talk to other walkers and share stories.  A great place to chat with others is while you are in line at the port-a-potties. Change your socks often and have your friends and family at cheering stations. Don't worry if they can't make it to every stop, because there will be others cheering you on and giving you words of encouragement.  There is no such thing as a stranger. If you forgot something, don't be afraid to ask someone. Be sure you have tissues, because you'll need them. There is no shame in taking a ride on the sweep van! After, 3-days you will be tired, sore, you may have blisters, your feet and legs might ache, but remember, all of those aches and pains are just temporary and could never compare to the treatment a cancer patient has to endure. Take it all in and enjoy the in closing ceremonies with your supporters by your side!

I have enjoyed every second of this blog! A big thanks to my friends and 3-Day alumni.  especially, Amy and Erin for jumping in and helping me out. Thank you to my followers for taking the time to read my blog!

Here we go Atlanta, its that time!

After the Walk

This week as you are packing and getting ready for the walk, start thinking about the Sunday and Monday after the walk! In previous walks, when I get home Sunday night, the first thing I always want to do is to take a long bath. This weekend I made sure I was ready with Epsom salts for a long soak! In addition, I am stocked up on a few of my favorite snacks and easy meals to prepare for the following week. Hopefully, my house will stay clean which will help me relax next week.

If you haven't already, and are able, plan to take Monday after the work off. Sleep in, relax and make a massage appointment for yourself! 

I am so ready for the Atlanta 3-Day!

Packing

You thought I was packed didn't you? Have you checked the Atlanta weather? Tights or shorts, capri pants, gloves, heavy jacket? Pink has taken over my guest room! At this point I'm not sure what I will be wearing, which calls for a shopping trip to Target and REI. Don't worry husband, I left the tags on everything, and I am almost positive that half of it will be going back. I'm just trying to avoid a last minute frantic shopping trip Thursday night! Happy Packing everyone!