Longest Training Walks Ever... and a fabulous fundraising idea that equals INTENSE motivation!

Skip to the last paragraph if you want to read about my fundraising challenge this week and not my detailed account of training/fundraising so far... you won't hurt my feelings.

I'm really really really proud of Lynnette and I right now. I mean, really proud.

Last year we "trained" for the 3day... meaning, we did some shorter walks after work when there was time and we threw in an 8 miler on a Saturday every now and then and there was that one time we walked 11 miles and wanted to die. Then we set off for the 3day in August of 2009 and walked almost all 60 miles and wanted to die.

So this year we thought, hmmmm perhaps we won't want to die as much if we actually do our training this year. At first, I'll admit it, I was determined to do it, but deep down inside I figured this was some sort of pipe dream and once again, life would get in the way and the same old "training" from last year would happen.

Well guess what folks?! My pipe dream is coming true! Last Saturday (the 12th) we did a 12.5 mile walk (which totally equals 14 "Komen" miles...) and this past Saturday (the 20th) we did 14.5 miles! Yes, we woke up early and walked for 5 hours straight (Ok, we made a stop for string cheese and gatorade and then another for a smoothie)!

(skip to the last paragraph if you don't feel like reading a long winded explanation about my training/fundraising :-)

Attention Fellow 3 Dayers! Read this paragraph if you are looking for a way to get motivated for training! First, allow me to elaborate a bit on my motivation for my training two weeks ago. I put it out there to my supporters to pledge money per mile for my training for the week. I planned on doing 33 miles and I got a few pledges. I had NO IDEA how much motivation this would provide for my training that week! I did a short walk on Thursday (because it had been raining every other day that week). Then, my mom and step-dad came into town on Friday... I had a quandary. I wanted to do my training but I also wanted to hang out with them on my afternoon off. Well, I hung out with them for lunch - then, instead of sitting on my brothers couch all afternoon, I went home and did a training walk before dinner. Seriously, I did! (I had fundraising dollars riding on it, so I had to!) Then Lynnette and I got up early on Saturday and set off to do 14 miles. We had a little run-in with a storm so we made it 12.5 miles and then decided we were sick of walking in the rain... but still, 12.5 miles! That was our longest training walk ever... THEN, I went to the zoo with the whole fam (for my precious little nephew, Jack's birthday) and I wore my pedometer so I could keep track of my mileage (10 was the goal on Sunday but my feet were aching from the start). I ended up logging almost 5 miles at the zoo that day!

The point of that absurdly long paragraph is that this whole Pledge money for my training thing worked way better than I thought it would! I managed to raise almost $100 dollars and I completed more miles in one week than I ever have before (so, even though I didn't hit my goal of 33 miles, I'm still totally proud of myself!)

This week I am only shooting for 22 miles -- I'm leaving for our annual youth convention on Tuesday and I'll drive back on Saturday morning (about a 5 hour drive) for my cousin's graduation party... SO, i'm hoping to get in 11 before I leave (6 tonight, 5 tomorrow), 5 while I'm gone at the camp and then 6 on Sunday.

Please consider being my motivation this week by pledging money per mile... It probably sounds silly and repetitive but knowing that even one person has made a pledge will get me to stay on track this week... seriously. :-)
$2/mile = $44
$1.50/mile = $33
$1/mile = $22
.50/mile = $11
or whatever you are comfortable with!

Thanks for your continued support of my training and Susan G. Komen for the 3Day for the Cure!

Posted via email from becca's stuff

Totally on track... totally.

Lynnette and I did 3 training walks last week, that's pretty good considering we had done zero in the two weeks prior (or, i had done zero, i guess). With moving and the general sleepiness (and my inability to stop unpacking) that comes with moving, training got moved to the back burner. BUT, I am pretty excited about this past weekends training experiences - let me tell you why...

1. I'm 99% sure the AVON 2day walk was over the weekend and I felt a sense of solidarity doing my training on saturday/sunday, knowing that there were thousands of men and women walking all over chicagoland in some pretty awful weather (on saturday) for the same cause!

2. On Saturday I actually had the motivation to do a long walk BY MYSELF. This is HUGE people... HUGE. The only problem is I got about two miles in and the sky turned frighteningly dark so I had to head home... then it didn't rain for a whole hour still. I was pretty disappointed that I could have gotten at least 3 more miles in, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. However, I will not overlook the fact that I got all dressed, fanny packed, water bottled, granola barred and went out on my own for what I thought was going to be a 3 hour walk.

3. On Sunday, Lynnette and I got all ready and set out for a undetermined lengthed "long" walk... We ended up doing 9 miles which was perfect and I felt pretty darn good at the end of it. Better than I have ever felt (last year included) after a walk that long. That was REALLY inspiring you guys. Makes me think that the training is paying off and hopefully that will continue to motivate me to keep on truckin'!

SO, here's the challenge to you, my dear supporters! This week I am supposed to walk 33 miles... two shorter walks of 4 and 5 miles - then 14 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. Would you consider pledging a per mile amount of money for my training this week? I'll report back on Monday how many miles I walk (hopefully this challenge will get me to do them ALL) and then you can submit your donation online! (OR, if you are feeling REALLY crazy you can donate in advance and then I'll have no choice but to get in all 33 miles!)

0.50/mile = $16.50 donation
$1/mile = $33 donation
$2/mile = $66 donation
$3/mile = $99 donation
or whatever suits your fancy!

Facebook or email me or comment on this blog entry to let me know if you are interested in participating! As always, thanks for partnering with me on this nutty journey! Please remember that every penny you donate goes toward breast cancer research and education via Susan G. Komen... I'm not asking for money for me, I'm asking for a world without breast cancer.

God Bless you!