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!

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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!

training resumes and I remember why I'm doing this crazy thang called the 3day!

So, Lynnette and I went on a big ole walk on Saturday morning - was supposed to be 8 miles but we had to wiggle our way around libertyville to avoid flooded trails at every turn (pics coming soon!) and it ended up being 8.5 miles.  Definitely my longest walk so far and my legs and back were ACHING when it was over but it felt really good at the same time... It was sort of a boost for me to keep on keepin on with my training. 

Whilst (I'm british and fancy now) we were walking, Lynnette and I got to chatting about the weirdness of raising money for something or someone.  It's strange because after a while you (the person raising the funds) begin to forget that you are raising money for a specific cause and not just for yourself.  This might sound weird so please let me explain... :-)  

Now, know that I don't mean that I ever think that the money you are donating is going into my checking account or something crazy like that.  It's just easy to fall into a line of thinking that you are being a nuisance to your supporters -- "Oh jeez, here's another update from Becca... she must need more money" -- is this true? totally... i always want to raise more money, fundraising minimum or not, more money for breast cancer research is always a good thing.  But, I know that the way I am asking for support changes... my first emails and blog entries focus on the issue - on what breast cancer does to people, to families, etc... and I focus on the solution - what Susan G. Komen and other amazing organizations are doing to seriously help put an end to breast cancer.  My emails and blog entries as of late are more about me, what I'm doing... what I'm thinking... with a little note in the end about how to donate.  

There are these guys that do the 3day every year called "The 60 Mile Men" - I follow them on twitter and facebook - they are super inspirational and they make a hilarious calendar full of "tasteful" but not so tasteful photos of themselves in order to raise money for the 3day.  They posted a great little quote the other day which is what got me thinking about this whole thing in the first place.  "Put the right light on fundraising. You aren't asking for you, you're asking for a world without breast cancer."  Gosh if that doesn't say it all then what does? right?  So, that's what this is about... am I still asking for money?  Yes, of course. :-) But I'm here today to remind you of what I'm asking for money FOR -- "A world without breast cancer." - can you imagine?  I can, and it's beautiful.

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7 things to stop doing on facebook...

 helpful AND informative!

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109538/7-things-to-stop-doing-now-on-facebook

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So, you're saying there are other causes?! :-)

So, similar to my obsession with raising money for breast cancer research - my ole pal Kristi Stephens relentlessly sticks her neck out for the cause of Human Trafficking and tons of other closely related issues... right now she's pushing to raise money for Wells for Widows in Bangledesh... it only costs $175 to provide one well... Kristi does a WAY better job of explaining this but I wanted to share this opportunity with you. Check out her blog and click away if you'd like to donate! Take care friends!

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Important Information for Women!!

I got this from a friend today and felt it was important to pass on!  Please pass it on as you feel compelled :-)

"...Dr. S said he is amazed at how many women are not aware of the folate daily requirements.

He said if all women during child-bearing years would take folate (folic acid) supplements, it would decrease the amount of neural tube birth defects by 70%!!!!! (spina bifida, cleft palate, etc. and miscarriage) CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!

...anyway, Dr. really stressed that I continue taking the folate for the rest of my child-bearing years, especially as we prepare to conceive a second baby <REMINDER: this was NOT written by Becca, just copied and pasted :-)>. He asked that I please share this message to all friends in this age bracket. Even if you are not planning to get pregnant, it is really important to take folate because it takes several months to build a reserve in the body and women accidentally get pregnant every day! We all need to be taking at least 0.4mg per day!

So, as promised, I am passing it on! PLEASE PASS THIS ON to friends, sisters, daughters, granddaughters, etc!"

**Here is some more information from the Mayo Clinic website:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/folate/NS_patient-folate

 

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Jack, Meet Henry.

I accidentally deleted this post today... reposting for all to see cause it's just too cute.

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one more thing...

OK, so I just read this on a fellow 3dayer's blog and I thought it "apt" (is that the right way to use that word? probably not.) to share her words of wisdom about fundraising... :-)

"If you still aren’t sure about making a donation, please remember that all walkers and crew members will be sleeping in 6x6 two person tents, taking showers in a semi-trailer, brushing our teeth at a sink outside the semi and there will be no electrical outlets for hair dryers and flat irons. We all have invested our own money purchasing the proper shoes, socks and other training gear necessary for the event and the training time alone takes away from our family time. This is a huge commitment for us and we take it seriously. Your financial support is greatly appreciated."

For real...

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Weird 3day dream & thoughts/thanks on Adam...

Weird dream about "The Walk"
OK, so I had this totally weird dream the other night that it was time for the walk... this weekend. And so far the longest walk I have logged in my training is 5 miles (I SHOULD have a 7 mile walk under my belt by now but I skipped it last week... my bad... it was freezing out). Anyways, I was totally terrified, I kept thinking, "How am I going to walk 20 miles a day with NO training?!?" But, here's the weird thing. I went to the walk anyways. So, non-dream Becca would totally NOT have done that... I would have just quit. I like dream Becca... she's much braver. I'm going to channel dream Becca whenever I don't feel like training, fundraising, etc... which is most of the time. Watch out dream Becca, here I come!

Thanks to Adam and his Family
In unrelated news. One of the college students from our church was diagnosed with leukemia on Tuesday. It's really been weighing on my brain and heart ALOT. The way that Adam, his family, his friends, etc... are handling this whole situation is amazing and inspiring. Makes me feel so thankful to be a part of the body of Christ - I bumped into Adam's mom Sue yesterday and she said that she's overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from her Christian family - that every time someone tells her that they are praying for them it's a little boost.

It's made me think alot about how I would handle this situation. If someone so close and precious to me was diagnosed with Leukemia... what if it was me? what if it was Chris? what if it was my mom? Gosh, the very thought of it makes me want to ball my eyes out right here and now. Would I trust in God? Would I believe that He really does have the whole world in His hands? I hope that I never ever have to find that out, but if I do, I will most certainly remember the Frank's and the way that God is already using them to bring hope to others through such a dark situation. You can read more about Adam at his caringbridge site.

Lynnette (one of my 3day team members) is rallying the troops for a "Night the Light" walk in the end of September - it's quite different from the 3day in that it's about 3 miles or so, and it's for leukemia research... So, OF COURSE I'm going to do it! So, stay tuned for more information about that, probably after the 3day wraps up.

Thanks for taking this journey with me. My heart and my soul are so wrapped up in this cause and I'm so thankful to have my supporters along for the ride!

I was listening to my beloved KLove in the car this morning when one of my very favorite songs came on - David Crowder Band's, How He Loves Us - here are my favorite lyrics.

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

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Easy Peezy

News Flash!  You can make up to four monthly payments when you donate to Susan G Komen, 3day for the cure!  For serious you guys! :-)  How totally easy is a $40 donation when it's broken down to $10/month? Well, I'll tell you.  It's REALLY easy.  In fact, I submit that it cannot get easier.  It cannot.

http://www.the3day.org/goto/beccawinn10

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