4 Weeks till the 3 Day

Can you believe it?  4 weeks from today I will be flying to San Francisco to walk in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure. The time has flown by.

All my stuff will be in Ziploc and garbage bags in my husbands large gym bag ready for the camp.  I'll be wearing pink and eating plenty of pasta.  Then on Friday I'll be there by 6:30 in the morning when opening ceremonies start, along with around 2,000 other walkers, ready to walk 60 miles through SF. The next three days will be fun, entertaining, heart wrenching, and exhausting but in the end it will be so worth it.  I'm hoping for no blisters and a few new friends.

Can you tell I'm excited?  I'm excited to be part of something this big, that helps so many people.  Last year people walking in the 3 Day raised more than $77 million.  Did you know that most of the money raised goes towards breast cancer education and awareness? That's important because so many women don't know that they need to get checked or what to even look for.  If you can catch it early enough it can be cured.

So, once again I'm going to ask for money.  I haven't raised my $2,300 yet, but am very close.  Those of you that have already donated, thank you so much!!  I know many of you give to other causes and I respect that so I'm not asking you. But there are some of my friends who say, "Oh, right, I was going to donate." now is your chance.  :)

Help me help others. Everyone deserves a lifetime is the slogan of the 3 Day and mine is If not me, who? If not now, when?  I can walk, so I will.

Thank you for reading and for donating. 

Cate

PS Let me know if you want updates on my walk. I'll be texting family and can add you to the list!

Walking and technology

Recently I found three new apps for my phone and I love adding them to my walking time. I have a Droid and love it.  As I start doing more and more miles alone it's nice to have the distractions.

One is Endomondo.  It tracks distance and time walking - which a lot of apps do  - but what I like is it tells me when I've gone a mile and gives me my times.  Every mile after that it gives me my splits. The uploads to a web site.  The web site has lots of fun stuff - like how many times I've walked to the moon (none) and how many times I've walked around the world (.003 still a ways to go).

Another app I'm loving is my new podcast player called BeyondPod.  I can stream or download podcasts.  I like having them pre-downloaded then it doesn't seem to take as much of my battery life.  I'm catching up on all kinds of stuff.

The third app is a mobile version of GrooveShark, my favorite online music player, called TinyShark.  I have had so many problems with Pandora on my phone that I took it off and switched to this one.  Same concept except you can actually play the song you like.

One other addition to my phone isn't really an app but Dennis has been downloading audio books for me and I love listening to them from my phone.

Walking alone isn't boring any more!

Cate

Training Tip

Hi,

This week I got an email from the 3 Day coaches saying I have 24 weeks until my walk with training and fundraising tips.  So I thought I'd share one with you:

Training Tip of the Week: Your Training Program

Training for an endurance event like the 3-Day involves three things:

• Developing muscular strength and endurance
• Building cardiovascular fitness
• Experimenting with exercise gear, diet and fluids 

To be honest,  the one that I found the most challenging last year and the year before was getting the correct exercise gear (read: the right clothes)!  Getting shoes that don't give you blisters and shorts that don't creep up after 5 or 6 miles can be difficult as well as expensive.  The good news is I still have last years clothes so all I have to do is get walking.

So tonight - I start walking!

Change is in the air

It is time for me to start moving, in 6 months I'll walk my 60 miles in San Francisco but before that I'll walk many times that in training.  Although I exercise sporadically all the time, when I'm training I try to focus on increasing my endurance and calluses.  HA!

I also have to get my fundraising into gear. I've sent some emails and set up a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings but I think I need to be a little more proactive.  I'll be reminding people to donate, talking about how they can help and explaining how this walk is helping women all over the world.

So, it's time for change, I need to get out of my winter hibernation and move.

I also think it's time for change in my personal life.  I feel like my work needs to shift but I'm not sure what that looks like yet. I know there is something I'm seeking I'm just not sure exactly what it is yet.  When I figure it out I'll let you know.

Thanks for reading.

Cate

Ready for 2011?

Hi,

This September I'm going to walk 60 miles with about 3000 people in San Francisco to raise awareness and money in the fight against breast cancer.  We will each raise at least $2,300 and train for months to be ready.  Then very, very early on a Friday morning we will set out.  It will be an amazing experience, there will be laughing, crying, dancing, joking and lots of just plain talking.  I will make many new friends and hear many stories, some inspirational, many sad. After walking the first 20 miles we will be fed and entertained then camp in cute pink tents. We will all get up and do it two more days.  At the end we will have all stand together and raise a shoe to show that we walk for those who can't.  I promise you I will cry.

This is my third time walking and many people ask me why I walk, I don't have cancer. Well, I walk because I can. I have so many people in my life who have been hit by cancer, my mom, my sister-in-law, my aunt, my great-grandma, my friends, my ex. Most of them are survivors, a few lost the battle.  If we could find a way to cure or prevent cancer my son won't be saying the same thing when he is my age. So I am going to do what I can

• Breast Cancer Fact: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of death among women worldwide.

Today the 5-year survival rate for all women diagnosed with breast cancer is 89 percent. This means that 89 out of every 100 women with breast cancer will survive for at least five years. Most will live a full life and never have a recurrence. Your chances of survival are better if the cancer is detected early, before it spreads to other parts of your body. In fact, when breast cancer is found early and confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent. That is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages

With the help of the Susan G. Komen foundation more women around the world are getting checked earlier and lives are being saved.

Today I start my fundraising.  I need you to help me get to the $2,800 goal I've set. 
Go to http://www.the3day.org/goto/catesword  and click on the Donate button.  Together we can make a world without cancer.

I'm going to walk because I can't walk away. 

I did it!!

My dear friends,

Thank you so much for supporting me in raising money to fight Breast Cancer.  I raised $2,824 and I walked the 60 miles I promised you I would do. 

Let me give you a recap of the event.  I flew to San Diego with my husband, son and a friend the day before the walk.  I was ready to go Friday morning at the opening ceremonies at 6:30.  The first day was an overcast day, but very pleasant.  We walked along the ocean and through some beautiful areas north of San Diego.

There were people all along the route cheering the entire day and my family was at one of the cheering stations.  It really did make me happy to see them.  By the end of the day I was tired but no blisters!  I spent the night in my cute pink tent.  It was a bit cold and my air mattress lost all its air.

The second day started out cloudy but soon turned to rain.  The rest of the day was windy and wet, but we walked on. 

When we got to the camp it was very wet, some of the tents had flooded.

 I decided to spend the night in the hotel with my family.  

Oh, that bed felt so good.

 The third day started rainy but ended nice.  We walked up and down some steep hills all three days but the third day seemed to be the most. 

When the rain stopped the people lined the streets to cheer.  It was so amazing.  I felt great at the end of the day, tired but no blisters!

The closing ceremonies were inspiring and more than a few of us were crying.  We learned that 4000 people had participated and we had raised $10.6 million in San Diego.

The San Diego walk is the last walk of the year for the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure and all total for the year 29,040 people walked and $76.7 million dollars was raised. Part of that is what you gave. What an incredible group of people you all are!  You stepped up when I asked and I appreciate your support so much.

I am planning on walking again next year.  But I will tell you more about that later.  For now, I just wanted to tell you all THANK YOU!!

Cate

Spectator Information for the San Diego 3-Day

Before the Event
Getting ready for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure^® is a big job. Here are some ways to support your participant before the big day arrives.

• Write a letter expressing your love and support to your walker, which we’ll deliver to him/her on the event.
  Send letters to:
  3-Day for the Cure
  ATTN: INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT
  P.O. Box 721237
  San Diego, CA 92172
  
  Envelopes only, please. No boxes or large packages. Mail must be postmarked no later than November 9 in order to ensure delivery at the 3-Day for the Cure Camp Post Office. Please note: This address is not the actual location of camp, but a PO Box for mail delivery only. Any mail that is not postmarked by the date above or retrieved by the participant by December 5 will be destroyed.

Cheering Stations
Public cheering stations are a great way to show your support along the route to encourage walkers and let them know that you are with them every step of the way. Seeing familiar faces cheering them on can provide that extra burst of energy that gets them to take that next step or go the next mile. Create banners, hold up signs, bring some music and make some noise - anything to make them smile, get energized and keep walking.

Please note that only registered participants with a valid event credential should be walking on the 3-Day route and utilizing the 3-Day pit stops. We ask that all supporters and spectators gather at cheering stations in order to show their support, and do not walk the route or drive along the route. 

Friday, November 19

10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
UCSD Scripps Institute of Oceanography
8580 La Jolla Shores Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Taylor Library 4275 Cass Street
San Diego, CA 92109

Saturday, November 20

7:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Robb Field - South
2525 Bacon Street
San Diego, CA 92107

9:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Robb Field - North
2525 Bacon Street
San Diego, CA 92107

10:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
South Mission
2600 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109

Sunday, November 21

8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
San Diego Visitor Information
2688 E Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, CA 92109

11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater
2150 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101

On some portions of the route you may find some areas that are deemed “quiet zones” which will be indicated by signage on the route. Please assist us in respecting our neighborhoods and communities during this time.

Closing Ceremony
After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.

All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:00 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.

Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Daythroughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!

Sunday, November 21
4:30 p.m.

Petco Park
100 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101

Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair.