Training . . .

Training . . . it's hard, but the end results are worth it!  A year ago, I decided that I needed to be healthier, so I decided to make some changes in my life.  I have been working with a wonderful personal trainer for a year and have lost 45 pounds and have also been doing a little running too.  My weight loss story was recently featured on the HealthMPowers website.  Click here if you are interested in reading it.  At first, I thought 20 miles in a day / 60 in 3 days would be nothing.  Well, numbers in my head really mean nothing to me, I'm visual learner.  So my husband, Scott, then told me that walking 20 miles would be like walking from my house to my school and then 5 more miles.  Ohhhh, that's a little different now that I can visualize something.  My words back to Scott were "that's a long way!"  I have now started my training "walks" along with continuing my workouts at the gym.  Of course, also trying to eat healthier.  I think that's the hardest for me. 

Today, I got up early and took Wesley to sign up for 4-H Summer Camp.  Oh, by the way, we are so proud of him!  He recently competed and received excellent ratings at his piano competition and also won 1st place at the 4-H County Project Achievement for Instrumental Performing Arts.  Once we got him signed up for camp, I went to workout with my trainer at the gym.  Feeling good when I left the workout, I decided that I should do some walking.  I enlisted a walking partner...Graham.  He got the joy of riding while I walked/pushed.  I decided I wanted to try more than the usual 3 miles.  Today's goal ...6 miles.

The first mile was great!  Graham enjoyed the ride and played his own version of Dora/Diego.  We chose the correct paths to take to save the eagle flying above our head (really it was some other kind of bird, but I was fine with him thinking it was an eagle).  Mile 2 & 3, he was ready to play his Leapster.  Mile 4, he amazed me as he figured out the pattern of the address numbers on the mail boxes that we passed.  He said, "My house is 5 and 5, the next house is 6 and 5!"  He continued on to tell me what mail box number would be coming up next.  He also enjoyed his lemonade that we had packed.  Mile 5was the worst, he was ready to stop and told me to drop him off and the house.  I made him a promise that if he helped me keep going the last 2 miles that we would eat apples and peanut butter and we could blow bubbles later when we got home.  That little promise got us through mile 5.  During the final mile, he noticed some dandelions on the side of the road.  He calls them " yellow poofyheads" and "white poofyheads."  He told me that we needed to pick 4 of them and so we did.  Yes, we finished all 6 miles for Memaw in 1 hour and 30 minutes.  I was impressed with the time.  When I usually walk, I'm not pushing a stroller, so I thought I would be much slower.  So now, I'm feeling good, not too bad sore, and Graham did get the things that I promised him.  We were both really proud of our 6 miles.  Some things that I learned on my 6 mile walk . . .
  
1.  There is a reason they told us at the meeting to be sure to get walking shoes not running shoes!  Today, I wore my running shoes and have one blister on my big toe to show for it.  I will be investing in walking shoes!!

2.  No matter what the weather...wear sun screen!  It was a beautiful day today, not hot at all.  There was even a cool breeze during my walk.  Before we left the house, Graham insisted on wearing a hat (I am so glad he did).  Yes, I had on my hat too, I love hats!!  However, when Scott got home he asked me if I had been hang out at Red Lobster today.  I am a little sun burned, but not in pain from it.  Oh, and don't worry about Graham, he's not sun burned at all!

I would like to close by thanking my recent donors!  I have known Bugs and Donna Kilgore for several years now.  They are an amazing couple and have always been so supportive of me and my family!  Good friends to my parents and servants of God.  Thanks so much for your donation and your prayers!

Tanya Strege-Drain has done my hair for several years now.  She does a wonderful job!!  If you are in the Covington area and are in need of a cut, color, or just about anything else, just go see her at Brendale's off the square.  Tanya thanks so much for your support, encouragement, and donation!

If you are able to make a donation, please click the link at the top of the blog or here for my personal fundraising page.  I am pressing on toward my goal, so far I have raised $740!  I have walked 15 of my 585 miles that I will walk to train for the event.  Please note that the 585 does NOT include the 60 miles the day of the event.  I will keep on my current journey training and trying to become a healthier person.  Hoping one day to reach my goal weight and of course, to be able to walk the 60 miles in October.

"Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it."  ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Thank you Lord, for allowing me this opportunity to make a differnce in the world.  Thank you for giving my Mom the strength to battle and win the fight against cancer.  Give those who are facing it now strength and courage and bless those who have lost the battle.  I pray for a safe journey for all those who are training and will be walking to put an end to this disease.  Thank you for those who are putting together events like this, those who are studying and researching for the cure, and those who are donating to the cause.  I believe in hope and that there will be a cure one day and my Mom is living proof that "there is still life after breast cancer."  I love you, Mom!

Happy 25th Anniversary!

On Friday, February 11, 2011 Mom celebrated 25 years of life after breast cancer!!  25 years of helping and supporting other women with their battles!!  

I am going to start off with my message to her from by facebook status...

Mom, your journey has been incredible! You have given so much to support the cause and have touched so many lives. I am honored to walk in the 3 Day for you and to call you my mother! I love you!

Photo of Me, Mom, & Lori (Lori made the first donation to support my walk!)

From what she told me, she had a wonderful day as Dad and her co-workers at the Physical Therapy Office celebrated with a surprise party.  (I so wish I could have been there!  Sometimes it's hard to live away from home.)  Mom, congrats on 25 years and wishing you many more!  Thanks for being a great example and always being there for me!                                                                                                          

I would like to take a moment and say thanks to those who have made donations to my journey in honor of my Mom and others that you know who have battled breast cancer!!  I am so blessed to have wonderful and supportive friends and family!  I still have not sent my emails asking for donations yet, they are coming, but there are those who have already jumped on board to show their support in my efforts to fund raise and walk.

Thank you, Annette Blythe for your donation.  Annette had a very sweet Mother who also battled breast cancer.  She was my Sunday School Teacher, one of my Acteen Leaders, and always volunteered to help with the youth group at our church.  She was a true artist!  She could make or paint just about anything.  I have very fond memories of camping out on the island behind her house, painting sweat shirts with various Christmas themes, and eating lasagna with her. 

                                Acteens at NAC!  Gail and Annette are in light green.


Gail Blythe was a very sweet lady who lived to honor and glorify God.  A true prayer warrior as she prayed for us all.  She was a big part of my life growing up and she will always hold a special place in my heart.  Gail Blythe, I will walk 60 miles in memory of you!

Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Klug, family, and staff of the Physical Therapy Office where Mom works for their generous donation in her honor!  As part of their celebration, they made a donation to the 3-Day.  They have always been great supporters of my mother and her efforts to raise awareness.

Thank you, Ken and Janice Rains for your donation.  Ken and Janice are my in-laws and it means so much to have their support in my journey.

Thank you to my sweet boys, Wesley and Graham for their donation too!  They love their Memaw very much!


My boys!! 
Photo by Wendi Stewart Photography


So far, I have received $660 towards my goal of $2300.  I am well on my way and I know that I can reach my goal with the help and support of friends like you!  If you would like to help you can click the box that says donate at the top of my blog.  Remember there is no donation too big or too small.  Or you can visit my personal fundraising page at . . .

Amy's F3-Day Fundraising Page

If you have any fundraising ideas or could help me out with fundraising, let me know.  I am still looking for people to walk with.  If you would like to walk with me around the Covington area as I train, please let me know.  I plan on walking 3 miles right now after I finish this blog!

Thank you again for taking the time to support Mom and I, praying, donating, and reading my blog!

Getting Started and My First Donation

Yesterday, I attend a "Getting Started" meeting in ATL.  I learned a lot of information at the meeting and I'm even more excited about being a part of this event.  The meeting was so inspirational and I got to meet some other first time walkers and some who have walked before.  One lady there said that this would be her eighth walk!!  I got to hear stories about how breast cancer had touched the lives of all those in the room.  The room was filled with many emotions.  There were tears of joy and of sadness.  There was also a sense of celebration and hope for the future.  How inspiring!!  Everyone there had one thing in common.  They all hoped for a better life for women of the future and an end to breast cancer.

"When we love, we always strive to become better then we are.  When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."  ~ Paulo Coelho

I am so excited to be a part of something that is so big and bold, something that is making a difference for future generations.  Susan G. Komen is funding research so that there will be an end to breast cancer.  They told us to get ready for hugs, tears, and great acts of human kindness from familiar faces and from strangers.  This experience brings out a world much different than the world we live in.  A world where kindness, love, and hope are above all else.  New friends will be made in 3 short days.  This will be a life changing experience for all involved!

The meeting covered topics including...why walk, how to raise money, and how to train for the event. 

Why take part in such a big and bold event?  Why not?  Again, I want to honor the life of my mother, my grandmother, and others who have had to fight.  You can find out more information on The 3-Day at

http://www.the3day.org/

An eye opener to me was that to train for this event, I would be walking over 580 miles!  Wow, can I do that?  I sure am ready to try!!  This walk is nothing compared to what many have gone through in fighting breast cancer. 

To participate in this event all walkers must raise $2300.  Yes, it's a bit intimidating but we were told that on average, most walkers raise over $3000!  We were challenged to get our first donation in the following 24 hours after our meeting.  I haven't sent out my emails about raising money yet, so I was so surprised to find out last night that I had received my very first donation.  Lori Simmons Johnson has been my best friend our entire lives.  We grew up together and have always supported each other.  I love her like a sister!!  Even though we are miles apart now, she is still always there for me any time I need her.  Last night she and her family made the first donation to support my walk!!  Lori, Wesley, and Josiah - thank you for supporting me, praying for me, and encouraging me.  Your family is such an inspiration.  Lori, I am so glad that God gave me you as a best friend.  I love you all!

"I thank my God, everytime I remember you." Philippians 3:1

So in getting ready for this event, the training will be up to me and my personal trainer, Ryan (another person that I am so thankful for).  If any of you in the Covington area would like to start walking with me, let me know.  I will be starting my walks soon and would love a walking partner!!  (580 miles, oh my!!)  As for fundraising, I need your help!!  If you can make a donation to help support my cause that would be great!!  There is no donation too big or too small.  If you can't donate, maybe you know some who can.  Maybe you have a fundraising idea or know of a business that donates to different causes.  If so, please direct them to my online site or send me a email. 

       http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/AtlantaEvent2011?px=4979264&pg=personal&fr_id=1610

This link is to my own fundraising 3-Day Website.  You can read about why I am walking, see my progress, and donate to my personal Susan G. Komen account.  You will receive a receipt following making a donation.  Online you have the option of a payment plan for your donation.  Also, if you don't want to make a donation online you can print a donation form.  Please help me by forwarding my information and donation form to your friends and family.  You can also make a quick donation by clicking the box at the top of my blog that says donate.  Maybe you want to be more involved...check out the 3-Day website and find out how you can walk or be a part of the crew.  Crew members help take care of the walkers and experience the event without the fundraising.  All types of crew members are needed from medics to people who can move and set up things.

I am so thankful for a family who is willing to support my efforts.  Thank you, Scott, for taking care of the boys and encouraging me to take this journey!!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

I am ready to start this journey and help find an end to breast cancer!!  Thank you all for your support!!