Come Cheer Me On...Spectator Information

40 days and counting until I walk the 3-Day!!  I am so excited!!  Special thanks to all those who have donated to my journey and those who have prayed for me, the walk, my knee, and finding a cure to end cancer. 

There's still more ways to be involved in the Atlanta SGK 3-Day and to support me!

At the 3-Day there is a post office.  You can write me a letter to encourage me that I'll be able to pick up once I reach the campsite.  They say that Day 2 is the hardest and the day that you need the most encouragement.  I would love to hear from you!  Here's the info from the SGK 3-Day Spectator Page...(click the link to go to the actual page and read the full information)

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 her/him on the event.
  Send letters to:
  3-Day for the Cure
  ATTN: INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT
  12195 Highway 92, Suite 114-36
  Woodstock, GA 30188
  Envelopes only, please. No boxes or large packages. Mail must be postmarked no later than October 11th in order to ensure delivery at the 3-Day Camp Post Office. Please note: This address is not the actual location of camp, but a PO Box for mail delivery only.
• Organize a group to host your very own private cheering station.
• Help raise money. Ask your participant how you can get involved in her/his fundraising plan.
• Join your participant on a training walk.

Opening Ceremony...

Join me, Momma, my boys, and Scott as we celebrate at the Opening Ceremony at Stone Mountain Park, Friday, October 21, at 7:30am.  Anyone can attend opening and closing ceremonies.  Let me know if you are interested in coming or meeting us there!

Cheering Stations...

Along the route of the 3-Day there are designated cheering stations.  I don't know the exact locations yet, but I can let you know soon.  Cheering stations are places where you can come and cheer on the walkers.  Some people make posters and some people hand out water and other items.  These people are often referred to as "walker stalkers."  Some even come dressed in costume to support the cause.  You can see lots of video of walker stalkers/cheering stations and footage from various 3-Day Events on Youtube.  I would love to see you along the route. I can even stop for a short amount of time to talk to you, we'll take a photo, and I can have a rest at a cheering station.  I want photos because I plan on blogging about each day of the event when I return complete with photos and video.

While at Home (from the Spectator site)

Capture the 3-Day in the news: While walkers are taking steps to end breast cancer, save any media coverage of the 3-Day. Aside from being a nice addition to your participant's 3-Day memorabilia, it will show her/his impact on the community.

Engage the kids in the cause: Since holding down the fort may include taking care of the kids, you can make this time meaningful by connecting them with the breast cancer cause.

• Have them create signs or decorations if they are able to go to a cheering station.
• Have them create a welcome home banner.
• Give them journals so they can write or draw what they’ve been doing for three days.
• Have them plan a welcome home meal or put together a care package with goodies, movies, comfy slippers, etc.
• Use this as an opportunity to talk to your kids about community, helping others and making a difference in the world.

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.

The Closing Ceremony is at Turner Field on Sunday, October 23, at 5:00pm.  Parking is available in the Blue and Gold lots.  Marta is also an option.

I have read other veteran participants blogs where friends have met them and walked the last mile to the stadium.  I would love to have the support of you walking the last mile with me.  Let me know if you are interested.

 

Painting for a Cure

Sips n Strokes - Toco Hills

Last night I had the opportunity to attend Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Sips n Strokes in Toco Hills, Atlanta.  Sips n Strokes is an art studio where they teach you to paint a particular painting. The instructor is on a stage and gives step by step instructions to create the painting.  Last night there were two paintings to choose from.  I chose the one to the right.  The event was actually a fundraiser for a fellow 3-Day walker.  $170 was raised for the Komen 3-Day for the Cure.  It was so much fun.  I will definantly go back and maybe do my own fundraiser there for the 2012 3-Day walk.  I was really worried about painting the zebra stripes, but I think they turned out great!



My blank canvas...

Just finishing my zebra stripes!!

Let's paint!!

Me and my Masterpiece!!

Some pretty amazing women!!

In order to walk in the 3-Day one must raise $2300.  This was the scariest part for me.  I didn't know how I would ever raise that much money.  Once again, I am reminded that God is faithful, I set out to do this and he has provided.  I am so close to my goal and more excited than ever!  Thank you to everyone who has donated to my cause and helped to fund my 3-Day Journey.

If you click here you will go directly to my fundraising site.  You will see on my page that I still need $178, well, there are a few donations that haven't been added, but once they are, I only need $78.  I never imagined being so close this soon.  The walk is still 45 days away.  If you haven't had a chance to donate, now is the time!  Any amount big or small is greatly appreciated.  Again, if you can't donate, your prayers mean the world to me.  I am having some knee issues that I hope go away soon.

"I can't run a mile, but I can walk 60!"

Thanks to those who recently donated!!

Tina Hendrix is a wonderful 3rd grade teacher at my school.  I actually knew her before going to HM since she student taught at my previous school.  She is so supportive of me and always has me laughing.  Thanks Tina for your donation, support, and for being a friend to me!

Alice Mathis is the mother of a friend who I grew up with.  She was very supportive of the high school band program that her daughter and I was in.  She also carried me on some field trips when I was in high school.  Alice, thanks so much for your donation and remembering me and Mom!

Frances Love and others in the Woman to Woman Support Group of Gadsden - Thank you for supporting me and being in Mamma's group!  I am walking for YOU!

Tonya Frazier was also supportive of me during my elementary-high school days.  She is someone I'll never forget.  She gave a donation honoring her mother who has fought breast cancer, Ms. Doris Milam.  Ms. Milam is a sweet lady who was a substitute teacher at my school.  Both of these ladies are amazing women.  Thank you for your donation and I'm walking for you!!

Joy and Gene Queen are part of my wonderful, huge, and supportive family!  Thank you for donating and for the really sweet card.  Your encouraging words mean more than you know.  I think you are amazing too!!

I wanted to share the card that Joy sent...it is a card by American Greetings (just giving proper credit).

It says...

  Amazing Women

Little Red Riding Hood - the first woman who ran with the wolves

Cinderella - the first woman to popularize the "total make-over" phenomenon

The Little Mermaid - the first woman to swim the English Channel underwater

Sleeping Beauty - the first woman to research the benefits of beauty rest

And speaking of amazing women - you go, girl!

(I know "amazing" when I see it!)

So encouraging...I come from a line of amazing women...my mother, my grandmothers, my great-grandmothers. There are so many strong females in my family, cousins like Joy, who serve God and others. I watched them all as I grew up, how could I not want to follow in their footsteps. Not just in my family, but the ladies of Woman to Woman (past and present) are amazing strong women too. As a little girl I attended the meetings with my mom and sometimes did my homework and other times helped create a cookbook or pass things out.    While traveling this road of training for the 3-Day, I have met many more...survivors and those honoring loved ones. I hope that as my life continues I too can make a difference in the lives of others, just as all of these women have done for me.  

I am walking for us all! 

Me - ready for a 4:00am 15 mile walk!



Stone Mountain 15 Miles...twice

Summer is over and now its back to school, well, that's why it's been a while since my last blog post.  I went back to school the last week in July and my kids went back the first week of August.  It has been a real transition for us since Wesley started middle school and Graham began PreK.  Now things are starting to get settled and I hope to have more time to blog.

The big event is getting closer only 48 more days!!  Since my last blog post I have had two big training walks.  They were 15 mile walks around Stone Mountain.  I love walking there.  The scenery is beautiful, most of the time there's a breeze, and half of the trail is shaded.

My first 15 miler was actually suppose to be a 10 miler, but I decided to try one more lap.  The training walk was held on July 23.  We started out at 6:15am, so early.  I had to leave my house at 5:30.  It was still dark when we started walking.  During the first mile we actually saw some deers.  I was honored to walk with a survivor.  Her name was Joann.  This was her 5th 3-Day for the Cure walk.  She was walking with her friend who lives in CA that will be flying to Atlanta this October.  It was so amazing to here her story.  When she first started walking she had not had cancer, but later developed it and has continued to walk year after year. 

I am doing better with  my walking.  The first 5 miles was really easy and 10 came quickly.  So, I decided to make my 10 miler a 15 miler.  5 bottles of water, a protein bar, a pit stops, and two very tired feet got me through that day.  I learned that 15 miles is more rough than 10.  I had walked 10 many times, but there were some surprises on the last 5.  Mile 13 is the hardest for me, but I made it through.  I was so proud of myself when I finally made it back to the car.  When I got home is when I really started to feel the burn...I was a bit sore, had a rubbed spot on my arm and back, and a huge blister on my heel.  I know you want to see that picture...

I hurt for a couple of days, but healed quickly and I continued to walk, even worked at school without it bothering me.  I had never gotten a blister there before and had taken preventive measure to insure no blisters in my hot spots on my feet, well for this walk, I found a new one.  These things are great to know in preparing for the actual event.

On August 6, I attended the Event Prep Gathering.  At this event they had several stations with veteran walkers talking about everything from blisters to packing to everything that goes on during the 3-Day.  It was so much fun and I finally got to spend my gift card that I won at the last New Balance Training Walk.  I didn't win anything this time, but got some new gear and lots of good information.

I got in a sample tent that I will be sleeping in for two nights of my journey.  I am more excited about this event than ever.  New Balance is a huge sponsor for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Proceeds from the Lace Up for the Cure Collection goes toward SGK for the Cure.  I have tried to buy a lot of my items needed from NB since they are giving back to the cause.

On August 27, I attended another training walk at Stone Mountain. This one was a 15 mile training walk. Again, another bright and early start at 6:00am. I was so excited that I finally got to use my new Camelbak. I believe that it is the best thing ever!! Much more comfortable than my fanny pack and I can carry more thing and most importantly, more water!  I love attending the training walks and talking to the people who have walked before and meeting others like me who are walking for the first time.  Everyone has an amazing story to tell.  During this walk, I met a man who has done the walk since its very beginning.  He walks for his wife.  He gave me lots of good advice and said if I need help to let him know.  He said he would be easy to find that he would be the oldest man walking.

I was better prepared for this walk than the last one.  I did a great job preparing my feet.  I used my mole skin and body glide.  I decided to try out my second pair of shoes for this walk.  I have been alternating my New Balance shoes and had not walked a 15 mile walk in my second pair.  I am glad I did this and not so glad I did this, you'll see why later.  Once again, we saw deer on the trail and it was a beautiful day.  The first 5-10 miles were great!  I have learned that if I stop and stretch every 3 to 5 miles, it make the journey a bit easier.  The only thing that felt wrong was my shoes.  I had never had problems with them before, but I had never gone 15 miles in them either.  I felt like my feet were sliding around.  After the 10 miles, I just knew I was going to be covered in blisters.  Mile 13 came and it was difficult due to the shoes, but I continued on and finished.  No, pushing it for another lap this time, my feet were toast!!  I got to the car and quickly changed into my wonderful Nike (yes, I know a different brand, but oh so comfortable) Flip Flops.  To my surprise my feet were blister free, even with all the sliding.  The Body Glide saved the day.  I was so happy!!

I left and went home with an accomplished feeling.  However, an hour after I got home, I started having a pain in my knee.  Thursday, before the walk I had done a leg workout with my personal trainer.  I rested on Friday, and walked Saturday.  I'm not sure if that had anything to do with my knee pain or if it was the shoes.  Late Saturday, it hurt to walk so I iced it and elevated it. I took some medicine and went to bed.  I was unable to do a training walk on Sunday, and continued to rest it.  Monday, it was better.  I have still had some pain in it off and on throughout this week and I'm praying than it will go away soon.

I am still very excited about this event!  I have already checked in online and can't wait till October.  I have many more training miles to continue to prepare and I'm learning more and more every day.

 He who limps is still walking.  ~ Joan Rivers





$300 away from my goal!! Thank you donors!!

Just wanted to update you all on where I am.  October is approaching fast and I have been working hard at training.  I just attend a training walk last weekend and walked 15 miles!!  I'll do a separate post on that.  I am very honored that so many friends and family have been so generous donating and helping me raise awareness and honor Mom and others who have had to face breast cancer.  Through this journey I have met so many more survivors, some who are walking and some who are currently fighting their battle.  Each and every person I come in contact with makes this 3-Day walk so important to me.  Why am I training and giving 3 days of my life to walk 60 miles?  I came across a song (it should play for you, if my player below is working) by Melissa Etheridge (breast cancer survivor) that says it all.

I Run for Life

It's been years since they told her about it
The darkness her body possessed
And the scars are still there in the mirror
Every day that she gets herself dressed
Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
And the fear is now a docile beast,
If you ask her why she is still running,
She'll tell you it makes her complete

I run for hope, I run to feel
I run for the truth for all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run life

It's a blur since they told me about it
How the darkness had taken its toll
And they cut into my skin
And they cut into my body
But they will never get a piece of my soul

And now I'm still learning a lesson
To awake when I hear the call
And if you ask me why I am still running
I'll tell you I run for her soul

I run for hope, I run to feel
I run for the truth for all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run life

And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her, remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers, running for more

I run for hope, I run to feel
I run for the truth, for all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life



I walk to honor . . .

Debbie Sauls (Momma)
Betty Sauls (MawMaw)
Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Support Group
Betsy Davenport (friend and co-worker of mine at LVES)
Jean Patterson (friend and W to W member)
Rose Jenkins (Woman to Woman member)
Edna McCullars (Woman to Woman member)
Ms. Nancy Patterson (a friend of a friend)

I walk in memory of . . .
Gail Blythe (my sweet Sunday School Teacher and good friend's mother)
Brenda Weeks (sweet church lady)

If you have someone in your life that has battled breast cancer, please let me know and I will walk to honor or remember them too. Please send me a message!
amysrains@hotmail.com
I have had the privilage to teach with some great teachers here in GA.  Some of my dear friends have been praying for a lady who has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have never met her, but have told them all that I am praying for her.  I know what a fight she has ahead of her.  These ladies have posted the following picture on their profiles for facebook and I loved it.  It is so true and thought I would share it as well.

I WALK for hope, I WALK to feel
I WALK for the truth, for all that is real
I WALK for your mother, your sister, your wife
I WALK for you and me my friend
I WALK for life

Because of your generous donations I am only $300 away from meeting my goal!  (God is so much bigger!)  I never imagined that I would be this close, this early!

Thank you to...

Eddie Blythe for donating in memory of his late wife, Gail.  Gail and Eddie were a huge part of my life growing up as I was friends with their daughter, Annette.  Gail was my Sunday School Teacher and one of my Acteens Leaders.  She taught me so much!  This is one amazing family that will always hold a special place in my heart!  I love you all!  Gail, I walk for you!

Annette Mayben, Pam Thomas and their families - I have been blessed with the greatest family ever!  I am lucky to have so many cousins that have always been there for me and are so supportive.  Annette and Pam are the best cousins that I could ask for.  I love you all and thank you for your donations.

Donna Smith has cut my hair since I was a little girl.  She has also done most of my families hair too.  Donna is so special to me.  Thank you for your support and donation.

Edna McCullars is a breast cancer survior and has been a part of my mother's Woman to Woman Support group for as long as I can remember.  She is a very sweet lady.  Edna, thank you for your donation.  I walk for you!

I have also been blessed with extended family.  My Grandmother had seven sisters and the family continues from there.  Kathy Sanderson is one of the cousins.  Even though the family is so big, some how we still manage to love, support, and pray for each other no matter the distance.  Thank you, Kathy for your donation to my walk.  Wanda Simmons is one of my Grandmother's sisters.  She has been a second mother to me my whole life.  She has always been their to support me and pray for me.  She has loved me as she has loved her own children.  Lori, her daughter will always be my best friend.  Thank you Wanda, for your donation, always being there for me, and loving me.

Because of support from friends and family like you, I walk to find and end to breast cancer!  Your generous donations have led me so close to my goal.  As of today, I am only $300 away.  God is faithful and I know that I will meet the goal.  As always your prayers are appreciated.  This journey is not an easy one on my feet (you'll hear more about this in my next blog), but my pain will never equal the pain that those who face cancer go through.  If you would like to donate to my walk, you can click HERE to go to my personal fundraising page. 

Thank you all for taking this journey with me!      

Training Walks: New Balance 5 Mile and Stone Mountain 10 Mile

Training...it's just walking, right? We'll that's what I thought. It should be easy...I walk everyday. After walking in the 5 Mile and 10 Mile training walks, I realized just how important training is.

When you sign up of the 3-Day you are given a suggested 16 week or 24 week training schedule to follow to prepare yourself for the event. I started the 24 week schedule (not consistently) a while back, walking here and there as time allowed. After my 10 mile experience, I realized I need to follow the training schedule as closely as I can!

My first blister...it's a small one right under my big toe.  I got it after walking 5 miles the day before the
New Balance 5 Mile Training Walk.

New Balance - Buckhead

On June 18, I attend the New Balance 5 Mile Training Walk in Buckhead. As you can see above, I'm walking with sore feet. I used mole skin as suggested at the Gearing Up - REI event. It worked wonderfully!! I finished my 5 miles and continued the rest of the day at 6 Flags with no additional blisters. My feet felt great on Sunday too. The kids were out of town at Camp Grandparents, so my husband Scott walked the event as my guest. I am so glad that he came. The walk was a bit difficult for us since we had worked with our personal trainer the day before. We both did a leg workout with him and decided that we would not ever do leg workouts before training walks ever again! Before the training walk we were welcomed by the Komen rep and introduced to the New Balance rep. We stretched with our walking guide and then we were dismissed for the walk.

Getting ready for 5 Miles

 
It was hard to stay with the leaders for this walk.  Not because we were slow walking, but we were walking through downtown Buckhead and there were many traffic lights.  Due to the many people at the event not everyone could cross the street at the same time, so we were very spread out.

Trail of Walkers.....

Me and my Fanny Pack

I wore my new 3-Day fanny pack that I ordered from the 3-Day store.  It was suggested at previous events that you wear your gear on the training walks to prepare you for the actual event.  I am not use to wearing a fanny pack.  I had it loaded down with water and other stuff that I might need.  I felt like it was falling off the whole time and heavy when the water was full.  I kept asking Scott to adjust it, which was not good because he will not be with me at the 3-Day.  Once the water was gone, it was more manageable.  I have decided that I want to try a backpack instead.  However, most things I have read, the fanny pack was highly recommended for the 3-Day.  At the Gearing Up Meeting at REI, the camel back backpack was recommended by the rep who has participated in 8 3-Day events.  I really enjoyed the scenery along the way.  We traveled through an area with beautiful huge homes that I will never be able to afford, downtown - past The Cheesecake Factory (yum) and Scott's favorite - Fogo de chao, and past many big buildings.  The day was overcast and though humid, it was still a comfortable walk.  I wore my New Balance Lace Up for the Cure (New Balance gives back to Komen from purchases made on Lace Up products) attire - Empower shirt, Susan Komen shorts, and my tennis shoes picked out specifically for my feet.  I will defiantly wear this out fit during the 3-Day, it was comfortable and kept me cool.

  

After the walk, Scott and I were meeting his brother and soon to be wife at 6 Flags.  We were going to have to find a bank to get out some cash...luckily there was one along the way, ha ha!  We did stop for 5 minutes to do a little banking.

So convenient!

Finishing up at the bank.

Sweat in our eyes.

At the end of training walks that are hosted by companies, they give door prizes.  Everyone gets a gift for attending too.  At this walk we all received New Balance Lace Up for the Cure shoe strings.  I am usually not a lucky person, but it was my day!  At this event they gave 12 NB Komen towels and, no, I didn't win one, but I did win one of only 2 New Balance Gift Cards the manager gave away!!!

Thanks New Balance!

I didn't get to spend it yet...we had to get to 6 Flags!

We also enjoyed a Chick-fil-A breakfast with nuggets, fruit, water, and granola bars.  I'll let you know what I buy with my gift card.  I did thank the manager before I left and told him that I would be back to spend my card!  Now, I gotta decide what to buy...another pair of shoes, attire, body guard, inserts for my second pair of shoes...too many decisions!

soooo admire her!  Scott and I called her Granny and she was passing everyone left and right at the 5 mile.  Well, about a mile into the walk, Granny's group had totally left me.  I felt their pace was a little fast, especially with the terrain.   By the end of  mile 5, I passed them. 

Ending mile 5, I had a big decision to make...stop at my car or continue one more time around the mountain.  If I continued, I had to commit and finish to get back to my car.  There was no one who could pick me up if I quit during the last 5 miles.  However, if I needed it, the policeman that circles the mountain all day probably would have picked me up.  I decided to continue!  I was tired at the end of mile 5, but during mile 6 I found my second wind and seemed to be fine.  I wore my fanny pack again and we managed a little better this time.  The guide gave us a laminated pink card that we could put feet stickers on to represent our training walks.  I learned the hard way that I need to wear the card on my back.  As I walked, the card bounced and hit my arm and neck and made cuts and as I sweat...the cuts burned.  Lesson learned!

As I said, there were many people walking/jogging/biking around the mountain.  I got to talk to many...some of course were 3-Day walkers, some were training for the Peach Tree Road Race, some were just there own their own, and some were there with bootcamp groups.  I loved when I was near the bootcamp groups.  They were so energetic, well the trainers were!  I walked with a trainer and his trainee, along my last 3 miles.  It so reminded me of me and my personal trainer.  The PT had on a shirt that said "Personal Trainer" and he was happy and singing along the way as the trainee was struggling to keep up.  (Yep, just like me and Ryan.)  The PT was trying to get the trainee to jog short distances.  They would jog ahead of me and I would catch up when they would walk.  I loved watching them!  It kept me focused and entertained and before I knew it I was at my car!  I was so proud of myself for finishing 10 miles without stopping!!

So sorry, I don't have any pictures!  I was by myself and when I pulled my phone out, my battery was almost dead so I turned it off.  I figured I better save it in case I needed it! 

"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." ~Henry David Thoreau

It was truly beautiful walking around Stone Mountain.  I really got to enjoy the beauty of the God's earth and spend some time reflecting and talking to Him.

 "If you pick 'em up, O Lord, I'll put 'em down." ~Prayer of the Tired Walker

I ended my 10 miles with no blisters, a little sore, and very tired.  This training walk showed me that I really need to follow my 24 week walking plan.  That way my body will be conditioned to handle 3 days in a row!  Since then I have followed it closely and have now logged over 100 training miles!  I will be doing the Stone Mountain 10 Mile again in July and I'm looking forward to it!