It's A Small World After All

I've gotta say... after spending the last two weeks thousands of miles away from home, I realized that our world isn't as big or different as it sometimes feels. We may speak different languages, eat different foods or practice different traditions, but the look of sadness, the feeling of appreciation or the sound of happiness is just the same.

Germany! 

Although we spent a lot of time in planes, trains and automobiles (and taking "jump" photos), I think we may have spent even more time walking, which was great training for the 3-day. There were times when I just wanted to sit down and rest, but then I'd think about those 60 miles in three days and all the sudden, my minor aches and pains from being on my feet most of the day didn't seem so bad.

On the beach in Barcelona!

Mom and I had a big fundraising weekend - our garage sale was yesterday and bake sale today. We also managed to get a long two-hour training walk in together. I'll share more details and a few photos soon. But for now, it's time to enjoy the little bit of weekend that's left.  

Adios Amigos

I’m singing a little song for you today… “All my bags are backed and I’m ready to go… cause I’m leavin' on a jet plane…”

It's true... I’m off to see the world with the love of my life. We’re going to eat brats and drink beer in Germany, admire the Alps and enjoy fondue dinners in Switzerland and sip on cava while soaking up the sunshine (with sunscreen!) in Spain. And of course, you can’t be a tourist in Europe without walking… a lot. So, don’t worry. I’ll be getting some training in. And when I get home, I have back-to-back fundraising weekends—our garage sale and a memorial day bake sale.

I’ll post pics of the trip when I return. And I look forward to telling you about my fundraising events. Until then, take care!

Gone Country

Any country music fans out there? I'm a big-time fan. The "I was here" song by Lady Antebellum really moved me when I was thinking about signing up for this 3-day adventure. The lyrics are so inspiring.



A few weeks ago, I signed up to join the XTU Xtra Mile team for the 3-day walk. XTU is Philly's country music station and Andie from the morning show is our team captain. She's really cool and has experience from doing the 3-day a few years in a row now.

I couldn't be more excited about joining a team to meet some new friends who I already know are a little like me in their love for country music. Our first team training walk is this Saturday, but I'll be away. Darn! I'm already looking forward to next time though.

Back In Action

Yesterday, in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness month, the hubs and I participated in the Greater Philadelphia NAMI Walk. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness - a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

On our deck re-hydrating after the walk.

Don't you love how my guy is showing off his flyers cup?!

This fundraising event helps to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness and build awareness about improving our country's mental health system. Mental illness is just like any other disease - cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. - but many don't view it that way. I'm glad we were able to step up and support this cause.

It was the first weekend since my April 2 surgery that I did some serious walking. Well, I have to be clear when I say "serious" on my 3-day blog. I maybe totaled 3 miles for the weekend, but since I'm still in the healing stages, that's pretty serious for me at the moment. Getting back in my walking shoes feels like home - so comfy and familiar. It's good to be back.

So, we're officially 24 weeks away from the big event in Philadelphia!! I'm $1,890 away from reaching my fundraising goal and have 580 miles of training ahead of me. I thrilled about the challenge. Bring it on!

I've Got a Buddy

Guess who has joined me on this great adventure? My mom! I couldn't be more excited. She signed up Friday and then on a whim decided to come up and spend the weekend with me. 

We got crafty and made a donation jar for her to put in her office (she is a dental hygientist). I think she's up to $30 in donations in 3 days....not too shabby. It'll all add up in time, right? Then we made a banner for the garage sale on May 22. We just used scraps I had left over from other projects. Love recycling!

On Saturday, we went to visit Scott at the North Wales Running Company (an official outfitter for the Susan G. Komen 3-day for the cure). He's the areas expert when it comes to fitting you for the right shoe. Mom got a pair, but I have to wait. See, that little melanoma thing gets in the way of everything. I'm soooo close to walking normal again, but Scott said to wait another few weeks so he can see my feet, arches and stride when I'm 100%. But I did get to pick up other goodies.... wright socks and body glide. All the experienced 3-day'ers rave about these products. We also set Mom up with a facebook account to help her fundraising efforts and she got an ipod! Look at her roll.   

Sadly, some friends my age have lost their Mom's already (many to breast cancer). I'm so thankful to have this opportunity. My mom is fun, tough and selfless -- no wonder she has joined the 3-day community.

Show Me the Money

Hello, my name is hobbles. Well, that's been my nickname for this last week anyway. A week ago, I went back to my dermatologist for a 90-minute "surgery" to remove some early-detected melanoma. 12 stitches later and after lots of limping around, I'm ready to have my old self back. These beautiful blue-sky days would be perfect for some long training walks, but doctors orders are to rest until the stitches come out (in 6 more days!).

Last weekend after my procedure, we took a car tour around D.C to see the Cherry Blossoms.

Do you know how much you take for granted the ability to walk?!

Because training is on the back burner, I've been trying to focus on fundraising. I have a handful of ideas flying around in my head, and have made *some* progress. Really though, I need to kick it up a notch. I'm a first-timer, so any tips or suggestions from you experienced 3-day'ers would be warmly welcomed! Here's what I've been thinkin......

Personal Donation Page - I've updated my fundraising page and added the Facebook widget. Now it's time to send personalized e-mails to friends and family.  

May 22 Garage Sale - I'm going to put up lots of pink balloons to help get attention and make a poster or banner that advertises all proceeds will go to the Susan G. Koman 3-day for the Cure. I'll put flyers around my community, too.

Local Businesses - I've gone to a few businesses already to ask for donations, and although I haven't had much luck getting money, Total Body Fitness in Lansdale has donated a 3-month membership and others are offering the same kind of "donations." What do you think about raffling these off at the garage sale?

Memorial Day Weekend - One idea I got at the Getting Started Meeting was to sit outside of a Wine & Spirits shop or beer distributor on this popular holiday weekend to ask for donations. I've been calling around, but haven't had much luck in securing a spot. Lansdale Meats & Deli agreed to the idea though, and that place does get a lot of traffic! So, we'll see...

Tastefully Simple - I don't know about you, but I love these products (especially their beer bread). I got the idea from the 3-day message boards to ask a consultant to host an online party and then donate the proceeds. Sounds yummy to me!

Girls Night Out - Thanks to Leanne...the walker, I'm excited to plan a girls night out to help raise funds. I'm thinking Baltimore or New Hope. Lovely lady friends of mine, if you're out there reading... get ready!

Phew! That's it for now. Thoughts? Suggestions? I have a long ways to go... $2,190 to be exact. But with a little help and lots of determination, I know I can get there. I'll keep ya posted on my success and if you want to help, please consider donating and be sure to spread the word. xoxo

Cancer Sucks

I think I've noticed this "cancer sucks" campaign somewhere before - on a bumper sticker or t-shirt maybe. Haven't you? I like the statement and concept. It's bold and brutally honest. Most of all, it's true. It's another reason why I've signed up to spend the next six and a half months raising a lot of money and training my heart, body and mind how to endure 60 miles of walking. It isn't easy fighting for a cure, but I can't just sit back and hope for it. I've got to do something!

Cancer sucks and chances are, one of these days, it's unfairly going to take away someone I love way too soon. You know, I haven't shared this with many people, but I think another reason I feel so strongly about fighting for a cure is that skin cancer runs in my family and I recently had two spots removed that came back with early stages of melanoma. GRR! I'm actually going back to the dermatologist tomorrow for a follow up. They have to dig out more of the area to get rid of all the bad cells and then stitch me up - twice! It'll probably be a little uncomfortable for a few days (and post-pone my training for a week or so), BUT at least it was detected early enough.

At 27, it really shakes you up when you hear you have cancer. It's one of those things you think won't happen to you until your older. Boy was I wrong. This nasty little thing called cancer is real and happens to anyone - of any age, gender or color - despite how "healthy" you may think you are.

The Susan G. Komen 3-day is for breast cancer, I know (I sometimes get a little off track when I get fired up). Thankfully, I haven't lost anyone to this type of cancer, but with a track record of 1 and 8 women in the U.S. being diagnosed with breast cancer, too many of us are all too familiar. It's time to change that and my hope is that if we find a cure for one type of cancer... it can help to find cures for others too!