First OFFICIAL 10 Mile Training Walk as a TWL

We did it! Stacie, Trina, Jenny, myself and Rachel C. walked 10.3 miles in less than 3 hours this past Saturday. I had a map and route printed out for everyone because Trina likes to speed walk and I assumed she would leave me in the dust. After everyone signed in and stretched, we began our 10 mile walk up Airport Rd which is elevated. Not sure how steep the hill is but when you haven't been training with hills, it can surely slow you down. Read my words: Include hills in your training

Somewhere around mile marker 5, Trina needed to buy another drink. So Rachel, myself and Stacie continued walking knowing that Jenny and Trina would catch up soon. At mile marker 8, Trina called and asked where we were. They should have been with us at this point but they missed a turn at 6.5 miles and then went up a steep hill that wasn't necessary. Finally just as we were almost at the end, we see them coming along behind us. We did it! Way to go girls!

Moral of the story: Maps are provided for a reason :)

Pink for Life is at 62% of our goal. Will you help us reach our goal? Click here to donate.

Only 22 weeks until the event!

My boss in on vacation and I took advantage of it :) I went on a 5 mile training walk during lunch today with my new camelbak waist pack. I love it! It wasn't riding up my hip and the bottles did not hit my arms as I walked. Very comfortable!

My team just completed a few fundraisers and we have 3 or 4 of us that have now met our minimum requirement. We had Dining for the Cure on the 11th at Schlotzsky's (still not sure on the total $), Penny Wars ($1,840.26) and our first car wash ($338). 

Our team is now at 59% but we still need your help. Donate to one of our team members today! Click here

Ready for Anything

well almost! I am so excited about my new Camelbak waist pack. It has two 22oz water bottles, a zipper pouch for ID, pouch for my phone and a zipper pouch for socks, band-aids, etc. I tried it on and walked around the yard with it on but didn't fill the water bottles. I can't wait to try it out on a training walk.

Kylie loves it too! She had to put it on for a photo!

Just so you know, in case you didn't already, I will be walking 60 miles in 3 days and it requires training. Training includes walking, cross-training and learning how much to drink and eat while training. Each person is different and not all training plans will work for everyone. This is why training is SO important. Walking on a treadmill is not the same as walking on pavement, asphalt, gravel and other surfaces. Be sure to include hills, inclines and DO step up on the curbs. Your body will thank you at the end of Day 1.

Take water, sports drinks and snacks on your walk. If you don't, you will not do it at the event and might find yourself needing the medical staff. I want to see all of my teammates finish mile 60 together!

Pink for Life has almost reached 60% of our goal ($17,500). Would you consider donating to one of my team members? Click here

Thanks for all of your support! I am truly honored to be walking for all those listed on my page. Each time I meet a survivor and hear their story, it makes me cry. Guess I should make sure my new waist pack can hold lots of tissues :)

WARNING: Dates on calendar are closer than they appear

WARNING: Dates on calendar are closer than they appear. This was posted by a twitter friend and it is so true. Today is only 164 until the 3 Day event in Atlanta.

I'm not worried about the money as I'm almost to my minimum. I'm a little concerned about how to get all the training and team fund raising completed while still being a mom of four kids. I have one graduating this year and a rising senior that are requiring a lot of my time as well right now. I consider myself to have excellent time management and organizational skills and this 3 Day event is putting my skills to the test.

Seriously! How do you maintain your sanity while keeping your household in order AND do everything that is required of us for proper training?

I've tried telling myself to just breathe and everything will be ok but it's not working :(

Any experienced team captains/walkers with advice?

Signed,
Busy mom of four - ages 18, 17, 7 and 4
Team Captain
Training Walk Leader
Sunday School Teacher
PTA Chairperson - Field Day and Reflections 2010-2011

Pinko de Mayo Update

Honor the women in your life (mother, sister, daughter, friend, grandmother, sister-in-law) this May with a donation to Susan G. Komen on my behalf. I will not sit back while breast cancer robs another grandmother the chance of seeing her grandchildren grow up or prevents best friends from growing old together. Don’t delay. Click today! http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk  Help me reach my goal of $2500 by July 2.

The picture below is one of the last times my children got to see their great-grandmother. She never got to see what a beautiful young woman my daughter has become. She never got to see my son become a mature young man that wants to serve our country. She never got to see my youngest daughter play t-ball, soccer or watch her at tumbling practice. She never got to see the mischievous things that my 4 year old son can get into.

So far I've raised $2090 - only $410 to reach my goal! Currently I am at 80% and my team is at 48% of our goal. A HUGE thank you to those of you who have already donated!

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. http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk  

If you can’t donate financially, there are other ways to help. Please email  and I will pass along the information.

 

Pink for Life consists of eight women from Huntsville and Harvest and we have room for you if you’d like to join. Use code MAY2010 until midnight May 9 to receive $20 off registration. Register by calling 1-800-996-3329 or online.

Pink for Life is busy planning/scheduling several fundraisers and would greatly appreciate your continued support. You can follow us on facebook and keep track of all our events from the events tab http://facebook.com/teampinkforlife

Ø       April 26 – May 14 – Penny Wars at Mtn. Gap Elementary – Week 1 resulted in $1,030.23

Ø       May 11 – Schlotzsky’s both Huntsville locations will donate a percentage of sales ALL day to Pink for Life if you wear pink or mention Pink for Life.

Ø       May 15 – Car wash at CVS on Cecil Ashburn Dr 10am – 2pm (donations accepted)

Ø       May 20 – Nothing But Noodle’s both Huntsville locations will donate a percentage of sales ALL day to Pink for Life if you wear pink or mention Pink for Life.

Ø       May 25 – Five Guys Burgers and Fries both Huntsville locations will donate a percentage of sales ALL day to Pink for Life if you wear pink or mention Pink for Life.

Ø       July 9 – Shop for the Cure at Trinity United Methodist Church on Airport Rd 5pm – 8pm

Other ongoing fundraisers:

Ø       Pink for Life items are now available for purchase in our store. http://cafepress.com/pinkforlife (I have the beach tote bag and mini buttons if you’d like to see)

Ø       I have also partnered with sewgirlie.com and they offer some fantastic items for baby showers, birthdays, Mother’s Day and graduation. Please look at their site and at checkout put code “Klueger” in the comments section and they will donate 10% (before shipping) to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure on my behalf.

Ø       I currently have an online Pampered Chef Party for the month of May and the host will donate 25% of her profits to Susan G. Komen on my behalf. Pampered Chef has new limited edition products featured that are PINK to help Whip Cancer and $1 goes to the American Cancer Society.                            http://www.pamperedchef.biz/shankomp?page=host-search-results&showId=2596297

Ø       We also have our team t-shirts for sale. Adult sizes are $15 and youth sizes are $10. Email me if you would like to purchase one. 

Pink for Life will be participating in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure in Atlanta, October 22-24. You are invited to attend the closing ceremony on Sunday, October 24 to experience the most unforgettable time of your life, especially if someone you know has been affected by breast cancer.

If you made a donation in honor or memory of someone, you can see the names on my personal donation page http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk  and my personal blog http://tammyk3day.blogspot.com. The names of these individuals will also be on the back of my 3 Day credential as I walk each mile.

Thank you for your support!

Penny Wars Amazing Response

This past week was week one of Penny Wars at my daughter's elementary school. The principal had told me not to expect much but I told her a penny was more than nothing. There are 17 classrooms kindergarten through 5th grade with 350 students. I stopped by the school every morning and was amazed at all the money the kids were donating. Friday while my teammate, Stacie, and I were collecting the money, one of the teachers told us she was a 13 year survivor and thanked us for what we were doing.

This little girl brought in at least $40 this week and her class has the most money donated with a total of $149.39.

Today, while at the credit union, I learned that one of the employees is a four year survivor. Every time someone tells me they are a survivor or know someone who is (or has died from breast cancer), I get choked up. I can't imagine what emotions one goes through when they get the diagnosis.

The teacher and the credit union employee have been added to the long list of survivors that I will walk in honor of. Breast cancer research is working and extending the lives of so many. Every dollar makes a difference and it is greatly appreciated!

Thank you Mtn.Gap Elementary students for raising $1,030.23 in week 1 of Penny Wars!