August Update

Only 79 days until I walk 60 miles! Now is the time to donate before time slips away from you ;)

Thanks to your generous donations, I've raised $2,726 and I've increased my goal to $5,000! Currently I am at 55% and my team is at 81% of our goal of $23,100. A HUGE thank you to those of you who have already donated! 

I have walked 256 miles blister and injury free and still have 11 weeks until the event. If you’d like to join me and my team on any of our training walks, let me know and I’ll include you on the email invitations.

Six of the seven walkers on my team have reached our minimum of $2,300 in order to participate. However, I am asking my friends and family to consider donating to Jennifer Secrest so she can reach the critical $2,300. This would allow Jennifer to focus on training instead of fundraising. Click here to donate. 

Below are some of the events that have taken place since my last update:

Ø       New Balance Huntsville asked to partner with Pink for Life to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for SGK. Please stop by and thank them for their support of our team and SGK. (New Balance is a national sponsor of Susan G. Komen)

Ø       As part of my cross-training for the 3 Day walk, I joined the No Boundaries running program. I am training to run the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 5k one week prior to walking 60 miles in Atlanta

Ø       Boston and Cleveland have been hosts to thousands of walkers and crew members. Chicago is the next city to host this weekend. You can see inspiring/breathtaking photos from each of these events on Susan G. Komen's 3-Day for the Cure Facebook page.

Ø       Shop for the Cure was held on July 8 and raised over $1,500

Ø       Car Wash for the Cure was held on July 17 and raised $252

Ø       Mary, Lindsey and myself attended the Preview Expo in Atlanta July 24

Keep current on all our events by following Pink for Life on Facebook.
Save the Date
Ø  August 21 - Car Wash for the Cure at CVS Pharmacy on Cecil Ashburn Dr. 10am – 2pm

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.

12 miles or more

This past Saturday, July 3 several of my team members and I met to walk 12 miles at 6am. I mapped a 4 mile loop with stops for potty breaks and water refills with intentions of walking the loop three times. AGAIN Stacie, Trina and Jenny are off to the races and I walked with Mary and her husband Larry.

Within the first few minutes of the walk, we encountered a dead snake much to Mary's dismay :) She squealed and danced a little and tried not to look down again. Along the way, Mary and Larry were picking up trash on the side of the road. Larry even picked up an empty R rated DVD case ;) and quickly dumped it at the end of the first four mile loop. After a quick potty break and a little stretching, I told them that we were at the area that they have heard us talk about (Aldridge Creek Greenway). They were curious since it goes all the way to the Tennessee River. Larry asked how many miles to the river and I said about 8 there and back. So we headed off to Ditto Landing and the TN River.

Once we got to Green Cove Rd, I noticed hundreds of runners. Oh no! I had forgotten the Firecracker 5k started at my church at 8am. We just kept on walking and walking and walking. We reached the end of the Greenway and filled my water bottle up with nice cold water from the cooler thanks to my church :) Larry wanted to keep going so we went to the boat dock area and made the loop. Mary insisted that Larry walk back himself and bring the car to pick her up. Unfortunately, he didn't! We finally made it back to our starting point at 10am. I think total mileage was 13-14.

I guess my body is getting used to the miles as I didn't ache at all after Sunday. I could still feel the last 10 mile walk on the following Wednesday. I'm working on a 5 mile loop 3x with Team Brock 360 for July 31. I will be posting an official training walk and sending invites soon.

10 Miles - again

This past Saturday, June 26th, nine 3 day walkers met in downtown Huntsville for an official 10 mile training walk :) Team Pink for Life was represented by myself, Stacie, Jenny and Trina. Team Brock 360 from Cullman was represented by Lori, Mandy and Karen. Elise drove from Gadsen and Stacey drove from the Nashville area to walk 10 miles.

We met downtown at 7:15, introduced ourselves to each other, stretched and hit the pavement/sidewalks of beautiful downtown Huntsville. Stacie, Trina and Jenny were the engines and took off. We never saw them again until we made the second 5 mile loop in the opposite direction. Karen and Elise (or was it Stacey?) were the caboose.

I didn't do too well on planning bathroom breaks as most places downtown were closed :( I did ask a nice lady pulling weeds if Mandy could use her restroom. She graciously welcomed Mandy inside. I explained to her what we were training for and she wished us luck. Another bathroom stop was the fire station that had moved :( So I decided to try the YMCA and wouldn't you know there was a sign on the door "SORRY NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS". I stepped inside and explained we were training to walk 60 miles in 3 Days and the lady at the desk said, "I did that in 2001. Sure, you can use the restrooms." She gave us a few tips and advice. We visited the restroom (even some of us sat on the child's size toilet) and filled up our water bottles.

At the end of the first 5 mile loop, we went inside the Women's Pavilion to cool off, refill water bottles and potty (again). Remember...Drink, Pee, No IV! Brock 360 had to leave so Stacey, Elise and myself finished the last 5 miles together.

I am honored that these girls drove 1-2 hrs to walk with Pink for Life. I enjoyed listening to their stories about why they are walking and getting to know them all a little better. I want to wish Stacey the very best on her walk in Chicago in 5 weeks. You go girl!

Road ID

Thanks to a great post by Catherine, I have now purchased my own Road ID. No more hassle of keeping up with my driver's license on training walks.

I chose the ankle ID because I felt I would be uncomfortable with it on my wrist after sweating. I gave some serious consideration to the shoe ID but then thought if someone ran over me, then my shoe would most likely be lost. Yeah, call me paranoid!

Thanks Catherine! I used your code and saved $1. Road ID also allows you to choose an organization to give a portion of proceeds at checkout and of course I chose Susan G. Komen (Race for the Cure).

 

Now is your chance to buy your own Road ID and save $1. Coupon Number: ThanksTammy773402 Can be used 20x until July 18. What are you waiting for?

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 :)

Another great training walk

Today I walked Aldridge Creek/Bailey Cove loop which is 4.5 miles. I got shin splints within the first half mile but was able to stretch more and complete the remaining walk with no difficulty. My new shoes and socks did not disappoint me. Hopefully, I can walk again tomorrow as the weather is supposed to be in the low 60's.

This 3 Day walk became a little more personal this week as I had a mass confirmed on my right breast on Tuesday. I had a mammogram and ultrasound Wednesday morning.  My doctor called Wednesday evening and said that she was 100% certain that my results are normal and it is probably an enlarged gland. I can't even begin to tell you how nervous I was waiting for that phone call. Now every mile I walk is for the next person waiting on that phone call.

I mailed two more checks this week and it will bring my total donations to $585. Have you made your donation yet? Together we can find a cure.

http://www.the3day.org/goto/tammyk

Training walk and donation update

Saturday, Jenny and I met at Aldridge Creek Greenway (8am and 30 degrees) and walked what we thought was a little over 5 miles according to my Garmin forerunner. It kept stopping and auto resuming the entire walk. I have no idea why, so I guess I should read the manual and find out why because after I mapped the walk at http://www.mapmywalk.com/ it was actually 6.5 miles. No wonder my calf muscles are sore today.

If you are a female and over the age of 40 or have breast cancer in your family, please schedule your mammogram and perform monthly self-exams. Raising awareness and finding a cure is what this 3 day walk is all about.

I have three checks in the mail to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure and with the online donations, my total is now $510. Only $1990 to reach my goal.

Have you made your donation yet?
http://www.the3day.org/goto/tammyk

Donation update

In a previous post, I noted I was curious as to how long it would take for mailed donations to be recognized. I mailed two donations on Friday and they were posted to my account late yesterday afternoon. I mailed three more donations this afternoon. My donations total $335 to date. Only $2165 to go :)

I am anxious/excited for my training walk on Saturday with my new friends. I'll be sure to post afterwards. It's going to be cold so please keep us in your thoughts.

At the end of the 3 Day, we will have logged more than 645 miles. If that isn't commitment, I don't know what is.

Have you made your donation yet?
http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk