Countdown: 8 Weeks!!

2 months to go!!! To some, it may seem like a ways off but for a gal preparing to walk 60 miles it sounds like tomorrow! I'm on with the training. I'm achy all of the time and my right foot is still bothering but I'm doing it. Thanks to all of you dear people (and YOU know who you are) my fundraising is almost done! I've only $175 more to go to meet the committed amount needed to walk which is $2200. My young nephew has weekly chores that he does for an ederly women in his neighborhood and he gave his earnings to me for my walk. What an example he is. Thank you Jordan!

I'll take two walks tomorrow to equal 11 miles and on Sunday, I am meeting some other fellow walkers in Solana Beach for a 15 mile. I'm excited. I don't know any of them but that's ok. Last weekend was the 3-day expo and I did a 10 mile walk at 6:30 am with hundreds of women. I did not know a one which was a little hard but being the friendly gal that I am, I managed to strike up a few conversations. When I first arrived I almost cried - it felt so lonely. Sure wish I was doing this with one of you!

Here is the training schedule for next week. It is emailed to me every week. Some of you may benefit from the tips below for your next walk around the block.

Your Training Schedule for This Week:
Monday Rest
Tuesday 4 milesEasy walking
Wednesday 30 minutesModerate cross-training
Thursday 5 milesModerate walking
Friday 45 minutes Easy cross-training
Saturday 15 miles Easy walking HOW CAN THEY SAY 15 MILES OF EASY WALKING? ;)
Sunday 11 miles Easy walking

Training Tip of the Week: Walking Technique
I know what you’re thinking. How hard can this be? Everyone knows how to walk. But, when you are walking 60 miles, technique can be the key to preventing injury and increasing your walking speed.

Four common walking errors:
Staring at the ground: Keeping your head down and shoulders slouched can lead to tightness and fatigue in the upper back, neck and shoulders. Focus your gaze off at the horizon and not down at your feet or the ground just in front of you. This will tend to pull your whole body more upright. Pull your shoulders back and chest forward.

Taking an extra long stride: This can lead to sore shins, tightness in the back of the thighs (hamstrings) and a jarring thud with every step. Try rolling, not bouncing, from one stride to the next. Try to put your foot down as fast as you can. Don’t reach for the longest possible stride. Feel you body glide along the ground and try not to let your heels slam into the ground on each step.
Chicken wings: Elbows flailing out to the sides with each arm swing can cause neck, shoulder and upper back pain. Feel your thumb rub the waistband of your pants as your hand swings back and then stop it there. Don’t let it swing any further back. Imagine trying to elbow the walker directly behind you. Don’t let your hips have an exaggerated side-to-side sway.

Hyperextending your back: Excessive arch in the low back can cause tightness in the lower back and upper gluteal (buttock) muscles. Keep your rear end tucked underneath you by gently pulling your navel into your spine and flattening your stomach.

Why We Walk

Breast Cancer Facts:

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.

One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.

An estimated 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2008.

Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors.

African Americans have the highest death rate from breast cancer of any racial/ethnic group in the United States.

Without a cure, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer - a devastating disease with physical, emotional, psychological and financial pain that can last a lifetime.

Without a cure, an estimated 5 million Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer - and more than 1 million could die - over the next 25 years.

Breast Cancer 3-Day Facts :

The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. Participants make a commitment to meet an individual fundraising goal of $2,200 and spend several months training to prepare for the event. They devote the entire three-day weekend to the cause.

Since its inception in 2003, more than $220 million has been raised through Breast Cancer 3-Day donations, contributions and sponsorships.

In 2006, the Breast Cancer 3-Day raised $86 million through donations, contributions and sponsorships. Of that, more than $61 million, representing 71% of funds raised, was invested in breast cancer research, education, and community outreach in 2006. The 71% return to charity exceeds the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Standards for Charity Accountability: www.give.org.

Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers travel an average of 20 miles a day during the event. Participants are provided meals, snacks, drinks, shower facilities, tents, safety guidelines and 24-hour medical support - all resources needed for a safe and memorable experience. A crew of volunteers spends the entire weekend with walkers and staff to make the event possible.

The 2008 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series includes events in:
Chicago (Aug. 8-10)
Boston (Aug. 15-17)
Cleveland (Aug. 22-24)
San Francisco Bay Area (Sept. 5-7)
Seattle (Sept. 12-14)
Twin Cities (Sept. 19-21)
Michigan (Sept. 26-28)
Washington, DC (Oct. 3-5)
Philadelphia (Oct. 17-19)
Atlanta (Oct. 24-26)
Tampa Bay (Oct. 31-Nov. 2)
Dallas/Fort Worth (Nov. 7-9)
Arizona (Nov. 14-16)
San Diego (Nov. 21-23)

Breast Cancer 3-Day Beneficiaries:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1.877.GO KOMEN.

National Philanthropic Trust
Fifteen percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, a special field of interest fund that will provide support for breast cancer initiatives including research, treatment, prevention and education. The NPT Breast Cancer Fund is an endowment, which will ensure that the cause receives long-term, continuing support irrespective of gifting activities in years to come.

National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), the event manager, is an independent public charity dedicated to promoting and facilitating charitable giving by individuals, families and organizations while expanding their knowledge in the field of philanthropy.

Founded in 1996, NPT is one of the 100 largest charities in the United States with more than $675 million in assets under management. Since its inception, NPT has raised more than $1.2 billion in charitable assets, and made more than 22,500 grants to U.S. and international charities totaling $650 million. Led by a national board of trustees and a team of professionals with more than 100 years of combined philanthropic experience, NPT has proven expertise in the stewardship of charitable donations. For more information, visit www.nptrust.org.

$100

Interesting how things turn out. I decided to attend a 10:30 class at the gym at work only to find the doors locked and no one around. Since I was already dressed, I hit the path towards Torrey Pines State Park. (I am so blessed to work in one of the most beautiful places in the world.) About a mile into the walk, I stopped to stretch on a rail outlining the infamous Torrey Pines Golf Course. As I was stretching, I was bummed to see how someone had thrown their fast food wrappers on the ground. I then spotted a $100 bill! I quickly hopped over the railing and grabbed it. I somewhat expected to see a candid camera around. It didn't look real but I hung on to it for my 2 hour walk. I think it's real.

I remember loaning a friend a $100 when I hardly had a dime to my name. She was a single Mom as well and our kids went to the same pre-school. I was living with my Mother at the time. She told me she had no food or gas and I loaned her the $100. I used to wonder why she didn't pay it back even though she went on to become a nurse. I was usually curious about this when I was trying to pay the monthly bills. I know, now, that when you loan someone money, I must consider it a gift. I've been given many "gifts" in my time. Once, my dear friend/co-worker, whom I've recently reconnected with "loaned" me quite a few bills when I was having a hard time. I never asked for it - she probably just got tired of hearing me stress about how in the heck I was going to pay for my kid's school and some unexpected bill. An evelope showed up on my keyboard one morning with a note saying "no questions asked". I never paid her back and she wouldn't except it if I tried. I'll be buying her lunch till the day I die.

Times eventually improved for me financially yet were still tight when I went grocery shopping one afternoon for my Mom. This was early in her cancer diagnosis - "Nancy, go in the hall closet and get a $100 bill out of the light blue duster's pocket". (A duster is a lightweight robe). Mom had a way with stashing her money. While in Von's, I lost the $100. I was just sick! How in the world did I lose it?Today, my sister said the find was a gift from Mom - a little gift from Heaven.

Today's little find came at a good time as I've been a little stressed about raising $2200. I'm getting close but it certainly is the hardest part of the walk. At the same time, I've been blown away by how people have been so generous - a $100 dollars at a time. The money I found today will go towards my goal.

Did you know that the average cost for a mammogram nationwide is $125.

Facts That Might Surprise You

Only 1 out of 10 breast cancers has a known inherited genetic link.

Nine out of 10 breast cancer cases can be triggered and/or promoted by unhealthy lifestyle factors and environmental exposures including:
* obesity
* lack of exercise
* smoking
* alcohol consumption
* Unhealthy chemicals consumed through eating, drinking (many plastic containers used in packaged food and drinks can be harmful), breathing, and using personal care products (including certain hair care products such as relaxers).

During the 10 years of breast development, a girl’s food, water, beverages, and air are the building blocks of their new breast tissue — the foundation of their future breast health.

GOING PINK

Changing the spirit of the blog while I'm training for the 3 day. I'm also going to turn my comments back on as I welcome your support. Gotta love that pink!

Don't be surprised if I also throw a little politics your way as well. GO OBAMA!!!

Thank you so much for all of your support during this journey. The training is harder than I thought as I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot. Time is an issue; it takes many weekend hours to walk the distance.

Why I am Walking:

I'm walking for my Aunt Sandra who has had the best attitude during her fight with cancer. Sandra and I have become very close since my Mother's passing. She's a survivor, for sure. Love you Sandra!

I'm walking for a co-worker, Katy that doesn't let anything or anybody get in her way.

I'm walking for Genette from Sequim, WA who has fought and won her battle with breast cancer TWICE. I met her while on vacation to WA. She has a great sprit - a solid women who is involved in her children and grandchildren's lives. She reminded me of my Mom.

I'm walking for my Aunt Francis who is no longer with us.

I am walking for my daughter and our future generations; that they may have a world free of breast cancer.

Love you!

Nancy

Lake Crescent

My buddy, Linda, was kind enough to take me to lunch at The Lodge at Lake Crescent in Washington when I visited last month. Lake Crescent resides in the Olympic National Park. Did you even know there was an Olympic National Park?

JL and I have reservations to stay in the Roosevelt cabins (with our own fireplace, thank you) for Labor Day, 2010. The reservationist was shocked they had a reservation; must have had a cancellation. Lucky us!

Wire Sculptures by Ruth Asawa

We visited a small portion of the Di Young Museum in Golden Gate Park this weekend and came across these stunning wire scuptures by Ruth Asawa. They were beautiful with the light casting such interesting shadows on the concrete walls.

Ruth Asawa is an American artist, who is nationally recognized for her wire sculpture, public commissions, and her activism in education and the arts. In San Francisco, she has been called the "fountain lady" because so many of her fountains are on public view. In her website, you can learn about her life, her work, and her development as an artist.