So what did you do this weekend?

Typical early week conversation between two friends...

'So what did you do this weekend?'

'Went to the movies....cleaned up the house a little...ran errands. You?'

'Walked 33 miles. My feet hurt. But otherwise I'm good.'

So the latter answer is pretty much my life right now. One my friends this weekend said her husband has been extremely supportive of her preparation for the 60 mile walk, but just said that he 'wants their life back.' I'm in touch with that emotion. Right about this time during the training, I usually ask myself why I'm doing this...again? And then I remember...breast cancer...and then I promise myself that I'll crew instead of walk next year.

This weekend I organized a Back to Back training weekend for North Carolina Breast Cancer 3-Day participants. Over 30 people attended one or both days, which included lunch, volunteer supported pit stops with food, water and Gatorade, lots of maps and trekking in VERY hot weather.

I think those who participated found out a little more about what to expect on the event, how to pack and how to prepare in the remaining month to go before we walk. One person swept and one voluntary trip to the urgent care for a sprain or foot problem. Not bad overall! At least we'll all have a few more familiar faces to see when we're in Atlanta!

Our Atlanta's Asphalt Angels team was finally able to come together! All but two members met up....it's exciting to have such a spontaneously formed team of 8. One great benefit of the 3-day....new friends!

This week the Mebane Enterprise published a front page article about my participation. I was sort of hoping for a random donation or two to come in.....so far, nothing. Talk about underwhelming.

The other big thing in my life right now, besides my job, my family, the 3-Day and others, is Mebane on the Move. A Mebane Women's Club healthy living initiative, the inaugural event is September 22nd. Somehow I ended up as a sort of unofficial race director for th 5K. The day will include an 8am 5K run, 9am family fun run / walk and an 8am - 1pm healthy living expo. Pretty cool for our town but I will be very relieved when it is over. There are just not enough hours in the day right now!

Summer Update: Travel, Work and the 3-Day

With the passing of the 4th of July, it occurs that I have not updated my blog! So here is the summer update:

Travel - LOTS! For work at least. W and I spent most of June switching cars at the airport, with his attendance at three different sports psychology, sports medicine or education conferences and my trips to California, Florida, Connecticut and Montana. We did have a chance to spend Memorial Day in Newport for the Bixby Family Reunion and to visit old friends and members of our bridal party. So we have actually been somewhere fun this summer. Our thanks to Sousa and Canning for allowing us to crash at their respective homes during our visit. While in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island areas, we hung out in downtown Newport, saw a polo match, caught up with Tanis & George, saw Paul, Colleen and Mary and had lots of other fun adventures.

My other summer travel involved attending my cousin Laurel's high school graduation party. I can't believe she's heading off to college. She was born on my birthday around 18 years ago!!! I feel old.

July will see visits to St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and somewhere in Ohio. Hopefully sometime in August we'll be able to visit my parents in Annapolis and see our nieces and my brother and sister-in-law, as well as see some old friends in DC and do some kayaking.

Work - not much to report from my end except for the above travel. All still going well. W just finished his summer online class and is spending the rest of the summer on research, his bike and his golf game. We can't all be teachers.

The 3-Day - Training is in full swing with my activities as an official Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Walk Leader taking up a significant portion of my free time. Training this year is far different from 2002 and 2005. In Washington DC I led a group of about 25 regular walkers who were all participating in the local event. In Lubbock my training was solitary and painful as it comprised of flat, windy West Texas roads. Here I am with a group of usually 5-13 walkers all participating in different 3-Days across the country, ranging from Boston in less than a month to San Diego in November! It is wonderful to train with a group again. While the speed is slower than normal for me, the time goes much faster. And I'm meeting some wonderful women (and men) along the journey. We walk regularly on the American Tobacco Trail in Durham and around the Carrboro and Chapel Hill areas. So far this week I'm up to 32 miles.

Fundraising is a bit different this year as it is the first time that it has not coincided with my holiday cards. I always thought that fundraising would be slower around Christmas or Hannukah with all of the money spent for presents and general time obligations. But perhaps around that time people want things off of their list and feel obligated to be generous at the holidays. This year the fundraising is going much slower. Many friends keep asking...when is your walk again? What is the deadline? Despite the slow pace, due to the generosity of friends, family and colleages, I'm up to about $1200. Near to my required $2200 to participate but barely 25% of the way towards my personal goal. I am hosting a fundraiser at Top of the Hill in Chapel Hill on Tuesday the 31st of July. Hopefully the $1 from every charity beer and soda ordered all day will help me get a little closer to my goal. Also the matched donations from my company won't clear until the middle of August, so I have no idea how much that has raised. I estimate at least another 300 dollars. If you want to help raise fund for breast cancer education, prevention, research and support through Susan G. Komen for the Cure, please click the link below to donate online or come to the fundraiser on the 31st and order the charity beer!

Hope your summer is going well. More news and updates later!

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