”Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” ~Christopher Reeve

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, remember to honor those currently battling the disease and all who have survived the fight against breast cancer. Be inspired by their strength and determination. Let’s also remember those lost to this horrible disease and extend our thoughts and prayers to their families.

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. We must continue our support of those who are living with this disease while continuing to work toward a cure. 

”If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.” - Buddhist Proverb

Five weeks and counting…

My weekend training walks have crossed over to double digits and will stay that way until the walk. The heat was a major factor when I completed my first ten-mile walk on August 2nd and those conditions stayed for almost a month. Recently we’ve enjoyed lower temperatures in the Dallas Fort Worth area. This has been a plus as I’ve gone on to complete 14 and 10-mile training walks on back-to-back days.

As the walks have gradually increased in distance I’ve dealt with foot discomfort. From arch supports, blisters, calluses and swelling I’m learning a lot about my feet. I’ve also learned a long soak in ice water followed by a warm Epsom salt footbath feels fantastic.

At my last calculation I’ve walked a total of 430+ training miles. That’s like walking from my house to Jackson, Mississippi!

Drinking Enough — Always A Factor:

First, I dealt with finding the right apparel to wear for 20+ miles, and then it was the quest to find the correct socks and shoes. Next, I tried several sports drinks and electrolyte replacements. My lates

t challenge, finding the right drinking vessel. Over the course of seven months I’ve gone from a plain and simple 16 oz. drinking bottle, to a sports type bottle, to purchasing a 750ml Camelbak “Better Bottle.” All along the size of the bottles kept increasing. Being able to carry enough water while training during the hot summer months became a concern.

Finally, the fanny pack and drink bottles were abandoned for a Camelbak hydration backpack. Now I can carry 70 oz. of water without refilling. It’s fantastic!

Blisters — So Small, Yet So Mighty

Blisters were a small problem at the start of my training as my feet adjusted. I never thought after walking over 400 miles I would face this problem again. Now only five weeks before the 3-Day and I’m dealing with blisters once again.

I’ve used everything from Moleskin, Body Glide, Blister Shield, Duct Tape, Toe Caps and Band-aid for blisters. Hopefully, I can put this problem to rest very soon.

Our team of ten walkers and two volunteer crew are certainly not one of the larger teams walking in the DFW Breast Cancer 3-Day, but we are making an impression. Saralyn Carrillo, the Dallas Fort Worth Breast Cancer 3-Day Field Coordinator, recently contacted me. Over a cup of coffee Saralyn and I talked about the Steppin’ Fors and my experience as a team captain.

She acknowledged that The Steppin’ Fors came to her attention due to our successful fund-raising and our brief stay in the “Top 10″ fund-raising teams in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

We discussed all of our fund-raising, such as car hopping at Sonic, our successful garage sale, candle sales, bath salts and other individual fund-raising. She was impressed with all our efforts.

Following our meeting Saralyn emailed me asking if I would consider carrying one of the “honor” flags during the opening and closing ceremonies. Extremely excited and honored I immediately replied, “Yes!”

Thoroughly emersed in the pre 3-Day experience of training, fundraising and noticing everything PINK, it was only natural for me to find a creative outlet in it all. It all started with one pink ribbon t-shirt design for my CafePress online store. Then while designing a button for the team’s Sonic fundraiser I was bitten by the Pink Fever. One button design turned into ten, then twenty and now I have created over 60 designs. Several of the designs showcase the Breast Cancer 3-Day, our passion and our unique sense of humor, while still promoting breast cancer awareness. Some offer messages of “Hope” and celebrate life with “Not Just Surviving, Thriving!” Others put it bluntly, “Cancer Sucks!”

Buttons are quite popular with 3-Day walkers as fundraising tools and tokens of appreciation for their supporters. Now in our spare time Gail and I make buttons for 3-Day walkers around the country. You can view all of the designs by clicking here.

While preparing for our team fundraising and community events the team realized we required a unified look. We decided upon tie-dyed team shirts. After much research, videos on YouTube.com, helpful tips from another 3-Dayer in Georgia, and many trips to Hobby Lobby….SUCCESS!

I’m now the proud owner of three PINK tie-dyed shirts. Yeah, I know I got a bit carried away.

I’m maintaining a steady training pace in preparation for the 3-Day’s prepared 24-week training schedule which begins for me on May 23.

To date, I’ve walked an accumulated total of 96.7 miles during training.

Here are a few photos from my team training walks: 

Back in October 2007, I participated in the DFW Breast Cancer 3-Day as part of the all-volunteer crew. It was an amazing, life changing experience.

During those three days I made a commitment to participate in the 2008 3-day, but this time as a walker. I wanted to experience it all again — the fellowship, the joy, the tears, etc., but from a different perspective. Not only was I seeking the 3-day experience, but the personal challenge that comes with being a walker.

Since October life has changed a lot. For one thing…. I’m looking at “pink” in a whole new way.

Another change is this blog. Blogging is sooo NOT me. Personally I don’t require a forum for my thoughts, happenings, and life in general, but after much consideration I think this is a year worth documenting.

A bigger change is the new friends I have made. During the 2007 3-Day I had the opportunity to crew with some amazing individuals. Following that experience six of us joined together to form our walking team, The Steppin’ Fors. We selected this team name because; we are each steppin’ for many different reasons such as a family member or friend’s life cut short. Some are steppin’ so their daughters and granddaughters will know a life without breast cancer. Together we’re all steppin’ because everyone deserves a lifetime, long and full.

So to all the brave readers out there I invite you to join me on this journey in the spirit of healing, hope and love as I share with you my progress, challenges, fun times, team events, etc.