Night before...

It's the night before the big walk and I'm excited and nervous. The bag is packed, all 25 lbs worth! Limit is 35 lbs... I might be up to 28-30... I added more stuff. Yep... gotta decorate the tent ya' know!

I'm excited to walk with my friends and team and to meet other people. I'm nervous - hoping that all the training I did is enough and that I packed all the right stuff and that I can make it! And I hope I can sleep!

I have to be up at Rayanna's by 4:45 and then to the start so I'm off to bed.

Cheers and Good night.
Joyann

Thanks!!

My thoughts

I'm grateful to all of you for your friendship and support. I'm grateful for this place I'm at in my life and I'm grateful for this experience. It has been fun and also difficult.

I've felt alone and then felt very much surrounded by all of you.

I've felt ecstatic and then completely deflated and discouraged.

I've walked when it was hot (ayeyayeyaye!!) and walked in downpour and been completely drenched - every inch thank you!

I've enjoyed my quiet time alone walking and hated my quiet time alone walking.

I've regretted signing up for this and I've really appreciated that I signed up.

I've spent more money on socks than I have in my entire life and realized the importance of body glide and vaseline on feet - YEAH NO BLISTERS!!

I've thought about the people that have had to fight cancer and I've thought about those that haven't.

I've thought about pain that others go through. Physical and emotional. And I've thought about some of my own.

And after all of this I am so glad I'm doing this. I don't have cancer and I don't know what that kind of pain is like. But I do know what it is like to be alone and to hurt and to be afraid of the future and to fight for something you want and love.

I walk for you. I walk for me. I walk for the people I love. I walk to show myself and others that there is hope for whatever it is you go through. Whether it is a life threatening disease or something else. Thank you for this experience. Thank you for the phenomenal friends and family that enrich my life. You each make my life so much more. Thank you for all your support and laughs and hugs.

Love,
Joyann

Almost there

August 25th - 22 miles. Five miles in the morning with hills and a little rain on the roads near home. I was having a bad day so grabbed breakfast with a friend, and decided to keep going... did 6 laps around Green Lake. Emily - it was nice to meet you!! Lap two was much easier!! After lap six though I went home and curled up on the couch. That was brutal! And I have 3 days to do on the walk!!! Rut-Roh...

August 26th - sick
August 28th - Bus to work (total of 2 miles rt for the day to and from work to the bus) and 2-3 miles at lunch.
Kind of slacking this week. I've been run down and sick. And a tad bit whiny... alright Sherri... maybe MORE than a tad bit!! :-)
September 1 - Walked 2 hours 10 minutes in Boise, ID.
September 2 - Walked 3 hours 15 minutes... on my birthday... and yes - I'm 19 again. NOT! Although we did go country dancing... THAT should count as mileage. Although, I have to ask - if you have free dance lessons for country dancing... wouldn't it make sense to continue to play country music? Ohh no... this Country bar had free Country dance lessons and then played hip hop and 80's!! Hilarious! Yes - I had a fabulous birthday and danced my butt off... again!! Last year I was dancing in a club in India. This year I was dancin' with my siblings in Idaho! Lots of fun. Thanks for the great day and of course the drinks!

September 3 - day off and gathering everything together to pack. I'm nervous but excited to finish. I'm looking forward to walking with all of the phenomenal women I'm with and met. I'm looking forward to cheering for survivors of Breast Cancer and supporting the great people we are walking for. I'm looking forward to seeing how I do after all this training. AND I'm definitely looking forward to finishing!

Blame it on the rain...

Update on the training...
Aug 11 - 4 miles - fighting a cold bug.
Sunday, Aug 12 - 18 miles - 11.5 to work, 3.5 from work to bus, bus from kirkland to bothell and then 3 miles home. Might I add... Juanita hill is a LOT easier walking than it ever was on the bike! :-)
Monday - day off!
Tuesday - 3 miles at lunch, 3 miles after work at Greenlake. Natasha - fabulous company and really great food! Did the left overs make it home? Heh heh heh !!!
Wednesday - treadmill 2 miles running
Thursday - nada
Friday - nada
Saturday, Aug 18 - 12.5 miles hills and bad roads without shoulders. Walked from Kenmore to 196th street (Lynnwood) and back. Too much traffic. Just over 4 hours from 12:15 - 4:30 ? It was gorgeous - got to work on the tan, but should probably walk earlier in the day! Seem to be fighting a bug too (?). Probably my most difficult day walking yet - mentally and physically - I didn't want to go and really didn't feel up to it but now it's done and it felt great. But... can I sleep yet?
Sunday - 15 miles of flat Burke Gilman and rain. Did I mention the rain? Not the typical Seattle drizzle - there was a little of that but primarily heavy rain. 4 hours, 20 minutes. And proud of it. Hey - no blisters!! THAT is something to be proud of - especially since the socks were soaked for 4 hours straight! I did not have a dry spot on me! All I have to say is - THANK YOU to the parks n rec people for putting in warm air hand dryers in the Woodinville Wilmot Gateway park. And thank goodness for zip lock freezer bags! Yes, it is the small things in life that make the day! And the bearded bird I saw. River was full and muddy and the Little Bear creek was no little stream today! Cheers to the athletes that were training for marathons and riding today. I met three other 3-Day walkers out today. Cheers. And cheers too to the dedicated dog walkers! You all rock. I love the smiles of the people sharing the trail.

So tonight I'm dog tired and sick with that cold that refused to die all week. Time for the advil! Not sure I'm liking this walking thing! :-) Ahh well - after I'm done whining it will all be worth it, right? It's for a good cause and I'll feel better in a couple days. Just in time to push it again. Besides it's nothing compared to what cancer patients have to go through. So here's to you my friends.

To the friends that push me -
Thanks for the push and the kick in the butt - you now who you are. Cough. Sally. :-)
Congrats to my friend Sally on her Tiger mountain run. Keep reaching gal. I'm tryin' to keep up! Oh wait - you're tired? Yeah right!! Way to go on the training. No walls or bumps are gonna slow you down!
To Ray and his entourage - congrats on finishing the album. And September Sky will be available soon for those that don't know Ray. Check out his website... http://www.raymondhayden.com/index.shtml Ray's a talented song writer, musician and friend.
And Duxworth? AYYEEEE. How do I even begin to respond!
To Lori and her MalonEQ - you can host like no one!
Mike and Chris - I love your laughs!
Charmell - congrats woman! You just keep growing and inspiring me!
Natasha - fabulous woman! We are almost there! Walk, wedding, bachelorette party, and soon you will be a MRS!!! Thank God you're keeping your name! :-) Oh wait - Jeff - you didn't hear that! She could change it to Natasha Goodwoman. :-) Apparently I've had a bit much of the sun! Or rain. Hard to say!

I'm walking for each of you and for your loved ones. I'm walking for me and the people I love. And while walking may suck today, it's just a small step towards raising the money and awareness so that tomorrow will be that much closer to finding a cure. That much closer to friends not having to go through chemo or be sick or face the difficult decisions and life changes that cancer brings. We will get there!

Cheers to each of you.

Quote of the day - and yes I realize - that just because I think it's funny doesn't mean the rest of you will, but put it in context with a Hot Dog BBQ put on by some fabulous friends of Sally...

You don't have to be a hot dog to eat a hot dog.

On that note... Cheers to all you HOT dogs out there!

One day...

So I added another 7 miles in today. Between the bus to work and then a couple at lunch (to get lunch) :-) and then about 4 miles from work to a bus stop on the route home... Man that bus looked good driving up! Couldn't pass it up!

Just your personal Jiminy Cricket tellin' ya to get in and get checked!!

Some info on ways to detect breast cancer from the http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm site:

Ages 20-39:
Self exam - monthly
Clinical breast exam - at least every three years

Ages 40 and over:
Self exam - Monthly
Clinical breast exam - every year
Mammogram - every year

And while I'm at it... ladies - if you haven't made that lovely visit to your gynecologist lately - make sure you schedule your appointment. This needs to be an annual visit so if it's been over a year, get your butt in there! The best way to detect any kind of cancer or other problem is to catch it early.

For the ABC's of Breast Cancer, please visit:

http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/TheABCsofBreastCancerGuide/index.htm

Miles

Miles to go before I sleep...

Here's the summary for the week:

7/29/07 - 10 miles on the Burke Gilman - 3 hours 5 minutes from Kenmore to Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville and back. Breakfast was well earned!! Floanna's on Lake City/Bothell Way at about 155th is fabulous for those that love breakfast! Fund raising at Green Lake in the afternoon. Hey - does moving tables count for exercise? Added a half mile or so at the track with Sally. The TIMER IS STILL RUNNING! :-) That one's for you Sally Mae!

7/30/07 - day off (Thank God)!

7/31/07 - 3.5 mile walk at lunch.

8/1/07 - 3.5 mile walk at lunch and softball but somehow being catcher doesn't seem to count! Does the .25 rt walk to Tacos Guaymos count? Had to hit the burritos w/ my bro! Good to see you Dave!

8/2/07 - Sally Mae and I walked about 3+ miles (until dark) on the Burke Gilman.

8/3/07 - Night off... Mick Kelly's pub in Burien for Big Woody and the Clam Diggers! One of my favorite bands! They're the best clams in town! Doh!

8/4/07 - Snoqualmie Falls - gorgeous day and good company. Nice hike Walt! About 3 miles rt from the Snoqualmie Depot to the base of the falls. Oh - and the best pizza is at the Bowling Alley - try the salmon pizza with the marinara sauce. Awesome.

8/5/07 - Hike - somewhere between 3 and 5 miles at Middle Fork Snoqualmie (Exit 34 off I-90) and about 12 miles off the fwy. Lauren you rock! Good job kiddo! Hike a couple more times and you'll be up to kickin' my butt! And you're fun too! Send me some pics will ya? :-)

8/6/07 - Burke Gilman - Kenmore to about 140th/42nd Ave NE (south towards Seattle). 7.1 miles. The dog and I are beat! That's about his max - especially after hiking yesterday. He does love the swim at Log Boom Park though - too bad he doesn't dry off in the last mile home!

That's about it. Cheers!

Thanks

Today's "walk" was a tad bit more of a workout instead of putting in mileage at Green Lake and the Burke Gilman. Sally, next time you say you need a good workout, remind me that it includes me! You are a fabulous partner in crime and make me push myself. And what was it you said at the top? You were tired? Uh, yeah - I think you forgot that on the push back to the car! Great aerobics on the way up to Dorothy Lake and then a lovely trail run back down the mountain - did I mention aerobics? Mileage for today is about 4.5 miles (4 miles RT to Dorothy Lake plus a bit further) My ankles are DYING and the dog is exhausted. 800+ ft elevation change. 1.25 hr up, 45 min down most of which was trail running and the outdoor version of the stair master!! Thanks Sally! High steppin' what? :-) We hit the trail head at 6:20pm and finished by 8:30. (Skipped the Torch Light parade and hit the mountains instead). One of my absolute favorite places to be. On a trail with a good friend and my dog. What else could I ask for? I have so much to be grateful for.




















Thursday's walk was 3.5 miles at lunch.
Friday - Greater Seattle Insurance Professionals Golf Tournament... 18 holes at Druids Golf Course in Covington ... does that count? I'm counting it! And of course fund raising at Green Lake in the evening.









This picture is from fund raising in Woodinville on the Burke Gilman. Charlene, Jason and Holly - thanks for stopping by!





















A shout out to the individuals at Green Lake (for those of you I've given this blog to) - thank you for your donations and kind words and stories. I've enjoyed meeting each of you and wish you the best. I walk in support and honor and memory of the people you know (and are). Thank you for sharing in this experience. To those that will be walking the 60 Day - I hope to see you on the walk and keep on-keepin' on!! It's so worth all you are going through in training and fund raising if it gets us that much closer to finding a cure.

Cheers and take care,
Joyann

Hi all,

I've been avoiding this blog for the last week. My mileage isn't where it should be and I'm realizing that the big walk is only 5 - 6 weeks away. My team Hotties for Hooters has been cranking up the mileage and the fund raising. Tara and Lindy hosted a fabulous Texas Hold 'em fund raiser. Ellen T. took the lead on the Green Lake fundraising. Way to go gals! Ellen and I have been working together and separately at the lake, talking to people and giving away water with donations. Ellen and I have also been doing some fund raising at our work by bringing in goodies for $.50 - $1.00 (you know they are good when you buy your own cookies)!! There are actually three of us from my working doing the 3 Day. The third person Sally B. is on a team from the south end. She's done the walk three years in a row now and is very inspiring.

Some of the best experiences I'm having in the training and fund raising is meeting people that are also doing the walk or are saying "thank you" or just want to say hi and see what the big signs are for. I've had someone draw my picture (I might post it later), was invited to join walks with another team that meets at the lake, and have shared some really great conversations. What I love about Green Lake is that most of the people are happy. They inspire me. All the runners and walkers, the mom or dad pushing two kids in a jogging stroller (and running fast I might add), the man with prosthetics walking the lake - looping it at least twice, the 12 year old on her bike who I got to talk to and helped her fix her bike chain... I love the stories of each person. The fabric of peoples' lives is amazing. And then there are the individuals doing the walk or who have survived breast cancer or lost a loved one. One has a team member in chemo, one lost her mom, another is down from Alaska to walk with her team (she trains alone the rest of the time), some have done this for years, some are new... Cheers to all of you. You inspire me. I am glad that I chose to do this. It's challenging both physically and with planning and learning how to do the fund raising and I'm glad that what we're working on is a cure for breast cancer.

The more people I talk to the more I realize just how many people have to fight this disease. My grandmother had a mastectomy a few years ago and treated the whole experience like it was a cold. She's in her mid 90's and survived. Recently, the wife of someone I know was diagnosed. For me, breast cancer has not directly impacted me and to see a family having to deal with this and fight it is difficult and I'm not even in it. I am angry. I can't imagine how they feel. I can't imagine what so many of the survivors and families of survivors and lost ones feel. But that's why I'm doing this. I don't want my daughter to have to face this or lose her to this. I don't want to lose friends to this. I want to help find a cure and help prevent breast cancer. There are so many phenomenal people that get this that shouldn't. I believe we will find a cure.

So here's a sample of some of my training... not quite where it should be but getting there.

7/24 - Walked 3+ miles at lunch with Ellen. Jogged 2.25 miles and walked another mile tonight. My feet are tired!
7/23 - Walked 3.4 miles at lunch and about .5 miles later that evening.
7/21 - Walked Green Lake 2.8 miles.
7/19 - Fund Raising at Green Lake - Thursday nights is Jam Town ... a local drumming group. (I think I got the name right). WAY COOL! I came back from walking and Ellen was playing a drum and jammin'! It's beautiful to listen to.
7/17 - 2 mile run at the track - Sally you're making me push it girl!! 2.5 mile walk in Kirkland - Charmell you rock!
7/16 - Fund Raising at Green Lake (east side of the lake) and once around... 2.8 miles.
7/14 - Walked Green Lake 2.8 miles and did some fund raising over by the Bath House.

So I can't quite remember the schedule for the prior week but I walked about 3 to 5 miles a couple different days and a 2.6 mile jog on the treadmill at work.

Men, Men, Men, Men...

Okay gals, don't get too excited - it's not raining men... Geez! I know! What a bummer!!

I'm just trying to get your attention and set the record straight. Men can get Breast Cancer too.

Ellen and I were at Green Lake doing our donation "camp-out," and a man came by to make a donation and share with us. A male co-worker and friend had died the year before from Breast Cancer. I'm thankful that he shared his story. So in honor of him and his friend, here is some info about Breast Cancer and men.

American Cancer Society:

In 2007 it is estimated that:

• 2,030 cases of invasive breast cancer will be found in men (US).
• 40,910 people will die from breast cancer of which 450 will be men.

Other facts:

• .22% of cancer deaths in men are from breast cancer.
• Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women... but men still get breast cancer!

For those that would like more information on detection, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment please check out the American Cancer Society website:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=28

Joyann

Picture of Ellen at Green Lake, 7/7/07 - Thanks gal!!!

Share your experience

Hi all,

I'm going to change the format a bit here...

Because several of you have been impacted directly by breast cancer - you've either had it or known someone who did - I'd like to hear your stories.

The reason I'm walking is for my friends. Each of you has impacted me significantly. And whether you were "lucky" enough :-) to be there during my really rough stuff or my proud moments or just the regular old fun (work included - hah!), I really value your presence in my life. Each of you is part of the fabric that makes my life great and I am truly grateful for you. Thank you.

So please, share a bit about someone you know or knew or yourself. You can e-mail me or post a comment and I'll add it here to the main blog. Let me know if I it's okay to post names. I just want to hear and share what others have had to go through. Not only the individual who has had breast cancer but also the people around them.

Another piece I'd like to add is different facts about breast cancer. One significant way this walk is great is that it's not only about raising money for the foundation, but it's also about bringing awareness to the community. How much more did our city or community learn just by hosting these walks? How much more did you or I learn? How much are we improving prevention and early detection? AND of course... those walking are getting a little healthy in the meantime, providing great modeling for the younger crowd (kids!) as well as inspiring friends, and getting a chance to push the limits with our own individual goals.

Thank you for sharing this experience with me.

Take care,

Joyann

July 8, 2007 - Mason Lake

Hiked 7.5 miles today with Natasha and Sully. We hiked to Mason Lake (Exit 35 off I-90). The trek is a 2500 elevation gain over 3.4 miles. Then it's off to the next lake, Little Mason Lake. All beautiful! Highly recommend it!

These two pictures are looking south from the trail up to the first ridge.

June 30 - July 7

Hi all,

Training for this week is as follows:

6/30/07 - Walked the dog (1 mile) and then later walked about 2 miles with my friend Walt in the Ballard/Magnolia area.

7/1/07 - Volunteer trail work with WTA at Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail. Okay - so this isn't just walking but it counts! Manual labor!! But a blast! Okay - so maybe 2 miles or more of walking/mild hiking? A lot of laughing and having fun and playing in the dirt!

7/2/07 - Walked 2 miles because I took the bus!! Yeah!! Testing out the bus routes!

7/4/07 - Happy 4th of July! I spent today hiking with my friend Sally on Cold Creek Trail. This is a five mile round trip hike (absolutely beautiful)! that has an elevation gain of 1300 feet over 2 miles and ends at the Pacific Crest Trail. Definitely a repeat. Good company, a good dog, great views and a creek to dip feet in. Perfect life.

7/5/07 - Day off!

7/6/07 - It's Friday! After work a friend and I hiked a trail called "Dirty Harry" off exit 38 (?) on I-90. This is about 4 miles roundtrip with a 1200 elevation gain. Dirty Harry's Balcony has a phenomenal view looking east towards the mountains. We hoofed it up the mountain for a super aerobic workout and then took our time coming down. Okay Sally... you're kickin' my butt gal!!

7/7/07 - Saturday morning training walk with the other Hotties for Hooters! We did 1.5 hours on the Burke Gilman.

Fundraising for today? Ellen and I sat at GreenLake with signs from 1pm - 4pm and gave away bottled water with donations. What a great day to be at the lake!! Sunshine, great people (and people watching) and good company!

GOAL: Get all letters out and blog set up this weekend. Almost there!

7/8/07 - Okay - the plan is a hike with my friend Natasha somewhere in the Snoqualmie area. Round trip plan - 7 miles with 1300 ft elevation gain to a great lake. The dog and I can't wait! Gotta get up early for this one. (Planned to do Snow Lake at Snoqualmie Pass area).

Cheers!

Welcome!

I officially signed up for the 3 Day in April. I've been training by walking 2-3 days a week over the last couple of months, however I wanted to share with you what I'm doing and what my team is doing to prepare for the 3 Day walk, both with both fund raising as well as physically training for it. Besides, for me, if I put it in writing... I'm more accountable for getting my mileage in and having something great to write about!

First off - if you want to join our team - we would love to have you!! It's not too late!!

Second - if you want to contribute financially, please take a look at my website:

http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/joyann

All donations are tax deductible. You are welcome to donate online or to me directly.

Third - if you want to come cheer me on, I would love to see you!! There are cheering stations on the route. The route itself is disclosed about a week or two before the event so if you are going to be there, let me know and I can send you directions. I would really love to have you there!!

Thanks and cheers!
Joyann