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