Donate So I Can Walk in the 3-Day
How to Get a 3-Day Walk Injury Before the Walk
Purple Toenails Don't go Well With Pink
In the course of participating in six 3-Day, 60-mile Walks for Breast Cancer , I have had numerous blisters, lost my left. big toenail twice and the right one once. That was before I discovered my MBT Sandals .I thought I left those days behind me. It isn't the 60 miles causing the injury-that's a piece of cake-well perhaps "piece of cake" isn't exactly accurate. But, I found out it is not smart to take a heavy Chinese restaurant door and slam it into your toe. See the evidence.
Today is the 1st day of training in a long time that the weather is supposed to be under 90 degrees. So, I have to go and get a 3-Day-type injury-without the 3-Day!
Help Me Check In for 3-Day
My lovely injury occurred shortly after receiving notification that we can now check in online for the 3-Day. The problem is I have not raised the minimum so I can't check in until I get closer to the minimum of $2,300, where I can afford to cover the difference.
This is the 1st year I didn't have the minimum by the time the online check-in became available. This is also my 1st year walking after leaving Corporate America.
I am hoping some of my former contributors will help even if we no longer do business together - although I am always available for ALL your business writing needs .
So, please, help if you can. You can click on the Donate button on the 3-Day picture in the sidebar. You can access the same button on my business blog Simply stated business .
I need to raise another $1,300. So, if I can get:
- 130 people contributing $10 each
- 65 people contributing $20 each
- 52 people contributing $52 each
- One Sugar Daddy - on no-wait-that's for me
Thank You to All My Contributors!
- Aaron Loring-Davis
- Alan Hamilton Swing
- David Ott
- Debbie Ressler
- Dianne & Steve Wingfield
- Heather Woodruff
- Jan Shapard
- Jeff Whitman
- Joe & Elaine Conway
- Karen Fondaw
- Ken Lautsch
- Kim Lemon
- Laura Wiggins
- Linda Barney
- Lori Widmer
- Marsha Lindbeck
- Rita Wiggins
- Rose Morrison
- Rosemary Lopez
- Terri Parsons
- Vicky Richards
Thank you to all my contributors, many who are repeat contributors, for supporting me in my quest to once more take part in this great event! I really do appreciate it!Also-please remember to send me the names of loved ones you want honored on the Walk. I will proudly wear their names on the 3-Day, 60-mile trek.
Please help and thank you!
Live...Laugh...Love
CathyMiller
Plan B for Training for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk
Things Are Heating Up
I would love to tell you that I'm smoking the trails in training, but it's more like melting. I admit the 90-degree and 100-degree days definitely put me off my training plan.
I am a morning person. I usually hit the keyboard by 6:30 AM. My training plan for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, 60-mile walk for breast cancer, consists of weekday training walks at 3:00 PM. On weekends, I walk in the morning.
So, as a person who HATES heat-I don't care if it's dry, humid or mild - I HATE heat - I quickly stopped my weekday walks. I thought about taking my training walks in the early morning, but that's my most productive work time. As a writer, you go as the words flow.
See my dilemma? Any ideas?
Plan B
I am trying to come up with a Plan B to get some kind of weekday training in during the summer months. What I am thinking about is keeping my early morning walks on weekends.I'll fill in the week with training on my Air Stepper - no, I don't plan on walking on air - unless it's air-conditioned air.
The Air Stepper uses air pumped into flat, long pedals for resistance. Here's a picture - it gives you a much better visual than me trying to describe it. And I call myself a writer!
I guess they're calling it an Air Climber in some circles. Does climbing air take more effort than stepping on air? Hmmmm...
Let the Begging Begin
I want to thank all my contributors for donating so I can participate. Right now, I call them my Sweet Sixteen! I hope it will turn into much bigger numbers.I have to raise a minimum of $2, 300 even to be eligible to walk. I'm way off target.
In my past 6 events, raising the minimum was not a problem because 1) times were better for everyone, and 2) I had a lot of corporate contributors.
Now that I am a freelancer, the fund-raising has been tough. I am so thankful to all who contribute, as I know how difficult it is these days. If you can help, I would really appreciate it.
You can click on the 3-Day Donate button on the right or click here . I also have the Donate button on Facebook and on my two business blogs, Simply stated business and Simply stated health care .
Loved Ones
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Also, please remember to email me with the names of loved ones you would like remembered. I wear their names on the 3-Day Walk and so far, I have not received any names. You don't have to contribute for me to wear their names, so please let me know. After all, they are the reason we walk. My sister, Terry, a 10-year breast cancer survivor, is my inspiration. We also lost my Aunt Mitzi to lung cancer. and my Dad had prostate cancer. Let's help find a cure for cancer!
Live...Laugh...Love
CathyMiller
5 Things To Know When Training for 3-Day in Boise
Remember the 3-day-Apparently I Need a Reminder
Well, color my face the color of this scroll. The plan was to post about my training for the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for Breast Cancer at least once a month. It's been 81 days-oops!I didn't want to bombard supporters with posts, but I think even you would agree I've fallen down - but I can get up!
You're Not in Kansas Anymore
My first post had to do with 5 Things I Forgot About Training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk . Well, this time, I thought I'd share what I learned about training for the 3-Day in Boise, Idaho. It's much different from my 6 years of training in San Diego.
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Weather-Weather-Weather - Did I mention the weather? Have you ever noticed when you move somewhere how everyone tells you that "this is really unusual weather for this time of the year"? I really am not so egotistical to think I have anything to do with it, but come on - training here. I would prefer not to deal with hail on multiple days, continuous rain, and even snow in May. Okay, it didn't stay on the ground, but it's the principle of the thing. And yesterday we had a tornado warning!
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Animal Kingdom- My last post included a video of some of my cheering section. It has expanded beyond the horses and geese. I have been cheered on by ducks, doves, quail, goats and more horses and geese. They eye me as I walk by with a "what are you doing out here" quizzical look. When the weather gets crazed, I ask myself the same thing. In San Diego, I trained near the beach, so I saw sea gulls, but I didn't have such a variety of fine, feathered friends. I definitely did not run (or walk) into four-legged friends, beyond cats and dogs.
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Garage Sales - Okay, it's not that San Diego did not have garage sales, but I swear it's a religion in Boise. On many a weekend training walk, I encountered signs for Garage Sales. Let me tell you, you better not get in the path of a garage sale shopper. Those are some serious fanatics. Since a good part of my training route does not have sidewalks, I'm taking my life in my hands when I near a sale. On one walk, there were 5 garage sales on one block! It sure got the cardio going - and that's from dodging shoppers - not hills!
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Apparel Shift- This follows closely with #1. Did I mention the ever-changing weather? The thing is, the morning can start with pouring rain and then the sun comes out and it's in the 70s. So, I race to grab my training togs and head out for my walk. A block from home, the only thing I'm racing for is cover, as I start getting pelted by hail - really! Now how do you plan for hail? Carry a football helmet? Hmm, wonder if they come in pink. I'll have to talk to the Shop 3-Day.
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Race for the Cure - This has nothing to do with my training, but I wanted to give a shout-out to the Boise Race for the Cure . They had nearly 16,000 participants and raised (so far) over $365,000! Way to go, Boise! I have to be sure to participate next year.
Thanks to my Contributors for supporting me in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. I really appreciate it.
I have a long way to go in raising the minimum I need to walk. So, please help if you can. Donate here - or - click on the button in the sidebar. If you get the 3-Day Home Page by mistake, you can search by participant - Cathy Miller-Fight Like A Girl team in San Diego.
You can also donate at my business writing blog, Simply stated business or my health care blog, Simply stated health care.
Well, now comes the begging part. Since leaving Corporate America to freelance as a writer, I've lost some of my big corporate sponsors. That means the amount of donations are lower, so I just need more contributors. Didn't know I was so good in math, huh?
You can also send me a check made out to: Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure. I swear that gets longer every year. You can send it to me and I'll get it mailed to the right place. Let me know if you need my address.
As always, thank you for your support. Remember to send me the name(s) of loved ones you would liked remembered on the Walk as survivors or those you lost.
Thanks again to my Contributors!
Live...Laugh...Love
Cathy Miller
5 Things I Forgot About Training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk
I have a few weeks under my belt-or maybe under my feet would be more appropriate. The biggest challenge has been the weather. My training for the past 6 Walks took place in San Diego. The biggest news was my 1st year when air quality was the concern from major fires. Not so in Boise, ID.
We have literally had snow, rain, hail and wind - not to mention temperatures below freezing (after the 1st day of spring!) Isn't there a law that spring means no more winter temperatures or precipitation? I'm sure I read that somewhere. I was forced (and it comes so easily in the beginning) to delay training outside. No excuses - I start again. The weather is back to gorgeous!
Back to my Training
You know you are in trouble when just stretching before the 1st day of training causes pain. Undeterred, I put on my sweatshirt with the pink ribbon, my baseball hat with the pink ribbon, my pink & white socks (don't think I'm overdoing the pink bit, do you?) and my MBT sandals. Yes, I had pants on but they were just plain old black-but drywick! Does that count? I'm such an athlete!
It didn't take long into my 1st day of training to have past training memories rushing back. Here are 5 things I forgot about training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walks.
- Running-not Walking- What is it about walking outside that gets the nose running, the eyes tearing and whatever other places I don't want to think about? We have always teased my Mom about her habit of stuffing kleenex in every pocket she owns. Who's laughing now? Note to self-take kleenex. You never know when a hot guy may jog by - as if kleenex would help - not even if I stuffed it in my bra!
- Hills Hurt - I'm not talking about the big Torrey Pines-type hills in the San Diego 3-Day. At this stage, street curbs are challenging. Even the slightest incline has me wondering how my lungs dropped out of me when I wasn't looking. I've always hated hills. My Fight Like A Girl teammates are hikers and just love hills. Hills are their favorite part of the 3-Day. I'm sorry, that is not normal - but they love me anyway. They take pity turns by trading off who lags behind with Cathy on the hills.
- Muscle Mania - The body is an incredible machine - or so I've heard. But, really, does it have to have so many muscles? So many just waiting to pull, strain, spasm and generally whine! And then I had to inherit Dad's big calf muscles that I swear have a bulls-eye on them in case the pain forgets to grab them.
- Isolated Bliss - Once I get warmed up, the muscles stop screaming and I'm actually walking upright like a fully evolved human being. I am strong - I am woman - I am so lame.
- Reality Bites - So wrapping myself in the bliss of a training session where I actually feel good, I then make the mistake of sitting down. Oh, the sitting's okay. It's the standing up where reality returns. Did I really think after one training walk I would be turned into the lean fighting machine of an Olympic athlete? With my MBT and socks on the floor, I drag my body to the shower and let the sweet heat of the water beat my muscle mania back into place.
Just another day in my journey towards the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.I took some pictures so you can see part of my Boise training environment - really just awesomely beautiful! Later I may try video - after I can walk and talk without sounding like I escaped from a T.B. ward.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. If you can help with a donation - no matter how small - please do so by clicking here. And even if you can't donate, let me know the names of loved ones you would like remembered on the Walk. Thank you as always for your continued support. Walk on!
Live...Laugh...Love
Cathy Miller
Take the 3-Day Journey With Me
Prepping for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
I am thrilled to be signed up for my 7th 3-Day Walk for the fight against breast cancer. I'm back with my team, Fight Like A Girl, and can't wait to do the Walk with them again. In a previous post, I explained that I had to miss 2009, so I am excited to rejoin my team.
Starting Early
I need to get myself back in 3-day, 60-mile shape so I have next Saturday, March 6th, as my start date for training. The Fight Like A Girl team is participating in the San Diego Walk. It's not until November 19 -21, 2010, but, hey, this old, out-of-shape body needs all the time it can have!Since the whole point of this blog is my journey since taking on my second life, I'll use this blog (instead of my usual 3-Day Newsletter) for keeping everyone up to date on my prep for the 3-Day journey. Now my supporters and contributors can just ignore the link to my blog instead of my newsletter!
Need Your Support
We have to raise a minimum amount (this year it's $2,300) to even participate in the Walk. I have always had the most supportive people in the world. Even the smallest amount helps. But, if you are unable to contribute, I do ask you for your mental support - Lord knows I need all the mental help I can get - but I was thinking more along the lines of "think good thoughts." Like no blisters!
Honoring Your Loved Ones
Whether you contribute or not, I would be honored to wear the names of loved ones you would like remembered on the 3-Day Walk - survivors or those you have lost to cancer. They are the reason we walk. I am happy to say my sister, Terry, is doing great as a multi-year breast cancer survivor. So, send me your loved ones' names and they will take the journey with the Fight Like A Girl team.Details...Details
There are all kinds of payments accepted - credit cards, debit cards, monthly payments.
If you want to pay by check, I would be happy to handle the paperwork. Just make the check payable to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure and send it to me. I fill out the paperwork and take care of the mailing. If you need my snail mail address, drop me an email at cathy@millercathy.com or give me a call at (858) 344-9959.
Thank you, as always, for your support. Walk on!
Live...Laugh...Love
Cathy Miller
Miss You Dad - Love Your Daughter
All my life I have been told,
“You have beautiful blue eyes.”
And my response is always,
“Thank my Dad.”
I like to think that was one special
connection between my Dad and me.
But more than the God-given
blessing of blue eyes
When you looked into my Dad’s eyes
you saw his greatest gift.
You saw kindness and caring
And the wisdom of time.
You saw the twinkle of humor
And the integrity of an ethical man.
You saw his pride in his family,
his country, his home.
But more than this
You saw his greatest gift
In those beautiful blue eyes
You saw his love.
I love you, Dad.
I always did and
I always will.
Douglas M. Miller
May 2, 1919 - February 15, 2007
Who Took January
I'm Not Finished With It Yet
I know this blog has been about my journey through my second life, but does it have to fly by so quickly? It was just Christmas with family and now February is smacking me in the face.
I have my new business site/blog (http://simplystatedbusiness.com) and health care blog (http://simplystatedhealthcare.com) published, but I am not ready for "prime time" marketing. I just signed up for Facebook with a personal account and my Facebook Marketing for Dummies just arrived. Hey, I recognize my limitations.
I resisted Facebook for quite some time. If it wasn't for the business side of me, I'm not so sure I would be on it now. It's not that I am technophobic. For a baby boomer, I think I do a pretty good job of keeping up. I think it has more to do with the fact that I have never been one to do something because everyone else is.
I Want To Be Me
I am sure a psychiatrist would have a field day with my psyche. My resistance to "follow the crowd" goes way back. I was probably the last person on earth to get a microwave, VCR and a cell phone. The up side of that quirk is by the time I purchase a product, it's gone way down in price.
I know what many are thinking. If I got on board sooner with the latest technology, I would be more efficient. I wouldn't be wondering what happened to January. It would be recorded for all to see on Facebook, Twitter, my blogs and whatever other social media I should be on.
No Turning Back
Well, I guess I can't get January back so I suppose I'll march on with Facebook. When I become wildly famous, I'll let someone else watch the calendar. Who's watching yours?
Live...Laugh...Love
Cathy Miller
WAHM I salute you!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. My oldest sister, Terry, her daughter, Joanna, and her granddaughter, Sunniva (the cutie in pink) flew in from Ohio - to Idaho. And my younger sister, Beth and her husband, Mike, and son, Keegan, also came by. They also live in Idaho - not Ohio - not Iowa - Idaho. Okay, I've run that into the ground.
Sunniva the Diva (as her Mom calls her) is 17 months old and a total bundle of energy. She smiles all the time and is unbelievably happy - of course, I'm not prejudiced. However, she IS 17 months old. Foolish Great Aunt that I am (the "Great" designates I'm old - not necessarily "great"), I thought I could make significant progress during the holidays on my prep for my new business blog. This is where the WAHM comes in.
WAHM
For my non-freelance writing friends (which is just about everybody), this new career of mine is like most. It has its own set of acronyms and lingo. I did not know that WAHM meant Work At Home Moms. I don't know if that's because I didn't freelance until the last year or because I've never been a Mom--working, at home, or any other kind. Apparently, there are plenty of WAHM scams out there. Now, I ask you, is there no honor amongst thieves that they would target WAHMs?
As Sunniva reminded me, being a Mom is hard work. Being a working Mom, well, I just can't imagine. And then try to be a WAHM! Babies don't relate to deadlines, closed doors or business calls. So, here's a shoutout to all the WAHMs - I salute you! I wish for you a baby as good-natured as Sunniva because, hey, who could resist?
Happy 2010 and continued success to all - whatever path you take. As this blog likes to reflect - it's all about the journey.
Live...Laugh...Love
Cathy Miller
But It's Just Family
It's the Saturday before Christmas and I just sat down to my computer. I have been working my tail off most of the day clearing out "stuff" from my bedroom. I thought I got rid of all that "stuff" (see previous post). Somehow, I never got completely moved in - 4 months ago! I know, I know, you're supposed to finish what you start. Nice theory - in my case, anyway.
So what got me off my duff and sorting and trashing and hiding (you didn't hear that!)? My oldest sister, her daughter and granddaughter are coming to our place for the holidays. What's that got to do with my bedroom, you may ask. I know I did. It seems my 17-month-old grandniece does not stay asleep if someone walks into her room. She needs a room to herself and we have just 3 bedrooms - my Mom's, mine & the guest bedroom.
Little Sunniva (my grandniece) gets the guest bedroom all to herself. She'll sleep in a crib so there will be a nice big bed completely empty! My sister and my niece are night owls. I am not - majorly NOT! So, I'm giving up my bedroom to my niece and I'll sleep on one of two couches. This one happens to be in my office so if you see any middle of the night musings, you'll know it's not just my grandniece who is not sleeping. My sister will be on the other couch. When I get up at my usual early morning time, I won't be waking up my niece who probably went to bed a few hours before I get up! Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration.
Protecting Our Own
Throughout the day I kept thinking, "It's just family," so why am I doing all this crazy cleaning? It's not like we have something to hide from family. I guess just because I have midnight maneuverings in my room down to a fine science, it's really not fair to expect my niece to enter my booby-trapped room unarmed. It was either clear a path or design an obstacle course guide and provide night vision goggles.
Since I have been furiously working on trying to finish my new business blog for roll-out, I figured the path of least resistance (pardon the pun) was to just clean my room. Now, there's a childhood flashback! So, it's done! Doesn't it feel great to have a goal accomplished?
Now, if I can finish my business blog, I'll be a happy camper. After all, it's the business that pays the bills. My Mom stopped paying me to clean my room a long time ago. Wait a minute, my parents never did pay us to do chores...hmmm....could that be why I have so many unfinished tasks? Well, that's for another day, another blog.
Wishing all of you a very happy holiday and a rocking 2010!
Live...Laugh...Love
Cathy Miller
Zero Value
The view outside my office window
I woke up yesterday and looked through the kitchen window at the outside thermometer. It sat squarely on "Zero," as in nothing...nada...no pulse! And to think my last post was talking about 38 degrees. I grumbled over how stupid "Zero" was. It means nothing. It's the clothes size of most Hollywood actresses. Get real! Why do we have Zero?
But, since my second life is all about being positive (something Zero has trouble with), I decided to come up with why I really like Zero. I really, really like it.
Top Five Reasons I Like Zero
- It looks really good after the word "Balance" on my credit card statement.
- I love when it hangs out with 5 or 6 of its friends and follows a $ sign and some other number.
- It looks good leading % Down.
- It rocks under the score of any football team playing the San Diego Chargers.
- In front of "Worries," it makes me smile.
It could be worse - much worse. My sister, Beth, lives on a farm in southern Idaho and they have been without heat for about 10 days!! She and her little miniture schnauzer, Kali, have been shivering under an electric blanket. I can't imagine! I am making a wish for Beth and her family that Zero follows at least an 8 very soon!
How about you? What do you like about Zero? Let's love Zero - today when the tempature was minus 3 degrees, I thought Zero was looking robust!
Live...laugh...love
Cathy Miller
