AWBC SF 2009 prewalk update

This video still makes me cry every time I see it! Perfect tribute to why we walk.

It has been an amazing year raising funds for the AWBC again. My MIL and her friend Jewels raised $900 by having a yard sale for this cause and my amazing Aunt and her friends raised an amazing $3700 to split between her friend Carolyn and myself. She raise enough $ in one afternoon bunco game to send both of us to SF this year! With a daunting $1800 minimum looming above us I was so blessed to have wonderful friends and family support us. I raised $3700My goal was to match last years totals at $3600 so $100 is going to Meagan Betts who is walking all 9 walks this year. Meagan is just 18 years old and to walk all 9 is required to raise $16,400. If you want to still donate please go to her page! As much as I 'd like to see my list of donors grow, it all goes to the same place, its the same mission, its the same cause.





I started walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 5 years ago. I walked with my x-SIL that year in honor of my mother-in-law Karen who had been undergoing treatment for breast cancer diagnosed September 18th 2004. We trained, we raised the minimum $1800 and out motto out there on the hills of SF was you can walk slow (and get picked up) or you can walk fast and make it in time, its all going to hurt so you might as well walk fast. More easily said than done, let me tell you but we did it.





I walked in 4 more AWBC's over the next few years here are some highlights (and perhaps a reason or two you might want to walk next year too):

• Crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge (x2 on the years when I did 26.2 miles day 1)


• Walking along the beach in Long Beach on a perfect morning.


• Sleeping in little blue tents in Chrissy Field next to the ocean.


• Road trip with my mom and Aunt Sandy to LA for my 2nd AWBC last year.


• Taking showers in semi trucks (seriously)


• Signing the Stacks in the morning darkness for the city you are walking in.


• San Jose Bike police escorting us (day 2 they wore pink polos for us) for the SF walks.


• Amazing support from "Pretty Woman Guy", "PJ girl" blaring I will survive, "Hookers for Hooters" driving by in their mini van and convertibles cheering us on, and lots lots more.


• Urban Dog walkers rest stop in the Precidio where you could get your pic taken with a guy dressed like a pink poodle.


• Walking with my Mom in 2006. My BFF in 2006 a 2007. Walking with good friend/good neighbor Jenni AWBC 2008. Meeting Tobi and Debra day two of AWBC LA Beaches in 2008.


• Avon Breast Care center walk by on day 2 that will bring tears to your eyes.


• Walking with Barbara Joe who has raised over $1million dollars for AWBC and Susan G. Komen.


• Meeting up with my Aunt, sister, mom and Niece in Sausalito day 1 with a Starbucks waiting for us.


• The gals (and guys) walking by in survivor shirts, some still going through Chemo, Radiation or just having had surgery.


• The signs that read along the route, "Blisters don't need Chemo", "You are amazing", "Has anyone seen the bathrooms?"


• Speaking of bathrooms... spending 2 days only using big blue port-o-potties with amazing trivia and quotes inside and outside the doors. I always take pictures.


• Amazing crew who feed us, keep us safe, fix our feet, keep us hydrated along the route and in the wellness village.


• walking with my favorite people whether they came with me or I just met them. AWBC walkers are AMAZING. I can't wait to see Gerry, Nan, Martha, Meagan and so many others this year. AWBC has made a FAMILY.
• Closing ceremonies that no one should ever miss. Bring Kleenex.


• Raising awareness to find a cure, to help those who need it, to do something bigger than me every year.

I feel so blessed to be apart of this amazing charity. I am not walking just to find a cure for cancer. I'm walking for those who can't walk on their own, or need a hand to hold while they are walking. I'm walking because my MIL is a survivor so many more are not. I walk for the people who cannot afford early diagnostic tools like MRI's or Mammograms, for those who would like wigs to cover their bald heads or scarves instead because it's so darned hot in the summer, for those who can't cook so Helping Hand can bring dinner to their families, for those not diagnosed yet and for a cure to be found for ALL cancers.

In the last year cancer has taken my husbands wonderful grandfather Derril, My uncle Larry and my friend Judy's sister is now taking Hospice after an amazing 3 year battle. I have met so many survivors and so many people who have lost someone they love to cancer. I have endured sadness for loosing my Uncle James almost 3 years ago to Leukemia and no memory of losing my Grandpa Frank before I turned 2 but a sadness for never having had the chance to know him.

So I'm off for another adventure with Jenni this year. 39.3 miles in two days. Not enough walking under our feet but lots of miles in our hearts. Wish us luck.

Trail Less Traveled and my walk for a cure

First a shout out to Ed who ran the Paris Marathon Sunday morning. He took in his first sub 4hour marathon despite the crowds and cobblestones. I'm sure when he gets home you can read all about it here. We're so proud (and so jealous) but can't wait to run with him again soon.

Trail Less Traveled. This trail run took us up and around the hills overlooking (kind of) Lake Oroville. My plan was to have no goal, to just go out and have fun, take my time and cross the finish line. Some of us ran the Quarter marathon and some of us ran the 5K. I took off too fast into the race and when I hit "the hill" I was dragging. This hill just kept going and going and going. Vicki said it was about .6 miles or so of up, up, up. You look around the next corner for a reprieve. There wasn't one. At 3/4 of the way up I had to walk. I was walking faster than I was running. It was so awful and all I wanted to do was throw up. Thank goodness I didn't. When the top came I was so relieved!

The rest of the race was a lot of up and downs but just enough to push me but not so much as to make me cry, which wouldn't have taken much I'm sure. I caught up with Susan and we talked for a while. There was these guys who popped out of the bushes. I hadn't seen them before so I think they were taking a potty break, LOL. We kept them motivated for a mile or so making them run if we got too close to them. It's funny what a girl behind you can do for motivation hu? By the time we got to about 5.5miles I passed the boys and kept pushing it home. I came in at 1hour 6 minutes and 46 seconds. That's 10:12 a mile. Not great but not bad for the first trail run out of shape.

I'm looking forward to upping my mileage again trying to hit 25-30 miles a week through the spring. Summer will include a 10K program and a 5K in June, the Avon Walk for Beast Cancer (more info on that below) with my friends and then the Nike Women's Half Marathon in October while training for the CIM again.

This summer I will participate in my 6th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in SF. 26.2 miles on Saturday and 13.1 miles on Sunday to raise awareness for the fight against Breast Cancer. Each year I have a new reason to walk. This year my Uncle Larry has been re diagnosed with cancer and this time it won't be an easy fight. Actually it is eventually going to be terminal. Chemo and surgery will help him hold on for awhile but eventually the cancer will take over. My biggest hope is that finding a cure for Breast Cancer, that my Mother in law is a survivor from, will be a key to finding a cure for cancers like Pancreatic cancer that took my Grandpa, Leukemia that took my Uncle James, and stomach cancer that is effecting my Uncle Larry.

This charity is more than a walk to me. It's a family affair. My Aunt Sandy (Uncle James' wife, Uncle Larry's sister), my mom, my Grandma all do so much for me to walk. They are throwing this huge Bunco party for me and last year raised an amazing $2100 toward my two walks. So if any of you are in the bay area and would like to come hang out and play bunco on June 13th give me a call. I'd love to see you. My family is so amazing. My Mother in law and her friend Jewels have had wonderfully successful yard sales that have raised as much as $1200 for me in one day. My friend Jenni and I are having fundraisers to ensure that we both walk including a local bunco game here in Chico. You see that this is more than a walk, its a mission for me. I am thankful for every day that I spend with my family and friends, thankful for my health and thankful to have the power to help.

mom, me, Aunt Sandy in Long Beach for my 5th AWBC

Cancer sucks

*** Gray's Anatomy spoilers ahead****

First off I'm really sorry that this post is so negative. I'm just having a really hard time today. Everything is black and white although I know there are so many shades of grey (so to speak).

I'm watching Grey's and its so sad. We all knew what was going to happen to Izzie. She has stage IV metastasised melanoma. Sucks

Today is my birthday. 16 years ago this week I had a mole removed that came back Stage II malignant melanoma. A little surgery and I was all fixed up. I gave up running. I hid inside.

Tuesday I went into the dermatologist about this facial abscess thing and he asks about my moles. I tell him about the mole removed 16 years ago this week and he does a quick scan and asks if there are any new ones or any with dramatic change. I show him one on the inside of my right breast that is not only new but since its showed up its changed from barely noticeable to very dark in just a few months. He removes it. We have a wonderful conversation about how as a 14 year old developing this form of skin cancer is most probably hereditary. Genetically my deck is stacked against me. So when he takes a second one off now its about getting these things early, and how my probability goes up for developing it again.

He reschedules us for April 1st. Group therapy. He wants me to come in and the dermo can show hubby the right way to check my skin and my moles for change. Hubby finds this amusing til I tell him that we'll be checking his skin too.

Genetically. My Uncle Larry is one of my favorite people. He has had several types of skin cancer including Melanoma and last year he had a bout with stomach cancer. he had surgery, he's had chemo, he has had clear scans until now. I got an email that its back and not only on his stomach again but two spots on his liver. Cancer sucks.

I started walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer because my MIL was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on September 18th 2003. We rallied around her. The hubby shaved his head when her hair started falling out. She had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. It was a long journey but she cleared and healthy.

About 4 years ago my Aunt went on a trip with her girlfriends and my uncle was sick. He ended up in the hospital. His white counts were off and it was more than just being sick. In and out of the hospital and from bad to worse. Those two years were a roller coaster of Leukemia and chemo and meds and hospital visits. In August of 2007 I lost my Uncle James to cancer.

I am no stranger to cancer but today its just too much. It has taken SO many people I love and affected even more who are important to me. Today Cancer reared its big ugly head and I'm just mad, sad, scared and driven to find a cure. I'm worried about getting back a clear path result. I'm worried for my family, for my kids and husband. I'm worried that I'll do what I did before if it comes back positive, I'll lock myself in the house again because going out in the sun is just too risky.

February Goal:Show your love and one legged squats

I'm not sure if this will be a monthly thing but I thought February would be a good time to set a smaller goal and break down that New Years Resolution into bite size pieces you know? I am also throwing out a February challenge to you so I won't be going at it alone you know...

First things First. Show your love. There are lots of ways I think you could do this. One thing I need to work on is positive reinforcement for the kids, the hubby and myself. We are too hard on each other. Instead of focusing on the things that are wrong at that moment think about speaking up when everything is going well. Congratulate on a 100% spelling test and reward with ice cream or a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. Thank them for using their manners. Cultivate friendships. Have Coffee with a friend you haven't seen in awhile. Don't forget your non-human loves. Rescue a dog from the humane society if you are looking into bringing a pet into your home. Bring home special treat or toy for your cat.

Love the Earth. I'm selling Chico Bags to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. They are pink and brown. So cute! It is so good for the environment to carry your own bags when you are running to the market for something or the farmers market. When you take something from your house to your friends because they are on bed rest, had a baby or just are under the weather? Take the food in a Chico Bag and leave it for them to use again. You are showing your friends and the Earth Love.



Love your heart. It is the Month that women wear Red Dresses to raise awareness for Heart disease. Take care of you. Make a 30 day commitment to eat healthy (maybe less Pizza and more fun foods like stuffed butternut squash! Thanks Vicki!) for you and your family. You will all feel good and maybe the recipes and connection to your own health will become a habit. Exercise. I know most of you who read this do. Some may want to do MORE. set a goal. I had to decide to run a race. I don't particularly like the race part but it motivates me to train so I don't hurt myself or look like a total moron out there.

Love yourself: Tell yourself you are worth it. Take time for YOU, doing something you like even if you have to drag the rest of the family with you on a hike. Take some quiet time for you too. Read a book or an article you have been waiting to read. Read 15 minutes of the Bible every day if you haven't and that interests you. Wow, what a concept that was for me when I had little ones. I felt like all I was doing for 24 hours a day 7 days a week was cooking cleaning and serving nourishment from my TaTa's. I was drained and exhausted and didn't feel like I had anything else to give...but those few minutes a day I found my connection to God more strong then ever. To each their own. I didn't think of doing that til someone brought it to my attention so I'm just putting it out there. Smile when you look in the mirror. I know its hard but don't look for the flaws, look for the things you like, every day and it should get easier (I'm going to work hard on this one, we are all so self critical aren't we?).

This month besides loving someone else, loving my family, my heart, my Faith, myself. My big physical goal this month is to do 10 Kettle bell one legged squats on each leg. Yea I'm a freak and I should have started with 20 push ups or something "normal" but I always wanted to be able to do them so that's what I'm putting on my plate.

Don't just run... walk

Not only do I run but I walk in efforts to raise $$$ to find a cure cancer... especially Breast Cancer. My hope is that finding a cure for Breast Cancer will be the key to unlock other cancers too. I got this from Good Neighbor and thought I would pass it on. Running has been a great preperation for my 39.3 mile walk in SF in July. I can't wait to walk in my 6th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

How do you make friend?

I join virtual groups. I have real face to face friends too but its so easy to team up with a group of people who have the same ideas, goals and dreams that you do with a group like What's a few miles among friends? They have graciously added me to their group. We set goals to run a cumulative # of miles each month and check in on Mondays with those totals. We can also be bloggers on that site if we wish to add anything or report anything interesting. As well as that we may get some traffic through my site. My friends who are runners are the only ones tolerant of my newest/healthiest obsession so my friends and family who do not run for fun don't really lurk amongst my posts like they do on my other (uhem... 6! yikes) blogs.

So this new running group seems so sweet and have welcomed me with open keyboards with virtual hugs to their domain. Shoot on over there to see whats going on. Some of them are participating in the VERY FIRST Breast cancer MARATHON! its called Run with Donna 26.2 and it takes place in Florida in February. Anyone who needs a late winter marathon fill please check here. I'm hoping for a 2010 race here but we will see. That's a long way from California.

So here's a shout out to my Mates! Thank you for letting me join this very cool running club! I definitely keeps me wanting to get out there and run so I can post my progress with you all. 5 miles tomorrow morning for my weekend run since my hubby will be at work all weekend and I have no childcare. =(