Makes me smile every time I watch.

8 Gift Ideas for Your 3 Day Walker: 3 Day Thursday

After the closing ceremonies for the 3 Day, many friends and family like to bring their walker pink flowers or balloons. While those things are nice, I feel there are practical gifts that someone who just walked 60 miles would appreciate and be more able to use.

Here are eight gift ideas for your 3 day walker: 

Two years ago I found slippers like these EMU's at Boot World. I surprised Mom and gave them to her right after the walk. I had to take her shoes off for her because she couldn't bend over! She said the soft fur felt really good, especially between her toes. The sturdy sole makes them perfect for wearing out of the house. Mom wore hers to work every day for a week.

Last year, because I'm a good daughter, I let my mom use our foot spa first when we got home from closing ceremonies. Getting your feet into warm water with some soothing bath salts is priority number one after walking so far. I was eying it the way a starving person would a pork chop the whole time. This one from Dr. Scholl's is better than ours because it has a heater to maintain the water temperature.

My mom hasn't been documenting her walks very well but this year I hope to take a lot of pictures and put them together for her in a Memory Book to commemorate her 10th walk. 

Other ideas:

*Before the walk, give a scarf, hat and mitten set for the cold nights (it gets chilly where we camp because we're on the bay).

*A sleeveless vest. I was freezing in the early mornings! I wanted to layer but not take a chance on getting overheated. I wore a light down vest and it was perfect.

*Disposable cameras for anyone not on the digital bandwagon. No worrying about batteries.

*Gift cards to a coffee house. Many people go out of their way for a gourmet cup of coffee in the mornings. I don't carry my entire wallet in my butt bag. Gift cards save space.

*Certificates for a massage and/or pedicure are obvious but so needed! I think a massage would have helped me recover faster (hint, hint).

If you've done the 3 day walk, what was the best gift you've received? Do you have any other ideas to offer?  

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Video PSA - Save the Boobs! 3 Day Thursday

The San Diego Breast Cancer 3 Day - Amazing!

(Mom and I waiting for opening ceremonies to begin)

Every adjective I've heard to describe the 3 Day is true. It was such an amazing experience! all weekend long there was laughter, tears and a lot of energy. There was also a lot of ice, band aids, ace bandages and limping (and not just on my part). But, as I heard many times, "It's not chemo."

I live in a beautiful city and it was so awesome to see it this way. The 3 Day really brings the community together. I've seen it many times as I've cheered but being on the other side, as a walker, it's so awesome to see how many neighborhoods make such an effort to be supportive throughout the weekend. I've seen so many of the same people year after year and their dedication is impressive and inspirational.

I have hundreds of pictures and a lot of video. I wish I'd had access to WiFi and laptop so I could post updates at the end of the day. There's so much to show and tell! I'll try to spread it out so I'm not overwhelming you (and boring the people who are tired of all the boob talk). There are a lot of things I'm going to do differently next year* that I hope to pass on for anyone thinking of participating for the first time.

Huge thank you's to my mom for all her help with my fund raising and to everyone who made a donation. If I hadn't raised the money I would have either had to back out of the walk or pay the difference (which Phil was prepared to do, bless his heart). Thank you Abby for working on my feet, ankle and knee. It made a huge difference!

And speaking of Phil, thanks honey for coming out every day and bringing Tyler with you. Seeing you guys throughout the weekend was such an energy boost. Thanks for taking all our phone calls, bringing the things we needed and taking away my dirty laundry. Thank you for wrapping my ankle every day since. Love you.

*Yep, even though I'm still not completely healed, I'm thinking ahead to next year. I've been talking to a few people and it seems I may have a team in the making!

Breast Cancer Awareness: Video PSA - Touch

Breast Cancer 3 Day Training Tip: Pedicure Do's and Dont's

My feet have never looked as bad as they do now. I'm embarrassed to wear open toe shoes, but here in the land of almost year-round flip flops it's too warm for boots during the day. I really want to go in for a pedicure but I'm holding off until after the walk.

Here are a few quick pedicure tips:

DON'T: Get a full blown pedicure before the walk. If you have to have cute looking feet, tell the pedicurist not to use any files or pumice stones and to focus only on your toes (see below).

DON'T: Pop any blisters you may get before the walk unless they are really, really bad. Let nature do it's thing. Cover them with moleskin until they pop on their own.

DO: Moisturize! I've been using Aquaphor on my feet at night and it's helping to keep the rough spots from cracking.

DO: Stay on top of your cuticles and the length and shape of your toenails. MANY people lose toenails during the walk. A lot can be attributed to ill fitting shoes, but taking care of any hang nails etc. before the walk can't hurt too.

Any other tips for taking care of your feet that I might have missed?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Talkin About My Boobs

**Warning: There's a picture in this post**

I sent out a Tweet yesterday about my boobs. I was lamenting their size and how ungainly they can be. Big boobs are not all they're cracked up to be. Sometimes I'm baffled by how much money women will spend to be the size I am.

I'm sure I have people flipping off their monitors right now, but hear me out. I have to wear shirts in size medium (or even large) but my waist is a small so I look boxy rather than curvy. I have no torso so it seems my boobs rest on top of my belt line. I'm always worried my bra gives me back fat.

Button down shirts almost always gape. My strapless foundation garments feel like they're made with rebar. I can't wear certain bathing suit tops. I can't sleep on my stomach. The girls get in the way when I'm shooting pool.

Big boobs can really be a pain in the ass.

However.

No matter how much they annoy me at times or how much I wish they had some of the perk of my pre-breastfeeding days, my boobs are healthy. They are not riddled with cancer cells. I'm not considering having them removed as a preemptive measure. I'm not facing reconstructive surgery. I'm not mourning the loss of my sense of feminism and womanhood.

The mini scare I had a year ago with my first mammogram has stayed with me. Getting that phone call was one of the worst moments of my life. I hope none of you ever experience that. My boobs are healthy. And I am so grateful.

Breast Cancer 3 Day: Packing List and Things to Buy

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My mom is an expert at packing for the 3 Day. After nine walks, she's pretty much got it down to a science. I had her make a list of all the gear she's purchased over the years and what she packs for the weekend. I thought other newbies would like to see what a veteran has found to be most useful.

6-8 pairs of socks** (2 pair for each day, plus extra in case of rain)
2 pairs of tennis shoes
Shower sandals
3 changes of clothing
Hoodie or jacket for the evening
Knit cap for the evening
Gloves for the morning and evening
Personal toiletries
Fold up rain cape
Vaseline, Aquaphor or Body Glide*
Foot powder (to keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters)
Epsom salt in baggies large enough to soak your feet (or a blow up foot spa like this one from Sally Hansen)
Moleskin*
Padded Bandages*
Fold-up scissors (to cut the moleskin)*
Sunscreen
Lip balm with sunscreen
Hand sanitizer
Sun visor or cap
Fanny pack that holds 2 water bottles
Water bottles (not too small, you should be refilling at every pit stop)
Cell Phone (but no talking and walking, move to the side if you have to take a call)
Small amount of cash and/or debit card
Any prescription medicine
2 tarps: one for underneath the tent one for the top
Clothes pins or clamps to hold plastic in place on top of the tent
Eddie Bauer air mattress (self inflatable, twin – purchased at Target and extra batteries)
Camping pillow
Sleeping bag
Blanket to go on top of sleeping bag (ours is cashmere)
Camping light (banded for the head) This frees your hands for night trips to the porta potty
Large plastic bag to put everything you need to carry to the portable showers (2 gallon zipper bag with a handle)
Large plastic bag to hold your suitcase in during the night to keep from getting wet (30 gallon lawn and leaf trash bag) 
 
*These items go in your fanny pack as a blister care kit
**I wear one pair of toe socks as my first layer, then a pair or walking socks as my second layer

Pictures from my mom's 2008 San Diego walk are here: Day 1, Day 2, Day3.

**CLOSED**Please help me meet my fund raising goal. I've got a long way to go and not a lot of time before my walk. Click the banner above or follow this link. Thank you!

Breast Cancer 3Day: Training Update

The San Diego walk is nine weeks away and I'm starting to freak out. I won't say I'm behind per se, but I'm definitely not on pace with the virtual training schedule I get in my email. I think that's why I pushed myself too hard today. That and the craving for a smoothie.

I decided to get an early start since our heat wave is supposed to be coming back. I was hoping for an overcast day at the beach but no such luck. I started walking about 10 minutes to 9:00. I set my Nike+ for an 8 mile walk thinking I'd go slightly past where I normally turn around.

About halfway to that point, I started getting hungry and naturally I'd left my granola bar in the car. I remembered that there's a 7-11 not too far past my turnaround spot so I thought, "I'll get a banana and ice for my water. Excellent idea."

Then, I remembered there's a Jamba Juice only a little bit farther than the 7-11. "Ooh, even better, I can get a smoothie for lunch. Excellent idea." After that I couldn't get Jamba Juice out of my head and I passed by my usual turnaround spot not really thinking how much distance it would add to my walk. I got my smoothie, they put ice in my water bottle, all is good and I'm heading back to the car.

About 20 minutes later my knees and my hips started to protest a little. Then they started hurling obscenities at me. When they began to curse the day I was born I knew I was in trouble. Fortunately, they didn't go on strike and leave me in a crumpled heap on the side of the road.

I called my mom for some motivation but she must have been screening her calls working or at lunch. I think around mile 9 I wondered if I actually had the guts to hitchhike back to my car. I was hurtin' y'all. Then I remembered the Tweet Ilina sent out last week about her good friend just being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

Which got me thinking about my godmother, Margie, who passed away 2 weeks before my mom's fifth walk in 2003. And Deb's mom. And all the other moms, wives, sisters, aunts and cousins who have been or know someone who has been diagnosed. I quit bitching and kept walking. For a total of 12.57 miles. That's the farthest I've walked at one time so far*.

I'm in a lot of pain right now. A lot. But it's not chemo. It's not radiation. It's not a mastectomy. I'll be fine in a few days. Those with breast cancer are effected for life. Thank you to Margie and all the other angels for giving me strength today. Here's to putting one foot in front of the other.

*The last time I walked I did 7 miles. I DO NOT recommend adding that much distance at one time. By the time I'm recovered enough to go walking again I'll be even further behind. Totally not worth it. Please consider helping me meet my fundraising goal. I've got a long way to go and not a lot of time. Click the banner above or follow this link. Thank you!

Breast Cancer 3Day: Pamper Yourself, Help Fund a Cure

On September 15, select Massage Envy locations will donate $10 from a $35 50-minute massage to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. They hope to raise $500,000 in one day with Massage for the Cure. So far, they've raised over $800,000! A full-body massage is not a bad way to help a great cause!

*I am an online and media ambassador the San Diego 3Day. Help me reach my fundraising goal by donating online at my personal page.

**Massage Envy didn't give me anything for this, I saw it in a magazine and wanted to pass it along. I have had a massage there and it was fab.

Breast Cancer 3-Day: Quick Tip for iPhone and iPod Touch Users {+video}

I went walking last night after Tyler and I got home from the park. When I left the house, I wasn't really thinking about the time or how long it would be before it would get dark outside. I decided to go for a straight, easy walk at the beach rather walk the hills around my house.

Halfway through I tuned in to the fact that it was going to be dark before I got back to my car. Almost the whole way back had sidewalk access and streetlights, but the last leg did not. Naturally I'd not thought to bring my LED light.

My workout clothes were light gray with white striping and my shoes have reflective striping but I was still a little concerned about cars being able to see me. At one point I noticed someone walking toward me. I couldn't see them, but they were on their cell and the glow from the keyboard caught my attention. That's when I remembered the free Flashlight app I downloaded a few months ago for my iPod Touch (watch the video for a short demo).



I used the app for the last half mile. Sure, I had to hold my iPod in my hand but it was a minor and temporary inconvenience. The Flashlight app is no substitute for proper reflective gear and safety lights, but it came through in a pinch and definitely made me feel better.

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training: The Shoes

I'm not structurally sound. I think my hips rotate too far inward. If I stand with my feet parallel and bend my knees, my knees come together. If I turn my feet out slightly then bend my knees they go straight parallel to one another. I have a deep arch in my back that bypasses sexy approaching swayback. One hearty sneeze can tweak my back for days.

For a few months in college I went to a chiropractor who told me one leg is slightly shorter than the other (I think it was bullshit but he was totally hot and I was covered under my mom's insurance). I walk on the outside of my heels and I have wonky ankles (they pronate, badly). I'm skelatally challenged. I knew there was no way I could skip getting professionally fitted for shoes for my 3Day walk.

Through the 3Day website I found an outfitter near me. I went several weeks ago to get my first pair of shoes. Before now I chose athletic shoes mostly by price. But, I'll be walking 60 miles and this is not the time to be frugal. Getting professionally fitted for shoes can be the difference between a few blisters and lost toenails.

I tried on several pairs and had Bill and Caroline watch me walk in each of them. I needed a shoe with major heel and arch support to keep my wonky ankles stable and support my lower back.

I chose a pair of Brooks. So far they're working out well. I walked five miles this past Monday and hope to do five and half the next time I go out.

Bill and Caoline gave me a few tips for anyone starting training:

1. Find out if the shoe you choose changes styles. Some brands change a shoe from year to year. What worked for you last time might not feel the same later.

2. Get shoes at least a full size larger than your actual size. I hate seeing my feet looking like skis but 60 miles of the tips of my toes rubbing against the inside of my shoes is a surefire way to have the nails on my big toes start to bleed and then fall off. Vanity has no place in training!


3. Shoes with a larger toe box give your toes room to spread and minimize friction. Plus, if you start getting blisters there's room for the tape and moleskin.

4. Buy synthetic socks. I didn't know there was a difference but Bill explained that cotton absorbs the sweat but stays wet. Which creates a sauna in your shoe that will take a long time to dry. Plus: stinky! Ideally walkers should wear one pair Friday, switch on Saturday and go back to the first pair on Sunday.

There's no turning back now!

Please support me in my fund raising efforts. Click the widget to donate or go to my personal page.

2008 San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day Day 3 Pictures

I'm still on a high from the weekend. Mom says the walk is like a religious experience and I can see why. I can't yet put into words how great it was to volunteer and be "behind the scenes."

Seeing the walkers and crew members come in for the final stretch was so inspiring. I was handing out their Victory shirts and the single long-stemmed pink roses that Pro Flowers provides every year.


As the walkers passed through the Victory tent, the crew received grey shirts, walkers got white and survivors, pink. My table was right next to where the survivors picked up their shirts. It was very hard not to be in tears all day.

Seeing that pile of pink shirts grow smaller throughout the day was both heartbreaking and celebratory. If I had the privilege of handing a rose to a survivor I bowed and said "congratulations" which definitely had more than one meaning.

(She was limping so badly her friends had to help keep her standing)

One woman stopped for her shirt and her team had her pose for a photo. One second she was smiling and laughing and the next she was sobbing. They wrapped her in a group hug and they all cried together. I felt a bit like a voyeur. Even surrounded by thousands of people it was such an intimate moment.

I also got to be there when they announced that the last walker was about to come in. I saw her Saturday and honestly thought she was a homeless person taking advantage of the sweets and other things being passed out along the route.

When the announcement came out that she was on her way in, every walker there cheered and moved forward to try and get her picture. She was brought in with a police escort and when she stopped to put on her shirt she was in tears. As were so many others. She posed for photos and I gave her the entire bundle of flowers I was holding.


The official statistics haven't come out but I heard there were between 4,500-5,000 walkers this year and they raised just over $11 million dollars.


My mom is already committed to walking again next year. She may or may not stop after her tenth which she really wants to do in either San Francisco or Denver.


These ladies were not allowed to walk since they are currently undergoing their chemo treatments. They are both in their 20's.

I will definitely be out there again next year and I hope you will too. And like I mentioned in my first post, when the walkers take off one shoe and lift it high as the survivors enter The Survivors Circle, it gets me, every time.


Way to go mom! You rock!

Read about the other two days of the walk: Day 1, Day 2

2008 San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day Day 2 Pictures

Mom has blisters. Actually, she has five. Today is going to be tough. But I know she can do it.



Passing out gum, mints and baby wipes.


Some people are so clever with their tent decorations and team names. This is the Boobs Farm Whinery. There were two bottles of Boone's wrapped in pink on the ground.


The Remembrance Tent. One small tent for each city that hosts the walk. The San Diego tent is showcased in the larger tent along with photos of people who have recently passed and journals to leave a message to a loved one.


This woman has raised more money total for Komen than any other walker (click to her website, I don't want to give it away but prepare to have your socks knocked off). She gets to sleep in a special tricked out tent sponsored by New Balance.


Overheard: "I'm fine as long as I keep moving."

"If I stop now every muscle in my body will freeze up. I won't even be able to smile."


This is part of Main Street. There is a post office, store for buying merchandise, a tent for bingo, free foot massages and samples.


The walkers come through this area lined with flags as they finish for the day and head into camp. Other walkers stay to cheer them in, there's loud, upbeat music and bottled waters.


Read about the other two days of the walk: Day 1, Day 3