Avon Walk: I Walked For...

When I was first asked to join the team I had no idea how many people I knew who's lives were affected by breast cancer. Some who will proudly say they are survivors, others who would rather not be mentioned, and then those who weren't so lucky. When Nicole asked for people to join the team in 2007 I knew it was a good cause but was concerned about raising enough and being able to walk far enough. After a short meeting she convinced me to join. From there the reasons just grew.

In the beginning one of the reasons to walk was a personal challenge. Years ago a drunk driver hit me and I have had to adjust so many parts of my life around the injuries and aftermath. I can still walk. I just wondered how far. In middle school I walked 15 miles for March of Dimes. How far can I walk now? A team mate reminded me that that 15 miles was a LONG time ago. That challenge, wanting to defy injuries and my age helped me get to 17 miles last year. Along the way I discovered what my godmothers daughter was struggling with while I was pregnant with my son. At the time no one would tell me and I only knew she passed leaving behind a husband and two teenage daughters. During my fund raising I was finally told it was breast cancer. The walk had become much more then just a walking challenge. I was now walking for Rachel. Last year I promised her mother I would carry her picture as far as I could and I carried her for 17 miles. After the walk I found that my neighbor Pam was also a survivor. I raised $2,005.00.

This year I wanted to walk again. I wanted to walk farther and raise more. I did both. On Saturday I carried Rachel picture 21 miles on the course and another mile to catch my ride home with my family. On Sunday I returned to go even farther. After helping pack up the team's 7 tents, I walked another 13 miles on the course and another 2 miles home. This time I carried all the names. So Far this year I have raised $2,250.00

In Memory of
Rachel Reppert - god parents' daughter

Survivors
Pam Baker - neighbor
Dorothy Waldbillig - son's teacher's mother
Glenda Lucas - team mate
Jana Allen - team mate

Next year, I'm not sure. I said this would be my last one for now because of work and personal commitments. But... after walking across that finish line on Sunday... I might have to go back. There are no words for what I felt as I heard hundreds of people cheering for the little I raised and the distance I walked. It was wonderful and overwhelming. I might need to try just one more time to walk the whole 39 miles and see if I can get to at least $3,000.00 next year.

Avon Walk: Making a Fashion Statement

Our team captain and her wonderful assistant found us reasonably priced wick dry shirts. Melissa had introduced the team to this wonderful material when she found last year’s team shirts. We just had to have it again. With the addition of a guy, excuse me our ROCK STAR, to the team they felt pink might not be the best shirt color choice even though he was more then willing. They topped us off with camouflage and gray base ball hats for the walk

The rest of our outfits was let up to us. I don’t think I will ever go on a long walk again without my walking socks. I use the Wright Sock double layer socks to prevent blisters. After a bad chafing incident at one of the training walks I feel the same way about my new walking pants. It was humid and there wasn’t a good place to “pull over’ to put on my Body Glide anti-chafing With the new Champion® Double Dry® Women's 19.5'' Gym Performance Texture Capri Pants
that is no longer a problem between the double layers and the type of wick dry fabric chafing is a thing of the past. Luckily in my area all of these can be found at Metro Run & Walk.

Avon Walk: Gear

How do you pack for a day of walking? I was a Girl Scout so being prepared runs through my mind more then traveling light for just about every trip or thing I do. The belt above is about 8 pounds of being prepared. Keep in mind that over 3 pounds of that is drinks (3-20 ounce bottles). Because of my food allergies I pretty much carry what I'll need for the day with me. There were carrots, bananas and grapes at different stops which I did eat; just about everything else contained at least one thing I'm allergic to.

Body Glide anti-chafing is the wonderful stuff. Just roll this stuff on any place anything rubs and you are set to go. I made sure my feet were thoroughly coated and carried some so I could reapply it at the midway point each day. One woman told me she won’t break in a new bra without it. It can be found at most hiking or running shops

Medication: Benadryl is always a safe thing to have with you when you have any kind of allergies: food, insect bites, etc. I also made sure I had two doses of each Tylenol and aspirin.

Gel hand cleaner: What did we do without this stuff. Yes soap and water is best but when you don’t have that around this is second best.

Rain Coat: They called for rain over the weekend all week. I tried the trust worthy way of making sure it didn’t rain – I carried a rain coat. It worked I carried a rain coat and it didn't rain.

My Walking Survival Kit

• Smilie face purse with bright yellow rain poncho.
• Leather pouch for Body Glide with sunscreen, lip gloss with sunscreen, lanolin, gel hand cleaner, map of down town DC.
• Two bottles of Oregon Chai Lates (Yum!)
• Camera
• Cell phone
• Little Black bag: Zone Bar, turkey jerky, dried fruit, tissues, route map, Tea To Go and Propell packets.

• Water bottle, bandages, antibiotic ointment, Tylenol, aspirin, Benadryl, and eye glass repair kit.

Avon Walk: The Women of the Walk

There were so many women with so many stories. They were walking for loved ones lost and loved ones saved. I heard stories of how they survived or are surviving after being diagnosed with breast cancer. There were women who were counting the years they had survived breast cancer and those who were counting days. They were all amazing.

The common chant was this was easier then chemo. There were signs saying blisters don’t need chemo. Yet I heard one woman say she had gone through chemo and THIS was harder. This walk was the hardest thing she had ever done.

In so many ways it truly is…

For 2 Days, We Walk as one.

Avon Walk: The Other Men Who Helped Us

Here is just an sample of the men on the crew and along the streets cheering and inspiring us.

Then there were the men who supported their wives, mothers, sisters and others as they trained and walked. Especially my husband who took care of the kids while I trained and walked. He encourage me and helped me when ever he could.

Avon Walk: Cow Man

Cow Man, you may think this is utterly re delicious but he is serious about supporting the walkers and finding a cure. He comes to every walk in his cow suit and his pink Cadillac. His crew of volunteers are decked out in cow print aprons handing out all kinds of sweets to get us through the tough hills and long miles. He poses for pictures and says encouraging words. He gives hugs and seems to pop up when every you needed a smiling face to encourage you to go farther. He offers fatherly concern if you are looking drained or dehydrated. He is watching out for each and every walker. I'm looking for a chance to find out what has inspired him to inspire us so much.

Avon Walk: Back Pack Guy

John, the guy with the back pack, was the second person I gave one of my dog tags to. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. He had hoped to walk before she passed but didn't have the chance to. After retiring from the Marines he started walking. He missed the walks in 2006 because he was finishing rehab from his seventh surgery. In 2007 he walked all 9 Avon Walks and is doing them all again this year.

There are several teams who walk not just every year but at multiple locations each year. He said it was like a reunion at each one and they get the added bonus of seeing beautiful cities in a way they never would be able to other wise. These are dedicated walkers who truly hope to leave breast cancer behind them in a trail of dust.

Avon Walk: Mohawk Man

Glenda and Jana are Team MBA breast cancer survivors. Saturday morning as we were getting ready to walk they handed each of us two pink dog tags. We were given instructions to give away one to someone who inspired us and to keep one for ourselves. As you may notice in the picture I gave away both of mine.

Mohawk Man, Dan, is inspiring us all.

In 2006 he and his wife walked the DC walk together. I heard walkers tell me that they inspired them the last 10 miles. I heard how wonderful they both were to walk with and to know.

In 2007 I saw Mohawk Man. He walked in front of me for several miles. Across the back of his shirt he had photos and the story of him and his wife. Part of it said last year they walked together this year he walked alone for her. She was there but not able to walk more than a few miles. She spent most of the walk riding in the pink Caddy along with cow man. She passed in August 2007.

This year he walked again. This time he had her walking shoes hanging from his belt. He also left pennies painted with pink ribbons. Each time we saw one we were to think of her looking down from heaven. She was with him and with us. I spotted a pink penny as we were crossing the bridge from Virginia back into DC. I let Nicole pick it up as we all got a bit chocked up. We had heard the story but this was the first penny we found. Miles latter after lunch I saw Mohawk Man. I asked him if he had gotten a pink dog tag yet. He hadn't. I told him what my instructions were and told him he inspired my whole team I was just the first one to find him. As we hugged I told him we found one of his pennies. Teary eyed we parted. Sunday morning I saw him in line for breakfast and asked if I could take his picture since I didn't get a chance the day before. He agreed. He showed me he was wearing the dog tag saying he had to wear it. Latter I found several more pennies. I picked up two as a reminder and as inspiration.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Day One

We did it. We walked with over 3500 other walkers. I personally walked over 21 miles. I'm going back on Sunday to walk the second day with my team. Blogs for several days to come will be written about this wonderful and challenging experience.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Event Eve

The Team MBA was going to be checking in at Event Eve for the Washington DC Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in a few hours. My thoughts were bouncing between "OH MY GOD, IT"S TOMORROW" and "WE CAN DO IT".

I went to Event Eve with two checks in hand that took me up to my fund raising goal of $2,200.00. Now all I have to do is walk 20 miles tomorrow and another 13 on Sunday. I think I can, I think I can......

Team MBA raised over $52,000 dollars. Our little 15 member team raised enough to be in the top 10 fund raising teams for the Washington DC walk. Actually we were #7 when we checked in on Friday. Our team captain Glenda, a 2-time breast cancer survivor, had us all wear our gray walk shirts and new camo hats to check-in. We definitely left an impression as we walked in together.

We can do this.

We said we were going to raise $35,000 and we rose over $52,000.

We have trained and we will walk as far as we can carrying the message

We can find a cure for breast cancer.

Thank you for all of your donations and support.

Avon Training & March of Dimes March for Babies Weekend

I can’t quite describe the weekend as a whirlwind but it was definitely a scheduling challenge.

Saturday morning I was out the door at 7:10 to walk 11.5 miles. About 4 miles into the walk I found a flaw with my walk route. Map My Run showed a through street between two apartment complexes which has been blocked by an 8’ high fence. I had to double back to and plot a new route around the road block and try to keep the mileage the same. When all was said and done I walked 11.78 miles on sidewalks over a number of “rolling hills”. Even thought I was walking alone for a mile or two I shared my walk route with a local high school’s fun run. I made a quick pit stop at Trader Joe’s to grab some turkey jerky for breakfast. I may have taken a wee bit too much time to stop and enjoy the spring flowers. My husband called to see were I was since I wasn’t back yet and obviously not keeping up 20 minute miles. All in all I had a very nice nearly 12 mile walk in just over 4 hours.

I made it home where the first thing I did was recalculate my route and distance. I took a quick shower before grabbing a sandwich and was out the door. I was off to help set up for the March of Dimes March for Babies the next day. I spent the next 6 hours folding 10 cases of incentive t-shirts which we were going to give away to walkers. Climbing in and out of a truck trailer is a great way of stretching out leg muscles. There was some talk of logistics for the next day which included many hopes for good walking weather for all of the walkers and for all of the volunteers.

Many of us had a sleepless night just hoping the rain would come through quickly or stall out and not come until Sunday night. The rain started just minutes before the alarm clock went off. Driving through the drizzle at the crack of dawn the hopes changed to just having a “Seattle rain” instead of the thunderstorms they were predicting. There was a see of purple volunteer t-shirts transferring food, t-shirts, and other goodies from trucks to their designated tents and tables. Then the rain started to really come down. Some of the purple shirts just ran faster and others were covered by rain coats. The march is rain or shine and we were preparing for our dedicated walkers and fund raisers either way. The closer we got to start time the harder the rain came down. Thunder and lighting caused a power surge and one of the adjacent building’s fire alarms went off. Three fire trucks came to check it out and reset the alarm when the all clear was given. Through all the rain and commotion the walkers came. We directed them to parking, to registration, and to the food tent. When walk time came we had to make the hard decision of not sending them out on the 4 mile course. Instead they walked around the block for a short ½ mile course. I greeted them congratulating them on finishing the entire course so quickly, welcoming them to our communal shower and to our new baby shower fund raiser. They appreciated the humor. They were there for a cause and they weren’t leaving before they marched for babies. They were going to stamp out premature births no mater how much it was raining.

All of the after march activities I had been arranging for months had to be canceled. I so appreciate Gunston Manor Band, Mad Science of DC, AKS Massage School, Sparky the Firefighting Dog, and McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog volunteering to come and entertain the walkers and volunteers. We thank My Gym, The Fun Bus, and Andy’s Parties for braving the weather before packing back up to go home. I especially want to thank Marty Kaplan who photographed the entire soggy event. We hope that each are willing to come back next year.

I would also like to thank my husband for all the time he spent watching the kids this weekend and for volunteering for one of the soggy check points with our Mannaheim friends. And special thanks to our friends at Mannaheim for all of your encouragement and for braving the weather to help when I needed you.

Training Weekend 4/14

It was another weekend training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and preparing for the March of Dimes® March for Babies™.

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer held training walks throughout the area to help prepare for the walk. Lucky for me there was a 6 mile training walk starting only a little more then 2 miles from my home. I walked to and from the ‘event’ and was able to get a good 10 mile walk in while meeting some interesting people. One of the walkers said she told her trainer she was going to only walk 6 miles on Saturday. She asked us when did 6 miles become ONLY 6 miles. In spite of forecast for rain we had great weather for walking with only a few sprinkles during my last 2 miles. I guess carrying my rain coat the entire walk once again guaranteed good walking weather. Now if I had thought sun instead of possible thunderstorms I wouldn't have sunburn matching my pink Avon t-shirt. I’m hoping on walk weekend the predictions are for good weather so I don’t need to carry rain gear. I checked and my hip pack and loaded belt weighed 8 pounds when I left the house. No rain gear would mean a lighter load. It was a good training walk. I managed 10 miles in about 4 hours plus a few breaks and learned I need to do more walking before the big weekend.

Everything seems to be falling in place for the March of Dimes® March for Babies™. Our walk is this coming Sunday and we are hoping for great weather, great turn out and lots of funds to help prevent prematurely and healthy babies.

Walking in the Zone

Those with allergies and other food restrictions will understand the need to take your own food to many events and gatherings. My need to avoid wheat gets more challenging while walking or working charity events. The need for high carbohydrate foods and foods that are easy to feed the masses usually is not compatible with wheat or gluten-free diets.

One of the treats I often pack as my walking snack or lunch are The Zone Perfect Bars. The bars are offered for people following The Zone diet by Dr. Sears. The diet promotes using a balanced diet wisely to promote good health. I have found that many of their bars are wheat-free. These bars come individually wrapped and easy to fit into a pocket, pouch or my purse. Along with being very portable I have found them to be quite tasty. I have liked just about every flavor I have tried but my favorite has to be the chocolate graham bar. As someone who has not been able to eat a graham cracker for 6 years I find the chocolate graham bar a wonderful way of having the taste of a wheat treat without the wheat.

If you have a wheat allergy read the labels carefully. I picked up the same bar in two different stores. One had wheat and the other did not.

Training Update: 4/7

You know it sounds like a good idea to train with the team and walk 7.5 miles until you have to get up on the weekend like it is a weekday. The weatherman was calling for temperatures in the mid 50s AND raining. What was I thinking? Oh, well you got to do what you got to do. It was time for positive thinking and a few prayers for only a light rain or sunshine.

It must have been a training walk that was meant to be. It stopped raining as I left the house and it actually got up to the mid 60s. The overcast skies made for a great walking day. Our fearless leader mapped out a fantastic route winding through nice neighborhoods. She made sure there were plenty of rolling hills to match the potential routes through Washington DC. We all paired up and took off. One group did a 14 mile route while the other two did the 7.5 one. I had a great walking buddy to chat with and keep up a decent pace. We kept a good pace and did our 7.5 miles in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

I had hoped to do another 6-7 miles on Sunday but the weather did me in. I am such a wimp. The stalled weather front brought rain and cooler temperatures. I stuck an arm out the front door and quickly retreated to the warm and dry house. I’ll have to try to do another walk a little longer next Saturday. I have 25 days more to get ready to walk 33 miles in one weekend. I just have to keep repeating “I can do it”.

The good news is I'm feeling good. A few stiff muscles but they are all working. The gardening I did in the afternoon might have been just the right amount to keep things from cramping up.

I just need $45 more in donations to meet the minimum to walk and $445 dollars short of my fundraising goal for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Spotlight: Rails to Trails Conservancy

Rails to Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization who works with communities in the United States to preserved unused rail corridors by converting them into trails. They publish a magazine for their members and website promoting trails and news relevant to biking and walking along with other news relevant to enhancing the health of America's environment, economy, neighborhoods and people. They promote policies at the national and state levels to make trail building possible.

These Shoes Were Made for Walking

Okay March didn’t see much marching. I only did four, yes that is 4, training walks. In those four walks I managed to do over 15 miles but that isn’t going to be enough. This month needs to see much more cement under these soles if I’m going to have a chance at walking 20 miles in one day.

With the matching funds calculated in I’m about $500 short of meeting the minim for walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and $500 short of my goal for the March of Dimes® March for Babies™ .

The March of Dimes March for Babies after walk hoopla for the Reston Town Center walk is starting to take form. The Gunston Manor Band has confirmed they will be performing. We have also received confirmations from AKS Massage School, FUN BUS, Kaplan Photography, Mad Science of Washington, Sparky the Fire Fighting Dog, and others. Other members of the committee are working hard to make sure we have more then enough food to feed all our wonderful walkers and valiant volunteers. The only thing left to do is to hope for great walking and picnicking weather.

Canada goose

One of the nice things about doing my training walks alone is I get to see a bit more of nature then if I had others along chatting, playing music, talking on the phone, etc. On my last 5.26 mile training walk I came across this beautiful Canada goose snacking along the trail.

Walking to Make a Difference

Fundraising is a unique position I keep putting myself. Considering I have a hard time asking for help for much of anything beyond advice or referrals it seems odd that year after year I put myself into the position to raise funds for others. Alone I can only do so much but with the help of those around me I can help to raise donations which can help improve the lives of so many. No one I know can afford to write endowment checks for hundreds or thousands of dollars but most have $5 in their pocket they are willing to put towards a good cause. Most often it just take asking or for the cause to hit home. We all care about so many causes but some mean so much more to us. I cared about breast cancer but the cause became so much more personal when I was told that what took Rachel’s life. Healthy babies meant a lot to me but when I delivered a premature baby it became very personal.

This year marks 21 years of fundraising for March of Dime® March for Babies™ (formally WalkAmerica®) and my second year for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I am hoping for a day when every baby will be born healthy and no one has to fear the words breast cancer. If you have $5 or $10 to spare please consider making an online donation to either of these important causes.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
http://walk.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1430&px=3209129

March of Dimes - March for Babies
http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?w=131000198&u=Merrily

Training for Walks

It was going to be a short walk around the neighborhood. I was hoping for a walk around 3 miles long but with the encouragement of the children and the chilling wind the walk was shortened a bit.

According to MapMyRun.com our Sunday afternoon stroll came to about 2.33 miles of rolling sidewalks. It was windy and only 46 degrees. Making the walk a bit more challenging I pushed tandem stroller, not one of those fancy jogging strollers, over hilly sidewalks with lots of dips for driveways. The image above shows the elevation changes of the walk. The stroller was loaded with waters, snacks, and 2 kids (75 pounds together) . I calculate I was pushing nearly 100 pounds. If I keep training while pushing the kids the walk itself will be a piece of cake.

The kids were kept busy snacking on Gold Fish and on the look out for spring flowers. They found crocuses and daffodils. Kids would prefer shorter warmer walks but seemed to enjoy checking out everyone’s gardens.

AVON Walk for Breast Cancer

I’m doing it again. Last year was the first time I participated in this event and it was amazing. I raised $2,005 dollars and walked 17 miles in one day. This year I hope to raise more AND walk farther. By doing some juggling and coordinating I will be going back for the second day of the walk. The drunk driver years ago may make it impossible to stay over night in the tent city but I will walk a second day this year. I’m hoping to walk 20 miles the first day and another 13 on the second.

Why I’m walking

I’m walking for Rachael Reppert. Rachael is my godparents’ daughter who lost her battle with breast cancer. She left behind two daughters. And with her passing I won’t have the chance to ever get to know her better. As children whenever my family went to visit hers she would get down on the floor and play with my sister and me. As little kids we really enjoyed the time she spent with us. Last year I promised my godmother I would carry Rachael’s picture as far as I could along the walk. This year I hope to carry her picture farther.

I’m walking for my neighbor Pam who is a survivor. Nice people like her should never have to go through so much. I’m hoping we find a cure and no one else has to.

I’m walking for me, because I remember how scared I was when I found a lump. In high school a lump pinched a nerve waking me up from a deep sleep in tears. A doctor’s visit resulted in setting a date for surgery for a biopsy. I arrived at the crack of dawn at the naval hospital ready to have the biopsy. By lunch the Admiral came by to check on me to see how the surgery had gone. He was surprised to hear I hadn’t seen my doctor yet. With in minutes the doctor was by my side explaining the procedure and within the hour I was being operated on. The surgery went quickly and the doctor sent me to the recovery room to wait. I waited for the results for what seemed like hours. If it was benign I would be able to get something to eat. I hadn’t eaten anything since 6 the night before and it was now well past noon. If the lump was cancerous I would have to go back into surgery and have all the surrounding tissue removed. And I waited. It seemed like forever by the time the results came back. It was benign! I could get food from the vending machine and go home. I was so thrilled. The bandages I had to deal with for the next several weeks was nothing compared to what it could have been. All I can think about is the people who have to wait longer for results or hear those terrible words that it IS cancer.

I’m walking so my children and theirs’ don’t have to dread the words ‘breast cancer’.

I’m walking for A CURE.


AVON Walk for Breast Cancer
My walk page...
http://walk.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1430&px=3209129