Safety First!

I'm trying to walk without using my iPod to keep me entertained. When I walk in the 3-day in October you are not allowed to use an iPod with earbuds - you can use it with speakers. You are also not allowed to use your cell phone on the route. You literally have to step off the route to make/receive a call or text. Like I tell my children, "safety first!".

It makes sense. We need to be able to hear traffic, directions and the conversations around us. This walk is a time to meet people, discover their journeys and soak it all up. This is not a time for "going into a bubble" and keeping yourself distracted. It is a HUGE part of doing a walk like this.

Of course it is easy to follow this rule when you are surrounded by other people. So far I've been walking by myself. I spend my time thinking about my to-do list, my dh's to-do list, what's for dinner (because my 2 older girls will ask me this question no fewer than 10 times once they get off the bus), praying and just soaking up the silence. But there are moments that I could use a good distraction like music. A good beat can keep you moving without realizing it! So, 3 miles is doable, but I will be thankful when my team mates are able to join me on the longer walks because walking with nothing but your own thoughts for 10+ miles is just a lot :)

Keep on walking!

A bit windy... but nice!

Pulling out my 3-day walking gear came with such great memories that I couldn't wait to get it all on and walk!

Hydration pack - check, dry-wick pants, shirt, long sleeve shirt - check, 3-day bubb - check (love this thing!), hair up - check, water - check, stretch - DOH! I knew I forgot something! Stretching is very important and let me assure y'all I will not forget that on Thursday!

I had time to think about my pending hair appointment. For those of you who don't know, I have vowed to dye one "strand" of my hair a dark pink for every $400 I raise. If I raise my personal goal of $5,000 by October I will dye all of my hair pink! I posted this information on Facebook this morning because I was $87 short of $1600 and I wanted 4 streaks to be even. Within 15 minutes I was over $1600 - a HUGE thanks to my friends this morning! On 5/8 I will be posting pictures of my new color... I'm a little nervous because quite honestly I'm just not that adventurous! But it is only hair and as so many cancer patients have heard... it will grow back. In my case it will grow out :) I'm also very excited because this cause is so near and dear to my heart... pink hair and raising at least $2,300 is the least I can do to show my support!

In the end my first 3 miles are done and I'm feeling great! I'm looking forward to my next 3 miles on Thursday in new sneakers - got to break them in!

Just keep walking!

Training begins...

To say that I am excited to begin training for the 3-day is an understatement. I started fundraising in January this time so I could fully enjoy training without worry! I am so happy that I am only $800 from reaching the minimum - I have no doubt I will raise it. Bigger on my mind is that I fully intend to reach my goal of $5,000 by October.

So, this week I will begin the journey with 12 miles. Before I even begin the first mile of the DC 3-day, 60 mile journey in October... I will have logged in 580 training miles! When it is all said and done I will have walked 640 miles in the fight against breast cancer... gives me goose bumps just thinking about it!!!!

I invite you to follow me as I train, fundraise and try to balance work and family all at the same time. At the very least it should be entertaining :)

If you would like to donate to my fundraising efforts please go to http://www.the3day.org/goto/stacie.lemick

Up next... 3 miles on a sunny Tuesday :) Or so the weather people promise :)