Monday, June 7, 2010

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You!

Posted By: Kim Sterritt

Greetings! I am so excited to post for the first time this 2010 3 Day season! I am even more excited that this post kicks off a weekly series of "interviews" I did with each member of Team New Kids for us to get to know each other and for all of our faithful readers to get to know us as well. I am a firm believer of modeling the way so up first I offer the interview I did with myself. I hope you enjoy getting to know the amazing members of Team New Kids as much as I enjoyed these interviews!

Kim Sterritt
Location: Decatur, GA

Are you a NEW New Kid or a New Kid With Experience?
Proud New Kid with Experience!

What made you decide to take the plunge and sign up for the 2010 3 Day?

I was proud to walk in honor of Stefanie Spielman last year. It was Stefanie’s fight that prompted my involvement in efforts to end breast cancer when I was in college. Unfortunately, I will have to walk in Stefanie’s memory this year. She lost her fight in November of last year, less than 3 weeks after we completed our 60 miles. I registered for the 2010 walk the next day. I walk because she can’t.

How did you get suckered into joining, I mean, get connected with Team New Kids?
Jenn Dooley asked me to walk with her in 2008. I was ready to go but then won the Ohio State Football alumni ticket lottery by winning the opportunity to purchase tickets to the Ohio State – Penn State game, which was on the same weekend as the Atlanta 3 Day. Ohio State lost that game which I suppose was a sign that I should have walked instead. I righted the error of my ways in 2009 and took the plunge!

What is your favorite snack?

I am a fan of sweets in general: Strawberry Twizzlers, Peanut Butter M & M’s, York Peppermint Patties to name a few. During training, I walk with granola bars in my backpack. During the event, I couldn’t get enough bananas and salty potato chips.

What is your favorite walking/workout jam (song)?

I am heavily influenced by music when I walk! I generally kick off my training walks with the theme song to the “A-Team.” Other favorite jams: Anything by Brittney Spears, Accidentally in Love (Counting Crows), American Girl (Tom Petty), Send me on my Way (Rusted Root), any good upbeat showtunes! Check out my 2009 Recap for the entire 3 Day Soundtrack from last year’s event.

Fundraising for the 3-Day walk is challenging. What is your strategy?
Well, I kicked off my fundraising this year but putting all of my birthday money toward my 3 Day efforts. My hope that those who supported me last year will continue to be generous and that there will be additional contributors willing to support me on this year’s journey.

What are you plans for training?

I swear by the 16 week training plan. My new concern is that, with a 3 Day under my belt which dissolved my fear of dying during the 3 Day, I will not be as strict with my training. That is going to be my new mental challenge. I don’t want to become lax on this!

Why do you walk? What inspires you?

I walk so that my 3 nieces (maybe 4 nieces in July or 5 by October!) will never have to be affected by breast cancer. That breast cancer will never affect them directly, never steal a loved one from them. All cancers SUCK! I firmly believe that if we can find a cure to one cancer, we will be able to find a cure to all cancers. The 3 Day strives for a world without breast cancer. I walk for a world without cancer, period.

What was your favorite 3-Day moment?
I get immediately misty when I think of opening and closing ceremonies, including our victory walk as a team. I loved our team dinner the night before Day 1. To have the majority of the team in one place, PLUS many loved ones, with all of the excitement. So great! During the 3 Day, I LOVE crossing the street! The Safety crew makes sure everyone is…well, safe. But also, they make sure everyone is having fun. We walked like an Egyptian across the street, YMCA’d across the street, disco’d across the street. Our feet may have been dog tired but they danced anyway! Oh and I can’t forget the cheering stations. Seriously, I would walk ANY distance to get to a cheering station!

What is one piece of advice you would give a first time walker this year?

1. Pack layers and plan for every type of weather. 2. Take care of yourself: lots of fluids and snacks, both during training and during the walk. 3. Socks are key! Blisters are bound to happen but your socks can lessen the number. 4. Start relying on your team mates now because you will surely rely on them during the event! Ask questions. 5. Training is harder that the actual 3 Day event. As long as you can survive training, you will be just fine!

If you had dinner with Nancy Brinker, the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, what would you say to her or ask her?
I would ask Nancy what she thinks Susan would think of all of her efforts and what she plans to do once the cure for breast cancer is found.

Please feel free to add anything else you’d like to share about yourself or the 3-Day.
I would be lying if I said that I don’t get nervous thinking about the 3 Day this year. It is HARD work. The hours of training and the $2,300 to raise are not easy feats. (Get it? Feat. Feet.) But the feeling on the other side of 60 miles is amazing. The sense of accomplishment and being part of something so much bigger than yourself is well worth the hard work. Your team mates and your loved ones are here for you, every STEP of the way!

Up next week: My Interview with Michelle Ashcraft!

4 comments:

  1. So when you "interviewed" your self, did you switch back and forth between 2 chairs.
    Self 1: So, tell me a little about why you decided to participate in the 3-Day.
    SWITCH
    Self 2: I had nothing else to do in October! Was looking for a distraction from my college football habit.

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  2. Used a mirror instead. Less movement that way! :)

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  3. Absolutely LOVE your 3-day soundtrack! I have some of those songs on my playlist too. And your 3-Day memories make me even more excited for the event. Great post!

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