A Walk of Firsts...Neither Bald nor Pink

Good evening,

I am sad to say that I am neither going bald nor pink within the next few weeks. Ironically, I received the opposite effect of this contest than anticipated--most people boycotted! So thank you to those that boycotted and said they would donate once the contest is over--Its over so keep the donations rolling in! I am a little less than 1/2 way there and starting to feel the crunch, but I have faith that I can make the goal.

On a more laughable note, I have to tell you all the story of my first "war wound"...yep, that's right walking is very dangerous. This past weekend was a series of firsts--my first 15 mile walk, my first walk surrounded by family and friends, and my first walk solely on the treadmill.

Shannon and I headed to South Mississippi to visit parents, family and friends for the weekend. I was very excited to walk around Ten Mile Creek (the name of their community does accurately describe the distance) and get most of my walking in outdoors. This would be a new area with new scenery and possibly new company (they have three dogs), but I was disappointed to find out that Ten Mile creek was not a walking friendly community. People drive way too fast on the road without sidewalks to be safe... so my longest walk yet was to be completed on the treadmill. This, my friends, was bittersweet... I don't know if any of you are familiar with South MS in August, but its hot and humid--being on the treadmill meant that I didn't have to do the crack of dawn walking, but I did have to be running indoors for quite some time.

Flash forward many miles. I am bored, tired of listening to my play-list, can't read any more of the work I brought and don't have a book. My solution is to "Kick it up a notch" as Emeril says and began running. As many of you know I am terribly "exercised challenged" so this was certainly a bold move on my part, but I am doing well--booking it actually! Another mile down quickly because of the pace I kept--awesome... this is certainly working out for me. Around the time I started to get cocky I also got thirsty. I decided to hop onto either side of the treadmill itself, get some water and get right back to running. Just about the time I was getting back on (at the running pace still) I slipped. Yep, and just like Emeril says "BAM" in the splits hitting hard on the treadmill--giving me my first "war wound" and making the third of my firsts "being surrounded by family and friends" quite embarrassing. Thank goodness I think they are used to me and my grace.

Stayed tuned next week as my blogging takes a more exciting turn... The Chronicles of Mr. Pickles returns!

Walking down Emory lane...

First, thank you to all of the people who have donated so far! The walk is getting closer and closer and I am getting more excited. I am hosting a Pampered Chef fundraiser as my next big act. Pampered Chef is a great company that had kitchen products. They are donating 15% of the sales from the catalog party to Susan G. Komen and the 3-Day.

To shop by catalog show go to the website, www.pamperedchef.biz/allisonmarth. Here are specific instructions for ordering because it can get confusing sometimes:

Go to www.pamperedchef.biz/allisonmarth

Click on "SHOP ONLINE" (lower left-hand corner of home page)

Under Option 1 ("Already Invited to a Show and would like to place an order"), type in "Meredith Perlman", then click on "Search for Host"

Click on "Meredith Perlman"

Click on "Shop Catalog" or use the links on the left to shop the different collections.

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Now, on to my post.

Bumper to Bumper

Posted By: Jenn Latino
Look out Atlanta-I am going to be looking good in my new walking digs! This week I received support to assist in my walk preparation from Sandy Lassiter, my personal concierge to Sin City and the reason for my addiction to the slot machines and my aunts, the Virginia contingency. Maria and Joan are Komen for the Cure walkers as well, in memory of my great Auntie Rae. Thanks to these ladies I will have my final pair of shoes to get me to and through the walk, and I plan on refreshing my 3 over washed and thinning training shirts. I am also going to invest in a real rain jacket. The rain jacket I have is great for keeping the rain off of you but also doubles as a sauna. I can’t wait to make a visit to REI to stock up on the gear that will keep me looking fine and feeling great for all 60 miles! Thanks, Ladies!

This week the evidence that fall is approaching was a comfort on my morning walks. The temperatures are at least 10 degrees cooler than they have been in recent weeks and, thanks to the sun hiding for a little longer, I have had to move my 5:45 start time to 6:00am. 15 extra minutes in bed? A sacrifice I am willing to make on behalf of Mother Nature’s seasonal schedule.

One Family's Trash is Another Family's Treasure!

Posted by: Jenn Latino
The madness on college campuses continues this week but that hasn’t stopped my friends in higher education from joining the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. The busiest man on campus at SC is Andy Shaffer, our bookstore manager. In the midst of the chaos, Andy took a moment to send me a note and donation to honor his mother, Sandi Shaffer, who is an 8-year breast cancer survivor. Andy included a quick note about his mother’s strength: She had a mastectomy in June of 2002 and danced with me at my wedding two weeks later. I continue to be amazed by the strength of the many women, like Sandi, affected by this disease. Team New Kids is honored to walk in recognition of Sandi.

Challenge of the Week: Bald or Pink?

Hello New Kid Readers and Walk supporters,


Well, I promised updates and activity from me on the site, but I bet you didn't think it would be two in one night. This post you don't want to miss.

For those of you who've already donated on my behalf--THANK YOU! For those of you thinking about it... this week is your chance to make it happen and help make a decision--BALD OR PINK? Make a donation to cast your vote, should I shave my head or dye my hair NEON pink!

Roxxy, brighter than your hair was when we met and for those of you who knew me with the last really short hair cut--yep, it will be shorter!

There are a few incentives here:

If the donation goal is reached by 11:59 PM Tues night-- I will do both. Yes, I will be a pink "cue ball"
If the donation goal is reached by 12 noon on Thurs. I will listen to the people and do one or the other.
If the donation goal is not reached by Thurs. at noon I will not do either.
Literally, You decide my head's fate.

I am having a hard time getting the link for the survey to post to my donation site so I will add it here as well--in good faith :)

Donation Page: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/AtlantaEvent2010?px=4997147&pg=personal&fr_id=1461

Bald or Pink Page: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHFBVDFsNWFEVUlaRUhnbWxSNUo0NXc6MQ


Happy choosing!

I Finally Figured it Out.

Hi New Kids on the walk readers... I have finally figured out how to add blog entries to the site--amazing right? Now that I have this licked, I will start updating you on a regular basis. So here's a flashback to the past. This post is from the beginning of my walking journey... Hope you enjoy!

Date: End of May

As many of you know at this point, I have officially joined the 3-day walk to help raise awareness and end breast cancer. What you might not know (because I have not been an avid blogger) is how much fun I am having during the training process. I am NOT--repeat NOT-- a fan of exercise or strenuous activity... I will gladly take a book and boat over a run or nice hike any day of the week. Those of you who had the pleasure of attending the Student Success Center 2006 Winter retreat might remember Nicholas Sparks is my favorite. However, I have dragged Shannon and Mr.Pickles along on many occasions and on the rare ones I am alone, I get a chance to relax a little.

I got up this morning, got dressed in the cutest walking outfit (crummy running shorts and ratty t-shirt), tied my shoes, sat of the couch for a second waiting for the sun to peek out just a little more... and fell right to sleep... I woke up just in time for work!

The hardest thing for me isn't the walking itself, its finding the time to actually do it. I have tried the morning (around 5:30 or 6:00 walks) which are great (and the ones I normally do alone), but getting out of bed is ridiculous...I have tried the afternoon/after-work walk, but getting my happy tail out of the office chair and onto the walking track is insane...those are the ones Shannon normally has to force me out of the house to do... ha. But I think my favorite are the random times of day walks. It's that time when the "stars align" and the phone stops ringing, the emails stop coming, the energy level is beginning to plateau, but there is just enough motivation to get a few miles in...those are the walks I love. MP in tow--along with the trust "chuck it" we walk, play fetch, and listen to the the favorite concert for a short cruise! I come back revived and MP is exhausted! What a great treat.

Here's to planning and sticking with it. Ladies and gents--boys and girls, I need all the help and motivation you can provide.

Fitting It All In

Posted by: Jenn Latino

GOAL!!!

This week I reached and surpassed the $2300 minimum fundraising requirement to participate in the Komen 3-Day event! My current total is $2349 and I am thrilled to have had the support of many family and friends to help me get there.

Struggles and A New Freedom!

Ok I have to be honest. I have been struggling for past couple of weeks. Here in Atlanta, the temperatures have been extremely hot and work has been extremely busy. So, walks have been hard. Also, with $1700 left to raise, it is a little daunting. However, I think I have turned a corner and am getting excited about my walks again. After following the 3-days of the last 3 weekends, I am getting pumped.

This Saturday I got a new kind of freedom. My sister gave me an iPod + Nike device for my birthday. It calculates your mileage for you and even lets you set goals for your workouts. Saturday I had a 10 mile walk to do. I had planned on just walking my 3.5 mile loop 3 times and being done for the day. However, when I got to my first turn I realized that I could turn left instead of right and walk a whole new route! I was pretty excited about it and the saw all the new possibilities in front of me. I just started walking and enjoying the new scenery in front of me. My little device kept track of the miles for me and on the second half of the walk even counted down the mileage for me. With this new spring in my step and an accountability tool I was able to walk 10 miles in exactly 3 hours. I walked to Oakhurt and saw exactly how close things were in proximity to our house.

So, with this new tool, I am looking forward to my new freedom and not having to map out my routes before I leave the house.

Happy Walking!
Meredith

Putting the "Fun" in FUNdraising!

Posted By: Jenn Latino Sponsored by: Shawn Seuberling
WHAT A WEEK!! In just 7 short days I have come within $156 of reaching the minimum fund raising requirement to participate in the Komen 3-Day for the Cure!

I received 3 donations this week and they were all from people who have been my supporters since the first step in this journey (and for some, from my very first steps). I am thrilled to tell you about this trio.