Posted By: Michelle Ashcraft
I have to admit that this was one of my most difficult training weeks yet. Being tired and a little sick, having crazy weather, and adding a few extra miles made me a little less than excited for training for the first time in this journey. However, by the end of my first walk of the week on Tuesday, all that changed …
The Benefits of Being a Big Girl
My steps were a little slower than usual on Tuesday, and I found myself looking at my pedometer quite a bit more often than I usually do, thinking “only [insert #] more miles” along the way. I had a little more than a mile left to go as I rounded a bend in the trail I take home when I stumbled across two young girls. As I approached them from behind, I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation. It went a little something like this:
Girl #1 (with cute braids): My mom is going to come out here soon and tell me I have to go to bed.
Girl #2 (wearing pink!): Mine too. That’s stupid …
Girl #1: Yeah, I can’t wait till I’m a big girl.
Girl #2: Me too. We can stay up as late as we want.
Girl #1: And hang out with our friends …
Girl #2: And do whatever we want …
Girl #1: And drive!
Girl #2: And wear makeup!
Girl #1: AND WEAR A BRA!!!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Getting to Know You, Part 2
Posted By: Kim Sterritt
As promised, please enjoy getting to know MIGHTY Michelle Ashcraft!
Michelle Ashcraft
Location: Lexington, KY
Are you a NEW New Kid or a New Kid With Experience?
NEW New Kid!
What made you decide to take the plunge and sign up for the 2010 3 Day?
After reading the weekly NKOTW blog last year and then seeing all of the TV commercials advertising the 3-Day for the Cure, a voice started popping up in the back of my mind saying, "Get out there and go for it!" One night I was sitting on my couch reflecting on a stressful day and wondering what sort of impact I was making on the world, and I got the sudden urge to do something bigger than myself. A few days later after some researching I called Jenn to tell her I was taking the plunge and asked if I could join NKOTW ... now here I am!
How did you get suckered into joining, I mean, get connected with Team New Kids?
I was absolutely inspired by Team New Kids on the Walk last year, especially by Jenn Latino. Jenn and I became very close when I worked for her as a graduate assistant, and we continue to remain close now that I am in my first job. Her blog posts were often the highlight of my week throughout her training schedule, and it was very inspirational to see not only the positive impact that NKOTW had on finding the cure, but also to see the impact the training and walk had on the team. I was proud to call those of you that I knew my friends and colleagues! About halfway through your training I secretly decided that I wanted to do the 3-Day this year. Now that I have committed, I only hope that I can motivate even one of my friends, family members, or colleagues in the way that NKOTW 2009 motivated me.
As promised, please enjoy getting to know MIGHTY Michelle Ashcraft!
Michelle Ashcraft
Location: Lexington, KY
Are you a NEW New Kid or a New Kid With Experience?
NEW New Kid!
What made you decide to take the plunge and sign up for the 2010 3 Day?
After reading the weekly NKOTW blog last year and then seeing all of the TV commercials advertising the 3-Day for the Cure, a voice started popping up in the back of my mind saying, "Get out there and go for it!" One night I was sitting on my couch reflecting on a stressful day and wondering what sort of impact I was making on the world, and I got the sudden urge to do something bigger than myself. A few days later after some researching I called Jenn to tell her I was taking the plunge and asked if I could join NKOTW ... now here I am!
How did you get suckered into joining, I mean, get connected with Team New Kids?
I was absolutely inspired by Team New Kids on the Walk last year, especially by Jenn Latino. Jenn and I became very close when I worked for her as a graduate assistant, and we continue to remain close now that I am in my first job. Her blog posts were often the highlight of my week throughout her training schedule, and it was very inspirational to see not only the positive impact that NKOTW had on finding the cure, but also to see the impact the training and walk had on the team. I was proud to call those of you that I knew my friends and colleagues! About halfway through your training I secretly decided that I wanted to do the 3-Day this year. Now that I have committed, I only hope that I can motivate even one of my friends, family members, or colleagues in the way that NKOTW 2009 motivated me.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
THIS Is Why We Walk!
Posted by: Jenn Latino
Tuesday started as a typical day. Fight with the dogs about an appropriate wake up time, get ready for work, visit the Orientation session, head to the office….the afternoon held a 3 mile walk (easy these days!) and some exciting TV with Jillian Michaels. Fairly routine, nothing special-just my kind of day.
After lunch, I received a message from a friend and former classmate at FSU, Caroline Joy White. Caroline’s aunt Jean was in my list of people that I honored with my 2009 walk as she battled inflammatory breast cancer. Aunt Jean was much more than “my mother’s sister” to Caroline. Last year Caroline and her husband Mike left sunny FL to move to their home state of Massachusetts to help Aunt Jean with her insurance business while she battled her cancer.
On Monday, Aunt Jean lost her fight to this terrible disease. Caroline’s message to me included a beautiful reflection of the resilience that Jean showed, even when her health was failing. “Working side by side, I saw the effects the cancer had on her but the one thing it never took from her was her undeniable fighting spirit. Jean is an inspiration in so many ways but no matter how ugly this disease was, she always smiled and never complained. Incredible. She is now back in one piece and enjoying a glass of wine up in Heaven, toasting all of us!”
Tuesday started as a typical day. Fight with the dogs about an appropriate wake up time, get ready for work, visit the Orientation session, head to the office….the afternoon held a 3 mile walk (easy these days!) and some exciting TV with Jillian Michaels. Fairly routine, nothing special-just my kind of day.
After lunch, I received a message from a friend and former classmate at FSU, Caroline Joy White. Caroline’s aunt Jean was in my list of people that I honored with my 2009 walk as she battled inflammatory breast cancer. Aunt Jean was much more than “my mother’s sister” to Caroline. Last year Caroline and her husband Mike left sunny FL to move to their home state of Massachusetts to help Aunt Jean with her insurance business while she battled her cancer.
On Monday, Aunt Jean lost her fight to this terrible disease. Caroline’s message to me included a beautiful reflection of the resilience that Jean showed, even when her health was failing. “Working side by side, I saw the effects the cancer had on her but the one thing it never took from her was her undeniable fighting spirit. Jean is an inspiration in so many ways but no matter how ugly this disease was, she always smiled and never complained. Incredible. She is now back in one piece and enjoying a glass of wine up in Heaven, toasting all of us!”
Monday, June 7, 2010
Will Work (Walk) for Food
Posted By: Michelle Ashcraft
This past week was a little bit crazy for me, so my schedule got all thrown off. But as of Monday even I had completed most of my miles for the week, and I haven’t missed a training walk yet! I’m looking forward for a bit of a calmer week ahead (I hope). I traveled every weekend in May and the first weekend in June, so I’m hoping for a few travel-free weekends in the near future.
Venturing to the Land of Boilermakers
This past weekend I traveled to West Lafayette/Lafayette, IN to my other “home” at Purdue University. This trip was to see my sister Becca and her boyfriend Jake. Jake recently moved into his first home (very excited for him!) and Bec just moved into a new apartment, so I was looking forward to seeing their new places, and to give them their birthday present!
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!
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!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Fundraising: It Ain’t Rocket Science!
Posted by: Jenn Latino
I am in the fourth week of training for the Komen 3-Day. That is about 20% through the 24 week schedule, so it seems like an appropriate time for my first fundraising update. I’ll get to the punch line first (surprises aren’t my thing)….drum roll….I have reached 20% of my fundraising goal with $457.00 donated so far! OUTSTANDING!
I have always been more daunted by the fundraising challenge of this journey than the physical challenge. $2300 is a big darn deal! But, breast cancer is a big darn deal and we have to take bold steps to beat this terrible disease. Raising the $2300 challenges me to be creative. I have had some fundraising gigs gone great, and some gone, not so great.
WHAT WORKED?
I am in the fourth week of training for the Komen 3-Day. That is about 20% through the 24 week schedule, so it seems like an appropriate time for my first fundraising update. I’ll get to the punch line first (surprises aren’t my thing)….drum roll….I have reached 20% of my fundraising goal with $457.00 donated so far! OUTSTANDING!
I have always been more daunted by the fundraising challenge of this journey than the physical challenge. $2300 is a big darn deal! But, breast cancer is a big darn deal and we have to take bold steps to beat this terrible disease. Raising the $2300 challenges me to be creative. I have had some fundraising gigs gone great, and some gone, not so great.
WHAT WORKED?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Reflections of Family: Those Who Have My Back
Posted By: Michelle Ashcraft
Team NKOTW Around the World
Greetings, and welcome to another weekly edition of Team NKOTW training! This past week found our team training all over the world! Personally I found myself doing 1 walk in Kentucky, 2 walks in Indiana, and 1 walk in Washington, DC … that’s 3 states in 7 days! Shawn took to the beach while Meredith trained in Ireland. (Jealous! I’d love to go back to Ireland. Check out my travels from summer 2008 here.)
Team NKOTW Around the World
Greetings, and welcome to another weekly edition of Team NKOTW training! This past week found our team training all over the world! Personally I found myself doing 1 walk in Kentucky, 2 walks in Indiana, and 1 walk in Washington, DC … that’s 3 states in 7 days! Shawn took to the beach while Meredith trained in Ireland. (Jealous! I’d love to go back to Ireland. Check out my travels from summer 2008 here.)
I think everyone else took to their home trails while hoping that rain or extreme heat didn’t impede their progress.
Unplugged Reflections
You may remember from a couple of weeks ago that Jenn L. reminded all of us that we should “unplug” every now and then to observe and reflect on the world around us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)