My 3 Day Journey: 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Breast Cancer Walk (part 1)

There are going to be several parts to this since the walk took place over the course of three days and was just too amazing for words. I have been struggling with how to articulate what I felt and experienced. (I am also waiting for pictures to come back on Wed.)

The Schedule -- each morning we would check out of camp and receive a schedule for the days walk and evening activities. This was nice because it broke the walk into very manageable parts. So, below is the listing of all our schedules.

Day 1 began at Shoreline Community College and ended at place by Boeing called Paine Field. I thought this was particularly appropriate because our feet were sore.

Throughout the day there were designated pit stops and cheering stations. Each pit stop had snacks, Gatorade, water, port-a-pottys and first aid for your feet. The lunch pit also had physical therapy available. The crew of the 3 Day really took great care of us. In addition to frequent pit stops there were sweep vans that drove up and down the route encouraging us or picking up us, if needed. We were really in good hands all the way.

The cheering stations were a great way for the community to show their support. Though, in all honesty, we couldn't walk more than half a mile without community support. It was truly amazing. I will talk more about that later.

DAY 1 SCHEDULE
Pit Stop 1 3.2 miles open 7:20-8:40 am (they stayed open a bit later because the walk didn't begin until closer to 8 -- but everything got back on track by the lunch stop)
Pit Stop 2 (New Balance sponsored) 5.9 miles (that is 2.7 miles since the last pit) 8-10:15 am
Cheering Station 9.1 miles 8:30-11:30 am (Edmonds Adventist Church, 8625 196th SW, Edmonds, WA 98026)
Pit Stop 3 (Bank of America sponsored) 9.3 miles 8:55-12:00 pm
Lunch 11.3 miles 9:35-1:30 pm
Grab & Go (Nat'l Philanthropic Trust) 14 miles 10:45-3:05 pm
Cheering Station 15.3 miles 11:30-4:15 pm (Meadowdale Church, 4900 168th SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037)
Pit Stop 4 (Energizer sponsored) 15.6 miles 11:20-4:00 pm
Pit Stop 5 19.0 miles 12:15-5:40 pm
Camp 21.6 miles 1:00-whenever the last walker gets in -- before 7:00 pm

DAY 2 SCHEDULE
Pit Stop 1 3.1 miles open 7:20-9:05 am
Pit Stop 2 (New Balance sponsored) 5.1 miles 7:50-10:05 am
Cheering Station 6.6 miles 8:00-11:00 am (Jackson Elementary, 3700 Federal Ave, Everett, WA 98201)
Grab & Go (Nat'l Philanthropic Trust) 8.2 miles 8:35-11:45 am
Lunch 10.6 miles 9:25-1:10 pm
Pit Stop 3 (Bank of America sponsored) 13 miles 10:00-2:25 pm
Cheering Station 14.8 miles 11:00-4:00 pm (Verizon Corp Offices, 1800 41st St, Everett, WA 98201)
Pit Stop 4 (Energizer sponsored) 15.7 miles 10:45-3:50 pm
Pit Stop 5 18.7 miles 11:25-5:30 pm
Camp 21.7 miles 12:00-whenever the last walker gets in -- before 7:00 pm

DAY 3 SCHEDULE
Pit Stop 1 2.6 miles open 7:25-9:45 am
Pit Stop 2 (New Balance sponsored) 4.8 miles 8:15-10:50 am
Pit Stop 3 (Bank of America sponsored) 7.3 miles 9:10-12:05 pm
A nice note that reads "The large hill of the event, "Capitol Hill" is at 8.2 miles -- isn't that nice of them to let you know what mile you are going to dread?
Lunch 9.6 miles 10:25-1:10 pm
Cheering Station 10.8 miles 11:00-3:00 pm (Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122)
Grab & Go (Nat'l Philanthropic Trust) 11.3 miles 11:00-2:05 pm
Pit Stop 4 (Energizer sponsored) 13.4 miles 11:35-3:10 pm
Holding 15.0 miles 12:00-4:00 pm (Key Arena -- all walkers were to be in by 4 so, we could all walk into Memorial Stadium together for our victory walk)

Now you may be adding these three up in your head and saying, "That doesn't add up to 60 miles." You are right... 21.6+21.7+15= 58.3 miles. What those who made this route did not include on the schedule was all the walking around camp that you are going to do. This more than makes up that missing 1.7 miles. Our camp was two regulation soccer fields long and one regulation baseball diamond long. Now I had too look this up because I'm not great with measurements and wanted to make sure I wasn't exaggerating the size of our camp. That is about 300 yards long and 150 yards wide. That is STINKIN' HUGE when you have just walked 21.6 miles.

That is the size of the walk. I honestly did not walk every mile on this course because I had really bad blisters and shin splints. That said, I was able to walk about 50 miles of it, and will complete the other 10 miles in the beginning of October... not because they require it of me, but because I made a commitment to walk 60 miles for Breast Cancer and I want to fulfill that commitment.

I am also going to use that 10 mile walk to continue to raise funds for my committed $2,300. I still have about $1, 000 to raise. So, if you want to donate go to www.the3day.org/goto/JeniGates or if you want to join me for some of all of this 10 mile leisurely stroll, let me know by responding to this blog or email me at gates4real@hotmail.com

That is all I am going to write for now. My Matthew is needing some loves and laundry calls. More to come tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Yard Sale

The yard sale was a HUGE success! We had many neighbors and friends bring items to sells, buy items, bring their moral support and man a bake sale... I was truly overwhelmed with gratitude. People were very generous. We were able to raise $612 and some change. This has been donated to my walk bringing my total to $1,042 raised. I am almost half way there. YEAH!! I will post pictures soon.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

YARD SALE and fundraising

Fundraising has been more difficult than I thought it would be. I think this is due to me not opening my mouth enough. I will get better at this.

We are having a yard sale this coming Friday and Saturday (Aug. 21-22) from 10-5 and 10-3. Hopefully this will generate some good funds to be put toward the walk. We have a few families participating and one has even offered to bring drinks and cookies on Saturday to sell. YEAH!

Wish me luck.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Training came to a halt

This week I got the flu and was barely able to stay out of bed. So, training didn't go this week.

There are a couple good things that came from this week, though. First, I still managed to lose 5 pounds. Hope I can keep it off.

Second, I did learn something about myself this week. I have truly grown to like working out and really missed it. YEAH! Getting moving won't be so difficult now.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Training

I will be honest. I am finding it hard to do the longer walks... those that are over 8 miles. Some of it is the fact that I don't have the right socks and get blisters. Yes, I am hoping to get some as a birthday present. Some of it is the time... I walk about 3.75 miles in an hour so, that is 4 hours of walking. Yes, I can break it up, but still 4 hours! So, I think I am going to try to get a sitter for Friday AM. Josh's day is usually pretty open on Fridays. If we get a sitter, then we can walk that together and maybe get some of that spark back. (almost 9 years of marriage, and it is starting to show) The dilema with that is paying the sitter. I would honestly like to put that $$ toward fundraising or just paying bills. That said, I know we will be okay. This walk is something that is very important to me and the Lord always opens the doors for the really important things in my life. So, guess I will make that arrangement... and some better socks, maybe some mole skin, too.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Training Continues

By the end of this week the schedule says I will have walked 19 miles and cross trained for 45 minutes. I am glad it is split into smaller portions. Today I am going to walk 10 miles. Already have put in 3 just walking around the house and bringing Ceithlinn to school. I am glad the weather is finally cooperating so walking outside is enjoyable. The thought of walking 10 miles on a tread mill is a bit boring. I can do up to 7, but after that it is torture.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Training Schedule for the week of May 18-24

Easy walk 3 miles
Moderate Cross Training for 15 minutes
Moderate walk 5 miles
Easy Cross Training for 30 minutes
Easy walk 7 miles
Easy walk 6 miles
REST

Wow! Good thing I can do this without too much trouble, especially if I have someone to talk to or some good tunes on the iPod.

I'll let you know how it goes. Honestly, training has been a little tough the last couple weeks with the kids getting sick (can't bring them to the gym with me, the kids klub doesn't like sick kids playing there), doctor's appointments, just plain lack of motivation. This week is looking up and I have a great schedule for the summer, which for me will begin after June 5th. I'll still get up about 5:30, instead of teaching Seminary I will go to the gym and work out!! My body is already used to getting up that early, Josh will definitely be with the kids, and as the walk gets closer and the walking increases I will still have plenty of time to get that in before Josh leaves for work. Don't you just love having a GREAT PLAN?

Sunday, May 3, 2009

My Personal URL

If you feel like this is a worthy cause please click on this link to donate to my walk. I am trying to raise $3,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Also, please forward this to your friends who may be interested. I will keep this blog up to date so you can see how the journey is going. Thank you for your support!

http://www.the3day.org/goto/JeniGates

One of many BIG steps

A couple years ago my friend's young daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In talk

ing with my friend she said one of the things her little girl missed was her "girl hair." She lost it due to the treatment. Well, that got me thinking. How many other people miss their hair. I have plenty to spare. So, I looked at a couple different organizations I have heard of over the years: Locks of Love http://www.locksoflove.org/ and Wigs for Kids http://www.wigsforkids.org/. Both of these make wigs for those who have lost their hair due to disease. I chose to donate my hair to Locks of Love because they make wigs for men, women and children.

When all was cut off I had a little over 13 inches to donate! Getting the hair gathered into the pony/braid to cut was the most nerve racking part for me. I think the reality of what I had been planning

began to hit. The hair stylist noticed the hesitation and gave me a questioning look. I reassured her that I was really happy with the decision and to go ahead with the cut. I closed my eyes for the first snip then watched with a smile as the rest came off.

Oh, right before she began cutting my hair I heard a woman ask in disbelief, "Is that girl going to cut off that whole braid?!" I just smiled and said, "Yes, she is."

So, now I have a braid that will be sent in the mail Monday, a new do, and this happy feeling that I may be able to give someone their "girl hair" back. Thanks, Rylee for the inspiration.

The reason I am walking 60 miles

A couple years ago I saw an advertisement for the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk, but did nothing about it. This is a 60 miles walk in 3 Days held here in Seattle and other cities throughout the US. All proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to aid in prevention, education and research of breast cancer. This year's walk will be held September 11-13.

I decided in November 2008 that this would be the year I would walk. Most of the people I know have been touched by some form of cancer. I know I have. I want to make a BIG statement of support in the fight against and education about cancer. I want to be part of something that is powerful and positive. I want to be part of something that is much bigger than myself or my group of friends.

My 3 Day Journey