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This gang cheered us on all thru the 3 days.  There were enthusiastic [...]]]> We started in the rain (and it stayed with us for five hours), but it couldn’t dampen our spirits! We handed the umbrella to a spectator at Opening Ceremonies, and walked with plastic grocery bags tied around our feet until they wore away.

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This gang cheered us on all thru the 3 days.  There were enthusiastic spectators (and spectacles!) along the route.

We were able to ditch the fashionable rain ponchos around noon; they didn’t match the pink theme!

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This trio was a constant cheering section along the route.  We dubbed them the “MAN i CURES” because we first spotted them on the porch of a nail salon (out of the rain) around 7 Friday morning.

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Check out the fancy footwear!  Real men wear pink!

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On Day 1 we walked into Base Camp carrying the “I’m Walking for the Future” flag.  Others took turns carrying “I’m Walking for … My Sister, My Mother, My Best Friend, My Partner, My Wife, My Grandmother”, etc.

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Many supporters along the route held signs honoring those who are fighting Breast Cancer; there were many survivors holding “thank you” banners.

Lots of walkers wore signs or ribbons honoring those they were walking for.  These wise words from a woman fighting Breast Cancer are inspirational.  A group of her friends walked in her honor and shared her message.

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Nancy’s sister made these gorgeous butterfly wings!  They have the names I walked in honor/memory of on pink hearts, and the names of my supporters on the white wings.

Yes, we wore wings every mile of the journey.  I like to think they made our steps just a little lighter!

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Men with Heart cheered the walkers in every afternoon, and sent us off every morning.

Many in their group also walked and offered support along the way.

They say “do something bold!” and I did!  I put out a call for cards of encouragement, and you responded!  There were 17 pieces of mail for me to open and share your kind words with other walkers while we waited in the shower line.  Thank you!

Home sweet home!  A sea of hot pink 2-man (or woman!) tents.

After all that walking, we slept soundly!

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Helpful Crew reminded us to fill our water bottles, and sent us on our way down the hill out of Base Camp each morning (yes, we climbed UP that hill at the end of the day!)

I didn’t get pics of all the great volunteers – Safety in orange shirts helped us cross intersections; Medical in red assessed blisters and other walker injuries, Crew in teal served meals, kept us hydrated, and manned the pit stops and lunch stations.

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The Youth Corps also saw us out in the mornings.  This group of teens is inspiring and energetic, always willing to help out where needed.

On Saturday evening there was a program which allowed them to share their reasons for being involved with The Breast Cancer 3-Day.

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Each pit stop, “grab and go”, and lunch station had a theme.  The crew pulled it together with costumes, decorations, and sometimes music.

Here we’re in Nerdville, complete with beanies, athletic socks, taped glasses, pocket protectors, and LOTS of plaid!

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Yes, it’s true, everyone loves a nerd!

Note the line of porta-potties in the background.  I will never take a flush toilet for granted!

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Along the route, stores, restaurants, bars, and residents opened their doors and offered cold drinks and the coveted flush toilet!

This farm market had beverages and a bathroom, and pink ribbon balloons for those who wanted them.

In sections of the walk, people lined their blocks with hoses and sprinklers running to cool us down, offering baskets with lollipops, ice pops, bubble gum, etc.  Just when we started to sag we’d hear a cheer up ahead and pick up our feet to meet it.

Some walking teams had roving cheering stations that were in themed clothing and boosted all the walkers along.  This is Noochie and her human friend Lisa, part of the Pink Angels team (thanks to Amy for ID-ing them!)

The husband and son of my tent-mate popped up all along the route, cooling off the walkers with spritzes of water from spray bottles.

Sunday morning.  We dismantled our tents and stacked them to be prepped for another group of 3-Day Walkers.

Base Camp was broken down and partially reassembled at Closing Ceremonies.

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Nancy and I depart Base Camp for Day 3!

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Officers in all the towns and cities we passed through helped keep us safe.

Here I was “arrested” for walking without a license

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Nancy and I cross the “Smoot” bridge from Cambridge into Boston.

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Here’s that “do something bold” again …

Jill over at Fizzy Thoughts wrote one of her famous (infamous?) parodies in honor of my walk.  Well, in honor of “MaDawnNa’s” walk.

This pose seemed appropriate!

Closing Ceremonies at UMass Boston/Dorchester.  The speaker announced that our 1600 walkers and volunteers raised $4million for breast cancer research, education, and treatment.  And, yes, if you’re inspired to contribute to my fundraising efforts, the online form is still open!

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All walkers raised a shoe in honor of the Survivors who walked the 3-Day.

The weekend was phenomenal – inspiring and invigorating!  Quite the range of emotions, from laughter to tears … and everything in between!

If you’d like a rough sketch of where we walked, this map outlines the 2009 Boston 3-Day route.

I haven’t put every detail into this post (I know, it went on longer than I planned!).  Go ahead and ask any questions you have.  Even though the Boston 3-Day has passed, I’ll continue the 3-Day Thursday posts twice a month while the other Walks are happening around the country.

I hope to walk in another 3-Day event next year, and I think it would be fun to walk in a different city.  Hmm, I was able to convince several bloggers to try a 4-week “lifestyle challenge” (diet) with me; will I be able to scare up some 3-Day Walkers?  How about “Booking for a Cure!” for a team name!?

Search my “3-Day Thursday” posts to learn more about this incredible event!

For literature fans out there (yes, you!), here’s a little quiz, with answers below in Comments.  Name two authors who have [...]]]> Have you heard of “the butterfly effect”?  It has to do with chaos theory; for example, that something as seemingly inconsequential as the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can have far-reaching impact on weather patterns.

For literature fans out there (yes, you!), here’s a little quiz, with answers below in Comments.  Name two authors who have used a version of the butterfly effect in their work.  Hint:  One is a short story, one is a YA novel.  Wikipedia is my source, so don’t hold me to it as fact

Now, what the butterfly effect have to do with my Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, and why is there a picture of wings accompanying this post?

I believe that the fundraising efforts of this event, and the emotional impact it creates, will have far-reaching effects.  I believe a cure for Breast Cancer will be found in my lifetime.  I believe I will be touched forever by the 3-Day experience, and that I’ll be a better person for having done it.  I believe.

When I walk, starting tomorrow morning, July 24, I will walk …

… In Memory Of

• Tony Yanatsis (from Amy)
• Gloria Turnheim
• Pam Champine
• Sandee Smith
• Aunt Bev (from Heather)
• Patty (from Kristine)
• Lucie (from Kristine)
• Kaethe (from Memory)
• Kathy (from Karin)
• Donna (from Karin)
• Judy C (from Stephanie)
• Mama Susan (from Dom, Eliza, and Catie)
• Jen H (from Greg)
• Lorida (from Natalie)
• Nancy (from Julie)
• Felix and Maria H (from Michele)
• Leila D (from Linda & Dave)
• Margy F (from Linda & Dave)
• Frank Z (from Linda & Dave)

… In Honor Of

• Debbie
• Carol Ann
• Stephanie
• Simone (from Ali)
• Aunt Donna (from Heather)
• Christie (from Heather)
• Debbie (from Kristine)
• Mary (from Kristine)
• Andrea (from Kristine)
• Susie (from Kristine)
• Susan’s friends
• Amy (from Sheila)
• Mary-Ann (from Zibilee)
• Renate (from Candace)
• Lisa (from Kaela)
• Debbie (from Kaela)
• Angie (from Kaela)
• Marie (from Kaela)
• Marieke (from Linda)
• D. Stoebs (from Kim)
• S. Touks (from Kim)
• Cheryl
• Patty (from Kathy)
• Cheryl F (from Ed and Debbie)
• Bonnie M (from Yuriko)
• Sue F (from Demi)

I will wear these names proudly on my wings.  Nancy, my walking partner, has walked for the past several years as part of The White Butterflies team; her sister Ellie has personalized the wings for us (pics to come!)

This is another audience participation post.  I wrote one last week, when [...]]]> Madame Ambassador is back, with the two-week countdown to the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk!  Wow, I’ve been preparing for this event for so many months, it’s hard to believe I’ll be setting out on the first leg of this journey in just 14 days!

This is another audience participation post.  I wrote one last week, when I asked you to tell me who I’ll be walking in honor of, or in memory of.  I’ll be wearing these names on my clothing throughout the weekend.  If you’d like to add a name to my list, just leave a Comment, or email me at dawn [at] sheIsTooFondOfBooks [dot] com.

I plan to post text and photo updates on Twitter throughout the weekend.  You can follow me at @TooFondOfBooks .  Of course, I’ll be sending those updates when I have stepped to the side of the route and am standing still – talking (or tweeting!) on a cell phone while walking is not allowed, for safety reasons.  I’d love to get a tweet or two from you that weekend!

I’ll be sending the Twitter updates via my iPhone, which has a battery life of about one day.  I won’t have access to AC power to recharge the phone during my two nights away, and was hoping to find a (single use?) battery-powered charger to use.  I’ve asked the Mac Geniuses as well as the guys at Radio Shack, but haven’t had any luck.  Is there a AA or AAA powered charger I can purchase to take along with me?

Now, who’s good at corresponding via snail mail?  I’ll tell you one person who is – my mother!  She always gets the birthday cards and thank you notes out on time, and is ready to to drop a note in the mailbox when she hears that someone has had a big event in their life, or just needs a lift.  I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t inherit that gene!  If and when I do put something in the USPS mailbox it’s a major feat!

I’m wondering if I can convince some of you to be a little like my mother right now.  As my July 3-Day News says:

There’s nothing like a letter from a loved one to inspire you to keep going. Your friends, family and supporters can write a letter to you, which we’ll deliver to you on the event at the Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office.

Send letters to:
Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office
ATTN: DAWN RENNERT
P.O. Box 8534
Warwick, RI 02888

Envelopes only, please. No boxes or large packages. Mail must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, July 14th in order to ensure delivery at the Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office.

So, yes, I’m putting it out there, to my “loved ones” (Hi, mom!), to the bookish people I first “met” online, and to those of you who might be linking over from another site … I’d be thrilled to get an encouraging note while on the 3-Day route! A standard postcard costs 28 cents to mail; a standard letter, 44 cents.  The boost I’ll get? Priceless!

That’s all for this week, folks!   Look for another 3-Day Thursday post next week!

Many people have asked me “why are you doing this?!”  They want to know why I’m choosing to walk 20 miles a day for each of 3 days.  I have two answers:

The first is that [...]]]> It’s Thursday!  Time for another 3-Day update from Madame Ambassador!  Stick around ’til the end; this is an audience-participation post …

Many people have asked me “why are you doing this?!”  They want to know why I’m choosing to walk 20 miles a day for each of 3 days.  I have two answers:

The first is that the Walk is symbolic of my fundraising efforts.  It attracts a lot of attention to the Breast Cancer 3-Day cause, which in turn may interest people in supporting the group.  In order to participate as a walker, I’ve committed to raising at least $2300; 85% of the net proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the remaining 15% benefit the National Philanthropic Trust.  Both group support breast cancer initiatives, including research, treatment, prevention, and education.  So, I’m walking in order to raise funds.

The second reason is that I have too many friends, families of friends, neighbors, former co-workers, etc., who have been affected by breast cancer.  I’m walking for them.  I’m walking for the 1 in 8 American women who will be struck with breast cancer.  I’m walking for those I’ll walk beside during the Breast Cancer 3-Day; those women (and men!) wearing the pink “survivor” t-shirts.  I’m walking in honor of, and in memory of, many wonderful people.  I’m walking for my two daughters, that a cure may be found, and they never have to face this disease.

I’ll walk with their names on my own shirt over the course of the three days (or on my white butterfly wings, if my walking partner convinces me to wear them!).

Here’s where you come in:  please leave a comment with the name of someone you’d like me to walk for.  It can be a first name or nickname (Suzy, Grammy Lee, Auntie Beth, etc.).  I’ll add their names to my t-shirts (or wings!).  If you don’t want to leave the information publicly, you can send it to me via e-mail at dawn [at] sheistoofondofbooks [dot] com .

Thanks for your help!  I will, of course, post pictures of the t-shirts/wings.  I’ll be wearing them 3 weeks from tomorrow, the countdown is on!

p.s.  you can check my progress at my 3-Day participant page.

I want to take a few paragraphs today to give a shout out to a special group, they are Men with Heart, a group of men dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

They are husbands, brothers, fathers, sons, friends and colleagues.  they have come together to do something constructive; and they do it with spirit, and, yes, [...]]]>

I want to take a few paragraphs today to give a shout out to a special group, they are Men with Heart, a group of men dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

They are husbands, brothers, fathers, sons, friends and colleagues.  they have come together to do something constructive; and they do it with spirit, and, yes, with heart.  Since 2002, Men with Heart has raised over $800,000 in the fight against breast cancer!

I first saw a “man with heart” back in January when Debbie and I went to a Get Started meeting for the Breast Cancer 3-Day.  At the end of the presentation a man in a bright yellow shirt stood up and introduced himself.  He told us that the Men with Heart team would be with us in July, walking beside us, raising funds and awareness along with us, and cheering us on.  They carry backpacks with all the necessities for a fun, safe, and spirited walk – song books, candy, chocolate, band-aids, tampons, etc … Kind of like fairy godfathers in yellow t-shirts.

The organization was created in response to a noticeable dearth of men participating in the multi-day walks.  Beneficiaries have included the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Avon Foundation, the Jimmy Fund, and Susan Love Research Foundation, among others.  Men with Heart is based in the Boston area and participates in local events. 

Wouldn’t it be great to see Men with Heart across the country?!

Next week: fundraising trials, tribultations, tips and tricks!  It all adds up!

Madame Ambassador is back!  Today I will share about the Breast Cancer 3-Day Preview Expo which I attended this weekend.

The 3-Day Preview Expo is a 3-hour event which is designed to answer any and every question a walker, crew member, or other volunteer might have.  You can come and go as you like, but workshops are [...]]]>

Madame Ambassador is back!  Today I will share about the Breast Cancer 3-Day Preview Expo which I attended this weekend.

The 3-Day Preview Expo is a 3-hour event which is designed to answer any and every question a walker, crew member, or other volunteer might have.  You can come and go as you like, but workshops are scheduled the entire time; you won’t lack for things to do and learn!

This is one of the enthusiastic volunteers that greeted us as we walked into the conference center.  He had his walking stick ready, and looked like he could go 60 miles with no trouble!

Inside the Expo were hundreds of people who came to learn more about the event.  There were walkers, crew, friends and family, people who were ready to register for the 3-Day, and scores of volunteers including a Youth Corps who were giving demos of how to set up these hot pink tents – our home away from home for the two nights of the 3-Day.

There were activities: door prizes, cheering station to make signs, talking with crew and past walkers, a “dining table” with healthy snacks and chairs to sit and chat with other 3-Day participants, and outfitters with 3-Day gear and shoe-fitting.

The many workshops included:

• Life on the Breast Cancer 3-Day
• Camping and Packing Tips
• Shoe Fit
• Beyond Apparel
• Injury Prevention and Stretching
• Be Good to Your Body
• Blister Prevention and Care
• Breast Cancer 3-Day Fashion Do’s & Don’ts
• Ready, Set, Crew!

I left the 3-Day Preview Expo and more excited about, and committed to, my upcoming walk!  Visit the Breast Cancer 3-Day to learn more about opportunities in your area.

Next week I’m going to tell you about some “Men with Heart.”

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personal update:

training:  back on track after two weeks of illness in the house.  This weekend is Boston’s Walk for Hunger, a 20-mile walk thru Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, and Cambridge.  I’ll walk this with a friend, donating to our local food banks and experiencing a long training walk.

fundraising:  still going strong!  We have yard sale scheduled for next Saturday.

Madame Ambassador is back with this week’s installment of 3-Day Thursday.  Today we’re going to talk about shoes – not Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik – but shoes you can train to walk 60 miles in!

Early on in my 3-Day experience I decided that I was going to take advantage of every official [...]]]>

Madame Ambassador is back with this week’s installment of 3-Day Thursday.  Today we’re going to talk about shoes – not Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik – but shoes you can train to walk 60 miles in!

Early on in my 3-Day experience I decided that I was going to take advantage of every official training opportunity that was offered to me.  After all, even though I know how to walk, I wasn’t sure I knew how to prepare for a 60-mile walk, how to pack for 2 nights in a tent (!), and what to expect along the way and at the end of each day.

The 3-Day has an online calendar which lists training events and clinics, sorted geographically.  I found a shoe-fitting clinic at a running shop in the next town, and attended with my walking partner, Debbie.  The running shop is an official outfitter for the Breast Cancer 3-Day; they offer discounts and specialized support to people who come into the store via the event.

Steve, the manager of the store, asked me to walk the length of the store so he could check my gait for pronation or any other issue that my shoe needed to address.  He then measured my foot, looked at the sneakers I had been walking in (2 years old, way past the point of retirement!), and brought out a selection of shoes for me to try.  I have never spent so much time trying on sneakers to make sure I had the best fit and the most comfortable pair of shoes!

Steve was so patient with us (you’d think we were selecting heels to wear to an evening event!), as we tried on shoe after shoe, then went back to the originals, then tried one shoe on the right foot and a different shoe on the left.  You may be thinking, “well, that’s his job”; it may be his job, and I appreciated how well he did it!  It also underscored the difference between choosing sneakers at a full-service store and picking up a pair from a serve-yourself mass retailer!

Anyway, I ended up with a pair of sneakers that are a different brand than those I usually buy.  I’ll train in them for a few more weeks, then buy a second pair.  I plan to alternate pairs as I train, and have both with me for the 3-Day event.  Two pair of sneakers are suggested for the walk itself, in case one pair gets wet (please, no rain!)

The message in this post is about all the many types of support and guidance the 3-Day offers for people who walk the event!  Who knew that a new pair of sneakers could make me so happy?!  And, hey, even if you’re not walking the 3-Day, you might consider treating yourself to a proper shoe-fitting, it can make a huge difference in the way you walk!

Next week:  I’m attending the Breast Cancer 3-Day Expo this weekend.  I can’t wait to tell you about that experience!

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Personal update:

As of today, April 23, there are 93 days until the Breast Cancer 3-Day Boston!

training:  Spring colds and viruses last week (kids) and this week (me) have put me off my training schedule a bit, but I’m confident that I’ll jump right back in when I’m able.

fundraising: Friends bought me another 10 cups of virtual coffee this past week; I’m getting there!

Welcome to this week’s 3-Day Thursday, er, Friday post!  I had planned to post about the shoe-fitting clinic I attended, along with some tips for choosing the right training/walking equipment ….

But, it’s been a wacky week, so instead of following my plan, I’m writing about being flexible.  That’s not stretching and yoga, we’ll cover that [...]]]>

Welcome to this week’s 3-Day Thursday, er, Friday post!  I had planned to post about the shoe-fitting clinic I attended, along with some tips for choosing the right training/walking equipment ….

But, it’s been a wacky week, so instead of following my plan, I’m writing about being flexible.  That’s not stretching and yoga, we’ll cover that another week.  Today’s post is about being willing and able to make changes to a plan and to accept when you don’t meet your goals!

I’ve had kids home sick from school every day this week (they’re on the mend, thankfully, it started with one and went thru all four!), and haven’t left the house.  Really, except for one brief errand I’ve been housebound caring for my kids, exactly where I belong when they need me!

This means I haven’t been keeping up with my walk training plan.  I’m disappointed, yes.  I feel better mentally and physically when I exercise, but it just wasn’t happening this week.  Instead of dwelling on it, I’m looking forward to getting out early tomorrow morning for a long walk.  I may not meet my weekly mileage goal, but I’ll be happy with what I am able to do.

I got thinking about the Breast Cancer 3-Day that I’ll be walking in July.  60 miles over three days is a lot of steps, but I feel confident that I can do it.  I know that there is support and a contingency plan in place in case I can’t … things happen – despite diligent preparations I may get tired, dehydrated, develop blisters, or get caught in a lightning storm!  It will be no shame to jump on that transfer van and hitch a ride to the next rest area of the walk. 

Is my positive self-talk working?  What do you do when circumstances beyond your control keep you from reaching a goal?

The folks at the Breast Cancer 3-Day noticed some of my earlier posts about the walk I’m doing, which will be held in the Boston area in July.

They’ve asked me, and other chatty walking bloggers, to become 3-Day Online Ambassadors, keeping our readers up-to-date with info about the various walks around the country as well as [...]]]>

The folks at the Breast Cancer 3-Day noticed some of my earlier posts about the walk I’m doing, which will be held in the Boston area in July.

They’ve asked me, and other chatty walking bloggers, to become 3-Day Online Ambassadors, keeping our readers up-to-date with info about the various walks around the country as well as our personal stories.

So, today I’m introducing 3-Day Thursday, a weekly event for the next 16-20 weeks.  Each week I’ll share a bit about the BIG PICTURE of the walks, and let you know what’s happening in my little corner.

There are 15 3-Day walks across the US this year.  They run Friday – Sunday, averaging 20 miles per day.  I understand that the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are awe-inspiring, and that the walkers tend to be energized rather than exhausted … the power of people coming together for a common cause.

If you have the tiniest smidge of interest in what this is all about, I encourage you to attend a “Get Started” meeting. 

My team-mate, Debbie, and I went to one a few months ago.  There were about 30 people who wanted to find out more about walking or being a crew member (a crew member helps at the 3-Day site, but doesn’t walk the 60 miles.  She might help with set-up, serve meals, offer hydration, hang direction signs, etc.) 

There were also 3 or 4 people associated with the 3-Day who welcomed us and answered all our questions about what to expect.  We talked about creative fundraising, tent accommodations, camaraderie along the route, meals, etc. 

Most importantly, we talked about what happens to the funds raised thru the Breast Cancer 3-Day walks.  The answer is that 85% of net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the remaining 15% benefit the National Philanthropic Trust.  Both groups support breast cancer initiatives including research, treatment, prevention and education.

We left the meeting full of enthusiasm and confidence.  Confident that we could not only walk the 60 miles and raise the money we have committed to, but also confident that we can make a difference!

Next week: Training the 3-Day way

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My personal update:

• Training:  going well, following the 24-week plan (more about that next week).  This next week has me walking 22 miles and engaging in 45 minutes of cross-training.
• Fundraising:  also going well.  I’ve raised $811 so far, and have only 298 cups of coffee to go!  Debbie and I have been collecting items from our neighbors for our tag sale scheduled for the beginning of May.