Breast Cancer is a real threat to women all across the world. It changes lives, tears families apart, and it is a disease that needs a cure, NOW!!
I believe that every woman can decide how she is going to fight against breast cancer. Truthfully, just like anything else, it is a personal choice.
For me though, this fight is PERSONAL.
After losing a grandmother, aunt and step mother to breast cancer this fight is just to important to leave to chance.
The first step I am taking is choosing to take care of myself and encouraging the women around me to do the same. My mammograms are done yearly and breast cancer self exams are done monthly. But I have been feeling like I wanted to do more. So, over the past couple weeks I have been quietly preparing for the big walk – The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day.
Just in case you have never heard of it, The Breast Cancer 3 Day is a 3 day event. For three days, you walk 60 miles. You raise money, and you bring attention to breast cancer.
This walk is done across the country in different cities. Women raise money, train, and put their feet to the pavement for this great cause, hoping to make a difference, hoping to make a change, and hoping to raising money for a cure for breast cancer.
I thought about doing this walk a couple years ago but things fell through, but now I’m ready.
As a participant, each day you walk 20 miles, and although that sounds nice in theory it’s quite a feat, but I am up for the challenge. To get myself ready, I’ve gotten advice from people who’ve done the walk before.
For instance, I found out that the training walks are really important for preparation. So, although I haven’t done one, I have been incredibly intentional about working out with both runs and walks.
Since July, I’ve been logging anywhere from 3 – 5 miles four to five days a week.
I’ve also talked to my podiatrist to make sure my feet were as as prepared as they could be. I got inserts also known as orthotics, and will probably get another pair because in this walk protecting your feet from blisters is vitally important. My podiatrist gave me some great stretches to try, and he specifically told me to make sure that I stretch the balls of my feet. – Check!
I’ll get some great socks and a second pair of sneakers. I also have some CEP compression socks and a knee brace all set to arrive before the race gets here.
My Polar heart rate monitor is also helping me prepare by logging my steps and helping me maximize my training .
At the end of the day, this walk is small in comparison to the fight the women who have this disease have to face. Sore feet and blisters is nothing compared to chemo treatments, and radiology.
With every step, I will remember the countless women who have fought for their lives. I will also remember those women who lost their battle to breast cancer, and I will pray that with every mile I walk it gets us one step closer to a cure that makes this battle one the next generation doesn’t have to fight.
Doing the Breast Cancer 3 Day is my way of fighting back. If someone you know or love is a survivor or a warrior who didn’t win their battle please leave a comment with their name and I would love to dedicate one of my miles to them.
In the meantime, I hope you will pray for me and cheer me on. #bloggersforboobs
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