T-100 Days to Chicago

This blog has taken a turn for the 3-Day, really its called 3-Day Addict so I better start blogging about the 3-Day! Its officially 100 days from Chicago and I'm only at 9 percent of my goal. I'm disappointed but then again I did change my tactics this year and went viral with my fundraising letter so I'm going to get the snail mail going here and step it up my stalking tactics.

Speaking of steps, I'm training again. Finally the allergens in MN decided to back off a bit so I can go outside without fear of repercussions of running nose, itchy eyes and feeling like I got my bum kicked the next day. Last Saturday I spent 3 hours outside then spent Sunday sleeping for 14...not ideal when you haven't finished unpacking from moving in January. I live alone, who cares if I'm unpacked but it does keep me from crafting.

Training for the 3-Day is no joke and if you are serious about the 3-Day you need to be serious about the training and everyone that's done the 3-Day knows..."The best training for walking is walking." That means lots and lots of walking. Yes, it is tedious but its worth it when you cross that finish line knowing you accomplished something amazing for a good cause.

Tonight my friend Peggy hosted a training walk at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and its tulip season or week, hence the picture above and beyond. I guess last week there were daffodils everywhere but I missed that one, I was at my second outdoor baseball game of the season :) That's another blog post though.

All day today it was cloudy but as we got started on our walk the sun came out and shined and it was the most perfect evening, except for the geese poop. Yeah, there were geese, poop and I did yell at the geese for honking at us because they had to move off the side walk.

6-miles in the perfect weather with 3-Day friends and beautiful surroundings. Shout out to the Arboretum for sponsoring the training events for us, so nice of them.

Of course I was going to take photos of the pink tulips, I was on a 3-Day training walk!

I received an email this afternoon from a co-worker informing us that has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It broke my heart at first, the nicest lady of course with a horrible disease. Just puts this entire day in perspective and makes my soar arches tonight feel not so soar knowing that what I am doing will hopefully find a cure. Punky, this flower is for you.

Make sure you do your self exam tonight.

Mankey's Mellon Mission

You knew it was coming, my fundraising letter for Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 2010, Chicago edition. I bought my shoes so it’s time train and fundraise for my favorite cause.

For those that do not know my story, I’m involved with the Komen because of my mom, a 5-year breast cancer survivor. After losing my dad at 6 years old and facing the possibility of losing my mom at 26 years old, I could easily sit back, and succumb to self-pity. Instead I decided to fight back by joined the world’s largest grass roots organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to help end breast cancer.

My involvement started with volunteering for the Race for the Cure and a few years later I’m going to participate in my 4th and 5th Races for the Cure and 4th and 5th 3-Day events. I thought I would wait to walk again but as I volunteered at the informational meetings I was reminded:
• 90 percent of breast cancer diagnoses have NO family history of breast cancer,
• For every 100 women diagnosed, 1 man will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
• Every 3 minutes, 1 more woman or man will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
• Every 13 minutes one more parent, sibling, grandparent or child will lose their battle with breast cancer; and
• EVERYONE deserves a lifetime. 

My mom was my reason to get involved with Komen but my inspiration this year comes from the women of my generation. 1 of every 229 women in their 30’s will be diagnosed with breast cancer and I dedicate my walk to them. To help celebrate my own 30th birthday; I have set my fundraising goal at $3,000 and I am asking for your help to achieve that goal. Please donate and help keep my generation around to see their children grow-up and get married.

For 2010 I’ve chosen to walk in Chicago the first week of August then 2 weeks later I’ll become my alter ego Safety Princess and volunteer for the Twin Cities event as a member of the route safety crew. 

All funds raised will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Komen has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against breast cancer since 1982 including the discovery of the BRCA I gene, discovery of the hormone driven tumor and the use of MRI technology in detecting tumors that mammograms did not find.

To make a donation please visit my personal donation page: www.the3day.org/goto/ElizabethMankey.

On a much lighter note, it took me 3 years but I finally came up with my team name, Mankey’s Mellon Mission. Yes if you are unfamiliar with the 3-Day environment it can be vulgar but it keeps with the spirit of the 3-Day and remember I do wear a crown on my bike helmet and walk 60 miles in the name of finding a cure, not to forget the hundreds of miles and hours I spend training.

ATTENTION ALL TWIN CITIES RESIDENTS:
Don’t buy your flowers and plants just yet. On Mother’s Day weekend (May 7-10) go to any of the Linder’s locations and present the below coupon when checking out. Linder’s will donate a portion of your purchase to my 3-Day fundraising account! You can print as many coupons as you like, shop as many times as you like and of course feel free to give as many of the coupons out that you like to your friends or many co-workers…hint hint.

PS. Blogging pimping will return next week.