Training Has Begun!

Today my team member and I embarked on our 3 Day training routine. We’re on track for the 24 week training schedule. The walk was at a local mall–we were mall walkers! Our walk was scheduled to begin at the New Balance store at 10:00 a.m. We arrived about 20 minutes early. What a good thing that was! Once we were signed in and getting ready to warm up, a large line formed. I hate waiting in lines so I am very happy that worked out as it did.

We split into walking groups. Our group consisted of about a dozen people I’d say. There was a trainer there who led the warm up. We did a few lunges and then we were off! The walk would consist of 9 laps from Macy’s to Sears. This would be three miles. My team and I (a team of two!) started with the group and eventually we noticed we were kind of on our own. That’s OK though. It’s not a race. We talked and got to know each other better. We met through the 3 Day website, after all. It helps to know who you’re walking with. My team member is a survivor since December 2007. She is not much older than I am. I am finding a lot of 30-somethings are being diagnosed with this terrible disease.

On the Grow!

I am so excited! My team is growing! I have a wonderful woman calling in this weekend to join my team! She is a survivor–cancer free since December! Woo hoo! She also informed me that she knows someone else interested in joining. This will be another survivor. She just had a double mastectomy yesterday! Prayers for her and we will see if she wants to walk with us in August!

More news: a good friend of mine in Michigan is registered to crew at my walk. The pressure is on! I have to raise all the money so we can all participate together! It’s getting very exciting!  

Get Started Meeting

This morning I attended my first meeting for The 3 Day. It was a Get Started meeting. Basically, it was like an orientation. Some people weren’t registered yet, so they could do that after the presentation. I was already registered. It was good information. Last year, I didn’t attend any of the meetings. The main reason for this was simply because there weren’t any meetings close to me. Last year was the first year they did a walk in Cleveland. There seemed to be a lot of bugs. This year already feels more organized.
I learned a lot of things I hadn’t realized last year. I learned that there are pins we can earn. For some reason, this whole earning pins things appeals to me…a lot! Maybe it’s from my involvement in Mary Kay. There are a lot of similarities between participation in The 3 Day and direct sales (particularly Mary Kay). Last year I raised a bit of money for my walk through my MK business. The woman who gave the presentation today mentioned that a Mary Kay unit helped her raise funds and she also had a purse party. I’m going to go that route along with some other ideas she mentioned.
I’m really getting excited about my involvement in this walk. I really want to raise the money now. My new team member is so nice and I really want to expand the team have a very enriching experience with this–as well as help this cause.
When I got home from the meeting I checked my email and sent the link to my site to my new team member so she can join the team. In my inbox, there was a great message! It said: “You have received a donation!” I got my first online donation for The 3 Day 2008! What a coincidence that I met my team member, went to a meeting, and got a donation all in one day! I am feeling very uplifted and optimistic.

Building My Team!

I’m so stoked! Today I received an email from someone in my area interested in walking on my team. I’m so excited. I will be honest. I was feeling overwhelmed with everything going on in my life lately and was having doubts that I would be able to pursue The 3 Day much further. I have found new enthusiasm recently. This walk is too important not to at least try.
Also, there is a Get Started Meeting next weekend. I’ll be attending that. Last year I didn’t attend any of the meetings–mainly because there simply weren’t any close to home. Maybe they are learning. Perhaps a meeting will help me to gain more ideas for fundraising and expanding my team. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be able to meet my new team member there as well.

First Donation Dollars

I had a productive October in my Mary Kay business. As I stated I am donating 10% of my profits to The 3 Day. I sold about $500 in October. My profit was $250 and I am able to donate $25 to the cause. It’s not the $200 goal I had originally, but I will get there. I think this weekend I will talk to some of the local restaurants about fundraising. They do dining dollars or something at Max & Erma’s and TGIFriday’s and Applebee’s. I will be finding out how it all works and get those events scheduled. I’m going to raise the $2200 this year. I really want to walk. If I wind up raising more, I’ll recruit my husband and give him my excess donation money.

In addition to the fundraisers, I am going to get those emails out to my contacts. One friend has already asked me about donations. She actually asked if she was too late for 2007. I said no, but I was collecting for 2008. So, I believe I will begin to receive those donations soon. November’s a brand new month in Mary Kay, too. I have lots of appointments scheduled so I see more happening in that avenue as well. It’s going to get interesting, I think…

Walk Number Two

Today I had my second walk. This time Mom and I started from her house and walked to the park. The trail at the park is about 1.5 miles and the walk from the house is about 1.5 miles or so. I’d say we walked about 3 miles. Not a bad start. I should be able to work my way to 20 miles by next August for sure! It felt great.

Which Charity to Choose

I’m determined to participate in some type of charity event in the coming year. I think I’ve got it narrowed down to 5 possibilities: The Breast Cancer 3 Day, Race for the Cure, TNT for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Walk for MS, and March of Dimes.

My #1 choice is The Breast Cancer 3 Day. I have tried it once and really want to accomplish this challenging feat of raising the money. My mom thinks it’s a ridiculous requirement. I don’t know. I think it could be achieved if I start now–10 1/2 months in advance.

I’m not real savvy on organizing for these events. Some people really do well at it. If you’re reading out there, and you have some experience, PLEASE SHARE! Should I start with a small fund-raiser and work up to the challenge? Should I take on more than one? I’m a newbie at this. Any suggestions are welcome!