Training!
I completed my first training walk on saturday... 3.3 miles through University Park. Never in my life would I have said out loud that walking that far was fun... but I had fun! There were so many women and men there... almost all of them dressing in pink. Some had balloons, many had pins and buttons all over their hats, several wore halos and angel wings... it was an overall great experience. As we walked past houses we saw sidewalk chalk drawings from little kids cheering us on. People brought pets out for us to pet as we walked by and cheered for us. Horns honked and people yelled out asking what we were walking for... it was an awesome experience. A small taste of the real thing to come!
My training is coming along well... I logged 18.44 miles last week alone. I logged 3 yesterday and hope to get another 3 in today!
I've raised much more than I thought I would have at this point. I can't believe the support already! Thanks everyone!!!
I'll keep you all updated!

by Heather Rider on Tue, May 20, 2008 @ 2:21 PM CT

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First team fundraiser!!!!
Our bake sale was a huge success! Everything was sold and we made $471 total. Not bad for our very first fundraiser!
I wish I had remembered to bring my camera in from the car. It would have been nice to get a picture of everyone behind the tables and carts filled with goodies, and then again afterwards with all the empty tables!
We now have a good idea of what sold quickly and what people came in looking for so our next bake sale in a few months will be that much more successful...
I'm excited and can't wait to help start planning the next one!

by Heather Rider on Sat, May 03, 2008 @ 2:43 PM CT

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My journey continues
The donations and the stories keep coming in! Those that are unable to donate are giving their time to bake for our bake sales or forward my emails out to everyone they know. It's inspiring!
I've been walking all this week after work. It feels very good to get back to exercising on a regular basis! I see so much good coming from this.
It's really keeping me motivated not only on my fundraising, but on my training as well.
I'm so excited and already planning on doing this again next year!!

by Heather Rider on Tue, Apr 29, 2008 @ 7:20 PM CT

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Thank you for opening up to me.
I've realized that breast cancer has touched many more people I know than I had originally thought.
As I ask people for donations or help they are opening up to me. I have learned about their friends and family that have been affected by this disease. I hear their stories and it gives me chills to learn about someone who is now living several years after her doctor told her she didn't have much longer to live. I am brought to tears as I hear about someone who is not doing well right now but is standing up tall and strong with a smile on her face.
And I write all their names down in my little notebook so that as I make my journey I will know who I am doing this for and when the time comes I can carry them with me all 60 miles of my walk.
Thank you for letting me into your lives even for a little while.

by Heather Rider on Sat, Apr 26, 2008 @ 7:42 PM CT

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The support is amazing!
I started this journey 6 days ago. In that time I've raised $125 in online donations and $50 in checks.
People are overwhelmingly generous when it comes to a good cause like this one. There are many people who have given a verbal commitment to donate but are unable to at this time.
There are other people who are unable to donate money but are donating their time to our fundraisers. One very kind person even donated her time and knowledge to design a banner for one of my fundraising webpages! Even more people are donating items for raffles in hopes that it will raise much more money than they could have donated personally.
Breast cancer is something that has touched so many people personally or through friends and family. I have no doubts that I will reach my fundraising goal.
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far and to everyone considering making a donation!!

by Heather Rider on Thu, Apr 24, 2008 @ 10:52 AM CT

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