Say Hello To Number 15

Last Friday I was strolling through town with two of my sisters and Terr-bear when my sister Robin stopped and picked up a brochure, it was for the Avon Breast Cancer Two Day Walk.  It’s a two day walk in October to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.  My curiosity was immediately piqued.  I thought, what better way to ready myself to run a 5K then to walk a marathon for a good cause?  And I could blog about it!  Bonus!  I went home and hopped online and requested they send me info regarding the walk then researched a little online.  That’s when things got a little dicey.

There are so many things wrong with me partaking in something like this.  The first being that you walk 26 miles the first day, 13 the second day.  I have always been the antithesis to athletic.  In gym I was the kid who was always picked last, I know, shocker.  I love to loaf, to me it is an art form.  I enjoy walking but I am an inherently lazy person, I have to make myself move.  Despite being a moderately good tennis player as a child, pretty much any other activity involving physical exertion was not my forte.  So, walking almost 40 miles in two days sends that little chubby girl from gym class into to a fit of anxiety.  As I was reading the blogs of people who have participated in previous years I started to become slightly horrified as they described their "war wounds".  They spoke of blisters, like oozing, gaping blisters.  Black toenails!  Toenails falling off!  As I read I briefly looked down at my shiny pink pedicured nails and thought, I can’t do that to my little piggy’s!  

Then there is the fact that the walk is two days, hence the overnight part. Now, I’m sure you are wondering where do you sleep in between Saturday and Sunday?  You CAMP OUT!  You read that right, you CAMP.  In a tent.  Outside.  On the ground.  So let me get this straight, after walking 26 miles, when I would theoretically want my bed and a hot bath probably more than ever, I am to snuggle up in a tent at a campsite?  I have never camped out, and those who know me are probably laughing right now picturing me even attempting to camp out.  I am irrationally afraid of all things creepy and crawly.  I don’t go to the mailbox without a full face of makeup.  I crave creature comforts and all things cozy.  So the idea of me sans makeup, walking for miles and miles only to then rough it overnight in a tent and then get up and walk another 13 miles, well, that idea is more like a fantasy.  Downright laughable.  Everything about the 2 day walk is out of my comfort zone, both mentally and physically.  I will have to push my body in ways I never have before, I will have to overcome many of my fears and insecurities in the process, I’ll have to let go of vanity, forgo luxury and redefine who I am am.  If I do this, I will no longer be the chubby un-athletic kid from gym class.  I will have to commit to training for it and raise money for it, which would mean pushing aside my shyness and asking people for help.  While I was reading about the bloggers experiences I was all at once getting overwhelmed, scared and in some small part of my mind I was stepping away from the whole idea, telling myself, “Just forget about it, it’s too difficult, you won’t be able to do it.”  I reminded myself I have bad knees, I get overheated easily, I don't have the right shoes!  I was figuratively backing out of the room and slinking away before anyone noticed.  Then I thought, isn’t this EXACTLY what my list is all about?  Being less complacent?  Trying things I haven’t before?  Testing myself and in the process exposing myself to and experiencing new things?  That’s when I made up my mind that my first blog after the weekend would be about the walk.  And I would once again proclaim my intentions into cyberspace so that I can’t just slink quietly away, disappointing myself.  I am going to participate in the Avon two day walk on October 16-17 2010. So I am adding another task to my list, say hello to number 15 folks!  I’m going to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and then I am going to walk for two days in support of the cause.  And watch out party people, once I get my packet in the mail I’m going to have to start hitting you all up for donations to make my fund raising goal!   

Comments

[Christy]

Mandy, this is amazing. Our friend Kelly does support for the walk near us. She is one of the people who coordinates all the camping stuff. I have gotten "this" close to signing up for, training for and running a marathon. If I ever do it, I'm doing it for the Arthritis Foundation. Way to go on doing something AMAZING!

[Tara]

Way to go!!

[Christopher Lembke]

You crazy girl! Loving the commitment, but ya craza! Tell me where to send the money.

[Missy]

You can totally do this Mandy! You have time to prepare & it will be such a fun experience. Good for you! xoxo

[Stephanie Falcone]

Go for it! You CAN do it!

[Eileen McCorry]

You go girl,you can do it. Love you.

[Kate]

That is fantastic! You are an inspiration to others with both your witty writing and generous actions.