Today Cheryl and I (and my 10 year old) went to the beach for a walk. We’ve got a beautiful beach and park 2 miles or so from my moms house that we’ve been going to our whole lives. My husband told me it was 3 miles from the entrance, out the causeway, once around the beach, and back again. The pedometer said only 2.25, but oh well. I told Cheryl we needed to start meeting every weekend to walk, and that next weekend, we’re going around twice for a total of 4.5 miles.

She groaned.

I’ve done some off and on training here. I was up to walking 5 miles 2-3 times a week. I was amazed at how good I felt after doing so! There’s a huge difference between 5 and 60 though! So I still have a lot of work to do. 251 days until I’ll be put to the test!

The beginning of January threw me a curveball though with back pain that put me out of commission. I’m through the worst of that and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

Who’s seriously training and what are you up to? I have not gone further than 3 miles in one walk, which Colleen and I did. Have been alternating between walking outside on real terrain, and inside on the treadmill at the YMCA.

So here we are. 6 of us, plus a few more on the way. We’ve all committed to walking 60 miles over the course of three days – not to mention each of us has to raise at least $2200 to support our cause. We’ve all got different reasons for doing this walk – but we all have a common goal.

Join us in spirit for the journey…

Colleen – I’m a 29 year old Florida mom of three. I work full time, and despite being “busy”, I’m Lazy with a capital L. I met most of the Groovy Mamas over 8 years ago when I first got online. At our current message board, we have a member (Hi Cindy!) who is the inspiration for most of us. She’s done the Breast Cancer 3 day several times, and we were all inspired by her this year. We decided to walk in Philadelphia because it’s relatively centrally located (especially for our Maryland girls) and we’re hoping Philly will have cooler weather than we would in my hometown of Tampa. I am NOT an exerciser. I belong to the YMCA, but I don’t go on a regular basis. I don’t *need* to exercise, so I never have. I can walk however – walking doesn’t bother me at all! I’m more concerned about camping during the 3 day than the walking part

Cheryl – My name is Cheryl, I live in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and I am 40 years old. I found out about the Breast Cancer 3 day by reading the paper. The 3 day was in Tampa in 2005, and a writer for our paper walked in it, and wrote a “3 day journal” about her experience (printed during the walk) which I found very touching. Through her articles I became interested in doing the walk , and lo and behold…less than a week later my sister, Colleen, emailed me and told me she was getting a group together to do it! Well, I was in immediately! I have found that in saying “yes” and registering for the walk, you make a major committment not only to raise money for breast cancer research, but also to get your body and mind in shape for such an event. 20 miles a day is a lot of walking…I found this out when I started training and could hardly move after doing a 5K (3.1 miles) walk in November! Can I finish? Yes. Will it be a physical and emotional battle? Definitely. But, I am a strong woman, and once I set my mind to something, I am committed to completion. And, I will do it with my Sister and my friends walking beside me.

Sindy – If you read Colleen’s bio that’s pretty much the same for me – met my co-walkers online, lazy and not an exerciser, but much more concerned about the camping aspect of the walk that the walking! I’m a 35 year-old married mom of 3 living in Lambertville, Michigan. My husband Jeff will be home with the kids while I venture to Philly to walk 60 miles and spend 2 nights in a tent. The Groovy Mommas are my lifeline; the friends that are always there whenever you need them. Although we’re spread out all over the US, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many of them in person. Through Colleen, I’ve even met her sister Cheryl. I am looking forward to doing something so meaningful with these ladies! I learned about the 3-Day from one of my online friends. After reading about Cindy’s journey last year I felt really driven to make a difference. I’ve come to a point in my life where I realize that I can and should do more for others. It’s my turn to give back to those that have given so much to me. I’m doing this for my Aunt Sandy, a breast cancer survivor. This woman blesses me daily by spending quality one-on-one time with Josh, my middle child who has ADHD and really needs individual attention. For Melissa Etheridge who has shown us all incredible strength and whose music I have always loved. Just ask my oldest, son Jeremy, he was singing her songs as a toddler and went to his first Melissa concert at 9. For all of those women, men, and their families that have faced a fear and a challenge that I can’t even begin to imagine.