Years ago I saw a commercial for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk and I felt impressed to participate. Unfortunately I pushed it off having way too many reasons why I didn't have time for it. Well I have thought about it A LOT in the last few years and finally this year I stop coming up with excuses and actually do it! So on September 11-12th I will be walking with a large community in the Avon Walk Santa Barbara. Walking a marathon and a half! Crazy, I know, but I'm SO excited!!
I figured maybe there were other walks out there I would be equally interested in but the more research I did the more I was impressed with the Avon Walk. To find out more about why, you can visit their website...you'll see why.
To be completely honest, I'm not exactly sure why I felt so inspired to want to participate. Ty's grandmother passed away from breast cancer, this was the first thing I thought of when I saw the commercial for the first time and I have to admit it got me choked up. Sad she had to go through that, that her family had to go through that and that I didn't get to meet her in this life. So I guess that was my first inspiration but I was also impressed with the camaraderie Avon showed and that I've already felt since registering. You really feel like you are apart of something great, something that really means something, something that will make a difference. Maybe, in all honesty, that is what has really kept me so motivated to follow through with this. I will admit that I am also attracted to the idea of doing my part now, before it hits someone I know well. That may be selfish but I just feel like if there is an opportunity to take one step closer to finding a cure, maybe one will be here before I am effected or someone I know all too well, that I should take it...now. For those of you who have already been effected, or watched (or are watching) someone be effected, by breast cancer, my condolences go out to you. I can not relate to you in anyway so I don't even know exactly what to say other then our prayers are with you and I admire your courage and strength.
The thing I look forward to most about this experience is the learning/growing process I know is inevitable to take place. I don't want to do the walk with ear plugs in my ears the whole time...I want to talk to other people, hear their story, learn how they had/have the strength to be faced with such a trial and gracefully make it through. I will definitely be leaving my comfort zone, but I'm eager to take up that challenge and know that my faith, confidence, knowledge, compassion, respect and so much more will grow as a result!
As for the training, I wonder if I'm taking it as seriously as I should. I mean, I go to the gym just about everyday. Do I run (or even walk) anything CLOSE to a marathon? NO WAY! I keep just figuring I'm in pretty decent shape and I am just walking after all, no jogging or running required, so surely I'll be fine, yet I know if I don't practice walking longer distances being in shape isn't going to matter much....my feet will be so blistered and my legs so sore from walking non-stop I'll probably wish I had broke in my shoes a little more. :) So that is my new goal...focus more on the "training" and less on the fundraising. The fundraising, although important and necessary, will all fall into place, I know it will, but the training is completely up to me. No one can really help me with that one.
I'm going to continue to update this blog on a regular basis with my progress along with my thoughts and feelings on this whole process. I hope you'll continue to check in and hold me to all my goals!
Thank you in advance for all of your support!
If you are interested in donating (I have a minimum of $1800 I have to raise but have made a personal goal of $2500) you can visit this site. Thanks again in advance!
loves <3
jenny
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