Tailgate Party

After the 3 day we had a kick off for 2007. And we had a wild time doing it wearing our 3 day victory shirts. Here are some pictires of our wonderful time.




Our wonderful cheerleaders cheering us on for finishing the walk. Did you see the backs of their uniforms?

Day one


Opening ceremonies was over whelming. Have not cried like that with happy tears ever in my life. Some thing over whelmed me to the point where all my emotions were un controllable. I was so excited and scared, feeling a sense of elation and a sense of pride I have never felt before. We had speakers and they spoke about the fight for the cure. How the survivors were our inspiration. They had 5 survivors holding hands and while they did that they raised the 3 day flag. We all promised that day to walk 3 days. 3 days, 60 miles, one cure!

We started off at the Kansas City Speed Way in Kansas.

We walked around the race way while the official pace cars lead us around the course. I do not think that pace car has ever gone that slow. The first pit stop was on the race way pit stop. There were some people that already had blisters, and knew that this was going to be a hard journey, but a journey worth the pain they were going to endure. We then left the speed way and started walking on main road. At that time the side walks ran out and we had to walk on the grass that was not all grass. It was rocks and holes. Wow, did that hurt the knees. After about 2 mils MO DOT coned off a lane for us on K – 7 and we walked. There is a joke out there that the three day does not know how to do their math. And this time was no exception; but hey, 3 miles, 5, miles what is the difference. We walked to our second pit stop. They had men in tu – tu’s and shirts that said “I love boobs, check them or I will” any other time those shirts would have been taken as an offensive comment, but this time was different, we knew where that shirt was coming from.

There were also sweep vans. What those are for are for walkers that need some assistance on the walk. If they need to be taken to med tent or to the next pit stop. They are all decorated in different themes. They were decorated by years. There was a 50’s van playing that era of music and the 2 ladies were dressed in poodle skirts with really big pink hair. We had a 60’s van and they were dressed in pink everything. The 70’s van had flowers and they were dressed in bell bottoms and long pink hair with peace signs and pink ribbons. The 80’s van had MTV all over it. And they were dressed in cut off jean shorts that were rolled and belts galore. Oh I remember those days… and there was a 90’s van and they dressed like the do now. They were just a lot of fun.

The third pit stop was our team, Feet Forward for the Cure! Woo Hoo! They are all awesome! We had a great time and met up with other walkers from our team. After that we had lunch and then pit stop 4. We then went walking at Mill Creek.

We walked on a trail that went around a big lake. It was so beautiful. The sun was setting over the water, and I felt like I was the only one out there. It was so peaceful. We saw deer and squirrels, it was so neat. There were cheering stations along the way where family members came out to show their support. And that was so exciting. There were little boys and girls shooting us with water guns, oh how wonderful that felt! And they gave out candy and popsicles. That sugar rush was so welcomed.


Then we headed back to camp. After all that walking as said and done we had walked 26.2 miles for the first day. Entering camp was like no other experience. The other walkers that had arrived were cheering you on and when the last walker came in she raised the 3 day flag.

Day 2

This day started off weird. I felt funny and my cold that I had the week before seemed to have come back to say hello. I had some issues walking this day. I got dehydrated due to the cold medicine that I had taken the week before. And I was pulled off the route at mile 18. Talk about pissed off. But my husband and kids were there to cheer me up.

Day 2 at night

The clouds rolled in and it stormed so we all had to seal up our tents and we were moved to a warehouse and had a huge sleep over. It was wonderful. We all talked about our day and knew that the next day would be the last day of a wonderful adventure.


Day 3

What a wonderful morning. The clouds cleared away, and as they did they gave us a beautiful lighting show. Even the heavens were cheering us on. This day was to be our last day walking for a cure. It seemed that every ones aches and pains seemed to vanish and we all walked strong every step as a team making a presence to all who walked with us.

There were so many people out supporting us. People crying and saying thank you. The blister, yes I said blister no “s” at the end of that. I got one blister on this walk. I was so very proud and it was from my sandals that I wore on the first day. I learned my lesson on that. I will not do a walk in sandals again. I need the ankle support. But that is how you learn.

Our team crossed the finish line together just as we started, together as one!



Closing Ceremonies


Oh my, there was not a dry eye in the park. We were all crying. The feeling of completing something so wonderful and then for it to just be over was on computing with me. How could this journey be over? The survivors brought in a blank flag this time. In hopes there will be a cure soon.




I am walking again. Next year I will be back and I will walk stronger and more proud than before. And the next one I will walk even stronger. I will continue to walk until there is a cure.

Walking strong because she should not have to!

Getting Ready for 2007

Wow! I can not believe that the 3 day is over. I had so many emotions through the whole walk. I met so many neat people each with their own story of why they walked. And when it was over, I felt lost. So I am walking strong in 2007! Kansas City did not bring the 3 day back BOOO! But that will not keep Feet Forward For The Cure down! We are all walking strong in Chicago. And now the training starts over again and the roller coaster of emotions will start again. What a wonderful feeling it is going to be to be walking with my buddies again. A sisterhood is formed that is unexplainable to most.

This year I have wonderful ideas for fundraising. My mother is making hand made scarves with head bands to match and I am going to be going around and just asking more and telling my mothers story more, and just getting the word out that enough is enough. We need a cure. So back to the trenches I go, and there will be more posts to follow with the upcoming events and fundraisers as August 2007 comes closer.

Sam's Club breaking their promise for a cancer free world!

Okay, I guess by the title you can tell that I am pissed. We had a fundraiser that I spoke about earlier in my blog on how well we did and how the manager came out and said that they had extra money in their matching fund account that they needed to spend. So I and my fellow walker applied for the matching gift fund from Sam's club. They said that there would be no problem that this was for a great cause and they loved to help with research for a cure. We waited and waited and waited for our check that they said would be here, and the final answer is they said no because we would be giving this money to other people for cancer research. Well hello we are just walkers in the Breast Cancer 3 day not the scientist who do all the research. We told them how we felt and they said they no longer support the NPT (national philanthropic trust) and that felt like a slap in the face.

We have been waiting for a matching gift from Wal Mart and we have this gut wrenching feeling that even though they said they have the check that they have been pulling our leg trying to make us go away. This is so frustrating. In total they promised us $2,000 in funds to support Breast cancer research and they backed out. What a great company!

Race for the Cure

This Sunday is the Race for the Cure. It is a 3 mile walk that has 20,000 people walking, running or how ever they want to finish it. It is going to be a huge event and I am so excited about it. I am starting to get so excited about the 3 day. I am very nervous about my feet, but I know I will find a way to make them blister free and also find a way to make my heel not hurt any more.

The count down is here....

Getting ready to walk strong 3 days long!

Drinking water

Well today was the first day of our back to back with our 15/18 mile walk and the seriousness of drinking water was shown. A friend of mine got sick because she did not drink enough water today. It is so important to drink water and some sort of sports drink. The body is sweating so much, and having to go to the bathroom every 3 miles is a must. If you are not then you are not drinking enough water. Serious things happen to people on the 3 day when they do not drink enough water and sometimes they may not be able to finish walking in it.

I got some new sandals. I ordered them from www.biteshoes.com and they are great. I am getting used to their rubbing spots, but the freedom of having my toes open to the air is wonderful. I got 2 blisters, but they are in the same place I always get blisters so that is nothing new. My friend got sandals, they were a different style and oh boy I think she is returning them very soon.

The 3 day is only 6 weeks away now. I am still waiting on the $400.00 from Sam's Club to finish my fundraising off. I am so excited when that is all done.

Well time for sleep another big walk for me tomorrow in 100 degree heat...yuck!

Fundraiser at Sam's Club with an unexpected Surprise!

Today we had a fundraiser at Sam's Club. And we were talking with the manager and she said you we have not spent all of our matching funds for donations this year, so everything you make here we are going to match. It was just with me and my friend from my team. We set up at 9:30 this morning. And we found out that Donuts and a hot morning do not mix. They did not sell at all. We both cried but with out telling the other until later when the hot dogs went on the grill and hunger struck the shoppers. We made $832.00 today. And Sam's Club is going to match that. We have both reached our minimum. Now we can focus on training and getting ready for this walk.

Tomorrow I am going to go to Dick's Sporting Goods and buy a pair of walking sandals. I am getting ready to lose one of my toe nails from a 20 mile walk I took last weekend. I am desperate to find something that will help keep my feet blister free and also keep all my toe nails.

Our co captain leaves for Boston to walk in the 3 Day there. I wish her the best of luck on her journey.

That is all for now. Walk Strong and hope a cure will be found soon!

Keep Walking

This past Saturday I and about 14 other women from Feet Forward for a Cure took a 20 mile walk along the hills of Parvin Road. Now these hills are relentless and give no mercy. It took me about 8 hours with all the stops that we took. Those 8 hours include taking pictures with hot looking fire men…yes we raided their house because some of the ladies could not wait to the next pit stop for a bathroom break, and we took a bunch of pictures which will be sent out in email when we all get them developed or downloaded from our cameras. And then we had lunch and joked around a little longer than we should have, but who cares. And that was the walk. It was a lot of fun, and those hills have a lasting impression for ever in the back of my mind that I will not too soon forget, like a boil on my butt!!

Another update

This is the letter that I just wrote all the ones who have helped my on my Journey though the SusaG. Komen Breast Cancer walk. I am so excited about this event.



Hello every one!

I can not believe that the walk is so close now. I am getting very nervous but so excited at the same time. It is so hard to explain how I feel. It seems the only ones that know how I feel now are the ones that are walking with me. My stomach has butterflies and when I think about the walk I do not know whether to laugh or cry. I have come so far.

This Saturday the 22nd I will be taking my biggest walk yet. I with my team will be walking a 20 mile walk. This is going to be an eye opener for what is to come. I have got some new inserts to go into my shoes to help with my heel pain. I guess that pain is all part of the sacrifice. And it is so worth it.

On these long walks I have to remind myself why I walk. This is something that is so important. With my mother being a 2 time survivor and my inspiration, it is my duty to walk, and my daughter Hannah; oh my beautiful girl; I do not want her to know a world with breast cancer.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me on this journey. I am now $700 away from my goal. But that is still $700 away. And here comes that hard part. I tell you it is easier to get milk from a bull than it is to ask for donations. For me any way, but if you know of any one who has been affected by cancer or would just like to be apart of something greater than themselves. Please tell them about me, and my walk. I walk for every one who can't. And who knows maybe I walk for them. Please send them to www.deborahrock.com where they can make a tax deductible donation.

Thank you all so very much.

Walk Strong... and keep the spirit high, we will find a cure!

With love and hugs,

Deborah Rock

Fundraising letter

Hello neighbors,

I know that most of you do not know me. But a lot of you have seen me walking. I am the one that is always walking, most of the time at 5:30 in the morning to beat the heat. I am training for the Breast cancer 3 day. For those who do not know what that is, it is a 60 mile walk that goes over the course of 3 days. It is an amazing soul searching journey on a great walk to find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Did you know that 1 in 7 women will get Breast Cancer? And out of that, usually one of the women loses the battle. Breast Cancer affects more then just the people who get Breast Cancer. It affects the children, the husbands, and the surrounding family. And even if you do not have any one in your family that has been affected, chances are you know some one who has. The 3 Day supports the Susan G. Komen foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Fund. What that fund does is it takes a small percentage of the donations and puts it in to a trust fund. So for any reason donations stop coming in there is a trust fund to help further the research to find a cure for Breast Cancer.

One of the commitments of signing up for the 3 day is to raise $2,200 to find a cure. So I am asking you to reach in to your hearts and find an amount that you feel you can donate to this cause to end Breast Cancer and to offer a cancer free world to the future of our grandchildren!

You can make donations a few ways. One is mailing in the donation form attached to the flyer. Another way is going on line to www.deborahrock.com and that will re route you to the donation site for the 3 day.

Donations are tax deductible. If you mail in a donation via mail, you will receive your tax form through mail. If you donate on line you will receive your tax information almost immediately.

One thing I know a lot of you are thinking as if I were in your place I would think this as well. Why should I donate to you? I do not even know you. I understand that, but one great thing I have learned since I moved here from California last year is that the neighborhood is really united, and right now we need to unite on a common cause. Not just to end Breast Cancer but all Cancer. This just seems like a good place to start.

My mother is a 2 time survivor, so this walk really touches home. If you donate on line, you can donate in honor or in memory of some loved one or friend.

I thank you all now in advance for your generosity and showing me how right I am on how united this neighborhood is.

Thank you…

Walk Strong!!!


Deborah Rock…

60 miles in 2006

starting and and ending

Wow we just got the starting and ending points of our walk. We start in Kansas at the race way and end in Liberty Missouri. Well it is 60 miles. And it is going to be really pretty. A lot of it is up hill, so I better get my up hill training going.

I did a big walk last saturday and got a lot of blisters. So I went and bought new socks and I am going to learn how to tape my feet. That way I will not get these kind of blisters again.

So here I go...walking... walking.... walking... 60 miles to a cancer free world.

The Video

I just watched the video about the 3- day with my husband. And I think he understands more why I have to do this. It is almost like my duty. I feel it down in my bones, that this is something that I can say when a cure is found, I helped do that. And I had the support of my husband. He just bought a domain www.deborahrock.com and redirected it to go to my 3 day donation site. This is great.. I have his support. This is just the pick me up I needed... I love you hunny!

Starting a fund raiser

Today I started my fund raiser. It is through Home Interiors. I am doing a candle sale. I am also on a team now. It is called "Feet Foward For The Cure". We had our big kick off event which marks the 24 weeks prior to the walk. I can not believe it is so close. I know that 24 weeks does not seem close, but I have to get ready to walk 60 miles. I know I can do it. I just hope I can raise the money for the walk. The one thing that bothers me most is my husband has not made a donation to this. $10 would show his support, I wish he would see how improtant this walk was to me. I know that he is worried about me on this walk, but this is something that I have to do for me. Something I have to prove to my self, that I have done something great like this. I hope he is proud of me.

Walking and Weather do not mix

Well, the weather sure has put a damper on my walking in the morning. It is raining and thundering out side. So now I have to move my training inside. I really like my Leslie's walk away the pounds DVD. It is a nice 4 mile walk. I enjoy it. I have been doing some content writing for my husband's cigar site, and now he knows some people who want me to write for them. I am a little nervous. I know it does not show on my blog that I have writing skills, but my blog is just for me to plop what I feel on paper or the computer. Same difference really. Well it is late and I am hoping that the night sky will put a show on for me to watch as I drift in to laa laa land.

Starting to Walk

Well I have started my training. I am not waking up at 5 am and meeting a friend and we walk 2 miles every morning. I feel really good about this. And starting tomorrow I am going to add 1 pound wrist weights to my walk. That should really help get my stamina going. I am going to need it for my 60 mile walk. I am still having a hard time believing that, and I am a little nervous about raising the $2,200 for the walk. I need to start doing fundraisers now. Time to make fliers.

started my training

Well I have started my training. I am not waking up at 5 am and meeting a friend and we walk 2 miles every morning. I feel really good about this. And starting tomorrow I am going to add 1 pound wrist weights to my walk. That should really help get my stamina going. I am going to need it for my 60 mile walk. I am still having a hard time believing that, and I am a little nervous about raising the $2,200 for the walk. I need to start doing fundraisers now. Time to make fliers.

Realizing a dream

I can not believe that I am going to be walking 60 miles... yes I said 60 miles. I know that I can do it. I walk for so many reasons. Some people look at me and think I am nuts, and I think that taking a breast cancer medication that is made to prevent breast cancer but its side affect is Ovarian cancer is insane. Some times we just have to scream ENOUGH!!!!! And do something about it. So I am... I am a walker in the 3 day breast cancer walk...

WALKING STRONG!!!

KANSAS CITY 2006

Support

Well my first reply was from my loving husband William. I have one of those relationships that I would dream about when I was a child. We finish each others sentences and think the same thoughts sometimes. And to think we will be married for 8 years this June. He is great. It is so nice to have some one you can act like your self in front of and never have to worry about being judged. I just love being married. That is one of the greater things in life I feel. Companionship is so important to me, and to have it from such a kind loving soul is so wonderful.

3 Day Walk

Wow, I can not believe that the walk is so far yet so close to September. I feel like I have bit off more than I can chew, but at the same time I am so excited that I am going to do this. The only thing I am really nervous about is not making my amount needed to be raised. I know that I have plenty of time, so for now I just need to train. I am using my Leslie Sansone "walk away the pounds" to train. It is an easy tape to use with low impact, just incase any one wanted to know.

Well back to studying SEO...this stuff is making my head hurt and my eyes want to pop out and smack my computer screen...lol