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Permalink Reply by Michelle Nowland on February 23, 2010 at 10:20am

Aloha Minnie!

You definitely have enough time for training to walk in October as it's about 8 months away! Just start walking 3-5 miles at a time and gradually increase your distance. There are a few training programs that are outlined in the participant handbook you received when you registered (or will receive).

What island do you live on? I ask because I will actually be vacationing in Hawaii (the Big Island) the last week in March and would love to meet you and walk with you. I get up early every morning and walk before my family gets up. I just love walking in Hawaii!

It's great that you are walking in honor of your cousins and I'm sure they support you 100%. Doing the Avon Walk will be one of the greatest experiences in your life...one you will never forget! Next year I want to do the NYC walk with my best friend who is a 3 yr. survivor. For now, I walk Chicago in June with my team of Angels.

Take care and hope to hear from you.

Michelle Nowland, Team Captain
Holy Apostles Pink Ribbon Angels
Chicago 2006-2010

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Permalink Reply by Minnie O. Lanier on February 26, 2010 at 5:37am

Aloha, Michelle

Oh, thank you for the e-mail. I am so excited but at the same time, I'm overwhelmed. I had feet surgery 2 weeks ago, so I'm recuperating right now but should be able to start walking in 2 weeks? Slow:-(

I would love to meet you and walk with you when you visit Hawaii. I live in Oahu. Will you stop in Honolulu when you go to the Big Island? Let me know when you're coming in March, so I can take off from work. You know, I wanted to go to Chicago instead of NYC Walk, but I thought I needed the time until Oct to train and raise funds. Are you from Chicago?

I really appreciate you responding to my e-mail. It made me feel like a member of a big "OHANA (FAMILY)"! Don't have a team yet...Any suggestions? Looking forward to meeting you in March!

Take care.

Mahalo,
Minnie

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Nowland on February 26, 2010 at 11:32am

Aloha Minnie,

Thanks for responding and I'm glad to be your friend. :)


I will be arriving on the Big Island on the evening of March 27 and will be there until April 3 (the day before Easter). My family and I are flying directly into the Big Island from Los Angeles, so we will not be stopping at any of the other islands. At the moment, I don't have any plans but we are bringing my mother so some things will have to be worked around her. :)

I hope your feet are going to be okay and that it was not anything serious. I'm sure you will heal by the time you walk in October, just be good to your feet and do whatever the doctor tells you to do. Make sure you get fitted for a good pair of shoes that are right for your feet. Go to a store, if you can, that specializes in running/walking shoes and overall fitness. I actually wear running shoes, but they have alot of support and have been using the same brands for 5 years now.

Don't be too overwhelmed...you still have lots of time. Do you have the support of your family and friends? That's important and it will help you along the way.

It seems you are interested in being part of a team. You only need two people to have a team, so if you can convince a friend to do it with you that would be great. It's always nice to have someone to train with and share the experience with. If this cannot happen, there is a team called the Solo Strutters USA. The team captain is Judy Cherry and she does every Avon Walk city. It is a team for people who are doing the walk "solo", but their team is very supportive and she shares alot of ideas to help you. If you were walking in Chicago I'd say you could join our team as we are an open team like Solo Strutters. Judy is on the message boards, so you could send her a note.

I am more than happy to share ideas for fundraising with you and there are lots of other people who share their ideas on these message boards. That's how I got started five years ago. One of the things that is working well for our team right now is selling chocolate bars and pins/other merchandise. I get most of my pins from www.Pinkwings.com, started by Cortney Zinzer a 2-time breast cancer survivor. She's a great person and has lots of cool pins available and other merchandise. I have a fundraising account setup, so I buy at cost and then resell to raise money.

Any other questions or if you need help with anything, let me know. I respond pretty quickly to my emails most of the time.

Take care and have a great weekend!
Michelle :)

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Permalink Reply by Minnie O. Lanier on February 27, 2010 at 5:24am

Aloha,Michelle

I really appreciate you sharing these great fundraising ideas! I ordered the Fundraising kit from Pinkwings.com and other items to resell for my first fundraising next month! Haven't really set-up a date yet, but I'm just excited! I have friends here in Hawaii that's supporting me and they're also excited to help with fundraising. My family in Cali are also supporting me! I haven't received my packet yet.

Two of my friends will walk with me on weekend when my Dr. clears me:-) and I'll do most on my own on weekdays aftr work. I agree, it would be great if I can convince one of my friends or family to walk with me in NYC and share the experience with! In fact, I'm asking my niece fom Cali to do it with me. If not, I'll contact the Solo Strutters as you suggested if I can't come up with a team mate here fromHawaii. But like you said, there's plenty of time before October comes..

It would really be nice to see you next month when you visit Hawaii! Maybe, I'll lfly to the BIg Island for a day and have lunch with you. That is if your schedule alows it. Don't want to take time away from your family while vacationing in the island:-)

I'm glad I found a friend. Here's my email: athenainhawii@hotmail.com
91-1052 Niolo Street
Ewa Beach, HI 96706

Have a wonderful weekend!

All the best,
Minnie

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