Hi Kelly,

Sorry, I did get your last post and went through typing this whole message to you, and when I went to send it, the computer said "server down" and deleted the entire message.
So here goes my message to you again....

This coming walk will be the fourth walk for me. My friends and I started walking years ago in honor of friends and family memebers we have, whom have either been fighting or have lost their battles. It is SUCH a great experience, that after the first year, we now even have our husbands helping each year as "crew memebers." It has become a family affair.

Some tips to help: each year we have completed the ENTIRE 39.9 miles. That is just our personal preference, but there are many people who dont...some do half marathon, some do only a few miles...the goal is to finish. That being said, I have never done one of the "practice walks." I try to workout at home about 5 days a week or so (videos, running, elliptical,etc) and that seems to be good enough for me. Make sure you have shoes that range from a half a size or a size bigger than what you usually wear. This will help you to not get HORRIBLE BLISTERS!!! Should you get them, however, each rest stop will have everything you need, from blister cream, to bandaids and foot powder....

Bring a mini backpack or some women carry fany packs for thier important items....sunscreen, lip gloss, a water bootle is a MUST since you can refill them at everystop! MOST things you will need will all be offered to you at each stop, but just for your peace of mind. I always pack two pairs of socks in my backpack, that way I can change them out half way through the day.

As for sleeping arrangements, we stayed at the Wellness Village the first year (didn't know you could stay in a hotel) and I will be 100% honest with you, after walking ALL DAY LONG, the last thing I wanted to do was set up my tent and shower in the "porta showers"...I was sooo tired and sore, that this made Sunday's walk even harder. The years since, we have paid and shared a room at the Hyatt and it has made ALL the difference in the world. We go back, take LONG showers, order room service and take the shuttle back to the Wellness Village Sunday morning. We were glad we "experienced" the Village, but, again, its all about personal preference. If you like to camp, then it would be perfect for you. You can tent with a friend, or they will assign one to you! :)

I hope this helps any questions you have, and should you have any more, please send me a message. I am so sorry to hear about your mom and your best friend's mom passing away to Breast Cancer. You hear this stories each year at the opening and closing ceremonies and it just reminds me WHY I do these walks....blisters are NO CHEMO!!! You should be so proud of yourself for wanting to be a part of such a great experience. Your mother, I would imagine, will be proud too!


:) Christina

YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU COMPLETE ONE EVENT, YOU WILL BE HOOKED...WHAT A COMPLETELY EXTRAORDINARY WEEKEND YOU WILL HAVE... TAKE CARE AND KEEP IN TOUCH... HAPPY TRAINING..

WELL, WELCOME... SANTA BARBARA WILL BE MY THIRD WALK...ARE YOU IN NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN CAL??? WE WILL START TRAINING ON JAN 9, 2010 IN CHINO... IF YOU GO TO THE AVON PAGE, AND CLICK ON TRAINING WALKS ALL THE INFO SHOULD BE THERE.... WE WILL BE TRAINING EVERY SATURDAY AT 7:00 AM UNTIL THE EVENT IN SEPT 2010... YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US...CIAO

HEY KELLY....I WILL START MY TRAINING FOR THE SANTA BARBARA WALK IN JANUARY 2010... WE HAVE A FRIEND IN COMMON... LISA JUAREZ...XOXO