By Carolyn Mayo, EVP and General Manager, Edelman Houston
Edelman is once again fielding a team to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Yes you are reading this correctly – 60 miles in 3 days. Our 22-member U.S. team will be walking September 23 -25 in Washington, D.C. Edelman Southwest will be represented by yours truly from Houston and Sarah Hoffman from Austin. Have we lost our minds? Maybe, since neither of us would actually ever describe ourselves as athletes. But since our team was announced in May, there are a few things we’ve learned.
• Training for an endurance event is not just a walk in the park. It’s many, many long walks in the park. So far, Sarah and I have walked more than 300 miles. With each week, the distance grows and there are miles to go.
• People can be passionate about their footwear. And their socks: Wright Socks, Thorlos and SmartWool all have avid supporters who can – and will – expound upon the pros and cons. Did I mention they are expensive?
• Houston has a bad rap in the exercise department. I can personally testify there are amazing walking trails and parks all over town, not just at Memorial Park. Check out Buffalo Bayou or Terry Hershey Park sometime.
• Walking is not only good exercise. It provides lots of other side benefits. You can lose weight, feel better, have more energy and reduce stress. Sarah and I have enjoyed quality time and great conversation with family and friends. Sarah’s 19-month old daughter is a regular companion on the neighborhood trails in Austin.
• Wildlife abounds. I’m not referring to Houston’s pubs, clubs and restaurants. It’s the early morning variety that has been a delight. Rabbits are everywhere and the cardinals have been gorgeous.
• GU is not just something you avoid in the street. It’s actually highly concentrated fuel to keep your energy up. Personally I’ve found the chews a better choice than the thick gel, but to each his or her own.
• I’m not sure if the thought of walking 60 miles or the reality of camping in tents with no electricity is more daunting.
• In the past 25 years, the incidence rate of breast cancer has risen approximately 30 percent in westernized countries. Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 69 seconds. I am a five-year survivor. My mother was not so lucky.
• Fundraising is a part of the deal and not ever as easy as you think it will be. In 2008, the Edelman team raised more than $77,000 to help fund ongoing research for a cure. Each participant in a 3-day walk must raise a minimum of $2,300 – but to top the 2008 contribution, the Edelman “60 Miles or Bust” team needs to raise much more than the minimum.
So here’s the pitch. If you are moved to walk a mile in our shoes, please contribute by going to our personal pages on the Komen 3-Day website. The “ta-tas” and our tootsies will thank you!
Carolyn Mayo: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=6012111&pg=personal&fr_id=1623&et=-bkR5g9Ajky15jPVZp1a9Q..&s_tafId=478515
Sarah Hoffman: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/WashingtonDCEvent2011?px=6011966&pg=personal&fr_id=1623
See you around town and on the trails,
Carolyn Mayo,
EVP and General Manager
Edelman Houston
No comments:
Post a Comment