The Story Behind the Words

I began this blog in July 2009, simply as a forum for me to talk about my training and fundraising for my then-upcoming participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day events. At that time, it was called “My 60 Mile Journey: 60 Mile Men’s “Mr. December 2010″ discusses his 60 Mile Journeys”. However, after November, when I was done with my walks, I realized that the blog had run it’s course and had a shelf-life from about July-November each year.

Instead, in 2010, I decided to make it about everything in my life. I think I lead an interesting life, I have 4 wonderful children (Justyce, Colbi Lyn, Devin and Logan) and a beautiful and wonderful wife. I am also a Navy Chief, onboard the USS Halsey, currently on deployment. I am a former reality TV show personality-I’d say star, but I don’t think anyone watched it, and no one recognizes me. I was, however, on 10 episodes of a TV show. In the 2010 60 Mile Men Calendar, I am “Mr. December”. I also volunteer with the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps as a Warrant Officer with Gunfighter Squadron/Training Ship Top Gun.

The main thing that got me writing is that in 2005, my sister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Breast Cancer at the age of 27. After being cancer-free for a year, it came back with a vengeance in her brain and bones in 2007. We lost her, at the age of 32, in February, 2010.

I did San Diego’s Walk in 2008. In 2009, I did both the Arizona and the San Diego 3-Day Walks, on back-to-back weekends. In 2010, I couldn’t actually walk because I was deployed, however, I completed the walk while underway, on the treadmill. Unfortunately, due to the hectic nature of the year, I was unable to walk in 2011. I will resume walking in 2012.

I believe in this cause, and believe in doing something bigger than myself. I will walk until I can’t walk anymore. In 2008, my motto was “I walk in hopes that someday my daughters only know Breast Cancer as something that Auntie Shayna once had.” In 2009, it was “I walk because my sister can’t. I walk so my children will never have to.” Now my motto is “I lost my sister to this disease and I’m not OK with that.”