Has anyone done one of these before? There is one at Cape Cod this September and I'm not sure I could handle 3 days of walking. I did my first walk last year but it was only a 3 mile walk.

Also, what about the fundraising? Does most of it go to research...does anyone know?

I don't know anything about a challenge walk. We don't have anything like that here. We do have a 150K bike fund raiser that took place over a weekend.

There is no way I could do a 3 day walk either. I did recently (March) do the 3-mile walk here. That was a challenge but I finished. I do the walks twice a year. Myself and another MSer formed a team. She is all about raising funds and I am all about awareness and support. She takes care of setting goals and getting local companies involved to match what their employees raise. I work on raising awareness of what life is like with MS. It works out great.

As for the funds I am not sure. Call who ever is sponsoring the event and ask them what happens to the funds and how much of it actually goes towards research.

Additionally, it may be good to ask what else they do with the funds. I know that locally the NMSS has started a few programs for people with MS as well as creating more support for local MSers. I know that it is not research but it has been helpful to those of us with MS. They have used some of the funds to get assistive devices for those who financially cannot afford them, they have used the funds to start exercise classes (yoga and aquatics), and many other helpful programs.

Thanks for your input! What a great team you have. Talk about "teamwork". Sounds like the two of you are a perfect match.

I like the idea of the other programs the money goes towards. Sometimes I feel like research does nothing for me and there will be no cure by the time I leave this world! So those programs you mentioned are something that could benefit me and others now. Thanks!

I've done the challenge walk twice (2004 and 2005). To me, the biggest challenge was raising the minimum 1500 entry fee! I managed both times and it was a wonderful experience.

They provide you with a training program and you have the option to meet up with others who are training in your area. I did most of my training on my own but towards the end met up with a wonderful team captain who became my walking buddy and has since become a great friend.

The first year, I trained exactly as per the program. Every day, logged tons of miles. The weekend before the walk, I logged an 18 mile day. On the weekend of the walk, it was hard, but not impossible and as one of the very few people who didn't get blisters - I think the training paid off.

The second year, I didn't train nearly as hard. I think my longest training walk was 12 miles. Funny enough - it wasn't any harder than the previous year!

Blisters and dehydration were the biggest issues - they took most people out. Good running shoes in a half size bigger than you normally wear, some moleskin, and water bottles on a fanny pack are the tools you need.

Many people without MS couldn't finish it. I was so proud that I did the whole thing and I was really proud to wear that red shirt on the final day at the conclusion (only people with MS got red shirts). Goofy me, I'm getting all choked up about it right now!

I would encourage anyone to try it - it's not about how far you walk - as long as you start. You certainly won't regret the experience!

You are choking me up as I read this!!!

Thanks for the tidbits and helpful pointers. Congrats for finishing it!!! You should be very proud!

I almost signed up last year but the 1500 did scare me from doing it. That is not a small amount to have to raise and if you are doing it with a SO then the amount is double!

Well you have encouraged me enough to seriously look into it more. Will you be doing it again this year? Do you do the one down the Cape?

I won't be doing it this year as we'll be moving to Italy right about that time. I did the one that goes from Annapolis to Baltimore. Here are some things I did to raise the $1500

Sent out letters to everyone I knew requesting donations. I'm not out to most of my family because I don't want my mom to know (she has MS too) but I did mention my mom in it and why it was so important. I got a lot of donations that way. I also sent out emails linking to my fundraising page. I had a giant garage sale. My friend and I put together all of our junk and then I sent letters to all my neighbors telling them what I was doing and asked them for their junk that they wanted to get rid of. They got receipts for it and I ended up with enough stuff that we made almost $700. We priced everything dirt cheap and made money on volume.

I didn't do it, but coldstone creamery will let you use their store to raise money (you scoop and a percentage of the profits go to your cause). Selling items on Craig's List, walking dogs, donation jars at places you frequent, etc. Lots of good ways to do it. You'd be amazed at the generosity of people when there's some personal meaning in the cause. I met a neighbor with MS and one who's parent had it.

Good luck - I hope you decide to do it!