Follow-up on my 3-Day walk

[genuine, wwt, welcomer]

I spent my weekend walking, walking, and walking ... the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure (raising money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer).  We walked 60 miles in three days!!  I am happy to be able to say my cousin and I walked the whole 60 miles, even though our feet were blistered and our legs were aching.  After the first day of 20 miles, we wondered whether we'd be able to finish the next two days.  We had walked in hot sun and at one point there was 4 miles between stops on our route.  The second day seemed the hardest: it was the most miles, we walked a few miles in the rain, we were already sore from the day before.  The third day the weather was nice and we knew we were nearing the end so we just kept our feet moving determined to finish.

 

It was an amazing experience, hard to describe especially if I want to keep it short.

seeing all the people together for this cause.  hearing the stories of the survivors as well as those who lost someone battling breast cancer.  checking out everyone decked out in pink.  reading their shirts with cute team names or cool messages.  having people cheering us on, helping us to keep us going.  random cars honking at us in support as they drove past us.  people dressed up in costumes, singing songs, playing instruments, anything to put a smile on our face and keep us walking.  camping in pink tents.  showering in a semi trailer/portable showers.  going to the medic tent to get stuff for our blisters or to get our feet wrapped.  visiting a rememberance tent.  crossing the finish line and seeing our family there waiting for us.  participating in the closing ceremony and raising our shoe to the survivors.

 

the walk itself was a give, but there were other gives while I was out on this journey:  telling a woman she dropped something, comforting my cousin when she began to cry, thanking the crew members working to make our walk possible, cheering for people, smiling at people ...

 

my favorite gift other than walking:  I had purchased a chocolate treat and written a note to go with it for my teammate/my cousin to pick up when we got back to camp.  She picked up her chocolate and card and said thanks and tucked it away.  Later I asked her if she'd opened it/read the note and encouraged her to do so.  She dug out the card and read the short message which ended with "... and I was wondering, would you be my maid of honor?"  She gasped, said "you little shit," and then hugged me.  She was surprised.  She'd known we had already chosen the wedding party and asked other wedding party members so she wasn't expecting that she was included in it much less chosen as maid of honor.  (Our wedding will be in June)

 

I guess I'll wrap it up now.

My feet and legs are still recovering, but I think it should only take a couple days.  Blisters are dealt with much quicker and easier than a breast cancer diagnosis.

[Dawn wwt]

i am so darn proud of you i could bust! congratulations on making it all 60 miles :-D  LOVE all the gives you gave along the way, and the way you asked your cousin to be your maid of honor. Hugs, Dawn

[Aunty Nean]

This is so wonderful. Congratulations on your amazing achievement. David and I did a long walk in New Zealand once and were staggered by how difficult it was for our feet, even though we were well prepared. You have done amazing things for breast cancer research and I can sense how proud you feel.

[Elly Rose Tech Support]

What an epic weekend. I agree with Lois, you are a hero.  Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  I know your cousin feels honored to be in the wedding party.

[Deb~ Community Manager]

I am so excited for you and your upcoming wedding! What a lovely way to ask your cousin to be maid of honor!

[Lefty]

Wow!  I think the longest I've walked is 8 miles and I cannot imagine 20 Xs 3!  What a great accomplishment.  I loved your maid of honor story.

[Lois55 wwt]

You are a hero, Genuine....you brought tears to my eyes for your accomplishment,your support system along the route, your gift and awesome note to your cousin, and your giving heart of gold!!!

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Bless you all for the wonderful thing you have done. I love that you made it and had so many experiences. I thank you for this great accomplisment as I am a survivor and know how important this cause is.. xoxo