Day 3!

It's cold, but a BEAUTIFUL day! Once we arrived at our take-off destination, the adrenaline on our bus was overwhelming. Everyone was ready for our last 20 miles. The walk through downtown Atlanta was quite peaceful. We did not start at the head of the crowd today, so we experienced the "sea of pink"....and met many new people as I passed with a cheerful "good morning" because I was too cold to walk slow. We arrived at Turner field, our final destination around 1:30 and cheered the other 2,200 people in for the next 3 hours. We received a rose and out Victory shirts. By this point, you did not realize your feet hurt or that you were tired. It was absolutely amazing to see the different people who walked and to see the emotion of each person as they walked through the cheering crown as they entered Turner Field. We filed out of turner field to enter Closing ceremony...walkers first, followed by Survivors who wore pink shirts. Family and supporters lined the entrance to Closing ceremony...cheering, screaming, and high-fiving each walker. I went in to this event with the mindset that I was helping a great cause with hopes of changing a life...and came out of it a changed person. It is truly an experience that I will never forget. With that, I have already signed up for the 2010 3-day and looking forward to many more years to come!

Thank everyone for your support and encouragement!

http://www.the3day.org/site/TRC/2010/AtlantaEvent2010?pg=peditor&fr_id=1461&px=3214335

Day 2

YAY....It is Day 2...and I am ALIVE!! I feel wonderful and nothing hurts (surprising)!! We were bused from camp to our route this a.m. Again, the moto-men met us there and got us rockin' and rollin'. Cheering began as soon as we took off and it did not stop until after we finished. Today seemed much easier for some reason and again, we were the first 3 to lead the pack.

The amount of food and candy people hand you as you walk by is dangerous. However, by Day 2, we perfected our wave...and had the "photo-op" smile down pat. Since we were one of the first walkers, the spectators were very loud and pumped to see us. Many called us their first "customers"...lol. Mom and Arnie met us at the last cheering station (mile 19) and by that point my feet were numb, throbbing anchors. They met us at the last Pit stop to pick us up...which was very sweet. However, I should've listened to the medical staff who could tell I was having trouble with my feet and of course I told them I was "fine"....that I "couldn't feel my feet anyway!" Turns out I had major blisters, but I couldn't feel anything, so they weren't hurting. :) Oh well, that is a small price to pay considering, so I bandaged it up and ready to hit the trails tomorrow for the LAST day!!!

Day 1

This morning was incredible. We arrived at Lake Lanier at about 6:30 a.m. and managed to be at the front of the stage for opening ceremony. It had to be one of the most touching experiences I have ever witnessed. The emotion, determination, and hope of these people are awe inspiring. Seeing people who are actually survivors, battling, or have lost someone they know to breast cancer was enough to make me not complain about being cold, it raining, or my feet killing me.

We were in a race against the rain, so we took off as soon as they let us and led the pack the entire way. The "sweep vans" were in constant motion making sure you were holding up alright, as was the motorcycle men, who were histerical and very motivating. Every crew member dressed in crazy outfits, the moto-men danced with us at crossing stops to keep us moving, and spectators had fun music blaring as we passed. Everyone was so helpful, giving, and generous. People came out from everywhere...yelling at us from their porches, out of their cars, honking, and high-fiving as we walked by. It made the day much more enjoyable. However, by about mile 17 my feet were about done for the day. Nothing else hurt, but they got heavier by the step.

We also managed to finished 8, 9, and 10th out of about 2,000-2,300 in about 5 hours. About 5 minutes after we finished, the heavens broke loose and it rained...and rained...and rained. We, however, did not get wet. :)

I felt pretty energized still when I got home...until I got in the nice hot tub with jets and I sunk really fast. But, I could not have had spent my day any better!

Pre-Walk Jitters!

Okay, so this is it. I will begin my 60 mile journey in the morning. I am not sure what to think at this point. Will it be easy? Hard? Exhausting? Who knows. It will be a fun experience regardless. To those who supported me throughout this process, THANK YOU!! To those who are tired of listening to me "post" and talk about the walk...TOUGH!! I have trained as much as my schedule has allowed me, but not near as much as my partners, so be easy on me Martha and Maryann.

As most of you know, I am not one who likes to sit back and watch people challenge themselves. I want to be right in the middle, always trying to push myself and find something I "can't" do. Well, thanks to everyone who has made me as independent and confident girl...I haven't found that something that I "can't" do yet. With that, the next 3 days are going to prove to not only myself but to everyone that if I can do it....so can YOU!! Get out there, make a difference. It may not affect you at the moment, but many lives can be spared because you cared!! :)

Alright, so I will try to "blog" everyday to share with all my donors and supporters the experience. Your welcome, I am happy to walk the 60 miles while you are at home reading my posts in the warm, dry, comfort of your home!! ;)

Again, thanks to all who donated for me to be able to experience such an awesome event...I will be adding photos during and/or after the walk.

Let's do this!!