A letter I wrote after such a time....
Yesterday I walked across the street to pick up lunch, it was a big interersection, but there was no one there playing music or making sure I got safely across the street. There was no one cheering for me, no one said "thanks for walking"....Then I remembered, just what they warmed us about...after the 3 day you will no longer have people cheering you on for simply walking....that is all we did walk, there was no multi-tasking unless you count walking and talking or walking and drinking or walking and eating. For those 3 days we did not have to worry about who needed to go where when...yes we all thought about it but that is just the mom in us all that can not be "shut off". We had worked so hard for this weekend we trained countless miles, waking up at the crack of dawn, in the heat and even the pouring rain! Our husbands..god bless them they rallied the kids out of bed got them breakfast took them to soccer and baseball.... it was a learning experience for them too. We got healthy we felt strong, we needed a extra nap here and there they complied.
We also did the most important thing we raised money! We raised over $25,000 as a team! We had FUN doing it! We baby sat kids, we had a yard sale or two had a wine tasting and even posed as shot girls at a local bar! But even more so our family and friends gave with their hearts and for that I am truly grateful!
The Arizona 3 day had over 2,100 walkers who together raised 5.8 MILLION dollars! This week is the last walk of the 12 nationwide as of our walk over 85 million dollars has been raised! The walk was amazing! I had the privilege of walking with 9 amazing woman and one great guy! We have walked many a mile together even before the 3 day. My team helped get me through the good and bad of this last year. Walking was my therapy!
We walked a reported 18 (komen miles) the first day through Gilbert Chandler Mesa and Tempe, actual mileage was report closer to 22 real miles. We made our way into camp that night to find our great that had been transported for us by the 3 day crew and amazing group of volunteers that feed us keep us safe and support us every step of the way! The ASU baseball team came out to help us set up our tents, a blessing after walking that far! We showered in the back of a semi truck! I never though a shower in a truck would be so awesome! We had dinner and enjoyed all the camp had to offer.
Day two was the desert tour, through our stomping grounds we walked through Papago Park it was sunny and bright, We had a pit stop at Tonalea school and then over the the Scottsdale Green belt. I would say that our team had the most supporters out of any other team that day! As we neared the greenbelt we were greeted by our families and friends, all along the greenbelt! It was great! The heat was getting to me, or more so the sun, Jim was my angel and brought us bags of ice to ice our feet as we ate lunch! We walked along Tempe Town lake it was very sunny and the heat was really getting to me! Kim and I pressed on, We finally hit a wall, They have these great vans that will take you to the next pit stop and we were really close but I was just so over heated, so we tried to flag one. Well I guess we were not the only ones because they were all full! Kim's mom and daughter Halley were going to a cheering station at the park and picked us up, with the BEST vanilla Fraps from Starbucks! It was the pick me up we needed! We walked through Kiwanis park where the girls Brownie Troop was! They had signs for the team and were offering water and a cool bucket to dip a bandanna. They were a welcome site! Kim and I hobbled back into camp partly feeling guilty for taking the short cut but all told we only took 3 miles out of our journey which was 22 Koman miles reported at more then 24 closer to 25! Once we heard that we felt okay! Patty's mom brought us some wine and cheese and we all slept soundly in our tent that night! As if you have a choice after walking all that way!
We got up early Saturday and packed up our tents and gear and taped up our feet and headed out for the day! It was a 15 komen mile day! We walked from the edge of south mountain to down town Phoenix! I though about my dad alot as I was walking near the mountain perserve, he always liked to bring everyone that came to visit to top of south mountain to see a birds eye view of the city. It was another hot day in the sun! Kim had shin splints and I was easliy swayed by the heat after the first 5 or so miles. We took a bus for less then .5 mile to lunch where we knew we would get some much needed relief! Kim and I seemed to be ont he same pace this day too! We were walking slow, I had some huge blisters and the heat was even harder on me. Slow and steady we made it to the Rio Salado Perserve. There was a warning sign that there was no access to get water or anything in this streach of the journey. We decided to go for it. We made it to the pit stop at the other end and jumped a bus again for less than 1/2 a mile but it was a life saver. At that pit stop I had a medic lance my blisters and Kim got her legs re tapped. While we were there less then 2 miles to go the rest of the team had crossed the finish line! I changed into my crocs and we walked the last 2 miles through downtown Phoenix. I was so excited to pass the finish line! Most of the team was there to meet us our families where gathering there to witness closing ceremonies! It was an amazing experience, one I would gladly do again, next year I think I will be a "walker stalker" Out there cheering with otter pops and cold water in the places where other people weren't this year. The kids really want to be involved and they enjoyed being at the cheering stations and they can't understand why they can't walk it, they think all the free popciles and water and candy would be cool! I do have to say even the lone person on the side of the road or the driver beeping the horn as we passed made a difference, it kept us going! Then came Monday morning, I was admittedly stiff but not as bad as I dreamed it would be. I had to think about what shoes would hurt my feet the least! But more importanty I felt strong and proud for commiting to such a great cause and finishing it! I felt empowered, if i could walk 60 plus miles what couldn't I do with my friends and family beside me!
After doing this I doubt there are few things that will seem as hard as they may have appeared to be, Because I know I can walk 60 miles in 3 days!
