Susan G Komen 3 Day 2011

We did it, 3600 people!  3 days, 20 miles a day, very small tents, hot water in the showers.  And, the food was good- except for the coffee, instant doesn't quite make it.  People were great and I had the best team there!

The weather was almost perfect.  A light drizzle on the last day, but, we didn’t hesitate for a minute.

Del Mar, California is totally dark at 5:00 in the morning.

People still need their coffee!

There is already a line of cars dropping people off.  The trucks are lined up ready to take the luggage. We are allowed one bag at a 35 pound limit, including your sleeping bag, mattress, clothes, shoes and any extras you might need. (Like soap and shampoo and deodorant!)  My duffel was stuffed.

My team started to arrive.

The sun started to rise as we got ready for the opening ceremony. Martin, one of my teammates carried one of the flags, “Neighbor”.  This really got to me.  Sometimes during the training I would lose focus about what we were actually doing.  “Walking for a Cure for Breast Cancer”.  A hideous disease that can affect everyone.

3 People I walked for:  my aunt, my sister in law and a girl I've never met.

This is from the opening ceremony:

We walked through Del Mar and Torrey Pines.  This is a view going up Torrey Pines.

Lunch in La Jolla, then walked to Pacific Beach and ended in Mission Bay.

 Our home away from home.  We were told to bring some kind of tarp or shower curtain to use on the tents.  Because we camp at the beach everything gets wet and we weren't sure if it would rain.

 We also need a way to find our own tent.  There's a lot of pink out there, so we decorated. I wrote names of those I walked for on mine and used Flag Banners from m.o.m.

Saturday morning, what have I gotten myself into! This didn't look promising.

 Nothing stops this gang!

 The view from the bridge. The sky was even pink!

 Great sights along the way.  The two vans are "sweeper vans".  If you have a problem and need a lift they will take you to the next stop.

This is one of our policemen bikers.  They rode along with us and cheered us on making sure everything was ok.  Notice the pink handcuffs.

Little ones gave out stickers and Hi fives.

 Yes, those are "boobs" on this babys hat!

 Cheering ballerinas!

The crowds were terrific.  Music, cheering all along the streets.  I even met Sponge Bob (I thought of you Steve), I thought he was taller.

Ah, should I explain this one...

This man and his antique fire truck, followed us every day.  He would park along the street cheer and then move on down the road.  A lot pf people did that, so much so we felt like we knew them.  The sign says "3-DAY WALKERS ARE HOT"---I should have moved over!

You see the nicest people on the road!  My niece Bethany and her boyfriend Dave, found me on the trail.

Ok, my team wanted to walk in to the final stage together and we had time to spare.  What to do...have a Margarita and wait for the whole team to arrive.

This is Francy my training partner and Amy my team captain.  2 wonderful women I met just this year.  Francy and I walked a marathon this year to celebrate her birthday.  Amy organized so many great training walks she not only got us into fantastic shape, she won the "Best Trainer in San Diego Award"...She also got her own "stand up" tent!

 This is me and Cassidy, the youngest member of our team at 16. I think I'm at the other end...don't make me explain.

We made it, the closing ceremony at Petco Park, downtown San Diego.  My team Powered By Optimism raised over $108,000.00   Totally San Diego raised over $9,000,000.00

 So here I am in my glory in the company warehouse.  I'm walking and working.  I mastered my blister problem. I figured out how to handle my knee issue before the walk.  This is reason we had so many training walks.  It was a great experience.  The weather worked in our favor and the clouds didn't open up until after we got in the car to go home.

Thanks for all your support I couldn't have made it without your help and encouragement.  I'm signing on for next year...want to join me?