Written November 13th upon reflection:

Been waiting to get a chance to write my thoughts of the Susan G Komen 3 Day 60 mile experience.  To start just as in training it was a FULL on Experience — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Beth, my sister, and I had an uneventful  drive to Big D.  Arriving we checked into the hotel then out to our brother and sister-in-law’s house for dinner and a brief visit.  Good food and some hugs from our 4  year old niece and 2 year old nephew.

Friday morning the day of the event arrived early, up at 5am.  Leaving the hotel on a shuttle along with a few hundred other walkers we headed to Collin Creek Mall in Plano.  The air was very crisp — even could be considered Cold.  At the event starting site there were lots of workers who were busy loading the walkers’ gear into dozens of U-haul trucks.  Then we walked over to the area designated for the opening ceremony, but we had to wait about 2 hours before every thing was ready to start — maybe we were waiting for daylight??  There was lots of lively music but the 2 hour wait before we started was hard on my feet, and did by the end of the day add up to some serious sore feet.

The opening ceremony was very compelling and we were challenged to think of what was the one thing that got us to commit to walk the 3 Day.  Then the spokes person for Komen reminded all of the purpose of the 3 Day which is to raise money and awareness for a cure for breast cancer.  This cause had brought 2,500 plus walkers out for a special experience.  The air was filled with excitement and zany fun.  Then they announced the official start of the walk and — we were off to wind our way through North Dallas.

Walkers in all shapes, size, gender, and age were in full force and PINK everything – hats, socks, tulle, bras, etc!  The youngest person I spoke with was 15 the oldest somewhere in her 70s.  Clearly all had a passionate personal reason they were doing the 3 day.  Many walkers displayed something with the name/s of persons they were walking for or in memory of on their person in some manner.  Two sisters wearing a picture of their mother who the had lost the battle or a single woman walking for a friend fighting for her life had her name on her t-shirt.  Survivors of all time frames 1, 2 or 9 years all sharing their excitement for life and where they were in the cancer journey. The men walking were interesting  and most were on a team they also were walking for someone special.  Lots of t-shirts with clever saying on them. Many costumes, hats, but always lots of PINK.

The 400 + Crew were amazing, up beat, helpful, service minded and cheerful.  They were every where -at the food stations, pit stops, crosswalks and they were always encouraging us.  They worked Hard….. Sag vehicles, cyclists riding the route to check on walkers were all engaged and making the details for everything smooth.  Police were at all major street crossings (and there were lots of street to cross) they were totally helpful and encouraging.

Spectators — oh my — I felt like a Homecoming Queen – as the people of the community and supporters of the walkers lined the streets – clapping, cheering, and thanking us for walking.  There were families,women survivors, neighbors in yards all offering something to us as we passed by.  A stick of licorice, jolly rancher, kleenex, cold water, high 5’s or kind words of encouragement.  These were All Strangers — Why would they be so kind?   Their presence and generosity was medicinal!  I could not have imagined what sweet relief something like this could bring.  The lift from their encouragement often got me though the next mile or so with new eyes and insight.

Oh may I always be the person with the kind words for some one in life, the one giving high5’s and tissue!!

We covered lots of pavement in Dallas.  Many familiar places to me were passed along the route including the townhouse I lived in right after I was married.  Busy streets, residential streets, park trails, and hundreds of city curbs that made it at times feel like a steps class.  The training that we did paid off!!! Sure Friday I had very sore feet each step hurt after lunch.  Saturday my back got a spasm mid day and my sweet sister carried my pack for 3 hours for me. On Sunday no real aches.  Not once during the time did we even consider stopping the “sag wagon.”  the pit stops were placed perfect and were refreshing.   Only blister I got was the last afternoon and it was small, compared to the ones I had during training it was nothing.  It was obvious some had not trained = they were trying to be tough and some did take advantage of the sag.  But many many were Full On!!

I have admired Nancy Brinker sister to Susan G Komen for many years.  I had the privilege to meet her sometime ago at the conference on setting the National Agenda for a Breast Cancer cure held during President Clinton’s administration.  It was hosted by Donna Shala the sec of health and human services.  The attendees sat together as health professionals, survivors, medical experts, media leaders, retailers, marketers, and scientists.  The discussions were about how do we move the topic of breast cancer from being spoken as a whisper to main stream conversation.  Nancy felt that all women should have a chance to know about their chances of breast cancer and to know the actions necessary to early detect and to diagnosis and treat in early stages, then to live cured.  This was the promise Nancy made to her sister that her death would be the beginning of something not just the end.  The promise has grown into the Komen Foundation theme of “All deserve a life time — birthdays, weddings, graduations, celebrations, etc”  There is no doubt this organization has changed the course of breast cancer awareness in the US and now spreading to the world. 7 million dollars were raised at this Dallas event.  and over 2 Billion has been raised by Komen over the last 30 years. WOW that is dedication, that is passion, that is a making a difference.

The preparation and the event of walking this 3 Day has been hard to put into words, some aspects could only be felt.  I am so glad my sister suggested we do this walk at this time.  I have found every aspect to be rich, deep and in a twisted way wonderful. Even the tent life was tolerable.  I am sure this  will be one of my life’s treasured experiences, and I know it is a part of a bigger story yet to unfold.