Come, Walk

November 12^th  4:30pm, I’m in a very empty SeaTac airport ready to check in my suitcase-past supporters may remember my travails trying to get my suitcase down to 35lbs….if I could have gotten close to that I would have been happy.  The scale said 56.25lbs!  Darn!!  My backpack was pretty packed so I couldn’t offload there and I really didn’t want to pay an additional $50!  I started talking- explaining how I was on my way down to do another Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk; that this was a mission of goodwill; surely he knew someone who’d had to battle breast cancer; and what would your mother think if you charged me?  He was a man of conscience OR just beaten down to the point of compliance.  Either way he ‘forgave’ me my excess weight and lugged my suitcase onto the conveyor belt.

For those of you who know me even just a little you know I have a control issue….flying taxes me in a big way.  I summoned as much faith as I could muster and buckled up extra tight for my flight to Phoenix.  Thankfully, the flight was uneventful save for my fidgeting with hip issues.  I purposely came in early to get my suitcase repacked with just 3 Day stuff inside and hopefully get exceptionally well-rested as I never seem to sleep all that well in those pink tents!  I was prepared though having gotten earplugs with a higher decibel rating, a headband to put over my ears with said earplugs in place and, the old standby, Tylenol PM.

Though my plane arrived after 10pm I immediately felt the heat… and started to worry a bit.   I was in Arizona to do the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk with my cousin.  I will say this more than once-I am so proud of my cousin!  Participating in a 3 Day Walk-doing the training and trudging through the 60 miles is hard on anyone-being larger only adds to the challenge.  I wanted to be supportive of her and walk alongside her.  Again, anyone that knows me even just a little knows I am extremely competitive.  So, in an effort to adjust my outlook I decided to get into the spirit.  In Seattle there are a lot of costumes on walkers and crew –it just helps keeping the mood light.  Well, early Friday morning I found Arizona is somewhat more conservative than Seattle :-{  Oh well, what’s NOT to like with me in a tutu sporting wings?  I got several compliments and seeing as how I don’t mind being different from the pack I was totally fine with standing out.

Arizona opening ceremonies were equally inspiring, but with one addition Seattle didn’t have..a MAN within the circle of survivors.  His t-shirt said it all (It may be rare, but men get breast cancer too) I’m glad they acknowledged this group affected by breast cancer.  Things are quite a bit more raucous in Seattle-maybe it’s because the park for opening ceremonies was surrounded by neighborhoods I don’t know, but I was pretty excited anyway and was anxious to get the show on the road.

The first day’s route went through some beautiful areas with more GREEN than I ever remembered Arizona neighborhoods having when we’d come down to visit relatives.  I’ll even go so far as to say the neighborhoods I was seeing were greener than the neighborhoods I left in Seattle!  My cousin was part of a team and had trained with them and another team.   The team stayed together for awhile; Pam and I stayed together. 

I always train with music and not being allowed to use headphones during the walk is a major drag for me (it wouldn’t inhibit in ANYWAY my chat-ability with other walkers)  Nanette and I came across a woman in Seattle that had the answer….basically speakers that your iPod is plugged in to.  I tried to find one before I left and came up empty-handed, thinking I was going to have to buck up, but (another good reason to come early) my cousin took me to Target and I found one-YEH!!!!  Once out on the route I turned it on.  I had several”Oh, it’s YOU that has the music?!!”   “Love Lockdown” or the remix “Move, Shake, Drop” or similar songs and me in my tutu……what could be surprising about that?   I was very grateful to have my music!

Now, my cousin-who I’m SO proud of-had recently changed shoes.  She’d trained in a pair that caused some blisters.  The new pair did indeed keep the blisters away, but she’d only done one light training walk in them before the big day.  I wasn’t comfortable with the news.  Pam’s new shoes changed her gait completely and were beating the crap out of her leg muscles….she was tough, but it was taking an extra toll on her.  Changing your gait isn’t a good thing-my cousin was finding out and so was I…changing the way I walk was mucking up me too and the increasing hot temps were taking its toll on me too.  Another difference I indulged in at every opportunity was the dunk tanks-those wonderful tubs full of ice cubes floating in cold water.  I’d take my buff, immerse it, and put it back around my head without squeezing out the excess water.  The freezing cold water trickling down my neck and back was a bonus.  The 3 Day does a great job of keeping an eye on its walkers and there’re sweep vans that continually cruise the course ready to pick up anyone that may need it.  They can be dropped off at the next pit stop or taken back to camp-whatever is needed.  In addition to the sweep vans, my Mom, aunt and a friend of Pam’s were like our own personal SAG wagon;  Pam reluctantly, but correctly and wisely, made use of these a couple times.  It was during these times I would go back to my regular walking style.   As much as I reveled in being decked out in my tutu and wings I found the tulle chafed my thighs.  In fact, as I write I STILL have rectangular patches of rough skin! 

Late in the afternoon on Friday we made our way into camp.  It reminded me of my first camp in that it was completely enclosed and had been the site of soccer games.  Soccer and fight breast cancer are forever joined for me.  I felt more secure with the fencing all around-Marymoor was too exposed, but Marymoor had more than one shower area.  Sadly, Pam and I were about as far away from the shower trucks as we could get.  Once we’d advanced through the line (something I wasn’t used to enduring) we found the water pressure less than desirable!  Think back to the Jerry Seinfeld show on low pressure shower heads-I didn’t think I got all the shampoo and conditioner out of my hair and my skin kind of felt slimy still….oh well!  At least one layer of grit and grim was removed!!  I went over to where the Remembrance Tents were.  It seemed surreal seeing the Seattle tent in Arizona.  I looked for what I’d written.  It’s true I’ve learned of so many others that have/had breast cancer and I carry those women in my heart, but it all started with Marilyn and Arlene.  Whatever I do in connection with fighting breast cancer begins with an acknowledgement of what Marilyn and Arlene (and their families) went through.  On Arizona’s Remembrance Tent I wrote:  “In so many hearts now and forever:  Marilyn Smith mad Arlene Edwards”

I came to Arizona with a cold and Pam began the 3 Day with an upset stomach.   I attributed that to nerves, but it turned out there was something more to it too.  I realized I was more of a hindrance (causing Pam more stress) by just being there-even though I was trying to be supportive.  I totally understand and have felt similarly many times before with other activities.  So, we decided we would walk separately.  I would come back and walk her in at the end of the day.  Saturday morning I was very glad to be more towards the head of the pack waiting to be released.  I left Pam thinking she was going to be going back to try and eat something.  Even when I’m sick, I don’t have problems eating-it might be a somewhat lighter meal, but I always EAT….a body can’t be expected to perform without some fuel!  The night before they told us today’s route was going to be hilly and it was expected to be another day of recording setting high temps.  I was more than a little concerned.  Hilly, it turned out, is in the eye of the beholder and I didn’t feel taxed by any slope/altitude we may have gotten to.  The heat warning though was spot on!  One cool perk available here was a ‘misting’ truck.  I don’t know exactly how it operates but it spews out a blast of cold vapor-a God send really.  I thought a misting truck would be a fabulous idea for summer soccer tournaments.  Unbeknownst to me Pam didn’t get off in the morning.  She had to be checked out by the medical crew and they red-carded her!  Understandably she was very upset having put in so much time preparing and raising money.  She was told she could rest at the lunch site, try to eat/drink and they would check her vitals later to determine if she’d be allowed to continue.  I called to check in on her as I came in for lunch (which I still don’t like to eat, especially day 2’s menu).  That’s when I discovered what had happened.  I went back where she was hanging out with another walker.  I thought she looked pretty good -she was sipping water and snacking a bit.  I had to kill some time as the course was closed-we couldn’t keep going.  That is SO frustrating.  It is not good for walkers to cool their heels and stiffen up.   I don’t know why this can’t be accounted and/or adjusted for.   Most of the time it was a 15 minute delay, but there was a 20 minute and half hour holdup…aaargh!!  Happily Pam was able to start walking.  Most of the time intersections are manned by crew.  There was one in particular that we had to manage by ourselves.  Waiting for the crosswalk sign to signal us through allowed several walkers to congregate.  The second or even nano-second the walk sign flashed on we were ready to go.  But even if ready I never go without looking to see if all cars are okay with this idea.  I was third in from the right lane but bent over and around to check when I notice the car actually inching up.  I let out a mild “hey” as I put hand out.  I ended up having to extend the warning with “hey, Hey, HEY!!” each progressively louder.  My fellow walkers were glad I got the driver’s attention, but they were like “Where’d that come from”  I laughed and said, “Oh if you only knew what I was capable of!!”  I made it back to camp and promptly found a yoga mat for some much needed stretching.  After I finished, my Mom came to pick me up so we could she could take me back to walk in with Pam.  I found out a past classmate of my Mom’s (from Litchfield High School) followed us to a Cheering Station where we all celebrated the walkers going by…giving Pam a rousing welcome.  The misting truck was at this Cheering Station.  I, for one, could have stayed in among the mist for hours!  Pam had changed out her shoes, but I think with legs used in a new way yesterday, her continued upset stomach, the red card and heat all combined to have her call it good for the day and Mother dropped us back off at camp.  BTW, note the really cute tent decorations.  Pam’s team mates and friend Dayle are the creative types-it does make it easier to find the way back to your tent!

Remember how I said I was proud of my cousin? Well, the third day of the 3 Day had my pride at its highest.  We kept the same plan of each of us walking our own pace with me coming back to walk in with her.   Frustration remained as well as walkers were held up at checkpoints.  On our way to Scottsdale we skirted the Phoenix Zoo going through some botanical gardens on Papago Mountain…again, mountain is a relative term.  I really marveled at the various plants-it was beautiful in a completely different way.  But I suspect the sanity of any landscape designer who would use black asphalt for a trail that snakes its way along…I mean HELLO!!  The heat was beating on me from above as well as below!  Our lunch stop had a bonus-a local massage school was there giving mini-massages….heaven!!!  The route also included neighborhoods that were more reminiscent of my old vacations-yards with neatly raked gravel instead of neatly mowed lawns. 

The pace was getting pretty quick as we neared the endpoint.  The Arizona 3 Day REALLY does a great job in supporting the walkers.  I was very moved by all the children that came out to cheer us on-classes, Girl Scout troops, and family members.  Plus many businesses got into cheering.  I came across a fountain with horse sculptures surrounding the fountain.  Each of the horses had a pink bow and ribbon around its neck.  I had to pull out my camera.  A group of 3 came up and commented on how I must not be one of the hardcore walkers after all since I let the frontrunners go on.  I’d (quickly) taken the pictures and had to be honest-I was every bit as hardcore as any of them, but I was trying to appreciate the effort put out.  I followed behind them for a bit until they called to me to join in with their group.  I was very touched.  Incredibly we got in a good amount of chatting even going as quickly as we were with a fairly single-minded drive to get to the finish.  I shared with them where I’d come from and why I was here.  I think they were a little skeptical that I was going to go back for Pam.  We crossed under the archway hand in hand raising our arms in victory then giving a lot of hugs and offering congratulations.

I’d seen exactly where I planned to be just a little before the finish line.  I can’t remember at the moment if I commented in my Seattle write-up about the fountain I sat alongside cooling my feet off in its water.  Well, THANKFULLY there was one for me in Arizona.  I quickly took off my shoes and socks and tested the water with a toe….frigidly cold!!  I really don’t know how they were able to keep it as cold as it was with yet another day of record-setting high temps.  It was so cold it made my feet ache.  I’d alternate with numbing and thawing doing that many times over until I thought my feet wouldn’t/shouldn’t/couldn’t be swollen.  I headed out to old Scottsdale and called my Mom.  My luck, she and my Aunt weren’t too far away.  I’d hoped they could pick me up and drop me off with Pam.  I was prepared to walk back to her, but I preferred not having to walk both ways if possible.  We reunited with 4 miles left.  Pam knew she had a major blister going on her right baby toe, but knew also there really wasn’t much to be done at this point.  She had walked every step this third day and she wanted to continue to the finish.  I’m so proud of her!  We enjoyed the misting truck several times and marveled at the pink fire truck.  Note the pictures.  I’d never heard of this fire truck or their mission to raise money to help women with breast cancer that are un- or under-insured.  The fire truck is making its way across the US.  Look up Guardians of the Ribbon and see if they’ll be in your area.  It was really cool to see…remember “Real Men Wear Pink!”

Pam, most of her team mates and I approached the final stretch.  All of a sudden 2 of the walkers I’d come in with were with us.   They’d been worried about me!  They couldn’t believe I was coming in with my cousin.  They joined our group and we all walked in triumphantly.  Pam was definitely the star of the walk with everyone under the sun cheering her on along the route and congratulating her at the end.  It was awesome. 

The Closing Ceremony was another moving experience.  Preceding that is the Holding Area-a place to bide time.  Rather than being cooped up indoors as in Seattle, we milled around the park until waiting to line up.  It was a great time to cool our feet in some of the fountains, put on more comfy footwear and visit with crew members and other walkers.  Finally we were asked to come in to hear instructions on going in to the stadiums.  First up:  Get in groups of 8.    We wanted the team to stay together-as the procession comes into the stadium half the group is sent towards the right, the other goes left.  We ended up being very close to the stage.  The rest of the walkers filed in with the crew coming in next and finally the survivors.  Janelle, the 3 Day spokesperson, gave a moving talk-bringing out survivors on stage.    Everyone honors the survivors by raising one of their shoes, the center banner is raised (A World Without Breast Cancer) and knows that we WILL beat breast cancer….and soon.

Thanks again for all your support-I appreciate it more than I can say

xoxoxooxoxx