Come, Walk

Seattle Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk day 1

September 12th:  If I had to summarize my experience with the 2008 Seasttle Breaset Cancer 3 Day Walk I would say I felt honored to have joined such a compassionate, stand-for-something group-well, I suppose that should be wak-for-something group!

Bless Kyle's heart-he had drop-off duty again.  But this time we knew the system a bit better and avoided waiting in a lot of long lines.  The first thing I noticed was the sheer number of people!  Apparently there were around 3500 people ready to walk-more than 1000 MORE than last year!  Opening Ceremony got the crowd whipped into exctatic enthusiasm just wanting to begin.  And then we were off....

Rather than going over I90 like last year, we headed to various areas of Bellevue, skirting the expansive Microsoft Campus, and in towards our camp site, Marymoor, via the trail along the slough.  The same trail Nanette and I, and my 3 Day Walk Trainees, used in many training walks. 

We get such fabulous encouragement and support all along the 3 Day route.  We draw strength from survivors, courage from those battling, and have hope that breast cancer will be brought to an end.  I think humor-and the bawdier the better-is brought in to keep the atmosphere lighter because, of course, it's an emotional gathering.

Family support and pride in their walkers is apparent, but they cheer on others as well.  I appreciated my sister and cousin coming out...it just gives your spirit a boost.  Nanette and I finally came to the end of the first day's route...some controversy-our trail cards said it was 20.7 miles, but a fellow walker had GPS capacity(I don't know how) and apparently IT said we did 22.8.  I don't recall the Day 1 backdrop last year, but I could have just not noticed I guess.  Nanette and I got a photo to celebrate our day's accomplishment.