Closing Ceremonies

Pictures of the 3 Day!!

Here you go! A photo look at my 3 Day experience!

Up bright and early!!

I tried to go to bed early the night before.... 9:30, but my head was just spinning. Trying to make sure I was packed. I kept looking at the clock watching it tick later and later. The last time I looked it was 11:36. So much for a good nights sleep.
My friend Gretchen let me bum a ride with her at 5 o'clock in the morning...
Her sister brought us. I was lucky because my Mom took Alex for the night so I didn't have to sneak around the house in the morning. Joe sleeps like a rock.

We were all assigned a truck to load our luggage in. The trucks were lettered according to your tent row. I was in row F tent 19. Our luggage had to be under 35 lbs. and you had to pack everything inside... including your sleeping bag! I know there was a row N and a friend of mine was in a tent numbered 94. That's a lot of tents!

I have a few pics of some of the people I walked with. Scottie Bananas and Tattoo Becky

Our Fearless Leader Maria

Nancy... whose husband brought us coffee and iced tea to a cheering station!!! Loved that!

Bright and early we were all lead in a stretching session and given walking advice. Some of the advice that I loved and Maria took to heart was to cheer!! We were told that holding in a cheer while walking would cause blisters that would grow when we were sleeping! At Opening Ceremonies, Maria was one of the flag bearers.

This is Jenae. She gave quite a few inspirational speeches and lots of wonderful news. Like "We aren't expecting any rain and the Twin Cities has raised over 6 million dollars... "

I also had two friends in the Survivors circle during Opening Ceremonies. The lady in the light pink is Nancy and Bette is on the other side of the circle. I did a lot of crying during this ceremony but this survivor circle really messed me up!

Here we go!!

Every time we left for the day and when we returned we were scanned in.

Big long pink river flowing through the cities.

This guy here is George and he is one of 3 people that I know of that are walking in all 12 3 Days this summer!!! Wow!

Along the route we were given 12 small flags similar to the ones used in the Opening Ceremonies. These flags have traveled the previous 3 walks and would continue on to the other 8. We were supposed to carry them for a little while and then pass them on to another walker.
The trails were beautiful. Some were secluded like this one and others were out in the open city. I liked the shade of the secluded ones but loved being out in the open because there were so many supporters out in the street. Playing music, giving us candy and icees, dancing and screaming, spraying us with water...This is a pit stop. At a pit stop you get to fill up on water, pee, get some snacks and have medical tend to your blisters or sore spots.All of the pit stops and the lunch stop have a theme to them.

This one was Marti Bra! Here is lunch!

Jackie, Ali, Me, Maria and Nancy

For lunch we had chicken sandwiches the first day, a taco roll up thingy the second day and a turkey sandwich the last day. We knew some of the crew that was working lunch so that made it even more fun!

Once we got back to camp on the first day we had to set up our tents. I was very happy to drag myself in and see that Gretchen had set up my tent and found my luggage for me!! Thank you so much Gretchen!!

The tents are very thin and noise travels a lot at night so after the first night I figured out that ear plugs are your friend. People were pretty quiet for the most part though.

They call this "tent city". There has to be over 1,000 tents. With over 500 crew and 2,500 walkers... two to a tent. Wow!!These are the shower trucks. Along one side are the shower stalls. Semi private because you get a shower curtain but you have to dress in the open. Across from the showers is a bench and some hooks on the wall. That's where you dress... It's all good though I got to see some interesting tattoos. : )

If you look close you can see the sinks and mirrors outside the trailer. You did your hair and makeup there if you even did that part. Most people were makeupless and in a ponytail. Lots of people even brushed their teeth in the woods or right by their tent. Why walk all the way to the bathroom when you just walked 20 miles!!

Dinner.

You can't say you aren't fed well on the 3 Day.

There is food everywhere you look!

The first day I had spaghetti with two bread sticks, broccoli, a salad and dessert.

The second day I had chicken, a salad, beans and rice. The dessert was cheese cake... ick.

When the last walker of the day comes in it's a pretty big deal. The whole safety team follows them in and the path is lined with walkers and crew cheering them on. They walk through camp to this pole and raise the flag. Lots of noise and excitement!

Walking through the forest... that's what Alex says when he sees this picture.
Fixing out feet at lunch on Day 2. Becky Maria, Barb, Scottie and Nancy

This is Gretchen... she was a lot of help to me on the walk. Thank you!!

There were a lot of posters up along the route.

Here we are the last day. About 5:30 in the morning and people are packing up camp.
This is a pic of most of the Hawaiian Ohanas that I walked with.

My friend Melanie met me at the cheering station across from the State Capitol on Day 3. She even brought me Skittles!! I have to walk with Skittles!! Thank you Melanie for coming out!!Lunch stop on Day 3.

Lynette, Maria #2, Maria, Me and Becky

Walking along the Mississippi River.

Maria, Becky, Me, Jackie and Ali

We actually walked across 35W and you could see the bridge collapse and the clean up... pretty sad.

This is the bridge we walked across right before we met our families at Closing Ceremonies. You could hear the music and cheering from quite a ways a way. As I walked into the final stop my Mom and two sisters were there to meet me! Hugs, a rose, welcome signs, sandals and a nice clean wash cloth!
Closing Ceremonies

First they parade all of the walkers (wearing white shirts) into a circle... then the crew (wearing gray) comes running in and fill the center of our circle. There is a stage in the middle and around that they parade in the walkers and crew (in pink shirts) that are breast cancer survivors. Before the survivors come in all of the walkers and crew get down on one knee... then hold a shoe in the air and salute the survivors. It was pretty cool. I'll have a video of that hopefully soon.
Victory hug!

Getting Ready

As most of you know I tend to be over prepared and always early for an event. I think it's a good thing though...
Alex, Joe and I never want for anything left behind at home and people don't have to sit around waiting for me.
So anyway, the walk is this Friday morning and as of last night I'm all packed and ready to head out the door!! I want to go right now!!!

I think I'll be doing most of my walking with the Hawaiian Ohanas and my new teammate Gretchen. Gretchen's sister is actually the one giving me a ride at 5a.m to the opening ceremonies! Thank you!! I was starting to get worried. I'm sure I would have gotten there but it's nice to not have to worry.

I've always felt that I've had a lot of love and support in life and preparing for the 3 Day has really showed me how true that is.
I've had such great support from family, friends and so many new friends. From donations, fundraising parties, pink hair, advice, the lending of sleeping bags and duffel bags, rides to and from the walk, and a shoulder to lean on while I'm training. Wow!

Thank you all so much you've made this experience wonderful!! I really hope to do it again.
I don't think I'll be doing it next year though... I hope hope hope to be either pregnant or have a fresh new baby.
Hopefully the Ohanas will let me join them for a few walks though... I'm going to miss them all a lot!!

Thanks EVERYONE!
I LOVE YOU JOE!!

Walking Trail

This doesn't show you exactly where we will be walking but is sure gives you a good idea!
http://07.the3day.org/atf/cf/%7BAF27DE03-5606-4749-812D-8FB17709092B%7D/3DAY_JOURNEY_TC_V02.PDF?tr=y&auid=2927389

I'm happy we will be walking in the Coon Rapids Dam area.... that was my training ground with the Hawiian Ohanas!

Cheering Stations!

My friend Gretchen wrote this and I thought it was too good not to share!

Hey everyone! As most of you know it’s that time of year again for the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk. No – I am not asking you for money, although if you would like to make a donation, I certainly wouldn’t refuse, it is a great cause after all. I am inviting you to come out and help cheer on the 2000+ (including me) walkers who will be walking 60 miles August 24-26. In keeping with one of the 3 Day traditions, I am going to give you the top 10 reasons why you should come out and support the walkers:

10) To show your love for boobies
9) You would be “responsupple” for brightening many people’s day
8) Did I mention we were walking 60 miles?
7) It’s the “breast” thing you can do all weekend
6) Its great cheering practice for football season
5)It will be a “titillating” experience with lots of “boobiful” people
4) Seriously, you didn’t have any other plans anyway…
3) You’ll never see another fanny pack convention as big as this one
2) It is the only public place where you can say “I am a boob man” out loud without the risk of injury
1) Because sometimes boobs need a little more support than a bra alone can provide

Cheering Stations are posted below – please come out if you can, and feel free to send this on to friends.

Day One – Friday, August 24Dairy Queen 225 Osborne Rd.Fridley, MN 55432 Mile 7.5
Hours: 8:00am - 11:30am
Rice Creek North Trail Parking Lot 2000 County Rd. I (Just east of I-35W)
Shoreview, MN 55126 Mile 11.9 Hours: 10:15am - 1:30pm

Day Two – Saturday, August 25Sun Ray Lanes Bowling Alley 2245 Hudson Rd.St. Paul, MN 55119 Mile 7.3 Hours: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Phalen Park Tennis Courts On Johnson Pkwy.
Just north of Maryland Ave. E Mile 16.6 Hours: 12:30pm - 4:30pm

Day Three – Sunday, August 26St. Paul College 235 Marshall Ave.St. Paul, MN 55102 Mile 6.8 Hours: 9:00am - 11:00am(LAST CHANCE CHEERING STATION!)

Letters of Love : )

Hey!

Wanna send me a little snail mail inspiration while I'm walking the 3 Day??

Here is the address.

3-Day Camp Post Office

PO Box 28069

Crystal, MN 55428-8069

I sure would love it!!

Thanks for the picture Scotty Bananas!

I'm the one on the right....

True

I found this on the 3 Day web site... it is from a walker/crew member from Boston.

For those about to walk for the first time, I thought this might address those last lingering questions:
“What if I can’t walk all the way?’ – Who cares? No one is keeping track but you.
“What if I get a blister?” – So?
“What if I don’t know anyone?” – You’ll meet hundreds of nice people.
“What if I packed too much?” – You did.
“What if I didn’t pack something?” – You’ll live.
“What if it rains?” – You’ll get wet; you won’t drown.
"What if is it cold?" - You won't freeze to death.
“What if it is hot?” – You’ll sweat.
“What if I don’t like the food?” – You’ll be walking past approximately 472 supermarkets and convenience stores; you’ll manage.
“What if I don’t like the porta-potties?” – No one likes the porta-potties. You’ll survive.
“What if I don’t like the showers?” – So don’t shower. Though you might want to check with your tent mate first.
“What if I can’t sleep in a tent?” – You’ll be tired; you’ll sleep.
“What if…?” Enough already with the “What if’s?” You’ll do fine. Relax and enjoy the experience.
Because of the money you’ve raised, money is going to go towards early detection programs. In a few months, a woman is going to take advantage of one of those programs, and she’s going to find out she has breast cancer.
But because of you, she will have found out early enough to get treatment, and to survive. She’s going to get to watch her kids grow up, and to be there at their concerts and their games. She’s going to go to their graduations and to their weddings. She’s going to get to see her grandchildren. And her kids will never have to face growing up without her. All because of you. And while she will never know it, you will know it. Any more questions? No? ;-)

Enjoy the walk. You've earned it.
larry 14x Crew and 2x Walker

Trees down... Maria down too???

Today we walked around the Chain of Lakes. I walked 11 miles and some of the other walkers continued on after lunch and did 18! I just don't think I'm going to push myself too much right now. The walk is only two weeks away and I'm pretty afraid of starting the 3 Day with feet filled with blisters. I just have old calluses on my blister prone areas and I want to leave them that way.

My new shoes held up pretty well though! The true test will be walking two days in a row so I guess I won't know until next weekend or on the 3 Day.

Tomorrow I'm going to a meditation with my sister and mom so I'm not walking.

There were some pretty intense storms in the Cities last night and during our walk today we noticed a lot of trees down, some power outages and some minor flooding.

We also noticed, our "fearless leader," Maria was a bit off today too. Our first clue was her shirt being inside out??? Acutally in her defense she had taken some cold medicine.... hope you're feeling better Maria!

New Shoes

I went to Marathon Sports this weekend and bought some new shoes.... hopefully this helps with my blisters???
I know the point is function but these shoes are pretty cute... they have red and white paisleys inside!
I was pretty happy to see that Marathon sold the pop top water bottle that we've all been looking for too! The only way you can get these bottles is from a company advertising so they're hard to come by. They do have Marathon Sports plastered on 'em but that's fine. Now my water won't splash down my chin and chest when I try walking and drinking.

I can spray Maria back too!! Bonus!!!