Recap

It's been a little over a week since I completed my second Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, and I'm finally taking a few moments to recap the amazing experience that it was!


My sister and I walk together.  We call ourselves The Mammary Clan.  (You can find out more about us on our 3-day website or follow us on Facebook.)  Here is a little about our journey...


We started off this 3-day season a little less enthused than we were our first year.  We were slow to get started in getting our fundraising letters sent out.  We had trouble getting motivated to train.  And we used our conflicting schedules as the perfect excuse.  So needless to say, at the last minute we were still scrambling!  (We are still raising money for this year's walk.  You can donate here.)  Fortunately, we knew what to expect so packing came with less stress and more ease.  We got all our our Ziplock baggies out and started labeling, stuffing, and sucking the air out of them.  After all, one bag weighing only 35 lbs. is not a lot when you have to fit EVERYTHING into it.

We finished packing at a reasonable hour (11:00 PM) the night before our walk.  By 5:45 AM we were in the car headed to Collin Creek Mall in Plano, TX for the Opening Ceremonies.  The Opening Ceremonies were cold, crowded, and absolutely wonderful!  Rachel and I had gotten there early so we were right at the front.  Words cannot express the feelings the Opening Ceremonies give a person.  But it makes you ache in the depths of your soul for those who have been lost.  It makes you fiercely determined for those who are still fighting.  And it makes you inspired... motivated... to make a difference.  At that very moment there is a mixture of emotion that leaves you knowing there is no where in the world you'd rather be at that very moment, yet at the same time longing for the day you no longer need to be there.

 

As far as walking... well, at times it was long and monotonous.  There were those moments that you thought it would never end.  And there were definitely those moments you would look at your route card (the card provided with mileage, pit stops, etc. each day) and curse the person who clearly meant 4 miles when they typed 2 on the card.  But overall, walking is an amazing experience!  The community support is AMAZING!  From walker stalkers, to cheering stations, to those people who spend their entire weekend out there supporting you at various points on the route, they are all so wonderful.  The came with drinks, snacks, necklaces, bracelets, stickers, candy, kleenex, medicine, hot chocolate, and donuts!  We had mimosas one morning.  There was beer and margaritas.  Wine, cheese, and grapes.  And Smoothie King... oh Smoothie King.  Little smoothie shots that came at the most perfect times along the route.  In addition to all of this they would be out there cheering, giving us high fives, dressed in costumes, and holding signs (both hilarious and inspiring).  Sixty miles would not be possible without these people.... the community!


The 3-day crew were amazing as well.  They were always there with a smile a high five and an encouraging word.  They are there to make sure your every need is met, and they do it with such cheer!  They wake up long before the walkers and they go to sleep long after.  They may possibly work harder than we do as walkers.  They are the heart and soul of this experience!  

Camp is one of my favorite parts of the 3-day.  The staff does an amazing job setting up camp and putting together entertainment for us.  This year we weren't near as tired and aching as we were our first year so we were able to enjoy camp a lot more!  We shopped, got our mail, and had a blast at the camp show each night!

The 3-day was wrapped up by a wonderful Closing Ceremony experience.  Rachel and I finished fairly early in the day so we had plenty of time to cheer in other walkers.  It is so moving to watch people cross that finish line!  We then got in line with some precious girls to walk into Closing with.  Dr. Sheri (the national spokesperson for the 3-day) ended the event with all of the determination, inspiration, and laughter that she began our journey with.  What a wonderful woman she is!  

There is so much more I could say about this experience!  So many more wonderful moments that I could share.  The one thing I can say without a shadow of a doubt is this:  it doesn't matter what you do, but do something!  You won't regret it!  Whether you walk for a cause you care about, or cheer on others who are... whether you donate money or give your time in a fundraiser... it doesn't matter what you do, just do something!  Make a difference for something that matters to you!  We chose the 3-day in 2010, and it grabbed our heartstrings and brings us back each year.  Find what matters to you!  And if you are interested in joining us in this life changing experience, let me know (themammaryclan@gmail.com)!  The Mammary Clan would love to have you!