Breast Cancer 3-Day Wrap-Up
Oct 24th, 2006 by Lynne
Okay, so I'm posting this a day later than I said I would. I was just plain BEAT yesterday, so I did most of my computing from the Clié instead of Wilma (my tablet) or my main PC. Y'know, most of the time I don't feel much different from when I was in my twenties. But an event like the 3-Day has a way of beating it into your head — or at least your feet! — that you're a couple decades past college age.
My favorite part of the 3-Day was the people, no doubt about it. I've already said how great my team members were. I don't think you could find a smarter, nicer group of women. I was also very impressed with the 3-Day's crew members. There's no way I can adequately describe just how cool they were. Not only were they highly organized and competent, but they also kept us entertained and motivated all day long. I may never want to hear "Hydrate or walk the plank!" again this lifetime, but I found the pirate theme of that particular pitstop amusing nonetheless.
I was also amazed at how many people turned out along the route to watch us go by. In downtown Norcross, some little girls gave us handmade beaded bracelets. On another part of the walk, Girl Scouts handed out candy. On some parts of the route, people had written messages to us in chalk on the sidewalk. I remember seeing an elderly couple sitting in lawn chairs next to their truck, and they cheered for every group of walkers who came by. I just couldn't believe the level of support there was for this walk. I was genuinely touched by how many people cared enough to just show up.
Now for the not-so-fun stuff. You knew I had to find something to gripe about, right? :-)
The first night, our tents froze over. One of my team members said a sheet of ice fell off the top of the tent when she opened the flap the next morning. When my tentmate and I finally crawled out of our tent, it was still covered in frost, and anyone who had hung out their towels to dry overnight found them frozen solid. Even so, I was toasty warm all night, having borrowed a kick-ass sleeping bag and pad from my mom, the consummate Girl Scout. Wow. Sleeping bag technology has certainly improved in the two decades since my last camping trip!
On the second day of the walk, I started to develop plantar fasciitis in my right foot. I already had a couple of blisters, of course, but after I wrapped them in moleskin, they didn't give me much trouble. By the time we got back to camp, I was just barely creeping along. One of my team members was having much worse trouble, though, and we were all worried about her. A month ago, a friend of mine who did the 3-Day in Seattle told me the main problem people have with the walk is not cardio or muscles — but feet. And given what I saw among my own team members and other participants, I'd have to say she was right. The hilly route on the first day of the walk was TOUGH on feet, for sure.
For all that it was weird to sleep in a frost-covered tent, I think I preferred that to the second night's weather. Sometime after 2 pm, a steady, soaking rain set in, and it didn't let up until late morning. My tentmate and I got our gear completely packed before we opened the flap at all, because we knew everything would get soaked. By the time we trekked across the campground to the gear trucks to stow our stuff, we'd lost all motivation for tending to personal hygiene. Let me see if I can describe this for you. You're at one end of this huge field, and between you and the shower trucks and sinks is a vast sea of mud, dotted here and there with blue two-man tents in various stages of disassembly. But straight ahead, not nearly as far away, is a hot breakfast. And chairs. And a roof over your head to keep out the rain. Dental hygiene just didn't make the cut. Fortunately, we were all in it together, so nobody could say a word about morning breath!
When we were in Buckhead for lunch later that day, I remembered there was a Subway nearby, so I trotted down there to bring back Diet Cokes for myself and a team member who was jonesing for one. I know, I know, it's better to hydrate with water and sports drinks, but I needed my caffeine!
I haven't decided about next year's walk yet. I need to see a podiatrist first to check out my foot. It was definitely a positive experience for me, and I'll post more about it as time goes by.
Ouch, Lynne, hope you’re still resting your feet after all that!
LOL @ the pirate theme pit stop! Was your sleeping bag heated? Or just nicely padded?
Hi, Cat! Yes, I’m definitely taking it easy on my feet. All of the pit stops had themes. The pirate one was one of the most elaborate. They were playing music from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” soundtrack, and the crew members were wearing costumes. The whole thing was like Halloween ten days early!
The sleeping bag was made of layers of various high-tech fabrics. My mom said it was rated for as low as twenty degrees, and after seeing how well it worked for me, I absolutely believe it! The self-inflating pad was much more comfortable than your typical air mattress.
My mom knows her camping gear. :-)
You know, from what I’ve seen, pirates fans (esp. PotC) are very enthusiastic about dressing up/cosplay. Just like Star Trek fans or anime fans. :-D
That’s what we needed — an anime or Star Trek pitstop!
A field of mud? Sounds like a kayak trip I went on. Who cares about personal hygiene when everyone’s icky?
Alice
Next year you can suggest the Star Trek or anime pit stop. My preference would be Star Trek. Complete with replicator and synthale for your replenishment needs…
How far did you walk each day again?
Hi, Alice! My sentiments exactly. :-) I’d love to try a kayak trip sometime. Where did you go?
Cat, I’d like it even better if they had one of those Star Trek medical zappers that fix everything!
Hi, TS! They say it’s 20 miles a day, but it varies anywhere from 16 to close to 20. The first day was the longest, if I recall correctly, and that day also had the most hills. Why they routed us through what must be the hilliest part of Atlanta is anybody’s guess.
I only took two kayak trips - on down the San Juan and one down Desolation on the Green River. The get off spot for San Juan was a big mud flat.
Alice
Oh, no, Lynne! I’ve dealt with plantar fasciitis and it’s no fun - especially when it first starts.
I hope you feel better soon!
Hey, Lynne, so glad you survived! I still think
you’re Wonder Woman. My legs would be cramping
big time. lol. Thank God the people were nice.
Good conversation made those hills bearable.
Congratulations on your sale, Kate! And thanks for stopping by! :-)
I hope I can get in to see a doctor soon so that I can get some relief. This stuff is a pain, for sure.
LaDonna, although we DID talk some of the time while we were walking, after a certain point we all got really, really quiet. :-)
When I started hurting a lot, I went off into this Zen state where I had almost no thoughts at all. I just kept the feet moving and didn’t do much else.
Lynne, I admire you and all the other people on the walk. This is a great accomplishment!
Hi, Edie! Thank you. :-)
It was a great feeling to do something to help.
I admire the heck outta you. <3
Lynne, I loved reading your post about the 3 day…reminded me of all the icks of the walk & all the fun things. I agree that it was the people who made the trip for me. Particularly my teammates. :) I feel that I made several new friends & I’m so glad you came on the trip and that I got to know ya!
Thanks for the lift back to my vehicle on Sunday. :)
Whoo-Hoo,
Lynne, You’re a heroine in my book. Very, very cool. I was rooting you
on all the way from Washington State.
Back atcha, John. :-)
Hi, Janice! :-) Thanks for stopping by!
It was great getting to know you, and I’m looking forward to reading your write-up of the event. Glad you made it home safely!
Thank you, Theresa. :-) I could tell that people were thinking about us, and it was much appreciated.