So this is Sarah, the quasi-team mate. I was lucky enough to find these fabulous girls to walk and tent with and I couldn’t have made it through the 3 Day without them. So here’s my story. I had been wanting to loose a few pounds but couldn’t find the motivation. A friend suggested that I do the 3 Day since I’d have to train all summer to get ready. I figured “why not” and signed up.
My other reason for walking is that my Aunt Judy passed away from Breast Cancer in September 2003. She was the most loving, cheerful woman anyone could ever wish to meet. My grandpa (her brother) had passed away when I was 2 from lung cancer. She took over that role and we spent a couple weeks at her house every summer exploring treasures in the attic and eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch that my mom would never let us eat. I always wanted to do something to honor her memory, but the little 5K didn’t seem to be enough. The 3 Day seemed like a challenge and I was up for it. I carried the “Joy” flag during the opening ceremony because there is no better word than joy to describe my Aunt Judy and hopefully I can carry on the joy she so effortlessly spread.
I found the lovely Cancer Scmancer ladies through the 3 Day message boards and was excited from the get go. Me being somewhat shy and quiet, I was thrilled to find such a lively crowd. Through all the blisters, messed up knees, and aching feet, we stuck together and made it through. It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my entire life, but something crazy has gotten me hooked and I want to do 2 walks next year in Denver and San Diego. I get excited about the challenge, setting a goal, meeting it, and enjoying the fruits of my labor.
I hope that next year, if they’ll me, that the gals will be my team mates again. There is a kind of bond formed when you are crying together at a medic tent from sheer exhaustion. It is something that anyone else just can’t understand. We all had that will to keep going, though I have no idea where it come from.
I will gladly endure the pain of 60 miles so that one day no one will have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to breast or any other cancer.
