Cancer Schmancer

So this is Sarah, the quasi-team mate. I was lucky enough to find these fabulous girls to walk and...

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:21:19 -0400

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.

So you have all gotten lots of updating thanks to Meghan and her...

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:43:42 -0400

So you have all gotten lots of updating thanks to Meghan and her fancy blackberry but I (Shannon) thought I would share some personal thoughts from this big adventure called the Breast Cancer 3 Day.

First off, breast cancer has never been a huge factor in my families history. Yes, there have been friends who have had it but it doesn’t run in my family and I can count the number of family friends affected on one hand. By participating in this event I got to hear so many personal stories from fellow walkers of how it has impacted their lives and why they chose to participate. Even at the opening ceremonies I didn’t realize what kind of an event I was getting myself into. But after those very pink 3 days, I learned a LOT.
The picture above single handedly describes this past weekend for me which is why I wanted to include it. It’s not about one person, it was about everyone coming together and walking for a cause that was bigger than any one of us. The women holding the flag were the last walkers in for the first night. They are surrounded by crew volunteers, friends, and fellow walkers cheering them back to camp. I was with this lady on the 3rd day in a sweeper van (they pick you up along the route when you can’t keep going and drop you off at the next pit stop). She was clearly in pain but wanted to push herself till she got to closing ceremonies. This event was a way for her to find her inner strength and see what she was really made of. Before we even got to the 3 day itself our work was done. We had raised $2 million toward breast cancer research for the Denver walk alone.But, unlike 5k runs or other fundraisers, this whole event was not a race but meant for us to support each other and remember why we all came together in the first place which is a great take home message in my mind. Everyone had a different story and this gave us the opportunity to share, learn, celebrate and remember how breast cancer effects all of us.
Even though I’m sore and don’t want to know what kind of terrible things this did to my knee, without a doubt this event changed my life for the better. Each blister and ache was worth it.I’m hoping to volunteer for a crew position next year so that when I see those stragglers coming in at the end of the day I can pass along the same words of encouragement I heard.
If nothing else I hope that our 3 day journey will help all of you support future breast cancer (and any other similar) events. Whether it be you decide to cheer on the side of the road or make the commitment to walk, raise money and participate in the 3 day itself, everyone can make a difference.
I hope everyone enjoyed following the blog! We had so much fun knowing we could share this with everyone who was so great in supporting us along our journey. Thank you!
(I hope I used my big girl words appropriately to make you maybe tear up a little? Cause this event seriously means so much more than I can easily put into words)

So shannon purchased this fantastic bra from one of the red hat...

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:52:14 -0400

So shannon purchased this fantastic bra from one of the red hat ladies and wore it the last day. I think it was one of the wisest purchases any of us made during this whole thing. I mean…just look at the craftsmanship here!

so this is near the end of the walk. near city park in denver....

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:46:59 -0400

so this is near the end of the walk. near city park in denver. my parents met up with shannon and i around colfax and walked with us the whole way in. after we crossed the street and entered the park you could feel the carnival atmosphere. it was the main reason that we insisted on walking the last three miles, despite our aching muscles and numb toes. as i mentioned, we had to take a sweep van between two of the pit stops. shannon had been walking nearly 30 miles straight with her knee in that serious brace and at the 2nd to last pit stop, i once again found myself sobbing in the med tent as one of the medics looked at my toes and went “oooh. that might be infected. are you sure you dont want to take the bus to the end?”

katie and sarah perservered to the end and walked all 60 miles (congrats girls) but i think the real importance of the event was pushing through as many miles as you could…whether it was 20 miles or all 60 miles. and we all pushed ourselves as much as we could.

So its over....

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:17:15 -0400

We finished the walk. We’re all a little worse for the wear after three days of being on our feet but I think we all walked away better people. I have so much to say about the walk still but for now guys? I’m tired and I really want hamburger and some fries. So let me just say this: I am so glad I did this. For myself, for all those effected by breast cancer (or any cancer), for the amazing people I met and for the hope that it has inspired in me.

Finish line. Now onto closing ceremonies.

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:57:49 -0400

Finish line. Now onto closing ceremonies.

Ok. So I totally had to take the pirate themed sweeper van....

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:37:36 -0400

Ok. So I totally had to take the pirate themed sweeper van. Mostly because my toe may or may not be infected. Going to walk from the last pit stop. Shannon and I are gonna take our sweet ass time

Its been gorgeous the last two days. Today its freezing. This is...

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:12:25 -0400

Its been gorgeous the last two days. Today its freezing. This is the reason that shannon is dressed like a burrito. LUNCHTIME guys!! 9 miles to go!!

Cheer station 1: “find a cure before I get boobs!”...

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:21:11 -0400

Cheer station 1: “find a cure before I get boobs!” Amazing

Icing my knees at pit stop 2…..11 miles to go guys!!!!

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:51:36 -0400

Icing my knees at pit stop 2…..11 miles to go guys!!!!

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:45:13 -0400

Icing my knees at pit stop 2…..11 miles to go guys!!!!

We met up with the longmont crew that I trained with!!

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:29:11 -0400

We met up with the longmont crew that I trained with!!

Day three: here we go. Serious business despite being majorly...

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:49:35 -0400

Day three: here we go. Serious business despite being majorly injured, we’re ready to do this

So we finished day 2. And most of us are pretty wrecked. But...

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:44:41 -0400

So we finished day 2. And most of us are pretty wrecked. But we’re going to get some rest and push on through tomorrz. There will be updates folks. Wish us luck and thanks for your support so far! We’ll need your good wishes more than ever tomorrow!

You know what's awesome?

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:28:11 -0400

When the medic tells you that your feet are “totally bad” and you immediately burst out in sobs. And then your team starts asking if you’re ok and you can’t explain why you’re crying and then everyone is crying while the poor medic is trying to wrap up your gnarly feet. Good news though? We only have like 1.6 miles.

Amy stopped by with the sign that she made for us!!! How rad...

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:19:37 -0400

Amy stopped by with the sign that she made for us!!! How rad right?? (We are literally going as slow as possible right now)

Everything still hurts but the girl scouts of colorado made us...

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:05:20 -0400

Everything still hurts but the girl scouts of colorado made us these amazing head wraps/ neck cooling things. Thanks dudes

This is horrible

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:09:01 -0400

Ok I can’t even take a picture that would capture the utter fatigue that we’re all going through right now. I almost cried and quit about ten minutes ago. Katie looks like she’s going to hurt someone. Shannon is made almost entirely of tape right now. We’re at 12.1 miles and this is officially no longer fun

In the tradition of my terrible feet…here are shannon and...

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:08:38 -0400

In the tradition of my terrible feet…here are shannon and katie’s poor tootsies

Dude with a pink wig at the cheer station!!!

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:40:45 -0400

Dude with a pink wig at the cheer station!!!