"Street Walkers"

Been wondering where I've been? I've been out with the Walkers! We cheered them on all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wondering what this is all about? Check this out - then stay tuned for pictures to be posted of some of my favorite moments from the weekend. San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Kindness of Strangers

Over the last three days, I've been reminded of the goodness in people. I've seen my husband and his friends reach out, literally to thousands of strangers walking by, and offer kind words of encouragement, a high-five, a hand shake, and at times even the food they were eating. They made a difference to so many of the walkers, at times it brought tears not only to my eyes, but to theirs as well. They stood and posed for thousands of pictures (yes, I'll be posting more soon, I promise) cheered until their voices were gone, and clapped until their hands were stinging.

Amazing guys these "Melon Men" are, that's for sure...but as I think of how they reached out to so many, I think of those who reached out to me in the past and it makes me appreciate what they did for the walkers even more.

I have two people that I will never forget when it comes to the 3 Day walk.... of course there are so many more, but these two offered me a kind word, encouragement and a hug when I needed it most. For that, I will always be thankful. I made sure to seek them both out this year, and let them know what their kindness in years passed has meant to me. I'm so glad I found them and I was able to let them know how much they had touched me.

It felt really good to say "Thank You." People should really do that more often.

Thank you Officer B. H. from the San Jose Police Department. You rode along with me at the end of the first day last year when I was cold and wet and tired. You kept me company and made me laugh. You got me through the last mile and a half. To me, you were better than Brad Pitt that day - in fact you still are. You were a rock star to me that day, and you always will be. I'm so glad I saw you and thanked you again in person this year. Thanks for remembering me.

Thank you Pam! You've been there for me and thousands of other walkers every year since 2006. You give the best hugs and morning send offs a person could ask for, and you have the brightest smile and weloming arms at the end of some very long days. You are like my little angel out there, and I love you! I hope to see you again soon!

The 2011 3 Day, Day 1

I couldn't walk this year, but I wanted to cheer, and cheer I did. Cheer and clap, and hoot and holler! We got out there at about 7:30am and got home at 5:30pm.

IT

WAS

AWESOME

Tomorrow we will be there when the walkers start out on the route, which should be right around 6:30am. I feel such a kinship with these people, it's hard to explain.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from today. There were lots more I could have shared...but there are also two more days of the walk I'll be sharing. Tomorrow the "Melon Patch" will be out in force. Today my friend Ed was a "Melon Man" solo act. Hubby and our other melon men friends were stuck at work. Tomorrow it's on baby!


If you are on FB, check out "The Melon Men" - they have their own public page!

By the Numbers

• 3 Days


• 65.93 total miles walked in those 3 days.


• Approximately 4,000 walkers


• Over 10.6 million dollars raised in San Diego alone for the Susan G. Komen Foundation


• Donations made to me for the walk = $3400


• Total "60 Miles for our Melons" team donations = $9513


• 2192 pictures taken between me and my friends and family over the course of the 3 day walk


• 5 pairs of socks worn over those 3 days (by me)


• 3 pairs of shoes worn over those 3 days (by me)


• 9 hours walked in the rain on Saturday.


• 115,000 bananas served to the walkers and crew over the 3 days.


• 2812 was the number I was checked in at the end of day one.


• 2916 was the number I was checked in at the end of day two.


• 1 = the number of blisters on my feet (and it's just a little one!)


• 3= times I've done the 3 day now...


• 2= times I've walked every single step in the 3 day. (The first time I walked, in 2006, I had to get a ride to the top of one of the hills.)


• Familiar faces seen along the route - countless.


• number of pictures taken of Hubby and his "Melon Men" buddies with other women squeezing his melons? WAY to many to count! (Those Melon Men are all over the Internet and FB!)


• The experience of doing the 3 day again, immeasurable.

End of day 1
End of day 2
End of day 3

2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 3

I was too wiped out to do anything yesterday after I got home from finishing the 3 Day, and I took most of today off from doing anything other than icing my knee...but there is so much to share, I just had to start somewhere! Day 3 started off with blue sky - thank goodness! We got a nice early start, and hit the road hoping the sun would hold out. The "Melon Men" got an early start too, and were out on the route early to cheer on the walkers.

We enjoyed the warm weather while we had it...

One of the yucky parts about the 3 day (and probably my only complaint about the event itself) was the wait for porta-potties...when a girl's gotta go, a girl's gotta go!

One thing I can say about having to wait in line though, was that there was always something entertaining to watch. The San Jose Police Bike Patrol was in town again for our event, and these guys are a riot! They can make anything fun, even standing in line!

Before too long, we were back in our rain gear...fun, fun...

What? We knew we'd walked a long way...but this far? Not quite! Ha ha! Each of our pit stops had a unique flair to them. This one was obviously Vegas themed...complete with "Elvis" serving up orange slices and string cheese.
Each day we walked, we had a big hill to face. On day 3 it was Juan Street, coming out of Old Town. I. HATE. JUAN. STREET. I'm just sayin....

Hate it or not, we got to the top! I've got to say it felt AWESOME to walk every step up that...especially as we saw buses full of walkers that opted out of walking up it. It was a sense of accomplishment for sure.

It was a lovely view from the top if I do say so myself.
We see all kinds of people along the way. This older gentleman is one of our favorites. He is out there every year!

Before too long we'd crossed the finish line, and were in the holding area for the closing ceremony.

Making it to the finish was incredible. I think we all felt invincible!

It felt great putting on our victory shirts too!

During closing ceremonies it's a tradition to take off one shoe.

The closing ceremony is a humbling, touching, emotional event, with all of the walkers, all of the crew and all of the survivors that participated in attendance. At times you could hear a pin drop, and other times the hoots and hollering was deafening.
More pictures soon, and a wrap up of the event...thanks for hanging in there and following along with me on this fantastic journey.

2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 2 Update

Day 2 is done, and what a doozie it was! Non stop rain and wind. It was awesome! What an incredible experience!

We walked 22.30 miles today, 99% of the time we were in the rain, and we are pooped!

Here are just a couple pictures of our day.



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2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 1, part 2

Day one is done! We kicked @ss! We walked a total of 23.84 miles today - and lived to tell about it!

I just wanted to share a couple of quick pictures as I am seriously wiped out and in need of a good night of sleep.

More soon - promise!

One of my favorite saying regarding the 3 Day...
Opening ceremonies.
Heading down to Torrey Pines State Beach and getting ready for the BIG hill!

At the top of Torrey with my "Melon Man."

Walking down into La Jolla, getting ready for lunch.

Cruisin' right along!

The "Melon Patch" at lunch.

Our crazy "Melon Men" - they got a LOT of attention today from the walkers, and ate it up!

What'd I tell ya?

Day one is DONE!
Proof...

More tomorrow!