The Last Day

It seems like yesterday.
The evening of Day 2 was like a big party. After dinner there was even a big dance. The energy level was so high that even people who barely could drag themselves in from the road were line dancing and jumping around. It took all of the energy I had to turn the pages of my book. After Friday night in the parking garage, the ground was nice and soft. I also had the luxury of having a tent all to myself so I slept like a baby (well until it started sprinkling and I had to close up my tent).
Sunday morning broke like perfect mornings should. It was cool and the sky was clear. Everyone was excited to get to the finish line. The talk in the medical tent was “I don’t care if I have to drag myself over that line with my fingernails; I am going to finish this”. The walk was great. Flat, nice sidewalks, beautiful scenery and wonderful people to talk to as you walked and told your story. I was carrying a token for Carol (a pumpkin pin of hers that her son loaned me). People were drawn to the pin and I was able to tell the story of this amazing woman. Actually I was able to tell her story at least 10 times each day. I ran into the stray puppy I picked up at the airport on Thursday. She was in a medical tent and really hurting. We talked for a bit and she decided to give it a go. About 5 yards out of the rest stop she stopped, said she couldn’t, so we held onto each other as she cried. I promised her that if she could get the drop off bus to let her out before the finish I would get her across the line if I had to carry her myself. About a mile from the finish I found her sitting on a bench. It took us 35 minutes to walk that last mile but by gosh she walked across it with her head held back, a smile on her face, and tears in her eyes (my too by the way).
Closing ceremonies were moving as they always are. Once again I was amazed at the energy level we reached walking onto the field to cheers, balloons, and flowers. When the survivors walked in, we all dropped to one knee and held a shoe above our heads to honor their courage and strength. The speeches were short but inspirational. I do know that I can never run for public office since there are pictures of me in a pink shirt holding onto another man as we both wept openly. I regret that my writing skills are not adequate to describe the emotions of the day.
So my friends I did it. I could not have done it without your support and for that I am eternally grateful. We raised over $5.4 million dollars to fight breast cancer!!!! Thank you thank you thank you.
As to next year, I just don’t know. Remember I have said “never again” 3 times before.
You guys are the best!

The Last Day

Yesterday I crossed the finish line. I will have to process the event a little longer before I describe it. The emotional roller coaster has yet to come to a full stop. All I can choke out right now is thanks for your support.

Well last night was proof that after walking 23 miles you can even sleep on concrete which we did. Oh and did you know that the lights of a parking garage cannot be turned off at night?

I noticed that everyone seems to be walking differently in the breakfast area than they did yesterday morning at opening day. Looks like a well controlled stagger. Well except for me of course :-)

Today was another great day. It was bit overcast and cooler so that was nice. And we only did 20, another plus. I have noticed a few things:

The safety guys on bicycles all wear helmets. The motorcycle guys don't.

We universally bitch about the food but no one is going hungry.

Flip flops make an esecially loud and annoying sound on concete at 3 in the morning.

Girl Scouts who pitch your tent are little angels from Heaven. However when greeted by "Welcome home. Now grab yourself a Girl Scout" well that doesn't sound appropriate.

Then men's shower is the shortest line in town.

Handicap Accessable port-a-potties (I didn't know they existed) are the Lexus of port-a-potties.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day. I have already talked to people who dragged in on their last legs talk excitedly about it.

I for one can't wait.

My first day started early (4:30) getting up to drive to the site.  It didn't really matter cause I had been waking up off and on all night to make sure I didn't oversleep.  Anyway, we got to the site, I dropped my gear and got ready to go.
The tears started0 at 7:30.  Right before the official opening ceremonies begain a rainbow appeared in a clear blue sky.  WOW.  As part of the ceremony we were told not to have a moment of silence but to say aloud of a survivor or someone we lost.  I should have picked a one syllable name cause that is all I could choke out.
Finally the walk started.  We wandered through some really nice neighborhoods and small business districts.  It did rain on us but our spirits were not dampened.  The only problem was that while we signed up for 20 miles per day they hit us with 23.  Doesn't sound like much but.....
Did I mention rain?  Well it is back.  The forcast is so bad that we have been relocated.  SO instead of sleeping on the ground in a tent with a stranger, we have occupied the seventh deck of a parking garage.
This is gonna be good.

My 3 Day experience started early this morning.  I was sitting waiting to fly out when a young lady approached me.  I was wearing my 3 Day shirt and she came over to see if I was walking in Tampa.  Yep I am are you? Yes she was.  This is her first walk and she had tons of questions.  We were later joined by someone from Komen For the Cure and she and I had a good time pumping up the Rookie.  Anyway whene we landed and were picking up our bags I asked how she was getting to her hotel.  Long story short (too late) it turned out she was going to be waiting for 6 hours before a friend was to pick her up.  Oh Heck No You Are Not!!
So I made my first friend and took her to her hotel.  This walk is starting out great!!  I haven't even started and I have had gooseflesh several times.
Can't wait!!
Just met the SOB's and Thanks For the Mammories for the first time.  We are all now BFF and a few tears have been shed already.
More tomorrow.......

YAY

An oldie but goodie:
"I'm leaving on a jet plane..............."
Delta is definitely NOT ready when I am cause if they were, I would be in the air on my way to Tampa Bay.
I have checked my list, packed, checked my list, repacked, checked my list, and decided I would shop for the allegedly missing items as a way to kill time tomorrow after I arrive.
Guys, I really appreciate all of the support both the $$ (we have raised over $2600 to FIGHT BREAST CANCER) and the moral support. Without friends like you this would not be possible. I would especially like to mention Chelle as my first and longest follower of this journal. Chelle, thanks for being there. WHEN you do this next year you can count on me.
If I tried to list all of the names I would surely miss one but I have to mention Bobby, Vic, Sharon, Roger, my wife, Chris, Gail, and my inspirations both past and present (Maybelle, H & SG, P & S, and Carol). You guys are the best.
Look for posts from the walk. I think I may be able to find a hotspot (other than those on my feet) somewhere.
I can't feakin wait............................

(do you think I am excited?)

Dedication

This year I am honored to dedicate my walk to the Memory of Carol Lynn Marchbanks. This remarkable woman and her fight represent every reason that I am walking.
Carol was a pioneer of sorts in her day. As a single Mom in a small town in South Georgia she carved out a very successful career in public relations and advertising. She even continued this path after she married and had her second son. In fact she attained the status of partner in a public relations firm which in her day was unheard of. As time moved on, she found herself single again and in a different small rural Georgia town. Here she became the first ever female President of the local Chamber of Commerce. Facing the attitude that “Women got no place in politics”, “I know she had to sleep with someone to get that job”, and other misguided sentiments of the day, Carol patiently won the community over with her calm smiles, optimistic attitude, and success. Carol did what a good Chamber President must do and brought business into this small rural area and even expanded her influence into National Chamber events. After succeeding in public relations and as the Chamber President, Carol (now remarried) made a drastic career field change and began working as one of the few females in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This is just another instance of her pioneering nature.
Carol was an artist, poet, and musician. She taught her children the value of the fine arts and instilled into them a love of music, poetry, and art. So strong was the connection with her children that she would call them at night to point out a PBS show that she thought would be interesting to them. Nine times out of ten, they were already watching the show.
Carol was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and faced the treatment regime at the time. A mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and all of the radical treatments of the day. She fought for five years. Unfortunately Carol fell into the category of the patient where they were able to cure the cancer but the cure killed the patient. This is why we walk. We have made a difference by raising money for outreach, education, and research. Would Carol face a different process if diagnosed today? Absolutely! The advances that have been made just might have made the difference. Would the outcome be different? I regret to say that I do not know. I only know that her path would not have been so hard and her chances better.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable woman. I only know her through her son. If the quality of a person is the legacy they leave behind in their children, I can honestly state that Carol was one of the finest people to ever walk the face of the Earth. In difficult circumstances she raised children who are the epitome of kind caring human beings. She is very proud of her offspring.
To Carol Lynn Marchbanks – This one’s for you! Thanks for the inspiration.