Day 0

"YOU THE MORE YOU LOSE YOURSELF IN SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF, THE MORE ENERGY YOU WILL HAVE." Norman Vincent Peale

See my pledge page and read my testimony.

Day 0

Our journey began the day before our walk. We registered on “Day Zero” at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Our first stop at registration was the safety video. The emphasis on safety is not just lip service. We were repeatedly reminded to “Stay Alert, Stay Alive!”. There were strict rules for walking and camp behaviors. For 3 days we would be one of the longest continuous streams of pedestrians to travel the Peninsula in 6-10 hour days per day! Not a race, no streets are closed, obey the cross-walks and lights... Segments featuring walkers giving GREAT advice on drinking, stretching, eating, etc. And we were reminded that the theme of our walk was “Humankind, be both”. The most compelling feature of the safety video was the lengthy introduction by Dan Pallotta, President of Pallotta Teamworks, the folks who manage the considerable operations of the Walk. (The mission of Pallotta TeamWorks is to provide experiences for people that allow them to experience their own magnificence, and forever alter their sense of what is possible and what is impossible, both for themselves and all humanity). Dan gave us his very personal perspective on Kindness, and how essential our own kindness to each other was to the success of the following three days. "Kindness" became the theme for our Walk. We all got the message.

“Be Kind- Don’t Whine”

Even before the safety video started, there was a walker who was short of the fundraising goal and my "Faith Walker" teammate, Margie and I were able share some of our donations with her so that she could do the walk. Avon requires every walker to raise a minimum of $1900. If you don’t have that amount you must pledge your own money or you don’t walk. Most walkers were able to meet their minimum, but there were some who needed our help. Thanks to the generosity of my friends and supporters I raised more than $3200. Margie and I were happy to be able to help this fellow walker meet her fundraising goal.

“Humankind, be both”

The next hour was spent in line to complete our registration. Once we got to an available check-in person, it actually only took about 30 seconds. Everything was computerized, so all of our various check-in assignments (meals, tents, etc.) were taken care of in one step. And everything was printed on our walker credentials. Just a quick stop at the Medical forms check-in and Margie wanted to reserve towels (for $5.00 a day, you received a clean towels and didn't have to pack them). And the good news... we're ready to go!

The attitude among the 3-Dayers (this is what we call ourselves) was amazing. The 3-Dayers, as well as the staff, crew and volunteers, were filled with excitement, anticipation, and NERVOUSNESS. Can we really walk 60 miles? Will our feet survive? Will we be able to sleep in a tent city? We'll soon find out. Finally we were able to leave, with the instructions to return the following morning by 6 AM.

“Be Kind- Don’t Whine”

continued...