"YOU GAIN STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND CONFIDENCE, BY EVERY EXPERIENCE IN WHICH YOU REALLY STOP TO LOOK FEAR IN THE FACE. YOU MUST DO THE THING YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO." Eleanor Roosevelt 

Day 1

Let the journey begin!

My daughter Jennifer and my grandson, Andrew drove down to spend the night with my team walker, Margie and me, so she could take us to the Convention Center Day One. I had talked my co-worker, Marjory into doing the walk with me. I’m sure there were many times during the next three days when she wondered WHY? We had every intention to be in bed by 9 PM; we had an early wakeup call for Day One. Did I tell you I was excited? I was awake most of the night and I didn’t need any wakeup call. I was up and around and in the shower by 4 am. I prayed while in the shower, "Lord, give me the strength and endurance to do this."

Jen took us to breakfast and the service was really slow! I guess they didn’t expect the invasion of 3-Day walkers! Margie and I were both anxious and worried that we would be late to the opening ceremonies. But when we finally got our breakfast, we managed to get it down in a very short period of time. After breakfast we headed to the Convention Center amidst the commuter traffic and of course there were hundreds of other vehicles heading to the same place. We finally arrived at almost 6:30 AM. The day was dawning for the beginning of the 3-Day Journey. Although a heat advisory had been issued throughout the week, on Friday the temperature had dropped and I was thankful for the cooler temperatures.

Once we arrived at the Convention Center parking area, we saw 3-Day gear trucks lined up. We handed our bags to the crew at the gear truck we had been assigned; the crew dressed as women in robes, hair rollers and slippers. Then I needed more COFFEE to get me going. 

Crossing the road to the Center we see thousands... THOUSANDS!... of walkers and people gathered at the Convention Center.

Someone's news truck was taping the 4000 plus sleepless and bewildered folks heading to the opening ceremony, many 'dining' out on the blacktop... I later learned that we had local media who documented the inspirational journey... not just by covering the walk... but by doing the walk!  

Everyone had matching 3 Day shirts on. I was the one in the white boxer shorts covered with pink ribbons!  

It was easy to get swept up in the spirit of the 3-Day. We could sense it in the air and see it in the faces all around us. It’s a tide of hope that will not be turned. A well of generosity that will never run dry. The ceremony was a mix of cheer, introspection, nervous excitement, and the collective knowledge that we were about to embark on something truly amazing, unlike anything we had ever attempted; alone or collectively. The energy and camaraderie were high, and the speech given by the event manager was very moving and uplifting... tears were easy to find. This is what all-out commitment feels like. This is the road to end breast cancer. 

I am alive.
I am a survivor. I am a walker. I am crew.
I am old. I am young.
I am a woman. I am a man. I am the end of breast cancer.
I am alive.

I am the voice of audacity in the face of apathy.
I am the spirit of bravery in a world of caution.
I am a commitment to action in the face of neutrality.
And I am tired of waiting for others to act.
I am alive.

I am tired of comfort when so many suffer.
I am tired of half measures when so many are taken whole before their time.
I am tired of being patient.
I am tired of being held back from all my magnificence and all my power.
I am alive.

I am not asleep. I am not deceased.
I am not defeated. I am not retreating.
I am the author of my life.
I am the author of tomorrow.
I am the future and...
I am alive.

This morning,
With all my brothers and sisters,
With all our dedication,
In all our mightiness,
I will not be beaten.
To all those who suffer, to all those in pain,
I say that I am here. I am walking. I am for you. I am with you.
And I...
I...
I am alive!

This wonderful speech was given by a four-year survivor who is doing ALL SIXTEEN of the 3-Day Breast Cancer walks this year. Her words reminded us, in the midst of the excitement, nervousness, and just-waking-upedness, why we are doing this.

Although the start was delayed by about an hour, at approx 8:00 AM we are 'released' upon the Bay Area, a group of survivors walked through the crowd to cut the ribbon and open our walking route and travel through the ceremonial archway. Did you know that it takes AN HOUR AND A HALF for 4000+ women and men to cross the street legally? And we're off... to San Mateo. What a joyful moment. I was ready and raring to go! People exchanged cheers and high fives. We were all so excited to start. While the yelling and cheering by the many supporters who showed up was heartening, you could also see a look in their eye that said “Boy am I glad I wrote a check rather than doing this.” Several morning commuters didn’t appreciate the delay, but most gave us their support with waves and honking horns.  

There was a small airplane buzzing us as it towed a banner to salute one of our walkers. Quite the media event, with helicopters filming and thousands of supporters clapping, waving and wishing us well. The local police did a wonderful job of stopping traffic so that large groups of us could cross.

In fact, we had the San Jose Bike Police to escort us all the way. These guys donated their time for 3 days, crossed city and county lines (apparently quite unusual for law enforcement), and were as nice as could be. They took great care of us and made sure that we stayed out of trouble. They became our mascots, and we cheered for them at the closing ceremonies as much as we cheered for ourselves.  

Phil, (the Pretty Woman guy and husband of one of the survivor walkers), was out there cheering us on for all 3 days, mile after mile, and was loved by all who heard his music, (“Pretty Woman”). We were energized by the music, clapping, a thumbs up, his smile and his never ending energy. Now Roy Orbison’s "Pretty Woman" might not be the best selection for regaling hundreds of valiant and determined women. Indeed, one might suggest that Helen Reddy’s "I Am Strong, I Am Invincible, I Am Woman" (not the exact title, but you get the idea) would be a better choice. But again, we loved Phil's enthusiasm, support and encouragement.

The Journey has begun... soon we were in a walking rhythm... from the Santa Clara Convention Center, through the heart of Silicon Valley, up the beautiful residential Middlefield Road... through Palo Alto, along El Camino Real... to the Menlo Park Train Station, a walking distance of 14.9 miles. (because of routing difficulties the walkers took the train or a bus for 6 miles to San Carlos, CA; then, walk the final 3.8 miles to the Bay Meadows Race Course). 

After the first few intersections we started to space out. Everyone started to sort out according to walking speed. We were walking with the first 1000 walkers. I was walking with my Faith Walker Teammate, Margie, and we were in good spirits as we traversed the rocky paths and the streets of our journey. The line of walkers stretched for well over 5 miles. 

The first 10 miles were hard to even feel with all the adrenaline pumping. Pit stops and Grab n’ Go’s with Gatorade and food as well as dozens of porta-potties every two miles or so, (and since I have a bladder the size of an infant walnut, I needed all of them), and volunteer crewmembers dressed in costume. Themes over the 3-Day included Mardi Gras, Alice in Walkerland, a Baby shower, Western BBQ,  Construction site, 50’s theme, Hawaiian, Under the Sea and Hospital ER. Some of these crazy folks were willing to work 15-hour days in silly get-ups, just to make walkers smile. At every pit stop there was someone with a clicker counting us as we arrived. We always wanted to know OUR NUMBER! 

The crewmembers all had an easy smile and words of encouragement. The most popular snack of the entire event had to be those PB&J on graham cracker sandwiches. I drank water and Gatorade by the gallons, and then spent lots of time in line at the next available porta-potty pit stop, but I never got dehydrated! I did the entire walk focused on walking the next two miles….and then the next two miles…. 

Of course as the day wore on we found other thing focus on. It was getting hot and we were walking on a lot of concrete. My body was not prepared to endure the stress of walking such long distances in the heat and humidity and during the first few miles, I was beginning to wonder what I had gotten myself into… maybe I was nuts! I hadn't been able to spend long hours training and preparing for the walk as others because of my own health restrictions. But I kept on walking. Each step I took was a prayer for the health and welfare of all those that might be touched by breast cancer and each step became a prayer for myself and my body. By the time we reached the second pit stop, I already feared a blister was forming on the bottom of my foot. But YAHOO... no blister when I checked… just a hot spot. Wrapped the hotspot with good ol’ mole skin and we were once again on our way!  

  Our Day 1 Lunch stop. There we waited in line for our lunch, a chicken salad wrap, coleslaw, chips, cookies and fruit. Hundred of walkers found some shade under the trees as we sat on the ground to eat lunch. This is not a luxury experience. If you were lucky enough to find a piece of cardboard to sit on, you gave it to another walker when you left. We changed our socks, made a porta-potty stop and then hit the road again.

The afternoon was slower and hotter. I walked fast and slow and sometimes even slower as my feet experienced the intense heat of concrete at high noon with temperatures in the 90’s. Still... I laughed and cried, sang at the top of my lungs and shouted for joy. In fact, I had lost my voice by the time I returned home. 

Out on the road, we were never alone. The amazing, all-volunteer 3-Day Crew seemed to be everywhere at once. With the regular pit stops lining the route and the ever-present motorcycle crew to keep us safe along the journey. These volunteers wore orange safety vests to let us and the communities know that they were a part of this massive walk. The riders also wore funny hats or decorated their motorcycles to keep our tired spirits up. These angels on two wheels stopped traffic for us when needed, they worked as crossing guards or stopped to help a walker in need. They stopped to pose for pictures when asked and kept their radios loud. This would start a whole group singing whatever was playing. 

Best of all, the thousands of fellow walkers formed a seemingly endless sea of smiles, inspiration, energy, kind words, and helping hands. I don’t think there was ever a moment when we didn’t experience the consideration and concern of others. Whenever we passed someone or stopped along the way, greetings were exchanged and everyone asked how we were doing. People were out in their lawn chairs thanking us for walking because their loved ones had died of breast cancer. That went on the whole three days. Those things were just very touching. It was real uplifting and real rewarding.

The most distinguished volunteer to date is Kris, known as the "Butterfly Guy," who rides along on his bicycle, dressed in purple-sequined spandex, full-size wings, helmet antennae, and sparkly nail polish. Kris crewed all seven walks of 2000, from California to New York, perched on the very same bicycle that carried him through five AIDS Rides that summer. His job, along with the crewmember known as "The Caboose," was to keep an eye on the very last of the walkers.

There was Dalmatian Man with his dog, Snowball. He, too, was out there all 3 days to cheer us on and wish us well.  

Then, there was one of my favorites,  the "Pink Ribbon Pajama Lady", decked out in pink ribbon p.j.s and grooving to "I Will Survive,". She out there all 3 days dancing up a storm and playing music for us! 

“I Will Survive”!  

There were the "Pink Balloon Ladies" who drove up and down the street in the maroon convertible with lots of pink balloons flying and signs cheering us on. I called them the “Barbie Girls”.  

And the "pom-pom" guy. We felt so energized by the support of these and so many others.

People positioned themselves along the route to cheer the walkers on. Supporters cheered and cried. People high-fived you with such enthusiasm you would have thought they were your best friends.   

There was a woman crouching by a large framed photo of a young woman in front of a simple sign that said, “thank you”. An older couple silently nodding to walkers (with tears in their eyes) as the stream of walkers went by. A group of strangers spontaneously hugging a breast cancer survivor walker, (survivors could be identified by special pink hats that they wore during the walk). And who can forget the sad, lonely husband who appeared throughout the route all three days, holding up signs for his wife: “Honey, please come home. I’m willing to change. I’m very tired and hungry.”

And if the supporters didn’t leave you in a state of awe, getting to know your fellow walkers did. Along the route I read the backs of hundreds of t-shirts, most were memorials to someone who had either survived or died of breast cancer. There was a man with a picture of his wife and kids on his shirt, walking in her memory. She had died of breast cancer 3 years before. Hearing him talk about his wife’s ordeal and how his kids had handled everything, and hearing his pain, was very inspiring. He had made a commitment to walk every year until there was a cure.

As Margi and I walked the last 5 blocks, headed to Day One camp, we noticed some walkers had slipped into a pub along the way. We spotted a McDonalds... Hmmm... an Ice Cream shake sounded so good! So we stopped and indulged. As we finally entered camp, (Numbers 1738 and 1739), we were greeted by hundreds of cheering walkers. It was so touching. “Pretty Woman” man, Phil was waiting and cheering at the entrance of the Day One Bay Meadows camp. We stopped to have our picture taken (I feel in love with his truck!). By now my back was really hurting and legs were weak. BUT… I did it! The accomplishment of completing the Day One walk!

At night we slept in an amazing Mobile City that was created and transported each day. We had hot catered meals. Hot showers, in an 18 wheeler truck. Two-person sleeping tents. Medical care when we needed it. Our Day One camp site was in Bay Meadows. That's Bay Meadows Race Track. What a beautiful site, thousands of small blue tents on a green infield. The first order of business was to get our gear and take a shower.

I searched amongst the disorganized fleet in the parking lot; to seek out my own duffle bag within a jumble of gear strewn across the tarmac. I finally found my bag and picked up our tent. 

Our shower facilities were in the semi trailer trucks outfitted with a dozen shower stalls – 6 on each side. The women were lined up 15 deep to get into the showers and one of the "guys" encouraged women to just come on in and use theirs, but I guess we hadn’t quite reached that level of sisterhood yet. When he was asked about why he was  doing the walk, he said,  “To try and do what I can to help in the fight against this terrible disease; I’m doing it for my sisters, mother, grandmothers, and all those strong women who have had to face this tragedy,” and with a grin on his face he said, “Oh, and I like boobs,”. 

Oh, those showers felt wonderful! They really perked us up. The sinks were outside the shower trucks. We brushed our teeth, combed our hair there. This was no place to feel modest! Clean and somewhat refreshed, we headed for our tent site. What a luxury to walk in the cool grass. We thought it was heaven. That was until… we realized where our tent location was! Our gear truck was letter B. Optimists that we were, we believed that our tent site would be near the front. No such luck, “B” was at the far end of camp. Yep, the gear trucks and showers seemed to be miles from our tents. So we added more mileage to our aching feet. After the 3-Day was all over, I have no doubt we walked 60+ miles. I'm sure a couple of the extra steps were spent just getting stuff from the truck to the tent, and then back again the next morning. But we were glad to be in camp. 

Our next adventure was erecting our tent. Although a simple 2 man-tent, it took a while to figure out what went where. Once we broke the code, and with the help of some friendly walker neighbors, it was quite easy to put up. 

Many neighbors tied helium balloons and decorations to their tents. I tied a blue Hawaiian lei and a rubber ducky with pink sun glasses which became the landmark for our tent. It was almost impossible to find your way back to your tent in the middle of the night. That yellow ducky was suppose to be a lifesaver! Just imagine… thousands of little blue tents, stretched in an ocean as far as you could see.  And yes, the Great Wall O' Porta-Potties stretches behind that ocean, bounding its shores.  

Dinner- It was a no frills dinner, spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, green beans, cheese cake and a beverage. Did I tell you we were hungry? It tasted terrific! Good thing Margie was there to coax me because even thought I was hungry, I have a tendency to not eat when I'm overly tired.

After dinner I headed to the massage therapist. My back and legs had finally given out, (even though I was wearing my brace), and I could hardly walk! Boy, was that massage wonderful. They sent me directly to the Master Masseuse because of my condition and 30 minutes later I felt as good as new! We were so lucky to have the Medic tents that included medical, chiropractic, physical therapy, and the ever-popular blister clinic personnel. The walking takes its toll on leg and back muscles even for those without medical problems. The treatment really made a difference for me.
By the end of my massage it was dark as we headed back to our tent. It had cooled off and I was looking forward to a good nights rest. We found our flashlights, made a last trip to the porta-potty and went to bed. It was close to 10 PM, well past “lights out”. Although we could have fallen asleep in minutes…. well, there were night owls in the camp still talking and giggling and we ended up not falling asleep until after 11 PM!

Marjory set the alarm clock for 5:30 AM to give ourselves enough time to take our tents down, pack our gear, eat breakfast and be ready to walk by 7 AM. Despite the distractions, I slept pretty well... except that one time I had to get up during the night and head out for the porta-potty. An easy little trail through the sea of tents, so I thought. When I came out, the wind had blown our rubber ducky off the tent and without a flashlight I had to wade through the sea of tents to find ours! As tired as I was, I promised myself I wouldn't complain or whine!

  Ducky, Ducky... where are you?

Seems I no longer fell back asleep when... 

continued...

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