On Thursday night, Ginger and I stayed at my sister-in-law's house in Lynnwood. When we arrived, we all finished organizing our bags and made sure we each had what we needed to make the weekend a success. After a trip to the store to get Ginger a much needed air mattress, we hit the beds early. This was both Edith's and Ginger's first year at this event. (Pam's first year too.)
Day 1 for us started at 3:00am with the buzz of our alarms. None of us actually slept well because of a combination of nerves and excitement so getting up didn't take much effort at all. We left the house at 4:10 because the paid weekend parking area was "limited" and the website said to get there early. Check in started at 5:00. After a couple road blocks (forgotten debit card at the coffee hut and the closing of the freeway on ramp) we made it to the parking garage at 4:55... with plenty of parking spots available. Whew.
Opening ceremony started around 6:30 and the tears started at about the same time. Hearing the words of survivors, seeing signs regarding those that have been lost, and seeing those that are very obviously going through their own battle against breast cancer all make for a very emotional weekend - right from the start.
The walk started from CenturyLink Field (Qwest Field) in Seattle. The weather was cloudy with a couple short breaks of sunshine. Perfect for a long walk. We walked through downtown right in the middle of the morning work commute. I'll bet there were some unhappy commuters but many were supportive, honking their horns and waiving. I'm sure seeing over 2000 walkers mostly dressed in pink with all types of hats, boas, bras, ribbons, etc. was a sight to see! We crossed over Lake Washington by walking on the I-90 Bridge (Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge). I thought it was a great experience and loved it! The Bridge is a floating bridge and is over a mile long with a big history. The Lake is beautiful. It was clear enough that we were able to see Mt. Rainier in the distance. We walked across Mercer Island and then walked through Old Town Bellevue and caused more traffic backups over the lunch hour! It's all about getting noticed, right?! We walked through the Bellevue Botanical Gardens and then on to the Sammamish River Trail, leading us to camp at Marymoor Park. The day was long but was enjoyable. We were at the back of the pack for most of the day, just taking our time, talking and enjoying the walk and the beautiful sights. Edith and I spent the majority of the day walking with Ginger. Pam was walking at a faster pace and was walking on her own - miles ahead of us.
After arriving back at camp, we showered and ate dinner. We then went to the camp post office and picked up our mail. I really appreciate all the cards and letters I received from so many people! Going back to our tents with a handful of letters is a big part of the excitement during the first night at camp! I could not wait to sit down and open all of them. It was such a special feeling to read all the words of praise and encouragement. I was laying in bed for a long time that evening just beaming over the letters. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
(A special note to Husband... That was the most meaningful and heart-felt letter you have ever written to me. Thank you. I think it needs to be framed. I will keep it and cherish it forever. Your ongoing support, not only for my walking, but through all aspects of my life means everything in this world to me. You have always been there for me through the thick and thin (literally and figuratively!)... the ups and downs... the smooth sailings and the rough waters... you have been there. THANK YOU! I love you. Mucho.)
Day 2 started out with a big breakfast. The day was cooler than the day before so our jackets were worn on and off throughout the day. Edith and I walked with Pam for the majority of the day while Ginger was walking at a slower pace with a woman she met along the route. Ginger has been fighting plantar fasciitis for a couple months now so she walks with pain a lot of the time. Her goal was to walk all 60 miles regardless of how long it took. The "sweepers" (a ride if you need it) were available at all times but her goal was to walk, not ride. She was full of determination and wanted us to go on so there was no pressure for her to walk at our pace or for us to slow down. I wasn't worried about Ginger being alone because I knew she wouldn't be - she talks to everyone she meets and is very friendly.
We walked through the Redmond Town Center and another area of Bellevue. We walked through cheering stations, one of which was a quarter mile long full of people clapping, crying and giving us their thanks and encouragement to continue on. Those spectators are so awesome and make the long day of walking so much better! There are always plenty of treats and homemade goodies to snack on, made by those wonderful supporters. Day 2 was filled with plenty of hills all along the route but we managed them well. We stopped to take pictures at every opportunity and of course stopped at all the pit stops to "relieve, refresh, and refuel.". Like Day 1, we ended up at camp in Marymoor Park. The park is beautiful and big! Again, the route in was filled with many cheering supporters! (There are many people you see several times a day, each of the three days. They move ahead of us from one place to another. There are also honking cars and trucks filled with people wearing pink bras, boas, etc. driving back and forth along the route all day long. Their dedication and support over the three day weekend, just to cheer us on and keep us moving, is worth more than any words can express. They are my heroes! They are nothing short of AWESOME! Thank you!)
At one of the pit stops we received pink stickers to place under our eyes like the black marks football players use to help deflect the sunshine. We put them on with each others' help and went on our way. A block down the road was a parked SUV with dark tinted windows. We went up to the vehicle and used the reflection on the windows as a mirror to fix our stickers. As we were all about six inches away looking at ourselves, my eyes focused on something inside... a pair of eyes looking back at me! I yelled and pointed out that there was someone inside! In fact, there were FOUR someones inside, all laughing at us! They unrolled their windows, laughing hysterically, and told us we were "awesome!". OMG. It was the funniest thing ever and we laughed over it for at least half the day. Way to go Pink Thunder gals. We are SO cool. haha
When we arrived back at camp and went through the line of volunteers scanning us in, they said to me, "You are number 213. You are the 213th walker to arrive back to camp today.". You know me and the numbers! I got all excited! There were over 2000 walkers and I had arrived back to camp as No. 213. Wow! I was impressed! We arrived so early (2:00ish) that we were able to enjoy camp instead of just arriving back, showering, eating dinner and then straight to bed!
We showered and then went for a much-needed foot/calf massage! Just being able to sit in the chairs while in line was wonderful but the massage itself was amazing! Thank you Bank of America for sponsoring and providing that bit of heaven! When the massage was finished, they asked if anyone would like to do a video (for advertisement purposes, I assume) about why they were walking. Being the self-confident and brave woman I have become lately, I said yes and asked if two people could fit in that booth at the same time. (Sorry Edith... you have just been volunteered! haha). We got in the booth and the filming began. I started out confident and strong, saying cancer sucks (like the button I was wearing) and talking about why we were walking in this event.... for ourselves, each other, our daughters, sisters, mothers, etc. I was on a roll until I hit a blank in my mind and stumbled! I gently elbowed Edith and said "help me out here". Her response.... A huge toothy smile on her face, deer-in-the-headlights eyes, and not a single sound out of her mouth!! My dear sister-in-law was FROZEN with fear! haha I somehow stumbled through a few more sentences and promoted the event. I think I remember Edith agreeing with something I said and then we got the heck out of Dodge! Whew! For doing it, we each received a Susan G. Komen winter scarf (totally worth it!) and will be receiving a copy of the video. I can't wait to see that one! HA! Oh dear.... haha
While we were just chillin in our tent waiting for the agreed upon 6:30 dinner time with Pam and Ginger, Ginger showed up at the window letting us know she made it back to camp. She came in and we all hugged while she cried tears of joy... tears shed for her accomplishment of making it through the second day. We were so proud of her! No matter how much her foot hurt, she continued walking and here she was. We sat in there visiting for quite awhile, laughing until we hurt, and sharing our stories of the day. It was a very special time for us and one we won't soon forget! Right, ladies?! **wink wink**
Dinner was great and bedtime was early. Day 2 was behind us. And then... it started to rain. You can't have an event in Seattle without experiencing the rain! That's all part of it!
Day 3 started EARLY with quite the alarm "clock". I had not slept well and woke up around 2:30am with no hope of going back to sleep. Edith was also awake so we decided to go to the bathroom and search out the camp for some coffee. We found hot water and those wonderful Starbucks Via packs so we got two cups each and headed back to the tent area. Unbelievably, there were people up everywhere... lots and lots of people! I couldn't understand why everyone was up at 3:00 in the morning! Within minutes, it seemed like the entire camp was up and pink tents were being pulled to the parking lot, still full of beds and possessions! What the heck?! You see, Edith and I slept in a different area than most. I require a cot because of my back surgeries and fusion so the medical cot they provide me does not fit in one of those cute little pink tents. My tent is green and placed up near the main medical tent so we weren't in the midst of whatever was happening out in the field. As it turns out, the Parks and Recreation Department failed to turn off the sprinkler system for the field and at 3:00am those cute little pink tents were being majorly hosed down by water coming from every direction possible! Goooooood Morning Campers! haha People laughed about it and just did what they had to do to get out of the water before everything they owned was completely drenched. I never once heard anyone upset but there probably were some that didn't take it so kindly. Most agreed that it was all just part of the memorable weekend. :)
We ate breakfast early and it started to rain again. In fact, it was POURING. Good ol' Seattle. We went through a crazy and somewhat frustrating line-up process to get on the buses to take us to our starting point for the last day of walking. It was done with good intentions - to keep us under the tented area and out of the pouring rain - but lining up 2000+ walkers like a snake in a relatively small area is quite confusing, frustrating, and hot! Day 3 is the shortest in miles so we all make it to closing ceremony in time, thus the bus ride in closer to the City. Once on the bus, it stopped raining. Thank you clouds above!!!
We were dropped off at the University of Washington and walked through the school's beautiful grounds. There were plenty of picture opportunities and we really enjoyed it. We went towards Fremont and along the shore of Lake Union. We walked through neighborhoods, the Gas Works Park and the Ballard Locks. It was windy, cold and beautiful! Edith and I were walking on our own and really picked up the pace. I had made prior plans to meet up with Brittany, Michelle and my mom in downtown Seattle for lunch before finishing the walk to the Space Needle area and closing ceremony. They were coming up from Vancouver so I knew they had approximately a three hour drive. Our plan was to arrive downtown at the same time. When Edith and I arrived at the lunch pit stop (which we opted not to eat), we were told we were numbers 123 and 124 to arrive there. Here we go with the numbers again! WOW! We were really moving! The HILLS on Day 3 were BIG and there were MANY yet we were still making excellent time! In fact, we were making too good of time! I called Brittany to see where they were and they had only been driving for about an hour. I had completely forgotten they weren't leaving Vancouver until 10:00 and planning to meet us at 1:00. Here it was 10:50 and Edith and I were five miles from the finish line! We were only two and a half miles from the waterfront in downtown Seattle (our planned lunch spot!). Brittany was still two hours down the road. Wow. Miss Brittany sternly told me to SLOW DOWN and NOT to finish the route. She wanted them to be at the finish line when we got there AFTER we ate lunch together. Ooooookay. We slowed way down. We walked without any purpose, stopped for oodles of pictures, and stopped to talk to volunteers and spectators along the route. It was enjoyable and I'm happy we did it that way. I had to remember that it was NOT about the numbers (we surely would have arrived back within the first 20 people after skipping the lunch stop) and that the later we arrived at the finish line, the more spectators there would be to cheer us on and congratulate us, which is something I really wanted Edith to experience. Heck, it is something I wouldn't want to miss out on myself! Last year I wasn't even aware of where I was in the pack so it never crossed my mind. Being involved in so many timed events, I think in numbers because that's important in those races. Not here. Not at all.
We walked through Discovery Park and onto Magnolia Boulevard. From there we had spectacular views of Puget Sound, two docked cruise ships, and downtown Seattle. Amazing!
Edith and I arrived at the waterfront Red Robin (after passing our route marker to turn the other way!) and waited about 20 minutes for Brittany, Michelle and mom to arrive. We had a great lunch with a great server (who is now interested in doing this event next year!) and really enjoyed our time together talking about the days and miles behind us. Sitting there made us wind down and Edith started getting the expected leg cramps. After a little more than an hour, we decided it was time to get moving and finish the last two and a half miles before we could no longer move at all. We were FULL, relaxed and tired at this point. The walk UP to the Space Needle area was slow and almost painful at times because we had eaten a lot and relaxed almost completely.
We turned the last corner and the amount of cheering people welcoming us back was incredible! What an experience! We saw so many of the crew that had helped us along the route... the traffic directors, the 30+ Seattle bicycle police (also all dressed up in pink socks, boas, hats, tutus, etc.), the pit stop crews, the medical personnel, the food servers, etc. ... and were hugged and congratulated by so many of them! It is such an emotional walk to the end. Brittany, Michelle and mom were right there cheering us on too. Three days and 60 miles were behind us. We did it. We walked every single step of those 60 miles.
We checked in, got our roses and shirts, rehydrated and decompressed for a moment. We then went back outside and waited for Ginger to cross that finish line. A couple hours later we saw her turn that last corner and ran up to meet her. Edith and I threw our arms around her as the tears flowed down her cheeks once again. She did it. She walked all 60 miles too. Way to go, girl! I knew you could do it. You are one determined woman.
Pam had crossed the finish line while Edith and I were at lunch. She had plans that afternoon and couldn't stay for the closing. Way to go, Pam! You rocked those 60 miles too! Never a doubt! :)
Closing ceremony was of course very emotional. Edith's husband and son were there as well as my friend, Linda, who also came up from Vancouver. Seattle walkers and crew raised over 5.3 million dollars this year. That's pretty impressive.
This event is so special and so worth it. There is a bond you create with everyone you meet. Everyone has their own reason why they are there and the stories are all so personal. You don't meet a stranger. You talk and share. Hugs are given freely. Hands are held. Tears are constantly shed. I really enjoy being a part of it all and can't ever imagine not walking in this event.
2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.... HERE WE COME!
Here are SOME of the pictures... way too many to post! I was carrying my D80 the entire way and if I was going to lug that monster around, I was determined to use it!
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| Ginger, me and Edith |
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We had 30+ Seattle Bicycle Police with us all three days |
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| Our first picture with all four of us... oh, and Elvis! Me, Elvis, Pam, Ginger and Edith |
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| My green tent |
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| The foot massage! |
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| Walking through the finish line |
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| Hugs from my daughter, Brittany |
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| Waiting for Ginger |
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| Hugging Ginger |
Thank you and congratulations
ReplyDeleteJaqueline. You accomplished a very meaningful task. Know you had fun and it was for a wonderful cause.
Enjoyed the pics!
Erma and Jim
I saw you on the walk. You have some serious calf muscles, girl! I LOVE your tattoo! Thanks for your post. I also had a fantastic weekend! I'll see you in 2012!
ReplyDeleteLisa K.