Heather's 3-Day blog

DAY ONE: Friday, October 31, 2008

St. Petersburg, Florida—It's 8:30 Friday night and I have finally had a moment to pause and reflect on the incredible first day of the 60 mile, Breast Cancer 3 Day.

Reg & I joined about 2,000 others to walk about 19 miles today.

What a whirlwind! I worked until midnight Thursday night so I had a quick turn around to be at Fort De Sotot Park 6:30, Friday morning! I didn't want to sleep walk through the first day...luckily a cool breeze and amazing energy woke me right up!

This is the 4^th year I have walked in the 3 Day and the first year we have started at Fort DeSoto.

I have to say, this so far, has been the most beautiful & scenic walk...of course it doesn't hurt that we have gorgeous weather!

This walk means so many things to me...I enjoy walking and talking to people from all over the Tampa Bay area.

People who have been touched by breast cancer, or really any cancer, have a different perspective on life. They appreciate the gift of every day. Even though our feet may have blisters and our toenails hurt, we soon realize we can get through just about anything with the help & support of others. Strangers become friends during a mile stretch.

I started off the morning during opening ceremonies meeting so many wonderful people. Marita Taylor with The Daisies is an 8 year breast cancer survivor who decided this is the year for her to take the 60 mile mental & physical journey. One of her teammates raised about $22,000 one her own! Each walker has to raise at least $2200 to take part but Tracy Cameron found many generous friends who wanted to help.

There is something contagious about this event that makes you want to come back each year to feel that energy and get that wake-up call about what's really important in life.

The sad reality is that too many of us have lost people we love to breast cancer. You see their photos on the backs of the walkers...they remind everyone why they're here, but at the same time, I have to say we laugh our way along the walk too. That's the quirky side to the 3 Day...people wear creative costumes and husbands cheer in women's clothing to keep everyone in good spirits.

Check out this team from Boston:

The Cup Crusaders decided why not dress up in Mankini's and look like Borat? It is Halloween and they've accomplished a serious goal...they raised $142,000 between walks in Boston & Tampa. They told me their goal is to remind everyone that life is about laughing and enjoying every moment as if it could be your last.

DAY TWO: Saturday, November 1 2008

St. Petersburg, Florida—I've walked all 60 miles in the Breast Cancer 3 Day for 4 years now... and no matter what I seem to do...moleskin, bandages, two socks and magic tricks... the second day reveals the true toll taken on my toes. 40 miles down... 20 miles to go!

Reg says it best..."60 miles is serious business!"

That is part of the journey. It is a physical & mental challenge.

I've seen triathletes, runners and others who exercise on a daily basis slow to a snail's pace from blisters and black & blue toenails. Friends always say to me, "Can't you just run the last few miles?"

The 3 Day doesn't allow running because they want everyone to take the personal challenge to keep moving through the pain, one step at a time.

The best way to do that is to walk & talk. All of the walkers are there with a common bond so you really are never alone...there are no strangers.

I walked a couple of miles with a great guy, Rob Lanigan from Tampa. He's on the S.O.B's team (how clever is that?) It stands for Sons, Brothers and Others...a 12 member team of guys. He is walking in honor of his sister, Kelly, who just passed away 5 weeks ago from breast cancer. He carries her picture around his neck to remind him to keep moving. She would be proud.

He's also walking for his 3-year-old daughter, Katie, and the hope that future generations will not have to go through what his sister did.

The ladies love to see men walking with them. This year we've had more men than ever before. It also gives them an opportunity to be in an environment where they can easily talk about what they've been through. The fact that Rob is walking sends a powerful message.

It's not just people who have been touched by breast cancer who are walking. I met Kathy Wright, an ovarian cancer survivor who finished chemotherapy in July. She says the walk helps her "detoxify" from the chemo physically & emotionally. The walk certainly helped us feel alive in the moment!

As I crossed the finish line into camp and headed into the tent for dinner, I recieved some terrible news.

An inspirational woman I met last year at Race for the Cure, Angela Breaux, is in the hospital tonight. The 37-year-old mother of 2 beautiful girls is battling late stage breast cancer.

I had a chance to walk with some of her good friends who are walking in her honor during the 3 Day. We had all hoped to see Angela at a cheering station today along the route, but now we know why she wasn't there.

I ask you to please send prayers to her & her family tonight. She is a fighter and has a strong spirit. She was kind enough to write a Blog about what it meant to have her good friends walk in her honor.

This is a painful reminder of why we walk...why we must find a cure.

DAY THREE: Sunday, November 2, 2008

St. Petersburg, Florida — I usually spend the 3 Day weekend sleeping in a tent at camp but this year my parents were in town, so I decided to spend the night at home with them.

There is one major side effect when you sleep at home...by the time Mark, Reg & I all met up at camp, everyone had left—yikes!

We were literally the last to leave camp—that's a first in 4 years—so we had to pick up the pace!

One reason I really enjoy this event is because I like to walk & talk...I meet so many amazing people. We were able to do that about 4 miles into the walk.

I talked to walkers of all ages, from 16-year-old Jeremy Baker who walked with his parents to 72-year-old Pat Cracraft who walked for her daughter who is a breast cancer survivor.

Every person has an incredible story about why they are walking 60 miles. Sometimes it's easy to see...they have pictures of their moms, dad or loved one who passed away. Most are here because they want to talk about how cancer touched their life and spread a message of hope, courage and strength.

I met Holly Gyulveszi along the route. She had set up a table to give away water, candy and a lot of encouragement. She had walked in our shoes before...she's completed the 3 Day, 2 times. Last month, it took on a deeper meaning.

Holly was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 22. She said she had to be here today...to thank the walkers and to provide a "lifeline" between the pit stops. She found the lump in her breast and now encourages everyone, even men to check for anything suspicious.

I can't get over the number of younger women I met who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Stephanie Gecewicz was planning to walk in honor of her mom who is a 2 time breast cancer survivor and her mom-in-law who is also a survivor. In May, she got the terrible news that she also had breast cancer. To complicate things even more, she hurt her ankle so I met Stephanie and her friends, the "Eager Beavers" as they each took turns pushing her wheelchair all 60 miles. How's that for dedication?

Volunteers along the route stayed with us every step of the way.

All of the families and friends gave up their entire weekends to cheer on the walkers. I hope all of them realize their job is just as important as ours. We appreciate everything they did!

We could not have done it without them!

A special thank you to all of the guys who wore skirts, wigs, bras and anything else that would give us a good laugh to keep going!

I am truly grateful for all of my friends at 10connect who showed up both Saturday & Sunday. It means more than I can ever express.

As a hot bath waits for me tonight, I am once again thrilled to have walked in the 60 mile 3 Day. It re-charged my battery and gave me a new appreciation for each day. Blisters on my feet don't matter and certainly won't be remembered, but the great conversations and friendships I made along the way will stay with me forever.

To see more 3 Day coverage, click here.