Boston 3-Day in a nut shell

Boston Arrival

My flight arrived Boston Logan about 2 hours prior to Tracy so I waited for her so we could both catch the Framingham Express from the airport together. We decided this year that we would stray from the Thursday night hotel the 3-Day suggested and find our own cheaper hotel. I found one right near where the bus would drop us off and across the street from a fairly large mall. I thought how can we go wrong? That was my first mistake.

When we got off the bus I pulled up my GPS on Google maps and located the hotel we started walking, me with my rolling duffle bag and Tracy carrying her bag. We quickly realized 1) it was hot 2) our bags were awkward and heavy. While strolling through the parking lot Tracy had a brilliant idea… we borrowed a shopping cart that was in the mall parking lot! Awesome idea that is until we ran into mall security and he nicely asked us how far we were going with our cart. We told him not far and promised we would bring it back.

We came to a road that we needed to cross but noticed there were no cross walks on either side of the road. Yikes! I’m sure at this point Tracy was thinking, “Why did I let Cat make the plans?” We watched the lights cycle through a few times so that we could determine the best time to cross (I’m sure this was against the 3-Day rules but it didn’t really start until Friday). We finally thought OK, this is it so off we go. Wait, Stop! The light cycle was different that time. Grr! Next time around we did make it and no casualties. Shoo. On to the hotel we go.

As we turn into the hotel Tracy’s first comment was “is this the Bates Motel,” very creepy and not the best hotel ever. Needless to say I think we may just stick with the 3-Day hotel in the future or at least one we have heard of before. They sure can make a hotel look nice on a website!!

Day 1

The alarm went off at 4:00am and we got up and around and our cab was right on time. We arrived really quickly and there was not any traffic at all. Tracy and I asked the cab driver to drop us off at the row of trucks we saw as we assumed they were the baggage trucks. Boy was that a bad decision. We found out that the baggage trucks were up the hill about a half of a mile. Boo,:( it was already hot, humid and our bags were still heavy and awkward. This time I had the brilliant idea. I noticed 2 3-Day workers sitting in a golf cart with a truck bed (for lack of a better name). I thought why not ask, after all it was the 3-Day and the 3-Day spirit has never failed me yet. I batted my eyes and gave our sob story and sure enough they loaded up our bags and off they went to find Truck F. Our biggest fear was that our bags wouldn’t make Truck F and when we got to camp that night we wouldn’t have luggage but we put that fear to rest as once again we reminded ourselves everyone has the 3-Day spirit!!

To kill time until opening ceremonies began we found some coffee to drink. We later found out that it was decaffeinated which makes sense but so not want we needed that early in the morning. Opening ceremonies finally started and we were introduced to the new 3-Day spokesperson Dr. Sheri Phillips. She did an amazing job all through the 3-Day. She had some big shoes to fill as we so fell in love with the previous spokesperson but she did it with flying colors.

The temperature kept rising and they kept telling us to drink our liquids. It was drilled into our head that we should be stopping at every pit stop to 1) rehydrate 2) relieve ourselves and 3) refuel. Tracy and I were doing just that as we were making our own pit stops in between the planned ones. We were taking the heat seriously and had no plans to make a trip to an emergency room. After leaving Pit Stop 3 11.5 miles into day 1, things started to get a bit confusing. We were told by a Road Crew member (volunteers that keep us safe on the route) that the route had closed and that our Lunch stop at mile 13.7 was being moved to Pit 4 and they would bus us there. We got to the Lunch stop and they still had some lunches so we grabbed one and went and got on the bus they told us to get on. Someone came on and told us we could keep walking to Pit 4 (17 miles) if we wanted to and you are talking about Tracy and I so of course off the bus we came. We continued on our way and I have to tell you the route was very lonely and hot, hot, hot. We did make it Pit 4 at which point we were told the route was definitely closed for the rest of the day. Everyone was being bused back to camp from Pit 4.

We made it back to camp I think around 4pm and found our bags (Yeah!!!). We went to set up our tent but were told that we couldn’t as they didn’t want anyone crawling in their tent and passing out. Oh, and we just happen to be camping on an Astro Turf Soccer field. Yikes, now that’s a hot house.

At the camp show that night we were told that this was the 2nd hottest day on record in Boston, it was 102 with a heat index of 105. I realized that night that on all 4 of my previous 3-Day’s I had never heard any ambulances and this walk I had already heard 4 or 5 and a couple were even at camp. Sleep that night was in between runs to the porta potty. Tracy and I got up at least 4 times and maybe even 5 or 6. We definitely were hydrated!

Day 2

We were up at 5am as they were going to open the route at 6am and we wanted to beat the heat as much as possible. We had heard there might be a chance of rain that day so we put our cover on our tent just in case and then we headed out. Not far into the day the drizzle started. Hmm, Tracy looked at me and I looked at her and we thought, “How smart are we?” We thought to cover the tent up but the 6+ ponchos we brought, we left in the tent. The rain slowly got more intense along with some thunder and lightning. We made it to a Pit Stop at mile 6.9 and they were handing out ponchos just in time as the rain had started coming down hard. We thought they might pull us off the route here but they said we could keep going so on we went. About a mile or so down the road we did get word they were pulling us off the route and having us hold up in a Lawn and Garden business while the storm passed.

Funny thing is by the time we got there and used the restroom they had sent us all back out. The rain was done for the rest of the day and the sun was back. It didn’t take us long to dry back out.

I think the longest part of the 3-Day was right after lunch. It was a stretch of about 3miles that we just felt like we were out there alone, the sun beating down and going up and down hills. I was pleasantly surprised at the community (although few in numbers) as they realized how hot it was for us out there. Many turned their sprinklers on just enough that we could walk through them and get sprinkled on. It’s amazing what will make your day when you are out walking 20 miles.:) They even brought us ice pops and sprayed us with mist along the way. I thought it was very cute how the little kids would ask us for permission before spraying us.

We made it back to camp sometime after 3pm I think and found out that they had closed the route down again for anyone that made it to Pit Stop 5 after 3pm due to the heat. I have to admit that last 2.1 miles was hilly and in the sun so probably a good idea as the heat index had sky rocketed again. Tracy and I hung out in the dining tent out of the sun. We didn’t want to shower that early or eat dinner so we decided to go get a foot/back massage at the Bank of America Tent. It was a machine and was only about 10min but it felt pretty good!

At camp show that night we heard the inspirational story of fellow walker and breast cancer fighter Maurine Turcotte of the Tough Warrior Princesses and the Youth Corps. They have just gone nationally but were started in Boston 10 years ago by the father of a daughter that lost her mom to breast cancer but wanted to help. Very touching.

Day 3
This was the first 3-Day walk that we didn’t have to get up extra early to stand in line to get on a bus for the start of Day 3! Wow, we were actually walking to our final destination from camp. The route opened at 6:30. We packed up our tent and bags, ate and then got in line to start the day. We were told it would be 80 and partly cloudy. Finally the weather we had all thought we would have in Boston. Hmm, but as we stood in line it started to drizzle. Really? You’ve got to be kidding. As you can probably guess our ponchos were in the bags we packed and put on the truck. We stopped at the first CVS and bought some just in case the rain got worse. Luckily, it just stayed a nice cool drizzle and then stopped.

Day 3 took us into Boston and we wound around MIT. I felt smarter just walking through there. OK maybe not! We walked through the park and finished up with a nice walk along the beach and into holding for closing ceremonies.

Every 3-Day brings new experiences (weather this year) and new friends. I met Dan, Steve and Randy of the 60- Mile Men, Rebecca (survivor of 4months) and her friend Jacob of Louisville, KY, and also Debra and Maggie of Tampa, as well as many others. The one thing I will take from this 3-Day is the picture to the left. I don’t think I even need to tell you why I continue to walk.

Now on to training for the Pink Soles 5k in the Park, Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer and the DFW 3-Day.

Until There is a Cure!
J&S4EVER

Day 4

We didn’t think we walked enough over the weekend so Tracy and I headed out on Monday to walk around Boston. We then took in the Red Sox vs Royals baseball game at Fenway Park and don’t you know it rained and of course we had no ponchos once again. So we bought some more:) Game was delayed but we still had a great evening and end to our Boston journey.

Off to Boston!

Just a quick update to let you all know that I am off to Boston on Thursday for my first 3-Day 60 mile walk of the year. Below is a brief description they gave us for our route. They make it sound like a nice relaxing stroll! Oh and if you are adding up the miles in your head (58.7), trust me we walk way more than 60 miles when it is all said and done. The below are just estimates and don’t include the distance we walk at pit stops, lunch, opening and closing ceremonies, camp and the occasional stray from the route to cross the street to get to Starbucks!!!

Friday: Approximately 20 miles
The Boston 3-Day will begin with an inspirational Opening Ceremony at Farm Pond. We'll walk through several quaint towns filled with interesting architecture, as well as many unique shops and restaurants. As we head towards Boston, the route will travel through many residential neighborhoods filled with typical New England style houses. Just before arriving at camp, the walkers will enjoy a stroll through Waltham, the city known as “Watch City” due to the Waltham Watch Factory established there in 1854. Today, this town is also known for its diverse restaurants. We’ll wrap up our day arriving at camp, your home away from home for the weekend.

Saturday: Approximately 21.2 miles
On Saturday morning, we'll rise and shine, ready to hit the trail. This day is filled with New England history, including Arlington and Lexington, both known for their historic landmarks and beauty. We'll enjoy walking along Mystic Lake and then Woburn Parkway, a walking path surrounded by water on both sides, before heading to lunch. The day will come to a close as we pass the Minuteman Statue, the Old Burying Ground and the Lexington Battle Ground. Then it's back to camp for another night of community, camaraderie and fun. 

Sunday: Approximately 17.5 miles
The final day of our journey will begin with a tour through Cambridge. We'll enjoy the neighborhoods of Brattle Street as we walk through Harvard Square, and then along the border of Harvard University. From there, we will head to MIT before crossing the Charles River. Once in the center of Boston, we will enjoy a stroll through the famous Public Gardens. Continuing through the Financial District we will exit the center of Boston and head to “Southie,” located south of the Fort Point Channel and abutting Dorchester Bay.  Following a walking path along the bay, the route will wind around to our final destination, the University of Massachusetts, where our long, beautiful weekend will end with a celebratory Closing Ceremony.

Can’t wait to get to Boston and I am ready for whatever this 3-Day 60 Mile Journey has in store for me. Never losing site of the reason I walk. Remembering, honoring and fighting for a cure for all our friends and family.

No time for rest!

I continue looking for and finding new ways of helping to find a cure each year. This year I ran my first Half Marathon for the Cure (13.1 miles in 2 hrs. 40 min.) and will once again walk 6 days and 120 miles.

Tracy and I, Team J&S4EVER, will be walking Boston, July 22-24, just a short 13 weeks from now (Yikes!). I will then walk Dallas with my team, Pink Soles in Motion. Last year we were the #1 fundraising team in DFW, an accomplishment that we don’t take lightly. Every year we aim to raise more than we did the previous year. This means lots and lots of fundraising events. Already this year I have worked concessions at a cheerleading competition as well as the NFL Super Bowl experience, had a garage sale, am selling Raffle Tickets for a smoker, holding an on-line Pampered Chef Fundraiser (30% of orders go to my 3-day), and helping my team plan our BBQ Cook-Off (May 14), Golf Scramble (June 3) and 5K run (TBD).

I have also volunteered to be a 3-Day training walk leader. As you can probably imagine you can’t just go outside and decide to walk 60 miles and succeed. It takes weeks and weeks of training (24 actually) and when you get up past 8 miles it can get pretty lonely if you are by yourself. Not to mention the difficulty of planning a route that goes 18 miles on sidewalks with rest stops. It’s much easier when someone has it already planned out and all you have to do is show up and walk. I’m going to be that someone this year.

All of these things keep me very busy but I never lose sight of why I do it. I don’t do it for recognition, I don’t do it because I have to always be doing something, I don’t do it because I need exercise. I do it because I can.

You see, I understand not all of us have the time to spare, the athletic ability to walk, or the funds to donate. But each of us together can play a part in finding a cure whether it’s walking the miles, spreading awareness, encouraging someone to have a cancer screening, supporting a fundraiser, or a direct donation. Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to just do something. I know that alone I can’t find a cure but I do know that what I do makes a difference and will one day lead us to a cure for all cancers and with your help we will be one step closer.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement and allowing me to share my journey with you. To see my story and donate please visit http://www.forallyoudid.com/.

Catrina Gibson

For all you did, for the life you lived!

J&S4EVER

2010 3-day statistics

2010 3-day statistics Amazing what we accomplish when we stand together for a Cause. Big thanks to all my donors and friends who provided funds, inspiration, support and encouragement.

Running for a Cure -Week1

So I started my training for the Half Marathon that I have signed up to run in March 2011. I will be raising at least $250 for Breast Cancer. A Half Marathon, to you non-runners, is 13.1 miles. I found a great website for assistance in my training. It’s Hal Higdon’s website. I have had quite a few people send me in his direction so he must know his stuff. I’m starting with Hal Higdon Beginner Plan. It is a run/walk plan.

I’m in pretty good shape but I’m not in runner’s shape so I’ve decided to take it slow and try and do it right this time. I’ve jumped into running before thinking I needed to push myself to run 2 or 3 miles and then I ended up hurting my hip and knees and everything else. I thought maybe I would never be able to run. I’m a determined person though and I really want to run. It’s not only a personal challenge but one that will also raise money for a Cause I believe in.

I’m getting up at 5am on weekday mornings and getting my run in. My best buddy, Tracy in NC is my backup alarm (6am there). If she doesn’t hear from me that I’m up, I expect a call from her so it’s my goal to never make her call me. I’m not really sure if she would call but just knowing it’s a possibility holds me accountable. She has enough to worry about getting her hubby and two kids up and then off to school and work. So far so good as today is day 6 of the 30 day plan. I have not run yet today but will this afternoon. I figure I deserve to sleep in a little on the weekends. In my 5 days of running I have already seen a little improvement. My first day I ran/walked 1.9 miles and by day 5 I was up to 2.25 miles. My body is feeling pretty good so I think the plan is working for me so far.

I’m also working in strength training and yoga into my training plan. I have two bad knees so it’s important that I keep the muscles in my knees strong to help protect them. I’m doing the yoga to help my core strength as well as balance and stretching. I found a Yoga class at my gym that I can go to on T/TH during my lunch hour. I started that this past week and yoga is harder than you would think or maybe my balance is just really bad!!

Stay tuned as I hope to keep everyone updated weekly on my progress.

Dallas 3-Day Experience

Thursday November 4th
Thursday evening Veronica flew in from Kentucky. She had joined our team just a few days ago. Veronica’s teammate wasn’t going to be able to come to Dallas and she was new to the 3-Day and had never been to Dallas. The 3Day Coaches put her in touch with our team captain, Jackie and Jackie sent out her info to the team. I thought she could probably use a friendly welcome so I offered to pick her up at the airport. I took her to her hotel where I introduced her to another teammate, Renee. Little did I know I wouldn’t see her again until Lunch Day 3.

I can’t tell a lie I was excited about the 3-day beginning but I did have a little apprehension as I just didn’t know what to expect. I had walked 3 walks and every one of them was with my best friend Tracy. She’s been my cheerleader, walking buddy, tentmate, photographer and comedian but this time she wasn’t going to be with me.

Day 1 Friday
I met most of the team at Tom Thumb to board a bus to Collin Creek Mall where our 3 day adventure would begin. It was quite chilly but I refused to where a bunch of layers that I knew I would have to carry around the rest of the day. My motto for the week was “Suck it up” so that’s what I did. I wore my running skirt and a long sleeve dri-fit under my team shirt with my stocking cap, gloves, and team scarf. People kept asking me if I was cold and of course I was but do you think I was going to tell them that Mind over matter I say.

Opening ceremony was great. We had two teammates that were involved. Team captain Renee carried the flag that honored husbands and Elaine, a breast cancer survivor carried the Patience flag into the survivors circle. I have to take a minute to tell you about Elaine. She is 68 years old and within the last few years defeated breast cancer. She trains with us every weekend, is always good for a few laughs and even though she has fallen many times she pops back up with a, “I’m ok. Let’s go.” I actually fell once and in the back of my mind I was thinking, hurry, get up, brush it off because that’s what Elaine does! She is the true meaning of a Pink Warrior and inspires me every time I see her.

I tell you all of this about Elaine because she fell on Day 1 and broke her wrist. I heard that she told the EMT, “I’ve never walked the 3Day with a broken wrist.” That is her warrior spirit showing through. They, however, wouldn’t allow her back out on the route. I hate that for her but I know it was the best thing for her.

My friend Kelly came out to cheer me on in the afternoon. I had her bring me tissues as something attacked my allergies at lunch and my tissues were running out. Kelly quickly learned that if you stand near the route with a box of tissue you are the new best friend of walkers passing by. She almost ran out before I got to her. Thanks Kelly! You saved me.

When we got back to camp our tent had already been set up by a teammate’s husband and our bags were there too! Paul, you rock! My tentmate was Meg. I met Meg last year on training walks. We were both on our own teams then. When I met her last year she had no hair as she was just completing her treatment for Breast Cancer. She was the most adorable bald woman I’ve ever met. I fell in love with her spirit and energy! Just so happened that we both joined PSIM this year and both needed a tentmate and the rest is history. Meg was one of our dedicated training walk leaders this year. She likes to walk hills.

Day 2 Saturday
Day 2 started with frost on the ground. Brrrrr. Each day I started out with the same 3 people, Meg, Gail and Nikki. Gail was a training walk leader too. My very first training walk I ever took with a group was lead by Gail last year. She’s from NY and that accent comes out every now and then. She is a very proud G.G. when it comes to her grandson Kail. There is just something about Gail that is infectious and I was hooked on training walks with the group from that moment on. I found out early on that Gail and I walk the same pace. It’s always good to walk with someone that has your same pace. It’s even better when that person is someone you really like to be around! Good thing I like Meg, Gail and Nicki.

Nicki, is a first time walker who is friends with Brittany who is Valerie’s daughter. Brittany and Valerie are speed walkers. Nicki, thought they were psycho walkers so she stuck with us in the am. Never failed though, we would start out without them and they would always catch up to us before long. So really I walked with a core of 5 people. Occasionally we would pick up some other teammates along the way.

Walking with these ladies was so much fun and there was never a dull moment. I learned that the nails people put signs on posts with aren’t really for signs but are put there for squirrels to use to run up the pole. I also learned that Valerie and Gail could end up like Thelma and Louise if we don’t keep our eye on them.

Lunch on day 2 was at Hockaday School. It was there that I decided we needed some lunch time entertainment so I did not one but two cartwheels and I didn’t even hurt myself. I think everyone was very impressed with my skills. Actually I think they were just amazed that I had enough energy to do them!

Shortly after lunch I was in the front of our group and came up beside a girl. It looked like she was walking all by herself. I’m not sure what it was but something told me that I needed to talk to her. So I struck up a conversation with Niki H. and found out that this was her first walk and she was walking to honor her mom whom she had lost to Leukemia/Breast Cancer this past August. I started to tell her about our team and training walks and introduced her to the ladies with me. I told her about Dance Party that was that night and she had to come. She told me she would but just in case I got her tent location so I could go get her if she didn’t show up.

Today I had more friends, Judy, Carmen, Debbie and little Ady, come out to cheer me on. Judy brought me diet coke. It really hit the spot. I so enjoyed seeing my friends and letting them experience a little of what I have been doing and supporting the past 3 years. I couldn’t do any of this without my friends, family, co-workers, and colleagues. Big Thanks to all of you!

Well Dance Party was getting ready to start and no Niki. I went to her tent and called for her but no answer. She showed up a few minutes later and said her neighbors said someone came looking for her and she knew it had to be me! I know you are asking yourself how in the world do people who have now walked 40 miles have any energy to dance? It feels so good to move around and loosens up your muscles. She said she had a great time. I gave her my business card and told her to email me as out of 2800 walkers I really didn’t think I would see her again.

Day 3 Sunday
It was daylight savings time and we supposedly got an extra hour of sleep. I don’t think that really happened as we had to pack, take down the tent, eat and get in line for a bus to take us to our starting point for day 3. I told Meg when she signed up to be my tentmate not to worry about packing up. I have it down to a science. When we woke up we took the plug out of the air mattress so it would deflate while we dressed. I rolled up both sleeping bags. I’m a pro thanks to all the camping and Dad showing me how to do it when I was little. Next, I rolled up the air mattress and next took down the tent. Meg told me I was way to efficient as she hadn’t even finished getting her bag packed by the time I had everything all done. Next, I was on to help teammate Nikki with her tent. I guess I got a little ahead of her and her tentmate Tracey as I found out later that I might have rolled up Tracey’s toothbrush in the tent. Luckily she had already used it that morning. Sorry Tracey!

Guess what? We got to pit stop 1 and there was Niki H. and here I didn’t think I would see her again. She told us once again how much fun she had at Dance Party. Pit Stop 1 is where I lost my camera and the funny thing is it really didn’t stress me out. I started looking a little bit and then a girl said a man took it to the food table. Yeah! I found my camera. It just fell off my bag when I sat it down outside the porta potty.

Day 3 is always a shorter day as we all have to finish in time for closing ceremony. History told us that we didn’t want to walk to fast or we would be getting to lunch at 10:30am. So the first Starbucks we came to we decided we had time for a little break. We all went in for coffee/tea and found us a seat outside in the sun. We cheered on our fellow walkers as they went by. They were all very jealous of us!

We got to lunch about 11 and this is where I ran into Veronica again. She said she was having a great time but when she got back to camp had been eating, showering and going to bed. That explains why I never saw her. After lunch we walked through the West End and on to Fair Parks for closing ceremony.

Remember Elaine that broke her wrist. She was also suppose to carry a flag for closing ceremony but since she couldn’t carry it they let Meg, my tentmate and survivor, escort her and carry the flag. When I saw Elaine up there with her cast, I lost it. All my emotions that had built up over the 3 days came flowing out. I cried for Elaine, I cried for Meg and the other survivors, I cried for my mom, I cried for everyone that has ever had to feel the pain of cancer.

It was at that moment that I knew I was signing up for Dallas again. There was no way that I was going to allow my Pink Soles in Motion to do anything without me. These men and women are such positive, inspirational people who together are making a difference one step at a time and I intend to be there with them.

Oh, and guess who I saw when I was leaving closing ceremony. Niki H. and her husband Keith. On top of that, I get home and I’m looking at photos posted on facebook by my teammates and who did I see…a photo of Niki. Something tells me it was just meant for me to meet her.

November 11, 2010
Today would have been my mom’s 63rd birthday. Happy Birthday MOM! I made a wish today for a world without Cancer. I know it will come true one day.

On Monday the 8th I signed up to Walk Dallas in November 2011 with the Pink Soles in Motion and guess who emailed me? You guessed it Niki H. She said she would and she did. We’ve been emailing back and forth the last few days. Sounds like she, her husband and cousin may want to join the team. I hope they do as I look forward to continuing to get to know them.

One more thing for today, I signed up for the Dallas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in March 2011. Why not run 13.1 miles? I know I can walk 20. Click the link at the top of my blog if you wish to support me in my run.

Photos 2010 Dallas Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Click the photo below to view photos