Monthly Archives: November 2009

Well, my journey has reached the end. It was amazing.

First off, I have to say that completing my 120-mile journey to save breasts was not the only amazing thing I managed to accomplish today. Today, at the second Cheering Station, I took out the ring I’d carried for nearly 60 miles, dropped down on one knee and proposed to my awesome and spectacular soulmate, Mary. Of course, she said yes. I had Justyce take pictures for posterity, as she knew that I was going to do it and had somehow kept the secret for almost two weeks. Mary *knew* I was going to ask eventually (c’mon, she did move out here to be with me, it’s not a real shocker!), and I had already asked her parents for permission to do so, which they granted. Just for the record, we’re planning an August 2010 wedding, the weekend after I walk the Michigan 3-Day for the Cure, which is the weekend after I walk the Chicago 3-Day for the Cure. August 21, 2010 is the big day. At least that’s the hope right now, we’ll find out shortly if the Navy disagrees with our plans…

Again, in all honesty, I took a sweep van today. Today I bypassed 1.5 miles between a cheering station and lunch. But, it was the significance of the 1.5 miles that are what made me take the sweep van and skip them-it was the hill coming up Juan Street. It’s a pretty brutal hill, and although we trained on it (Thanks Roxanne!), with my blisters, there was no way I would have been able to hobble up it. No chance. The blisters I had that started in Arizona have morphed into something pretty gnarly, and my feet were in a lot of pain (particularly my left one). I went to lunch, then had Nurse Shelly dress my blisters. She had to pop a couple, lance a couple off, and dress several. AGAIN, I learned that if I just go to the Medical Tent and let them do their thing, that everything feels better. I learned that last year, at least I thought I did, but then because of the not-great experience I had in Arizona with their Medical Tent (twice they told me to come back later, despite not even being busy), I had been taking care of them all weekend on my own, and I was in a lot of pain. Once Nurse Shelly took care of my blisters, I had a spring in my step and was rarin’ to go all the way to the finish line.

It was another beautiful walk today. Not quite the beach walk, but a beautiful walk none-the-less. We walked a great deal in Ocean Beach, which was where we trained. Essentially I’d walked the entire route before in training. The only rough part was a few-mile stretch where there’s no sweep van access, no real cheering, and just walking along a water basin. But, again, I’d trained on that, so it wasn’t too bad to be honest.

Shortly into my day, I came across a woman holding up the 60 Mile Men calendar (to a random month). I told her to change it to December, and she saw my sash and realized it was me and was very happy, had her picture taken with me (holding the calendar) and everything. It seems she’s a friend of one of my teammates (Karen K.) and Karen had bought the calendar for her (I’d autographed it as well). She was so excited she gave me a beer. As a matter of fact, I think today I had the most alcohol during the walk that I’ve ever had. I had that beer, beer from the Titty Tavern, some vodka/lemonade shots, a mimosa with Kimberly and Marissa (dollar mimosa’s) and probably another beer or two (not full beers, other than the one Jill gave me). It helped make the day go well.

So, today I wore the booby hat that Karen (from work) had made me. It was a big hit, I kept getting told “nice rack”. I also, for a little while, carried around the flag that honored my donors and the Breast Cancer victims on it. I say for a little bit, because it was in my Camelbak, and shortly after I’d got it (from Mary), I lost it. I have no idea where it went. I’ve emailed the event coordinators to see if anyone turned it back in. Mary spent a lot of time on that, I’m disappointed I lost it so quickly. She says she’s not, but I would rather have it back anyway. I also wore my “Boobies make me smile” shirt. For me, this was my “tame” day out of the six days.

The cheering stations today were the greatest. By far. There were so many people out, whether it was at actual cheering stations or just along the route, it was very easy to keep going and keep your spirits high. I swear the Balboa Park cheering station stretched a mile and a half. Anyway, other than finally proposing to Mary, the fact that the girls both got to be there at the cheering stations all day meant a lot to me.

I didn’t get my typical pictures at the end…I didn’t get a picture of my badge with all the buttons and pins that I’d gotten on this walk, I didn’t get the pic of me just past the finish line in the shirt/outfit I was wearing when I crossed it (I typically do that and then do my pic by the Day 3 sign in my Victory shirt), and I didn’t get my typical “shoe-high-in-the-air” pic. Why? Well, because I didn’t put all my buttons/pins on my badge, that’s why I didn’t get that one. For the first pic in front of the Day 3 sign, it was because I couldn’t find the sign easily (they moved it from last year) so I ended up changing first. And, I didn’t get to do the shoe thing, because I was on-stage holding the “My Sister” flag again. I didn’t even walk the “Victory Mile” because I was already backstage. It was very interesting to see things from the spectator angle (the mass of nearly 4000 walkers coming in, which took probably 20 minutes) and from stage instead of in front of it in the crowd.

I’m going to end this now, finally (no more daily “wrapups” from me!) and just say that although I’m in a lot of pain (my left foot is killing me, I relish the experience I just had and really, truly believe that I have made a difference in the world.

I do have to say that this has likely been the best year of my life, and since we’re in the week of Thanksgiving, I’ll say that I’m thankful for my fiancee Mary and all the support she has shown in the past few weeks, hell, few months (with the training walks and all the money I spent for items for the 3-Day). I would not have had such a wonderful time if it wasn’t for her love and support. Oh yeah, and I love my future wifey.

Day 2, or Day 5, however you want to look at it, is done and over with. One more day and 20 more miles (ok, 14 actual miles) to go.

First off, I failed to mention something last night. Last year, my tent was in Section S, which was near the end of camp, and felt like it was a mile away from the showers and the dining tent. This year, I’m in Section A, a primo spot-much better. I’m very close to the action, and it’s not a chore just to head to the festivities.

Ok, I’m going to get something out in the open first thing. I took a sweep van back to camp and bypassed the last 3.2 miles of the day. Yes, my blisters are that bad. No, I don’t think I would’ve made it back to camp by dark if I hadn’t. But, interestingly enough, they give a Legacy Pin (a little button) when you take the bus back to camp, so at least it had it’s perks.

So, that’s how my walking day ended…it also started on a bad note as well. I was actually leaving with my team, and we were getting a group picture taken, and the crewmember taking the picture dropped, and broke my camera. My $350 camera, and I’m a picture-Nazi, of you hadn’t figured that out already.

Anyway, that story definitely has a happy ending-Mary got me a new one (early bday present), same brand, takes the same battery and memory, also 10MP…for about $200 less. And, it seems to focus better. And it’s slimmer. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again-Mary effin rocks!

Ok, so remember how I said last weekend that Day 2 always sucks? I had a great time today (minus the blisters). I wore my best outfit, the pink jacket and whitehat, and people *loved* them (again, thank you Mary!). I had a lot of people want pictures with me, particularly amongst my teammates.

I figured out more things to do for fundraising, which I can’t give up my secrets here…heehee….and, the scenery? AMAZING. Today was our beach walking day. Just beautiful. No complaints.

I did realize today, with actually walking this morning, as opposed to last year when I took a sweep van from a pit stop to lunch, that I missed more than I thought last year-nearly half of Day 2. I didn’t realize how many of my miles were cut off by riding in the van (almost 10).

But…those were all “hilly” miles (up and down), and they sure as hell didn’t do my blisters any good.

After we got back to camp, we had pizza so that we could avoid the 3-Day dinner, then we were on Channel 8 News for being the largest, and highest fundraising team.

Tomorrow? 14 miles to Petco (the holding area) and then the journey is over. Closing ceremony begins at 430, I have to be there at 4 since I’m part of the ceremony, again carrying the “My Sister” flag.

Now? Going to sleep, hoping I sleep later than the 330am I woke up at this morning….here’s some more pictures from today…

First off, being part of opening ceremony was an incredible honor. I’m just bummed we didn’t get to record it, although Mary didn’t have a good angle on me through the crowd anyway. It was very interesting to be part of it, and we got to be some of the first people to leave. I was trying to get the “My Children” flag as we left, but some people cut the line (honestly, we were supposed to be the first ones through the route). So, it was gone by then (the flags we carry during the walk are not the same ones as during the ceremonies-they are essentially on ski poles for easy carrying).

There are about 3800 walkers here in San Diego. That’s over twice the walkers than in Arizona last weekend. However, I have realized how much easier the walk is with fewer walkers (it’s quicker, easier to maneuver through the crowd). However, the energy here is so much higher than last weekend. I did 20.1 miles today, actually more than any day last weekend, and it was pleasant and didn’t feel as though it was dragging at all.

I found that even though I’m on a huge team, I still spent the better part of today either walking alone, or walking with strangers. I like to walk at whatever pace is comfortable, so *not* walking with anyone in particular is great for me. And, at the “Today at the 3-Day” program this evening, we got both the “largest team” and “top team” (fundraising) legacy pins.

I tried to mostly hurry through today, as Day 1 last year was my longest day (mostly because it was the only day I didn’t take the sweep van) and I got back to camp when it was dark. I was determined for that to not be the case this year.

I did walk with teammates for a while, most notably Crystall, Kimberly and Marissa, who had told me (and other teammates) that they would be stopping at “The Shack” for drinks. When I almost passed it, I decided to go in and join them. I drank a rum and Coke.

Speaking of alcohol, I don’t remember this much being available last year-we’ve passed by a store that had kegs tapped, and there’s a “Titty Bar Tavern” vehicle passing out shotglasses (well, Dixie cups) of beer a couple times along the route. I had a couple beers today while walking!

Once the girls went into another bar, I parted ways. I didn’t make it to the first cheering station in time to see Mary and Devin before they left to get the girls from school, and the second cheering station was at the end of the route (a mile from camp), and I wanted to see them. It was awesome because Justyce finally got to be there as well. That meant a lot to me, as she wasn’t in AZ with us last weekend.

There are also four five 60 Mile Men here: Matthew (January 2008 and the one who started the calendar); Barry (April 2009, and he’s the one who participates in each event through the year); Mr. May 2009; Charles (June 2010); and, myself. I got my fundraising amount from Matthew ($400, which I’ll put toward next year’s walks) today for being in the calendar.

Today was the first time I’d really hung out at camp as well-last year, due to a lack of training, I simply went to bed really early. Last weekend, I went back to the hotel to hang out with Mary. This weekend? I’m in camp the whole time, hanging out with my teammates, sleeping in the “Man Cave”. I had previously ate dinner alone and really had nothing to do. This year, there’s 73 of us.

The blisters from last weekend? Horrible. Painful. Not good. But, I’ll survive.

I know I haven’t walked them all (YET!), but I have to say that we have to have the best walk here in San Diego. I started the second half of my 120-mile journey today and it was awesome.

Tomorrow is essentially another walk along the beach, with a third cheering station built-in because we’re walking in the area my team is from, should be fun.

Other than alcohol, the cool thing of the day: I met Barbara Jo, who is participating in her 111th (yes, ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH) walk for Breast Cancer, who has raised over $1.13 Million for the cause. She raised $43,000 for this event alone. It puts my measley 3 events and $7,000 raised thus far to shame!

Well, it’s the eve of my second walk…it’s 11pm and I’m still awake! I need to get up at 445am.

At least I took a nap today because Mary made me, so it won’t be horrible, but it’s not going to be easy. But, again, I’ll survive.

Tomorrow starts the end of my journey, the final 60 miles I’ll put in this year. It’ll be emotional and I can’t wait.