Daily Archives: November 20, 2009

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!