Sorry this post is so late. I have been caught up in the State Fair excitement and busyness that I just haven't taken the time. So here it is. The night before the walk, Lizzi put up all these signs around the house. It was so cool. It got me really excited for the walk.
The morning of the walk. It was really rainy out. Luckily I had bought this water and wind-resistant jacket. It was great!
Wet and ready to walk. This was during the opening ceremony.
The survivor circle
The whole team at the beginning of the walk.
At one of the pit stops on the first day.
Heidi Sue's mom, Michelle is a survivor. Her husband, Rob carried around this flag for part of the day.
Amy's baby bump, being supported by her buff from last year's walk.
Beautiful scenery
The famous red couch.
I carried around the "My Daughter" flag for a while. It was in honor of my future daughter (fingers crossed), and in honor of Amy's daughter in her belly.
Maddox visited us along with our awesome cheering team, Steve, Mindy, and Miley.
Camp at the end of Day one
Wrapping up my monster blisters from Day 1 before heading out for our longest day, 23 miles!
Getting ready to head out on Day 2.
Pit Stop on Day 2
Blister care and stretching
More amazing scenery
Some of the team members from last year set up our own personal cheering station. It was so fun to see people we knew out there cheering for us.
Lunch Day 2
I think the whole team was shocked at my blisters at lunch that day. Michelle helped me bandage them up real nice so they wouldn't hurt as much and so they didn't get any worse. Thank goodness for amazing team members. I don't know what I would have done without them.
Cooling off
"Blisters don't need chemo" So true. I just kept telling myself I had tiny little pillows on my heels. Mind over matter.
One of the many "sweep vans." They came around to pick up people who needed to get a ride to lunch or who couldn't keep walking.
Corey brought us an Ipod docking thing on the second day. Christina Aguilera really got us through a rough stretch on Day 2.
Cooling off while we enjoyed a beer, compliments of Steve. Thank you Steve!!
We were walking along and these wonderful ladies had a nice little chant for us. I can't remember all of it, but it consisted of such chants as:
"Hey Twin Cities, we're walking for our titties!
The men and the boys, we're walking for their toys!
All you walkers, we're walking for our knockers!"
There was a lot more, and it was so much fun, but I just can't remember them all.
The joker rode on his bike the entire walk and kept us going. He loves boobs. Haha
And this guy was giving out "free mammograms"
This is our favorite sign. It is there every year. And guess what, my blisters are already gone.
Arriving back at camp on Day 2. This was an amazing day. I can't believe we walked 23 miles!! I felt so accomplished, and we got back to camp kind of early so we got to hang out around camp and just relax. I got my shower done early and just layed around.
There are the monsters at the end of Day 2. We decided I should get them checked out the next morning before heading out for Day 3.
Day 3 started out very rough. I went to Medical and got my blisters lanced and wrapped. Those people in the Medical tent were great. She got me all set up. The only problem was my sore knees and ankle. The first 3.2 miles were very hard. When we got to the first pit stop, I wrapped my ankle with an ace bandage and put some pre-wrap around my knees (thank you Caitlin for introducing me to pre-wrap, or I wouldn't have even had it with me). After that and rubbing down my entire legs with bengay, I felt wonderful and the rest of the day went much better.
Team photo at one of the cheering stations. All those people that were out there cheering for us the entire way, thank you all so much!!! You are the ones who kept me going. When I felt like my knees were too sore to keep going, your music got me jumping and dancing around.
Cutie pie, Miley. Our best cheerleader!
Oh no! When Amy felt two contractions, we came to the rescue and got her right on that sweep van. She got to cool off and join us again later to walk into the end with her team.
Some of the people who were driving around, cheering us on.
Just getting ready to leave lunch on Day 3, with only like 7 miles to go!
Angie wore this on the back of her shirt on Day 3. It says...
"We complain about them endlessly
When we're young, they're too small
When we have PMS, they're too sore
When we have babies, they're too leaky!
When we age, they're too saggy.
But as my mother can attest...
When they're gone
you can never get them back
Love the body you have today!
Ah, the bikers! I absolutely love these guys! They rode around the entire time cheering us on. When I heard these guys coming, I just got excited. They gave out free hugs, which I needed sometimes. They're wonderful.
Our first glimpse of the State Capitol!!
This was supposedly a rough patch. I didn't mind it too much, but there was a lot of uphill, downhill. That was rough on the blisters and sore knees.
Sisters
Go Michelle!
1 Mile to go!!!!
We made it!! It was a wonderful feeling to see my husband and brother (and his girlfriend) waiting for me at the finish line.
The lovely sign that Amanda made for me (and Chris drew the little ribbon guy)
After party in the parking lot.
The last walkers
This guy is walking in all 15 Breast Cancer 3-Days. Thats 900 miles, and over $34,000!
And the volunteers!
Walking in to the closing ceremony
We all held up a shoe while the survivors walked in.
The closing ceremony was amazing and had everybody in tears.
Saying goodbye to my pseudo-family.
Flowers from my mama. My parents were very sad they couldn't be at the closing ceremony. But there's always next year. And who knows, maybe someday they will be walking with me.
I want to say a special thank you to my team, The DuBar Dolls. I couldn't have done it without you all! I had such an amazing time and I am really looking forward to next year! 2010, here we come!
