Camp: GA World Congress Center

Most 3-Day for the Cure events have their participants camp outside.  However, there must be a plan for inclement weather.  I believe that last year they had some bad weather and they knew that our early mornings would be cold.  This year they decided to go ahead and move camp inside.  It was such a great feeling arriving at the GA World Congress Center.  I was totally okay with camping inside.  All 3 mornings were cold and I was thankful not to be freezing all night outside.  Okay, so as I've said before, I'm no camper.  My main worry about camping at the 3-Day was...setting up my tent.  After scanning in, I found my bag and searched for my tent address to see if my tent mate had gotten their first.  When I found my address, there was no tent.  So, off I went to get a tent and attempt to set it up.  When I arrived at tent pick-up the lady asked me what my address was, I told her it was 37B and she said, "I was bored a little early and I pitched 4 tents, since your address is so close, why don't you just drag one of these that I have already set up!"  I thanked her...this totally made my day!  I am so thankful for my tent angel!!  Once I got my tent set at my address and my bag unpacked, I decided to shower.  The Porta-showers were great!!  They are in a transfer truck trailer and once you enter there are stalls similar to a college dorm shower.  You have a small changing stall and then your own shower stall, all private with warm water!!  Outside the truck there are sinks and mirrors.  I never had to wait on a shower and only short lines at the potties.  After a refreshing shower, I went back to my tent.  Still no tent mate, so I decided to go and grab some dinner.

Inside my tent...my REI sleeping bag.

There is so much food at the 3-Day and I can honestly say that I didn't have a bad meal or snack.  It is really too much to eat.  The picture below is dinner night 1.

Very colorful and loaded with carbs....it takes a lot of energy to walk 60 miles.

Camp is full of lots of things to do. Besides shower and eat, you can shop, dance, sing, sit in massage chairs, stretch on yoga mats, take photographs, remember and reflect, and check the post office.  I knew I'd have a letter from my Momma at the 3-Day post office, but I was not ready for what I saw there.  I was so overwhelmed by all my cards.  Thanks to everyone who took time to write me...some of you even wrote a letter for each day.  And yes, I followed your instructions and opened them on the day that you wrote on the envelope.  These letters made me feel so loved!  I have the best friends and family, students and co-workers!! 

One card that really stood out to me was from my friends Donna and Bugs from Coats Bend.  It had a quote on it that said, "Dream higher than a mountain, deeper than the sea, wider than the world - for the size of our dreams tells not how big we are but how big our God is."  This really summed up my experience.  This whole journey has been so much bigger than me.  I knew that I couldn't do this, but with God all things are possible and that he would walk with me and be there every step of the way.  I was never walking alone...there were thousands of others there and most importantly God was there from the beginning.  My faith in God raised the money and moved my feet.  I am truly blessed to have had this experience and the opportunity to walk for my Mom.

Massage chairs provided by Bank of America.

My tent mate never showed.  So, lucky me...I got the tent to myself, which it was really nice to have the extra room!  I guess my tent mate either stayed at a hotel or for some reason didn't get to walk.  I decided to get my massage and then head to bed.  I hadn't noticed the 20 mile sign when I arrived at camp.  It didn't matter that I was in my PJ's, I wanted my picture at that sign.  I was so proud of my first day!

Proud in my PJ's!!

 

The first night in the tent was rough.  I didn't sleep well.  It was a bit loud with all those people in the conference center. Also, they left the row of lights that was over my tent on all night.  My nose was a little stuffy too.  I tossed and turned most of the night.  I woke up early and got ready for Day 2.  I went to the dinning hall and got breakfast, filled my water bottles and stretched as I waited in line to exit camp and begin the route.  Tired and sore...I was ready to begin the day.  I knew up front that Day 2 was going to be difficult...

DAY 1

DAY 1:  After the opening ceremony the walking part of Day 1 began.  I waved by to my family and starting my walk up hill in front of the carving on Stone Mountain.  I know this hill well.  I was so glad to begin the walking part at Stone Mountain since that is where I did most of my training.  We continued halfway around the mountain to our first Pit Stop.  At a Pit Stop you can refill your water or Nuun (nuun is like Gatorade without the sugar), get a snack (they have everything from candy to fruit to crackers or chips), stop by the medical tent if you need medical attention, and visit the Porta-Potties.  Porta-Potties are not as bad as they sound.  I will say that they kept them very clean all 3 days.  As I entered Pit 1, there were supports shouting welcome and giving us a button to pin on our credentials.  I hit up all the stations except for medical...after all this was only a little over 3 miles into the journey and then headed toward the first cheering station.

Pit Stops are decorated in various themes.  This truck was at most pit stops.

While heading towards the first Cheering Station, I saw a picture of real love and dedication.  As I was walking I looked to my right and there was a man pushing his wife in a wheel chair.  A lady walked up to him and asked if he wanted her to help push.  He said he was fine, but to find him later in the day and he would need some help.  As we walked, he and his wife told the story of how she was finishing up on her treatments, but she didn't want to miss the event.  So, he decided to push her the whole way.  That my friends is love!  The story of course brought tears to my eyes.  How I hope that one day we won't have to walk or push our loved ones...one day there will be a cure.  They also told us of another woman on their team that was being pushed in a wheel chair too.  I don't know how far they got nor did I cross paths with them again (there were 2,400 people walking).  They were an inspiration to me! 

Cheering Station 1 was located on Main Street in the city of Stone Mountain.  As I entered I collected a few more buttons (buttons are huge at this event).  Cheering Stations are amazing!  They are almost overwhelming.  Such support, love, and encouragement from total strangers.  When beginning this journey I was told I would enter a world of love and kindness, a world that I would never want to leave.  It truly is a different and amazing world.  I have never in my life been told "thank you" so many times.   "Thank you for walking!" are the words that I heard over and over.  The cheers and shouts were so encouraging!! Seeing survivors along the sides saying "Thank you for walking for me" made every mile worth it.  Supports dressed up in pink and gave out all kinds of things...stickers, bracelets, necklaces, balloons, candy, brownies, cookies, water, bread, coffee...and the list goes on.



I finally arrived to where my family was located.  I was so excited to see them, even though I just saw them 4 miles ago.  Graham had made me a sign and in his own little writing wrote "Mommy you are beautiful!"  I have some video clips of the Day 1's cheering stations that I'll post at the end of this post.  Having all this encouragement was defiantly motivation to continue.  After all, if a man can push his wife in a wheel chair...I can walk this!

Getting a hug from Graham before leaving Cheering Station 1.

I continued on heading towards Pit Stop 2 and a Grab and Go.  A Grab and Go is a small version of a Pit Stop.  It has potties and hydrating stations only.

Pit Stop 2 was hosted by the Treasured Chests.  This is the team that I had done a lot of training with to prepare for the walk.  Of course it had a pirate theme.  It was also sponsored by New Balance.  I wouldn't have made it 60 miles without my New Balance shoes/clothes!!

Before I knew it, 12 miles were complete and it was time for lunch!!  Each day for lunch we were treated to subs from Panera Bread, fruit, chips, and a cookie.  Trust me, you do not go hungry during the 3-Day.  I had heard of many who gained weight during it!  Resting at lunch was the best part.  I changed out my socks to try to prevent blisters too.  Then headed out towards Cheering Station 2.

I was always nervous approaching the cheering stations, I did not want to miss my family in the crowd.  I know it was a headache on their part to try and time each station right when I would be there, but knowing that I was going to see them kept my spirits up and motivated me to keep going.  Poor Scott got vary familiar with Atlanta.  Thanks, Scott for driving Momma and the boys.  It meant so much to have you all there!! 

Again, like I said earlier the complete strangers kept me going too.  There were always so many people at cheering stations.  It is really hard to put it into words.  You just have to experience it!  Cheering Station 2 was a little over 14 miles into Day 1 and was located at the DeKalb History Center.  I first found my friend/personal trainer Ryan.  He had come to cheer me on.  Ryan has been such an inspiration to me.  He has worked with me for almost 2 years and has helped me to loose 45 pounds, gain strength, and be a bit healthier too.  Under his training, I have done things that I once thought were impossible for me like walk 60 miles, run a 5k, or even do a real push-up.  He always believes in me and encourages me, even when I don't believe in myself.  He was one of the first to encourage me to walk in the 3-Day and didn't look at me like I was crazy when I said I was going to walk 60 miles.

Me and Ryan

  

After visiting with Ryan for a bit, I was still concerned because I still hadn't found my family.  Ryan walked several blocks with me because the route was going towards where he had parked his truck.  He got a little taste of the 3-Day experience as we walked.  All the people cheering and offering various items.  I was sure to say "no thanks" when I was offered chocolate while he was walking with me!  =)  Actually I did pretty good, I only had 1 cookie and 1 brownie along the 60 miles and I gave my candy to my boys when we met up with them at cheering stations.  We finally found my family, this time, they had made more signs!

I said goodbye to Ryan and my family and continued on...before I knew it, 20 miles were down and I had arrived at Camp:  GA World Congress Center.  What an amazing day!  I was sore and tired, but excited to be at camp.  I was thankful for the first 20 miles, all the cheering and support, and visits from Scott, Momma, my boys, and Ryan.  Now it was time to rest and experience camp.  If you didn't know, I'm not a camper...I have only stayed in a tent 3 times in my life and those few times were in my cousin Lori's house (yes, we put a tent in her living room) or in my friend Annette's back yard where we ran an extention cord to our tent so that we had power.  Camp was an experience!!

Here are some clips of Day 1's Cheering Stations.  Remember to turn off the music player (if its on) at the bottom of the page before watching the video. 









Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony 2011:

Mom, Scott, the boys, and I arrive at Stone Mountain early. Yes, it was still dark and very cold!!  They dropped me off at the gear trucks and then had to find a space to park the car so that they could watch the opening ceremony.  Walkers were dropped off right in front of the gear truck.  The picture to the right was taken after the ceremony, before I left on the route.  My gear rode in truck B.  After dropping off my gear I was given a route card.  This card had a list of pit stops and grab in go stations listed with the times that they open and close.  While waiting on the ceremony to start there were several things that you could do.  You could take pictures of course in front of the various Komen signs and could shop at the 3-Day store.  There were various places to fill your water bottles and many porta potties.  My first stop was the goal wall.  You could write your goal or who you were walking for on a spot and place it on the wall.

As you can tell, the wall was full by the end of the ceremony.  Next, I wrote the names of friends that that I was walking in memory of on the Remembrance Flag that would be raised later in the ceremony. 

I finally met up with my family and we waited for the ceremony to start.

Me and Mom

Scott, Me, and the boys

Soon it was time for the ceremony to begin.  All of the walkers entered the gate in front of the stage.  Inside the gate was another small stage where survivors would bring in flags during the ceremony.  We began with group stretching and then a welcome speech by an Atlanta Komen Representative.  Dr. Sheri Phillips the National Spokeswoman for the 3-Day led the ceremony.  The poem she reads as survivors, family, and friends bring in flags will bring tears to your eyes.  She is such a powerful inspirational speaker.  She is a survivor with a powerful story of never giving up and being positive no matter what you face.  She believes that anyone can make a difference in this world and she is a living example.  When I grow up...I want to motivate people just like her!  You can watch an opening ceremony video on YouTube.  Just search 3-Day Opening Ceremony.  Her speech, I believe is the same in all 14 cities.  During this time flags are brought in representing why people walk (flags include:  mother, grandmother, sister, friend, husband, aunt, etc.). 

At the closing of the ceremony the white Remembrance Flag is brought in by survivors and raised in memory those who lost there battle.  It is a very emotional ceremony, I have tears in my eyes now just remembering and writing about it.  This is the flag that I was talking about earlier and it will later be placed in the Remembrance Tent at Camp.  Those standing around the white flag are all survivors who also brought in the flags of encouragement (love, belief, hope, etc.).

Now it's time for the walking to begin!  They released us from the gave a few at a time so the path wouldn't be so congested.  I was full of emotion...joy, hope, and nervous too!  It was finally my turn to exit the gate.  The path was lined with friends and family of the walkers cheering for us all and giving us high fives.  I'm sure I'll say this again, but I have never heard so many "thank yous" in my life.  As I continued toward the route, I got to say good bye to my family and then went through the last gate where my ID was scanned and my journey continued as DAY 1 has begun!

Getting Ready...Packing

Where to begin...I have so much to say...This was a truly amazing experience! It has been a month since I walked the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in Atlanta. I apologize for not blogging earlier, but needed time to recover from the the event and I had to jump right back into my job and family life. I will say that the journey was worth it!  I had originally planned to blog about each of the days, but I have broken it down into several different posts.  I hope you have enjoyed my journey just as much as I have!

I guess I'll start with packing.  Packing for the 3-Day was a chore!  I had been to several clinics on how to pack and what to pack, but actually packing was a different story.  Your bag can only weigh 35 lbs and that must include your sleeping bag/pad/mattress.  I rented my sleeping bag and pad from REI.  Mom came up a day early and I'm glad that she was there to help me pack.

Yes, that's my check list.  I was so thankful for a check list!!  My youngest son told me that I had a big mess and "No one's gonna help you clean it up!"  I did eventually get my mess cleaned up and everything into my bag.  I did take somethings that I could have left at home and then there were something I wish I had took.  We do live and learn, so I feel that I'll pack better for next year!

We all got a good nights sleep and were up by 5 am to load, eat break fast, and arrive at Stone Mountain between 6-7 am. 

Now, it's time for Opening Ceremony and the start of Day 1!!

There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.  2 John 1:6

On October 30, 2011 churches across Atlanta celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month by participating in Worship in Pink Sunday, hosted by the Komen Atlanta Affiliate.  The main purpose of WIP was to wear pink, spread awareness, and remember those who have fought and those who are fighting breast cancer.

I was very excited that my church was able to participate.  Pastor Phil and Ms. Eva have been a wonderful support to me on my journey.  My boys just love them too.  The members of Grace have made me and the boys feel so welcome and they have prayed for us all.  The Sunday, before my walk, I was able to give my testimony and invite the member to wear pink.  (A video of my testimony is located here on my blog.)  On WIP Sunday, we wore pink and I was able to hand out a thank you gift to the ladies of the church with a WIP Bible bookmark and awareness information on breast cancer (all provided by Komen Atlanta).  I even found out that there were several members that are survivors. 

Thank you, Pastor Phil, Ms. Eva, and church family!  Your prayers were felt as I was walking and I know that God was walking with me too.  Your love, encouragement, and support mean so much to me and my family.  I am thankful for each and every one of you and pray that God will continue to bless you all.  There is nothing greater than Grace!

"Don't lose hope, don't let go, don't give up, you are not alone.
There is no valley, there is no darkness, there is no sorrow greater than the grace of Jesus.
There is no moment, there is no distance, there is no heartbreak, He can't take you through.So before you think that you're too lost to save...Remember there is nothing greater than grace." 

~ Point of Grace

Thank you Lord for blessing me with truly amazing friends and family and allowing me the opportunity to walk, spread awareness, and to share your love.  Thank you for carrying me the distance and walking with me through this journey called life.  There is nothing greater than Your grace!  I am proud to be your child.  I pray that one day a cure is found for all cancer.  Thank you for allowing me to contribute in a small way to finding that cure.             

HMES PINK OUT!

On October 18, 2011, my school hosted a PINK OUT day.  Each student and faculty member could pay a dollar to wear pink to support and honor Gladys Knepper's (teacher) fight against breast cancer.  This event was hosted by out Relay for Life Team, but they decided to donate the money to my walk because they wanted it to go directly to help a organization that focused on breast cancer (Susan G. Komen for the Cure).

My school is truly amazing.  It is honestly one big family full of support and love.  I was totally overwhelmed with the support, not just from the staff of HM, but the support of the children too. Everyone was wearing pink and cheering me on.  The kids told me all day that they were proud of me and they wished me luck.  I knew that I was going to finish the 60 miles because there were 500 smiling faces telling me all day that they knew I could finish!

That morning, two of my sweet students, jumped out of their truck excited to show me that they had dressed up and were wearing signs on their back.  They too had known several friends and family members who have fought breast cancer.  Tears came to my eyes as I read their signs...not only were they remembering their friends and family, but they included my mom.  These girls have never met my mom, but they wanted to honor her too. 

The ladies pictured above with the pink hair...Donna Thompson and Kristi Bellamy are two ladies that I couldn't live without!  They have supported me and helped me to fit in at HM from day 1.  They got together and created a giant banner and had the kids sign it.  Thanks ladies for being there for me each day, to make me smile and laugh, and to support and encourage me.  I couldn't ask for better friends than Thompson, Bellamy, and the staff at HM!!

I love this banner!!  I love the little details that each staff member and student wrote/drew.  Notice me at the start all happy with straight hair.  At the finish, I'm tired, messy hair, and have blisters on my feet.

The support and love that I felt from my family, my school family, my church family, and friend got me through the 60 miles!  I love being a part of the HMES family. Thank you, Carol and the Relay for Life Team!  Thank you, Thompson and Bellamy and everyone else that had a part in making the banner!

 I am praying for my friend/co-worker, Ms. Knepper as she continues her battle.  She is a very sweet and strong lady and I know she will win her battle.  I am honor that she let me wear her name as I walked the 60 miles.  She is so positive and I know she felt the love and support that I did from HM. 

Again, I am honored that I was allowed this opportunity to spread awareness and to walk for us all.  It is my prayer that one day a cure will be found for all cancer, so that my children and my students won't have to battle the disease!

Covington News....

The Covington News had an article about me in today, October 30, 2011 - Sunday Paper.

To read the article, click here.

Worship In Pink - Atlanta

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is hosting WIP (Worship In Pink) Weekend, October 28-30.  I invite you, no matter where you worship to join me in wearing Pink this Sunday, in honor of those who have fought and those who are fighting breast cancer.

On October 16, 2011 the weekend before my walk, my pastor invited me to give a brief testimony about my up coming walk and the journey I have been on.  You can watch my testimony below (you will need to go to the bottom of the page and turn off the music player, if it's on).  My two boys, Wes (age 10) and Graham (age 4) filmed it for me.  If you listen closely you can hear them whispering and it's a little shaky, but you can still hear my message.  Hope you enjoy!!

Pray for the survivors, the fighters, and a cure for the future!

Remember to wear pink on Sunday!!

60 Miles...Complete!

I made it!! 60 miles complete!! I know you all want to hear about my actual walk. Please be patient with me as I recover. It was not only tiring, but an emotional and inspiring journey. Something I'll never forget!  Yes, I'm tired...yes, I have a couple of blisters, but again, that's nothing compared to the amazing experience that I had. I am so honor to have been given this opportunity and greatly blessed by the journey and the people that I have met. I have so much to say. I will post more as soon as I can. Thanks again for all your prayers, support, and donations! I will be walking again next year and I'm looking into having a team. If you are interested in walking or crewing and want to be a part of my team...let me know! It is truly a life changing experience!

If you would like to donate to my 2012 3-Day Journey, please click here to go to my new fundraising page!

Mom and I at the Closing Ceremony - October 23, 2011