DAY 2

I can sum up Day 2 in one word...DIFFICULT!  After not sleeping very well and my knee being more sore than I wanted to admit, I got up and got ready to start the day.  I had a nice warm breakfast, got in line and stretched.  While waiting in line we were handed our Day 2 schedule cards.  Today we would not have lunch until mile 10 and would not reach a cheering station till mile 13!!  Day 2 was defiantly the longest day of the journey.

Once my credentials had been scanned I was out the door and on the route.  As we exited the building, many of the crew members were standing their cheering us on and thanking us for walking.  (It really is such an awesome feeling!!  I will try to say "Thank you" more.  It really does make a difference.)  We really should have been thanking them for preparing our meals and taking care of us!  You may or may not know about "crewing."  The crew is so important and vital to a successful 3-Day.  They are the people behind the scene making sure that we are fed, have medical attention, and clean up at the various locations.  They drive vans, ride bikes, stop traffic and walk you across the street.  They dress in costume and dance.  You may think it's silly, but it is motivation and encouragement to tired walkers.  There kindness, encouragement, and yes, singing and dancing is just enough to make you smile and keep you walking.  These people are truly amazing and they volunteer there time!  They raise money just like the walkers, but they don't have a minimum that they have to raise.  Some travel from state to state and do these various jobs at more than one 3-Day location.  Some walk in one city and crew in another.  Some are survivors from that area that might not can walk, but they can fix a plate for a tired walker or fill the water bottles and hand out snacks at the Pit Stops.  Again, truly amazing people giving of their time to help serve others and find a cure!  Maybe this interest you.  If you are interested in crewing, I'll be glad to get you more information.  Crewing is just as important as walking, without the demands of walking 60 miles or having to raise $2300.

Day 2 was cold, just as Day1.  During my first 3 1/2 miles, I met some other girls who were walking solo and had a nice chat with them.  For me, it is hard to walk with a group.  I feel like I have to keep their pace.  So, I think starting out with this group was not a good move for me.  I was really tired by Pit Stop 1.  I stopped and visited the potty, got a snack, and took a rest.

My favorite snack on the 3-Day!!

Again, there's no way you'll go hungry at the 3-Day.  Food is every where you look.  Above is my favorite snack.  I'm not sure how to describe it, it's kind of like an ice cream sandwich, without the ice cream.  It's two graham crackers with pb & j inside and it's cold.  Love it!!  So yummy!!  The other is a bagel.  It is great with the little cups of peanut butter too!

I headed out of the pit towards the next one at 6 1/2 miles.  Pit 2 of the day was hosted by New Balance and the Pirates.  At the entrance of the pit were the New Balance cheerleaders cheering us into the station.  My knee was sore, so I took some time at this station to rest.  I put my pack down because I noticed a couple with the Grandmother flag.  The flags from the opening ceremony are carried along the entire 60 miles.  People are chosen before the event to carry them in the ceremonies, but others take turns carrying them along the route.  I started talking to the couple with the Grandmother flag and we shared stories about our Grandmothers.  I ask if they would take my picture.

In honor of Mommaw!  I love you!!

As I was getting ready to leave, in walks the Mother flag.  I again, started talking to the carrier and asked if they would take my picture.  After all, my Mom is my inspiration.

I love you, Mom!!

I learned a lesson at Pit 2.  Amongst my excitement of getting to hold the flags and getting my picture taken.  I learned that I need to be careful with my back pack...you see, when I was flinging it around and setting it down to have my picture taken, I wasn't careful with it.  This time, I set it down on the straw from my pack.  When I returned to it after having my picture taken, it was sitting in a puddle of water soaking wet.  I refilled my water that had leaked out and tried my best to dry my pack.  I continued on to mile 10 1/2 for lunch with an aching knee and a cold wet back.  I tried to carry the pack in my hands for a while, but I also learned that it is easier to carry a gallon of water on your back than in your hands for several miles.

On my way to lunch, I must have been limping.  An officer stopped me and asked if my knee was hurting.  I told him it was sore.  He checked it out and told me there was no shame in riding the bus and that it was better to ride the bus early than not be able to walk into the closing ceremony.  What I haven't mentioned yet, is that the terrain for Day 2 was difficult.  Lots of broken side walks, holes in the side walks, broken bottles and trash along the roadside.  There were many injuries that day due to the terrian.  Some were sent to the hospital.  Arrive at lunch was a huge relief.  We ate in a large church parking lot.  The theme for lunch was Mardi Gras.  We were welcomed with by supporters with beads.  Again, the best encouragement to keep you going...

 

It was so good to sit and rest, eat, change socks, and talk to Momma and Scott on the phone.  During this time I would briefly check my Facebook and text messages.  Thank you to all who wrote words of encouragement on my wall or sent me text messages during the 3-Days.  I'm sorry if I didn't respond to everyone, but each and every one were appreciated and important to me.  You will never know how much those kind words meant or how they kept me going.  After lunch, I limped on towards my 20 miles for the day.  I was stopped by 2 more crew members checking on my knee and encouraging me to take the bus.  I kept hobbling on.  I continued telling myself that my pain was nothing compared to the pain that cancer patients face and I focused on why I was walking.  I was so thankful to see Scott, Mom, and the boys at the next two cheering stations.  I needed to see them so much!!

The Lindbergh City Cheering Station was the best out of all the cheering stations.  It was the most needed too.  I think the entire town showed up to see us walk through.  It was like a parade!!  The streets were lined with people cheering.  There were drummers and people tossing candy.  So many high fives and hugs. 

The last two miles of the day, I ended up with some other people.  I just listened to them talking and they were having the same complaints as me.  Tired, sore, blisters...we stretched at an intersection 1/2 a mile from camp.  All of a sudden we heard a horn.  (You get honked at a lot during the 3-Day (cars cheering you on), I think I am conditioned to wave every time I hear a horn now!)  When we turned to look to see who was honking, it was a chartered bus, not just any bus, it was a bus filled with fellow walkers.  Walkers who were not able to make it back to camp on foot.  In that moment, I stopped and thanked God for walking with me.  Without Him, I would not have made it through Day 2.  I could have been on that bus.  I was so thankful for being able to complete Day 2.

So happy to see this sign!!

Tears of joy flowed as I limped into camp.  Even though I was in a little pain, I felt like I really accomplished something that day.  I headed straight for the 40 miles complete sign, showered, stretched, ate, checked my mail, and called to talk to my family.  I took special care of my knee and blistered feet that night, because nothing was going to stop me from finishing the final day!