The 2015 Susan G. Komen 3Day in Philadelphia, PA
A recap from a first timer.
October 2-4, 2015
Philadelphia, PA
60 miles. 3 days.
#PHL3Day #The3Day
A recap from a first timer.
October 2-4, 2015
Philadelphia, PA
60 miles. 3 days.
#PHL3Day #The3Day
In early 2015 while browsing my social channels, I came across a video of the Susan G. Komen 3day walk that had me in tears within seconds. I watched this short clip and was so inspired that even though I had never heard of this 3day event before, I quickly made a plan to attend.
By March of 2015, I had my fundraising plan of attack and was determined to raise at least the minimum of $2300.00 each for both myself and Lucia. My battle buddy hasn’t missed a single cancer event since this journey started for us in October 2013 when I was diagnosed so there’s no way I would consider walking without her!
Fundraising proved to be a difficult task but so many kind people gave their dollars generously and just 1 week before the deadline, we reached the goal.
By March of 2015, I had my fundraising plan of attack and was determined to raise at least the minimum of $2300.00 each for both myself and Lucia. My battle buddy hasn’t missed a single cancer event since this journey started for us in October 2013 when I was diagnosed so there’s no way I would consider walking without her!
Fundraising proved to be a difficult task but so many kind people gave their dollars generously and just 1 week before the deadline, we reached the goal.
COSTS TO PARTICIPATE:
Raise funds for Komen (minimum) = $4600.00
Hotel Thursday and Sunday night = $440.00
Gas to drive to Philly and back = $100
Fleet feet sneakers and socks = $305.00
Pink attire = $140.00
Misc items (duct tape/hand warmers/blister meds/etc) = $50.00
TOTAL for 2 people: $5,635.00
We raised the money, purchased the necessary items, borrowed what we didn’t have, packed everything tightly inside individual ziplock bags to keep safe from rain, and headed to Philly.
Raise funds for Komen (minimum) = $4600.00
Hotel Thursday and Sunday night = $440.00
Gas to drive to Philly and back = $100
Fleet feet sneakers and socks = $305.00
Pink attire = $140.00
Misc items (duct tape/hand warmers/blister meds/etc) = $50.00
TOTAL for 2 people: $5,635.00
We raised the money, purchased the necessary items, borrowed what we didn’t have, packed everything tightly inside individual ziplock bags to keep safe from rain, and headed to Philly.
Arriving at the Hampton Inn in Willow Grove was exciting because everything from the room keys to the lobby and even the employees were decked out in pink ribbons!
Friday morning – opening ceremony and walk begins.
A friend named Cheryl, one of the only people I knew who had done this 3day walk, told me a couple things. One, she said that I shouldn’t worry about food because this walk is basically a 60 mile buffet line. And two, she said I would cry… a lot. Well, the crying commenced at the opening ceremony. They sure did a fantastic job of inspiring the crowd with the purpose behind each footstep we would take over the next 3 days – the promise of a world without breast cancer.
A friend named Cheryl, one of the only people I knew who had done this 3day walk, told me a couple things. One, she said that I shouldn’t worry about food because this walk is basically a 60 mile buffet line. And two, she said I would cry… a lot. Well, the crying commenced at the opening ceremony. They sure did a fantastic job of inspiring the crowd with the purpose behind each footstep we would take over the next 3 days – the promise of a world without breast cancer.
With duck taped sneakers and rain ponchos, 1000 of us walked. For the next 20 miles, we walked. The rain was a bit depressing at times but the cheering crowds and people of Philadelphia that came out to support us walking, despite the weather, was inspiring and made us extremely grateful. With 5 miles to go, the tears came flowing again. This time, the crying was brought on by the pain in my feet, legs, back and shoulders… Lucia let me cry and she just walked by my side until we made it back to camp at around 3:45pm.
When we arrived at camp (Convention Center), we were told to go get our luggage, grab a tent and set it up, take a shower in the mobile units located outside and then grab dinner. All we wanted was a chair. Just a chair. We hadn’t sat down since the bus ride to opening ceremony at 6am. We squatted to pee inside the port-a-potty’s all day and due to the rain, we ate lunch on the run. Thankfully, one of the awesome volunteers saw the look of defeat in our eyes and offered to set up our tent while we showered. She was our saving grace of the day! #20milesdown
We enjoyed a hot shower, we ate, we visited the stretching station to try to calm our inflamed muscles and then we hit the hay. We were fast asleep by 7pm. Back up at 9pm for a snack, drink and pee but then back out like a light.
Day 2
High 51 degrees, light wind
No rain was the best news ever! Thankfully the trick of crumpled up newspaper inside your sneakers worked and they were dry by the morning of day 2.
We quickly changed our clothes inside the tiny pink tent, made a short video for Aunt Wendy, grabbed breakfast and toted our sore legs and aching feet out the door for the next 20 mile mission.
I explained to Lucia that I would not be crying the last 5 miles back to camp and if the pain was that bad, I would not hesitate to call the sweep van for a ride. Thankfully, I made it through today’s 23.65 mile adventure with no crying and no ride. #40milesdown
High 51 degrees, light wind
No rain was the best news ever! Thankfully the trick of crumpled up newspaper inside your sneakers worked and they were dry by the morning of day 2.
We quickly changed our clothes inside the tiny pink tent, made a short video for Aunt Wendy, grabbed breakfast and toted our sore legs and aching feet out the door for the next 20 mile mission.
I explained to Lucia that I would not be crying the last 5 miles back to camp and if the pain was that bad, I would not hesitate to call the sweep van for a ride. Thankfully, I made it through today’s 23.65 mile adventure with no crying and no ride. #40milesdown
Day 3
After a second night of trying to sleep on a carpet pad laid out on top of a concrete convention center floor, I was pretty thankful that after today I had a comfy Hampton Inn bed to look forward too. When I sleep at home, I wrap myself in at least 3 oversized pillows. On this trip, I had to bunch up my sweatshirt to convert it into just one pillow for my head. Unless you’ve got gummy bear implants yourself, I am not sure you could possibly understand how uncomfortable these sleeping arrangements were. We packed very light so that we didn’t go over the 35lb weight limit and so we didn’t have too much to carry, knowing we would be in rough shape after the journey, but I do wish we would have packed pillows.
Still only about 52 degrees when we headed out the door but again, it was a rain free day and that in itself was a blessing.
After a second night of trying to sleep on a carpet pad laid out on top of a concrete convention center floor, I was pretty thankful that after today I had a comfy Hampton Inn bed to look forward too. When I sleep at home, I wrap myself in at least 3 oversized pillows. On this trip, I had to bunch up my sweatshirt to convert it into just one pillow for my head. Unless you’ve got gummy bear implants yourself, I am not sure you could possibly understand how uncomfortable these sleeping arrangements were. We packed very light so that we didn’t go over the 35lb weight limit and so we didn’t have too much to carry, knowing we would be in rough shape after the journey, but I do wish we would have packed pillows.
Still only about 52 degrees when we headed out the door but again, it was a rain free day and that in itself was a blessing.
Posted by A Tale of 2 Boobies on Sunday, October 4, 2015 |
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Since day one and day two were actually over 20 miles each day, today’s journey was just over 14 and at around 2:30, the sun began to shine just as we limped into the Philadelphia Navy Yard to the finish line.
For months I have been waiting for the moment when we cross this finish line and all raise one shoe in honor of our #60miles. That didn't happen. Something better happened!!! They lined up all the survivors and had us walk in together while everyone else held up their shoe in ‘our’ honor. Holy crap, talk about tears!! Everyone cried. #happytears
Kudos to Komen for hosting a well-organized and very successful event, raising more than $2.7 million dollars and coordinating 1000 walkers and over 300 crew members. Big thanks to the people of Philadelphia who welcomed all us walkers with open arms and huge hugs to all our family and friends that donated to make it possible for us to participate in this year’s 2015 Philadelphia Susan G. Komen 3day.
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