Training to Walk 60miles is very important- some people think, "you're just walking, how hard can it be?" Let me tell you- I am a 26year old girl who dances and walks a lot (one of these days I will run..) and walking 60 Miles is NOT easy!!! With the pounding of your feet on concrete, lots can happen and when you have heat on top of that- its 20x's harder!
(If you read my blog, I injured myself while training for this event. I pulled a muscle in my thigh/hip area and went to the Chiropractor the week before the walk to get help for it. )
Lets "walk" back to 2007- my first 3day with my cousin- not many injuries- just some shin splints and alittle pain in the back of my knee...nbd!
in 2008- Shin Splints are a give-in, but my sister becca hurt herself on day 2....She was feeling pain in her foot which caused her to have a Stress Fracture- she walked all 20miles on day 2 in ALOT of pain, pushing through it (tisk, tisk) on Day 3- she went to the medical tent, they wrapped it up and she got through 2miles and was then bussed to lunch. thats where we met her and then she finished the last 5miles through the finish line with us! So proud of her! after that, she had a boot on for a few weeks. :)
2009- nothing here that I can remember- the weather was horrible causing day 1 and 2 to be cancelled so we found other 3dayer's and walking 15 miles in the Cherry Hill Mall (day1) and then the King of Prussia Mall (day2). Day 3 the route was opened and we were able to see a little bit of Philadelphia!
WELCOME to 2011- While we were back to feeling some shin splints and soreness, I had alot of pain continued in my hip- yes, the chiropractor helped me out for a little but on day 1 around our 8th Mile, I began to feel pain! on day 2 I wore a brace i brought with me that hugged my thigh which didnt really help at all. after walking 10miles i knew it was time to go to the Medical Tent. There they stretched me out and informed me that my pelvis was not aligned correctly- they fixed that for alittle- wiggled my hip around and taped right down my sartorius muscle. That helped for a few miles then after lunch, when walking up a hill, the pain was back! I didnt think i was going to make it-but i did! The following day, I felt as though I couldnt walk at all- back to the medical tent I went (along with Becca-she needed shin splint help) The PT stretched me out, gave me a shock type therapy for 20mins. taped my hip and off we went- alittle later than we planned on...We kept up with the walkers and finished day 3 sore, tired and HAPPY we DID IT! Today, Friday July 29th is the first day I am not feeling any pain! WooHoo!
Here is helpful article to stretch out leg pain-
http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/5-Ways-to-End-Muscle-Cramps.htm?cmp=17-1-1022&ref=nfENOUGH about the Injuries ( as they don't compare to chemo at all!)
Lets talk about the weekend of HOPE! I got to walk a new city with "my 3best friends that anyone could have" (sing in the tune from the Hangover star, Allen.) Becca and Melissa graced Boston with their amazingness on Thursday Night! Arriving at South Station after a long bus ride, they were ready to get on the 3day path! We attending Opening Ceremonies Practice as I was invited to be a flag holder! We got some behind the scenes action of the 3day, met more amazing people and had a sneak peek of what Opening Ceremonies will be like with our new Spokesperson! (who is FABULOUS!)
Becca got to fill in for a walker: This truely is an "Adventure!"
After Grabbing a dinner full of Carbs and some Water Mellon Beer at Boston Beer Works, we were ready for our new city journey to begin! YAY PJ was there to Celebrate with us! :) I Love my Hubby!
CHEERS to a CURE!
It was only 5am and wow, it was HOT! on our way to opening ceremonies we were all so excited and PJ was amazing getting up to drive us there for the 4th year :) Tons of people arriving at the same time, we unpacked the car and loaded it up into the Truck for the D tenting area. Walking around at Opening Ceremonies is always fun- seeing thousands of people who are all there for the same reason you are: To End Breast Cancer!
The heat was HIGH! we began walking and it was well into the 90's. As we approached mile 3....I couldn't believe it was only 3miles that just went by! Because it was so hott, we were already exhausted 3miles in! Tons and Tons of water were handed out- i NEVER drank that much water in my entire life! Fire Departments were out with their hoses filling up barrels to dump our bandana's in and just spraying us in general. The heat was insane! at this time its about 9am in the morning and the temperatures were at 105! "and we're walking" it was so bad, no one had the energy to even help push one another- not even cars were beeping! It was time for music- we whipped out the ipod with our little portable dock and let the music help us go. THANK GOD WE HAD THIS!
TO ALL 3DAY WALKERS- I RECOMMEND THIS ITEM! IT REALLY HELPED US IN THE HIGH HEAT!!!! I got mine at Marshals for $9.00! Awesome buy!
Mile 8 or so we found a new friend. Chrissy from NY. She was super nice we ended up adopting her for a while. at 9 Miles we heard some good/not good news. The route we were walking has been shut down do to the high heat conditions and all walkers and crew were being bussed to Lunch then bussed to Camp. We were upset about this however, I agree with the decision that was made- it was WAY to hott! Im not sure how many walkers were injured by the heat, but im sure it was alot to have them close the route for Day1. Getting to camp we were told we were not able to set up our tents due to the heat and we were also not allowed to shower untill 7pm. We headed into a gym to cool off- Wow, we needed that- all 3 of us had headaches which I am not sure but I am blaming the heat for that.
we were in the cool down gym from about an hour then headed out to walk around camp.THANK YOU FOR OUR 3DAY MAIL! Receiving mail is so much fun and we love seeing all the support we get from friends and family at home!
Because we didn't get to walk the full 20miles...we had some fun taking pictures!
Vicky didnt walk with us this year- so I had a new tent mate- turns out- she lives around the corner from me!! Meet Deb! Hi Deb!
Home.
Day 2 July 23, 2011
The route was open at 6am...however by the time everyone got out of camp, it was about 6:40am when we got moving. We kept up with all the walkers and we were doing great- seeing tons of people out to support us so early. We hit a hill about 2 miles into the route- Heartbreak Hill I believe is what everyone called it- apparently it is the Hill that is in the Boston Marathon Route too......While Huffing and Puffing all the way up and yes, complaining about it...we saw a little girl.
She is the reason why we walk. All the complaining up that Hill ment nothing! I hugged this little one and began to cry remembering why I walk. All the physical things I may have felt walking up that hill is nothing compared to Chemo and Radiation that those go through and the suffering my mom went through, as well as this little girl. I'll walk up that hill 10 more times if I need to!
When coming up to our first cheering station of the whole weekend, we saw PJ and my father-in-law PETE! We were so excited to see them! What a surprise!!!! I was happy to have some of my new family there to see what the 3 day is all about, for those who didnt make it, i hope they will beable to come one of these times- Im a 3day'er for life!!!!
after seeing PJ and Pete at the Cheering station, it started to rain....then the rain got heavy...then there was thunder...and some lightning. So, they stopped us from walking for a little and we waited out the storm in Arlington High School. While we were waiting, we found the My Mother Flag! ( you know you like the pictures!)
once the storm ended- IT WAS HOTTTTT again but we pushed through- at 10miles into the day my hip was hurting. We got to a pit stop and there I decided it was time to get looked at... at the medical tent I was in line with alot of walkers who needed blister care-Seemed like my injury was more important I needed to wait for a doctor! They stretched me out, aligned my pelvis and taped my muscle. Still in some pain, i continued to push through it and walked as fast as i could, which was not fast at all! We got to a really pretty area on this route- trees and water. so so pretty! the 3 of us were in good conversation when all of a sudden, my sister, Danielle and our friend Monica jumped out behind a bush!! We knew they were going to be at a cheering station, however...they ended up meeting us earlier and created their own station and then proceeded to scare us! Monica got it on video- funny stuff!!!
We passed a 99 which was cool- I loved knowing where I was! PJ and I ate there before- the Woburn 99. Outside there was a table with donated iced cold 99 water! How nice! :) If you dont know this, PJ is the GM at the Marlborough 99 and I met him working at a 99 in NJ...The 99 is our thing.... :)
Dal and Monica had lunch with us and then they went on their way... after lunch was another HARD stretch of waking- it was wicked hot and there was a large hill! I brought out the Ipod again and that kept us moving along. I was in alot of pain, i almost didnt make it and was going to call a sweep van. at 18miles we found out that they were stopping the route again due to the high heat and they were bussing us to camp. With the pain I was feeling, I was planning on doing that anyway, so it all worked out for me, however Becca and Melissa were sad about it- again, I thought it was a good decision- it was just too hot outside and still 18miles of walking is ALOT and we have ALOT to be proud of!
When we got back to camp, I wanted to go to the medical tent, I was in alot of pain! They told us that they were not going to see anyone until after they shower- at this time it is about 5pm. the showers were not open till 7pm due to the heat again, so, by the time i ate, and showered....it was 9. and the tent was then closed!!! I was so upset about this- i really needed help! so Melissa did the best she could with helping me stretch and I planned on waking up at 4:30am to get in line for the medics!
Melissa began to get "road rash" today. we saw alot of walkers with this, we think its from the pounding on the concrete+ the heat=Rash up the leg! She said it didnt hurt but we did keep an eye on it.
Day 3 July 24, 2011
Becca and I were up at 4:30 wanting to go to the Medical tent- my hip was killing me and she was beginning to get shin splints and wanted to see what they can do for her. We arrived at that tent at 5am...finding out they didnt open till 6am...which was not cool as we were planning to leave camp at 630 and we needed to clean up everything and eat! well...we squeezed it all in and were back in line at 6am. For my hip they stretched me out and wanted to do "shock" therapy on it and they gave me ice. After that she taped me up and I was good to go. for becca, they taped her legs up her shins. this was not going to cure the pain, but it applied pressure to help for a little
now, its 7am and it is raining relatively hard! We had to wear our ponchos for alittle bit this time, and WOW it was not confortable- between sweat and rain, the poncho was just sticking to us and it was so hot!
Here are some FUN pictures of things we saw on Day 3....
It came to a point where we had to split up- Becca's shins were horrible and my hip only allowed me to go so fast. Melissa was feeling good so she went ahead of us. Becca and I stayed together and met Melissa at Lunch. After lunch we walked the next 2 miles to the Finish line along the beach!!!! it was so cool- There was a beach to the left...and a city on the right!!!!! The views were amazing and it was cool to see the air planes flying into Logan Airport so low! We took tons of pictures along te water and finally, in pain and all, we made it to the finish line where we were greated by PJ, Jesse, Pete, Dal and Moncia!!!!! It was amazing seeing the support from them and I was so happy
WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this picture. The emotions within it show you exactly how the weekend is. This was when we were welcoming in the Survivors into the "survivors Circle" by holding up our shoe. So many emotions are running through you at this time!
We Walk for SO many People- you know who you are! We thank everyone, Friends and Family for their support! This is a weekend of Hope, Love and Friendship! It's 3day of the way you wish the world was like. Amazing people all joining together with one common goal. A World Without Breast Cancer!
Today you can take an important first step toward your goal of walking 60 miles to help end breast cancer forever. Even if the distance seems difficult to comprehend, it is within your power to achieve. You’ll build the strength, be given the support and discover you’ve become part of something bigger than yourself.
To start, all you have to say is, "I can do this."
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