Is there a support group for this?

When I woke up Monday morning, one of my first thoughts (after "I need a cup of coffee") was "Is there a post-3-Day support group?" Because I sure needed something to help me transition back to reality.

This past weekend was awesome, amazing, incredible, inspirational and life-changing. Just a few of the many adjectives I could come up with, but you get the idea. I've thought a bit about how to "recap" my first 3-Day experience, and struggled with how to sum it up in "just" a blog post. For those that followed along on Facebook, you got to see a lot of the play-by-play with our posts. For other walkers, you've lived it.

So I created a separate page that gives a "day-by-day" overview of my first 3-Day experience. And instead opted to focus on the "thousand-foot view" of the event in this post.

What stood out for me about my first 3-Day for the Cure experience:

Stef and I at the cheering station in Plymouth,
in front of the fountain they dye pink!

1. The joy. When I looked back through the hundreds of photos taken by our friends, our family, ourselves and other walkers, I was struck by how many people have gigantic smiles on their faces. We walked 20 miles a day for three days. At times it was hot. At times it was rainy. At times, it was uphill. But no matter the time, people were happy. In the photos of Stef and I, we're both smiling, laughing or grinning. In photos from other walkers, their friends and fellow walkers are smiling too. We enjoyed the experience, throughout the entire three days. There was never a moment that I thought "I can't do this." There was never a moment when I questioned why I was doing it. Believe it or not, I don't think there was a moment when I whined about an ache or a pain. Although it was physically exhausting and my feet and legs ached every night, I had fun. And I would do it again without a second's hesitation.

Treats from Mentobe Cafe in Farmington
(photo from Jim Hillmann)

2. The local community. People turned out all along the route to show support for the walkers. And not just at the "official" cheering stations. There were impromptu cheering stations all three days, all along the route, and in places you'd never have expected it. On Friday, we walked through downtown Farmington ... along the main drag, the wonderful folks from Mentobe Cafe handed out frozen yogurt to walkers. It was the most amazing treat! On Saturday, BDs Mongolian Barbecue set up a stand along the route to cheer people on, and on Sunday we were treated to cheers from 100 or so young cheerleaders along the route. Not to mention the hundreds of people on their porches, along the sidewalks, in the streets and in the parks ... they set up small stands with water and soda, they handed out fruit and candy, they misted hot walkers, and they cheered us on with a smile and a "thank you." We kept thanking them for coming out (especially on Sunday, in the rain!), hoping they knew how special their support was to us. (Jim Hillmann has some great shots from each day on Facebook... more about Jim later.)

3. The 3-day community. As a first-time walker, I had no concept of the scope of this community. During the three days, there were people along the route who were along the route all day long ... they would be at one spot for a while, then pack up and move to another spot a little while later. Seeing them day after day, mile after mile, was heartwarming. And in true "sistahs" fashion, they all had nicknames: There was the "boobie scarf" lady, the "dancing lady", the "medicine man" and the "kid crew," all of whom have their own stories and reasons for being there. Whatever those reasons, they were an inspiration and a joy to see each day.

4. The Crew. All of the folks who make the 3-day event happen are volunteer crew members. This year, there were 450 men and women who served as crew ... they did a million things to help make the experience what it was. They worked at pit stops (the themes and costumes were great fun!), they did breakfast/dinner service at camp, they did Safety to help us navigate the route safely, they provided medical services, they did clean up, they hauled our gear, they manned hydration stations .... and so much more. The crew was amazing. They were helpful, they were friendly and they were encouragement all along the way. I can't say thank you enough to all of the crew.

5. The walkers. There were 1,500 walkers at the Michigan 3-Day for the Cure. To me, that's an amazing number of men and women coming together for a single purpose. Everyone walked for their own reasons, and it was incredibly interesting to meet them along the way and hear their stories. Whether we met them on the route, at camp, or somewhere in between, Stef and I met a ton of people who inspired us and also made us cry. One person I'm honored to have met is Jim Hillman.

Jim is walking all 14 walks, in honor of his mother, who died of breast cancer in 2004.  I learned of Jim when I saw a photo he took at the Boston walk ... a photo of a little girl he came across on the route on day 2. The photo made its rounds in the 3-Day community, many of us shared it on our Facebook pages ... it became sort of a rallying cry for "why we walk."

To walk in all 14 walks, Jim will need to raise $50,000. But somehow, that seems small in comparison to what it really means to walk in all 14 walks... he has travel expenses and lodging expenses. He has a family (his wife must be an amazing woman herself!), and a job. He has sacrificed so much to make such a bold statement. Not to mention he knows what's for dinner every Friday and Saturday for the next three months.....

If you can help Jim, please consider making a donation to him. As of now, he has the money to walk in 12 of the 14 walks. Consider helping him make it to all 14 ... you'll find his page at www.the3day.org. Look  him up: Jim Hillmann. He would really appreciate your support.

5. The support. The support and encouragement from our friends and family was absolutely unbelievable. the many ways that support came was astonishing ... From coming to cheering stations, to finding us along the route (my colleague Colette was our "walker stalker" on Friday!), to seeing your faces at the event ... it was heartwarming. For those who followed along and offered encouragement online, you have no idea how much it meant to us to read your posts and words of support. Just "liking" a photo was enough to make me smile, thank you! We also got "camp mail" and chocolate treats from friends and family, which was great to enjoy on Friday when we got back to camp. Finally, the donations and financial support that we received was mind blowing. Together, Stef and I raised more than $10,000 for the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure, and for that, we thank you.

All told, this year's event in Michigan raised $4.1 million... that's $4.1 million for lifesaving research, education and community programs all targeted at one thing: breast cancer. Thank you for being a part of that, and thank you for giving Stef and I the opportunity to be a part of it. It was life-changing experience.

And hey, we've registered for 2012 already ... want to join us?

And we're outta here...

This is it ... our bags are packed (<35 pounds!). Our gear is loaded. And our training is done.

Tonight, we're checking in to a hotel near the opening ceremony in the hopes of getting a decent night's sleep and reducing travel time, since we have to be at opening ceremonies between 5 and 6 a.m.

Our plan is to check in, then head to a movie (The Help!) and grab dinner. Then relax a little, get to bed early, and get ready to go!!

This has been an amazing journey so far, and I haven't even walked yet. I can only imagine what the next three days (and 60 miles) will bring. The energy, the excitement, the hope, the love, the passion ... you name it.

I hope you'll be a part of all the excitement ...

• Follow along through social media. I've synced my Twitter and Facebook accounts for the weekend, so I'll primarily be posting through Twitter. My hope is to check in every few pit stops and post a few pictures when I can. If you're not on Twitter, sign up ... it's easy, it's free. You can follow me at @3DaySistah, and you can watch other walkers (and virtual walker stalkers!) by searching for #the3day.
• Come out to a cheering station. You can check out the list of cheering stations (under "Event Information" in the tabs at the top) and find one that works for you. If you want to hook up with Keith and the crew, text him. If you want to improve your odds of catching me at a cheering station, text me. I'll be checking my phone at pit stops. I have absolutely no idea when we'll be at any given station, I can't guarantee we'll connect, and I doubt I'll be able to stop and chat. But know that your support and cheery face means the world to every walker who crosses your path. Pretend they're all me and Stef, and they'll love you for it forever. 
• Watch the news. I'm sure there will be stories ... watch them, enjoy them. Look for us in the sea of pink!
• Think of us. Your positive energy, your prayers, your support and your encouragement have been incredible so far... keep it going this weekend. Engage in a random act of kindness this weekend, in our honor. Someone, somewhere could really use it... 

Thanks for being along for the ride ... I'm excited about what the next three days will bring, and I  wish each of you could be there with us the whole 60 miles. In some ways you can be, even if it's just "virtually." 

Wish in one hand ...

Well, you've heard the phrase... wish in one hand, do something unmentionable in the other, and see which fills up faster.

I don't care... I'm wishing. And hoping. And dreaming. Of what? No RAIN.

Unfortunately, I have a tendency to obsess. This would be no exception. I'm obsessively checking the forecast for this weekend. How can I not?? I registered for this event nearly a year ago. We've been training for more than six months. I've walked nearly 400 miles to prepare for this weekend. So like it or not, I'm a weather stalker.

Let's start with the downside. No matter which site I check, it's forecasting rain:

CBSDetroit.com

ClickonDetroit.com

WeatherChannel.com

weatherunderground.com

And what's the upside? 

• I've trained. Lots.
• I have ponchos. Six of them.
• I have a plan ... hubs will bring a change of shoes/socks on Saturday, giving me 3 pairs of socks for the day and an extra pair of shoes. (I'm packing 2 pairs of socks per day, but can't fit a third in my pack.)
• I'm packing for the weather. I have tons of plastic bags. Ziplock bags. Grocery bags. Garbage bags. And I'm not afraid to use them.

Most importantly? I am doing this for a good reason. It's not like we're just going to the park for a casual walk on a Saturday afternoon. I'm walking 60 miles to raise awareness of the need for more breast cancer research. And the need for annual mammograms. And the need for community programs for underserved populations. And the need for more funding to support those programs. 

When you look at it, those needs are surely more noble than my "need" to be dry. So I've come up with my own forecast:

And hey, it's Michigan. Wait five minutes and the weather will change again!

You're slacking ...

Woke up to the revised 10-day weather forecast today. And um, we have a problem.

I've trained in super humid weather. I can handle it.

I've trained in really hot weather. I can handle it.

I've trained in full sun. I can handle it.

I have trained in rain. I don't want to handle it.

Rain means ponchos, which chafe or get sweaty/sticky. Rain means wet shoes, which mean wet socks, which mean blisters. 

Now, the forecast moved the storms from mid-week to the weekend, so let's all put our positive thoughts together that it'll move them a little further along ... 

Don't get me wrong. If there's rain in the forecast, there's rain. We'll survive. We'll go grab a good rain jacket at the store before we leave on Thursday. 

But I don't want rain *whine*  

OK. Over it now. Thanks for letting me whine. In the meantime, please, please, please do your anti-rain dance... give it all you got!

P.S. Meanwhile, if you have a recommendation for good, lightweight rain gear that won't cost me a fortune (yes, I love North Face too, but that's just not going to happen this time), give me a shout out!

I did it!

That's right ... it's official. I hit my personal goal for the 2011 Michigan Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure!

As I've mentioned in the past, my goal was to raise $2,300 in personal donations. It happened today, thanks to three incredibly different donations, each so special in their own way:

1. Last night, I emailed my sister-in-law Cindy to ask her what her sister's name is... she is a breast cancer survivor, and I want to be sure to honor her and write her name on a tag for the survivor flag at camp. This morning, I received a very generous donation from Cindy's brother-in-law John. Amazingly unexpected and delightful.
2. This afternoon, I got a donation from my "virtual BFF" Karin, who lives in California. Karin and I have been pals for 7+ years, but have never met. She, another friend (Bonnie) and I met on an online bulletin board when we were expecting our youngest... we became friends, and have kept in touch through the years. Thanks to Facebook, we "reunited" a few years ago and I just love these two gals, and am constantly amazed at the power of the Internet.
3. When I put out a call on Facebook, saying I just needed $10 to hit my goal, my sister Stef hopped online and made a donation. After miles of training and hours of fundraising, I just can't even say thank you enough to her.

So there you have it. I hit my goal. That doesn't get you off the hook though... if you want to make a donation, make it to my teammate/best friend/sister: http://the3day.org/goto/stefaniesmith.  Every dollar matters.

Thank you to every single donor... you each have a special place in my heart right now, and it's bursting with love and gratitude.

Keeping your fingers (and toes) crossed ...

One of the best things about being in a single-digit countdown (9 days to go!) is watching the 10-day weather forecast coming up now.

This morning, we got our first glimpse of the weather forecast for the actual walk. As of this moment, it's projected to be 80 and sunny.

Can I get a great big "Whoop Whoop!!"

Especially since there are lots of thundery-looking clouds on that forecast, we're hoping and praying that the weather holds. Here's where you come in:  No matter what your method (whether you pray, keep positive vibes or sacrifice small children and animals*), please, please, please channel that energy into hoping for no rain.

I know it can get hot. I know it can get humid. We can deal with that. Don't waste your time requesting "cool" weather. It's August in Michigan. Ain't gonna happen, so no use in asking for miracles.

Instead, let's focus on one thing: NO RAIN.

Say it with me: No rain!

Do your anti-rain dance. Loan me 10 seconds of your prayer this Sunday.

Thanks!

*NOT recommended. Duh.




Thursday Update: Keep it up!