chrissy

On the third day, I woke up and I felt good! I finished packing, took down my tent (usually you would sleep with a team mate, but our team was odd numbered so I was to have slept with a stranger. My tent mate never showed up) and wasn’t feeling too hungry so I grabbed a granola bar and headed out with Kate once more. By the time we got to the first Pit, (3 miles according to the lie sheet) my ankle was killing me. I really don’t know what happened, I didn’t step off a curb wrong, I didn’t twist it, but it was SORE. I go to the med tent and have them wrap it and of course Biofreeze for my legs Kate has run into Linda again so the three of us stretch, eat, hydrate and pee and set off. We hit the next “grab and go” I think it was at sea world in a parking lot there and pee again knowing that the next area has no place for sweeper vans to get to us. We cross the road and walk onto a path next to the river bed. We cross the highway bridge and back down the other side of the river bed, under the other highway and “around the corner” by three blocks and to the next grab and go. We are at the base of Mission Hills and at the top, Lunch. Kate says to me, “Gonna sweep?” We were talking about me not doing hills with my ankle. But I did it. I mean, what is a sore ankle when you compare it to chemo? I walked and got to the top. When you look across the bay, you can see what is left of “tent city”. We head to lunch. Julie is there – she swept and she is getting concerned that she won’t make it to closing. She has to be there by 3:30 because she was picked to be in the ceremony! Megan meets up with us and she has a blister between her first two toes – ouch! We send her to medical to have it lanced. As we were finishing, it starts to rain. I grab a trash bag because I took my poncho out of my camelbak that morning because I didn’t want weight… We walk through Hill crest and Megan catches up with us. We hit our last pit stop we are going to make and the two Jennifers meet us there. We meet up with Dawn and Julie at the last pit that we didn’t stop at (we were too close!), past the zoo and the science museum in Balboa park and head into down town. Sunday was not the day to be driving in DT SD!

Traffic cops and bikers were our heroes over the weekend (and that’s not even mentioning the San Jose Bike cops that come down and beefcake their way through the ride!) These guys stopped traffic and kept us safe at corners and played music from their bikes to keep us moving and singing along. These guys are awesome! One story- one of the traffic cops in Hillcrest was directing traffic because it was getting all backed up between lights because we were crossing. This guy in an Acura either wasn’t paying attention or was just an ass stopped 3 inches from the cop. The cop blowing his whistle, hand out never moved an inch as he stood his ground. Dangerous job and he is good at it.

As we walked into Petco stadium, we meet the Jennifer’s husbands and Kate’s mom who is a survivor and her two kids and you see EVERYONE you EVER saw along the route cheering you on that last mile. We go into the holding area and high fives all around and get scanned in. We get our t-shirt and a pink rose and wait for the last walker to come in. We get our team together and take a picture- we are all still standing. We get lined up for the closing ceremony and we walk!!! Back out into the street. And for a block and a half is our families and “walker stalkers” cheering and waving and we are cheering and waving back. Smile Guy and Little Grin “charge!” us one more time and we round the corner. Julie’s husband and her 3 kids are there and hand us more pink roses. Megan’s mom and dad come running into the “walk” and take pictures and hug all of us. Families behind us, we walk by the bikers and the San Jose police and they are cheering, and then it’s the 550 volunteers who woke up before we did and went to sleep after we did and they so rock!

I knew this weekend was going to be emotional, but I really didn’t know how much. There are so many stories, so many sights, so many blisters and sore muscles and feet. But those aches don’t compare to chemo or losing a breast or a mom, sister, friend or daughter.

This walk is amazing. And you guys are amazing for helping me reach my goal. On night two, when I could barely walk, and my legs were telling me to cut them off and leave them behind, I signed up again for next year. And I cannot wait to be sore again. I cannot wait to see the faces and to hear “thank you for walking!” again and again and wanting to clobber the next person that said “it’s just around the corner” when it was actually a mile and a half away or so it seemed. And next year, I will make it up Hill Street.

Again, Thank you guys so much for supporting me. I owe it all to you. (Secret Santa, I just want a donation! ) As soon as I can, I will get my new link up. They haven't set it up just yet.