39.3 miles that changed my life

 I know, I know... my Avon Walk For Breast Cancer was officially 41 days ago... but I have been uber busy with school and teaching and Ari and life - and it seems like I almost never get a free moment to update my blog.  But alas it seems I might actually get a chance to do it right now- so here it goes.

On September 11th I participated, along with 2800 others, in the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer Santa Barbara.  It was one of the most amazing events I have ever been a part of and I am so glad I made it my New Year's resolution oh so long ago... 

It started out with my best friend forever Kate, who just happened to be 5 months pregnant at the time, flying all the way from Alabama to participate in the walk with me- LOVE YOU KATE 

Kate flew in on Thursday night, Friday we were busy all day tying up loose ends to prepare for the walk, and Friday night we had a great pasta dinner at Buca di Beppo's.  Early to bed for us (although I was so excited I could not sleep!!!) 

We got up EARLY 4:30am to drive the hour drive to Santa Barbara so we could be ready for the walk to begin

This was Opening Ceremonies when we first arrived.. so EARLY 

The view in front of us -  Opening Ceremony 

The view behind us - Opening Ceremony 

it was cold and foggy as we waited with the other walkers and crew - but we were excited and eager to begin.
As we got started we met the most remarkable people, people who were walking in honor of loved ones they had lost, people walking while fighting their own battle with breast cancer, and people who had fought and won their battle - proud to announce that they were now cancer free.  Some of the most amazing people we met were the people who spent their Saturday and Sunday camped out on the sides of the roads cheering us on, handing us treats, and thanking us for walking. Every time I felt like I couldn't walk any further- someone, either another walker, Kate or someone from the sidelines said just the right thing to keep me going.

Picture Opportunity with John Wayne Mile 12

 We were so busy walking and enjoying the time we had to catch up with each other... (I hadn't seen Kate in years...) that honestly the first 12 miles sort of flew by.  I am happy about that because I take it to mean that all the time I spent walking with Ari and training at the gym paid off.  Around mile 11 or so we started to walk up what the walk organizers had described as moderate hills... yeah right - these hills were STEEP and that sucked, but at mile 12 the John Wayne Cancer Foundation had a mile marker and a photo op spot for the walkers ( who can resist John Wayne) as well as pink bandannas dipped in ice water that were PRICELESS!!!! They were so refreshing!

Me and Kate showing John Wayne some love!!! 

13.1 Miles on day one- the official half way mark

Mile 20 and still feeling pretty good. My foot had started to hurt but I didn't dare look at it. I figured ignorance was bliss at this point.  We were so excited to only have 6.2 miles left of our walk... for the day.  I don't think I have ever been more excited about the prospect of pitching a tent and sleeping.  By this time of the day - that sounded like the Ritz! 

This was attached to a motorcycle that belonged to the
 group of bikers who were working the event. Most of the
bikers would blast music from their bike stereo and
they would dance to keep our spirits up.  They were
awesome people (most of them were men)

Day ONE - COMPLETED !!! 

We met some of the most inspiring people during the walk, as well as some of the nicest. There was a group of bikers, mostly men, who had signed up to volunteer and direct traffic. They would park their bikes at the intersections where we had to cross and most of them had their bike and themselves decorated for the occasion. They cheered us on, and had candy and gum for us.  One of the motorcycle crew members had this on his bike - we saw him several times throughout the weekend and he always made us laugh. (it helped that he looked a lot like Santa Claus)