Day 1
I landed in San Diego on Thursday night and met up with my sister in-law. We dined at BJ's in La Jolla (Where else of course??) From there we retreated to our hotel and prepared for our 5:30am opening ceremonies. The opening ceremony was as grand as one would think; 4300 women dressed to the nines in anything and everything pink. Shortly after 6:30 our walk commenced and my journey that I had trained those week’s prior was actually here!!! We started at Del Mar Race track and ventured down to our campsite at Mission Beach (Which is really nice in the summer and just a bit CHILLY in November). We checked into our campsite and when we finally located our bags and tents I found a lovely little PINK pop-em-up tent (how cozy). We set up camp, and retreated for the evening. The night was a bit chilly, as one would imagine by the breezy ocean.
Day 2
This morning we again started our walk about 6:30 and made our way through the inner workings of Mission Bay and downtown San Diego. I could not have asked for better weather, mild and comfortable. We arrived back at camp and began to prepare for out final leg of the walk. We decided to clean up a bit and get some rest for the morning.
Day 3
As I looked around I could feel the energy was high for all of us. We packed up and began our walk. We took in scenery one last time and reveled in our personal journey of training, fundraising and just being here, part of this GRAND event. As we headed towards Padres Stadium, the last 2 miles of street were generously lined with local residents, survivors and supporters (what a touching moment to here the cheers of strangers). As we passed by the crowds there were a few groups I noticed. One in particular was the St. Francis Girls School choir. Like a hundred angles their voices sang one of the most beautiful song I had ever heard. The girls sang a song of Thanks written by their teacher, a survivor of breast cancer herself. That was the final tug at my heartstrings, the three days of walking, the training, the stories I had heard there and leading up to this caught up with me. As we crossed over the finish line we gathered with the crowd and cheered the other walkers on. As the last walker stepped over the finish line louder cheers, tears and hollers sprang up from the streets. We, fighters of breast cancer, had completed 60 MILES!!!!!
So in the end we gathered hand in hand, nine across and entered Padres Stadium. We welcomed and cheered on the survivors as they made their way on stage to be applauded for their strength and triumph over breast cancer. The event came to an end with some speeches live music and dinner.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I could not have done this with out your help. The whole experience was very emotionally and spiritually uplifting. I am thankful everyday for the physical and mental strength to endure conquests like this and grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.
