PINK FEET

2010 Tampa 3 Day 

~In the Life of a Walker-Take FOUR~

1,600 Tampa walkers raised $4.5 Million!!

All 15 cities in The 2010 3 Day raised over $76 Millon in the fight for a Cure!

The Road I travelled!

Day before 'Day1' October 28,2010

Well here it was, the day we had all been waiting for all year had arrived....After starting the year saying I would take a year 'off' from the stresses of fundraising, I was quickly put into persepctive when Rachel, a family friend that lost her aunt last October to breast cancer, registered for The 3 Day alone. Memories quickly flooded me of my very first 3 Day.... my very first day for that fact...of how many people I was surrounded by, but how lonely I felt and how easily I almost gave up, until I met that wonderful group of women who 'kidnapped' me for the rest of the weekend. I could not, I would not, let Rachel do The 3 Day alone. So I registered.

This year was going to be a blast! Not only was Rachel doing her first walk, but Jillian and Abby from Atlanta 3 Day 08 was coming down for their first Tampa 3 Day! We also had Michelle as our driver and cheerleader...and then Tonya, Rachels mom, decided last minute to come and be a cheerleader as well! This weekend was going to be so much fun!

From previous years of leaving for Tampa at the last minute, and coming back home from Tampa straight after the walk, we planned ahead of time to have an extra day before and after the walk....time to settle, relax, enjoy everyones company. I had the day cleared from work, however, due to increased business at work, we were having a hard time getting Michelle off. Luckily our cool and understanding manager gave her half the day....and even more luckily Michelle starts work at 6a, so her half day ended at 10a...still super early to arrive into Tampa early. ....well that was the 'plan'.

Michelle ended up running late meeting me in Orange Park at my dads. Tonya and Rachel had already swung by to say they were hitting the road because they were going to stop at Walmart and have lunch. Jillian and Abby's flight was due in to Tampa at 1p.

Michelle and I finally got on the road about 1230...two hours later than planned....but still early enough compared to other years. Our road trip started off great and somehow Tonya and Rachel spent more time than planned in Walmart, because we got ahead of them...which turned out to be fate....because.... well....about an hour and half into the four hour drive, Michelles fairly new PT Cruiser decided it was going to start stalling out. We were in about Ocala area going about 60 and the car just kept losing power and then going again. After playing with a couple things and giving a quick call to my dad for advice, we decided we needed to stop at an autoparts store to see what was wrong. Tonya and Rachel were able to meet us since they were still behind.

Luckily Michelles car was new enough where they could just plug in this thing that tells us what was wrong.  However, the store had the part we needed, but they were not a place equipped to install it. And we didnt have equipment either. So back on the phone we went and found a Tires Plus that Michelle had a membership card with, that had the part and the manpower.....however, when we arrived, we found out it would take a total of 3 hours for them to get it complete!

Well, it was a good thing Melissa brought the Captain, Rachel brought the laptop, no one had eaten lunch yet, and there was a McDonalds next door! ...it could be worse, right?! So for the next 3 hours, Rachel 'tried' to do her homework, we skyed with Leah in Hawaii, updated our Facebook statuses, we had some food, and free refills of cola for the Captain and prayed that John Travolta would walk into that Ocala McDonalds to rescue us and take us to Tampa in his private plane!...hey, girls can dream cant they?

Anyways, back on the road we went and arrived into Tampa about 9pm. We were greeted by Tampas downtown building lit up in PINK! Another half an hour and we made it into Indian Rocks were our awesome Holiday Inn Resort awaited us. I ran out of the car and into the bar to meet Jillian and Abby. To my surprise they were sitting with a bunch of men who all stood up and applauded me as I came running in. I guess they  had heard the story of the 4 hour drive turning into 8 hours!

In the room awaiting us were little gifts that Jillian and Abby had put together...so sweet and right on the same page...I too had made little goodie bags for the girls as well! Such wonderful people I was surrounded by! I couldnt ask for better people to walk The 3 Day with!

After a looonng drive, we were in bed and settled by 1030pm for an early 5a wake up call.

Day 1-October 29 2010

Opening Ceremony was once again at Sand Key park...about a ten minute drive north. Actually this years route was very similar to previous years and the camp would be at the same location, Walter Fuller Park...so this made things easy for our driver Michelle. We piled into 2 cars and excitedly made our way to Opening Ceremony. This year they did things a little different, that I loved. There were white flaps (strips of paper) that you could sign, and they would raise this on the flag pole right before we took our first steps. They also had the huge 'motivational' balloon lights lit up again (since it is dark this early). They would say things like "kindness rocks"...but this year, they had a volunteer handing out stickers at each one (Im not sure why, but 3Dayers get SO excited over the littlest things like stickers). Each sticker had a cool quote from someone famous. I cant for the life of me remember the exact words now, but they were something that got me through the entire weekend.

Anyways Opening Ceremony was really cool this year....lots of familiar faces! It felt like a reunion of sorts! We saw the infamous Dusty Showers in his Pink Bra. Rachel was too shy to go get her picture taken with him, so Tonya went to him and brought him over. He said "I heard you were too shy to take your picture with me"...then got down on one knee and said "will you take your picture with me?"...so sweet. Dusty is definitely one of those people you will never forget. He has done so much for the breast cancer community.

As we piled into the gated area at the stage, we met up with Michelle (a walker) and her mom. As we did our stretches, Jillian and Abby had their 'real' welcoming to Tampa....fire ant bites up their legs!! ouch!

Opening Ceremony started and they had the people carry out the flags once again. This year was special because a great woman I know, Abby, got to carry the Sister Flag since she had lost her sister to breast cancer. It was such an emotional experience for her. I am so glad she got to do it. As we start to walk out the gate, a woman had already past out. EMTs were assisting her. We find out later, just steps later, another woman trips over the parking bumper and breaks her arm! We end up seeing her several times throughout the weekend.

Our first steps are the same as previous walks....through the white sands of Clearwater Beach and over the big bridge into Clearwater city. The rest of the day is a little different. We got to walk through neighborhoods of different mansions and imagined them being our own houses.

This year I was able to find speakers for my IPOD and was able to strap it onto my arm. On previous years I had brought a mini stereo, but ran into some serious reception problems, so decided to use the IPODS this year. I had Jillian and Rachel bring their IPODs so we had some good music throughout the weekend.

Lunch was at a park on a lake. We got our upfront view of the lake and watch the walkers come in. We were way ahead of the pack and were off to a good pace for the weekend. We found out later that the lake we sat at actually had an alligator in it!

As we got back onto the road again for the second half, we came across a cardboard sign that read 'Go Melissa...got blisters yet?'...it was so funny, it looked like it was a scrap peice of cardboard box that someone found on the side of the road and made a sign at the last minute. Michelle and Tonya were planning on meeting us at the Cheer Station, so I figured it was Michelle that made it, but later learned it was from another team for another Melissa. Oh well....still motivating for me! =)

One of the highlights for Rachel throughout the weekend was this bichon frise that was sprayed PINK! from head  to toe! Rachel has the same type of dog so of course fell in love with it!

We got a quick hello and hugs from Michelle and Tonya at Cheer Stations 1 and 2. It was fun to have familiar faces greet us!

Abby ended up finding a 'twin' on Day 1. The lady walking right in front of us had the same exact outfit on as Abby. Was pretty funny.

The years route took us right through the Florida Botanical Gardens. We got to 'stop and smell the flowers' for a moment.

Day 1's route also had us walk right by our Holiday Inn!! ...actually a Pit Stop was right there! Tonya came out and met us. But right before the stop, there were some men that had a batch of 'homemade' lemonade....the 'good' kind...you know, the 'spiked' kind! They were giving out shots...Yummy! Nothing like a little boost for the last couple of miles!

This year I also brought some 'what would you do' scenerio cards. It was something to read aloud to everyone, get their perspective on things, start a conversation, and pass some time when you are in the moment of not wanting to take another step.

The end of Day 1 route actually wasnted at 'camp' this year. They actually bussed everyone to camp. However, since we were staying at the hotel, we were able to be picked up at the last pit stop, which was only a couple miles from our hotel....perfect location!

This year I wore compression leg sleeves. I had read several articles on them ahead of time, with a lot of people saying it was a 'mental' security ...that they actually didnt do anything, Well, I have something different to say. I have walked 4- 3Day walks now and I have NEVER felt as WONDERFUL as I did this year!! I almost felt bad as the weekend went on because I felt so good! I am a true believer in these sleeves and hope to see them as a 3Day sponsor soon!

We got to the hotel to take our Epsom salt baths...but I honestly felt like I didnt really need one this year. Unlike previous years, I didnt want to get out of the soak! I took a quick soak, a quick shower, popped open a beer, and put on the soft pink fuzzy slippers and went to dinner next door at Markers 34.

I went to bed without blisters and woke up litterally hopping out of bed at 5am!....barely any soreness! I was ready for Day 2!!

Day 2 October 30 2010

Rachel on the other hand had a very rough night and Tonya was contemplating her walking. Apparently Rachel had spent a good portion of the night in the bathroom with an upset stomach and possibly a fever. It could have been several things...I honestly think it was a slight bout of food poisoning. I asked Rachel and told her mom, if she feels like walking, she needs to walk. I did not want her to have any regrets and I knew this walk was important to her since she was walking in memory of her aunt. I also knew we had cell phones and Tonya could come pick her up at anytime if needed. Fortunatley Rachel felt better later.

I was completely astounded as how quickly I was able to move around. Usually I am walking crooked and slow. I am in absolute love with these compression sleeves!

Michelle and Tonya drop us off at camp early so we can hit up the medical tent (Jillian and Abby has a few blisters) and get some breakfast. Rachel and I both received mail that we read during our breakfast. Rachel actually received letters from over seas! I was surprised to see letters from 'fans' of the PinkFeet Facebook page. It feels good to receive motivational letters...it feels even better when someone you dont even know thanks you for doing what you do. It reminds you of why you do what you do. No better way to start Day 2! Thank you everyone!

After breakfast we did our 'butt' spelling stretches (spell Tampa with your butt) with everyone...was a good laugh to wake you up!

Breakfast hit the spot, but my body was famished already by pit stop 1. Every year I gain about 10 pounds because I am always taking the food and candy that people hand out AND at the pit stops. This year, I was trying not to take anything until I needed it. I was destined to not gain weight. ...well, that was the plan under someone was handing out Krispy Kremes!! lol

Day 2 was a lot of the Pinelles Trail and bridges. At one of the pit stops we met a wonderful survivor named Barbie. She was sitting outside the pitstop motivating everyone on. When we came up, she was saying 'thank you' and out of no where said 'can I get some hugs'.....that is just one of the reasons I continue to walk year after year. Survivors like Barbie need us to continue this fight for them.

We got a few steps out of the pitstop and I realized I did not have the IPOD or my hat. Somehow I had managed to drop both of them when using the porta potty! The bad part was it was Jillians IPOD!!...I ran back to the pitstop  and on the way someone asked if that was what I was looking for...that someone had turned it in!....I found my hat right away, but the same person did not have the IPOD. I retraced my steps and asked almost every single person there if they had found it. I was told to wait til the end of the day and look in lost and found. But I was determined to find the person that had it. Luckily I did. The rest of the weekend we used MY IPOD. lol

Day 2's route had the huge billboard up (every Tampa walk I have done there is a billboard for us)...that read 'You walk for our future'. ....words like that just put a little peep in your step!

At a few of the pit stops today IKEA came out and had couches set up for us to rest our feet! ..what a great idea!

Lunch was at the same school on the water that it usually is. I got to see Christy who volunteered for lunch this year. We had slowed a little today. Jillians foot/bottom of leg was hurting....we were thinking it was shin splints starting....boy were we wrong...by the time we went home on Wednesday and to the DR, she found out she had a Fracture!! poor thing!

Day 2's walk put us through the infamous Johns Pass Village. This is the biggest cheering station and also a really cute spot of restaurants and shops. We got our greetings from Michelle and Tonya and then hit a Daquiri stand!!...4 daquiris to go please! ...oh, and with little umbrellas! ...What a perfect mid day pick me up!

With it being Halloween weekend, there was some sort of event going on at the Village. People were dressed up in costumes and we got chased a little bit by Swamp Thing!!

We got so delirious on the last part of Day 2....we were laughing hysterically over the darnest things! We stopped and did some sit down stretches for a while in one of the neighborhoods and then hit the last part of the days journey which included another stretch of white sand.

Entering into Camp after Day 2, Jillian is in pretty bad shape. Both Jillian and Abby have a lot more blisters. Rachel is still blister free, and I have one starting to form. ....the one that I got from the Race for the Cure that was the previous week.

Again I am so astounded by the compression sleeves. I do a very quick epsom salt soak and have not even used the foot massager/bath that I had brought. All I need was my comfy clothes and soft pink fuzzy slippers and I was good to go!

Day 2 evening was supposed to be our plans to go to the other Holiday Inn where we meet up with Michelles friends who were the band playing out on the beach patio. Jillian and Abby are so exhausted they end up skipping out. The outside patio on the water with the tropical steel drum music was just the perfect ending that I needed. Not to mention the food was Awesome! Much better than the previous night!

After having some drinks and heading back to the hotel, I noticed another blister appeared (my theory is alcohol causes blisters??) When we layed down, the blisters got so tight they felt like they were going to explode. Tonya offered to give foot massages and I actually turned this down!! I had to have been dehydrated! I had to pop the blisters. Rachel and I slept with our feet elevated with a stack of pillows.

Day 3 October 31 2010

Day 3 was extra special this year...it was Abby's birthday! We got a candle and put it into a Special K power bar. When she walked into our room in the morning, we surprised her and blew horns and sang happy birthday!...(im sure the neighbors loved this at 5am!) Jillian got a Birthday Princess head piece and I got a Birthday Princess sash for her to wear all day. Throughout the day, whenever someone said Happy Halloween...I said "its her birthday!" and she would get wishes and sang to all day long!

My feet on Day 3 were bareable. I had to pop the blisters again and then bandaged them up real well. I was able to leave them alone all day and cross the finish line comfortably. My legs were still in great shape. Definitely more tired, but nothing like the previous years. Once again I thanked the leg sleeves!

We knew that for the last day, we had to wait for the very last walker to come into the holding area before the Closing Ceremony could begin, so we took our time all day and enjoyed the day as much as we could.

Both Abby and Jillian had pretty bad blisters. Jillians shin was still killing her. Rachel was blister free, but her knee was now bothering her. Abby's knee was in a lot of pain. At each pit stop we iced Abby and Rachels knees. We got them bandaged up and we continued our walk.

Day 3's route had us go through a historic neighborhood that had cobblestone sidewalks. The neighborhood was cute...had those old huge trees that are just amazing to look at...and a lot of the houses were decorated for Halloween. However, when you are in pain from blisters and sore knees, the uneven sidewalks are a killer. Abby out of no where put up her arms and took the sweep van to lunch. After lunch she was able to continue with us.

Day 3 went by fast, despite our aches. We met up with a bunches of nurses walking that had pumpkins on their boobs. They were probably the funniest thing of the weekend. Everything they said cracked us up. It was definitely some laughing we needed.

Day 3 also found us hitting a hole in the wall bar. When nature calls and theres not a porta potty for miles, then these things happen! Was pretty funny until we realized how smokey it was.

The route had us go to St Petes Pier for the finish. The last view miles are amazing because they are all along the Bay. As soon as you start to see the water, you know that you are almost there. And then once you turn this one corner, you can see the Pier and know you are in the home stretch! This year there were paddle boarders out enjoying the wonderful Tampa weather.  And as we made it to that turn, there was a stingray right there in the shallow water.  Was a calming and awesome sight.

We made it into the holding area not too much before the last walker, which was good because there wasnt much waiting around. All the 1600 walkers lined up and we walked our last few steps together into the Closing Ceremony area at the pier.

Tears were shed as they told us how much our hard work paid off in fundraising, and  the survivors came back into the middle circle  and they raised the the flag "A World without Breast Cancer". Then an exciting new element to this year, they had Candy Coburn come on stage and play her song Pink Warrior. It was a great way to end the day!

Rachel and Tonya had to hurry off home due to work, but Abby Jillian Michelle and myself went back to the hotel to have a true celebration of Abbys birthday at the bar! Appetizers and drinks all around, and then a well deserved sleep in the next day!

The Day After-November 1 2010

We ended the weekend with a celebratory lunch at the hotel pool bar with Nick the Bartender. I could not have been any happier with this years 3 Day. This has to have been the best 3 Day walk I have ever participated in! I am truely proud to have been part of such a great team! Every one of these girls are strong, beautiful, and determined. We all put our mind to this event and we made it happen...and then some.....every single one of us raised MORE than the minimum goal for The 3 Day! Congratulations ladies! I hope to see you soon!

Heres to 2011 =)