Today, I just want to wrap up my Breast Cancer Walk, while it's all fresh in my head.
First, when I signed up for this, I was mostly doing it because my friend, who is a survivor, asked me to. I thought it would be a nice way to get in shape, and a good goal to work towards. Plus - the money I would be raising would go to a great cause. I have to admit, that I didn't really think it was going to be a 'big deal'... I have done numerous long distance events, ranging from a 10 mile ocean swim, riding my bike (in one day) from Boston to Provincetown, MA (135 miles), an Ironman triathlon and the AIDS Ride, which was a 350 mile bike ride over 4 days.
This event was different. I don't know if it was the 8 - 11 hours we spent each day on our feet, or the mental toughness to not call out to the van to pick you up when your feet were SCREAMING.... but this was the hardest physical thing I've done. Getting up each morning and knowing that you already had blisters on your feet, and that the pain would just be worse by the end of the day, that was hard.
I expected a bit of pain. But I didn't expect how heart wrenching the experience would be. Walking by woman who had hats that said 'survivor' on the back. Or the shirts with pictures of people who lost their battle with breast cancer. Or group of 6 teenagers who were walking because one of their mothers was sick with breast cancer. Or the woman who waited for us at one of the cheering stations with a sign that said "My heart beats because you walk".
I am fortunate enough to not have any family members to have been affected by cancer. And by the end of the weekend, that was why I was walking. Because my family is lucky enough to be healthy. And I'll keep on supporting events like this to keep it that way.
Thanks to everyone for all your kind words during this walk!
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8 comments:
I'm so proud of you, Cece. And amazed that you walked so far!
Damn - it sounds like a life-changing event.
When did you do the Ptown ride? I did it a couple of times - I wanna say it was the early 90s.
Sara (saraterry At gee-mail dot you know!)
Cece, you made tears in my eyes reading about your walk, you bring it to life with your words.
Thank you for walking. My friend has just died from cancer, and whatever kind of cancer it is, your effort is very much appreciated. Maybe one day they will find a treatment that is 100% successful.
What an achievemend-you did great! I hope your feet forgive you soon.
You really are a star Cece. Your pain is the gain to breast cancer sufferers and survivors. Hopefully some great research can be done with the money that your effort raised.
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright--
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
Clue Number 1
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Clue Number 2
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