60 miles is a long way. This is my second year doing it, and I don't know why it surprised me again when the tears came at the finish line. I mean "Niagra Falls tears" that you think will never end. They were happy tears. I felt so much support from other people at the finish line. I just want to curl my aching muscles in a corner somewhere, but these walkers finish -- and then get back out on the road to cheer the rest of us to the finish line.
"Keep going! You're almost there! You can do it! You're so awesome!" Those were the words I was hearing as my team and I came toward the end. I was being high-fived like crazy. It was surreal.
And as for Team Scoccolo, the team of firefighters walking in 80 pounds of gear beside their firefighter brother who lost his mom to breast cancer a year ago, well, they got the ROCK STAR treatment when they crossed the finish line! It was great.
I've talked a lot about the physical pain everyone felt walking 60 miles.
But the pain that's harder to talk about, the pain you could sense with every step on those 60 miles, was the pain of each person's story on the route.
Firefighter Tony Scoccolo reminded me what I told him months ago, as he geared up for the journey.
"A lot of people run races. Sometimes they run them for the "cause," sometimes they run just because they like running races," I told him months ago. " But the 60 mile walk is totally different. They're not out there because they like walking. They're out there because they each have a personal, painful connection to cancer."
Sometimes on the walk, it feels okay to ask. Sometimes it doesn't.
But I know that Tony and all the rest of us who have that close connection to cancer felt some comfort just being around one another for three long, physically gruelling days.
We felt we made a difference. I cried at the finish line because I crossed the finish line feeling just a little bit better about the world.
We'll all go to sleep tonight feeling physically awful, but spiritually fantastic. It is a better world tonight. A little brighter. A little pinker.
Thank you for all the donations to the teams walking the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. It's not to late, if you'd like to go to the website and help fund a team and a cure.
My daughter and I walked with Vally Girls and Guys. My second time, her first. My mother-in-law is a survivor, we were happy to bring thoughts of her along with us but cried for those who had to remember a loved-one. It is an emotional weekend for participants, volunteers and family members.
Our community should be very proud of the funds we raised. Blisters, sore knees and feet, and all the emotional output is so worth it at the finish line.
Congratulations on finishing the walk! I have walked Seattle for the past 2 years and decided to crew for 2009. I was part of the camp crew, so I never got to get out and see the route, but I heard it was beautiful! What an experience! Such a great effort by all involved! And after getting up at 4am and going to bed at 11pm for 4 days, I will be walking again next year! :)
I also enjoyed the walk for all the good reasons.
Yes I was there to find out things I needed time to go over. But what better way than do something good for some who could not be there.
And give you self the chance to get out of the shell and fit in with the worlds best reason, to share the love and commitment.
Hero’s are the ones who survive, the thing that is passed to them, way before they can say I do not want to have to deal with this.
I'm proud to have been walking with the best!
I was fortunate enough yesterday to be a volunteer for the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk and to be at Key Arena around noon to see a few of the finishers. Unfortunately I was unable to see the closing ceremony because our group was returning rental vehicles. We got to Memorial Stadium at 5:00 just as events were ending.
I am proud of all of those who participated for such a great cause and I applaud all of those who walked, volunteered, and the Crew.
wow! This was my 6th time volunteering and I signed up for next year. I started because I have 5 sisters and statistics say it will probably hit one of us. This year it did. Now its personal!
This was my 2nd year as a pink bow! We decorated the car and stopped at random spots to cheer everyone on...
I will be there again next year...in the life size bow, the decorated white scion and ready to let ALL the walkers know that they are AMAZING!
BLESS THEIR SOLES!!!
My then 16 year old daughter and I did the BC 3 day walk a couple of years ago and it was an amazing experience that still lives with me everyday. First to have the opportunity to do it with my 16 year old meant more than anything to me, but second, and more importantly, to be able to face squarely the loss of my mother as well as my mother-in-law to breast cancer after 20+ years was a real gift. We will never be able to bring those amazing women back, but by doing the walk, we were able to honor them while doing a little something to help eliminate this disease which effects so many. Yes, I can identify with the copious tears at the end - my daughter and I both shed them. My most cherished moment though was near the end when she lay her head on my shoulder and said, "I'm so glad we did this Mom." Those precious seconds in time made every step we took worth it.
Does anyone know if the Firemen raised the money they needed? I heard they still needed $1100...if so I think ALL the articles and news videos need to mention that!! I know people would help out!!