Day Three!!!!!

The last morning of the 3 Day was a bit rough. I didn't sleep well the night before due to throbbing feet and the sounds of the city (gun shots, police helicopter, etc). And we had to get up extra early in order to pack the bags and take down the tent. I also knew I'd need to take a bit longer getting my feet ready as I had a few blisters in spots where I wasn't expecting them.

We managed to get on the trail by 7:45, tired but pepped with the knowledge that this was the LAST DAY!! And a "short" one.... only 16 miles !!! It actually got a lot easier along the road b/c we saw a STARBUCKS! Kimm and I headed in for some Frappuccinos. While in line, we were answering questions about the walk. When we went to pay, we discovered that the woman in front of us had already paid for our drinks. It was such a small gesture, but one that meant so much. Between the caffeine and the kindness, I was ready to go.

Much of the day is a blur but I do remember walking in Narbeth and Ardmore. At one of those places, I got some "puppy love" from an English Bulldog and got to go "awwwwww" at a 2 month old girl, wrapped up in a pink feather boa and wearing a pink "do-rag".

My feet were so much worse today than the other days. The bandages I had out on to protect my blisters were actually aggrevating them. I was icing and putting "goop" on my feet at every pit stop but I was bound and determined to make it every step. There were 2 points where I almost gave up and took a sweep van.

The first was after one of the pit stops (I believe it was number 3). Kimm and I headed out and were talking a bit as we walked. We came to an intersection with a bike-guide at the corner. She waved us on and we kept on going straight. After a bit, we noticed that there were no more arrows tellins us where to go (or that we were on the correct path). We called the phone number provided to us for such things, only to find out that we were supposed to TURN at the intersection with the biker. Needless to say we were frustrated. At ourselves for not paying attention but even more so at the woman whose job it was to make sure we were on the right path. The woman who was so involved in her conversation that she didn't even blink an eye as we walked off track. All in all, I'd say we went 5-6 blocks out of our way (and then had to come BACK). At the end of that road, we were met by the "caboose"....the woman who rides behind the walkers and gathers up those who are straggling. We were told that "there was no way we could make the next pit stop in time. We would have to wait for a sweep van". It was about 1.5 miles to go and we had about 30 min to get there. I told Kimm, "it's your call". She was walking in honor of her mom, who was a survivor. I knew that she was determined to do every single step and I was not about to make the decision to skip some of the route for her. One of the walkers who was waiting for the van told us "I've been here for 45 min waiting". At that moment, Kimm and I were waving BYE BYE and we started pushing our legs. I cannot even begin to tell you how we did it, but we made it to the pitstop with time to spare.

The next time I wanted to hitch a ride was in Delaware County. We make a left hand turn and in front of us was a BIG HILL. When I saw how steep it was, I literally started to cry. I knew that I would not be able to climb it. My feet and legs were already tired when I started the day. Now they were totally shot b/c of the push to get to the previous pit stop. Another walker pointed out that they were only going about halfway up and then turning to the left. I figured "I can manage half of this hill". So I kept on moving. When I got to the turn off, I cried again. Why? Because the route DIDN'T actually turn off of the hill. We just went from walking on the road to walking on the sidewalk. And we were going to be walking....all the way....to the top. Do you remember my mentioning in the Day 1 recap how cruel and twisted the route designers were? At that moment, I wanted to shoot them all. No, I wanted to hang them up by their thumbs and beat them. THEN I'd shoot them. But I also got PISSED OFF. I hadn't come this far to have my walk be cut short b/c of some idiot, driving along thinking "wouldn't it be a real MINDF--K to throw in a HUGE hill at the END of the 3 Day?!?!". So I dug in and climbing. I had to stop repeatedly to stretch and get my breath. I had to guzzle water and gatorade so as not to pass out in the relentless sun (and upper 80 degree temps). I kept on moving forward. And I made it. God put some angels at the top of that hill.....an older couple who set up some sprinklers and hoses in their front yards. If I wasn't sweaty and smelly, I may have hugged them both.

The hills did not end there, but at least none were as steep (or as disheartening) as that one.

Along the last mile of the road was a cheering station. Some people were out with signs and we were serenaded by The King himself! And Elvis impersonator was standing alongside a pink cadillac and singing for us. We could get a pic with him, but we'd have to walk up stairs to do that. I passed!!!

Finally we made it to the end. I didn't quite realize it was actually over until I saw the Hotties For Hooters (a father/son team who were there to cheer us on every morning and night). It wasn't until I saw "Moose" that the magnitude of what I just did sunk in and I started to tear up. By this point, Sam had joined Kimm and I and we JUMPED over the finish line (immediately groaning when our feet hit the ground). As we walked forward, who should I see but Lisa (Yellow car Girl), telling us that we looked DAMN GOOD (her mantra for the event). All walkers and crew members were kept in a "holding area" while we made sure that everyone was gathered up. Anyone left on the road would be picked up by a van in order not to miss the ceremonies. Then the time came to walk into the staging area.

The ceremonies were simple enough. People thanking us and talking about the money we raised (little over 6 billion for Philadelphia alone!). Those walkers who were also breast cancer survivors came in to a standing ovation and "one shoe salute' (we held our sneaker up in the air). They reminded us that, starting Monday, nobody would cheer when we crossed a street or offer to fill our water bottles for us. Nobody would pat us on the back or high five us. Nobody would tell us how amazing we were...but that we were. Interestingly enough, I was standing next to Charles, the man I first saw on the Day One shuttle from the hotel (and the winner of the 3 Day Idol contest). He had just as much energy as every other time (seriously....that's not normal).

Afterwards, I found my friend Marie and we went out to dinner with her family. Then I came home and soaked my feet in some ice water. Then I went to bed. The next day was a definite let-down. While I didn't mind not having to pound the pavement, I was missing the adrenaline rush.

On Tueday I went back to work. Nobody cheered for me but I did receive at least 2 high fives.

Now, on this Friday afternoon, I have assimilated myself back into the "the daily grind". Missing my 2500+ friends and anxiously awaiting next year (I registered for 2008 less than 48 hrs after finishing the 2007 walk!!!!).