Back in Pink

Yes, I’m doing it again - I signed up for the Breast Cancer 3-Day! I had such an incredible experience doing the 3-Day in Atlanta last year that I’m going to Cleavland, this year, for more. I’m so excited about this event, even though this year I really know what I’ve gotten myself into.

Just in case you missed my account of last year’s walk, here is the link to my 3 day story - I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through it to see why I’m going to be asking you for money with this post. This event isn’t easy, but I promise you, I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night, and training walk.

Last year you helped me meet my fund raising goal, I need your help again. My goal is to get 100 people to donate at least $23.00. If you are willing to donate more, I won't say no, if you cannot donate $23.00 all at once, that is fine too. Spread it across the time that you need to. All donations are tax deductible!

For every $23.00 that you donate please give me a name to walk for; I will be carrying these names on pink ribbons throughout the walk.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I’m doing let me know, I love talking about the event. Thanks for all of your support. I’m incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Love,
Natalie

P.S. Don’t wait - donate today!

Saturday is a Special Day

This past Saturday I got to spend the day with my second family, the Hazelgrens.

I had seen Jon and Jeena on Friday night at the Riverton game and I ended up watching the end of the game with them. They mentioned that they had tickets to the Draper Temple open house the next day and invited me to come along with them. I went back and forth on this, it had been a long week and then a very long night. I told them I would call them in the morning and I drove home in a rather dense fog.

I found myself up at the crack of dawn. Actually, if I am to be truthful, dawn was still two hours away. I wrote Zach, watched Buffy, worked out, made Jell-O, and called the Hazelgren's and told them I was on my way out to attend the open house with them.

Now, I am the oldest of four. I have no older siblings, it is something I have always wanted. Jon and Jeena have filled that gap. We don't even stop to explain anymore that there is no blood relationship. They are simply family.

It was such a special experience to walk through the temple with them. To hear the girls explain how warm and good they felt in the celestial room. Listening to Jace mention that he felt the Holy Ghost while in the temple. Knowing that I was feeling the same thing. It was a beautiful building and a beautiful morning.

I loved walking with the girls and telling them about the different rooms and sharing in their excitement for the temple. It was a gorgeous building. We couldn't take pictures inside, but here are some of us outside the building after the tour and refreshments!Jeena is missing from the picture as she was taking it!

A tribute to my team

So Florida was crowned champions tonight and tomorrow a final 2008 college poll will be released. Florida will be first, followed by Oklahoma, USC, Texas, and then finally Utah.

Now I am not an irate fan. I am not suing the BCS, like the Utah AG. I am not demanding that Utah be placed first. I am not calling my congressman demanding inquiries, but that does not mean I do not love my team any less than the next guy.

I know that we do not play in a league like the SEC, but we are not a backwater league. The MWC had three top 15 teams this year. We went 6-1 against PAC 10 teams this season.The MWC has sent Utah to the BCS twice, both times they won without question. This year they beat the team that had been ranked No. 1 for the last month of season play.

I don't expect my team to be first, but I would like some recognition on what they accomplished this year. To be the one team that went 13-0 in the nation deserves more than 5th place in the polls.

What I did on my winter break

As I go back to school the one question that I hear the most is going to be, "How was your break?"

In order to preempt that question below is a list of what I did over my break:

1. Watched season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 3.5 seasons of The West Wing, and the first five parts of John Adams.

2. Read Prey, Staying Fat for Sarah Burns, Harry: A History, and started reading A Letter of Mary and Ender's Shadow

3. Wrote more than I should

4. Caught up on my scrapbook

5. Booked lodging for my summer UK trip

6. Finished a baby sweater

7. Hosted two family dinners

8. Realized Get Smart was a funnier movie than I expected

9. Went to lunch with former co-workers, friends visiting from Boston, and an adopted sister and brother.

10. Went to the gym more often then not

11. Watched the reveal of a new Doctor

12. Watched the U win via the yahoo ticker.

13. Cleaned out files

14. Spent the holidays with my family

15. Drank too much Diet Coke

16. Ate too much chocolate

17. Made plans for President's Day Weekend

18. Realized I have never had 16 days off

19. Talked to my baby brother

20. Chatted with Heather

21. Got a new cell phone

22. Learned how to create Doctor Who ringtones for the new cell

23. Took down Christmas decorations


So all in all I think I had a fairly good and productive break, back to the grindstone tomorrow.

Blame Tad

So today I got the following comment on my blog from a former co-worker: "do I even know you anymore?! No mention of David Tennant, no mention of nanowrimo, no mention of elections? Who writes this blog?"

So Tadly, you asked for it- here it is.

David Tennant, the man that is proudly displayed on my desk top at work, on the wall above my desk with Billie Piper in my Who poster, and the man who is displayed next to Brian Vaughn on my Shakespeare wall as Hamlet- and that just is at school. You don't want to know what sits near my desk at home. Oh there is so much I could say about my pretend boyfriend (yes Jenn he belongs to Heather and me and one day we will have the t-shirts to prove it). In fact even as I type this I am watching David and he is about "two minutes to Belgium."

Now I have been wearing black for about a month now, mourning DT's departure from Who after the 2009 Christmas special. In fact I get all teary just thinking about it. I cry at the gym reading my Who magazine while jogging. I got my season 4 Who DVDs on Monday and squealed, called Heather and squealed, danced around the kitchen and squealed, took it to my parents and squealed, emailed Heather and squealed; yet I couldn't bring myself to watch the season, because I know how it ends and I still am in therapy to come to terms with Donna's fate, until right now. But like the nerd I am I will watch all the episodes, all the extras, and then I will go back and watch all the episodes again with commentary- BEFORE I loan this season out.

Enough about David, Tad? How about I move on to NaNoWriMo.

Yes, I didn't even attempt it this year. Somehow I knew it wouldn't work out.

Oh random side note as I watch David Tennant's video diary- he is adorable. Really, the man just makes me laugh.

Okay back to NaNo. We still have the site and it is all going well, and I am still writing so life is good.

Okay now for politics.

I refuse comment at this time as comments on my other blog have lead to grief and got me into trouble. But I love that we still have three races which we don't know outcomes, and I am very interested to see how the next few years go- I am trying to be hopeful. Really I am.

*pauses for another DT Moment, cause really he is just ....yeah*

Okay so Tad, you asked who is writing this blog. Well it is an overworked, overwhelmed school teacher who is still head over heels in love with Doctor Who and who should go back to grading papers...well and watching David and I have to say, that man looks really good in a tux.

Atlanta 3 day- day 3

Day 1 Day 2

Here it is, the final installment of my three day adventure.

Day 3

After a rather interrupted sleep, Erin and I finally pulled ourselves out of our sleeping bags at about 5 AM. We did our best to dress in the sleeping bags as it was a rather cold morning. We were tired but ready as we knew there were only 20 miles left on this adventure. 8 hours and we would be finished.

We dressed, tried really hard not to get wet as we took down our tent, and headed over for blister popping and breakfast. My legs were still wrapped from the night before and in addition to the extra warmth it provided I was happy to see that I could move fairly well with legs wrapped.

We trekked up the hill from camp to the bus waiting to take us to the starting point for the day. I tried to get some extra sleep in but instead listened to the chatter of excited women around me as they contemplated hot tubs, long showers, flushing toilets, and comfortable beds. Finally, we arrived at the starting point and clamored out of the busses. It was cold, even for this Utah girl, and I was excited to get moving in hopes of warming up.

We started off after taking some lovely pictures with our crew. I want to talk a bit about them here. These 350 people were amazing. They took such good care of us, helping us cross busy intersections, becoming cheerleaders, making sure we were fed, making sure we were warm, had towels, had medical care, had everything that we possibly needed. They were amazing. I never saw one without a smile or energy. They were never without encouragement or with a joke. These men and women were willing to make fools of themselves for us. I will ever be grateful to the countless faces I started to recognize but never met. They dealt with all the crap that we gave them with smiles and efficiency. They were true troopers through that whole weekend.

I was grateful that the first cheering station was only a mile away that morning. It really bolstered my thoughts and gave me a push I needed. I was amazed at how early people came out. They were willing to stand there at 8 in the morning while a fall chill still settled around us. They cheered on their loved ones and total strangers. They offered us candy and just a bit of their strength to lean on.

After the cheering station we had 3 miles till pit 2. Off we went. I soon lost the ace bandage on my left leg, as it had quickly become unwrapped. I realized how much support that small bandage was giving me at that time and I missed it. On top of that I had another blister forming on one of my toes, and strange as this sounds, it was by far the most painful of any of my blisters. We kept pushing on, passing the women handing out pompoms and the other women handing out candy (there was a lot of candy). About this time Erin started developing shin splints as well, she flagged down a van with about 1.5 miles left and I was on my own for a bit.

The highlight of this stretch was the girl scouts on the side of the road with their cookies. I skipped Girl Scout cookies this year, being a good girl but that Samoa looked too good to pass up. I later learned Erin wanted to stop her van and get the cookies. It was a great treat and with that little bit of sugar boost I surged forward to the next pit stop.

Once there I immediately took care of my blister. The medical line was long so I did not get my leg rewrapped- big mistake. I also spent time looking for Erin. We must have passed each other a few times as I was about to leave when I came across her. We smiled and then took off. A grab-n-go our next goal.

We had a slower pace then the previous two days, there were times I believe we actually hobbled. One of the walkers made a joke about hoping on the Marta, we knew where we were supposed to end up, surely Marta would get us close, we joked...the thing is I am not sure we were kidding. One of the best sights that I had was the Atlanta City limits sign. I think I almost burst into tears right there. Erin and I did stop for a picture though, smiling as brightly as we could. We continued to push through the Atlanta streets, loving the sun as we walked through it. There were cute older ladies in cars waving at us as we passed various parking lots. Each one brought a smile to my face. They had taken time out of their life to support me.

We finally made it to the grab-n-go excited for a brief rest and a potty break. It had finally started to warm up too. People were shedding their warmer clothes for cooler t-shirts and shorts. I was just grateful that the we could sit and rest in the sun for just a minute. We finally took off again, our next stop a cheering station.

We went through the streets of Atlanta. Erin found a great bistro to try out and we keep wondering how it was that miles had seemed to double in length since Friday. I also secretly wondered how I had the energy to dance through intersections yet barely be able to move my feet while walking. The cheering station was as awesome as the rest. We were given another boost of needed energy and took off. In the mass of people Erin and I would often get separated and I found myself yelling over my shoulder "You with me Duluth" only to hear a yes in reply. Funny thing is, Erin just started answering to Duluth. I never got a "What you're talking to me?" question or response. I guess it goes to prove that nicknaming friends is a long standing tradition in my family.

On our way we met someone who was a fire cracker. She had to weigh close to 270 lbs but she kept trucking along. We talked everything from politics to family. This is why we made our way through a church section of town. Really, I live in Utah where there is a church on every corner but never have I seen so many churches in one place at one time. This was also the only section of the walk that I really got angry in.

As we walked there was a group protesting abortion. They had the aborted fetus pictures and signs condemning candidates and different groups to hell. Now, they have their right to peacefully assemble and express their opinions, I will never doubt that nor will I ever take that away from them. My problem was over the past 2.5 days I had seen communities and people come together. I had seen people put aside themselves and their ideas to fight against a greater foe. And here were these people trying to remind us what divided us. I truly believe there is more that brings us together and makes us stronger than what divides us. Yet we let these things creep into our lives and take control. I was so angry that the reminder was placed there. I wanted nothing more than to go and tell them, "Can't you see the remarkable good people can do when we work together on things we can all agree on. Why don't we focus on that? Why don't we try to bring ourselves together rather than tear ourselves apart?" Yes, I was angry but I felt (and still feel) very protective of what I was doing.

We finally made it to Pit 3 or 4- I think it is 4 and I am forgetting a pit somewhere, but I couldn't tell you where. We had 3.5 miles to lunch at this point and 7.5 miles to the end. This also became the hardest stretch for Erin and I.

After leaving Pit 3/4 I knew that I needed to get my legs taken care of at lunch. We were literally hobbling down the street. Moving to the side for the faster walkers. Poor Erin was so tired she even forgot what side of the street Left was. That bit did make me giggle. We moved up Heartbreak Hill, each step harder than the one before. One cute crew member put his arm around me as we neared the top and told me that it was okay, that I was almost there. Now people had been telling me that all weekend, and I was starting not to believe them, but for some reason I believed this crew member, he had been out there with us, and I knew I was almost to the top of that stupid hill.

Finally Erin and I decided to flag down a van to take us to lunch. Our new problem became finding a van. We continued walking hoping beyond hope one would come. I kept praying for strength, remembering the promises made to me and the promises that had been kept. Finally, about a mile away from lunch we saw one heading towards us. I stood to the side of the road, put up my arms in a great big X and praised the "beer van" as they pulled over.

Now each of the vans had a theme. They are decorated in that theme; they play music supporting their theme. They all had candy, and prizes and the drivers were dressed up in the theme. There were the clowns, the 40s, the 60s, the beach bums, Hollywood, and the beer girls. Now this is what I remember about them- the beer girls drove around the first day and chanted "No beer until there's a cure." It made me smile and giggle and I knew I wanted to ride in their van. I was so excited when we got to; it was like a highlight for me. I leaned against that window though feeling beaten. I knew once we arrived at lunch there was only four miles and change until the end. But I really wondered if I could do it. I was exhausted and in more constant pain then I remember being in before. I needed help in and out of cars and the usually talkative bright Nat was gone.

We didn't even stop for food at lunch, heading instead to medical. The cute lady who took care of me the day before was there again and she quickly was taping me up and ace bandages were replaced with lovely white tape. I also had the lovely blister on my toe popped, much to the relief of my toes. Newly taped and taken care of Erin and I went and got lunch- which once again was freaking amazing. Then found a nice piece of asphalt and sat down. I ate what I could, not really hungry. Then I simply lay down on the parking lot. I think I could have fell asleep there, or at the very least stayed there until lunch closed, but I got up eventually. The sun felt good and the stretching felt even better. I was still moving slowly, but I was still moving and at that moment that was all that mattered to me.

We took a trip to the "magic portapotties" hoping that they would work again, and then stumbled out of lunch and into the park. As we walked we began to get a bit of our speed back. We moved quickly through the park and chatted with other walkers on the way. We made quite the pair. Me with my two legs taped and Erin with her one. It was also quite warm by that point so I had rolled up my sleeves and my pant legs. As we excited the park part of the bike troop went by. Their fairy wings and orange chest cones setting them apart as one of us. There was one man sitting at the exit of the park, watching all this and the parade of pink go by. We then had the following discussion:

"That's not even the strangest thing we've seen this weekend," Erin said.

"It's not?" he asked, with a dazed look on his face. (expression stolen from Erin)

"Oh, no," we assured him.

"Then what is?"

"You wouldn't believe us if we told you," I smiled and went on.

At that time I thought it was the 70 something man in a wedding dress at the lunch the day before, I was to be incorrect though, as we found something even better at Pit 5.

We then made our way through a really nice neighborhood. The neighbors were out playing music and just made us believe that we could do it. We had a Pit in about 2 miles and then only 1.5 miles to the end. We then were back on some major road, Peachtree I am sure. And crossing the freeway. We ran into a cute pair of ladies from Tennessee and enjoyed a lovely discussion with them. About this time someone came up behind us with a radio playing, "Yeah, I Feel Like a Woman." And wouldn't you know it right there on the streets of Atlanta 20 some women started singing along. We were in a pack walking down the street singing at the top of our lungs. Clapping along and just having a riot. The people who passed us in their cars thought we were crazy, and those waiting for the bus wondered what exactly was going on. I loved that moment. I have no idea who brought the music, and we didn’t hear it again once we reached pit 5 but it was a riot.

Okay. Pit 5 was 70 music based. It was a riot. That was the music my parents brought me up on. I was having a blast, and that was even better when the village people; yes, you read that right, came out to perform. It was freaking hilarious and also wins the strangest thing I had seen all weekend long. It was added to the fact that masses of women were out there screaming for them.

I was sad to leave pit 5 but there was only 1.3 miles left on this journey I had started 10 months before and I was eager to finish. So we set out. Enjoying the last bit of moments with our favorite crew members, getting a reluctant peace officer to shake his booty, and just imagining what we would do as we crossed the finish line. I was amazed at the walkers that opted to pop into a bar instead of finishing right then. But we finally made it to the Congress Center and I thought I would burst into tears at that point. The only problem was we were still about .25 miles away from the end. They had tricked us!

We keep walking, wondering where the end was, and not believing the volunteers who kept telling us we were almost there. But finally screaming family members were heard and the pink balloons that had been our starting off point for 3 days were in sight. I was so excited and wanted to cheer as we made our way through the cheering crowd to the holding pen where we were greeted by the walkers and crew who had already finished and made our way to claim our victory shirt.

I wish I could fully express the overwhelming sense of accomplishment that I had as we walked down. Tears streamed down my face and I knew that I had accomplished what I set out to do. I had proven to myself and all those who looked at me and at my body, that I could do this. I was doing something that helped thousands and thousands of women; I was part of something bigger than myself. And it felt good. As Erin and I took our victory picture I felt an even bigger sense of accomplishment. We had done it.

I wanted desperately too see my family. I wanted nothing more than to be back with them and share this with them. I talked to them on the phone, but it wasn’t enough.

Before we knew it, it was time for the closing ceremonies. One last chance to walk together and celebrate the reason we were here. We cheered for our crew, we cheered for the survivors who made the walk with us. We cheered for those who made this day possible. We were a wave of 3750 people strong, each sporting a new 3 day long-sleeved shirt and waving our pink and white pompoms. We were united. We were one.

We made our way into the arena where friends and family waited. I was clutching onto Erin, as I didn't want to loose her. But I looked over to my left and then started crying. I tugged on Erin's arm and pointed out a woman holding a breast cancer three day flag. It was Elyse. Our long lost friend from day one. We made our way over to her, called out her name and when she turned and saw us, all three of us started crying. To me that was yet one more miracle of the three day. We hadn't seen her in two days and amidst nearly 4000 people we found her. We all stood together at the closing ceremonies as we had at the opening ceremonies. Cheering in salute of those who had completed this journey with us.

The most poignant moment of the ceremonies was then the survivors entered. Each of the walkers took off one shoe in salute to them. It was incredibly moving, but then rather stinky after a moment.

Then like that it was done, the announcement we had raised 8.2 million dollars, the victory flag raised and we were dismissed. I felt a loss already, there was nothing more to do. There were no tents to set, no meals to eat, no police men stopping traffic to cross the street.

But we found Jenn who was there to take me back to hers and to cheer us on. Now I am going to get rather sentimental here, so if you don't want to read it skip down to the next paragraph. Jenn was my first online friend. Jenn is a woman who has always believed in me, who has let me into her life and never been anyone but herself. Jenn has accepted me from the get go. She knows my strengths as well as my weaknesses. She has pushed me to do better and allowed me to do the same for her. She is a true friend and I finally got to met her. Yes, she is this way in real life too. What you see is what you get with Jenn and I truly love her for it.

I was so excited to get to spend time with her and with Hogan. He has to be one of the cutest kids I have ever seen. Together with Erin and her dad we made our way out to collect luggage and make our way home. People stopped me to ask about the tape on my legs and marveled that I walked all that way with shin splints. I just smiled knowing what it had taken and knowing I would do it again in a heart beat.

All too soon it came time to say goodbye to Erin. The woman who had stood by my side for three days. Who had pushed me. And who had believed in me. It was hard, but we knew that this wasn't the end. There were plenty more 3 days to participate in in the future.

We hugged goodbye. joking about it being good riddance to make it just a bit easier. Then she and her dad went one way and Jenn. Hogan and I went another.

I think I will end the story of my three day here. There were a few more adventures on the way home (including Hogan throwing up). I missed my check in by three minutes for my flight and was lucky to get on one just an hour later, I broke down crying in the middle of the Atlanta airport, feet and legs swollen to the point that only flip flops fit and walking wasn't at all that easy. But the thing is, the three day story really does end here. It was an amazing moment. An amazing time in my life. One that I am extremely sentimental about. I still get tears in my eyes as I think about it.


"Glory only comes when one pursues their dreams." Rachel Scott

As I started this story I end it the same way. The past two days my students have been writing about this quote. At the start of the year I set out to fulfill a dream of fitness. One that I would be able to complete a 60 mile walk benefiting a cause that I feel strongly about. And I did it. I made a difference in the world and I proved to myself that I can do anything.

.


Donate to Natalie's 2009 3 Day Cancer walk

Atlanta 3 Day- Day 2

Day 2

We actually woke up earlier than planned on Saturday morning. I was up and moving about 5:00, and grateful as the line for the bathroom when I left was quite long. We changed in our sleeping bags, throwing on new walking clothes and hoping that our shoes would hold up better than the still wet ones from the day before.

I was grateful that rest and prayers had allowed my body to move just a bit easier than I had the night before. I was still stiff and sore but my movement was freer and I could walk with very little pain. One thing I found amusing was the fact that I could not duplicate the neat packing job from the night before. Despite my best tries, my possessions seemed to have doubled. We finally were able to put everything in some place and took our bags back out to the transportation trucks so they could be taken to camp. We lost track of Elyse after arriving the night before, despite our constant looking, we could not find her.

The morning was rather brisk, but it felt good. Best of all the rain was gone. It was still cloudy, but the thought of not having to walk in the rain made me happier than any other weather forecast in my life. We loaded onto a bus and headed to camp for breakfast and for the start of the day.


As I kept moving my muscles seemed to loosen just a bit more. This was aided with the help of the jazzercise routine that two peppy instructors lead us through. I think that was my one and only compliant. I would have loved just a plain old stretching routine in the morning. The jazzercise required too much coordination for a person who can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. It also turned a lot of women off the idea of warming up for the day.

Breakfast was yet another amazing meal and I was grateful for the oatmeal that helped warm me up. Then it was back to standing in line as we waited for the start of a new day.

While we were standing in line, Erin and I made plans for next year. We talked about what we needed to do differently and what fun and crazy ideas we had for the rest of the team. It was at that time I realized I would need a co-captain. I was fine on managing Erin on my own, but what would I do when our team had grown to four...or five? Taking out the wand that Erin had provided me with, I dubbed her co-captain of the 2009 FBG 3 Day team. The other walkers around us chuckled and Erin took a bow. Of course then she realized that meant I would actually make her work, she took it all with a smile and a laugh though.

Finally they let us leave and we made our way up the hill out of camp. It was an amazing experience to see the hundreds of walkers in front of us and to turn around and see the hundreds of walkers behind us. Everyone clad in pink and white and in various states of tiredness, yet each willing to keep moving for the cause.

We walked along a highway for awhile, heading into Duluth. It wasn't uncommon to see a woman squeal and throw her hands up as she discovered road kill lying in her path. I think I saw more dead opossums and deer on this walk than I have at any other time in my life. The first three miles were easy, and before the sun truly came out we had made it to Pit 1. My goal that day was to stretch as much as possible, hoping that my legs would be able to withstand the stress I was putting them through.

We headed out again and started making our way through Duluth. I was excited to see some of the same cheerleaders that had been out in the rain with us on Friday, out again. They were a great source of comfort and cheer, knowing that they were willing to devote three days just to cheer us on.

We danced through intersections, thanked grumpy peace officers, and found ourselves excited just to be on the road again. We also ran into new cheering groups. The people at Whole Foods were lined up outside their store with water, fruit, and power bars. I was so excited to eat a banana (I love them and had missed my morning banana the three days before) then across the street from them was a whole other set of cheerleaders, handing out fun clappers and stickers- not to mention candy. With that boost we headed towards a corner where a steak house sat, Erin hoped that they would be handing out samples, I don't know how that girl could have been thinking about eating steak and potatoes at 9:00 in the morning, but somehow she was.

When we reached the steak house, which had no samples- much to Erin's chagrin, the sun came out in full force. I think there was a cheer that went out, but that may have just been me cheering on my own in celebration. We made it to Pit 2 where I had to stop at medical for blister care and ice for my shins.

We stayed at Pit 2 longer than I would have liked, but the ice on my shins made them feel a whole lot better. Armed with newly patched blisters and hot spots and iced shins, we set out again. Me moving just a bit slower than I had earlier that morning.

It was about this time that I started feeling down. I desperately missed my family and wished that even one of them had made the trip with me. I was participating in one of the biggest adventures of my life and all I wanted was a hug from my dad or mom. We continued walking. Blisters growing, feet hurting, and the sun beating down on us. I was ready to call it in when we approached a cheering station.

These cheering stations had been set up by Komen and the local radio affiliate. There were people just lined up on both side of the sidewalk cheering us on. Thanking us for what we were doing. It was then the tears came. I was walking not only for myself but for each of these people. I was walking so that the young girls there, waving their pompoms never had to deal with the realities of breast cancer. Never would have to know what it was like to worry about losing a loved one to that disease. I couldn't control the tears as I walked and I was grateful for the people there with boxes of tissues. With this bolster we continued on heading for Pit 3.

About a half a mile away I started to really slow down. Between the massive blister forming on my heel and shin splints I could barely move. Poor Erin stuck by my side though finally flagging down a sweep can to take me the last half a mile- get this traffic was so bad Erin actually beat me there. I was amazed at the attitude of the women in the van. They were done for the day, ready to give up. I became quiet and sullen- Erin had to force me into the van, I hadn't come 1700 miles simply to give up. I needed help out of the van when we arrived and while most of the women I had rode with headed for the bus to be taken to lunch, I shuffled over to medical. I begin icing my shins immediately while both Erin and I sat on a cot and waited for blister care. I had three nasty blisters on my right foot, the worst being one that covered the whole inside of my heel. They popped that one, but told me in no uncertain terms that it would be back and I would know when it was back. I moved painfully from the cot and the nurse asked me again if I was alright. I was unable to respond as my eyes were full of tears from the pain. I simply nodded and moved on, knowing that I had to push on.

I made it a mile after the pit stop, and was able to see a band of preteens out performing for the walkers, before I flagged down a van to take me to lunch. I simply could not move any more. They helped me into the van and I dejectedly sat in the corner and tried to figure out what my next move was.

I enjoyed the walking. I enjoyed the time with Erin and the other women around. I didn't want to give that up, but I didn't know if I could physically walk any more. I sat in the parking lot where lunch was, marveling at the women who had the energy and stamina to dance while music played. I could barely stand alone, let alone walk. I sat there, lost in thoughts about myself and my own melancholy as Erin and I ate our lunch.

I sat there and prayed that I would know what to do. I reminded God of his promise that I would have the strength and stamina to finish the walk. I reminded him that I was doing what I could to take care of myself, but the rest was up to him.

I told Erin that I was heading to the portapotties and that I would meet her at the medical tent and left, the decision of what to do still weighing on me.

When I came back it was if a burden had been lifted. My legs still hurt but I was able to walk. We left the lunch stop, without a visit to medical and continued on our way. My goal each time being- just make it to the next pit, then you can decide what to do. Erin praised the outcome of the "magic porta-potty" and I just smiled, knowing that it was some divine help that made it possible.

We continued on our way, our pace of four miles an hour once again restored. I was amazed at how quickly we moved even with the hills and I felt like I was a whole new woman. I soon started calling Erin, "Duluth" as most of the other walkers called me "Utah" we moved through them all- my blister that had been popped, definitely filling again- but it did not matter. We arrived at Pit four and broke out into Grease Lighting with the rest of the walkers and I was shocked at the difference an hour made.

We continued on our way again, heading further and further into "old town" Duluth. The only time I complained (out loud that is) was during this stretch. I desperately needed a bathroom and the grab and go never seemed to arrive. We finally made it to the grab and go and were excited to realize that there were only four more miles of the day left.

The next 1.5 miles were great. We were in Erin's neighborhood and she was pointing out things that were fun to learn about. Then we hit the second cheering station of the day- though we were fighting with trick-o-treaters for space on the sidewalk. We were blessed by a white Muslim woman (talk about stereotypes going out the door) and met Erin's parents. I found I could not stop for long though as the pain was quickly returning to my legs (and my bum knee). We said our goodbyes and continued onward to the next pit. Thanking those who came out to support us and marveling that strangers would come and cheer on other strangers.

We arrived at Pit 5 and I headed straight for medical. The nurse there was kind and wrapped my knee for me. Placing a bag of ice on the ace bandage and then wrapping plastic wrap around it. The other workers told me to hop on the bus, but I was only a mile and a half away from camp. So Erin and I took off, the ice bag strapped on the knee and still moving at our 15 miles.

That I have to say was the most empowering experience. We passed people as we walked and got a few double takes. One guy told me that I should not be allowed to pass him as I just took the last bit of confidence he had. Another group of women continued to cheer me on as we passed, shouting, "Keep it up, Utah."

The ice bag fell off by the time we made it to camp. But I didn't care. When I thought I wouldn't make it through the afternoon, there I was checking into camp and looking for my luggage.

It was then time to get our tent sent up. Actually the first thing we did after getting our tent and luggage was take off our shoes. Sure enough, my blister was back in full force. Not only had it grown, but it had brought friends. Completely exhausted I tried to set up our tent from lying on the ground- that didn't work. I then tried to find a helpful boy scout- there wasn't one around. So instead Erin and I just did it ourselves. It was a pretty pink tent, and while I unpacked Erin decorated it so we would find it amidst the other 1700 pink tents that were around camp.

Once the tent was set up we both limped over to medical. Only to find we had to shower before we had our problems taken care of. We went to eat dinner, which was delicious and where Erin met people who knew her brother and sister. Then it was off to the showers.

I really didn't mind showering in the back of a semi. I felt that I had enough privacy, and it wasn't at all what I thought it would be. After getting all clean and ready to go we headed once again to the hospital tent. This time determined to have our blisters taken care of- and my shin splints.

The wait wasn't that long before a nice nurse took me back to pop my blisters. The one on the heel was gigantic and she had fun making sure that she got out as much fluid as she could. After that it was back across to the shin splint center where they ace bandaged my legs, plastic wrapped them, iced them, then plastic wrapped them again. I walked around like that the rest of the evening my legs in total bliss at being iced and wrapped. Erin offered moral support by cracking jokes that we all rolled our eyes at.

After that we headed to the remembrance tent. This was the one place in camp that is meant to be silent. As you approach the tent it is flanked by 13 other white tents, each lit from within. This is to represent the other cities that the walk has taken place in. The tents from previous races are all signed by the various participants. Inside the Remembrance tent was the smaller white tent for Atlanta as well as pictures of former walkers who had passed away. It was a great place to stop and reflect on why we were there. There was also a place to journal exactly why you were walking. It was a moving experience and I watched as strangers comforted each other. No words were said or needed- simply a hug or a touch of a hand.

Eventually we headed back to our tent. Ready to rest and finally get some sleep. Our tent was cold, and we bundled up, before diving under the covers. Unfortunately, the lady in the tent behind us did not feel the same way and we spent a good twenty minutes listening to her complain about everything from the route to the food. I was ready to go out and turn some Pollyanna on the situation, but loved the warmth of my sleeping bag just a bit more.

We then drifted off into what would be a restless and unrestful sleep for the both of us.