EXTREME 3-DAY 2011--Day 1

Another year, another 3-Day.  Once again, this year's 3-Day was one of a kind.  In the four years I have been doing this event, each one has been so different from the others.  This year's walk is being deemed the "EXTREME 3-DAY" for me because, well that's what it was--extreme.

Anyone who lives in Boston knows that yes, it can be very hot in July.  We were expecting temps in the high 90's with a heat index even higher.  During the week leading up to the event as I ran into friends around town at baseball games or soccer, they were all sending their well wishes, but each one had an edge of concern about the heat.  "Make sure you drink lots!"  "Potato chips are your best friend!"  "Listen to your body!"  "Sunscreen!"  Personally, I was thrilled that there was really no rain predicted in the forecast.  I had walked in high 90's before, but that rain--it gets me every time.  However, as the week wore on and the team kept posting about tent ceiling fans, and how nervous they were about the heat, I, too, began to feel concern.  I did my best to hydrate all week long.  There was nothing else I could do--I had prepared as well as I could.

Allison and Sarah at camp

On Thursday at 5:00PM I had to pick up Allison at the library.  Allison was a newbie (I say "was" because she is now a lifer!) and was planning to spend the night at my house with Sarah, another teammate. Sarah and Allison are best friends. These two young ladies are simply amazing.  They have brought a vitality to this team of 40-somethings. They were definitely extreme walkers, and came in at the front of the pack every day.  On Thursday night, we made pizza, chatted, and finished making bracelets that M & M had planned to give all of the teammates.  (The girls made 23 and then gave up.  I thought 23 was pretty good for 9 year olds.)

At 3:15AM, Friday morning, my alarm goes off.  It really didn't need to, because I honestly didn't sleep much. We quickly dressed and headed out.  As I opened the door, I was hit with a brick wall.  The air was so oppressive and thick.  On any other day like this, I would not even leave my home--A/C all day long!  Instead, we picked up Sandy and headed to Cheryl's house to board the bus.  If you remember, last year we took a small "party bus" to the 3-Day.  Well, this year, it was a Coach bus.  It was so cool driving down the street to Cheryl and Bob's and seeing this huge bus w/all these cars parked around like it was 2 in the afternoon.  We were so efficient loading up that we were on the road by 4:15!

The ride in was pretty uneventful except for the passing out of bracelets, cards, and the cutting of shirts.  Barbara had this ingenious idea of cutting the sleeves off of our NB shirts.  She did it so well, that they looked like they were supposed to be that way.  With the sleeves off our shirts, it only felt like it was 101, not 105!

We arrived on time to be greeted by Patty and Maurine who had spent the night in Framingham.  We loaded our gear bags onto the truck and made the short walk over to Opening Ceremonies. Last year Opening and Closing were so emotional for me because I was in the Survivor Circle.  This year, Maurine was given that opportunity.  I was absolutely thrilled to be able to stand there and watch her walk in with that flag.  She is more than an inspiration.  On top of that, Patty was a flag bearer as well, carrying the "My Daughter" flag in honor of Katie and Alexa.  The most amazing part of the whole thing was that Patty and Maurine stood directly across from each other.  In a sea of people, you could see the connection between these two women.  It almost took my breath away.

After we wiped our tears, it was onto the route.  It was 7AM, and man was it HOT!!!  We started off, and figured it would be slow and steady. That it was.  When you have 2000 participants leaving one place at the same time, it has to take a while to get where you want to go.  We were slow to get on the route as well, so it seemed to take extra long.  By the time we reached the first pit stop, the lines were absolutely out of control.  I hit the porta-potties, grabbed some water and was on my way with the others.  About 7 miles into the walk I started to feel yucky.  I have done this enough to know when I am starting to get dehydrated.  The headache was coming on, and I felt a little nauseous.  I NEEDED Gatorade.  Dana handed me a snack then Connie gave me some peanuts.  It still didn't do the trick.  For the first time in four years, I questioned whether I would be able to complete this walk.  Fortunately, the next pit stop was just ahead.  As we rested for a few, I drank almost 32 ounces of Gatorade and felt much better.  I knew this day was extremely hot,
but thanks to my former friend, Mother Nature (I have since severed ties with her because she never cooperates on my 3-Day), Boston experienced record high temps on Friday--We are talking Africa hot--triple digits!!!

We left the pit stop at the fire station, and were on our way through Wellesley toward the next pit stop and cheering station.  It was about 3 miles.  We trudged on through, but just as we arrived, they announced that the route was closing.  10 miles in, and we were done for the day.  The temperatures were too extreme, and it appeared that it was difficult to keep up with the physical needs of walkers.  Medical was swamped!  I had never seen so many ambulances.  I heard some people complaining saying walkers should be able to make their own decisions, but I believe that Komen made the absolute right decision.  There were more first time walkers than ever in Boston this year.  To me, that is reason enough to close the route in these temperatures.  You really don't know what a toll this takes on your body until you have done it.  Walking 20 miles is difficult enough, but doing it in 105 degree weather is absolutely insane.  That being said, I do feel for those for whom this is a personal journey.  For me, I have been there and done that.  I understand how frustrating it must have been that your goal was just moved out of your reach by no fault of your own.  

So the waiting began.  Half of our group had been on the cooling buses, and were immediately transported to lunch which was moved to Pit 5, 3 miles from camp.  The rest of us had to wait until the people along the route where there was no shade were rallied together and transported to lunch as well.  Meanwhile, I was supposed to be meeting Andy and the kids a half mile up the road at the cheering station.  If you know my stalkarazzi husband, you know that if we can't come to the cheering station, the cheering station will come to us.  Soon after my phone conversation, he arrived with the kids, cherries, and drinks.  It definitely helped to pass the time.

While we waited, texts went back and forth between team members making sure that everyone was accounted for.  The crew came by with candy, ice, and Gatorade.  They were doing their best to keep everyone comfortable.  During this time, someone created a sign and was passing it around to different teams.  I agree, I think we were the champions that day!

We missed several buses, because we didn't stampede everyone, and ended up waiting almost 2 hours before we were picked up.  We had talked to the rest of the group and they had eaten lunch and were waiting for transport back to camp.  When our bus finally arrived, we piled in refreshed by the cool air that greeted us.  Almost immediately after sitting down, many of us dozed off.  It was an eight mile ride to lunch.  We awoke to see a ginormous line waiting to board the exact bus that we are on.  Hell no!  We were not getting off this bus only to wait for two hours for another bus.  We would forgo lunch so that we could arrive at camp at a reasonable hour.  As we looked closely at the line, the 9 missing TWPs were at the front of it.  As several people climbed off heading to lunch, we waited in anticipation for our fellow teammates to board.  As soon as we saw the first one, we started, "TWP!  TWP!  TWP!"  Yes, we were together again!

As we arrived back to camp they had an air-conditioned gymnasium waiting for us.  We were one of the first groups there, so we were the lucky ones with chairs.  The dining tent and 3-Day Main St. were open so we all decided to get our legacy pins.  Legacy pins are earned by doing different things during your 3-Day experience.  There is a team captain pin, a survivor pin, a 5K pin, a Power Team pin (which thanks to our donors, we were able to receive) and many others.  On this day I received a pin I never thought I would--the Sag bus pin!  You hop on the Sag bus if you feel you cannot walk anymore.  Well, this year, I had to get it because they closed the route.  From there we went to the Camp Post Office where we retrieved all of the mail that was sent to us.  Thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement and support.  It meant the world to me.  I even received letters from fellow walkers that were so moved by our video!  Absolutely unbelievable.  My best letter that I received was from my mom.  Every year she writes me a mushy letter telling me how proud she is of me.  Well, at this point she had been telling me how great I was for 4 years.  She needed to change it up a bit for fear of my head exploding.  She decided to write a song to the tune of Gilligan's Island.  I have included it below for you to see:

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,

A tale of the TWPs.  

Who would've guessed when two girls met,

That this would come to be.

One day Sherri took a walk,

A walk of 60 miles.

At the end when she looked up,

She saw a great big smile.

Patty said, "I know your beat,

And tired to the bone,

But this day I will promise you,

You'll never walk alone."

So Cheryl turned her hair to pink,

Sue's hubby took the twins.

Theresa and Gretchen put down their books,

And Vicky said, "I"M IN!"

Then Tina joined, and Kaitlyn too,

And pretty soon Maurine.

Ten strong women side by side,

Make an incredible team.

New Balance came a-calling,

The news had spread so far,

You said yes, we'll do your show,

We want to be the stars.

We want to be the stars.

We will walk.

We will run

We'll do a dash, 

With ease.

We'll work for sure.

We'll find a cure...

Cuz we're the TWPs!!!! 

 Isn't that awesome? Thanks Mom!

At around 5:45 they finally allowed us into the showers.  They were fearful that with the heat people would pass out.  Believe me.  You don't want to pass out in the showers.  They will drag your butt out naked.  We weren't even allowed to set up our tents until 7:00.  I guess they figured we would just bake in them.  After we showered, we ate dinner, got ourselves settled and decorated tents.  They looked pretty awesome.  Lots of tiaras, photos, and blinkie lights.  By the way, don't even ask about tent decorating.  I'll fill you on that on Day 2. 

At around 9:00 we tried settling in.  It still had to be in the 90's.  I was happy that I broke down and bought a personal fan.  I climbed onto my air mattress, pointed it directly at my face, and tried my best to rest up for the day ahead.

Stay tuned for Day 2...

Royally yours,
Sherri

WOW!!!

WOW!!!  That just about sums it up.  I am having such difficulty finding words to express the emotions I have experienced today.  I cannot believe that I am part of such an amazing group of people.  If you haven't heard it by now, (those of you on Facebook, please forgive us for our 18 million posts that clogged up your news feed today) the TWPs reached our $100,000 goal!  This morning we still had $3,500 to raise and now we are at $100,292 and have an additional member!!!  Gretchen's brother decided to join our team.  Can you believe it?  I hardly can.  Earlier in the week we just surpassed the $90,000 mark.  When we started getting close, I became so consumed with this goal that my entire day was spent alternating between Facebook, posting how much more we needed and the 3-Day site, checking to see if our thermometer had risen.  In the last two days I have received over $400 in donations.  Simply amazing.  Social networking truly does work!  I have had my mom's high school friends donate to me!  These are women that my mom hadn't seen in over 40 years and just recently reconnected with.  The thing that shocked me the most were the donations that came in today from those who had already donated to other members on our team.  Having such a large interconnected team, people often have to choose who to donate to.  By becoming a non-profit, we will have the ability to divide funds among teammates.  I had two different people donate to me today having already donated to others.  One family has even donated to TWO others on the team already!  When something like that happens, it really makes you think.  I can turn on the news on a daily basis, and 80% of it is so depressing.  Then I can have a day like today, and the world is a wonderful place.  Again, I wish I could find the words to express what this day has meant to me.  All I can simply say is thank you.  My life has been changed because of every one of you.

Royally yours,
Sherri

What a difference a year makes!

It's is 5AM, and I can't sleep.  One week from now, I will be getting off of a coach bus in Framingham, ready to embark on my fourth 3-Day journey.  Maybe that is why I can't sleep.  I am too excited.  I have already begun to run through my packing list making sure that I have all of the necessities.  This year I purchased a new lightweight bag and am excited to use it.  It has lots of space to hold everything including all of our tent decorations.  If we don't win tent decorating this year, I am done--no more decorations for me.

As I sit here I can't help but think what a difference a year makes.  Last July, Patty and I started on the journey of a lifetime with the filming of our New Balance video--Walk Like a Princess.  It was during this weekend last year when we had the pool party and found out what we were really in for--the cameras, the microphones, the interviews, and the friends that we made.  I recently viewed  it for the first time in a long time the other day.  It was just as amazing.  We have received over 63,000 hits.  It really was pretty incredible to be a part of something like that.  But the thing that has been even more incredible, is the impact that it has made on those around us.  Our little team of 10 is now an army of 31.  30 women and one prince, who have each raised at least $2300 and trained for hundreds of miles.  Yes, I said hundreds.  There are very few people around Amesbury who do not know the Tough Warrior Princesses. We can usually be seen in the early morning hours of the weekend, dressed in pink, walking around Amesbury or Newburyport.  Just this year we have raised $96,500--just $3,500 shy of our $100,000 goal.  However, we have high hopes that in the next week we will surpass that $100,000 mark.  While I am eternally grateful to those of you who have already donated, if you have forgotten, no need to worry.  Believe it or not, you can still donate. Just click on the link to the side of this page. Think of the lives that will be impacted by this money.  Maurine and my friend Bridget, (you have hopefully all read her blog--My Big Girl Pants) are both recipients of Komen grants.  Our money is helping them to live their lives the way that they should be lived.

While the money this year is terribly exciting, I can't help but look at the bigger picture.  As most of you may know, the TWPs have filed to become an official non-profit.  It took lots of work to create Articles of Association and Bylaws, but we did it and are just waiting to hear back from the IRS.  What I am most proud of is our mission statement.  We talked a lot about what we want the TWPs to become and what purpose they should serve, but to put it all on paper was very challenging.  We wanted everything to be perfect--not too specific, but not too broad.  Drum roll....I would like to share with you the TWP mission statement!

The Tough Warrior Princesses are committed to raising funds for breast cancer research, educating and enlightening the public on the need to find a cure, and providing support to local women and their families impacted by cancer.

Pretty good, huh?  In the process of doing this, I just so happened to be reading Promise Me which is Nancy Brinker's story of how she started Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  It is simply amazing to me, that something that started so small, just like the TWPs, has blossomed into an organization that is the global leader in funding breast cancer research.  It definitely makes me think about what we can accomplish.  By no means do we have plans to reach far and wide, but we would like to broaden our scope to include women with all types of cancer.   From experience, we know that being involved in something bigger than you can make a great impact on your life.  Our hope is to expand the TWPs to encompass those who want to make a difference in the lives of a woman diagnosed with cancer.  We want to include people who may not be able to walk 60 miles, but feel that there is a need to do something, whether it is babysitting, making a meal, or driving someone to treatment.  Simply put, we want to help make the lives of women battling cancer just a bit easier.

So while we wait for the IRS, life on the 3-Day continues.  This Saturday is Street Team Day, a day when we canvas businesses along the route and let them know that 1,600 people will be traipsing through their neighborhood in just a few days.  It is a fun day where I get to see my 3-Day family who I have really missed since the Get Started Meetings have ended.  Plus, it gets a walk in.  I know I am ready, but one more walk can't hurt.

On Monday I get to spend some time with my TWP family.  Lisa S. has graciously offered her home for a little TWP party.   Every time our entire group gets together, it is always for a reason, whether it be a meeting where we have to discuss business or a walk.  While walks are entertaining, and can be downright hysterical, we have really had little time to just hang out and talk--no business.  I am looking forward to bonding with my "sole sisters" as we begin this journey.

You, too, can be part of our 3-Day journey.  Be sure to visit Spectator information to find out about all the ways that you can support us.  Consider coming to closing ceremonies Sunday afternoon at UMASS Boston.  It is so amazing,  I can't describe it.  It needs to be experienced.   Or if you would rather join us on Saturday, in addition to the cheering stations listed on the 3-Day site, the TWPs will have their own cheering station at the McCue the Florist parking lot on Saturday July 23 from 10am–2:15pm. It is located at 200 Cambridge Street, Woburn on the corner of Rte. 3 and Lexington St. next to the 99 Restaurant.  Our families will be there, and hopefully you will be too! 

Thank you all again for your continued support.  Many of you have been with me on this journey for 4 years.  For that, I am forever grateful.  I wouldn't be where I am today without all of you! XO

Royally yours,
Sherri

Spring has Sprung!

Like so many of you, I really enjoy this time of year.  Spring signifies re-birth, and that is truly the case with me.  It is during this time when I really kick my training into gear by walking several times a week.  I always feel like a healthier me.  I am getting up earlier, eating better, drinking more water, and getting fit.  Sometimes I enjoy the early morning solitude of walking by the farms as the fog hangs low in the field, cows staring as I walk by.  When I say it that way, it sounds kind of creepy, but it really isn't.  Then on the other hand, just as fun, is walking with a group of 10 women laughing and sharing stories of their escapades the evening before.  For this reason, I chose to become a 3-Day Training Walk Leader this year.

My first year I completed the walk, I didn't really participate in any of the Komen events.  Luckily, at the time, I didn't realize what I was missing.  I thought that I knew all I needed to know in order to have a successful event, and I did.  What I did not realize was that I was missing out on so much more--the friendships that blossom during that time.  I have said it before, but it takes a special kind of person to participate in the 3-Day.  I don't mean to sound boastful, or arrogant, but to take the time to train for hundreds of miles, and to raise thousands of dollars, this event has to be of significance to you.  When my friend Meredith runs her Get Started Meetings, she always tells a story about her brother and how he asked her what makes the 3-Day different from other events.  She replies that it is the "community of kindness" that the 3-Day creates.  What exactly is a "community of kindness?"  Simply said, it is bringing your best self to the event.  When you choose to walk 60 miles and raise $2,300, you are being your best self.  When you see someone sitting alone at dinner and you invite them over, you are being your best self.  When you are standing in a parking lot in 100 degree weather cheering your family on, you are being your best self.  When you volunteer to drive in to Boston, pick up your friend's luggage, schlep it a mile back to the car, walk back, and cheer them on as they proceed into Closing Ceremonies, you are being your best self.  Clearly, everyone who, in some way, participates in the 3-Day is bringing their best self.

So I decided to bring my best self and become a Training Walk Leader this year.  You may not think so, but this was a difficult decision for me.  I train with a group of women that really don't fit the training walk profile.  What I mean is that we didn't always follow the rules.  I know that might be a shock to some of you, but it is true.  We weren't blatant offenders, but could incur some minor infractions.  There would be the occasional cell phone conversation while walking, sometimes we would not stretch enough, Connie might not walk on the sidewalk, Connie could have us walking at a 5mph pace, and I believe there was one time when Connie did not bring water on a hot day.  So I guess that it really wasn't all of us...it was just Connie!  JK--xo Connie!  Seriously though, the fact that we were so comfortable with the way we did things, and how we were with each other, I was nervous about including new people and new rules at the same time; however, I figured it was important, so I signed up.

If the TWPs were unhappy about me being a TWL, they didn't show it.  Nine of them signed up for my first official training walk two weeks ago.  I had mapped out a great five mile route around Amesbury which included everything that it needed to--a few hills, a stroll along the river, water, restrooms, and stretching.  I remembered the echoes of Pit Stop volunteers, "HYDRATE, URINATE, STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!!!"  I tried to anticipate everything.  I had waiver forms waiting to be signed, and my cell phone was charged.  I had water, and my safety speech was ready to be recited.  The one thing I didn't anticipate was that even though it was technically Spring, and some flowers have started to sprout, it is still felt like winter in New England.  I was not expecting 25 degrees, with a zero degree windchill.

Sherri the Safety Monitor AKA...Safety Spice!

We arrived at our starting point, the Rail Trail in Amesbury, behind the Stop & Shop.  We all waited in cars for the last of the stragglers.  When everyone was almost there, we began our stretching.  As I am just about to finish, Michele G. shows up with a special present in honor of my first training walk--a reflective vest with the words, "Sherri--AKA Safety Spice" emblazoned on the front.  Yes, I had made it to the big leagues.  I was now one of the Spice Girls.  All I needed was a pink whistle.  Having that vest allowed me to play up the safety role and made for a more entertaining walk.  I was proud of the Princesses for walking despite the freezing temperatures.

Since then, the TWPs also participated in the 3-Day Kick-Off event.  When you sign up to do the 3-Day you have a choice of which training schedule to do--a 24 week one or a 16 week one.  My first year I did the 24 week one.  At the time, I hadn't been doing anything physical and was just a year out of treatment.  I thought I needed that much time to be prepared.  I walked more than I needed to and was very burned out by the time the actual walk came around.  Since then I have opted for the 16 week schedule.  So, the Kick-Off event is a day where participants gather together and celebrate the beginning of the 16 week training schedule.

The TWPs in full force!

Cheryl sporting her new toy!

We met at New Balance in Burlington where we planned to do the first of two 3 mile training walks. Believe me, the TWPs were going to represent!  We had about 20 of our 33 teammates there! After checking in, the store was open just to 3-Day participants, and we got a special 20% discount.  Many of us loaded up on t-shirts, flip flops, and some of us even got sneakers. At 8:00 we began the first of the two walks.  It was a leisurely pace with one stop on the way.  I don't think the TWPs knew what to do!  We rarely walk at a leisurely pace.  After getting back to the store, we shopped some more, ate munchkins and waited for raffles. Lucky Cheryl won a really cool pedometer/heart rate monitor. 

Jenna, Melanie, and Dana

Julie and Lisa

While we were there I thought it was a good time to grab some photos of our new TWPs.  I hope that as the season progresses you will get to know them as well as you did last year.  They are a great group of women who are adding a whole new dynamic to our group.  There will definitely be tons of laughs on this year's walk.  In addition, they have renewed my energy, and once again reminded me why I continue to walk.  What I love most about them is that they all want to be a part of the "team" that we have created.  While some of us stayed in Burlington to do a second 3 mile training walk, another group went out for breakfast.  I have to admit I was a little bit jealous when I received a text from Cheryl with a photo of them sitting around a large table with the caption "Our second training walk."  I'm glad they had the opportunity to hang out a bit.  It is all part of the journey.

xo
Royally yours,
Sherri