It was 9 months in the making. Let’s go back to January.
Last year my niece Kim convinced me to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer with her. While I was successful in completing all 39.3 miles (that’s a marathon the first day and a half marathon the 2nd), I did not sign up at the event to do a repeat. It’s very hard to conceive doing the event again while the blisters are still fresh on your feet.
Danny wasn’t so convinced I shouldn’t repeat. He kept me walking all winter, putting his feet where his mouth is (now isn’t that a visual). By February, I had decided to sign up again. I talked to Kim and found out she had already done so as well. Feb. is also when I took Danny on his first 7 mile walk.
By April, I half heartedly answered an email I received from Avon. Someone in Anaheim needed a walker buddy. I took the plunge and asked which end of town she lived on. Too bad, Patrice lived on the West end of town, over 10 miles away from me. Her daughter Tiffany has asked her to do the walk. At 22, Tiffany didn’t have much training she needed to do. Patrice knew at many..cough, cough…years older, needed to do more. I suggested a place for us to meet and she was wiling to make it happen.
Patrice never complained about the drive or the walk. Sure she got out of whack a couple of times, but it never stopped her. (She did keep the chiropractor busy though.) She was always on time and never questioned the distances I made her walk. She put herself in my hands and followed my grand plan.
By May it was down to fundraising. Danny’s plan was to ask Tony to do a wine tasting. One evening and 24 guests later, and my goal was made. Add in some additional wonderful friends and I raised $2,000 for this good cause.
August brought us to the dreaded 20 mile walk. Once again Patrice proved herself to be a trooper. We picked up Kim midway through and then walked her back and dropped her off. Total miles were 20.25. Do one 20 mile walk. Check. Done.
The time flew by and the next thing you know it was time to rock and roll. Long Beach here we come. Kim ended up riding in with Danny and me. She was meeting up with her “podcast” friend, Heather. So they know each other, but have never met. I knew Heather was 6′1″. I knew Patrice is 5′9″. I knew I was in trouble.
Since we kept a good pace and made it the lunch stop at 10:30, we grabbed lunch and waited to eat until we met up with Danny, Rick, Luke, Lani, TJ, Elyse, Keith, Diane and M at mile 14. We ate, re-lubed, adjusted what needed adjusting and took off again. That stop made the rest of the day possible. That and Danny running out to greet us every 5 miles or so. Thank you all so much! Especially the guy in the pink wig.
26.2 miles, 1 sunburn, 3 blisters and ??? hours later, Patrice, Tiffany and I crossed the finish line in the top 3rd. Heather and Kim did the half marathon the first day. Good job girls.
Day 2 came up too fast. I know I can recover from a 14 mile walk and walk the next day. In this case, I was still sore the next morning. Kim had chewed her feet up again, but she still got on the bus, and started the walk with us. She was doubtful she would be able to finish tho and Heather announced she was sticking with me. Kim told her I’d make sure she finished. Little did I know that at her height, and Patrice’s height that Tiffany and I would have to jog in between to keep up with them. No, no, no, you guys can’t walk together. Tall girl with short girl only. That’s better.
Kim stayed with her friend Barbara (who finished with me last year while she was pregnant) to cheer us on. I got to see and hold little Sophia. I was so busy kissing her I had to run to catch up with the girls. It was worth it tho.
We came in very early – about 12:30. Too early to stay to see Patrick Dempsey. We had to run home because I needed to nap before celebrating Danny’s birthday.
I did not sign up at the event to do a repeat. It’s very hard to conceive doing the event again while the blisters are still fresh on your feet. Hmmm, Santa Barbara in 2010? Only if you sign up.
