Well, the 2010 Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure was this past weekend in Atlanta and WE DID IT! We all met up Thursday night before Day 1 to have a Carbfest at the Olive Garden at the Mall of Georgia. We ate some paste and had a few cocktails and just relaxed with our new friends. Friday morning, we were up at 4 am for breakfast, packing up and catching the shuttle to Lake Lanier Islands for Opening Ceremonies. We ran into Karen Greer from 11 Alive (rumor is she also walked 60 miles too!), we met friends from out of town including Connecticut and Virginia who came down to walk in Atlanta. One B4B member and survivor was selected to Participate in the Survivor's Circle. A circle of 8 survivors to bear flags. My mom carried the Optimism flag.
Day 1 - we walked out of Lake Lanier Islands, through downtown Buford where we ran into Pam, Cheryl, April and Chaney! Almost the whole team met up at the Pit Stop in Buford for a group photo. We were only missing Sue & Katharine here, Sue is our 68 year old 7-year survivor with bad knees. She was doing the best she could on Day 1, but was trailing towards the end and daughter, Katharine, stuck with her. We walked down through Sugar Hill, Suwanee and ended up at Camp in Duluth, Georgia. Many thanks to the City of Duluth for allowing us to use their park along the Chattahoochee River.
Day 2 - rough night at camp. 40 degrees and NO sleep for the walkers! 6:30 am came way to quickly to begin walking at 8 am. But we all did it. Yummy hot breakfast under the dining tent, then off to walk another 20 miles. We walked through Duluth, Norcross, Johns Creek, Peachtree Corners, had lunch at Norcross High School, then circled back around to Duluth to camp. Interviews today - Chelley did hers, I missed mine. Arrived back at camp too late and they were all packed up. Some of the ladies went home for a few hours for Homecoming with their kids, then back before the Dance Party Saturday night!!
Day 3 - we were bused from Camp in Duluth to Chamblee High School to begin walking from there. Day 3 is always my favorite day! Walking through Chamblee, Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta is awesome! Day 3 is a very hilly route and by this time, I thought I would just about keel over! Route Safety kept telling us "it's all downhill from here" - which turned out to be LIES! Every time we rounded a corner, it seemed like another hill!!!!! But we arrived at Turner Field at 4 pm and tailgated with our families. The husbands had burgers and hot dogs ready for us - and most important - a cold beer! Closing Ceremonies was emotional. When the survivors walk in and we salute them with one show off holding it in the air, it's overwhelming.
We did it! And we can't wait to do it again!!!
