60 Mile Virgin

As a 3-Day first-timer, I didn't really know what to expect of my 60 mile journey ... but, it was AWESOME ... and I think pictures are the very best way to tell the story ...

It all began on Thursday, October 18, 2012.  After attending rehearsal for Opening Ceremonies, I met my teammates at the Crowne Plaza at Perimeter to prepare for the days ahead.  We ate dinner and enjoyed some team spirit before turning in for a good night's sleep ...

Off to The Cheesecake Factory for some carb-loading ...

 Gooooooooooooo Princess Warriors!

The next morning started early ... we were headed to Opening Ceremonies at exactly 6:15 AM ...

We've got Starbucks ... 

Liz, Carrie, Julie, and Emily

Mary & Sarah

Once we arrived at Stone Mountain, we were greeted by the wonderful children of the Youth Corps ...

The Youth Corps, my bags, and me ...

Then, we unloaded our bags and were immediately interviewed by Karyn Greer of 11Alive News ...

Karyn, Me, and Sarah

After we made our television appearance, it was time for Opening Ceremonies to begin. For me, these ceremonies were one of the highlights of my weekend!  Not only did I have the special privilege of carrying the Commitment flag, but I was able to stand among 8 breast cancer survivors and lead 1,600 walkers to the beginning of an amazing 60 miles ...

Survivor Circle

My beautiful family at Opening Ceremonies

Us

Now let's have some fun ...

Catherine, Julie, Carrie, Liz, and Emily

And we're off ...

Over the next several hours, we covered the first 21+ miles and had LOTS of fun ...

The crossing guards were AMAZINGLY fun!

Sarah & Me

SURVIVORS

At the conclusion of Day 1, we arrived at the Georgia World Congress Center ...

Princess Warriors

After arriving at camp, we were able to set up our tents and unpack.  Of course, we had to get those adorable pink tents looking good ... 

Tent Decorating Contest WINNERS

After settling in, we headed to dinner and Friday night's Camp Show where I had the opportunity to share my story.  It was such a GREAT experience and, although I was a bit apprehensive, I am so thankful I did it!

Finally, after a LONG day, lights were out at 9:15 ...

At exactly 5:30 on Saturday morning, the simulated sunrise began ... and there was no turning back ... we were all up before 6:00 AM ...

 Ready for the second 20 MILES ... at least most of us ...

After spending quite some time with the medical staff on Friday evening, Alisha learned that she had been walking on a broken foot ALL day!  So, refusing to quit, we decided that she would ride the remaining 40 miles ... 

Chelsea & Alisha

DONE!

A mile or two later ... up hill and down ... over broken sidewalks and through the dirt ... Chelsea was DONE!  So, our first Warrior was calling for the Sweep Van ... and off to meet us at each of the Pit Stops!

Otherwise, the second day was FULL of walking ... and LOTS of fun ...

Shake it, shake it, shake it ...

The blisters and sore muscles have officially set in ... right, Emily?

And the sight seeing wasn't too shabby either!

Among a sea of pink, we finally arrived "home" around 5:30 in the evening ...

We all relaxed for a little while and cleaned up for the evening's festivities ... a roller coaster ride of emotions.  At Saturday night's Camp Show, we were introduced to an amazing man that is walking ALL 14 3-Day events across the nation this year.  He lost his wife to breast cancer several years ago.  Then, the adorable kids of the Youth Corps shared their personal connections to the cause ... each of them had either lost a family member to the disease or were celebrating a survivor in their life.  Their stories were enough to bring a grown man to tears ... and all 15 Princess Warriors.  Then, as only Komen can do it ... we were moved from tears to laughter and excitement when the dance party began ...

 Now, dip baby dip ... and slide ...

At the end of Day 2, we were all a little more tired than the evening before ... and less disappointed with the 9:15 bedtime ...

The final day began at promptly 5:30 AM ... again!  We spent the first couple of hours packing and breaking down our adorable pink tents ... all to be ready to hit the streets by 7:45 ...

Ready for the LAST 20 ...

For me, Sunday's walking went by rather quickly!  We had SO MUCH support from everyone ... even random strangers came out to cheer us on ... it was humbling, for sure! And, we met a HUGE pink flamingo ... which was so exciting for those of us that participated in our "Flocking Fundraiser"...

 Meet the Flockers!

Emily, Catherine, Me, Julie, Carrie, and Liz

ALMOST to the finish ... and looking SO good ...

After 60 miles of walking, we were all ready to see our families ... and celebrate our AMAZING accomplishment ...

 Let's CELEBRATE!

 WE DID IT!

And THIS is why I walk!

Each of these feet walked 60 MILES ... each of these feet raised more than $2,300 ... and each of these feet brought us one step closer to a cure for breast cancer ...

What an INCREDIBLE weekend ... and what an AMAZING group of women ...

Princess Warriors

The Closing Ceremonies brought this PERFECT weekend to an emotional end.  As a survivor and flag bearer, I had the unique opportunity to stand in the center of the thousands of men and women ... and witness one of the most moving tributes ...

Catherine & Tiffanie

The one-shoe salute signifies the end of the 2012 Atlanta 3-Day and is done in honor of those whose lives have been forever changed by breast cancer ... the 2.5 million survivors living in the United States.  And, finally, the flag was raised ... showing that, until we find a cure, WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP ... and we will continue to walk ...

God has given me a second chance at life ... and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to share this very special part of it with my Princess Warriors ...

Kelly Carlin

My Friend & Blog Cheerleader

Mary Collis

My Cousin

Jenny Cudabac

My Cousin

Catherine Grabowski

My Friend & Neighbor

Emily Iwane

My Friend & Neighbor

Sarah Jabbour

My Friend & Fellow Survivor

Alisha McArthur

My Best Friend

Carrie McClure

My Friend & Neighbor

Debbie McNeal

My Mother-in-Law

Tiffanie McNeal

My Sister-in-Law

Julie Michaud

My Friend & Neighbor

Liz Policky

My Friend & Neighbor

Emily Sims

My New Friend

Chelsea Smith

My Friend

Now, this 60-Mile Virgin has experience ... and I MUST do it again!  So, I have already registered our team for 2013 3-Day in Atlanta ... 

Let the fundraising begin ...