2011 Dallas Ft. Worth 3-Day - Susan G. Komen

Hard to believe it's almost been 6 years since Mom died of Breast Cancer.......

Trevor and I walked the 3-Day again back in November in her memory. It's our third walk together, and I plan on walking every 5th anniversary of her death until I can't walk anymore.

This year's walk began on a chilly Friday morning at Collin Creek Mall in Plano. The 18-mile route started with an great send off from the kids at Aldridge Elementary, the first of many schools that came out to support the walkers. The day was filled with cheering stations and lots of amazing support from the community, lunch in the park, and a final walk into camp at Brookhaven College where the school baseball team helped walkers carry their gear and set up tents. We enjoyed hot showers, an Italian dinner, a foot massage, and a little fun in camp before heading to bed.

Saturday’s 21-mile route started a little cold but the sun came out and it was perfect walking weather. Again, amazing cheering stations and support (including hot cocoa, wine and cheese, mimosas, candy, stickers, Advil, etc.) from the community. There were nearly two miles of continuous cheering stations after we had lunch with our families at the Hockaday Academy. We walked a little slower, but still made it to camp for dinner, more foot massages, and chatting with fellow walkers.

Our final day of walking began with a quick bus ride to Ursuline Academy. We started our 15-mile walk through some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Dallas. Then it was onto the Katy Trail and through Historic Downtown Dallas past the American Airlines Center and Pioneer Plaza with the bronze steer. Lunch was at Main Street Garden – what a view of downtown Dallas! The final miles of the route wound through the Deep Ellum Arts District and into the Fair Grounds. Since we were running a little "early," we made a pit stop (along with many walkers) for a snack and some relaxing before heading to closing ceremonies.

The day ended with a celebratory and inspirational Closing Ceremony. All the participants danced and finally raised their shoes to salute the survivors bringing the ceremony to a close. There were 2,800 walkers and 450 crew and volunteers this year who raised $7.1 million for breast cancer research and community-based educational health programming.

After the ceremonies, we joined our families and headed out to enjoy a dinner together before going home to rest and soak our tired feet and bodies.

THANK YOU TO ALL MY SPONSORS!!! I couldn't have done it without you!!

So, until next time........