Well……WE DID IT!! 

 Alan and I walked 39.3 miles last weekend!!!  It was the most amazing experience we have every had, and it was made even more special by the fact that we walked together for the entire distance - just like we did when we were faced with my diagnosis of breast cancer – TOGETHER!  I wanted to quit Sunday morning when it was raining on us, and my feet were hurting and my legs were sore and my hip was feeling old - but I just COULD NOT leave my Alan out there on his own.  So we struggled through - encouraging each other every step of the way.  When we walked to the stadium and crossed the finish line we held each other and cried like babies.

 The entire weekend was so uplifting.  The sense of community and camaraderie was unbelievable - just so much support!  There were so many people cheering on the walkers, supporting the walkers and especially - taking care of the walkers.  As Saturday wore on, the medical tents were getting busier and busier.  Two of our teammates had to drop out Sunday morning due to medical reasons (Jen had an ankle injury and Molly had foot issues), but the support staff did an outstanding job taking care of them. 

 We had three honorary Hooter's Heroes with us who helped make the weekend possible.  Alan's best friend Ritchie, who drove into town to watch the dogs and the house, cheered us on at the end of both days.  Molly's mom, Rayann, made it to several cheering locations, as well as made us baked ziti and meatballs for dinner Saturday night.  And our girlfriend Jodie was our head cheerleader and brought us Mountain Dew and Redbulls throughout the day.

 All through the walk we had motorists honking and waving and cheering us all on.  At each rest stop there were people dressed in costumes (our favorites were the Busty Belles) that hi-fived us every time we saw them, then hugging us as we crossed the finish line each day.  It was just such an amazing feeling of support - like nothing we have ever experienced.

 My favorite moment came very early in the walk - probably after only a mile or so, early in the morning around 7:30 when we were walking through a park in downtown Charlotte, and we saw an elderly woman on her balcony enjoying a cup of coffee.  She shouted down to us "what are you doing?"  We all yelled back (and at this point the walkers were not spread out like at the end of the day, so there were probably 25 walkers around us) “the Avon walk for breast cancer!”  She shouted back "I'm a survivor!"  We all broke out in big cheers for her.  It was just so beautiful and so organic.

 There were hundreds of wonderful moments like that throughout the weekend and I wish I had the room (and time) to tell you everything that happened.  But the important thing to know is how much Alan and I appreciate your support.  We could not have walked this event had you not been so generous to us both in helping us reach our fundraising goal.

 One final thing….about a week before the event, I was asked by the local Avon Walk staff to give the guest survivor speech at the opening and closing ceremonies.  What a big step for me!  With this honor came the opportunity to wear the ceremonial “Every Three Minutes” sash that has been worn by the local survivor (and guest speaker) in each of the other 7 cities around the country that also hosted this walk. WOW!!  I wore it proudly.   

Thank you all so much!!

Xoxo,

Lisa & Satch