This post is sponsored. I’m participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Atlanta. All opinions are my own.
How can I explain the past 3 days but AMAZINGLY INSPIRATIONAL! This past Friday I had the opportunity to participate as a first time walker in the Susan G. Komen Atlanta 3-Day 60 Mile Walk. Let me be completely honest upon arriving I had no idea what was in store for me over the three days to come. My morning started off by getting checked in, receiving my Glamping section and taking my luggage to my area for delivery to our Glamping destination.
Upon getting everything taken care of I sat down and enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast before heading over to the opening ceremony. Just imagine over a thousand ladies all hugging and greeting one another with love. I met briefly with my Atlanta contact Kaleigh and she instantly paired me with a team. Can I just say that my team, For The Love Of Boobs was a God send. I was paired with six of the most amazing women! From the very moment that we met they were the primary reason I was able to finish the walk. Check out our first of many selfies:
The opening ceremony is filled with love, emotions and strength. It’s one thing to hear cancer surviving stories and those about the many that have lost their lives on television but to be in the midst of the stories is an experience that can’t be described in words but one that you would have to immerse yourself in to truly understand. As I listened to the plethora of heart warming stories I realized that its imperative that these walks take place across the United States. Susan G. Komen® has provided more than $920 million in funding for breast cancer research and more than $2 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. This is just one of the millions of reasons Why The 3 Day Matters?
As the walk began, which started at Stone Mountain, it was a breeze at first, but I soon learned that I had in no fashion, shape or form trained like I should be compared to the brave ladies that take this annual walk. Boy, was I outta shape in my lower body (feet and legs). While walking with my team, I learned that these amazing ladies train every weekend walking around 10 miles at a time. Whew! Talk about THE BOMB.COM! As we walked we were greeted by supporters waiting around every corner that we turned and it felt amazing to see the love from everyone. The moment that I saw students from The Stone Mountain Elementary School and teachers outside with cold waters, fresh fruit, stickers and a full band. it just melted my heart.
Guess what? During lunch we found three four-leaf clovers! How awesome is that?
The walk was long and amazing all at the same time. From getting to know thousands of women and stopping at pit stops to refuel. And did I mention that on Day 1 that we walked all the way from Stone Mountain to The World Congress Center? Needless to say, on day 1, I experienced my first blister or should I say blisters. Andrew had the lovely task of lancing them for me.
Day 2 started off with a bang for me. It was the start of Blister Twister. I’m 41 years old and I have never in my life had a blister, nor did I know that they hurt so badly. Let’s just say that my second day started off in the Medical tent with Hie lancing blisters that magically grew overnight in addition to the ones that Andrew lanced on the previous night. Please keep in mind that I am terrified of needles but at some point, a girl has to do what a girl has to do!
Can we just say that I built a lifelong relationship with the medical team? I’m sure that they will always remember me as the “Newbie Walker”. Once the blister twister drama was over I headed out with my team for Day 2. Keep in mind that your legs and feet are hurting but when you join your fellow walkers at the start of the day, your energy reaches an all-time high. Our second day basically took us all over the world. LOL! Well, Atlanta! Trust me when I say that many of the places we passed were all places that I once complained about driving to…that will never happen again.
As you can see, we all stopped for another selfie, but this one was different. As we crossed the street near Piedmont Park we were greeted and cheered on by another part the For The Love Of Boobs team which was just as awesome as the rest! They had fresh hot coffee and sweets for us plus this was a perfect opportunity for a mini-break before we continued on our walk. The second day of walking wasn’t as intense as the first day, and I wasn’t even ready for Day 3’s hike!
Wondering where I slept for three days? I had the opportunity to camp out with the beautiful ladies which was an amazing experience. I can definitely mark off using a million porta potties (which I had never used before) and showering in an 18-wheeler! LOL!
The 3 Day is not a race but a weekend filled with women, men and teenagers all walking together so that others don’t have to lose a loved one to cancer. We’re all walking to FIGHT CANCER’S BUTT! Did you know that Susan G. Komen® has invested more than $166 million in funding for over 400 research grants and more than 40 clinical trials focused on metastatic disease. The second reason why The 3 Day Matters is the unity that it brings among people no matter their nationality, ethnicity or economic backgrounds. What I found heartwarming and emotional was how we all patiently awaited the last walker to arrive so and she could make her entrance with a banner as we all cheered her on until she reached the flag which is only raised nightly once the last walker enters the camp. Talk about an experience!
DAY 3 was a crazy hike! The hills were a beast! My feet were not allowing me to be great so I had to sweep to a pit stop because OMG the hills were steep! I was joined by fellow amazing walkers who all agreed that it was a bit much for us. The beauty of this walk is that they have thought about every single situation that could possibly occur. Trust me, there is absolutely nothing wrong with jumping on a sweep, which is a van that will take you to the next pit stop. Believe me listen to your body! Again I repeat this is not a race but a walk so taking your time and ensuring that you don’t overdo it is perfectly fine.
The last day was full of emotions and joy because we were almost to the end. As I walked I thought about the pain that the families endure when they lose a loved one and the painful treatments that both the survivors and those who have lost their life endure the painful 60 Mile walk is nothing in comparison and that’s Why The 3 Day Matters? I learned during my walk from fellow survivors that the Komen Breast Care Helpline offers free breast cancer support and counseling to anyone with questions or concerns: 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or helpline@komen.org. We’re all walking together to raise money to fight CANCER & combat this disease through early detection.
My life will never be the same after this past weekend and I look forward to walking with all of my sisters again next year but until then please continue to support Susan G. Komen.