360,000 steps later

I saw that on a shirt at the 3-day, there are 360,000 steps in 60 miles.

Well, it is Monday August 27th and I am happy to report that I walked every last step of the 60 miles!!! I do not have ANY blisters - WooHoo. I am a little sore but feeling Great. If I keep moving it is better. Last night after Dave picked me up we went out to dinner with Don and Iris, who came to support me at the closing ceremonies (thank you!). We went home, I feel asleep in the tub at about 8:30 and mustered up enough energy to get dry and get in bed. The end.

My pictures are being developed right now so I will post some in the next day or so.

We started in Coon Rapids and walked through the following cities:
Coon Rapids
Spring Lake Park
Fridley
Mounds View
Shorewiew
Roseville
Maplewood
St. Paul
Woodbury
Back to Maplewood
Thru the capital
Minneapolis

There was some seriously beautiful scenery and the weather - it could not have been better! About 60 degrees at night, perfect for tenting, 75 to 80 and breezy everyday of the walk. I was so thankful when I heard the down pour last night that it held out until Sunday night.

I had wonderful company the entire walk. The only person that I knew who I was walking with was my friend Liz and there were about 15 of us there supporting her. Every person was wonderful and welcoming and we had some really great laughs and wonderful conversation - there is a little time to chat! My tent mate was great, we got along really well and had some good laughs.

This year the 3-day was much more profound then the last one I did. It definitely had more purpose. I think that as I get older, I get more and understand the meanings and the consequences and the importance of many things in my life. In the walk I had some time to think and I don't want to seem selfish but I also did this walk for myself and my precious, precious baby girls. I think of all my dear friends and family and their little baby girls. This walk is so representative of the struggle of cancer. The endurance, the strength and the bravery that it takes to fight and make it through. Everyone handles the journey differently, just like the walk. Some people have blisters from heel to toe, they just bandage them up and continue on in the journey, some talk a rest and get some help along the way. Each pit stop was about every 2-4 miles and they were significient too because just how I handle things in my life, one thing at a time and take it as it comes. You don't know what the next pit stop holds or what might happen between this pit stop and the next but you just handle the moment and appreciate it now as it comes and be thankful for your blister free feet or that everyone in your circle of people are heathly, or are sick but improving, whatever it might be at the pit stop in your life. Then you get through it, 60 miles later you wonder how did I, who am overweight and not in the best shape get through it and feel great, how did I raise $2350 and not find it that difficult. How did I get to be blessed with a wonderful, loving husband and little beautiful children who I adore? Will I be thankful enough, appreciative enough? How will I endure all the pit stops that are in store for me? I believe I can do it and I really think that is "it", that is "enough" just to believe I can and I will. That is how I got through the 3-day 60 mile walk and it really leaves more of a mark then the sore muscles.

When I get my pictures, I will post some and also some of the cool saying along the way (that I can remember)