Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer 2008

The 2008 Weekend to End Breast Cancer is over and I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for all of their support. I could not have made it as far as I did without all of your help.

The weekend was simply amazing! It started off with Day Zero where you watch a safety video and get your credentials and tent assignments. It was all organized wonderfully.. The lines moved well and we didn't wait for long at all. We had our photos taken by the photographer (will be on my facebook as soon as I get them). We went out for dinner as a team and them home for a good night sleep before the big walk.

Todd brought me down in the morning and it was just starting to rain a little bit. The rain held off for the opening ceremonies but basically as soon as we were off the rain started. It was pretty awesome walking with SO many people.. Then the sweep vans started driving by and they had their tunes cranked and I could walk so much better any time they were close.. :)






Saturday I walked with Barb and Lynn. The route was very nice... Through parks and through the city of Toronto through the amazing area known as Weston! These people were amazing.. They had food and drinks and even beer! I love Weston.. :)






The last 5km of Day one was pretty brutal.. I was tired, sore and my feet HURT... But I did it.. I walked every KM of Day one! I was welcomed into camp by some of the Super Boobie Fairies..

Once I got into camp it was STRAIGHT to my tent to take my sneakers OFF... I walked around barefoot until it became too cold to do so.. Next year nice comfy sandles! Next stop.. Massage tent... I got my time and then off too the beer tent to hang with the other fairies to wait for dinner and my massage..
My wonderful Fairy Friends kept telling me to keep moving as my muscles would be happier.. So I was off to the stretching/yoga tent.. Let me tell you yoga has never hurt yet felt so good. Pigeon pose KILLS after 33 kms.. Let me tell you!
It got very cold that night and I froze in my tent but was up nice and early and greeted by a Lrg Timmies (Thanks Cheryl). Breakfast was not a highlight of my weekend... Who has a breakfast buffet with NO BACON.. Hahaha
And I was back on the route! The first little bit was hard to get moving.. Oh boy I was sore.. But as my muscles (and the day) warmed up I was GOLD! I even kept up with the fast Fairies until about 10:30.. I think at that point my shoes just gave out... And It was about then that it started raining. It was a cold cold rain and I was pretty miserable but kept going.
I arrived at lunch and it was pouring rain.. There was nowhere dry to sit and I hardly ate my lunch as my fingers were too cold to work properly. I continued on and found I was getting pretty dizzy and thought it might be good to take a break so I hailed a sweep vehicle.. The Hollywood Van. They took me about 3Kms to the next Pitstop.. It was just what I needed to keep going.

I walked another 5 minutes or so and I was at the Princess Margaret Hospital.. I wish I had been able to take some photos but it was too rainy to take my camera out and again.. Fingers were not cooperating.
Just after the hospital my friends Carol, Dwayne and Eric were there to cheer me on.. WHAT a boost that was.. I was planning on taking a sweep vehicle to the Steamwhistle (next pitstop) but after seeing them there I was determined to make it on foot.
The Steamwhistle was my favorite Pitstop of the weekend.. Haha.. They gave me beer and it was warm.. Still no where to sit down, but I likely would not have gotten back up if I had tried at that point.
Only 3 km's left to go after the Steamwhistle.. Todd and Cheryl and I made the trek to the finish line.. It was painful but we did it and it felt great!
The finish line was neat.. You felt like a rockstar coming in with everyone cheering you on and high fiving you.. It was a great experience..
The closing ceremonies were LOUD.. And very emotional.. It was very hard to watch the survivors enter all together.. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place.


All in all.. The weekend raised more than 13 Million dollars for the Princess Margaret Hospital - My Team, The Super Boobie Fairies raised $28,326.73 of that and I couldn't be more proud of myself or my teamates.. WE made a difference as did you through your support.



Thanks again for everything! I have decided that I will be doing it again in 20
09! My page is up (but not personalized yet) and if you would like to make a donation I would be so thrilled to get started on my fundraising http://www.endcancer.ca/goto/lnorth