2007 - almost red-carded!
2007 - Barkin’ for Boobies Members
2007 - Team Captain + Opening Ceremonies
Third 3 Day. That has to be symbolic, right?! For me, it certainly was. I formed a team out in Athens (brought back the Barkin’ for Boobies team name!) and recruited five wonderful members. I was also nominated and selected to be a flag bearer in Opening Ceremonies.
I had already started my preparations to go out to Dallas two weeks later to be on crew, so when I found out I had to go to Opening Ceremonies practice on the same day as crew day, I was overly excited to see what I should expect!
Opening Ceremonies suddenly had a new meaning to me on that Thursday. I was so honored to be a part of it, and couldn’t believe I had been selected. Surely there were other far more deserving people than me, but I was there. Here’s a YouTube video that shows it - I was the discoveries flag!
Remember that pesky knee injury from 2006? Say hi to it again. While 2007 was memorable for so many wonderful reasons, it had its harder ones, too. Like being threatened to be red-carded if I kept walking. For those of you unfamiliar with 3 Day lingo, if you get red-carded, it means you’re DONE. There is some medical reason that you absolutely should not be walking. Yikes!
We couldn’t have asked for better weather in 2007. Closing Ceremonies at Piedmont Park were just incredible. Once again, my family and friends came for support - but you have such a hard time putting together coherent thoughts after event to be able to explain it properly!
I think my excitement after this event (despite the ridiculously painful knee issue) kept growing in anticipation of FINALLY getting to see the crew side in Dallas just two short weeks later…
2006 - First Solo Event
Needless to say, 2005 had me hooked. I signed up for 2006 on event in 2005 - proving I’d come back.
2006 was a completely different event for me. I walked “alone”. I was never truly alone, but I showed up on the morning of Day 1 at North Point Mall with no one I knew before opening ceremonies. By the time I hit the road, I had already made several friends that would last a lifetime…
People always ask if it’s hard to do an event alone. Sure, it can be. But it’s always what you make of it. I knew that at the end of each day I’d be alone in my tent (tentmate didn’t show, more room for me!) but that was perfectly fine. I had thousands of people to walk, talk, stretch, eat and remember with. If I ever choose to walk another event, I would try to walk alone. It allows you to open yourself up more to the wonderful heroes you’re surrounded by for three days, and gives you the chance to take in every. single. moment.
2006 brought not only the aspect of being a team of one, but also one of injuries. On day 2, I stepped off a curb funny and felt my knee go a little weak. The medical staff is absolutely incredible and took wonderful care of me, regardless of my grumbling and “but I don’t wanna wait 30 minutes to ice before getting back on the route” attitude. If you’re ever on event, and go to medical, thank them. They’re volunteering their time and skills for nothing in return. What a thought…
I barely made it back to camp the afternoon of day 2 (thanks, SAG bus!) and immediately registered for 2007. Hooked, I tell you. Even with medical tape up and down my leg and ice dripping all over my dry clothes, I was determined once again to be on another event.
Closing ceremonies had a completely different meaning to me in 2006. For the first time in my life, I was extremely proud of what I had accomplished. I signed up for something alone, raised the $2100+ required, and got through three days without a familiar face by my side. My family and friends showed up to support me, but how can you put that kind of emotion into words?
Event two in the books. Event three already planned. But I wondered, what is it like to be part of the crew? I got home, exhausted and exhilarated, and registered for a second 2007 event - in Dallas, on crew. So it began…
2005 - First 3 Day
Butterflies. Lots of them.
As my sorority sister Brawner and I got ready for our first 3 Day journey, we felt an amazing mix of emotions - nervous being the main one. Did we really know what we had signed up for? Were we ready to walk 60 miles? Could we handle the flood of emotions the next 72 hours would bring?
In a short answer: yes. We had our bags packed according to 3 Day standards (lots of layers, and under 35 lbs!), our packs ready for walking, and as much sleep as you can get the night before taking on a huge event! In a longer answer: we may have been prepared for the event itself, but we had no idea what to expect.
We headed out towards Southlake Mall before the sun was even close to coming up, and joined thousands of men and women ready to face this journey, together. When we signed up, we didn’t realize we had signed up with 2000+ team members that had the same idea. We were all there to make our marks and help find a cure for breast cancer.
During the 60 miles, you learn stories of those around you and hear their connections to the cause. I didn’t have one of those stories, and I was fine with that. I just wanted to help make a difference.
Most of the event is a blur to be quite honest. Between the extreme heat (Atlanta used to be in September, HOT!) and changing camp locations between days 1 and 2, I remember the little things. I remember the AC on the bus being a godsend, and I remember thinking animal crackers were the best snack ever invented. I learned the joys of biofreeze, and I learned that any pain I felt from walking was nothing compared to that of a chemo treatment.
With the little pieces I took away, I realized this event was something that I’d stay around for as long as it was possible. “We will never give up” from closing ceremonies is something I think about daily. It’s become a mantra in my life.
I haven’t given up yet, and I won’t until there’s a cure.
2005 Atlanta 3 Day - my wonderful walking friend!
