And So It Begins

Today the rest of the Udderly Pink 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk Team will be arriving in Washington, D.C.  We've raised our money, thanks to so many generous donors and friends and family.  We've got supporters all over the country thinking good thoughts and issuing prayers for us as we walk those 60 miles in three days.

Of course, with the government shut-down, plans have had to be altered.  We're not exactly sure how each day's course will be changed.  We're not sure what we'll be walking past and where we will be.  One reason we chose to walk in DC is the thought of walking past so many monuments and important locations.  The closing ceremony was supposed to be at the Washington Monument.  Sadly, the closing ceremony has already been changed to RFK Stadium.   We'll see where each day's routes takes us.

And then there's the weather ...  Here's our current forecast:  

• Friday Rain. High near 64. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday Night Occasional drizzle. Cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 9 mph.
• Saturday Occasional drizzle. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 9 mph.
• Saturday Night Occasional drizzle. Cloudy, with a low around 58.
• Sunday A chance of rain before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

So maybe the weather is not going to be our friend.  This year the team chose to stay in host hotels instead of tenting it, so we'll be warm and dry at night.  And hopefully our shoes will dry out on the radiators before the morning!

But in spite of all these things that are not going as planned or hoped, we'll be out on the course walking.  We'll be walking because we believe that a cure for breast cancer needs to be found - NOW.  We believe that programs need to continue that will support breast cancer victims and their families.  We believe that everyone deserves a lifetime, and we want to do our part to fight this battle.

But most of all, we are walking because we can.  Walking a less than perfect route in less than perfect weather is nothing.  It's certainly not chemotherapy or radiation or a mastectomy or losing a beloved life.  And if our walking in such conditions can bring an end to this disease, then bring it on Mother Nature and The White House and Congress.  We're ready for you!!

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Today was a great day because I: got my clothes washed after walking in the rain, finding the wishy-washy on the 3rd floor, going back to the lobby to get quarters, going back to the 3rd floor to load the clothes, and then returning to lobby to get detergent; taxi to shopping with KB, then lunch at Hops, then walk back to hotel; sitting with Sharon and Bruce after their arrival at the hotel; greeting the last of the team, Marilyn and Molly, and then having our team dinner and meeting!!

Transportation - on 10 Wheels and 2

Our started early with a cab ride to find our meeting spot for the Bolt Bus, our transportation to DC.  KB had gotten a great deal - the first ticket was $20 and the second was only $1!  We boarded without incident and soon were on our way.  While the wifi was not working, we still had a nice quiet ride to Union Station in DC.

Once we were off the bus, we grabbed a taxi (possibly the oldest, most beat-up taxi in existence) and headed to our home until Sunday.  We ate lunch at Legal Seafood and headed back to the hotel (conveniently located across the street) to unpack.

Soon it was time to head for our evening excursion - our night time segway tour of DC.  Yes, it was raining.  Yes, it was cold.  Yes, KB had never ridden a segway before.  Did any of these factors deter us from our mission?  Nope!  After a video and a bit of training, we were off to see the "closed" monuments.Yes, there were fence barriers around most of the monuments, but you could get in to see them.  It was dark, but seeing the monuments in the dark gives you an entirely different perspective and reverence to those to whom they are dedicated.  It continued to lightly rain but with our ponchos on, we stayed dry - mostly.  It was also very cool outside, so eventually our fingers got a little numb, but it was a great tour.

Tomorrow the rest of the team arrives for the beginning of the 3-Day on Friday.  Hope they're bringing their rain gear!!

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Today was a great day because I:  had a great ride to DC; junky taxi ride; lunch at LS with KB; walk to CVS for supplies; subway ride to tour; segway tour and fellow tourists; dinner at Potbelly

A Day For Reflection and Inspiration

Today we decided to do the tourist thing and visit the place we missed on our walking tour yesterday.  First up was to go to the World Trade Center.

It was my first time to visit since the memorial pools were finished.  To see the actual footprints of the buildings, see the names engraved on the sides, and attempt to even begin in comprehend the events of that day were so moving. In the presence of all this sadness, you see One World Trade Center, rising so high, and somehow you feel hopeful.   You also see the Survivor Tree, and while you are amazed at its resiliency, you also realize the lesson it has.

After spending some time here, we wandered to wave at the Statue of Liberty (closed), eventually found the subway stop, and headed out in search of lunch.  Once fortified, we wandered around a bit, and came upon Diana Nyad, swimming with friends for 48 hours in order to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims.  Another kind of inspiration for me, that it is never too late in life to do something.

Our night was spend at "Pippen," which was certainly something to see.  Eventually we made it back to the room in order to pack and head for DC tomorrow.  The 3-Day awaits!!

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Today was a great day because I:  experienced the World Trade Center site; managed the subway without ending up lost; ate lunch with KB at Burger Heaven; saw Diana Nyad swim; saw "Pippen"; got everything packed in my suitcase without the seams splitting

First You Find The Directions, Then Read Them

Last night when I decided I needed a post-travel shower before I passed out in bed, I promptly went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.  The only problem was that no matter how long I ran the shower (and the bathtub and the sink), the water never got even close to warm.  Since I was already properly attired for a shower, I decided to do the best I could with ice cold water and soap.  It was neither fun nor relaxing, but neither did it keep me from my passing out plan.  Of course, I grumbled a bit and fussed at imaginary hotel employees and wondered why my room had this dilemma.  And then I passed out.

Fast forward to today when I noticed a piece of paper on the desk and read it.  It was from the management explaining that due to some work on the pipes and street outside the hotel, there would be no hot water from 9pm last night until 5am this morning.

Of course, had I read this last night, I would have refrained from my energy-saving ice water shower.  But I didn't.  I didn't find the directions so I couldn't read them. 

I've got to remember this excuse for future dilemmas ...

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Today was a great day because I:  went on a fun walking tour of NYC; ate lasagna lunch and cannoli dessert with KB in Greenwich Village; ate dinner with Rachel and KB at The Grey Dog; Rachel leading us to the subway then pointing out the door of her subway to KB and me at the subway train that we were supposed to be on that had just left the station; getting off the subway and walking forever to eventually find our way back to our hotel, stopping for cheesecake at Juniors

A Busy Sunday

Molly and Katie pre-race!!

First, the race that started one day and ended the next.  The race officially started at 10pm - our corral crossed the start line around 10:30am.  Around three hours later, I was walking my 13th mile back to the hotel (that would include walking the mile from the hotel to the start, the 10 miles beginning at Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom back to Hollywood Studios, the mile from the finish line to the entrance to the park, and the mile back to my bed).

The weather wasn't so bad - at least for wogging 10 miles, especially if you douse yourself with cups of water at each water station.  Which I did.  While it was warm, it was bearable - at least when one goes as slowly as I do!

Apparently I missed the part that Molly told me about later - the part where finishers were throwing up everywhere.  She also said that people were yelling for medics to come help.  All the voices in my head were just screaming for me to return to my hotel and go to bed.  Once there (at hotel, not in bed yet), I threw my wet clothes in the washer, took a lovely hot shower, and waited for Molly to return to wash our race clothes (this was around 2am - our plan was to get up at 5am and head for the airport).  Meanwhile, the half-bottle that I had chugged in the finish shute was beginning a war with the rest of my stomach contents.  Luckily, it managed to stay contained - well, for the most part.

Anyhow, fast forward a few hours and Molly and I headed for the airport and our respective destinations.  She arrived in Nashville and introduced Ariel to her new mom (who promptly changed her clothes).

I arrived in New York City and met up with KB and we headed to our hotel (acceptable view, don't you think?) and had a little chicken parm at Juniors before KB headed out for some adventure while I passed out in bed for some last night's sleep.

Eventually we both ended up alert and awake and went to enjoy "Avenue Q", a story of non-Muppet puppets.  It was great and was a fun way to end the day.  Which we did!

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Today was a great day because I:  finished the 10 miles without passing out; got the clothes washed and had an hour or so of sleep; got to the airport in plenty of time; had a safe, smooth flight; met up with KB at the airport and got to hotel; hotel found us a ready room upon our arrival; delicious meal at Juniors; afternoon nap; shopping and Avenue Q with KB