We started in the rain (and it stayed with us for five hours), but it couldn’t dampen our spirits! We handed the umbrella to a spectator at Opening Ceremonies, and walked with plastic grocery bags tied around our feet until they wore away.
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This gang cheered us on all thru the 3 days. There were enthusiastic spectators (and spectacles!) along the route.
We were able to ditch the fashionable rain ponchos around noon; they didn’t match the pink theme!
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This trio was a constant cheering section along the route. We dubbed them the “MAN i CURES” because we first spotted them on the porch of a nail salon (out of the rain) around 7 Friday morning.
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Check out the fancy footwear! Real men wear pink!
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On Day 1 we walked into Base Camp carrying the “I’m Walking for the Future” flag. Others took turns carrying “I’m Walking for … My Sister, My Mother, My Best Friend, My Partner, My Wife, My Grandmother”, etc.
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Many supporters along the route held signs honoring those who are fighting Breast Cancer; there were many survivors holding “thank you” banners.
Lots of walkers wore signs or ribbons honoring those they were walking for. These wise words from a woman fighting Breast Cancer are inspirational. A group of her friends walked in her honor and shared her message.
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Nancy’s sister made these gorgeous butterfly wings! They have the names I walked in honor/memory of on pink hearts, and the names of my supporters on the white wings.
Yes, we wore wings every mile of the journey. I like to think they made our steps just a little lighter!
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Men with Heart cheered the walkers in every afternoon, and sent us off every morning.
Many in their group also walked and offered support along the way.
They say “do something bold!” and I did! I put out a call for cards of encouragement, and you responded! There were 17 pieces of mail for me to open and share your kind words with other walkers while we waited in the shower line. Thank you!
Home sweet home! A sea of hot pink 2-man (or woman!) tents.
After all that walking, we slept soundly!
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Helpful Crew reminded us to fill our water bottles, and sent us on our way down the hill out of Base Camp each morning (yes, we climbed UP that hill at the end of the day!)
I didn’t get pics of all the great volunteers – Safety in orange shirts helped us cross intersections; Medical in red assessed blisters and other walker injuries, Crew in teal served meals, kept us hydrated, and manned the pit stops and lunch stations.
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The Youth Corps also saw us out in the mornings. This group of teens is inspiring and energetic, always willing to help out where needed.
On Saturday evening there was a program which allowed them to share their reasons for being involved with The Breast Cancer 3-Day.
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Each pit stop, “grab and go”, and lunch station had a theme. The crew pulled it together with costumes, decorations, and sometimes music.
Here we’re in Nerdville, complete with beanies, athletic socks, taped glasses, pocket protectors, and LOTS of plaid!
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Yes, it’s true, everyone loves a nerd!
Note the line of porta-potties in the background. I will never take a flush toilet for granted!
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Along the route, stores, restaurants, bars, and residents opened their doors and offered cold drinks and the coveted flush toilet!
This farm market had beverages and a bathroom, and pink ribbon balloons for those who wanted them.
In sections of the walk, people lined their blocks with hoses and sprinklers running to cool us down, offering baskets with lollipops, ice pops, bubble gum, etc. Just when we started to sag we’d hear a cheer up ahead and pick up our feet to meet it.
Some walking teams had roving cheering stations that were in themed clothing and boosted all the walkers along. This is Noochie and her human friend Lisa, part of the Pink Angels team (thanks to Amy for ID-ing them!)
The husband and son of my tent-mate popped up all along the route, cooling off the walkers with spritzes of water from spray bottles.
Sunday morning. We dismantled our tents and stacked them to be prepped for another group of 3-Day Walkers.
Base Camp was broken down and partially reassembled at Closing Ceremonies.
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Nancy and I depart Base Camp for Day 3!
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Officers in all the towns and cities we passed through helped keep us safe.
Here I was “arrested” for walking without a license 
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Nancy and I cross the “Smoot” bridge from Cambridge into Boston.
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Here’s that “do something bold” again …
Jill over at Fizzy Thoughts wrote one of her famous (infamous?) parodies in honor of my walk. Well, in honor of “MaDawnNa’s” walk.
This pose seemed appropriate!
Closing Ceremonies at UMass Boston/Dorchester. The speaker announced that our 1600 walkers and volunteers raised $4million for breast cancer research, education, and treatment. And, yes, if you’re inspired to contribute to my fundraising efforts, the online form is still open!
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All walkers raised a shoe in honor of the Survivors who walked the 3-Day.
The weekend was phenomenal – inspiring and invigorating! Quite the range of emotions, from laughter to tears … and everything in between!
If you’d like a rough sketch of where we walked, this map outlines the 2009 Boston 3-Day route.
I haven’t put every detail into this post (I know, it went on longer than I planned!). Go ahead and ask any questions you have. Even though the Boston 3-Day has passed, I’ll continue the 3-Day Thursday posts twice a month while the other Walks are happening around the country.
I hope to walk in another 3-Day event next year, and I think it would be fun to walk in a different city. Hmm, I was able to convince several bloggers to try a 4-week “lifestyle challenge” (diet) with me; will I be able to scare up some 3-Day Walkers? How about “Booking for a Cure!” for a team name!?
Search my “3-Day Thursday” posts to learn more about this incredible event!
That is an awesome post Dawn! Its a ton of walking but it looks like so much fun! All of that energy and enthusiasm and support has to propel you through those three days. I would love to do something like this! (Hey! Is that my aunt’s postcard on top??) I am going to link this post on my Facebook, so everyone that sent you cards can see the results!
I’ve had a very emotional morning (well, last couple of weeks, really) and I just sobbed as I read your post. I am so proud of your wonderful efforts and all the people who supported you along the way.
Your post made me laugh and cry. My team leaves this afternoon to walk in our third 3 Day (Chicago ’07, ’08, Cleveland ’09)! You did a wonderful job of describing the indescribable. The 3 Day is something that must be experienced as a walker, crew member, or supporter along the route to truly understand the power of pink. Thank you!
Dawn,
What a great post. I can feel your enthusiasm. And, Boston is such a fun town as well. Thanks from all of us.
Very inspiring post! I love the possible blogger team name. You got me to sign up for Game On, but I think doing a walk like this might be pushing it a bit!
Must have been just an amazing experience — truly life changing. I am so proud of you!!!
Sandy – you were a great cheeleader, thanks for sharing the mailing address with your friends! Yes, that postcard is from your Aunt.
Kathy – I hope all is well with you! Yes, it was an emotional weekend; couldn’t have done it without all the support.
Jodi – I’ll be thinking of you and following your walk on Twitter this weekend!
Diane – did you click on the map?!? when I look at all the towns we walked thru I’m still shocked!
Jenn – haha! I was (partially) kidding! I’d love to Walk in 2010, but haven’t yet signed up … not opposed to travelling for it.
Julie – it’s so hard to put into words; the weekend was truly life-changing; I met so many inspiring people.
Dawn, I am one of Sandy Nawrot’s friends who sent you a note of encouragement during your walk. Thank you so much for this post…AWESOME! Brings tears to my eyes and a warm feeling to my heart! So glad you were able to participate and represent the thousands of us that didn’t!!!!!
I have tears in my eyes — that’s about all I have to say at the moment.
What a marvelous experience. I think I need to do this with you! what a great idea to go to another city!
Loved reading about your experience. I am walking in San Francisco this year- first 3 day walk and i can’t wait!!
thanks for sharing!
Dawn,
You are such an inspiration and I have enjoyed following your journey in your blog. It truly makes me wish my walk was tomorrow, but I will have to wait until October (Philly). I look forward to reading your posts as I continue my training.
Stacey Lindes
First time walker Philly 09
ps Booking for a Cure- I love it!
How wonderful! It looks like you had fun doing something so important. Way to go!
What wonderful pictures! And what an amazing accomplishment! I love the outfits people wore! But why were the porta-potties blue instead of pink?!!! They’ve got to fix that next year!
A life-changing experience for sure. I’ve always wanted to walk in a 3-day. It just seems like such a rewarding experience.
I’m so proud of you.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I LOVE your wings. Mind if we borrow the idea for our walk in October?
Thanks,
Michele Bailey
Walking For Hope
Tampa Bay 2009
Awesome! I love the tents! Well done!
Great post! Also, I walked by you while you were being arrested and remember cracking up watching you take that picture – too funny!
The dog is a Pink Angel. She belongs to my friend who was not able to walk this year. Her dog, a viszla, is a big supporter and has been out to cheer for a couple years now. So nice to see a picture of her on your page.
What an amazing experience! Thank you for doing this and sharing it with us. Love the pictures and will be ready to cheer you on the next one you do!
Kim – thank you so much for the encouraging note! Sandy was great to round up her friends in a card-sending spree!
Beth F – I think the experience of the weekend is still “sinking in” for me
Kristine – Hmm, sounds like you might be up for a road trip!
steph – oh, San Francisco sounds like a lovely place for the Walk – have fun!
Stacey – In a few weeks I’ll have a post of “what I should have done differently” and “what worked for me” … maybe some tips you can use in Philly. So glad you’ve been enjoying the posts!
Amy – seeing BC survivors walking and cheering gave us all extra strength and perseverance.
rhapsody – pink potties, that would be great! Many of the stops had trivia questions on the outside of the doors …. and the answers on the inside!
Ti – aw, thanks! Yes, rewarding for those walking, and rewarding in the research for a cure
Michele – there were several teams wearing wings: White Butterflies, Granite Angels, Pink Angels, Pink Wings …. go for it!
Jessica – fortunately my walking partner knows how to put up a tent … I was stuck on “insert Tab A into Slot B”
Sarah – If I had to get arrested, I picked the right officer
Amy – thanks for ID-ing the puppy, I’ll update my post.
What an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing it with us, and for posting all those wonderful photos!
And your wings were awesome!
Congratulations for completing the challenge and sharing your thoughts and pictures. I’m so glad you received my card since I mailed it on the cut-off date
Dawn, you totally rock!
Congrats on finishing the walk! Love your pics! I’m walking in my 2nd 3-day in Denver in 29 days! I actually saw your blog when i did a search for the “Game on Diet” – then noticed that you were walking too! I just bought the book and am reading through it, I can’t wait to get a team started. I’d be happy to be on a 3-dayer team too – I don’t see why you can’t be in more than one game at once?
What a great event! I’d love to participate in something like this sometime. Thanks for the detailed post with pictures, and for walking partly for my friend Simone.
Dawn, what an amazing thing to do! Congratulations on completing your 3-day walk. My dad runs marathons for the leukemia and lymphoma society, ever since my brother passed away from lymphoma, and I know how hard this kind of thing is, but also how it inspires you to do even more. As soon as I settle down in one spot long enough to actually participate in training and fundraising, I plan on doing a walk or run myself.
iliana – yay for cheerleaders!
Nicole – I was happy to wear them; Nancy get credit for the idea, she’s worn them in her 2 previous 3-Day Walks
Stacy – those cards meant so much to me (and the women waiting in the shower lines with me!)
Anna – I’m telling that to my kids!
Mandy – we had a lot of fun w/The Game on Diet … I’ll send you links to all the posts (there’s a twitter hashtag, too – #gameondiet)
Ali – I was pleased that people responded with names for me to walk in honor/memory of … it was my pleasure
Meghan – I remember a post you wrote about your Dad running w/TNT. I don’t think I could run even a half-marathon; these knees were made for walking.
What incredible pictures! Thank you for posting them and letting us experiencing a bit of it!
You rock Dawn!!! Congratulations. Awesome pictures and an awesome cause. You are a special person.
Love love love seeing the photos! Seems like just an amazing experience with lots of love and fun!
Simply… AWESOME! If you were on my coast, I’d join you in a PINK HOT MINUTE!
Dawn, your post made me cry. I’d like to thank you for walking for those of us who can’t. Losing my best friend and many others in my family to breast cancer I would like nothing more than to see a cure for this awful disease. Congrats on finishing! I’m so proud of you!
Dawn it looks like you had a great time and helped raise not only necessary funding but awareness. Congrats!
sarah – I wish I had taken pics of all the great groups supporting us along the way (and at home, wherever that may be)
Wisteria – the most inspiring were breast cancer survivors, either walking, or at the side of the route.
Jenners – it was, in a word, amazing.
Sheri – pink hot minute, very nice
Watch out, San Diego is one of the walks I’m considering for 2010!
Dar – I’m so glad I did it. I don’t live near the friends who are battling breast cancer, so I can’t help by making a meal or watching their kids. The sense of community was empowering.
Serena – yes, raising awareness is important. If even one woman is now motivated to get a mammo or self-exam regularly, it is a success.
Congratulations!
Thanks for all the wonderful photos.
Fiona
First, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you! You are the BEST! Thanks also for adding my and my mom’s name to your wings. I do have to say though that I’m dissapointed that you didn’t have any pictures with you eating food – seems to be a Dawn staple
Anyway, I may be up for the three day challenge next year – I don’t know if there is one in NY, but I could do Boston or even DC – looks like a whole lot of fun!!
P.S. I’m still on the cruise (getting home tomorrow morning) butI just had to check out your blog to see the pictures of the three day.
Wow, this is fantastic! Thanks for sharing your journey with all of us. And I see my envelope in the picture – cool! You did a wonderful job. You GO girl!
I’m sitting here crying in front of my computer after reading of your experience. I’m overwhelmed at all the work and organization and physical stamina it took to do what you did. Your children, husband and parents must be so very proud of you. I know I am. Thanks from me.
That’s so wonderful that words fail me. Congratulations on completing the three days, and as a blogger, I’m just so proud of your accomplishment. Many years ago, I did the annual MS walks here in So. Cal., you’ve inspired me to get the heck off my fluffy butt and hit the pavement. Dang it…I’m walking again in April! (Its only 15K and one day…but a good time nonetheless!)
Ok…gotta go take my walk! God Bless you Dawn!!
Hi Dawn, Your post is so full of love and emotion. It brought tears to my eyes. The pictures are great- I love the one of you getting arrested, and the one with all the pink tents- wow! Congratulations-what a great accomplishment. You are such an inspiration! Your family must be so proud of you.
Fiona – next year I’ll take more!
Stephanie – I was pleased to have you both on my wings (and in my heart). The emotion, especially at Opening and Closing Ceremonies, was overwhelming.
Heather – thanks for sending the note (and journal!). I was taken aback by how many people responded to my (blatant begging) request for cards!
Margot – I couldn’t have done it without all the support I got – from family, friends (IRL and online), and strangers along the way. My grandmother would say those “strangers” are just friends I haven’t yet met
Kelly – anytime you get out and move it’s good for you; when you’re moving for a cause, even better!
Lisa – Yes, it was a fun weekend … and exhausting, and a lot of work … but, FUN!
Wohoo!! Congrats to you, girl!! Thanks for letting us in on some of the adventure!
I love the pictures!!!
Thank you for walking!
Lisa…Boston Crew…Bus Liaison
I have been wondering how this went for you. How very moving. I am so glad I got to visit and read. How truly wonderful and inspiring.
BPOTW – I felt like a whole team of bloggers were my wing men (and women) on this!
Nicole – not bad for iPhone pics!
Lisa – thanks for all you and the Boston Crew did for us; what an amazing group of volunteers … always smiling!
Toni – The power of blogging, to be able to share the experience with so many people, so quickly.
Glad that things went so well! I am so glad that you were able to do this and have such a group of supportive people surrounding you during all of it. I think your efforts in this walk were wonderful, congrats on your success.
[...] above to listen to our Book Bloggers panel at Book Expo America 2009 Thanks for your support! Search my "3-Day Thursday" posts to read all about the Breast Cancer [...]
Did you have to walk on sidewalks the whole time or did they close down some streets?