In the spring of 2003, I began hearing radio ads for something called the Breast Cancer 3-Day.  There was this imposing voice on the ad that said, "three days, 60 miles..."  I was looking for something to do to celebrate life.  A friend of mine, only two years older than me, had passed away a few months earlier and the fragility of life was well etched on my mind.  I was both scared at the prospect of trying to walk 60 miles and excited.  I decided this was something I had to do to celebrate life, to celebrate my Grandmother (who was a breast cancer survivor), to make a difference and to challenge myself.

I signed up for the event, not knowing what the journey would be like.  I didn't know anyone.  I had never walked that far before and was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it.  I had never raised that much money before (the minimum back then was $2,000), and was scared I wouldn't be able to achieve this either. 

I took the 3-Day's suggested training schedule and followed it to the letter as best as I could.  When the mileage started to creep up, I decided I needed to walk with someone.  I looked up training walks on the 3-Day website and found one in Millbrae.  It was an 8.5-mile walk that started at the bottom of Hillcrest.  I didn't know Hillcrest was a 1.5 mile climb UPHILL to Sawyer Camp Trail.  It was my first hill climb.  I got home from that walk starved, exhausted and doubting my decision.  If I was that tired from walking 8.5 miles, how in the world would I be able to walk 20 miles, three days in a row???

I didn't allow my fears to stop me.  I decided I would conquer this challenge.  I started training with a wonderful woman in Palo Alto, Barbara Rice.  She was a breast cancer survivor and a veteran 3-Day walker.  Walking with her and everyone else that joined her training walks made me feel at ease.  The more I walked, the more confident I became.  Our group grew and through hours and hours of walking and talking together, we decided to form a team, the Hoover Hussies.  Hoover for the park we met at and "Hussies" as an acronym for the 3-Day mantra,  "hydrate, urinate, stretch."  I also expanded my training by joining other training walks throughout the Bay Area.  I walked in the East Bay and I trained with the Warming Hut Hotties in San Francisco.  I enjoyed all the people I met, and all the varied terrains and sites. 

I also found that fundraising business to be easier than I had thought.  I ended up raising $3,851 my first year.  People were generous, and I discovered the connections people had to this disease that I didn't know.  Basically, I learned that you never know how people are touched by breast cancer.

Once I completed my first event, something clicked in me.  Though I didn't understand how people could do this event multiple times when I was training, I completely understood once I finished my first 3-Day.  I felt so empowered.  I cherished the community of walkers and crew members I was now a part of.  I felt like I had made a difference.  The feeling was intoxicating.  Though I kept saying I wasn't sure if I would participate in 2004, in my heart I knew I would.  I was re-born in 2003 as a long-distance, multi-day breast cancer walker.  I had found a purpose and a wonderful new community. 

Flash forward to today, I am still actively involved.  The only change is that I am now a Warming Hut Hottie after my former team dissolved.  It seemed like a natural progression for me since I've trained with the Hotties every year.

How long do I plan to be active in the 3-Day and events like it?  The answer is as long as I am physically able.  

Hamming it up at the holding area at the 2011 event after walking 60 miles.

My "Walk" Resume

3-Day for the Cure

2003 - Walker, San Francisco

2004 - Walker, San Francisco

2005 - Mentor, San Diego

2006 - Walker, Seattle

2007 - Walker, Seattle & San Diego

2008 - Walker, San Francisco

2009 - Walker & Volunteer, San Francisco

2010 - Walker & Volunteer, San Francisco

2011 - Walker & Volunteer, San Francisco

2012 - Walker & Volunteer, San Francisco

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

2005 - Walker, San Francisco

2006 - Crew, San Francisco

2007 - Volunteer, San Francisco

2008-2012 - "Walker Stalker," San Francisco

Relay for Life

2004-2007 - Pacific Relay

2009-2010 - Half Moon Bay Relay

Other Events

2005 - HERS Walk for Breast Cancer

2006 - Coastside Walk for Breast Cancer Care

2010 - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer