Funny How You Forget The Pain

Well, it's official. Alison and I are registered to walk 60 miles in Boston in July for the 3 Day Walk for the Cure again. I vowed last August when I got home from walking in Minneapolis that I would take at least a year, and maybe more, off before I would do this again. I was in so much agonizing pain that I couldn't fathom even walking down the hall, much less 60 miles. But, like childbirth, as soon as it's over you seem to forget how fucking hard it was and you do something dumb like register to walk again 11 months later. So, that's where I am now.

While the Booby Steps are still stepping, we have several changes to our team this year. Alison and I are still leading the pack, but Heather said there was no way in hell she was walking again, so we recruited a new unsuspecting victim, Maggie. And, with my wonderful powers of persuasion, I convinced another veteran, Mandy, to walk with us too. So our team is together, and even though Alison and I have to take on the respective roles of "Mom" to our other team members, we couldn't be more excited! (Being in the Mom role will be interesting for me, because while I'm very independent, type-A and anal, I'm also very good at being the baby and being taken care of. Alison asked today when was she going to not have to be the mom on one of these walks. Sorry, Al. You're a good mom, so you're stuck with the role!)

As I was on the phone with Mandy yesterday, we started rehashing all of the awfulness from our respective walks (hers was Chicago in '08, mine Minneapolis last year). About halfway through our recounts, I said, "I'm not sure this is the best way to prepare. Perhaps we should start thinking of all the good parts!". And it's not hard. The whole experience is none other than life changing - more so if you're walking for (and with!) a survivor you love. I can't wait to line up at the start and set my goals and hug my friends and set off for 60 more miles to fight against breast cancer. It will be so rewarding to say at the end, "I've walked 120 miles for a cure."

185 days to go!


This is what it's all about!