Sunday, August 27, 2006

Cynical, but beautiful

I am back from the 3-Day. I am so tired that i am almost in a trance. (This has nothing to do with the 2nd glass of sake i am drinking, i assure you.)

It was an interesting event, and if i ever talk about doing it again, please be a friend and stage an intervention. I have done the STP (Seattle-to-Portland) 200 mile bicycle ride twice. It is a two day event for me. People who need to get a life do it in one day, but not me. And i will say, that the 3-Day is harder. "It's just walking", you say, as did i before i did it the first time. But have you ever walked 20 miles a day for 3 days in a row? (If you have and it was easy, go away now.)

I did it this time because Em thought it would be cool. You aren't supposed to walk unless you are 16, but i lied about her age because i knew we would never get this chance again, and i knew she could handle it.

Before the walk, two of the adult team members dropped out, so that left 4 of us. And after doing part of the walk the first day, the other adult team member went home. That left me with a 15 and a 16 year old. (Em's cousin, my niece, was the other child.)

The kids were awesome. They hadn't really trained enough, and they were in intense pain the last day, but they wanted to finish. These young ladies are tough and determined. I can't really say enough about how great they are, because it would spill over into gushing. Em waited until we got home and has been crying on and off for an hour because she is exhausted. God i love her.

This is not an event that can really be understood unless you participate.

We reluctantly attended the "deeply moving opening ceremony" the first day because we couldn't think of a way to get out of it. It was hokey. Reality compels me to admit that the walking is superfluous. It's all about the $2,200 each walker must raise in order to participate. And some of the stuff they do to make us feel like the actual walking is bringing us closer to a cure is patently ridiculous. But all along the walk, all three days, people are honking and standing alongside the route cheering and little children are handing us candy and popsicles. And on and on.

The first day, as we were sitting in a park for lunch, a woman got out of her car and approached the walkers sprawled next to us on the grass. She thanked them for walking and said that she had just had reconstructive surgery and so she couldn't walk, but she would walk next year. That's the kind of stuff i can't be an asshole about. That was real.

Maybe more later, i must go and make love to a tube of Bengay now.

12 comments:

Antonia Cornwell said...

WELL DONE YOU!! and welcome home! I'm exhausted and exhilarated just reading about it. You must be utterly wiped out.

And bloody hell, a 200-mile bike ride in two days is no mean feat either. I take my hat off to you from the comfort of my buttocks and this chair.

Enjoy your recovery. Very, very well done.

Karen Jacobs said...

I'm impressed! I'm VERY impressed! Even in my best form, doubt that I could have finished that one. Shame on me!

meno said...

Thank you ladies. Poor Em had to go off to her first day of school today in zorries as she has a huge blister on one heel and can't wear shoes. But she is so proud of herself. It's really heartwarming.

Tracy Helgeson said...

I am very impressed with both you and your daughter! But not in the least bit envious:-)

Lucia said...

Way to go! I hope at the very least you feel a sense of accomplishment. Maybe it'll take a couple of days to do the nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah we did 60 miles dance, but it'll be worth it!

Lynnea said...

Congratulations to you and Em! Hope that tube of Bengay treats you right!

Marshamlow said...

Congratulations! That is so awesome. When i was in high school I used to do the March of Dimes every year. Which was/is 20 miles. I would be so sore, and that was in high school. To keep going three days, that is amazing. What a great adventure to share with your daughter, something you can keep forever.

Anonymous said...

Yeah for you and Em! You will remeber it for many, many years. It is something for you both to be proud of.

And instead of the bengay I recommmend a hot bath and then bed.

Andrea Frazer said...

I hope you turn Ben Gay into Ben Straight with your bad ass self.

meno said...

Mama p, Funny. You betcha! I made a man out of Mr. Gay.

urban-urchin said...

Well done. As someone with friends who have breast cancer- thank you.

Now go let Ben do some magic on your sweet self.

Bobealia... said...

I want to get caught up, so I'm starting where I left off. I've done a one day long walk and got my period halfway, made it to 3/4 and asked to be driven home. It was awful. So, I congratulate you and Em and the cousin. I am sincerely impressed.