The walk started in a park just outside of downtown Charlotte. It was pitch black out still but they had the park all lit up for us. Our first stop was to sign the infamous pink inflatable pillars. These pillars are at the start and end of every Avon Walk each season. We could look up and see the Chicago layer from when Ann walked in the spring. When we walked up to the pillar to sign it, this was the first thing we saw:
How cool is that? As my mom would say, it felt like a God thing.
We each took our turn signing our names and writing a little message. It was so special to see what each of us were walking for and what other people were walking for. There were so many of us. I've never seen so much pink in my life.
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| L to R: Ann, Colleen, John, Laura, Brad, Katie, Regina, Linda, Deb, Kirsten & Mike |
We gathered together for an incredible opening ceremony, reminding us of why we were walking and pumping us up to get it done. Then this guy led our mass warm-up, which was hilarious, mostly because they were all 80s exercise moves and the guy kept laughing at us. Then they signaled the start, and we BOOKED IT to the front of the line.
Did I mention that it was still pitch-black out? We were crossing foot-bridges in the dark and trying not to run into anything. We even walked through a tunnel in total blackness. Laura, Regina and I set a fast pace and kept it up.
Several miles in, the sun began to peak through, and we were starting to get the chill out of our bones. Laura's plantar fasciitis (a painful foot condition) began to rear its ugly head. Poor sweetheart. We adjusted our pace and kept on. We were going to stay together no matter what.
Every couple of miles there would be a rest stop. We'd refill our water bottles, grab a few snacks, and keep walking. We were on a mission.
The best part would be when we would round a corner and see our family waiting for us. They met us along the route every few miles. They were all wearing purple and making such a ruckus cheering for us and the rest of the walkers, that by the end of the day, walkers were talking pictures with them!
At mile six, our Aunt Ann jumped in and joined us walkers. She walked with us for the rest of the day and was a constant source of encouragement. It was much easier to walk two by two instead of as three walkers, and we were so glad to have her with us.
We didn't even stop for lunch, just grabbed our bag and walked. It was interesting trying to put mayo on a sandwich while in motion. Later we did have to stop once so that I could pump. Oh, the odd things I've had to do in public... I hadn't been pumping more than a minute before I attracted the neighborhood cat, who must've smelled milk. We all laughed about that.
Did I mention how encouraging it was to see our family as we walked? Sweet Aunt Linda was there at every cheer station, resting in her chair and encouraging the walkers. I know we were all thinking of her and how if even one step we took would help her, we would walk every step until we finished it.
My dad brought Chloe and Gracie later in the morning, wearing their special "My mom is one amazing walker!" shirts and shaking their pom-poms. They walked with us for a little bit. My grandma and mom were home watching the babies, and I was so thankful for their sacrifice so that I could walk. It really did take a village.
I would say, easily, that the best part of the walk for me was getting to spend time with Laura, Regina, and Ann. We talked about everything under the sun, cried together, and praised the Lord together as we passed each mile marker.
I felt pretty good for most of the day. I don't remember at what point I started hurting. My biggest problem was the hills. Did you know that Charlotte is hilly? And by hilly, I don't mean a hill here and there. I mean constant hills, a never-ending series of ups and downs. The hills wouldn't have been so bad but my right knee flared up. For some reason, it only hurt me when going down a hill or curb. Regina's hamstrings started cramping at the end of the day, and Laura's plantar fasciitis never let up. So, we'd approach a hill, Regina & Laura would suffer the climbing up it, and I would suffer the climbing down it. At this point, we made slow progress, but at least we made progress.
Just before mile 20, Mike and Kirsten joined us. Us girls were hurting at this point and needed an extra boost. Our feet and legs were throbbing. Mike and Kirsten talked with us and made us laugh and kept us going.
All I remember about the last few miles is that it seemed like they seemed never-ending. Where was that mile marker? What? Only 25? One more? Then the last mile took us down across gravel (so cruel) and looped us around into a park.
Laura, Regina, Ann and I linked arms and walked the last hundred of feet, tears mixed with joy. We stopped before finishing for each of us to hug Aunt Linda and whisper to her that we were doing this for her. We linked back up and crossed beneath that beautiful pink arch.
26.2 miles. We did it. Cramping muscles, gigantic blisters, buckets of sweat later, we did it. And we were determined to do 13.1 more miles tomorrow...
Because we were "in it to end it."
Thank you for allowing us to share in such a meaningful and personal experience. Remembering today that Linda also walked through an arch recently and, I believe, her hands were held high and her finish celebrated. Believing with you, T.
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