Step 1, step 2, step 3, step…. each step that we took in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® today helped to raise money which hopefully one day will bring us one step closer to a cure.  What an exciting, inspiring day that we had today.

It all started at 5:30 this morning when I got into the tent and headed to Southdale Center for the opening ceremonies.  The Keep Going® spirit was evident the moment I walked in – people were charged and ready to get started.  I dropped off my gear and just took a look around.

I filled out my goal for this weekend (pictured above) and watched the wall fill up with other’s goals.

At 7:00 am, the opening ceremonies began.  It was emotional, recharging, and defined why were there.  To ensure that moms, grandmas, sisters, friends, and wives won’t have to miss birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases, graduations, weddings, and all the special times in our lives.  (I will have a video for you on Monday.)

Then the walk began.  So many different walkers were presented – the oldest walker (83 years old), a girl on crutches, one in a wheelchair, survivors, and even a terminally ill breast cancer patient.  Just to see these ladies were inspiring.  You wanted to keep walking even longer and faster every time you heard a cheer of Keep Going®.

For me, the support we had from the crew, the cheerers that lined the sidewalks to cheer us on and to hand us a sucker or lifesaver, the little boy that handmade bracelets for every walker, and the tweets and facebook comments that I received throughout the day – made me Keep Going.  Sacrifices were made all along the way that we might walk and I so appreciated that.

I did make it 14.7 miles when I just couldn’t take another step on my knee.  I caught a “sweep bus” to get me to the next pit stop and from there I rested and prepared to walk the little bit.  I was determined to finish the day out and I did make it!  I realized that there was no shame in catching the sweep bus if my body couldn’t take anymore.  I ended up walking 17.5 miles and was able to walk the last little bit.

Today is over and I’m getting ready to head to bed – there is so much to share with you and I just can’t fit it one post and they are going to kick me out at 9:00.

If you would are wondering what you can do to support this great cause, you can tweet and facebook to a walker that you know of and if you are in the Twin Cities come to the cheering stations.  Those stations are more important than you will ever know.

Tomorrow’s stations are:

Saturday, August 21

7:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Holiday Inn Express
1100 County Road. E
Vadnais Heights, MN 55110

8:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Ramsey County Island Lake Park
3611 North Victoria
Shoreview, MN 55126

10:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
St. Paul Regional Water Services
1900 Rice St.
St. Paul, MN 55113

To get updates throughout the day,  just follow me on Facebook or Twitter.  I was able to share many details all along the way today.