San Diego 3-Day Journey, 2013

Day 1  Nov. 15, 2013

Under an overcast sky we begin with Opening Ceremonies at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  After warming up with pre-walk stretches and a little dancing, me and a few thousand of my "friends" take our first of many steps in our war against breast cancer.

As we dance our way out of the Fairgrounds, we are quickly met with honking car horns, pom poms and signs of support letting us know we are not in this fight alone.  We first pass through Del Mar and make our way along the beautiful ocean and on to Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, where we meet our first challenge...a very long, and windy road to the top (what hill?).

It's mostly down hill from here... It begins to drizzle, but this does not dampen our spirits.  We press on past Salk Institute and UC San Diego, soon arriving in La Jolla Shores for a wonderful lunch, presented to us with a smile by none other than our past South Bay Walker teammate "Lunch Lady Kathleen".

After refueling and resting our weary feet for a bit, we continued our march through La Jolla, the community of Bird Rock, and Pacific Beach. Like horses running for the barn, we near our target...Crown Point Park, where we are cheered by spectators and our home for the next two nights awaits us.  3-Day Camp.  Crew has been working hard all afternoon preparing dinner for this hungry bunch. They have snacks, water and chairs to rest our aching feet. Ahhhh. Day 1 in the bag!

Day 2  Nov. 16, 2013

Though a bit breezy, the skis were clear, Day 2 took us past Sea World, where we were greeted by some of its inhabitants, Mission Bay, Point Loma Heights, and Sunset Cliffs with its spectacular views.

At Pit Stop 1 I took a brief 'ice break' at Medical with an aggravated ankle.  After a quick wrap job, I was on route again, quickly catching up with my team at the following Grab & Go.

After yet another wonderful lunch break at Bonita Cove, it was off to Mission Beach, and around the Bay back to Camp for dinner and Camp Entertainment. Ahhhh. Day 2 in the bag!

Day 3  Nov. 17, 2013

Sunshine greeted us on the morning of Day 3.  Our final trek took us down Sea World Drive, down along the San Diego river banks, under the 5 Freeway, and into Old Town San Diego.  We stopped briefly at Grab & Go before proceeding up Juan Street.  Well folks, this is a pretty steep hill, and the only way I can get to the top is with the aid of my trusty hand-held fan.

We arrived before long at lunch in Pioneer Park, where Sean surprised us with an ice chest full of ice cream bars! I love this man! After lunch we trudged on through the community of Hillcrest, then on to Balboa Park for another Pit Stop.  Our final lap took us through the Gaslamp Quarter as we found our way to Petco Park.  Our final destination!  We collect our 3-Day t-shirts and take a break before Closing Ceremonies.  Ahhhh. Day 3 in the bag! 

Another beautiful journey. Thank you San Diego for hosting such an amazing event!

3-Day Eve

As is our tradition, carbo loading the evening before the 3-Day starts at Il Fornaio in Del Mar.  

Good night...up at 4:30 am to begin another amazing journey.  Zzzzzzzzz

Limping is Still Walking!

Well, in the past week I've twisted my ankle, slipped on wet concrete (did the splits...wish I video of this!) and tripped on stairs losing the heal of my shoe (but did not fall!).  I am heading to San Diego today to begin my 8th 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.  I am determined to walk (or limp) the entire 60-mile route.  Yes, Limping IS Still Walking!

Follow my progress on Instagram (hummingbirdzzzz), Facebook and Twitter (dianademarti) #the3day #sd3day.

Our Goal Is In Sight

One week from today, I will have completed my 8th San Diego, Susan G. Komen 3-Day event.  Today we had our final training walk in Palos Verdes, and we are all ready and anxious to begin.  

We celebrated our Team Captain Julie Long's birthday, with a stop at The Yellow Vase for breakfast ("all trails lead to the Yellow Vase").  Happy Birthday, Julie!

I love fall...

T-minus and counting...

In ten days the journey will begin again. On November 15th, thousands of dedicated men and women will converge on San Diego for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. This will be my 8th year of participation in this event, and although I am no longer nervous about what to expect, my resolve is strong as ever. I know I am making a difference with every step. 

Moments ago I opened a letter from the Polak Breast Diagnostic Center with the results of my recent mammogram. "No sign of breast cancer, and did not show any significant change since your prior study".  I breathed a sigh of relief, then thought about all the women and men (yes, men get breast cancer too!) who received a telephone call instead of a 'thumbs up' letter. The call that changed their lives forever. It is for these people I walk, so that not another mother will have to explain to her child why she is not feeling well, why her hair is falling out, why she is too tired to play, why, why, why? 

I am encouraged, however, that despite the fact that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has been rising substantially each year, the death rate has been steadily declining. Eighty-three percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are alive after five years, compared to sixty-four percent in the 1960s. Better treatments and early diagnosis through mammograms and regular breast exams (including monthly breast self-exams) are responsible for these improved outcomes.

So, once again, I will pack my tennis shoes, my hat, my sunscreen and my attitude and show cancer who's boss. Because EVERYONE deserves a lifetime!
 

AVON Walk For Breast Cancer

One event done, one to go...

What an amazing (but very hot) weekend in beautiful Santa Barbara, for the AVON Walk For Breast Cancer. This event raised 4.4 million dollars for breast cancer research.

• The following is a partial list of recipients of grants the Avon Foundation for Women awarded at the Avon Walk Santa Barbara Closing Ceremony:

• The Avon Breast Cancer Center at the UCLA-Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Olive View Medical Center 

• The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation

• Cedars Sinai Medical Center

• Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope

And my favorite...

• Project Angel Food received a grant for $125,000, an organization that supports meal delivery and nutritional counseling services for those fighting breast cancer and their families throughout the Los Angeles County-area. http://www.angelfood.org

Forty miles in two days...I can do that.

Some of the wonderful supporters along the route. These people kept us walking and smiling.

What an inspiring and uplifting event.  I have taken away memories that will last a lifetime, and shared laughs, tears and prayers with total strangers who became friends by the end of day two. I could not have done this without the help of a great support team who cheered me on, gave me encouragement and donated to this awesome organization. 

God Bless You!

To learn more about the AVON WALK for BREAST CANCER follow the this link http://www.avonwalk.org

Another Amazing Journey...

This year I will be participating in not one, but TWO walks in my continued commitment to help end the war against breast cancer. On September 7th-8th I will walk 40 miles in the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer, in Santa Barbara, CA. AND...November 15th-17th, for the EIGHTH TIME I will walk 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, in San Diego, CA. That’s ONE HUNDRED MILES, folks!

I was inspired to participate in these events by the courage of my friend, Terry, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Sadly, Terry left us in April 2005, losing her courageous battle with breast cancer. I walk again in her memory, and know she will be with me every step of the way.

I have begun a rigorous training schedule in preparation for these events. In addition to spending many hours training, I have agreed to raise $1,800 as a requirement to participate in the AVON event, and $2,300 as a requirement to participate in the Komen 3-Day event. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated, to one or both of these organizations.

Online Donations for AVON Walk for Breast Cancer:  AVONwalk.org  AVON participant #371426 

Online Donations for Susan G. Komen 3-Day:  The3day.org  Komen participant #1108140

If you have any questions or want to hear more about my involvement with these organizations, please call or email me. Ph (310) 738-0890.  Email: dianana@mac.com or dsdemarti@yahoo.com.  I truly appreciate your encouragement and support!


Everyone deserves a lifetime!