Here are some links about the walk:

• San Jose Cops Don Pink for Breast Cancer
• Participants get moving for cancer research, education
• Picture of the day

I meant to write my synopsis of the Avon walk on Monday, but I was tired and believe it or not, my feet were sore. They were even sore when I was sitting down and didn’t put any pressure on them at all. My toes were tender too. Very tender. My arches were the worst. They were sore inside and out–literally burning. I told everybody my feet were angry at me. They were red and swollen and they rebelled at the thought of shoes–even my comfortable, ugly ones. I wore my most comfortable shoes to work on Monday and ended up walking (nay–limping) around in bare feet. My colleagues thought I’d gone mad.

I meant to write my synopsis on Tuesday, but again, I was tired and there was only a slight change in the feet department. Barely noticeable in fact. They smelled a bit better though. I had other plans on Wednesday evening, so I didn’t write my story yesterday either. Today. Voila! I shall write something before I go to bed.

Here are some statistics from the walk:

• $5.4 million (USD)
• 2300 walkers
• 40 miles
• two days
• one Googley Bear
• one marriage proposal (not mine!)
• many, many blistered and sore feet
• many, many exhausted, but satisfied and gratified participants

To completely appreciate the energy and the momentum, I think you had to be there. I, of course, arrived late. Not too late. I just missed the morning ceremonies. I drove myself to where the directions said I could park overnight to discover that the ceremonies were approximately 15 minutes away–by taxi. I had to find myself a taxi in San Francisco at 6h30 in the morning. Turns out it wasn’t too difficult.

I arrived half an hour before the start of the actual walk. I registered, got my papers in order, and lugged my gear over to the gear trucks. At the last moment, I decided that I didn’t want to squish Googley Bear under the top of the backpack and shove him in the truck. I sleep with him at night. I thought he deserved better. I took him out and decided he would walk with me. I can’t believe I’m 34 (and a half) years old and I am so protective about my teddy bear. He turned out to be a great conversation piece–a good way to start a conversation with a complete stranger.

I started walking at 7h07 am on Saturday morning. I met Christine as I was applying sunscreen. The first day, we walked a bit around San Francisco, out of Golden Gate Park, around the Presidio, and then across the Golden Gate Bridge. We walked north into Mill Valley for lunch and the afternoon, then back through Sausalito and across the Golden Gate again to Chrissy Fields for the night.

On the way back through Sausalito, we were walking along the sidewalks along with other pedestrians who were there for the day, enjoying themselves. Everybody was either walking or sitting down at one of the many cafes enjoying dinner and drinks. All of a sudden, I thought a beer would taste good. So I just said it out loud: “I could really use a beer right now.” Keep in mind, it’s approximately mile 20 but we still have six more miles to walk before we’re done. The two fellows in front of me turned around like they were surprised to hear such a statement from a woman. Lovely I thought. Maybe they’d buy us a drink. But–alas, I forgot that I’m not all that fetching after walking 20 miles in a straw hat carrying a teddy bear. Oh well. At least I know I clean up nicely.

At Chrissy Fields, there was a camp set up for us, complete with showers, dining tents, and shopping tents (our sponsors). There was even a medical village. Yes a village, complete with massage therapy, podiatry, chiropractry, and general medical. (Nik, one of your students treated me–she said you were awesome and was glad to hear you were doing well.)

As I was standing in line for the showers, the walker in front of me asked me how far I’d gone that day (because you could stop at any time). I laughed with a bit of a grimace and said that I’d only walked half the marathon–only 26 miles. I had to finish it tomorrow. She looked at me oddly and said: Jennifer, you did walk a marathon. 26 miles is a marathon! No wonder my feet were so angry. I had that 40 number in my head. I knew 40-something kilometers was a marathon and I just never converted from metric. Mum says that’s the perils of being Canadian and living in the States–you have to fathom the imperial system. So, now, at the end of the first day, I discover that I’ve actually walked the entire marathon (26.2 miles) and there are another 13-odd miles to do tomorrow. (FYI to Canadians: 40 miles equals approximately 67.2 kilometres.) Every mile was optional by the way. But I stuck to it and finished the entire walk.

In the evening as people were settling into their tents for the night, there came a loud booming male voice: “Anawar So-and-So, will you spend the rest of your life with me?” People started groaning at the interuption until they realized what was said. Then there was silence and we waited. Then a squeal. Then a woman’s voice: “Of course.” Everybody whistled and cheered and clapped from their tents for a few moments. I’ve never been part of somebody’s moment before.

I started the next morning at approximately 8h00. We winded through various parts of San Francisco. I tried to keep track becasue there were some places I think I want to go back to. I really like the cafes and wee shops. Every time I walk through these streets with the hustling and bustling and energy, I think that I would like to live in the city. But when I get back home, I’m just relieved at the silence.

I finished the walk around 2h30. I was completely knackered and ended up just laying on my back in the grass for half an hour or so. I felt more than a bit sorry for myself because even though people called me throughout the walk for support, there wasn’t anybody to meet me at the finish line. I just had myself and Googley Bear to get sorted, back to the car, then back to Petaluma. Next year, I think I’ll arrange for a finish line welcoming party–or at least check myself into a posh hotel with complimentary massages.

It’s 9h16 pm on the Event Eve of my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I’ve just read the arrival information that said I needed to check in between 2h00 pm and 8h00 pm TODAY!! I’m already late. I think I will just get up extra early tomorrow morning and arrive in plenty-o-time to beg and plead somebody to register me.

It won’t be too terrible I don’t think. I can wield my fundraising efforts to bribe somebody. $2,266.50–not bad. Thank you to everybody who donated. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You know it is a good cause.

I packed my stuff last night. I don’t have to carry all of this, I might just use it though. Note the four pairs of foot wear. FOUR! I may even pack my runners I trained in (they are not in the picture). I don’t want sore feet. New shoes. New socks. Also note Googley Bear–my teddy and bed companion–who will be doubling as my pillow. He’s good, he is.

Alright. It’s 9h55 pm. Off to bed for me. I have to get up around 4h30 am to get going. Wish me luck.

In the future, the only support women will need is from their husbands or partners and from their bras……

I’m still collecting for breast cancer research. Please click the pink button. Support me in the Avon walk. Support women and healthy breasts. Give us the chance to measure up (or down…depending on how you look at it!!).

Thank you to Redd, who forwards me these great cartoons. Keep ‘em coming.

I talked to my parents last night. I told them I was looking for an interesting costume in which I could get a laugh and get some donations. I told them about my thoughts on rubber boobs and we tossed around a few ideas. My Dad said: What about that egg you were for Halloween that time? That was funny.

When I was sixteen, my Dad helped me make my Halloween costume. We made a huge paper mache egg. We painted on the front of it: I’m not all I was cracked up to be. On the back: I just got laid!! Ha! I was sixteen and pretty naive. My Dad just laughed.

Years later in Ottawa, my friend from University and I decided to make paper mache eggs again for Halloween. Here are some pics:

That was funny. We had a blast that Halloween. Yesterday, when my Dad mentioned it, I thought he was suggesting that I make another paper mache egg. But now, I think he might have meant make a big paper mache boob. I have to toss that idea around. It’ll have to be a set of boobs. And it will have to be funny.

Jim and Linda. You shouldn’t have. Thank you ever so much. I was just trying to plan how to raise more money. I went to check my status AND THE CUP WAS FULL!! THE CUP RUNETH OVER!!! OH MY GOODNESS. In a single donation!!!! Thank you very, very, very, much. I’m speechless.

Jim Thames and Linda Cochran. You are the best of the best.

When my parents came to visit me last December, my Dad had his head completely shaved. He did it in solidarity with our friend Therese who was losing her hair to chemo treatments. Therese’s husband Bertrand also shaved his head. When Dad shaved his head, he got Mum to take a picture and send it to my sisters. They didn’t send it to me because they were coming to visit and they wanted to surprise me. Anyway. My Dad wanted to take this picture and add the words: Support Breast Cancer. Look like a tit!

I’m looking for a funny–but respectful–costume to wear around Petaluma in hopes people (complete strangers) will see the humour and donate to my cause. I thought I could find some rubber boobs and incorporate them into some sort of costume. My brother-in-law said I should get those vests with fake boobs that they give to men in pregnacy classes so they can experience boobs and babies. I could get one of those and take it around and get some guys to try it on. I could get some donations out of that. That might be funny. I could get a big boob and wear it like a hat. That would be funny. Where would I get a boob big enough for my head?

Oh well. It seems like I’m going to have to think on it a bit more. Before I go out there and make a fool — ooops, a boob– out of myself, I want to be prepared.

One month to my AVON walk. I have raised $1100 so far. I don’t think that’s bad. I’m making a last big push before the end of the month. Personal goal: $1800. I’ve asked a few more people at work.

Maybe next week, I’ll wear my AVON walk T-shirt through the streets of town and see if I can’t get any support like that. Maybe, I should make my own T-shirt. I could write a question or something on the front of the T-shirt. Something like: What do you and Victoria Secret have in common? And, on the back, I could say: You both support beautiful, healthy breasts. I would get a donation or two out of that for sure.

Maybe, I’ll wear my bra on the outside of my shirt–or around my waist. That would be funny. Hmmm… Maybe, I’ll get dressed up tomorrow night and go out on the town. I could solicit donations at the local pubs. Yeah. Maybe I’ll do that. I wonder how much I’ll raise that way? AND–It will make an interesting blog story. Hmmm. You’re going to have to tune in for that.

Regarding my training progress: Up until last week, I was logging between 15 and 20 miles a week. That felt very good. Last Saturday I walked 3 miles down the mountain (Sonoma Mountain) and jogged back up. At the end, I also did a leg-butt workout. My legs were sore for four days after that, but it felt good anyway.

Yesterday, Pam in Kentucky called me out of the blue. She is a friend of a friend who donated to my cause. She was just calling to congratulate me on my efforts (which I really appreciate) and she called at the most opportune time. I was on my way to meet our mutual friend (Waitman), but because I’d just changed phones, I didn’t have his phone number to call him to tell him I was going to be a bit late. So–out of the blue, Pam phones me. I’ve never talked to this person before in my life, but she was the exact person I needed to talk to at that time AND, she had Waitman’s phone number.

I like serendipitous moments like that, like there is order in this great big chaos of life. Like someone is watching out for you and making sure you have everything you need at just the right moment in time. I’m going to believe in that for a bit–that there a right reason, a right time, and a right place for everything.

Being a tech writer in high tech, one thing I’ve learned is to communicate in the same language. Learn the language, then you know you are communicating the right message. Also, if you are both speaking the same language, there is less room for miscommunication and misunderstandinging. To that end, here is my very first attempt to speak the language of software design engineers:

~~~~~~~~~~

main ()
{
   printf(“WARNING: SHAMELESS SOLICITATION\n)”;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK. Now, I’ll just sit back and let the comments fall where they may…whatever it takes. I’ll take the sideways comments for a good cause.

In the spirit of breast cancer research!!!