Ten years ago when I did my first three day, I thought only to make it a personal challenge. I was in my early thirties, I’d never been athletic, never really had any interest in finding out the limits of my physical abilities.

Ten years and thousands of miles later I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s either a crazed obsession, or it’s a personal passion.

This year, facing my fifth three day, I have family at risk for breast cancer that I am walking for. I have friends that I love who are at risk. And I have a semi-cousin who died, far before her time, and her kids facing growing up without their mother.

I think it was Cheryl that really got to me this year. I haven’t been in that much contact with that section of my family over the last several years, but Cheryl was my best friend’s big sister when I was coming up in the Unitarian church. About the same difference age-wise between those two as between my sister and I. When Cheryl diagnosed with breast cancer about a year ago I thought “Oh! Well, it’s breast cancer. Cheryl is in for a fight, but she’ll do just fine!”
And she fought.
And she lost.
Cheryl wasn’t that much older than I am. People my age are NOT supposed to die. Sure, stupid stuff happens, people get hit by cars and blown up in wars and shit like that….
But people my age aren’t supposed to die of cancer.
Especially if they’ve got a family to miss them. Parents, and sisters, and a husband, and children, and cousins, and aunties and uncles to mourn them.
It’s…. Well, it’s stupid.

And so, as a memorial to my cousin who died before she should, and a memorial to my own grandmother who wasn’t a breast cancer survivor but who died while I was finishing my first 3 Day 10 years ago, I’m doing it again.
My feet aren’t the sharpest weapons, but they’re the best that I’ve got.

If you can, make a donation to support me here

This year it’s personal.