Sleeping outdoors in a public park in the middle of the city is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am the type of person that can fall asleep any where any time. I can fall sleep on plane, watching TV, in the middle of a conversation just ask any of my friends that have been my room mate while on vacation or during spa bunco. However, at Kyrene and Guadalupe Roads in Tempe, the cars driving by are a little annoying. Camping the woods where it is quite and you can hear nature is one thing but camping with one thousand other pink tents filled with people who snore is quite another. I know you are thinking, you snore too but there was a guy near our tent that I swear was louder than anything I have ever heard. Thank goodness I read the 3 Day survival guide and picked up a pair of ear plugs. My Ipod helped as well.At about 3:30 AM I woke up and had to quietly crawl out of the tent so as not to wake up Tracey E, my tent mate. I was so happy I had borrowed a light that strapped around my head from Christi and Josh. It made using the port a potty in the dark so much easier. After I made my way back to my tent, which was not the easiest to find in the dark since all the pink pop up tents looked the same, I snuggled back into my sleeping bag and tried to go back to sleep. After trying my earplugs, Ipod and still not being able to get to sleep, I pulled out my little pen light and my journal and started to write. It was not easy to do since I had to keep my finger on the light in order to keep it on. After about an hour, I finally decided I would go sit in the 3 Day cafe where I could sit in a chair and have normal lights. I wrote for about an hour and then the camp lights came on at 5:30. Talk about bright! The lights completely lit up the park. If by some chance you were still sleeping I am sure you were wide awake after the camp lights came up.
I went back to my tent and met up with the rest of my team. After getting dressed and packing up our gear for the day, we headed to breakfast. We were served so-so scrambled eggs, bacon, a biscuit and some yogurt. During breakfast we heard the daily announcements and did a group stretch. The line to leave was building quickly. On day two people wanted to get an early start so they would be back earlier and into the showers before the lines started. Lesson learned get back earlier on day 2. We left camp at about 7:15 and I spent most of my morning walking with Debbie, Sandy and Ashley.
During our walk on day 2 we had many discussions regarding possible team names for next year. We walked from Tempe through the town of Guadalupe and into Ahwahtukee. There were lots of hills on day 2. (note, need to train more for hills next year) Luckily we did do some of training in an area with hills at Veteran's Oasis Park in Chandler but still there were a few hills that were a little bit of a challenge. Before we stopped for lunch we ran into Kristy who trained with us for 
the walk in Dallas the week before our walk. She was so sweet she made a sign and kept popping up along the route to cheer us on. She was like Where's Waldo? You just never knew when or where she would pop up next. On this day I had worn my NewBlance Sneakers that had given me a blister during training. Well I wish I could say, I only got a blister in the same spot but I actually had a blister that started forming on my heal as well. Lunch was at the 9.9 mile mark and they had a teryiaki chicken wrap with a fruit cup and chips. It wasn't bad but was a little messy another time when I wished I could have washed my hands with soap and water. We took about an hour at the lunch stop and here I was able to catch up with my tent mate who was not feeling well. I thought she was dehydrated and suggested she try to eat something and drink some gatorade and then head to the medical tent. She tried to call her husband to come pick her up but could not reach him on her cell phone. I didn't know it at the time but when I got back to camp later in the day, I was told that she took the bus back to camp and spent good amount of time in the medical tent. At first I was told she was given two IV's and then taken to the ER but the next day when I saw her I found out that she did not go to the ER but just had her husband pick her up. Another team mate, Megan, also ended up going home on day 2. This was best as it allowed them to participate in Day 3 and walk into closing ceremonies with the rest of the team.
the walk in Dallas the week before our walk. She was so sweet she made a sign and kept popping up along the route to cheer us on. She was like Where's Waldo? You just never knew when or where she would pop up next. On this day I had worn my NewBlance Sneakers that had given me a blister during training. Well I wish I could say, I only got a blister in the same spot but I actually had a blister that started forming on my heal as well. Lunch was at the 9.9 mile mark and they had a teryiaki chicken wrap with a fruit cup and chips. It wasn't bad but was a little messy another time when I wished I could have washed my hands with soap and water. We took about an hour at the lunch stop and here I was able to catch up with my tent mate who was not feeling well. I thought she was dehydrated and suggested she try to eat something and drink some gatorade and then head to the medical tent. She tried to call her husband to come pick her up but could not reach him on her cell phone. I didn't know it at the time but when I got back to camp later in the day, I was told that she took the bus back to camp and spent good amount of time in the medical tent. At first I was told she was given two IV's and then taken to the ER but the next day when I saw her I found out that she did not go to the ER but just had her husband pick her up. Another team mate, Megan, also ended up going home on day 2. This was best as it allowed them to participate in Day 3 and walk into closing ceremonies with the rest of the team. All along the route we saw many people cheering us on and I especially took note of how many Daisly, Brownie and Girl Scout troups were out there cheering for us, handing out candy, gum and ice pops as well as cute little pins they made for us. It gave me lots of ideas for my Girl Scout group I volunteer with on the first Saturday of each month through the Junior League.
We had walked deep into Ahwahtukee, I think we went as far in as 24th street and Pecos. The second cheering station was located near Joann's at Ray Rd & I-10. This was probably the most packed cheering station of all the ones we passed. I was so excited to see 5 of my biggest fans waiting for me as I came around the corner. Bridget, Mike and their 3 children were there with the best sign for. 
As I got closer, Mike yelled flip 'em. The kids flipped their cards over and displayed their second message to me. I can't even put into words how much it meant to have them there cheering me on. Day 2 is definitely the hardest and by this time in the day, I was hot, tired and my feet were killing me. It was a nice break to be able to visit with them. Mike, being a Firefighter and Paramedic made sure to check to see how much liquid I was taking in, squeezed my hands to make sure I was not showing signs of dehydration but I am happy to report, that I passed his test with flying colors. I had been filling both my water bottles at each stop, had been eating these chewy blocks that are kind of like big square gummy bears and help to replenish your electrolytes. I was not going to be taken out of the game for not drinking or eating 
enough. When I stopped to chat with my friends, they were concerned that I was going to lose my team. I knew I had people that were behind me so I didn't worry about it. I can't thank my friends enough for coming out to cheer me on. It meant the world to me. I ended up staying at this cheering station for about an hour. I had to wait longer than expected for my other team mates to catch up to me and then when they did get there, we spent time visiting with their familes as well. The time walking from the last cheering station to camp seemed to take forever. When we reached the next pit stop we ran into Erika and Theresa. Erika was the one person on our team that was still trying to raise her required $2200 when she started walking. Theresa and Erika stopped at Joann's and bought some supplies to make a sign for Erika's back letting people know she was still fundraising. 
All in all at the end of the event, she had collected over $200. It was amazing at how many people were so giving and willing to help her out so she did not need to have the balance charged to her credit card. At this pit stop we actually danced a line dance to one of the songs the DJ was playing. Our feet were killing us but we had a good time and it energized us a little. The last few miles of the day were the hardest. I wanted to be finished and I couldn't make my feet go any faster. I wanted to get a photo at the one mile to camp sign but to be perfectly honest, I didn't want to take the time to stop. The last stretch of the route had messages written in chalk on the side walk. All were positive affirmations like "You are beautiful" "You are Special" as well as other reminders as to why were are crazy enough to put ourselves through the pain we were feeling at that point.
As I got closer, Mike yelled flip 'em. The kids flipped their cards over and displayed their second message to me. I can't even put into words how much it meant to have them there cheering me on. Day 2 is definitely the hardest and by this time in the day, I was hot, tired and my feet were killing me. It was a nice break to be able to visit with them. Mike, being a Firefighter and Paramedic made sure to check to see how much liquid I was taking in, squeezed my hands to make sure I was not showing signs of dehydration but I am happy to report, that I passed his test with flying colors. I had been filling both my water bottles at each stop, had been eating these chewy blocks that are kind of like big square gummy bears and help to replenish your electrolytes. I was not going to be taken out of the game for not drinking or eating 
enough. When I stopped to chat with my friends, they were concerned that I was going to lose my team. I knew I had people that were behind me so I didn't worry about it. I can't thank my friends enough for coming out to cheer me on. It meant the world to me. I ended up staying at this cheering station for about an hour. I had to wait longer than expected for my other team mates to catch up to me and then when they did get there, we spent time visiting with their familes as well. The time walking from the last cheering station to camp seemed to take forever. When we reached the next pit stop we ran into Erika and Theresa. Erika was the one person on our team that was still trying to raise her required $2200 when she started walking. Theresa and Erika stopped at Joann's and bought some supplies to make a sign for Erika's back letting people know she was still fundraising. 
All in all at the end of the event, she had collected over $200. It was amazing at how many people were so giving and willing to help her out so she did not need to have the balance charged to her credit card. At this pit stop we actually danced a line dance to one of the songs the DJ was playing. Our feet were killing us but we had a good time and it energized us a little. The last few miles of the day were the hardest. I wanted to be finished and I couldn't make my feet go any faster. I wanted to get a photo at the one mile to camp sign but to be perfectly honest, I didn't want to take the time to stop. The last stretch of the route had messages written in chalk on the side walk. All were positive affirmations like "You are beautiful" "You are Special" as well as other reminders as to why were are crazy enough to put ourselves through the pain we were feeling at that point. As we entered camp, I saw my team mates that I had been walking with earlier, all showered and fresh sitting in camp chairs cheering us all on as we returned. Next year, I really want to be in that group that hits the showers first. I decided to wait for one of the private showers which seemed very attractive after being so hot and sweaty. The idea of getting cleaned and changed with out someone else's rear end in my face was very appealing, however the long wait was not. I was about ready to switch to the group showers but then I realized I would be starting all over again. Some of the women in the line were taking up to 15 minute showers. I don't even take a 15 minute shower at home no less when there are 20-30 women waiting for me to finish so they could use the shower. It was just plain rude. When I finally finished I headed back to our tents and discovered Katie, our team mate who couldn't walk for medical reasons, had brought the team pizza. We were the envy of all those campers around us.
I had stopped by the 3 Day post office to check to see if anyone had sent me any letters. I got to the "C" box at the same time as another person. She grabbed half the pile and I grabbed the other. As I was going through the stack I made the comment that this Karen Chambers person had a ton of mail. She responded with " So does this Cathy Comer lady" I was so excited, I yelled "That's Me!" I was thrilled to have received any letters and overwhelmed with the volume that I recieved. Of course some made me cry and others made me laugh. Regardless, they all warmed my heart and made me feel so thankful and honored that I have such great friends and family to support me journey. To those of you who wrote me letters and sent me cards at camp, a thousand thank you's. It was just what I needed to get me through the remaining miles. To those of you who are asked to donate to someone walking in the 3 Day in the future but can't afford to make a financial contribution, just send that person a letter or card at camp. It really means so much and costs only the amount of a postage stamp.
After dinner, I sat with Tracey K and listened to the stories presented that night of the people who had either survived or lost someone to cancer. If you ever participate in a 3 day make sure you bring plenty of tissues. After listening to the stories and getting a headache from trying to hold back tears, I decided to torture myself and walk through the rememberence tent. Here they have these white tents from all the 3 day events earlier in the year with messages written on them. They are lit up so they look like Angels sitting out in the field. It was really sad because inside the tent they had photos of people who have participated or were scheduled to participate but didn't make it to the event because they lost their battle with cancer. It was a quiet place to reflect on why we are walking and think about those we are walking for and those we have lost. I really felt like my Grandma was there with me, as well as my friend's Mom, Marilyn who also lost her battle with cancer.
After this quiet alone time, I did some visiting. I found my friend Lisa's tent and checked on how she was doing. My other friend Kate E had decided not to camp out so I could not visit with her. Some of my team mates had decided to go for a foot massage in the LaCroix water tent but the line was too long for me.
On .our last night of camping, I had the tent to myself since Tracey went home. I was able to bring my bag inside the tent and turned my sleeping bag on an angle so that I could stretch out. I had no problem falling asleep this time and slept through the night. I was exhausted both physically and emotionally. I am not sure if I slept better because I had more space and was not worried about waking someone up every time I turned over or if I was just so tired and drained that my body just collapsed and said enough. Tomorrow is day 3 and our final day.
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