Twice across. A highlight of the walk for sure was trekking with the tourists across this famous of bridges. True to its reputation of being encased in fog, on our second trip across, little could be seen of what lies below. The cold wind had us buttoned up tight, our lips chapped from the wind. It is a magnificent feeling being suspended in air by this incredible feat of engineering. Experiencing it from so many perspectives made the beautiful Golden Gate feel like a new friend.

We aren’t sure of their official name, but every walk since 2008 has been “guarded” by what we should affectionally term the Motorcycle Bra-Gade!  A collection of men and women who spend their weekend watching the street walkers (ha, ha) have our safety in their hands and they take it very seriously. They make sure we stay within the lines assigned for the walk, as well as stop walkers from jaywalking or crossing against the lights. And, man they mean business! And, they provide the best music by far along the route! Our hats, or should we say helmets, are off to them.

It all began under the high level secrecy of a Dollar Store in Oakland, where the basics of game deemed “The Magical Mystery Ball” took shape. Party gamester Wendy, with her able-bodied wrapper Carol, made a soccer sized cellophane ball complete with hidden treasures. A pair of dice, some quick action finger work and a lot of cheers of agony and delight, the ball passed among the teammates who were furiously unwrapping to get to the real prize in the center. Most everyone won a prize of some sort. Though we are still deciding who came out the true winner – Leanne with a Nordstrom Gift Card? Or maybe Debbie who won herself a small box of silly stickers!!  Now there’s a tough one to call. One way or another, it was a great way to end our first day of walking, with a bit of fun and intense competition.

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It is difficult to describe just how much help we get along the way to complete the Avon Walk. Participants who take on the challenge of the Avon 39 commit to fundraising (a minimum of $1800), training and the needed stamina required to finish the miles. But this event also requires a tremendous amount of commitment from the support staff. Just when you may be feeling tired or bored with pounding the pavement, they are there to cheer you on, make you laugh or crank up the tunes to add some pep to your steps. We found out what is required to be a crew volunteer at any Avon Walk.  For three days – they own you. Crew volunteers show up on Friday working late into the night to prepare for the start. They are required to work until the last walker passes the finish line on both Saturday and Sunday and then have additional shifts to tear down the event. And, there is no doing this halfway – it is a full commitment and no sleeping allowed! It makes walking those 39.3 miles sound like the easier way out. Thanks to all of those who gave their time to join us on the streets, at the rest stops, the medical stations and cheering spots. Your hard work, made our job easier!

There will be time to sleep soon, blisters will heal, sore muscles will relax and food and drinks are just a few (well relatively) miles away. Just keep on walking….

When the feet give out…try something new.

It really makes you feel so good when you see a child cheering you on along the route. Accompanied by a parent or part of a group, each one offers a special brand of encouragement. During our San Francisco walk, a few kids made a real impression.The first was a young girl who, along with her father, we must have passed along the route more than a dozen times. Just when you thought you hadn’t seen them for awhile, they would pop up clapping and shouting encouraging words. Turns out, her mother was walking the course but her cheers were for everyone. Another irresistible young fellow was dressed in a Captain America’s costume, complete with shield. By the end of the first day, we have to say, Captain America was looking a bit wiped out, but he was there again bright and early along the course on Sunday. Kids with smiles, kids with candy, kids with cute dogs or posters and signs. What a great lesson to teach a child…to give their time to support and thank a group who is giving their time and support to a cause hoping to make a difference.

About halfway into the walk, at the base of the Golden Gate bridge was a rest stop that offered more than rest and refreshment. One of the volunteers, Marjorie, had a small gift for those who stopped. She gave us each a bracelet handmade by her friend who is a survivor, each one featuring a different blend of pink glass beads for a one-of-kind treasure. Marjorie said that her friend’s husband encouraged her to do something during the times when she was short of energy and “just sitting around”. She made hundreds of these bracelets, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone who received this special gift from Marjorie who, by the way, was a 14-year volunteer for the Avon Walk.

More than 1,700 walkers converged at the starting line for the 2016 Avon 39 Walk in San Francisco. There were 13 members of the Pink Bragade, all who raised more than their required $1,800 in donations for the Avon Foundation’s fight for a cure for breast cancer. Everyone has a reason for walking, something personal that has made them raise the money, train for months and take on the challenge of finishing a marathon and a half over two days. There is a bond and an understanding among the walkers and a bit of pride for being a part of something that will hopefully someday make a real difference in the fight against cancer.

Thinking next time we need to get the men here!

Each year the Pink Bragade hits the pavement in style thanks to the fact that Laurie Allyn is a fashionista! This year Laurie, with help from Lynne, blew everyone away with their 2016 line of Pink Bragade shirts. Each walker got two shirts, one green and one brown, working with the camouflage theme. Though, honestly through the dying process some of the green looked brown and vice versa due to the variations of fabrics. This creative team then attached pink camo fabric in various ways to each of the shirts so they all “matched” but each had its own unique design. Absolutely brilliant. In a sea of pink, our Pink Bragaders really got noticed and the shirts received the kudos from fellow walkers that they certainly deserved…Stylin through the 39.

We’ve shown this picture before, but this time have a good look at the shirts we choose to wear on day 1. While looking through the photos on the upcoming blog pages, look closely to find the special designs on each shirt.