Crewing in San Francisco

Overall, my first crew experience was FANTASTIC!  Although it wasn't perfect, I am definitely going to do it again!  And probably again!

I drove to San Francisco on Thursday, and since there was no place I needed to be until Thursday, I was able to take my time and enjoy the drive.

Thursday was the mandatory crew meeting, where we met our crew captain and our team mates.  We also learned more about safety and also how to put up the shelters that we would be using every day.

The next morning, I was up at 3am for a 4am call time.  No opening ceremonies for me this time...since we were pit one, we had to be set up and ready for the first walkers to arrive!

Pit stop crews basically have a commercial van and a moving van (or two) with all of their gear.  Each day, we have directions to our set up location, and we get there before sun up to start setting up.  The shelters that we use are HEAVY DUTY and they take the whole team to assemble and get upright.  Once the shelter is up, we start to decorate and wait for the food and ice to arrive (another delivery truck).  Once that arrives, we begin to prep and stage the food, as well as make sport drink.

Food at the pit stops stays pretty much the same at each walk...string cheese (the most popular), bananas, orange slices, peanut butter and jelly filled graham crackers (a walker favorite for sure), chips, salted nuts, water, and sport drink.

The first walkers arrive not too long after the route opens at 6:30, and we stay until the last walker has passed through.  There is a person on a bike that follows the last walker in and confirms that all the walkers are accounted for. Someone on each pit crew also counts the walkers coming into the pit, so that we have a general idea of how many walkers are left to come in.

Once everyone is through the pit, which is probably less than an hour, we begin breaking down all of the stuff we just set up!

The rest of the day is spent helping out in other areas of the walk.

 Stocked and ready for walkers!

By the time we were back at camp in the evening, I literally had just enough energy to eat my dinner before crawling into my sleeping bag.  I didn't even shower!  You're just that tired.  I decided it was much better to take one in the morning, since it would help me wake up...not to mention that the showers are deserted at 3 am!!

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Before leaving for the walk, I had posted my picture on the San Francisco 3-Day Page and introduced myself to everyone, telling them that I would be at Pit One, and that I would love to meet them and hug them.  As promised, I had people walk up to me all weekend and introduce themselves to me...and HUG ME!  I loved it!!

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On day 2, we set up at a park near the shore of the bay with a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Watching the sun rise was amazing.

Although I lived in San Francisco/Marin for 5 years (and drove across the bridge almost every day), I had never walked across the bridge.  I decided it was time, and our captain was gracious enough to let those of us that wanted to walk the bridge do so.

The weather was uncharacteristically warm, and it was an awesome walk!

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One of the most interesting parts of my crew experience was the interactions I had and observed with the rest of my team and captains.  There were some people who worked much harder than others, some people who should not have chosen to be on such a physically demanding crew (you are warned beforehand), and others who both worked hard and were lovely to be around.

Luckily for us, there were only a few bad eggs, and the rest of us stuck together and did our best to make up for the negativity and lack of work by the others.  

So happy to have met these two.  Can't wait to crew with them again!

DAY 3

Just like last year, the weekend seemed to fly by.  Day 3 was here, and it was time for closing ceremonies.  Although the closing ceremonies are similar every year, this fact does not diminish their power.  Every year, more women have been diagnosed.  More women have died.  It's a powerful realization. 

Seeing everyone in their victory shirts...grey for crew, white for walkers, pink for survivors...thousands united in one way or another by breast cancer....and all of them committed to doing something about it...it's a life changing experience.

            

My victory shirt

 Relaxing and waiting for closing ceremonies

Motorcycle Safety Crew Hotties, Paul and Michael!

 At every closing, one shoe is raised in honor of those affected by breast cancer

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To all of the new friends that I made this weekend, and to all of the ones I got to see again, thank you for 3 amazing days!

And although I know I've said it before, I'd like to thank Seth and the boys again for this opportunity.  It truly would not be possible without your support.

Love,

Lisa

Bald is Beautiful!

Well, as expected, Lisa's hair started falling out because of chemo.  Although she had already cut her waist-length hair into a bob to help lessen the trauma, it was still difficult to see clumps of hair coming out, so she had her boyfriend Marshall shave her head.  Then, he shaved his, too!  Ain't love grand??

 I think that she looks amazing, as does Mary.  I'm telling you, bald is beautiful!

Marshall and Lisa

Sisters:  Gina, Mary, and Lisa

As for me, the mohawk is done, my bag is packed, and the car is ready!  See you in San Francisco!

Rocking the 'hawk!

Yes, people honk!

Finally!

It seems like I've been waiting forever for the 3-Day season to begin again, and now it's just a couple of days away!

I was reminded how much I enjoyed my breast cancer fundraising (and the 3-Day) last night when some friends introduced me to their mother and I was telling her about my experiences.  I still get teary eyed talking about all of the wonderful people I've met on this journey.  And now, I get a chance to see the walk from the other side:  the Crew.  For three days I will literally be helping to feed, hydrate, hug and motivate 1000 walkers!  The walks are literally not possible without the crew, and I am excited and proud to be able to be a part of that.

I am a member of Pit Stop 1, the first Pit Stop that the walkers will have on each day of their walk.  The theme of our pit (ironically, in my case) is the Double Dee Diner...a restaurant :)  But instead of dressing up like a waitress, since I do that the rest of the year, I decided on a chef's coat.  I bought one from the restaurant supply and then, with Spencer's help, dyed it pink (of course).  I love that it will work double duty as a jacket and a great place to showcase all of my buttons :)

As my contribution to the team, I built, with my dad and Seth's help, a photo backdrop for walkers to take pictures in front of.  It's just a PVC pipe frame with a pink shower curtain hanging from it, but walkers love to have photo ops on their walk, and I am also working on some props that they can have fun with, like a chef's hat and some chalkboards that they can write on and hold in their photos.  I know if I were a walker I would like it!

Since today was my last day at work until after the walk, I went directly to Great Clips to get my mohawk.  I haven't let anyone other than my stylist touch my hair in years, so I was a little apprehensive, but the woman there did a pretty good job.  It does need a little touching up, though, so I'm waiting for Seth to get home to help me with that.  In the meanwhile, I am bleaching my hair and then coloring it pink!  I colored it last year, but this year I'm going for a bolder look.  We'll see how it comes out!  I figured the worst case scenario was that I would have to shave my head completely, which isn't much of a stretch for me these days!

On the BFF cancer front, Mary and Lisa are doing well.  Lisa had weakness and some stomach issues after her first chemo, but managed.  Oh, and she also had a slight allergic reaction to one of the meds, so they will be trying something different next time.  Because she goes to the same place that Gina did for treatment, I know they will take good care of her.

In another odd twist of timing, Lisa's hair will probably start falling out while I am at the 3-Day.  While I know it will be traumatic, I hope that it won't be long until she sees that in the big picture of life, it's just hair...those of us that love her, and I know even those that don't know her, would never think her beauty is diminished by the loss of her hair...

I am blessed to have the support of so many that enables me to go to San Francisco for six days and participate in the 3-Day.  First and foremost is Seth, who makes all things possible.  And to my co-workers who not only cover for me but support me, I thank you.  To my sons, who's first days of school I will be missing for the first time ever, thank you so much for your endless love and kisses.  You are everything that is good in the world.  Everything I do, I do for you.

 My Little Helper :)

My credential!