Danskin Packet Pick-Up Day!!!!
Woooo-hoooo! I'm higher than a kite!
And what's the first thing I do when I get home from Packet Pick-Up? Do I call my mom and tell her my number? Do I take a nap? Do I eat some dinner? Do I repack my transition bag? Do I go to the bathroom? (well, yes, I did do THAT)
No! I jump on the computer and run to TE!
Hi, everyone!!!
The day started at 7:30 with a Team Survivor breakfast. Maybe 80 women (of 400 survivors competing). We got a little breakfast and listened to Sally Edwards and other VIP's, and then each and every one of us had to tell a little of our story. Some cried hearing them, some cried telling them. Nobody was shy, which was very cool. We each got our white Team Survivor tank tops and a little lapel pin.
9:30 we went to packet-pickup. We cut to the head of the line (at the time I didn't know why) and had some very pissed off women behind us. One of the Team was asked "How do I get to cut?" and she answered "Get cancer." Another one got mad at me, and I said "Sorry, it's Team Survivor." (I still didn't know why)
We got our numbers and packets and chips and then went into the expo part. Goodie bags! I really didn't spend much time in the expo, but I got a few goodies.
Then the crowd sat down to listen to Sally Edwards speak. She's good. It was fun and funny and she got the crowd really enthusiastic about racing. She talked about how some of the funds go to cancer research, and THEN she called Team Survivor up to the stage! (that's why we cut in line, we needed to get through so we could go up on stage)
What a strange and beautiful experience! We're standing up there with our arms around eachother, some crying, all grinning ear to ear. We look out into the crowd, and a lot of the women in the crowd were crying. They're all clapping and hollering for us. It was surrreal. I was thinking, "Geez, why are they cheering? I haven't done anything!" One of the Team gave a little bit of her story, and then we all trooped back to our seats. Honestly, I don't remember what Sally Edwards said while we were up there. I was just going nuts and it was all a blur.
I kinda hoped the women who got mad at us, especially the ones who yelled at us, saw us up there and realized why we cut in line.
Later I had Sally sign the back of my white tank top, then my friend and i got out of there to go rack our bikes. Racking up went fine, kept running into Team-mates, everyone was happy.
HUGE thanks to all the volunteers who make the Danskin work!
Now I gotta eat something and get ready for tomorrow. I'm in one of the first 4 waves, so I start around 7:00.
PS: Colby, I'll be in a white tank top instead of a purple t-shirt. On my pink back sign I'll write "KnottedYet", if I can fit it on under my "In Memory" names.
