The Amazing Race...

Over 260 donations. More than $25,000 raised. Seven remarkable women. Months of preparation. Hard work. Tons of fun. A few tears. Belly laughs.  Delicious food. Tasty wine. Crazy antics. Pouring rain. Two Days. More than 26.2 miles. An amazing finish. 

A weekend I'll never forget. 

Satchel and I kicked off the weekend with a fun Friday in the city. We managed to secure the two hotel rooms with a connecting door, which was essential! We people watched in the hotel and awaited the arrival of our team mates. Everyone arrived and we ventured off to a delicious pizza dinner. (And we also learned to never assume that cheese always tops a pizza!) After a few hours of giggles, prep and girl talk, we headed off to bed. 

The 4:50 am wake up call took us all by storm, but we managed to hop on the shuttle at 5:30 am, dressed and ready to walk the first 13.1 miles. The weather was perfect for walking. It was overcast and mild. The energy in the city was unbelievable, and there were so many people cheering us on as we made our way through DC. The six of us hit our 13.1 mile goal for the day, and Mimi decided to venture off for another 13.1. We were so proud of her. 

We headed off to the Wellness village, where we enjoyed chiropractic adjustments and massages. Ahhhhhh. We did it! We were ready to head back to the hotel, but the shuttle was not leaving for 1.5 hours. With this determined group of ladies, where there's a will, there's a way! So we walked our way up the street to the highway, and grabbed a cab to the metro! The cab driver was a good sport as six giggling, sweaty women piled in to his cab. As we ventured to the metro, an Amazing Race challenge transpired between Satchel, Lew, and Rose. I was astonished at their endurance after our long walk, and entertained by their antics. The next finish line was at the bar, where we all toasted our Day 1 victory with a cold beer!

Five hours later, Mimi joined us at the hotel. Aside from a few blisters and sore legs, she walked 26.2 miles that day. The seven of us ventured off to a lovely dinner filled with good conversation and delicious Italian food. After another evening of fun, we had lights out by 9:30 pm. 

As the 5 am wake-up call interrupted our sound sleep, we welcomed the morning, packed our bags, and prepared for Day 2. The weather was a little more challenging as it poured rain the entire day. There was not one complaint. Not one moment of hesitation. We laced up our shoes, donned our rain slickers, and headed to the Wellness Village. After a mess hall-style breakfast, we were off for the last 13.1 miles. 

Satchel led the way, and as we cruised along in the pouring rain, we kept up an impressive pace through the hills. In our final mile, the rain poured and we headed across the Memorial Bridge. Halfway across the bridge, with the Lincoln Memorial ahead and the Potomac River flowing below, Lew said, "Are you ready to leave Scarlett behind? How about right here?" With my best friends surrounding me, I took a pink ribbon, hung it over the edge of the bridge, and tossed it over. Since it took another try due to the wind, Lew handed me a quarter. I stood on the bench, in the pouring rain, thanked my girls for walking this journey with me, made a wish and threw that quarter in to the river. Good-bye cancer. We left you behind. It was quite an emotional moment. I knew my husband and mom would be proud. The harder it rained, the more I believed they were tears of joy falling from above.

As we approached the finish line, we took off our rain slickers, joined hands, and walked to the finish together as a team. And our families were at the finish line cheering us on. Part of me wanted to cry, but I managed to hold back the tears and gave huge hugs to my family and friends. I felt a tremendous feeling of closure. The finish line was not just a symbol of 26.2 miles. It was the starting point for my cancer-free life. And it was an amazing feeling of accomplishment, love, friendship, and peace. I was so proud of my team for raising over $25K. Our network has been so generous, and these donations will help other women who are facing the darkness of breast cancer. And help the movement to find a cure so that nobody has to hear those words or endure the treatment or face death. It felt great to give back to a good cause...one that has been close to my heart for years, but is now personal. 

SweetCheeks had dedicated a song to me on Friday morning -- that was dedicated and played on the radio! It was a moving song, and became my anthem for the weekend. So, tonight I share the lyrics with you. I have one final post to write, so stay tuned. But this chapter of my life is nearing the end. I will always remember this weekend I shared with six amazing women. Women who are pillars of strength for me and my family. And I'm reminded every day how precious life is, and how blessed I am. 

xoxo

I Run For You by Melissa Ethridge

(click here to watch her sing it...)

It's been years since they told her about it
The darkness her body possessed
And the scars are still there in the mirror
Everyday that she gets herself dressed
Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
And the fear is now a docile beast
If you ask her why she is still running
She'll tell you it makes her complete

[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me, my friend
I run for life

It's a blur since they told me about it
How the darkness had taken its toll
And they cut into my skin and they cut into my body
But they will never get a piece of my soul
And now I'm still learning the lesson
To awake when I hear the call
And if you ask me why I am still running
I'll tell you I run for us all

And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more

I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend