CREW: The rock behind the walk and how I couldn't have been more wrong.

“This is going to be awesome! I’m going to crew my first event.

No more aching feet.

No more aching back.

No more exhaustion.

Oh man, but I’m going to miss walking. It can't possibly be as fun as being on the route with all those people thanking you for walking. All the crazy signs and people won't be cheering me on, and I’m going to miss that, but that’s okay because this is going to make me a more well-rounded 3-Dayer. Now I can say I’ve seen it from both sides and encourage people to do both. I get the chance to give back to others in ways that they have given to me. This is going to be amazing!”

These were a few of the thoughts that blew through my mind as I prepared to crew the 2013 San Diego 3-Day. I had no idea what I was in store for, which I was nervous about, but in hindsight, I had nothing to be nervous about at all. After being a 5 time walker, I could tell you whatever you needed to know about walking, what to expect, and how to pack but if you asked me about crew I could give you the basics and that’s about it. Crewing comes with:

Aching feet

Aching backs

Exhaustion

Here’s what else crew comes with gratitude, excitement, hard work, connectivity, communication, pride, friendships, laughter, flexibility, perseverance, and the unwavering propensity to bring breast cancer to its knees.  Sounds like many of the attributes that it takes to be a walker doesn’doesn't it?

There is a place for everyone at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day and each person’s job is important, imperative, and impactful. Simply stated, the 3-Day cannot happen without walkers, crew, volunteers, cheering stations, walker stalkers, and donors. Each group has a particular place in this event, much like a puzzle, we are each pieces of the big picture, all uniquely cut. Put us together and everything is clear, break us apart, and it’s hard to see where things may be going. For this very reason, we are a family.

Not once throughout my first crew experience did I wish I was out there walking. Not once did I feel unappreciated. Not once did I feel as if I was “missing out” because I chose to crew instead of walk. In fact, I thought “Why I haven't I done this sooner?” Did my feet hurt? Did my back get tight? Did I feel exhausted at the end of my day? You betcha! Will I crew again in 2014? You better bet your biscuits! Now that I've’ve learned the ropes a bit I will be even more excited now than I was before.

Some of you reading this already know how magnificent crew is, and I never had a doubt in my mind that I would have fun, but I was curious to see what I’d think of it after having walked 5 events. The two are equally fulfilling in different ways. The two are equally difficult in different ways. And since I’m such a big baby, I cried at closing just as I would have had I walked. I made new friends, strengthened already established friendships, learned lots of new things (about myself and the event), won top crew fundraiser, and left San Diego with a smile. Thank you to all that made San Diego what is was. May the magic of the 3-Day carry on into an impactful 2014!