When Susan A. moved to Juan Street in San Diego’s Mission Hills neighborhood three years ago, she had no idea she was settling into one of the most challenging stretches of the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® route.
The morning after moving into her home, Susan received an unforgettable welcome.
“We moved in on Saturday, and on Sunday the walkers came up the hill,” Susan said. “Our neighbors invited us to join them in cheering everyone on. It was their way of welcoming us to the neighborhood.”
Known to walkers as one of the toughest climbs on the San Diego 3-Day route, Juan Street appears on Day 3 after mile 9, when tired feet, blisters and sore muscles are aching for relief. Each year, neighbors set up along the steep street to encourage the walkers to keep going.
Susan was immediately inspired.
“Seeing all of those people walking together that first year was incredible,” Susan said. “I remember seeing a group of women completely shirtless. They had double mastectomies, and I was amazed by their strength. I burst into tears seeing how fierce they were.”
Since then, supporting the walkers has become an annual tradition for Susan and her neighbors.
“We have a bubble machine, we hand out pink drinks, I decorate my dog, Misty, with pink feathers, and we treat it as a fun Sunday for the neighbors to cheer on the 3-Day walkers,” Susan said.
The 3-Day, Her Way
After years of cheering walkers from the sidelines, Susan has decided it’s time to take the next step and take on the challenge herself. While the thought of walking up to 60 miles might seem daunting for new walkers, Susan is no stranger to pushing her physical limits.
“I’ve lived in San Diego a long time and know every street and route in this city,” Susan said. “I’ve run 37 marathons but should have quit around number five because I ruined a tendon in my left foot.”
Even with lingering foot pain, Susan is determined to walk as much of the 3-Day as she can and join the thousands walking to help end deaths from breast cancer.
“I’m going to do 20 miles on Friday, ice on Saturday and walk 20 miles on Sunday,” Susan said. “I think that’s the only way I’ll survive.”
Susan is a member of Team Lipstick Mafia, a team that includes two breast cancer survivors and supporters whose encouragement inspired her to join the Pink Bubble herself.
One teammate in particular, whom Susan met through her employer, helped convince her to take the leap.
“Well, Kathleen is very persuasive,” Susan said with a laugh. “She just kept saying, ‘This is good for you. You will change for the better. It’ll make you a stronger, better person.’”
Susan said she is looking forward to the inspirational Opening Ceremony, and instead of watching from her curb on Juan Street, walking side-by-side the Pink Bubble community.
To learn more about the 3-Day, visit the3day.org.
