Local woman joins 3-day walk

Eileen Erway of Bluff Point gave up a lot of her normal summer activities, related to boating and the lake for a good cause.

Erway was in training for the Breast Cancer 3-Day 60 Mile Walk held in Tampa Bay, Fla. Oct. 31-Nov.1.

Her sister, Sheila Geer of St. Petersburg talked her and another sister, Molly, who lives in Syracuse into joining the Susan G. Komen event. 

Molly ended up having foot surgery and was unable to walk, but Erway said she came anyway and was a great cheerleader.  Molly would appear along the route with water, fresh shoes and a great deal of moral support.

Erway said there was no real family connection with breast cancer.  She explained that another sister died a few years ago and this prompted the girls to form a closer bond.  They agreed with Sheila that this would be a great get-together for a good cause.
Erway says she is a casual walker, but not being “long distance” walker, she had to train. 

The Komen Walk website has information outlining a training schedule. The plan calls for four days of walking, two days of cross-training and a day of rest.

She started out doing one to two miles, working up to 16 to 18 miles.  Some days she walked for six or seven hours. 

Eventually, her average was three miles an hour.  She said her husband, who has two knee replacements, couldn’t walk with her, but would appear along her path in his truck to check on her. 

She noted that the summer here was very rainy.  “I only got soaked one time.  I felt like God was sending me a message, because every time I went out to train it stopped raining,” Erway said.
Physical problems were minimal.  She said a little foot pain was relieved with anti-inflammatory.  She went to a Fleet Feet Store in Rochester to get expert advice on a good pair of sneakers.

The Tampa Walk was broken down into 23 miles the first day, 20 miles the second and 17 on the third.  On day one the temperature was 90 degrees, high even for Florida in the autumn. 

The sisters could have chosen another location, as 15 walks are held around the country, but Erway said they needed time to train.

The Walk was very well organized, according to Erway.  The route included sidewalks, park paths, side streets and over bridges.  “The hundreds of volunteers along the way were amazing.”

She has pictures of an entirely “pink” tent city that the organization sets up for those who wished to stay there over night.   The sisters chose to stay instead at Sheila’s for rest and “bonding.” 
Every participant had to raise a minimum of $2300. Erway got some business donations, but most were from individuals.

Participating with 1500-1600 others was inspirational she said.  They met survivors and people who struggled to walk with bandaged knees and feet.
Erway calls the experience “a blast.”  She says the sisters are planning to participate in another Walk in three years, perhaps in Boston or Philadelphia.