8.6 miles? NBD for this superstar family

As you guys know, I have been raising money for our March of Dimes walk. Hubby and I were both raising and were having a little competition with each other as to who could raise the most. I had the blog, but he had the support of his school and 500 Facebook friends. Ahh, the power of social media.

My view of the 6k walkers (and a hill).

Saturday morning was the walk. We got there bright and early at 7:45, and the walk started at 8. The MOD walk here is one of the biggest in the country, with 6,000 participants in this year's event. The local MOD has raised $700,000 this year, with the lion's share from the walk. They had it fixed up rull nice. There was music, Starbucks coffee, pastries and lots of energy. A few minutes before 8 they asked us to line up and we methodically walked through the March of Dimes arches on our 8.6 mile trek.

Yes, that's right: 8.6 miles.

And let me clear up a little misconception about Florida. Yes, a lot of it is flat. However, North Central Florida has its fair share of hills and the walk took us up and over every single one in Gainesville.

At first we were really worried about taking Baby Blogworthy. Would he get fussy? Would he have a meltdown right around mile 5 and we'd be left stranded? We found out about the courtesy vans that picked weary walkers up after they had enough, so we were confident in taking him. We both figured that after a few miles we could hop on a van and head back home.

Every half-mile or so, companies set up tents to give out juice, water, bananas, granola and other treats. A few had freebies, like the place that was handing out muscle cream for your sore muscles after the walk (good call, company). My favorite tent was the frozen fruit bar stand at mile 6 and the ice cream truck at mile 6.5. I was double fisting ice cream. I'm 99% sure that's what got me to the finish line.

We saw some interesting things. I mean, it takes all kinds. Like, the kind who puts their child in the top of the stroller and their tiny dog in the bottom.

Exhibit A.

During one mile of the walk, the ambassadors for individual teams stood along the sidewalk and cheered us on. Each stood beside a poster that had their story; babies born 29, 30, 35 weeks gestation, who spent the first few weeks or even months of their lives in the NICU, but now were healthy, happy, smiling children. If hearing a 3 year old thank you for walking for babies doesn't melt your cold, dead heart, there's no hope for you, my friend.

Then there was the Memory Mile and I don't want to talk about it.

That mile, I was most thankful for this:

We turned the corner into the home stretch a little after 11. We had two miles to go. We didn't walk that far just to jump on the victory wagon (that's what it was called, awesome right?) to go back to our car. So we pushed on, over the last tremendously long hill with our healthy little guy. I was so proud when we crossed the "finish line". So proud, in fact, that I won't even mention how 3 months pregnant I look.

We all got "I did it!" stickers. Even Baby Blogworthy. Although HE SLEPT HALF THE TIME. (Must be nice, baby.)

When it was all said and done, together we raised over $300 for the MOD in honor of our baby's health and in honor of all the babies we know who were born too soon. It was a really fabulous experience. Sure, we're sore, even a few days later, but knowing we accomplished such a long walk for such a great cause was the best pain killer ever.

The best part? We took the biggest, best, 2 hour family nap when we got home.

Thank you for all my friends and family who supported us and this great cause!