The Relay for Life experience

DANETTE GOULET

Lessons learned from the 24-hour American Cancer Society Relay for

Life:

No. 10: Surround yourself with good people.

No. 9: The mind is more powerful than even coffee.

No. 8: The human body is only set to walk for a certain number of

hours without protest.

No. 7: Be prepared for every eventuality.

No. 6: Know a good masseuse.

No. 5: If you’ve procrastinated, be prepared to work double-time.

No. 4: Don’t procrastinate.

No. 3: When someone is there to be your relief; sit down.

No. 2: Don’t forget your sunscreen.

No. 1 lesson learned: If you want someone’s help, ask in person.

There’s no doubt about it. Preparing for and taking part in the

24-hour Relay for Life this past weekend at Golden West College was a

learning experience.

The first thing I learned was how to put up a tent with five

fumbling novices. The rest of the lessons were much less tangible,

but no less important.

Actually, that’s not true. The first lesson I learned was that if

you’re going to take part in a 24-hour walk, you need to prepare and

plan for it.

On Thursday morning preceding the walk our team had a measly three

people dedicated. The mass company e-mails had not raised support.

Not wanting to walk for 24 hours straight, I began a one-woman

campaign to raise support. It seems, standing in front of someone and

asking what they’re doing that weekend is far more effective than an

e-mail request. (Disclaimer: No intimidation tactics were used in

this gathering of support. Said gatherer can not be held responsible

if her mere presence suggests such to some.)

And so with the tent up, we began our walk.

One of the first conversations I had Saturday morning while

circling the track proved the event successful.

I spent the better part of the first hour talking about heath and

exercise with my co-worker’s wife, Becky Christian. She asked if I

had seen the movie “Super-size Me,” a documentary about the guy who

goes on a 30-day all-McDonald’s diet.

A description of the horrors in this documentary led to discussion

about how when we were children (the inevitable musings of

30-somethings) we had gym class all the time, unlike today when

students get exercise once a week if they’re lucky. Exercise, we

agreed, was an integral part of our childhood.

Sure the main goal was to raise money for the American Cancer

Society, but it was also to raise awareness. Not awareness that the

disease exists, but what can be done to try and prevent it. Exercise

is one way to help prevent cancer. I didn’t know that when Becky and

I discussed this, but I actually learned it from a placard while

trotting around the track.

Fast forward several hours. Our promotions director, Lana Johnson,

and I were strolling around the track and got on the topic of smoking

(which stemmed from how inappropriate it would be for someone to

light up at this event.) Both of us could claim to be a victim of the

vial habit in the past, but we had quit.

Once again conversation had turned to a very appropriate topic.

Boy this thing really worked.

By about 7 p.m. I was as inappropriate as someone lighting up, as

I was bright red with a sun burn. D’oh.

Guess its time to talk about the dangers of skin cancer. No, I’m

not reckless or cavalier about these things -- I don’t even lay out

-- I’m just a bit absent-minded. Another lesson learned.

So team Huntington Beach Independent, “We’re walking with Judy,”

successfully stayed on the track for 24 hours straight (as not all

teams did) and learned a bit along the way.

* DANETTE GOULET is the city editor. She can be reached at (714)

965-7170 or by e-mail at [email protected].