On the route we pass a Portland landmark. That sign used to say Paramount but when they refurbished the theatre and it morphed to the Schnitz, they also redid the sign to say Portland.

In past years the race has wound its way through downtown and then over the Burnside Bridge to the east side for a while and then back over the Burnside Bridge and down Naito Parkway to the finish. This year, because of construction on Naito Parkway and the bridge, we are staying on the west side. I thought it was kind of cool to see the newer parts of NW Portland instead of the industrial areas of the east side. But when you don't cross the river, you don't get the true vastness of this event--you're not on one side of the river looking back at the endless sea of people that are following you. That is quite a sight indeed.

It is always such a sobering thing to see all the people with "In Memory of" placards pinned to their shirts. So many women (and men too) have been affected by breast cancer and I am always amazed at the numbers of young women who have died from this disease. Many are lucky enough to be able to join us in the walk and proudly wear their survivor's pink shirts and hats.