Published: May 18, 2009 02:29 am      

MARATHON: Lockport woman trains to go 60 miles in 3 days

LOCKPORT — Megan Destro has been known to do some eccentric things. The Lockport resident dressed up as Raggedy Anne for the Ghost Hunters Party at Marjim Manner last fall just for fun.

From July 31 to Aug. 2, the registered radiology technologist will take part in the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Cleveland. Destro has been training for months and is determined to walk 20 miles per day for three days.

“If you know me, you know that I am a total girlie girl. I am willing to sacrifice my nice cozy bed for a couple of nights,” she said. “I’m used to doing crazy things. I’m a determined person, once I set my mind to something, I do it.”

Destro is 39. While she wasn’t thinking of the BIG 4-0, she said, “It’s a big thing for a milestone birthday.”

The walk is a national event and each participant is required to raise $2,300. Destro has already raised $1,800 and her goal is $3,000. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Neighbor Elaine Casler, 64, is Destro’s walking buddy, and one day they took a walk to Gasport. The buddies have been walking all over Lockport.

“It’s almost like running three marathons in three days,” said Casler who is a veteran of 26-mile marathon runs. “She’s very focused.”

Destro and Casler have been neighbors for 16 years and have walked together about three years.

“We walked separately and decided to walk together,” Casler said. “We would take long, long walks. We teamed up that way. Gasport was our furthest walk together. We will do more so she can manage 60 miles. It’s kind of nice to plan together.”

Friends, family and new acquaintances have pledged donation. Her employers at Eastern Niagara Hospital, Newfane site and Eastern Niagara OB/Gyn have also contributed.

On Mother's Day, her family presented Destro with a ring that says “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” She wears it always.

“This is a cause that is close to my heart. My own aunt suffered through this disease,” she wrote on her Web site. “Every day I encounter more and more women that have either had breast cancer or know someone who has. I myself know more than my share. I have always wanted to make a difference, not only having a hand in the diagnosis, but helping with hopefully eradicating this disease someday.”

When Destro heard about “The 3-Day,” she found her answer.

Destro, who used to be 77 pounds heavier, feels she is up for the challenge. The walk is designed to be bold because a breast cancer diagnosis is very challenging.

Destro estimates that she I will have walked 660 miles after training and the Cleveland walk. Because her feet will swell during the walk, her new shoes have to be a half-size larger. She will rotate shoes each day.

For security reasons, the walkers will not learn the route until the day of the walk and they don’t know where they will be camping overnight. Participants will not stay in hotels, but in two-person tents.

Destro feels she will be representing the women that have either won their battle or have lost their fight. She invites people to visit her personal page on www.The3Day.org.