A Symbolic Journey

On October 22nd, Robin Yoder set out to walk the entire Capital Trail from Jamestown to Williamsburg to increase awareness and help raise funds to support cancer patients with transportation costs. Completing the Trail by foot is daunting enough but Robin accomplished the 51.7-mile feat by wearing a prosthetic blade.

Robin plotted out a schedule over 5 days in October for the symbolic journey. She chose this month because it was in October, 12 years ago that she took the first steps of learning a new life. A longtime triathlete with two world records for rowing, Robin lost her right leg to cancer in 2010. This season marked a time of uncertainty and deep contemplation. This was a different kind of journey but still one that required determination and focus. Eyes forward, one step at a time.

Finding Inspiration

To help inspire her, she carried the names of individuals who touched her life over the years on ribbons attached to her backpack. She also enlisted a support group to help motivate her along the way and provide emotional support. In truth, it was Robin who inspired others and ended up raising over $20,000 in support of The Hawthorn Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that helps people diagnosed with cancer in the central Virginia area cope with the day-to-day challenges of living with cancer.

The Homestretch

During Robin’s journey, one of her dear friends and supporters passed away from cancer. Robin carried a sunflower with her on the last two days to honor her friend’s life and commemorate her courage. Ten people came out to join her for her final walk into Richmond. As they approached the homestretch, Robin laid the sunflower at the 51.7-mile marker to honor and remember all those, past and present, who had inspired her along the way.

Reflection

While standing at the 45-mile mark, Robin was able to take a moment to reflect:

“It was a personal reflective moment, of past and present. There was so much beauty all around me in the grace of the colors of nature on full display....that in itself was completely stimulating. But I was also surrounded literally and figuratively by the caring presence of the people who were literally walking with me and those of you who followed along sending me encouraging messages. And then it's those ribbons....displaying the names of so many special people...cancer patients, family and friends who have at some point in time, entered my world and made a difference to me. Some are no longer humanly on this earth but their spirit swung freely back and forth from the clip off my backpack with my unrhythmic swagger of my unique gait.”

Lessons Learned

Robin completed the journey on October 29th with 137,938 steps, completing 66.31 miles.

And she shares laughing, “I never had to pee in the woods. The Trail always provided.” Whether it was a bench, porta-potty, delicious meal, motivational smile, new friendships, or the stillness and colorful fall foliage…. the Trail provided it.