Six years ago Annette Tesler and Betsy Kohler spent three days walking from San Jose to San Francisco in honor of breast cancer fighters and survivors. This weekend these Antioch women will walk again, this time representing California in New York City and taking $5,000 in donations with them.

Tesler and Kohler have been training and walking around Antioch for the past three months to get in shape for walking 26 miles on Saturday and 13 miles on Sunday.

"You become a part of this crusade to save lives," said Tesler. "For now, our whole lives have been scheduled around these walks."

On their last two days of training, the women worked up a good sweat by walking a total of 33 miles through Antioch.

"It is a great cause. It's been hard work but fun," said Kohler, adding that everyone is affected by cancer either personally or through family and friends. This year they will represent Tesler's friend Renee Mercado.

This is their second time participating together, and Tesler's third time overall. In 1998 she walked without a partner from Santa Barbara to Malibu in three days. The journey was rewarding but difficult. "It was a great experience but I swore I would never do it alone again," she said.

Since then, Kohler has been by her side. Together they have been walking four days a week beginning at 7 a.m. at a rate of three miles per hour. During their perambulations through town, the women only stop for chats, restroom breaks, meals and coins found along the way.

"We have met up with many nice people," said Kohler, adding that a few friendly honks have grown into many throughout the months of training.

Both women agree that the blistering experience has allowed them to get more in touch with their hometown and meet the community face to face. A few times, they were offered donations to help the cause.

To participate in the walk, the women had to raise $1,800 each, but together they have raised more than $1,400 over what they had expected. The funds will aid in breast cancer research, access to treatment, support services, education, screening and diagnostics.

"We meet people on the street and they want to know what we are doing," said Kohler. "The community has been very supportive."

"Many people have been wondering why they see us downtown in the morning and out on Lone Tree Way in the afternoon," said Tesler, adding that their pink attire makes it easy for drivers to spot them.

Tesler and Kohler are looking forward to visiting New York City as the California Dream Team. For more information or to make a donation, contact Annette Tesler at 706-2866.