That’s how far I walked last Saturday.
It took me just under 7 hours. I stopped after 5 miles for a break, and then walked another 9. Stopped for lunch. Finish the last 6.
I made it.
It wasn’t easy, admittedly. And I was wearing new shoes. I’ve destroyed my first pair of Hoka One One shoes. Walking is becoming an expensive hobby! But I only had one mild blister, and I think I can alleviate even that because I hadn’t moved my orthotics into the new shoes. They last longer than the shoes, thankfully.
Toe socks, cushy shoes, lots of hydration - I messed up on that a bit the week prior for 16 miles - and making sure to eat my snacks are regular intervals. Plus wearing the right clothes, of course. I did it.
I still am a little amazed that I made it. With all this walking, they advised us not to diet, so I’m still carrying almost the most weight I’ve ever carried in my life at this point, but I did it. And I really felt like I could have busted out the last 5.
Because when you’ve walked that far and your next walk is 4 miles? No problem!
This weekend I am to walk 22 miles on Saturday and then 3 hours of moving on Sunday. After that, I’ll taper off until I fly to San Diego!
I am fully vaccinated, but I’ll be prepping my mask and charcoal filters to wear on the plane. I really don’t think I’ll ever fly maskless again. I’m excited and nervous and just keep cheering me on. I walk with the weight of many friends and family who can’t do a walk like this. They may just not be physically able to. Or they’re still fighting. Or they’ve left us too soon.
I walk for all of them.