MS Walk Day Two

Day two started with a buffet breakfast. Then it was on to 8 school buses to head to the park where we would start the day and walk through Kennett Square to Longwood Gardens.

This day had more rolling hills than day one. The weather was still gorgeous. We walked about 12.5 miles on day two plus the 16.5 on day one brought us to a total of 29 miles. The walk was billed as 30 miles. Somewhere along they way we lost a mile unless you count the walking around the hotel on Saturday night; made easier by the way with the flip flops that each walker was given as they arrived. Once you take the sneakers off they aren't ready to go back on for a while.

Some had to be tapped, wrapped and band aided to make it on day two but as far as I know everyone made it. The MS Society had scooters available for assistance or you could call for a SAG (safety and gear) wagon to drive you a mile, to the next rest stop or to the end if you really needed it. I don't know of anyone that used that service. The last person to leave the start site each day put a red bandana flag in their pocket. If they passed someone they passed the flag as well so that the last walker was easily identified. At the end of the day the first walkers arrived at the tent in Longwood Gardens around 1:00 p.m (we started about 9:30 a.m.) and the last walker arrived about 2:15. At Longwood we were greeted once again by cheering volunteers, crew and -this time- by family members who arrived early for the closing ceremony. Dave was in that line up! :)

While we waited they fed us (you could NOT starve on this weekend) and some of us danced. There is a high that comes from all that exercise and the loud music helped keep everyone' spirits up. I'm sure - as I did - many of us crashed early that night though.

All in all it a was a fantastic two days. I'm glad I was part of it. I may do it again next year. If I do, I want to have a team. So if you are interested let me know. The walking part is easy, it's the fundraising that's tough!

Thanks to all who supported me in so many different ways! You helped me be part of something really rewarding and fun. I could not have done it without you.

I went for a walk last weekend....

The MS Challenge Walk was held in the Philadelphia are the weekend of October 13 & 14. I was one of 350 walkers who raised almost $700,000 for multiple sclerosis. I signed up for the walk almost a year ago. I love to walk and decided that this would be a good way to up build up my distances and put my walking to good use. I raised $1945 and trained by walking in and around my neighborhood.










On day one, Saturday, October 13, we started at Winterthur Museum in Delaware. Dave dropped me off a little before 8 am. Everyone registered, dropped off our overnight and change of clothes bag (more on that later). The picture to the left is the terrace outside the visitors center. This is the start of the walk. Up that hill just past the tent is the way we headed out at about 9:00 a.m. To the roght is a scene on the grounds of Winterthur Museum where we walked the first 4 miles of the walk.

Lunch was at mile 6.7 at the A.I Dupont High school. As walkers arrived the were greeted by MS volunteers, crew and kids from the high school. Here is where the change of clothes bag came in. All the bags were loaded on a truck and brough to the lunch stop. There were put under this tent in number order. Each bag had a sticker matching the walker's number. This is an opportunity for walkers to changes, shoes, socks or whatever else they might want to. Most people at this point, however, shed clothes rather than change clothes. The temperature was in the 40's when we started out in the morning but quickly rose in the bright sunshine to the 60's. So long sleeve layers were shed in favor of something a bit more comfortable. The lunch stop had a vareity of foods to choose from including veggie burgers, chicken, soup, salads and snacks. And of coure plenty of water.

At mile 13 we encountered the last rest stop of the day before the end of the day one walk. It was surrouneded by this beautiful view. Three more miles mostly through the grounds of Hagley Museum.

To the left is proof that I was actually on the walk! On the right you see a picture of one of the walkers who has MS. This woman, and others living with MS walked the entire way. The disease has affected her legs so that she cannot lift them very far. Her husband devised a plastic piece that attached to the bottom of her shoe to allow her to drag her feet without catching the shoe on the pavement. She went through several pairs during the walk. How could anyone not finish the walk after witnessing that strength and determination.

Next we have the "You've got to be kidding me signs". A speed bump? Right about now we were entering mile 14. Nobody was speeding. On the right is the sign that met us at mile 14. And yes it really was a hill! On the hill we passed a brownie troop out on a history lesson. At the top of the hill we rounded a bend and could hear music. Must be near the end we decided. Sound can be deceiving though and it took several more turns before we arrived at the end of the walk for day one. At the end of the walk were greeted by even more cheering people. Along the way were envelopes for every walker containing love notes from freinds and family. Mine of course was from Dave. It made me laugh and feel really good! :)
This was the second hardest part of the day. Getting on the bus to go to the hotel where we would spend the night. The thing about long distance walking is that your legs get used to it and then you try to do something different, like lift them to walk up the steps and ...well try it sometime it's a very funny thing! The hardest part of the day was getting off the bus after a 15 minute ride and your legs start to tighten up a bit. BUT these aches and pains are minor and nothing a good night's sleep can't cure. People living with MS though aren't that lucky!

At the hotel there were massage therapists and foot doctors, a buffet dinner and finally a candlelight ceremony where we talked about why we walk, living with MS and enjoyed each other's company before heading to bed to get ready for day two!