I figured that I would write this out while on hold on the appointment line.
It was the most awsomest WOW experience ever! And I cannot thank you all enough for being there for me. I saw San Diego in the best way possible - by foot. And you know, even though I couldn’t stop and wonder around stores, eateries and other places (like Old Town – I have always wanted to go there!), it was the BEST time.
Okay, here’s the gritty.
Quote:
Day One - 20.1 miles
The Day will begin in historic Del Mar, the city that Theodore Loop called "the most attractive place on the entire coast." Heading south, you will tour Torrey Pines State Park, catching a glimpse of the rare and elegant Torrey Pine trees and miles of unspoiled beaches. La Jolla is next, where you will experience the La Jolla Cove, one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. You will tour through the young, hip area of Pacific Beach, before ending the day in Mission Bay Park.
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We get up at too damn early and head down to Del Mar Racetrack. We dropped our one “35 lb bag that has to have your sleeping bag and air mattress inside too” at our trailer and walked up to opening ceremonies. On our way out, I meet the “walker stalkers” These guys are the BEST people on earth! There are guys in pink wigs, there are two older ladies in a PT cruiser that decorated it like cows and they are dressed as cows that have been “de-uttered” telling we can’t say “no!” We have to say “MOOOOOO” and of course we do! Then there is The Smile Guy and Little Grin who has a wife who is a survivor and a walker. We see them 3 to 4 times a day. He has this mega horn that plays that “da-da-da-da-ta-da” when we need to be “charged” and yes, we all say “charge!” And another guy in a jeep that must have over 10 different hats and costumes – one being a mammogram doctor costume. There were Barbie girls, prom queens, husbands with signs, and survivors with signs. All saying “thank you for walking”, “keep it up”, “it’s just around the corner!”, “You are almost there” Just when I thought I couldn’t take another step, there they were- ½ mile from a pit stop, at the top of a hill, on a path where we couldn’t be picked up if we needed a “sweeper van” and they helped you through it. Oh, and most had candy.
Speaking of hills, Torrey Pines sucks. There are three big hills; one on each day, and the first hill was Torrey Pines. I was walking with team mate Kate and her friend Linda and they really helped me get up and around and up the rest of the hill. We then walked in past the beaches in La Jolla and saw Sea World helping a Seal in trouble. We ended our day, setting up a tent at “tent city” in Mission Bay Park. I showered and fell in love with Biofreeze that day! That stuff is better than bengay, icey hot, etc. It is the bestest for sore muscles! When I sat down that night for dinner, I knew I had pushed myself too far (sorry Houdini! I know I said I wouldn’t) and I was waddling. My calves were tight and my thighs were getting there. I walked 22.23 miles after it was all said and done.
They really feed us well when we are walking and at camp. There were pit stops every 2-3 miles with crackers, pretzels, carrots, raisins, bananas and oranges and these really yummy pb &j graham cracker things that kicked butt. Dinners, lunch and breakfast were always too much food, but you would take it all and eat what you could. They had plenty of water and Gatorade on the walk and at camp, coffee, tea, soda and of course water and Gatorade.
