Twenty-Nine Miles

There's only three weekends left until the Avon Walk. I'm getting up to the 'big walks.' The training schedule called for a 20 mile walk on Saturday and a 9 mile walk on Sunday.

Thankfully, my mom flew in Friday and will be here for 10 days while she attends a conference in Baltimore. Her timing was perfect, since my two biggest walks will be this weekend and next. I felt so much better knowing that Mike was not alone in caring for the kids. I don't know what is more exhausting - handling two toddlers and two breastfeeding babies by yourself for nine hours (when you are not the one who has the milk) or walking twenty miles.

Saturday's weather forecast was in the 50s and a 30% chance of rain. I decided to walk outside anyways for as long as I could. My mom's magic suitcase produced a rain poncho I could wear if the rain got bad, and since Mom was here, Mike could come get me at any moment if it started to rain.

I decided to walk up the Baltimore & Annapolis trail, starting at Fish Paws deli until the trail's end in Glen Burnie. Then I'd turn around and walk back, making it a little over 20 miles.

I started at 9 a.m. It was cold but not killer, cloudy but not raining. I have found that I really like walking places I have not been before. There's so much to see! Even in the yucky weather, the trail was beautiful. The leaves are starting to turn here.

 
The really fun part was walking past places I've only driven past or to - Marley Station Mall, Glen Burnie, etc. I couldn't believe that I walked there. When I got to Dorsey Road, the end of the trail, I could've kissed that dirty pavement. (I did not.)

Then I had to walk the 10 miles back. That was harder. By this point, I was tired. So I set my mind on the next goal - lunch at Marley Station Mall. Specifically, Chick-Fil-A. The waffle fries and Coke were calling my name. So I walked, and walked, and walked.

Marley Station Mall welcomed me with this sign. I mean, really? Really?

After Chick-Fil-A, I got back on the road, feet throbbing but belly full. It started raining before I even got out of the parking lot. It was just a light sprinkle, so I donned my fabulous green poncho, and this Jolly Green Giant got back on the trail.

At 6 p.m. I emerged from the trail. I was tired and wet, but victorious. I was so encouraged that I had not only made it but had done well.

 
Sunday called for 9 more miles and a 50% chance of rain. This time I decided to walk the mall. It was Breast Cancer Awareness weekend at our mall, so that was fun to see all the support from the stores and the patrons. I listened to my audiobook and booked it. Mike met up with me for the last two laps. My new bestfriend Ben Gay and I had two rendevous to ease my throbbing knee but all in all it was a good walk.

The best part of this weekend was the encouragement it gave me. I did it! I can do this! It made the Avon Walk weekend look possible, like I can do it not just limping across the finish line but striding across it.

So, are you with me? You have 19 more days to donate to my Avon Walk but only ONE MORE DAY  to donate towards my intermediate goal of $2,100 by October 3. If you haven't donated, can you please? $10, $20, $100 - any amount helps. Think of the women and families you're helping! To donate, just click here or on the Avon Walk link on the right side of my blog. Thanks again, friends!