day one challenge

On Friday morning Jesse and I drove up the coast to the start line. I had some breakfast, stretched and put my sunscreen on. Quite a few people recognized me from previous years working at the chapter and last year walking. I made an “In Honor Of” bib to pin to my shirt.



Lee and I

I saw Lee – a long-time chapter office volunteer – who got out of bed early just to see me off. Lee is a sweetheart. If Mom were better, I think she’d be like Lee. Lee uses a scooter to get around, though she still drives and lives alone with her dachshund puppy. Her first grandchild is a grandson – the same age as Lila – for whom I made a little raggedy andy.

Before the walk started, my former chapter co-worker, Sharon, pulled me aside to tell me about the gift that her husband gave her for her 50th birthday. It was $50 to give to each of the 50 people who had made an impact on her life, and she had chosen ME as one of those people! She said she was inspired by me and my drive to fight multiple sclerosis in my Mom’s honor. Sharon is notorious for tearing up… and she made me tear up that morning. What should I spend my special $50 on? She said it could be anything.

The walk started and off I went, Jesse snapping photos. I had used the porta-potty at the start line twice and still was excited about reaching the first rest-stop for its porta-potties. Something is squishing my bladder!

I walked along the coastline (beautiful!), sometimes alone, sometimes with people I know from past years, and sometimes with people that I met along the way. It was clear and sunny, like fall mornings in San Diego often are, but that sun was hotter than I remember it. I took photos with my new phone, some of which I sent to my Facebook to post but since then I’ve realized that NONE of them posted – the entire weekend! I kept walking along, snacking on fruit and granola bars, drinking water and sports drinks, stopping at every restroom and feeling fine.

Jesse ran some errands (took our wedding rings to the jeweler for an insurance check-up), hit the grocery store and then caught up with me at lunch. It felt good to sit down in the shade for a bit, but I didn’t take my shoes off. I saw a marker that showed Karin’s Kids team had raised $3,195 though I know we’ve exceeded that amount since it was printed. On the advice of my doctor, Jesse brought me protein: cheese and nuts galore! I ate a nice big lunch and then topped it off with a trip to the porta-potty and an ice cream bar and got on my way.

I don’t know if it was because of the stretchy exercise clothes I was wearing that day (making my rounding belly more evident) or the walking that made my belly bigger, but people noticed and asked me if I was pregnant. That was the first day the questions came in – I must be officially past the frumpy stage.

I continued walking down the coast, often through residential areas. As I reached the late-day rest-stops, I realized they had CANDY in addition to fruit and nutrition bars – which by that time was exactly what I needed.

I was starting to feel pulling in my groin on the uphill sections, it was hot, and my feet were wearing down. Jesse met me at a rest-stop and I did some more stretching… considering whether or not I would take on Del Mar Heights hill which is a STEEP hill in mile 16 of 20 for the day. I thought I would do it, so Jesse headed back to the hotel. At the bottom of the hill, looking up at it and its steep shadeless sidewalks, I called Jesse and asked if he’d come get me. They have plenty of support vehicles patrolling the route, but I thought that since Jesse was already in the car that would be convenient. I started up the hill as he was on his way, and by the time he got turned around (Friday afternoon traffic!) and got to me, I had made it all the way to the TOP. My big belly was heavy! He picked me up right after I finished mile 17 and we went back to the hotel.

I put my name on the list to get a massage and then got in the shower. Jesse and I lounged in the lounge until I got called for my massage which was indescribably awesome. Thank you volunteers! I went to the event dinner at the hotel where I enjoyed two trips to the buffet and a comedy stint from Colleen – a nine-year veteran of the Challenge Walk who I really got to know three years ago. The staff (who I sat with) commented that I looked more pregnant that night than I had the night before – I guess because of the heat/humidity, stretching and walking 17 MILES? Jesse went to see his friend Dana and his new puppy and house and spent the evening in Encinitas. I fell asleep before 10 – I was tired!