day three challenge

On Sunday morning I rolled out of bed and dressed myself for another breakfast of champions and another day of walking. I rode the shuttle back to the park we’d finished in the day before and stretched and stretched and stretched. My calves had been tight since Friday and I was worried about hot spots on both pinkie toes that weren’t quite blisters.

I was hoping for a nice cool morning but it was actually hot ALREADY. Still, I hung in there with my decaf and set-up my phone to play Bob Marley music – it has a speaker so I didn’t have to wear headphones or hold it to my ear. I walked along with my music and my coffee, headed toward Ocean Beach. There’s a radio station in San Diego that plays Brunch with Bob & Friends every Sunday morning, so being in my old neighborhood with some nostalgia-prompting music was fun. I walked alone most of the morning which was nice. I did a lot of thinking about Mom.

As the morning wore on, it got downright HOT. Record-breaking heat for that time of year in San Diego I think, especially that early and especially on the coast! I had some heat rash on Friday – just some spots on my feet and thighs – that started to return on Sunday. I sat down at a rest-stop for some time, just cooling off (I also skipped a one-mile loop in the route). Along came some friends, Colleen and Caren, so I leaped up (hardly) and joined them for a mile or so.

Jesse and his parents had breakfast at a place right along the route (across the street from Anthony’s) and were waiting for me to walk by. They gave me hugs and encouragement. I walked by the Star of India and Midway museums and on.

From there, the final stretch to the pre-finish holding park was LONG. I don’t think the distance was far, but the distance between porta-potties was far and the heat made it seem even farther. I stopped and sat in the shade quite a few times on that stretch. I finally made it to the pre-finish park and restrooms, and looking back that long hot final stretch was nothing compared to the life of challenges Mom has faced because of MS. Even though I only completed 40 miles of the 50 miles this time, I still consider it quite a feat. And I would do it every day if it would make a difference for Mom.

At the pre-finish park the group waited for everyone to catch up. Then the event staff rounded us up in our clean new T-shirts and we took the last mile as a cohesive group. Along the water to the finish line, with a drum line leading us through the finish line arch. Along the way there were supporters cheering and smiling, and signs for the walkers (the Ladies’ Night gals made me one!). Once I got through the finish line, I sat in the shade with my sports drink. Jesse and his parents had roses for me, and Patti had a TROPHY made for me! Very cool. The closing/medal ceremony was short and sweet, and then we had lunch. It was quite a party with a live band – I’m glad that the in-laws and Jason and Debbie made it down to join us.

After lunch and the band we again went back to the hotel where I had a nice long cool shower and lounged on the bed for a couple of hours. Jesse’s parents kept us company. That evening we went to Nati’s in OB for some good old fashioned Mexican food – there were about 15 of us there including friends and Jesse’s college advisor. Great dinner! The in-laws headed back up the coast and Jesse and I settled in for one last night in San Diego.

Monday morning (hot again!) we packed, checked out, returned the car and hopped on the plane back to Denver where the leaves are changing. We picked up some pizza and Luna and went home.

I shouldn’t tell you that our suitcase sat untouched and full on the floor until Friday when Jesse finally emptied it into the laundry, but I will.