Last Chance

Weekend of October 9

Part 1

I got out at about 6:30 this morning. I had hoped to make it a bit earlier, but it worked out okay. The night was so dark that I could see hundreds of stars in the sky. I don't normally get to see that in Houston - there is too much ambient light. I don't know why today was different.

It was 63 degrees when I hit the trail. I had my trusty flashlight with me to ward off the darkness. I didn't need in after the first leg (1.3 miles) because the sun had come up. While I was walking in the dark, the morning sounds seemed so much louder than when it is light. The birds housing to find their morning meals; the insects buzzing around the trees and bushes; the water in the bayou rippling as it moves across tree submerged limbs - it is interesting how much more aware I am of those sounds now. The fog was still lying in the lower portions of the trail and it settled on my arms and legs as I walked. You would think it would make me feel cold, but it didn't. It just felt fresh.

Many of the people who weren't out last week returned today. I was surprised by the number of larger groups I saw before the sun was all the way up. There were three or four groups of six or more people running together very early. I'm always amazed that people are coming back when I'm just heading out.

The squirrels were very active this morning. Several ran across the trail directly in front of me. They were moving oddly - kind of jumping or hopping through the grass. I've always seen them walk or run, but never the loping run they are doing today. It was just odd.

I was very happy to reach the end of the walk without any knee pain again. I hope I'm over that problem and won't have any issues during the walk.

Part 2

I needed to get out early today because I had plans for brunch and a play this afternoon. I was really tired and wanted to stay in bed, but since this is my last training walk, I rolled out and got moving. I was on the trail by 6:15 and enjoying the early morning. It isn't the earliest I've been out, but it was definitely the darkest it has been. It is always weird walking in the dark. You hear people, but don't necessarily see them. Some have lights - others don't. I don't know how they can walk into the dark, unable to see the trail and feel comfortable with it. Maybe they all have better night vision than I have.

It was only 61 degrees this morning. I got thinking that when it was this temperature in March I was walking in long pants and a hooded sweatshirt. Today I walked in shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. My how thing change.

I brought my camera along today to get some photos on this last walk before the event. I wanted to take some pictures of locations on the walk that I have been looking at, thinking they would be nice photos to have. Of the four I took only one really turned out. This is it. I love the look of the towering tree with the dead trunk in the midst of the new growth. It isn't as clear on the photo as it was in person. I just love the sculptural look of the tree.

I was moving pretty fast this morning in order to make my date. I completed the full 10 miles in 2 hours and 45 minutes. My personal best time.

This is the last I will post until after the walk next weekend. I leave for NYC on Thursday and the even is on Saturday and Sunday. I spent about an hour on the phone with my daughter going over everything we needed to take with us on the walk. I think we're ready. We are going for it.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my blog. This has been an interesting experience for me. I'm pretty proud of following through on it. I appreciate your support for this endeavor (the blog and the walk) both emotional and financial.

If you are still interested in making a donation - now it the time. Click on the DONATE NOW button on the upper left of this page.

I'll be back here after the walk - probably on Wednesday, October 20. I plan to post a follow up when I get back home from the trip.

Thanks again.