Bluff Butterflies

My Challenge is to Walk - Your's is HERE!

Bluff Point is always a scenic walk. From the planes clipping the tree tops to land at the airport across the bay, to the strangers climbing the massive rocks at the point to fish, something new or different always pops up.

Or hops. A small bunny was supervising the trail this day. He hopped along with us for a few feet before scurrying into the woods.

It was Monday night, before the big walk. Jill and I met at Bluff Point, the trail of many of our early training walks. I'm not sure how far or long we walked. I didn't track it, nor do I think that my sister did either.

The trail is good for 3-4 miles. If I had to guess it took us just over an hour. But it's all minute in comparison.

We've been doing the double-digit miles since at least July and they take quite a few hours. After the long walks, nothing beats a good nap. When I got home from Bluff Point, I was energized and ready to do more.

It may have been the most quiet walk we’ve done. Sure, each walk has its lulls, but this one, Jill and I maybe spoke a whole 15 minutes. I was busy collecting my thoughts about the big walk and thinking what other questions I needed to ask. I don’t know what she was up to in her head.

By the time I was driving home, I had a pretty good packing list in my head and I felt ready to walk.

The next morning, however, it seemed to hit me. It took a short jaunt in the woods for me to realize how far we’d be going this weekend and how far we’ve come.

During the days to follow, my arches began to ache and my toes felt anxious. I can only chock it up to butterflies in my feet. As if they were separate from the rest of my body and knew they had many things riding on them this weekend.

After work, I’d rip my socks and sneakers off and go barefoot as much as I could to let the butterflies out. It didn’t make sense to me. I knew I could go the 20 miles on Friday without a problem. My feet would be ok. But they apparently had their doubts.

So much of the preparation for the walk is focused on the feet and then the legs. The right shoes, the blister treatment, the massages offered. My feet were feeling the pressure.

The result: In packing on Wednesday night, I managed to fit every foot care product I own into my bag, as well as a variety of shoes. I gave myself  a good stretch in each foot on Thursday and could feel the tension release.

Let’s see what Friday brings to my feet!