I Should Have Little More Confidence . . .

Countdown:  30 Days

Last weekend, I hiked approximately 30 miles:  15 on a Saturday, 15 on the Monday holiday.  This weekend, I wanted to see if I could go three consecutive days, of at least 10 miles each day.   I did it okay, but god, do my feet ache!  I get out of bed like some ancient corpse, who can barely put one foot in front of another.  But I did it.  Three days straight should be a confidence builder.  But the reality of doing this for 17 straight days is slowly dawning on me.  But let's also look on the rosy side (a quaint American trait).  Maybe I'll be in such a groove by the 12th day, that it will be no more than an afterthought to complete the entire trip.

My confidence is not bolstered by all of my friends.  I was at a party Saturday evening, talking a little about this hiking adventure.  My friend Carol, who is considerably younger but who has had knee (or hip) replacement surgery, sends a chill down my spine by talking about how we all wear out at a certain age (and lord have mercy if I should give out at mile post 120).    

But then I look at my sister Marilyn, who is gently pushing 70, fit and trim, who for years has thought nothing of getting on her bicycle and putting in 80-125 miles.  Her husband, Dick, a super jock ever since high school, is even older, and has pedaled his way across the U.S. at least 13 times. Perhaps there is hope.  One step at a time.