I made it through the walk! I’m in better shape this year than I was last year, but I need to be in even better shape for next year. I remember I started to feel pain/discomfort around mile 5 last year, but didn’t until mile 10 this year. We were in Beverly Hills when it felt like the tendon on the back of my left knee pulled. Luckily I brought two compression knee sleeves in my bag, so I put one on. It helped, but it slowed me down a little. I felt bad, I went with a co-worker again this year who is 10 years younger than I am and I feel like I held them back (not as bad as last year though!).  I had to add the second compression sleeve just before we got to the federal building. It was a little slower from there on through the end.  We stopped at a VERY fancy designer consignment store, I think at mile 14.5. We had to be buzzed in to look at all the Prada and Chanel. I ended-up making very good use of the comfy chair they had. It felt so good to sit down for a bit! The wind started to kick up the further into Santa Monica we got, sun was bright too! Seeing glimpses of the glittery ocean kept us going.  We reached the statue of Santa Monica around 3:40pm. Considering we stopped for a total of about 30-40 minutes during our trek, we made good time. We also took our time looking at the different buildings and museums. Honestly though, I was so glad I’d parked my car at the end, so we only had to walk a short block back to it. 

We only encountered one angry unhoused person (over by the lake at Alvarado) and one person urinating as we walked by Crenshaw and Wilshire. A tip if you plan in doing a walk the length of Wilshire blvd, stop to eat  before you get to Beverly Hills. We forgot that it’s basically business and residences along the route until you get to Westwood (not a lot of choices there either). Basically no good places to stop until after you pass the V.A. and cross over San Vicente (#2). We ended up (against our political values) stopping at the Starbucks at Santa Monica/Wilshire to get water, a cookie and use facilities). 

I think the scariest part for me was walking over the first on/off ramp exit/entrance to the 405 fwy.  I was in the middle of the road and my right leg started to shake and I could’t feel my foot. Then I got a cramp. My friend helped me finish crossing and then it felt fine by the time we’d fully crossed the freeway. I think that was at mile 12. It really made me feel old!

As far as routes go, I enjoyed last years more as it took us through so many different and interesting neighborhoods and had more curiosities to look at and explore. Hopefully next year will be more like that. If you live in southern California, you should think about doing it next year. It’s always the Saturday before Thanksgiving and is totally free. You don’t have to train for it unless you want to do it fairly quickly. A lot of the participants really take their time and do just fine. Maybe just take a few walks ahead of time!

According to my watch: 34,955 steps, 16.5 miles, 1,247 calories burned and 6 hours 9 minutes walking.

Today I’m stretching, taking it easy and watching Ken Burns’ new documentary “The American Revolution” and I’m working from home tomorrow. 

Maybe I’ll try yo take a short walk to Trader Joe’s later?