As Day 2 came to an end, we had covered just under 30 miles. Six miles into this second day, I really started to struggle with the blisters on my feet. I didn’t look at them, but I could tell they were getting worse because I couldn’t walk right. I kept thinking about how embarrased I would be because I had told everybody I would make it. I had no idea how bad the blisters would become.

Yes, people told me and I knew better. I didn’t train. I was wearing new shoes. But I just couldn’t see how walking on a fairly level surface and smooth one would cause me any trouble. I was wrong. They were right.

When I got home that night, I couldn’t walk on my feet. And when I got my shoes and socks off, I kind of freaked out. I had blisters now on top of blisters and some were bleeding. I’d never seen that before.

I thought I had no choice but to stop. I wasn’t sure what to do, and I didn’t want Dave and Chrystyna to think I was whimping out. I decided to take a picture of one of my feet with my phone and send it to them. That got an immediate call from Dave.

Note: Until now, I haven’t shared these pictures with anyone except Dave, Chrystyna, and my kids. And I’m not posting them now for anything but to make a point and help me remember this made the walk the real challenge for me.

This is the picture I sent: (You probably do not want to see this…)

Gross. I told Dave and Chrystyna they should go on and Dave said no way. We had to finish the walk together. He immediately suggested we postpone it until a future weekend. I said I would see how I felt in the morning. We agreed we could alter the route a bit and divide the last two days to keep the miles not more than 10 or so. I thought that sounded possible.

I posted an update on Facebook something to the effect that I couldn’t walk on my feet … not good. Friend Brandy suggested I soak in epson salt. All I could think there was NO WAY I was going to think about putting them in salt!

I asked her to call me and in that discussion, she assured me it would be fine. I was too tired to go and get the salts. I went to bed and decided I would see how things were in the morning.

I woke up about 5 A.M. and I was so excited as I could actually limp around on the sides of my feet. I carefully put on some socks and went over to Frys Grocery to get bandages and epson salt. I figured I would give it a try.

Well, soaking my feet that morning was one of the best feelings. My feet felt so much better. I wrapped them up big time, decided to wear the oldest pair of shoes I had, and texted Dave and Chrystyna that I would meet them at Seamus downtown at 8:30 A.M.

Day 3 was going to happen.

Each foot took be about 15 minutes to “prepare.”

Day 3, ready to go.

So glad we were starting. The wrap and ibuprofen had me ready. Even though I had to take a slower pace, Chrystyna and Dave were great about staying with me and being so insistent that we finish it together. I couldn’t have had two better people to have done this walk with.