Oh. My. Gosh.

Do my knees ever hurt. But I feel better than I have in quite some time.

I walked my longest training walk yet today - six miles. Yikes. It doesn't sound like a lot, particularly when I realize that the actual event will be ten times that long (talk about yikes), but it's an accomplishment. It was a struggle at first; the first couple of miles were tough. About at the 2.5 mile mark, I hit what's known as "The ZONE"....I felt like I could walk to the moon at that point.

Well, along about the five-mile point, I was fading fast. Running out of gas, big-time. I toughed it out, thanks to the fact that I did have a walking partner today (thanks, Barry!) and had done a proper training walk for the first time. A proper training walk, you ask? I'll tell you: a proper training walk includes pit stops at the same approximate intervals as the actual walk, as well as some resting and stretching and rehydrating. Thanks to the Burger King in Royal Oak I was able to refill the water bottle, and even add some ice. Boy, did that feel nice. Although I had to giggle that I rattled as I walked for the next half-hour or so.

Looking back, I can really see that I've made progress. I've come so far; it hasn't been that long since I would not have been able to walk six miles, let alone feel this good afterwards. Yes, my knees hurt, but they're going to be just fine in the morning. And so will I.

Step count: OMG, 12,010!!!