Day Two

The second day of anything strenuous is always the hardest. The first day's energy and excitement are spent, but you haven't started adjusting yet, and you're left with soreness and fatigue. It's then that you start getting those "What the ----- have I got myself into" thoughts. But this is when perseverence and courage are called for. I've been here before.

It's been a good first two days though. Serendipity has been with me; yesterday, I didn't have a plan for where to spend the night, the Navy lodge where I had first intended to sleep having been booked up. But, as I walked down US 1, a guy came running across the street to ask me what I was doing. Turns out he's a retired Army Ranger, and told me that the same base where I couldn't get into the lodge has a campground, and it costs $12 a night.

Next, as I was walking down the base road and thinking about how a mile or two out of the way seemed far more significant than it had sounded, the SPs stopped to hassle me about my machete. But instead of giving me a hard time, they ended up giving me a ride to the campground. It's not cheating, since it was out of my way anyhow.

Then, as I was checking in, two ladies were checking in too; one was retired Canadian Air Force, and had been told she could stsy there, but it turns out she couldn't. So I offered to have them as my guests, we ended up sharing a campsite, and they cooked me dinner, so I had a good meal and some company. Plus, I managed to catch another ride back out to the gate this morning.


Those who know me and my tendency to drive on in spite of the dictates of prudence and caution will be pleased to hear that I'm being smart this time: taking it as easy as possible, taking lots of breaks, and only going as far as it feels like my body can go without risking injury or exhaustion. I'm not worried about mileage at this stage; just letting my body adjust and getting into the swing of things. I'll start thinking about distance once I'm trail-hardened. Mainly, my hypoglycemia and chronic dehydration have to be watched carefully until they're overcome by fitness.

Also, thank God for beautiful weather so far.