Every year, this Old Lady Walking adds challenges to walking 60 miles. Old age or just life? Maybe both.

But I am getting excited to strap on my MBT sandals and walk in my 21st anniversary of the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure.

Those who have been following me may have received my latest Contributor newsletter. But I thought I would do some catch-up as the next San Diego 3-Day is only 67 days away. Woo-hoo!

Old Lady Walking Tradition

I thought I was old when I started this adventure in 2003. Little did I know at the time, I was about to get a whole lot older and do a whole lot more walking.

What’s amusing to me, as the oldest on a team of 16, I’m the one still walking. And right there with me, is another *ahem* senior teammate – Penny. But that is not surprising to me. It was Penny who invited me to join her small “team” on that first Walk in 2003.

Together we have conquered walking 60 miles in 3 days. Penny is an avid hiker (and a good 7-8 years younger) and amazing to watch as this Captain Caboose tries to keep pace. Reuniting every year is one of my biggest joys.

The Uphill Climb

In the past, my biggest challenge was finding my MBT sandals. After the early years of blisters and lost toenails, these sandals were an answer to a prayer.

The company had a million cheaply made knockoffs, then it was sold, then it went bankrupt. But the company came back! Now, if they would stop eliminating my sizes and models I love.

Today, I have a much bigger challenge. It’s called my aging body. The San Diego 3-Day Walk has what they lovingly refer to as the hills – one each day. I’m not sure hill qualifies for elevation over 1,100 feet (Torrey Pines on Day One). But for some reason, it’s the hill on Day Two at 545 feet that gives me the most trouble (Narragansett Street in Ocean Beach).

• It is shorter than the other two.
• But it is oh so steep.
• Last year I walked it while feeling very nauseated. I blame the “hill.”

But for the last several Walks, I’ve made it up all the hills! Except for last year when I was feeling nauseated on Juan Street (sounds like the name of my next book), 🙂 I have made it up each hill without stopping – a personal goal of mine.

Well, let me give you a visual of the “hills” of the San Diego 3-Day Walk.

Heat and Air Woes

The other big issue this old body has been dealing with is an extended summer of triple-digit heat and really bad air quality (from area fires). Walking outside is like living in an ashtray with a lit cigarette.

My preferred routine is to take my walk early in the morning. Then after lunch, I take Penny (our dog – not my teammate) 😀 for her walk. If you have a dog you walk, you know walking them is not exactly the kind of training you want for the 3-Day. Stop – Sniff – Walk – Stop Again – Sniff Some More – and on and on.

But hope springs eternal as the forecast has the temperature finally cooling off mid-week from the 90s it’s been for September. I have some new MBTs I need to break in and must step up (pun intended) my walking to be ready for another 3-Day, 60-Mile stroll.

Old Lady Walking Future

The plan is to keep walking until this old body no longer allows it. As is typical for me at this time of the year, I’ve already signed up for next year’s Walk. You can check out my Personal Page here => Cathy Miller’s 3-Day Personal Page.

As always, I am forever grateful to all my family and friends and supporters. I could not do this without you.

Walk on!