Constriction of Time

In only 3 short weeks I will be walking across the United States of America.  The true question remains, am I physically ready?

I have walked 3 trial walks so far, carrying 35-40lbs both times.  The first time I walked I was very very sore, mostly in the hip-flex, and calve muscles.  But the second time seemed very slightly easier.  The third time felt slightly easier again, but the soreness felt worse that time.   My goal is to reach the point where I don't get sore from walking 20 miles.  All of my other muscles seem to handle the additional weight and mileage pretty well.  I feel soreness in the back of my legs, right below my knees, but that soreness dissolves in less than 24 hours.  

I also feel pain in my shoulders from carrying the backpack around.  That soreness usually lasts 2-3 days.

It's the hip-flex that bares the most soreness and I believe it's because the sneakers I am using right now are pretty worn out from the past few months of training so their support is highly compromised!  Time for a new pair of sneakers!

In the meantime, I will wait to recover from my last walk and then change my training up a bit to focus more on strengthening my leg and shoulder muscles so that they don't depend on my hip-flex muscles as much.

So far I have been featured in the local Times News, under the spotlight section.  I will upload that soon.  Unfortunately the reporter was very liberal and therefore spun my article around quite dramatically to make it seem like something more about discovery than my cause.

One thing I have been getting a lot of is Forrest Gump references.  I would say half of the people I talk to when I mention "The Walk For Independence" reply by saying, "like Forrest Gump?"  I must admit that I love the fictional character for his innocence, his crazy luck, and of course his god-like persistent running abilities.

Photoshop by Mike Jacob

In fact, some people see an uncanny resemblance between the two of us.

Stay tuned to my twitter at: www.twitter.com/perdiefilms and please consider donating if you have the luxury!

Thank you everyone, for your support.