By Judith Bakkensen

I have been walking about 30 to 35 miles a week to train for the 3-day walk.    On 124th Street, my neighbors keep stopping to ask if I need a ride.  I guess I am recognizable from the back.  People keep asking me if I have lost weight, actually, I have gained four pounds.  All muscle, of course.  I'm just big muscled and big boned, you know. 

I routinely walk my dog, because she lays around the store a lot and needs to be exercised.  She's not fat, she's also just big boned.  I walk my husband because he is a computer driver and needs to be exercised.  He is very fluffy and, yes,  big boned.  I walk with my girlfriends to catch up on their lives.  They have bones.  I rarely walked alone until I started going too far for the dog, the husband and the friends.  

On Sunday and Monday, it's just me.  Luckily, I enjoy my company and can spend hours putting one foot in front of the other.  Even though I totally amuse myself, after a couple hours I go into a walking trance.  I am very aware of nature, my body and the road, but I lose track of the cars.  I can walk very far in this state without the cars bothering me. 

Other times I wave at every car that goes by.  Most people wave back.  Young boys in cars give me a nod at the most.  I can wave at cars for miles.   I make up stories and dialogues the people in the cars.  Yes, I am alone and insanity is creeping in. 

People tell me they wouldn't be able to do this.  Well, I can't do it alone,  The walking partners (under 5 miles), my personal trainer, Jen Whiting, my doctor, Dr. Cheryl Berry and my dog, Sable keep me going. 

The best thing that has come out of this adventure are the women who have started walking because of my big adventure.  It thrills me when they come into the store and tell me about their new walking adventures.

Am I going to walk after the 3-day walk?  Of course, I'm going to walk,  I even will continue walking to the store on Sunday just for fun.  Strolling, hiking, talking, walking.  It's all good.