| Day One - Avon 3-Day Walk |
Arrival
You will arrive at the Day One site either on a shuttle or your own transportation.
My Day Zero hotel was in Gaithersburg, and we all had a 5 am pick-up time.
Our actual pick-up time was around 5:30 am, and we were all ready to go.
Gear Drop-Off
5:15 - 7 am: Check to ensure you have attached your 3-Day luggage tag to your
luggage, and that everything is securely fastened, and you haven't packed anything you
meant to carry with you, and drop it off at the truck with the same letter as issued to
you.
Route Directions and 3-Day
Today
You receive a great packet of laminated detailed route directions for all three days as
you proceed towards the breakfast line. These detail every street crossing with
mileage, every Grab and Go and every Pit Stop and Lunch Stop, as well as an elevation
profile for each day so you can see where the hills are. It is wonderful for a
map-junkie like me, although it doesn't have an actual map. You alse get a copy of 3-Day
Today with details about today's schedule and route and inspirational stories of
other walkers. You will also receive a Collection Point sheet to
detail where people will be picked up in case of a route emergency such as severe weather
or road closure.
Breakfast
5:15 - 7 am: This is a continental breakfast today, with bagels, cream cheese,
juice, coffee, tea, cocoa. I grab a bite and join the porta-john (PJ) line.
As
I near the front of the line one of the wonderful volunteers tells us there are more PJs
nearby with no line. We tell her to inform those at the back of the line.
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Photos copyright (c) 2000, Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
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Photo copyright (c) 2000, Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
Yoga Stretching Warm-Up
6:30 - 7 am: In keeping with the Stretch - Hydrate - Safety mantra, a stretching session
is led from the main stage.
Opening Ceremonies
7 am: the Opening Ceremonies unite us in kicking off this endeavor, with short speeches
culminating with the ring of breast cancer survivors (both women and men) proceeding to
the front of the First Step starting line.
First Step
7:30 am: Our walk began at the Pergola, so I cannily made my way there
rather than getting near the stage. Most of the Opening Ceremony was drowned out for
us by the friendly news helicopter overhead. The First Step process aims to release
a pre-determined number of people in an orderly fashion so that we don't stampede and
crush each other - a very wise process. By positioning, I was in the second group
released.
We Start
7:40 am: My walk begins and as we leave the campus our Crew hands out more water and
sports drink and urges us to hydrate - urinate - and stretch. We head out in orderly
fashion on the sidewalks, obeying the police and Crew who are stationed at intersections.
I am pleased that they are very considerate of the local population, who still need
to get to work and school despite our noble event. I keep my horses in check and
pass only where it is considerate and polite to do so, and say "Passing on your
left" when I pass others. Frederick is a lovely historic town with colonial
roots, visited by George Washington, as well as in the thick of the Civil War. Many
of the downtown buildings trace back to colonial times. I regret that I didn't get
my Travel Form back in time to get a Day Zero hotel there (mine was in Gaithersburg) and
have time to explore it.
Pit Stop
Pit Stops have snacks, water and sports drink, porta-johns (PJ), first aid and blister
self-care, and space to sit down and stretch. Our first Pit Stop was at 1.5 miles, a
perfect place to relieve the bladder - the PJs all have waterless hand cleanser and are
fresh and non-smelly. The fantastic crew were ready with water and sports drink and
snacks. I drank some of the water I had in there and added sports drink to it.
I planned to drink mostly a 50-50 mixture. From here the route headed out
along a busy business/industrial stretch, but cars happily honked to us and it was easier
to pass other walkers now as we spread out a bit and assumed our own paces. Pit
Stops have closing times (9 am for Pit Stop 1, 10:15 for Pit Stop 2, etc.), and walkers
who reach them after the closing time will be transported to the next Pit Stop to resume
their walk.
Grab 'N Go
These are smaller stops which chiefly provide water, sports drink, and PJ. Our first
Grab 'N Go was at 3.15 miles. The Crew encouraged us to keep drinking enough to have
to use the PJ at every stop, were a maximum of 3 miles between. The day was heating
up, and my body had trained at temperatures from 25F to 65F and hadn't worn shorts or
walked in short sleeves in 7 months. I heeded the advice and kept drinking. I
shed my Avon 3-Day t-shirt at this point to walk in my CoolMax Duofold t-shirt. I
strapped the extra t-shirt to my waistpack.
Out into the Country
Now we headed out for several miles on Highway 355, where a lane had been closed for our
use. Signs still warned us to walk single file, mostly to allow people to pass each
other with ease and to allow emergency vehicles to still use the closed lane. It was
a pleasure to be able to set my own pace without worry here, and to enjoy the lovely and
historic countryside. However, with the countryside came hills, lots of rolling ups
and downs as the day headed into the 80F range. Pit Stop 2 was at the Monocacy
National Battlefield Visitors Center, and I passed a sign pointing out General Lee's
headquarters camp at which he lost Order 191, retrieved by the Yankees which brought the
armies together at the Antietam battle. I walked that battlefield as part of the
1991 AVA national convention walks. There were plenty of gnats flying around all
along this area, but no biting insects. Bug repellant was available at the stops,
but I didn't need to use any. I am a mosquito magnet.
Heat Sickness
I was faithful in filling and drinking my bottle with water and sports drink, draining it
between each stop. However, the long stretch between Pit Stop 2 at 4 miles and Pit
Stop 3 at 7 miles was long and hot with hills, and I had finished off my bottle and was
thirsty before I got to the Pit Stop. I got salty pretzels and ate them. Your
body is dehydrated BEFORE you feel thirsty. I was sweating constantly in the heat
and humidity and setting a good pace with hills. After Pit Stop 3 I noticed that by
the top of the hills my ears were beginning to buzz, a sure sign of heat sickness and a
danger of passing out. I drank faithfullly and the next Grab and Go was in only a
little over a mile. I soaked my hat in water as well. After this Pit Stop, I noted
some nausea as my Route Directions slapped against my chest - another sign of heat
sickness. I was grateful to get into the Lunch Stop to see if some rest and cool
down would relieve the problem.
Lunch Stop
11 am, 10.72 miles: Lunch was efficiently laid out with sandwiches, bean-veggie
salad, salty snacks, cookies, fruit, cold water and cold sports drink. Hand
disinfectant was also handy to clean up before eating. As I was in the vanguard, I
got a seat at a table to eat my lunch. The Crew was alert and helpful, many asking
(as they did everyone) if I felt OK. I ate lunch without any nausea and treated
myself to a bag of Doritos and Oreos (forbidden on my diet for the past 4 months). I
soaked my 3-Day neckerchief in water and wiped off my face and tied it around my neck.
I changed into a fresh pair of socks, slathering my feet with more petroleum jelly,
no blisters yet. After cooling off for about a half hour, I felt good to go.
Our route today included a section at mile 16.25 where everyone would get on a bus
to get around a stretch of road, and have the option to simply stay on the bus to the
Camp. I decided it would be wise to take that option unless I had no further signs
of heat sickness.
Into the Woods
Blessed relief from sun and heat of the pavement came after the next Grab & Go after
mile 12.5 as we first traversed farm fields and then onto trails and into the woods.
We walked on the Tobacco Barn Trail and the Beaver Valley Trail, Stoney Brook
Trail, and Hickory Hollow Trail. These trails also slowed my pace - no racewalking
on natural trails! Still there were many hills - up and down - and tripping
opportunities. I often stepped aside to let other walkers pass. I am actually
faster on uphills and slower on downhills as I take care not to misstep and slide.
The "Be Alert" mantra was in full force here, I didn't want to twist my
ankle and be out of the walking.
Pit Stop 4 and the Bus
As I headed up to Pit Stop 4, I knew my choice would be to take the bus into camp. I
was beginning to trip and misstep on the final hills. And the route from here would
be on hot pavement for the next 4.5 miles. I could tell my face was dark purple.
I had none of the nausea or ear buzzing, but knew they would soon return when I got
onto the pavement. I tried giving the "thumbs up" signs to Crew who asked
if I was OK, but they wanted me to talk to them as well. The nerve! How dare
they be so caring! They were counting people entering the Pit Stop and I was number
96. I quickly used the PJ, got water and sports drink and a snack and was the last person
on the first bus. In fact, there was no seat for me but I was able to sit on the
step next to the driver. The air conditioned bus was a blessing. A Crew member
entered and explained that we had the choice to remain on the bus to Camp. When we
arrived at the drop-off, another Crew member entered and said the same thing. I
swallowed my ego as I was the only person on the bus to take that option. After all,
these were the jack-rabbits of the whole walk.
• 3-Day Heat Safety
Into Camp
And so I arrived as, very likely, the first finisher of the day (other than those brought
in for medical reasons earlier on the trail). The Crew cheered and greeted me and I
stopped at the Check-in for them to record my number. I told a Crew Member that I
was having heat sickness symptoms earlier and decided not to risk the hot pavement on the
final 4.5 miles. She said she would feel better if I got checked at the Medical
Tent, so I obediently went there.
Medical Tent
There were quite a few heat victims already in the tent. My symptoms were fairly
mild, although still a risk if I had continued in the heat. After a check for blood
pressure and heart rate and drinking plenty of fluids, I sat to be observed. After I
had to use the PJ twice in a half hour, my medical person gave me permission to go on.
Others were laying on cots with ice packs on their foreheads, feeling severe
headaches, etc. All symptoms are taken seriously and nobody is discounted.
This was very reassuring that I wasn't simply wasting their time and resources.
They would much rather have a walker come in before a symptom turned into a serious
problem rather than wait until they passed out. The medical tent was supplied with a
good array of emergency medical equipment and experienced doctors and nurses.
Podiatry - Physical Therapy
Next to the Medical tent were podiatry and physical therapy tents. In coming days I
saw many walkers with kinesiotaped leg muscles - a technique where elastic tape is applied
along the muscle and tendon lines to support and give relief. A few walkers now
hobbled about on crutches as well from injuries. I was grateful to survive the walk
without a twisted ankle or pulled muscle.
Massage
Walkers sign up for an 8-minute massage at the massage tent, where 10 or more massage
therapists give free massage.
Tents
The tent area was set up neatly with baggage dropped nearby. Although I arrived at
this area around 3 pm, already most of the tents had been pitched by the Crew and were
ready for the returning walkers. However, we had been warned not to lay down in a
hot tent as this was a risk of dehydration and heat sickness.
Showers
The showers were provided in shower trailers. These have an open area for changing,
and shower stalls with curtains for showering. Long lines form later, so it is wise
to get your shower while the line is short. The towel service is available and a
table full of Avon shampoo, soap, moisturizer, and other comfort products for your use.
Store
I decided along the walk that my waistpack was far too ungainly - I had a waterbottle
holder that was a separate unit and kept slapping against me. The Pallotta TeamWorks
waistpack looked far more ergonomic and so I bought one, as well as some packs of 3-Day
thank-you cards for my sponsors.
Ideas
I stopped by the Idea trailer to give a suggestion that occured to me along the walk.
Dinner
4 pm - 9 pm: Dinner is served at the dinner area, with a huge tent with tables and
chairs to rest in the shade, enjoy the meal and meet new friends and old. Dinner
tonight was a chicken or tofu fajita, beans and rice with tossed green salad and pecan
pie.
Evening Programming
Each evening there is a short nightly news report and program, followed by entertainment.
A 12-Step meeting is held each evening. On Friday there were Shabbat Services
and Saturday there was a Catholic Mass at the Conference Tent. TThere is a
Conference Tent with evening 12-Step meetings. Times and places are announced in the
3-Day Today. There is a camp message board for leaving notes for other walkers.
Phoning Home
A small set of pay phones are provided for those who have the urge to phone home, or you
may use your cell phone in camp. (But never while walking).
Perchance to Sleep - Quiet
Please
9 pm: This is the designated quiet time. The walkers were coached on how to
quietly shut the PJ door instead of allowing it to bang shut, and this was vastly improved
from previous walks. Talking in the tent area should be kept to a whisper, and no
radios or music after 9 pm. Everyone is tired and many have never camped, so respect
for each other's comfort is a priority. All that said - bring earplugs and a
sleepmask and practice sleeping with them beforehand. Your possibility of a good
sleep will be vastly improved. In fact, practice sleeping in your bag on your pad
with sleepmask and earplugs as part of your training. Our first night resulted in
many sleepless people because of the nearby train tracks, with passing trains about every
hour through the night. Also - the Crew have long long hours and some are just going
to bed after midnight and others arising at 2 am to get things ready for us.
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Photo copyright (c) 2000, Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
