C&O Towpath Day Three

Somewhere in between the train, pain and lack of good water, day three began. For me day three was kind of a blur except for the pain of being back in the saddle. My butt was sore! Once again an early start even after the noise of the railway kept me up almost all night.

After packing everything back up again I found my way to the trail and off we went. After about ten feet of travel, I realized something was different. I could not find much energy or will to continue. Was it the pain in the rear? Could it have been fatigue or dehydration? What ever it was I was feeling it. This was suppose to be fun! I found the "fu" but not the "n".

We started the final 50 or so miles moving pretty well. The first 20 to 30 miles went by fast. Soon after entering the 20's, I just about fell apart. I tried not to show the fact that I wasn't feeling well but again it didn't work too well. I remember Randy telling me that there was no shame in not making it all the way and no one would think any less of me if I didn't. Also he said that I had done better than everyone had expected. I decided after that, that if it took me all day and night to get there I was going to make it to mile zero.

We stopped for a 30 minute break and had lunch, that was enough to propel me through the final miles. Slowly we inched towards the zero mile marker. As we got closer and closer, I felt a little bit of life coming back to me. I felt like I was posesed with only finishing in mind.

And finish we did, as we started, as a group of four.

Hidden behind a boat rental business, away from the main path was the zero marker. Without grace, I limped my way to the grey concrete post with the number 0 on it.

Sweet victory!!!!

Coming soon, after the ride....