Throughout the Million Step March, Kathy and Gary are joined by a guest walker from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Linda Jurgensen, a case manager in Member Health Partnerships at BCBSNC, joined the walk last week near Greenville and gave us this report from the road:
Monday: Today was so awesome. Gary is great – I felt like I had known him my whole life. We left the hotel at 7:30 this morning and were transported out to the place where they stopped the last day they walked.
Gary and I walked and talked for about two hours, then we decided to put in our iPods and listen to music. While I totally enjoyed the conversation, it was almost spiritual to just walk along with music playing... the smells of nature, a gusty breeze, and nothing to do but take step after step. We completed 12 miles by about 1:15 p.m. I was so amazed at how much I enjoyed it. I guess it made me realize how great life is and how much we take for granted.
Since we had no events today, after showering, I went across the street to the Rehabilitation Unit at Pitt Memorial Hospital. I am so grateful to have aching legs. I realize that there are so many people who are unable to walk at all – I know I cannot complain!
Tuesday: I want to start out by saying that today totally kicked my butt! Today Kathy, Gary and I put another 10 miles under our belts. The wind was so fierce that it felt like 20 miles to me. Luckily, other than a brief shower, the rain held out until evening.
Gary and Kathy have so many responsibilities. Today we started out with a TV interview for a local station, then they did two radio interviews by cell phone in the car. When we finally started walking, we were able to do 10 miles in about 4½ hours. Then we did an event at a local Kids Café (an after-school program) and spent two hours with some really great kids, jumping rope, playing basketball and making fruit smoothies with a blender that is operated by pedaling a bike. All the kids got pedometers and were excited about our adventure. When we asked the kids why they would want to join us on this walk, one said to feel healthier and another said to make friends. I completely agree with them!
Thoughts on today: People in this state are generally great. We were asked to give directions to a trucker who was lost looking for the airport, a sheriff stopped to make sure our support car was OK, and multiple people asked us if we needed rides when the rain started. It made me smile.
Wednesday: Friends are asking me exactly where I am in North Carolina. We have been walking along U.S. 13 from Greenville to Goldsboro. Today we passed through Snow Hill and will be entering Goldsboro tomorrow.
Whereas yesterday was the hardest day for me, today was a great day! This morning we put in about four miles then returned to Greenville for a wellness event at East Carolina University. This event was a lot of fun and I was surprised how many BCBSNC people were in attendance. It was a well-oiled machine. After finishing up the event at ECU it was a long drive out to the walk site again, and another six miles through what was the absolute best area so far – rolling farm land. I actually could have walked farther!
I think the highlight of today was a really cool guy who came racing up to us at an intersection, waving a walking stick and yelling "Walkers!" He proceeded to tell us that a home health care nurse had come to his house to care for his mother and said the Million Step March is out by such and such church. He immediately calculated how to intersect with us and came out to join us for the morning. What a great guy. He loved the message we were spreading and is planning his own walk in October to raise awareness of childhood obesity. Mr. Jones waved down the mayor of Snow Hill to meet us and generally brightened our morning.
Thursday: Here it is Thursday night, and again I am alive and still moving. Today we walked into Goldsboro and along fast food and store alley. I do not recall the name of the road we were on, but I did spot a Starbucks and a McDonald's, so I know it was civilization.
We got in six miles this morning while the weather was good, and then went to an event at a turkey processing plant. I kept looking for the roasted turkey samples, but all I could find was the fruit smoothies we were making on the bicycle blenders. Again, it was a nice group of people, and they were very receptive to our message of promoting physical fitness.
After the event it was back onto the road. The weather was good today but a bit hot with the sun shining so bright. We left at 7 a.m. and were back by 4 p.m. Gary and Kathy went in search of the famous B's Barbecue while I opted for a hot shower. I think it is a good thing, but this walk has definitely curbed my appetite. I find that amazing, but will take it while I can.
For those of you considering walking 10 to 15 miles a day, Gary said to not dwell on distance, but rather think of it as just your daily walk exaggerated. I am still trying to do this, but my blister on my toe keeps reminding me of the distance!
Friday: This entire week was incredible, and my only regret is that it has come to an end. I would have gladly signed on for the entire 600 miles. Today we were fortunate to enjoy some sidewalks, which is a luxury on a walk like this. The afternoon event was at Lenoir Hospital in Kinston. What a great turnout we had – definitely one of the biggest this week.
I feel like I should wrap up my journal with some profound statement or some humorous stories, but after a lot of thought I have not come up with anything real creative. So I am just going to tell you briefly how this walk has affected and changed me.
I think as the week progressed, I felt so much more connected to BCBSNC customers. At events we gave beautiful carved walking sticks to the CEOs of the companies or the chancellors of the universities. While I appreciate the support of the CEOs and chancellors, I know I was walking for our members – the ladies walking laps outside a business we passed on the road, the winner of the iPod drawing at ECU, and the man coasting on the bike who wished he could walk but was unable to, but still came out to greet us and encourage us.
I came home with personal gains. I feel like I can do anything I want to do. I don't think I will ever again sit on the sidelines thinking "I don't think I can do that." There was a time when if something was even just a mile or two away, I'd have driven. Now I will tend to lace up my shoes and walk. My wish for you is that you never let sweat, aches and an occasional blister prevent you from living your life to the fullest. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I know it has changed my life for the better!
Linda Jurgensen
Posted by BCBSNC on May 28, 2008