Hey gang. We are in Advance, N.C., and advancing to Winston-Salem very quickly. We hit the 200-mile mark today! Not bad for a guy who wouldn't walk across the street just six years ago, huh? Who am I kidding? I'd get winded in an elevator back in my 397-pound days.
So I thought the 200-mile mark might be a good time to share a few things I've learned walking across North Carolina for those aspiring road warriors like me, who are thinking of taking a long walk to promote a cause of their own. So here we go with the top eight things I've learned on the Million Step March:
1. The soft shoulder is your friend.
2. Sidewalks (where you can get them) are a luxury.
3. Road kill is a dandy appetite suppressant (if you're trying to lose weight like me).
4. People in North Carolina are so nice they'll stop and ask you if you want a ride (unlike my home state of Massachusetts, where they get road rage when they aren't even driving).
5. Kathy Higgins from Blue Cross is an amazing lady and will walk all day if we let her!
6. Barbecue is not just for breakfast here in the South.
7. Sometimes you have to look out for 18-wheelers on the road, and other times actual houses that are being transported via 18-wheeler.
8. Getting healthy can actually be fun!
We'll see you when we come to your town, OK?
Posted by Gary Marino on April 23, 2008
Wrapping up the big event in Charlotte last week, we've posted this photo gallery online at the Flickr photo-sharing site.
Many thanks to all the Uptown Charlotte folks who came out and participated. Keep logging those steps!
Posted by Kyle Marshall on April 22, 2008
Throughout the Million Step March, Kathy and Gary are joined by a "guest walker" and a medical director from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Dr. Eva Schaff, medical director, joined the walk in Hickory and gave us this report from the road:
I completed my 12-mile walk around Hickory, and not surprisingly at all, I truly enjoyed myself. It was a beautiful day and I love to walk. What is surprising is the fact that I am writing about it. I am not a blogger (just learned that word!) and I do not like writing about my experiences. However, after seeing the disappointment in Gary Marino’s face when I shared my blogging stance, I knew I would end up writing. He is that kind of guy.
The walk was an unexpected pleasure. Even if you did not have the sense of purpose at the onset, you would within a short time into the walk. The enthusiasm of the staff and your fellow walkers was too contagious. Gary’s sense of mission was the uniting factor for the group, but all the participants had something to offer, and did so.
My main conversation pal was Jonathan Adams from BCBSNC’s Charlotte office. I was impressed by this young man’s insight and ideas regarding obesity among different ethnic populations. During the walk, Jonathan and I covered more issues of importance than I remember discussing with anybody for a long, long time. We both remarked how infrequently we take an opportunity to talk with people “for real.” I left feeling I really learned something.
Our walk was split in half by a wellness fair hosted by BCBSNC at Sherrill Furniture. Sherrill’s plant has about 500 employees, mostly upper middle-age, and half of them participated. There was a healthy cooking demonstration, good walking footwear demo, and interactive yoga presentation. I did not expect us to generate much interest in this population. However, believe it or not, the yoga instructor managed to get a sizable group of men to do yoga neck stretches and chit-chat with her about a home exercise program for aches and pains.
Our trail took us through some phenomenally picturesque western North Carolina landscape, and the weather was impeccable. It felt like a gift for a job well done, although it my case hardly deserved, as I did so little but enjoy all the benefits. So, a big thanks to all the organizers and to Gary.
Eva Schaff
Posted by BCBSNC on April 22, 2008
We just finished a special week. Crossing in and then out of Charlotte was a big thrill, but I found two other stops to be particularly special. Special because of the people we met leading county government services in their community.
Last week we met with the Lincoln County and Gaston County employees. Both were recognized for being dedicated workers committed to delivering social, health care and other government services to the members of their community. What was nice about our visit is that while these individuals were all focused on the health and well-being of their citizens, we were able to capture them for a few hours and talked to them about their own personal health.
It was a great exchange of stories - some of successes, some of the struggle of adhering to a healthy lifestyle. For the most part I think the people we met left with a renewed spirit about the importance of their own health and thinking about how they may commit to a healthier lifestyle.
Three cheers for all the dedicated and professional individuals who work in our county government departments. We depend on you daily and we appreciate all that you do for our North Carolina citizens. Feel free to take just a little time each day to think about yourselves and your own good health!
Posted by Kathy Higgins on April 21, 2008
