Wednesday, August 23
Walk: 13.8 miles
Ox Cart: 0 miles
Ambulance: 1.2 miles
72 degrees
We started walking as a huge, combined group through the grounds of Culver Academies. Since it was overcast and cool, it was an effort to remember to hydrate. I thought my pace was slower because we were walking on uneven ground. Yet, off campus, back on asphalt, I was only slightly faster. Like the day before, my body seemed to have hit a wall. It didn't bother me much because I felt now that I could let my body call the shots, rather than my will.
At the rest stop just beyond Culver's campus, Jim and Jerri decided to go Blue for the short 2.5 leg. Their plan was to start at the front and gradually fall back to Blue Ox. I declined to join them--my body wasn't up for it and I didn't care to force it into that punishing pace.
The Trail took us out of the shady environs in and around Culver, but it was still a bit overcast and sometimes breezy.
At the next rest stop, Jerri and Jim waited to rejoin Gold Team. I was proud of them, as they were--they'd walked the entire 2.5 miles!
During the next stretch, the temperature rose and the sun shone brightly. I unbuttoned my hiking shirt, rolled up the sleeves, and tucked an ice-cold neck cloth inside my collar at the end of the stretch.
Still, my legs felt lethargic and I couldn't seem to muster the energy to even keep up with Jim. When I found myself on autopilot, staring at and pacing myself with thr shoes in front of me, I knew it was time to rest. I stepped off the road to wait for Gold Ox.
One of our long-haul Blue Shirts saw and hurried over. I assured her I felt fine, just tired. I had to reassure twice more before she returned to herding pilgrims but, as she left, she radioed for medical attention.
Shortly after, Gold Ox pulled over, Katherine rushed off, and escorted me aboard. She and the Prompt team member began assessing me: why did I need the bus? Was I dizzy? Nauseous? Etc. Taking my pulse, stripping off my water pack, hiking shirt, hat, gloves. Prompt radioed to the ambulance to prepare an IV.
I understood their concern and aggressive reaction. We'd already had two of the fittest Blue Team become dehydrated enough to require IV treatment. While I truly just wanted to rest, I cooperated.
Aboard the ambulance, the examination included vital signs, an EEG, and a blood sugar test. Everything was within normal range. They did tell me that I was pale and my skin was clammy, that I was not perspiring, and--had I pushed myself--I would have hit the tipping point. Diagnosis: exhaustion. Treatment: no exertion, plenty of fluids and rest, notify them of any changes/new symptoms.
Word spreads quickly on the Trail. Jim had been notified as soon as possible after Prompt had me in hand and updated along the way to the golf club. But anyone on the radio (all Producers, Prompt team members, and ISP Troopers) also knew.
Jim waited for me at the club entrance. He had food and water waiting for me. As I ate, I gave him the details. We also discussed me skipping Mass and the dinner at Swan Lake Resort (even though Bob had told us it was fa-a-a-a-ancy!).
Back at the Lindenwood Retreat Center, I cleaned up then climbed into bed with my journal, phone, and an audio book. After Jim left, I drifted in and out of sleep until one of Katherine's hospitality Blue Shirts came to the door to take my order for dinner. What great care they took of us!
I ate a pretty simple meal, drank ounces and ounces of Gatorade, and slept. I wanted to be able to tell the Prompt folks I'd followed orders. And I hoped it would better equip me for the next day.
Walk: 13.8 miles
Ox Cart: 0 miles
Ambulance: 1.2 miles
72 degrees
We started walking as a huge, combined group through the grounds of Culver Academies. Since it was overcast and cool, it was an effort to remember to hydrate. I thought my pace was slower because we were walking on uneven ground. Yet, off campus, back on asphalt, I was only slightly faster. Like the day before, my body seemed to have hit a wall. It didn't bother me much because I felt now that I could let my body call the shots, rather than my will.
At the rest stop just beyond Culver's campus, Jim and Jerri decided to go Blue for the short 2.5 leg. Their plan was to start at the front and gradually fall back to Blue Ox. I declined to join them--my body wasn't up for it and I didn't care to force it into that punishing pace.
The Trail took us out of the shady environs in and around Culver, but it was still a bit overcast and sometimes breezy.
At the next rest stop, Jerri and Jim waited to rejoin Gold Team. I was proud of them, as they were--they'd walked the entire 2.5 miles!
During the next stretch, the temperature rose and the sun shone brightly. I unbuttoned my hiking shirt, rolled up the sleeves, and tucked an ice-cold neck cloth inside my collar at the end of the stretch.
Still, my legs felt lethargic and I couldn't seem to muster the energy to even keep up with Jim. When I found myself on autopilot, staring at and pacing myself with thr shoes in front of me, I knew it was time to rest. I stepped off the road to wait for Gold Ox.
One of our long-haul Blue Shirts saw and hurried over. I assured her I felt fine, just tired. I had to reassure twice more before she returned to herding pilgrims but, as she left, she radioed for medical attention.
Shortly after, Gold Ox pulled over, Katherine rushed off, and escorted me aboard. She and the Prompt team member began assessing me: why did I need the bus? Was I dizzy? Nauseous? Etc. Taking my pulse, stripping off my water pack, hiking shirt, hat, gloves. Prompt radioed to the ambulance to prepare an IV.
I understood their concern and aggressive reaction. We'd already had two of the fittest Blue Team become dehydrated enough to require IV treatment. While I truly just wanted to rest, I cooperated.
Aboard the ambulance, the examination included vital signs, an EEG, and a blood sugar test. Everything was within normal range. They did tell me that I was pale and my skin was clammy, that I was not perspiring, and--had I pushed myself--I would have hit the tipping point. Diagnosis: exhaustion. Treatment: no exertion, plenty of fluids and rest, notify them of any changes/new symptoms.
Word spreads quickly on the Trail. Jim had been notified as soon as possible after Prompt had me in hand and updated along the way to the golf club. But anyone on the radio (all Producers, Prompt team members, and ISP Troopers) also knew.
Jim waited for me at the club entrance. He had food and water waiting for me. As I ate, I gave him the details. We also discussed me skipping Mass and the dinner at Swan Lake Resort (even though Bob had told us it was fa-a-a-a-ancy!).
Back at the Lindenwood Retreat Center, I cleaned up then climbed into bed with my journal, phone, and an audio book. After Jim left, I drifted in and out of sleep until one of Katherine's hospitality Blue Shirts came to the door to take my order for dinner. What great care they took of us!
I ate a pretty simple meal, drank ounces and ounces of Gatorade, and slept. I wanted to be able to tell the Prompt folks I'd followed orders. And I hoped it would better equip me for the next day.
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| Gold Team's ISP escort. |
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| Lake Maxinkuckee |
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| Jim (below) and I against the background of Culver Academies' Black Horse Troop. They escorted us from the front gate to the edge of the campus. |
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| We've had several friendly dogs try to join us so Brian (the Dog Whisperer) and one of the Troopers got proactive and lavished him with attention until we all passed. |
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| Statue of Chief Menominee along the Potawatomi Trail of Death. |
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| Tree planted by Potawatomi Trail of Death Memorial Park to commemorate Notre Dame pilgrims walking part of that Trail. |
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| Oceans of corn. |
phew!!!
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