"Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink."
That's how my daughter and I felt when we did our seven miles last Sunday. We did so many things wrong! Let me explain.
First of all, we drove all night Saturday so that we could have all day Sunday at Myrtle Beach, S.C. We arrived around 8 a.m., had breakfast, shopped for a while, measured some distances using the car's odometer, and then checked in at our hotel. Our room wasn't ready but we were allowed to use the pool, etc. While lounging around the pool, we were careful not to sleep because we didn't want to "fry" on our first day.
Around 3:30 p.m., we finally got our stuff into our room. Instead of taking a nap (first mistake), we decided to do our seven miles (second mistake). Mary Beth was hesitant because of the heat (mid-90's) but those seven miles were bugging me and I wanted to get them done.
My walking shorts have this neat little pocket in the front that is just perfect for, among other things, a couple of dollar bills. But did I even think of taking money with me? No. (third mistake) We just zipped out the door and soon were on Ocean Boulevard, headed north - empty-handed (fourth mistake).
From Springmaid to the Landmark resort is about 1 miles. That's where MB left me to run her miles. Before long, I realized that in my empty hands, I could/should have carried a water bottle. So as I plodded along, every decorative fountain in front of a hotel and every sprinkler were sad reminders of my thirst. The salty ocean offered no relief. How I longed for the Half Marathon training water stop! How envious I was of people drinking!
Fact Box
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a weekly series written by Wood County schoolteacher Marlene Welch as she prepares to participate in the News and Sentinel Half marathon on Aug. 21.
To make matters worse, the sun was beating down on me unmercifully. It wasn't until I got to Peaches' Corner that I realized that I was on the sunny side of the street (fifth mistake). So, after I made it to the turnaround point at 12th Ave. North, I crossed to the shady side.
Mary Beth joined me near the turnaround point to walk with me. I was so tired, hot, and parched that I didn't know if I could make it back to Springmaid. We had no money to buy some water and it was 3 miles back.
So, I sat down at a couple of places. A kind young man at Friendly's restaurant gave us a free cup of ice water to share. That cup of water and sheer determination got me back to Springmaid.
It was a foolish thing to do. I'm thankful that we didn't fall over from heatstroke. It was definitely a learning experience. For all other walks (23 miles in four days), I carried a bottle of water and had money in my pocket. We walked in the morning, after a good night's sleep. Lastly, we sought out the shade.
I'm wiser now AND I'm several thousand steps, as well as several water bottles, closer to the Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon.