OK!
It was time for the Great Los Angeles Walk, (technically the 3rd annual Great LA Walk) organized by Franklin Ave's MIke & Maria. The first time it was Wilshire, which we had company so I left them beyond Good Samaritan, then last year, was Pico.. which I managed to get about 12.5 miles of the 16 before giving up and taking the bus to the sea. This year would be different. I've been walking, and despite the recent weight gain, I had started getting in better shape. I figured if nothing else, I could at least beat my old record.. and know when to quit. I would pay attention & listen. I would have fun (I had fun with Pico but towards the end I just didn't have the right mindset).
So what happened?
I got the shoes..
I ordered these for my upcoming trip to WDW, but yeah, the Great LA Walk was perfect timing to test them out. =P
I got on the RedLine..
I got to Union Station & some 150 people were all there!
so many folks they don't all fit in my lens! =)
Eric Lynxweiler of MoNA & neon cruise fame (or "ShainLa's friend" as I like to say) was there to give us some tips & wish us well.
We all headed out.. walking from Union Station, through Olvera Street's El Pueblo, to Cesar Chavez,
passed Chinatown and on toward Sunset,
around Sunset Junction
onto Santa Monica Blvd.
We reached Mile 9 & Barney's Beanery around 1230pm & we all found lunch.
I ended up going along with Will Campbell & folks to Champagne Bakery for sandwiches & salads.
not to mention the yummy pumpkin cookie!
and then met up around 2pm at mile 10, which was the "Beverly Hills" sign where we waited in the park to regroup.
and then onward to the Sea..
er, to Brittania.. =)
there were toasts all around.. (and someone ordered fish & chips).
Then it was time for me to sit, so I wished everyone well, said my thanks & goodbyes and headed to the 704..
Here I had to wait a bit more for the sitting and then finally when I got back home to Main Street.. I treated myself. 18.3 miles??
I can haz cookie now! Thanks everyone for the good time!!! It was great seeing all the friendly faces both familiar & new.. I love meeting new people & a big shout out to everyone on twitter who kept me going, especially "MelanieO" and Will Campbell who was encouraging me all the way! =)
Sometime late Saturday, my legs finally cramped up and I spent most of Sunday trying to rest and recover. Late afternoon had me hobbling around Hawthorne doing some pre-Thanksgiving shopping and treated myself to some L&L (now that's my kind of food!) I'm doing better now.. so.. We ready for the next Great LA Walk?? =) Thanks again Maria & Mike!
HERE is the rest of my flickr photos, as well:
**this post dedicated to BIG CITY ("Eureka") POZ .. =) I know you would have joined me for the walk if you were still here. RIGHT?? *grin*
