CarolAnneM's MS Walk New York 2001
Yesterday was the day of MS Walk New York 2001.
First, the "bad" news: I wasn't able to walk the full 12.5 miles in yesterday's MS Walk. However, this was due to the extreme heat, and not because I didn't think I could go the distance.
Going the 12.5 mile route would have meant attempting to cross the Brooklyn Bridge in the hot noonday sun, walking around Brooklyn Heights, and then crossing *back* over the bridge and walking an additional 2.5 miles. I made an attempt, and got about 1/4 of the way across the bridge, then began feeling very hot, then chilly and kind of queasy. Rather than risk heat stroke, I decided to turn back, and found a shady spot near City Hall to sit and rest a while. I don't know what the temperature was at the time, but at around 4pm, I saw a bank thermometer that read 85 degrees. So, it must have been hotter earlier.
The good news is that, once I rested in the shade for a while, I was able to continue on with the remainder of the 7.5 mile route, making my total distance covered during the walk slightly over 8 miles. While I was initially disappointed at not walking the full 12.5, I found out today that none of my other team-mates did it, either. Not only that, but due to my bridge attempt, it turns out that I outwalked them all by at least half a mile! I also realized that being able to walk 8 miles in this rather large body, and being able to raise over $500 for the National MS Society are accomplishment enough!
The MS WALK proceeds are allocated to support people with MS and help them and their families better cope with the disease. The NYC Chapter provides counseling, education, home care, rehabilitation, recreation, transportation and equipment. Funds raised also go toward national research.
If you would like to find out about National MS Society events and fundraising in your area, click here, or call:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending multiple sclerosis. For more information about the disease and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, you can visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website.