We’re within two months of the walk now. That’s scary and exciting. Walk the Dream has been half a year in the works, which is more than most films are able to have. However I’m uncertain if we would have had any chance of being prepared had we less time.
Our team was recently given the opportunity to talk with Charlie Engle, an ultra marathon runner who ran across the Sahara dessert with two of his friends. Their journey was documented in Running the Sahara. Charlie was able to give us advice I don’t believe we could have found anywhere else. Little things such as the walkers all need to take breaks to go to the bathroom at the same time. It might seem like an embarrassing topic to bring up, but when some of our walking days will comprise almost every moment we’re awake the difference of five or twenty bathroom breaks could be an hour of wasted time. Charlie also corrected a misconception I had about blisters. I was under the impression that blisters turned to calluses, which in turn prevented further blisters. It seems logical, right? I thought once you work through that irritation of getting your feet nice and tough I wouldn’t have to worry about further blisters. To my amazement proper feet care is almost the opposite of that. You should always pop blisters (With a sterilized needle) and any calluses you build should be filed/sanded down. According to Charlie if you have a callous it’s a sign that something is rubbing the wrong way. Be it your shoe’s, socks or something else. If you let it continue to rub on a callous eventually you’ll build up a blister underneath it which will be the worst day of your life. Charlie’s visceral description of excavating your foot to get to the blister will guarantee I never let my feet get that bad.
More than practical advice Charlie offered words of encouragement. He is a strong advocate of pursuing any dreams or goals you may have. His motto is “Do something now”. He’ll be the first to tell you the human body is capable of far more than most people think. Perhaps the most important advice he’s given to us as a group is the blatant fact that every walker will have a day they feel like they cannot continue. Charlie says it is important to help that person up when they’re down. Carry some of their weight, make them as comfortable as possible and never let them quit. It’s important to remember we aren’t in a competition with one another. This is a collaborative effort which is only possible as a group.
For more on Charlie Engle visit www.chalieengle.com
