It's done...we actually finished the 100 kilometers and I'm very happy it's over! My feet were killing me and i had severe pain in both my quad muscles at the end of the first day. We walked the first 72 kilometers in approximately 14.5 hours.

The walkers were as follows; JR Eromine, Rhonda Cunningham, Chris Littlechild, Andrea Johnson and myself. We were very fortunate to have my son Rick and his friend Bryan Turpin drive a supply vehicle through most of the night...thanks guys! You guys made the trip so much easier instead of having to lug all our stuff. Like I said Rick and Bryan stayed through most of the night, we had to cart our stuff for about one hour and then we were met up with our day supply vehicle which was driven by Brian Scott...another thank you to Brian who stayed with us until we were finished that day.

Also, we were joined on our hike by Jean Hill and her husband Don...they looked after all of our first aid and foot treatment ! Believe me we needed it! Jean and Don were with us from about 9am till we finished on the first day and then were up bright and early on Saturday to help us get through the second day of the challenge.

We had a great crew and we couldn't have done it without them!

The journey started for us at midnight, we all met at Bodilogix to get ourselves prepared for the hike ahead. Each of us was equipped with head lamps, reflective clothing, some larger flash lights and two small air horns to scare away the night critters...had to keep Rhonda happy on that one. The only time the horns had to be used was actually in the gym itself...yup they worked!

We left the gym at about 12:30am...and the fun began! Actually it was a beautiful night for hiking; the weather was great, the stars were out and a slight breeze. The night walk went without any problems in fact it was very enjoyable! We had only one encounter with wildlife; hearing some coyote's in the distance. This of course got Rhonda a little on edge...she had an air horn at the ready and the big flash light swinging all over the place like it was a movie premiere! After a while the howling stopped. I asked her if she knew what that meant? She replied no. I said they were now in stalking mode and were probably parallel to us right now....wondering if we were pray. Then about five minutes later, she was still on high alert, I jumped back! Oh boy...I wish I had a camera...she must have jumped five feet back! Rhonda claims that's when her first blister happened...wimp.

The rest of the night was pretty uneventful...listening to the Bull frogs croaking at us as we walked by. Everybody was in good spirits...probably because they knew I was the slowest runner and would end up being the dinner for bear or canine.

Going up Big Bertha seemed easier at night...probably because we couldn't see the top as we were climbing.

The sun came up as we were walking north 0n Harwood Road...it was pretty for about for about sixty seconds and then realization of all the pavement that still needed to be marched upon put things into a different perspective...and the heat that the sun will soon be bringing!

We made it into the village of Harwood safe and sound...then we were attacked by swarm of deer flies! They stayed with us for about thirty minutes or so... air horns don't work on those things!

It was a hot walk for the rest of the day...lots of water was drank along the way with fruits being consumed by the bushel. A few stops were required to have our feet looked at and repaired.

During our breaks for foot repairs I noticed that the group was still in pretty good spirits which was very important as this hike was as much about mental as it was a physical test. There were moments that you had to just put your mind in neutral....some people would claim I have a talent for that!

I think it was about the 60 k mark that I was actually going to get ill...fortunately the feeling passed and some vegetation was saved. That would have been a little embarrassing.

We finally made it back to Bodilogix...I've never been so happy to see that place in all my life! A few folks were there to greet us and cheer us on...also cold water to soak our feet in! That was wonderful! Jean did her magic on our feet before being released to go home and rest up for the final 28 kilometers. By the time I got home everything had seized up and I was in pain! The only thing that didn't hurt was my nose! My quads hurt so much I had I had to crawl up my stairs to get to the bedroom! I was really wondering how I was going to be able to walk the next day.
I proceeded to try and do as much maintenance as possible...Advil along with hot baths with Epsom salt and then I would have a cold bath...repeated this twice before calling it a night.

The next morning was a killer...I could hardly stand up! Pain was shooting in both quads...I thought that was the end of the road for me. Fortunately once I started moving a little the pain lessened and I was able to get to the Boy Scout Camp for the start of day two. Joining me on the second day was my brother Jim and my two nephews Bryan and Steven. My son Rick also walked on the second day. Rosie and my sister-in-law Wanda helped out at base camp. My daughter Carlie-Ann was there in spirit as she had to work.

I found it tough going at the beginning...still sore. The first 14 k loop was pretty slow, there was no doubt about that. The second loop seemed a lot easier and faster. Even though this wasn't a race I have to mention that Jim came in first out of the family to complete the 28 k's...I was last. I would never hear the end of it if I didn't mention it!

Chris Littlechild was the first to cross the finish line out of the 100 kilometer group...great job Chris! The rest of us hobbled in together about an hour behind him...greeted by a bagpiper! We were marched across the finish line to the sound of the pipes! The piper was Gord Hunter...thanks Gord! No...I did not do the Fling.

Man, what a feeling it was to cross that finish line! Hard to describe really....I was also looking for the cake I was promised! The whole team did a great job...the organizing committee, the support people, the many generous sponsors and of course my fellow hikers! I believe we had 102 hikers on the Saturday! Not bad...

I'm still trying to heal from the hike....laser treatment has started again on the blisters and bruises located on the bottom of both my feet...their more like stumps now. It would appear that I'll lose three toe nails...who needs them. According to Doris Biron that just means I've officially joined the ranks of the long distance athlete. I guess losing toe nails is pretty common!

I believe I will now retire from being a long distance athlete...the next time I want to go 100 kilometers it will be by car!

Big Dave out