Challenge Walk Can be a Path to Friendships

Hello MS Challenge Walkers,

It truly is a small world.

My wife, Jenny, and I attended a graduation party this weekend where we unexpectedly ran into a couple we met at the first Wisconsin Challenge Walk in 2008. The same couple also walked in 2009. Both Challenge Walks were highlighted by conversations with this couple that stretched over several miles. It turns out they are good friends with my aunt, who was hosting the party. We had a great time at the party reconnecting and swapping “war stories” about our Challenge Walk experiences.

There is clearly a social aspect to the Challenge Walk which frankly caught us completely by surprise during our first year. The walkers and volunteers seem to morph into a community over 2.5 days, dedicated to a common goal and connected by a common struggle. There is a lot of time to kill over 50 miles, so plan on striking up a conversation or two. It is a great way to pass the time and meet new friends.

Hopefully everyone is in full-on training mode and having success in their fund raising efforts. We often struggle to stay motivated to train, especially with all the other summer activities. We find it helpful to recall how we felt for miles 18 through 20 of the walk on Friday and Saturday of last year’s walk. The more effort we put in now, the easier those miles will be this go-round.