Logistics & FAQ

As the walk quickly approaches I've had a lot of questions from friends and family about logistics and am happy to answer, as talking logistics is (dorky) one of my favorite things! 

Does the Avon Walk offer tracking like most marathons do these days?

Nope. But, if you have an iPhone and you really want to be able to see how I'm doing I'll turn on the "share my location" service with you for the weekend so you can follow my progress. I learned last time that's not especially helpful, since you won't have the full context of the route, but... the offer is there. 

You can also text me for updates, or check out social media. I'm sure I'll be posting to FB and instagram as I go. Last year I did a blog post at the half way point and then end and I plan to do that again as well. 

What is the route?

They don't tell us the specific route, there is a general map but it is missing lots of detail. We begin and end at West 57th & 12 Street at Hudson River's Park Pier 97. On day one we walk up the west side, along the Hudson up past Columbia University and into Upper Manhattan. Then we head back down, still on the West Side, through mid-town and into Lower Manhattan where we cross the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn and then return on the Manhattan Bridge. From there it's up through the East Side of the city to Randall's Island, in the East River, which is where Base Camp 39 is. We start from Randall's Island on Day two and circuitously make our way back to Pier 97. Here's the link with the map if you 'd like to check it out. 

Are you doing this alone?

I am. My friend who walked it with me last year thinks I'm crazy to be doing it again. I agree. I do have a wonderful friend and former coworker Nicolette who is traveling to New York with me. She'll meet me at a few of the rest stops and walk along with me a bit, as the course is all open and on public sidewalks. She'll also be at the finish line on Sunday. I know I'll have a lot of support and cheers from far away, but it's SO nice to have someone who is able to be present!

Do you have to carry your own food? Do you take breaks?

As I learned last year, you are definitely well fed during this event. There are rest stops every 2-3 miles, some with just water and others with snacks. They have these great graham cracker pb&j sandwich things they hand out that are SO addictive. Lunch is set up at the half way point on day one and is a sandwich, fruit, chips, cookie bagged lunch. In terms of breaks, last time we did 30 min for lunch and no more than 10 min at any of the other rest stops. That will likely be the plan I try and follow again this time. 

What time do you think you'll finish the 26.2 miles and reach Base Camp 39?

I looked back at my time stamped photos from last year and we finished at 5:30. I'm not sure if I'll be faster or slower since I won't be walking the whole thing with a friend. I do think the fact that NYC isn't hilly will increase my pace some. Those crazy DC hills, especially by Sibley Hospital, certainly slowed me down last year!

What about on Sunday, when will you cross the finish line?

Based on last year I'm expecting to cross the finish line on Sunday between 12:30 and 1. 

Are you camping?

Nope. I don't camp under other circumstances so I'm certainly not going to walk 26 miles and then sleep on the ground. And then get up and walk 13 miles. Nope, nope, nope. I'll be staying at a hotel and taking a shuttle bus back and forth between there and Base Camp on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. 

Will you get to do anything fun in NYC? 

Well, we get into the city on Friday mid-day so I'll have a bit of time to be a tourist, and we are definitely planning for a yummy meal on Friday night. Nicolette leaves on Sunday late afternoon and I'm staying until Monday as I didn't think my muscles would like it very much if I sat on a train for 3 hours shortly after finishing the walk. If, and it's a very very big if, I'm feeling up to it I plan to get last minute tickets to a show Sunday night. It's hard to imagine spending 3 nights in NYC and not seeing a show, but.... sleep and not moving may win out. 

Can you believe you've raised so much money?

No, I am pretty blown away. When I set my stretch goal of $3600 it seemed possible, but still like a stretch. So to have met and exceeded that a few weeks out from the event, and now to be closing in on $4,000 raised. Wow. I'm thrilled. 

And, eager to get to see how much more I can raise between now and Sunday. So, if you haven't given yet, now's your chance... Stacy's Donation Page

Will you do this event again next year?

No. Absolutely not. I am done! I love the cause and raising funds for it, but committing to that much walking... nope. Not happening. Ever again. And I'd really like everyone reading this to hold me to that this time!!

But, you could do it in Chicago! Or Boston! or Santa Barbara! 

Nope. No. Not Happening.


Thanks again for all the love and support!