Notes
First half of the C&O Canal. Dropped at mile 50 aid station (Brunswick).
Good things:
My walk pace was fast. I have really gained efficiency and speed in this area. Mentally I was sharp and clear. Always positive at the aid stations.
Lessons learned:
I need to continue training. Even though walking is well trained. Overall physically I'm not up to par to finish a 100. More upper body work. My back was really sore. I need better rain gear. I couldn't keep body heat up. Partly because my strategy was to hike most of this. If I could run more I would have stayed warmer. But I needed better rain gear for going slower. Feet got pretty sore on the soles right behind the toes. No blisters but it felt like I had them. Might just need toughened up. Also the side of my Bondi on the outside of the heal on my right foot was pressing against round bone that sticks out on the side of the heal. Only noticed this after about mile 40. Coincidently my right side is also the side that often touched the raised side of the trail. This may have been what was pushing the shoe up into my heal.