The Great Saunter AKA ReverseD Edition

Date & Time: May 7, 2023 at 7:30 a.m. Wall Street Ferry

After last year's Great Saunter: Rain Edition, I figured that nothing will be harder than that walk. I also didn't think I would walk the Great Saunter again. Honestly, I have no reasons to anymore. Last year, proved to me that I can mentally push through ANY challenge that I come across! 

So why did I sign up again this year? A chance to experience better weather and a route in reverse! A fellow volunteer friend, Emmett, asked if I was interested in joining him and his friends this year and I agreed, as long as the weather held up! And indeed it did.

The unique thing about this year was walking north on the East counterclockwise and seeing the first Saunterers and likely many of the finishers! Not only that, but we walked south on the west side to catch an early glimpse of the sunset. 

The weather was perfect! Sunny, blue skies, and not a drop of rain in sight. We started promptly at 7:30am and finished at 8:00pm.

To summarize my thoughts on the walk: 

I've only met Emmett and Ann (volunteer) before this Great Saunter and everyone else was a stranger to me. But that's fine. You never know what type of conversation you can strike up with complete strangers. Of course most conversations I had surrounded on why I walk and the hikes I've gone on, as well as sharing that I started my running journey given that I could tell from the group that at least half of them were runners. It was interesting for me to navigate through conversations with everyone. To be honest, I'm usually a listener when it comes to complete strangers, and I can talk up a storm with people I'm more familiar with or if there's just an instant connection/bond without prompt of conversation. It's also interesting to listening in on conversations without having to really participate. 

Though I must say that when I talk to people nonstop or I stick with certain people, it's usually how well conversation flow goes. For example, I talked to one woman who, in my opinion, has a fascinating job (forgot the title but it's related to assessing value of art pieces at art galleries/museums or something to that effect) for which she has traveled to all 50 states! I spent a lot of time talking to her about travel/food/her experiences, etc.  Additionally, she walked the entire Great Saunter without having a backpack! I aspire to do that one day!

On another conversation, I spoke with one guy who saw my Knicks hat and said he will watch the game on his phone, and we talked briefly about the Knicks. As the day progressed and it was game time, I was checking the score periodically and by the 3rd quarter, I knew it was a going to be a loss. 

Pivoting, going on the reverse route is an interesting perspective. There were others in groups going in that direction as well. It's actually a pretty smart plan to figure out the East Side and then have a smooth sailing West Side without figuring out any detours. 

Overall, I had fun and learn a little bit about myself that day. This was a walk in the park, easy peasy! I appreciate all the conversations I had and how friendly everyone was. I can't ask for better weather as it was the sunniest of them all. The greatest thing is that I only had 2 blisters and I was running the very next day! I didn't feel pain or achy or anything like that the day after. I guess when I've done 3 great saunters, the body just knows and remembers what is considered normal for me! 

Last thoughts: As I've said before, I don't have anything to prove going forward. A challenge is always going to be a challenge but eventually this isn't a challenge to me anymore. I'd totally walk the Great Saunter again and again, without a doubt! But each year, it has to be in the right circumstances.