woensdag, 19 juli 2006

Four One Day Marches

When I walked yesterday – together with some 44 thousand others – on the first day of the Nijmegen Four Day Marches, I thought it was rather hot. So I dressed alike, drunk liters and liters of water, wore sun screen and slowed my pace – a bit. I finished at 12.30 PM. At the finish location, we witnessed people passing out every 5 minutes. We went back to our hostel, and during the afternoon we heard more stories of fainting walkers and ambulances driving on and off the track. The 8 PM news showed us images of these troubles and reported about the fact that 2 walkers had died because of the exceptional heat, 5 resuscitated and 300 spent the night in several hospitals. I was shocked, but went to bed at 9 PM – I had to get up at 3 AM. I hoped they would shorten the 50 km march of the second day with 10 km, so we would be home before the heat – a predicted 35 degC. Dad woke me up 15 minutes later. Extra edition of the News:
They cancelled the Four Day Marches. (read more in Dutch)
I was shocked, flabbergasted and “a bit” disappointed. And I was not the only one. I had predicted anything but this decision. Off course I understand the decision, but I aint happy with it. My 16th Nijmegen ended after only one day. And now I’m home with a mental hangover. Better luck next year…

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