11 Days left!!!!

The picture has absolutely NOTHING to do with the post, but I thought it looked really cool!!!

My friend, Marie, and I got quite a bit of walking in this weekend.

16 miles on Saturday! We took the train into University City (part of Phila near Drexel and University of Pennsylvania). From there we walked to Manayunk, which is well known for its shops, dining, and fun nightlife. We took a scenic route, known as the Schuylkill River Trail. I'm not sure exactly where it stops or ends, but it runs for quite some distance!!! The stretch that we walked on took us past the Art Museum, along Kelly Drive, and to Main Street in Manayunk. I've heard that it extends all the way into Valley Forge (what a training walk THAT would be!!!).
Since Manayunk was the halfway point, we stopped to grab lunch at a great little place called The Couch Tomato. I had a Tomato/Mozzarella salad, made with fresh plum tomatoes, homemade buffalo mozzarella cheese, and grilled chicken. It was topped with the absolute BEST vinaigrette I have ever had in my life!!!

9 miles on Sunday!! We started out near the Art Museum and basically weaved our way through Philadelphia. We walked along Rittenhouse Row (passing Rittenhouse Square Park), circled through Franklin Square, and headed past the Historic District. Afterwards we made our way down to South Street, where we stopped for lunch at Cosi (the yummiest sandwiches or pizzas, made with their flatbread). My sandwich contained: fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken, and the SECOND best vinaigrette I have ever had (does anyone see a theme here?! I love me some mozzarella cheese).

Finally, we drug our tired behinds (not to mention feet) back to the car. On the way home, we treated ourselves to some Rita's Water Ice.

It was a very busy weekend. On one level, I am feeling stronger with each walk. On another level, I cannot even begin to imagine how I will survive for 3 days of walking. I am SO totally wiped out at the end of each of these training walks that the thought of doing a full 20 miles on ONE day freaks me out. Let alone 3 days in a row! Where I don't get to come home and crash on the couch....rather, I get to put up a tent and then unpack my duffel bag each night (as well as take everything down and pack it away each morning)!!!

Excuse me while I say: AAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!