Shannon Birkmann taking a long walk |
Approaching Frank Slide |
This is a self financed trip, and she has friends who are keeping in contact with her along the way. She has been camping when necessary. Birkmann started planning this trip a year ago. In June she competed in a bodybuilding contest. After the contest was over she then switched to a regimen of increased carbs and cardio work for the final stage of preparation. "As long as your feet are comfortable, that is a big thing." She said that was something she recognized before, but is now living on the walk. "I find it easier to travel at night, because it's not so hot, and there's a lot less traffic." Even though she had a good idea how much she could travel in gym conditions, she gave herself extra time to deal with the realities of the road. "I took two weeks off, because I didn't know how long it would take me. So I guess I get a week to recover."
"The smoke is kind of getting to me today, though."
"I have had a lot of people stopping and seeing if I need a ride, and I have been telling them what I have been doing. So yesterday, I made over $100 in donations." She said that almost everyone she has talked to said they know someone affected by MS, and some have it themselves. "It's been pretty motivational for me, and educational." She said in Bow Island a woman was moved to tears on hearing Birkmann's story, and shared with her that her brother recently passed away from MS. "This is affecting so many people."
She sees arriving at the B.C. border as a major milestone for both the walk and her life. "There will be tears."
"I am thinking tomorrow, when I actually hit the border, it will be pretty emotional. It's been a good journey. I have met so many amazing people. I don't think I would change this journey for anything."
"I am thinking tomorrow, when I actually hit the border, it will be pretty emotional. It's been a good journey. I have met so many amazing people. I don't think I would change this journey for anything."
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