A Slushy Training Day
A gorgeous day for a walk. It snowed yesterday. This morning, the streets and sidewalks were still covered with it, starting to melt now in the slightly warmer temperatures. My training schedule said today was meant to be a 20 km day.
The sidewalks were slushy and wet, and the walk was slow going. My trekking poles were definitely helpful.
I left the house at about 9:30 AM, and I only reached the park – just a kilometer away – at 9:45 AM. I thought then that today was going to be a long day.
The path in the park was muddy, and parts of the park were actually flooded from the runoff. I saw a duck swimming under a park bench.
It was warm enough – or at least, I was warm enough – that I removed my gloves as I left the park.
It was slippery on the way down the hill, and I removed the tips from my poles.
By 10:20 AM, I had arrived at Curran’s with the idea that I would have second breakfast. I had only covered about 4 km. The place was absolutely packed, and I prevaricated a moment before deciding that this was a Camino day, and second breakfast was a must.
This was a good decision.
By the time I left at about 10:50 AM, it was already a great deal warmer out. I put the tips back on my poles and headed for the waterfront.
The sidewalks here were clear – I think they were cleared because there is a race today. I passed any number of runners with numbers stapled to them. Most of the people I passed were walking rather than running, and one of the people who was running was carrying a coffee cup. Most of the “runners” were decked out in green, and several had glitter on their faces or hair. One was wearing a tutu.
I finally passed a sign that identified the race as the Saint Paddy’s Day Fun Run. Explains a lot, really. I walked past their turnaround, knowing that my turnaround wasn’t for another 4 km.
At about 11:30 AM, I hit the place where I’ve been turning around the past few weeks.
Today I pushed on through the Point Ruston development to the Dune Peninsula, where I climbed the Frank Herbert Trail, scrambled down the steps, and then to the end of the peninsula.
I sat there for a while. Francine and I drove to the Dune Peninsula dozens of times to begin a training hike that took us up and around Point Defiance Park. I have not walked in Point Defiance Park since she died, and today was not the day to do it.
And then it was time to turn around and head back. It was bright enough now that I had to put on my sunglasses. That’s when I discovered that they had a large scratch at the top of the left lens. Drove me absolutely crazy. Fortunately they are inexpensive and easily replaceable.
Walking past the turnoff to Point Defiance was more difficult than I anticipated.
By now, it was well after noon. I briefly considered stopping at one of the restaurants at Point Ruston, but ultimately I decided to push on.
The way back was relatively uneventful, though by now the snow was everywhere melting.
By the time I arrived at the Spar (about kilometer 15) at 1 PM, I was famished. I ended up talking with a lovely couple at the next table about the Camino for about 30 minutes before I even thought to order my lunch.
I ended up not leaving the Spar until 2:30.
After a wee bit of wandering through the park, I made it home at about 3:30 PM.
All throughout today’s walk, I kept reflecting on how this was the most Camino-like training walk I had done this go around. There were times where I felt like I might actually be in France or Spain. And it very much felt as though Francine was walking with me every step.
Date: 14 March 2026
Place: Tacoma
Today’s Photos!
