EPISODE 1 - ANTHONY, THE 'COME-BACK' KID

It has been a day since Kim left, and I have to say I think everyone feels a since of freedom from all of the complaining and negative spirit that she brought out in all of us. After we finished the walk yesterday, and it was such a beautiful day… except for Kim quitting, we found Anthony had returned to us. All of the Marchers ran to him and gave him a big hug. It was apparent how fast this group was beginning to get emotionally close with one another. I can’t help it, but all that is going through my mind is how many miles Anthony is going to have to make up. I wondered if he had it in him. I am scared that if he couldn’t complete 8 miles when he was healthy, how in the world can he complete 20 just out of the hospital.

I pushed those thoughts back deep into my gut as I gave him a great big hug. Anthony told us that his liver enzymes were at toxic levels and he was experiencing dehydration and fatigue on a traumatic level. Anthony continued to tell us the doctors pleaded with him to quit and go home so he could heal.. but he realized quitting would be forfeiting his chances to get to know me. HAha Just kidding, he knew that quitting would be giving up on his dream of ever being healthy and also winning his share of the 1.2 million dollars that awaited him in allusive DC. Needless to say, Anthony was going against the doctors recommendations to stop the march, and he decided to continue.

The next morning we were briefed about the Anthony’s medical issues as well as the rules of Fat March. It was decided that Anthony would be allowed to continue as long as I monitored him very closely and he would also be given extra time to make up the time he was admitted to the hospital. What a fantastic break for Anthony. But still no easy chore… Anthony was still feeling ill and he had 2 ½ days of walking to make up. Part of the deal was that Anthony and I would have to miss the Cranberry Challenge. This was going to be the first challenge and the rumor was it was going to be fantastic. Crap, we were both pissed. But I think that motivated Anthony to really make his make-up day worth it. After the meeting this morning Anthony and I were allowed to have some time to get our feet wet while the rest of the campers had a day off of walking to prepare for tomorrows challenge.

Anthony and I set off. He was in such great spirits, Perhaps a little cautious but understandably so. When we got to the spot where it all happened you could here the lump in his throat. On top of that, to add insult to injury, Anthony had collapsed right before getting to the most amazing hill we have encountered in the first 20-30 miles. He would be starting his first make up day by fighting a monster. Yet, he took that first step and then the second. He and I were relatively quiet as we began our climb. He did amazing. We conquered his fear at the same time we whooped that huge hill. My respect for Anthony grew immensely today. The rest of the day was very similar to the first mile, he continued to gnaw away at the relentless terrain. Knocking down mile after mile. After 2 hours or so we got a phone call from production who were monitoring Anthony very closely. The phone call was not good news. No matter how Anthony pleaded for more time and miles they made him stop. Production explained that 5 miles is all the doctors would release him to do. And that was even more than they felt was safe or responsible. I reluctantly agreed. However, that leaves close to 17 miles to make up. We will be walking tomorrow while the rest of the team is at the cranberry bog competing for some fantastic luxury prize. Anthony and I will be fighting just to stay in this race. I am sleeping like a king tonight, proud of what Anthony has accomplished.

Challenge Day: The whole team got up early very excited for the trip to the cranberry bog. All of the team, except Anthony. He and I would be trying to make up the rest of the miles. I was a little fearful that I may have pushed him too hard yesterday. Today will be no picnic either. If he wants to make it to DC and not get voted off for being to far back, then I am going to have to push Anthony harder than anything he has ever experienced. If he makes it through this workout today… He will be able make it through anything in his life. So off we go. I checked in with Anthony and his attitude is great, his feet, not so much. I have never seen feet develop the thick and deep blisters that are present on his feet. Oweee!! Anthony and I were both a little more talkative with one another today. He came clean and told me he was dreading walking with me yesterday because he assumed I was going be hard-core. But after 5 miles and a day to get to know each other we got along quite well. Today I can tell we are both much more relaxed. I also came clean with Anthony telling him I was worried that he may whine and punk out on me like Kim. But Anthony had drive, desire, and will. He had will power that excelled my wildest expectations .

Anthony and I continued to walk through some of the most beautiful little towns in Connecticut. We had a little time to stop for lunch, and we were being careful to stay hydrated as well. I was constantly battling with pushing him to hard and not pushing him enough to catch up. If I push Anthony too hard he may collapse again, if I don’t push hard enough he is endanger of getting voted off in four days. I am taking full responsibility for his health and we are gonna go for it. I am not letting go and he is not going to quit. I think I am more scared than he is. I drew on everything I had learned in 10 years of school. Every physiology course and athletic training class was flashing before my eyes. At one point Anthony asked me what I was thinking about and I lied. I told him I was thinking how proud his mom and brothers are going to be when he steps across the finish in DC. BUT… what I was really thinking about, was trying my hardest to recall how many breaths are used at the beginning of initiating CPR. I was scared he may go down at any minute. Talk about nervous. I guess I am over-exaggerating a bit… but I was nervous. Today as Anthony and I were walking we got to share intimate struggles that we both had. Some we had in common, some were issues we didn’t share. However, I realized the sensitivity and emotion Anthony had, mirrored my own. I believe his will and desire surpassed my own for anything I have ever done. I had met a hero. A real life hero. And better yet… He thinks I am mentoring him.

Anthony was tired when we called time. The sun was going down and we had to stop. We walked over 7 hours today. We didn’t catch all the way up, but we made missing the Cranberry Challenge worth it. We walked over 12 miles. We are so close to catching the lead group Anthony can taste victory. He has 4 days to finish catching up. Now Anthony is almost 5 miles back. I know he could do it…if he had any skin left on his feet. But this last 12 miles left his feet a bloody mess.

When we got back to camp, the Cranberry Challenge was small potatoes compared to what Anthony did today, and the entire team rallied around him to celebrate his bravery and accomplishment. To know I was a part of that… is a feeling I will get to relive in my mind as often as I want. This is why I’m here.