Shorewalkers Note: The two articles below, Personal Best and Under Adversity written by octogenarian and Great Saunter participant Douglas G. Logan, describe how he periodically sets mental and physical challenges for himself (Personal Best) and then overcomes them (Under Adversity) in completing The Great Saunter.
Personal Best, by Douglas G. Logan originally published in the The Boca Raton Tribune on 03/3/2025. Reprinted with permission. Read the original article here: https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2025/05/personal-best/
In less than two weeks I will celebrate my 82nd birthday. Even on a keyboard, those are difficult words to say. I truly never thought I would live to experience nine decades, much less be pretty lucid, healthy, happy and fit.
Periodically I go out of my way to test myself. Set up challenges to measure the acuity of my mind; the limitations of my body; my stamina; my toughness. I am determined to be the first to know, and hopefully accept, when I am in decline.
I also seek out ways I can strive to do one thing better than I have ever before in my life. A ‘Personal Best’. At this age the opportunities narrow. Forget anything that requires small motor skills. Or, physical speed, strength or agility. But I have recently achieved writing the best paragraph of my life, giving the best advice I ever have to a mentee, crafting a piece of furniture for the first time.
This Saturday, May 3rd, I am going to attempt a physical Personal Best. I have entered “The Great Saunter”, an annual hike that takes place in Manhattan. Only 3,000 entrants; less than half finish. The course is the periphery of the island; 32 miles with a twelve hour limitation. The hike begins at 7:00 am at Fraunces Tavern near Wall Street, and the finish line is the same location.
If, and when, I finish it will be the longest civilian hike I have taken in my life. As a combat soldier I had 35 mile plus days. But the longest walk I have taken in civilian life was one summer night in Washington DC with a couple of hundred Veteran brothers. We stopped and said a prayer at every war memorial and wound up at dawn at Arlington Cemetery, 31 miles. I also have walked “The Bataan Death March” in the desert at Los Alamos, NM. That one was 26 miles.
I have spent a month training for this. I know the keys will be foot hygiene, hydration, a rhythmic pace, and alimentation. I will carry three small, calorie intense meals; dried fruit; cheese; and chocolate. 32 miles will be about 85,000 steps, and I will burn about 3,000 calories.
It’s a test of endurance, fitness, and mental toughness, particularly the last five miles. The forecast is for intermittent thunderstorms with temperatures in the 50’s. My goal is to finish in the first 500 finishers. I’ll write about my experience the next day.
I’m ready! Bet on the geezer!
Under Adversity
Under Adversity, by Douglas G. Logan originally published in the The Boca Raton Tribune on 05/7/2025. Reprinted with permission. Read the original article here: https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2025/05/under-adversity/
Late last night, Ann, and son, Carter, had a discussion about my day on The Great Saunter. They said something akin to, “He doesn’t seem to be having much fun”. If they were referring to “social fun”, they were right.
I did not mingle a great deal with my fellow saunterers. I was in pain for much of the 32 miles. I was focused. Willing my body to drive through obstacles and adversity. Focused on tolerating discomfort and pain. Fun? Maybe not under the conventional definitions. But satisfaction at accomplishing my “mission”? They look on my face at the finish line says it all.
The day was warmer than ideal. In the 80’s. Lovely for a short stroll, but debilitating when trekking for 11 1/2 hours. I fell hard about the 6th mile. Loose paver. Hurt my hand; it became so swollen I could not close it. Got hit by a speeding e-biker in the 13th mile. Lacerated my arm.
From mile 13 to 17 I was miserable. Hot, in pain, and calorie short. Stopped for 20 minutes to gather myself. Ate. Took on electrolytes. Got off my feet. Each of the final ten miles was faster than the mile before. Got my second wind and into a good rhythm. The field came back to me. I passed a bunch of very young people. Aesop wrote the truth. The tortoise ruled!
One of my most important core values is my ability to function under adversity. Even at this age, it’s important for me to test that. Yesterday, I met the test. 32.4 miles in 11 1/2 hours. 85,387 steps. Finished what I began.
If you had parlayed Sovereignty in the Derby with the Geezer in the Great Saunter, you would have won the Daily Double.
