Café to Café 150

Jill Green

150 Miles Non-Stop Walk 2003

This is the 3rd time I have flown the Atlantic to take part in an event organized by Ulli and Traudl.

The 200 miles non-stop was the first in September 1998. Then I returned in September 2000 to become an American Centurion; I am proud to be US Centurion number 53. It was the same time of the year, the weather conditions however were so different. In 1998 it was very hot. The year 2000 it was cold and we had snow - I had to buy some gloves.

This time I came with everything and we enjoyed just perfect walking weather conditions. I still used all three of my hats (not all at once). Fortunately I had no need of the two rain coats.

Traudl came to meet us with her amazing aid station 15 times on the 150 miles. She carried a wonderful range of food, she cared for all our requirements. No one had any problems with digestion for the entire duration of the long walk. The problems were blistered feet.

I have really enjoyed all the three great walking experiences. The planning, preparation and attention to detail is what made them all such a tremendous success. In fact it must be quite unique in the field of ultradistance walking for events of this quality to have been organized by so few people (Ulli and Traudl).

At the celebration meal held immediately afterwards I read out the quotation by the Australian walker Robert Henderson Crall who lived from 1869 to 1947:

"I trained earnestly for that hardest of all contests, the ultra distance walking races. I was no champion, but what I gained was better than any rewards like cups or medals. I gained health and strength, incidentally and best of all I gained friends, sound friends, whose company has made life the pleasurable thing it has mostly been."

Many thanks for making it possible to do my 50th 100 mile non-stop event in these beautiful surroundings, still so green from the high snowfall.

Thanks too for enabling me to make lasting friendship.

Jill Green, US C53

Eric congratulates Jill at Finish