My 5K Walk...

I signed up for a 5K Walk, which was very optimistic of me, since I have barely been able to walk down the hallway in my home. I haven't even been walking to the mailbox, because I've been so weak and off-balance. This 5K was important to me though. It was to raise money for the NOCC, National Ovarian Cancer Commission, and I walked in memory of my mom and my niece. They were both taken from this life much too soon, mom at 65 and Lizzy at 17!

I was in the Virtual Walker category, since the actual walk was in Arlington, Texas, so I walked on my treadmill. I broke the walk into 5 parts, and the final leg was 22 minutes. It took me 108.51 minutes to walk a 5K, broken into those 5 parts over a 6 hour period. A 5K walk would have been a breeze a few years ago, but age and MS have changed many things I once did easily. Even so, sometimes it's important to push our boundaries. To challenge our limitations. I was completely prepared to accept it, if I was only able to walk a quarter mile or less. One important thing I've learned, during the past 14 years of living with Multiple Sclerosis, is to recognize when you've reached your limit. That's why I had to break the walk into parts. Each time I stopped, I didn't know if I'd be able to get back on the treadmill. I rested, drank lots of water, and began again.

I'm proud of raising money for this cause. I'm proud of pushing myself and making it to that virtual finish line. As I walked, I imagined mom and Lizzy cheering me on. I imagined a world where no one else would have to lose a mother, a daughter, a grandmother, a granddaughter, a sister, a wife, an aunt, or a niece to this deadly disease.

A Challenge... A Note... Birthday Wishes...

I just got a message from my friend, Nita of Red Tin Heart. She has posted a challenge for this week that is simple to do. It will be fun, and there will be prizes!

Nita has been through some major challenges in her life during the past year. She just keeps pushing along, keeping the faith, and she is always trying to rise above the dark days.

Join the fun at... Red Tin Heart!

On another note... I am feeling so much better! I actually got out of the house this past weekend for a church service. I hadn't been able to attend for several months. I'm learning to manage my pain differently... it may still take some tweeking, but I feel like I'm on the right track. My left eye is improving each day. It's just a couple weeks from the final check and my new reading glasses! That will make my computer time much more enjoyable.
My younger son is taking a Lifetime Fitness Class. I am printing out extra activity sheets so I can participate. I may not be able to do all of the acitivities and exercises, but anything is better than what I do now. Here's an appropriate quote for me...

"I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing."
~ Marsha Doble
And Last, but not least... Happy Birthday Wishes to:

My baby sister, AMR... in far away Arizona! I hope you had a splendid day!
My cousin, KLR... over in the tall pines of Oregon! If you're 52... I'm OLD!

Love & Blessings to all,
Nita Jo