I took on the daunting task of training for the 3 Day for the Cure® hoping that it would be a great way for me to lose weight, get healthy and also fight for an important cause. I have been preparing. I have been walking. I have been trying to learn all that I can so that I can do this successfully.
It’s not been as easy as I thought it would be.
I am overweight, so even walking has been hard. I am having problems with my knee. “Dr. Google” makes me think it is likely a ligament pull from doing too much too soon. But really. I was sedentary for a very long time. Anything is proving to be too much. I’m also having problems with my foot. I have no idea what that’s all about. But it hurts. Bad.
Last night I planned on walking 3 miles and only made it 2.25. And that 2.25 was very painful. It is hard to walk when you can’t focus on anything but the pain in your foot.
I think I better make a phone call to my doctor so I can figure out what is going on and what I need to do to fix it.
I feel like I am in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. I can continue to sit and do nothing, remain overweight, and then I wouldn’t have all these new pains to deal with. How is a fat girl supposed to get skinny when it hurts so bad to move?
It hurts to walk. It hurts to sit.
I live in a small, rural town outside of San Diego. Ramona. I have been having a hard time finding people to even walk with up here. All of my longer walks I’ve had to do alone and that stinks. Time goes so much faster when you have friends to chat with. So I volunteered to be an official Training Walk Leader. Tonight I am supposed to lead my first ever 5/10 mile training walk. I’m excited but nervous, too. Nobody has RSVP’d but that doesn’t mean nobody will show up. I hope someone comes! I also hope my foot and knee cooperate so that I can make it. At 13 weeks till the event, I need to start getting some mileage under my feet.
Now, to top off my feeling sorry for myself post, I had my follow up breast ultrasound yesterday. Turns out, I’ve got a lump that needs a biopsy. How’s that for irony?
I am grateful that I am the Energizer® Keep Going® Blogger. If I hadn’t made the decision to participate in this event, I never would have decided to have the mammogram that found this lump. I would just appreciate your happy booby thoughts once again that this lump is nothing serious.
In the meantime…I’ll just Keep Going® and hope that my aches and pains resolve themselves somehow.
You’re doing what you can. That’s the important part. And you’re raising awareness — not just the awareness of others, but your own, as well. You do have to listen to your body, though, so you don’t do yourself any permanent harm. I totally feel you on the “damned if you do, damned if you don’t thing.” Some days it just seems like a vicious circle. Best of luck on your training walk and, of course, with your ultrasound. Keep your chin up! *hugs*
Cat is right. You can only do so much. Whether you walk the entire 60 miles or not doesn’t matter, it’s the fact that you are bringing your readers to the awareness of Breast Cancer and Susan G. Komen for the Cure and that is what really matters. I really thought I was going to do all 60 miles, boy was I wrong. Although I know I could have done it, my body just didn’t feel it that weekend so I did what I could. Take your time, train at your own will, and do the walk the best you can and be PROUD!
As I always tell everyone when they get to this point, it is about doing as much as you can when you can. It is not a race and there is no failing. I wrote a bit about this awhile back when a lot of other 3 Day walkers were starting hit the same wall that you are currently staring at. You can find that post here:
http://kscincotta.blogspot.com/2010/05/3-day-is-journey-not-destination.html
Basically, the important thing to remember is that just by taking on this challenge in the first place, you have already succeeded in every way that matters. You have increased awareness in not just yourself, but in others and you have helped to raise money to support life changing research. The rest of it is just gravy.
Now, get out there and ENJOY that training walk. You can do it!
(Oh, and of course, I am sending you my very best thoughts and wishes for a successful and uneventful biopsy with nothing but positive results!)
~ Kristen
I echo what the others said. There is no failing. Whether you actually walk the entire 60 miles or not, isn’t the point or the purpose. Do what you can and stay motivated, this is how you can inspire others.
I think it’s wonderful that you signed up to be a Training Walk leader. I hope some show up to walk with you. I also am sending you lots of positive thoughts on your biopsy. I’m hoping all is well for you.
Happy thoughts to you, Rhea. You’re raising tons of awareness. There are so many other women out there like you who need to get their mammograms. And good luck with your first walk as an official Training Walk leader.
Cat and Shawn Ann have already given you some great advice. Do what you can and if you can’t make it remember all the good you are doing. I’m so sorry about the biopsy but I’m praying its nothing more than some breast tissue.
Maybe your doctor can recommend some better walking shoes or inserts to help ease the pain?
I’m proud of you (and I hope you are proud of yourself)–you’ve been TRYING, and that’s terrific! Don’t get discouraged and give up hope.Maybe you can find somewhere to take up water aerobics to help you lose weight without so much pain? The water is the best place to exercise; no one can see you sweat!
Best booby thoughts to you