This past week was very interesting. Lots of ups and downs. Like part of anyone’s life, Tuesday morning started off on a happily anticipating note, as I started my phase 2 group. However, my happy mood was shattered by 8am, when a mis-communication at work caused me great distress. One area of my life that my little angel has always been the strongest to the point that my little devil is non-existent is my work life. Blame it on my upbringing, but I’ve always worked hard, not only to do a good job, but to provide & posses above average work qualities. So when my senior director erroneously assumed I was “breaking the work from home rules”, when in reality, my intent to was provide better then average service, it felt like I was being told that I not was only not working to the best of my ability, but I was being accused of breaking the rules. I huge blow to both character and little angel.
Then, I attended the new group program, which was now combined with people from my original group, the Thursday group and new people. I was originally very excited about this new change, thinking it was more people I could learn and be inspired by. However, as they replaced our original health coach with the one from the Thursday group’s, I soon realized how this wasn’t going to be as upbeat and energetic as my old group sessions were. Our old coach was a bit more energetic, but also gave me information from a concessive scientific factually standpoint. But this new health coach, who I liked outside the program, was more indecisive and I could tell, she seems to let her former team decide how the program would go week to week. Because of my emotional below earlier in the day, my little devil seemed to squirm uncomfortably. Fortunately, my little angel was able to speak louder. She reminded me that it was probably because of my emotional morning, that I was starting to feel pessimistic to this new platform. I would be allowing my emotions and my little devil’s fear of changing what was working, to be another self-sabotage trigger. So quickly, my little angel reminded me that life was full of unexpected changes that would always flow my best thought out plans for a loop. So instead of being afraid and shying away, embrace the change and the new challenges it presented.
I will admit that by the time I got home that evening, I did feel very drained. So instead of working out, I pretty much opted for a nap. My little devil would have liked to have called that a win for her side. But in the old days, a day like today would have allowed myself to stop in the bakery section or nearest drive thru for some comfort food. So by not doing either and sticking to my healthier eating, I still considered the day a win for my little angel and me.
Later Tuesday night and Wednesday morning brought on some new emotionally challenges. Fortunately not for me, but gave me a chance to help 2 other friends of mine. Sadly nothing seems to but life into perspective but to learn that someone else’s family member has either just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer, or will need heart surgery to remove a blockage. Strangely enough, both of these people were there the day before, calming my emotions, and providing me support and smiles, so get over my issues. Now, both of them and their family members were facing things out of their control, and will understandable fear and anxiety. So by being able listen to them both, offer hugs and try to provide some positive outcome thoughts, they were still unknowingly helping me realize how lucky I am. While Tuesday morning “felt” devastating, I was still healthy and still controlled my destiny. My little devil could completely let go of my worries, so my little angel and I could just focus on being there for my friends.
The rest of the week was pretty good for my own personal healthier journey. During Friday’s lunchtime workout, my little angel convinced me to tackle the elliptical trainer. The FUSE health coach told me to just try to do 5-10 minutes on it, and then go back to the bike. I would place money on any bet, that when God is having a bad day and just needs a little laughter, He comes up with creative ways to make me trip and fall over things normal adults don’t. Fortunately, He is nice to me and make sure I have never broken a bone. My lack of coordination and previous lack of energy has made me stay away from the elliptical trainer. But not on Friday. Friday, I not only did it, but I said I would just start with 5 minutes. Surprisingly, I actually felt coordinated and opted to do the whole 10 minutes even using the arm bars. I was a bit afraid to go more than the recommended 10 minutes, but very happy I did more than 5. I finished up my cardio on the bike and then did my weights.
All week I was watching the weather, and getting updates from my friend, who follows the weather as part of his job. When I met with Melissa through my independent Health Coaching sessions, she recommended that I sign up for a 5K before the end of the year. Shortly after that I noticed that the New Lenox Park District had their “Because I Can 6 Mile Charity Walk”. I had missed the cut off date for pre-registration but could sign up the day off. It had the option of doing a 2, 4 or 6 mile walk. When I mentioned it to Melissa, she cautioned me not to attempt to do the 6 mile, as a 5K was only 3.2. But this one was more in my budget and thought if I felt tired, I could always just do the 4 mile walk. Course, as Saturday was getting closer and closer, it was starting to look like only in the 40s and raining most of the day. My little devil kept telling me I hadn’t signed up yet, so I didn’t have to do it. But my little angel kept reminding me how great it would be to say that you not only did it, but you did all 6 miles! 6 miles that your health coach wasn’t sure you had done enough to train for. Not to mention being able to show all those who haven’t been all that supportive of my journey, that look what could do, when just less than 4 months ago, my knee was still painfully sore going up and down stairs.
Then came Saturday. I had set my alarm to wake up at 7. The forecast was still in the 40s, and rain was predicted to start around 10. The walk didn’t start until 9am, and based on my current power-walking speed, if I could keep it up, I’d be lucky to finish 6 miles in 2 hours. Before I could even think about allowing my little devil to talk myself out of it, my little angel just mentioned the name of the walk….”Because I Can”, and that the money was for the Children’s Memorial Hospital
As some of my supporters on Facebook can attest, when the official time started, we were all very cold. I marked making each of the first mile/turn around markers on Facebook, with a picture of each sign. Probably the first time I will say that I was grateful to have inherited my dad’s ability to sweat and over-heat when using any above-average amount of energy. But the 1st mile, my coat was already wrapped around my waist.
When I got to the 2nd mile, which was the turn around for those doing the 4 miles, I felt really good. Shockingly good, actually. Expected to feel a little tired and drained, and thinking I might have to pull out a “Biggest Loser” memory, where they have to find that extra strength to push through it. But I didn’t even need it. So without even thinking much more, I decided I was going for all 6 miles!
Rounding the 4th mile, I was stating to feel parched and realized I left my water bottle. But like 2 angels from heaven, my sister, Dianna and her other co-worker were in their golf cart and gave me a bottle of water. It was prefect timing not only for my need for water, but also because a garbage can was right there. So I stopped and chugged the whole bottle and continued on my pace. I did manage to slow my pace a bit from my original pace, but as I was tracking my pace with each mile mark, I was still on target for finishing in 2 hours at my regular power walking pace. Plus one of my friends was texting me updates on weather and other encouraging words to keep me motivated, along with the music pumping through my headphone s.
Rounding the 5th mile, the trees weren’t able to protect me from the light drizzle that was starting to fall a bit heavier. But I was still too hot to want to put my coat on, so the rain felt a little good, and I wasn’t getting soaked. That only lasted until the start of my 6th and final mile. The rains really started to pick up then. While my baseball cap kept my head dry, my shirt, pants, socks and shoes where another story. I decided it was best to put my coat back on. Just because I felt hot, it was still only about 50 degrees, and I didn’t need to get sick. Plus, frankly, both my little devil and angel told me it was stupid to allow myself to get completely soaked if I didn’t need to. With about a ½ mile to go, I was starting to feel not just burning in my legs, but I was starting to develop a blister on the bottom of my one toe, from the moisture building in my shoe. I knew my sister and the golf cart were not too far behind me. So if it got really unbearable, I could ride back with her. There would be no shame, as I did surpass my original 4 mile goal. But there was a bigger part of me saying, don’t give up. You came this far, but more importantly; you can do it – Because I Can. My pace did slow down as I tried to find a comfortable pattern as not to cause more friction in my shoe. At one point, I strongly considered taking my shoes off completely and just finishing barefoot. (My sisters will confirm that if I could go barefoot for the rest of my life, I would). But afraid that being exposed to the cold/rain and not knowing what I might step on, I just pushed that idea out of my head. I went from the “Because I Can” motivation to a modified line from “Finding Nemo” – “just keep walking, just keep walking”. I was very happy to finally see the Village Hall and Police Station. Where my niece, Victoria was working. I thought, if I couldn’t make it to the Village Hall, my wonderful niece would surely push me out of the way of on-coming traffic if need be. But I made it past the Police Station and to the Village Hall. I could soon see the finish table and got a second wind.
When I got there, my cousin, Jean, who also works for the Park District and other volunteers congratulated me. I graciously accepted everyone one of their congratulations and all my friends following me on Facebook and texting. It was like crossing the finish line of Chicago Marathon for me. 4 months ago, I was having trouble walking up and down stairs. People could out walk me on the way to the train, and Bailey and I would be both winded and tired after a little 30 minute walk. And here, I just walked 2 HOURS straight for 6 MILES at a power-walking speed for me! My little angel and little devil were all celebrating with another bottle of water and the best banana I had in a long time!!! Happy Dancing all around J
On Sunday morning, I decided to weigh myself in. And to my surprise, I shed 2 pounds between Saturday morning and then. If only I had the time and energy to walk 2 hours every day. But I have to say it has renewed a new spirit in me. I even have a few more friends who have left me messages telling that they want to walk with me. And upon telling my health coach of my newest achievement, she’s challenged me to train to actually RUN in a 5K. I can still do walks for now, but I finally have the go ahead officially from a medical professional to try running again on the treadmill. Another huge step since I haven’t been able to do that since last January.
Thank you again for all your support. It means so much to me and really motivates and inspires me each day.
Oh- before I forget, thanks to this 2 hour walk, I am now officially up to having shed 30.2 pounds :-)
Oh- before I forget, thanks to this 2 hour walk, I am now officially up to having shed 30.2 pounds :-)
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