Appreciation of a little thing called health

Oopsy, this was supposed to be a July update, but instead it is an August 1st update. To make up for not posting much recently, this posting will be a little longer than previous ones.

On this sunny Sunday, I'm happy to report that I've reached $1,405.59 of my $2,000 goal. Only $594.41 more to go! LOL! Some of you may be wondering why there is such an uneven number for the balance. Well, I have friends in other countries that have made donations and so with the currency conversions, there are some odd looking numbers in my donation list. I'm not complaining one iota - every penny (even a converted one) counts!

Physically, I feel pretty darn good and have no doubts about completing the 60 km. I wasn't starting from scratch getting fit for this, so luckily, it has really been more about increasing the distances and speeds that I normally walk.

A couple nights ago, I took Kawaii out for a long night walk. It was a gorgeous evening, cool and crisp with a slight breeze. K was as bouncy as a puppy enjoying the fresh air, when a couple joggers went by us. She pulled slightly against her leash wanting to run and catch up to them.

Admittedly, I haven't done much in the way of running or jogging over the last 10 months with her because I've been trying to recover after a nasty knee injury with my right knee. So although I've been walking steadily over the last few months, prior to that, I've actually been hobbling on all our walks and in quite a bit of pain.

Anyways, it was such a nice evening, and she seemed so eager on wanting to pick up speed that I decided to do a gentle little jog with her, nothing big, but a slight pace increase. It felt great... I started very gently, a bit tentatively at first, but as we continued along, I noticed that my knee felt pretty good.

I increased the speed a bit more, then a bit more, and finally, I was running full tilt for the first time in almost a year! Kawaii ran ahead of me (of course), repeatedly turning back to look at me, as if encouraging me by smiling. Her tongue flapping in the wind out of the side of her mouth & she was running backwards in front of me, like a happy, little bootcamp trainer showing off. She looked thrilled and I have to admit ... I was too.

We went like that only for about 1 km; I didn't want to risk re-injuring my knee so close to the September Walk, but still, it was wonderful to feel 'able' again. Maybe my knee isn't 100% healed, as it still does hurt if I make a misstep, but I'll take it.

Health is something that we all take too much for granted. When we blow out the candles on a birthday cake, we wish for things like winning the lottery, finding a good job, meeting someone special, going on a vacation, but really, if you aren't well and are in pain daily, how much would you be able to enjoy any of those other wishes coming true? As people age, aches and pains develop, and for the most part, we don't question them; we just mark it as part of getting older. For many people though, they don't get the lucky luxury of waiting until they are older to start thinking about & worrying about their health and well being.

Here is a very simple and common example. As a child, my asthma was a pain in the butt. I seemed to get sick more than other kids. I don't know if I got sick more often, but illnesses seemed to go into my chest fairly often, exacerbating other symptoms, so I always seemed to be sick longer than other kids, and I think I often missed more school because of it. I can remember the doctor telling my mom and I that, although I could play some sports, I'd likely never be able to do anything that involved endurance because of my asthma. Those words always rang in my ears, "...[I'd] never be able to...".

For those of you who don't know me, I really don't care to be told that I'll never be able to do anything ;o) So consciously, or subconsciously, I've worked very hard to be able to prove that statement (& others) wrong. Haha, my dad says I have the Bradley stubborn streak. Don't get me wrong, everyone has limitations, and I'm certainly not claiming to have Iron(wo)man status, but goodness, I'm no slouch either. lol!

When I hurt my knee badly last fall, I panicked. I thought (Excuse the language), "Shit! I've finally reached my goal of being healthy and fit, and now this!" My doctor told me to stay off my knee as much as possible. I did cut back on several things that I love like playing badminton & walking Humane Society dogs, and stepping away from these broke my heart.

Out of necessity, I HAD to keep walking Kawaii...I live in an apartment; there were no other options if I wanted her to remain healthy and well behaved in my home, so I kept walking her despite the Dr telling me not to...and it hurt! Man, it hurt!

Every bump I walked over, any tug she gave on the leash, just sent stabbing pains though my knee, but I kept walking because I had to. Kawaii needed me to and it was as simple as that. I wrapped my swollen knee daily, icing it multiple times a day, including at work, and trying all sorts of pain relief rubs and prescription anti-inflammatory medications. I hobbled up and down stairs at work, at my parents' house and anywhere else I had to go, letting others pass me by... it hurt like hell. Hehe, I hate having other people pass me. Damn, I'm just too competitive! ;op

During many of these painful walks, I often thought of Meghan. I knew she was in pain too...but feeling far more discomfort than I was - yet she kept going. Knowing that, I told myself repeatedly to just shut up & keep going.

I am sure that on September 11 & 12 my knee will likely hurt again...and I am sure that many, many people will pass me along the way, but I plan to do exactly what I've been doing for the last 10 months...

"Lisa, just shut up & keep going."