Sharon Denise Powell, news assistant Eastern Wake News and Clayton News-Star
My quest to be healthy continues. I just learned that registration opens for the 2013 MS Walk Oct. 1. I called the Raleigh chapter of the MS Society but there was no answer so I left a voicemail message. I need to know the date of the walk. It’s time for me to put up or shut up. I’m going to do it – I’m going to walk for MS.
A 5k-walk is about 3.1 miles and it should take me about an hour to finish. In the navy I ran a mile and a half in 20 minutes. I don’t care if I’m the last person across the finish line -- that happened once when I ran my navy physical fitness test -- only once, and oh the humiliation. This is different.
Just like the little engine that could I’m going to take this walk repeating to myself the mantra, ‘I think I can, ‘ I think I can … I know I can, I know I can,’ and finally, ‘I can, I can, I can!’
I've talked about this walk for months but in the beginning I admit I wasn’t totally committed to training for this, but I am now. I’ve done my research and found tools to help me on this quest.
I normally cram long walks with my trusty hound into Saturday, Sunday and Mondays – my days off. Starting this week I’m going to get up at six and Sammy and I will walk for 30 minutes daily.
Also, I just signed up for the online “Walk of Life 10-Week Program” and I will receive a daily email with a walking assignment, walking lesson, nutrition tip, healthy recipe and motivational tip.
I’m excited about this journey. I said when I started writing on this blog I wanted to improve my health, reach a healthy weight, take the 5k-walk for multiple sclerosis and live to be a hundred. So far I’ve gained five pounds, but I still don't always eat healthy and I might not live to be a hundred, but I can walk for MS.
Why is this walk important? I have MS. In the past I’ve struggled with maintaining a healthy weight and was once diagnosed as malnourished. This is not good for someone with my disease.
I’ve been lucky, in spite of my diagnosis I can take my dog on longs walks. I can get in my 5-speed manual transmission mustang and drive 17 miles to work. Also, I can practice the craft that I love – writing. Not everyone with MS can do this -- this is why I have to take the walk.
Sammy can’t go with me on that walk, but thanks to him and this blog I’ll think I can, no, I know I can!
