"Make Strides" against breast cancer

sgamtd said:

Make strides walk in the valley
Dear m-azingrace,
Wishing for you that you will be able to do the 5 miles by April 25th, but just doing the best you can is really ok too. And with your daughter, son-in-law and your good friend along it sounds like a perfect plan. Where in the valley is the walk, that's one mighty long river, and at what time in the day?
I happen to be going to McAllen on the 25th, but will be coming down from Kerrville, and thats quite a haul, I think about 5 hr drive, I am in no condition to walk 5 miles yet anyway, I can do 10 miles on my bicycle easily though.
I will be thinking of you on the 25th for sure, and wear my pink ribbon pin.
sgamtd

The walk I'm participating in is in the Albuquerque/Village of Los Ranchos section of the Rio Grand River. We can register and start any time between 7:30 am and 10am. We actually will be on Rio Grande Blvd, which isn't quite as close to the river as it sounds. However, most of the way is shaded with big cottonwood trees. The roads will be closed to through traffic, and there will be comfort stations all along the way. If I get too tired, I can just sit down and rejoin my entourage when they come back via the same route. Mostly, for me it's a celebration of life. When I was told it was stage IV, everyone acted like this was "the end" for me. Not so! I actually feel better and do more now than I did before the DX.

m_azingrace said:

The walk I'm participating in is in the Albuquerque/Village of Los Ranchos section of the Rio Grand River. We can register and start any time between 7:30 am and 10am. We actually will be on Rio Grande Blvd, which isn't quite as close to the river as it sounds. However, most of the way is shaded with big cottonwood trees. The roads will be closed to through traffic, and there will be comfort stations all along the way. If I get too tired, I can just sit down and rejoin my entourage when they come back via the same route. Mostly, for me it's a celebration of life. When I was told it was stage IV, everyone acted like this was "the end" for me. Not so! I actually feel better and do more now than I did before the DX.

Update:
Hello my dear sisters. Today I did 3 miles for the first time! I really felt as if I could do another turn around the track, but decided I should probably quit while I was ahead. When I finish with the track, I still have to walk home, which is another third mile uphill. Thank you all for your encouragement, and please keep on cheering for me. This is such a positive thing for me, I feel great! I'll update again as I get closer to my goal.

Thanks again. Hugs to you all. Gracie.

PS I'm enjoying some benefits from the exercise. I'm sleeping better, seem to have fewer hot flashes & less severe when they do come, and I'm getting leaner without dieting, which by the way, I seem to have less appetite now for junk foods. Nice.

marilyndbk said:

YOU GO GIRL. I am doing the
YOU GO GIRL. I am doing the Susan Komen race/walk for the cure on May 22nd here in Detroit. I have been walking short distances and am hoping the weather warms up so I can go further. Take care. Marilyn

Thanks Marilyn
I'll be thinking of you, and I'll remember to wear pink on May 22. That will be my daughter's 40th birthday. Hardly seems possible.

Christmas Girl said:

Awesome, Gracie!
I also participate in my local ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk each October. You're doing great now - you'll do just fine then, in April.

Please know that you do not HAVE to finish. It's not competitive, in any way. No pressure.

However, at the rate you're going now, and with your spirit of commitment - I'm sure that by the time your own MSABC comes around, you'll walk from beginning to end. :-)

On behalf of all of us - all breast cancer survivors, thank you.

Kind regards, Susan

I didn't walk at all today :-{ The wind became too strong. I can tolerate cold or heat, but I cannot stand wind. It literally hurts me! But tomorrow I'm hoping to be back on track. :-)

My daughter has participated in the event for several years now. She has had several good friends with BC, and now her own mom, so it's even more important to her this year. She did tell me it's not a race, everyone goes at their own pace, and completing the entire 5 miles is not required. Barring the unforseen, I expect to do the entire route. But even if I don't, just being there will be very special.

Although this is a club no one ever wants to join, I continue to be impressed with the level of care the members have for each other, rejoicing in our victories, and sharing in our grief. This walk is one small thing I know I can do to show my support for all my dear sisters.

Thanks to you all for your encouragement. Hugs. Gracie

Ritzy said:

I agree with everyone else,
I agree with everyone else, YOU GO GIRL! Enjoy it and take it easy.

Sue

Update: two steps forward, one back
Hello all my dear sisters in pink. Yesterday I walked three and a third miles. Then I went into town (60 miles) and had lunch with a good friend. Afterward I bought new walking shoes. I figured if I'm gonna walk 5 miles, I should have good support on my feet. Stayed over at daughter's and came home this today. I am anxious to try them out, but this goofy weather keeps me indoors. The wind blew so hard in town the mountains, usually visible in town, were completely obscured by dust. Even at home, it was really bad. This is definitely not good weather to be doing anything outside. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'm going to try to maintain the 3+ miles for a few days, then increase the distance again.
So today I exercised on the mini-trampoline this afternoon(good for the lymph system too). Thanks to you all for your continued interest and support. Hugs, Gracie

Alexis F said:

I will add my YOU GO GIRL!
I will add my YOU GO GIRL! This would be my first Relay For Life this year, but, I don't think I am ready for it. Maybe someday...


Lex♥

Thanks Lex
I am doing this for all the women who ever did it for me, and for all those who are unable to do it for themselves. Thanks for the encouragement. Hugs, Gracie

sgamtd said:

Aww, Gracie sorry you didn't get to try the new shoes yet, but 3 1/3 miles is good, you go girl.
I didn't know trampolining was good for the lymph system, I hardly ever do any jumping (or running for that matter either), I do like arobics and the new zumba(sp) or nia any dancing for excercise and I like bicycle riding. I seem to be on my feet all day and doing alot of walking, but have never done any for just excercise. Tried it once, and several cars stopped and asked if my car broke down and did I need a ride, so I gave it up.
Was your walk on the 25th (Sunday) of May or the 22nd ?
sgamtd

The walk I'm doing is on April 25th. Marilyndbk mentioned the Susan B. Koman walk on May 22 in her area.

Yes, the trampoline is very good for the lymph system. But not all trampolines are alike. The cheap ones can actually cause injury because they don't have good springs. I found this out the hard way on one I bought at a thrift store. The jarring effect on my back was really bad. After that, I got a much better one, and noticed the difference right away. I have a trampoline workout DVD, but I also like to just get on and dance to music. Gets me moving. smile. I would love to do bike riding, but we are in a rural area with narrow roads and very rude drivers. Biking is a suicide sport here.

Thanks for the support. Hugs, Gracie