Going the Distance

"You won't know your limit until you have passed it." - Becky D.

I have made more progress on my journey to running, and I must admit that it was one that has set me back. Let me paint the scene for you. It is Friday night, and I am driving to SC for the Relay for Life walk. If you need to learn what Relay for Life is, click this link to read up on it. I have my Coca-cola, ice water, and zero-sugar body armor. I also took my Focus Up to ensure I would be awake for the drive back. Caffeinated, sushi for a pre-walk snack, and fries for good measure. Don't blame me; I just completed a 36-hour fruit fast.

I was binging a little, back to the drive. I had my music blasting, enjoying the breeze of hot air before turning on the A/C since I needed more time to get overheated. I arrive ready to walk for those that have lost the battle with cancer and those that have won the war. My mother had purchased the bags with the names on them, so I counted how many we had and set that as my goal. 6 laps for my loved ones. This number does not include my friends and extended family, by the way. Of course, several people asked where my cane was, and I responded that it was in my trunk. That was true. I am pushing past my limits. 

I stretched my legs and waited for the official start from the announcer. We waited, and no one said a word, so we started walking. I walked and talked with my mother the entire time. She was worried about me and wanted me to sit down, but I told her I had to find my limit. By lap number 7, I grew concerned that I would not be able to complete the walk as my legs started to feel funny. I had already completed my goal, but I kept going anyways. I even challenged myself to a 1-minute jog. My side started to hurt once I did that. Before I knew it, I was on lap number 8 and called it quits since I could not keep my balance. I hid that very well. Once I stopped, I felt the world slowing down, and my legs were fatigued. I drove back home, alternating between the water and the Body Armor. My music selection was switched to mellow tones as I needed to prepare my body for sleep. I had Pride for the next two days. By the time I arrived home, my legs were done. I had already removed my shoes and socks while driving because my feet were swelling. It was a long drive, and operating in discomfort was not ideal.

The following day I am up and have already said that I will get my morning walk in during Pride. My partner had decided we needed to go to the mall first, and that was a workout within itself. I opted-in to use the cane and to just go slow. My legs were stiff. Probably because I didn't stretch afterward. We made it to the festivities and enjoyed everything on Saturday. Now Sunday was a different story. I just wanted to lie down. I had been drained completely. I decided to stay home for the day and just enjoy family. If you know me, that is big because I would keep pushing. After 2 days, I had walked over 10 miles, not including the other things I do daily. That's a massive jump from 1 mile a day to about 5 miles a day. 

I had pushed passed limits I did not think were possible. I am taking the steps needed to continue to beat MS. I may have it, but it does not have me.

What did you do this past weekend?