Live Healthy By Walking

I have discovered there are several things a person needs to do when preparing for training in a marathon.   I knew it was important for me to check in with my doctors to get their approval.  So, I made a check list to guide me through the process Here is my check list:

• Purchased the appropriate layer clothing – no problem! A reminder:  do not spend a lot of money on training clothes…go to discount stores.
• Check the soles of my shoes – they were OK for training
• Go to foot doctor – he was happy I was in the training program. No neuropathy in my feet and my circulation in feet was excellent.
• Go to pulmonary doctor – I had increased my lung capacity by 100%.  I have had problems in the past, because of my past life of inactivity and when tested I had improved.  He was very happy – walking outside in the fresh air really does help the lungs.
• Go to diabetes doctor – There was a problem!  My blood sugars were in the 400’s and it appears my pancreas may be shutting down.  He pulled me out of the marathon training until we can see what is happening with my sugars.

My heart sunked.  Trying to think of positive thoughts; such as: “Things go wrong so that you can appreciate them when they’re right” and “good things fall apart so better things can fall together”.  As my daughter said “the doctor didn’t say you couldn’t do it in the Spring, he just said you can not do it now until you get your diabetes in better shape. 

I will never give up my dream of walking in a marathon and I do not want you to ever give up what you want to accompish when things stop you temporarily.  Look for the positives and look toward the future when you can follow your dream.  I’ll try it in the Spring!  I continue to walk every day to build my strength and endurance and to continue to create a healthy body.

Tags: exercise, Healthy Walking, marathons, never give up, Rosalie Lynch, Walk, walking, Walking Goals

The last three days I have been so excited about starting the walking marathon training.  At 5:30 I entered the Field House to sign in and gathered with new people.  There were runners, walkers and pacers gathering together and giving each other pep talks.  I was having a super great time.  I had purchase a new hat, new cool max material tops, checked my shoes and socks, had my gloves on (The weather was 34 degrees) and my excitement kept building. 

Finally, it was time for our group to start walking.  When we got outside one of the leaders said “We can do this – Let’s go”.  Everyone cheered, including me, and the group took off like they were flying with the wind!  I had worked and planned for this moment.  At the quarter mile marker, I was at the back of the pack, along with one of the pacers who was appointed to bring in the back end.  I asked him “are they walking the 15 minute mile or are they going faster than that?”  He told me they were walking the right pace and speed to accomplishment the goal.  I was shocked.  I could not keep up with them!  We got so far behind I told him I learned so much tonight and I have to spend this week working on SPEED!  I did not have the speed to keep up with them. 

This week I have to work every day on Interval and Power walking to build my speed.  We were to walk 3 miles last night and I had done that many, many times.  It is obvious I had not walked my path with any type of speed or I would have been more prepared.  The thing I like about walking is there are always athletic challenges and I am in one right now.  I will do this!    

Tags: Healthy Walking, marathons, never give up, Rosalie Lynch, staying focus

It is finished for now!  We are a proud family of our “Live, Love, Laugh” marathon team.  My daughter has lost several of her toenails and several of her toes are black and blue and we will not talk about blisters!   My son-in-law suffered no injuries and had strength left over after the race.  They ran for the American Cancer Society.  My other son-in-law is walking around with cancer in his body at this time and taking pills to survive and he was there cheering our family runners on to the finish line.  Just wanted to share with you our happiness when we stood in front of the “Finish Line” with our family gathering together once again for each other.  That is what families do, right?  By the way, it was 32 degrees when they were running and we all were very, very cold.  As runners, they warmed up.  As followers, we stayed cold!  Hurray for the finishers and once again we thank them for raising money for their favorite charities; their training team; their determination and reaching their goals.  Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Tags: charities, exercise, marathons, Rosalie Lynch, run, Walk

This is Rochelle and Mike Hoffman (Rochelle is my daughter).  I am leaving out today to go to the Chicago Marathon where they will be running for the American Cancer Society.  I have never walked in a marathon; however, I am challenging myself to advance in my walking levels.  Are you challenging yourself to go to the next level in walking?  You can and should to ensure creating your healthy body and lifestyles.  I am registering for the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach as a walker and training starts on November 13th, 2009 even though the event is March 2010.  You need to train your body for long distance walking.  Do not ever consider yourself too old to walk in a marathon!  Write and tell me if you have walked in a marathon – I would love to hear about it.  We need to encourage each other and share our stories.  Well, off to Chicago and to cheer the “LIVE-LOVE-LAUGH” team to the finish line. 

Tags: exercise, health, marathons, Rosalie Lynch, Walk, walking, walking training