For 20 years I suffered with bad knees...too young for a knee replacement I was told. My weight kept going up as I could not walk nor stand more than 5 minutes at a time. Finally 2 years ago I convinced the Doctor I really needed a new knee and he had to convince Workmans Comp. What a wonderful thing a new knee is. So much so, I had the other replaced a year ago next month. I was finally released to do stuff this past March. Running is out....but walking is not. I walked my first 5K in April at the Atlanta Color Run. What a wonderful idea!!! I hardly made it, took me two hours, but I did make it....had to take a 4 hour nap later.....but I was hooked. I got a fitbit and then started tracking everything I was doing. That little gadget is addictive!! In May I travelled to my second 5k, another Color Run this time in Savannah Ga. Flat, shaded, wonderful. I was so hyped after the walk...only an hour and 20 minutes this time. I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast close by as I was afraid I would not be able to stagger any further....Far from it!!! We walked to dinner....a mile round trip, went to River Street and walked the entire street. Never did take a nap!! That got me to really working hard. I found Map My Walk and started dedicating to walking at least a mile everyday and charting it with that app and posting on Facebook. A mile is fine, but then with Fitbit and MMW, I got to pushing. Two weeks after Savannah, I went on my 3rd 5k walk. This time in Atlanta and it had hills. UGgggh. It was another color type walk but not as well organized. I made it in a little over an hour...thanks to wonderful friends and a fun grandson. The day before, my hubby got me a Polar Loop....ok, I am a geek when it comes to tech objects. I use all three gadgets and am always comparing them to make sure they are accurate. MMW has some issues but I am dealing with them. Meanwhile I have upped my daily walk...oh have I said I am 63, retired and usually slept to 11 or 12 in the morning? Now I am waking up before my alarm goes off at 7. I now have a goal of 2 miles a day (at one time) does not mean that is all I do. Tuesday, the granddaughter was off and well, 4.2 miles later, I was back home from my walk. Yesterday it was 3.2....today only 2.75, but that is fine, I later went to Walmart today and did another 1.75 miles. I came home with stretchy bands to do some resistance work with my arms. Gosh this stuff is addictive. And by the way, I can now tread water 15 minutes at a time and have gotten back to horseback riding. I do love these new knees. I miss being able to run, but at least I am moving.
For those people who passed me during the last 5k.....and made comments about fat people shouldn't be there....tough.....I have to walk somewhere.