I'm BAAAAACK!!!

Hey Y'all!!! I sure have missed you! Well a while back I set some goals.  Let’s Recap...

1. Drop 3 pants sizes by May.

2. Raise $1800 for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

3. Complete Training for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

4. Complete the 39.3 mile walk on April 20-21.

5. Enroll in school.

6. Do 10 real pushups. 

1. Well it’s not May yet so I have a little time on that one. 

2. I did raise and surpass the $1800 mark.  I had the help of Della Nation to raise a grand total of $3810!!

3. I wasn't able to complete the training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer due to injuries.

4. Those injuries did not stop me from completing the 39.3 mile walk!!! That's right! I did it!

5. I have not enrolled in school yet, and have since been reevaluating this particular goal.

6. I still can't do 10 real pushups but I will!

     I was able to mark 2 off the list.  Fundraising for and completing the Avon walk for Breast Cancer.  I suppose that completing the training can be checked off, because I did finish the actual walk! So let’s just call it 3.

     I had been training along.  Doing exactly what I was supposed to do, when I was supposed to.  However, I twisted my ankle. That put me out of commission for a week. I sought medical attention for the sprain to find out I had developed Achilles Tendinitis. This required me to not train and wear a walking boot for 2 weeks.  That was 3 weeks total no training. When I finally got the walking boot off I only had 2 weeks to get back into shape. Being able to finish was looking unfavorable.

    On the Friday a week before the walk we had a big fundraiser planned.  Some good friends of ours, who have an up and coming band offered to play a show for us.  I was walking into my job and slipped. I knew the moment it happened that it wasn't going to be pretty.  I felt the sting and burn in my ankle and then it tightened up. I had injured my good ankle. I was dejected. I couldn't believe it had happened. I tried to walk on it, pretending it hadn't happened, but it had. I spent the next couple of hours at urgent care.  I had X-rays, and the Dr. figured it was just a sprain.  She allowed me to leave, so I could go to the fundraiser.  Right before I was headed out to the event, the Dr. called.  She said I had what looked like an osteochondral defect.  GRRRREAT! No. Not great. I had to get an MRI. I was beyond discouraged. I figured that finishing was just a pie in the sky dream at that point. 

     Fast forward a week.  I met up with my walking buddy Amy about 6:45 Saturday morning, and we were ready to rock it!  I started out strong just walking along.  At about the 6 mile marker I felt pain.  Nope, not in either of my crazy ankles, it was in my knee.  WHAT? Knee pain?  Yes. Knee pain. Ok, let me just say that up until this moment I have had 2 good knees.  I dealt with that knee pain for the rest of the walk.  Even though I had a weak moment and almost quit the first day at about the 17 mile mark. I sent Amy on by herself because I was sure I was done. However, I composed myself and powered through.  Slowly but surely.  Mile by Mile. I knew I had people waiting for me, to cheer me along and that really kept me going. 

     When I got to the 26.1 finish line for the day, my family and Amy where there waiting on me.  Even though the pain was bad, I felt amazing! I actually felt better than I had the previous year. I thought at this point, I may just finish! Dad took me to his gym to soak in the hot tub, then home where he and the stepmom had arranged for an hour long massage.  Yes. They are the BEST!!! I woke up on Sunday morning very sore, and a little discouraged that I didn't feel better. However, I knew that I had the support needed to do it.  I did just that.  Mile by mile Amy and I trucked along with our new friend Rob.  Stopping when we needed a little stretch, or for a super cool photo op! We crossed the finish line and I was so happy I burst into tears.  I had finished.  I had actually finished!!

     Let me just say that I could not have done it without the loving support of my friends and family.  They called, texted, and posted in Facebook.  My sister and brother-in-law made signs that not only kept me going but impressed the majority of the other walkers. I know my prayer warriors where hard at work too.  My cousin, one of the best prayers I know was actually with me when I wanted to quit.  I know she was asking for strength for me, as I sit there.  I truly felt the love and support and know that is what held me up, taking each step.  I also know I had a very special angel that day walking behind me… pushing me along. 

 I usually post just a lyric at the end of my blog... but I just had to do the entire song.  :-) 

So, this was not how you planned it.
No, oh you don't understand it.
Why, is it so misleading?
when all you really wanted became so defeating.
time, well it only got harder
thought you had one but it was another.
Then, you believed in a breakthrough
but it took you by surprise when you came out a fool.

You gotta fail a thousand times
before you see it through.
you gotta spend your last dime
before you ever make a million.
you gotta know what brought you here
and you gotta lose to persevere.
but it's the way the sun will rise
through the darkest night.
yeah it's always been worth the fight

.
hope, it can make you courageous
it started out small, but now it's contagious.
strength, it's an honor you earn
when you look back and see all the lessons you've learned.

But you gotta fail a thousand times
before you see it through.
you gotta spend your last dime
before you ever make a million.
you gotta know what brought you here
and you gotta lose to persevere.
but it's the way the sun will rise
through the darkest night.
yeah it's always been worth the fight.

Yeah it's always been worth the fight - The Eli Young Band