Christine Tindal-Davies

Crossed the finish line!

Last night I pushed on against the ankle pain to get my last goal kms done. I felt like turning back for the first 500 metres. Then groaned for the next 500. It wasnt until I hit the 1km mark that I felt a bit better about it and the 2km mark before the pain started to go away. There is a large park near me with man made lakes and fountains and it's set up in a what the paths cross and make circle patterns. It's 1.98km round trip. i knew that if I had to do a second lap I wouldn' so kept circling around the bottom half until the 4km mark then headed back. One foot forward I guess. I had hoped that after 3 weeks the urge to get up and get out would be there, but it isn't. I am going to keep pushing on with the wish to at least 60km every month, then be back for next years challenge. Life is hard for a lot of people. At times it is fine and at others it isn't. It can happen to anyone at any time.

5kms to go

Hoping to get out today but I have so much to do. surgery on my eyes last week means I can't drive, or see brilliantly and generally feel uncomfortable. So I have been avoiding general chores and walking if I can. Yesterday I needed to get out of the house and pushed to walk to the shopping centre nealy 5kms away then had a relaxing wander around. The downside was I had to walk home again. The plus side was knowing I had to walk home I didn't buy anything other than another pair of walking shorts!

Week 3 finished, not long to go now

I was hoping I would have formed a bit of a habit by now. You know, like one of those people that wakes in the morning and just has to get out there. But no, thats not me. Not anymore. I need a coffee, and a relax. Maybe if was a jogger or runner (pretty impossible at this stage) because walking doesn't seem to give an endorphin rush. Or maybe it does. all I knownis for the first 2.5-3kms my feet and knnes hurt, and then they don't. A quick google search tells me it takes approx 6 months to form a gym habit, so I guess it's the same. My biggest single walk yesterday, 10.3km. There is a beautiful park nearby that is a 1.98km round trip, lakes, fountains but I find doing laps easy to stop and I usually only end up doing 3.6 kms or close. However if I keep walking up the main road to the point I want to go home, I will find I am 3 or 4kms away. So I have to repeat it coming back. But I stuffed up.bI wasn't thirsty yesterday so didn't hydrate properly, only drank about 300mls while I was walking then got in a long hot shower afterwards, tied my wet hair in a towel and started cooking dinner. Mere minutes later I was overheating, feeling weak, dizzy and the world darkened. Without P's help I would have fully passed out. It's a horrible feeling. So today...do I walk or do I rest? Perhaps I'll go window shopping and do some slow walking. 17kms to go.

Half way there!

I've just hit 53.1km on day 14. Struggling with pain now in both feet and knees. My toes were jamming up against the end of my faithful Asics, so was forced to go up a half size in new shoes. I dont like this model. They've charged the arch support. It's suppossed to be better. I dont like it, or perhaps I just need to wear them in. My knees hurting where they are indicates my foot is rolling. But I am stubborn. I am going to do this! I need to change my mindset. 17 days to go.

Thank you!

I woke this morning to find I had reached my fundraising goal, which a total, and delightful surprise. My sweet daughter shared to her wall and some of her lovely friends and family have responded to the call. They are amazing! It actually brings tears to my eyes. We aren't quite half way through, do I am going to extend my goal slightly. If it's reached: wonderful. If not, the first one was one I couldnt possibly have envisioned being met, so I am very happy. Thank you again. 42km done, 19 days and 58 kms to go.

New shoes needed.

Ugg. Walking like this has mad me realise that my runners are a half size too small! Toes smashed up against the ends. As much as I love the convenience of Rebel Sport, those dear sales assistants don't know how to fit shoes. so off to Athletes foot I went. I was disappointed to find Asics have taken all the gel cushioning out of their shoes, but here's to having a pain free walk tomorrow. 66 kms to go.

Day 3. ouch

At the end of day 3 I have actively walked 19kms so far. Just wow. Checking back, the last time I walked over 1km was in April.6 months ago. Before Dillon died. I ache all over and limped to bed just now like I was older than Methuselah. At each aching step tonight I chanted the challenge mantra in my head - One Foot Forward, I felt like Dory "Just keep swimming". Hopefully I will sleep well tonight.

Morning - Day 1

This was a very last minute decision to join in this cause. I am a huge procrastinor, so at 7am this morning, I decided to get started. After quickly creating an account I was out on the pavement at 7:15am. 3.7kms done. Only 96.3 to go.