I have to tell you about a wonderful experience I had this evening. It has to do with taking care of yourself. I have walked on and off for several years. The past four years I have walked with a wonderful woman named Mirame Jacobs from Mason, OH. She is our fearless leader. I belong to a great group called the Mighty Mason Walkers. There are over 25 people in our group. We annually get ready to walk the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH the first weekend in January. My friend Amy G. and I walked our first full marathon with Miriam in 2008. Amy G. and I got separated along the second half of the race. I would never had finished the full 26.2 miles if Miriam hadn't come along the last three miles. I had blistered the whole bottom of my right foot. Amy G. and I walked the half marathon 13.1 miles the next year with out any incidents. I did the half marathon again last year with my next door neighbor Janice and three other wonderful ladies Annie, Amy C.and Pat. All great women that I met walking with the group. The friendships I have developed have been my strength during a very difficult time.
This year when we began training in January I had a numbness in my right side. I couldn't walk. After researching the problem we discovered that I had Moyamoya Disease which resulted in a brain by pass surgery to increase the blood flow to my brain. This happened on March 24, 2011. If it weren't for my walking buddies old and new, my husband, my children, my family and many other great friends. I wouldn't be able to get through this experience. Everyone has gone out of their way to help by coming over to spend time with me, walk with me, and make food for us.
Miriam, Janice, Pat and Amy C. all wanted Paul and I to join the group tonight as they celebrated with a pasta dinner before the Flying Pig. Paul and I were welcomed with open arms and the walking coaches even included me in a ditty that they sang at the dinner. MoyaMoya Disease often effects 1 in a million in the United States, it often is found during the age of 5 and 40. I am 49 this year. We believe the walking has helped to keep my arteries open longer. One thing I know is that the friendships that I have made and the miles we have walked are two amazing benefits for both my physical and mental health. I may not be able to walk the Flying Pig tomorrow morning, but I am not going to give up. I will walk with all of them at the Pig in 2012.
By the way Bear Den South is a great place to walk. A little bit on the hilly side. But my friend Ann Steiner and I walked eight miles training for the flying Pig and my neighbor Val walks every day at the lake.
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