Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Walking the walk

Ever since our honeymoon, no matter what island we were on, we always heard about the charity walks they have this time of year.  I've always thought it would be fun to do that but heck, walking a mile or two much less the three some of them do always put my legs into knots.  It's odd how you can casually walk 6 miles in the city in Chicago like it's nothing but suddenly you slap a label on it and put a finish line at the end for half the time and it seems like an impossible or at least a harder task.  It might've been something we were in shape to do maybe one time before until now.

It had been a week since our water adventures and I was finally back to walking without pain from my injury and my achilles flare up was calm.  There was a sign up for the walk the weekend before but they said you could sign up that morning too if you did it by 6:30am.  I told the Mr I wanted to walk it just to see how it would sound out loud.  He was like "okay" but in a way that made it sound like he wasn't sure we'd actually do it.  I didn't know we would either.  It was the day before the walk and I asked if we were doing it and he said we could if I wanted to.  Neither one of us sounded overly jazzed about it but it just felt like something we should do given what we'd already overcome this trip.  When we got up the next morning, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.  I must've slept in the same position or something because I could barely walk, I had a headache and just generally felt like crap.  The Mr asked how I was doing and I told him I felt like shit and he said we didn't have to do the walk if I felt that bad and I said yes we did and started getting ready.

We slathered on the sunscreen, I taped up the toes that always tend to rub in my shoes and we were on our way.  We went to register and if you bought a t-shirt it was your donation so we paid the $35 a piece and she said the shirts went up to XL and we both asked for one.  We headed back to the car so we could see if they fit after our week of bloat and they did.  Not well but they covered all of the pertinent bits and that's all we cared about.  I think we felt more triumphant just being able to wear "normal" shirts like everyone else.  We hung around as the local radio DJ did his thing, they brought out a kapuna to do a blessing for the event and then they brought out a local comedian.  As the comedian came out to rile up the crowd, we noticed there were 6 women in red right behind him.  All of a sudden some music starts playing and they're like "we're going to Zumba!"  The Mr and I look at each other because we're up front by the stage and it would look real stereotypical for the two fat people to turn tail and run.  The color drained from the Mr's face and I said "let's do it."  The moves were pretty tame compared to what we're used to so we felt fine and it got my heart rate up into the zone.  They did some fighter kicks which I didn't think about how my feet have problems sometimes when I do them at home on a padded surface much less on asphalt.  I didn't feel the pain of it immediately but it was waiting for me.  It was kind of weird because there was no official start it was just like "go to the start line" and everyone was walking.  We were in the first third of the pack the entire time.  My heart rate was up from the mini Zumba session and then straight into paced walking which I'm not really used to.  I'm a lollygagger.  Between the pace, pavement and that little bit of jumping on the pavement before the race, I was in serious pain about 1/2 mile in.  It was searing.  I even took preemptive ibuprofen because I knew the leg muscles would flair up but if that was help, I'd hate to have seen me without it.  I kept telling myself to push through it, it was only 3 miles.  The pain was bad and before, I would've tapped out for sure.  But I knew if I was ever going to do a 5K, I wanted it to be there and here we were, crossing yet another thing we've always wanted to do in our second home off the list.  What was more special to me is that I was doing it with my honey.  I never in my life had a goal to do a 5K.  I'm not a runner or even an organized race walker but he ran a virtual 5K and he has always felt a satisfaction from that.  I wanted to have the same thing but with him because it's not something I would do by myself.  It's weird it's like alone it wasn't a goal but together, it was because of what Kauai means to us.  Here are some pics from our route:

And we're off!

Even at 7:30am it's hot enough to have to wipe the sweat from your brow!

The industrial section never looked so beautiful.

Mountain range behind the pili grass.

I could look at the mountains all day!

How many race routes have a hula halau dancing for you as you need that final push?

Some locals came out to show their support.

Many of the charities we were helping came out to say mahalo.

Rounding to the finish line.

There wasn't much fanfare when we were done.  We just kind of hung around for a few minutes then got in the car and went about our day.  The next day is when it all crashed for me.  If I thought stand up paddle put me in pain, this was twice that pain.  I don't remember being able to walk very well the following day and we didn't have a hot tub at this place like we did at the other one.  So this pretty much put an end to my desire to do another 5K.  It'd have to be a long time and completely re-built muscles before I'd even consider it.  But I was glad that something I'd wanted to do for so long was finally checked off of my list!

Have you walked/run a 5K?  For what organization?

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31 comments:

  1. I'm so glad we did it. I wish it didn't hurt you as much as it did but you persevered and accomplished the goal and I was proud of us for being a part of that. And according to Fitbit we put on another 3 miles in incidental walking that day so really you did 2 5K's in one day!

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    1. Me too. It was worth the pain...I think. HA! Yeah it was weird like halfway through the day when you were like "I feel like we haven't done much today" and I said "just walked a 5K, drove half the island and wandered a lighthouse and shopping center by noon!" Bored took on a whole new meaning this trip from previous ones!

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  2. Yup I understand that one. But for me it is a personal thing. I wanted to do one, but alone.. I had done them with freinds as a fun time. But I wanted to do the Bobby Crimm 5K in Flint, MI. My dad had run in the race many times prior to knee replacement and I wanted to walk it for him. Just to prove I could. I think I finished like 2nd last. But hey, Dead last is better than did not finish, which trumps did not start right?! But like you walking is just not my thing.

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  3. Woohooo...Thats awesome...I know what u mean..I had the same feeling when I did my first 5k.I know what u meant by walking for miles in a busy city but when there is an event with a timer, we feel like woah maybe I cant finish...

    way to go...thats an amazing accomplishment!! woohoo.

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    1. Thanks girl! Weird how slapping a label/time limit can change things mentally.

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  4. I haven't done a 5K (or any "K" for that matter), but last summer I was on a relay for life team. Overnight I walked 9 miles. It was a great experience, but I could barely stand the next day. Still, I'd do it again.

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  5. Wow! Congratulations! I am thinking about signing up for my first 5K, a color run. I guess you wear a white tee and they throw paint on you while you run. Looks awesome.

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    1. I've heard about those. People seem to have a lot of fun doing those; hope you do too!

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  6. Sounds like walking isn't your thing. When I read about your workouts, I am well aware that I am completely incapable of doing anything like what you guys do. But I can walk. And that's about all I can do. I got a new (used) bike earlier this year and thought I could ride it, since I've ridden in the past years since my weight loss. But for some reason I could not get the courage to peddle around that first time, knowing how much it would hurt my knees. Usually after the first couple spins around, the pain alleviates, but I have to overcome that fear, which for some reason this time, is over-whelming. But I am determined to get that bike out and give it a go. Now the damned arthritis is spreading up into my fingers. It makes it hard to open jars or carry heavy stuff. Old age is definitely not for sissies.
    I'm impressed in how you persevered and finished the 5K, even though the pain was horrendous from the very beginning--not sure I have the strength to do that. You and the Mr. look great in the purple shirts!!!

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    1. We all have our own "thing" and walking is certainly it for many...and free to boot. Can't beat that!

      Thanks! I liked the purple shirts!

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  7. Years ago I did a 5k now and then, but seldom got above a slow trot for any length of time. Walking IS my thing, and 5k is nothing on a mountain trail, but it's about all I can manage on sidewalks. That un-forgiving hardness just isn't what human legs were evolved for! Asphalt is a little better.

    Good for you for persevering, for pressing through the pain (I wouldn't have) and best of all, for fitting in an XL! When are you guys going to realize you are now right in the middle of the majority of Americans as to size? I would never tell you to stop before you have reached your goals, but you might want to let go of some of the self-consciousness that your weight has burdened you with. Look around you, girl...you're the new normal.

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    1. Yeah, on sidewalks and such its a real pain. (Or can be to some of us) The only option was asphalt or grass but the ground has been so destroyed by the 5 billion chickens that there are lots of holes. I tried walking there but my ankle immediately shot pain up my leg and seconds later, a lady went down. So yeah...asphalt for moi.

      Well, people need to realize when you've been well over 300 lbs most of your adult life you will rarely ever see yourself as close to normal no matter what is looking back at you in the mirror. That's something I may or may not ever get over. And if being within 25 lbs of 300 lbs is the "new normal"...we're all in serious trouble health wise.

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  8. I am currently training to do a 5k Color Run in October. It's a long ways away but my body and knee are just not ready for it so it is necessary.

    Congrats on completing the 5k though! It is a big step and don't let it discourage you from any future 5ks.. you just need to be prepared for them. And one piece of advice I have is to not take any preemptive pain meds. It blocks any pain/injury you are putting on your body, so you don't know when to tap out or if it's just something you can push through and take pain med for after.

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    1. Have fun at your color run! I know many people seem to enjoy them!

      Thanks for the info! I'll keep it in mind should I ever do one again.

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  9. That's fantastic, congrats! Even more-so that the "regular" shirts fit, that's a BIG NSV! I've done several 5k's. Most of them benefit some sort of charity, but I've NEVER had anyone hula halau dancing for me at the end. SO jealous!

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    1. I know, right!? I found it amusing that we were more excited about that but you know where I'm coming from. The kids were so cute! It came at just the right time too because I was mentally checking out and that helped me get back in the game.

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  10. Awesome. Sorry it hurt though. It's funny, your the second person today that did a 5k this weekend. I've been wanting to do the same thing. Guess I'm going to look into that real soon. Everytime I look up someone is telling me about there experience and inspiring me to do the same.

    Have a great week. Hope your feeling better.

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    1. I knew it was going to hurt but the pain was temporary so I'll take it for the small victory. I'd say train for it even if you're not running it instead of doing it spur of the moment like we did! HA!

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  11. I have done a couple 5K's and one 10K. They were Color Me Rad(5K) and The Corporate Cup(10K). Both were pretty hard as me and my fiance were out of shape. The 10K was so painful, we went home and slept for like 4 hours afterwards. But I would someday love to do a half marathon & a full marathon. These are long term goals. My short term goal is to do a 5K in less than 35 minutes. As each of our previous ones have been more than 50 minutes.

    At least you completed something off your list. Be proud of that.

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    1. Wow, go you on the races! 10K is so not even on my radar (honestly neither is another 5K LOL) so I bow to you!

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  12. I've walked 5Ks for Amyloidosis, MS, Parkinson's, and Leukemia & Lymphoma. I am in no shape to do one now, but I am signed up for the Amyloidosis one again in October. That is my goal right now.

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    1. I know you'll do it! Just get in that good pace walking shape and kick it's butt in October!

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  13. I'm so glad you got to experience doing that, and with your honey! I've done a few 5ks and other races, and I always enjoy them. The people are always so great. I bet that had done a sort of training program for the distance that you wouldn't have had so much pain the next day. I bet if you ever decided to do more and did a walking training schedule for it, it would be a piece of cake. I know you're having your foot issues, so maybe once that is better. I loved the pics. :)

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    1. Me too! Yeah, it was a spur of the moment thing and since I'm not a walker/runner training wasn't even a thought. (I don't think most of those people were honestly...most of them were in flip flops!) I'll leave those walks with finish lines up to people like you who actually enjoy them! HA!

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  14. I'll tell you what, I walked 2 1/2 miles last weekend with a friend of mine, and the next day it was like I was hit by a bus. It is SO much different being on pavement compared to doing the workouts at home, where I do the 3 mile super challenge! I don't feel nearly the soreness I do when I exercise outdoors. As for a 5k, my goal is to do one next autumn where I do a s-l-o-w jog/faster walk. I want to do the breast cancer walk for my mom and have a shirt made up that says, "Jogging for Jackie". Whaddya think? Catchy, eh?

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  15. If you're going to do a 5K anywhere, I think Hawaii is the place to do it. :) I can't get over the scenery! I admire you for being so active on your vacation!

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  16. That looks like one of the most beautiful 5K's you could have picked! Good for you!

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  17. A friend and I are doing several 5K's this summer. I went to the local running club's website and downloaded their list of races. I deleted the ones that were farther away and ones that didn't specifically mention walkers. Then I added what type of swag you get and if there is an after party - hello free beer and free tacos for a Cinco de Mayo run!! Plus what charity it's for and how much the entry fee is.

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  18. Congrats on your 5k! Sorry it came at such an expense...but definitely something you will always remember! :-)

    I've done many, but I'm actually doing my first one post-injury this weekend. It's the Idyllwild race in the mountains that I've done every year for the past four (after Saturday) years. This time around is somewhat bittersweet; sweet because I am alive and well and able to walk it! But bitter because I usually RUN the 10k. But it is for a good cause - it benefits the local school's PE program. I'm hoping my knee holds out for me!

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