Romans 8:28 or Why I Walk, Part 2

I am walking, again, in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. This year the team is walking in San Francisco. I had thought about journaling my training and sharing it here, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be very inspirational. You see, I have my ups and downs when it comes to training. I’ve been attempting to make my training more “official” by following a plan. In fact, I started January with walking one mile a day, six days a week. I walked 30 miles during the month of January. And developed plantar fasciitis.

So I took some time off from the treadmill in February and March. I ended up in my doctor’s office because while the heel pain went away after not walking, it came back ten times worse the first time I attempted a mile on my treadmill. I had tried everything; softer setting, new inserts for my walking shoes, slower pace. Ultimately, I just needed to stretch more before and after.

As I approached August, I calculated twelve weeks out from the Avon Walk weekend, downloaded Reebok’s 12-week training schedule (they are an official sponsor of the Avon Walk and have some great training material available to those preparing to walk), and decided I would try their recommendations. I didn’t get very far. But I haven’t given up.

You see, back when I “trained” for my first walk in 2011 I walked on my treadmill some, but mostly kept with my gym routine of dance and indoor cycling. I did some treadmill work, but not much in comparison. I thought I was in pretty good shape. Plus I had only committed to 13.1 miles each day of the walk. I was successful.

Last year when I started “training” about all I was able to accomplish was three miles a week on the treadmill. Along with some yoga, I felt that I was in better shape than the year before. And again, I only committed to 13.1 miles each day. Right now, in August, with five weeks before Event Weekend, I’m walking six miles a week with a little yoga thrown in. Since it’s San Francisco, I’m only going to commit to 13.1 miles each day.

However, the trials of my training schedule, or what appears to be a lack of training, is not what the Avon Walk is all about. It’s about community and fundraising. The money that the Avon Foundation raises at each of these events goes to breast cancer research and helping low-income and uninsured or under-insured women and men get the care they need. Most of the money stays in the communities where the walks take place. The remainder goes to underserved areas across the country and the world. Yes, the world.

When I first received that phone call from Molly, and my heart said “yes,” I knew that I had been called to a purpose. When I get discouraged or feel that I can’t do this (physically) I remember the adage that God does not call the equipped. He equips the called. Many times I have heard myself say, “Well God, you better equip me, because I can’t do this on my own.”

So, I walk in memory of my friend Jan. But I also walk because I am called. I walk for the over 230,000 women and over 2,000 men in the U.S. who will be diagnosed this year. I walk for those battling this disease. I walk so that someday, in my lifetime, there will be a cure.

If you would like to make a donation to my fundraising efforts, you can do so at my personal page.

If you enjoy my blog and would like to follow me on Facebook, I can be found at The Reluctant Survivor.