Run for Hope (RFH) is an charity event to raise funds for cancer research. This year's RFH will be held on 22 Nov, Sunday, at the East Coast Park. The closing date is 16 Oct. There are two categories, the 4km and the 10km.
I must have bitten by the running (jog and walk rather) bug, that for the last couple of days, I have been contemplating taking part in the 4km. I broached the subject to my kids and the general opinion was that I may not survive the 4km run or jog, so they objected. So much for support! All along, it was the mum who cautioned, objected, persuaded, now, it looks like the roles have been reversed. Honestly, I gave them more leeway than they are allowing me for activities like this.
Well, mum rules and I intend to find out if I am up to it. So, this morning, I put on tees, shorts and running shoes, did some stretching of my hamstrings and calf muscles, and headed downstairs. I don't think I did them right but some stretching is still better than no stretching at all, I guess.
I jogged round the void deck. Two laps later and I was huffing. I pushed myself a bit and I managed to last all of five minutes. Then, walking and jogging a bit more, I squeezed another 3 minutes out of my endurance. 8 minutes - my first jog/walk after so many years (I had lost count of the years).
After cooling off and catching my breath, I was raring to go for more, but common sense prevailed. Don't push the cancer and chemo wrecked, and totally out of condition body too much or the kids will have reasons to say "we told you so". Classic case of the spirits willing, but the body has a totally different opinion.
Funny though, when I jogged barefooted in the house, it seemed so easy, but with shoes on, it was so much harder. I guessed I now understand why some runners prefer to compete barefooted.
I noticed too, that my lymphedemic right arm felt a little uncomfortable, probably because the pounding movements of the jog exacerbated the gravitational pull.
I shall see how my muscles feel tomorrow. Anyway, I still have up till 16 Oct to test my physical endurance before I commit.
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