Inspiration and Solidarity

I created this blog years ago, and only a week ago discovered what I would use it for. I came here to write because I feel a renewed sense of urgency and inspiration. A mentor of mine is going through cancer treatment. He recently sent out an email saying that he is in his 5th round of chemotherapy, and he is working hard to survive and live fully. He wrote additionally that he walks five miles a day, every day. This line stopped me in my tracks. To be honest, it stopped me in my bed, lounging on a lazy, sunny, Saturday morning. I thought to myself, how can I justify going a day without getting outside and moving, when someone just across town, between cancer treatments is making sure he gets outside for five miles every day? 

His email also brought up for me the degree to which I take my health and my ability to walk, and move around freely for granted. I know when I think about it, that there will be a day when I will not be able to move around the way that I can today. I also know that when that day comes, I will miss what I have today. So I decided that I too, would walk five miles. I'm not saying I will walk for five miles a day forever, but I feel a challenge and a desire, to walk in solidarity with him, for my health, and to support him on his fight for his. 

My challenge for myself this month is that I will walk 5 miles a day for the next thirty days***.  This will do several things: 1) get me outside 2) get me moving 3) get me breathing 4) keep me grateful for my health 5) prolong my health and 6) bring sexy back. ;) More seriously, it will help me to support a friend, in a small, private and personal way. 

By the end of these 30 days, I will have walked 150 miles. Wow! Together we will have traversed 300 miles. Amazing!

I will post a picture of something from my walk each day. Can't wait to see what I find along my way.

***Because there will be some days when walking 5 miles will not be possible, I will aspire to 150 miles this month, and I am permitted to have the distance vary slightly day to day. Also, if I skip a day, I can catch up on another day.