Alzheimer's Walk victories

Yesterday was the Boston Alzheimer's Walk, which Paul and I did with his family in memory of his grandmother. It was the family's third year walking but my second; the first year, I broke my ankle two days before the walk.

Last year, I was in process for surgery. I'd met with the dietician, bariatric nurse, social worker and medical director. I'd had blood work, an abdominal ultrasound and a sleep study. I was waiting to meet with my surgeon and be assigned a surgery date.

Physically, I'd been walking a few days a week. It's hard to remember exactly, but I think I could walk about three-quarters of a mile with effort but without pain.

For the Alzheimer's Walk, you could choose either 2 miles or 6 miles. 2 miles was going to be a stretch. 6 was impossible. I ended up walking about 2 miles, I think, worrying about how far I could go and still be able to make it back. At one point, I stopped and sat in the shade to wait for my husband and his relatives to walk on and then come back.

This year, I was excited to walk the 6 miles — because I know I can. The Boston walk changed location, though, and the loops were either 1.5 or 3.5 miles. I'd planned on walking the longer route, but yesterday was hot — and the longer I stood outside, the more I realized it was okay if I walked the shorter loop. I have nothing to prove.

Paul and I did end up walking the shorter route because his parents, who drove in with us, chose that, and we didn't want to strand them while we did the longer route. While it wasn't the physical challenge I'd been planning, there was a mental victory in realizing I have nothing to prove. There was a physical victory in that 1.5 miles felt like nothing.

And there was a combined emotional-physical victory: although I still sweat a ton when I work out, I no longer sweat excessively other times. I sweated yesterday — but it was hot, and everyone was sweating. I didn't feel self conscious at all.

Here's last year's group shot; I'm in red.

And here's me and Paul this year:

I think I look happier, more energetic, comfortable in my body and confident in what it can do.