Oranges 2 Oranges

Looking Back at 5K and Moving Forward…

So this was new…

Last week, I think it was, maybe longer…too busy…the days are blending together…hubby and I were on one of our evening brisk walks. We were approaching a fire hydrant on one of the streets in our neighborhood, and hubby says, “let’s run to the hydrant.” I was pleasantly caught off-guard and then agreed. We went past the hydrant to the end of the street. It was a quarter of a mile. Our streets are long and curvy, so each “block” is about a third of a mile. I was so happy that he’d want to join me in the running like that, even if it’s in short spurts.

Of course, we started out going too fast, as I had done a couple of weeks ago, so we talked about that as we continued our walking (and my deep breathing as if I were at 5,000 feet). About .2 of a mile away from home he suggested we run to the end of the block, and we did, starting off slower and then speeding up again. As we rounded the corner, hubby suggested we go to the stop sign and then our own street  — and the promise of home. Wow, even his encouragement to keep going didn’t help the fact that I felt like no oxygen was reaching my bloodstream, but we made it to that stop sign. Either way, I’m thrilled beyond words that hubby would do that with me. For a moment I had a running partner!

I’m not sure if I mentioned it before, but I had figured that since hubby’s knees are kind of shot from his work as an auto technician I wouldn’t ask him to try running with me, back in the fall when I was doing the C25K program. I had recently sensed that maybe he wanted to give it a try, but I never pushed it, even saying that it might be too hard on his knees. Well, he didn’t have any problems after that first try. I’m hoping we can do it again.

On the Overnight Walk front, I reached my goal a couple of week ago, and now my friend and teammate, Annette Hernandez, is gaining on her goal. She’s about 64% of the way, and I think she’ll make it. It’s been a real roller coaster ride with the fundraising. But you really see who supports you and/or the cause when you have to raise so much and they don’t hesistate to jump in and help. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s donated to mine and my friend’s goals. If you’re reading my blog for the first time, you can read the past few prior posts and watch the video that is in this post.

I’m off to work. Have a great week everyone! I hope it’s as pleasant where you are as it looks to be here this week: around 75-80 and sunny most of the time. I’m looking forward to more walking and running OUTSIDE!

Shan  🙂

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AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk

Okay, I’m SLOWLY getting back into the running scene. It’s more like walking and running, but I’m working at it. I was able to run a straight 30 minutes one day last week, so that’s something. Anywho…

I’m going to mention here now that I’ve registered as part of the Resounding Grace team for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in Chicago on June 27th & 28th. A good friend of mine is the team captain, and she asked me to support or join her, of which I did both. The goal for each walker is $1,000, so I’m asking everyone to please support me in any way you can, even if it’s a word of encouragement (though the obvious cash donation is also welcome!). The walk is 18 miles long (or 20, depending on where you read it), and it goes from sunset to sunrise.

My personal page is HERE. Thanks for taking a look.

Personally, I had a friend from high school who died by suicide about 14 years ago, and I am doing this not only in his memory but in order to help the AFSP fund research into the factors that contribute to suicide. People just have to know that others DO care. Someone attempts suicide every minute, and someone dies by suicide every 16 minutes. I personally had no idea. I also think that just being a part of the thousands who will walk that day will show those there who have been affected by suicide that we’re all there to help and to care. It’s going to be an awesome experience.

So if you can help, thanks! If not, as long as some awareness is brought about by just the asking, I hope it helps in some way.

Have a good one,

Shannan 

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