Thoughts on #4 . . . Did I REALLY Say Marathon?

As in physical exercise? As in running? Yikes! But yeah, I said it, and I'm damn serious. As some of you already know if you've been following my regular blog Living in Limbo, I have arthritis. At one point I was in such a terrible flare I seriously doubted I would ever be able to walk like a normal person again, let alone dance or run or comfortably take the stairs and so on. It took a really long time and a major shift in my approach to listening to my body, but I am now living a drug-free, sometimes pain-free, walkable, danceable, runnable, taking the stairs two at a time kind of life. I often feel like I've been given a second chance, like I magically escaped. Every time I walk to the post office I think, "Wow! Here I am! Walking!" I don't take that simple act for granted anymore.

For a couple of years I've been thinking about doing a walk or a run or a marathon of sorts, just to celebrate myself, my ability to do it. The more I thought about it I thought why not do it for other sufferers as well. So, I started investigating the Arthritis Society's Joints in Motion Campaign. And the more I looked into it, the more I wanted to do it. But this year has been impossible. There was no way I could undertake such a huge endeavour. I mean besides getting in the physical and mental shape to do the thing, you also have to do a lot of fundraising (the point afterall). So, I declined Amsterdam :-( Said so long to Hawaii and Arizona :-( and told organizers I'd have to wait until next year. And now begins the task of simplifying my life to the point where I have room for a great big old marathon (I'm hearing rumors of Athens, yay!) Life is going to have to become Job, Personal Writing and Marathon, c'est tout! No volunteer. No freelance. No extras. Totally feasible.

I think this will be one of the most important things I do in my life.