By Karin Lippert
Toronto, Canada
When I decided to sign up for the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers 60K two-day event in Toronto, I knew I would have to train. I hadn’t done very much about exercise in a long time. I had not been motivated. I thought all my little aches would just get bigger/worse. My damaged discs would rebel. I was wrong.
Two things happened that made me change my outlook. First, I decided that at 65 I had to do the walk to honor my mother who had died of cancer at 65. Second, I had read Suzanne’s chapter – “Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes” – many times. It applies to so many parts of our lives. I can’t count how many times I have said that phrase in my head. So I began my training.
I started walking and it just got easier and easier. The walks got longer and longer, and I realized after I had walked 37.5K with my group that could definitely do the 60K walk in September. I did not start fundraising until I made significant progress in the training. But, now I feel confident about that too.
Last Sunday, I completed my first Half Marathon race (3:13.24) and, I think I’m making progress in other aspects of life too. One woman I met during the race said, that her goal had been to do 12 half marathons by age 68. I was still feeling pretty good in the middle of the race – on what was a very hot day – so I decided maybe I can do 12 by the time I am 68!
Now, I can also start a new chapter in Suzanne’s book, “You Do Know What You Want to Do.”
*My Bib for the race has “Cindy” on it because I inherited her spot. She sprained her ankle on a visit to New York.
**Betsey, my best friend from college said, I look ebullient in both the “before” and “after” photo. Marty, my husband, is my official photographer.
Note – If you want to train for a race or really enjoy walking – join a group. It is so much more fun and empowering to walk with a group of women. I walk with the Running Room in Toronto.
For information on the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers, please visit: www.endcancer.ca