Too Old To Do This but ....

[MoodyBeth2]

I don't care.

 

In the last three years I've recovered from a brain tumor, had two knee replacements, and just had my right shoulder completely rebuilt.  The price of a joyously exciting life.  I used to run but no more-- new knees.  After all this, I'm out of shape and low on stamina.  At 58, docs told me that I should be satisfied with reasonable health but I wasn't.  Husband and I were supposed to backpack on the Mont Blanc pass last August but my surgeries had us cancel.  My first physical therapist told me those days were over.   I switched rehab locations.

 

Since then, I've done all my rehabs and physical therapy at west Point Military Academy where I developed a competitive relationship with wounded vets.  I felt that as my wounds and surgeries were a result of good living how could I complain when working next to men and women whose surgeries were a result of bombs.  They felt that if the "grey-haired " woman could take the pain, then what was their problem. That competition had me beating all odds regarding my health.  That competition led me to here.

 

There have been moments during the last 16 months when I saw the light.  Loving to travel, I managed to wander through Prague, and journey through the Nile Valley over Christmas.  

 

I have no intention of settling.  Husband and I are planing a wonderful, vibrant, active, adventurous life but I need to move beyond recovery and into strength.

 

 

[shaar]

Wow.  Your story and journey is so inspirational.  You truly have a fighting spirit no matter what seems to get thrown at you!!

 

Welcome to NF!  You are among fellow rebels who don't know the meaning of the word "settle".  

[Princess Pineapple]

Wow! Well done on your achievements so far. I look forward to reading more.

By the way, isn't Prague beautiful?

[Basement Cat]

Wow!

 

You have an amazing fighting spirit! Keep it burning bright and strong! Spread that light to all corners of the Earth! Woohoo!

[MoodyBeth2]

Time to create goals--but first take stock of where I am.

Last 15 years have been ...complicated.  9/11 - lost friends, was in middle, too much.  Husband reactivated at 55 and had to walk away from our lives for the next 5 years.  He retired from the military wounded of mind and body.  Lots of surgery.  While at war, I held down the house and family and worked at a job I hated.  My brain tumor caused turmoil.  I had a part of my left kidney removed as was  my right eye.  The treatment and tumor had me seizing, hallucinating and narcoleptic.  I had to retire early.  The brain tumor finally collapsed in on itself but the medication left a tail (long lasting side effects) that affects my joints.  Two knee replacements and a shoulder rebuild later and I am almost a cyborg.

 

The good news:  I have walked the Great Wall, climbed upward to the sarcophagus chamber in Giza, and waltzed in the streets of Vienna.  I have done good things for many students.  I have a wonderful family and after many years I am still in love with my husband.   My recoveries and rehabs have been done with wounded warriors, and taught me the value and wonder of intense competition.  How can I not want to squeeze every moment of life left to me.  I figure 30 years, max.

 

So now goals,   Long, long term: to be as vibrantly, sparkly, siningly healthy as possible for as long as possible- that means diet, exercise, faith, mind, and community.

 

Moderate goals;  Do the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February 2016.  I was training for the full marathon three years ago, but as I'll never run again I thought that ship had sailed.  However, I learned that they accept walker as long as the pace is 16" mile minimum.  I can do that.

 

Eat Paleo for the year.

 

Learn to meditate.

 

Stick with game and become a Ranger.

 

Six Week goals;  Walk a 5K in late June and then mid July.  Follow training plan couch to 5K.  Ready to move to 10K by end of summer.

                            Whole 30 to whole 70

                            Build upper body strength per PT - resitance and stretch 3x a week 

                            Move up to adventurer.

 

I think that I've begun the first part of the IT.

 

          . 

[MoodyBeth2]

What to I bring to the table?  Stamina, endurance and wisdom.

My race?  Gray Elf of course.