I DID IT!!!

It took me 3.5 hours (with my crutches).  We set off at midnight and it was really quite pleasant weather for walking - a cool evening so we didn't get overheated.  The most daunting bit was where the route went round a park and we could see everyone on the other side - and it took us ages to get to the same point as them!  It was very different from the canal walks I've been doing in my 'training' - the ground in Kendal is very uneven and HILLY!!!  I was knackered by the half way stage and when it started to rain with full force it became a real slog.  Chocolate and roasted cashews got us through (and Cathy, who held my crutches for me whilst I stuffed chocolate and cashews in my gob!).  She was a real star - she could have been home tucked up in bed long before she was if she hadn't been my walk buddy!

When we got back to the Leisure Centre there were no veggie burgers ready, so we went home tired and hungry, but very proud of ourselves!  Next year I'm planning on being a member of the volunteer crew.

So a special 'thank you' once again to all who sponsored me, or who were unable to sponsor me but sent me encouragement and positive thoughts - I wouldn't have got through it without you all!

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Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: CancerCare will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.  You don't have to be from the UK to sponsor me.

As you may know, on 21st February I broke my leg  falling off a bouldering wall (a type of climbing without ropes).  I had two screws in my ankle, and last week the cast was taken off and I had one of the screws removed.  I'm now partially weight bearing so I'm on elbow crutches, and hoping to be off them in time for the Star Walk on 12th May (it's so soooon!  ).  Look out for me 'training' in my Star Walk T-shirt and with my crutches on Lancaster Canal with my little dog in tow (she still can't keep up with me!).

I've had the pleasure of working at CancerCare for several years now as a Yoga Therapist, and have witnessed first hand how it fulfills a vital role for the many people who use its services.  CancerCare has been fantastic to me personally whilst I've been off sick and during my recovery, and this is my way of saying 'Thank You'.

I can't guarantee I'm going to finish the walk, but I'm certainly willing to have a crack at it, so please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Norm

Update 12th May:

Well, tonight's the night!  I've been to a yoga day today - thank you to those who sponsored me today.  CancerCare Bear (a little blue teddy) came with me as my mascot, and he wants to come on the walk too - I'm going to have to carry him though as he's only got little legs, and anyway he can't walk because he's a stuffed toy.

I'm still limping a bit but my walking is soooo much better - I can balance on one leg at a time again, and I can do calf raises if I don't take all my weight through my right leg so my muscles are obviously getting stronger again.  I'm sure that having this walk to focus on has been helping my rehabilitation enormously - I'm still taking my sticks though!

It's now 8pm and I'll be leaving in a couple of hours, so I'm going to see if I can persuade myself to have a nap.  I usually get the munchies if I'm up late at night, so when I wake up I'll just pretend it's morning and make myself some porridge!  I've also popped a few snacks in my rucksack - I'll have to put my waterproofs in there too as the weather has become decidedly changeable.

Update 10th May:

Went for a six mile walk last week, and the weekend just gone I went to a course in London.  Public transport and heavy bags made for a great 'training' environment - particularly when I turned out of the tube station in the wrong direction and spent 40 minutes getting back to where I started!

Today was my first day back at the gym since I broke my leg.  40 minutes on the elliptical trainer (started slowly to make sure I could actually ~do~ the thing!) then in the pool.  I've discovered that I can just about do single leg calf raises on my right leg about half way down the pool, so I'll be going again to try to strengthen my leg muscles.  Won't be before the Star Walk though - it's nearly time!

Cathy at work has very kindly offered me a lift there and back, and we'll be walking together.  Didn't really fancy walking round Kendal in the middle of the night on my on (I know - there's going to be hundreds of other people there - but you know what I mean!).

Update 30th April:

The sun is shining and DDog's arthritis isn't giving her as much trouble as it has over the winter, so we went out for a 4 mile walk today.  I don't always need the crutches, but as we were going further than I have been so far I took them - I try to do without sometimes, but I'm also aware that without them I walk like an Old Sea Dog - rolling from side to side - so I like to use the crutches sometimes to make sure I'm walking with correct form to help me get the use of my muscles back.  I'm also much quicker with the crutches - they're like go-faster sticks!  Probably won't be able to get out again until Thursday - think I'll go for a five-miler next time! 

Update 24th April:

Went to the orthopaedic clinic yesterday and have been advised I can increase my weight bearing, so I'm now walking (and dancing!) without crutches part-time.  Yesterday I walked for 4 miles - two with DDog and two in the afternoon.  I feel ready to do a little bit more than two miles at a time now.  My ankle's getting a little more flexible, and my leg is getting a little stronger.