I Walked a 5K with Fibromyalgia!

I walked a 5k on Sunday in the pouring rain. It took me an hour and ten minutes to do it, and I was the last one in, but I did it!

It’s amazing to me that just two and a half short years ago I made the decision to file for Social Security disability due to my fibromyalgia. Back then, a good day meant that I might be able to walk slowly for 30 minutes before I had to stop and rest. That would usually be followed by me being in bed exhausted for a couple of days recovering. That also meant that something like going grocery shopping was a major event to be planned for and then recovered from.

This time, after walking the 5k at the Corvallis Fall Festival, I was only a little sore the two days after — and nothing that a few stretches didn’t fix. I was a little more tired than usual, too; sleeping in a little the few days afterwards fixed that. Needless to say, I’m absolutely thrilled and amazed.

My goal was to simply cross the finish line — whatever pace I needed to go, however long it took — just to finish. (Go Team Fibromyalgia!) I didn’t try to rush; I just walked at a pace that felt comfortable. My husband, Scott, walked with me, while his dad ran the 5k. Scott used the GPS on his iPhone to track our distance, pace and course. We ended up averaging 2.7 MPH! When I was healthy and walked daily I usually walked around a 20 minute mile (3 MPH), so 2.7 MPH was awesome!

One of the most inspiring, and humbling, moments in the race was when an octogenarian passed us jogging! As she went past, she greeted us with a cheery, “Good morning!” Scott and I looked at each other and giggled. I told him that on one hand it was kind of embarrassing that we were being passed by a grandma running! On the other hand, I want to be just like her when I grow up!

I’ll be walking the race again next year, with a goal to finish better than last place. =)

Huge hugs and kisses to my honey, Scott, for walking with me and encouraging me every step of the way this last Sunday… and every day.