On the Twentieth Day of December

One of the sights from walking in the neighborhood

It's the twentieth day of December and I'm pleased to announce that last Wednesday, December 14, not quite a week ago, the "mileometer" turned past 1,000. Yes, I've completed 1,000 miles for 2022. As of this morning I've walked 1,017.7 miles and will probably walk 20 more (or so) miles for the year. I'll do a post in the beginning of 2023 with my final count for the year. 

For new visitors to the Journey of 1000 Miles, I'd like to give a little back story to my yearly challenge. 

People who are able to walk don't think very much about being able to walk, until walking becomes something that we have to think about. I was no exception. In March of 2012 I was hiking in Arizona and in April of 2012 my right leg was dragging behind me. In May of 2012 I had the diagnosis of a spinal cord tumor and in June of 2012 I had surgery to remove it. The tumor sat inside the spine on top of the spinal cord. The great majority of spinal cord tumors in adults aren't malignant, but they can be devastating. 

My surgery went very well, but I wanted to get back to where I had been in March. Actually that hasn't happened. As a result of the tumor I have neuropathy and balance issues. A week  after the surgery  I walked a block, then several blocks and after about a year I could walk about a mile a day. I've seen a number of medical professionals and one of the neurosurgeons I consulted with told me that the best way to get my function back and as importantly, keep the ability I had, was to walk as much as I could. Walking (and a lot of physical therapy) would be my path back.   

At the end of 2016 my Weight Watchers leader at that time suggested we choose a "Challenge" for 2017 and I made up "The Journey of 1000 Miles." My challenge was to walk 1000 miles in 2017. It was doable, but was it doable for someone who barely walked two miles a day, not the almost three miles this challenge needed?  

It was more than doable. I didn't think I needed a purpose or a structure, but walking  became a daily part of my life. I plan my walking, I get lots of exercise and it was a lifesaver during 2020 and 2021 when activities became so limited.    

I've thought of not continuing The Journey in 2023, but that's not going to happen. I've even got the idea for a walking vacation that's just a fantasy now, but I'm letting it simmer and see where the idea takes me.  I've also got a few other ideas about how more people could join the Journey of 1,000 Miles (or 500 miles or 100 miles) for 2023. But more about that in another post. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy.