April 15, 2019
So I’ve signed up for this challenge. No big deal I think! But…it is a big deal. I have wanted to work with Bowel Cancer NZ on a challenge for a long time. I was entered into the 2018 St Clair Half Marathon with the Bowel Cancer NZ team. Sadly…bowel cancer prevailed and I was due for surgery then so I had to cancel. This sent me to some dark places. I wanted to be free from cancer, I wanted to be like everyone else. I wanted to run a half marathon.
Well…now it is May 2019 and I have received my first ever clear scan. This is not to say cancer will never come back and most probably I will never be in remission, but it has put a spring in my step and it allows me to be part of the MOVE YOUR BUTT movement in June.
Walking has always been a very important part of my recovery, whether it has been from surgery or chemotherapy. I walk almost every day with the aim of one day running a marathon (or walking at least). It was drilled into me by a chemo nurse that getting outside and moving was the best form of self-help I could do. (I went through chemo in winter, in the deep south, it took a LOT of motivation to get outside).
Nowadays I am always striving to get further and quicker. My MOVE YOUR BUTT challenge for June is to walk 5km per day, every day, for the month. It will be a challenge that’s for sure. A challenge to get outside on some of the coldest days of the year. It’s not like I live in a sub-tropical climate…I almost live in Antarctica (well feels like it some days).
Along this journey I hope to motivate and inspire others to MOVE THEIR BUTT. It doesn’t matter for how long or what you do. It is such an important part of cancer prevention, especially bowel cancer. Every little bit helps.