I was asked today when the Challenge Walk -  MS was taking place and it dawned on me - OMG IT IS IN 10 DAYS! I can say that this is truly going to be a test of strength because I have not trained as much as I should have. But I have done a couple 8-milers, a 7-miler & 3-miler and will probably do another 6-7 miler tomorrow morning. It is going to hurt when I do the 50K though, I just know it because it hurts when I do the 8 miles.

Even though it hurts (shin splints and sore feet), I try to stay positive, for a number of reasons:

One, I am an ambassador (self appointed) of the MS Society. I train with my Challenge Walk t-shirts. So I try to be extra friendly so people (if they even notice my t-shirt) will think the MS Society is a nice society. I actually try to wear the t-shirts as advertisement of the event for all of the events I do. I wear my Walk-MS shirt in the winter right up until April when we have our Walk. Then I switch to my Bike-MS t-shirts until the Bike event has past. Then it's the Challenge Walk- MS shirts all summer long until September when the event takes place (did I mention that's 10 days away?)

Two, I am thankful that I can do the walk and all of the training walks to get ready for it. I was speaking to a woman today and she was saying how lucky I was to be able to run if I wanted to (which I don't, I'm not a big running fan). She actually participates in the Challenge Walk - but walking is the best she can do (and she does only part of the walk because the total distance is too much). I realize I am lucky and I shouldn't let the ability go by the wayside. So I should suck it up if my shins are hurting because at least my legs are walking to get the shin splints in the first place. I often write in my fundraising letters that I walk cause I still can and raise money so that someday, the people who can't walk today can join me.

Lastly, it makes me feel good. Being nice is actually an adrenaline boost. Most people I see walking try to avoid any eye contact with other people on the trail. But even when they are looking down, I say hello or good morning. Most look up, surprised, and say hello back. They seem genuinely happy and that in turn makes me feel happy. So as I get to the end of the training walks, and my shins are burning, I try to be extra nice and it actually goes a long way to helping me feel better. So the next time you are feeling the MS blues,  I throw out a suggestion  - do something extra nice for someone else as much as you don't feel like it. You may be surprised that this might actually raise your own spirits as well as the other person. A win-win for all.