Were There Any Benefits Doing The MS Mile?
Were the any benefits walking the MS mile? Definitely! On the 9th September I walked the MS mile.
Definitely YES 🙂
- I raised just over £ 1,700 for the Chilterns MS Therapy Centre
- I proved to myself I could walk three quarters of a mile even with a rollator :-))
- Taking exercise on a regular basis, I enjoy the buzz
- Physically and mentally I feel much better
Did I get any benefits doing the MS Mile?
Yes there were lots of benefits. At the time I was relieved when it was over and done with. I could restart my life but I also knew that I should do half hour walk every day. Realistically it will only be 3 or 4 times a week
The challenge was all consuming
For 10 days before the walk I did not manage to achieve anything else worthwhile. It took over my life. Every day I was out with my rollator walking between 1000 and 1200 yards and it took me about an hour. When I lurched back into the house I was totally zonked for another hour.
Training for the MS Mile walk
Were There Any Benefits Doing The MS Mile?
Doing the walk showed me that I can do some exercise frequently. Something I had given up doing ages ago when I started to trip up and fall over with alarming frequency. I’m now going out 3 or 4 times a week and doing a 500 yard walk every time.
When the challenge was over
It was a real effort to get out again and do some more walking. Suddenly there was nothing to aim for, no reason to get out and walk the yards. Deep down I am a bit stubborn. My main concern was why waste all the effort I had put myself through for the walk.
I enjoyed doing the training and I had enjoyed doing the actual walk. I knew it would be stupid for me continue trying to do that distance afterwards. Instead I thought that I should do a shorter distance.
I manage to go out 3 or 4 times every week. What’s more it’s getting easier and I always feel much better for doing it.
Is there a benefit?
I don’t think I’m getting any fitter but I feel much healthier. Other people say that I’m looking much better. Mentally I feel as if I am in a much happier place.
It is all a matter of routine and definitely worth the effort. It is now a part of my life but it might be much harder in the winter.
Hi Patrick, congratulations on completing the walk! Looks like you’re in a similar condition to me, I am 69 and have secondary progressive MS, was diagnosed about 11 years ago. I never really had much in the way of relapses, just a slow deterioration, Main problems for me are balance and walking, Yes I get exhausted when I do anything physical but I lump that together with the walking. Things seem to have deteriorated a lot more in the last 12 months! Tried diet and eliminating gluten etc, but didn’t seem to work. Try to do bits of exercise, got a recumbent trike so go out on that when the weather is OK (had to stop proper biking when I started falling off whenever I stopped!) also do 3 minutes sessions here and there throughout the day on various things like stationary bike and rebounder (holding onto the back of a chair!) I’ve signed up for your newsletter and would be interested in exchanging occasional emails if you are.
John.
Hello John,
Yes it seems like our MS might be quite similar though I think mine started in 1972 when I was 18 with a bad relapse in 79. Took medical retirement 4 years ago. My MS is a real slow burn. My big problems are walking and balance together with a squiffy bladder. The MS mile was an enormous challenge. For exercise I either go for a swim or walk with my rollator. Not too sure if I could go very far on a cycle, the foot drop in my left foot and physical fatigue are both big issues.
There will be no letter this month, Christmas and my ineptitude got in the way. I try to do one a month. Quite happy to maintain email correspondence, write to patrick@aid4disabled.com .
Talk soon,
Patrick
Have you given any thought at all with converting your current web page into Chinese? I know a couple of tratalsners here that might help you do it for free if you want to make contact with me.
Hello John,
Wow, interesting idea. I’ll be honest – I have a lot on my plate right now plus is there any benefit> I’m sure MS exists in China but doing this opens up a massive can or worms. I think I will park it just for the moment.
Meanwhile I must go and do the washing up and get the kitchen tidy. One of my domestic chores to keep the house running.
Patrick