“If you listen to your body when it whispers you won’t have to hear it scream” – Unknown

I have been walking 5km/day for 21 days straight. My friends and family have raised $2084 for Parkinson Canada. The goal is to do this for 55 days so I have 24 days to go.

But the thing with Parkinson’s Disease is that sometimes it dictates what the day brings. And today it feels like I’m going to have to let it be the boss as stiffness, slowness, fatigue, and tremor seem to be outweighing my attempts to put on my running shoes and set my watch.

Of course, this can all change and I could head out afterall, but experience tells me that this might just be a day where surrender is required.

I have been told, by many, that I am ‘competitive’ (right now I know that some of you reading that statement are laughing as you recall a time when you have suffered through my competitive behaviours!). I don’t like to give-in. But PD has taught me that there are times when making informed decisions is the best option.

If I finish the day without getting the 5km completed, I will be disappointed. However, if I push myself beyond capability, I could end up feeling worse, get dizzy, lose balance, fall, etc.

99% of the time, exercise makes me feel better – loosens things up – encourages flexibility. But right now, I am the Tin-Man; stiff, rigid, stuck and perhaps feeling a little rusty after all of these rainy days.