Last year something went wrong in the last 5k. I walked through it. Quite possibly a mistake. I thought if I didn't push it and braced my knee well I could still give it a decent go this year. 6.5 Km and I'm in pain. I'm not sure what to do. I have an MRI scheduled for next week, but I won't be able to train properly.
I've almost reached my fundraising minimum, and would love to walk again, but feel like I'm short changing my sponsors, myself and the other walkers by taking a few steps, then taking the bus.
I'm very disappointed and I'm not sure what to do.
I feel so bad for you... after doing all that work to fundraise I know how much we all want to actually go out there and do what we've been telling everyone we are going to do. However, you definitely wouldn't be shortchanging anyone by taking the bus service if you need it. Your health and well being is *the* most important thing.
You definitely don't want to keep pushing it and make it worse... especially when you don't know exactly what the problem is. I hope you will get good advice at your upcoming MRI. You should be able to find out if it is safe to walk, and if so how many kilometers would be ok for you complete per day.
If you end up allowed to do X kilometers per day (assuming X is smaller than 30km), maybe you can get delivered to one of the pits towards the end of each day and walk only that portion of the route. Then you would still have your walk experience (i.e. the best part... coming in to Camp and coming in at the end) without risking further harm to your knee.
Another option could be renting a wheelchair to use whenever you start to feel a hint of discomfort while walking. That could work well if you have a couple of friends that could help push. Then, you could walk a bit, and ride a bit if you start to feel that it is becoming too much to walk. I know some people are pushed in wheelchairs for the whole route, so again, maybe an option if actually doing the whole thing is really important to you and you don't mind the idea of using a wheelchair to help you to achieve that goal.
If, on the other hand, the recommendation is no distance walking at all, then you might want to consider Crewing instead. There are some jobs that don't require you to be on your feet too much (e.g. Sweep Van co-pilot) that would allow you to still participate in the Weekend. I know last year we had an injured Rider who was Crewing at the Ride to Conquer Cancer (another PMH fundraiser) instead of riding - she had just come off of surgery of some kind... I think it might even have been a knee. The organizers accomodated her on the Sweep team, as it was a perfect fit.
Carolyn
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Weekend to End Women's Cancers - Crew Member - Camp Concierge 2009 and Caboose 2010 Ride to Conquer Cancer - Rider - 2008, 2009, 2010 and registered for 2011
This will be my first year for the Weekend Walk. Disappointingly, I have a knee issue and think it might be a combination of arthritis and the training. Once I get started walking, it takes me a couple of minutes to get up to a decent pace.
I'm going to continue with this and hope I don't totally ruin the old knee, and I also hope I don't have to get a ride part way through the weekend. I know the vans are there to help those who can't quite make the end of the walk. I guess if I have to take it, I will, but certainly hope it won't be necessary. My daughter Noreen has done this walk four times before, so I should be able to keep up with one...and I definitely don't want to disappoint her on the first time we do the weekend together.
Our health is important, and we should listen to our bodies. Only do the Weekend if you think you won't ruin yourself and be willing to take the help if needed.
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Diane O'Reilly
Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 in Ottawa in June was a successful 2 day, 60km Walk for Noreen and I. Whoohoo!!! See you in 2012!
DON'T push yourself. You have done the hard part -- fundraising -- You will not help anyone including yourself if you do some serious damage to your knee.
I would suggest (if your doctor allows you to walk) would be walk as far as you can without pain then take a ride with one of the sweep vans, to the next pit stop rest & wait for the rest of your team to catch then walk again as far as you can & repeat until the end.
2 years ago I had to take the bus part way. I felt guilty at first but then realized that was the best decision, as I was able to rest my ankle enough to be able to walk across the finish.
There is nothing wrong with using the sweeps, thats what they are for.
I used Arnica gel on my knee and it did help, also laid off walking for 5 days and am much better than I was. Since my days of idle sitting around trying to feel better, I've done a couple of 10km walks and made it okay with some discomfort.
I'm going to try a tensor bandage in the next few days and see if that makes it easier. I did try on some braces, but they were not comfortable, so tensor it is! If that doesn't help....the old leg will be naked!
If things are not good on the weekend, I'll go as far as I can and then take the sweep van...or hop in my husband's red Jeep and cheer everyone else on as we've done for four years.
See you all on the 11th. Diane
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Diane O'Reilly
Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 in Ottawa in June was a successful 2 day, 60km Walk for Noreen and I. Whoohoo!!! See you in 2012!
Corynn, I think if you can do a bit of walking at the start, and find you can't go on, just take a lift to the end, just do whatever you can do! I'm sure that all your sponsors will understand!
Mom (Irish), don't worry about me!! If you find that your knee is hurting too much, definitely take the van (or go with Dad for a bit). As you said this will be my fifth year doing it, so I'm sure I can chat up people on the way, and not be alone. :) It's best not to take chances with something like that. You definitely won't dissapoint me if you find you just can't continue on! We're doing this for fun, not for pain. :)
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Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 will be my sixth year walking, but it will be Ottawa this year.
Corynn, I hope your MRI results are back and that you've been told that there is nothing too seriously wrong. If you are able to walk, take it easy.... if you begin to hurt be mindful of what's going on with your knee, and take the sweep van if you need to. No sense ruining your health!
My knee is much better, but still uncomfortable. I tried the tensor bandage and it was not great, so have purchased a brace to wear. I'll be trying it out for the first time tonight on a 10km walk. If it isn't the right brace, I'll try a different one.
Good luck, Corynn.
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Diane O'Reilly
Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 in Ottawa in June was a successful 2 day, 60km Walk for Noreen and I. Whoohoo!!! See you in 2012!
I have been working through some foot issues of my own this year, so I can commiserate with both of you with knee problems. Take the sweep vans if you need to, and no guilt allowed!! Just make sure that you do your part cheering others in to camp or over the finish line. Never underestimate that that is a very important job. It is such a boost to a walkers spirits to hear those cheers. Good luck!!
Thank you for your support everyone. I have switched to crew. I am now part of the grab and go team! I've actually recruited my teenager sister to join me. I'm still upset with myself for not being able to walk, but I look forward to participating in a whole new way.
Good luck to you all. Take care and enjoy your weekend!
I know the agony of "da feet". I broke my ankle years ago and now have arthritis in it. It kills me during the walk. I use Arnica and it does help quite a bit, I also take Arnica tablets starting about 4 weeks before the walk. I find though that after a certain point it swells up so badly that it actually just goes numb. Then I have to start the whole process all over again the next day
Corynn, Thanks for taking on another challenge instead of just walking, or maybe in this case, limping, away. It shows your true spirit and dedication to the cause. I hope you have a lot of fun at your grab and go. Crew is the backbone of the walk.
. I use Arnica and it does help quite a bit, I also take Arnica tablets starting about 4 weeks before the walk. I find though that after a certain point it swells up so badly that it actually just goes numb. Then I have to start the whole process all over again the next day 
