By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
I am a diabetic. I also have arthritis in both ankles, both knees and both hips. Walking is not easy. Running is almost impossible ⦠just ask any of the basketball players that saw me try to run plays with them this past season.
But I always felt better after the exercise.
The other day my blood sugar level shot up since I had to eat out - a double cheeseburger and fries - at a well-known fast food restaurant because I was on the road about all day.
I was dragging.
On my way back from the grocery store I looked to my right and was drawn to the old high school and the walking track at the old Wayne Underwood Field. Four laps of the field, I had been told, was a mile.
I parked the car and walked down to the field. I thought, "I'll try one."
I did and it felt pretty good. So I tried another.
When I got home I was tired but I felt pretty good. I checked the blood sugar and it was down more than 100 points. It had gone from the too high range to the good range.
It then dawned on me the real benefits of walking. It also dawned on me that I am promoting a running-walking club - the Calhoun Runners - and that we really hadn't done anything to reach out to the casual walker or runner. We had competitions but nothing for those among us that didn't want to compete for whatever reason.
That was enough to convince me - and the rest of the Calhoun Runners officers - to start something for the casual walker-runner - the Calhoun Runners Three Mile Club.
What we're asking for is for you to pledge to walk or run three miles a week more than what you would do in everyday living. If you can pledge that we will give you one of our Calhoun Runners Three Mile tee shirts we are going to have printed.
If you want to do this please go to our web site www.calhounrunners.org and click on the Three Mile Club link you will find a guest book that will allow you to sign up.
How hard is three miles a week?
It is 12 laps around the football field. It is one lap around the walking trail at Calhoun County Park at Mount Zion. Or it is a one-way walk from my mom's house on Hog Knob to Grantsville.
Three miles a week is not an impossible task. I have diabetes and arthritis and I am in no shape to be a competitive runner or walker. But I am going to do it. I have already signed on. Please join us ⦠come for a walk. You'll feel better.
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