BLOG 38 7 Million Steps
Being Cold!
Before arriving in the USA to commence the Warrior Momz Walk, my last 4 months of training was in what I thought was a very cold Melbourne winter. Every possible training session I could I would walk along the Bay’s Beach boardwalks feeling the full force of Melbourne’s winter. I felt pretty confident I was well prepared. I packed all my winter training gear feeling it would be more than adequate! I was totally wrong I guess naive!
I have skied for years, but even the Australian Ski season, is nothing compared to the winter conditions USA states experience!
I learned quickly my layer theory works but I needed to buy warmer layers.
Yesterday I had on a singlet, t shirt, roll neck skivvy, Columbia light fleece top and a heavier Columbia Fleece jacket all covered by a windbreaker JACKET – I WAS WARM!
My legs – long walking pants covered with waterproof fleece lined track pants long toe socks and Merrill’s.. again I was warm! What was freezing making me miserable was my face – I had a warm woollen scarf wrapped around my face which caused my sunglasses to be constantly fogging up – yes the sky was blue but the wind chill was fierce and it will be again today!
I enjoy walking in the cold it is so much easier than the heat! Just got to get used to the wind chill!
I HAVE A HEIGHTENED RESPECT FOR SOMEONE WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURY LIVING AND DEALING WITH THE COLD ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS SNOW!
I know Josh hates the cold with a passion! I was in constant fear when he was first injured as he would lay close to the open fire we had in the living room. I was scared the blankets he would wrap himself in would catch fire and he would be burned.. Having seen how badly his leg was burned from a cigarette butt carelessly discarded on to Josh’s jeans leg – the burn taking months to heal – my fear of him being burned was very real! He used to joke he couldn’t feel it!
For a quadriplegic with no hand function being in the position I was in yesterday having a freezing face and not being able to do anything, having to rely on others to be constantly adjusting scarves or face masks would be a nightmare for them – just dealing with a wheelchair would be so difficult.
Every day I seem to experience greater realisations around spinal cord injury opening up a far greater awareness for me of not just what it’s like for someone with a SCI but for their families and caregivers who too must dread the cold winter days..
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