I really thought I would be walking after that first time. I thought it would be like riding a bike.
IT’S NOT!!!
I started doing squats at the squat machine without a harness but I still couldn’t get any steps off. Or maybe 1 or 2. I was getting frustrated. Jesse told me we were going to take a step back from walking. Do muscle work. Get my legs stronger so walking would be easier. Then he asked what I thought of that. I was sitting on one of the blocks and before I had a chance to answer, he teasingly said, “I call the shots. What I say goes. We’re gonna do that!” with a smile. I saw where he was coming from. I was only doing quarter squats by myself now. I needed the full range of motion that I wasn’t getting on my own. I conceded. Did I really have a choice? We worked at squats with a harness gradually lowering the amount of air that was helping me. I was doing squats with no air but in a harness just in case.
Jesse had told me very close to the start of my time at Barwis that he and the guys had decided on “Camo Wednesday.” On Wednesdays, you have to wear camouflage. I told him that I didn’t own any camo. I don’t wear camo. He told me to get some. I ordered Duck Dynasty (I kinda dig that show) camo socks. I wear them every Wednesday. We were at the squat machine with Phil when Jesse told me to bring my crutches on Wednesday. You mean “Camo Wednesday” AND “Walking Wednesday”?! I was excited! I had been getting stronger and hoped I would have something to show for all the squats, leg curls, and leg extensions I was doing!
The first “Walking Wednesday” was September 25, 2013. I was a bit nervous but excited. I wheeled onto the turf with Jesse and Phil. A new intern Chris was with us as well. Jesse and Phil helped me to stand and Chris followed us with my chair. Jesse and Phil had their hands under my armpits in case I needed support. I started walking! It looks like a football field and I love football!!! Jesse and Phil were encouraging me. I was cruising! After I passed the line marking off 10 yards despite the intense concentration that I HAD to have, I said, “Move those chains.” All of them started to laugh and I kept walking. I got 19 yards on that first drive. I needed to sit and rest. After I had rested awhile, Jesse said, “Okay, it’s second and one. Let’s go.” I got that first down I needed plus another first down. 11 yards. Al (he worked with me for a little while) said it was fun having a football discussion with a girl and she knew what we were talking about. All while I was walking! I was getting tired. I got 4 more yards off. It was 3rd and 6. I went for it, thinking something was going to happen on my 4th down. I couldn’t do anymore. I should have punted! That first “Walking Wednesday” I got 34 yards. Fist bumps all around and many words of congratulations.
That next Wednesday I wanted to keep the momentum going. It was October 2, 2013. I couldn’t get ANY steps off!!! We still did leg curls and leg extensions even though I didn’t walk. It’s okay. Next week. We’ll do better then. I had to shake it off. I texted Mike and told him that I did kind of stinky! He told me that I NEVER stink and it is the effort that matters. I’m TRYING! That’s for sure!!! I worked SO hard with Jesse and Phil that I sweated. August 26, 2013 was the first day I “glistened.” I hadn’t remembered the last time I sweated. I generally try to stay out of the heat (it’s bad for me) and I don’t really exert myself THAT much being in a chair. This time, I was doing more than “glistening;” I was “sweating like a pig!” as Jesse told me. I WAS too!
On October 9. 2013. Nothing. What happens when “next time” doesn’t come?! I still worked hard at other things but it didn’t sit well with me. It was a given that I would have to be lifted into my car. Jesse, Phil, and Chris have ALL had to do it. That day Phil walked out with me. After he lifts me into my car, I look at him (I feel tears not that far off) and I ask, “why am I doing so sh***y?!” He replies right away, “because we are kicking your a**!” Oh! Then it kind of made sense. So they didn’t think I was slacking! It’s been awhile since Phil told me that. Our exchange, in its raw form still stays with me in the core of who I am. I believe that Jesse knows what he’s doing. EVERYONE knows that I am working hard. The walking will come.
On October 16, 2013 I got 19 yards off. It was no 34 yards but it was something! I was walking!
On October 23, 2013 (my parents’ anniversary) I only got 3 yards. But I was moving!
On October 30, 2013, I got 8 yards. Jesse even gave me a courtesy 5th down but I couldn’t get any more. It was against the rules anyway.
I have clocked a total of 64 yards. I told Mike that I want to put them all together in one drive. Mike says that I CAN walk. We’ve already done that! I just have to be consistent about it and we WILL get there! Sean and I went to the Prep Bowl this year. I saw what 64 yards looks like and that is pretty far! I was a little bit impressed! I walked that!
I told Jesse that once I clock 100 yards, I will get a camo shirt to wear on Wednesdays. It will have to be a Duck Dynasty shirt.