My Worst Nightmare of a Challenge

My Worst Nightmare of a Challenge

A RAPIDLY EXPANDING LEG WITH A STEP CHALLENGE

I love my job! I can work from home and can rest when I need to. I can fit my work life into family life and manage my health condition while still feeling like I am giving something back. So, when Jo our CEO announced our new fundraising push of a step challenge I panicked!

I got my job in TUK through my condition which is Antiphospholipid Syndrome, I have had more blood clots than a black pudding. I live with post thrombotic syndrome which is quite bad. A step challenge that we are all encouraged to take part in is not the easiest for me to complete. On a general daily basis by 9am my left leg is 2 1/2 inches bigger than the other just from getting the children ready of a morning. My biggest challenge was, how on earth am I going to do this?

@Beeinthecity in Manchester

"Ok!" I thought, increasing my daily steps just isn't going to happen! However, of a weekend we spend time doing things as a family. Could I incorporate it into this? Also, I have two terribly bored children over the holidays, how can I get them involved? I thought long and hard!

Normally at the weekend we will go somewhere, were I can sit and watch the kids run the legs of themselves (secretly in the hope they will be that tired they go to bed early!). So, I have changed this, we have activities planned which involve walking for us all! So, this weekend we did @Beeinthecity in Manchester, which was excellent! I joined in (not so good on the leg but I have the week to recuperate), and next weekend we have the @Crockytrail planned in Cheshire, (my challenge is to walk the trail but… I’m not going on the slides or the attractions!)

Summer School Dance - 80,000 steps challenge

To get the children more involved, I have set them challenges, this week my daughter Hannah is at dance summer school, so her target is eighty thousand steps in five days. Please don't think I am a hard task master she did forty-three thousand in two days tap dancing! The youngest in truth is not counting his steps but I've told him he has a challenge to run about all day and he is quite happy.

So there it is, the start of our #StepUpToStopClots challenge. The good thing is it’s involving the whole family, even my long suffering other half, who by his own admission has a sedentary job which, as he's working away involves lots of long car journey's. Increasing our activity levels at family time is benefiting him too. I even counted my steps on my birthday day out! I never knew step counting could be so much fun!

Off to see how Hannah is getting on with her steps! Keep an eye on the @Thrombosisukofficial Instagram account for updates.

Clare Reynolds
The author

Clare Reynolds

I am the Project Development Officer with Thrombosis UK.