I decided earlier this year to undertake a major challenge for someone with RA...to climb Kilimanjaro!!
I was diagnosed with RA in January 2006 and at the moment it's fairly calm, at least calm enough to allow me to exercise and think about doing such a madcap venture.
I began training slowly in January this year by rejoining my local gym and starting cardio and some weight training. Once I was signed up to do Kilimanjaro then the training began in earnest. So far I've been doing it for almost 3 months.At first I was resting 3 days a week and doing cardio for 90 mins on one day followed by a rest day then 45mins the next day plus weight training, then a rest day etc...once a week I had to hike for 4 hours.
Now I'm doing one day of cardio for 120mins, the next is 60 mins cardio plus weights etc with just two days of rest. Soon it'll be more plus a hike of 9 hours once a week!!
Hard to think that a year and a half ago I couldn't walk without using sticks and my boyfriend had to help me get out of bed...Those day are behind me , for the moment, at least until my return from Kilimanajaro.
Why am I doing this you ask? Well, to raise awareness, as a personal physical and mental challenge, to show other RAers that life need not stop with RA and of course to raise funds to finance research into ALL types of arthritis. I will be doing this to raise money for ARTHRITIS RESEARCH UK and I need to raise £3400.
I will link via Facebook and check your website/blog to do my "supporting" bit !
Good luck
Fede XX
We would love people to take part in one of our overseas/UK events in the future. Please do visit our website at nras.org.uk as we will be updating our events page very soon. Alternatively you can call me on 01628 501547 or email me at val@nras.org.uk.
Money raised at our events goes directly to helping people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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