Meet MS Warrior Nora Gocking
Written by Nora Gocking
Running is something I’ve always wanted to do. Growing up, I was chubby during my leanest of years and obese the rest of the time. Running the mile in gym class was torture… I remember giving it my all and only making it about halfway around the track before having to walk. Anything under 18 mins for me was a victory. I would cough and wheeze and feel like my lungs were going to explode. I would watch as the athletic girls stretched out their legs like gazelles as they easily made their way around the track. I hated them. And I envied them. I longed to know what that felt like–to run and not feel like I was going to vomit and pass out.
In 2012, my father passed away after many years of struggling with heart issues and obesity. He was cold and abusive at times and I knew I didn’t want my life to end as his did–estranged from much of his family and in and out of ICU for a lot of his last 10 years on earth. I was young and wanted to feel young and live a long time and be active with my kids and grand-kids. At 350 pounds, I was not in the best of health. I tried to start running and was able to get up to 2 (very, very, very slow) miles and it gave me a taste for what it felt like to be a runner. But, life got busy and stressful and my priorities shifted and running became something I would get back into when I had time, when summer was over, when it warmed up outside, etc… Lots of excuses. Not to mention, running with so much extra weight led to many fun things like tendonitis and shin splints and possible stress fractures. It was not an easy feat!
In June of 2014, I had my first (undiagnosed) MS attack which left me very weak on the right side of my body from my toes up to my tongue. That summer, running was the last
thing on my mind. I just wanted to be able to walk without help and write my name and have it look normal again. I started a new job in August that year and that left me completely fatigued when I got home in the evenings. I had not been diagnosed with MS so I just assumed it was my body trying to recover from the mystery summer illness and adjust to working.
After my diagnosis in September of 2015, and the weight loss that followed as a result of my diet change, I found myself with this incredible amount of energy and a renewed desire to run. I started slowly–running for one minute increments and adding on to that each time I worked out. I decided to train for a half-marathon in January of 2017. To date, I have completed 2 5Ks, 5 half marathons and 1 full marathon.
Running at my current weight is much easier than running at 350, for sure. But I still don’t feel very gazelle-like. Most runs, I take about 10 steps and begin thinking there is NO way I’m going to be able to 9nish this run today, but then I pray for God to give me strength and endurance and He’s never failed me yet. If it’s hot or if I’m pushing myself a bit too hard, my cheek tingles and my right toes begin to go numb. My lip will usually quiver and I can either choose to slow down and it will stop or push through and it eventually gets better. At the beginning of each training season, I look at the plan ahead of me and wonder how on earth I will be able to run the long distance miles. But the old cliche is true… How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Running is about consistency and commitment. You just keep going. Even when you fall. Even when you are tired. Even when you don’t know how on earth you will finish… you just keep going.
I made a promise to myself and to God when I was diagnosed that I would honor Him with my body. I began praying about every food that went into my mouth and sought His wisdom on the best things I could eat for my health. And I decided that as long as I was able, I was going to run. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it forever, but while I can, I will. And if I can’t run, I will do something to remain active.
Nora and Brian Gocking are the creators behind, “Not Today, MS.” Click the links below to read inspirational stories about MS and how to build a healthy and joy-filled life. The podcast is a complementary extension of the website.
