Oct. Walker of Month: Ravonda Murphy

Congrats to Ravonda Murphy for being named the Ultimate Fit Walker of the Month for October!   Here is more of her story...

      "I am 58 years old.  I grew up in the country just outside of Newtonville, IN which is a few miles south of Santa Claus.  My husband, Mike, and I have been married 32 years and we have lived in Evansville all but 4 of these years.  We have two adult kids; Devin 30 and Tim 27.  I was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in November 2009.  I had six cancer surgeries in 6 years.  Right now, I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for two years.  I continue to get scanned every three months because my cancer is known to keep coming back.  I quit work after my sixth surgery and now use that time to exercise and take care of myself.   I decided to train for a half marathon after my physical therapist said it would be a good challenge for me."

What Motivates you to run/walk?  I found after I started training for the half marathon that I enjoyed walking and getting the fresh air.  When I first started training I struggled to walk a mile.  It inspires me to see how far I have come in the last two years.  I want to keep walking and keep challenging myself. 

How many races have you participated in?  7

What age did you start running/walking for fun and competitively?  When I was 20 I started running every morning.  It didn’t last long.  I had trouble breathing while running and gave it up.    After I was diagnosed with cancer I started walking a little to try to build up strength.  I really didn’t start to train to be competitively until I was 56. All I do is walk now.  My arthritis and neuropathy from chemo does not allow me to run. 

Favorite place to run/walk?  The USI to Burdette trail.  Depending on how I’m feeling that day.  I can choose to tackle the hills or walk on the flatter part. 
 
Favorite local race?  Definitely the Evansville half marathon.

Farthest you have traveled to do a race?  All of my races have been here in Evansville. 

Favorite race memory?  Finishing the Evansville half marathon on October 1, 2016. I had family and friends there to watch me finish and so many of my Team 13 friends came back to walk in with me as I finished the race.  I had been going through chemotherapy in during most of my training and I had so many people supporting me to finish this race. 

Funniest race memory?     I’m going to go with most serious instead of funniest.  I was having trouble with walking three miles without resting.  On the morning that I was to walk 4 miles for the first time I prayed to God if I was to continue training for the half marathon to please help me get through the 4 miles that morning.  I did all four without stopping to rest.  I at that point knew I would make it to the half marathon. 

Favorite pre & post-race meal/drink?  I’m not competitive enough to have a pre-race meal.  I am a water drinker.  I drink water before, during, and after a race.   I have started drinking a bing energy drink before I walk and try to have Gatorade on hand too. 

What is your favorite brand of running shoes.  Asics.   They fit my narrow feet. 

How many miles do you run/walk a week?  Most weeks I try to walk 15-20 miles. I hope to keep building on that. 

What are your future goals for running/walking?  I just want to keep walking for health.  Hopefully, I will eventually speed my time up a little. 
 
Favorite time of day to walk/run?  I like to walk of the mornings.  It is so refreshing and energizing. 

Favorite weather to walk in.  Sunshine and 70’s. 

​Music or no music?  No music.  I usually walk with a friend so we are talking.  If I walk by myself, it is a great time to just let my mind roam.