Guts to Glory

The Unstoppable

Team Bookin' Babes. Murray is in the back row wearing the hat and Tank is in the middle row, second from the left. Photo by Marcia Plows

Walking is as natural to humans as water is to a waterfall, even when obstacles stand in the way. These two amazing women prove that their love of walking is as unstoppable as their friendship, no matter what obstacles they face.

Nadean Murray
Walking veteran Nadean Murray was diagnosed in May 2009 with invasive ductile carcinoma (the most common form of breast cancer). The offending cancer was too small to feel and was found during a mammogram. Despite the onset of shock, her diagnosis was positive. “Thanks to a new genetic test of my tumor, it was determined that I needed a lumpectomy, four courses of chemotherapy, three weeks apart, and six and a half weeks of radiation. Then I’ll start a five year period of an Aromatase inhibitor drug,” explains Murray.

Through it all, Murray maintained a tremendous attitude, knowing she would be out there walking again, cancer free, in no time. When asked what gives her hope on her journey, she enthusiastically responds, “My husband is my hero. His support, care, and strength got me through this! Also, I am fortunate to have a friend like Sue. She is such an inspiration. I had watched her struggle for the last year through two hip replacements and get right back on the race walking horse. She is amazing. I thought, if she can do this after two major surgeries, I am not going to let a little cancer stop me.”

Sue Tank
Sue Tank, an avid walker, was diagnosed with arthritis in both hips nearly a decade ago. Like many athletes, she walked through the pain, dealing with the discomfort to continue with the sport she loves. In 2008, the pain became too much and Tank had her first hip replacement surgery in May. Because of the difficulties her other hip posed to her rehab progress, she had her second hip replacement seven months later. What she uncovered after the surgeries was interesting, to say the least. “I discovered I had had hip dysplasia and never knew it. I must not have presented any symptoms as a child so as time went by I developed arthritis in both hips, as is common when hip dysplasia goes untreated,” said Tank.

It’s normal with injury to be faced with frustration and disappointment, but Tank never let that frustration get to her for long. It’s no wonder she is an inspiration to Murray. “I was getting so discouraged about not being able to do the things I liked to do, especially race-walk, I really had no choice but to have them replaced. I just tried to stay focused on my recovery, and after my left hip was done, I set a goal of May 1st as a date to start race walking again,” states Tank. And that she did.

This tremendous duo are members of a walking group known as The Bookin’ Babes. Two of three original members of a group started in 2000 as a relay team for Portland to Coast event, these two women average four to five events a year together. Most recently, to celebrate their health and vitality, they completed their favorite course, the Royal Victoria Half Marathon, in Vancouver, BC. Though they have done it before, this time there was significant meaning for them both as they crossed the finish line.

For Tank, “There was definitely a feeling of accomplishment and success when I finished this year. Doing the event again and finishing on ‘fresh’ hips was nearly a yearlong goal. Of course the competitor in me was disappointed in my time, but I had to stop and remind myself that I’d only been able to start training on still pretty wonky legs back in May and that I should be glad that I finished. The next half I’ll be faster.”

Murray worked very hard to see her goal come to light, meeting some interesting challenges but never losing hope. “I would have chemotherapy and then wait five to seven days while my strength returned then go out and train for two weeks. I crammed as many miles in as I could manage and then it was back to chemo to start the whole process over again. I really felt like a yo-yo! My oncologist warned me that while I might be able to start the race, I might not be able to finish due to my overall lack of stamina. And I truly do not think I would have finished if it weren’t for the support of my fellow teammates. Knowing they were all there waiting for me at the finish line is the only thing that kept me going at times,” she said.

These two friends rode through their journey to Victoria on faith. They had faith in their abilities, faith in each other, and together they met their goals. Through the aches and pains, challenges and struggles, they proved, without a doubt that they are Bookin’ Babes, and nothing is going to slow these two down. They are truly unstoppable.

Murray and Tank live in Sisters, OR and are always on the look out for new recruits to join The Bookin’ Babes. They can be contacted at wolfies.hound@gmail.com.

Kristin Lee maintains an inspirational blog and is an emerging novelist. A native Oregonian she loves the outdoors and cherishes her family. Learn more about this author at www.kristinllee.wordpress.com.