Parkinson’s fund-raising, beauty of trails are her motivations
Lucretia Pintacuda
Blue Ridge Mountains, Western North Carolina
Time of diagnosis: Spring of 2017
Exercises of choice: I engage in a variety of ways to exercise, most of of them outdoors. Hiking is big, and I try to get in at least one difficult hike a week. I jog/power walk a couple times a week. I do core exercises like situps, pushups, planks and butt lifts.
In addition, I garden in the spring, summer, and fall. (Maintaining flower and vegetable gardens is hard work, and it works my upper body to pull weeds, lol.) And, I sometimes take leisurely walks with family or friends.
Favorite outdoor exercise: Hiking in nearby mountain trails.
Favorite place to hike: I am so lucky to live where there are many beautiful trails to grand vistas, waterfalls, wooded paths, streams, and peaceful places. With literally hundreds of miles of mountain trails, it would be hard to pick just one.
Toughest hike and why: Globally, it’s Mount Kilimanjaro, elev. 19,341 feet. Here are some reasons:
1. Most of the hike was at high altitude, above 13,000 feet.
2. It took six nights staying in very small tents, which made sleeping and dressing and packing my bag each day very difficult.
3. The elements of cold, dust, wind, and sun were everywhere.
4. The steepness of the trail with volcanic scree made the trek treacherous.
Locally, the toughest hike would be from Grandfather Mountain to Calloway Peak in North Carolina. It required hiking up steep ascents, scrambling, scaling ladders and gripping cables, and it was at least 6 or 7 miles at 6,000 feet elevation.
Most proud of related to outdoors: Hands down it was reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Outdoor or exercise gear that is a must: My hiking boots.
Advice for someone recently diagnosed who wants to stay active: Begin an exercise program that will require your heart rate to get up to 80% of maximum, make you sweat, and increase your breathing for at least 30 minutes at a session, and try and do that three to four times a week.
Advice for someone with PD who is just starting to exercise: Find something you enjoy doing that gets you moving and raises your heart rate. If you don’t like it you’re not likely to keep at it.
Biggest challenge with Parkinson’s right now: The dyskinesia I get in my right leg at unpredictable times.
How I try to stay positive: Getting outdoors in the sun, breathing fresh air, and seeing flowers and trees definitely lifts my mood.
Advocacy work for PD: I have done three fundraising events and have plans for a fourth for Michael J. Fox Foundation. I have shared my experience with many groups and also been a panelist at a MJFF PD IQ and You event. I also have spoken to an aide for North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis to push for funding research for PD.
Other interests/hobbies: Besides gardening, I love to travel and have been to many national and international destinations.
Career field: I was a nurse anesthesia provider for over 35 years. It was a high-octane profession at times.
Something the world should know: Take charge of your life. Work hard for what is important for you. Live, love and play hard and make sure you have many friends and loved ones to support you.
Where to find me online: trekkingupward.com
If you have Parkinson’s and outdoor exercise is part of your life, you could be featured in Unshakable Voices, too. Email unshakablehiker@gmail.com.