Not just another day down.

I was originally going to title this post, "Another day down," but I changed it because it wasn't just another day.  I lucked out and got home from work at 4:30, so I didn't think twice, I just laced up my shoes and went out the front door.  Because of yesterday, I decided to go for only two miles, and I felt I did the right thing.  The sun was shining and the leaves smelled so... well... fallish.  I felt like lifting my arms and walking with my eyes closed.  I was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude for my legs and my life.  I love when I live in the moment and appreciate all that I have.  
Life is good and God is great.  Onward.

Miles remaining:  2972

Chuggin' along.

So, breakfast was cornmeal cooked in vanilla soy milk topped with crushed walnuts.  Decent breakfast, right?  I set out for my four mile walk (kind of hilly), and two miles in I had a drop in blood sugar.  My Gu?  Home.  In my purse.  Rats.  About another quarter mile I spied the roach coach.  A Gatorade would have been nice about then.  My money?  Home.  In my purse.  Double rats.

I had to slow down so I'd make it home - upright.  I downed a half cup of OJ and I was a-okay.  I guess I'll have to eat a banana just before I leave the house.  I'll try that next time.

And my daughter is about to run a 50mile trail race!  Holy @#$%!!!

Sigh.  I'll just keep chuggin' along.  Lesson learned.

Miles remaining:  2974

It was a damp and windy day...

I expected it to rain all day and it has yet to begin.  I hadn't planned to walk because of the forecast, but I thought, I won't melt.  So, I donned my sneakers and was just about to head out when Kenny called.  When I told him what I was doing, he asked me to wait for him, so, I did.  Because he's not a walker, I didn't expect to get much of a workout, but
I had a hard time keeping up with him!   All he wanted to do was get home before it rained.  Otherwise, he probably would have stopped for a Hot Dog at that red hot dog stand.  He's a sucker for a hot dog.  But we got a good work-out and then we topped it off with tuna sandwiches on rye toast with sliced tomatoes, sliced pickles and, of course, potato chips.  Yum!

I was so sweaty when I got back, it was dripping down my back. Eww..  Time to get some new clothing for walking - the kind that breathes and wicks away the perspiration.  I LOVE shopping!  Especially for myself !

There's my guy, on the dowhill swing. I think he was a little impressed with himself for walking 4 miles.

I'm working for the next two days, so, I won't be walking again until Friday.  If I have only one patient on Thursday, because I'm on call, I'll do a quick two miles.

I'll probably go back to my walking tapes because the music is so good.  It really puts a spring in my step.

Miles remaining:  2978

~ Dianne

 

Yesterday's walk.

I didn't want to go for a walk yesterday.  In fact, I haven't wanted to go for a walk for about a week.  But, because Kenny and I ate french fries, he talked me into it.  THANK you, Kenny.  THANK you!  We had planned to walk two miles, just to say we did something, but at the one mile mark we decided to keep going.  By the time we got to the next half mile mark I didn't want to stop!  I couldn't convince Kenny to keep going though.  Evidently, my coaxing skills are not up-to-par, I'll have to work on that.

I was so motivated by our invigorating walk that I logged on to the Portland Marathon results and that's when the magic happened.  Gloria Hatfield, from Orlando, FL, finished the Half Marathon Racewalk in 3:21:55.  She's 67 years old!  Be still my heart.  I can DO this!

I happened upon a great quote from the Runner's World site today that I'd like to share.  Oh, by the way, I'll be framing it and keeping it in my face for the rest of my life.

     "No matter our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and
       new beauty waiting to be born."   Dale Turner

And that, my friends, is how I'll do it.

~ Dianne

Miles remaining:   2982

The day before yesterday I walked three miles with Kenny.  We had a great walk, some good talk and a few laughs.  Today, however, was a different story.  I walked four fast miles and really worked up a sweat.  Tomorrow I'll have an easy day of two miles after I arrive in Dennis.  I don't care what it's doing out.  I'm bound and determined to do a 12 minute mile, because...

                                   I've registered for the Portland, Oregon Marathon!! 

That's right, I'm going to travel 3000 miles to walk 26.2 in one the most walker-friendly marathons in the country.  Lots of bling, great medals, great shirts, food and music!  I'll book my hotel over the week-end when I have some free time to check them out.  So, I'm building my base now and will begin the true training in May of 2013.  If Lisa can get the time off from her job, she'll do it with me!!

Miles remaining: 2985

I've been lax, I know. I HAVE been adding up the miles, though. I've made a few decisions that I'll elaborate on later in this post, but for now, I'll give you the low-down on what I've been doing.

Did you notice the I,I,I? That's because it's all about me. Ha ha.

So, Kenny and I have been riding our bikes to Salem Willows a couple of times a week. Round trip is fourteen miles. We've been to the beach a few times, both, Hampton and Revere. The Hampton trip is fifteen miles, as is the Revere trip. While on the Revere trip we went out to Deer Island. My butt was killing me and I was starving that day. Thank God I had no idea we wouldn't find a restaurant for seven more miles. We've had such a great summer. So many beaches, so little time!

We've done a little walking, too. We walked around Lake Quannappowitt the other day which is 3.1 miles. For some reason that walk did me in. Sometimes I think it's easier to ride the bike than it is to walk.

So, the mileage has added up to 89. Wow! I could do more, and I plan to.

I love my new bike, isn't it pretty?

Stayed tuned, I have big news coming up!

Miles remaining: 2992

Walking the hard way!

Logging another five miles - a hard five miles! Kenny and I hiked through Lynn Woods today. We had walking sticks and everything - with a compass on top! I don't ever remember Lynn Woods being that big. We've mountain-biked it and cross country skied it, but today was a real work-out.

It was bright and sunny on the way in and I was talking to Lisa, on the phone, on her way home from work. We got there and Lisa said, "Keep an eye to the sky." Yeah, yeah, yeah... Well, we did get a little sprinkled on, but the sky got dark and threatening, and I did get a little worried because once we were in, we were in. It would have been a soggy hike. Anyway, it took two hours and we no sooner got home when it began to rain in earnest. Whew!

So, we were coming down the last hill when Kenny stopped short. He whispered, "Come here, come here." There was a huge deer up ahead, minding his own business, looking up occasionally, and didn't move as we came closer - video camera rolling! I can't get it to work on my laptop, though. That, alone, was worth the five mile hike!

Miles remaining: 3070

To the Beach!

Logged another 6 miles the other day with Kenny. I had hoped to do 10, but it was cold and windy and hilly! Ugh! It started out nice, but the closer we got to Nahant, the worse it was, so we bit the bullet, rode around Nahant and didn't bother going over to the Nike site. We couldn't wait to get back to the warmth of the car. On the way home we stopped at Brother's for a salad and some roasted vegetables.

I'm not complaining. Six miles is six miles, after all, and that gets me six miles closer to my adopted city!

Miles remaining: 3075

If I'm going to San Francisco...

So anyway, I may as well just say it. I HATE WALKING! I'll walk, but I don't like it and it takes a lot to get me out - which is one of the reasons I started this blog. I thought if I commit to it on a blog, I'd actually stick to it. NOT! So here's the deal. I know I'll ride my bike, so I'll do both! (I'm sure I'll bike more than I walk). And, I'll make it to the City by the Bay even sooner - maybe while I'm still young enough to enjoy it!

Yesterday I biked over to Salem Willows. The ride was great and I felt very stylish in my cute new biker chick outfit (pictured above). Driving through Salem in the middle of a week day though was such a disappointment. It was dead! Nothing going on at Pickering Wharf, nothing going on on Essex St and nothing at the Common. Sigh. So, I just continued on to the Willows. It was beautiful. I got a chop suey sandwich and sat in the sun. Ahh... When the fog rolled in, I rolled out. It was a dark, scary fog - the kind you see in English movies. Brrr... It really gave me the creeps.

So, my first solo 12-mile ride was a success and I'm planning many more! I was so happy that I got up off my butt and just did it!

Onward!

Miles remaining: 3081

Windy walk!

Walked 3 miles yesterday. In the wind! Around the lake! Whoa, was it ever windy. I put my hood up, but Kenny said he was, "fine." Mmhm... Finally, he put his hood up! HE PUT HIS HOOD UP! Holy hood hair, batman! I was so proud of him. Lucky for me, Kenny doesn't even know how to turn the computer on. LOL He was a doll to walk with me, because it was miserable. Oh, no! Wearing a hood could lead to wearing a helmet. And then, he'll buy a motorcycle! What have I done???

Miles remaining: 3093

FOUR!

Four miles today! Yippee! Had another surprise 1/2 day at work, so I came home and didn't think twice about it. I just changed my clothes and headed out. I'm so happy! Kenny said, "Four miles is a lot. Why don't you do three?"

"I'm doing four." I said, with a confidence I actually felt. I continued the healthy behavior with a terrific Vegan dinner, which Kenny raved about. I made oven-fried potatoes which were crispy on the outside and so potaoey inside. mmm... Then, I sauteed mushrooms and onions in a little olive oil and spooned it over a couple of Boca Vegan burgers with mustard and relish. I quartered a beautiful tomato and drizzled olive oil on it and we devoured everything! Dessert for me will be a dairy free ice-cream sandwich and Kenny will have pudding with whipped cream.

Yup, I'm terrific!

Oops...I almost forgot!

Miles remaining: 3096

No walk Saturday:(

Didn't get to walk yesterday or today, as I had planned. Shucks! I did do a lot of eating, though.

Bad. Very bad.

The good thing is, tomorrow is another day, with another chance to walk and another chance to head farther west.

Onward!

Walkin' to the beach with my sissy!

I got lucky yesterday and only had to work half a day, so I called Annie to see if she wanted to go for a walk. She did, so we walked ourselves through downtown Marblehead and over to Devereaux Beach. It was a beautiful day and the company was the best!

On my home I drove the route we took so I could gauge the mileage and it was just a tad over 3 miles. I was happy, because I didn't expect to have the time to walk yesterday. I'm going to try to find the time today, also.

Miles remaining: 3,100

I'm walkin', yes indeed and I'm talkin'...

Three miles closer to SF! Yippee! Kenny and I took a 3 mile walk today which included the hill from hell (pant), and a hike through Raddin Park. We walked against the raging wind (well, kinda raging), until we got to the woods where the trees blocked some of it. I didn't care if it was raining out, I was walking, no matter what.

I'm not too concerned about my time, I'm just trying to build a base right now. Once I have it down I'll begin looking for walker-friendly races to train for and work my up to a marathon. I can't just walk, to walk. I need a goal. When I was a runner I couldn't just run, I needed a goal. 5k, 10k, anything.

So, here's to creating my base. I figure it'll take me a good three months at the rate I'm going. Walking is out of the question for tomorrow, unless I go to the health club at 10pm. Not. When I'm away this week-end, I'll get up early and use the treadmill - maybe even go for a swim! I'll let ya know.

Miles remaining: 3,103

,

Really, a mile is loonngg.....

I started with a two mile walk. I know, it's only two miles, but think about it! The next time you're in a car, measure a mile and see how long it really is. Two miles is two miles and I'm that much closer to San Francisco. I'm at Goodwin's Circle. That means I walked myself right out of town! I'm going to have to get in very good shape to rack up the miles per week to get to SF while I'm still young enough to enjoy it. I don't want to have to do this with a walker. Ha!

Miles remaining: 3,106

In the beginning...

So, here's my idea. It's 3,108 miles from my door to The Golden Gate Bridge. To drive non-stop would take only two days and two hours, but I'm curious as to how long it might take me to walk there? Imagine if I really could? If I didn't have the weather to worry about? ...or dogs? ...or blisters? Well, I printed out a map and I'm about to take the walk of a lifetime! Virtually, of course. Oh, I'll walk the miles, but I'll visit all the states along the way via social media and update you on everything going on there.