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