Misty mornings - Day 78 of 90

I may not have been walking every day of the last 78 but I've certainly been walking MOST days - in one form or another. It is still not a perfect habit, but it is a strong desire of my heart, and a noted physical absence if missed - so that is probably a good indication that walking is getting to be a habit!

While not all walks are momentous, mystical, or even memorable they are all actually pretty good. And even when they aren't good, I feel good having taken them. Today, it was such a pretty morning in a misty Scottish sort of way that I liked it a lot. I didn't find any loose change, but I saw the moon in the morning sky and that is always pretty; in a misty morning it is even more so. I saw my house - or almost saw it in the distance through a heavy fog (red fog warning on my phone's weather alert this morning), and then I saw something one doesn't usually see and it was a jeweled gift on a dew covered tree. I post a picture of it here for you to enjoy.

Then because I took several photos on my outward jouney, just enjoying the morning, I decided to jog back a little faster, and saw a tiny perfect maple leaf laying atop the sidewalk, not flattened down or leaching its tannins into the underlying cement, but pristine and red describing Fall in the Northeast in its own little way. I didn't take a photo of that little leaf, you'll just have to picture it in your mind's eye, as I must store it in my memory to recall later when all that is left of these fallen leaves are dark spots in the cement and barren trees in the landscape.

-later, 12 days to go

Shout out to my friend Carola - Day 50 of 90

Walking today I was thinking of all the stories we told when we were training for a marathon. The thing about training to walk a marathon is you have to log a lot of miles (and I do mean a LOT)! And when you spend that training time walking with a friend you get to tell some silly stories - or share some sad or important ones; no matter what kind of stories, you end up with a closer friend than you started with and you know each other better than maybe a lot of other people know you. You see if you walk 7 miles with someone or 13 or more, well, you are going to take a lot of hours. It is different than running - first off running takes less time - and secondly, I don't have the ability to talk much if I tried running. Yes, I know the test is to run at a pace where you can carry on a conversation, but for me, if I am carrying myself that's about all the breath I have left over - no gab-fests.

But, walking is different; you have breath and you can use it to get to know a friend - or develop a new friendship where once you were acquaintances. Walking is just plain good for your soul.

Today my exercise was a slow jog at a pace that still beats my overall best times walking even when I was in training - or even when I did that 10k as a walker...the entire time in front of the pace car and the ambulance...let's not talk about that. Suffice it to say, as a walker they didn't know what to expect from someone so far behind the pack - but also as a walker I was in great form and my pace that race was exceptional (for me) - but now, adding a bit of a jog to my routine certain days (like this morning) I have upped that time - and you know at the end of the day I still feel great and I can walk tall knowing I am a runner (have been since my first entry blank - that's the rule) and not a couch potato.

Now for some Bryers Mint Chocolate Chip. 40 to go

Walking home from a day at the office - Day 49 of 90

Today I had to leave my car off elsewhere so I planned on walking home at the end of the day. The day was longer than I anticipated, but all in a good way and it wasn't raining and it was still light out, so home I went.

Now don't be too impressed, as I told a co-worker it is only 3.5 miles - not like my old commute of 14 plus miles (or 37 for a couple of years-but I shudder to think about that). If there were sidewalks along the entire route I'd walk more often. I have walked it before over the years but not often, and not even occasionally - more like rarely.

It's the sidewalks that get me. (That and of course I'm naturally lazy or busy or both.) In some spots there isn't even a shoulder, just the verge-and in some spots that isn't even there-there isn't any "there" there - just the edge of the world where the water is below. Humph. Anyway, it isn't terribly busy and mostly drivers look out for pedestrians as I am not the only one walking along.

BUT, you know what I noticed for the first time? The mailboxes were not at the street on poles, but rather they were on the houses just like you see in cities (or small towns for that matter) the problem that occurred to me today was that the mail must be delivered on foot - and without sidewalks, and that sounds like an accident waiting to happen-of course that could just be me.

Tonight I took a photo of a sweet pea popping up in the middle of a tangle of grasses and in the soft light of evening; it was quite pretty.

41 to go

Walking to the Library and other places - Day 48 of 90

When you commit to walking every day - or getting some exercise of some sort every day you start looking for ways to keep it interesting, to keep moving and add natural opportunities for walking. At least that is what I do. I heard today of a very large (morbidly obese) man  (Stephen Furst - Confessions of a couch potato) who was diagnosed with diabetes and figured he couldn't do anything about it - he was just too heavy and it was just too overwhelming a task. But then he thought about it some, and decided he could probably get up from the couch and change the channel instead of using the remote, and after a while he found he could walk upstairs to fetch something instead of sending one of his kids, and after some more time he found he could walk outside, and then down the block and after a while he found these activities became easier and all told he lost more than 100 pounds...just by getting off the couch - well that is how it started - just moving. So, today I walked to the Library. It is under a five minute drive and with a little messenger bag over my shoulder I could trek down and back comfortably.

One thing I wanted to talk about, was the fact that I wanted to blog about being a walker and that it is excellent exercise, and that is absolutely true. So now I am going to talk about something else - and that is I have done a little running. It isn't that I don't think walking is exercise or that running is somehow superior - neither of those are true. What the running is about is me trying to get it done faster. No, I am not bored and hoping to accomplish this is less time. What I mean is that I am trying to beat my time - and add aerobic capacity and muscle strength and this running is new territory for me. I've never been a runner - I have always been a walker and I will always be a walker but in addition to that maybe I can do a little running.

A few days ago I ran - and more than a mile. That was uncharted waters for me - I had officially trekked off the map. Then a couple of days after that I ran for two miles. I never even knew I could do that. But yet I did. Still breathing and my legs didn't collapse or anything. I had no idea. What is interesting is that I use different muscles and absolutely need to stretch afterward - this is different than walking. And from everything I understand good for your bones and lungs so I may continue doing some of that.

My race a few weeks ago was pretty speedy for me - but not as fast as when I had been training for the marathon (5 years ago) now, though I have run 2 miles and done it at a pace I've never managed before while walking. I've recorded my fastest mile ever (so says my Nike iPod - that I've been wearing for a little over 2 years) and I've been keeping all this exercise up for 48 days. I think I am well on my way to developing a habit of daily exercise.

42 to go.

Walking Tall - Day 43 of 90

Walking this morning was just for the miles - an easy pace and a little longer than yesterday. Yesterday I went out for speed and almost did my race pace from a couple of weeks ago. Today, on the other hand I just wanted to go for a walk, and I did. I wore a wind jacket with long sleeves because yesterday my hands were cold -but wearing sleeves makes me warm so it seemed to be an in-between-temperature.

I took a shadow picture accidentally and thought it was funny, so I will include it here for your amusement.

I had been taking some photos of the morning flowers, and I will add one below just so you can see one of them as well. The thing about photos is that they don't completely capture the beauty of something; the sun on the petals, or the dew on the grass - certainly not while walking and snapping pictures with a phone.

But just to show you what I was going for - here is the photo I took before my shadow.

Me and my shadow - 47 to go.

Last week - Days 32 - 41 of 90

If you had been following these posts you might have wondered if I was still walking, and the answer is yes.

Last week was fair week where I live and that meant daily hikes back and forth from the car to the booth 3 or 4 times per day. Guess how much walking that turns out to be? 2 - 6 miles per day! Top that off with lugging water and bins with stuff, and let me tell you it was a worthy week's work.

Now, on the other hand, yesterday...I didn't actually go out for my walk. I took a break from my 1/2 hour (at least) of workouts every day, and that means that I will just keep going an additional day to come up to my 90 days of training.

One of the things I know is that you don't give up if you miss one day or eat one extra something or what ever it is that means you have missed part of your plan - what matters really is that you keep going in the same direction.

Another thing I noticed this week (and especially yesterday) is that mornings are really best for me. It isn't that I'm a morning person - I am not, what it really is, is that I get it done, and I don't talk myself out of it. If this plan of walking every day is to take hold and become a habit I just have to do it every morning. Period.

So, I'll be out there tomorrow. 49 to go.

Race Day - Day 31 of 90

I have to tell you, that when I said 98% of the entrants would be able to beat my speed - I thought it was hyperbole. Imagine my surprise when the race started and there was NO ONE behind me! That was uncomfortable. The ONLY other walker was a lady at least 10 years my senior...and she was ahead of me.

The last time I entered this 5k, there were lots of walkers, and plenty of people who finished after me...well 13 or so (I looked it up), but I didn't feel as if the ambulance and pace car were egging me on - last time. Today, let's just say my vanity wouldn't let me finish last. I had already said I never finished last; it almost turned out that now was my chance. But my pride couldn't have taken that, not happily anyway.

I picked up my speed and jogged a few times to get in front of some folks - the first being the woman I couldn't catch up with initially. After a while there were others who couldn't keep up their pace and slowed down. In the end, I finished. Period. That is what I set out to do, and I had fun, the day was glorious, great temp, nice sunshine. And I did what I wanted to do, which was get to the finish line with a faster time.

Last time I entered this race I had been in training for a half marathon and actually did finish sooner than I did today, but my little Nike ipod doesn't know that; my Nike ipod was proud of me, and it has all the professional experience, so I'll take that as a good sign. AND I didn't finish last. 59 to go.

Tomorrow a 5k - day 30 of 90

I went out for a 5k this morning in preparation for tomorrow's official race. I purposefully walked at a moderate pace because tomorrow I really want to go for my fastest recorded time.

Anyone who has paid the slightest attention to my posts that mention my speed, realize along with me that this is more a joke than anything else. It is an attempt to best myself-which will be spectacularly easy for 98% of everyone else who entered. That may be a slight exaggeration as 5k's can sometime get slow pokes -like me-so I won't be the only walker. Not that I was the only walker in the longer races either. I have never come in last, but I will absolutely never come in first...unless I am the only one entered.

And actually that is really what I am talking about - besting my own time. That is what every runner attempts to do. Even those elite runners who DO come in first, they are still trying to best their own best time. And tomorrow, that will be me. 60 to go.

Just plain busy - Day 29 of 90

I had a busy day today, and have to admit I may be changing my mind - again. Not that that is a surprise or even that there is anything wrong with it. Remember I said I hadn't spent any time on the elliptical machine - or rather that I hadn't spent much time on it? This morning I decided I would use it because I can see the advantages of adding a little strength training to my walking.

What I contemplated and found rather humorous is that this is the day BEYOND what I would normally have called the day I've managed to establish a habit - and what I found funny was that today I can begin to see where it is getting to BE a habit. Not that it is, but that it could be. And I don't think about it as much; this idea of whether or not I'll go out for a walk today is already decided - I am going out, because I am going out every day for 90 days. Now in addition to that, I am more mindful of those other "shoulds"; I should eat more fruits or I should exercise and strengthen my muscles.

I have heard it said that we shouldn't "should" ourselves to death, but I wonder today if that is correct. Why is it that I can't suggest to do those things I know would benefit me? St. Paul asks why is it that he does the things he oughtn't to do and doesn't do the things he ought to (Romans 7:15-20) - and how am I to improve either my mind, or my health if I don't pay attention to those "shoulds?" I know full well, that left to my own devices I'd not do any of those things I ought, rather I would choose the easy way. So, I submit this for my own consideration: why do I do those things I oughtn't and why don't I do those things I ought?

How much better I feel physically and spiritually if I have done those things that are beneficial and uplifting. (And of course the occasional bon-bon thrown in.) 61 to go

Two more days and counting - Days 27 & 28 of 90

The day before yesterday was a bit frustrating because my pedometer didn't record my steps. I got home - before going out for the walk and the little counter gave me a swirling circle...which it does just before erasing all the day's data. I KNOW I still walked and it still counts in the grand scheme of things as well as my overall commitment to walk 10,000 steps per day, but not having it COUNT makes me ...sad, mad, well frustrated. I had gone to the trouble of adding extra walking to my day during the course of my normal activities - and I recommend that to everyone trying to get a little more exercise. Park further away from the front door - whether of work or at the store; take a walk instead of the car when the trip is less than 5 minutes drive; this can account for a lot more 'natural' exercise and you don't even have to pay for the fuel in the car. For instance yesterday I walked to the Library and dropped off a couple of books.

I went out at the end of the day yesterday (as I indicated in my last post), and today we went out first thing in the morning together. It turns out that we did under the 5k I had hoped, but we did get back in time to have coffee and breakfast together before we each had to go about our day. One thing I had better do, sooner rather than later, is find out when packet pick-up is Saturday. Don't want to be late for our 'big' race.
62 to go.

Still out there - Days 25 & 26 of 90

I bet you thought I forgot - or wasn't walking. You'd be wrong if you did. I have been out there each day. Sunday we both went out for a short walk before heading off to church. We were hardly awake - and I've written about what I call sleep walking before - that's when I get out and begin my walk before I'm awake enough to think "what the HECK am I doing awake at this hour." It wasn't quite that early but we were both very glad to come home and have breakfast.

Yesterday I was determined to go out after work. I have not been doing that because I have found there are too many opportunities to wimp out - or just for one reason or another miss out. BUT, I KNOW there are going to be times when I can not get a walk in before heading out to my day so yesterday I planned on going at the end of the day. I did go too. Which is a good sign. It ended up being a cooler evening than the day promised and I enjoyed the lower levels of both heat and humidity. I wore a white top and my reflective sneakers but no lights or other special gear to make me show up to passing motorists. I finished the walk at what amounted to dusk - so before I was in any great danger of being invisible.

Today, it is earlier and guess what...I'm going out NOW. So, good bye. 64 to go.

It was beautiful out there today - Days 23 & 24 of 90

It was indeed very beautiful out there today, but you will just have to take my word for it, as I had no pocket for a camera (or phone) and so there is no photographic evidence of that fact. The funny thing was, that according to my first look at the predicted weather it should have been thunder-storming the entire time - but one look a the weather satellite and I saw no cloud-cover so I went anyway.

Now, I will readily admit it was very humid; I don't know the official levels but I can say that they had to be pretty high both because you could see the moisture in the air and it was hard to breath, as well as the fact that it rose to the level of precipitating out - meaning it was sprinkling or what the weather man (person) might call 100% humidity. An interesting comment I overheard when two joggers ran past; one of them was explaining to the other that his "theory is it's all about humidity." Of course they weren't around long enough for me to tell you what that theory was, or what humidity was all about, but there you have it.

The path is flat and relatively soft under foot, the Mohawk along side is beautiful in a wild unkempt sort of way even though there were some passes that I didn't think looked navigable due to the over grown vegetation.

There were turtle egg shells in bunches along the path although I saw no little turtles emerging, it was obvious they had been, and probably will continue for a short while as they hatch and make their individual ways back into the water.

There were also lots of people in just about every conceivable shape, size, & age traveling in all manner of conveyance - or on foot. Little ones on their bikes, or bigger onsies and twosies of cyclists passing with a call of "on your left" - the universal heads up meant to discourage collisions with unwary pedestrians ahead on the path. (Slower traffic stays to the right-at least in the US, and I have often wondered what is the protocol in countries where slower traffic stays on the left.) There were three young girls traveling by motorized scooter - to the scorn of one cyclist who asked me as he passed if one could get 'any more lazy than a motorized scooter.' I hollered to him as he was heading away that they at least had to "keep their balance." I soon discovered their parents walking at a brisk pace behind them and my guess is that if you wished to get a good walk in with three small children, you might relish the scooters that afforded you the opportunity to get enough time out there to be considered exercise.

Yesterday we went out for a 3 mile walk in preparation for next weeks 5k. I am really hoping to chop off a couple of minutes of my time. I'll just have to wait and see. (It was good having new sneakers all around and no sore feet!)

66 to go.

The walk was fine, and all I found was one slim dime - Day 22 of 90

That's what I said this morning, when asked how the walk was - fine. Then I thought to myself...and all I found was one thin dime. Funny that, though I had been thinking I hadn't seen anything yesterday (accept maybe now that I think about it there was a penny somewhere) and I figured as my pace increases I see less-or it could be that having been out everyday over the same ground there is less loose change floating around...

BUT, the thing is I am not actually out there to rake in the big bucks. (Good thing, that, since I'm not.) I AM out there just to BE out there; to get out every day, day by day and get some exercise. And that is actually what I am doing. Day by Day, I am going for a walk. I will never be a runner or win any first place honors (unless I happen to be the only one in my "class"), but I am doing it for my heart and my lungs and my bones and my overall health. That I AM doing. 68 to go.

Keeping on - Days 19-21 of 90

A couple of days ago I went out in the morning and thought of the book by Lawrence Block - A Walk Among the Tombstones. Not that I was actually walking among the tombstones, but I went as far as the little cemetery and saw the stones standing there; some shiny, some worn to the point of obscurity with the dew on the grass and the rain still being shaken from the trees' leaves from an earlier rain. It was pretty and peaceful. (His book isn't pretty or peaceful by the way-but the title was what made me think about the scene in front of me.)

The next day (yesterday) I didn't feel all that well and so my walk was short and I did some push-ups to mix it up. (Not while walking mind you but after the day was done.)

Today, I don't feel a whole lot better but went out anyway because that's the thing about a goal like this - it is for 90 days straight. I once read about a runner who had run everyday for something like years; rain or shine (don't know if they lived in a snow region) but I was impressed with that. The gist of this article was that they found the constancy of running every day kept them from getting sick - or becoming too sick to do anything - since they had to go out for their run - and then having accomplished that they obviously weren't THAT sick - and so in the end they didn't get sick. Fresh air and exercise I'm sure have something to do with that as well - but it could be as much a case of mind over matter.

Anyway, I am going along and we will see how my mind makes it through the duration.
69 to go.

100 Runs, My Nike and me - Day 18 of 90

This morning I went out early in order to head out to Northborough MA for a picnic after church. I ran 1 mile in the middle and upped my overall time to just under 14 minutes per mile. If had that pace for the 5 k in two weeks I'd be thrilled. However, even early this morning it was already warm so I am not sure how it'll be in two weeks.

Yes, I know July has the hottest average temperature in this region, but there are still plenty of hot days, and although I haven't looked it up, it may be the the hottest single day temps are recorded in August - it seems that way at least.

Yesterday I found 31 cents on the ground; one dime by itself and then 21 cents all together somewhere else. Today I found a lone dollar bill sitting on the side of a parking lot; I guess the person who left it was all out of change.

I got home and am having a cup of coffee in order to wake up-but I really think I'm going to ice it down as I am already too warm. 72 to go

Snakes in the woods - Day 17 of 90

Denton Wildlife Sanctuary: Indian Pipes

I tried to take a hike in the Denton Wildlife Preserve, but didn’t find enough of it to walk more than 2 minutes out along the path before I lost sight of any such thing as a clearly marked path and turned around to head back to the car. That is when I noticed a snake hurrying away to hide in the underbrush. Last week I paid close attention to where I put my feet so as not to stand on any snakes, but this morning I was more interested in finding a path, and so wasn’t ready when the snake showed up where I had walked only a minute or two before. Back to paying attention.

River Rd

On my next stop I walked along a river road and the nice thing was it was almost entirely deserted so while there wasn’t a shoulder to walk along, there was no need and I could just stroll right down the middle of the lane. I stopped to take a photo of some flowers in someone’s side yard where they had posted a sign that said Wildlife Habitat – which is a really nice way of saying; we leave the wildflowers for the birds. As I began walking again, I saw in front of me a snake that wasn’t as quick as the earlier one, as it was literally belly-up, and flatter than the pancakes we had this morning for breakfast. He was in fact, dead. But I didn’t step on him.

Today’s air quality index was supposed to head up into the uncomfortable zone by 11:00 am in this entire region, so I was happy to be done before it became oppressive outside. I plan on doing some reading and drinking cool seltzer and relaxing the rest of the day. 73 to go

Aside for the day - how to make habits stick

Aside for the day: Here is a link to an article on how to make habits stick. I thought it would be in keeping with my 90 plan - since I used to work at something for 28 days...and not make a permanent change - hence the 90 day experiment.

This article says that making a plan is the first step. Check.

The second step is anticipating challenges - check. (I KNOW there are always challenges where consistency and exercise are concerned in my case.)

The third step is sticking with it - well that's the plan and 90 days is sticking with it for a while. Check.

So, here is the link for those who wish to see it in black and white and while my version is the Reader's Digest version of the article, it isn't much longer in person.

How to Make Good Habits Stick

4K today - Day 16 of 90

It wasn't fast and it wasn't pretty but I got it done. I thought about looking for small change while walking, and yes I found a penny, but the thing I was thinking is you can lose a lot of scenery if you are always staring at the ground. You have to look up and look around to see what is out there.

Today, for instance, as I was walking along, I came upon a little turtle. It was to his advantage that I was watching where I was going as he was small enough that he probably wouldn't have survived a meeting with my feet. He also was heading straight into traffic, I think he was afraid of me, considering I was about 5'3-1/2" taller than he was. (I am 5'3-3/4" tall) When I spotted him he was hurrying as fast as his little legs would carry him straight into the road. So, I picked him up (careful not to let his little toenails find my fingers) and walked him across the road to the side where it was grassy and the water was down below. I hoped that might forestall him dodging traffic until he was big enough to be seen and avoided by drivers.

When we were coming back around, I thought I saw him in the road so we made a detour to go back and check but it wasn't him, it was a little pile of dried grass from some mower. I didn't have my glasses on, and I was concerned about him so the fuzzy blob about the right size made me pause. All's well that ends well.
74 to go.

Stop on a dime - Day 15 of 90

You know the expression to stop on a dime? I was jogging along this morning (keep in mind what I say is jogging is actually no different in speed than my walking-except a tiny bit faster-really tiny), so here I was moving at a clip for me meaning one foot on the ground at a time instead of my usual two-and I spot a penny and have to make a quick stop. So, it wasn't stopping on a dime-but it was like that. Then I got "up to speed" and saw another one-so I stopped short again. It probably looked rather silly to any passers by.

The reason I had chosen to run at that point in my walk is I wished to get off the side of the road as quickly as possible and move to the pavement - and sooner then to the side roads which are much more pleasant. So my faster than usual moving coupled with my stopping for pennies meant moving in slightly different ways than I ordinarily do - and I expect that is good, at least for muscles; we won't mention appearances. Who ever knows when one must stop on a dime-or a quarter or for something even more important? (I don't know what that might end up being but I wouldn't want to miss it when the time comes.)

I was going to say something about that elliptical work I did the other day. I considered doing it again-not because I enjoyed it, but because I noticed it really is a different work out and my arms could feel it. That has always been my biggest draw back: I am lazy. I walk for that reason - not that walking is for lazy people, but that I just don't do other things either well or consistently.

When I broke my foot in 2001 I had been walking pretty regularly but had no upper strength and had great trouble carrying myself around on my arms (i.e.using crutches). Arms are much smaller muscles than are found in legs-and legs are designed for carrying people around. I know in my head that using other muscles is very good for you, but I just don't make the time to do those other muscle things. So, I am now considering using that elliptical again or maybe trying to incorporate it into my 'new habit' of exercising and see if I can condition myself along with my muscles to work out regularly.

As a final note today. I signed up for a 5k in a couple of weeks. Just for fun. 75 to go.

New sneakers - Days 13 & 14 of 90

Yesterday was a shorter day in the workout department, and I spent most of my miles walking around shopping; shopping for supplies, and shopping for sneakers. We came away with a new pair each so next time I want company, I should be good to go.

Today, I went out fairly early certain it would rain today, but so far it's been dry, and I loved my new sneakers. They were light weight and springy and a very bright color. That has nothing to do with how they feel, but it is an added bonus.

I found a penny and a dime on the floor in the house - but I don't think they count toward my penny a day for a year since they were already in my possession so to speak. I'm sure that isn't a walking kind of comment, but I contemplated it when I found them. Now, of course if I find money in the wash...it totally counts! :)

Just to give you an idea of some of the things one sees when not staying in the house-or in a shopping area, I am posting this very interesting tree trunk from the other day. It is one of those things that make you say hey. So, I'll end with that.

76 to go

Short day today - Day 12 of 90

Remember it is very good not to do the same type of exercise every day; one should alternate muscle groups, and resistance or aerobic. After two days of long hikes/walks I decided to go for an alternate today-and yet still keep faith with myself and my commitment to do this for 90 days straight.

I did decide to try the elliptical for 1/2 hour this morning and boy was it a boring task. However, I did make the 30 minutes and it was a different work out. Not much different but using my arms for some of the work and only going for 1/2 hour instead of an hour or more was a relaxed day. Tomorrow maybe I'll run a short distance.

Nothing to talk about having seen today, and I didn't find any pennies (I found 5 cents Sunday). I did consider hanging a painting in front of me to admire as I work out-but my guess is, the machine is still on its way to the yard sale. When the time comes I'll let you all know, in case you wish to have one for your very own at a moderate price. (Translate: cheap, because once it leaves the house for a yard sale it should not come back!)

78 to go.

Just a short walk for ice cream - Day 11 of 90

My legs were tired from yesterday's hike and I probably need to get new hiking boots if I am going to make a habit of that type of walking. They have always given my feet blisters if I wear them too long-and apparently yesterday was too long.

So, today I thought I would take a short walk over for an ice cream cone-can't have any guilt if you walk to get it; after all it is a few miles round trip. My dear husband came with me and by the time we got back his feet were sore; mine were just tired-and more my legs still from yesterday than my feet actually.

The side of the road is not nearly as nice as a quiet hike on a pine-needle covered trail. It's noisier and hotter. I thought we could walk back the slightly longer way that is not on the main highway, but rather on the side roads. I don't think going from 4 miles to 6 miles is really considered a "slight" increase, and so it certainly was a walk one could feel good about, if one weren't so tired that is.

Never the less, I have managed another day. 79 to go.

Hiking in the woods - Day 10 of 90

It takes a lot more effort to walk 6 miles on trails than it does on pavement. And it takes a lot longer too. Next time I think I'll plan for a longer walk, and bring a stick and more bug spray. I like a hat, they are ever so useful, they keep the sun off your face, they keep the rain out of your eyes, they keep your hair from falling in your vision and they are good at swatting flies or hailing passers by - if you wish to. I wore a little Mickey Mouse ball cap and it was almost all those things (I didn't have to hail anyone, and in fact only actually saw two people on the trail, although I did hear some others at various points).

There was a lot of climbing up and going down, and going over streams. I certainly got my heart rate elevated, and used some muscles not necessarily called for on flat surface streets. I was tired out and glad I wore hiking boots when once I stumbled and thought how good it was I hadn't sprained my ankle with .4 miles to go before I got back out and on the paved roads of civilization.

I found it invigorating and engaging. I didn't have the mental energy left over to compose prose for a post, but just know that I did indeed work it out today, and before the rain came.

80 to go.

What is this, a test? - Day 9 of 90

Oh, I know it isn't always about me, and I understand the rain comes or not as the weather changes in the northeast, and my brother told me years ago, that I wasn't in charge of the weather (probably when I was complaining); so yes, I do know the rain isn't here as a test to my willpower.

But, on the other hand it is always a test. We always have to make choices, and today I REALLY didn't want to go out in the rain again. Yes, I also know that yesterday I said no excuses, and it wouldn't (didn't) kill me but still I just didn't feel like getting wet. I contemplated using the elliptical machine but couldn't picture myself for an hour on a machine-even listening to music-so out I went. After all it wasn't dangerous, there was no thunder or lightning. I haven't used the machine many more than a dozen times in as many years, so it had probably be in the yard sale so someone else can get more use out of it (and the space freed up in the basement).

Yesterday when I went walking I found 13 cents. I thought about the adage “Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you’ll have good luck”. I don’t believe that luck is a real thing. One can have good days and better days and some days that aren’t so pleasant, but Luck? I just don’t see it. Certainly there are blessings and times when we don’t see the blessing in evidence, but all in all I don’t subscribe to luck. I wondered though if being observant and paying attention to the small details like 3 little pennies along a sidewalk or a dime in the road; all of which were not there yesterday when I went by-if that attention can make its own luck? Can watching the world go by at the speed of the automobile bring with it a lost ability to see ones surroundings? If I pick up a penny a day, after a year, I’ll have enough for a cup of coffee or a card for a friend. Those sound nice.

81 to go.

I didn't know enough to stay in when it's raining - Day 8 of 90

It wasn't raining when I got up. I spent some time reading the news and my feet were sore, and I was tired...and

I could have guessed it would happen sooner or later. Into every life a little rain must fall, so to every walking plan. The difference is, I’m alive. Obviously. The reason I bring this up is that rain is one of those first order excuses-‘oh, it’s raining I don’t think I’ll go out today’.

In my Smartwool socks my feet felt fine. Check. My Champion tech Capri’s, my leg’s feel fine. Check. So my blaze orange wind breaker isn’t water proof; I was actually wearing my skin, and it is essentially waterproof. My 26.2 and still smiling hat kept the rain out of my eyes. Check and Check. I mean really, when I get back from a walk in the summer I’m usually warm and sweaty and I go take a shower, so I ask you; what’s the difference? (Other than a little smell you might ask?)

It didn’t kill me. No more excuses. Check. 82 to go

Up and out - Day 7 of 90

I thought about joining my friends this evening for a walk. I know they usually  go out for about 4 miles on Wednesday evenings-but the reason I chose not to, is the reason I don't get there very often, and that is: things happen. When you are going along through the day and get distracted; before you know it you've missed your chance or you're too tired, or it's raining, or ... I decided a walk in the present is worth two in the future? Not exactly, but I know myself and any excuse can easily become more than a delay it can be postponed or as we say in our house: OBE. Overcome By Events.

Today I expect to be at my desk more than usual and not as active, so I intentionally put in 4 miles first thing and now whatever I do beyond that during the course of the day should more than make up the additional amount of my daily goal. (Which is 10,000 steps or approximately 5 miles.) This goal is more or less arbitrary since I am the one who has set this 90 day goal and the minimum amount I wish to accomplish daily. But it is not entirely arbitrary because I do know that 10,000 steps is a recommended amount of activity for health and weight loss if you are going for that. 83 to go.

Walking after the rain - Day 6 of 90

In the middle of the night the storm came through and I wondered if I'd have to walk in the rain today, but as it turned out once it was time to get up the weather had spent itself and it was a nice morning. The sun was out and even though it was quite humid, the temperature was manageable in the early morning.

The interesting thing I noticed while walking past the woods, was that it was still raining there. The water at the top of the canopy hadn't yet fallen all the way down, so as I passed by and the wind whispered, I could hear the drops splattering leaf by leaf on their way to the ground. It made me think of all those times spent in a cabin in the woods when it takes a while to decide if it is still raining - for real or if it has stopped and this is just residual moisture. The people in those houses tucked in the verge, would be wondering just that. These things I think as I walk, it passes the time and keeps my mind from focusing on the flies buzzing my head. What is it about them anyway? Do I look like a cow, or smell like a goat? No, I don't. So go bother some furry animal and leave me alone-or better yet go get eaten by a frog and do some real good!

I measured the distance this morning and figure I can take another route another day that will be new to me, and somewhat longer than my usual path. As near as I can figure it'll take an extra 15 minutes; so not too bad. I will leave time for that one day soon. No pictures today. 84 to go.

Morning walk - Day 5 of 90

I went out for a short 3.5 mile walk this morning and planned on getting the remainder of my 10,000 steps 'naturally' during the course of my day. Today, that worked, and I have still managed to stay out of the rain. Tomorrow I think I might run a mile in a 2 or 3 mile route; I'll let you know how that goes.

The only thing today that I saw that made me pause was something...well I don't know what it was. It could have been the world's biggest slug, or a 4" snail without a shell or something as yet unidentified. I saw two other things later on in my walk about the same size and color that turned out to be grass seed heads-so maybe that was what I saw. I had initially planned to go back on the return trip and look more closely, but after seeing the seed heads, and actually being a bit ambivalent about finding out definitively if it was indeed the world's largest slug...I skipped it. So, now we will never know. I can live with that.

Tomorrow is another day. 85 to go.

Fiddling Around - Day 4 of 90

I took that walk around the block this morning, although not entirely around the block. I started from my house and went one way around the block and then before I got to the other end where I would have to walk along a busy route without much shoulder (actually none) I turned around and walked back.

I saw Monarda again today, but this time it was Monarda Didyma commonly called Bee Balm because the bees love the bright red flowers and the nectar. It makes a bold statement in the garden-especially a shady garden. The Monarda from yesterday is one you see along sunny roadsides. But both smell WONDERFUL and are in the mint family (if you get close you will note the square stem-always a hint).

Anyway, back to walking-yes I stopped to take photos today, although not as many. I listened to a LOT of birds waking up and a few dogs barking good morning.There were also two cat birds trying to trick me into thinking there was a kitten lost in the woods-but the one up in the tree was a bit more obvious than the one somewhere in the underbrush. I didn't go searching though-I knew who they were.

Still not fast as walks go, but I managed my 5 miles this morning before breakfast-it has been easy to keep at it in cooler weather without rain-tomorrow is supposed to rain-so it may be shorter-however, I have made a promise to myself to do this EVERY day for the duration, so that is what I will do. I find that when I 'plan' an every other day or some other pattern, it is too easy to miss one day saying to myself I'll do it the next day...and soon instead of 5 days during the week I've only done two or three. Hence the plan to do it EVERY day. No excuses. 86 to go.

Well, tomorrow is another day, but before I go, I wanted to mention one more thing I noted on my walk and that was an entire side yard filled with thyme. I have loved the idea of thyme instead of lawn for years. I love the smell of it underfoot, I particularly love the purple carpet in the lawns. There is a lot to recommend thyme as a lawn. It is drought resistant, it is low growing-so needs less mowing, it flowers and looks beautiful, and when it is mowed it smells heavenly! SO, I must find out if there is a way to get seeds or something. That sounds so much easier than getting plugs and planting little bits and pieces around the yard and waiting for it to take hold. Here is a photo of the thyme, and let me know if you agree, it is lovely, isn't it?

Took a walk in the woods - Day 3 of 90

Today, I went for a walk in the woods. I decided not to go for the walk around the block-somehow the day was too nice and I did not feel inclined to walk on the side of the road. Instead, I went for a walk around a lake and up a TALL hill. Not a mountain, no, but there is a definite reason I prefer flat ground. Flat is easier. Flat doesn't make me tired before I get to the top. Obviously that is a very good reason not to stay always on flat ground, that is if you are trying to get your lungs and your legs in better shape, which I am.


Around I went from where I parked at the bottom of a hill (a little one this time), and then down the road (meaning off the beaten path road-with marginal traffic) then around the lake (OK, it is only 35 acres-but it's bigger than a pond-or at least it's a BIG pond).

I was pleased not to have my speedometer on, and only have my pedometer on because the 4+ miles took around an hour and a half. I did stop to take a lot of pictures-and then there was that hill. I had made it back around to my car but hadn't yet walked 5 miles, so I decided to continue on up to the top of the property. I had to stop going up-maybe not HAD to but DID! and then I rested for a few minutes and enjoyed the view, and after a while I headed back down and over to the car.

I saw Monarda-which always reminds me a the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, and I listened to some frog-song in the middle, and all in all I just plain enjoyed myself. Plus the added bonus of feeling pleased to have accomplished another day of my 90. 87 to go.

Walking in the morning - Day 2 of 90

Yesterday I woke up extraordinarily early for me (3:58 a.m.-but who's counting?) and the birds were up, the sun wasn't quite up-but never the less I was awake. Shortly after trying to fall back asleep, with my head telling me (you know that voice) you should get up and get ready to go for a walk, well, I did.

I programmed in a 5k (translate: about 3 miles) and ran my "fastest 1k" in the middle. It was a 6.5 min 1k -or approximately 11 minute miles. Considering that my quickest walking mile was 13:30, and the last time I ran a mile (I've done it twice in recent memory) I ran the fastest mile at 12:26.

All that to say speed is not my thing-even when running. What is my thing is really seeing my surroundings. Today, for instance I watched a 1" caterpillar crawl across the sidewalk. He didn't get very far as I watched-but I saw him and didn't squish him. I heard plenty of birds-and didn't hear any motorcycles. The sun was newly up and the sky was a light blue with clouds covering much of the area around me.



Since I had been up so early, I had already done some reading and some posting, and even though I was paying attention to the moment, I still found myself wondering where tomorrow I would walk, and how far I should go. I think what I'll do this morning is walk around the block-that works out to about 4 miles and Saturday shouldn't be too busy. I must wear bug spray though-those pesky little flying things are a darn nuisance.

July 19 - first walk of 90

Yesterday I went for a walk. Not news, as I have gone on other walks, even some recently. The difference is that it is my intention to begin a habit of daily walking. If it takes not 28 days but rather it takes approximately 90 days to do more than begin a habitual transformation; rather it takes that long to actually form a transformation of habits, then yesterday I began and today I will continue.

Stephen and I went out to try to find a bike path along the canal in Fort Edward. Good sport that he is...we didn't find what I was looking for. Sure the Bike Route 9 is there-but it is just a walk along the side of the road. So, we parked and walked in to Fort Miller Rd. and River Rd. A bonus was stopping at the Lock (6) to watch a sailboat traverse the lock, and visit a bit with the Lock-master and some other travelers.

The road is quiet-read almost deserted and travels a stone's throw from the river or the canal depending; shade, frogs, birds and flowers were all there for our enjoyment. So, while it wasn't a path I had hoped for, it was a walk well spent. 89 to go.