Pastor Don gave an excellent sermon this morning about Dad's. He boiled it down to the fact that our Dad's give us lessons and an education, insight to the world around us. These are greater than all the riches in the world. I'm grateful that my dad is still here. While we miss my mom/his wife. We are still able to make awesome memories. He is once again going on our family vacation. He and my mom travelled with us frequently, so it's really just natural that he continues. This year, I'm thrilled that my brother is again going to travel with us as well. Two years in a row. My kids get their Godfather and Grandfather to travel with us, to enjoy dinner, shows, walking, learning about a new part of the world. We are truly blessed. :)
OK, so walking update. As of this moment, Sunday, June 19th. I've walked 514.76 miles. Since mother's day, that is an additional 200 miles. I'm glad that I got my 6+ miles in already today as it is now pouring out. I'm going to try to walk every day this week at least 6-8 miles so that I don't worry too much while on vacation in a few weeks. I'm sure we'll walk alot on vacation, but it won't be the same as the walks I'm doing now in the morning. I can't believe that the 3day walk will be here before we know it. For the most part, I think I'm ready. I can't believe the walking is getting easier. I went shopping today to buy a new pair of shorts, and I'm down 2 sizes from last summer.. Yippie. I hope to continue the walking even after the 3day event. I also need to do some weight training to help tighten some of the extra skin. One thing at a time. :)
Ok, I'll leave you with this nice picture. For those of you who are not father's, consider the fatherly impact you may have on others. Whether you are an uncle, godfather, neighbor or friend. *Smile*
Sunday - June 12, 2011
Got a late start as I went to church first thing, then came home and had some breakfast. I like to have quite a few miles in before noon, and I was just getting going around then. I took Sam with me today. She was so excited, just sniffing here and there. After about 2.5 miles, she started to just take it in stride. Until I said, a squirrel. Then she perked up and started to canvas the area to see where the squirrel was. (Anyone who's seen "UP" can appreciate this reference.).
We walked close to the lake and she got very excited. We also went to Veterans Park and she enjoys trying to chase the geese. We walked to a bank, and I had her lay down outside the ATM door while I went in real quick. I saw a car come up and I finished and came out. The woman thought that Sam was lost and she was concerned. She hadn't seen me in the door. I told her I appreciated it, but, she was with me. :) She was getting tired, so I had Dennis come and pick her up. We did a little over 6 miles by then. I did the last 3+ miles myself, but that was ok. We made good time, averaging 3.5 miles per hour.
Today was much cooler, upper 60's. It felt more like fall, than June. I really enjoyed it though. Sam and I just kept walking.. and in my head the Boulevard of Dreams kept playing over and over. For anyone who's never heard it before, or know the words.. here you go:
The good news is, I know at the end of July, I won't be walking alone. I'll be walking with amazing people who committed to this same journey and raised money to help in the efforts. To all those so far who've donated any dollar amount.. I THANK YOU again ! ! If you were/are unable to donate, please know that I am grateful for any good wishes my way that I can actually do this ! ! :)
Pedometer reading: 23970 (or 10.89 miles)
Cheers.
Saturday - June 11, 2011
"If you do something, you really do it." was what our dock partner said to me yesterday when I walked to the boat from my haircut. After hearing how many miles I walked, he was like, well, you really do something, you just aren't taking a walk, you're really taking a walk. It sounded so good when he said it. I did 14.64 miles. Just shy of the 15 miles I was shooting for, but, I was very happy with my progress. Only once did I feel a little ...light headed. Thank goodness for shade! While it was only about 78 degrees, it was sunny and a bit muggy. I walked my normal 5 mile route, came home had breakfast. On my 5 mile route, saw some interesting things. Of course, another banana peel.
all shriveled up. Also saw a baby deer on the side of an apartment building. (see pictures). Another interesting thing, was that I've seen signs for a missing cat that goes by the name of Brownie. After I was taking the picture of the baby deer, there was a guy on the side walk with a black cat following him. I asked him if he knew the cat, and he said, oh yes, it's my cat, she follows me to the grocery store and will wait for me while I'm inside, then follow me home. How fun! I said, oh, ok, so that's not "Brownie" the missing cat, he's like, oh no, my cat follows me everywhere. I didn't snap a picture, as I thought that'd be creepy, but, thought I'd note it as an interesting thing. :-)
After a light breakfast, I headed out to where I get my haircut in downtown Willougbhy. I was running out of time, so my son came and drove me about a mile so I 'd make it to my appointment on time. (If I'd not had him drive me there, I would've made my 15 mile goal..... but, I don't like to be late for appointments).
I didn't have my hair styled, and leaving it wet was very refreshing. I'll have to remember that next time it's sunny and warm. The wet hair is a great cooling agent.
(Pedometer read 32654 - my highest single day yet).
Walking this morning, admiring the lightening storm out over the lake I was thinking about a statement someone made recently where they thought I had an adventurous side. I chuckled and thought, well, it is probably a conservative adventurous side because when I think adventurous, I think extreme sports, mountain climbing rip lining, bungy jumping, things like that. Participating in a 3day walk to raise awareness and money for breast cancer never occurred to me as being adventurous until this morning.
I took a new route that would take me alongside the lake so that I could observe the 'pretty' lightening out over the vast darkness.
Light shows in the dark over Lake Erie at 4:48 a.m.
The winds were whirling and leaves, tulip tree buds were flying, I started to think.. hmmm... this might be considered adventurous.
I then walked past a strip in the road passing a dead skunk.. oh no, that awful smell.. walk faster, hold your nose, walk faster.. Boy, God has a sense of humor. Poor little fellow, dead as a doornail and the smell.. well, enough said.
Managed to get almost home as the storms that I admired an hour earlier, were now directly ahead of me on shore and coming off the lake toward me. OK, I'm going to get wet. This is adventurous.. hmmmm.. Within 30 seconds, the clouds opened up and those big rain drops fell, and fell and fell. Great for the grass, not so great for me. Walk faster, walk faster. By the time I finished that last three quarters of a mile, I was soaked to the bone. I was glad I hadn't taken Samantha with me, or she would've been a wet doggy stinking up the house.
So, for the adventurous side of me... all I can say is.. Perhaps *Smile*
Where does the time go? 52 days until the walk. So far, I've logged 439 miles. (Wow.. I did that ?) I've rechecked my excel sheet and yep.. that's it based on my pedometer steps/tracking. Now, that also includes just walking in general, to / from the car, around the halls at work,but it is amazing when you actually tally it up.
So, to the title subject. I was thinking yesterday morning when I did my 5 mile walk, there are definitely side benefits to this regiment of regular walking.
After a day at Cedar Point last Thursday with my daughter's 8th grade graduating class, I wasn't tired, sore or felt like I'd been walking all day with a group of teens who were indecisive about which ride to go on next. We seemed to weave in/out and back and forth to get to the next ride.
I have been receiving comments from people on how I've inspired them to start walking. They are starting to walk their neighborhoods and feeling better in doing so. My dad and I walked in Columbus a few weeks ago and he's been doing more regular walks. My dad has been giving me updates of his walking - Yay dad, keep it up!
Reflection time: The walking has been taking up alot of time. In that time, I've been meditating, reflecting, list making and sometimes purging my brain of thoughts all together and just walking. I sometimes visualize the next walk, the distance, the route. That helps me in knowing what's next.
Health; goes without saying. While the scale doesn't seem to reflect the drop I was hoping for, I am feeling better, stronger, less tired. (except on those nights when I stay up past 10 p.m. and wake up at 4 a.m. I don't drink coffee, so it's sometimes just a literal drag myself outside and start to go.)
June 7th, Summer is here! As you can see, the temperature was starting to heat up early with the humidity and mugginess in the air. Good practice as I have no idea what end of July will be. I hope that the walk starts early enough in the day, that we can get miles behind us before the sun shines and heats up our path. :)
Summer is here, 74 degrees and muggy at 4:43 a.m. on June 7 ! :)
