WORTH IT? ABSOLUTELY!!

I'm not looking for this training to be easy because I know that it will not be, at least at first or second or third for that matter.  But do I believe that it will all be worth it, you betcha!!

Being here with my son for some together training is a bit more challenging then I thought it would be.  After all he's 6'2" and I'm 5'5", you can just imagine how different our strides are.  Here's me,
--------, here's his step count, -  -  -  -!  No way for me to catch up unless I double time.  Lol

We did have a great walking weekend though.  Not real long walks but very pleasant ones.  Temperature was wonderful, sun was just rising and home before it got hot out.  I must admit that it was a bit of a challenge for me as I haven't been walking everyday, or almost everyday, like I do when I'm home so the legs were a bit sore, got new sneakers so my feet felt fine.  Today is a day off but tomorrow morning out the door I'll go.  Looking forward to the coolness and beauty of the early morning hours.

To tomorrow and beyond...

TESTING, TESTING, 123

This past week has been nothing but testing, testing, testing, with a couple of doctor visits in between.  All good stuff, but they take up so much of the day and week.  Now the follow up rest of the doctor visits, then it's clear sailing for the rest of my visit to PA.

Besides all of these events, it's been raining every day since my arrival, so going for a walk in the rain hasn't been an option with only one pair of sneakers here.  Wet feet and wet sneakers are not the kind of thing I'd like unless I have to do the race in the rain.

But this morning, the sun is shining, the temperature is delightful and I was able to go outside and enjoy a nice walk.  Because I was "off" for a week I took my time and didn't push too hard, two miles that really felt like 4 or 5, but tomorrow will be even better.  More sunshine and beautiful temperatures await me in the morning.

Here's to the next four weeks of enjoying my visit to PA and walking my little (okay maybe not so little, hahaha) feet off and pursuing the 1/2 marathon dream that awaits me.

To tomorrow and beyond...

NEW, OLD MANTRA!

I know that I really don't have to remind myself of this when I'm out there walking or running, but I'm going to be training, in person, with my training from afar partner for the next couple months and I think I'm going to have to remind him and myself of this.

With long legs and long gait, it's going to be a challenge to keep up with him.  And let's not forget that he's 27 years younger then I am!  YIKES, 27 YEARS!!!  Never sounded like a lot until I wrote it down.  LOL

I know that we'll be walking/running everyday while I'm visiting, but that's good because it keeps me motivated going with someone.  I'm not only accountable to myself but now I'm accountable to him, and no one likes to let their son down.   :-) 

Old news, the sahara dust has finally blown out of here and it's a bit easier to breathe while exercising.  Yesterday was still a walk inside using the dvd but that's ok because after I finished I went right to work getting ready for my trip. 

Clothes packed √, some shutters closed √, freezer cleaned out √, I'm on a roll.  This exercising thing is really good for you!  Got so much done that a couple of months ago would have taken two or three days to do what I did in one! 

Oh look a squirrel!

Again my train of thought was disrupted and I got off my message.  I know I don't have to run/walk at a fast pace to finish the 1/2 marathon, I just have to show up and keep going.  One step after another, fast or slow, I'll get to the finish line and be proud of all that I've accomplished!

Just keep going, and going, and going...

To tomorrow and beyond...

NOT ME, NO SIR!

I'm just doing it!  I walk almost every day, most of the time 6 days a week, sometimes only 5, but I'm DOING IT!

This graphic really does tell it all.  Getting out there and moving, no matter what the reason, makes you feel proud of your accomplishment. 

I happened to pass a neighbor the other day while out for my long walk and I have to say I was laughing so hard at her comment.  (Love ya girl!)  Here's what she said to me as I was finishing my walk, "just wondering if you're doing this for health reasons or if you have a boy toy!"  I almost wet myself laughing!  A BOY TOY!  Seriously?!  An overweight, 64 year old, out of shape women and a boy toy?!  LOL

At least she said that she has noticed a difference in my appearance and that I look healthier.  When I came home and told my husband, after we got finished laughing, he said, totally unprompted by her comment because I had yet to tell him that part, that he thought I looked so much better, healthier, fitter.  So maybe all this walking/running is finally starting to pay off.  :-) 

My only thought about this is don't ever doubt the good that you're doing for your body, soul and mind by just getting out there for a walk, jog or run.  Life is short enough, let's not waste it!

To tomorrow and beyond...

LOOK LIKE ANYONE YOU KNOW?! :-)

Before I started this journey to better physical health and being able to complete a 1/2 marathon, the picture above was me, totally!  How easy it is to get into a rut of saying you should get up and exercise and then just sit there and not do anything.  It happens to me and I'm sure it happens to you too!

Yesterday was a phenomenal walk for me.  I didn't do any running, just walking,  but my split times were FANTASTIC!  I even got a split of 16:07 for my second mile!!  I need to be able to complete a 16:00 minute mile to complete the race in the allotted time, and now I'm oh so close, with 7 months left to perfect my walking speed and distance.  All three miles were at a great pace, 16:21 for mile 1, 16:07 for mile 2 (my best time) and 16:27 for mile 3.

Today is a walk inside, but that's ok.  Doing the dvd workouts are a good change of pace, because my outside walks are just back and forth on the same roads anyway.  LOL

So I better go now, before I sit and think about it too long. 

You know I'm easily distracted right?!  Oh look, a squirrel!

Hahahaha

To tomorrow and beyond...

I'M BAAACK!! :-)

Just when you thought, "well maybe she's not as committed as she says she is",  this morning I did a four mile walk!  It was a great feeling to move even though it was only one day off and the motivation level went down dramatically, I felt good about moving this old body for 4 miles.  There wasn't any running because I did a 4 mile walking dvd.  The air has been so heavy with sahara dust, it's been hard to breathe when walking outside.  For those who don't know what sahara dust is, it's a large dust storm that comes off the coast of Africa, across the Atlantic Ocean and falls on us and the other Caribbean Islands with a blanket of "dust".  It does have it's positive side though as it keeps storms from developing in the Atlantic Ocean. 

I am in such a positive mood this morning.  Knowing that it was going to be a great day, and so far so good.  I'm upbeat and happy, filled with excitement about what the future holds for me.  I have a very supportive husband, who loves me dearly, as I love him, and children and grandchildren who are the inspiration for my journey to better health.

It is true that one positive thought each morning can shape your whole day.  Be happy, positive and smile a lot because if nothing else, how can you be negative when you're smiling?!

Already thinking about my long walk on Saturday.  Haven't quite decided what the distance will be but whatever it is, I'll be happy and positive about doing it.

To Saturday and beyond...

WALKING WITH A PURPOSE OR PURPOSELY WALKING!

Unlike this little penguin, I didn't walk with any purpose this morning.  In fact I didn't walk or run at all.  Besides having a terrible headache when I woke up, the motivation wasn't there to just push through it.  I do indeed have a purpose, other then being able to do the 1/2 Marathon.

My purpose for doing all of the walking and running is to be able to be here for my family as long as I can.  This means being healthier and walking and running to keep my heart strong will sure help.  Of course, one never knows what is in the plan for them so I'll do my best to just keep plugging along.

Although I didn't "go" for a walk today, I've already racked 1+ miles by cleaning and doing some things around the house because today we have a house showing to a prospective buyer, and whatever is meant to be will be.  I have faith that things will all fit into the "plan" God has for us, that's part of the purpose for my life. 

Here's to having my motivation return and working on my "purpose".

To tomorrow and beyond...