So I walked my 3.85 miles
It sounds a little dramatic sitting there in the heading but, it’s really just one piece to my routine. And it may surprise you to learn that it isn’t the exercise aspect (calories burned :: ~400) that makes it important. No.
The important thing (for me) with mall walking is:
- The time to meditate on what I’m doing.
- What is important?
- What are my goals?
- Am I keeping my back upright as I walk?
- What will I write about this afternoon?
- What do my parents need today?
- When will I do the laundry
- What will we have for dinner?
- etc.
Walking is the glue of my life. If I’m not walking, I’m probably not thinking very clearly. I’m less likely to get stuff done (like laundry.) And WAAAY too likely to lie around on the couch (just today) reading.
So it’s not necessarily the walking
Is it?
14 Comments
Walking has become a feel-good activity for me. I make it a point to enjoy the outdoors and to stop and pet people’s dogs. It apparently makes the dogs feel good, but it definitely makes me and the owners feel good!
Carolyn, once I get going I have to hold back — I LOVE to walk and always have. I’d love to go on one of those hundred mile hikes.
One of the things I miss this winter is walking with my husband and our dog. But, the sidewalks have been covered in snow almost constantly since the week before Christmas & it’s too high for the dog. And my husband just isn’t interested in Mall Walking….
When we walk with Tommy, it’s so fun — people stop to pet him and other dog owners want them to play together — as you say, everyone feels good!
The Mall Walking is my winter compromise . . .
I guess I feel a little defensive about it
Yes, this winter has been tough. But we haven’t had as much snow in Chicago as you East Coasters have.
I’m actually in Kansas (Overland Park) and we aren’t nearly buried like they are back east — but, we’ve had a few big snows and it’s stayed cold enough that the snow barely melts before the next one comes. It’s weird because the streets are clear. But, walking just isn’t practical. Yet.
My daughter lives in Chicago — she said it’s been pretty mild. My dad grew up there and remembers winter as HORRIBLE….
Hey, Katie:
I am supposed to be in training for running a half marathon, but everything kind of slid to a halt before Christmas (it’s now mid-February … eeek!). I really need to get into a routine again, because right now I’m only running once a week. But when I’m out running is when I get my best thinking done. It’s a strange combination of stress relief and planning my schedule.
Hi britgirls!! I think that’s an amazing goal. When is the half-marathon? How do you do train with your young children at home? (I’m always curious about logistics.)
Heh, we have snow on Planet Georgia right now. It’ll be gone by Tuesday though, more likely than not.
I have opportunity on occasion to walk to wherever I’m going to eat lunch. The food isn’t all that healthy (BK & Zaxby’s) but the fresh air (such as it is) helps. ‘Course, last time I did that I got unblocked on my story, so I need to do it more often. Inspiration!
Walking definitely unblocks my writing blocks…. OH! Did you think it was the Burger King that helped? (giggle)
Three point eight five miles – that’s an accomplishment! How long does it take you? Criminently, it takes me 30 minutes to RUN that far! Well, actually less distance than that, about 3.1 miles (a 5K). At least, it did a few years back…;-) As a matter of fact, I’m looking at a plaque for winning first place in a run 8-11 years ago in an age category which I will not mention. ;-J
I meant to write, in the 7:31 post, “8-11 years ago *today*”! Thought that was a cute coincidence.
I ran that race for a Mardi Gras celebration in the next town over.
Maybe we can extend the edit capabilities for posts to a longer period of time, or maybe make it unlimited, if that’s o.k…
Alex -
About the editing of comments, I think I could reasonably extend it for an hour but, I think that’s long enough for people to have second thoughts about what they said and not so long that it could play havoc with the context of the conversations.
It takes me an hour to walk about 3.5 miles – the rest of that walking was from cleaning my parent’s house. That’s me walking alone (in a totally controlled environment) at a pretty good clip (for me) when my husband and I walk with the dog we are somewhere between 2.5 & 3 miles per hour.
One of our other comments is in training for a 1/2 marathon — It’s unimaginable to me to have that much energy.
Wow.
Re: getting out for a run with young children in the house. Well, in the summer months it’s relatively easy to run in the week (usually on Tues/Thurs) because I would get up at 6:15 and go for a half an hour run and be back by 7. Hubby and kids would still be sleeping. Then on a Sunday I would go for a long run at about 7:30 a.m. with my neighbor.
Don’t you just love that?
But in the winter months it’s too dark and icy to even try running that early. I do have gym membership (with childcare) so I don’t have real excuses. Somehow I always manage to find an excuse, though.
Goals: Last year my goal was to run a 1/2 marathon with my neighbor (her first … I ran a marathon several years ago). We did meet that goal. We ran the Philly half marathon in November. Great experience … there were about 20,000 runners on the course that day. Including all shapes and sizes and ages. From very young to elderly. Some people with serious health issues. BTW, I saw someone with a T-shirt saying “This isn’t sweat … it’s my fat cells weeping.”
This year we plan to run another 1/2 marathon along the coast in Long Branch, NJ this May. But the ultimate aim is to run a full marathon this coming November. I turn 40 this year so wanted to make it a year to remember. Keep your fingers crossed for me. It’s so easy to say these things. Dragging my butt out of bed to actually go run on a regular basis is the hard thing. But … with three small kids this is about the only ME time I get.
I’m impressed — you’ve got a great structure for success. A dream, a plan & a workable schedule.
I think the only thing missing is drawing that line. Telling yourself that the moment is going to pass if you don’t do at least X today.
And yes, I LOVE that tee-shirt!