Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wednesday Workout Update

Walking - who knew??  I kid, I kid - I just don't get the opportunity to walk for exercise very often...let's face it, if I'm outside and wearing running shoes, I'm pretty much running.  But on Monday, my son Sam and I went for a long walk - 4.25 miles to be exact.  It was nice - I began to feel like I was doing something after a couple of miles, and definitely felt that my leg muscles got a workout by the time we finished.  We did run a little bit - maybe a total of half a mile - because there were a few downhill areas that I just couldn't resist (my name is Shelley and I love to run downhill - is there a meeting for that?).  What is even more ironic about walking is that when I first started losing weight, and everyone recommended walking for exercise, I was resistant...it was too hot, I was too sweaty, it was not for me.  Oh how times have changed!

Random walk sighting:  Two ducks were ahead of us on the sidewalk - then one decided to step off the curb and cross the street...ack!  A car was coming - not super fast, but still, it might have been curtains for the duck had he kept going.  The car stopped in the middle of the street (we had already stopped, hoping to not scare the ducks from coming back onto the sidewalk), and the duck finally turned around and came back to the sidewalk - whew!

Yesterday Sam and I planned to go for a run early, before he had to work, but I woke up to both my alarm and lightening...and shortly after, the storm hit.  While I'm ok with running in (warm) rain, I don't want to be the dumbass you see in the news who was struck by lightening because she was out running in it.  So, I climbed stairs instead...yes, I did extra trips up and down deliberately.  These are steep stairs and my short legs are getting quite a workout - I bet if I lived here, they would look pretty nice better!

This morning we're going for our run - 4 miles is the plan.  No rain in the forecast, woohoo!  I'm looking forward to it.  And we'll probably run again tomorrow - why not, right?  I don't know if it's the change in venue, or the idea that running club is starting back up in 10 days, but I'm pretty excited about running again. Plus, I'm going to keep up with this whole "walking" thing, too...might as well keep moving, one way or another!

18 comments:

  1. Love this Shelley. As you know I have done 2 long distance walks with Bella and am already excited for the next one on July 6. The advantage of walking is that you don't get super tired like with running, you see much more than when you run and you definitely feel your leg muscles afterwards.

    Could you sent some running excitement in an envelop to me? I could desperately need one. So happy for you, you are so excited for your runs.

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  2. I have been going more toward walking lately and my knees thank me. There is nothing like a nice brisk walk early in the morning. The running still gets mixed in but I don't feel the pressure that I have to run

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  3. seriously stuff like that DUCK give me a panic attack...
    Id have run after it and lovingly dragged it to safety :-)

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    1. I was afraid if we moved toward it, the duck would have gone further into the street! Apparently ducks have about the same sense as squirrels when it comes to crossing the street: "oh, a car is approaching? time to cross!"

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  4. It's so cool that you and Sam are running together! I wish my mom could do that with me, so I hope you both appreciate how cool that is :)

    Walking is such great exercise! If something is within a few miles, we usually walk because it's just as quick as driving or taking public transit, and it just feels so good to be out enjoying the fresh air.

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    1. I think he appreciates it - I know I do! And when we were out today, I could see several restaurants on our route, within about half a mile from their place. Trying to talk him into walking to the salad one tonight...although, it IS pretty hot around dinnertime here. But still, I love the idea of walking someplace - very cool that you guys do that!

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  5. So cool that you are psyched about running again. Though smart idea on the "no lightening" approach!

    My love of walking depends totally on time of day and temperature. Hot temps or afternoon--blech. Feels like it's a chore (unless it's a short jaunt to somewhere fun). But catch me on a nice cool morning or evening and it's an absolute joy.

    Love the walking-to-a-meal thing too; the great thing is you get to walk it back off too after a rest and you feel lighter by the time you get home.

    Have fun!
    --Crabby

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  6. I love a nice long walk with a buddy. I should do that with my kids more often!

    Glad the duck survived!! :)

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  7. Woo hoo for walking! Of course I don't even do that for long distances anymore. But on good days I do intervals --walking as fast as I can for 100 paces or so and then strolling for 20 paces. It feels like a really good workout.

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  8. My hubby does the stairs thing sometimes too, while I'm at the bottom of the stairs dancing. We crack us up. Great job, Shelley!

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  9. I've been walking too. My knee has been pretty painful so I'm giving it a rest from running. I like walking, but the same distance seems to take so much longer. Funny thing is it really doesn't cuz I'm a slow runner.
    It's awesome that your boys like to run with you.

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  10. Yay for walking. Personally, I love my walks these days. I love them less in the cold, rainy winter. Oh well, we walk when we can! Have a great Wednesday Shelley

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  11. I don't walk all that much now that I am biking. In fact, when I do walk it's like "Come on! This is taking forever to go 3 miles!" LOL

    I love how you run with your sons now.

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  12. I actually love to walk - before my gym membership next to my office that was pretty much my only exercise - it is a workout! I know a woman who lost 50 pounds and has kept it off for a year - first from walking to lose 40 pounds, and now she is a cross fit bad ass and lost another 10!

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  13. I have to admit that I'm one of those people that holds my breath every time I see a squirrel crossing the road!!
    I bought a brand new pair of very bright coloured running shoes and can't wait to get them on and out the door tomorrow :)
    Then again I love to bike too. For that I blame Lori!! JK

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  14. I love walking! I think you can totally get a work out with walking. Yeah for doing stairs!

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  15. I've restarted the walking for exercise ever since I fell on the sidewalk while running and not watching where I was going... Long story but I injured my left hip so walking it is.

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