Back on the bandwagon

OK, I admit it, I've been lazy for the last two weeks. I missed both days of walking last weekend and didn't walk this week at all. Did do some resistance training but that doesn't replace the aerobics. So this morning I'm going back out there and doing the whole neighborhood - all 7.2 miles of it. And then again tomorrow, no ifs, ands or buts! OK well MY big ole butt maybe, but no excuses. I just hope someone has their lawn sprinkler on so I can walk through it along the way! -- T.Rob

Wow! Not only did I make it the whole distance, but I knocked my pace down from 19'01 to 18'16. My mini-goal has been to average an 18 minute mile over the whole distance to it's not that far away. Woo hoo! Realistically, my mini-goal should be to be hitting the road consistently for a solid week...then two...then three... OK, that's my pledge for the week. Both days this weekend and next, plus at least three days during the week. I'm traveling next week but I'll walk in the airport if I have to. -- T.Rob

I know whatcha mean...I have been off the wagon the last three days myself. I hit that onderland goal and then fell apart. Back on the wagon again for me too! I'm off to the gym for my hour of cardio and a little lifting as well. Good Job T. Rob! Way to get going again! Kathy

Okay, you've inspired me. I'm going lap swimming tomorrow!

I to have been slacking in my exercise but I do have a really good reason. I have been driving across the country from my dads in Tennessee to Arizona to Cali to Oregon so I haven't really had a good chance but I did go for a small walk today (it was 100 here in AZ) and swimming 2 times but it was more for play then exercise. I'm looking forward to getting home so I can hit the gym. I'm missing it a lot. I must say that is not something you would have heard me say before surgery. I HATED working out! Hugs and thanks for the kick in the pants! Keep up the good work and let us know if you meet your goal. Rebecca

OK, did the whole neighborhood again today. I ran into a neighbor who also walks and we buddied up for a mile but the closer we drew to her house the slower she walked. And by the time we split up I was way behind on my water from talking so much. But noticing her pace slowing down as she approached her house made me aware that mine probably is affected by habit too. I alway**** the same hills in the same order so by the time I get to the last ones I'm going slow and thinking about skipping them. I will probably begin to associate that hill with that pace if I keep this up long enough and then I'll poop out just from habit! So after I went solo again, I changed my route. Still hit every street but did the furthest hills first and worked my way back. What a big difference! My pace was 19'40 when I left my neighbor and I managed to pull it out of the gutter over the next 5 miles and got it down to 18'18 - Just shy of the 18'16 I hit yesterday. There are 7 big hills in the neighborhood (over 1,000 feet of elevation change across 7 miles) and I'm going to start rotating which ones I hit first, second, etc. My dog thinks I'm a walking salt lick when I get home. Follows me around and licks my legs. He's not very affectionate and won't give you a kiss so this is unusual for him. But he's on a salt-restricted diet so I have to keep him away. Poor guy. Ah well, off to scrub up. I'm stinky. I hope the rest of you are kicking some butt today too! -- T.Rob

What an inspiration to us all!! I have not been walking like I should. You just made me want to get off my butt and go walk. See ya later, ~~Betsy

With today being a holiday I had the morning off and walked the neighborhood again. That's about 20 miles in 3 days and I now know a *little* about what those people on Fat March went through. The neighborhood is a closed course with no cross streets so by simply following the curb, I can make it the whole way 'round. In my last post I said I was going to change up the route, which I did today. The side effect of course is that I now have to cross the street several times to take the roads out of order. Given the speed of traffic in my neighborhood, my walk has now been elevated to an extreme sport, right up there with bungee jumping, base diving and helicopter skiing. For those of you following this thread and getting motivated, KEEP THE MOMENTUM UP! If you are not in onederland yet and still allergic to gravity, I'm talking about metaphorical momentum and not the involuntarily somersaulting down the steep hills kind of momentum! Me and gravity are still not on speaking terms due to several "jokes" that I ended up taking the brunt of. There was that time on the sled. And that incident on the motorcycle. A few others I can recall. Gravity is the worst kind of practical joker. -- T.Rob

Okay T.Rob, I'm going to come clean. I have not walked at all this past week. I was so faithful all summer long, and then I ran into this stumbling block. I start teaching again this week and I'm planning to start a routine of walking again. I'm even looking into joining our local fitness center. I did do something that shocked even myself though. I was at the amusement park this weekend and I found myself wanting to run from ride to ride...so I did. The kids all were so shocked that old Dad would run like that. I was just so happy because the year before exactly I was kicked off every rollercoaster in the park. What a happy weekend to celebrate. John

Now I have to get going on my exercise. I think it will help me with my energy. I am so tired when I get home from work that I just want to go to bed but if I start walking maybe I will get a second wind. Thanks for the motivation. Hugs, Esther