Sssstttttrrreeeeeeeeeettttcccchhhhh!



I walked 1.3 miles tonight WITHOUT PAIN!! Woohooo!! I feel so relieved I can't even tell ya! :) And I wasn't terribly tired - I had plenty of ooomph left!

It was just getting dark at 7pm when I arrived at the h.s. track. I got out of the car and - taking the advice of some of my tweeps *grin* on Twitter - I stretched out my calf and leg muscles before I went out onto the track. Why do I feel self-conscious doing stretching? I think it is 'cause I think people will see me and I believe they'll think "she's kinda overweight - what is she stretching to do?" But that is crazy talk - I seriously doubt people are watching me at all.. lol Oy! The things we think sometimes as overweight people! ; )

I had read something in Fitness magazine the other night about concentrating on your foot landing squarely - not too much on either the ball or the heel of your foot but 'kerplunk' in the middle. Maybe this was in a ChiWalking article I read from a Self Magazine link... that may have been where actually. But no matter, it worked!!

Between the stretching and the first lap of consciously landing my feet properly, I was without ANY shin splint pain. NONE! I was pretty encouraged and took it slow and steady (yup, like the turtle...) and went 1/2 mile and then 3/4 of a mile. Approaching the mile mark I was thrilled. I realized that the walk was well within my abilities!

I have been joking about it- but I have been worried about the 3+ miles. I've been getting shin splints regularly before a mile is up... but that worry is kaput! Gone. History. And I AM THRILLED!!! : )

As I walked, I thought about how thankful I am to be where I am tonight on this weightloss and health journey. A year ago could I have walked over a mile and been able to think about going more? Hell, no! No way!! Tonight - even in the humidity - I walked easily and steadily around the track. I had my inhaler in my pocket and didn't need it once! THAT IS SO HUGE FOR ME! And the fear of asthma attacks is gone for me now, too. Again: HUGE! I don't feel I need to have my cell phone with me "just in case". The phone was in the car. I didn't need it. Wasn't even concerned that I might.

I walked and felt the breeze and listened to Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt and Allmann Bros. and Christy Moore and The Dubliners and I was happy. Really, truly happy that I have come this far. I thought how my health will improve my quality of life and how when I'm next in Ireland I'll be able to hike the hills again and explore the countryside on foot - not just where I can get to in a car.

If you're reading this, thanks for your support. : ) And God, like Mark 9:23 (All things all possible for he who believes...) I do believe in myself and in You... thanks for answering my prayers! : )

Inspirational Quote


Poem: On the Drive to Work


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On the Drive to Work

And so it is Fall.
The traffic light mirrors the palette of the trees
As it stops me on my morning journey.

I look at my hands,
Gripping the wheel of this almost-owned car,
And at my arms,
A vestige of the best summer tan
I’ve had since my youth
Still visible.

A woman’s caftan swirls about her dark legs
As she walks the sidewalk regally beside me.
African prints billow up
Before small hands press them down again.

The first yellow and orange leaves
Dance across my windshield
Beckoning me to turn around,
To head for home,
To call in sick,
Then run outside to play.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - the first full day of Autumn *Photo from 2008 in New Hampshire