Walk 89. Different walks

Walking with a friend is different from walking while listening to music is different from walking alone with my thoughts. I know it's obvious...but I mean it's really different. My walking challenge moved beyond "exercise" within the first 2 weeks. I started seeing there were so many other wonderful reasons to walk besides cardio it's almost silly to label walking just a "low impact workout."

Walking with a friend can create or strengthen friendships and gives me the opportunity to talk it out. So valuable.

Walking while listening to music lets me zone out and enjoy the scenery while really hearing the music (not just having it on in the background). Music makes me so happy it's nice to focus on it alone and it makes some walks better.

Walking alone (in the right frame of mind) is the best. JW sent me an article today that walking increases creativity and taking an hour to let my mind wander brings me to new ideas (this challenge was thought up on the first walk!). It's so nice to be in the moment, to be outside and feel it, to hear my breath and feel my body move. 

Anyway, I walked GL with Jenny again. It's been fun and so different to have the same friend join my walks this week. I think it's actually been a blessing. Maybe I needed a little something to jolt me out of my routine and make me remember how I felt about walking at the beginning of the challenge. Maybe this is normal 3 months in.... like any good challenge there will be ups and downs, it will be fun or boring, easy or difficult.

I feel like I've turned a corner. Since the funeral and then E's surgery it didn't feel like there was room to focus on walks when the rest of my life was so serious and filled with possibly life-changing worry. I'm grateful walks have become inspiring again.

3 miles.

Walk 88. This one must be significant...somehow

I love the number 8. Today was walk 88. I didn't realize it until I started blogging. But I guess it was an important walk. While walking I thought...

I'm way too addicted to Candy Crush.*

I feel leaden and slow...and dragged my feet most of the way. Then finally near the end realized I haven't taken my thyroid for a couple days. (I'm off schedule because they switched my dose again. Managing hypothyroidism can be tricky!)

Magnolia is super pretty and I've taken it for granted for way too long. Or really, I've been hating it when I should have just opened my eyes. (But I remember from experience this is springtime [that feels like summer] in Magnolia. It's easy to be in love.)

I will never regret a walk taken. When I die I will not think, "Dang...I took too many walks."

God is in the details. The kids found a robin's egg at CSJ and it was so blue. E tried to find out why they are blue and there are lots of theories, but I think it's to let us know there is a God. Sometimes the world is just breathtaking and almost too beautiful and it's a way for the divine to reach out and say, "Of course I'm here."

My iPhone doesn't take pics of the Olympics that do them justice. They were BIG, snowcapped and majestic on the other side of the sound. But on my phone they look teensy.

I'm getting bored of blogging (see the first realization) but not the walking. But...I know I need to write more.

And finally...

12 walks to 100.

Sunset along Magnolia Blvd. 3 miles

*I finally passed level 86 and NOW I'M DONE! No more CC!! It was really bugging me that I couldn't figure it out (like a puzzle)....but now that I did I'm OUT.

Walk 87. GL with the same friend.

Another fun walk with Jenny. 3 miles

Walk 86. GL with a friend

Nice to enjoy the lovely day, walk and chat. 3 miles

Walk 85. Early morning walk around CSJ

with S and Piper on their bikes. So pretty. 2 miles

Walk 84. Cape San Juan

3 quick walks around CSJ on San Juan Island. First, to check out a gigantic eagle nest and the public beach, then walked from the marina parking lot to a cool picnic site with a marsh (I spied a river otter!) on one side and the beach on the other. And finally, I headed out alone to try to find the lighthouse at American Camp (I didn't). 2 miles

Path to the picnic spot.

Walk 83. I've been walking....really

Just not blogging. Evening walk, 2.9 miles

Photographic proof I actually went.

Walk 82. Turtles

Walked at Green Lake after I dropped the kids at school. From the first steps I felt so bored. My life has had some dramatic ups and downs lately that have me questioning why I'm even walking....what's the point? It feels really indulgent when I have much more pressing worries. I was feeling blah until it hit me that I needed to use the restroom...and then I raced .9 miles to the nearest one! Nothing like having to go potty to get you out of your ho-hum head space. Then my mom called right as I was about to walk past a noisy ride-on lawnmower and other loud GL beautification. So I turned around. It was a good thing because when I was hurrying to the bathroom I saw all these turtles sitting on a log. I had to go so bad I didn't dare stop to take a picture. But since I was walking back the way I came I went right to them. Then sat on the path while I continued talking to my mom to just watch them. I've never seen turtles at Green Lake before. Can't wait to take J to see them. 2.2 miles

Walk 81. Green Lake...

with Les Mis "Bring Him Home" running through my head. 2.8 miles

Walk 80. With S (riding her bike)

Went on a walk along Magnolia Blvd around 7. It was so pretty. 3 miles

Walk 79. In the dark

E and I went to Town Hall to hear Dr. Gottmann speak (All E's idea :-) and after picking up the kids (Cooper watched them at his house after our scheduled sitter cancelled) I didn't get out to walk until 10. It was really dark. I just looked it up and it was between new moon and first quarter moon (moonphases). Anyway, only walked 1.8 miles because I was kind of jumpy being outside so late....in scary Magnolia. ;-)

p.s. Dr. Gottmann is a relationship expert (reminds me of "love experts" from Frozen). During the Q&A at the end I wished I actually had a question...but then a women got up and asked about relationships after trauma, specifically after the death of a child. Whoa. I should have thought of that question! He said, this is the worst trauma anyone can suffer and you don't ever get over it. Somehow that made me feel better....and that our relationship, even though it is the same as everyone else's....has this one huge thing that makes us really different. It was actually comforting, in a way.

Walk 78. New Order

Walked along Magnolia Blvd after we took my dad to the airport. I miss him already. Listened to New Order most of the walk, then switched to Les Mis at the end. The sky was amazing. Saw a rainbow and a bald eagle. 3.3 miles

Walk 77. Stacked in the stroller

Was about to set out on an afternoon solo walk in the drizzle, but then both kids wanted to join me. Both being pushed in the single stroller. In the rain. After the walk we stopped at Al-bret-sons for rice crispy treats supplies and then the park. It was fun. 2.5 miles

Walk 76. Green lake. Again.

Gorgeous. 2.9 miles

Walk 75. Morning walk at Green Lake

Incredibly nice day. I don't ever remember early May being this warm. 2.9 miles

Walk 74. Feels like summer

After dinner walk, the usual Magnolia loop. So sunny! 3 miles

Walk 73. After surgery

E had surgery yesterday. A biopsy. I'm scared. We woke up early to get him to UW Medical Center and I was able to stay with him the entire time (thanks dad for getting the kids up and ready and to school). I was physically and emotionally exhausted and did not want to walk today. But finally in the early evening, I headed out. My feet felt like lead and my stomach hurt, but I walked a couple miles anyway. 2 miles

Walk 72. With my dad

Nice mellow walk after dinner (@ Chinooks). It was so great to walk and talk with him. 1.5 miles.

Walk 71. The revolution isn't working...

Went on my walk after church. It was sunny then cloudy and breezy. No rain. Not cold. Guess how far I walked before I passed someone else walking/running/biking? 1.25 miles. Yes, one point two five MILES. We live in an urban area. I think there are 20,000+ people in Magnolia. And no one was outside enjoying a lovely spring day. Clearly, I have more work to do. Simple walks outside OFTEN can change your life! Not to mention, life is so short! Don't miss it by sitting inside, especially on such a pretty day.

3.4 miles

Empty sidewalk

Practically deserted Magnolia Blvd.

Pretty dark purple (almost black) tulips.

Walk 70. Angry flowers

Went on a walk with J (in the stroller). First to Bartell's to peruse and study their lego selection. Then we meandered over to Magnolia Blvd, where he blew dandelion puffs, met a friendly labradoodle named Cleo, and ran around the wide parking strip. On the way to the park he said, "mom, don't those yellow flowers look angry?" I backed up to see what he was talking about. And then laughed because he was right!

2.5 miles

Walk 69. Dandelions on a busy Friday

Met with my therapist, walked GL, drove to Queen Anne to pick up pen pal letters, J had his staples removed, drove to Capitol Hill to drop off letters, took S to ballet. Then home. Whew!

(AND S had a late over birthday party after ballet! But, E took over the chauffeur duties after dance.)

2.9 miles

The field of dandelions made me think of J. I love that he picks me tiny bouquets and he thinks dandelions are so lovely and smell so sweet. I love that he doesn't know they're weeds. What beauty do we miss because of the labels we've attached? Something to think about next walk... (I'll turn off the music).

Walk 68. Distracted

I've started listening to music during my walks. Spotify. Love it. But... my mind doesn't wander when I'm watching the music video go by. Then I get home and try to blog. But it's all blank.

Talked to my sis on my first mini walk. Too windy at GL to walk and talk, so after about a mile (1.3) I went back to the car to sit and talk. Love her.

Today was Activity Days. I was all set for an Earth Day activity, but then the pen pals from Hamomi came through! I'm so excited for the girls to write letters to girls in Nairobi, Kenya. We wrote the first letters today and they're off to Africa via a volunteer in a few days. Exciting.

After AD and din din* I went for a second walk around 8. Just around Mags. 2.5 miles.

All in all today walked 3.8 miles.

*We ate at The Schwack while we were in Dana Point, and on the menu it said "breki" and "din din." I call breakfast brekki, and dinner din din. I thought I made that up! It was weird to see it printed on a menu.

Walk 67. Green Lake, I've missed you

Back to GL after I dropped the kiddos at school. Lovely, lovely. 2.9 miles

Walk 66. On the phone

Walked around Magnolia in the late afternoon for over an hour. Talked on the phone the entire time to an acquaintance (now friend!). She's pregnant with identical twins, is having complications, and doesn't feel like anyone understands. I was worried, but it turned out to be a good conversation. I've been avoiding this family since I heard twins were on the way. I feel like since there are 3 sets of twins + a girl named Juliet that attend church with us, it's a sign for us to move (crazy, I know). This conversation made it feel a little better. 3.6 miles

Walk 65. Tulips

Went on an afternoon walk today. The Magnolia usual (up the Dravus stairs and along Magnolia Blvd.). 3.3 miles

I just realized today is WALK 65! Only 300 to go!!!!

Walk 64. Happy Easter

Walked with the kiddos this lovely Easter morning. They were fueled by too much chocolate and inspired by a stop at Ella Bailey. It was fun until J decided his feet hurt and he needed to cry the last 6 blocks home. 2.2 miles

Walk 63. Ho(me)-hum

We're back.

I'm tired. And cold.

And I most definitely did not want to go on a walk today. I feel like I did back in week 1.

Our trip was relaxing yet draining. Days of lounging by the pool followed by a baby memorial service.

I feel numb.

I wish I was still in sunny California.

2.5 miles (in the windy cold)

God light bursting through the clouds.

Walk 62. Same as the last 2 days

Morning walk around Dana Point near our hotel. 1.5 miles.

Walk 61. Another morning walk around Dana Point

Short and lovely. 1.5 miles.

(I should go on longer walks because it's so pretty here and it would be fun to explore, but I'm opting to sit by the pool with my family. Don't want to miss family memories out walking by myself.)

Walk 60. Beach

Morning walk around Dana Point. Love it here!! We need to move. 2 miles.

Walk 59. Almost didn't make it

But even after spending 4 hours on a plane, then 5 hours in the ER, I couldn't let my streak end. Quick walk in the dark. 1.5 miles.

Walk 58. Another lovely evening

It was so beautiful along Magnolia Blvd tonight. 2.5 miles.

Walk 57. Okay, it's not allergies

Now I have a horrible burning cough, fever, runny nose, sneezing and fatigue. I think I have a cold.... or maybe measles? (jk) I realize now I must have been getting it for a while and that's why I've been so tired on all my walks. Today at church I was very feverish and almost came home and went to sleep but instead we all rode the ferry to Bainbridge island walked to Windslow (little village a half mile from the ferry dock). All the sun and sea air felt wonderful and Mt. Rainier looked gigantic. 1.5 miles.

Walk 56.This time it was me

Funny this is the 2nd time I've identified a fear or something to let go (Green Lake +, It's not a race) and a couple days later I easily conquer the thing holding me back. Today I walked Discovery Park loop and it was me passing everyone! I didn't get lapped once. I definitely walked quicker than usual and was breathing harder than normal and my legs were sore....but I still stayed in my head and didn't feel pressure to do it. I just did it because I wanted to. 3 miles.

Walk 55. Bald eagle

Near the end of my walk around GL this morning I saw a bald eagle flying low over the lake close to the shore. It was so close and looked huge flapping it's wings in slo-mo. Everyone stopped to stare and it occurred to me that bald eagles are celebrity birds. It flew away quickly--it probably needed some privacy. 2.9 miles.

Walk 54. Short and sweet

Met with my naturopath this morning (blood work, check-up, natural ways to treat my hypothyroid and allergies. Bonus I lost 9 pounds since my last appt!), suffered with allergies this afternoon and then somehow dragged myself out the door to go on a short hike with the Activity Days girls. A little over a mile.

Walk 53. Allergies

The only downside to sunny springtime is all the pollen. Last night allergy season hit me and I've been suffering with painful sinus pressure, runny nose, headache and sneezing since. I did not want to go on a walk today. But after lunch J felt like going and his willingness encouraged me. Thanks little guy! Love you!! We strolled around Magnolia and enjoyed the sun and stopped at the playground on the way home. 2.5 miles.

Love the fluffy Simpsons clouds

Walk 52. It's not a race

J is at the age where everything is a race, especially running to the front door when we get home. He gets so upset if he doesn't win, even if S doesn't know they're racing and is just walking in the house. As I walked GL today a lot of folks passed me. Before I used to get kind of panicked when I'd hear footsteps coming from behind me and I'd quicken my step so I wouldn't get lapped. I had placed some value on winning or not being overtaken by another walker....someone I'd never met who didn't even know they were in a race with me.

Problem was, by letting them influence me, I wasn't walking my pace or taking my walk. It took me out of my head and into a competitive space. True, motivation is good, competition is good.....but is it any good if it can change my thoughts? I'm walking for me. Just going for a walk is a win...I don't literally have to beat others on the path.

Today I just walked my walk. And my pace wasn't actually that different from when I'm trying to walk really fast. Maybe we can be easy on ourselves, not make everything a competition and get there just the same. Maybe even just as fast as when we're really trying... to win.

2.9 miles.

Walk 51. Sandals

I slept in this morning. Really slept in. I vaguely remember the kids coming into my room and I sleepily sent them off to watch shows and eat cold cereal. When I finally got up we had to be out the door in 15 minutes (yikes!). Fortunately we made it on time, no one worse for wear (thanks kids!). But I left the house in sandals and practically pjs. Wasn't planning on going for a walk. But... It was so pretty outside (it's supposed to be 70° today) and GL beckoned. I thought, I'll just go for a little walk, maybe a mile, and enjoy the morning. I don't have to walk around the lake.

I called my mom while on the path. It was fun to talk to her. She's a big fan of this challenge (thanks mom!) and before I knew it I was halfway around the lake. And once you're halfway...  Anyway, it was so nice strolling and chatting with her and my dad (hi dad!). My feet didn't hurt at all.

What a wonderful way to start the day.

3 miles.

Walk 50. Fifty!

Fifty days of walking in a row. 157+ miles walked. Feels pretty darn good. At this rate I'll walk 1000 miles by the time I finish.

Today I walked from our house to the Locks. I won't lie, I was tired. I didn't sleep well again and I haven't been drinking water like I should, so it was another dragging-my-feet walk. It was really pretty though. Perfect walk for 50.

4.3 miles.

Walk 49. Uphill

Funny how sometimes a walk can feel entirely uphill. Both ways, in the snow (just kidding). Just walked Discovery Park loop and felt like I was dragging instead of springing along the trail. I had to stop at this bench and enjoy the silvery light sparkling across the sound. 3.2 miles.

Walk 48. Sunny afternoon walk with J

Pushed J in the stroller up the tall hill (W Smith St.) to Ella Bailey Park. Played there for a while, then took the long way home. 3 miles.

Walk 47. Morning light

I couldn't sleep last night. I tossed and turned my head filled with worries. This always seems to happen when I have an early walk planned. I almost cancelled on my friend, but in the end I decided to go. So glad I did. It was beautiful, still and quiet. I love the morning light and I'm so happy the days are getting longer. There is just something so exhilarating about getting up early and staring the day while the world around me sleeps. It's like being in on a little secret between me and the nature, who is whispering, "Get up, come outside and meet me. I have lots of beautiful things to show you that most folks don't see." 3 miles.

Walk 46. Today is...

National Walking Day. I just finished a 2.9 mile walk around Green Lake. You?

Walk 45. Old shoes, new friend

Comfortable walk around GL this morning with a newish friend. I wore my old shoes (which apparently I'm supposed to be doing as I transition to new shoes. Oops. And thank goodness! I needed a pain free walk!) It was so nice. Nice weather, nice conversation, happy feet/calves. There was nothing "have to" or "should" about it. Pure pleasure.

It's kind of a bummer that's a revelation. I mean, I could have been taking purely pleasurable walks for years! Maybe it takes walking consistently to get to those kind of experiences. And don't get me wrong, I've definitely gone on nice walks before. But the question is....why not more often? Why is it so much easier to have a treat or watch mindless TV or surf the internet to quickly gratify my need for something good and soothing? Especially since going for a nice walk is all that AND good for me. And why before was a walk on a "to do" list, instead of on a "yay, let's go!" list?

Can I blame it a little on the experts? Walking is good for blah blah blah and you need to walk this fast for this many steps a day and it will blah blah blah. They turned it into a "have to." And I'm mad they took something simple and made it complicated. But I think that's a lot how modern life is. Just think about all the stuff that's been added to going for a walk (which we've all been able to do since we were 1). Pedometer, gps, apps, walking shoes, workout clothes, water bottle, hydrating (instead of drinking), energy snacking, etc. Occasionally I've seen someone running in jeans and the wrong shoes and I think, right on! They probably just felt like running. Who says you have to get all the right gear before going for a walk? Who says we have to get the right stuff before trying anything?

Don't get me wrong. This post is for me. Maybe you're not like this. I've been stopped many times from trying something new because I'm overwhelmed at the gear, learning curve and all the experts telling me the right way to do it. And, I honestly used to feel embarrassed when I'd go for a walk. I'm wearing the wrong thing, I'm going too slow, I look too fat, someone is looking at me, I don't have the right to be here. How crazy is that?? Fortunately those voices stopped many many walks ago. Probably at walk 3.

Anyway, today I really love walking. I love it every day, but today was just good. Now, go for a walk.

2.9 miles