Walking until my legs literally fall off...

I'm doing something new this year. I am training to walk the marathon. Yes, I'm going to walk 26 frickin' miles the first Sunday in October. Luckily, I have hooked up with a women's training group, and we have monthly lectures about issues in training, and we have groups that meet to do long walks together, and a trainer named Ellie who is most encouraging. I doubt I could do it with out joining a group to be motivated.

By way of background- I have no athletic ability- I'm not being modest here, I have none, zero, zilch, cannot throw a ball, catch a ball, hit a ball, or run fast. I'm barely able to walk- I'm the most clumsy person I have ever met. Also, I'm not what you would call a "morning person"- I loathe waking up in the morning, I'm a night owl, and happy as a clam to stay up really late. AND, these walking groups meet at 6:00 AM! On Saturdays, the best sleeping in day of the week!

So, as you can see, I'm kind of way out of my comfort zone in this whole, waking-up early, doing something athletic thing. But, on Saturday, I woke up at 4:45 and out the door at 5:15 to go meet my walking group. And we walked, and walked and walked for five hours, half the length of the marathon...and actually, I was feeling pretty good. Until I stopped walking. I hopped in my car and drove home feeling the leg muscles tightening (yes, I probably should have stretched a little more) And I parked my car, and I nearly cried when I realized all the steps I had to climb to open the door to the apartment...but that was the only way to get to the food and the shower I so desperately needed. So, I climbed up the steps in a bizarre, stiff robotic way and fell on the couch in my sweaty clothes. I painfully removed my shoes and then fell asleep. The I woke up and felt totally gross- I took my sorry-ass to the shower painfully peeling off the clothes, and stayed under the hot water until the hot water was gone. I was very excited about this Saturday, my daughter was hanging out with her cousins at my sisters house and my husband is in Alaska. AND- I was invited to a grown-up party. After having a sandwich, I fell back asleep. When I woke up I thought if I can make it up the stairs to the office to get the party address, I will go to the party. I did not go. I realized if walking were the problem, standing might be bad too. I did manage some Chinese food as a treat, and that was enough - I enjoyed the quiet, the control of what was on TV, the lack of questions, bed time, etc.

During my walk I'm apt to have deep thoughts when I'm not chatting with the nice ladies in the group. Sometimes I think I could have had a different kind of life. Sometimes I wonder if its time to go for it, or if what I have is really what I need.

I would say, walking is good for you. Part of my motivation was to get healthy, I had a doctor's appointment on Friday and he was impressed with my weight loss the lowering of my blood pressure. Walking is good for you because if you're not an athlete, you can achieve something that takes some real physical stamina. Walking is good for you, because you can climb into your head and really think about your life.

Today, I slept in late- I was able to get out of bed and walk like a normal person (amazing what some sleep will do) I went to Starbucks and got some sort of decadent pastry and a mocha. I visited with my sister and saw the cool butterfly my nephews and daughter were able to hold on their hand, I watched them run around my the yard and have sword fights. I held a baby kitten. My daughter and I are headed out to the pool and after I pick up my husband at the airport, we might have spaghetti. Sometimes I think life is just all these little moments that add up to your life and that is how the big picture takes shape. (Like I said, walking leads to deep thoughts!)