Exercise in the New Year

I've gone back to a 3 times a week class. I just wasn't doing it on my own. Two of the classes have stretching and weights, and third (led by my husband) is more cardio. I did this class in 2000-2002 and then dropped out, preferring to walk--which I rarely kept up. So back to some discipline. . .

Holiday Greetings and Happy 2009

Yes - I know it is after Christmas, but really this is the 10th day of Christmas.

Christmas was again in Minneapolis, where we did some walking and playing with my niece's newest addition - an Australian cattle dog named Pip.

Since then there has been no real time to walk and no good snow to try out snow shoeing. But am doing an exercise routine twice a day!

Hopefully time and weather will allow me to get out to do some winter walking and try out the snow shoes - they are not the old fashioned kind, but "hi-tech" (LL Bean) with poles and a storage case. One of my resolutions is to set aside an hour + on weekends for just doing walking or snow shoeing.The other resolutions are the continuations of last year - "works in progress".

Just want to wish all a Happy New Year!

Saw a silly Robin today - doesn't he known he should be south of the Illinois Quad Cities?

Thanksgiving Weekend

First of all, must say my Thanksgiving Blessings to each and all!

Still keeping up the walks, at least 3 days a week. Work is pulling at me, but I'm taking time off each week to use up some vacation days and comp time. The funding has not improved, so my staff person and myself are taking one day off unpaid and we have had to lay off 2 employees indefinitely.

The walks by the canal are ongoing. I cannot believe how many squirrels I have seen busily storing away acorns. The red-tailed hawk is back and the path is a busy place with all the little critters preparing for winter. The fours miles can take anywhere between 1 hour and a hour and a half, depending on the number of fellow walkers, pups, and cats I stop and greet.

I just ordered hi-tech snow shoes. Now for some snow so I can put them to good use.

QUAD CITY MARATHON 5K

Just finished my last 5K for the year. That's not to say I won't be continuing my walks and jogs along the canal bike path. Although our governor thought he would cut the budgets for several park facilities and historic sites, hopefully the Illinois law makers will approve funding for those areas. If so, I will be walking still when the snow flies and maybe even through the snow. I'm still comtemplating snow shoeing - we'll see how that all works out.

My work is still ruling most of my life, but I am making more time for a life outside the office. I really have lots of yardwork to catch up on, but I love working outside in the fall so I will enjoy every minute of it.

The exercycle

Everyone probably has one on which to hang laundry and gather dust. Ours has moved from bedroom to basement to my office, and has been in the garage for over a year. Today I looked at it and decided it would fit between the cars so I could use it, instead of along the wall gather spider webs. Cold weather is coming. Wheeeee.

Labor Day Walk

Just finished the 5k for a Memorial Run for a student that was hit by a car. His folks have set up this run where the proceeds go to scholarships for 2 high school students each year. No walking sticks this time and even did some sprints.

Since I procrastinated the last two days - this "Labor Day" will be a labor day. I really haven't done much of anything in keeping the yard up this year and then there is the garage. I have good intentions, but now time's a flying so this is the big fall push for cleanup and hopefully a bathroom remodel. Off to the projects!

Pain free travel

We'll be at Lakeside another 1.5 weeks and then head home. The ride isn't all that long (about 2.5 hours) but I do get stiff. Here are some exercise/stretching tips for pain free travel from Johns Hopkins.

Four Miles a Day

This is becoming a monthly post. Managing to get in 4 miles a day most weeks, unless the weather says otherwise. I'm working on sprinting at least a block - 5K's are more fund if you sprint across the finish line. Those days I leave the walking sticks at home. It is a little strange sprinting with the hip replacement and I am really careful when I do sprint. But it is such fun even at almost "63" to kick up my heels for the joy of being.

Walking Catchup

It has been just over two weeks since I've written some thoughts. I have been able to get 4 miles in most days - down "my country road", through the little town, and then to the bike path along the canal. I see so many neat "critters" on my walks, even the red winged blackbird who dive bombs me because there are babies nearby.Work has taken over for a little while, but the walks are keeping me focused.

It is very humid today, storms early this morning, but not too hot for a late morning walk. Now to wash and clear coat the Jeep - I've been going to do that for two weeks.

Exercising at Lakeside

Although I see some vigorous joggers and walkers, most of us here for vacation or the summer just get more exercise than usual because we don't use our cars. I might walk 10-12 blocks a day or ride my bike several miles and not even think about it. I think this is why our parents and grandparents didn't carry as much weight. During the day I might walk 3 blocks and back to the little grocery store, or 2-3 blocks to the little business district, or stroll a mile along the lakefront and not even notice it. It's a wonderful way to get around--when the weather's good--and for the most part it has been. Occasionally Joanne sends her storms from Illinois that she has been dodging.

Walking at sunrise along Lake Erie

Back from Italy

We got back from Italy in the wee morning hours of June 30, and I'd planned laundry, photo sorting, blogging, etc. and getting ready for Lakeside, but a virus overtook me and I landed in the hospital, dehydrated. A few others on the tour were also doing poorly, so either we ate or drank something that didn't agree. One gal spent the flight in the rest room--thank goodness mine waited until June 30! But I seem to be on the mend. My little one-mile-a-day walks around the condo grounds weren't up to cobblestone streets and Umbrian hills! Also we had a heat wave. I'm posting photos and stories at my regular blog, Collecting My Thoughts as the inspiration hits. So far, the brain isn't in gear. But Joanne is always an inspiration and I plan to go for a short walk now that the sun is out. It's like a rain forest here in central Ohio.

Happy Fourth of July!

Another month has come and gone. Weather has turned better. This was a great morning for walking. I've been able to walk 3 and 1/2 to 4 miles most mornings before work. Ive sloughed off at Nautilus so that is the next goal to get going on.

We are still Mississippi River flooded in an adjacent county and the local portion of Rock River is still higher in some places than normal. We have lots of mosquitoes and little gnats and I hate wearing bug repellent. But the alternative is worse.

Now that I'm finished with my morning walk, I tackling the weeds and tall grasses in the rose bed that lines the west border of our land. Tonight I'll be able to see some of the fireworks from my yard.

Rain and Water Everywhere

This has been a soggy month. So thankful that I am on high ground and at least a mile and 1/2 across woods and grassland to a river. The Mississippi is over the banks and the river I live near hasn't been totally in its banks since Dec 23.

I've been trying to get outside for a walk but the thunder showers keep coming- it is supposed to let up later - I'll try later this afternoon. Yesterday my friend and I did Race for the Cure 5K - a little over 3 miles of walking. I don't think my pace was up to par. I need to work on that, but my form with the walking sticks is much better.

I miss the early morning walks, but the weather has been really rainy this last 2 weeks. Better weather this week so I have no excuse. Can't wait for those early morning walks to clear my head and prepare me for the day.

Lots of yard work to do - still 7 roses to put in and the normal trimming and weeding. That is just for a start. The bramble rose bed is covered with wild grape and poison ivy is creeping in. I'm off for 2 and 1/2 days this week - Ill be working in the bramble rose and cleaning the patios of grass and whatever between the blocks. Then the rock walls need to be weeded. Once I get done, time to start the cycle again.

Back after a long break!

Well I am back after a long break where depression had slumped into real lethargy, a couple of photos have convinced me of my need to diet, and to exercise. I have not been caring for myself too well!

This week has been good though; I walked on Sunday & Monday, went for an hours swimming on Tuesday, did the yard work on Weds ( no small task) and am planning on attending an aqua fit class today!

Amazing what one good long honest look at yourself will do!!!

Weather is clearing

We've had some rain here in Ohio, even flooding south of here, but tomorrow should be clear and warm. The audio book did the trick--when the weather was nice I was going out 2 or 3 times a day with my head phones. Now I'm finished, so I use the radio. Haven't moved to an i-pod yet. Need to build up a little strength--we're going to Italy soon and will be doing quite a bit of walking.

Rainy Time

Weather has played havoc with the walking. I think this is the least amount of walking I have been able to do because of spring weather. Rained last night through this morning - found some basement leaks I didn't know about. That will be a project for this year as well as remodeling the bathroom.

Tomorrow will be another goal to set - I'll be more conservative this time and allow for weather and work. Still, my walks in March, April, and May have brightened my days. The canal is beginning to come to life with frogs and turtles as well as fish starting to top feed. I see so many birds - all busy with their nests. I'm so hoping the blue heron comes back this year - he was such a sight to see early in the morning mist.

Second walk today

It's just too pretty to stay inside, so I loaded a new book on disc player and off I went. Boy, am I out of shape. I'm breathing hard still. The book is "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks. It's fiction but based on a real event, so I hope it will hold my interest, and pull me outside to walk (since I don't listen to audio inside).

"Way Short"

Well, weather and work has cut into my walks. But if all goes well for the next 5 days, I'll be able to log at least 4 miles a day.

It is good to be back walking down the country road, through the little town, and along the canal path. Next week will start my early AM walks on Tuesday thru Sunday, hoping that the blue heron has again decided to take up residence nearby. Monday will be a walk in the early evening.

Since the budget crisis has hit at work, management is taking 10 days off unpaid and we are down to a skeleton staff at our counseling office. Even unpaid, I do enjoy these times off (fitting my hours in between required reports due at state with hopefully some full days off to accomplish much needed projects at home and to "smell the roses".)

Yesterday I spotted a muskrat, one small turtle, two leaping fish, and too numerous birds to mention. I stopped to talk to some friends that I haven't seen since last fall and took a few minutes to check out some flowering shrubs along the way. Along my own driveway, I smelled the luscious sweetness of the pink viburnum and soon will be smelling the masses of white and pink lily of the valley. The lilacs are budding -maybe they will be okay to take to the cemetery for Mothers Day.

Along my 1/2 mile road, the cattle have now been herded to the back pasture and the fields are being readied for planting corn and soybeans. Soon I'll be watching for the corn and soybean seedlings.

This is truly a glorious world and I am so grateful to be able to enjoy what the Lord has given.

Walking 101

Finished the 5-K in just under 50 minutes. Need to get back my pace of at least a 14 minute mile this year. This is a good start. It was cool and a little breezy but no rain. No bagels, but I had some some grapes, scrambled eggs, a small apple sugar roll, and coffee.




Sun is out so time to do some raking.

A REALLY SLOW START

I have really been a "pansy" about the weather. I had hoped to start walking right at Easter, but weather and work really haven't been cooperating. First 5K of year, Gilda's Fun Run, is tomorrow. So off I go with the walking sticks. When I reached 60, this 5K for me used to start with a 2 block sprint in the beginning and some sprinting in the middle, and another 2 block sprint at the end. Now it will be walking the route.

I can sprint some, but with the hip replacement comes having to admit I need to be careful. Tomorrow will be a good incentive to get it together again. It is only to be in the 40's, but at least no rain. We have done the Gilda's Fun Run in the rain, but best friend's umbrella turned inside out and the umbrellas were more trouble than they were worth. We ended up just getting wet and we didn't melt!

Am looking forward to tomorrow, especially the bagels after the walk. This will be a great start to get back to Nautilus and "unstress" from my agency's budget issues and the federal government's funding cuts for this year and next year.

New goal is at least 85 miles of walking though May 11th.