September BP

Energized

I feel very energized after this mornings walk. Perhaps it's because it felt so good to clear those hurdles I talked about yesterday. Perhaps it's a bit of that Runners High I have heard about but rarely experienced. Perhaps it's because I set a new best time.

Whatever the reason, I feel very good today. And I don't need a reason for that outcome.

My new best time to beat is 16:40. I ran for four or five stretches on my first lap. That might be another reason for my sense of well being. To actually see some improvement in my stamina. Or maybe it's my resolve.

The thing that amazes me is that first hurdle and how easy it is to get up in the morning. That has always been a major stumbling block to me exercising in the morning. 

It's great to get out...alone...really alone in the midst of a quiet neighborhood, listen to my podcast of Ben Shapiro and get all my conservative right wing ideologies firmly packed into place.

I plan to keep this up.

Hurdles

My mornings are riddled with hurdles.

Well, perhaps that's a little too exaggerated. I don't think three hurdles equates a riddle.

The first hurdle is the gravity that keeps me in bed when my alarm goes off at 4:45. If I lay in bed too long, the gravity increases. I have to power through it when the alarm goes off and get up.

The second hurdle is actually starting my walk. This isn't near as tough as the first hurdle because...well..I'm already up. Why waste it.

The third hurdle is making my second lap on the walk. I did not clear this hurdle this morning. 

I don't have a good excuse like my pooper walk. I just called it early and went in to the house to make my breakfast and have a leisurely morning read of the newspaper.

My times for yesterday were not impressive but I did walk two miles. My first lap was 18:32 and I cut a minute off that lap on the second one, 17:32. I had very small sections where I ran. I can't sustain it for more than a block.

Today, it took me 18:46 to do my one lap. What a loser! Except for the two hurdles I cleared. As Meatloaf so eloquently articulated, "Two out three ain't bad!"

Portents of Bad Luck

I took yesterday off from walking. I just didn't want to go out. I did get up at the same early hour of 4:45. But instead of walking, I made breakfast and leisurely read the newspaper.

But I was back at it today. It was chilly but not raining when I left the house. It was generally a very nice walk made just slightly more exciting as I approached fellow morning walker Fred. We were both coming around the west end of the park from different directions. Fred started to cross the street and then suddenly moved back as a little black cat crossed in front between us. 

I know it's bad luck for a black cat to cross your path but what kind of luck is it when the black cat has a white stripe running up its back?

Fortunately, we both gave the little kitty plenty of room and it waddled off to some bushes, leaving behind a rather unpleasant aroma, just to let us know he was there. 

It took approximately 4,651 steps. My first lap took 17:28 and my second took 17:58. Anything under 18 minutes is a victory for me.

Double Time

I took steps this morning to mitigate any possible repercussions from a wide assortment of bodily functions in order to take more steps.

I made my two miles in a very light sprinkle and I did so in a fashion that I do not think I will ever replicate. My first lap took 18:48.50 and my second lap took 18:48.50. My total time was 37:14.74. It doesn't make sense because the math doesn't add up.

In any event, I got my walk in.

Rainy Walk and More

I walked out on the balcony as I was going to bed last night and got a whiff of the sweet smell of the air just before it rains.

I walked out of the house this morning for my morning walk and got that same smell, along with actual rain. It was coming down pretty strong as I began my walk but I was not to be deterred.

I had my hoody so I looked like all the other miscreants walking around the park after dark. I had my gloves and my sweat pants on so I was well dressed for the weather.

The thing I didn't prepare for was my body not wanting to cooperate with the morning activity. 

At about the half mile mark, I realized I should have gone to the bathroom before leaving the house. The urge I felt was faint and I thought I had enough time to make it to the house. The urge grew with each step right up until my final steps, which were made even more difficult with pursed sphincter.

This is what Susan would call a Pooper Walk. I made it...but not without casualties.

The data for the morning is that it took 2155 steps in 19:21. I am glad that I got out there and made the effort but feel bad for my underpants.

Smoke Returns

I walked today but the smoke is returning. The above picture was the sunrise this morning when I got to work. By noon, you could not see the mountain ridge to the right.

Still, my walk was fine. I could see the moon and the stars although there was a fuzz in the sky.

Back to Walking

I'm back to walking in the morning and so far, it has been an interesting week.

I had an odd morning moment yesterday when I encountered another guy walking towards me. We where about 100 yards apart when he stepped into the park and started walking across to the other side. I noticed an LED light come on in his hand. The light got longer and longer and then suddenly, he was twirling a baton as he walked. Majorette Man! It looked pretty cool in the early morning darkness as he spun the lighted baton with alacrity.

On this mornings' walk, I finally broke the 18 minute mile. It took me 18:56 on my first lap and 17:41 on my second. Now I know I can do it. 

The early morning sky has been clear the last two days but I think that is changing as I write. I can already see that it is cloudier now than when I got to work. I think the smoke is coming from Montana. The sun was very filtered as we drove east to Liberty Lake.

I will try to walk tomorrow but the air quality may preclude me from getting out. I'll let you know!

Walking on the Edge

The air quality is not much better today but it was okay enough for me to venture out for lunch. I walked down to Albertson's and got some supplies to restock my lunch food at work. I got bread and some crackers.

Today is the day that the smoke is supposed to start clearing out. We'll see how accurate that turns out to be.

My walk got me up to 3400 steps for the day. I recently rediscovered the Pedometer on my IPod Nano.

I've set my daily goal for 10,000 steps and have never once come even close.

Smokane

I have not walked for two days now and here is the reason.

The smoke is thick. I felt it when I walked on Tuesday and I see no reason to do any more damage to me than I have already done. 

Spokane has been in that purple area for at least two days now. 

That map shows you would have to drive almost to Nevada to get to clean air.

Tuesday Walk

The smoke from forest fires around the region have turned our hot summer days into hot hazy days.

I have not really experienced any respiratory distress over the whole of the summer and especially over the last few days. Until today.

My walk this morning was tough. I felt heaviness in my lungs and I was breathing much harder that I ordinarily might. To this point, my goal of breaking 18 minutes is not in danger of being achieved.

Labor Day Walkin'

Even though it's a Holiday, I got out and walked my two miles this morning. The difference was I did not get up at 4:45 to do it. I got out there about nine. I did my first lap in 20:02 while Susan ran and then she joined me for the second lap, which was completed in 18:25. I have set an initial goal of completing a lap in under 18 minutes. Perhaps I can hit that this week. 

I had not planned on walking on the weekends but had the opportunity to put my exercise to practical use in adventures around town. We went to Pigout in the Park and did a lot of walking while there. Of course it was offset by the massive amounts of food and drink we consumed. 

Yesterday we rode bikes down to Pigout. We again walked around quite a bit. I'm sure we did a good strong mile. Again offset by the food.

When it was time to ride home, I was definitely feeling it. I was surprised though that I had no trouble on the slight hill climb and made it home without too much pain or distress.

Five Day Victory

It is Friday and I have successfully made it through the week and have walked every morning. I logged 9 miles this week. Two miles a day except for Monday when I only did one. I also recorded my best time. My first lap took 19:06 and the second I really tried to power through and go for a good time. I made it in 18:19. 

At this point, I can't imagine being able to do much better. I will set my goal to break 18 minutes.

By the time I finish the two laps, I am feeling it. My joints are sore, my breath is labored and I am starting to develop a bit of a sweat.

I am pretty pleased with myself for making this change and I think I can keep it going. I know walking two miles doesn't seem like much. But I can telling you that it is two miles more than I was doing last week. And that can't be that bad.