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.