I had E drop me off at the QT at 71st & County Line, where I filled my 52 ounce water keg up with free ice and water, then I set out to conquer the pavement. I zig zagged my way home from there - up Hillside drive - following the side of the road taking me into parking lots and around the backs of buildings (can't miss an opportunity for mileage) - up to Lynn Lane, down to 51st Street, and into my neighborhood. I walked in my front door at two hours, one minute, and 57 friggin seconds. But I'm not complaining. There WERE issues... I'll get to those later, though.
It was a beautiful day here at home - which made for a nice walk.
Walking for 2 hours gives you a lot of time to think, reminisce, daydream, goal plan, and just go blank. It is the most peaceful time I make for myself. Last Friday I did the Rib Crib "Run" downtown... (we'll get to why I'm paraphrasing "run" in a minute)... My goal was 45 minutes... I did it in 46. (Eff you extra minute!!!) I had my head phones in, my Endomondo going and my Polar checking my heart rate... I felt preeeeeetty darn good about myself. I was, in my mind, "bookin' it" (as my daddy used to say). I wasn't going to beat the animal that completed the race in 17 minutes - but I my glutes were bouncing like a racquet ball!
As I'm nearing the 3 mile mark, I turn a corner and a race monitor says to me, "Good job, Walker." WALKER!?!? Whatchootalkingbout, lady?!?! WALKER!!!! I ain't no zombie! Then it hit me right between the eyes like a well placed stick of TNT by the RoadRunner... I'm not a runner. And I had a moment (or several that have led into a week) of deflatedness.
WALKER? Me? No... I'm a "runner"... I "run"... kind of. Sometimes. Or I wog. Maybe. More than most. Walker...? Really? Ugh... I AM a walker. Why am I even doing this? I'll never be able to do a 1/2 marathon. What was I thinking? That lady was right. I'm just a lowly, fat, slow walker. I'll never finish a race first. I'll never run a complete 5k... I'm just a "walker"...
WAIT!!! Pause... re-freaking-wind this bizzzzzz-NITCH!! BACK THE BUS UP!
I had to slap myself pretty hard. I confess... I was having a pity party. I was doing what most of us women do and reading into what someone else said until it fit the perfectly negative meaning I wanted it to mean - so I could whine and cry and try to recuse myself from becoming a healthier version of me. I put the brakes on THAT heifer inside of me today. I WILL finish a 1/2 marathon - even if I do walk most of it. And there's NOTHING wrong with that. So what if I never finish a race "first". At least I've FINISHED races that others didn't even have the balls to start. Besides, I'm ONLY competing with myself (for now). And whether I run a complete 5k or not is up to me - not the race monitor babysitting the road cone last Friday. So, yeah... I may be a walker for NOW... but I'm moving and I've come a long way from where I was 3 months ago. I have a lot to be proud of. So I'm done letting that encouraging comment negatively affect me because my over thinking brain chooses to make something out of nothing. (Phew - feels good to have that out!)
Okay - onto my "issues" today. Waiting at crosswalks murders your time. And that pisses me off. But the REAL "issue" I'd like to address is constipation. Dr. MoYo here - and if you are suffering from any kind of bowel lockdown issues, I prescribe to you something very cheap and easy... GET OFF YOUR ASS AND MOVE - a lot (and drink LOTS of water)! Just make sure you're never too far from a comfort station.
Now - I've never personally had any issues with regularity. The trash is picked up at the same time everyday. Often multiple times.
But, after today, I'm a believer that walking - or wogging - or whatever your poison is - will get your innards working.
Have you ever had a "shituation"? You know what I mean! A "SHIT-uation". Well, its not comfortable. And you sweat a lot. And you shake a little. But I'm convinced that's mostly nerves because, let's face it, bowel movements are a bit taboo. And, when you're in the middle of a long journey while afoot, and the need strikes you... you tend to get a little anxious. I would just like to give a BIG thank you to Nienhuis for installing port-a-potties around their park. You literally saved my shit today. I believe there should be a public restroom and water fountain at every intersection in the world. And that's all I have to say about that.
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