Posts from — September 2008

Ever worry about kamikaze squirrels?  I do.  When they just sit there at the edge of the pavement, I wonder if they’re going to turn and run away or run towards me.  LOL  There was a glorious breeze blowing my way on the way back.  Or was it luscious? delicious? delightful? delectable?  How many ways can I describe a refreshing breeze?  *smile*

Temp: 74° / Sunny
Time: 1:28 / 15:33 avg pace / 3.86 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 5.75 mi / Monthly: 60.2 mi / YTD: 173.45 mi

Mileage to go get some groceries. . .

Daily: 1 mi / Monthly: 54.45 mi / YTD: 167.7 mi

While I was walking, I was trying to think of how to describe what it feels like to walk when the air is heavy with moisture.  It hit me when I got home. . .  It’s like walking in a giant sauna!  Yeah.

The river is still very full from all the rain recently and the fields ares still full of beautiful Black-eyed Susans.  It had gone down quite a bit.  The scenery–when I pay attention to it–makes the walk enjoyable.

Temp: 70° / Sunny / Heavy moisture
Time: 1:01 / 15:49 avg pace / 3.79 mph
Route: 4 mile River Park trail
Daily: 4 mi / Monthly: 53.45 mi / YTD: 166.7 mi

After debating with myself about whether or not I should or shouldn’t go for a power walk, I decided to go but to go for a shorter walk.  It was the perfect decision.

Temp: 76° / Sunny / Heavy moisture
Time: 42 min / 15:23 avg pace / 3.9 mph
Route: 2.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 2.75 mi / Monthly: 49.45 mi / YTD: 162. 7 mi

I got a late start which made it warm.  (Why do I do that to myself?)  It seemed like a hard walk.  It was hard to stay focused on thoughts that keep my attention–instead of thoughts about how much farther I still have to go.  *smile*

Later in the afternoon (yes–it was hotter still), I walked to the little quilt shop in the plaza across from Walmart for some thread for my GFG project and then over to Walmart for some chocolate.

Temp: 78° / Sunny
Time: 1:31 / 16:04 avg pace / 3.73 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 6.75 mi / Monthly: 53.45 mi / YTD: 166.7

I had decided to walk to one of the library branches near me today since I received my library card at the beginning of the week.  I chose the one that I could walk to most of the way on the River Park trail.  I figured it would be the safest walk.  The other branch is just about the same distance away but I’m sure there are no sidewalks on the main road that I’d have to walk for about 4 miles total.  (Tulsans apparently don’t believe in sidewalks. . .)

So I get the library.  Oh, my.  It was tiny.  My parents used to joke that I had more books in my house than the library in the little town that we lived in in NV; but seriously, I think I *did* have more books than this little branch.  LOL  The good thing, of course, is that you can go online & have books from any other branch sent there to be picked up.  They did have Artisan Bread in Five Minutes & I had been wanting to look at that.

Daily: 6.2 mi / Monthly: 46.7 mi / YTD: 159.95

It was a lovely day for a walk although a little humid.  I got a later start because it’s been cool.  I’ve chosen not to wear my glasses the last 2 times I’ve gone out.  It’s so much nicer not to have to continually push my glasses back up because they start sliding down my nose when I am perspiring.  I didn’t have that problem 15 years ago because I didn’t need glasses then. Things are a little fuzzy though.  *smile*  I can’t always read my time on my watch either. . .

One cool thing — I’ve been able to fit into a smaller pair of jeans!  I have 3 pairs of jeans that are size 14.  I can fit into 1 of them which is good because 1 of my current size jeans is looking kinda sad because they’re a little too baggy.

I walked to Walmart for some dark chocolate later this evening so that’s why there’s an extra mile tacked on to my daily total.

Temp: 72° / Some high clouds / Humid (I feel like a weatherman)
Time: 1:30 / 15.47 avg pace / 3.8 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 6.75 / Monthly: 40.5 / YTD: 153.75

Another beautiful day and a glorious walk.  I think my power walking is keeping me from feeling helpless in the little mini storm that’s brewing in my life right now.  Oh yes, I know that my Father is in control of all outcomes. . .  But you know how you sometimes forget that for a moment or two and panic can set in?  So I’m bouncing between total panic and perfect peace.  Walking helps the peace stay around a little longer.

Temp: 69° / Sunny
Time: 1:29 / 15:37 avg pace / 3.84 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park
Daily: 5.75 mi / Monthly: 33.75 mi  / YTD: 147 mi

I feel so much better when I’m able to get three or more power walks in during the week.  Even if I’m dreading or complaining about the difficulty of getting out there more than twice in a week, I really need to.  Maybe I need a motivational sign that says, “GO FOR A WALK, you’ll feel better!”  I’ve noticed what seems to be an increase in my lung capacity that’s making the walking a little easier.

Anyway, today’s walk was beautiful — some sun, some cloud cover & a nice breeze.  Since it was cool I could walk later in the morning which I think cuts down on some of the traffic on the trail.  Not that the amount of traffic is all that bothersome. . .  Most of the time I’m in a zone and hardly notice where I am on the trail much less everyone else on the trail.  *smile*

Temp: 69° / Partly cloudy & breezy
Time: 1:30 / 15:48 avg pace / 3.8 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 5.75 mi / Monthly: 28 mi / YTD: 141.25

The rain has hampered my walking workouts this week.  At some point this weekend Hurricane Ike blows into town.  I’m hoping to get out in the morning tomorrow before the wind & rain comes. . .

Today is my dad’s birthday.

Paul R. Williamson
September 12, 1932 - October 14, 2006
Happy Birthday Dad.  I miss you.

Daily: 2 mi / Monthly: 22.25 mi / YTD: 135.5 mi