In which I realize that I am an idiot.
The weather is getting nicer outside every day. So I have lost my excuse that it is too cold to get out there and exercise. It is no longer freezing or icy which means I have nothing stopping me from getting out for a walk every day.
Except for one thing.
I’m a little bit out of shape. Or a lot. Does it really matter the degree to which one is out of shape?
I once read that dog owners are healthier than non dog owners because they take their dogs on daily walks. I guess the writer of that article never had a backyard.
So a few weeks ago, I decided to go for a walk. With my dog.
The day was bright and sunny, warm and breezy. It was a perfect day to be out and be one with nature. Except all the nature gives me itchy eyes, but I wasn’t about to let that stop me from achieving physical fitness.
So I strapped a collar and a leash on my Nala, put a cute little exercising outfit on myself and tied up my Nikes. We were ready to go. I was even wearing my digital running watch. Because when you look good, you feel good, people.
There is a black asphalt path that circles around a number of the subdivisions in my town. I mentally mapped out a little route for myself, which I estimated to be about five miles based on the number of markers I thought I’d be passing.
We started off walking briskly past a pond and a park, a few houses and down to a path which would take us on a big loop around a large wetland area and the library. We were briskly walking. And humming. And counting the path markers. And enjoying all the outside-ness of our walk. The sun was shining, the breeze kept us cool and only one of us was panting.
About halfway through our walk around the loop, we got tired. Our pace slowed down a bit. The humming stopped and the sweating began.
The joggers and the bikers were leaving us in their dust. The mama pushing the double stroller and pulling the kid on the tricycle lapped us.
It wasn’t pretty.
Thankfully, we came to an empty bench. Near a drinking fountain.
So we sat. And sat. And then did just a little more sitting, under the ruse of enjoying all the nature.
The joggers smiled. The cyclists’ nodded. The mama’s with the strollers said Hello, and the other walkers let their dogs stop for a sniff.
And still we sat.
Because Nala? She needed a break. Poor thing didn’t have a sassy watch and cute Nikes to keep her motivated.
Eventually, we summoned up the strength to keep on going. We set off for home, renewed and a little bit refreshed. Eventually, we made it. With five miles under our belts, we were home. Tired, but our hearts were pumping, our blood was flowing and our skin was glowing.
Nala went right to her bed and I went right to the couch. I didn’t really get the benefit of those exercise induced, feel good hormones that are supposed to start popping around in your brain. I was tired all day. After all, I had walked five miles.
K asked me that night why I was so sleepy.
And I told him I had gone on a long, five mile walk around the loop that day, but that I was feeling really good about it.
And then he asked me if I meant that I had walked on the two and half mile jogging path.
TWO AND A HALF MILES?
He told me had clocked it with his car so he would know how many times to go around.
Great, I thought. How efficient of him.
Not only am I out of shape, but I can’t count either.
Posted: May 13th, 2008 under Embarrassing Myself with my Ramblings, It's All About Me.
Comments: 22
Comments
Comment from Jdude
Time: May 13, 2008, 5:58 am
You can call it 5 miles - that’s fine with me - because, quite frankly, I’m exhausted for you.
Comment from Queen B
Time: May 13, 2008, 6:37 am
I applaud your efforts. And 5 miles it is.
Comment from Carrie
Time: May 13, 2008, 6:56 am
As someone who has been running for a while, I can totally feel your pain on the misunderstood distance. I was blissfully happy thinking exercising because I thought I knew the distance of certain routes for my walks or runs. I thought I was going so far.
Then we got a GPS watch.
It completely ruined my extra long runs and turned them into what appeared to be just short little jogs.
Happy Walking. At least allergy season might let up here in a while.
Comment from Sister Honey Bunch
Time: May 13, 2008, 8:02 am
Girlfriend, you need to be feeling really good about yourself right now. Even if you sat for awhile a)you still went 2.5 miles MORE than the day before, and b)hello. quiet time outside of the house.
Comment from Suzy
Time: May 13, 2008, 8:23 am
I’d round it up…..2.5 miles is 3 miles in my books.
Comment from Krista
Time: May 13, 2008, 8:38 am
at least your out there. it’s best to warm up with 2 anyway. Keep those passerby’s wanting more of your cute little jogging ensamble.
Comment from Blazing Goddess
Time: May 13, 2008, 8:47 am
I was just saying something along these lines myself. Frankly, if you can drag yourself into exercising, it’s as long as you say it is and not a centimeter or a second shorter. I hate that lie that tells you thatexercise “makes you feel so energized”. Pfft. Whatever! If you’re already in shape, maybe. Until then, it just sucks.
Comment from Ashlee
Time: May 13, 2008, 8:59 am
I tend to over-estimate how long I’ve exercised, because honestly….it FEELS like forever! :0) I’m with you on this one!
Comment from d
Time: May 13, 2008, 10:14 am
2.5 miles is pretty good and I would definitely blame it on the dog. I’ve tried to walk my pugs and I always end up carrying them home. I always thought it was because they are lazy but maybe I should get them a cute outfit.
Comment from JanMary, N Ireland
Time: May 13, 2008, 10:41 am
If you body feels like it was 5 miles….it was!
Maybe there were irish miles!
Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: May 13, 2008, 11:06 am
You were too busy breathing to count.
And trust me, breathing trumps counting every time.
Comment from Jen on the Edge
Time: May 13, 2008, 11:38 am
You did 5 — kilometers!
Comment from Christie
Time: May 13, 2008, 11:40 am
Leave it to the man to burst your beautiful little bubble. Shame on him. I’d say count the five.
Comment from Thea @ I’m a Drama Mama
Time: May 13, 2008, 11:59 am
Good for you for doing it though…and I agree that exercise sucks. Rarely do I feel energized. I usually feel like a nap!
Comment from Nicole@OnTheRun
Time: May 13, 2008, 12:23 pm
I am much less concerned with the mileage than I am with the fact that YOU LOOKED GREAT!
I thought that’s what exercising was all about?!
Comment from Lisa
Time: May 13, 2008, 1:34 pm
you + nala= 5 miles
awesome job..
Lisa
coastal nest
Comment from Wendi
Time: May 13, 2008, 9:18 pm
I would definitely count it as 5!
5 it is!
The big 5!
5 more than me!
Good for you!
Comment from Christina
Time: May 14, 2008, 11:26 am
Love your style. you sound a lot like me.. I had to purchase a fitness franchise to keep myself motivated LOL 
good luck on your next walk
Comment from imaginary binky
Time: May 14, 2008, 4:27 pm
Every walk I take feels like 5 miles. Leisurely strolling is one thing, actually trying to get the thunder thighs to move elsewhere is another. Good job on the walk. Try it every day, and it gets easier!
Comment from New Diva
Time: May 15, 2008, 12:45 pm
2.5 or 5 at least you got out there!
Comment from Carolyn
Time: May 15, 2008, 5:44 pm
well, good to hear you made it home. I would have had to call for someone to come and pick up me and the dog!
Comment from jennifer
Time: May 19, 2008, 8:14 am
you should get the wii fit! since you overpaid on ebay for the wii, you should go ahead and pre-order the wii fit from wally-world!! mine will be here in a week and i am so exited!
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