It was a bit dreary when I went for my walk this evening. The grey clouds were churning and it was gently misting, but I didn't mind. I live for weather like this. If the sun never showed it's face again, I would be perfectly happy! Down the front steps, across the mushy lawn, I padded onto the pavement with my thirteen dollar shoes from Walmart. True, they weren't the best for walking, but as long as I had something protecting my feet from rocks, I was happy. As Bridget Jones would say, "I have a few wobbly bits". I'm not claiming to be a fitness guru or anything like that, but I really enjoy it when I actually take the time and energy to walk outside. It was absolutely beautiful out tonight. I could hear birds calling from trees that were beginning to bud and saw rabbits hopping around in bright, green grass. There was a rich, earthy smell lingering in the air from the recent rain, and it was just cool enough to whisk away any perspiration.
A couple of years ago, I was a faithful runner/walker on the same path that I had traveled on this evening, and it felt weird to be "starting all over" with my exercise regime knowing that I had once conquered it. I felt both ashamed that I had once been that good and am now not, and motivated because I already knew I could accomplish this goal.
There's a section of pavement that has consistent tar marks crossing it. As I walked over them, I remembered how I use to count them off as I ran, focusing on no more than the one just ahead of me...that way it didn't seem so far to go. The course got easier after passing the halfway mark. The first part sloped uphill, and obviously the second part downhill. I always urged myself to go faster on the downhill part, thinking that I was somehow cheating or slacking if I kept my pace the same.
I'd like to think that the hard part is over now, but I know better. The real challenge is going out there and doing it every day. The real challenge is perseverance. The real challenge is self discipline.
