up hill!!...both ways!!! 3.85-16.85

so today I had to work late and decided to walk home.

The distance isn't much farther than my usual training walk so it was too much more effort..

HA!

It was prett much all up hill...

*whew!*

but it was good and I am looking forward to my big walk this saturday..

iPOD song: "Chicks and Dicks" by Junior Senior

time: 70:00

Yukon Buddy!!! 3.13

Well, It snowed real bad so the sidewalks were slippery and the air was brisk! I managed to trudge along a little slower than usual due to the majority of the sidewalks being unshoveled (Is that a word?).. I was also very careful crossing at street corners since a good deal of Vancouver drivers have no real winter driving skills..

One thing I enjoy about these walks is being able to think without distraction..Sort of like meditation but not as "new agey"..

My lower back and calves weren't as sore afterwards!!

First iPOD song: "Jeannine" by a jazz dude named Donald Bryd

Time: 61 minutes (due to snow + ice)

ten pounds of banana in a five pound bag... 4.10

Walking in the snow today, reminded me of walking around Edmonton in the winter as a kid...but not quite as cold.. :P

heading away from the wind wasn't so bad but heading home I had the wind and the snow in my face for the whole route..in a strange way I liked it..A funny thing I noticed that while I can't run and my walking speed is pretty damn "pokey" my rhythm for breathing is great! I didn't lose that skill..Horray for me! I must sound funny to the people I walk by though..I make a "Whooogh-Whoogh-Hagguaghah" sound...

I walked 4 miles in 71 minutes, I would have been faster but I had to tie my shoe and got caught by some traffic lights. so that works out to a 17:45 mile..I would like to get down to a sub 15 mile, but I won't rush it..

For the sake of my safety I wear a bright yellow reflective rain jacket, it is very tight on me hence the "ten pounds of banana in a five pound bag." blog title.

So one week down! 13 or so to go!

End of week weight 270

First song played on iPOD: "Rockula" by Los Straightjackets

I lumber on...3.6

Well, training walk two is out of the way...

My lower back and calves are very stiff and it takes me walking about 1/2 the route before I get loose..Hopefully this will change and my body gets used to the new regimen..

Starting song on the iPOD was "Beat Surrender" by The Jam..

I am looking forward to my Saturday walk..

"The brain writes cheques that the body can't cash.."

it's funny how memory and reality can conflict.

I am recovering from my first training walk and I feel pretty good( good sore)..During the first half of the walk last night my back and hips were very tight..This is in part due to my Santa Clausesque belly...Anyways...When I was a runner, this 3 mile course would have seemed like nothing..but it was far from "nothing" when I was walking up a couple of those hills..

One of the things that did keep me moving forward was the fact that I used to be able to run farther, faster and over far more difficult terrain..

This time I have to adhere to two points..

#1) Ease into it, ramp up with the distance and intensity over time..

#2) Keep disiplined and stay on the "training plan"

I am 10+ years older now and I know there is no way I can hit the goals that I did in my 20's...but I certainly can get healthy and hopefully lose weight...

I want this to be a lifestyle change and not a short term soulution..I am trying to play the "long game" here..

First Walk..3 Miles

Ok, the bottom line is I am obese and I am tired of being so.

So far, due to my genetics, I have been able to avoid the complications that can result from carrying all of this extra weight(diabetes, high blood pressure..etc). I do not want to gamble against those odds though and it is time to take action...

Years ago I was very athletic and if not for an injury I would have been able to run a marathon.. But time, multiple surgeries on my tailbone, a very sedentary lifestyle and a serious love of eating have aided in my current fatness..

I am tired of being fat..There are a variety of forms of exercise I would like to participate in and I cannot..

But I can walk...

so last Sunday I decided to register to walk in a half marathon on May 4th..

I found a great training plan online and estimated if I start training today I will be able to do the half marathon..It is important I stick to my training schedule..Hopefully along the way I will be able to get more fit and lose some fat.

I plan on keeping a record of my training to help motivate me.

My first walk was hard..but not impossible, the 3 mile route was hillier than I thought..but that is a good thing..

I listen to my iPOD as I walk and the first song played was the James Bond theme.. A good omen..

I have to figure out a good cross training exercise for tomorrow..

Thursday I walk again!