I have always liked to walk, even as a little kid. I remember going for walks in the woods, following the trails along the brook where I lived. There were acres and acres of woods and trails. Even then I liked walking alone. I used to imagine the Indians walking along the same trails as I was.
As a teenager I walked a lot too. Back then parents didn't drive you where ever you wanted to go. They would tell you walk, it's good for you. We did and it was! My friend Bernice and I walked every where. We would think nothing of walking to visit my grandmother who lived 5 miles away. When we didn't know what to do we would go for walks. While we walked we would count all the beeps we got from the guys driving by! :-)
When Ken and I first got married I had him walking all over the place with me too. We walked mostly after dinner around we where we lived. After the kids came along we didn't walk all that much anymore. But I did. My kids were pushed in strollers all over. I wore the wheels of the strollers out walking so much. We only had one car then so if I wanted to go anywhere I walked. When I got a bit older I didn't walk quite as much but I knew should be doing some kind of exercise so I tried all kinds of things. I tried running, aerobics, jazzercise, bike riding just to name a few. I did them all but didn't enjoy any of them. I don't know what took me so long to realize that walking is actually exercise.
So back in June of 88, I started the mornings with a walk. I started walking with my friend Joanne. We would meet each morning during the week Mon-Fri and walk 3 miles together. We took the day off if it was raining and didn't walk on the weekends either. We walked those 3 miles together for a couple of years. Joanne moved away and I kept on with my morning walk. I lived in Waldorf back then and the neighborhoods were all in circles and I would walk around the circles. There were a few paths that cut through the middle of the circles which went between peoples back yards. I still just walked the 3 miles, 5 days a week when it wasn't raining.
In 1994 we moved to Savage, Md and I had new places to walk. By this time I was really started to love my morning walks. I had a river to walk along and started meeting lots of people and seeing wildlife along my walks. I increased the miles little by little and started walking most days and would just take a day off once in a while. Before long I was walking 6 miles or so every day. Then I bought myself a rain slicker and rain pants and was happy that I could walk on those rainy days too. I discovered blogging a few years ago and decided to blog about my walks and took pictures along my walk so I could post pictures.
When we first moved here from Savage I thought I'd miss my walking path there but soon discovered the lake and all the walking paths here and can't imagine a better place to live with such great places to walk. It's been fun figuring out where all the paths come out and making up different routes. Making friends, seeing all the wildlife and the beautiful scenery are all bonuses.
I enjoy my walking so much I tend to forget that it is exercise and good for me too. :-) It always amazes me when people tell me that I am so dedicated and ask me what motivates me to get up every morning and walk. For me it's not hard at all. I just love it.
And here I am now, happy to be walking each morning and I hope to be out there walking for at LEAST the next 22 years.
This morning my walk was on the connect the path route and I walked 6.2 miles. It was a sunny, hot and humid morning with the temperature already in the 70's. I was lucky to be able to walk along the paths under the trees. I attracted quite a few bugs, for some reason they like it when you sweat!!
I saw a few rabbits and this box turtle.
I scared him when I stopped to take this closer picture of him and he went inside his shell.
A few others were out but not many, even the wildlife was scarce this morning. Maybe they are all by the lake!I passed by this pool after walking 5 miles and it looked so inviting. I thought about climbing over the fence to take a dip to cool off. :-)
I'm planning on staying home today. Maybe getting some reading done. Those library due dates are coming up fast again.
Have a happy day and if you can, take a walk. It will make you happy! :-)
Happyone
A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good
for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult
than all the medicine and psychology in the world.
~Paul Dudley White
for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult
than all the medicine and psychology in the world.
~Paul Dudley White
10 comments:
WOW... you have been walking since i was born..... that is a long time.... 22 years.... WOW!!
Living outside of Philadelphia, we walked everywhere, too. The area was just so 'walkable'. Not true everywhere, I know. Walking is a great way to take inventory!
I liked to read your walking history - you have walked more than most people. I am thinking that it must have been very good for your health and I hope you will keep on walking. And the best thing is that you love it :)
I am glad you started blogging, because I was lucky to find your blog and found it interesting because of your walking (and your everydaylife) and you have inspired me many times. Thank you :)
And yes we sell the honey :) and my family eat a lot of it as well. I like to have it in my tea.
You are a walking machine. You go girl.
Sure, can you see the headline if you'd given in to temptation. This background story of your walking is very interesting. One thing really struck me. It took six years (1988–1994) for you to really enjoy that morning walk? Now that truly is commitment. Actually, your love of walking comes through loud and clear.
Thanks for sharing your walking history with us. I remember walking everywhere as a kid and it was good for us.
Now that's impressive! Keep up the good work...and the fun...and the blogging of it all. It's all good!
That's really interesting Karen, I have always wondered why you enjoy it so much. I do less than you, sometimes 2 miles and if time more.
i loved seeing the tortoise
your area sounds perfect for walking
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