The Heart-Walk was Today

... and I walked in it. I wasn't sure I would be able to manage but I had my back-up plan in place (equipment and supportive medical apparel).

OK. I did one lap. I wrote about this before. Remembering how I injured myself in last year's walk and how long it took to recover, I decided not to push myself as hard this time. No, it wasn't raining. The route wasn't even wet, but I gave myself permission to walk just enough and not be mistaken for "Super-girl" (in my own mind). I the first lap was equivalent to the distance I would walk in my neighborhood on any given day.

It was a cool, comfortable day. I followed the path through sun and shade. Kind strangers took photos of me at various points in the walk. I finally got a photo with that GEICO mascot! The person inside was muttering impatiently as the person taking my photo struggled to get the shot. I thought it was funny but I apologized to him for taking so long.

The walk was at National's Park for the first time. I liked the location but couldn't understand why the platform for speakers was so far away from the participants, especially since baseball season was over. Cameras can point anywhere. Why put the speakers on the other side of the ball field where the only way the walkers can see and hear them is on the jumbo-tron?

While waiting for the walk to start, I explored this venue which I had only seen but never entered. Shoppers Food Warehouse brought lots of delicious snacks. I especially enjoyed the fresh fruit and the whole-grain cereal bars.

I was near the front of the pack when the walk began but decided to put some of the goodies I had collected from the various corporate booths in the car then return to the walk. I was parked only a half block away from the walking route but found myself near the back of the pack.

We hit a bottleneck on one of the early legs where we had to share our route with DC traffic. That means we couldn't walk in the street. Some of us were stopped briefly to let an SUV enter a garage parking facility. I imagine some of the more fiercely dedicated walking athletes might have been upset by this. I think if anyone is planning an exercise event, maybe choosing a route that would provide minimal impediment to the those who come to exercise is a good idea.

Do something beautiful for your heart today.

~Cheryl~

Co-walker

A neighbor who had expressed interest in walking many months ago began walking with me for the first time last week. We walked again tonight and took a different route through the school yard. I am pretty sure that the square route (homonym alert) we took is greater than the sum of two trips around the triangle. I will count steps in the future to confirm the actual distance. We did 6 laps around the square which may be the longest walk I've taken so far. (47 minutes) I called J.S. and B.C. before we started and though I spoke with them, they were not available to join us.

 While I enjoy social time talking with my other neighbors who have joined me in the past, this neighbor shared today that she prefered not to talk during our walk. We had a great talk last time and I thought I would get to know this neighbor better and maybe I will, just not during our walks I guess. I don't mind not talking; I do think people are more comfortable when they've taken the time to get to know each other and that usually happens by talking.

The benefit of being safe with a co-walker outweighs my desire for social interaction. [Observation: she had two brief cell phone calls during our walk while my phone remained silent.]

Nothing I said, the rare times I spoke, was right (I made it a point to speak after she did - otherwise I was a woman of few words who walked quietly). Still I enjoyed getting my walk done and I celebrated crossing my imaginary finish-line for the day. She disagreed with my doing that, too. She said she'd call me for a future walk.

So, in light of my bewilderment after my walking experience this evening, I will refrain from giving the initials of this new walking companion and simply use the term "co-walker". As pleasant as our experiences as neighbors have been in the past, apparently she was displeased about something and possibly with me. 

I find it very interesting when I observe differences between people, shaped by their backgrounds and perspectives. My study of wind instruments and singing is where I got my breath training. Athletes (i.e. swimmers), people in military service, etc. are trained to breathe differently. I didn't bring it up. 

Much of my day was spent speaking very few words and working at my computer while others' job descriptions involve talking throughout the day. I thought I had detected a disparity in the daily  quota of spoken words between me and my co-walker. She did not agree. I respect the differences I observe between me and others but such differences are unlikely to annoy me.

With the sun setting earlier and earlier, the walking may have to happen earlier and earlier if it is going to be light enough to see. Darkness in the school yard is dangerous because people can't see who is on the playground from the street and because the school is presently closed the playground lights aren't on at night. I don't see young men playing basketball there anymore. People do play soccer on the field (including the President's daughter).

Hey, I would love to have the first lady as a future co-walker. I bet we would have a wonderful conversation.

Venting can be a healthy thing.


Do something beautiful for your heart today.


~ Cheryl ~