Way back in April when I signed up I knew it would be a bit of a challenge....To think that when I started walking I could hardly make it a quarter mile.Then in May when I had the Stress Test...Well after that I felt that I would never walk again.....and I still think Tread Mills are an Evil Contraption of horror.I was down for 2 weeks after that.I couldn't even make a quarter mile when I started back up and even taking it slowly it was a challenge that I really didn't think I would ever make it to 4+ miles.....but I kept going.
As the Summer led on it got easier.I was able to,after a couple weeks bump it up to two miles a day and that was OK....I was still feeling it in the calf's when I was done with my walking but it wasn't the kind of pain that would "Kill me"...more like "No Pain no Gain".And that was what I would call my Regular Loop.
I then added the third mile on a couple days a week.That one was a little harder because before then I was doing loops around my complex and the farthest I ever was from home was a half mile.So that if for any reason I wanted to cut it short I could.....even if it meant cutting through a yard or two.......But with the 3 mile loop I would go out to the main road by the complex and the farthest I would get from home was a mile and a half......and yes....there were a few times I thought that either calling a cab or 911 was going to be needed but I still did it.....I laugh because I found that I was faster on the return then I was on the first mile and a half......and I can only think that on the return I was telling myself......"The Faster you get back,the faster you can sit on your Ass"
Now while all this was going on.In the June I stopped smoking...the First couple days were no picnic and in fact after 5 days I had one......almost killed me then and there.I had a couple when I went back to MN for my Grandmothers Funeral but those where more "When in Rome".......one more in Aug. when I was waiting for AAA to come jump start my car.....that one I only took two drags and snuffed it out.....I think one more drag and I would have pucked......but since then,not a single one and I hope at least for today to never have another one......I still take it one day at a time but every day it gets easier.
So by Mid August I was doing a 3 mile loop two or three days a week and was feeling great about my goal to do the 6.5K.Had a couple set backs though....I've learned that no mater what,even if it's just for a mile,to never take time off.....I took a week off because of work and the return back to walking was almost like starting over.
In Sept. I started adding the fourth and final mile to my goal...that one for the most part was OK...there were days when I just dreaded doing it but then there were also days that when I was done I felt that I could have kept going for a few more miles.I laughed at myself because when I did the 4 mile loop it would take me an hour and a half and I always said to myself as I started "So what would you like to do for an hour and a half.Well sit on my ass and eat Cheese Puffs but I guess I'll go for a walk instead"
I guess that's why I respect what Terry did...If it was me and when I went to sign up all that was left was the 13k I would have said screw that.There is no way in Hell I could have done that...even with more training.....Now next year is a different story.....I know I can do the 13 and look forward to the training for it......and maybe even the 10k that they have for the F&W Fest too
But I know by now you're thinking "Enough with the Monica Post" what's the Bling you got for doing the 6.5K
It's the 8GB and He's called Flamingo King II........so now to figure out what to get for doing the 13k next year :D
