I couple of weeks ago I decided to up my walking schedule. I had been walking twice a day, relatively short walks of a half a mile to a mile and a half, occasionally on a particularly busy day, taking ony one walk. It was apparent that one short walk was not enough, and days I didn't get both walks in I would be stiff. I decided to take one longer walk each day and see how that went. The first two days I walked 2 1/2 miles around my neighborhood, which has some pretty steep hills. Then I worked out a 3 mile loop in my neighborhood, and planned a couple of alternatives for days I didn't have time in the morning, or found myself elsewhere.
For the past two weeks I've taken a walk of at least 3 miles every day. Although the first four or five days I was constantly exhausted, I noticed immediately that my walking was improving and that I moved better overall. I also stopped freezing up and getting stiff in the evenings which meant that I fell asleep more easily and slept better. Although I can't say that I necessarily want to take a 3 mile walk every day, especially on those days that my schedule does not permit an early morning walk, I walk anyway. I have not yet progressed to a point where I can skip walks, although that will probably come in time, as I continue to improve.
The difference between 2 1/2 miles and 3+ is significant, at least for me. I'm not built for speed and I've always been a bit of a slow starter. But I have stamina. The first two miles of a walk are a struggle. They are still a struggle even though the walking is much easier. But somewhere along the 2 1/2 mile point I undergo somekind of mental shift and it gets easier. It is not that I am less tired. It is not that any aching muscles or pains go away; they don't. Something happens at 2 1/2 miles that makes me stop struggling against my aches and pains and integrate them better, almost as if I become my pain, and that allows me to move beyond it. At 2 1/2 miles I am ready to push through. And the benefits of pushing through, in terms of focus, mobility, and energy, are significant.
My usual circuit ends at 3 miles back at my front door. If I want to change the length of the walk, I have to make that decision somewhere around the 1 1/2 – 2 mile point, right when I least feel like adding to my slog. If I am not walking from home at 6 AM however, there are more options. A couple of my evening walks have extended past the 4 mile point, not because I was trying to walk further, but simply because I forgot to stop. I do think this is a good sign. 2 weeks is not quite enough that walking is a habit yet. If I stopped I'd have to start all over, but it is a good start.
The next step is writing. I've climbed out of the boat. I'm in the water. I'm going to blog every weekday at least for now, until I have my groove back, until something changes that makes that impossible, and who knows when or if such a change will occur. I don't really have a plan for what I will write. If I write, and I walk, and I get through my days and meet my obligations that will be enough. There are many other things I want to explore, many creative outlets I wish to resume, but there is no rush.
I tend to be the type of person who throws myself into things, following whatever captures my attention, until I hit a wall. This time, I'm going to try going step by step. I might still crash, but hopefully I won't burn.
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6 responses to “Step by Step”
Mardel, I have recently begun walking each morning, too, motivated by my new FitBit. It is amazingly encouraging to see the number of steps accumulate as the day goes on! And several family members “compete” via the iPhone app, which adds to the fun. I am a lifelong reluctant exerciser, so this is pretty astonishing for me!
Something happens… that makes me stop struggling against my aches and pains and integrate them better, almost as if I become my pain, and that allows me to move beyond it.
In a whole ‘nuther arena, I am learning this same lesson. Embracing and integrating brings strength. It doesn’t make sense, but I’m finding it to be true.
Thanks for expressing it so well!
This process you’re going through is so interesting, both mysterious and familiar.
I cannot begin to tell you how much better I feel for having begun my new (admittedly intensive) fitness regime. It’s really becoming an intensive yoga regime because I just can’t stand other forms of fitness – and yoga can kick your ass if you choose to do it with that in mind. As you know, I walk daily – often more than 5 miles (it’s my form of transportation but also my ENTIRELY NECESSARY form of meditation). If I don’t walk, I feel wretched. My body needs to move to be mentally healthy, and I’m sure it helps my physiology too.
Lisa, Lisa, and Tricia: I am amazed at how far I have come, considering how much ground I had lost before surgery, and also amazed that I functioned at all. Even though I am doing fabulously well, there is so far to go. Thank you for your encouragement.
K– I can believe how much better you feel, as in the past I have felt the same way. At this point walking is all I can manage, but I hope to add yoga, gradually more intensive, in time. I know you walk and I’ve always wanted to live someplace where I can walk as a basic form of transportation, not just something I do outside of my normal errands and tasks of life. Maybe someday. But first walking has to become more natural, a part of my essential being. I’m not there yet. Although already, it is a necessary part of my meditative process.