a year of "living dangerously"

Yes I know it is the title of a novel and a movie. But the title was taken from the famous Italian phrase vivere pericolosamente, meaning "living dangerously". So I think I will adopt it as my motto as well. As this year unfolds, it seems to be all about doing and experiencing things that I never have in the past. I am overcoming fears and obstacles in so many areas, not just health. Losing weight and becoming more healthy has uncovered a strength I didn't know I had. It has uncovered a confidence I didn't know I posessed.

So far this year, the woman who was afraid to swim with the dolphins has gone sailing in the San Francisco Bay, the woman who is terrified of heights has done a zip-line obstacle course, and the woman who only ran if she was being chased will be participating in a half marathon. Who knows what other battles I will fight and win as the year rolls on! Viva for vivere pericolosamente!

Exercise Evolution

After walking 3.4 miles in the Walk For MS, I decide that is not enough if I'm going to be in condition for the half marathon at the end of April. So I head back home to the greenway to put in a few more miles. After the first half mile, I decide I'm feeling pretty good and should add in some jogging to bump up the heart rate. Using the 1/4 mile markers on the trail as cues to jog, I try to jog for a quarter mile, then walk for a quarter mile. 

The sky is incredibly clear and blue, and I feel great as I jog through the sunlit trees. On one side, a clear little steam cuts through grassy banks twinkling and sparkling in the sunlight. And on the other side, a glossy ebony calf runs along the fence line kicking up its heels, the picture of merriment. To top it all off the breeze blows pink redbud blossoms across the path, as if I'm running through a parade with confetti to celebrate my small victories.

I'm not sure exactly when or how exercise evolved from a chore into something I look forward to and enjoy. But somehow miraculously it has. Now when I have a hard time fitting a workout into the schedule, I am actually disappointed. I miss it. I WANT to do it.

MS Walk

Today is the day of the Walk for MS. It is a beautiful sunny day with blue skies, even if it is a bit windy. I arrive early because I have no idea what one of these is like-an organized walk. Turns out I'm the first one there. No worries. I hang around watching others arrive and sign-in and soon a friend shows up to walk with me. I thought I was walking alone, so it's a pleasant surprise. The walk itself turns out to be a little anti-climactic. I thought it was five miles, but it turns out to be 5K, which is much less than I am accustomed to walking now. So I head on home after completing the course and decide to put in another few miles on the White House Greenway. I complete 4 more miles, which puts me at 7.5 for the day!