Back at it!

Well, it's been almost a year since I've posted anything on this blog, but I'm finally back! I was feeling disappointed when I didn't make my goal of walking a mile by the time we went on our cruise last January, so ending the challenge and the blog felt like the best option. But now that we're living in the city and walking a lot more, I am ready to start again!

I do a lot more walking than I used to now that we've move to Portland. It's partially because driving is a pain, but it's mostly because walking is so easy. We live within walking distance of a lot of great restaurants, cafes and shops that make it possible to walk more places. In fact, I know some people who get by without a car. 

Josh and I live at the top of a hill, and when we first moved into our apartment I was really nervous about being able to and from the bus stop. The blocks running East to West are twice as long as the North to South blocks, and the gradual incline made me really tired. It's really only 3 1/2 blocks from our place to the bus stop, but when I first started walking it, it felt much longer, and I could hardly get home after work. I had to ask Josh to meet me at the top of the hill a few times because I couldn't get up the stairs in our building on my own. I was even more nervous about it when I thought of how much harder it would be in cold weather. After all, who wants to sit and rest on somebody's front porch when it's pouring down rain? Not me!

I shouldn't have worried, because almost three months later, I hardly notice the hill. In fact, I could even walk further if I had to. I know this might not sound like a big deal, but I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to getting to and from places on foot. I don't like to tell a lot of people about my CMS because I am often met with soft eyes of sympathy, and I don't want sympathy. So, whenever I am invited somewhere by someone who doesn't know, I immediately check a map to see how far of a walk it is, if I have to change shoes, or if I have to find public transportation to get there, and then figure out if I want to tell them or not. That might sound like a lot of unnecessary anxiety, but often it's much better than the concerned eyes I am met with.

Anyway, now you know why being able to walk up our hill is so exciting for me. After just three months, my body has adapted to more regular physical activity, which makes me think that if I keep at it, I should have no problem with my challenge. It's exciting because I got these same results after spending a semester in Oaxaca, and that was only four months. Josh and I plan on living in our Portland neighborhood for at least a few years, so imagine how much stronger I'll get after a few years!