National Walk at Lunch Day

I found out from my Twitter friends today that it was National Walk at Lunch Day. So, at lunch I walked all around Third Street and really enjoyed it. In total, I walked half a mile, which for me equaled 1,696 steps. Luckily the weather held out for me so I didn't get rained on, even though it rained off and on all day.

I thought I'd take this opportunity to point out something pretty cool. In that first paragraph, note that I said I walked all around Third Street and really enjoyed it. If you have known me even for the last five years, you will know that I used to hate walking. I looked at it as a chore that was frustrating and uncomfortable (yes, that's an unfortunate affect of my CMS). But now, I look for ways to walk to the places I need to go, rather than how I can avoid it. It's great and I don't feel ruled by my CMS anymore!

April 28 Summary:
Miles walked: 1/2 of a mile at lunch, plus some more throughout the day
Rests: Once during lunch walk
Where: Around Third Street
Weather: A little cold, sunny, with big rain clouds threatening
Walking partner: John Mayer (iPod)

Vinyasa at Yogis!

Today instead of walking I went to Yogis for Vinyasa yoga with Joan. For about a year and a half I was attending classes regularly, but the last few months I got too busy, then I was trying to save money for the wedding, and then I discovered the world of Exercise TV. Nevertheless, a 10 minute workout with Nicole Stewart or Stephanie Vitorino just doesn't replace an actual yoga class, especially because Joan Sterling, who I love, doesn't teach exercise tv yoga. The Vinyasa class is incredibly difficult, as we do sun salutes for about the first 45 minutes to an hour of class. I figured if I am trying to strengthen my legs, what better than a continuous flow of warrior 2, triangle, plank, side plank, runner's lunge, down dog and forward fold? All of those are intense poses, and to do one after the other for an extended period of time is REALLY hard. But, I can get through the class with some rest periods and I'm fine.

I also plan to walk Nicole's dog China today, so that will add maybe an extra half mile to my day. Not so bad for a Saturday!

Saturday, April 17 Summary

Yoga Class: 90 minute Vinyasa yoga class at Yogis Studio

Also, I didn't have a chance to post yesterday, but I did work out! I tried Bootylicious Buns again in the morning and was able to get through all of it! And this might be gross, but I can't believe how sweaty I got! It was an INTENSE 10 minutes and a really good way to start the day.

I also walked around the hospital track after work, but rain forced me to stop after 2 laps. It was probably a good thing though, because I was exhausted from the week and didn't really want to anyway. But, I got a half mile in. Not bad!

Friday, April 16 Summary

Miles walked: 1/2 (with maybe a 1/4 mile worth of walking at work)
Rests: 1, after 1 1/2 laps
When: 4:30-4:45, 15 minutes
Where: Willamette Valley Medical Center public track
Weather: Cloud, windy, drizzly
Walking partner: iPod and This American Life Podcast

Other: 10 minute Bootylicious Buns on Exercise TV

Back At It!

Well, today I felt better and decided I had to take advantage of the unexpected beautiful weather we had. I think I may have kicked my ear infection so I called my mom and we went for a walk on the walking track behind the Willamette Valley Medical Center. They have a nice cushion-y track behind the facility for staff (and the public) to use, and we took advantage of it. It was gorgeous! Not only was it warm, but there was just enough of a breeze, and we got to take in all of the incredible clouds around us. Half of the sky was full of beautiful white fluffy clouds, and the the other half was shrouded in HUGE dark, ominous looking gray clouds. The contrast was incredible, and because the rain never came, it made for a beautiful walk.

The track is really cool and is a great place for me to walk because there are benches at either side of the path, which is in a regular track shape, but is only 1/8 of a mile. Today I walked 4 laps, which equals about half a mile. It was a bit difficult though because not only am I getting over my ear infection and virus, but I also worked through lunch, ran to the bank and then home for only a second to change before I picked mom up. So, I didn't get to really rest at all. So I walked two laps (1/4 mile) before we had to rest. Then we rested on a bench, talked wedding, walked another lap, rested and continued the wedding talk and then walked a final lap. I know that if I had rested a bit before starting that I could have walked much further. Nevertheless, it was a good workout!

I am definitely going to go back to take advantage of the trail. It is the perfect set up, and if I am ever walking alone I can just bring my ipod and know that I am walking in a safe, open area. I definitely recommend it.

Happy walking! Hopefully the weather will stay nice this week so I can make up for the three days I missed.

NOTE: Scott Schieber brought to my attention that it's a quarter mile track, not the 1/8 of a mile like I thought! It even says it on the hospital's web site, and I'm not sure how I missed that. So, I walked a mile today! I rested twice, but I still did it!