Inspiration

I've started walking...for exercise I mean.

I've actually been walking for 35 years or so, but I just didn't go quite as far as I do now :)

Last summer T and I both needed to loose weight. I read the South Beach diet book, implimented all of the changes and made us stick to the plan. It has worked!

To "kick it up a few notches" I have started walking about 2 miles, 3 times a week, as well as lifting weights (just arms, and more reps than weight), and doing those dreaded stomach crunches and some stuff my physical therapist taught me to do a few years ago.

I've told my husband and kids that one person who really inspires me on my walks is a fellow blogger who is stationed in Iraq, his name is Sean and his link is below:

http://macme.blogspot.com/

He runs about 5 miles in the desert, and I don't know how often he does it, but it is a lot more than you'll catch me doing!

Anyway, for several weeks I've been walking, and the exercise is nothing short of wonderful...it clears my head, gets me out of the house, makes my hips ache, my feet sore, and my muscles twitch for at least 30 minutes after I cool down! But all the while I think about Sean...running in the dessert, and well, I just keep smiling and walking and telling myself that if he can do what he does, I can do my 2 pidley miles and NOT complain. Also, one of my younger sisters is a runner (for fun! ackkk!!!) and she can probably do 2 miles just aa a blooming warm up! (yeah Naomi, I think about you too!:) Anyways...

On Monday I was out for my stroll. I purposely walk down a long street with a hill so I can feel the "burn" when I walk back up it. After finishing the hill and turning down another street, I heard someone walking up behind me, kind of quickly.
I live in a pretty nice area, but I am always on my guard...I glance over my shoulder and here comes a lady who is at least 10 years older than me, and she is booking! Arms swinging, big steps...she made me look like I was just wandering around! I picked up the pace a little. She was getting closer...I swung my arms a little more...now she was about to pass me...

When she got even with me, I felt like I did when I was 16 and some boy pulled up next to me at a stop light... I'D give him a look (if his car was decent)... I'd rev the engine, shift into first gear, and pop...be out in front as soon as the light turned green!!! (and I was in a ford pinto!!! ha ha ha!!!)

Oh well, as this lady went to pass me, I turned my head to look at her, and I said,
"Hey...you wanna race???" It was all I could do to keep a straight face!
She just grinned at me, and said, "Honey, I'm too old for that!!!"
I could hear her laughing as she left me in her dust, and I was laughing too...

"Sigh", I wonder if she'll be out again tomorrow evening??? I need all the inspiration I can get :)