At some point, between the winter of my younger years and that of my 30th, I became a big wuss. I'm a walker – not a runner or a swimmer or a jogger or a jazzerciser or a zumba-er – I'm a walker. I power walk. I walk as hard and as fast and as far as I can. And I'm good at it. Ask me to jog, I'll last about 5 minutes ... but I can speed walk forever.
Prior to this winter, I pounded our fair town's (mostly) friendly sidewalks year ’round. In summer, I sported my tank top and in winter, I bundled up. Apparently the big 30 just did me in because this winter, I retreated to the gym and pounded (that poor, sad) treadmill. The treadmill is murder on my (flat) feet and sometimes they would ache for days afterward. I got so sick of watching Fox News (a favorite of mid-day rec center visitors) and the chatty gossipy teens got on my last nerve.
So today, a beautiful and perfectly warm day – on the eve of Official Spring – I returned to the sidewalks for my supply of Vitamin D and red cheeked exercise. I don't have to talk myself into outside walking like I do with the monotony of the treadmill. I like that.
I set out on a new route. I have spent years walking the same old path, but one thing I did learn from the treadmill is that hills are a great thing for a person's rear-end ;) So, I rerouted myself up East Street, across Howell, down Wall to Assembly, back over to Howell and down to (the bad end) of Welch. It was one big wiggly circle of sorts but good for an early spring day.
Today is also my 10 month smoke-free anniversary (yay me!) so now I can actually smell the smells of the season, as well as soaking in all the color. I walked through neighborhoods of well-to-dos just yards from barely-to-dos (our little town is on the cusp of something). The nursing home smelled of stale cigarette smoke and insitutional food. BBQ. People worked in their yards ... some retired and others likely laid off, trying to fill the long days. Ill-mannered dogs threatened my person as silly chirpy birds perched above. It was only about 30 minutes today, but it was good. It's nice to be back outside.
Spring is my favorite time of year, mostly for the colors but also for the temperature ... not to cold, not to hot, but just perfectly perfect. Last year I attempted to compile an Appalachian Spring color palette, but it turned into more of a library with its 20 odd shades of green. And the weeping cherry trees. I can't imagine living a life that didn't involve getting to awe at those beauties for the few weeks they bloom each year.
Hooray for Spring!
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