Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Sometimes You Just Have To Start Over

I had good intentions when I started. 100 miles in 3 months.. no problem. I don't run (bad knees).. but I love to walk. 100 miles over 3 months is a little over a mile each day. I walk a total of 1/2 a mile every day just going to and from work. If I walk at lunch it's another 1/2 mile, and my after school/after dinner walk is 1.25 miles.

I started out good... but it got bitter cold. And my school year got worse. And stress entered my life on a level I've not experienced in a long, long time. By lunchtime (been 1:00 for a long time) I was too tired to think about doing more than eating and de-stressing. At the end of the school day I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Besides, it was too cold/slushy/rainy/fill in excuse here.

It shouldn't have mattered. All last winter I walked at lunch and after school except for on the most bitter cold of days. This year I just don't have it in me. But spring is here. The weather will be getting better. I NEED to work on improving my mood and my stress level has to go down. I can't keep going on in this direction. It's not good for me and it's not fair to my family. You know when you are getting tired of yourself, it's time to do something.

I had planned to start this week. I have been fighting a horrible headache all week. It started Monday afternoon and each day that I think it might be better.. it's not. Worse at some parts of the day than other, and enough to make me miserable. CPR re-certification after school today was torture. Between my back and my head I thought about leaving halfway through and letting my certification just lapse. But I hate to start over.. CPR is a pain in the butt. So much for my plans to walk this week. Maybe tomorrow. Defiantly Friday, I hear it will be in the 50's.

Anyhow.. I digress. April 1st in in 2 weeks and I have fallen far short of my 100 mile goal. But it's OK. Sometimes life gives you do-overs. Starting April 1st.. we're going to do it again. 100 miles by July 1st. This time, I'm going to do it... at least 100 miles, maybe more. No excuses.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know you can do it!

Sgt said...

Buy 400 marbles (or something small like that) and get 2 big jars/bowls. Think of something you'd really like as a reward. Write it on a piece of paper and put it in the bottom of one of the jars. Now put the 400 marbles on top.

For each quarter of a mile you walk, you move a marble to the other jar. Once you empty the jar, you get the reward.

You could also get 200 marbles and commit to 1/2 mile increments.

Maybe add little treats throughout the initial jar that you can get to sooner. Special candies, movie ticket, etc. You can only take them once they are exposed.

Good luck!

Carly said...

do overs are the best. Go at your own pace, but just keep doing it

Bec said...

I like the idea above...but instead, fill the jar with 400 Jelly Bellies and eat them until you get to that piece of paper...four at a time, of course!

Spring will be a great time to recharge your walking habit!

Becca