Neonjade

For the first time in what seems like forever, the sun and habitable temperatures joined forces to create a most beautiful day, today. The brightness bombarding the house indicated it was time to head outside for fresh air and exercise. It was time to walk, again!

I so miss my walks in the winter time. I just can’t bear to walk in the gray and damp; bent over and muttering against the cold. It’s downright depressing. I need the sun. My walk is brisk and my stature tall in its rays. I stretch to the sky to bask in its warmth.

Until I start getting a little overheated. Hot. And my butt starts hurting on the hills. And… man, my feet hurt!

Has it really been so long since I’ve gotten out, that I must pant up the slight hills surrounding my home? I guess so.

I walked a bit under three miles today. When I walk regularly, it takes me somewhere between 40 to 45 minutes, depending on what side streets beckon my gaze with bright shinies to amuse and amaze. I’m easily distracted by everything from puppies playing tag to strange reflective trash blinking from the waves of an overgrown sea of weeds.

Today, it took me an hour. I was clumping along like some two ton automaton by the time my yard was back in view. I was too tired to even be excited by the sight of it. By the time my hand reached the door knob to enter, it raised in slow motion. The door opened not from the pressure of my arm, but from my entire body pressing against it for support.

Please let me in to die easy in my bed…

I’ll recover, no doubt. But it sure pounded home the message of use it or lose it, especially for my over 40 self. Spring is going to be a tough one to get back up to speed on this year. Maybe it will finally sink in that I can’t afford to slow down this year and I won’t have to suffer for it in 2011.

Or not.

In any case, please wish me luck in my endeavors to get some of my fitness back to enjoy this summer properly, and I’ll be happy to return the favor if you give me a shout out for me to find you.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, A Day for Trees. My distractions for today were the two lovely trees I just had to stop and take pictures of on my little jaunt. The fact that the act of taking the pictures happily interrupted what was an uncomfortable uphill drive at the Dublin Park loop does not detract from their slightly stark beauty. I just couldn’t pass up such leafless spans across that blue sky, with the evergreens behind the one for glorious contrast. Really, I just couldn’t. Pant. Pant.