Solitude

Last entry I wrote about my enemy of boredom and the problems it caused as I walk. It wasn't long before an answer came to light.
That week in a reading group I attend we discussed a chapter called, "An Unhurried Life" from the book, The Life You've Always Wanted, by John Ortberg. The thoughts rang like the last bell of the school year! And my heart responded, "Let me out!"
Yes, I want to practice solitude and reflection; to think more and speak less.
But where would I go for that place of solitude? When I was young the woods was my hermitage. Under the canopy of maple leaves, my imagination gurgled and splashed while I spawned lofty little thoughts in its fast flowing current. Now, I searched my mind for a place that would be so fertile. A place where I could practice the discipline of solitude and reflection. Then it came to me.
My problem with boredom on my walks is the answer to my need for solitude.
So, now with my new goal in hand I miraculously turn boredom into solitude, drudgery into reflection.
I have begun to wonder if I have set the launch date later in the season than I should have. This spring has been so warm I am beginning to think perhaps I should start April 1 or even the end of March next year. That would make the wait shorter too! :) Patience Denise.
Speaking to my Mom the other day she shared some of the concerns that my family have for me. I want to thank my family for caring about me. What a beautiful thing to have people to love you enough to ask the tough questions. Some of the questions they had were, "Are you going to wear out or stress your aging body unduly?" Answer: I think it can only do my body good. I have been carring close to 100 lbs of extra weight for a long time and my slow approach to training and losing I believe is healthier than doing nothing. The second answer to that question is that I don't plan on doing it at any kind of race pace. I am only aiming for 25 kms per day. Honestly, that is only 5 hours of walking per day. At that speed there is significantly less likelyhood of injury. Although you may not know anyone, there are many long distance walkers and a quick online google will show you what a large company of good people are out there walking all kinds of crazy distances.
The other concern my family had is one that has kept me off the road at times, and brought concerns other times, "What about getting hit by a transport truck -or any vehicle for that matter." There are risks. Yes, risk is a part of life. Every time we drive our car, or fly in an airplane, or ...whatever we live with risks. To provide a measure of safety we have adopted practices such as securing the seatbelt, obeying the road signs and signals, submitting to anti-terrorist precautions when boarding a plane, listening to the preflight instructions (ok, maybe not that), putting on the emergency brake, wearing a helmet when bicycling. ENOUGH, you get it. So, I will a) wear safety glasses to protect my eyes from rocks, or shredded tires; b) wear a traffic vest - I already own it and it is UGLY, it is embarrassing to walk here in town with it on but....; c) have a "chase car" as somebody termed it, a car will follow me with some kind of attention getting sign or flashing lights or something - this does mean I will have to walk on the wrong side of the road but I think it is still the safest; d) not walk at dusk or in severely reduced visibility conditions; e) will take secondary roads when it is possible.
Others have expressed concerns about being away from my husband for such a long time. All I can offer to answer this is that Paul and I had of course discussed this before we decided to embark on this project. Any project exacts its sacrifices and they are uniquely tailored to each individual. We have counted the cost, verified the call, and agreed to the terms. Take one bit at a time it ended up being a simple step.
Well, I am out for a bit of solitude and reflection.
love, denise

23 kms

I walked 23 kms on Friday (April 7)! I felt good and didn't feel any sores or pains from the walk. The only problem I had on the walk was my old enemy BOREDOM. I knew it was going to take me at least 4 hours to walk that many kms and so I took my discman and listened for the first hour but it wasn't long until I had had enough of listening. So I decided to think - actively, purposefully think. And I did and that was good, but I have to keep paying attention to my walking - Am I taking too long of a stride? Am I rolling through my feet? Am I pushing off with my toes and extending my stride at the back? Am I walking too fast or too slow?
Patience, I know I have written about this before but I am amazed that THIS is my biggest hurdle. When I am walking (376 days to go) I envision that there will always be people walking with me. This could be of course a good thing or a bad thing. But I will try to focus on the fact that though I may be frustrated, or even angry - at least I won't be bored :)
On the other walking days I walk about 6 kms - I don't want to wear out my joints before the walk... so I am just taking one simple step at a time.
If you have a minute check out this interesting site www.juststopandthink.com