Day 6, 7 and 8

 Oh rats! I didn't even make a week before I fell behind with my journal. Sorry to anyone who might be reading this! Anyway, my computer was out of commission for most of the weekend, so that's my excuse for the delay in posting. However, good news! I still did my workouts and got in a lot of extra walking. I've also done better with making good food choices although I did make some chocolate chip cookies yesterday and they are not lasting long. I'm not the only one eating them, though. :) 

Let's see, I'm not having any soreness or strain from increasing my exercise, so I'm very happy about that. I'll stick to just doing 2 sets of 10 reps for the strength exercise for this entire week before I decide whether or not to increase it. I'm not as worried about the walking. I think adding to my walks should be fine, it's when I start running that I think I'll run into more problems. I also should probably consider getting a decent pair of running sneakers, but that can wait for now. I want to get up to 4-5 miles of walking a day before I start including some running. The sneakers I have now are good for walking and light running so I have time. 

The weather is cooler this week, so I definitely should take advantage of that for outdoor exercise. I just wish I lived near the ocean. I love the salty air and looking out into the never ending blue where the ocean and sky meld into one. Ah, well. Maybe one day.

Day 5

 Today has been a pretty good workout day. I got in my exercises and a walk this morning and soon I'll get in my second walk with my favorite walking buddy. I've been more conscientious about my eating as well for the past several days. I'm not counting calories or fat or anything. For now, I'm just being aware of my food choices and trying to keep them at a reasonable portion size. One thing I don't have to work at is my water intake. I've been good about that for a while now, so Yay! 

I'm not experiencing much soreness from the increase in exercise, so I think next week I'll up the amounts. I'll add another 1-2 miles to my walking and right now I only do 10 reps for each exercise, so I'll add another set of 10 reps. And I'll see how that goes. Now you might be thinking, "Shouldn't you be running if you want to compete in a running race?" Yes, I should, however, I want to be smart and lose some weight first as well as build some muscle and strength before I start. The hope is to avoid injuries, stress or strain on my muscles, joints, etc.  

I know that right now the games seem like they are far off and I can take my time building up to more intense workouts, however, I am also very aware of how quickly time can move when you aren't looking. So I'll be sure to keep that lurking in the back of my mind. :)  

Day 3 and 4

 Life got a little distracting yesterday so I'm doing double entry today. I was struggling to concentrate yesterday so I did an extra walk on my own and then another long walk with my favorite walking buddy. However, I didn't do my exercises so first thing this morning, I did them. I've had to make adjustments to the routine because two of the exercises require a sturdy post of sorts to loop the resistance band around and for some reason, I don't have access to a sturdy post inside my home. So I changed up those exercises to versions I can do with my own body weight.  They are bicep curls and tricep pushdowns. I only did one set of each and I can feel it. Yikes! How out of shape am I? (Don't answer that)

I won't be able to walk with my favorite walking buddy today because I'm teaching this afternoon, but I will get in a walk on my own. My class isn't too far from home so I like to walk home after, as long as the weather is nice enough. 

The Senior Games are coming up next month and I've been trying to decide if I should volunteer to help out. On one hand, I think it would be super encouraging to see what others my age and older are able to do athletically speaking. On the other hand, it could send me down the path of regrets, disappointment and self doubt. I always loved the excitement of competition and seeing how far I could push myself, both mentally and physically. I liked coming up with strategies based on who I was competing against and I especially loved it when all my hard work and training paid off and I ran an awesome race. Ok, now I'm feeling nostalgic...in a good way. :) Hmmm? Maybe I should go, it could be fun to be in that environment again.

Day 2

 Well, I hate to admit it but I almost quit my training already. I know, I know, but sadly that wouldn't be a record for me. I was looking at where I am right now and comparing it to where I want to be in a little over a year and I just became incredibly discouraged. There is so much work to do and self doubt was shoving its way to the front of my thoughts. You may be asking, why do you want to subject yourself to this? Well, I'm tired of sitting around wondering where the time has gone and regretting some of the decisions I have made. It's fun to reminisce about the good old days, but sometimes I feel I get too stuck in the past and wishing I would have done things differently instead of doing something about it right now. So that's what I'm trying to do. I want to help future me rediscover the things that brought younger me joy.

Alrighty then, the workout for today was surprisingly fine. I walked with my favorite walking buddy and then I tried out the 15 minute workout I found that helps slowly build strength. Joining a gym is not an option at this point in time so I've been looking online for workouts I can do at home with minimal equipment. I found the 15 minute workout and bought some resistance bands and that was that. I took it a little easy today because the exercises are new to me and it's been a while since I've done any kind of weight or resistance training. I'm hoping I won't be sore tomorrow. Wait, is that good or bad if I am? Hmm? Not sure. I guess we'll see. 

Day 1

Today is the first day of my journey to the Senior Games 2027. Due to some injuries and bad choices, I haven't competed in sports since High School and I really miss that, especially running. So, I'm giving myself a kick in the butt, so to speak, by setting a goal and making it public. Even if no one actually reads this, there is at least the illusion of that possibility. In High School I loved Track and Field, so that is the sport I'm focusing on for the next year. And in particular, the 1500m run. I've got a lot of work to do and will need to move slowly at first to build a solid foundation. That means being much more conscientious about my food choices and eating habits, ugh! I'll also need to increase my aerobic activity, strength and flexibility. Phew! That's a lot to think about but I'm going to do this. I love running and I'm tired of waiting until tomorrow to start. So today is the day! 

My Short Short for the Day

The coldness chilled her bones, but she’d become numb to its effects.  She went through the motions but felt nothing anymore.  Her gnarled fingers rubbed against each other above the flames stretching out from the trash can.  Her tattered hat was pulled down around her ears but provided no warmth as the cloth was barely holding together.  Only the dirt and filth kept it from falling apart.  She smelled worse than the rotted trash burning in the can.  The liquid from the drainpipes was more green sludge than water so there was no way to get clean, even if that mattered to the broken and battered souls existing in that dead end space.

Hopelessness oozed from the creatures huddled around the trash cans, desperate to feel something.  The frigid winter was dragging on.  Cloudy days drifted into dark, icy nights.  The sun had disappeared long ago as did the warmth and hope it brought.  Agnes couldn’t remember the last time she felt anything.  For years she had complained about not having enough; not enough money to buy the things she wanted, not enough time to herself to do what she wanted, not enough appreciation from her husband and children for all the sacrifices she made for them.  So many years spent complaining, never satisfied with what she had, never happy with her life. Then as she got older, her children grew up and moved out on their own, her husband died, and she was left alone.  She had plenty of money now to buy all the things she wanted.  She had plenty of time to herself to do whatever she wanted.  Instead, she sat at home feeling sorry for herself.  Everyone had left her.  No one there to talk to, or eat a meal with, or to hug.

How did she end up here?  This desolate place with lost souls, drained of all hope.  How did this happen?  

My Short Short for the Day

The shadowy figure crept along the wretched alleyway littered with decaying trash, rats scrabbling through the piles of stench for a bite to eat and tainted mist seeping up from the sewers. 

Zerrick shouldered open the heavy back door to the bakery, flooding the alleyway with bright, artificial light.  The rats scattered, hissing as they are forced to abandon their dinner.  Grumbling, Zerrick tosses the bags of trash into the stained and battered dumpster. “More food for you scavengers.”  He mutters to the beady eyes staring at him from the dark edges of the shadows. 

A coldness brushes past Zerrick who shivers and looks around.  Creepy alleyway.  Why does it have to be so creepy at night?  During the day, it’s dirty and dank smelling but never causes his neck to prickle at every sound.  He slams the rusted lid down and turns back towards the door.  For a moment he hesitates, unsure if he saw something.  He shakes his head, “Don’t be so stupid, nothing’s there.” 

The door slowly closed behind Zerrick taking the light with it and returning the alleyway back to is smothering darkness.  The rats return to their dinner, savagely tearing the bags open and burrowing into the decaying rot inside.  The tainted mist hovers mere inches above the ground, shrouding everything in a foggy, green hue.