Day 41 - 44

 Walking is going great! So much so, that I think I'll increase the distance even more. And I think I'll increase the pace, too, since I'm able to carry on a conversation with no problems at all. I did get a little jump scare today, though. When my favorite walking buddy and I were walking our usual route, a coyote suddenly raced across a yard and passed only a few feet in front of us on the sidewalk. It didn't pay much attention to us, instead it quickly made its way across the street and away from us. I had my pepper spray out and ready but didn't need it. The coyote just wanted to get away from that area. Ever since COVID we've had a lot more coyotes wandering into town.

Exercises are going good but I feel I'm not quite ready to increase the reps or sets yet. And my knees have finally forgiven me for using them so much while packing up my lego-like toys. Now I need to see where I can donate them. I feel kind of bad having them just sit around and collect dust instead of being played with. Anyway, I really like the exercise bands I use. I wish I would have known about them sooner. They are easy to store and easy to use. They come in different levels of stretchiness to make things harder or easier to do the exercises. I especially like the fact that I don't need dumb bells or exercise machines to get a good workout for my muscles. 

To continue my backstory, I kept training with my dad throughout Junior High and to the end of my Sophomore year of High School. That final track season, I did the best I had ever done. I felt great, had no injuries and ran the best 1500m of my life. I got 5th place overall and was thrilled. Then, that summer, my dad told me that if I wanted to really keep running, it was time for me to train myself. Other parents had been telling him that he was working me too hard and he finally caved to the peer pressure. Unfortunately, instead of me talking to him about it, I just felt hurt and turned to being angry. I had no idea how to train myself and I was too mad to ask for help.