Monthly Archives: July 2016

million steps – day seventeen – lazy Sunday afternoon

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Summer arrived today.  Unannounced and unexpected, the day became warmer and warmer.  Out walking in the early morning, there was a lot of cloud but it felt warm and there was, for once, no rain.

Home again after breakfast the sun was peeping through the kitchen window so I took my book outside to sit on the decking for a while.  I soon came indoors to change into cooler clothing and as I sat and sat outside I could feel the warmth on my face increasing by the minute.

Our back yard is a sociable space.  Our house is the second in a terrace of six, in a terrace street of lots of houses.  From our decking we can see our neighbours and they can see us. As ever the sunshine is bringing people outside and soon I am joined by a neighbour on my decking.  As we chat about all that we believe to be going wrong in this world, another neighbour comes out and joins in.  So there we are, in the sunshine, putting the world to rights and mostly, but not completely in agreement.

I was very glad I had done a longer early morning walk today, for I did very little after that. Today is possibly my lowest step count since the challenge for Diabetes UK began.  By bedtime I had clocked up a miserable 11,000 odd steps.  Still within my daily target but not good enough.  Tomorrow is another day.

 

Million steps – day 16 – new life in an old place

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Today’s walking was mainly done in a city I once knew so well.  The city I lived and worked in for twenty odd years, the city where,as a child, I spent time with Mum and Dad, a city I still think of as a home.

This time I was there with a new friend who was unfamiliar with the city and it was my great pleasure to share with her my favourite haunts.  I proudly showed off the wonderful landmarks, and enjoyed her reaction to the buildings, the history and the people all around us.

It was somewhat surprising to me to find so many changes have been made.  I knew about the regeneration of the centre, the new shops and galleries but here there were some changes I hadn’t noticed in my previous visits.  We walked in an enormous circle, almost 25,000 steps or 10 miles of pavement passed below our feet, stopping here and there we took photographs and ate good food while chatting with friends old and new.

The area that astonished me was one I once walked through often.  Below the might of a cathedral, the warehouses lining the streets had once buzzed with cargo, with workers and the noise of commerce.  This had been on my way home when I was a student I would save the bus fare and walk from college to our shared house.  Back then the city was in decline, the docks beginning to close, the warehouses were shadows of their former selves.Now, at first glance they seem much the same.  There are no broken windows any more and although many are unlit, through some windows there are clues that there maybe homes within.  From outside they mostly look neglected and unloved.

We are guided by a friend who knows this place and soon we come across a painted wooden doorway.  Entering I am amazed at what is within.  Colour hits the eye, bright walls and fake green grass surround tables and chairs in the sunshine.  Booths made from bamboo line one wall and the music lifts our spirits. We have great food, we have cocktails and we feel as if we have found another world. This is not the only surprise this afternoon for behind many of these imposing, somewhat sad structures there is a vibrancy and energy I would never have dreamt of.

Fed and watered we begin our way back towards the station and home.  As we walk the many, many steps of the day, we are drawn to sculptures and art everywhere.  The streets seem alive with colour and as we leave the warehouses and rejoin the shops there are thousands of people all around us, each living their lives in the city.  Going home, shopping, out for fun, people are everywhere and it feels good to be a part of this urban life.

Later, on the train heading back to the hills we are chatting about our day.  Neither of us noticed how far we had walked, instead we were buoyed by the sunshine and so much to see.  Tired but happy we go our separate ways home.

In the past whenever I travelled home by train I have always either been picked up at the station or hailed a taxi home.  Often the almost a mile climb up the hill from the train has been too much to ask after a day out.  Today I am much cheered as  I am able to walk it with ease. It would seem another fifteen hundred or so steps is a breeze as I walk through the town that is now my home.  Here there are also people out and about on a Saturday night, in a small town in the countryside.  I feel so lucky to have roots in two very different but beautiful places.

 

million steps – day fifteen – walking backwards

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today I decided to vary my route. I have developed several ways to walk three miles, my early morning start to the day, some take me down long hills and back up again, others offer shortcuts and I always avoid busy roads.  Walking to the traffic noises is not on my list of favourite things to do.  Anyway, each of the routes has its good bits and bad bits, most of them I don’t even think about which direction I am taking, but let the road lead me home.

So, setting out in what looked to be the making of a fine and bright morning, I decided to do my most frequent route, but to do it back to front. I began with the circle of the field, always the last thing I do, and set off following the route.  This time I had to think about which way I was going, the natural ‘sat nav’ in my brain was finding it more difficult to direct me.  Anyway, walking streets in a different direction allowed me to notice different things.  The trees from the other side of the street looked more shady, the shadows were different.  The road that always signals half way was just the same, and still half way but the wrong way, it felt very odd.

Just on the halfway point the bright and clear morning changed.  The first couple of drops of rain were barely noticeable but those that followed were a very different story.  I switched route to cut down towards the theatre as I knew there was a large canopy that would give me some shelter.  I stayed for a few minutes until the cloud passed over, before continuing my walk.  Oh dear, not only was I going backwards I was now off route completely.  Feeling a bit damp and disconcerted, I arrived home from the ‘wrong’ direction.  It was all a bit of a muddle.

Still a healthy step count today, helped by lots of walking up and down in the shop later, means I am getting nearer my million steps.  I hope Diabetes UK makes lots of money from this challenge, it is a genius way to get people like me walking.

million steps – day 14 – two weeks in

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today marks the end of the second week of my million step challenge and things are getting easier.  Another long walk today, hubby again dropped me at the edge of town and I walked back home through new streets.  I am noticing I am walking more quickly.  In the beginning my average pace was 2.4 miles an hour, I am now up to 3 miles an hour without really thinking about it.  I am also finding the hills easier to manage and seldom become breathless.

This is all important as it means as well as raising money for Diabetes UK and losing weight I am also increasing my fitness and my stamina.  In total I have been daily walking for about five weeks now, before July 1st I was practising and wandering a bit.  I was explaining to colleagues yesterday how my walking has developed.

My first walk was literally around the field in front of my house.   I know now this is about 900 steps and it took me a while to walk it. I remember feeling a bit self conscious, hoping no one would notice me.   The next day I did it again and the day after that I walked around it twice.  A couple of days of that and then  I walked down the road and then round the field and then the next day down a couple more roads before walking around the field home.  Step by step I did a little bit more each day, and now 3 miles in a hour is not difficult at all!  I am averaging about 15,000 steps a day, just under 7 miles, it is incredible.

I enjoy varying my route but every walk either begins or ends with the walk around the field.  It is very much part of my routine and it would feel all wrong if I didn’t do it each day. There is still some way to go to a million steps, I think this weeks walking should see me a quarter of the way there, well on track to complete it before the end of September.

There are so many positives about this challenge, the thinking time I have while walking, the gorgeous countryside and views I am seeing, the weight I am losing, the energy I now have, but the very best thing it that it is becoming normal. It is has simply become what I do.

 

million steps – day thirteen – inspiring others

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more rain today, think that makes almost a week of walking while getting wet.  I am getting used to it, and I have my lovely new waterproof jacket to keep me dry.  Actually rain isn’t a big problem, it means there are less people about, which I like, and it keeps me cool when walking.

I did the usual route this morning, and then later in the day persuaded hubby to come out with me.  Remembering our epic trek last week this time I offered a compromise of city walking.  We travelled north from home to the city and spent a happy couple of hours walking around canals and shops before stopping for a bite to eat.  You see there are lots of ways to get the steps in.  Hubby also managed to buy himself some new shiny shoes, so everyone was happy.

While out and about I had a couple of messages come through on my phone.  This blog is documenting what I am up to and how I am getting along, my Diabetes UK page is keeping count of my steps and encouraging people to sponsor me.  A lot of my friends are very interested in my experience, especially those, like me, who have never really thought about exercising.

Two different friends contacted me in the past couple of days.  Both are a little bit older than me, retired women with busy lives, families and grandchildren.  One said, and I quote,  ‘Hi, you are a great inspiration to me’ she then went on to ask how I counted my steps and what device I used.  I happily explained about my app and my new counter thingy.  Another friend, also contacted me to say that since reading my blog she is now walking for an hour every evening.  Wow,  that is fantastic, not only am I benefiting from this challenge but now others are picking it up too.

I said right at the beginning if I can walk a million steps, anyone can.  I am hoping that my friends enjoy walking as much as I have learned to do,

million steps – day 12 – milestones

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today I reached 200,000 steps.  I will say that again, today the woman who didn’t walk anywhere today reached two hundred thousand steps.  In twelve days I have walked ninety miles.  When I started practising for this crazy challenge at the beginning of June I thought it would take forever, never mind three months to complete.  Now it seems I may not need all the time given.  Not that I will stop once the millionth step has been stepped,  I am in this for the long haul, but 200,000 steps is worth celebrating.

So I celebrated by buying myself some new clothes.  Smaller sizes than before and specifically to help me, I picked up a fabulous breathable waterproof jacket, thin enough to wear when walking and snug enough to keep me dry.  I also bought a new sweatshirt top in thin but warm fabric, I am now ready for anything.

 

million steps – day eleven – rain and pain

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at the end of day ten I was feeling a bit sore and a bit fragile.  Not sure why but my get up and go had definitely gone.  Waking to monsoon like rain, grey skies and a cold wind, did nothing for my motivation.  I decided to delay my walk and potter around the house. Worryingly I sat on Facebook and started to feel peckish.  Reminders of how life used to be, the laptop and the biscuit barrel my best friends.  It really hit me how my lifestyle has changed.

An amazing shift in our shop during the afternoon had me back on track.  The pain was subsiding as I moved rubble sacks and tons of donations, packing them carefully into boxes and storing them safely.  The sun began to peep from the clouds for the first time that day just as we were shutting up.

Home again I check my step count.  Absolutely awful, less than five thousand!!  I have usually done that many before my breakfast.  There was nothing else for it, I needed to walk.  Of course as soon as I set off the sun disappeared and the light rain increased.  I walked quickly, deciding to get as many steps done before I was completely soaked.  As I walked hood up and eyes down, avoiding puddles, I got into a rhythm.  There were very few people out and about which was good.  Evening walking invariably leads to meeting people, stopping and chatting.  I was in sight of home as the rain stopped falling.  A respectable six thousand steps added to the total for today I had met my ten thousand target.

I guess I never thought these million steps would come easy.  Mostly I enjoy travelling on foot, noticing the world.  Today was effort.  Massive effort.  I am so proud that I did it, the me of just a few months ago would have given up today, had a cake and stayed home.

million steps – day ten – finding my tribe

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Today started well, despite a late night I was up and out before eight and enjoyed almost three miles of walking  I bumped into several fellow walkers and runners on the way, stopping to chat or walk alongside for part of the way.  It seems there are a lot of us out and about, I met people I never dreamt would be walkers actually out just like me doing it. Some have been inspired after illness to improve their fitness others are doing it for the mental strength they find in exercising.

Once again I feel  I have tapped into a whole world I had previously been oblivious to.  I admit in the past I have felt a little irritated with friends who went out running, perhaps I was jealous of their energy and fitness, but now it seems I have joined the tribe.  This has made me think of perception, of how we judge each other and how I may have alienated myself to a whole way of life, simply for fear of failing.

I think most people are a bit like me. I watch the London Marathon or the Great North Run on the television and although it is perfectly obvious most people taking part are not elite athletes, I have never consider it to be anything to do with me.  People like me enjoy sitting down, nice food, good wine.  We enjoy a stroll around the shops or meeting for coffee and chatting.  In the back of my head I always sort of understood that I should exercise.  I was very good at ignoring that little thought.  Exercise means effort, you need special clothes, things that probably won’t fit me.  You need to be good at doing it the walking/running/cycling or you can’t do it.  Excuses, excuses, excuses.  Some of the reasons were real enough.  I did fear failure, I did worry that people might laugh at me. I always thought I wouldn’t be able to do it.

I am now remembering the person I used to be.  Before children, before stressful jobs and difficult times.  Before I got fat and lazy.  Before I lost my confidence and my get up and go.  That person, thirty years ago was very active.  She ran around after small children, went out for long bike rides, she swam often and danced whenever and wherever she could.  I cannot remember the moment that all changed.  Somewhere between my thirties and my fifties I lost the will to move.  It feels good to be changing that now.

Walking isn’t running the marathon, it isn’t even jogging in the park, but it is what I can do, so that is what I am doing.  Yes the weather has been rubbish, my legs have been aching but I am connecting again with the me I had forgotten, and along the way I am meeting my new tribe.  We understand we don’t have to be elite athletes, but we are moving more than we are eating and energy is attracting energy.

So as I clock up almost 180,000 steps for Diabetes Uk I am looking forward to getting the old me back, I might even go out dancing!

 

million steps – day nine

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Today was a good day.  After yesterday when I felt bored and tired and achy I decided to vary my walking and begged a lift of hubby on his way out to work.  He dropped me off at the edge of town for me to walk back.  It was a great idea.  I made my way down roads I usually only travel on in the car. The unfamiliar made for interesting walking and energised me completely.  It was early so not many people were about and as I turned off the main road into the smaller side roads the countryside was all around me.

A group of rabbits were playing alongside the school field, I stopped to watch them for a minute as they chased each other.  I couldn’t help but feel that this new world I am living in is full of surprises around every corner.  Walking puts me in the picture, not looking at it framed through a car window.  I am part of the landscape and able to connect with it in a way I have never done before.  I notice things I would never have seen and I am seeing the world in a very different way.  Leaving the rabbits to play,  I carried on along for a mile or so then started making my way back towards home.  It was a long walk, but I enjoyed every step.  I think this will become a weekly treat,  my long walk home.  When I arrived there just after 8 am I really needed my breakfast.

The day went on as Saturdays often do.  Spending time in the shop, chatting to people and sorting and packing donated goods ready to be sent off to where they are so badly needed. It was carnival day in our town today, and it was great to watch everyone heading up to the market place for fun at the fair.  We closed the shop just as the carnival parade was heading up the street,  it was full of smiling people, some were on floats, others were walking or marching with the bands. The sky was threatening rain but it stayed dry, which was great news for everyone.  Later we walked over the market place and down into the park to listen to live music and catch up with friends.

Today was a high step count, almost 20,000 which seemed very easily done.  Walking new routes, walking with friends and concentrating on having fun meant many of the steps were done unnoticed.  I am proud that my fitness levels are improving so much, I find it easy to walk and talk, even up the hills, something I could never do before.   It seems to me that I am beginning to understand that this maybe a million step challenge, but actually it is a life time change for the better.

 

million steps – day 8

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oh dear, today has not been a good day.  I felt so tired, it was a real effort to get myself up and out of the door.   My legs were hurting too, this hasn’t happened for weeks, and yet it used to be the norm.  I managed to walk, and as I did so the pain lessened which was great. I went a different route, think I am getting bored with the same streets, and it did help to have new things to look at on the way around.

Back home after less than two miles, I was feeling hungry.  With very little fruit in the house, I really need to shop more often, I settled on cooking mushrooms, egg and a slice of bacon.  It was just what was needed. it made me wonder if I am eating enough?   I checked the scales and they are going the right way which is encouraging but I think I can increase my intake as I am using a lot of calories in walking.

Anyway the rest of the day went on as usual.  I was in our shop this afternoon, sorting and packing wonderful donations to send off to refugees.  It has crossed my mind on many a mornings walk that these poor people are walking so far and carrying all they possess, plus their babies.  I really cannot complain about a couple of miles in a morning. The fellowship and kindness shown by people to help others they will never meet is always uplifting.  I leave the shop later than planned with a happy heart.

I am disappointed with my step count today, under 14,000 for the first time in ages, but hopefully by listening to my body and keeping on keeping will ensure that all will be well. Putting one foot in front of another is not difficult, it is the carrying on that takes energy and effort. Tomorrow is another day, and I am planning a big walk on a new route that will inspire and energise me.