I made the decision to start walking again but this time I felt I needed to set goals. I have chosen several causes to privately walk for and each time I do I spread the word about town for people to join me. These are just community walks no money exchanges hands and no bling at the end of the road.
Last weekend the sky was grey but I walked out the door ready to be soaked. Turns out it was only over cast as the walk and day turned out to be joyful but Florida cool. That just means the sun is not beating you into submission. My cause for the days walk was the Nigerian girls kidnapped from school. With a sign in my backpack along with the usual first aid kit I hit the track slowly. I'll be honest I was moving slower than grandma ( a couple of seniors lapped me). I actually thought at the two mile point I would just call it a day. That's when the lord stepped in and helped me by sending a messenger.
Two weeks before I met a woman who was out jogging as I attended an event in the park. I mentioned I could not wait for the day I would be able to run instead of walking. I wasn't even serious I was just tired from roaming around the festival. Well guess what, that same woman remember me. As she passed she looked back and said" one lap is a mile and a third you can do it." I responded that the lord must have told her to say that because I was wondering where I was mile wise. She responded " he must have I never talk or tell people that when I run." If that wasn't a sign I don't know what one is.
By the time I hit my second mile a burst of energy propelled me to move faster and with more joy not dread. So instead of three miles I did five and felt great, along the way I reminded people to remember to #bring back our daughters. It was mothers day weekend and I walked to support all the mothers who are missing their daughters for whatever reason. I then went home to visit my own mother, at her age it's a blessing to still have her and a big motivation to stay healthy enough to take care of her.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Yes it's been awhile
Its been a while since i was last here. For some reason returned to read old post and wondered why i stopped making an effort to run. Okay I know the reasons and as many as there were none seem to be worthy excuses now. I will say this in the time that I stopped organizations like girltrek and black girls run have come along and inspired millions.
So now that fitness in communities of color have been out on the front pages I get better responses from everyone I tell about my triathlon goals. They have change a bit since I started as I have been focusing on road racing this year. Unfortunately for me since I slacked off and gained weight I'm walking again. I'm not having a heart attack trying to hold on to the idea I used to run five miles before and after work and think nothing of it.This month I have been logging about ten miles a week in the florida heat and slowly I'm building the stamina to reach a my goal of actually running a 5k. Sure it's three miles but I'm one hundred pounds over weight and it will be a long process to work my way down.
One thing I know for sure is more women and families need to be out here with me. I want to encourage you all to start your own walking/running groups or find one in your area .If that's to much than I'm claiming all you stragglers. Get on your treadmills at home and walk with me I'm hosting a years worth of virtual walks. I'll be the sweeper and pull you along on the journey as nothing beats walking buddies. This is what my mind body and spirit has been calling for me to so get ready I'm taking y'all all with me.
So now that fitness in communities of color have been out on the front pages I get better responses from everyone I tell about my triathlon goals. They have change a bit since I started as I have been focusing on road racing this year. Unfortunately for me since I slacked off and gained weight I'm walking again. I'm not having a heart attack trying to hold on to the idea I used to run five miles before and after work and think nothing of it.This month I have been logging about ten miles a week in the florida heat and slowly I'm building the stamina to reach a my goal of actually running a 5k. Sure it's three miles but I'm one hundred pounds over weight and it will be a long process to work my way down.
One thing I know for sure is more women and families need to be out here with me. I want to encourage you all to start your own walking/running groups or find one in your area .If that's to much than I'm claiming all you stragglers. Get on your treadmills at home and walk with me I'm hosting a years worth of virtual walks. I'll be the sweeper and pull you along on the journey as nothing beats walking buddies. This is what my mind body and spirit has been calling for me to so get ready I'm taking y'all all with me.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Shame Shame Shame
I have been shamed into posting here. Yes it's true, I follow many blogs and most are as out of date as mine. When I started freedom it was inspirational to see other black women running, biking, and swimming. I used the sites I found as motivation even sending them out to friends.
Three years later and I no longer live a vegetarian (I eat poultry on occasion) and I bike more than I ever ran. However I'm more determine to keep on moving and have some great things
to share here so keep checking up on me.
Three years later and I no longer live a vegetarian (I eat poultry on occasion) and I bike more than I ever ran. However I'm more determine to keep on moving and have some great things
to share here so keep checking up on me.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Still making progress
It has been two weeks since i walked due to health problems. I discovered the chest pains were nothing to take lightly. My exercise level was increasing to fast and my body was not given proper time to rest. So now instead of the very real desire to pull off five milers I'm back to timed walks not mileage. It is truly hard to admit the things I enjoy have to be limited. I'm also
a water person and if the oil spill makes its way to my coast sea activities will be added to the list of things I have loved and lost.
So as trek girls contest comes down to the finish line I'll still walk and keep active because in time
my strength will build. Along the way to the challenge I have met wonderful folks from all corners of the country and all ethnicity's. As the saying goes it ain't over the good times are just starting!
a water person and if the oil spill makes its way to my coast sea activities will be added to the list of things I have loved and lost.
So as trek girls contest comes down to the finish line I'll still walk and keep active because in time
my strength will build. Along the way to the challenge I have met wonderful folks from all corners of the country and all ethnicity's. As the saying goes it ain't over the good times are just starting!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Blue Crab Festival
I have to admit something terrible this week, I'm gaining weight. I'm not talking muscle either but rather FAT! I have been biking more of late than walking as the days turn to a steamy ninety degree and the rains come like monsoons. This gain is due to excessive eating of bad foods. I knew once I gave up on vegetarianism my body would rebel but I had no idea I would.
I actually only eat fish and once a month chicken now but after three years as a vegan I was not doing well. It cost big time to eat healthy and money is tight. When I could afford it I ate well and did worry about the cost of healthy items. As the economy and business became worst I have used more and (gasp) frozen and canned foods. This has taken a toll on my body. I will have to work on processed foods because over the last two years I had been making everything from scratch. It is not a long journey back though I still am able to move about but I will have to find high energy foods to make up for the hunger that is building due to my increase exercise.
On the bright side I manage to walk six miles this weekend at the Blue crab festival and I resisted the erg to buy some greasy fried sea treasure and chow down. Instead I brought some lemon water and the idea that looking as I walk will pay off later. Okay that last part is so not true because I was not going to walk at all knowing I was to attend this festival. Instead of good parking I walked a mile from my car which was parked on a bridge. After that hike I just continued the trek three times through the event and then walked the long way back up the hilly bridge. So in the end I got a workout I didn't want but needed.
I actually only eat fish and once a month chicken now but after three years as a vegan I was not doing well. It cost big time to eat healthy and money is tight. When I could afford it I ate well and did worry about the cost of healthy items. As the economy and business became worst I have used more and (gasp) frozen and canned foods. This has taken a toll on my body. I will have to work on processed foods because over the last two years I had been making everything from scratch. It is not a long journey back though I still am able to move about but I will have to find high energy foods to make up for the hunger that is building due to my increase exercise.
On the bright side I manage to walk six miles this weekend at the Blue crab festival and I resisted the erg to buy some greasy fried sea treasure and chow down. Instead I brought some lemon water and the idea that looking as I walk will pay off later. Okay that last part is so not true because I was not going to walk at all knowing I was to attend this festival. Instead of good parking I walked a mile from my car which was parked on a bridge. After that hike I just continued the trek three times through the event and then walked the long way back up the hilly bridge. So in the end I got a workout I didn't want but needed.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Positive thoughts
Last week the battery in my car died, talk about poetic justice in a large way.
I was not going to walk because I had way to much on my plate. Of course the day after this terrible thought my car would not start and a neighbor had to give me a jump. One week and more exercise than I expected (riding my bike)has lead to an amazing discovery about myself.
I'm stronger mentally than I believed myself to be thanks to logging over 100 miles on my bike. I could have stayed home and run the treadmill but I needed to get out and take care of things so off I went. My walking schedule decreased but my fitness level increased and that's exactly what I needed. I learned a lesson about wishing something on myself too. Never let negative thoughts ruin your path to a better road. I decided I didn't want to put in the work and the lord showed me a better way despite my own sabotage.
I was not going to walk because I had way to much on my plate. Of course the day after this terrible thought my car would not start and a neighbor had to give me a jump. One week and more exercise than I expected (riding my bike)has lead to an amazing discovery about myself.
I'm stronger mentally than I believed myself to be thanks to logging over 100 miles on my bike. I could have stayed home and run the treadmill but I needed to get out and take care of things so off I went. My walking schedule decreased but my fitness level increased and that's exactly what I needed. I learned a lesson about wishing something on myself too. Never let negative thoughts ruin your path to a better road. I decided I didn't want to put in the work and the lord showed me a better way despite my own sabotage.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Twenty Mile Club
I did it ! Yesterday I pounded out twenty miles on my bike and ran/walked for one mile. I felt good the whole time and to be honest I almost killed myself because of it.
I had not planned to test my ability to finish a biathlon Thursday. It happened because the map I was reading neglected to include some important details.
I picked up a riders trail map from the local bike shop while having my racing seat replaced for a more comfortable WIDE butt model. Oh happy day, these new gel versions are sent from heaven I can not sing my new seats comfort enough. Although the shop owner told me the new heavier seat would slow me down I went for cushion power.
Anyway the map lacked some big details,the major one being designated bike lanes. The route to a local park was marked as having a bike lane but that wasn't true. I spent the whole trip riding in the street with bad drivers. For a short distance I tried the sidewalk but never in my life have I been on sidewalks literally coated with broken glass. As my rider continued I missed a short cut in thanks to no notation on the map. There actually was a hidden entrance to the park off road marked only by two foot yellow poles in the woods. Since I missed it I ended up pushing five extra miles to the parks main gateway. Only after talking to a recreation worker did I discover the bike trail ran through the woods. I thought about taking some of the trails but I have to be honest. I noticed an archery club and saw several white men walking around with bow and arrows through the woods. I said to myself heck no your not riding on these trails and end finding stray arrows.
My fun trip to the park to exercise turned into a twenty mile haul sprinkled with a one mile walk.I road the loop a few times and then the idea to use the day as a test for the bike portion of a race hit me. I made my way back using a different route which was up hill for eight miles and then level the rest of the way. I start running out of fuel but instead of listening to my body I insisted to myself it was a mental block. It wasn't, I had not eaten properly and because I was putting a tremendous amount of strain on my vital organs mainly the heart it revolted. Fifteen miles in a chest pain that was more of a slight tightening so I stopped and walked one mile. I then began riding a slow easy pace back home.
I always make sure I have plenty of fluids but neglected the fuel a mistake that won't happen again as I'm not into suffering. I usually leave home with at least something to eat in the form of fruit or trail mix but since it was to be a short trip I never bothered.Hence bad planning will send you down a dead end road.I have now crossed the mental block of wanting to compete but not mentally feeling I can. I took the hills,the streets, curves and the heat with no problem.I did it all on a heavy older model mountain bike and no a road bike which I have not owned in years. My excuse was I did not want to spent money on a bike I may not use much. A heavy bike has no place in a road race it just to slow and tiring.I 'm now ready to make the investment. I love off road cycling but I see myself doing more time on the black top for now.I relearned the importance of diet even when I have no desire to eat and most importantly I discover nothing is impossible it you keep working at it.
I had not planned to test my ability to finish a biathlon Thursday. It happened because the map I was reading neglected to include some important details.
I picked up a riders trail map from the local bike shop while having my racing seat replaced for a more comfortable WIDE butt model. Oh happy day, these new gel versions are sent from heaven I can not sing my new seats comfort enough. Although the shop owner told me the new heavier seat would slow me down I went for cushion power.
Anyway the map lacked some big details,the major one being designated bike lanes. The route to a local park was marked as having a bike lane but that wasn't true. I spent the whole trip riding in the street with bad drivers. For a short distance I tried the sidewalk but never in my life have I been on sidewalks literally coated with broken glass. As my rider continued I missed a short cut in thanks to no notation on the map. There actually was a hidden entrance to the park off road marked only by two foot yellow poles in the woods. Since I missed it I ended up pushing five extra miles to the parks main gateway. Only after talking to a recreation worker did I discover the bike trail ran through the woods. I thought about taking some of the trails but I have to be honest. I noticed an archery club and saw several white men walking around with bow and arrows through the woods. I said to myself heck no your not riding on these trails and end finding stray arrows.
My fun trip to the park to exercise turned into a twenty mile haul sprinkled with a one mile walk.I road the loop a few times and then the idea to use the day as a test for the bike portion of a race hit me. I made my way back using a different route which was up hill for eight miles and then level the rest of the way. I start running out of fuel but instead of listening to my body I insisted to myself it was a mental block. It wasn't, I had not eaten properly and because I was putting a tremendous amount of strain on my vital organs mainly the heart it revolted. Fifteen miles in a chest pain that was more of a slight tightening so I stopped and walked one mile. I then began riding a slow easy pace back home.
I always make sure I have plenty of fluids but neglected the fuel a mistake that won't happen again as I'm not into suffering. I usually leave home with at least something to eat in the form of fruit or trail mix but since it was to be a short trip I never bothered.Hence bad planning will send you down a dead end road.I have now crossed the mental block of wanting to compete but not mentally feeling I can. I took the hills,the streets, curves and the heat with no problem.I did it all on a heavy older model mountain bike and no a road bike which I have not owned in years. My excuse was I did not want to spent money on a bike I may not use much. A heavy bike has no place in a road race it just to slow and tiring.I 'm now ready to make the investment. I love off road cycling but I see myself doing more time on the black top for now.I relearned the importance of diet even when I have no desire to eat and most importantly I discover nothing is impossible it you keep working at it.
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