Fitness

Walking around the world

/ edebock / 4 Comments

English countryside

I went for a walk in the English countryside this afternoon without ever leaving home! Yesterday, it was scenic Argyll in Scotland and perhaps tomorrow I’ll choose a segment of Italy’s Appian Way, the most historic road in the world.

Scotland

How is this possible? It’s easy with virtual walk DVDs from VITA Digital Productions! My sister got several of them for Christmas and after using them for the past three months, she loaned them to me. I rearranged the basement so that its tiny TV is right in front of the treadmill and off I went!

I’ve walked well over 200 miles since the beginning of September, many of them on the treadmill. That can get really boring but with these videos, time flies by and I hardly notice how far I’ve walked. Most of the videos are filmed at approximately 3 miles per hour, a little slower than I usually walk but that doesn’t seem to present a problem. It just gives me a little longer to notice details along the way. Argyll is actually one of VITA Digital’s Virtual Jog/Bike Ride videos so it was filmed at a much faster speed but even that seems to work. It’s a wee bit disorienting when the film speeds up on a downhill slope but so far, I’ve managed not to lose my balance!

All of the videos were recorded with natural sounds so as I walk, I can hear birds singing, water splashing or cars passing by. Some also have a music option so if I choose, I can put on my virtual earphones and listen to that instead.

I love visiting new and different places and have always considered walking the best way to see the sights but until we pack our suitcases again and head off to another foreign land, these DVDs will help satisfy my gypsy longings. In fact, I’ve already ordered four more of them. Soon I’ll be able to look down on the Mediterranean as I stroll the Isle of Capri or Italy’s famous Amalfi coast. I’ll also be able to go for a nature walk that will take me through all four seasons in 60 minutes but most of all, I’m looking forward to Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. I won’t be able to stop for tea at Ronnie and Myrna’s but maybe I’ll walk by their house and see Lindy’s boat anchored offshore!

Eventually spring has to come, the huge drifts of snow will melt away and I’ll be able to spend more time walking outdoors again but until that happens, I’m going to enjoy walking around the world in the comfort and safety of my basement!

Isle of Capri

 

Walking in snow

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I’ve always loved walking in fresh fallen snow but these days, with four wheel drive and good winter tires, it’s actually easier and safer to drive. With the latest deposit of loose snow underfoot, walking can be quite treacherous and in those areas of town where there are no sidewalks and the snow has piled up along the roadsides, it’s difficult to get out of the way of vehicles.

A couple of weeks ago while trudging through several inches of loose snow, I twisted or wrenched something in my right hip. I didn’t realize that I’d actually done any damage until later in the day when the muscles in my thigh began to spasm. OUCH! That was nasty! Fortunately, heat and ibuprofen settled things down but the experience definitely slowed me down for awhile and has kept me from attempting any more walking in snow. It seems silly to start the vehicle to make a quick trip to the library or the post office or to go to the church which is only a quarter mile away but these legs have got to be in good shape when we arrive in Japan next week so I’m not taking any chances!

After challenging myself to walk 100 miles and accomplishing that goal a little over a month ago, my body has become accustomed to doing a lot of walking! My usual pace on the treadmill is 3.7 mph but for awhile after hurting my hip I could only manage short stints at about 3.0 mph. Total rest might have been a better idea but my body wanted to walk and as long as I didn’t make any twisting motions, it seemed to be okay. Happily, I’m back to pain free and full speed but the snow is still falling so, as pretty as it is outdoors these days, all my walking will be on the treadmill.

For those who might be wondering, I’m up to 141 miles now (227 km) and I’ll be wearing a pedometer in Japan so I can continue to keep track!

Mission accomplished!

/ edebock / 1 Comment

On September 23, I blogged about my plan to walk 100 miles. Shortly afterward, I established Christmas Day as my target to complete this endeavour but I actually finished today, meeting my goal more than two weeks early! It sounds even better when I say that I walked 161 km!

I faltered a little around the 80 mile mark. That’s when it turned frigid and slippery here in Alberta and outdoor walks became shorter and less frequent. I don’t mind walking on the treadmill but I really do prefer being outdoors. I was glad that my goal was in sight by that time as it made it easier to push through to the finish line, so to speak.

It was tendonitis in my shoulders that prevented me from lifting weights as I usually do in the winter months and started me on this new exercise regime. The shoulders are much better now and I did try lifting for a short while about a month ago. Even though I was lifting baby weights in comparison to what I usually do, the shoulders quickly began to protest and I had to quit. I’ve continued doing the exercises that the physiotherapist gave me but they’ve become so easy that I’m thinking about trying some easy lifts again sometime soon.

I also exercise for 15 to 20 minutes five mornings a week. As soon as I climb out of bed, I hit the floor for stomach crunches and other strengthening exercises followed by a series of stretches and then some yoga poses that work on balance. I had to modify this program for awhile to accommodate the wimpy shoulders but now I’m able to do the full routine again.

Now that I’ve accomplished my walking goal and discovered that, taken in small increments, it didn’t really seem all that far, I have no intention of quitting. Assuming that my slightly arthritic left knee will take it, I’m even going to try some interval training adding power walking, jogging and perhaps even some short sprints. I’m not sure how this will go but it’s worth a try.

The walking, combined with healthy eating, has had an unexpected bonus. Over the past couple of months, I’ve shed a few unwanted pounds. But you were already skinny, I hear some of you protesting! No, skinny is what I was when I was a child; all skin, bones and knobby knees. Here’s a picture of me at eight.

Now that's skinny!

Fifty years later, I’m slim, slender, thin. Lean sounds nice, muscular even better but, please, not skinny!


Seriously, what I’ve discovered is that every ounce that this slender body gains gathers around the middle as an unwanted belly bulge or muffin top. I know that’s normal for a woman of my age but I don’t have to embrace it! As I walk, run, stretch and lift it will continue to be me against the muffin top!

Most important, however, is that after 100 miles, I feel great!