God's gift

Took a morning walk today - just a mile and a half - no record time, but feels so good just to get my heart pumping first thing.

I realized today - that I have been given a gift - the gift of time - and that I've not been taking advantage of it at all. Shame on me.

So I am devoting a couple of hours each day - in broken up walks - to start getting healthy. It's been 20 years since I've been healthy (HOW SAD), and I'm ready.

God gave me the one thing I didn't have before - TIME. And I've been laughing in his face, not taking advantage of it at all. Oh for six weeks I was great, but that wasn't until January - having had all of Nov and Dec! And then I got sick, and that was the end.

So while I'm nursing my broken rib, and still coughing, I will not be making any time speed records. BUT. I WILL be using up calories on several walks a day. I will have 10 miles in this week. Shooting for 20 next week. I don't have to run yet. I have time. Walking will be just as good.

Once the calories are burned, muscle built, and the weight starts coming off, I'll try to run. I'd love to run a 5k yet this summer. And I totally think I can do it. I have a 1.58 mi route from my house to the highway and back. I'd love to be running that by July 4th. After I can run that entire thing, I will find another route that gets me to the 3.2 miles, and I'll start working on that.

The goal: 25 miles a week average from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Running 1.58 miles steady by July 4th. Running a 5K (3.2 miles) by Labor Day.

Day One of The Gift Challenge: 1.58 miles (some jogged). I can do this!