Tag Archives: workout

Walk in the light

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You have no doubt heard someone say light is associated with that which is good. When something hidden is exposed is said to be “brought to light.” In the same manner, darkness is said to be associated with that which is bad or concealed.

Perhaps this idea comes from the Bible, where light and darkness are compared and contrasted from its opening verses through to the closing chapter. The fourth verse of the very first book reads:

“God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4 NIV

I unknowingly participated in an experiment the other day contrasting the difference between light and darkness. I noticed the direction I am walking matters (whether I’m walking towards the light or away from it) in a darkened room. Walking away from the light in a large room filled with obstacles, pitfalls become increasingly harder to see the further I get from the source of light. The opposite is true when I walk towards the source of light. The closer I get to the light the more defined the obstacles become and the easier they are to avoid. Perhaps the Psalmist said it best:

“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

When you’re exercising at night, carry a light and wear reflective clothing to light your path and keep you safe.

Walk in the light

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You have no doubt heard someone say light is associated with that which is good. When something is exposed is said to be “brought to light.” In the same manner, darkness is said to be associated with that which is bad or concealed.

Perhaps the idea comes from the Bible, where light and darkness are compared and contrasted from its opening verses all the way through to the closing chapter. The fourth verse of the very first book reads:

“God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4 NIV

I unknowingly participated in an experiment the other day contrasting the difference between light and darkness. I noticed the direction I am walking matters (towards the light or away from it) in a darkened room. When walking away from the light in a large room filled with obstacles, I noticed those pitfalls became harder to see and navigate the further I got from a source of light. I also learned the opposite is true when I walked towards the source of light. The closer I got the light the more defined obstacles became and easier to avoid.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

I put the contrast between light and darkness to the test every time venture out for an evening workout. Carrying a light and wearing reflective clothing when I’m walking in the dark, lights my path and keeps me safe.

Couch to 5k: when your body says no

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walk-2635038_960_720I’m posting a long overdue update on my couch to 5k progress.  Last year (9/2018) I was successful in completing a 5k run after a thirty plus year hiatus from running.  This year proved to be a different story.  I did go out for a handful of runs this spring and summer but the aftereffects gave me pause to stop and reevaluate my long range goals.  Sporadic knee pain and hip twinges led me to a crossroads.

Since I’ve managed to keep most of the weight off I lost last year and I’m still walking a lot, I’ve decided to step away from running.  I didn’t plan to compete regularly in fun runs anyway.  In the meantime I’m counting on my dogs to give me sufficient motivation to keep walking.  I’ll be content to be counted among the walking crowd for now.  

When “doing life” supplies the work out

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bag-1868758_960_720Last week I had a doctor’s appointment.  I scheduled it knowing I’d have enough time to get there if I left directly from work.  So when my workday ended, I rushed out to the parking lot to jump in my vehicle only to find it wasn’t there.  After a moment of panic, I remembered  the now brainless move on my part.  At lunch time I went home to grab a sandwich.  In the process of doing so, I drove into a tangle of road repair at the entrance of my street.  Traffic was backed up in both directions because only one lane was open.  At the time it seemed like a good idea to leave my car in the safety of my driveway and walk the 3/4th of a mile back to work.

There I was, after work, standing in the parking lot, realizing “doing life” called for a workout if I was going to make it to my appointment on time.  I had no choice but to race-walk the 3/4 of a mile home with a backpack on my shoulders. I arrived home quite soggy from the searing sun.  Believe it or not, I was able to catch enough green lights and encountered no additional road construction on my way to the appointment.  I made it just in time!

Only one problem remained.  I needed to slow my breathing so I could have a successful appointment.

 

Couch to 5k: The business of spring

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img_1152Several weeks ago I got up off the couch and started training for a 5k race this fall.  The air was cold and the wind raw.  Then spring happened; raking, mowing, weeding, pruning and helping neighbors do the same.  I suppose I could be discouraged for getting sidetracked but I’m not.  Isn’t the whole idea of exercising to get up off the couch and be active.

One thing that hasn’t changed is my dog walks. They are longer now and more frequent.  I look forward to more traditional workouts once the yard work is caught up.