Two runs two weeks apart. Not bad for someone who doesn't
run anymore. The first time was for just 38 minutes carrying a backpack to and
from the grocery store to pick up some fruits and vegetables. The second time a couple of weeks later was to deposit a $4.50
refund check from Charter Internet. That lasted a little bit longer at 50 whole minutes. But wait, there's more.
Two days after the bank deposit, I ran to and from Fresh and Easy market to
check out how much they increased the price of the cheap wine I usually buy
there (no, there is no more 2 buck Big Kahuna). These runs happen to be a big
deal for me nowadays not only because I actually ran but because they lasted
longer than my self- imposed at least 30 minutes a day stationary bike workouts.
Now that I don't have a job which happens to be in a
somewhat dangerous field, perhaps I should attempt to run slightly more. I've
had to curtail runs in recent years because I had to avoid the pain from my
injuries, which would have physically impaired me from moving quickly enough if
I had to defend myself against potentially violent psychiatric patients. For
now, I don't have to worry about that since I'm jobless.
To get out of the house, I went to Signal Hill for a walk
with the Long Beach Area Walking Club last Saturday morning. There were only
six of us who showed up but it was actually nice to be able to walk, talk, and
breath somewhat heavily while on a walk with a group. How did I manage to
accomplish it? By putting on the "equalizer". What is the equalizer
you ask? It's just a plain backpack with a 15 pound weight in it. I've walked
with it on a flat course before but it was the first time I tried it up and
down Signal Hill with the walking club. It worked pretty well in slowing me
down while still giving me an adequate workout, and enabling me to stay with
the pack instead of walking way ahead at my own pace. Carrying the weight wasn't
much of a problem other than the strain on the shoulders due to the backpack
straps. And then offloading the pack after the walk, I was still hunched
forward while walking as if the pack was still on my back. It was probably the
first time during a walking workout that I got lost in conversation with others
like it was when I was running with friends from my running club - AREC.
Coincidentally, the woman I was talking with used to be a human resources
manager and happened to know a little bit about Pacific Hospital. So for the
hour and 50 minutes we walked together, that's what we talked about. Anyway,
that's my new plan with the walking club -weigh myself down and start talking
with the group. I may add another 5 pounds next time and hope the weights don't
tear a hole in the bottom of my backpack.
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