Last week I wrote about the end of my run streak. It’s been two weeks since it ended now, and I’m still feeling okay about that. There was one day that I put on a t-shirt that says, “I just felt like running” (see below). I’d gotten it to celebrate my “Gump Day” (the day in my run streak that matched the number of days Forrest Gump ran in the movie). I hesitated before I put it on, wondering for just a second if I deserved to wear it. Then I realized that was a stupid thought to have–for one, I’m guessing most of the people who buy that t-shirt don’t even know what a run streak is. And two, I achieved my Gump Day–ending my streak doesn’t negate that. I can still celebrate that I did it.
The Bearded One asked me this week if I’ve been missing running at all and, if I’m being totally honest, I haven’t. Even the day after my surgery I was out walking slowly with my Marty dog, so I feel like I’m still getting the mental and physical benefits I got from running outside every day–I’m moving my body and I’m spending time outside in fresh air, but in a more relaxed way.
Right after my surgery, my walks were short and incredibly slow. I think I was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia for a few days after, and with my bandage and my stitches I didn’t want to get too sweaty. As time has passed, and I’ve been healing, and I got my stitches out, I’ve been walking more and more. And a few days ago, on June 24, 2022, I took Marty out for an evening walk. And, for the first time since a chunk was cut out of my nose, I made sure we walked a mile all at once. And then last night I did the same thing. And tonight, I did it again. So, I guess I’m three days into a new streak.
This streak will be different than my run streak. I’m still figuring out what I want my rules to be for it, exactly, but I think the main thing is that I want to go at least a mile on my own two feet, either walking or running (because I don’t necessarily want to stop running completely) every day. And I want it to be outside. The time spent outside during my run streak was as beneficial for me as the exercise–maybe even more. And I want it to be all at once. I’m not going to stress about stopping for Ms. Martypants to relieve herself, or to tie my shoe, or anything, really–I just mean that it wouldn’t count if I walked/ran half a mile in the the morning and walked/ran another half mile in the evening–I want it to be at least a mile in one session.
So, that’s it. That’s my new streak so far. I’m not sure how long I’ll keep it up, or if it will feel as significant as my run streak did, but I feel like it’ll be easier to maintain, and I do think Marty enjoys the walking more than the running. Plus, since I get to decide the rules, I think it’ll be less stressful. And this is my first step towards getting back to my AL Project for self-improvement. It kind of fell by the wayside with everything I’ve had going on, but it’s still something I want to do. Stay tuned for more updates, and let me know if you want to join me for a walk sometime–I’ve never been a fan of running with other people, but I love walking with others!
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